821 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

[Achieving the Slaughter] Sometimes, there are mornings like this. When you naturally wake up, open your eyes, and it feels exceptionally refreshing. The drowsiness naturally fades away, and your body is filled with vitality, allowing you to rise from your bed with clarity and appreciate the start of a good day. This morning, at the house of the Zheng family, it was just such a morning. In truth, this refreshing awakening isn’t just a rare stroke of luck that comes once in a while. It’s merely the vitality provided by the mind filled with anticipation for a new day, eager to embrace it. Qing's fellow countrymen, modern people, often despise waking up in the morning for this very reason. Therefore, the morning at the Zheng family's residence was refreshing. Primarily because there wasn’t much business to attend to, and he only had to show his face as the head of the Zheng family, the main operations of the Cult were proceeding smoothly, like a ship with sails billowing in the wind. Moreover, The Benevolent Poison Demon had sent word that he was ready to meet that arrogant wench. Especially benevolent, he had said that even in a state drenched in poison, if you desired, he would bring her before you. A true man never forgets his grudges; just thinking of how to punish that woman makes every moment thrilling. Yes, what shall I do when she is captured? To humble her arrogant pride and make her beg for her life, raise her in a beast's manure-filled barn while torturing her, yes, in the end, I’ll tell her to kill her own friend and cleanly devour the flesh, only then will I spare her life. And then, proceed to skin the flesh, savor every face of despair and remorse slowly… As the head of the Zheng family was grinning and refining these torture plans, “Young Master, a serious problem has arisen!” Clatter! Bang!! The door is thrust open with such force, as if to break, that it detaches from its frame and begins to collapse. At the sight of the servant who came in breaking the door, the head of the Zheng family frowned and was about to speak— “The whole sky has darkened from the smoke, there’s a massive fire!” “Fire!? A fire, you say? A forest fire? Where, where is it, surely not Mount Nochum, right?” Mount Nochum, located eastward behind the Zheng house, also housed a coal mine. “It seems to be Mount Nochum—” “What’s with the sudden fire! I need to see it with my own eyes.” He dashed outside in haste. There was no need to even lift his head; half the sky was already shrouded in thick black smoke. Columns of sooty black air with a pungent texture rose, soaring skyward from the eastern sky. The head of the Zheng family stood frozen, overwhelmed by the grand spectacle. But it was only for a moment before he shouted, “The mine! What about the mine?!” “I, I do not know, the smoke is too thick, the flames cannot yet be seen—” “What are you saying!? Do you plan to watch until the entire mountain burns down! Mobilize all available staff! Block the entrance, demolish the accommodation, and stop the fire from spreading to the mine!” “Yes, yes sir!” The subordinate swiftly ran off. The head of the Zheng family bit his lip, appearing anxious. Of all times…! The first harvest of the poison was still pending. If the fire spread to the tunnels, they would quickly collapse, meaning all the carefully nurtured poison would be buried. With the Cult's grand operations on the horizon, of all times! Yet, the head of the Zheng family couldn’t fathom the source of the fire at the mine he so worried about. That was because, like anyone else from the Zheng family, he believed such a fire would never occur at the mine. After discovering a natural cave ideal for the manufacture of poison during the coal mine's development as part of the Cult's business, they had completely ceased coal excavation. It was an order from the Poison Demon, who feared a fire breaking out in the mines. With no people entering the mine, surely there couldn’t be a fire there—it must be a forest fire. Soon enough, the sound of bells ringing and whistles blaring filled the air. The Cult's reserve soldiers brushed past him, running at full tilt, and it was not long before silence engulfed the estate emptied of its inhabitants. The head of the Zheng family, left alone in the middle of the estate, was nervously biting his nails. A soft, affectionate voice from a woman gently called out to him. “Young Master, I'll tell the kitchen to put away your breakfast.” “Ugh, w-what, you. What nonsense are you spouting?” “You've filled yourself chewing on those nails, so wouldn’t you be full? Instead, I’ve prepared a drink for you.” A woman with her hair neatly brushed back handed him a bowl with a kind smile. “What is this, I don’t need it! Who asked for water?” “Are you not thirsty? You gnawed down those blackened nails so thoroughly, ah, still, after dining on something salty you must be thirsty.” Her gentle, kind demeanor contrasted sharply with the biting sarcasm in her words. Which is why, when the head of the Zheng family looked at her, his eyes were filled with nothing but disdain. “Oh dear, my arm’s getting tired. Won’t you have some?” “No need, get lost from my sight.” “Oh my! Ah! I see now. Congratulations.” “What? In this situation, congratulations are ridiculous—” “Yes? Of course, congratulations. Today is the day you attained the mythical realm, immune to all poisons, isn't it?” “Again, what nonsense are you—” “Isn’t it strange? There’s a forest fire blaring all around, right?” “Now, why does the forest fire matter?” “There’s a forest fire, and the mine is endangered, and it's peculiar how you haven’t asked someone to report to the Poison Demon yet.” The forest fire has put the poison-making site in danger. Naturally, someone should report it to the Poison Demon. But by not reporting, perhaps the Poison Demon is no longer feared. To not fear the Poison Demon, one must surely be immune to all poisons. “Well, as terrifying as the Poison Demon’s toxins may be, being totally immune might not be necessary. But to challenge him, wouldn't you need at least immunity to a thousand poisons? Hmm, although considering the Poison Demon’s poison, a thousand is a bit scant, perhaps around five thousand poisons, then?” The head of the Zheng family flinched. “*Ahem*, I merely intend to accurately assess the situation before reporting.” The head of the Zheng family gulped down the contents of the woman's bowl, as if his throat was parched, and then promptly spat it out violently. “Cough, hack, ack, what did you make me drink!?” “Oh, Young Master, your breath always had an odor, so I merely mixed a bit of vinegar in.” “Cough, hack, it's more than just a bit—” “Shall I pat your back for you?” “Leave, hack, get out!” The head of the Zheng family shouted angrily while waving his arms. In response, the woman offered an even gentler, brighter smile. “But Young Master, you’ve always been quite frail, haven’t you? There’s hardly anyone left in the estate, so how will you manage without me? You’re treated well simply because you’re the son of the Blood Alliance Lord, yet you think you’re clever, but you’re just a weakling.” “Get out!” The woman then smiled sweetly, bending deeply at the waist. “I’ll follow your orders then, but make sure to handle everything well. Otherwise, you might find yourself dead.” “I’ll manage, just get lost, you monster. Besides, we’ve already set up plenty of fire prevention tools at the mine, so even if it—” “Oh dear, I wasn’t referring to the mine, you know?" Z3ZuaWdja0dkNXJtU283eC8xWlNuUTI3K2lTVFBYUjUyTEFadjJLQ0diNlU2MVpBL1ErL1hFaytkY2RzajFabQ “What?” “Well then, I’ll make your wish come true and get going.” “Wait—” He tried hastily to stop her, but clamped his mouth shut as she vanished from sight. --- The doors of the Zheng family estate burst open, and a horde armed with various tools comes rushing out. In their frantic hurry, any semblance of formation fell apart, the gap widening between the front, middle, and rear. Judging by the crude martial skills of the vanguard, they seemed to be around the second-tier level. Considering their advanced position, imagine the rest. In the bushes meeting the mountainside, Qing scrutinized their formation with narrowed eyes. Hmm, that was the head of the warehouse, or was it the station? Whatever, it seems like that slick fellow isn’t here. Considering their forces are just this weak, perhaps I should have stormed in openly. But then again, they say one can never emphasize safety too much. Of course, not for someone like me who rarely faces threats, but for our Half-Sword Dual Sword Society members. Thus, I waited patiently until morning for this, only to find their forces weaker than I imagined. And soon after, the doors of the Zheng family slammed shut. Qing finally rose from within the bushes. “Let’s go.” Marching toward the Zheng family estate, their expressions were severe. So undermanned was the estate that even the gates hadn’t been bolted. Standing before it, Qing loudly banged on the firmly closed door with his fist. “Come here! Why won’t you come out?!” Each time his fist hit the door, it seemed ready to break inward, yet amazingly, it held itself together, testament to Ximen Qing newly installed hinges. That brat, what? Asking to just install doors? Even as the most depraved of the Blood Cult, his audacity knew no bounds. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!! This was bordering on a riot. How long had they been pounding on the door of the emptied Zheng family estate, when a voice from behind the door could be heard. Guest, currently, our Zheng family is not accepting— In an instant, Qing’s eyes gleamed. With shoulders seemingly touching behind his back, Qing spread his arms wide, lunging forward with palm splayed open. TWHAM! With a thunderous roar, the door shattered into pieces. Pieces flew like buckshot, and the Blood Cult disciple on the other side soared through the air, bent at the waist, as shards pierced through his clothing and skin, lodging in his body. As the bloodied disciple rolled across the ground, Qing strode across the Zheng estate with wide strides. “Wh-who—” Dong! The majestic sound of a great bell cut through, and the elderly Blood Cult member fell to the ground, trembling. The fearsome strength of the Buddha’s Divine Palm had collapsed his chest deeply. Qing’s eyes darkened further, sinking into a deep abyss. In his mind, he recalled the Blood Cult members at the mine. Not entirely innocent, but pitiful lives deserving some sympathy. In terror, they had wept and trembled incontinent with fear, unable to even resist, mere serfs who were born in the Blood Cult’s villages. Why, why wasn’t it enjoyable? If only they had screamed curses, drawn hidden blades, and charged, Qing could have snorted in contempt, joyously mowing them down. Was that why? Because the foes were unable to resist? Against such helpless adversaries? People who had never even gripped a weapon, let alone learned martial arts? No, it couldn’t be. I've had countless experiences of slaughtering those who were untrained in martial arts, after rendering them helpless, for isn't that the very essence of perfect slaughter? Or maybe because they didn’t need to be killed? No, they had to be killed. If left alive, they’d report everything and soon, Blood Cult trackers would be on their heels, and even if that wasn’t the case, they’d inevitably serve the Blood Cult with dedication and zeal, brainwashed by hatred after all. Then, why did it feel so displeasing? Was it because he killed a woman? No. In front of evil, there are no genders, and where is anyone who practices gender equality more than me? For slaughtering the young? Neither. The sprouting little devils would only bring more harm to the world, being of worse character than the old villains. Yes, they were those who had to be killed. Yet handling the Blood Cult members at the mine felt unpleasant, even giving a swift beheading filled him with displeasure. Because it wasn’t slaughter; it was a process, mechanical labor, or something like that. However, even when disposing of decapitated heads by pushing them into pits, the heart-wrenching screams from below were far from sweet. The cries of the Poison Master left behind as the mine was set ablaze, and the curses of the woman left unable to use her limbs, burning alive, were pleasing to the ear. And yet, why? Why was the task of killing those who had been the Blood Cult’s chosen survivors not at all enjoyable? It was the same now. The estate was emptied of all the burly men. Facing off against the remaining Blood Cult workers, be they elderly or female servants who hadn’t been deployed, offered no thrill at all; if anything, it was unsettling. As a result, any unresolved anger from the slaughter, along with a simmering rage, clung to him like a sticky residue, burning from within.