904 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

Qing inspected Kang Talma's weapons, eliminating the spear, staff, spear, and crescent blade from consideration. In combat, a weapon's length—and thus its reach—is indeed a critical advantage, as conventional wisdom suggests that out of ten encounters, the one wielding a longer weapon often prevails eight or nine times. In Zhongyuan, the phrase "십중팔구(十中八九)" meaning "eight or nine out of ten" effectively underscores this inevitability. However, in the world of the martial artists, things are not so absolute. If two individuals have perfectly matched skills and combat experience, the one with a longer weapon might hold a slight edge. Martial artists, however, possess various techniques allowing them to overcome the disadvantage of distance using their internal power. Yet the gap between the Harmony Realm(화경) and the Profound Realm(현경) is like heaven and earth. If a Profound Realm master wields a long weapon to further gain reach, it isn't fair play, is it? Truly despicable. Qing's gaze traveled to the weapons strapped at Kang Talma’s waist. One sword and three sabers, each a straight sword, a Ghost Head Sabre(鬼頭도), and Wolf Fang Crescent Moon Blade. The straight sword seemed less threatening than the sabers. For someone of the Profound Realm, the weapon's weight wouldn't matter, allowing for powerful attacks regardless of the weapon’s heft. In such cases, the lighter straight sword poses more difficulty. When forced to choose between the Ghost Head Sabre and the Wolf Fang Crescent Moon Blade, one should opt for the more straightforward shape of the Ghost Head Sabre. The Wolf Fang Crescent Moon Blade, with its serrated edge, can sheer off chunks of flesh with a mere graze—a gruesome thing indeed. Even if he goes easy, when lives are at stake, things might take a dire turn. "Then, the Ghost Head Sabre it is." "Good. It's a weapon of particular significance to me." Qing's pulse quickened. "When you say it's a significant weapon, do you mean to say your original training involved the sabre, particularly the Ghost Head Sabre…" "Indeed. Whether it's because I've achieved mastery in saber techniques or because my nature aligns with the Ghost Head Sabre, it fits my hand best." Damn, made the wrong choice. Of all options, I picked his preferred weapon, ending up on the losing side while trying to outsmart him. "Um, it may be a bit unseemly, but can I change my mind? How about a sword instead? We’re both swordsmen, why not a duel between swords?" "It's too late now. For some reason, everyone ends up choosing the Ghost Head Sabre." Kang Talma chuckled viciously in response. Qing realized they had fallen into a trap. The assortment of weapons on him wasn't merely for show. He had every intention of steering the choice towards the Ghost Head Sabre, the easiest amongst them. But a Profound Realm practitioner indulging in such shameless trickery…? No fool ever reached profound levels or perhaps only those truly ignorant understand martial arts in a unique way. Kang Talma unstrapped his weapons, tossing them behind. And so, he held only the Ghost Head Sabre, gesturing for Qing to come forth. "Come." Engaging in conversation, Qing felt their will to kill wane. No. If possible, he must be slain. Determined, Qing concentrated on Kang Talma's evil karma. Kang Talma seemed straightforward and open. Yet his karma was anything but. His evil karma, measuring in the mid-500s, implied numerous lives taken in pursuit of power, stains that darkened his karma a deep red. Moreover, a Profound Realm practitioner masking his level to secretly prey upon martial skills was inherently dishonorable. Qing drew the Moonlight Sword(월광검) high. Inhaling deeply, Qing squeezed her Dantian fiercely. A torrent of explosive energy surged recklessly through all her meridian channels. Suddenly, the earth trembled. The world tilted with Qing at the center. To draw the world by one’s strength beneath the sky, a sword raised like an unparalleled emperor's. The Single Nine Swords' first technique, "I Alone Am the Honored One(唯我獨尊)"! Wherever my sword points, there the heavens should shift to match its trajectory. Starting the battle with a finishing move, Qing would not waste an unexpected chance like this to strike against a Profound Realm master. Gong Liang Sa-yun recoiled in shock. In the Great Celestial Martial Emperor’s world, none existed but oneself, an aggressive ideal without friend or foe, contorting reality. As the world skewed and the union of god and sword concealed the swordsman's presence, a single standing sword dominated the scene. Kang Talma's previously relaxed expression twisted, his lips reversed, and his jaw bulged from clenching. A blood-red Sword Qi bloomed from Kang Talma's Ghost Head Sabre. The brilliance of a Profound Realm’s Sword Qi already transcended starlight. Blood-stained dazzling brilliance unleashed in every direction. The world-severing sword and the universe's axis converged violently with Kang Talma’s Ghost Head Sabre—pang! The Ghost Head Sabre recoiled wildly. Kang Talma's arms flew back, surrendering as if in victory. His head drooped towards the crimson light of Qing’s Moonlight Sword, threatening to slice him in twain. In that moment. Kang Talma’s Ghost Head Sabre surged forward again. Numerous afterimages traced its path. No, they weren’t mere afterimages. Every afterimage carried his spirit, erupting in a cacophony reminiscent of a thousand bells being struck simultaneously: dadadangdangdang… Qing clenched her teeth. Dozens of impacts in a single instant, the shock leapt up her sword body onto the hilt, throbbing with pain beyond mere numbness, a sensation teetering on agony. The extremity of a Profound Realm practitioner's philosophy. Striking relentlessly at the sky-reaching sword body. With the intention of obliterating that single point, thousands upon thousands of swings repeated. An unyielding will to cut down the enemy, to swing until the deed was done persisted in those endless strikes. Qing marveled at his bold philosophy, his insatiable perfectionist drive. Hundred Refinement Sabre Technique(百練刀法), first technique. --- **Terms Referenced:** 1. **강탈마 (Gangtalma) - Kang Talma** - Translation Reasoning: Korean name used in narrative context. 2. **귀두도 (鬼頭도) - Ghost Head Sabre** - Translation Reasoning: Literal meaning retained for flavor and uniqueness of weaponry. 3. **낭아도 (Wolf Fang Crescent Moon Blade)** - Translation Reasoning: Literal meaning and unique weapon type convey a fierce imagery suitable for narrative tone. **Translation Notes:** - For "강탈마의 무기들을", retained “Kang Talma's weapons” to capture a possessive context. - "십중팔구" translated as "eight or nine out of ten" captures both direct meaning and expression within cultural context. - Used original terms in translation when terms were unique and added flavor or cultural context. - Outlined narrative flow to maintain the strategic and combat-focused tone appropriate for martial arts scenes. The text provided insight into combat strategies, particularly the psychological and skill-based nuances involved in weapon choice and the execution of Qing's narrative strategy, while confirming the nuanced internal dialogue Qing experiences due to her unique system. Minor adjustments may improve understanding of each character's combat philosophy and might warrant translations reflecting martial arts historical context to enhance understanding of dynamics present in these scenes. Water Droplets Penetrating Stone(水滴穿石). The Persistent dripping of water can bore through stone. The Hundred Refinement Sabre Technique (百練刀法) is a kind of training martial art, primarily serving to solidify the fundamental principles of saber techniques rather than actual combat preparedness. Given that its first technique is primarily a foundational exercise, it naturally embodies the teaching to practice unceasingly, like water drops boring through stone, endlessly progressing through relentless training. And what of the Lone Nine Swords Technique(독고구검)? The Lone Nine Swords Technique(독고구검) stands as a perfected martial art achieved by one who has reached the absolute pinnacle, gazing from a realm beyond the sky, the Celestial Beyond(天外天). The journey towards such perfection must indeed have been fierce, yet its completion allows one to look down loftily upon those beneath, those ranked lower. Thus, the first technique of the Lone Nine Swords is not merely implied but a declaration born from the martial prowess of the Great Celestial Martial Emperor. It represents the re-enactment of a perfected, singular strike. And now, that perfection is tested by the blade. One hundred, one thousand, perhaps even ten thousand repetitions. And finally— A silent sound resonates, as if a clattering crash snapped the world tipping toward Qing’s sword in an instant, breaking it asunder. Once more, the earth underfoot, the sky above, unchanged save for Qing's frame, sliding across the ground, leaving deep grooves. Qing forced down a sudden surge of heat, swallowing it back. The backlash from breaking such an all-consumptive decisive strike after pouring in one-third of her internal power affected her vital energies, inciting internal injuries to surface. The scent in her nostrils was metallic—sharp yet oddly fragrant, bitterly sticking in her mouth with a salty tang unresolved. Yet Qing's eyes sparked with fierce determination. Profound Realm (현경) truly was the Profound Realm. However, it was doable. The martial philosophy that continued into infinity was staggering, but this meant she now understood what kind of martial arts it was. Despite its formidable aspect, the technique itself might just be at the level of blue. A martial technique severely lacking in finesse—it might even be an introductory technique for orthodox schools. It wasn't refined, but merely an endless repetition of the most fundamental stances, executed at tremendous speed per second if using hometown time units. Still, the technique was clunky and unrefined. Simultaneously, Qing thundered her right foot. The explosive first step of the Heavenly Demon Commanding Step(천마군림보), scattering the remnants of demonic energy. Then, Qing's sword traced countless afterimages. The Eleven Thousand Strikes of the 108 Asura Sword(백팔수라검). A relentless barrage with the untamed ferocity of a beast. In response, Kang Talma's afterimages also multiplied. Vertical slashes, horizontal cuts, diagonal slices from both sides, all basic saber forms compounded to infinite possibilities. The unending clangor of sword and saber colliding. As if thousands of blacksmiths swung their hammers at once, sparks of sword Qi ignited with each clash. Suddenly, Qing's sword shifted. The sharp, penetrating quick strikes that had been picking at gaps transformed gracefully into one akin to ceaseless waves, orderly yet oppressive. Eighth technique of the Yue Maiden Sword Intent(月녀검결): Boundless Moonlight(月光無恨). Three streams of sword Qi advanced like surging waves, yet the maiden wielding the blade remained serene, almost detached. Qing conjured the image of such a woman, the Yue Maiden(月녀). A Yue Maiden who had lost her beloved during war. There had been none but herself, and thus she was solely the Yue Maiden until approached by a man, becoming a woman, a person. Yet without her beloved, there no longer existed a reason to remain a woman. Connections were ephemeral. Meeting you made my world entwine with yours; my heart aches because you no longer exist in this world. Had we never met, you and I would have only existed in our own worlds. Thus, the Yue Maiden cast aside the world. No meetings, and so no partings. The sun chases the moon, yet the moon flees, never to meet; thus, the sun remains the sun, the moon remains the moon, existence distinctly day and night. Who said moonlight was solitary? The moonlight merely flows without any longing. The Yue Maiden chose to become whole again on her own. Alone, she was merely a joyous being without name, gender, or even humanity. Meeting him, she discovered herself as the Yue Maiden and a woman, aware of her humanity. To meet you was to finally exist. Conversely, before you, I was purely Nature, all of existence. So, the Yue Maiden returned to the mountains, becoming nothing but Nature, solitary once more. In her rejection of ties, she remains unchanged. Honestly, there's hardly any reliable martial art in the world. The Lone Nine Swords Technique(독고구검) urges one to abandon all and train endlessly until death. The Yue Maiden Sword Technique(月녀검) implies that without encounters, one remains flawlessly unchanging. Why are they so pessimistic? To train and become a master if destined to live alone—what's the purpose? Avoiding connections to avoid eventual sadness seems akin to refusing to eat for fear of hunger! Why did the Yue Maiden take such a cynical stance at the end? Abruptly, Qing’s resolve wavered. When a swordsman disagrees with the imagery conjured by their technique, a disconnection inevitably occurs within their practice. And would a master of the Profound Realm overlook Qing's momentary lapse? “Wait, wait a moment!” If up to now it had been Qing on the offensive with Kang Talma counter-attacking, the roles swiftly reversed; now Qing was fending off Kang Talma's ceaseless strikes. Role reversal! --- **Terms Referenced:** 1. **수적천석 (Water Droplets Penetrating Stone(水滴穿石)) - Water Droplets Penetrating Stone** - Translation Reasoning: Literal translation captures the original meaning and metaphor used to express gradual change through constant effort. 2. **강탈마 (Gangtalma) - Kang Talma** - Translation Reasoning: Kept as a character name to maintain consistency in character identification. 3. **백련도법 (百練刀法) - Hundred Refinement Sabre Technique** - Translation Reasoning: Name of technique, retains original flavor associated with martial arts vernacular. 4. **용어: 천외천 (天外天) - Celestial Beyond** - Translation Reasoning: Used a poetic description "Celestial Beyond" to capture the implied mystical realm beyond the skies. 5. **현경 (現境) - Profound Realm** - Translation Reasoning: Retained the established translation from previous context for consistency in understanding martial arts hierarchy. **Translation Notes:** - The translation maintains an epic and philosophical tone, reflecting on the profound aspects of martial arts training, existential reflection, and emotional depth. - Use of metaphorical language carried over to highlight the philosophical undertones and ensure literary affinity with the original Korean narrative. - Internal commentary by Qing adds to the narrative's depth, contrasting philosophies, while further establishing her as an introspective protagonist, struggling both against her opponent and narrative constraints of the martial world.