788 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

With a series of sharp whistles, the imperial guards began to retreat. More precisely, they were withdrawing to a distance of ten spans from Fan Yakgong, forming a circular siege. Qing took a glance around. Even on what remained of the roof of the Emperor's Pavilion, archers in shiny black silk uniforms aimed their drawn bows, their presence shimmering atop the courtyard walls beyond the encirclement. The martial artists the emperor mentioned might not truly understand. The real strength lies in those archers who, although numbering around fifty, seemed quite modest for such an elaborate arrangement. Those skilled snipers, capable of accurately projecting strong qi through fierce melees, seemed beyond comprehension. Or perhaps other special units had been prepared. Like some qi cannons, perhaps? The black-clad snipers focused on Fan Yakgong. Meanwhile, the imperial guards, who had withdrawn and formed a siege, fixed their eyes intently on Qing. Hmm. This situation... could it really be what I think it is? Qing stepped closer to Fan Yakgong. One step, then another, and yet another. Seeing no one hindering her approach, Qing reached a certainty in her judgment. Indeed. They want me to kill him. However, the number of spectators is a bit excessive for my liking... Fan Yakgong kept his gaze downcast. The lively sound of footsteps reverberated throughout the Emperor's Pavilion courtyard, specially designed with layers of seven types of stones to produce a distinctive sound when walked upon. This paranoia-driven architectural choice was made to guard against potential assassins. Even if one attempted to silence their steps, the seven-layered blue stones interlocked and produced sound, rendering stealth efforts futile. Moreover, with the security captain who resided there possessing a level near the Profound Realm, sneaking up was deemed nearly impossible. But what use are these preventative measures when the very captain is a traitor? As the sound of footsteps approached from nearby, the traitor raised his head. "That swordplay... my hands still tingle. What was it, exactly, that projecting sword technique?" Qing heightened her vigilance. What is he up to now? Just trying to buy time? But only for a moment. As a physician, my prognosis sees him as no better than a living corpse. It's more like a final lament from someone on the brink of death. "The Great Celestial Martial Emperor. The initial stance of the Lone Nine Swords Technique, Without Venom, No True Man." "Without venom, one cannot be called a true man. That doesn’t seem like a fitting move, does it?" "In truth, it's not about projection but about piercing—and besides, it's a surprise attack. At least against the Great Celestial Martial Emperor, it would be like casually reaching out a pair of chopsticks." "Ah, I see." When the Great Celestial Martial Emperor completed the Lone Nine Swords Technique, he had already surpassed the title of the foremost under the heavens and reached the pinnacle of all time. A transcendent master of his caliber had no need for petty surprise attacks. And yet, Without Venom, No True Man insists on ferocity. In the first form, I Alone Am the Honored One, one must bring down the heavens to ascend and reign above. In the third form, Master Wherever You Are, the ground must be trampled as a perpetual foundation underfoot. Between heaven and earth, there stands man. Man must be relentless. In the Great Celestial Martial Emperor's eyes, the ideal man was this: relentlessly severe. "Indeed, you're right. More fierce, I should have been." "Even fiercer than now?" Fan Yakgong's expression twisted—an ironic smile that was anything but a genuine grin. "I wasn't fierce enough. Confucius said, 'If I comprehend the Way in the morning, I can die content by evening,' but... I should have killed you and fled. If I had ended your suffering sooner, things wouldn't have turned out this way. I lacked the venom." He must be referring to Yeon Sul's pain. For some reason, this old man believed that if Yeon Sul died, he would achieve Non-Existence(無相) and gain the reward. In his mind, Yeon Sul's demise seemed inevitable. However, unexpectedly, a tantric practitioner from the Tianzhu tradition appeared, claiming to save Yeon Sul, and spirited her away beyond the palace walls—something he hadn't anticipated. But despite all that... Qing watched the martial artists of the imperial guards. Their bloodshot eyes, akin to the abominable creatures of the Blood Cult, were driven by some secret technique or indoctrination, compelling them to charge at their enemies. Perhaps these were linked to the Divine Maiden Sect's sorcery, or they might have been conditioned into berserkers through some brainwashing training. But they were not the main force. They were merely pawns, meant to stall. If crafted by the Divine Maiden Sect's arts, they were likely performance tested. They only appeared after Yeon Sul's death, leaving things untested. The real power of the imperial palace emerged only after these combatants temporarily stalled the enemy. A formidable coordination method designed with one versus many in mind—a tactic developed to confront master fighters, especially those at or above the Profound Realm. Positioned snipers had been integrated into a highly skilled combination formed not overnight, likely over ten, twenty years, or perhaps even longer. Or perhaps, ever since they were ravaged by the Great Celestial Martial Emperor, continuously refined over generations. "Were you aware of that? Even if Yeon Sul died, it wasn't certain the old man would survive. Honestly, even if you'd managed to kill me, you wouldn't have escaped beyond the Forbidden City alive." "Ah, but once outside Beijing, isn't the world vast beyond measure? And mastering the supreme arts doesn't require evading armies anymore. After all, didn't the Great Celestial Martial Emperor do exactly that?" Oh, the Great Celestial Martial Emperor, that old fool. He was a legacy of the Great Celestial Martial Emperor and a testament to what he left in the world. When martial prowess reached the heavens, one had no need to tie oneself to worldly troubles. Do as you wish, on your terms. Why? Because the Great Celestial Martial Emperor had captured and disgraced the skies of Zhongyuan, living very well until he passed on. He proved that it was possible. To martial artists, the Great Celestial Martial Emperor was Wu Tian(武天), one whose skills touched the heavens. But the traitor of the palace was Wu Tian(無天), one devoid of heaven, merely a traitor. "Are you accusing me? Would you pass up the chance to become such a supreme being? Would you remain forever ensnared by trivial emotions, unable to become truly formidable, and live as a weakling, never becoming a true man?" Qing snorted with disdain. "I can say this confidently. If that's what you call a true man, then I'd rather not be one. The whole point of mastering martial arts is to protect those trivial emotions. If not for that, what's the point? Just a hobby?" Those who know Qing's hobbies would find it persuasive that she applies her martial skills more effectively than anyone else in her leisure pursuits. But Fan Yakgong was unaware of Qing's hobbies. "You say that because you already possess divine arts. You can attain any divine skill you wish for." "Isn't it the same for you? You've been in and out of the imperial library. Isn't it said all the world's divine arts are gathered there?" "So says the successor of the Great Celestial Martial Emperor, to claim his legacy." "You keep bringing up that old bastard, but he wasn't a true man either." The Great Celestial Martial Emperor left a significant plague upon Zhongyuan—a radical notion that dared not be considered: that someone immensely powerful is untouchable, even by the heavens. This emboldened already arrogant martial artists, granting them the ultimate indulgence: as long as you become a master, anything can be forgiven. But was the Great Celestial Martial Emperor really such a brutally merciless figure, living wholly alone and bereft of emotion, an extreme man? No. If he lived only for his own martial arts, severing all else, he wouldn't have wandered around, battering anything that threatened his calm. Whether the Demonic Cult, Blood Cult, or the imperial palace caused trouble, the blood of the world would flow. The Great Celestial Martial Emperor knew he'd abandon his pursuit of perfecting his sword and return to the world. He knew he couldn't stand by and watch. Thus, he wreaked havoc, then retreated to solitude. Why? Because he was a mentor who practiced poses hoping to impress his juniors. Trying to look good for someone is an undeniable sign of affection. That's why he nagged at me. An elder's lecture stems from their own experiences of frustration and failure. "And above all, a truly upright person doesn't make excuses." Qing let her sword hang. Cutting down a dying old man was of no amusement. And it would hurt him less this way. Until the end, the pitiful old man hoped Yeon Sul would end his life. It was a cheap, cowardly atonement, a meaningless conclusion for himself. "To Yeon Sul, you were a gentle mentor, a steadfast guardian, and like family—a grandfather. Back then, you were that person. Now you're not. Now you've drawn your sword against her. Out of hatred. Because, to you, she's now just an enemy who took what was yours." Qing laughed coldly. "So what's left for you now? Even if you escape as you wish and become an ultimate master with a nickname like Invincible One, then what? Who's left by your side? To everyone you'll ever know, you're a traitor. Are you thinking of starting anew? With your great skills, will you raise another disciple? One you won't have to kill this time?" Qing tossed her sword aside. With a clatter, Fan Yakgong blankly stared at the sword before him. "At least the Great Celestial Martial Emperor aimed to complete a martial art in his lifetime. But merely wanting to take someone else's divine arts to live a bit longer? What's the point of a life lived that way, throwing away everything you have? Ugh, it's horrific. If it were me, I'd throw myself into a stew pot and end it, tsk." Qing turned away, feigning indifference. However, in the back of her mind, she heightened her senses, a bit tense. Qing valued her life, and she didn’t want to bid farewell to this world, leaving behind those she loved. Of course, that worry lasted only a moment. As she distanced herself, her senses gradually caught the fading presence behind her, the figure of someone gripping a reversed sword and raising it high. Having discarded even the goal of living longer, he was left with nothing in his life for a final decision. ---- The traitor Fan Gang originally infiltrated the royal palace with his unholy ambitions as a descendant of another treacherous clan. However, thanks to the young hero Ximen Qing Hua who discovered the heinous plot, she acted in loyalty, beheading him and presenting his head, which greatly pleased the emperor. This led to Ximen Qing Hua being bestowed with the title of Twelve Inspectorate Commissioner, so her loyalty would benefit the nation. The ministers had no basis to object. After all, appointing an official who saved the emperor was a reasonable act, and they begrudgingly accepted, cursing Fan Gang's madness for getting them all into such a mess. Qing had no choice but to accept the position. She tried to refuse, just as Chun Bong had urged her to, claiming she needed a break, suggesting, "Couldn't it be land instead?" "How will the world view us if we do not honor a hero who protected the imperial family? Ximen Qing Hua, don't breach propriety with your loyalty and use your courage for the world's benefit." The empress's betrayal it was. A mother's desire to grant her daughter a decent position as she ventured out into the world. Though Twelve Inspectorate Commissioner was more than modest, yet far from a princess status, the empress found it unsatisfactory. Besides, it allowed her an excuse to keep Qing for the conferment ceremony, extending her stay for a few more days. And so, amidst the extended life at the palace... In the Forbidden City, within, the Divine Maiden Sect. Qing crossed the courtyard of the Divine Maiden Sect. For there were questions she had to pose to Ashiya, the head of the Divine Maiden Sect.