747 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

Qing's mornings usually began with an exchange of glances with Jayeo. Offering polite morning greetings every day might suggest she was the most filial daughter under the heavens, but anyway. “Jayeo, you awake?” “Hehe.” It seemed a bit redundant and overly amusing for a wordplay, but children were often like that, so it was accepted with a nod. However, Jayeo's complexion looked unusually fresh today. Normally having a tired appearance innately, she now appeared quite refreshed—perhaps I should say less wilted. The dark circles that used to threaten to stretch from under her eyes to her cheeks seemed to have receded a little today. This was the importance of a comfortable pillow. Qing realized anew the value of good bedding. Sima Chungbong opened her eyes quietly. Sleepily drifting in and out of dreams, her slightly unfocused empty stare was contrasted by her tiny bean-like pupils, making it less noticeable but undeniably those eyes were lost in a dreamlike state as she muttered. “Hoho, my dear friend, my dear friend Ximen Qing…” “Oh, you're awake?” “It's the first time I've pretended to sleep without actually getting a wink…” Not a truth in drink but perhaps a truth in sleep. She suddenly shut her eyes tightly in surprise. "Sima?" “Ah, that, that was not an expression of surprise, of course. Hmph, sharing a bedding with me, Sima Chungbong, should be considered an honor of the ages worthy of spreading throughout the world, but perhaps it shouldn't be…” “Did you sleep well, Sima?” Sima Chungbong's face turned bright red. “Hmph, if I must say, my sleeping arrangement wasn’t very comfortable. Though for a bit, perched precariously, your daughter's sleeping habits are rather strict. Naturally, a child's search for her mother’s embrace is natural, but I am quite sensitive to sound, you see. Dear, you shouldn't…” “I didn’t do-” “Oh, Jayeo, then shouldn't—never mind, I mean, Sima, a child might fumble for her mother, why are you scolding her? Is Jayeo your child? She's my child! Can a mother do that?” Qing hastily interjected. Sima Chungbong became flustered. "It's not that, it’s just, well, your daughter’s hands were very cold, so I wondered if she might be uncomfortable somewhere?" “The cold wasn't—” “No, no. Jayeo is healthy. Being healthy is Jayeo's only merit. She's the best because she's healthy. Right? Jayeo? Aren't you the best?” “Yes!” Qing was in an exceedingly good mood. For the time being, she wouldn't miss Himae. Well, actually, she still wanted to see Himae—the softness is indescribable. As Qing lingeringly looked at Sima with regret rising, she began to dress herself with a thoughtful expression. Suddenly, Sima Chungbong’s tiny eyes gleamed. Despite her slight stature making her more womanly, she bore a regal poise while seated. After two narrow victories over the Heavenly Sword Flower, Sima Chungbong was ready to settle the score as the worthy adversary she was known to be. Indeed, as the Wise Virtuous Flower, she was known as the world’s finest, with a low center of gravity lending her stability. Sima Chungbong vowed to best Qing with two more wins… “By the way, you’re going back to the Murim Alliance? Sorry for making you do this as soon as you arrived.” “Hoho, such deflection when feeling challenged, Heavenly Sword Flower? How cute.” “What?” “Furthermore, it is destined indeed for me, Sima, to shoulder this task. Such an important task cannot be left to the clumsy military fools at Unyeongdang. Heavenly Sword Flower did magnificently, so this is truly the work of my dear, dear, dear friend.” Sima’s return led her to be promptly dispatched back to the Murim Alliance. In Guiyang County of Guizhou Province, the Sword Spirit Mountain, esteemed locally, had become a nest for the Blood Cult’s Heart Devouring Pill. The Dell of Nansan, Bangmil, and Jangmil, known for their connections to the Blood Cult, were also pinpointed. Moreover, news came that a supposed close aide of the Heart Seizing Demon Lord resided in Nosan County. It was a mandate for the Murim Alliance to intervene directly. For the record, it was decided to turn a blind eye to the trio of the Blood Cult. It was Sima Chungbong's suggestion. To peg them in some idle position within the Murim Alliance, if agreeable. Naturally, they would come into contact with the Blood Cult, allowing for hidden operatives to be apprehended. Perhaps even allow for misinformation to be fed into the Blood Cult. If not, indulging in the comfortable life of the Central Plains might eventually lead to their recruitment. Besides, they weren’t particularly sinister except for ingesting sinister elixirs and offering such nourishment to drunken rogues. Sima Chungbong left again, and the daily life at the Sword Pavilion flowed on. Morning at the Sword Pavilion. After morning roll call, disciples gathered in a neat line in front of the podium, waiting for Qing. As Qing ascended, a unified voice erupted. “““Good morning, instructor!!!””” Qing had never subjected them to regimented training. From some point on, the disciples’ voices naturally began to harmonize as one. When hearts resonate, such phenomena are possible, indeed. Look at them now. Glistening eyes shining with a passion for learning. An insatiable thirst for knowledge that can never be ignored. Qing met those passionate gazes, responding to their enthusiasm one by one. Of course, being wrapped in a gauze mask under the mid-July summer sun, whether the disciples could ascertain her eyes meeting theirs would remain a mystery. “She looked at me! The instructor turned her gaze straight at me!” “No, she probably meant Miss Chang.” “No, she acknowledged me! She will guide me beyond the realm!” See, it's all about connection of the hearts. Some might think it's strange to wrap one’s face in a gauze mask in the summer, but Qing enjoys the coolness inside, making her summer experience more refreshing than anyone else's thanks to the cold essence of the Cold Heart Art. Moreover, the academy isn't particularly hot. Yosan, marking the start of a higher western elevation, begins with a sharp drop in temperature and is subjected to seasonal winds all year round. With a valley cradling it, the nights are quite cool even in mid-summer. That's exactly why the Righteous Orthodox Martial Academy was established here, to make use of the cool climate—not carelessly scheduling lessons during mid-summer without purpose. In fact, there was something hotter than the mountain heat itself. That was the fiery passion of the disciples burning with love for swordsmanship. “Whum-chak-shak-shak,” is it not better to just strike directly or jump instead in my ritual?” “No, I threw this move as a form of restraint to prepare for the next Gan-Joong-Gan-Gang. Wouldn't that smoothly transition back to that with a Whum?” “But didn’t my Whum-choerk-cheok just break through? Though it's just one technique, if you intercede with a reverse attack with Chak-Shak before transitioning fully into Gan-Joong-Gan-Gang, what then?” “Hmm, you have a point, indeed...” The disciples are now fully integrating the three essences of the Triple Ancestor Sword technique in their sparring. To anyone else, this might sound like nonsensical jabber, but astonishingly, the level of swordsmanship among everyone is sprouting like bamboo shoots after rain. The best learning is self-directed learning. In truth, the Sword Pavilion’s fervor has reached an abnormal state. Tucked away in the mountains, with nothing but bland meals three times a day and no other distractions, the disciples were pouring all their energy into training. Sure, as some might say, there's nothing else to do but study. Yet anyone who claims that they've studied out of boredom likely hasn't done so. Often, in situations like these, people tend to slack off, become lazy, and make a conscious effort to be idle. Consider even the serving compulsory education seen back in Qing's hometown in Gunmun. The truth was apparent there. If a class wasn’t engaging, students would nap, doodle, or secretly exchange messages. Despite having nothing to do, one would never study, as it's a grand stance not to succumb to a blind and faceless education system. Hence, the Sword Pavilion’s academic climate was undeniably unnatural, in the realm of extraordinary. There are various factors contributing. For one, most disciples hailed from humble beginnings. Coming in with a longing for learning, their enthusiasm was naturally high. Those who are wandering martial artists need no further explanation. For those from local guard posts or provincial small sects, their training over there consisted of the endless cycle of basic drills: running, crawling, and practicing footwork. When they joined the Sword Pavilion, after just a few weeks the basics were bypassed, and they were freely wielding swords, vastly different from the mundane routines they were used to—thus every day was fresh and thrilling. As a result, this passionate atmosphere became the new norm. Humans are exceedingly vulnerable to the ambiance. It's never easy to be lazy when all around are fervently pushing themselves. Moreover, how wondrous are the lessons taught by Instructor Ximen! From the entrance exam, personally leading the novice disciples to top-tier status, with already two more having reached first-tier levels. If you asked Qing, those were disciples already experienced from their long years as wandering martial artists, poised to become first-tier any day—it wasn’t strange at all. From the perspectives of the disciples, after receiving a bit of scolding and some beatings, achieving first-tier status suddenly brought tearful gratitude and deep bows. How can one not be amazed or admire that? Furthermore, with the likes of recent exponential growth among the infamous trio, along with seemingly corrected misfits, it was more terrifying realizing those once seen as equals were now far ahead. Hence the collective mood towards study. The pressure of falling behind if lazy. The hope that if hardworking, the instructor might notice them. The Sword Pavilion is on a wild surge, like a carriage without a horse dashed downhill, like a 10,000-catty cart with the brake broken. This all culminated into tangible results. The first iteration of the Tournament of the King of Warriors. Sword Pavilion's undefeated victory. What is the Tournament of the King of Warriors? A matter of pride for martial artists with weaponry, an extra day of leave, but more importantly, a feast, snacks, and alcoholic treats—all is at stake in this momentous contest. Admittedly, a tad bit of unruliness was involved. “Qing-ah, how do you keep such a good atmosphere? My students always get distracted gazing at that mountain of a man, swinging their weapons carelessly—a frivolous bunch eager to impress that crazy lass.” Recently, Peng Choryeo’s temper had grown rather fearsome. Among the three disciples, with one being female and preferring style over substance, she showed up with makeup pretending to look delicate. Besides, with faces made up and their clothes tattered and soiled, appearing almost like beggars, why the spectacle? “And why, oh why, can't these girls leave their bosoms alone? How can the lads focus? Oh, today’s youths…” “Oh.” Qing couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry about this. It just happened that way... “Jeez, Qing-ah, you’re really the only one for me. Once the academy’s schedule is over, how about not going back home? Join us, meet my parents? Eat meals together. Oh, we’ll lay a feast on the table, oh why stop there, we’ll empty the family pantry. Then, being full, perhaps for about ten months...” “Ah, I couldn't eat that much, and I can’t impose for ten months...” However, it seems Choryeo had definitely grown disenchanted by uncultured followers. For San, it’s a massive win. There's no chance Choryeo will try to bring in some odd woman. "The disciples at the Martial Arts Pavilion are certainly earnest in their efforts, yet they can't quite match the fervor of the Sword Pavilion. Who would have thought my teaching as the Heavenly Sword Flower would prove so effective? Even within the same academy, I wish some of that passion could spread over," lamented Instructor Yu Wu-a, unable to hide her envy of the Sword Pavilion’s academic atmosphere. Thus, Qing cautiously offered a suggestion. "Then, how about using a shock method? There’s the upcoming Tournament of the King of Warriors. With the Sword Pavilion aiming for an outright victory, the Grand Pavilion could suffer a complete defeat, and the Martial Arts Pavilion could aim for a half-and-half result?" With the current explosive motivation at the Sword Pavilion, winning would only boost their positivity further. For the Grand Pavilion, a resounding defeat provides the perfect pretext to push the students through a tougher regimen that leaves no room for tears or grievances. As for the Martial Arts Pavilion, considering their atmosphere is already fairly good, it might encourage them if they manage to best the Grand Pavilion. Thus, a carefully orchestrated match schedule with the guise of a benevolent competition was set for the benefit of the disciples. This was the true story behind the Sword Pavilion’s undefeated victory at the Tournament of the King of Warriors.