The afterlife blew up Gensokyo

You think you've seen the whole thing, but what you've actually seen is just the tip of the iceberg above the surface.

Driven by my curiosity, I secretly followed him as he gracefully departed from the Monster Mountain.

...After all, the unknown liquor he brought out was quite delicious.

A small cottage in the woods, surrounded by lush green bamboo.

In that bamboo grove, I curiously looked around, trying to discern the other person's past, but I didn't observe for long before he came out of the inner room again.

At that moment, a gentle breeze swept through the bamboo grove, and withered leaves quietly covered the green stone path between the bamboo trees. He walked at the front with his clothes fluttering, and I secretly made a face at him from behind.

This was a long and unforgettable journey for me.

To be honest, he is a very strange person. Sometimes he is so lazy that he is like a salted fish that has been dried out by the sun, while at other times he is as profound as a dreamlike mist.

That snowy night, the wind howled, the forest undulated, and snowflakes danced in the air. The dense foliage of the forest prevented a single star from passing by, and all was silent, as if the whole world was asleep.

At that time, I was lying on the tree trunk, gazing up at the dark night sky in a daze, occasionally reaching out to catch a cold snowflake.

I'm used to sleeping outdoors, so I was initially quite dismissive of his decision to lie down in a warm and comfortable tent so early on.

How can such behavior be considered spiritual practice?

At that time, I didn't consider that my deteriorating condition seemed to prevent me from doing so.

That was the first time I was sick.

When I woke up, I felt ice-cold all over, and my mind felt foggy, as if it were filled with iron. My whole body was unresponsive.

Just as I was about to move a little, I fell from the tree trunk to the ground. But instead of the expected pain, I landed in a warm embrace.

As I faintly heard a strange sigh, I drifted off to sleep again.

During that process, I woke up several times in a daze, and then fell asleep several times in a daze.

When I finally woke up, the wind was rustling through the treetops, and the flowing water was playing a melodious tune in my ears.

I opened my eyes and found the sun shining brightly. The golden sunlight shimmered with iridescent colors on the sparkling water. Several butterflies fluttered leisurely above my head, and the unique scent of grass filled the air around me.

In that instant, I seemed to forget who I was, where I came from, and where I was going. I just stared blankly at the white clouds floating in the clear blue sky, and suddenly felt an inexplicable emotion stirring in my heart.

...until someone's rather rude tone came from the side.

So after that, I inexplicably started working as a handyman on the trip, including daily tasks like setting up tents, cooking, and stir-frying.

As for that guy... he's becoming more and more like a salted fish.

Later, we went out to sea and drifted at sea for more than a month, encountering a storm at sea, before successfully reaching land.

Although the summary is simple, the process was full of twists and turns, but there were still gains along the way.

To paraphrase someone, it seems my fishing skills have reached the maximum level...

Although someone usually acts quite unreliable and lazy, he can be surprisingly reliable at certain times... though he's still just as detestable.

For example, he promised that he wouldn't stand idly by next time they encountered a pack of ferocious beasts but would try to do something. But how exactly could he be so oblivious to everyone else, holding up a sign, wearing a tie, and loudly cheering me on?

So, doesn't he feel ashamed? Or is it because I'm the one who's most embarrassed...?

But just when I thought he would continue to be such a lazy bum, I witnessed the birth of a legend.

That was probably the first time he showed me his full strength.

Whether it was wielding a sword to kill Qiongqi north of the Yellow River, suppressing Taotie in the North Sea, or slaying Taowu and Chaos amidst thousands of ferocious beasts.

He displayed unparalleled power and...unfamiliarity in front of me.

After all, if someone who always asks you to help him serve tea and water but never lifts a finger suddenly becomes so handsome and powerful... anyone would wonder if they've mistaken him for someone else.

When rumors spread and become hearsay, when hearsay fades into the past, when the past coalesces into legend...

This is probably what they call a legend.

I don't know when it started, but a certain person began to appear in my heart for no reason. When I think of him, I feel happy, and when I don't see him, I feel sad.

I didn't know what this emotion was until Heng'e told me later.

I see no interest in any of the other people, but I was moved by you.

But do I even exist in his heart? I don't know.

Perhaps at that time, I should have been more assertive and gone to the celestial realm with him...

When I sit on a treetop and look up at the night sky, this thought occasionally crosses my mind, but in the end, it always comes to nothing.

But to him, I was probably just a friend or drinking buddy he got along with on the trip?

But there's really nothing to be sad about, since for someone who is immortal, they will eventually meet again, though who knows how many years it will be before they do.

Perhaps... maybe a little earlier?

My journey continues, but with one less person by my side, I always feel as if something is missing from this journey, but it doesn't matter.

I only have this dream occasionally.

In my dream, I walked alone through a dense cedar forest. The wind howled, the forest undulated, and snowflakes fluttered down from the sky. The mountain path seemed so long. A gust of wind blew, and snowflakes flew everywhere.

I was walking alone in the snow, but I still didn't know where to go. When I turned around unintentionally, I found that my footprints in the snow had long since disappeared.

Then, when I turned around, a figure appeared in front of me and reached out a hand in my direction.

...a very strange dream.

During my subsequent solo journey, I encountered many things, made many new friends, and experienced many new events.

At the end of my journey, I returned to where I started—Mount Yokai.

At that time, all the demons had moved away from the mountain to hell. The Demon Mountain was now ruled by the Tengu clan. A Tengu recognized me and I received a very warm welcome and hospitality from the Tengu clan.

With the permission of the Heavenly Demon, I opened a dojo somewhere on the Mountain of Yokai and settled there.

Occasionally, the Demon King would come to me for drinks and tell me some interesting stories, to which I would respond with a smile and a raised glass.

Many years passed in the blink of an eye, and the sage Ibaraka, who lived somewhere on the Mountain of Yokai, became just a legend.

One day, when I got up and went out as usual, I saw a figure in front of my dojo. Hearing the noise, the person turned around, raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, and then smiled and extended his hand towards me.

I seem to have seen this scene many times in my dreams, but at this moment, I suddenly can't tell whether it's real or a dream.

P.S.: Good morning

Chapter 1: If you can't kill him, beat him to death.

"Ah... I feel like I've traveled through time again..."

Deep in a vast, boundless mountain, someone looked up at the sky through the gaps between the tall trees, his face filled with utter despair.

If he remembered correctly, this should be the starting point when he left for the Heavenly Realm. However, at that time, this place was still a sea cliff. How come he only spent three years in the Heavenly Realm and when he came back, this place had become a deep mountain?

"Is it because of the different flow of time caused by the evolution between the old and new eras? Or is it due to some other reason..."

After a brief moment of contemplation, Shi Bai reached out and removed the bronze bell from his head.

Compared to its original state, the Donghuang Bell now appears quite dilapidated, with fine cracks even appearing in some places.

"You've worked hard these past few days, go and get some rest."

Shi Bai tapped the bell with his finger, chuckled softly, and then released his grip.

The artifact seemed to possess a spirit; after the ancient bronze bell swung towards him, it vanished in a flash.

"I don't even know what time it is now..."

After finishing this task, Shi Bai turned around and looked around before choosing a direction to walk in.

As he uttered those muttered words, with a single step, his figure had already silently appeared a thousand meters away...

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

"...So you mean she's already left?"

After staring at the small lucky star pendant in his hand for a while, Shi Bai looked up at the white-haired old man in front of him.

"And also, are you really not going to regret it? To stubbornly stay on this land and watch your life come to an end, with your knowledge and spirit out of step with the times... is it really necessary?"

If it weren't for those past connections, he would never have been able to connect the frail old man in front of him with the spirited young man he once was.

The other party's current name is Prophet, while his previous name was Hou Yi.

"No, rather than regret, I feel peace and joy now."

The old man reached out and added a handful of firewood to the pile in front of him, and then he smiled.

“I have lived for countless years, and there is no point in continuing to live. Humans born in this new era are very fragile and need someone to guide them forward, to impart knowledge and skills to them, and most importantly, to inspire them.”

"……Spirit?"

"As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement; as earth's nature is receptive, a gentleman should cultivate virtue and bear all things with magnanimity... These are words you yourself once wrote down."

The old man squinted at the fire in front of him, his face filled with nostalgia.

"After you left, many, many things happened. Many people left, and many people stayed. Many people advised me to leave with them, but I would rather stay on this land."

"So you really did stick to your principles from beginning to end until your death... sacrificing your own family for the greater good, all for the sake of all living beings."

Putting away the lucky star pendant, Shi Bai turned to look at the scenery outside and shook his head almost imperceptibly.

"If gods could be born from faith, their lives might be much better."

"Perhaps what you say makes some sense, but we don't need the care of the gods."

The old man held his head high, his face filled with pride.

"There are always some things that a nation cannot desecrate."

If the sky is broken, refine stones to mend it yourself.

When the flood came, instead of consulting oracles, they dug canals to clear the water.

When a disease is rampant, people don't seek miracles; they test medicines on themselves and treat themselves.

If someone drowns in the East China Sea, fill the East China Sea; if someone is exposed to the scorching sun, shoot down the sun.

Let whoever wants to be the chosen stone, let whoever wants to be the bowed lamb, let him be.

Between heaven and earth cleaved by the axe, everywhere are people who refuse to be slaves… This is the inviolable essence of this people!

"That's right, this is something that our nation cannot desecrate."

After a moment of silence, Shi Bai laughed.

"It seems I don't need to worry too much about this place anymore. Want some drinks? I can drink with you to your heart's content for free today."

"I'm old now, and my alcohol tolerance isn't what it used to be, but I've finally waited for you, which means I've fulfilled the request she once made to me."

The old man waved his hand and suddenly sighed.

"However, there's something I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"Heng'e... Don't worry, I've agreed."

After a moment of silence, Shi Bai nodded.

“I rarely make promises, but once I do, I will absolutely keep them, so you can rest assured.”

"Thank you then..."

As if finally relieved of a burden, the old man let out a long breath, then gradually lowered his head and fell silent.

Those who dedicate their lives to upholding their principles will now embark on their journey to the underworld, drinking the waters of the River of Oblivion before stepping into the next life.

"........."

After a moment of silence, Shi Bai's figure quietly disappeared from the spot.

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

"Tsk... Even after all this time, is he still getting teleportation dizziness...?"

After lying on the ground and contemplating life for a while, Shi Bai finally stood up unsteadily.

Although a great deal of time has passed, the teleportation point he painstakingly set up is still faithfully fulfilling its function.

If it weren't for the sheer aversion to trouble, he would have loved to stab himself after each teleportation, resetting his status through suicide...