I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 558

Regardless of era or region, what the common people desire is exceedingly simple: a warm back and a full stomach.

It is the most basic wish, yet simultaneously the most difficult to fulfill. In reality, history records few true eras of grand peace.

Politics, too, only runs smoothly when basic needs—food, clothing, shelter—are satisfied; neglecting them leads to inevitable explosion.

Thus, to the common people, the greatest ruler is the one who keeps them warm and well-fed.

Especially for people who had been oppressed by ruthless bandits, their fervor was bound to be even greater.

"Long live the Heavenly Demon! Ten thousand demons submit!"

"Long live the Heavenly Demon! Ten thousand demons submit!"

"Long live! Long live! Ten thousand years!"

It was not a cry born of terror, but a chorus welling up from sincere hearts.

Men, women, the elderly, and even children. Regardless of age or gender, they prayed that this grand chorus would reach the heavens.

Did heaven itself find the commoners’ wish pleasing? She cast a glance toward them before turning to walk away.

Like a cloud floating serenely, leaving her subordinates behind.

’I find this quite pleasing.’

The new heaven of the common people, the Heavenly Demon.

Yoo So-wol was in a rather fine mood. Her expression remained close to indifference.

As the heaven, she had merely granted aid to the persecuted populace. She had simply poured a downpour upon soil cracked by drought, nothing more.

Therefore, their cheers of "long live" were praise she naturally deserved. Thus, it didn’t stir her heart too deeply.

Had they been ungrateful and failed to cheer... she would have sent down lightning instead of rain.

Such was the nature of heaven: able to grant the populace’s desires, or inflict divine retribution upon them.

"..."

Yoo So-wol raised her head and looked up at the true sky.

Pure white clouds and a brilliant azure sky filled her sight.

Though clear now, someday that blue might be dyed in darkness, unleashing divine judgment.

’Opposing this venerable one is an act of sheer folly.’

Just like the Evil Faction martial artists lying limply across the ground right now. Yoo So-wol wore a derisive smirk.

At first, ignorant of Yoo So-wol’s true identity, they uttered words that should never have crossed their lips.

And what did she do? She personally ripped out their tongues.

The sight of them struggling to scream even without tongues was still vivid in her mind.

’I suppose I must continue this work for a while longer.’

The Demonic Brain, Wi Seol-ak, had informed her: the faction currently dominant in the Jianghu was not the Righteous Faction, but the Evil Faction.

While the Righteous Faction scrambled desperately just to preserve their own standings, the Evil Faction had crossed the line without hesitation.

’Non-Interference Between Government and Martial World. On the surface, it appears to respect martial artists.’

But in truth, it was tantamount to the Imperial Court admitting it lacked the capacity to maintain public order itself.

Until now, a delicate balance had somehow been maintained, but the Orthodox-Demonic War had collapsed it entirely.

Capitalizing on this collapsed public order, the Demonic Cult began steadily winning over the hearts of the common people.

’The day when cheers for this venerable one blanket the entire Central Plains is not far off.’

The Imperial Court was effectively backed into a checkmate.

They diverted administrative power to prepare for armed conflict, but the Demonic Cult had already secured the people’s allegiance.

Marveling briefly at the Demonic Brain’s strategic genius, Yoo So-wol headed toward the Evil Faction’s stronghold.

Though called a stronghold, she had already reduced it to ruins, effectively making it the property of the Demonic Cult.

Even now, cultists and villagers were carrying various supplies and cargo.

"Huh?"

"What’s wrong?"

"No, it just felt like someone passed by."

"Forget it, hurry up and move the cargo."

Yoo So-wol walked right through the crowd, yet not a single person sensed her presence.

Before long, she arrived at a bedchamber—the room originally belonging to the leader of this place.

’An unpleasant stench lingers here.’

It wasn’t a room to her liking. Furthermore, women had originally been held captive as slaves here.

The former leader was a vile demon in human skin, but Yoo So-wol had personally ripped out his tongue and returned him to the earth.

Yet her sole reason for coming here was to rest briefly. Nothing more, nothing less.

’It is not yet time.’

Yoo So-wol checked the time via the Gallery. It was not yet time to advance to the next region.

The Green Forest bandits Yoo So-wol wiped out were far beyond average size. They were scoundrels who had seized control of an entire territory, not just a village.

Information had likely leaked to the higher-ups by now. Yoo So-wol harbored a faint anticipation.

’I wonder if there will be anyone capable of entertaining this venerable one.’

The world is vast, and among it, the Central Plains occupies half of existence.

Even if the combat strength of the Jianghu had been leveled downward by the Orthodox-Demonic War, one or two reclusive masters were bound to lurk somewhere.

Even if not, countless powerful figures were arrayed in the Western Regions.

She looked forward to the day when she could wield a sword rather than fighting bare-handed.

’Still, I must do my work.’

One of the other reasons she sought rest: managing the Gallery.

She immediately accessed the Gallery. Quite a few posts praising the Heavenly Demon had been uploaded.

Of course, since they praised the Heavenly Demon of reality rather than her online handle, she felt little emotion.

’"Chest meat," is it? I wonder how they come up with such vulgar terminology.’

Occasionally there were amusing comments, but she let them slide. They were, after all, praising (?) her real-world self.

What intrigued her most was only one thing: when it pertained to the Gallery’s Heavenly Demon, not her real self.

Thus, whatever they said about the real-world Heavenly Demon mattered little.

[Wild Grylls: Heavenly Demon-nim. Are you busy?]

"Hmm?"

Yoo So-wol opened her eyes slightly wider. While casually managing the Gallery, a message from Grylls arrived.

Her languid expression transformed in an instant, replaced by a subtle sense of anticipation.This chapter is updated first at nоvelping.com.

Whether in reality or the Gallery, conversations with Grylls were always genuine and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Heavenly Demon: What is the matter?]

[Wild Grylls: Well, it’s just that...]

The story Grylls brought up was interesting even to Yoo So-wol.

That he had channeled such overwhelming power into his newly forged weapon that his body was dragged off balance and sent flying.

A layperson might call it absurd nonsense, but it was surprisingly feasible.

’There are even grandmasters who turn this phenomenon to their advantage.’

For instance, suppose one threw a massive pillar. By leaping precisely onto it and riding its momentum forward, the principle was the same.

The only difference was whether one could apply this to a weapon or not. One wrong move, and one would literally be dragged around by the weapon.

Furthermore, setting aside his massive weight class, Grylls possessed an absurdly monstrous reserve of Internal Energy, making such incidents frequent.

[Heavenly Demon: A sword’s center of gravity resides in the hilt, whereas a blunt weapon’s weight is focused in the head. It is highly probable that your ability to handle a sword without issue until now stems from this reason.]

[Wild Grylls: Oho... I see. Is the center of gravity also important for the martial art called Thousand-Pound Weight?]

[Heavenly Demon: It is crucial. In particular, men and women possess different centers of gravity, making the methods of learning distinct.]

A man’s center of gravity is concentrated in the upper body, while a woman’s is focused in the hips.

Thus, differences manifested even in light-footwork techniques utilizing the principles of the Thousand-Pound Weight.

Men gained rapid acceleration at the cost of stability, whereas women experienced the opposite.

[Heavenly Demon: Learning the Thousand-Pound Weight is not particularly difficult. Focusing the intent to gather your body’s Internal Energy and make yourself heavy is quite sufficient.]

[Wild Grylls: You mentioned the center of gravity; should I focus on the upper body?]

[Heavenly Demon: That is applied when using light-footwork—specifically when closing in rapidly with explosive internal strength. When swinging a weapon, the lower body is paramount.]

Being a foundational technique, the Thousand-Pound Weight could be used in various versatile ways.

Though Grylls lacked somewhat in comprehension (intelligence), he had an excellent instructor by his side, which would more than compensate.

’No. Is assuming his comprehension lacks merely a prejudice?’

If his comprehension had truly been lacking, he could never have independently attained true Unity of Self and Object.

Had that been the case, he would still be dragged around, unable to handle his own internal energy.

[Heavenly Demon: Could you by any chance take a photograph of your lower body?]

[Wild Grylls: Pardon?]

[Heavenly Demon: For the foundation of the Thousand-Pound Weight lies in the lower body.]

It wasn’t out of ulterior motives. Yoo So-wol was genuinely serious.

For if mismanaged ever so slightly, the sheer internal power of the Thousand-Pound Weight would strain the lower body beyond endurance.

Just as all martial arts begin not with the hand but the foot, the origin of all internal martial arts stems from the lower body.

’My benefactor has steadily honed his External Arts, so it should be sufficient, but...’

Still, she was uneasy and had no choice but to verify it herself.

Not a few martial artists who temper External Arts tend to neglect their lower bodies.

She simply wanted to check if Grylls was one of those cases.

[Wild Grylls: Um... how should I take it? Do I need to wear just my underwear?]

[Heavenly Demon: There is no need to show your groin. What this venerable one needs to verify is the thigh area. Ah, and could you also show the spine along your back?]

[Wild Grylls: You mean the erector spinae muscles, right? Hold on a second.]

Since he didn’t have to reveal his groin, Grylls proceeded without hesitation.

A moment later, the Heavenly Demon stared at the photos received from Grylls.

Though taken clad only in undergarments, the groin was barely hidden from sight.

However, the lower back muscles were another story. A splendidly captured (?) set of glutes was prominently displayed.

"..."

Yoo So-wol caught herself staring intently at the photos Grylls had sent.

She was convinced initially that no personal bias was involved, but upon actually receiving them, it was a completely different story.

Her face burned flush for no apparent reason, and she glanced around nervously lest someone might catch a glimpse.

She fidgeted nervously like a teenage girl entering adolescence.

’...Why am I acting like this?’

She was so flustered that she referred to herself not as "this venerable one," but as "I."

And small wonder—Yoo So-wol was a Blue Badge moderator, an administrator tasked with scrubbing all manner of atrocious photos from the Gallery.

Those atrocious photos included lewd imagery. Crazy fools frequently uploaded full-frontal nudes of themselves.

Every time that happened, she felt only pathetic pity or detachment, without even feeling disgusted.

But Grylls was different. Even though no secret parts were exposed at all, heat rushed to her face.

Well, the firm glutes and the tantalizing edge of the pelvic groin area were technically visible.

To Yoo So-wol, it felt far more provocative than anything she had ever seen on the Gallery.

"Phew..."

Yoo So-wol let out a deep breath. Her breath ran hot, matching her burning face.

Why on earth was only the picture sent by Grylls so different? Had Grylls unwittingly learned some kind of seduction art?

’...What utter nonsense.’

Even if he had, it would be impossible to affect her. Yoo So-wol hurriedly shook off her stray thoughts.

Having attained the divine Profound Realm, she could not succumb to a mere temptation (?) like this.

[Wild Grylls: Teacher?]

[Heavenly Demon: Forgive me. I was examining it closely, which took a moment.]

[Wild Grylls: It’s embarrassing. So how does it look?]

[Heavenly Demon: It is a truly magnificent lower body. When honing your External Arts, you clearly did not limit yourself to a single area.]

[Wild Grylls: Had nothing else to do during winter, so I worked out everything evenly haha]

It was no exaggeration; Grylls’s lower body, back, and especially his erector spinae were superb.

For both men and women, the waist is a vital core—the stem of a plant, so to speak.

Furthermore, being in the Forest of the Four Seasons, he must have consumed food immensely effective for muscle development.

It could comfortably withstand Grylls’s immense Internal Energy. Yoo So-wol concluded as much.

[Heavenly Demon: However...]You are reading on novеlping.com, the official source.

[Wild Grylls: Is there any issue?]

[Heavenly Demon: To utilize the true secret of the Thousand-Pound Weight, other parts are also essential. I forgot to mention this.]

The lower body is crucial for the Thousand-Pound Weight.

But that was only at the foundational level; once entering advanced mastery, every muscle group mattered.

Just as a simple punch could yield even more devastating power when utilizing the principles of the Thousand-Pound Weight.

It could double Grylls’s already destructive martial strength, so her statement wasn’t wrong.

The only issue was that for Grylls, there was a somewhat shady (?) feeling about it.

[Wild Grylls: If it were anyone else I would’ve doubted it, but I trust you because it’s Heavenly Demon-nim, right?]

[Heavenly Demon: Do you doubt this venerable one?]

[Wild Grylls: No way. Sending photos like this is just a little—no, a lot embarrassing.]

[Heavenly Demon: If noble friend wishes, I can send a photo of my own body.]

"...Huh?"

Yoo So-wol opened her eyes wide in shock. She had actually said it just to soothe Grylls.

But the moment the message was sent, she realized with horror what she had just typed.

Just as embarrassment and shame surged from deep within, turning her face crimson, Grylls’s reply arrived.

[Wild Grylls: It’s fine. I’m learning this to truly get stronger, so I can willingly endure it.]

[Heavenly Demon: Your attitude of unwavering trust in this venerable one pleases me. I truly hope we meet soon.]

[Wild Grylls: Me too.]

A pricking conscience paired with a heartwarming sensation—conflicting emotions.

While Yoo So-wol’s mind swayed back and forth, Grylls sent several photos.

Full-body photos, just as she requested. Unable to overcome his shyness entirely, he had separated the upper and lower body shots, excluding the groin.

"Oh..."

Yoo So-wol let slip an exclamation slightly laced with personal admiration. It was a truly magnificent physique.

Muscles carved out as if a master craftsman had poured his heart and soul into every line. Even more amazing was his build.

Normally, practitioners of External Arts became excessively bulky, but Grylls possessed a sleek, athletic physique.

Even so, his broad shoulders captured Yoo So-wol’s gaze. Broad shoulders meant his lats were equally solid.

Indeed, the back muscles he displayed far surpassed ordinary mortals. It was like steel threads tightly bound together.

[Heavenly Demon: A truly magnificent body. It is as though threads drawn from steel have been tightly woven together.]

[Wild Grylls: It really is solid.]

’Where?’ Yoo So-wol was about to ask before flinching.

For a split second, a wicked thought filled her mind, but she hastily shook it off.

[Heavenly Demon: Have you attained the Vajra Indestructible Body?]

[Wild Grylls: I’m not really sure about that. The other day I got slammed by a monster, but I was completely fine.]

[Heavenly Demon: Your talent fills even this venerable one with admiration. It is a sorrow that I cannot teach you directly by your side.]

[Wild Grylls: Isn’t it just because I survived in the Forest of the Four Seasons?]

Afterward, the conversation continued pleasantly without incident, concluding with mutual well-wishes.

Although she gave guidance on the Thousand-Pound Weight, the intricate details would be taught by his instructor, Ludwig.

Yoo So-wol had laid the foundation—the root. That alone was sufficient.

Except.

"..."

She spent a long while completely lost in viewing the photos Grylls had sent. A rosy blush colored Yoo So-wol’s cheeks.

Having always been revered as the lofty heaven, had anyone witnessed this, they would have fainted in absolute shock.

"Ahem. Ahem."

Yoo So-wol cleared her throat and glanced around her.

She even deployed her Internal Energy to scan for any presence nearby. Fortunately, there was no one.

Firmly believing she must never be caught, she quietly continued admiring Grylls’s photos.

’Truly... a magnificent physique.’

As the "Heavenly Demon," Yoo So-wol possessed martial power unfitting for a maiden in her prime.

Historically, few had achieved the Profound Realm, yet she had reached it at such a tender age.

Consequently, her temperament was arrogant and imposing, displaying confidence bordering on vanity.

As stated, it was confidence grounded in absolute martial power, and no one dared object.

For displeasing the Heavenly Demon meant directly facing the wrath of heaven itself.

’What a strange sensation. My head feels hot, and my chest tickles...’

But as the "human" Yoo So-wol, she was different.

Just entering her prime, at a truly blooming age. A youth where interest in the opposite sex was natural.

Furthermore, when that member of the opposite sex was the miraculous savior who saved her life, a kaleidoscope of emotions was bound to spark.

It wasn’t that she had never met men her age, but most of them merely revered and worshiped the Heavenly Demon Yoo So-wol.

"Haa..."

Yoo So-wol let out a feverish sigh. She couldn’t suppress it even if she tried.

For if she didn’t exhale this breath right now, she couldn’t calm her fluttery heart.

Around the time Yoo So-wol was admiring Grylls’s photos with pure human affection.

[Sword Matstar: Thousand-Pound Weight? Of course I know it. I’ve gotten quite a lot of mileage out of that skill.]

[Wild Grylls: Could you teach me the principles behind it?]

[Sword Matstar: Before that, could you send me photos of your body? Only then can I estimate an assessment.]

[Wild Grylls: Do you really need to see it...?]

[Sword Matstar: Of course. Ab-so-lutely no personal bias involved!]

Grylls was gathering information from Sword Matstar.

If the Heavenly Demon governed the roots, Sword Matstar was closer to the stem.

’Given that both of them asked for body photos, it must be really important, right? Well, knowing Heavenly Demon’s personality, she was definitely serious about it.’

Anyway, thanks to that, Grylls was able to completely wipe away any lingering doubts toward the Heavenly Demon.