Chapter 134

“You don’t need to be surprised. I’m always amazing, after all.”

With that, Qing puffed out her chest proudly in response to Old Man Dook’s praise, ready to say something cheeky—

“Ouch, it hurts!”

But the pain hit, and she just shrank back instead.

“You really don’t need to be surprised. I’m always superb, you know.”

If a great person wasn’t acknowledged as such, that would be a lie.

Therefore, it wouldn’t do for the extraordinary talent that is Qing to lie to an elder, so she said the truth matter-of-factly.

“Well, confidence is indeed a sight to behold. A warrior should have such aspirations!”

It could be argued that the Grand Elder also had some issues accepting that.

“But about that guy, that arm of his.”

“Ah. So that’s why you came. How much have you found out? Aww, have you found out?”

As she spoke, Qing suddenly felt like she was sounding a bit like a bug, so she hurriedly corrected herself.

Old Man Dook, oblivious, blinked a couple of times and then responded as if it was no big deal.

“I suspect he might be a Blood Demon.”

“Blood Demon!”

Qing exclaimed in surprise.

What in the world is that supposed to be!

She felt like she had to exclaim it first, even if it didn’t suddenly fill her head with knowledge.

Ever curious, Qing couldn’t help but ask, “What’s a Blood Demon?”

“Hmm, it’s an exceptionally wicked entity, a type created through the Blood Sect’s Dark Blood Transformation technique. Its hallmark is a body as tough as steel.”

“Blood Sect?”

“Yes. The Golden Guards received training from the Blood Sect, so I don’t think this is ordinary at all.”

Anything related to the Blood Sect in the martial world could be presumed to be utterly sinister.

Because that’s just the truth.

It’s not a prejudice; it’s simply that the Blood Sect’s methods essentially required blood as a base.

The Dark Blood Transformation was no different, as it absorbed the blood of special individuals to create beings with indestructible bodies.

As for that special method, the Grand Elder had no idea about it.

Because he wasn’t a Blood Sect member.

In any case, a technique that absorbs someone else’s blood is inherently evil, making it more than deserving of scorn in the Martial World.

“Hmm? Isn’t that similar to a Jiangshi?”

“It’s quite different. Even if it were a Jiangshi, it’s only animated by rituals, and the vital energy of the Dantian has long since perished, so it just moves by using up the remaining energy.”

“Oh. So there’s a difference between being able to tap into your own inner strength or not?”

“Exactly. Quite clever of you.”

“Hehe. What are you saying?”

Qing knew herself well enough to say she was always amazing but a bit off from being clever.

So this time, it was humility.

“So, wouldn’t a Blood Demon be a superior version? Is that saying something around the Central Plain? Anyway, if you’re going to create one, wouldn’t it be better to make a Blood Demon?”

“A Blood Demon is sturdy enough, but its disadvantages are so great that even the Blood Sect rarely uses them.”

“What are the disadvantages?”

“While it may have an indestructible body, it becomes sluggish. Its movements slow down by at least half, its joints and tendons stiffen, losing all flexibility, resulting in stiff and linear limb movements. You’ve faced it before, so you should know?”

“Ah.”

Qing’s expression soured significantly.

What? Did that mean it was more than twice as slow?

Even though she sensed the life-threatening intent behind that strike aimed at her heart and realized she was late in dodging it, she nearly got sliced in half like a mackerel being butchered.

But the fact that a lack of flexibility meant the movements were stiff really resonated with Qing as well, especially since Cho Gak had lost his mind.

Feeling wronged, Qing shot back, “But for all that, wasn’t he fighting well?”

“Fighting well? His swordsmanship merely paled in comparison to you, rolling around like a donkey! I thought that fool Cho Gak only practiced martial arts for decorations, unable to keep up with you in a real fight, just like how high-level masters flop around pathetically in actual combat after only training in the mountains.”

“Hmm. Do I need to hold back…?”

Qing deeply pondered.

Still, if an attack would hit, isn’t it worth it even if the opponent is twice as fast?

She could just block with her arms and then thrust.

Unless she failed, that would mean she’d really be split in half.

Wait? No.

I was invincible with my master’s shield, right?

Thinking about it, if Cho Gak wasn’t a Blood Demon, there was no way her chest would remain intact and not be smashed to pieces by now.

Reflecting, she felt wronged.

If she had known he had grown so tough by using other people’s blood, she would’ve pulled all his limbs off instead.

Such a vile scoundrel.

“To think the Golden Guard’s warrior, probably a high-ranking official, is a Blood Demon; this is quite alarming. It’ll likely be reported to the clan for investigation, so your achievement of tearing off an arm as evidence deserves recognition. Truly well done. I had my doubts, but you were indeed right, while I, the old man, was wrong.”

It was indeed a bizarre world.

Compliments for bringing back an arm!

But considering the case at hand, it was understandable to nod in agreement.

“Grandfather, our Qing Ah needs some rest.”

Just then, Tang Nan-ah interrupted.

It was already late autumn, and the nights were lengthy.

Just like primitive, ancient societies, longer nights meant more sleep was needed.

“Ah, yes. I’m a bit scatterbrained here. To hold a sick child. Just rest well, my dear. In this situation, the government office should no longer be concerning itself with a revolt, and they will retreat soon. With everything settled, you can now recuperate peacefully.”

“Oh.”

That was a welcome sound to hear.

If everything’s done, then maybe drop by the Ami pa (teahouse) on the way back.

No, wait. Wouldn’t it be wise to leave once my chest feels better?

Apparently, there wouldn’t even be a scar.

Maybe I’ll drop a letter stating I’ll return later.

I really don’t want to cause unneeded worry.

If I show up all bandaged, they’ll be so upset.

It’d be better to risk facing survival retribution as a disciple who ran away instead.

If I’m going to be hurt, let it be me, then.

Qing made up her mind that she had to stay with the Tang Family until she recovered completely.

—-

Qing stared blankly at the screen above.

⧓□⧓□⧓□⧓□⧓□⧓□

30 60 90 120

And thought.

Wow. I’m really amazing. A perfect score!

While scratching her oddly itchy chest, Qing gazed at the beautiful score.

Just then.

Someone abruptly hugged her waist, whispering in a gentle voice.

“Hehe, darling. Were you nervous about your perfect score?”

“Huh? No, there’s no way a man like Seomun Qing could be so.”

“Is that so? Then you must show me your gallant self, don’t you think?”

“Um… yeah…”

She recognized the face of a beautiful woman from somewhere.

But who exactly was calling her darling?

Qing tilted her head slightly in confusion, but the thought faded quickly.

For some reason, it felt so natural.

At that moment, pins descended from the end of the lane, forming a clean row.

Qing tilted her head again.

Hmm. Did the head pin always look like that?

The large, broad triangular base looked oddly translucent and seemed to emit a soft glow.

With such a broad base, surely it wouldn’t fall over?

Though she wondered, it was quickly brushed aside as something perfectly normal.

But now her chest was unbearably itchy.

Qing, stressed, scratched at her chest, and suddenly, her thigh right above the knee began to tingle too. Argh, this is annoying.

Eventually, with annoyance brewed on her face, Qing grabbed a 15-pound bowling ball with her fingers.

She stood near the plate, raising the heavy ball, giving it a slight bounce before sending it down, feeling the force of gravity as it rolled.

One, two, three steps…

It almost seemed to touch the ground before her thumb slipped through first, followed shortly by her index and middle fingers twisting the hole.

The ball, which had been aimed to the right, smoothly spun and hit the right side of the front pin at a 42-degree angle, sending it rolling forward.

As a result, the triangular pin shattered and scattered, letting out a desperate scream.

“Aaah! Kill me already! Are you tormenting me even in my dreams!?”

The wail roared with horrifying pain, giving Qing chills.

And then, the remaining pins fell in a crisp sound, drowning out in chaos.

Wow. Strike!

At that moment.

A translucent window popped up before Qing, displaying an ominous message.

[Premonition, (Unknown) level of threat]

[You are under attack by the Imperial Army.]

Actions to undertake for mission execution

Good Deed) Assist the Tang Family in defeating the Imperial Army

Evil Deed) Help the Imperial Army exterminate the Tang Family

Heaven’s Kill) Kill all

[This choice could affect the world.]

Qing felt a chill and dismissed the mission window.

Then, she realized.

Ah. This is a dream.

“Phew.”

Qing exhaled a long sigh and thought.

This mission window is hitting me up even in my sleep.

She reclined in her chair and said, “Yen-Young, go outside, if you don’t want to die.”

“Thanks!”

After a long time, Unyeonjeong, sounding a bit husky, responded back while clicking her heels and walking away.

Wait, who wears heels to a bowling alley? What an uncultured lass.

Of course, Unyeonjeong wasn’t at fault.

After all, a dog’s dream is chaotic by nature and utterly nonsensical.

And Qing was now invincible.

As she realized the dream was indeed a dream.

It’s called lucid dreaming.

However, the Heavenly Demon wasn’t just a mere creation of dreams.

From the screams she had heard earlier, it seemed that the Heavenly Demon was regularly tortured in her dreams unknowingly.

Yet Qing didn’t particularly feel sorry for it.

That mental parasite had likely brought misery to countless lives.

From victims of the evil factions to those in the current Great War.

Such a scoundrel that sacrifices lives to fulfill its own grudge.

Even if Qing unknowingly tormented it, it seemed entirely warranted.

More than that, this mission window coming into her dreams—

Oh no, and now it’s itchy.

Is it from the injury? No, it shouldn’t be.

The wound was on the opposite side, right?

At that moment.

The mission window she dismissed earlier popped back up, enlarging the text she once saw.

[You are under attack by the Imperial Army.]

[You are under attack by the Imperial Army.]

[You are under attack by the Imperial Army.]

[You are under attack by the Imperial Army.]

“Fine, I get it, stop! Huh? Attack?”

In an instant, Qing’s mind sharpened, but with a sudden dizzying sensation, the dream started to crumble around her.

—-

“Huff.”

Qing exhaled the deep breath she had been holding and opened her eyes wide.

To her surprise, someone else also exhaled deeply as she opened her eyes.

“Huff.”

It was Tang Nan-ah, as if their gazes aligned in fate.

Since they shared the same bed with her tending to him, it made sense she was here. But did she not sleep?

Of course, that wasn’t the primary concern.

Because behind Tang Nan-ah’s tiny head, the unruly mission window had yet to disappear.

[You are under attack by the Imperial Army.]

Qing’s expression stiffened naturally.

Then, to that, Tang Nan-ah, blushing even in the dark, started fumbling her words.

“N-no! That’s a mistake! I mean, um, something, uh, acceleration! Yes! It’s acceleration! No bad meanings; just acceleration! Acceleration! It could be suspicious! Maybe something’s alright on the outside but bruised inside!”

“What are you talking about? More importantly, are we possibly—”

At that moment.

Boom…!

A massive blast erupted along with a quaking tremor that shook the ground beneath them.

Twisting wood creaked loudly, and dust cascaded down from the rafters like the first snow.

“Huh?”

“What’s happening?”

And then, bang!!!

Something crashed through the wall and smashed the pillar to pieces, sending fragments flying like a storm.

---