866 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

It was a sound unlike any he had ever heard before. It was as if the sky was being torn by a sharp sound, intertwining dozens of piercing noises. It resembled the simultaneous crack of multiple whips, or perhaps the frantic chirping of thousands of birds, or even like mosquitoes buzzing past his ears in a steady stream. When a member of the Great Leader Detachment instinctively raised his head at this peculiar, yet piercing sound, he noticed several black dots dotting the sky. One dot, then two, three? Four? What is this? Just as those slightly risen dots appeared to descend, they began to grow larger and larger in size. And suddenly, with a thud! With a thunderous roar, the roof of the elder's residence exploded as tiles flew outward in every direction. No, it was not just the elder's residence. Accompanied by a series of crashes, debris from nearby buildings started to rise in dust and scatter everywhere. What on earth is happening here? It's as if cannonballs were being launched into the sky. "Wha...?" A dumbfounded sound slipped from the member's lips. Cannonballs? Shells? Is it really? In that moment, a black iron sphere crashed through the door of the elder's residence with a bang. It appeared immensely heavy at first glance. For something like this to bounce all the way up to waist height, how high must it have fallen from? The member stared, dazed, at the large iron sphere drawing a parabola as it bounced closer. Somehow it felt as if time had stopped, or slowed nearly to a halt. Suddenly, the member's mouth opened. "Everyone-" He never got to finish saying, "Take cover." ………!!!! With a colossal sound, the member's world began to shake wildly and overturn. The member was flung into the air and crashed into the ground. As if pushed by thousands of blades, thrown away by an irresistible force. Bzzzzzzz...!! A loud ringing filled the surroundings. The member tried to rise to his feet, but his hand lost strength and he collapsed. He attempted again to rise by moving his limbs, but slipped, floundering and flailing awkwardly on the ground. Bzzzzzzz...!!!! The harsh ringing made it feel like his eardrums would burst. The awful cacophony seemed like someone was jamming a flute into his ears and blowing with all their might—cruel and fierce, the sound inflicted terrible violence. "...! ...!" The face of his companion appeared before him, mouth opening and closing silently. Blood was trickling down from his forehead, tracing the wrinkles at the corner of his mouth and dripping from his jaw. The member opened his mouth to speak. Hey, you're bleeding. Had he actually spoken? Or was it just a thought? The ringing was so deafening that he couldn't tell whether he'd uttered the words or merely thought them. As he stared blankly, a strong hand gripped his shoulder. In that instant, sharp pain, like a hot metal object was stabbing him, jolted him awake. "...Get...away..." The voice was barely audible amidst the persistent noise, but the words that came conveyed an urgent meaning through the occasional clear words, the anxious expression, and the firm grip pulling him: they had to escape immediately. But, to where? Surely there was a formation outside— At that moment, the overhanging eaves of a building in his vision abruptly, without any forewarning and soundlessly, burst apart. Or perhaps there had been a sound, but he couldn't hear it due to his submerged hearing and the ringing sound that jabbed into his brain amidst it all. Suddenly, a formidable force shoved the member. As he fell backward, he glimpsed the face of the person who had pushed him. Abruptly, time seemed to stretch infinitely. It was Direwolf Three, the senior he disliked and feared most. Whenever he greeted him, he would kick him, saying his greeting was insincere, was he mocking his senior? So he made a grand greeting, and then got another kick for being too loud. And if he missed greeting him, he'd gather all the juniors to collectively kick his shins. A brilliant light flared up behind him. The terrifying face he could barely make eye contact with before was slowly engulfed in shadows by the backlight. And with a thud, a pain that felt like his coccyx was shattering. Yet, the member forgot even that pain as he sat dazed, tailbone on the ground, staring forward. It was Direwolf Three, enveloped in flames. He had been doused by an ancient incendiary bomb, essentially a primitive form of napalm that spread sticky, fiery oil all around. Why? Wasn't that bastard someone he despised for all his harassment, thinking his death would be due to that torment rather than during a mission? Why did that bastard save him? Could it have been that the torment was just to uphold discipline, to set an example for everyone through harassment, and he bore no ill will? Or perhaps Number Three, as the senior-most member, just saw someone in danger and stepped in, and it happened to be him? Would it have been different if he'd known it was him? Or maybe he knew and still saved him? But seriously, does that matter now? The member gritted his teeth and stood up. Water! They needed water! The well! The well...! He dashed out. The building was cracked open, flaming oil was splattered everywhere, shining blindingly, and continuous explosions kept shaking the earth. Rounding the half-ruined gate of Munju-jeon, he frantically hauled water from the back garden's well, cut the bucket's rope in his haste, sloshed it all in the bucket—quickly, hurry. The member poured water over Number Three, creating thick steam. Yet that was all, Number Three only continued to take shallow breaths, limp as ever. The member tried lifting Number Three. At that instant, Number Three grabbed the member's wrist. 'Go, kid, I'm done for, leave me, go...!' Judging by his lip movements, those seemed to be his words. For the first time since joining the Great Leader Detachment, the member defied his terrifying senior, Number Three. The member wrapped Number Three's arm around his neck and stood up, maneuvering under the now darkened sky, traversing the most dreadful place. He didn't know where, but somewhere safe, outwards. --- **Terms Translated:** 1. **제일제독대 (Great Leader Detachment)** - It was translated this way to invoke a sense of elite or significant military unit, drawing a formal military structure. 2. **장로 처소 (elder's residence)** - Translated as such given its literal meaning and maintaining cultural context. 3. **화비탄 (ancient incendiary bomb)** - Explained in the body text as a primitive form of napalm. 4. **제독 삼 번 (Direwolf Three)** - The numbering conveys rank while 'Direwolf' implies fearsome and respected, fitting the hierarchical and intimidating figure in a military or gang. **Gender Identification:** - **Direwolf Three (제독 삼 번)** - He, as implied from his side of dialogue and position. **Additional Context:** - References to artillery imply warfare technology without specifying time period. - Relationship dynamics between juniors and seniors draw on East Asian hierarchical respect. **Proposed List Changes:** None given the contextual fit. **Word Play or Puns:** - The irony in the perceived antagonistic relationship versus life-saving act reflects deeper common literary themes of misunderstood intentions or latent respect. With a crash, the roof tiles came tumbling down, and the explosion of the iron rain bomb manifested itself as a slight tremor. The fire began to spread rapidly, turning the whole area into a scorching cauldron. The sky was obscured by smoke, and on the ground lay severed arms and legs, empty eyes staring into nothingness... Gradually, the number of comrades following the member began to increase, one by one. Some had regained their wits, while others were merely pursuing the person in front out of sheer terror. Yet, in the face of this unprecedented disaster, they relied on and supported each other—lifting and dragging their fellows, slapping cheeks to snap themselves back to reality, all moving outward, outward into the open. It wasn't just the members of the Great Leader Detachment. The local laborers, the loyal Blood Hounds were carrying critical patients, despite being failures, the well-trained Poison Hounds expertly paved the way forward. At least, what little relief there was, stemmed from the fact that the formation had lost its effectiveness. The core artifacts forming the array were shattered, buildings burned, others were breached, pillars collapsed—some sections of the formation had already crumbled from the outset. Moreover, most of the traps had been dismantled, with the remaining ones rapidly being destroyed and consumed by flames. No formation or trap could withstand the hail of cannon fire. True, it wasn't possible to avoid all the traps, but thanks to the Blood Hounds and Poison Hounds leading the way and absorbing many blows, they minimized casualties among the members. In this way, leaning against and supporting one another, they finally reached the smoke-filled opening beyond which the door and passage to the outside appeared. In everyone's eyes, there was joy—a relief, the sharpened awareness that they had survived, and their lips curled up in smile. Some had tears welling up, while others staggered with a loss of strength. A few comrades quickly dashed forward to unbolt the door. Creeeeak, the door used by the supply carts, the door leading outside this hellish place, was finally flung open. And outside- "The Blood Cultists have emerged!" A series of martial artists blocked the path ahead. Their familiar and hated attire was that of the Dianchang Sect. "Damn, Blood Hounds, Poison Hounds, kill them all!" At this command, Poison Hounds bounded forth on all fours, followed by the bizarrely shaped Blood Hounds leaping behind them. The Great Leader Detachment members exchanged glances, preparing to scatter—let's survive and see each other again. As they tried to disperse left and right— Boom! A massive roar, like thunder crashing right at their doorstep, reverberated, even the air quivered with the colossal noise. Instantly, a blood mist engulfed the area. The surging creations of the Great Leader Detachment were reduced to blood-laden fog in the blink of an eye. And the devastation didn't stop there. A member collapsed to his knees, trembling eyes staring at his own torso. It was already drenched red, his body was faltering without strength, and his dantian shattered, unleashing causing excruciating pain. How—how could this happen? The member lifted his head again. Amid the warriors of Dianchang Sect, looming large with its smoke still smoldering from its muzzle was the Grand General Cannon. This was the army's ultimate weapon, spraying thousands or tens of thousands of metal shards forward to literally grind the space itself. --- In truth, although Ji-Hyeon was cooperating on the surface, she never believed in the pretext of needing to cleanse the Blood Cult's lair. From what Ji-Hyeon knew, the Emperor regarded the martial world as a blight needing uprooting, and it seemed the Inspection Commissioner, following imperial intent, was using this as an excuse to wipe one out. Even Odokmun was a sect consisting of those Mongol traitors and would dare call themselves the Han people’s guardians talking about reclaiming Sichuan. They were bound to be quashed hard. Thus, the martial world's backlash wouldn't be intense—and the Dianchang Sect had even mobilized its vaunted Sword Masters to assist, didn't they? It seemed like just another common central political intrigue. Until the monsters running on all fours, slinking backward with their bodies bent, emerged with the opening of Odokmun’s gate. “Th-they are real Blood Cultists! Shoot! Shoot!” Ji-Hyeon hurriedly urged the troops. And bang! Originally, Ji-Hyeon wasn't the kind of person who would poke his head into dangerous places. In fact, not showing up at dangerous or any scenes at all—existing but unnoticeable as he was, a power player with a rule of not interfering in governing directly yet still wielding it intelligently. Even that strict Commander had been made to appear like a new recruit by Ji-Hyeon but to hide when there was a powerful leader spurring on others? That’s not someone fit for a position in Zhongyuan, nor could they take on a high position. Thus, sticking close by the Inspector’s side, Ji-Hyeon inevitably faced these emergent monstrosities directly, and they frightened him profoundly. Hence, Qing, observing beside them, was puzzled. Real Blood Cultists? Then, were there fake ones too? Anyway, the simultaneous firing of the four Grand General Cannons was more than enough firepower to annihilate those Blood Cult monsters bursting through the rain of shells completely. Hmm, back during the Sichuan event, it wasn't clear, but now…it seemed terrifying indeed... “Reload, quickly reload the cannons! Hurry! We don’t know when those rebels, those monsters might spring out again!” Hearing Ji-Hyeon urging the gunners, Qing gazed at the flame-engulfed Odokmun. Witnessing the Blood Cult's den being devastated was a sight that felt satisfying yet unsettling. What if it had been the Divine Maiden Sect instead? In truth, once reaching the Transformation Realm and mastering body shuqi techniques, most fears of cannon fire begin to subside. As long as it doesn't explode right at one's feet, fast but mindless fragments are not substantially threatening to a master in the Transformation Realm. Thus, if shells rained down—raising qi to the max to protect the body while evacuating quickly, that’s all it takes. However, a master at the Transformation Realm is not as common as weeds popping out when digging earth. **Terms Translated:** 1. **입구 (entrance/opening)** - Translated directly to "opening" emphasizing its functional role. 2. **폭우 (cannon fire/rain of shells)** - Translated to describe effectively the impact. 3. **대장군포 (Grand General Cannon)** - Translated to convey its grandiose and extreme destructive capability. 4. **지현 (Ji-Hyeon)** - Maintained as a name due to its significance in character perspective. 5. **청 (Qing)** - Named to match resilience and subtle insight. 6. **천심 (imperial intent)** - Meaning rendered to suggest direct command or spiritual edict from the emperor. 7. **점창파 (Dianchang Sect)** - Kept for consistency; well-noted martial organization. **Gender Identification:** - **Ji-Hyeon** - He, inferred from presence in martial/political environment, typical honorific role. - **Qing** - Assumed She, based on context and similar style references. **Additional Context:** - Military references emphasize battles depicting historical military stratagems fused with martial arts fantasy. - Complex sociopolitical layers underline Ji-Hyeon's governmental philosophy contrasting on-ground realities. **Proposed List Changes:** None as given translations fit contextual consistency. **Word Play or Puns:** None explicitly noted but remark on Qing's observational intrigue about "real" and "fake" implies potential thematic layers. Even among the Nine Great Sects or the Ten Great Noble Clans, how many truly exceptional masters does one sect possess? Then, what about the rest of the disciples outside of the Transformation Realm? What about the memorial tablets enshrining their honored seniors and ancestors? The shrines? What about the documents recording the sect's history, the secret manuals organizing and researching the sect's martial arts? If they unleash cannon fire with such intent, while individual masters might survive, the sect itself would be as good as destroyed. The defenses that a sect painstakingly improves over generations to protect itself are fundamentally designed to confront other sects. Of course, even without that, what means exist to block a rain of cannon fire? At best, like the Sichuan Tang Clan, perhaps they can prepare underground shelters against the barrage. Hmm, shelters. Surely, Odokmun must have prepared some too? I should relish this opportunity. Not because I'm hungry for it, of course, but because I'm immune to poison. Cutting through their forces should keep the Dianchang sect members safe, don't you think? Qing chuckled as she fiddled with the hilt of her sword. However, what Qing didn't anticipate was... Though Odokmun yielded their estate to the Blood Cult, they hadn't disclosed their most confidential secrets. The Blood Cult's stronghold would be completely obliterated. **Terms Translated:** 1. **구대문파 (Nine Great Sects)** - Translated as is to maintain the high status given to these dominant groups. 2. **십대세가 (Ten Great Noble Clans)** - Translated as is to reflect their noble heritage and influence. 3. **화경 (Transformation Realm)** - A specific realm indicating high-level martial prowess. 4. **오독문 (Odokmun)** - Preserved as the original name due to direct reference. 5. **혈교 (Blood Cult)** - Maintained for consistency, matching established references. **Gender Identification:** - **Qing** - She, as indicated by narrative voice and swordswoman characteristics. **Additional Context:** - References to "cannon fire" and defensive measures blend historical warfare with the fantasy sect environment. - There's an implication of strategic retreat in the face of overpowering artillery, drawing connections to historical military tactics. **Proposed List Changes:** None, as translations are consistent with cultural context. **Word Play or Puns:** The humor in Qing's internal dialogue—her immunity to poison—suggests a double entendre: her confidence translating into assurance for allies' safety.