827 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

Qing cast a playful smile right in front of Dongjuk, who was vehemently glaring at her. If anger could take physical form, it would probably look just like that expression. If glaring alone could kill someone, Qing might just have to oblige and die on the spot. Of course, her enemy's irritation is the highest form of praise. Now, if she were to attack- But. "Ah..." "Young Master, forgive me. Please endure it a bit longer." Despite the trembling of his hand from humiliation, Dongjuk carefully set down what he was cradling, now beginning to undo the knots of his clothing with even more caution. Qing’s expression turned sour. She could appreciate a part in a role, but did she really have to witness a man stripping, and worse, one man stripping another? Oh, she couldn’t bear to watch... Yes, there's going to be a brief intermission. Qing shifted her focus past the two men, gazing into the distant sky at the thick black smoke rising from the mines. The fire should be extinguished soon. Hopefully, it won’t continue burning underground like some infamous mine that never stops blazing. If this escalates into a larger problem, how on earth will Zhuge be able to handle the situation when they’ll undoubtedly be blamed for arson and causing a disaster? Zhuge, I can only hope the flames are subdued quickly, but I believe the power of your clan, the Zhuge Noble Clan, is sufficient to overcome this. "Now satisfied?" "Oh wow, I didn’t expect you to actually strip." "What?" Dongjuk’s face turned a bright red almost immediately. Whether he cared or not, Qing waved her hand dismissively. "Alright, let's go. I thought I'd get to swing my sword a bit, but apparently not, since you'd rather shame yourself." In both Qing's homeland and Zhongyuan, the method to provoke a man was universally the same. With that, Dongjuk lower his voice threateningly. "...One day, the supreme thief, Doderian, will deeply regret this moment." "Heh, this Doderian lives without regrets... well, maybe just one. I should’ve made it so he was a man in the beginning, but now look at this mess, just for a bit of eye candy. Anyway, you should be grateful." "What?" "The famous General Zhao Hong of the Han Dynasty once said, 'Disappointment is what fosters a man.' Remember today's shame, and engrave my name on your worthless pride. Endure hardship and strive to improve, it will be your driving force." bWpnL1VNWWVlR0h2N0IyVWd5ZUJTM0k2d3BpdEVacjhQV0pCUnRJckJyaW5YT1ZVU3BWVFVHU2NmOEQweUdaRg Dongjuk, unable to hide his frustrated expression, frowned as if something didn’t quite add up. "...? Did General Zhao really say such a thing? I’ve never heard that before." "Really? Was it the opposite? That a man nurtures disappointment? Something doesn’t seem right here." "You’d be wise not to roam around Yunnan." There he goes again, adamant about having the last word. Instead of responding, Qing shrugged and subtly withdrew to the side of the path. "Young Master, pardon me." "Aargh!" "I'm Dongjuk. Please, Young Master, calm down." Qing’s gaze, watching the scene, was colder than the harshest northern wind on the iciest night. How... utterly disgraceful. The image of the pitiful scene beneath the mines flickered through Qing’s memory. Unlike the occasional ghastly scene Heavenly Slaughter Star might show, this was a tangible slice of a real world. It was exactly as the saying described, a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood: that horrific sight, the stench that threatened to rip one's nose off, the damp atmosphere, the lingering humidity imbued with human blood, countless bones, decaying flesh, all piled and festering... Those who had produced such a gruesome scene causing the deaths of hundreds of innocent people were now, unbelievably, clinging to each other, stark naked. There was nothing more ironically tender in the world. If only the scumbags of Blood Cult had even a hint of loyalty and affection amongst themselves, their despicable behavior—pushing each other away and begging for survival—might not have felt so vile. If they had behaved like true rabble, she could easily sneer and dismiss them as expected. Dongjuk cradled his charge, drawing his sword towards Qing with his free hand as he carefully, inch by inch, moved closer and closer. His body, like he was shielding it, gradually leaned awkwardly as he moved forward. And finally, the moment came when he was practically sidling crab-like. "Wait a moment!" Qing called out with Moonlight Sword in hand. "What is it? Are you breaking your promise now-" "No, wait a second. What is that, you, hey. This kid, am I seeing things? You." "What?" Suddenly, Qing radiated a fierce Sword Qi. Her previously casual eyes turned dangerously sharp, oozing with murderous intent. "You, how! You bastard! How can you do such horrible things in human guise! Gouging eyes, blood at the ears, how is it that the voice, you, how did you make someone unable to hear! How, how can you leave someone in such a state! Are you even human?" Qing shouted fiercely. If the charge's eardrums weren’t in working order, she might have exploded in disbelief and died of frustration at the outrageousness of the statement. After all, you've turned them into this and then say such things! But, fortunately or unfortunately, the charge's ears were perfectly intact, so Dongjuk, full of injustice, leapt up. "Wait, this is not my doing-" "Enough talking! I may be but a lowly thief, but I will not turn a blind eye to such atrocious crimes! No matter how deep a grudge, one cannot render a person so pitiful!" Qing stated assertively. One should not leave a person in such a state. However, if it was not a person, but a beast? Ironically, for such wicked ones, leaving them in a state worse than death for the world to see, caution and fear would take root. And if an afterlife indeed exists, the innocent ones already dead and shedding tears of blood might find some solace. Thus, Qing extended Moonlight Sword straight ahead. As Dongjuk hurriedly parried the sword, clang! The collision of swords set two streaks of Sword Qi bouncing like sparks. Dongjuk's expression noticeably tensed. They had only clashed once, but the tremendous power within left his wrist tingling and numb. Who would have thought that a woman wielding such a massive sword would be a natural-born amazon with immense strength? "Wait! It's a misunderstanding!" "Misunderstanding? Die, you vile criminal!" Clang, clang, clang! Dongjuk kept stepping back, barely parrying each strike. Each time their swords met, his wrist throbbed, escalating into a sharp and intense pain. In contrast, Qing brandished the large sword with both hands, and it seemed as if she was effortlessly swinging a lightweight twig rather than a chunk of metal. Her sword, parried and deflected, halted in mid-air and swiftly reversed direction—an illusion as if time itself flowed backwards. In a typical match between martial artists of equal skill, female warriors are often at a disadvantage. In the same realm, despite their agility and fluidity, the inherent imbalance in physical strength and bone density makes it more likely for a woman to end up at a disadvantage during exchanges of blows. However, this was completely the opposite case. A female warrior naturally endowed with exceptional strength, whose physique was inherently suited to martial prowess, was competing with little to no shortcomings. The unique softness and flexibility of a woman's body, along with the extensive range from longer legs, unpredictable elevation changes from a higher pelvic position… Even fighting with all his might, Dongjuk couldn't hope to stand a chance while cradling the Young Master protectively with half his body. "Wait, it's a misunderstanding! It's not me!" "You filthy liar! Can't you admit it like a man?" "It's not! Truly, it's not!" "A strong denial means a strong affirmation! Oh, finally confessing now, are you?" "Aaahh! I told you it's not!!" At that instant. As Qing prepared to draw back her sword for a thrust, she suddenly dropped to her knees. She nearly touched her tailbone to the ground, with her long legs folding beneath her, becoming invisible from Dongjuk’s perspective— A heart-stopping moment! "Die!" Whoosh! A circular arc sliced perilously close to the ground as Qing’s leg swept in a half-moon motion. Her toes streaked like lightning toward Dongjuk’s ankle bone. Then. Desperately, Dongjuk launched himself forward, causing dust to rise as he scraped the ground while propelling himself forward. Whoosh! Instead of smashing into Dongjuk's ankle, it struck his shin, sending his lower body soaring horizontally. Dongjuk’s horizontal frame aligned with the earth, his twisted face still unwavering in its gaze at Qing, even amidst the chaos. Unfortunately, in that process, he lost his grip on the charge, causing the nearly naked men to separate and tumble independently. Qing couldn’t help but admire silently. Oh, is he actually skilled in combat? If her toes had struck his ankle, a local phrase from her homeland would liken it to a short-lived "kobali" at best, leaving him with a fractured limp. Had he retreated or leapt upward, she could have simply adjusted her trajectory. However, advancing a step forward only compounded the impact, prompting an effective strike. This speaks to his combat intelligence. If left unchecked, he could certainly ascend to the transcendent realm—such is his talent. But, is it worth playing with him any longer? Dongjuk, as he hastily got back to his feet, froze mid-motion at the cold edge aiming for his chin. "You despicable villain, beg forgiveness from that poor young man before you die." "No, it's a misunderstanding, please, noble hero, listen—” "Ha, now you call a mere thief a 'noble hero?' Faced with death, your cowardice truly reveals your wicked nature." "No, I can explain—" "Haha, amusing last words! Accept the judgment of justice willingly!" Qing loudly proclaimed, lifting her Moonlight Sword high overhead. At that moment, Dongjuk's eyes flashed brightly! "Perish! Moonlight Sword, shatter in torrents!" The Moonlight Sword cleaved through the air, descending vertically. And clang!! The sound of metal striking resonated, followed by heavy rotations, as the blade was catapulted into the sky and stylishly embedded itself upright into the earth. "Eh?" Qing muttered questioningly, glancing bewilderedly at her now empty hand. While this happened, Dongjuk stood up abruptly, a sinister smile twisting his face as he raised his sword. "You wench. I'll kill you." “Wait, wait! I’m unarmed here!” "You dare display arrogance? I promised to make you regret this." Dongjuk began to swing his sword. No longer hampered by the Young Master or that cumbersome baggage, he now faced a weaponless and seemingly doomed woman. With red Sword Qi drawing countless trails across the sky. “Waaah! Wait a moment! Let's talk! Let’s talk!”, Qing yelled desperately. “Hmph, dodging so nimbly! Die! Just die!” "You look, wait, wait! Waah, I barely dodged that! That's a foul! Foul!" Dongjuk’s proficient swordsmanship revealed his murderous intent, a savage sword filled with malice. Yet, weaving skillfully in and out of the sword's path, rolling, leaping, crawling, ducking, and weaving, Qing neatly evaded each strike, as if part of an intricately choreographed dance. She moved so swiftly that multiple Qing figures seemed to appear and disappear, as if flitting through the air. Then bang! With a firm stomp, Qing distanced herself. "Wait!" “Trying to talk now? Too late. I'll make sure you die—" "Let's make a deal." "A deal?" “Yes. If you back off before this fight continues, I'll chase you no more and harbor no ill will. I'll even let you off in peace. Ah, your outfit’s a bit breezy, I see. But what’s done is done. It’s a given, it’s mine now.” “You’re still just flapping your lips? I'll kill you and display your talkative head, to see if you jabber on in death.” **Translation Notes:** 1. 新鋭(Shinui) - This term was encountered once in the text and was translated as "new talent." The word emphasizes a rising star or emerging talent, which fits how Qing acknowledges Dongjuk’s potential. 2. 꼬발이(Kobari) - A local slang from Qing's region. It is translated as "short-lived 'kobari,'" metaphorically reflecting a fragile, easily broken state if injury occurred. 3. 동죽(Dongjuk) - Name without specific hanja mentioned, consistent translation as Dongjuk without alternate names. 4. 올바름(Bbul) - A term suggesting sarcastic or sardonic conduct. It reflects the banter and wit between Qing and Dongjuk, maintaining a playful yet serious tone. 5. 정류장(Jeongryujang) - Translated based on context as “the charge,” referring to someone being protected or cared for by Dongjuk, another important narrative term retained. "Hold on! If you intend to keep fighting, I'll also fight seriously as the Supreme Dominator Thief! No more leniency!" “Seriously? Show mercy?” “Yes! And then, no matter how much you cry and bawl, snot and tears flowing, rubbing your palms until they're raw, I will never forgive you. As the Supreme Dominator Thief, I never spare those who witness my true power! So, quietly take your creation and get lost. This is the last, very special chance I'm giving you.” Yet, Dongjuk merely laughed. Her skills might be impressive, but to claim she’s been hiding her talents? Even a ten-year-old wouldn’t fall for such nonsense. “Really? I'm keen to see these so-called superior skills.” “Really? It's your last chance. I'm telling you while I'm being nice to leave? I’m really going to unleash my hidden power? And then there’s no going back on it? You’ll die for sure?” “Ha! Amusing last words!” “Gasp.” Dongjuk laughed heartily and swung his sword again, imbued with pulsating crimson Sword Qi. Then, with a light snap. Qing's long, elegant fingers, seemingly transparent and exquisitely beautiful, lightly grasped the blade. "What?" “Oh, so this is it. I finally understand why you’d hide your power. How could anyone hold back with this? Very well, I'll endure some embarrassment!” “What?” Dongjuk, shocked, attempted to pull back his sword, but Qing's hand firmly gripped the blade, refusing to let it go. Dongjuk's arm quivered, as he desperately tried to channel energy into the sword while pulling with all his might. Yet, the sword remained in place. Finally, with a resounding crack. Qing's fist closed tightly around the blade. As the blade snapped in half, Dongjuk stood, hands held high in disbelief. The broken half of the blade clattered to the ground. When Qing opened her hand, the crumpled piece of metal dropped to the dirt path below. This was the gap between the Pinnacle Realm and the Transformation Realm. The difference in perspective between the realm of Pinnacle and Transformation was stark. **Translation Notes:** 1. **최강지존도적 도독년 (ChoeGwangJiJoonDoeDokNyeon)** - Translated as "Supreme Dominator Thief." The term is a grandiose self-title reflecting Qing's bravado and wit. "JiJoon" translates to supreme leader or dominator, which is coupled with "Thief" (도적; "Dojok") for the cheeky twist on her self-proclaimed fighting prowess. 2. **광소 (Gwangso)** - The translation "laughed heartily" captures the nuance of a genuinely amused, mocking laughter. 3. **찌질함 (Jjijilham)** - This term encapsulates the notion of something embarrassing or shameful one endures, reflecting Qing's playful self-awareness. The distinction between Dongjuk and Qing’s respective martial levels—the Pinnacle Realm and Transformation Realm—conveys the disparity in skill and strength, highlighting Qing’s significant advantage.