Chapter 123

Martial World Individuals usually don’t get sick.

That’s because both the studies of the maternal and paternal sides fundamentally boost health.

Qing managed to survive winter wrapped in a thin, sheer cloth and didn’t even catch a cold once; so, minor ailments can’t touch a Martial World person’s body.

Even if we put aside the fact that they are Martial World folks, compared to Qing’s hometown, people of the Central Plain are sturdily built.

So, hearing that Jayu was bedridden left Qing a bit perplexed.

Turns out the rumors of him being weak were true.

Can’t underestimate the insight of a physician.

Still, I should pay a visit to my sick friend.

After all, as a guest, I have nothing to do but sit around.

It’s the least you do when a friend is sick; you send a message to check in. People become moody when they’re ill, changing their usual selves.

Seeing Jayu, he truly looked pale; hmm? Was he always this pale?

“W-What’s wrong?”

“What do you think is wrong? I heard you were sick, so I came to see how you’re doing. Feeling a bit better? Let’s see, do you have a fever?”

Qing pressed his palm against Jayu’s forehead.

Honestly, checking for a fever by just slapping a hand on the forehead was pretty pointless.

Qing’s hands are always chilly thanks to his Supreme Hand-to-Hand Combat powers, so whether he touched the forehead or anywhere else, it would feel warm, making it hard to tell if there was a fever or not.

But still, it was a shocking incident for Jayu.

From the very moment Qing’s visit started, their gender difference in the Central Plain was quite noticeable, and now Qing was going to slap him on the forehead.

It felt like heat surged to Jayu’s face from the cold touch.

“Oh. You’re pretty warm, huh? Your face is red too.”

“No, that’s…”

Actually, Jayu was just faking illness and he couldn’t come up with a response after that.

In the Central Plain, feigning illness was practically a “I don’t accept guests” unbeatable tactic.

The Tang Family was like a gathering of physicians, especially since they had focused on healing since the time of Great Master Mucheondae.

Surely, the top physician in the Central Plain would not ignore a guest like this.

Instantly, “Ah, this guy is just pretending to be sick, but since he claims to be unwell, let’s just say it’s a little cold he caught,” a silent agreement was reached.

“What kind of man gets through life being this weak? I thought your family was well-off; you could at least learn some martial arts,”

“Um…”

But Qing was always far removed from common sense.

His expression was straightforward, and the worry reflected in his large eyes rendered Jayu speechless.

What gem in the world could possibly match the shine of that worry?

“What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

Jayu, snapping back to reality, cast a sidelong glance at Choi Riyong.

Seriously, without even teaching him common sense, what were you doing? You probably knew he was just faking it, didn’t you?

Choi Riyong simply snorted.

Should I really tell the worried kid that it’s all just a farce and there’s no need to fret? Ugh, this kid loses twenty points for trying to worry too much.

Jayu felt he had stumbled right out of the top-tier competition.

In the end, what would Choi Riyong’s score even matter?

Suddenly, a thought crossed Jayu’s mind, prompting him to ask eagerly.

“Wait, isn’t the Tang Family unusually noisy right now? Why is everyone staying put? Surely, they’re mixed up in a revolt.”

Qing flicked Jayu’s crown of the head lightly.

“Your tone. You’re sick and still not thinking of changing it?”

“That’s not what’s important.”

“Hey, what’s up with everyone? When you’re just eating and enjoying your guest role, you’re all fine; but when you’re actually needed, you completely change your face and run off?”

“Well, revolt is…”

“Originally I was thinking of going to the Amifa sect, but how ridiculous that I just feast while absent when they need help the most! I should at least lend a hand.”

Again, Jayu sneaked a glance at Choi Riyong.

No matter how you look at it, he seemed to have no idea about the fear of a revolt, which made Jayu wonder what he was up to in not informing him.

Choi Riyong sniffed again.

He had no real reason to object.

After all, his attitude was generally, “Just do whatever you want.”

Qing was someone who took his life seriously, and he knew that just saying he would help didn’t mean he intended to sacrifice himself for a suicide squad.

His light-footedness in martial arts ensured few could catch him if he ran.

Plus, being closely related to the Best Female Martial Artist would keep even the officials at bay.

And if it came down to it, there were divine sect members to rely on.

Most importantly, if he ended up being blamed for blocking their paths, he wouldn’t be able to handle it either.

No intention to dissuade him was visible, so eventually, Jayu let out a big sigh and said.

“Sigh. Look, friend.”

“What?”

“This situation isn’t one that can be easily brushed aside. This must be a moment long awaited by the Imperial Family. I mean since the days of that now-ambitious former Emperor.”

After the raid on the Imperial Palace by Great Master Mucheondae, the shock the Imperial Family received was so severe it felt like heaven had flipped and the earth had trembled.

Until then, Martial World Individuals had merely been local nobles to be swept aside at any time.

The Imperial Family viewed them as tools for governance.

The Central Plain was so vast, the Imperial Family’s eyes couldn’t reach everywhere, so instead, they held the leash of these hunting dogs called Martial World.

But Great Master Mucheondae proved with his strength that one person could reach the heavens.

He seriously undermined the Emperor’s authority.

Even with heaven choosing to govern, even the rightful successor, the Emperor, couldn’t take a single sword to crush mountains or split the earth.

“So you should leave the Tang Family now. Given the situation, they won’t try to hold you back.”

“Why should I?”

“Didn’t I say it won’t simply go unnoticed? If you get caught in the charge of treason, you could be in danger as well.”

“That’s something I have to deal with. But isn’t that ridiculous? That can’t be the main issue right now!”

“Then what, pray tell, is more important?”

“We need to figure out if the Tang Family is truly guilty. I don’t think they had any reason to kill a prince even if they fear the lords. I can see how that raises some eyebrows. Plus, if they’re earning money through poison, that doesn’t prove anything.”

Jayu frowned.

While not incorrect, it lacked the minimum courtesy expected towards the Imperial Family.

“Well, is the Tang Family really innocent?”

“What? So you think they did it?”

Qing gasped in surprise.

If the Tang Family really did that, it would change the narrative significantly.

As Qing’s ears perked up, Jayu shook his head and responded.

“That’s not what I’m saying. Are the thieves in the realm of Martial World really innocent? They just wave swords and prey on commoners, disregarding the government’s authority and acting as they please. What qualifications do they have?”

“That’s absurd. So, what qualifications does the Emperor have to rule?”

“……?”

Jayu’s expression turned dumbfounded.

“I mean, shouldn’t the Emperor just shut up and follow along because he was born as the Emperor’s son? If he’s just going to strong-arm others, what’s the difference between the Imperial Family and the Martial World?”

“Does that even make sense? The emperor is heaven’s choice.”

“What nonsense are you babbling? Is the Emperor born from the ripped heavens, yelling ‘I am the only one under heaven’ when he emerges?”

“How dare you—outrageous, sacrilegious.”

Jayu struggled to continue his words.

Such an extreme statement was shocking for someone from the Central Plain.

Royal families are noble by birth.

This assertion that royals have no special lineage typically comes from notorious rebels.

“You shouldn’t so casually spout such things.”

“Did I say something taboo? Look, I wouldn’t know about other sects, but the Tang Family deserves to be in the role of the emperor, don’t they? They drove away the Sapa scoundrels and provided free healthcare, heck, just look at the situation now with Oyang Jik.”

“That’s…”

“They had no problem spreading gold while posting rewards for Oyang Jik and dumping ingredients into wells. That’s an Emperor’s job, isn’t it?”

“…Cough.”

Jayu, at a loss for words, merely cleared his throat unnecessarily.

Qing clicked his tongue at that.

“It’s always those who don’t benefit from their ancestors who work tirelessly on the ancestral tablet. It’s better to be a Martial World individual than to sing the praises of a ruler who hasn’t done anything for you.”

“Still, those words should be kept to oneself and not blurted out in front of others. Even speaking them makes it sound like you’re rebelling.”

“I’ve got some common sense too, you know? I wouldn’t say this stuff out loud.”

Qing was saying this right in front of the younger brother of the current emperor.

“Or is our friend going to tell them I called them a traitor?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then it’s fine. Anyway, take care of yourself. As for me, I wouldn’t mind stepping out; it’s not a concern. But friend, don’t get caught in needless strife while you’re lying sick.”

After that, Qing left, engaging in light chatter.

Left alone in the room, three shadows suddenly descended from the ceiling.

“That’s quite the statement, isn’t it? I’ve never heard such dreadful words in all my life.”

“What’s ‘that’? Watch your words; that lady is someone Wang Ya has an interest in.”

“Oh, is that so! My big mouth just spilled. Wang Ya, please pretend you didn’t hear that. I made an unfortunate error.”

“No, no. Old Dog, stop with the absurd insinuations. If those words were to leak, it would block a fine lady’s marriage path.”

Jayu hastily waved his hands.

Old Dog chuckled with a sly smirk.

Then another masked figure chimed in.

“Don’t you think she is a wonderfully charming woman? Once fate ties a bond, it’s the loyalty afterwards that’s essential. Isn’t it touching that she would stand by despite difficulties?”

“Yeon Pa was just toying with the blade earlier, right? You could practically see the bloodlust in her gaze; now you’re changing your tune? That makes me look like the strange one!”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. That young girl must be seeing ghosts out there.”

The figure referred to as Yeon Pa played aloof.

Jayu frowned and interrupted their banter.

“Enough already. But have you found that rat?”

At that, the atmosphere turned ominous among the three.

A young voice responded.

“It’s that scoundrel who dared to forget the kindness Wang Ya bestowed. I swear I’ll tear him apart. He shouldn’t have raised a beast!”

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