Chapter 168

Qing sighed heavily.

“Are we really back to talking about my chest again…?”

She stared quietly at Mo Yongjun, his pure eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Hmm.”

She tilted her head, wondering if he was doing this on purpose.

“But why are we talking about the chest of a stranger? That’s a bit strange, isn’t it? Why not just say ‘your older sister’ or something?”

“Um, I do have an older sister…”

“Is she pretty? No, never mind that. Then—”

“My sister is super pretty! But you don’t know her? She’s really famous. Among the Five Flowers of the Martial World, Kim Yang-geomhwa is my sister!”

“Then why don’t you just go ask your sister for help? Why… huh. Why am I even saying this? Anyway, leaving out the family, isn’t that weirder?”

As Qing rambled on, she suddenly fell into a moment of confusion.

Is it worse between siblings? Better than with strangers?

While she was lost in thought, Mo Yongjun brought up his sister without being asked.

“My sister went to meet a friend in Hebei, and I’m just waiting here until they come back together to head to Gaebong.”

“Well then, go ask that sister’s friend. No, wait. This is weird too. It all sounds off, you know? A little kid is just being way too bold.”

“My sister’s friend is a guy…”

“Wow, you really dodged that one well.”

Qing admired him, but Mo Yongjun just kept on with his pointless chatter.

“But my sister doesn’t have a chest at all. She’s flatter than Uncle Yu, who takes care of the garden…”

“Then, isn’t Uncle Yu’s chest just a bunch of muscles? He says he doesn’t feel the cold even in winter! Plus, you know…”

Qing scratched her head.

Oh, Uncle Yu isn’t a big softy but rather a part of the Zhuge clan.

By the way, to be overshadowed by pectorals like that…

I feel a bit sorry for the nameless Kim Yang-geomhwa.

Of course, Qing’s experience was that having more was a hassle.

Every day, her shoulders would get tense, and it was uncomfortable no matter what position she slept in. Plus, if it was hot, she would sweat, making it even worse. So honestly, there weren’t any advantages.

Even if that discomfort disappeared after her transformation.

Still, that would be a big issue as a warrior.

Seeing below was limited, making her vulnerable and restricting the range of her swinging arms.

Last time, she got half her body sliced off, so why would she want to take attacks unnecessarily?

She ended up with three serious weaknesses as a warrior, not just one.

Of course, the super-powerful Seomun Qing still held strong despite that.

Yet, she wasn’t jealous of Kim Yang-geomhwa.

But why was she feeling that way?

Well, it’s my proud chest—

Hmm…? Why am I proud of it?

What’s the point of having one anyway…?

Thinking any further felt wrong.

Qing hurriedly blurted out something.

“But hey, how do you even know that your sister doesn’t have a chest? You’re not just eavesdropping, are you?”

“No, I saw it when we took a bath together during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Mid-Autumn Festival roughly translates to Chuseok, a holiday.

But taking a bath during Chuseok… Qing couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Taking a bath for the holiday? It’s not like you go to the bathhouse to scrub up for every holiday. But for the Mid-Autumn Festival? What about the Spring Festival?”

Spring Festival roughly translates to Lunar New Year.

“It’s not that, I was just asking why my sister, being a woman, has no chest and is flat like a guy, and she got mad, and after that, she stopped bathing with me…”

“Wow, you really hit the nail on the head with that one about your sister’s chest.”

“So, I can’t say anything to her. If I bring it up, she’ll get really angry. I think that’s just too much. I mean, my sister doesn’t even have a chest…”

The kid puffed up her cheeks in discontent.

The one who’s too much isn’t your sister, it’s you.

But Qing found it amusing, so she kept her thoughts to herself.

Hmm. At this point, Qing concluded.

This kid just hasn’t learned to filter what to say and what not to. Just a curious little genius.

With all that curiosity, it’s only natural for someone like her to sneak about and eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.

She figured it out just because she’s smart.

Being a chatterbox is pretty much a hallmark of all little kids.

Once they start talking, they’ll share all their life stories until they’re hoarse.

In the end, Qing gave in to this kid.

But the child seemed genuinely nice…

Just looking at how he addressed his servants with utmost respect as a noble son from a prestigious family was proof of his pure character.

You can see it with Tang Nan-ah.

Whether it’s a servant or just a random old man passing by, he wouldn’t call out “Hey” or “You” but something like “Sir,” “Lady,” or maybe even more polite titles.

“If you can’t talk carelessly like that! Do you think your sister wouldn’t feel upset hearing that?”

“Oh. You’re right…”

“If someone spread rumors about you wetting your bed, would you feel good?”

“Ugh.”

The kid’s eyes wavered.

Qing felt certain.

This little one has indeed had an accident.

“I really don’t like that…”

“Exactly. Do you get what I’m saying?”

The child nodded vigorously.

Truly, he was a good kid…

Just understanding and being able to communicate made him one of the top-tier nice kids around.

As Qing’s stubborn posture relaxed again, Mo Yongjun pressed her again.

“So, when can I touch my sister’s chest? If I wander around too long, I’m going to get scolded…”

“Hey, you think I’m in charge of your sister’s chest? What am I, your laundry? You want to grope? You must be dreaming of becoming a little pervert. Just a tiny pervert in the making.”

“But you got a gold coin, right? Ah, whoa! I think the uncles are looking for me! The chest conversation is for another day!”

Only then did Qing realize that she still hadn’t returned the gold coin and that she hadn’t mentioned how disgusting it was to wish for a woman’s chest who isn’t even a lover.

Mo Yongjun rolled his tiny feet and smoothly soared into the air.

It was an impressive and astonishing display of flying skills not typical of a child.

Watching his quickly retreating figure, Qing shouted out.

“Hey, take the gold! Hey! Little pervert in the making!”

And just like that, a shiny yellow gold coin landed in Qing’s hand.

It was even a brand new one that didn’t smell of anyone’s hands.

Of course, whether clean or dirty, its value remained the same.

But it wasn’t something a beggar could casually use.

Besides, honestly, Qing wasn’t in a dire need for money.

She could just go to a pawn shop to put up the Moonlight Sword (No. 9), and everybody would know it was a famous sword, getting a hefty amount of gold coins in return.

At the pawn shop, she could give it back with a little extra later on. If she ran into an ‘uncle’ at Gaebong, she could just ask for it back with the voucher.

But a beggar eating out would be way more eye-catching than an elegant female warrior.

And the mentality of not being able to eat because of lack of money versus being able to feast whenever but just choosing not to were worlds apart.

“I really should return this…”

If she went to the Mo Yong Clan’s place and said, “I am Seomun Qing, a senior of the Dao,” she could definitely meet that little pervert again.

But why should I? Why me?

That kid will undoubtedly come back, given his tenacious nature.

Then I’ll return it.

And I might as well take this chance for some sex education.

If I let him be, a little pervert could definitely ruin that noble family’s image as he matures.

Qing sighed.

Thinking back, didn’t my master shed tears while applying radioactive harmful substances to his fists to guide me?

Thanks to that, I was reborn as a confident female martial artist of the orthodox sect. Ah, I miss my master.

Teaching children should properly happen within the family.

But it’s not my kid, so I can’t just sit back and watch that little scene.

Leading lost children is an adult’s duty.

So it was time for Qing to fulfill that duty.

You little brat, just wait and see when you come back.

Qing began her mental preparations like a dictatorial general.

Tonight’s dinner was a rare treat at Seoryang Banjeom.

Seoryang Banjeom always served generous portions, so it was great for a beggar.

Just say “Give me some sides for ten coins” and they’ll serve up heaps of stir-fried dishes they had prepared that day.

In reality, business wasn’t booming, so the taste was just average among eateries.

Instead, they bet on quantity, and it wasn’t a bad place either, neither excelling nor failing.

Especially their generosity with alcohol was remarkable.

Even if it was sour, they would give you a serving to use instead of vinegar in cooking.

Pouring a glass of stale liquor for customers was indeed a rarity seen at the street side.

One thing that worried her.

“Oh look, it’s the flower beggar again.”

The flower beggar was the term used to refer to Qing at Seoryang Banjeom.

In fact, Seoryang Banjeom wasn’t just kind to Qing because of their generous nature.

Once they served him food, he devoured it so delightfully (not just stating it, that’s literally the expression for eating) that it drew in a fair number of customers.

Because of this, they increasingly piled on the food they served him.

Totally clueless, Qing thought it was just because he was a regular that he was getting larger portions.

Qing knew nothing but the roads of a beggar.

“It’s getting a bit hot now.”

“Yeah, it’s totally spring during the day now. So, are you giving me a side this time?”

“Yeah, please do!”

“Wait, we shouldn’t be getting close…”

But, Qing didn’t act that way, nor did she want to bond too much with someone while pretending to be a beggar as she ran into familiar faces.

Maybe it’s better to hold off on visiting here for a while…

Hmm, pondering this made her feel weird.

It made her feel like she was some kind of fishy character.

For reference, in Qing’s hometown, there were introverted folks who would slip away quietly once they started being recognized by the staff.

Qing found it puzzling, thinking why not just exchange a few pleasantries rather than focus on banter with the staff since they wouldn’t chat non-stop.

But every person carries their burdens, and with varying weights.

When Jeomsoi brought over a tray, it held a heaped mix of barley, rice, and chaff, along with a variety of stir-fried vegetables, and a huge bowl of liquor—

Oh wow, they gave me two bowls!

Qing smiled.

She was enjoying a delightful feast while accompanying her drinks.

Suddenly, there was a loud commotion from inside.

Boom! Chaos erupted in the tavern as hurried footsteps approached.

Soon, customers began rushing out, some pale while others had smiles plastered on their faces.

The former were the shocked ones, while the latter were the ones used to the chaos typical in taverns, probably enjoying skipping out on their bills.

The sound of cutlery clashing echoed from the tavern.

Qing frowned.

What kind of lowlife would cause a ruckus in a supper joint not even meant for troubled times?

Out of curiosity, she thought she’d better hurry in to see.

Qing had learned the covert skills of the Black Shadow sect from the demonic field.

Skilled enough to hide beneath a one-person table, she could observe undetected, even by a young girl like Jeomsoi, who was crouched behind a long dining table.

“What on earth is happening?”

“Whoa! You scared me! Ah, is that you, flower beggar? Hmph, why are you back here? Don’t cause any unnecessary trouble.”

Jeomsoi inadvertently slipped back into her natural tone upon seeing Qing as she became startled.

“Isn’t watching a fight the most entertaining thing?”

“Fights have their levels as well. Why would we care to see the petty brawls among thugs? It’s the fights between martial artists that we should watch, right?”

She meant brawls were trivial compared to actual martial fights.

Qing nodded in agreement.

“To me, one thug is just like another. Hmmm… so what’s going on here?”

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