894 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

"In truth, you don't have much time. There's a barbarian among them who escaped, and reinforcements might come to attack soon. It could be tonight, tomorrow, the day after, or possibly never if you're lucky, but would you entrust your lives to such fortune? A wise person would pack their belongings and leave immediately." Captain Jang appeared quite flustered. Even if they left, where would they go, leaving behind the life they've built until now? Leaving with thousands of Gunpyeong's people together means that no city could easily accommodate such numbers. Of course, as spring is approaching, if they endure for just a month with their resources, they'll find hands needed for work here and there. Working on someone else's fields might barely sustain them. They'd live with just enough to scrape by. "Or, approach the local authorities and request military assistance and seek a place to govern. They can’t ignore a crowd of people and though you might have to build fortifications yourselves, it’s better than being massacred by those barbarians.” "But..." Captain Jang seemed reluctant about that too. Once governance is established and officials sent, the city's power dynamics would change. Moreover, taxes imposed by the central authority could be higher than the tributes paid to the Mongolian barbarians, and with military occupation and land requisition, the city's resources would diminish significantly. "If that's difficult, then find a way to fend off the barbarians yourselves. Seek protection from a powerful martial faction, or invite a renowned martial artist capable of driving them away. It involves risking your lives, so they'd have to be a martial artist of considerable repute." Easier said than done, really. Even if Gunpyeong lands were an abundant resource of milk and honey, how many martial factions would be willing to continue a life-or-death struggle against the Mongolian barbarians? And how many could even manage such strife? The same goes for a martial artist. Martial artists receive respect wherever they go, and if they were to receive the same treatment, they wouldn’t risk dealing with barbarians in this remote area. Captain Jang cautiously glanced at Qing, adopting a submissive demeanor before hesitantly speaking. "Ah, honored hero-" "I said stop." Qing glanced at Captain Jang with indifferent eyes. "I am not the heroic knight you think." "Please, honorable hero, where could we go if we leave our homes, end up on the streets, and appeal to you as poor helpless souls-" "You are the very people who showed cold-heartedness when I was helpless and most needed someone’s kindness. Hmm, saying it like this makes me sound petty, but it’s not like expecting someone to wait and rescue a beggar is commendable either. It’s understandable, not giving alms to a beggar isn’t a crime." Captain Jang's expression brightened slightly. To this, Qing’s brow furrowed. "That’s why I helped you. It’s not a sin to be cold. Also, more importantly, I didn't want to become just like you because you lacked compassion." Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. To contempt, contempt. But not helping the people of Gunpyeong wasn’t an act of revenge for the past. The contempt and cruelty they showed Qing were brushed off as mere childish pranks. Just because no one extended a hand when I was in difficulty doesn’t mean I’ll act the same way, avoiding or mocking someone else. Thus, I helped. Fending off the barbarian raiders should be enough. And yet, what? Should I stay here and fend off all the raiding barbarians that come? Just because I saved you from the immediate threat and told you how to deal with the incoming danger? And what about our homes and property? What laughable people they are. "Would it have been different if I were what you call a hero? Heroes are those who would gladly risk their lives to repay even the smallest favor. However, among the over a thousand of you, there isn’t a single one who has done such a thing. Fortunately, it seems I won’t have to risk my life either." With a light jump, Qing mounted the horse. Then, with a sly smile, she said: "Anyway, it was filthy associating with you, and let’s never meet again. Wow, saying that in person feels great. So, secret friend, shall we get going?" "Ah, oh!" "What’s this, lost in thought? I finished the show, and if the secret friend gets clumsy here, it ruins the scene." "Yes." Moyong Jun said as he gracefully mounted a riderless horse. It seems he rode often; it was a very natural mount. Moyong Jun fell into contemplation. Of course, now, while riding, any stray thought wouldn’t be an issue. Why? Amazingly, the horse is a complete autonomous vehicle that knows to avoid dangers and run forward on its own! It’s truly astonishing that full autonomous driving, which was impossible even in the future with technical and institutional limits, is possible in this primitive era! Anyway. Moyong Jun slyly observed Qing's expression. The beggar sister had said she was fortunate not to have to risk her life for those cruel people. But the beggar sister had already risked her life. The martial arts of the Mongolian barbarians are fierce and formidable, as everyone (?) knows. The Mongolian barbarians once conquered the Central Plains and adopted the martial arts there, enhancing their own martial techniques. But when the barbarians revealed their true colors, the beggar sister immediately confronted them without weighing risks or chances of victory, truly intending to save people. --- **Terms Translations and Explanations:** - **Gunpyeong (건평):** Retained as "Gunpyeong" - the name of the area. - **Captain Jang (장 대인):** Referred to as "Captain Jang". - **Great Lord or Hero (지존):** Qing corrects by saying she's not a hero. More context on Qing's character showing her realistic self-image. - **Mongolian barbarians (몽골 오랑캐):** Retained as "Mongolian barbarians". The historical context refers to the Mongol invasions. - **Autonomous horse (완전자율주행 말):** Refers humorously to an old narrative technique showing future narrative by emphasizing a primitive setting having "advanced" features. - **Translator Notes:** The text involves the theme of compassion versus necessity, depicted through Qing's interactions and decisions. The passage reflects Qing's disdain and ironic attitude toward local authorities asking her to stay for protection. The narrative also hints at the character's past and experiences with the locals' treatment of her when she was in need. The mention of her refusal to be categorized as a "hero" further complicates her role as both a helper and an outsider unwilling to be tied down. "Even though the people of Gunpyeong were criticized as being so wicked, the beggar sister claims she's not a chivalrous knight, yet in Moyong Jun's eyes, hasn't she already proven herself to be one? In Moyong Jun's heart, the idolization of the stoic hero, Moyong Seong-ik, becomes less vivid, while the lenient, cheerful image of Qing grows clearer. Of course, Qing wasn't even aware that the Mongolian barbarians practiced martial arts. This time, too, she'd surely been inwardly surprised to find the barbarians skilled in martial prowess. Nevertheless, even if she had known, the people of Gunpyeong wouldn't have been left to perish. Therefore, Moyong Jun's enormous overestimation of Qing's common sense might be nothing more than a minor oversight. Yet, something else tugged at Moyong Jun's heart. "Uh, beggar sister." "Huh? What's up?" "About the villagers. Is it okay to leave them like that? They don't have the power to protect themselves..." "Hmm. How should I put it..." Qing carefully chose her words. If they hadn't the means to defend themselves, it was likely that they would have been overrun even if the barbarians hadn't attacked. Or you could say it was the negligence of the Gunpyeong folks who brought disaster upon themselves by not making any preparations. They believed this baseless peace with the Mongolian barbarians, thinking they'd coexist in harmony through friendly raids, would last forever. Relying on such unfounded peace and doing nothing in preparation led to their near massacre. They hadn’t paid taxes to the country, meaning the country felt no obligation to protect them. However, were taxes only meant for the country? If they'd shown goodwill or slipped some informal taxes to the nearby magistrates, escape wouldn’t have seemed so daunting when troubles arose. Or, had there been a credible martial arts faction in the vicinity. But the best they could muster were martial artists in the latter phases of the second tier, adept only at managing minor scuffles. Perhaps they feared inviting martial powers would result in the complete takeover of the town. If not, had the townspeople strategized even a little. Though unable to construct a fortress like a Tolu, if they had only narrowed city roads, made them labyrinthine, and placed quick-assembly barriers or planted traps... At the very least, when the barbarians changed their minds, they wouldn't have been helpless, and could have bought time to evacuate their loved ones. Yet to those who did nothing. Wouldn't it fall on those with power to assist them just because they did nothing? But isn't it too cold-hearted to say this to our former prodigy, now my secret friend? Moyong Jun is still a kid; I can't say this to a kid. So Qing employed her secret skill—a conversational technique! Answering a question with a question! "So, what do you think, Jun?" "Hmm. Let me think... How should I handle this..." Moyong Jun pondered. He was such an earnest kid, not throwing a tantrum asking for an immediate answer but wrestling to find a solution himself. After a while, he spoke. "But, beggar sister. Where are we going? Isn't this north?" "Ah. I thought I'd take a look at the barbarian village, settlement, whatever they call it. The ones who escaped are still on my mind." "Oh." "Even if I spared them, it would be awkward if the barbarians attacked again in a day. And if they are preparing for it, then I'll warn them properly. Or what's the deal with them? I heard they carry and move around their tents, right? If they're getting ready to leave, I might let them quietly pass." "Whoa." The beggar sister indeed has a plan! She wasn't planning to completely abandon the people of Gunpyeong! Moyong Jun's eyes sparkled, no, they were dazzlingly bright. What is the very first passage those aspiring chivalrous knights in the Central Plains memorize? It's from Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian," specifically the section on righteous knights. "A knight, even when acting contrary to righteousness, always keeps faith in their words, never hesitating." Here, 'righteousness' refers to law and principles, and what the knight says is their pledge not to stand by and let injustice prevail. The people of Gunpyeong didn't pay taxes and colluded with the barbarians, so by the country's laws, they'd be seen as heinous criminals. Yet, they were powerless, merely offering tributes to survive in lands beyond the country's reach. So, if they were chivalrous, they wouldn’t watch idly as the barbarians tried to annihilate those who'd given them tributes all this time. "They always keep their promises, prioritizing aiding those in distress over their own lives." Just like the beggar sister did. "And even if they endure great danger because of it, they don't complain or boast to others." Don't take credit where it's due. Boasting and spreading tales merely raises one's fame as a knight. True chivalry, however, seeks no reasons for publicity. That's why in the Western lands they say, "Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing," and in the distant future island country, they say, "There was... nothing!" The beggar sister quietly journeyed to the barbarian lair without announcing it to others. Surely, those ungrateful people of Gunpyeong, even after receiving their lifesaving grace from the beggar sister, would badmouth her, saying she left them alone without care. But so what? If no one recognizes your deeds, such backtalk is inconsequential. Just then, within some deep corner of Moyong Jun's heart, a shift occurs in his idolized ideal of a hero, once stern, solemn, and serious like Moyong Seong-ik, now rapidly fading. That fictional Moyong Seong-ik, startled, reached out and mouthed something, but— *He simply turned transparent and vanished.* Instead, the image of the beggar sister triumphantly wielding a large duck leg like a shining sword solidifies into the illustrious statue of a hero, enveloped in radiant light. Below the pedestal, the words began to engrave themselves boldly, with stone dust crumbling away, revealing gleaming golden letters, beautifully inscribed: This is a true knight! Indeed, it is something truly poignant and remarkable.