851 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

"Young Master, it’s all a misunderstanding! We didn't cast them out, but rather, those ungrateful creatures need to understand filial piety. Even though we didn't intend to transmit the White Plague, they violated Heaven's order by killing their father. How could we approach the idea of forcing my sworn brother's children to death? The officer said this while desperately glancing at one side, directly at the magistrate of Gimpyung County, who was in charge of the county's trials. In response, the magistrate cleared his throat and said: "Elder, doesn't what he says seem somewhat sensible? Traditionally, when one mourns a parent's death, they would live as hermits in a hut next to the grave, offering daily prayers in the morning and evening. They should wear mourning clothes, garments so uncomfortable they feel like they're slicing the skin, abstain from cooked meals, and avoid pungent seasonings while refraining from eating to fullness. In comparison, living as vagabonds might actually reflect consideration for the young nephews, might it not?" For reference, the hut beside the grave would have neither a proper floor nor pillars—a makeshift roof tied with straw was all there was. It was a dwelling where one had to crawl in and out, no better than a den. In truth, completing a proper three-year mourning period was more trying than anything and had a much lower survival rate than even beggars. One had to endure the cold and heat of the mountains with a single garment and survive various wild beasts alone. The three-year mourning was arduous. It’s said that Yuan Shao, in the past, completed consecutive three-year mournings for his mother and father, prompting everyone to call him a hero among men. Conversely, Jin who wrote the historical 'Records of the Three Kingdoms' took medicine during his three-year mourning because he was so ill, and he was chastised as someone who valued his life over mourning his parents. Consequently, he was ousted from his post and lived as an enforced vagabond for about ten years. So, if they had indeed turned them out to live like vagabonds, one could argue it was more merciful than the three-year mourning. Qing frowns deeply. Who on earth completes a three-year mourning? The three-year mourning is merely a politically grand event akin to winning the world's filial son contest. In truth, properly conducting a three-year mourning was akin to suicide; if everyone had observed it, the Central Plains would now be extinct, with all perhaps remaining as mere skeletons beside their parents' graves. "Elder, filial piety is the foundation of a nation and the most basic duty of a person, isn't it? The children of the clan, unwitting or not, drove their father to death, so isn't it rightful for them to bear the corresponding punishment? According to the nation's law, the accused here has, instead, bestowed great beneficence upon the children of the clan." The magistrate felt a chill down his spine. So there was gold involved; this rascal must have taken the money and passed the buck upward! And there, a whisper, conspicuously pitched to be heard only around his position. "What? Since when did our nation have such a law? 'If the children are young and pitiable, make them live like vagabonds instead of doing the three-year mourning?' Is my knowledge of national law still lacking? I must inquire with whom I learn." "What?! Where in the world does such a law exist? I, myself! Absolutely! Do not! Think that way!" The magistrate frothed at the mouth. For the inspector to consult someone versed in national law meant this matter could flow directly to the imperial palace. One could face extermination of nine clans, meaning even distant relatives and in-laws could be decapitated without surprise. "Elder, my lord?" "And you rogues dare speak of the three-year mourning?! Then what about the clan’s wife? Let's say the children are atoned by living as vagabonds, but why isn’t the clan's wife observing the three-year mourning?" Exactly. Three-year mourning was applicable not only to the children but also to the wife. "Ah, well, since there are no elder family members left, this young girl must manage the family affairs..." "And you! If you're the sworn brother of the clan, why aren’t you observing the three-month mourning?" "It is... to protect my sworn brother’s business since there’s no male in the family..." The officer desperately looks at the magistrate again. Curiosity tinged the magistrate's expression. Why is this esteemed individual acting this way today, indifferent as he usually is when accepting tributes, both evident and subtle? "Elder, there's merit in these individuals' words. Their business flourishing means they'll acknowledge the official's benevolence and will strive for the county's prosperity, which, in turn, benefits the national affairs-" "What nonsense is this?!" The magistrate cuts off the magistrate’s words, frothing at the mouth. The magistrate's words indeed sounded like if we grant them leniency now, would they not repay with ample tribute later? To the magistrate, this sounded not like forthcoming tribute but like a blade cutting towards his own throat. "Who are you trying to kill, you lot! Kneel him immediately!" "Elder? Elder!?" "Quickly! At once! Uggggh!! What are you doing?!” The officer and the magistrate knelt side by side next to the inspector. The officer and the magistrate exchanged looks. What on earth is happening here? I don't know. Did that man eat something wrong? "Huff, huff." As the magistrate panted for breath. There came that whispered monologue again. "Come to think of it, wasn’t the clan's death suspicious from the start? How could a robust man suddenly drop dead from illness? Shouldn’t we inquire with the physician in detail?" "Call the physician who determined the clan's cause of death this instant! We must find out about the clan's demise!" At that, the blood drained from the officer and the magistrate’s faces. Regardless, shortly after, a physician was dragged into the courtyard, dangling by the arms of soldiers. For the physician, it was a bolt from the blue in broad daylight. Suddenly faced with numerous soldiers. The rough handling during transport as if dealing with a criminal. --- Terms not in the list: 1. 백족 두창 (White Plague): Translated as 'White Plague' to denote a fictional or historical disease causing widespread impact. 2. 총관 (Officer/Chief Officer): Translated based on context indicating a rank or role in administration. 3. 추관 (Magistrate/Examiner): Translated based on context indicating a judicial or governmental role. 4. 지현 (Magistrate): In the context, denoting a higher rank of the local administration. 5. 분봉 (Grave): Literally means 'separated land', but contextually translated as 'grave'. 6. 초막 (Hut): Describes the temporary shelter used for mourning. 7. 금평현 (Gimpyung County): Transliterated as name of a place. 8. 나무아미타불: 'Amitabha’ denotes a traditional recitation often used in Buddhism for protection or repentance. 9. 삼년상 (Three-Year Mourning): Describes a traditional mourning period in old customs where one mourns for three years after a parent's death. 10. 호상 (Mourning Period): Is synonymous with 삼년상 based on context. 11. 강제 백수: 'Enforced vagabond' referring to being and living idle, without means, similar to an outcast in society. Gender Identified/New Translation Updates: - The term "총관" (Officer) and "추관" (Magistrate) both seem gender-neutral but typically would be male in historical contexts. - Gimpyung County and Gimpyung took liberties to keep proper names in natural language. - More context-based cultural terms like the significance of the 'three-year mourning' and how historical precedence shapes the narrative. Potential updates or corrections to the list of known terms would include '백족 두창' to 'White Plague,' the roles of '총관' and '추관' as government or judicial positions, and contextual adaptation of '삼년상' as a notable cultural ritual involving deepest mourning. The plaza was teeming with the entire county's soldiers, as bustling as ever. In the midst of it all were the kneeling officer and Mr. Lee. By anyone's standards, it was a disastrous scene. The physician quickly bowed his head. "I am guilty, gravely guilty! I couldn’t withstand his threats, and that man coerced me! He threatened and forced this weak man into submission!" "What nonsense! It’s not true! That man is a fraud, making pure nonsense!" the officer shouted in panic. In truth, the physician hadn’t even spoken yet, making this outburst a vehement confession. "Silence that man's mouth!" "Wait, grmph! Mmm!" Immediately, the guards rushed to gag the officer. "So, you claim you were threatened? What sort of threats?" "Mmmph, mmm!" "He said to change the cause of death. The deceased was actually strangled, but he wanted it stated as a sudden death due to illness..." The audience fell silent. Even the magistrate, who knelt alongside and simply looked at the officer as if asking what this was, exhibited shock. Imagine the others’ surprise. Hmm. I should’ve anticipated this. Perhaps I should’ve left the children behind... Qing observed the facial expressions of the Zong clan siblings. Thankfully, the younger seemed oblivious, looking merely bored without understanding, but... The slightly older one bore deep resentment on his face; fists clenched tightly, they trembled visibly. Qing placed her hand over his fists. "Are you okay?" "I... Uncle, I want to hear what that man has to say. If he really harmed Father, and if so, why? Was it only out of vile greed? Then, all those times he was kind to us, was that all hypocrisy?" At that, Qing looked towards the magistrate. The quick-witted magistrate was a step ahead. "I will give the criminal a chance to confess. Why did you commit such heinous acts? Why hide the cause of Zong's death, then who is the real culprit?" Qing smiled bitterly. Even if asked now, the answer would be obvious. Denial, slander, innocence. Claims of being wronged, and so on. What villain, planning to devour a family while consorting with his sworn sibling's wife, would openly admit to his schemes? Yet the officer's answer? "... It was I." "Brother-in-law!" Mr. Lee called out to the officer in a scream. To which the officer let out a deep sigh. "Young Master. I merely did what was necessary. Merchant Zong only pretended to be kind, in truth, he was a beast in human skin, a scoundrel deserving of death." Hmm. This was unexpected. "What do you mean?" "As I said, Young Master. Merchant Zong was such a villain, a brute no different from a savage beast. In the past, he even beat his own wife to death; wasn’t he now about to do the same to his remaining wife?" "Brother-in-law!" "I took it upon myself to kill the monster and save the woman. That’s all. Furthermore, I intended to eradicate those carrying the blood of the beast. Merchant Zong's father was such a wretch as well, and I judged it to be a feral trait passed down through blood." "... What?" The magistrate was astonished. Everyone was astounded. Even Qing was as taken aback. Sometimes, there’s a voice that seems devoid of falsehood, much like the one now. A voice drenched in deep resignation, hollow and empty, having given up on everything. Of course, an extraordinary swindler could fabricate even this... But to Qing, the consummate swindler, this seemed far from a lie. In the meantime, the furious Zong Mun-woon, without waiting for anyone to intervene, lunged at the kneeling officer's collar in a fit of rage. "It's a lie, a lie! That’s a lie! You, you were with our second mother, that’s why you’re spouting such lies!" Yet the officer only gave a crooked smile. "Isn’t it true that beasts cherish their offspring? Nephew, you wouldn’t know. However, wasn’t it peculiar? This household has dozens of servants; was there even one among them who showed you kindness? Or did you truly never find it strange?" "That’s because you ordered them to—" "Do you really believe that?" Suddenly, Zong Mun-woon glanced around. Amidst spectators and guards, familiar faces held various gazes—pity, indifference, or contempt... Yet among them, not a single eye expressed denial. The officer looked calmly at the magistrate. "Young Master. If you dig beneath the orchard trees, you'll find the bones of many stranger. I supervised and kept mouths shut while disposing of the bodies. Thus, I am guilty of involvement. But..." Suddenly, desperation flickered in the officer’s eyes. "Here, Mr. Lee is innocent. Just a pitiful woman who almost lost her life to her husband. I plead for leniency." "Brother-in-law..." Tears spilled from Mr. Lee's eyes. Though the atmosphere was spoiled somewhat by the magistrate’s incessant sweating and glances, akin to a waterfall, nervously stealing glances around. At this, the magistrate cast sidelong, conspicuous looks, as if to ask, just what should be done with all this? --- Terms not in the list: 1. 이 씨 (Mr. Lee): Translated as 'Mr. Lee' to denote a figure possibly tied through relation or formal address indicating gender neutrality, assuming Lee is a familiar surname. 2. 종씨 형제 (Zong clan siblings): Translated based on context as siblings affiliated with the Zong clan. 3. 상인 종씨 (Merchant Zong): Used to refer to the character of the mentioned clan to preserve the narrative connection. 4. 연고 없는 백골 (Bones of many stranger): Implies unspecified individuals without connections, perhaps used symbolically to indicate unknown victims. 5. 멱살 (Collar/Neckline grab): ‘Grabbing by collar’ maintains the imagery of confrontation and aggression. 6. 흉수 (Real culprit/Beast): Conveys both literal and metaphorical implications in pointing the malicious actor involved. 7. 장원의 조경수 (Orchard trees under the mansion): Contextual translation, these are trees shown as evidence or a significant location in the narrative. 8. 형제들 (Brothers): Understanding can variably mean acquaintances in fraternal context here; asserted actual brothers in traditional translator’s lens. 9. 피를 타고 내려오는 (Passed through blood): Indicating inheritance of traits or curse, used faithfully to sustain narrative form. With this passage, additional notes: - Recognized gender dynamics by clues in societal norms and verbal exchanges gives a strong male dominance role but bilateral with sensitive outcomes. - Usage of ‘clan’ and ’kinship’ in cultural narrative reflects translation to English with connotations of familial connections, critical in derogatory or protective terms. - Tones of judicious rebuttal and emotional, often manipulative monologues reflect behavioral roles highlighting psychological conflict endemic in historical settings. These aid in textual integrity and cultural resonance, supporting broader comprehension consistent with the period and socio-familial dynamics depicted further.