Chapter 56: Into the Inked Realm

Blue Child gathered us and pulled out a rolled-up scroll, identical to the one used for warding off curses.

“There are rules for visiting my master’s dimension,” he said. “Breaking them could bring trouble, and you’d bear the consequences. Be careful.”

“Rules?” I asked.

“Yes.”

Looking at Pig-Bird with a serious tone, he continued, “First, don’t touch anything carelessly. Second, don’t form attachments. Third, don’t drink the water.”

“Those are… unusual rules.”

What did “don’t form attachments” mean? The dimension sounded a bit daunting.

“Follow these three rules, and you’ll return safely. Remember them.”

“Got it. Pig, you heard? No eating random stuff.”

“Bbiak.”

“Ahem, I’ll keep a close eye on the little lady. Don’t worry,” Blue Child said.

He unrolled the scroll, which floated in the air, revealing its contents. Unlike my expectations, it was blank.

Was my presence level too low to see it, like the warding scroll? Then—

Plop. A drop of black ink fell, spreading rapidly, filling the paper.

The ink moved, drawing mountains, clouds, rocks, and trees, forming a beautiful, classic ink painting.

“Wow…”

As I marveled, I noticed the painting moving—clouds drifting, trees swaying.

“This is a dimensional rubbing my master gave only to his disciples,” Blue Child said. “It’s a replica of his dimension. You need it to enter.”

“Fascinating method.”

“Who’s first?”

I glanced at Bernell, hoping he’d go first.

But the white snake, climbing my leg, touched the scroll with its tail.

“Huh?”

It was sucked in, tail first, and vanished.

“There’s a snake in the painting now?” I said, spotting an inked snake wriggling on a rock.

“Just touch it?” I asked.

Blue Child nodded.

With the snake’s example, order didn’t matter. I reached for the scroll, Pig-Bird and Bernell following suit.

The scent of ink filled my nose, and my vision shifted instantly.

The dimension was like an ink painting splashed with vibrant colors, mystical and serene.

Towering mountains pierced the clouds, uniquely shaped pines dotted the landscape, and vast meadows stretched without a single building. Untouched nature filled my lungs with crisp air, the scent of fresh grass and flowers soothing my mind.

If immortals had a world, wouldn’t it look like this?

Blue Child tucked the scroll into his waistband, puffing out his chest proudly. “This is my master’s dimension. Only select disciples come here. Consider it an honor.”

“Thank you for the invitation. It’s an honor.”

“Bbiak.”

Pleased with our praise, Blue Child shrugged smugly.

“Let’s go. My master awaits. You haven’t forgotten the rules?”

“Nope. No touching, no attachments, no drinking water.”

We followed his lead along a natural dirt path, lined with unfamiliar, almost mystical plants radiating an extraordinary aura.

Soon, we saw someone sitting on a large rock—a man with white hair, holding a carved wooden staff, dressed in immortal-like robes.

“Master, I’ve brought them,” Blue Child said.

“Well done.”

His voice resonated deeply.

I was startled—Yakmyeongdosa wasn’t the bearded old man I’d imagined but strikingly youthful. Gods don’t age like humans, but it was still surprising. And quite handsome, too.

Caught staring, I missed my cue to greet him but quickly bowed. “Hello, I’m Kongyun, running Baby Bird Café in the Cracks of Time. Thank you for the invitation.”

I presented the bottle respectfully. “I heard you enjoy liquor, so I brought Luminaberry Nectar, made with jewel berries from my café.”

“Such fine liquor as a gift! I accept with gratitude.”

As Blue Child hinted, Yakmyeongdosa’s mood visibly brightened, clearly a liquor enthusiast.

First impression: nailed it. Scored some points, maybe?

“Bbiak bbiak!” Pig-Bird mimicked my bow, flapping its wings. But Bernell stood stiffly.

Was he too proud before a dimension-ruling god? I shot him a look, but then—

“This must be the Frostginseng’s owner,” Yakmyeongdosa said, pointing to the white snake coiled around my leg.

“Yes, Master,” Blue Child replied.

“I offer my condolences for what happened in your dimension,” Yakmyeongdosa said to the snake. “If I’d eradicated the evil sooner, your dimension might not have fallen.”

The snake shook its head, as if dismissing the need for apology.

They began conversing, but the snake’s hissing was incomprehensible to me.

“What do you think, Manager?” Yakmyeongdosa suddenly asked.

“Huh?”

I’d been distracted by the snake’s hisses, my mind a deflating balloon, losing the conversation’s thread.

“Can you answer Lord Whitesnow’s question?”

“Whitesnow? Who’s—wait, the snake’s name is Whitesnow?”

I looked at the snake, now brazenly perched on my shoulder, its bright eyes meeting mine. Pfft, Whitesnow? So unfitting. Not exactly Snow White.

“Yes,” Yakmyeongdosa confirmed.

“Oh… sorry, I can’t understand snake language.”

“My apologies. I assumed you could communicate, being together.”

“Master, I believe the Manager’s dimension is too new, with low presence, lacking inner strength,” Blue Child interjected.

“A curious case. The Manager’s strong inclusivity must forge tight bonds,” Yakmyeongdosa said, pulling something from his robe—a small, white, round pill wrapped in thin paper.

Blue Child’s eyes widened. “Master, that’s…!”

“Do you like confections, Manager?” Yakmyeongdosa asked, offering it.

“Confections?”

Blue Child’s envious stare locked onto the pill, more intense than when I’d served cloudmilk.

“Uh… is it okay for me to take it?”

“Take it quick! It’s a Heavenly Sound Pill, given only to disciples for exceptional deeds!” Blue Child urged, bouncing.

Reluctantly, I accepted. Must be special.

“A humble return for your gift,” Yakmyeongdosa said. “It won’t melt here but don’t swallow it. Roll it in your mouth, and you’ll understand Lord Whitesnow. It’s temporary.”

Candy, huh? I’m not big on snacks.

It seemed the pill enabled communication with the snake, so I popped it in. Small enough not to puff my cheeks, it tasted sweet—not fruity or sugary, but a creamy sweetness, like milk candy.

I understood Blue Child’s envy.

Rolling it on my tongue, I looked at the snake.

“Hiss.”

The forked tongue flicked, making a deflating sound.

[Can you hear me now?]

“Whoa, you just spoke? You asked if I can hear you?”

[I’m delighted we can finally converse.]

I understood the snake’s words in my mind. Never thought I’d talk to a snake.

Its speech was surprisingly cute.

“Bbiak.”

Pig-Bird, sticking close to Bernell instead of me due to the snake, chirped, and “Mama” echoed clearly in my mind. I could understand the bird too.

This is some magic candy.

It wouldn’t melt here, so it was a dimension-specific item. I wished it worked in the café.

“Thank you,” I mumbled, the candy slurring my words.

“Shall we resume the conversation?” Yakmyeongdosa suggested.

“What was the question?”

“Hiss.”

[Lord Yakmyeongdosa asked if you’d like to learn frostflower cultivation.]

“Oh, I’m in!”

“Good choice,” Yakmyeongdosa said. “I’d love to grow frostflower seeds in my dimension, but they likely wouldn’t thrive. Life from one dimension rarely survives in another.”

I recalled Thunderbirds saying cloudmilk trees wouldn’t grow elsewhere.

“That the Frostginseng survived in another dimension is fortunate. Your dimension, Manager, is unique in nurturing such life.”

Thunderbirds thought cloudmilk trees couldn’t grow elsewhere, yet they thrived in my café, like silverclover and jewel berries.

“If you learn to cultivate Frostginseng properly, I’d like to receive a portion in exchange for a fair price.”

A new special order was coming.