815 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

[Even in Dreams, My Wish is Slaughter.] While traveling, the pinnacle of the experience lies in discovering new culinary delights. Tasting dishes one could never have imagined before, in a new land, truly captures the essence of travel. However, with dishes that are entirely novel, there often comes an inherent risk. Presenting the Pasachung Festival! Pasachung is an insect that lives in the fine sand at the bottom of clear streams and goes by other names such as Sutosam and Chungsam. Known as the "ginseng of the water" or "insect ginseng," it is deemed highly beneficial to the body. There are numerous methods to cook Pasachung, but the most esteemed recipe involves blanching them in boiling oil and then thoroughly steaming them, serving them in their original form. This method maintains the color and shape as if they were alive, though it’s merely an illusion since each insect is meticulously cleaned of smelly innards and tough veins, showcasing the expertise of multiple skilled chefs. While the attendant passionately boasts about the dish, Qing's impression upon seeing this ultimate Pasachung dish, the secret Pasachung Daemyung, was simple: “Hmmm. Sea worms.” Gebghyeon is known for its premium quality Pasachung, making up over half of the local cuisine. However, most dishes involve removing heads, tails, hard shells, and legs, so they end up looking just like long, sliced meat. But when a dish is presented in its original shape right in the center as if to remind you, "Hey, this isn't meat, it's a sea worm"? So, why did master chefs decide to create a dish that retains its original form like this? Is this some sort of elaborate prank? Why, back in our hometown, do they insist on cleaning eels right in front of you before serving them? In truth, Pasachung is not a sea worm. It's merely the larva of a snakefly with no association to sea worms, despite its appearance. Qing could devour anything, but she didn't eat just anything indiscriminately. Even Qing, who claimed to not be picky about food, believed that half the pleasure of food came from memories. Hence, Qing could never enjoy eating insects. “Well, can't we just have some regular meat like beef, pork, horse, chicken, lamb, goat, pheasant, or duck?” At that moment, Tang Nanah reached for the chopsticks, picked one up, examined it closely, and popped it whole into her mouth. “Oh, this isn’t bad at all for such a remote, provincial corner.” As the Sichuan Femme Fatale, Tang Nanah was known for being a picky eater. It was a natural result of growing up in wealth, always eating only the finest cuisine as a genuine powerhouse in Sichuan. A delicacy even recognized by Tang Nanah! “Here, Qing, have a taste. It’s meant to be a medicinal dish, so the flavor’s so-so, but the seasoning is quite decent.” Indeed, Pasachung was consumed even in Sichuan. It just wasn’t available when Qing visited because it was out of season. Thus, amidst the unusual sight of Qing picking at her food, a nearly unparalleled spectacle unfolded. Peng Daesan and Zhuge Leehyun exchanged glances. With tense expressions and serious gazes, when Peng Daesan tapped on the table, Zhuge Leehyun subtly nodded in agreement. Had the two men conspired together? Naturally, calling it a conspiracy might sound unjust and unfair. They simply agreed that as friends, they needed to address a concern they deemed necessary to highlight. “Qing.” “Hmm? What is it?” “Wasn't it a bit excessive this time?” “What do you mean?” “The matter with Representative Jung. Many merchants in Zhongyuan speak of trade ethics, but few adhere to them truly. From what I see, didn't you handle it a bit harshly?” The two men united in thinking that someone needed to curb the runaway behavior somewhere. That apart from them, perhaps Gongsun Lady might be capable within their party and even among the Half-Sword Dual Sword Society. Qing blinked. And just as she was about to speak— “What, are you done talking? So you're saying our Qing should have cozied up to some lowly merchant scum? When it’s barely courteous for such filthy traders to welcome distinguished guests, what’s your point?” Tang Nanah immediately shot a glare, her eyes flaring. Qing thought to herself, entrusting Zaiyou to Nanah might not be a good idea—it’d become Goldie's birth moment...... At this, Peng Daesan’s expression soured deeply. “Now, now, Nanah, quiet down. Hmm, San is still so green, so naive. Innocent?” It was clear that Peng Daesan’s expression could darken even further. “Isn't it suspicious? Amidst the chaos caused by the plague, this man lures people in with promises of a cure? But then suddenly, claims to treat them like royalty? Why?” “Did not Representative Jung say something?” Z3ZuaWdja0dkNXJtU283eC8xWlNuYXdwdlJkMld5clhTeC9UNUcxcC9KcnVUVldEc0tPdGtqNnk4anE0TGQzVQ “No, it doesn’t add up. Why lie in the first place? Why not simply say he needs workers for the newly discovered coal mine? Why bother hiding it at the cost of bringing women?” “Isn't it a coal mine? Surely local authorities or influential individuals would show interest, so hiding it isn’t necessarily strange.” “Hiding? Before going to Representative Jung, I asked around, and people said a wealthy young master from Hangzhou struck it lucky, finding a coal mine while tending his orchard. Everyone in town knew.” “Ah.” “And maybe you don’t know, San, but offering ample meat for three meals a day, comfortable beds, and even generous daily wages? Even with a normal call for workers, volunteers would line up and circle the city wall seven and a half times.” Qing, during her first year in the martial world, had endured the life of an utter vagabond. Given such an opportunity, many would clamor for it, and a beggar making an attempt among such competition would likely find themselves having a very unlucky day. Technically speaking, this is kicking the ladder away! It is why many beggars find themselves unable to escape poverty, perpetually begging. What’s that? People from Yunnan are laid-back and lazy? If you boast of top-tier working conditions where most would be around even after three years of service, word would spread, and miners would flock eagerly, surely. "And also, they use such a sloppy method for gathering people in such an egregious way, right? Even without us, what if the martial experts from Wudang Sect or the Peaceful One get involved, and in no time they’d come rushing from the capital?" It seemed as if someone wanted to incite rage against human trafficking with a miracle cure as bait, only to reveal later, "Tada! That wasn’t the case after all!" and showcase their unexpected charm. It’s as if the excuse is too perfectly constructed. "Hmm." "And did you see his demeanor? Why on earth would a merchant hold his head so stiffly before martial artists and sword-wielding bandits? Not trembling is one thing, but isn't a little apprehension normal?” Didn't Jung's attitude seem too composed? Even when attempting to pressure the head of the house for boldness, they exhibited an indifference to the identity of the ‘passing warrior.' "And as San said, although it sounds prejudiced, good merchants can exist, but there are no wealthy good merchants, right? When someone earns money, someone else loses it, and how does someone so young gather the capital to venture into such grand estates in a kind way?" Plus, there’s more— His evil score was a staggering 1,200 points. One thousand! Two hundred! Isn’t that suspicious enough? Even after hearing and seeing it, can one withdraw saying, "Ah! Having heard and confirmed, he truly is a trustworthy young man, and I've made a huge mistake," and leave it at that? Peng Daesan found himself speechless. Indeed, upon hearing Qing’s reasoning, it truly seemed suspicious. Yet still, something... Driven by a sense of injustice, Peng Daesan exchanged a look with Zhuge Leehyun. Even with Qing’s flood of words, surely the clever Leehyun could pinpoint some flaw in Qing’s logic, a subtle urge to voice any found discrepancy. Then, as if waiting for that very moment, Zhuge Leehyun spoke up. "Ah! I'm impressed with this reasoning. Moreover, no matter how high the coal mine’s purity, where do they profit from paying such labor costs? Surely, there's another intention to it!" Peng Daesan’s eye twitched. Betrayed here by this fellow? “See, even Zhuge finds it suspicious. It’s just you, San; you’re too naive.” “Ugh.” “Oh dear, our dear San. With such innocence and tender heart, how will he navigate this harsh Jianghu? Truly worrying.” “Uagh……!” Naturally, Peng Daesan felt wronged. Of course, he felt wronged. It wasn't that Qing was exceptionally smarter, but rather that she had reached a conclusion ahead of time and expanded her doubts accordingly. The 1,200-point evil score—there's no way to dismiss such a number as a simple misunderstanding. If he truly were a villain, one might fashion a fate for him that lies neither in life nor death. If misled into accumulating 1,200 points, one should address and rectify the root cause, not merely acknowledge good work done. And Peng Daesan found himself feeling even more wronged because— It was that Zhuge Leehyun…! ---- The room was lavishly adorned with cascades of colorful silk threads, stretched from wall to wall. In the center, a single step platform hosted a young boy, bringing his smoking pipe to his lips. Brightly igniting embers glowed, and from the middle-aged man's mouth billowed an ominous green smoke. As the green smoke lazily drifted and dispersed in the air, the gigantic silk veil behind revealed a golden embroidery motif. Five creatures—centipede, snake, scorpion, lizard, and toad—entangled in fierce combat. These five creatures are renowned as representing the signature poisonous creatures in Zhongyuan. Hence, they are collectively termed as the Five Poisons (五毒). There’s only one group in the world that bears this symbol. Odukmun! This is the headquarters of the Odukmun. In that case, something strange is afoot. For at the topmost seat in Odukmun’s headquarters sat a young boy. The most bizarre aspect, however, was the middle-aged man, seated humbly on his knees before the boy. Renowned across the land as the Master of Odukmun, the man named Hou Tianqi. While the young boy ardently continued to smoke the toxic herb, a woman suddenly emerged—from somewhere unobserved, unnoticed, whispering to the boy. As Hou Tianqi flinched, the woman barely smiled with her wax-like pallor and vanished with a blink. “No need for concern. It’s already deceased.” “A-a ghost, you say?” “More than that, in fact.” The boy took another puff, exhaling streams of green, toxic mist, and spoke again. “Houtian.” “Yes, yes, Poison Demon.” Poison Demon (毒魔)! The shocking revelation of the boy’s identity! Had another been present at that moment, they would have gasped audibly. Of course, if Qing were to witness the scene, she might very well have remarked, 'Who's this Poison Demon fellow? Is he just speaking nonsense?’ Naturally, according to Zhongyuan’s name regulations— Two-character titles reflect formidable strength, recognized across the realm, as a hallmark of top-tier power. Such an individual must possess formidable power with such an imposing title. Yet, the person known by this chilling name appeared as a pint-sized youth—utterly peculiar. Perhaps it’s a classic case of someone creating their nickname disastrously. Or afflicted by a condition where personal standards of charm drastically deviate from universally accepted ones. As the Poison Demon took another puff, exhaling a languid fog of poison. “I hear there’s a visitor on the way, and quite the impudent guest at that.” A small laugh echoed from somewhere. As Hou Tianqi's eyes turned, the hem of a woman's garment was briefly visible, disappearing behind a pillar. More terrifying than a ghost, Hou Tianqi felt a slight chill run down his spine. “Our grand plan is underway, so I'm concerned about the potential hassle from receiving unwelcome guests. However, we can't avoid receiving guests altogether.” “I'll have to go out and meet them.” “It might prove quite entertaining for you. Apparently, one of the guests is a woman from the Tang Clan.” In that instant, a fierce crimson murderous intent radiated from Hou Tianqi’s eyes. Seeing this, the Poison Demon smiled with satisfaction.