Sima Chunbong reflected on her most satisfying conversation with a fellow genius, or perhaps a rivalry where pride was at stake.
“Right. We need to settle this, once and for all.”
First, appearance.
Hmm. Beauty cos in various forms. Glamorous yet aloof elegance versus a sharp, refined beauty like a well-forged sword. There’s no clear winner here.
Therefore, it’s a draw. A tie!
However, Cheonhwageom is way too tall for a woman, while I am of the ideal height. So, that’s a win for .
As for the chest, mine is definitely bigger. And in terms of the temperant of a true genius, I win again.
In terms of achievents, there's her Blood Sect extermination, her victory at the Dormant Dragon Martial Contest, and her “enlightening” of a pitiful beast.
But I, as the Assistant Military Strategist of the Murim Alliance, have comforted the lives of countless citizens through my work. Victory goes to .
And in terms of intelligence? Another victory for .
Of course, as a martial artist, I lose.
But as soone destined to beco the Chief Strategist, my power to command everyone is far greater than the re physical strength of one individual.
“Kekeke, it’s my overwhelming victory. Cheonhwageom, you must work harder if you want to stand shoulder to shoulder with .”
Compared to the likes of , the perfect and unparalleled Sima Rang, Cheonhwageom was nothing.
But at least she wasn’t completely incompetent like the average loser.
At the very least, she had the qualifications to associate with .
It was a very satisfying conclusion.
If Qing had heard her, she would have been dumbfounded and delivered a Xin Surin-style nuclear forehead flick. After all, why bother using one’s brain when sheer martial strength was all one needed?
****
“Are you serious? You bring another woman here and suggest we sleep together? How can you say that so shalessly?”
“Sorry. But look at Moyong Sojeo. She’s a complete ss. She said she couldn’t sleep at all last night. You saw her at the training grounds too, right? She was hanging around there, barely keeping it together. She said hearing my voice made her feel at ease, so she clung to like a lost puppy.”
Tang Nana was one of the few who knew about Moyong Juhee’s abduction.
“Tch. Can’t be helped. Qing-ah is too nice for her own good. Falling for such obvious tricks.”
Too nice, as in, a person with the hobby of dissecting living villains who decided to take care of a ntally disturbed girl.
But since Tang Nana was a healer at heart, she just sighed and accepted it.
“Let make it clear—I don’t like you. I’m just sleeping here to keep an eye on you in case you do sothing to hurt Qing-ah. Don’t get any weird ideas about us being friends or whatever.”
Tang Nana growled.
But Moyong Juhee wasn’t the type to just sit back and take it.
“Hah. Says the psycho who poisons people and doesn’t even apologize. Who in their right mind would want to be friends with a lunatic like you?”
“Tsk. Moyong Sojeo. No bad words.”
“But she, she started it!”
“If Nana dies, will you die too, Moyong Sojeo? You’re not a kid, so stop being so childish.”
Tang Nana was treating her like a complete child.
But considering how Moyong Juhee was acting, it was sowhat appropriate.
“But, but...!”
“Tsk. You’re going to get in trouble. And besides, Nana didn’t say anything bad to you. Apologize to Nana.”
Moyong Juhee’s lips twitched, unable to form the words.
Then, she finally blurted out.
“You crazy bitch! You started it first! Argh!”
Only after being fiercely pinched did Moyong Juhee finally mutter her apology.
Tang Nana’s expression was sour as she received it.
“What the... This feels... weird. Why do I feel like this?”
“She said she’s sorry. Just accept it already.”
“But isn’t she acting a bit strange? Look at that expression. She looks... too satisfied.”
“It’s normal. The one who apologizes first always feels relieved. Moyong Sojeo, well done. But before you get punished, can you at least listen for once?”
“That, um. I think I’ve gotten used to the inner arm... Maybe sowhere else this ti...!”
“See? Didn’t I tell you she’s acting weird?”
“It’s because she’s in pain. She’ll be fine. Right, Moyong Sojeo?”
“Yes. Thanks to you. I’m always grateful.”
Tang Nana’s eyes narrowed, but there was nothing she could do.
Anyway, Moyong Juhee clung to Qing’s back while lying down, with Tang Nana positioned behind her.
Within four breaths, she was completely knocked out.
Even Qing, who could sleep anywhere within a single breath, took a full four breaths to finally fall asleep.
Just how exhausted had Moyong Juhee been to pass out like that? A pang of sympathy stirred in Tang Nana’s heart.
Qing turned to scold Tang Nana.
“See? How badly must she have been sleeping to crash like that? And you kept saying she was acting weird. Sure, she’s a bit unhinged, but still, be nice to her. Painful mories stick the longest, you know?”
“Sigh. I guess the ntal shock was worse than I thought. I thought she was up to so sche again. Who would’ve guessed...”
****
The hastily assembled grand platform was located at the far corner of Kaifeng, quite a distance from the Murim Alliance.
Soone had completely trashed the water stage.
And that “soone” was already making her way to the closing ceremony.
Qing tilted her head.
“What’s this? Why are there suddenly so many won in veils?”
Indeed, won in veils kept appearing everywhere she looked.
Since Pang Daesan was part of her group, the number of won had increased so much that they were practically forming a wall as they moved toward the closing ceremony.
If Qing looked around, every one in five won wore a veil.
Qing shrugged.
“Well, well. Looks like I’ve started a trend in Zhongyuan. Not surprising. Who wouldn’t want to copy the ultimate, unrivaled, drop-dead gorgeous ?”
“Hah. You’re hilarious. Aren’t you overestimating yourself a bit?”
“What? What’s wrong? Did I say sothing untrue? Didn’t they copy ?”
“Sure, they copied you. But in the end, it’s all a ploy to get Pang Daesan’s attention.”
“Oh, co on. If anyone here has an inflated sense of self, it’s you, Daesan. What, do you think every woman in the world is trying to impress you?”
Qing had been nudging Pang Daesan’s side with her elbow when she suddenly noticed the murderous gazes glaring at her through those veils.
The kind of gaze that could pierce through a veil out of sheer desperation.
“That, hasn’t the rumor spread yet? Why are the won still acting like this?”
“The rumor spread alright. The one about how any woman with big boobs and a big ass, as long as she wears a veil, Pang Daesan would chase after her like a starving dog. I even heard it from my little circle of friends.”
Moyong Juhee eagerly tattled.
Her little group of nosy noblewon, the so-called “Mutual Friends Club,” had co to comfort her, and all they talked about was the latest gossip about the sex god Pang Daesan.
“See? It’s true.”
“And yet, they’re still acting like this? Even after the rumor spread?”
Pang Daesan looked like he couldn’t believe it.
Qing was equally exasperated.
Everyone knew he had a fetish for beggars, and yet here they were.
Now, they were even disguising themselves as veiled beggars.
Mass production of “Beggar Beauties,” how delightful.
No wonder Pang Daesan, the number one target of the fanatical won’s club, was here seeking refuge.
“Hey, Daesan. Just hypothetically speaking...”
“What?”
“So, have you considered spreading a rumor that you like won who go around flashing their chests?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Aren’t you curious to see how far they’ll go? Honestly, it’s a bit self-indulgent, but it would be nice to look at. If we’re going to see the scenery anyway, might as well be a lot of bare skin.”
“Hmm. If being treated as the world’s biggest pervert is what it takes to get them to back off, then fine. How exactly are you planning to spread this rumor? Are you going to go around flashing your chest yourself?”
Pang Daesan stopped mid-sentence.
His expression hardened, and Qing noticed it.
What’s this? Why did he get so offended?
Setting that aside, it was an intriguing suggestion.
“Not . Let’s see... Oh, see that girl over there «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» with the tiny chest? Dressed in red over a blue undergarnt. Wow. If she even so much as jogs a little, it’s all going to spill out. Now, go ahead and stare.”
“What?”
“All you have to do is keep staring at the woman showing the most skin. Then everyone will be like, ‘Oh my god, Prince Pang is blatantly staring at her chest! How shaless!’ And then everyone will start copying you.”
When it ca to ssing with people, Qing’s brain worked like a well-oiled machine.
“Hmm. Not a bad idea.”
Pang Daesan was genuinely curious about how ridiculous these won could get.
Already, one in five won was dressed like a beggar, and one in four wore a veil. So of them had such obviously padded chests and hips that it was embarrassing to look at.
If they were going to stuff themselves, they should at least try to make it look natural.
So, with the man and woman shalessly ogling every revealing outfit, they made their way to the closing ceremony.
The won who had been secretly watching Pang Daesan’s godlike beauty withered away in disappointnt and dispersed.
Aside from Qing, all the mbers of the Half-Sword Dual Blade Society were leaders of the orthodox Murim sects — the elite ruling class.
The ruling class did not mingle with the commoners.
They sat together in the special seats arranged atop a platform, looking down at everyone below.
As soon as Qing plopped down into her seat, she was already bored.
There was supposed to be a major announcent during the closing ceremony, but she already knew everything that was going to be said.
First, the Blood Sect extermination.
“...Thus, through our secret operation, we have eradicated the vile seeds of the Blood Sect, and it is with great joy that we share this news with the righteous heroes of the martial world!”
“Woooooo!!”
“The Murim Alliance is the best!”
The crowd erupted in a frenzy of applause.
Next, the announcent that they would also be cracking down on the Black Spot faction.
But they were quick to clarify that they were not assisting the Demonic Cult, nor were they copying them in any way.
They claid they had only delayed action against the Black Spot because they were too busy dealing with the Blood Sect.
But they absolutely would not stand by and allow the evil Black Spot faction to continue spreading havoc.
After the announcent, quite a few people turned pale and hurriedly left the area.
This was how orthodox Murim operated.
The Black Spot faction was made up of half martial artists and half ordinary citizens.
They were giving a fair warning.
We’re about to crush you all, so anyone who doesn’t want to get caught in the crossfire, better leave now.
After that, they announced which family would be replacing the Jinju Eon Clan as one of the Ten Great Families.
“In the past, we grieved over the loss of a great pillar of the righteous Murim. But mourning the loss without reinforcing the structure would be a grave mistake. Therefore, we are here today to introduce a new pillar to the martial world.”
Qing looked toward the stage, where Gongsun Yoye stood alongside her family.
The new Ten Great Family was the Gongsun Clan.
According to Sima Chunbong, the Sima Clan had a family policy of staying out of the spotlight, or so she claid.
But it was all just sour grapes from soone who didn’t make the cut.
If not for Gongsun Yoye, Qing wouldn’t have even bothered coming.
Everyone who was anyone in the martial world had already heard the announcent or had even participated in the discussions leading up to it.
Thus, the truly influential figures in the martial world weren’t present at the closing ceremony.
The attendees were mostly mid-level representatives, those high enough to maintain appearances but not significant enough to be deeply involved in the decisions.
Xin Surin, having announced all she needed to, had already left, laughing with a carefree air as though she had seen and done everything she wanted to.
Qing found it surprising that Surin could laugh like that, considering she had already received all the praise and envy she could ever want.
The only reason Qing didn’t leave with her was because she’d been ordered to visit the Sword Wall at Shaolin Temple and take a good, long look.
Plus, a friend’s family had just risen to the ranks of the Ten Great Families.
Might as well stick around and show so support.
Qing clapped vigorously and cheered loudly, doing her best to act like she was celebrating.
Gongsun Yoye, standing on the stage, scanned the VIP seats and managed to make eye contact with Qing.
And then she smiled.
A bright, radiant smile, teeth sparkling like the sumr sun at the end of June.
It was midsumr.
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