794 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

As they prepared to descend the mountain after breakfast, Peng Choryeo subtly cast a glance at Qing. "Qing, are you heading back to the Divine Maiden Sect now? Why not stay a bit longer and enjoy Nanjing if you don't have any immediate plans? The weather's quite pleasant this time of year." Naturally, if there's a Beijing, there's a Nanjing. Beijing, located in Hebei, and the nearby Nanjing held a special, almost metropolitan stature in Qing’s hometown. "I plan to visit Mount Zhongnan." "Zhongnan? Over in Yunnan? That's quite the distance, isn't it?" "Would you like to join me, Choryeo, if you’re not busy?" Normally, Qing wouldn't ask someone to accompany her. But this time was different. Because Qing had Zayo with her. The more people around, the better, especially since there's Zayo, the dubious Heavenly Slaughter Star. What if, like last time, I leave her somewhere and she gets caught dissecting animals? If I'm around, it's fine, but if I'm not, what then? I mean, kids can be curious and dissect animals a bit, can't they? It's not too hard to just brush it off as "Wow, budding doctor, are we!" What's the big deal? Anyway. Peng Choryeo shook her head in response. "I'm too old to be following you everywhere. But if you're going on a long journey, you should pack well. I'll send a porter to assist you; treat him like a servant.” "What? There's no need for that, Choryeo." "No, it'll put my mind at ease. Go ahead, make the most of it. Here, a strong porter. Have him help during the day, and oh my, haha." Peng Choryeo chuckled slyly and roughly patted her brother, Peng Daesan, on the shoulder. "What do you mean by that? How can a woman traveling have a man tagging along? No way!" "Was he always like this...? Though I'd never heard any normal rumors about him before." Tang Nanah watched Peng Choryeo's reaction with a puzzled look but Peng Daesan merely exhaled through his nose, not seeming to oppose the idea strongly. Hmm, perhaps San really doesn't want to return home. I heard he was never home, rumored to be a vagabond of sorts? "Nanah, would you like to come along? Even if not all the way to Yunnan, we can stop by Sichuan on the way." "Oh, Qing, who goes to Yunnan through Sichuan? Do you know how rough that road is? You should circle through Guizhou instead." Nanah seemed disinclined to return home as well. Regardless of how rough the road was, what challenge could it pose to Qing? Yet, adamantly refusing the direct route home was akin to a boss reluctant to go home, lighting up at the mention of a company dinner. Qing turned her head. enN1WnIzcFhHMVJuR0JvdkNPc013MkZPR0g4Z1AyT3BJK1FXQ0RQUk5uZjZydW0zQTZmMmkvOHJIeWxPWWVBWg Upon receiving the glance, Moyong Joo Hee let her long lashes droop. "Um, Lady, I, well, I promised to supervise Jun's training. It's also my mother's memorial day..." "Oh, then there's no helping it." "But, um, if you really need me..." "What? No, no need to worry. Family comes first. I mean, if I collapse by the roadside, what's the big deal? Right?" Qing's eyes narrowed. "Uh, no, that's not what I meant at all...!" "Hey, I'm just joking." Moyong Joo Hee couldn't quite hide her disappointment. Nonetheless, family should always take precedence. "Sword Brother, are you handling the Western Sword Hall training?" "Indeed. After witnessing the passion of the swordsmen at the martial gym, how could I miss the opportunity to assist them? The thought of conversing about the sword with them already makes my heart race." The martial gym participants were almost entirely reassigned to the Murim Alliance’s combat unit, the Western Sword Hall. They initially joined with a three-year service requirement, and regardless, turning down an offer to join the Murim Alliance’s official combat unit was unheard of. Rather than being a three-year post-graduation indentured contract, it was more like being directly hired by a major corporation in Qing's hometown. "What about you, Chunbong? Not interested?" "Uh, um, me—the Wise Virtuous Flower, are you referring to me? And did you just call me Chunbong—" "Oh, maybe I misheard. You're free to come along for a joyride if you feel like it. The plan's to pass through Mount Zhongnan and see some sights there." "Ahem. Heavenly Sword Flower. As the youngest assistant commander in the Murim Alliance, I play a pivotal role in its operations. Should I be absent, everything would come to a standstill. Ahem. Of course, I understand the desire of the Heavenly Sword Flower to bond with me. It’s just that... I have obligations." Sima ChungBong turned a bright shade of red, stammering for having never received such an invitation to leisure before. "How about you, Zhuge? Do you know the route to Yunnan?" "Elder sister, have you heard of Ten Thousand Mountains? It’s the breathtaking scenery of Yunnan with ten thousand peaks. It’s said that one hasn't truly experienced life without seeing it at least once, so as of this moment, I must see it for myself." Qing alternated her gaze between Sima ChungBong and Zhuge Leehyun. Both claimed to excel in their fields; one was busy with tasks for the Murim Alliance, and the other seemed to have ample leisure time. With a mischievous grin, Zhuge Leehyun continued. "You see, elder sister. A true wise person pursues their own endeavors. They don't bow down to others’ work. The clever have others do their work for them, while the fool busies themselves with another’s venture, laboring for another’s profit." Qing suddenly recalled something from her hometown. Isn't this exactly what multi-level marketers say? Do you know the rich dad? If your money isn’t growing even when you sleep, you'll never become wealthy. Don't work for someone else and earn a salary, own your business, and have others work for you. That's how you become rich. Do you refuse? Can you afford that? “Poor Dad, Beggar Dad,” is that what you'll end up saying? While it's dressed as good advice, it's shamelessly trying to sugarcoat turning someone into a business pawn for personal gain. In a hierarchy where my subordinates also seek further subordinates to continuously increase the profits for those above them, the embodiment of a multi-level society is complete. Anyway. Zhuge Leehyun, who could keenly sense Qing’s intent, responded accordingly. "The Sima family kids are just being exploited by the Murim Alliance, while we operate for our own noble clan." Though Zhuge Leehyun was usually mild-mannered, he displayed aggression when confronting the long-time rival family of the Sima. However, Sima ChungBong was no pushover either. "Aha, a tale of Zhongda and Kongming, is it? I can understand why one would strive to hold the world, having never grasped it in their hand." A story of the most prominent elders from both clans, Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang, respectively. Sima Yi eliminated the antisocial personality disorder-stricken, terrifying Cao Pi for the sake of the world and divided Zhongyuan into star-shaped fragments etching the map. Yet, look at Zhuge Liang. He tirelessly tried to preserve a country someone irresponsibly walked away from, ultimately dying from overwork instead of swallowing it whole. “Oof.” “Haha.” It seemed the winner was decided with no room to refute from Zhuge Leehyun. Suppose one argues that Kongming remained a loyal subject for eternity, whereas Zhongda became a traitor among Zhongyuan's notorious Four Sovereigns; then, Sima ChungBong serving the Murim Alliance outclassing Zhuge Leehyun’s assertion of familial duty. Conversely? Then, he’d be openly insulting his own ancestors with his words. Thus, it was a checkmate situation. Qing adjusted the mental ranking of her acquaintances’ IQ after witnessing this. Evidently, just from this, who ranked number one for intelligence was clear. And the award goes to... Congratulations to Seol Ganom of Seol Trading Company, ranked astonishingly with wisdom and intelligence! Chunbong with the remarkable minds comes next. Third is Nanah, the acupuncturist and (poisonous) pharmacist. Zhuge Leehyun? Not even ranked. "What about Kangbin? You don't have much to do, right? Let's go." "Uh, I need permission from my master..." "Oh, right. Nothing can be done about that." Though those from noble families could roam as they pleased, members of large sects couldn’t venture on extended journeys without their sect’s permission. Kangbin’s face, relieved with a ‘phew’, was slightly bothersome. Why the expression as if relieved no one would consume him? Going around the instructors present to ask if they would join. It’s more a matter of courtesy than genuine invitation since etiquette suggests offering when they’re present. Consequently, Instructor Yu Wook-ah and Moonbong both mentioned their regretful busyness without much hesitation, despite their unconcerned expressions. Anyway, it seemed Qing’s traveling companions for Mount Zhongnan were set. On the way, drop by the Divine Maiden Sect with Jangmyeong, and swing by Seol Trading Company for essential goods. Perhaps pick up Eui-mae as well. Giggling, Qing anticipated the reunion after the long deprivation. Just then, a gentle tug on her sleeve. "Lady Seomun, what about me?" "Hmm? You’re coming anyway, Liri, aren’t you?" Seo Lily's expression turned complicated. But that was only momentarily. "Wait, what? Why is this Ice Chicken just naturally coming along?" Tang Nanah growled. Seo Lily latched onto Qing’s arm in response. "I’m always with her." "That's not fair. This Ice Chicken has stuck with Qing the whole time, hasn't she? This isn't fair." In Zhongyuan, referring to someone as a 'chicken' typically implies calling them a fool. Given Seo Lily’s moniker, Snow and Ice Flower, she was like an Ice Chicken, a term painfully harsh but... not entirely inaccurate. Seo Lily claimed only Tang Nanah spoke comfortably with her, and theirs was a friendship expressed through blunt, sharp exchanges. "It is. She's been around. It isn't unfair." "Can’t this Ice Chicken speak normally? Don’t you have a home? Aren’t you going home? Are you a beggar?" "My heart. Yes. No." No home, not going home, but not a beggar either. Qing tilted her head. Perhaps Seo Lily was essentially a vagabond? Drifting without a home, living off Murim Alliance’s offerings and now tagging along with Qing. "See, Qing? I told you, she clings like a leech without a home, intent on draining you dry. See?" "Oh, come on, you shouldn't treat such a lonely soul like that. She'd be left to die on the streets of loneliness. Right, Liri?" “That’s not the case.” "Calling her an Ice Chicken just fits, right? Can I call you that too?" "No.” "My dear Liri, you... Qing, how..." "Well. At least it won’t be boring. Come on, let’s get going. Zayo’s hand, Jangmyeong’s hand." Qing grasped the children’s hands on either side. It was time to head home. Though with Shifu absent, it didn’t quite feel like returning home—more like a quick visit to check on disciples and send a letter to Shifu. Perhaps another to Master. Though Beijing was mundane and uninspiring, this journey to Mount Zhongnan somehow exuded promising anticipation. The sense of an exhilarating trip seemed inexplicably promising, even though there was no logical basis for that feeling. The remaining distance to Mount Zhongnan: approximately 5,500 li.