909 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

After having breakfast in Hwaninhyeon, Qing was traveling south along the Hun River. Qing was on horseback, while the two companions—who had never actually been invited—were not. No, it wouldn't be accurate to call them companions. A martial arts bandit and a tagalong—those two had attached themselves to her like leeches, so referring to them as companions just seemed wrong. Given that they weren't really companions, Qing saw no need to extend any courtesy. If they walked, she let them walk, and if they lightly jogged, she left them to it. However, one cannot easily shake off a martial artist of the Profound Realm. Qing thought that periodically speeding up and slowing down might annoy them enough to drop away, but, alas, they proved to be quite tenacious. Continuing south along the Hun River, Qing eventually reached the point where it converges with a major river. This major river was originally famous for its distinctive green, jade-like color. The exceptionally stunning hue was akin to the iridescent feathers of a teal duck. Therefore, people had named this river the Amnokgang, derived from “Green(綠) Duck Feather(鴨) River,” although in winter, it froze entirely and remained as such until the end of March. At this time of year, the Amnokgang was still enshrouded in ice and was more of a stark, frozen wasteland than a lush, green spectacle. Nevertheless, here at the Amnok River! Qing turned eastward, moving along the increasingly higher terrain. Amnokgang curves would deposit sediment to form shallow lands or expose cliff faces, necessitating a path that wound behind hills, returning to the riverbank repeatedly. This apparently grew tedious, as the bandit broke the silence. “I've been thinking, perhaps the strange one you're seeking on Mount Baekdu knows the Heaven-Shattering, Blood-Overturning, Heart-Piercing Decisive Strike. Given the talk of black veins, it crossed my mind.” “And what if they do? Are you interested in the Heaven-Shattering, Blood-Overturning, Heart-Piercing Decisive Strike too?” “Heh, do you think a demonic technique would be called one for nothing? Just because you're in the Demon Liberation Realm, the idea seems appealing, but depending only on demonic arts means you'll never reach the true pinnacle of demon skills. You should aim to transcend them, not add more menacing arts.” “Hmm.” It wasn't wrong, but hearing this from a martial arts bandit felt somewhat peculiar. “But then Heavenly Sword Flower, does this mean there's truly a Reverse Blood Demon on Mount Baekdu?” “It's not certain, but I've heard sightings and am heading there to confirm.” “A unique custom, to disguise as monsters and plunder, yet could such tales arise from that?" “Well, it's still worth checking. To my knowledge, no known yokai have the characteristics of the Reverse Blood Demon, so it's not entirely out of the question.” “However, I've never heard similar rumors. Instead, I recommend exploring delicious food from Tonghua and Mount Baekdu." Oh, a woman who understands how to travel properly? She seemed to savor food correctly, suggesting travel should be centered around culinary delights. Qing was tempted, but there was no time for leisure trips right now, and why subtly loop me into 'we'?” “If you want to eat, you can go eat with the elder. Anyone who wants to eat can go eat, and those headed to Mount Baekdu can go to Mount Baekdu.” “Mount Baekdu is vast. Are you planning to search the entire expanse? That seems highly inefficient.” “We can gather rumors from those masquerading as monsters along the way, it's not as inefficient as you suggest.” “Even if such customs prevail, it's improbable for daily plundering to occur. Even if the range extends to the Amnok River area, daily looting isn't guaranteed.” “So?” “Then are you banking on having the luck to meet a disguising band on the occasion? I can't fathom this confidence; the likelihood of such an event is extremely rare. We should instead find something delicious—” At that, Qing let out a chuckle and gestured. Her elegant, long, white finger pointed in a direction, making Gong Sun-Yoye turn her head to follow. There were a group of odd figures, definitely not human-like. “And yet, it happened.” “Ah, to think this is what they call 'vexing.'” Qing looked indifferently at what was referred to as the "disguising band.” They wore fur rags over thick cotton clothes, with wooden horns affixed to hats, appearing like demons. Their faces were painted either white or entirely black, resembling village guardian deities with their painted expressions. Of course, the disguises were so amateurish and clumsily done that anyone could tell they were humans mocking imitation of yokai. Yokai wouldn't wear puffy cotton clothes to keep warm in the first place. The bizarre figures emerging from the forest on the other side of the Amnok River paused when they saw Qing. They exchanged glances and seemed to be discussing what to do. However, Qing had already turned her steed's head, crossing the frozen Amnok River with a somewhat apprehensive sound of hooves. Fortunately, the ice did not break, avoiding a disaster of plunging into the icy water. As she neared the riverbank, one of the figures bellowed. “Stop, stop right there!” Qing, adept in all languages, grasped the meaning without any effort. Though never having studied, it was as if Qing had devoured languages whole. The meaning she heard was: Stop. Stop now. Ah, this feels more like a foreign language, yet it’s understandable enough not to feel foreign. “## #### #####……!” “### ##### #######……!” “Foreigners ######……!” Ah, but it really is quite foreign, isn't it…? --- Terms Explained: - **아미타불 (Amitabha):** The term "Amitabha" is a reference to a Buddha used in various contexts. Here it's used as an exclamation or expression of emotion without a specific role in the narrative. - **압록강 (Amnokgang):** Translated as Amnok River; renowned for its green, jade-like water in certain seasons. The explanation of its name connects the color with a duck's feather and shows distinction between seasonal appearances. - **장백산 (Mount Baekdu):** Used as a location name without alteration, significant for being a vast and culturally relevant site. - **장승 (village guardian deity):** A distinct term referring to traditional Korean totem poles representing deities believed to protect villages. Explains the painted depiction of the person's disguise. - **변상 놀자 (disguising band):** Translated as "disguising band," meaning a group masquerading as yokai for bandit activities. - **파천역혈수심자첨결 (Heaven-Shattering, Blood-Overturning, Heart-Piercing Decisive Strike):** Retained as a demonic martial technique name to convey its lethal nature. Adjustments: - Consider changing "남궁세가" (Namgung Noble Clan) under the Hwangbo Noble Clan category if evidence leans towards this alteration in the story. Characters used: - **청 (Qing):** The protagonist, once a male now in a female's body, using martial arts knowledge and technique learning ability through her system. - **강탈마 (Unknown new character):** Huong Linze - gender not specified but implied male due to terms of address and descriptions suggesting a male presence, i.e. 'elder'. - **공량사윤 (Gong Sun-Yoye):** A companion figure, notable for travel suggestions indicating a focus on culinary exploration. The moment Qing opened her mouth to speak, the dialect of Joseon was nearly incomprehensible to ears accustomed to the Middle Plains. The accent was so unique and foreign that it felt entirely like a different language. This was understandable since there was almost a 400-year gap between Qing's hometown and Joseon's current timeline. Four centuries is ample time for a language to evolve to a level unrecognizable by those from the past. Of course, Qing could understand. "Aren't those people from Ming? You know, the Tang bastards and their ilk. They’re notorious for soaring through the skies—it's such a hassle if you get involved with them. Those bastards and wenches aren’t like us," was the derogative phrase tossed around. The derogatory terms used by Joseon people for Zhongyuan (Central Plains) people were Tang bastards (당놈) or Tang wenches (당년). Meanwhile, "those bastards and wenches" referred derogatorily to the Manchu and Jurchen as barbaric. In Qing's hometown, the Manchu eventually conquered and ruled over Zhongyuan, but here in this ancient pseudo-Zhongyuan, that transformation hadn’t occurred yet. Thus, to the locals, Qing was a Tang wench or Tang pirate lass. The "Tang" in "Tang bastards" refers to the Tang Dynasty 唐, suggesting that to these people, whether Tang Dynasty folks or pirate Tang people, they were essentially the same outsiders to disdain. Upon hearing this, Gong Sun-Yoye raised an eyebrow. "Oh dear, Heavenly Sword Flower, you’ve found these so-called disguising bandits, but how to communicate? Did you consider this issue? Let's stop wasting time here and indulge in some fine gastronomy. Manchuria is famous for its roe deer meat and a variety of mushrooms, especially pine mushrooms and wild ginseng. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water." This seemed like the right time for Gong Sun-Yoye to push for abandoning the plan in favor of a culinary exploration. Roe deer meat and mushrooms... I've never really had roe deer meat before; it sounds delicious. But why does she persist in pretending we're close...? Ah, it's the blind spot of psychological distance. To Gong Sun-Yoye, Ximen Qing was a well-known figure who piqued the interest of all her sisters, including herself, so naturally, she felt friendly. Yet, this was a one-sided familiarity, leaving Qing wondering why she acted so chummy. While Qing was generally open to accepting approaching individuals, this girl, after all, was a companion of the martial arts bandit, a demonic head. This was Qing’s first encounter with Gong Sun-Yoye, which felt awkward given her association with a notorious party. Regardless. Qing leisurely sized up the mumbling so-called Joseon yokai. These were bandits. Bandits pretending to be yokai to conceal their identities, making them particularly malevolent among their kind. There's also the term '분탕' (buntang), meaning to stir trouble with chaotic uproar. The other definition pertains to pillaging or looting others' belongings. Indeed, these bandits were executing 'buntang' in both senses. And Qing had a particular knack for causing bun (chaos), not just a knack—an innate talent for it. Born under the "Heavenly Slaughter Star," Qing was virtually a genius at causing chaos, someone who could seamlessly fit into the mischievous realm of bun-an expert in bun-fests like no other. "Behold! All sorts of mixed yokai have gathered here! How dare you meddle in the human world and spread disorder!" declared Qing fluently in Joseon dialect, while Gong Sun-Yoye’s gaze shimmered with amusement. "It... it spoke!" "Is she one of our own? I was wondering why she was slathered in that stuff alone. Is she a translator?" "When did translators ride alone? No way; when would a woman ride like that? That's not one of us. Yeah, no way one of our own women would look that ghastly." Several men wielding clubs gathered, seemingly unalarmed at facing only three. In response, Qing took a deep breath. "GO!" An overwhelmingly loud voice resounded, startling the yokai to focus on Qing, who continued with her words, one hand pressing against her solar plexus. "Listen up, all of you! I am Sanzo, the one who descends to the human world upon the Bodhisattva Guanyin’s request to exterminate these vile yokai, and today, I have descended. Meeting you yokai here was fortuitous; today, you're done for." The yokai exchanged glances. Sanzo from the Journey to the West? That frail monk? Is she out of her mind? Why would Sanzo even be a woman? "Silence! I am that very Sanzo, who traveled and defeated the Great Demon King, Bull Demon King, bringing peace to this realm!" Qing proclaimed. Truth is, although Journey to the West was popular, few had read it thoroughly. Everyone knew Sanzo traveled with Sun Wukong and the infamous comrades Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, but few understood the tales or why they embarked. Qing, too, was ignorant of the intricacies, broadly assuming it was a story of a warrior battling a demon king, possibly in a Middle Plains style. "Behold the Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara Palm! I will obliterate you yokai and go to hell. If I don't go to hell, who will? It's you! Into hell, you yokai go!" bellowed Qing. In a fervor, Qing unfurled her arms into wide arcs, meeting overhead. An ethereal golden light unfurled mightily. As Qing swung down, forming the reverse arc, numerous golden arm trails lingered in the motion's path. A vast aureole appeared behind Qing, a majestic halo composed of countless golden arm silhouettes, forming a thousand-hand halo. The Buddha's Divine Palm Form, Thousand-Handed Avalokiteshvara Palm. It was the pinnacle technique of a grand divine art, whimsically executed upon trivial reasoning—a fleeting glimpse into skill and absurdity. --- Terms Explained: - **분탕 (buntang):** This Korean term used here refers to causing chaos or trouble. It carries a dual meaning and contextually describes both chaos and looting. - **삼장 (Sanzo):** Used in relation to the character from "Journey to the West." The term ‘삼장’ is translated as Sanzo and indicates a scholarly or monk figure here, presumably challenging the conventional male image with Qing's feminine role. - **천수(千手)천안(千目)여래 (Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara):** A depiction of a large number of hands is used metaphorically to describe Qing's use of martial arts—displaying a spiritual or divine prowess. - **관세음보살 (Guanyin Bodhisattva):** Traditional deity often depicted as a symbol of mercy and compassion in Buddhism; reference to granting Qing her mission. - **삼장법사 (Sanzo Hsuan Tsang):** From the classic Chinese tale, often a male character leading the journey. - **Ghostly Inference**: The narrative mentions the irony of women acting like men, hinting at societal gender roles and Qing's own gender transformation due to transmigration. Adjustments: - Modify 사천당가 (Sichuan Tang Clan) under potential 'Tang Clan' mentions for relevancy if further Tang connections persist. - Ensure Traditional festivals like '쓰리시데이 (立秋节)' acknowledged correctly with cultural context if evident. Characters: - **청 (Qing):** Embodies a Korean man in a female form, navigating a complex timeline and myriad martial challenges with her uncanny skill. - **공량사윤 (Gong Sun-Yoye):** Mentioned as a companion and identified as an adventure-oriented gourmet, having amicable, yet presumptuous, connections with Qing. - **Heavenly Slaughter Star:** Explains Qing's personality born under this celestial fate, prompting chaos and martial prowess. "[Is he Buddha?!]" "[Oh Buddha, we have made a mistake!]" "[It's a misunderstanding! We are not yokai! Not yokai, we swear!]" Upon witnessing this spectacle, the yokai immediately prostrated themselves, trembling and fervently pleading their case for misunderstanding. --- Terms Explained: - **부처님 (Budda / Buddha):** The deity term used here is with honorific addressing deity holiness, integrating a sense of reverence and intimidation contributing to Qing's portrayal. - **요괴 (yokai):** Retained as a term for supernatural beings or spirits, determining the bumbling bandits’ crouched display, imitating mythical creatures for their deceptions. Used to relay the comical aspect of their immediate deference. Adjustments: None required unless further context arises undermining existing details about names, roles, or affiliations. Character: General unidentified yokai: portraying a bumbling deference and submission to Qing’s overwhelming display of martial prowess and spiritual guise.