Chapter 178

Qing arrived in Zhangyuan City for the first time and was taken aback.

Oki-rin’s presence is causing an imbalance between men and women, it’s only natural.

The numbers have decreased somewhat, but after all the chaos yesterday, I can’t help but wonder where this obsession comes from.

And what’s with everyone?

Qing tilted her head in confusion.

It was a peculiar sight that stood out.

How come two out of three women were wearing tattered and dirty clothes, with their hair wildly disheveled, looking like beggars?

Their clothes were ragged, yet their faces painted with thick makeup and lips colored bright; it felt like some bizarre trend had hit the Central Plains.

Yesterday, Oki-rin had announced his preference for dirty beggar girls, creating this beggar style.

In the Central Plains, trends are referred to as ~style (풍風).

The expression “a gale is blowing” originates from this very idea.

“A bunch of perfectly capable people pretending to be beggars? Just to impress some guy? How ridiculous.”

Qing’s ruthless evaluation as a ‘beggar’ was blunt.

After seeing these faux beggars, I could understand Pang Dae-san’s aversion to women.

Given the times, if women behave this way, they’d spin it as pure hearted affection, and it gets even more chaotic.

Qing had just heard that the Pang family had settled at Zhangyuan Daoist Gate, but she hadn’t known where that was.

However, she didn’t need a guide.

As she delicately stepped towards the direction bustling with female beggars, it became clear that the surroundings were packed with those same women.

Finally, she found a street filled with female beggars, swirling like they were under some curse.

Amidst the chaos stood a grand gate, with the name Zhangyuan Daoist Gate elegantly inscribed.

As Qing approached the gate, the women’s hostile glares pierced her.

But Qing was already a seasoned veteran around Oki-rin.

She was used to such fierce hostility.

Instead, as she puffed out her chest and squared her shoulders—what’s this? Why do I feel good?

What’s this pride? Get out of here.

Qing fell into a brief state of confusion.

The warrior at the gate seemed just as perplexed, standing there with mouth agape, expecting a fly to enter.

“…”

“Warrior?”

“Ah, Young Lady, do you have business at Zhangyuan Daoist Gate? If you’re a visitor, please write your name in the guestbook, and I’ll let you in.”

“I’m Seomun Qing, a disciple of the Divine Maiden Sect. Didn’t you receive advance notice?”

“Oh, you’re Young Lady Seomun! I heard you’d be visiting today!”

As Qing proceeded to enter Zhangyuan Daoist Gate, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the distance.

Having never seen anyone as tall as that in the Central Plains, it could only be Pang Choryeo.

“Is that you, Qing Ah? Wow, from way over here you’re shining like the sun, it’s definitely you. You look stunning today. I heard you were coming!”

“How have you been, Pang Young Lady?”

“Oh my, you’ve really blossomed into a celestial beauty!”

At that, Qing broke her lovely facade and grinned mischievously.

“Hehe. Doesn’t suit me, right?”

“No way! Even as fellow women, I could’ve been entranced. I thought you were one of the casual types, but I guess not?”

“That’s true. But my master is quite strict.”

“Oh, your master! By the way, Qing Ah? You’re calling me ‘Pang Young Lady’? How stiff! You know there’s a word ‘sister’?”

“Um, that feels really awkward. It just doesn’t roll off my tongue.”

Sister felt like a real stretch.

Since her uncle was so sensitive about it, she’d only called her ‘sister’ once, and the moment it left her lips, a chill ran down her spine, revealing a deep-seated, instinctual fear.

Qing’s expression spoke louder than words, and Pang Choryeo noticed her reluctance.

“Just call me Choryeo if it’s easier for you. The term Young Lady is too formal for our friendship. Come on, say it, Choryeo.”

“Okay, Choryeo. Got it.”

“But where did you put the Great Sword I gave you? You’re just holding that flimsy knife?”

“Well, it was too heavy and big, so I left it. I didn’t want to burden my frail attendant who’s serving me this time.”

“The Great Sword is great, but I guess it does have its minor inconveniences.”

Speaking of which, Pang Choryeo also had a narrow blade strapped to her waist, so the issue of portability seemed quite trivial.

“Ah, Qing Ah, I’ve heard the news. Sigh, our sweet Qing Ah has been working so hard.”

“What? Sun has gotten all blown up?”

“Well, he asked me for some help, so what could I do?”

Pang Choryeo explained further.

Perhaps concerned about the rumors, she suggested Qing stroll around with her since she would be pretending to be a beggar sister alongside her younger brother.

“Dad doesn’t know, so just pretend you don’t know. He’s a bit mad at the little rascal, but in a few days he’ll forget all about it. But, wait, were you two together yesterday?”

Pang Choryeo’s eyes sparkled.

Looks like Choryeo misunderstood the relationship between Sun and me.

Qing chuckled and quickly responded.

“Choryeo, Sun is just a friend. If I had any feelings, would Sun let it slide? He’d kick me out sounding all prim and proper. He’s my only male friend after all.”

“Hmm.”

“So, I was thinking, how about throwing Sun a ‘Congratulations on Losing Your Virginity’ party? His expression will be priceless!”

Seeing the sparkle in her eyes filled with a desire to tease, Pang Choryeo muttered.

“Ha, you rascal. You’ve signed up for a tough life…”

“Um, I won’t tease him that much…”

“Nope. You look too pretty to not poke fun at. You know, if it were a big family event, that would be one thing, but in someone else’s house? That might be a bit much. Come visit Pang Manor next year, and let’s throw a grand ‘One Year Anniversary’ party. What do you think?”

“Well, since it’s already a day late, waiting till next year sounds good.”

“Right? It’s a promise! You have to come! That will be on the twenty-fourth of April, so a week before, how about we say until the fifteenth of April?”

“Yes, Choryeo. The fifteenth of April.”

Pang Choryeo skillfully set up the promise.

Unbeknownst to Qing, who was oblivious to the trap, she nodded happily.

Then, heading to greet Lord Pang, wait? Isn’t it supposed to be the Lord of Zhangyuan Daoist Gate first?

Confused, Qing looked to Pang Choryeo, who clarified that since they were guests of the Pang family, greeting Lord Pang first was the right order.

Lord Pang Heon was a very jovial individual.

“Ah, my dear! Come in! My little bird has told me so much about you! It’s wonderful to see your face!”

“Father, how old do you think I am? Do you still call me a little bird? In front of guests, no less.”

“Haha! To this father, you will always be my little birdie, cute as can be! Isn’t that nice?”

Qing was thrown into confusion.

Is that little bird the same little bird?

Is the little bird of the Central Plains comparable to an eagle?

With no clue of Pang Choryeo’s childhood as her little bird, Qing couldn’t help but wonder if it was another type of bird altogether.

“Sigh, my child has gotten himself into trouble, and I’m left with no face. Although he’s always been a rascal, now I have no idea what he’s thinking, the young man’s always sulking.”

“Oh. I think I might know. Do you have a special nickname for Sun?”

Qing’s eyes glinted, hoping to find some good material to tease.

But it seemed like a dead end.

“Sun! How lovely! But the kid has no cute qualities to earn a nickname. You’d think he’d get a frown just thinking about his brows twitching. Ugh.”

“Pfft. I think I get what you’re implying.”

“You, my dear, are truly refined. Our family values are laid-back and rare, so seeing you like this is just wonderful! Truly wonderful!”

What’s continually so wonderful is beyond me, but I can tell he was gladly welcoming me.

Afterward, they exchanged polite conversation for a short while before preparing for a stroll.

Pang Choryeo cinched a large piece of fabric to shape it around her chest, draping a veil over her head.

While Qing merely marveled at how robust she seemed, Pang Dae-san nodded in satisfaction.

“What’s this, Sun? I looked like that?”

“Your older sister is just about an inch taller. But since you walk around standing up, if your chest is big, it’s going to look right in line. Now, can you just pull your shoulders down a little? Hmm, perfect.”

Indeed, once she hunched her broad shoulders, she looked nearly like a beggar.

After all, her defining features were the veil, height, and bosom, so it made sense.

“After a couple of laps, we’ll part ways, and then you’ll be leaving the city, putting an end to all this horrible gossip. You’ve got to attract a crowd.”

“Wait? Sun, you haven’t gone outside yet? The whole city is swarming with beggars. The women dressed as beggars also made a fuss to catch your eye.”

“……? You stayed here after seeing that? How much more embarrassing sight must there be to lose interest?”

Pang Dae-san’s surprise was understandable.

Without much to say, Qing merely encouraged him.

“Hang in there. I didn’t expect you to be so ruthless.”

“Damn it. I’m going crazy here.”

As Qing said that, she snapped her fingers.

“Then let’s see how far this goes, let’s play a game of barking like a dog.”

—-

The moment the three of them exited Zhangyuan Daoist Gate, a chorus of dismayed gasps erupted.

Oki-rin was flanked by women on both sides.

One was a once-in-a-century beauty, who seemed to be walking apart, while the one tightly clinging onto him was that very beggar woman from yesterday.

Although it felt strangely satisfying to see the gorgeous beauty being pushed away, that beggar was driving me insane.

The sound of gritting teeth continued to follow that lament.

And it wasn’t long before they waddled around the town, practically calling for attention.

Women with eyes as sharp as blades followed them like a vanquished mob.

Soon after circling once or twice,

“Lord Pang! How can you do this? How could you…”

One woman blocked their path, tears welling up in her eyes, laden with reproach.

Yet her beauty was remarkable.

With a petite face boasting refined features, her large expressive eyes could charm anyone—a true beauty.

A slender figure complemented by thin limbs, she snifflingly confronted the situation like a tragically fragile beauty.

“Young Lady Mo Yong, it seems I’ve upset you somehow. We’re merely strolling as lovers; could you please step aside?”

Qing instinctively scanned Mo Yong’s ample chest.

What’s this, she’s definitely got a presence!

Ah-Joon told me he only had one sister.

With that beauty, she must fit the ‘five beauties of the martial world,’ right?

“No, I can’t! How can you walk with women on either side while leaving me behind! This is too much! What exactly is lacking about me!”

“I’m afraid others might misunderstand. Young Lady Mo Yong and I aren’t tied by any strong bond, are we?”

“How can you say that…! The beauty beside you is preferable! How could you settle for this filthy beggar? A downright ugly girl!”

“Hey now. No matter what, is it right to insult someone face-to-face like that? I’ve never thought you looked like that.”

Pang Choryeo echoed in a somewhat mumbled tone, oblivious to the fact that Young Lady Mo Yong’s reputation was plummeting in front of all.

At that moment, Qing cleared her throat slightly, and the once-loud voice of Pang Dae-san lowered.

“Hm. Thinking about it, Young Lady Mo Yong does have a point. I dislike the filthiness, but with a height like that, there’s nothing else appealing about her except for nighttime activities. Ha!”

With that, Pang Dae-san flung his arm aside, causing Pang Choryeo’s dramatic tumble to fall flat on the ground pathetically.

“Gu, Lord? Didn’t you pledge to cherish her for life?”

“You better know your place. Did you think that a lowly girl could step foot in the noble Pang household?”

“Are you, flowing tears? So, you’re saying since my use is done, you no longer need me? After the way you franticly treated me last night, how could you—”

“Isn’t that what men do? Thinking about it, if you’re into beggars, there’s no point in dressing up a pretty girl. There’s absolutely no reason to hang out with a real beggar girl. Plus, seeing that filthy face, breakfast’s already been skipped in the morning. So just vanish, covered in that disgusting face.”

“That! Just you wait! I understand! I’ll tear this sleeve right now!”

As Pang Choryeo spun around, she gripped her shoulder and promptly ripped off the fabric, revealing her well-defined well-built arms.

“I couldn’t dare to wear a sleeveless dress because you complemented my looks, but for you, I wouldn’t think twice-”

“Hah, half the world is women. Do you really think you can change anything by dressing up? Just vanish. Quickly.”

With that, Pang Choryeo erupted into dramatic tears and rapidly dashed away.

The women in her path were knocked back by her muscular shoulder, almost flying away.

It was the perfect exit, like a charging hoard of beggar soldiers.

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