841 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

Silence descended upon the surroundings. It was the calm before the decisive battle. Qing, with her sword poised, found her thoughts endlessly complicated. I don't know if this is right. It's a solemn statement that one of us must die to end this—everyone declares it boldly. This notion, that we cannot coexist under the same sky, claims that at least one of us must perish—is spoken easily by all, yet rarely upheld. Among those Qing has faced, well, probably none? After all, no one truly considers their own death; it's just a thought. I want to live, but you must die. So, while declaring you are their archenemy beyond reconciliation, the moment they start losing, they quickly seek a way out, justifying themselves by recalling figures like Han Xin or Fu Cha, who overcame crises through trivial petty tactics. In contrast, why does Jingke, the first chivalrous hero, become synonymous with chivalry? He charged into the palace knowing that whether he succeeded or failed in assassinating the First Emperor, he wouldn’t survive. He offered up his own life while harboring thoughts of revenge; this was truly how to face an irreconcilable enemy. Yet, were these foes even worthy of respect? A moment, just a moment, an indefinable time. At the precise intersection where an inhale ended and the exhale began, about a third of the way through, the enemy moved as one. Breathing in that vulnerable moment was just when they would best strike. Assailants converged from all directions, a scenario akin to being surrounded on all sides, murderous intents showered down from every angle. But shallow. To think they could succeed simply by throwing concealed weapons. Granted, poisoned weapons pose a challenge even for masters. But for someone immune to poison, what else could one say other than it’s trivial? Even if infused with inner energy to enhance efficacy, the energy dissipates rapidly once detached from the body, losing strength. Naturally, if not for that, all martial skills would have evolved into projectile throwing arts instead of weapon-wielding techniques. Moreover, those who study toxic arts mostly possess potent poisons, lacking considerably in pure skill even within the same realm. Qing swung her sword. A round arc of sword energy formed in beautiful hues of the Nine Yang Heart Purification Sutra, like lifting a full moon with the tip of the sword. The sword sliced through the air, as if using the full moon to draw thick strokes, encircling everything. A gigantic full moon emerged on the earth. The thick strokes, crafted into a spherical shape, produced a dense sword shield. Qing watched as the Divine Maiden Sword Technique created this impenetrable defense. The item gripped tightly in the left hand draining of color—a headband worn by warriors, a symbol of heroism. A poorly crafted object, once, Yue Divine Sword Maiden put down her sword to craft it with a needle for the man who made her feel human and a woman, a token of love. And when that man went to war and never returned, this was the relic returned in his stead. In fury, Yue Divine Sword Maiden ventured into the battlefield, but battle yielded only death, more death. Hatreds chained after hatreds, countless people despising merely because they were enemies. Suddenly, boundless futility settled within Yue Divine Sword Maiden. The man who left could never return. Once, she alone found joy; realizing the world was delightful, having him, they became 'we.' With his departure, back to being alone, solo joy unrecognized, now lost, bound to endless despair for having lost him. Standing on the battlefield, Yue Divine Sword Maiden no longer swung her sword at the enemy. Simply raised defenses with her sword on all sides. Isolated from the world, Yue Divine Sword Maiden. Divine Maiden Sword Intent, seventh form: Scattered People, Empty Emotions. People vanish, emotions are but void. The storm of thrown weapons, upon hitting the sword shield, ricochet off. A resolute wall refusing all hostility. Neither did Yue Divine Sword Maiden extend her blade towards the foe; this was severance, we are void. Yet, this wasn't the surrender of Yue Divine Sword Maiden. Face expressionless, she was neither saddened nor despondent. Merely not joyous or blissful. Rejecting outwardly, and alone in the world. Thus complete within oneself. At that moment, Qing lowered her sword. Feeling emptiness should not occur from that point, no? Suppose my sect members, teachers, friends, our Divine Maiden Sect kin were slain, I'd scour the earth to deliver the cruelest fate possible. Qing suddenly realized. The behaviors of the Ohdok Sect, why it was unpleasant now came clear. The Ohdok Sect's ruthlessness was that of men resolved to vengeance, yet already self-abandoned corpses. Regardless of severed limbs, grappling endlessly with their remaining limbs, devoid of will to live, can such be deemed alive? I want to see living villains suffer a miserable end and relish it with satisfaction. There's no hobby in slashing at already dead corpses. However, I do understand. Perhaps that's why. I unknowingly put on a show. But at the very least, their tenacity dedicated to vengeance won them that much respect. Yet, doesn't curiosity linger? If all that tenacity, struggles, was merely suicide? With lacking capability, unable to even inflict a minor wound let alone take revenge. Would you still stand proud, claiming life's dedication to vengeance without regret? If in agony and bitterness at that moment. Then that's fine. I'll return to savoring it with pleasure. If until the end, they accepted that dedicating everything to vengeance mattered more than the outcome. Then perhaps my trivial whims had value too. The full moon descended upon the earth, and amidst it emerged a stunning beauty like that of Fairy Hanawa. The Ohdok sect warriors hesitated briefly. --- Some new terms not mentioned earlier: 1. **Ohdok Sect (오독문도)**: Translated directly as "Ohdok Sect," implying a faction or sect focusing on ruthless vengeance. Alternate translation could be "Poisoned Sect" due to the context of their nature. 2. **Jingke (형가)**: Translated as the historical assassin who attempted to assassinate Qin Shi Huang, synonymous with chivalrous hero in historical context rather than creating a fictional term. 3. **Hanawa(항아)**: Translated as "Fairy Hanawa" as a reference to a uniquely beautiful woman. Please note that minor character affiliations such as "Ohdok Sect" have now been noted. The translation attempts to preserve the narrative tone and nuanced meaning of the original text. The technique of erecting a barrier using sword Qi was itself a sophisticated form of high-level martial study. But to create one that encompasses oneself in a spherical shape—what tremendous inner power would that require? In the midst of this motion, the Moonlight Sword moved again. A large sword swung effortlessly in place, fluctuating up and down, left and right. The movement flowed from her arms to her shoulders, her shoulders twisting gracefully, embellishing the routine. Then from her shoulders to her waist, which twisted and bounced into larger motions, descending to her knees, which moved rhythmically, and from her knees to her toes. Her nimble steps spun back and forth, sometimes advancing, sometimes retreating. The swing of the sword spread through her body, responding in a dance—a sword dance wielded with weapon in hand. Perplexity mixed in the eyes of the Ohdok Sect warriors. Faced with encircling enemies, suddenly breaking into a dance? Yet, it was a mesmerizing spectacle, impossible to look away from, one that wouldn't be witnessed again under this heaven. The luminous face, seemingly glowing alone in the dark, possessed a beauty that captivated all, regardless of age or gender. Swoosh—a mighty gust with a manifest Qi seemed drawn irresistibly toward Qing. "What are you doing? Attack! Stop her, now!" With Hu Tianchi's shout, the Ohdok Sect elders, along with the disciples outside, hurriedly reached into their robes. Then, a storm of blossoms erupted. Alongside the swinging blade of the beauty came a vibrant whirl of petals of all colors. From Qing's dantian, all her energy burst forth, displayed in their own colors to the world. Some were a golden yellow, almost slightly reddish under the sun's glow, others radiant and resembling a Buddha's luster. Others were chillingly white, as if they could cut, and the less white ones carried a sleek chill. Like the ocean's blue, deep loneliness infused within. In peach blossom-pink, a breath-stopping allure ensnared. Then there were the reds, rich with blood-stained brutality, or in some blooded hues, an innocent malice akin to a child, and others... Well, most demonic arts resembled blood in red. Lone Nine Swords Technique, eighth form, Ever-Changing, Myriad Transformations(千變萬化). Of course, the Great Celestial Martial Emperor would've scoffed. "What nonsense is Ever-Changing, Myriad Transformations? I never created such a pathetic form, if you're going to imitate me, at least do it right. Don’t say you learned from me—I’d be embarrassed. Call it something else, like Hundred-Changing Transformations, or better yet, Ten-Changing Flowers." Well, it's an inferior version; there's no help for it. Back in the day, executing the original with full force could lead to total fractures, muscular ruptures throughout the body, and extensive organ damage. Fortunately, only having reached the Transcendent Realm could I muster even a Ten-Changing Flowers semblance, nonetheless, this drains my dantian and strains my meridians. How did I use this in the past, in the Pinnacle Realm, and survive? My inner energy drains rapidly. Blasting hundreds of phantom blossoms, rarely used beyond illusion, would've expected no less, but my Qi withers quickly nonetheless. Death rains from everywhere. Not enough to fill the world with petals as the Great Celestial Martial Emperor could do but akin to kicking a blossom and watching petals tumble. At least they couldn't sustain the flow, the petals darted straight like arrows beyond a certain range. Elders could swipe them away with their weapons, but for the outer-circle disciples—it was a calamity. "Damn it, elders! Let's go!" Hu Tianchi charged out. The distance maintained for throwing weapons had now become a disadvantage in approaching. Each petal, individually manageable, could be defended against even at master levels. Clearing them one by one would indeed take ages, inferior as this version of Ever-Changing, Myriad Transformations was. In Qing's homeland, the power of wide-range techniques was inherently weak, wasn't it? Now was when they needed to closely block and counter. They must first stem the flowing dance to fend off the petals—waiting while merely defending till their adversaries tired was no strategy for victory. In truth, just blocking was wiser. Because my inner power really drains fast. Wow, half of my total power vanished in seconds. It's embarrassing to halt due to fading strength, so their approach is warmly welcomed. For the Ohdok Sect, it might be regretful, but without knowing the technique's duration, chance-taking while disregarding the minor disciples’ deaths wasn't feasible. Clang! Multiple weapons intercepted the sweeping blades. Though varied in type, all wielded in the left hand—likely a characteristic of the Ohdok Sect's martial arts. Qing halted her revolving body and extended her left hand, lightly tapping a pressing elder on the sternum. The result was anything but light. Bong...!! With a sound akin to a temple bell, the elder spewed blood, toppling violently backward. A chest pressed deep inward; as blood and torn innards spilled from his mouth. At the same time, the momentum of the Moonlight Sword drastically shifted. The previous weightless and floating movements disappeared, replaced by the crude force of a towering mountain crashing down, shearing left and swinging right, slugging with the broadside. This was the imperious energy of Seomun Surin's Divine Maiden Sword. As if declaring woman not without strength, challenging to never belittle female swordmasters again. Qing swiftly scanned her foes. Besides the sect leader, removing one left ten more, thus eleven foes remained. --- Some new terms not mentioned earlier: 1. **Hu Tianchi (후천치)**: Directly translated as "Hu Tianchi," without translation given the context and not needing reinterpretation. 2. **Phantom Blossoms (강환)**: Interpreted as "Phantom Blossoms," referring to illusory flowers used in the illusion techniques. 3. **Moonlight Sword (월광검)**: Confirmed the previously used term would continue representing a specific martial art skill or technique. The translated names and terms align with their intended usage within the context of martial arts storytelling.