The afterlife blew up Gensokyo

"That's right, it's still going on. A hundred years isn't a long time for those monsters."

The girl nodded.

"Now you should understand why so many monsters choose to run into the human world, right? It's because they want to escape the war where they could suddenly die at any time. Although the human world is dangerous, it is undoubtedly much better than the monster world, which is full of war and where you could die at any moment."

"So, the Myouren-ji Temple was built by Saint Byakuren..."

"Because it was the first place among humans willing to come out and protect the yokai who fled the battlefield, it naturally attracted most of the yokai to gather there. If the development trend of Myouren Temple continues, Myouren Temple will become a holy place in the hearts of those weak yokai, and Hō Byakuren will very likely become the second [Yokai Sage]."

The girl shook her head slightly after hearing what the girl had said.

"I've made myself so clear, you should understand now, right? Myouren Temple was destined to perish because someone didn't want it to exist, so the conspiracies they orchestrated led to its destruction. Byakuren's wish was the biggest reason for its demise."

"So who was the real mastermind behind the destruction of Myourenji Temple...?"

As if she had just thought of something, the girl's eyes widened, but before she could finish her sentence, a quick-thinking girl covered her mouth.

"Just think it in your heart, don't say it out loud, and don't write it down in a book. Do you want to implicate me?"

The girl glared at her with obvious displeasure.

"Some things are better left unsaid. Why bother discussing them? You can retain your memories and be reincarnated even after you die, but when I die, I'm truly dead. I barely survived, and I don't want to be killed by you for nothing."

"……I see."

After a moment of silence, the girl nodded gently.

"It's good that you understand. I was really afraid that you would suddenly become stubborn again... I should have told you these things."

After receiving the girl's assurance, the girl visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't be fooled by my current strength. There are actually many beings stronger than me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have let the Hakurei Shrine be destroyed in that war. If it weren't for a kind doctor who happened to be passing by and treated me, I would probably have died from my injuries back then."

"...Do you really think there exists a place where monsters and humans can coexist peacefully?"

"I don't know. Don't ask me questions like that, because I'm no longer a priestess, nor am I human; I'm a magician."

The girl yawned and looked ahead with her eyes slightly narrowed.

"Instead of asking these questions that have no answers, can't you ask some more meaningful ones? Like, what are we having for lunch today?"

"As for food... I have a few rice balls here."

After a moment of stunned silence, the girl quickly reached into her bag and took out a large lunchbox.

"I made the rice balls myself, and they should taste pretty good."

"I mean it's nutritious, your rice ball isn't nutritious at all."

The girl's face twitched violently as she looked at the lunchbox the girl handed her.

"Your Hieda family is supposed to be the richest and most luxurious family in the Human Village. I spent a long time traveling all this way to be your bodyguard, and this is what you give me?"

"Uh... because this is the easiest to carry... how about you shoot down a pigeon and I'll roast it for you?!"

After thinking for a moment, the girl rolled up her sleeves.

"I have some knowledge of grilling techniques, and if I do it well, it should taste delicious."

"...Do you have some deep-seated grudge against pigeons?"

"Uh……?"

"Pigeons are so cute, why do you keep staring at them all the time?"

"Because roasted pigeon is delicious, and pigeon soup is also very tasty..."

"I don't care, you have to treat me to a really, really expensive meal when we get back!! I'm broke!!"

"Okay, I'll treat you to it then."

The girl nodded quite seriously.

"...Tch, just as I expected, this is the same reaction. It's no fun bullying you."

With a slight pout, the girl reached out and took the bag from the other person's body.

"Don't bring rice balls next time. At least bring some meat, like grilled meat, grilled fish, or jerky."

"Then I'll try making meat rice balls next time?"

"........."

In the afternoon sunlight, the girl's voice gradually faded away along the road until it was completely inaudible.

..................................................................

Perhaps because they are unaware of dreams, wanderers chase after illusions.

Layers of deathly darkness enveloped her, and a chilling aura permeated every corner of her body. In the stillness, Saint Byakuren peacefully closed her eyes.

She had lost count of how many times she had woken up.

Every time she woke up, all she saw was unchanging darkness and silence. There was no sound, no light, no wind; all that accompanied her was the seemingly omnipresent chill.

In this darkness, the passage of time has no meaning. Perhaps hundreds or thousands of years have passed in the outside world, or perhaps only a few months have passed... Who knows?

But she didn't care, because this was the suffering she deserved.

Regardless of the cause and effect, those people ultimately died because of her. Perhaps some people actually felt that she was not wrong, but she felt that she was wrong, so she was wrong.

...or rather, she made a mistake from the very beginning.

Humans and monsters may one day be able to coexist, but that day will definitely not be now, because the era she lives in now simply does not allow such a situation to occur.

In that case, let's wait and wait in the darkness for that era to arrive.

Once she makes a decision, no one can ever change it.

Perhaps only when that time comes will it be time for Myourenji Temple to exist.

She remembered the September wind blowing across the mountains and fields, the golden grass swaying like waves, her white clothes billowing in the wind, and below the hillside was Minglian's stone grave. Turning around, the sun shone brightly, and white clouds gathered and scattered in the blue sky, as if the figure of that person from that day had quietly disappeared beyond the distant mountains.

Excessive, indiscriminate kindness can not only bring disaster upon oneself but also harm others.

—These are the words that the other party said to her at that time.

At the time, she didn't quite understand, but now she vaguely understands... It's just a pity that she understands too late.

"Is it too late? Well, now you should understand, right?"

A slightly teasing voice sounded in her ear.

As the sound rang out, the surrounding darkness instantly brightened, the light dispelling the darkness and filling the entire world.

"……It's you?"

Opening her eyes, Saint Byakuren found that the scenery around her had completely changed. She was now in a bright hall, and in front of her stood a black-haired man, with a blue-haired loli with unique heterochromatic eyes hiding behind him.

"I told you, we'll see each other again soon."

The person shrugged nonchalantly.

The Demon Realm is a world completely created by the creator god, Shinki.

Originally, only a small number of people were qualified to know about this place, but during the war between the Moon Capital and the demons, the Demon Realm was inevitably exposed, and its existence began to become widely known.

However, due to Shenqi's insistence, the Demon Realm did not participate in the war that Shenqi considered meaningless. Instead, she focused on farming and developing her own territory, a task she was capable of accomplishing on her own.

However, due to the sheer number of people who wanted to cause trouble in the Demon Realm every day, the annoyed Shinki simply created a completely undeveloped area of ​​the Demon Realm as the real Demon Realm. Since there was nothing there anyway, it was perfect for dealing with those curious individuals.

This is precisely the principle that "it's better to guide than to block."

Therefore, apart from a few powerful beings, other humans, demons, moon people, and even gods all believed that the Demon Realm was just a barren and dry place with nothing worth exploring—Saint Byakuren shared the same view.

The demon realm that outsiders refer to is actually just a part of the demon realm created by Shinki, located at the very bottom of the real demon realm.

Normally, this place serves as the dumping ground and recycling center for the entire Demon Realm—this is, of course, Shi Bai's description.

This is the place where the Holy White Lotus is sealed, and it is called the Dharma Realm.

P.S.: It's almost the end of the month, please vote! Double update today, and one more tonight.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Daughter Who Fell From the Sky

"...Is this the real Demon Realm?"

Standing atop the high iceberg, looking down at the prosperous and brightly lit city below, after a moment of silence, Hijiri Byakuren turned to look at the other person.

“That’s right. The place you were in before was called the Dharma Realm, which was a place that Shenqi used to dump her trash.”

Yawning, Shi Bai took the lead and walked towards the foot of the iceberg.

"So you were actually sealed inside a giant trash can, and you actually thought that place was the demon realm..."

Saint Byakuren: "..."

After entering through the Demon Realm gate, passing through the ruins of Vina, passing by a fallen temple built by a fallen angel, then through the Demon Realm city, stepping into the icy world, and arriving at the Pandemonium where Shinki resides, Shiro handed Tsukiyo over to Yumeko, a competent maid. After passing through the Kingdom of the Unbelievable, Shiro finally arrived at the Dharma Realm, located at the bottom of the Demon Realm, and found Saint Byakuren.

Although he had been traveling all these years and hadn't paid much attention to the matter of St. Byakuren, he still knew a little about the destruction of Myourenji Temple.

In fact, if it weren't for him, Hijiri Byakuren would have been killed by Yakumo Yukari long ago. Although Hijiri Byakuren was protected by Hijiri Myōren, who is now Bishamonten, it is obvious that Yakumo Yukari is much stronger than Hijiri Myōren.

Because of Byakuren's policies, the destruction of Myourenji Temple was inevitable from the very beginning. Even if Yukari Yakumo hadn't intervened in secret, the gods of Takamagahara would have inevitably made their move when the time was right.

One Yokai Sage is already enough of a headache for them; they will absolutely not allow a second Yokai Sage to appear.

Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. Although Shi Bai didn't know if Sheng Bailian had realized this, it was actually none of his business.

His trip to the Demon Realm to bail out Saint Byakuren was merely a side matter; even if he hadn't come, Shinki would have discovered him sooner or later. His main purpose in coming to the Demon Realm was because of Tsukiyomi.

He would never say that it was because he lost to her in the game of chess that he had to keep his promise to bring her to meet her sister... So it's simply absurd that a master-level mobile chess app couldn't beat her!

From the initial intermediate and advanced levels, to the later expert and master levels, there wasn't a single one that could be fought...

"...But speaking of sisters reuniting, it must be quite a touching scene, right?"

With these thoughts in mind, Shi Bai entered the Palace of Ten Thousand Demons, where Mengzi, the highest-ranking being among the demon realm's creations created by Shen Qi, had been waiting for a long time.

"Lord Shi Bai."

His gaze swept over Hijiri Byakuren and Tatara Kogasa who were following behind Shibai. Yumeko, who was wearing a red and white maid outfit and had dazzling long golden hair, gave him a slight bow.

"You must be tired from your journey. I have prepared a comfortable room for you, and the bath water is ready. Would you like my assistance?"

"Ahem... You should prepare a room for her first. I'll talk to Shenqi about her later. By the way, where's Shenqi?"

Shi Bai pointed to the Holy White Lotus behind him and coughed slightly a few times.

"Where did she go this time? After their long separation, it should be..."

Before he could finish speaking, Mengzi suddenly reached into her waistband, pulled out a dagger, and hurled it at him.

With a sharp clang, a plate that had seemingly flown out of nowhere and was about to hit him on the head was precisely struck down by the dagger.

"Uh……"

Watching the maid effortlessly produce a broom from nowhere and sweep up the broken pieces on the ground, Shi Bai's lips twitched slightly.

Putting aside where the plate came from, and why all the maids are skilled with throwing knives and daggers, the main point is that Yumeko's throwing knife just grazed his face... He doesn't seem to have offended the maid in front of him, does he?

"Stop right there! Don't try to run away if you dare!"

Just then, a familiar, furious voice came from the upstairs corridor, followed by several more snow-white plates being thrown from upstairs.

Before Shi Bai could react, Mengzi pulled out several daggers and precisely smashed several flying discs in the air, followed by another familiar sweep... Well, he knew why the other party was so calm and collected and so skilled.

But the main point is... it seems like Tsukiyomi and Shinki are fighting?

Shi Bai looked up at the building with some confusion, and was then quite shocked to see the highest god of the demon realm driving a wheelchair at 80 miles per hour down the corridor, even performing a rather impressive drift at the L-shaped turn.

Behind her, the supreme ruler of a certain lunar capital, dragging a trolley of cutlery, was futilely chasing after the wheelchair while gritting his teeth and throwing plate after plate forward...

Shi Bai: "???"

"So this is the Demon Realm..."

Looking up at the sky, Saint Byakuren nodded thoughtfully.

[The Demon Realm's reputation is being unfairly damaged? (jpg)]

......................................................

"So why did you bring that guy here? Do you think I'm already busy enough with everything else?"