870 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

“No, no, not 'no'.” Qing quickly retracted her words. The word ‘no’ was too strong. “Well, when you think about it, isn’t martial arts something you learn to make a living?” “Huh?” “You know, like how the Taoists talk about ‘Hwagum,’ and we ultimately speak about self-defense. The notion that one must first protect oneself to ensure the world's peace, as they say, ‘Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the realm.’” “Hmph. You certainly know how to yap. So what?” “Therefore, isn’t martial arts just a means, a tool? It’s a way to protect myself and my loved ones. Isn’t it backward if someone discards their loved ones just for the sake of learning martial arts...?” Just as her Three Sources(Samwon/Giving Context) had been, martial arts for Qing was a means to protect herself and also safeguard her people. For that reason, she would be satisfied with mastering martial arts enough to protect herself and her loved ones. However, the problem was that it wasn’t so easy. To be precise, the chaotic mix of this primitive ancient Zhongyuan(中原) and the cosmic mystery of Qi(氣), combined with the state window, was the problem. Though the existential crisis had somewhat dulled with familiarity, and Qing had reached a vague certainty that this world wasn't just an artificial, fabricated virtual reality. But if one day you open your eyes and find yourself back in your tiny room in the outskirts of the factory, your homeland? Commonly referred to as the ‘Oh Shit, It Was All A Dream’ ending. And it wouldn't even be all that strange. If something happens once, it can happen again, and just as you were dragged in one day, it wouldn't be strange if you were to return one day. In deciding to protect myself from this, the realization was that reaching a Transformation Realm(化境) was far from sufficient. But the Great Celestial Martial Emperor(無天無淸大帝) scoffed. “You fool, the martial world is chaotic because everyone learns martial arts with such mindsets. Why are you spouting such suffocating nonsense?” “Well, why?” “What is a tool? When someone gets a sharp knife, they want to cut with it; even a simple woodcutter would get excited about climbing the mountain with a new axe. But what if a martial artist does the same? Urged to try their martial arts, they wield their swords for the slightest reason, and since the river flows, they take this as an opportunity to shed blood.” The phrase ‘since the river flows’ was akin to the saying ‘slap someone when you want to cry’ in Qing’s homeland. “Considering martial arts as a mere means is the very thought of demons. Not to mention, aren't you a normal lone star assassin? Like they say, innate nature is inescapable, you were no ordinary person, just a real great demon among demons.” “No, I told you not to say that.” “Hmph. When someone has a good sword, they want to wield it, even unnecessarily and out of excitement if it’s sharp. So instead of using martial arts for self-defense, you start to oppress others and as per your words, live by martial arts. Instead of earning your livelihood through work, you extort others with a sword, becoming a rare kind of thug in the world this way.” The eyes of the Great Celestial Martial Emperor blazed fiercely. Those blazing eyes could be described, in a positive sense, as an unwavering conviction, or negatively as a form of madness. “Martial arts should be an end in itself. It is both the ultimate aspiration for a person to surpass others and a destination yet to be conquered by anyone ～an unprecedented pinnacle. It's the most serene ambition amongst the greatest that a man cannot resist.” “Uh.” “Why? What are the ambitions a man should have? If aiming for dominion over the world, countless blood would flow in wars. If aiming to become the wealthiest, the process of accumulating riches would involve exploitation of numerous commoners, extracting their lifeblood. If one wanted the highest authority, one would need to build an altar of corpses to place a throne upon. All three are common intentions of martial artists, which is why the world never lacks blood and tears, does it?” But what about the self-discipline of pursuing the end of martial arts? It’s merely about practicing moderately to improve oneself, the greatest challenge never achieved by anyone yet, and the most gentle challenge causing no harm to others, besides being the most serendipitous ambition possible. “Martial arts originally stemmed from one of the arduous practices in the Buddhist teachings from the Western Heaven. Seeing its merit, Bodhidharma spread it to Zhongyuan; thus, martial arts was originally the practice of reaching Nirvana through self-completion, yet you vulgar people wield it merely for personal luxury.” “Hmm.” This was a new perspective Qing had never heard before. Upon listening, it seemed plausible. Indeed, would a virtuous monk of Bodhidharma’s stature have spread techniques of killing to Zhongyuan thinking them to be good? Among the practices of the Western Heaven, there were indeed miraculous martial arts. Bodhidharma, having seen this, added it in addition to the Buddhist scripture from the Western Heaven and spread it. Thinking like that, the origin of Zhongyuan's martial arts was indeed not in murder techniques nor self-defense but a practice leading to Nirvana. However, still... Qing carefully spoke. “Not everyone in the world needs to have such grand dreams. There are people for whom just living happily with their family and friends is enough.” Qing didn’t care about pursuing Transcendent or Heavenly Qi(기천) realms through practice or breaking high points for supreme ascension. At this, the Great Celestial Martial Emperor scoffed again. “What weak-spirited talk is that? If born as a person, one should naturally harbor great ambition and move with grand pursuits. Fail to live so, and it is mere pitiable self-satisfaction–an insignificant life.” Suddenly, Yue Maiden(월아) flashed in Qing’s mind. Currently, the martial arts in Zhongyuan indeed seemed to originate from Buddhist practices of the Western Heaven. Yet wasn’t Zhongyuan’s first martial art the Yue Maiden Sword(월아검)? That existed way before Bodhidharma’s introduction of martial arts, a thousand years earlier. And Yue Maiden’s Sword, wasn’t it just a nameless child’s play of stick fighting, frolicking with monkeys? --- **New Terms and Translations:** 1. **Three Sources(Samwon/Giving Context)(삼원) –** Another way to refer to the roots or guiding principles from which Qing drew her motivations and principles. This has no direct alternative translation but relates to the foundation or motivating factors in someone's actions and beliefs. 2. **Yue Maiden(월아/월녀) –** A legendary or historical reference, possibly a historical female martial artist or figure in martial lineage; her sword technique becomes a mythical art form with simple origins. Also might refer to '月女' meaning a historical female figure/title. 3. **Hwagum(활검) –** A Taoist expression related to the cultivation of both martial and spiritual proficiency. This word play involves a representation of both physical and mental discipline. 4. **Great Celestial Martial Emperor(無天無淸大帝) –** Represents a character with expertise and lofty authority in martial realms, rooted in philosophy that challenges Qing's inner thoughts on martial arts with a mix of wisdom and madness. 5. **Western Heaven(천축) –** Refers to a place, probably modern-day India, believed to be the origin of many Buddhist practices and martial arts as inferred from the historical narrative. **Additional Context:** - There's a notable dichotomy between Qing's and the Great Celestial Martial Emperor's perspectives on the purpose of martial arts, symbolizing different philosophies within physical and spiritual forms of martial arts. Qing prioritizes personal and familial safety, while the Great Celestial Martial Emperor emphasizes martial arts as a more philosophical and spiritual ultimate purpose. - The text repeatedly challenges the conception of martial arts as merely utilarian—useful merely for practical purposes—by presenting counterarguments rooted in historical and philosophical backgrounds (emphasizing cultivation towards Nirvana). **Possible Changes to the List:** - Inclusion of Yue Maiden and related mythos as an overarching historical influence within this narrative universe, expanding on existing legends beyond current recognized listings. Moreover, despite being the sole possessor of unique martial arts and practically an absolute being of her time, the Yue Maiden desired nothing more than to live happily with her beloved under a peaceful heaven. It wasn't about conquering the world or achieving ascension. Sadly, the Yue Maiden’s end wasn't a good one. “It's not worthless; it's just ordinary. Natural, even. Some may feel happiness in achieving such grand purposes, but ordinary people find joy simply in seeing beautiful things and eating delicious food with their loved ones. As long as they don't harm others, what matters is that they themselves are happy. People don’t have to achieve grandiose things.” Yet, the Great Celestial Martial Emperor scoffed again. “Hmph, that’s nothing but an excuse for those who lack confidence in achieving anything in life. Simply pathetic behavior from those who’ve concluded early on that they won’t make it.” Qing sighed deeply within. It was always like this. People who have achieved something often looked down on those who hadn’t. Like a successful wealthy man who finds a poor person pathetic, or a scholarly authority who looks down on the ignorant. Or like muscle-bound men, lifting weights in three different ways, totaling around 800 Geun(斤) – they look down on those who are overweight or underweight. But just as being overweight isn’t a sin, and you don’t need to lose it all unless you’re personally happy with it, so should it be. If you plan to live like that and die, though even diabetes would prevent one from truly being happy, some level of maintenance is necessary. No, this might also be condescension toward those with larger physiques. Tsk, tsk, if someone is happy without managing themselves, shouldn’t that be enough? At that moment, the sound of discontent clucking clicked Qing out of her thoughts. “Click, click. How did I end up connected to someone like you? Forget it. There's nothing more to say, just go.” “What? What about the moves?” “Didn't you hear? I said there’s nothing more. I'm not pleading and flinging myself at you to beg you to learn. What good comes from teaching the lifelong studies to someone who plans to live just adequately? If I were to choose an heir for my studies, hordes of people from across the world would flood in like locusts to fill a fortress.” Qing thought. Oh, he’s pouting. She must have crossed a line in the heat of the discussion. Getting too swept up in the moment, it seems. But, hmm, that's that, but still? “But sir, are you really just my illusion? You said I conjured you from seeing the sword marks and reading the sword intent. But suddenly, you're offering to teach?” Qing's eyes narrowed. Isn't this undoubtedly the Great Celestial Martial Emperor, not the Unifying Celestial Emperor? However, the Great Celestial Martial Emperor remained unfazed. “That's something you should ask your heart. You looked at my moves and disliked them, so naturally, the version of me you created doesn’t want to teach you.” “But I really want to learn.” “A person’s true intention is sometimes difficult even for themselves to comprehend. Didn’t you read and feel the root, the vision, the indifference from the sword marks through ‘Sever Bonds, Cut Away Love’? It doesn’t match with you.” Qing scratched the back of her head. Ugh. Lately, I've had thoughts like that. Is it True Celestial Emperor or Unifying Celestial Emperor? At this, the Great Celestial Martial Emperor sighed deeply. “Ha, my knowledge is not some heirloom treasure. In the end, it's just a shortcut. Did the great predecessors who first reached realms rely on such methods? No, they all opened new horizons in martial arts with their own studies, toward unexplored worlds that their successors should venture into.” “Is the Void?” Qing asked, but the Great Celestial Martial Emperor continued as if he hadn't heard her. Oh, the atmosphere, this is kind of... “Originally martial arts is about honing it like a sword within your heart, tailored to yourself. Only you can forge your own sword, and even if you take someone else's sword to heart, it can't become your own.” “Wait, you're leaving already—” “The study of the Void is just a shabby skill mimicking after looking at the answers. The studies you possess are not truly yours.” Simultaneously, Qing drew her sword. No, the sword was drawn. As her hand moved instinctively, gripping the sword and stretching it out across the opposite forearm. “Even perfect imitation can work. But now, with your head matured, the next time you reach an Absolute Sword Wall, you probably won’t be able to mimic the moves again, even if you read the sword marks.” “What? Then—” “So you must either commit your life with the determination to transcend with genuine study, or harbor a heated forge in your heart to melt and forge others' swords into your own, only then can you reach the next teachings of Lone Nine Swords.” Simultaneously, her arm flung outward. The trajectory of the sword extended horizontally with the ground. The Fourth Stance of Lone Nine Swords: Sever Bonds, Cut Away Love(斷緣切愛) bWpnL1VNWWVlR0h2N0IyVWd5ZUJTMFh6WWxEa1U1dGRTVlI2R2plYWF1UWNFbmFTK0VHRCsrUnJ5YlVYOTAxWg With an indifferent heart that considers all ties merely as burdens to be severed, it sharply divides the world, slicing through the meeting point between heaven and earth. Now the world is divided into two. Yet, this is a task that a being standing between heaven and earth ought to accomplish. --- **New Terms and Translations:** 1. **Heaven and Earth(하늘과 땅) –** Refers to an overarching, elemental divide significant in both martial and philosophical contexts, pertaining to traditional dichotomies and unity. 2. **None, new names, locations, or concepts were introduced beyond what was listed.** **Additional Context:** - This passage explores contrasting philosophies of martial arts, focusing on the juxtaposition between individual ambition versus simplicity in happiness and living, highlighting the existential undertones in Qing's exchange with the Great Celestial Martial Emperor. It hints at past repercussions for great martial entities like the Yue Maiden, revealing idealistic and perceived failures within martial ambitions. - Qing's internal reconciliation with her ambitions and the Great Celestial Martial Emperor's challenge embodies a narrative on identity, mastery, and the spiritual ascendancy associated with martial arts. Recognizing others' influences on one's journey, alongside personal aspiration marks the thematic undertones. **Possible Changes to the List:** - Expansion of view on existential benefits and inadequacies of martial arts; viewing not as violent prowess but seeking seclusion and Nirvana – presenting spiritual enlightenment alongside realm advancement. - Examination of Yue Maiden and intangible treats like ‘Sever Bonds, Cut Away Love’ challenges existing perceptions of martial philosophy and how ancient characters like Yue Maiden embodied simpler, yet profound aspirations, possibly enriching how traditional narratives frame martial arts within this universe.