Chapter 183

Suddenly, the private room fell into silence.

After a brief moment, Qing tilted her head, and everyone started to chime in.

“It’s true that Gongson Yo-ye was rude, but the Gongson Family operates by principles, so it shouldn’t have been something that hurt her that much.”

“Right! Sister, we shouldn’t kill her or cripple her. And there’s that Zhu Long Biwu conference coming up, oh, you know that deadly weapons are forbidden there, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. I can get you a few stealthy poisons, just do it secretly, okay? What? Why?”

Qing squinted her eyes.

“What? How do you see people? I’m not asking because I want to harm her! I’m just trying to return her hairpiece.”

“Is there really a need to? Given that she denied it as hers, it’s not like she would thank you for giving it back.”

At this, Qing smiled awkwardly.

“No, Je-gal was talking about women’s underwear earlier.”

“Sister, if you say that, it makes me seem like a strange person, doesn’t it? Talking about women’s underwear, really?”

“What? Are you saying I lied? I definitely snatched off some woman’s underwear, and she said she didn’t know anything about it!”

“This is exactly the method of distorting the truth by editing parts….. Cutting off the subject makes it sound like it was something I did. Truly, Sister, you’re fearsome.”

“Knowing that, you’ve been acting up lately. Anyway, so Je-gal said when he returned the stolen underwear, he got slapped, right?”

“Can you please attach ‘Shintu’ to the subject?”

“Whatever, doesn’t really matter. Thinking about it, when ordinary women go through such an experience, whether they notice it or not, they’d probably just pretend it wasn’t theirs instead of slapping someone, right? Like, ‘That’s not my underwear, you know?’”

Because if they get angry, it’s basically confirming that the underwear is indeed theirs.

At that moment, a woman is no ordinary woman.

She becomes a woman with no underwear!

Qing thinks perhaps she’s reached the enlightenment of comfort, but that sense of liberation and being exposed in front of others is another matter.

“So, yeah. I thought I was being reckless.”

“But it was just a hairpiece, right? What’s the big deal about a woman having a hairpiece that made Qing Ah starve for two days?”

“That’s not for me to judge. If, let’s say, a drug came out of the mountain’s embrace…”

If the mountain got in a similar situation and the stolen item was a lewd bestial drug?

Then the women surrounding would say, “Wow, I can drink the lewd drug too. I’d want to drink it all up.”

If it came from Tang Nan-ah, everyone would think, “Of course, she’s from the Tang Family.”

But if the drug came from Je-gal?

He’d just be called a muscular creep.

Pointing fingers at a guy who has the body of a beast, the brain of a sage, and the heart of an animal.

“Sister? Why this nonsense….”

“Enough. Everyone has different situations, so San-i will lower her voice and shake her eyebrows and deny that it’s hers. Since it’s shameful, I shouldn’t rashly judge.”

If it wasn’t a hairpiece but something like a long phallic model, Qing wouldn’t have displayed it in front of others asking which one got stolen among golden, silver, or wooden?

But for Gongson Yo-ye, a hairpiece might be as shameful as that.

Having a good intention doesn’t excuse it.

Just like saying you didn’t know, that’s not an excuse either.

Anyway, that Gongson Yo-ye lady got furious and denied it even while leaving.

Yet her eyes on the ornament looked rather anxious, so it might be an item with a story.

“So, returning it is the right thing to do, huh.”

“Wow, Qing Ah, for real, your heart is—wow, how? Let me see your outfit, are there any stitches?”

When they say “Heaven’s clothing has no stitches,” it means the clothing of fairies or skill of that level.

Tang Nan-ah said that while hugging Qing tightly, her voice showing no attempt to hide how moved she was.

“Qing Ah is so kind. Her heart is beautiful, and her face is beautiful too.”

With such overt praise, Qing responded with an awkward smile.

“Nana, doesn’t your hand placement feel a bit odd? Usually, when hugging, you wouldn’t tighten your grip, right?”

“No? I hugged from the side; it’s a very natural arm position, isn’t it? That’s how we do it in Sichuan! Not strange at all!”

“It’s only when there’s a gap!”

Qing pulled Tang Nan-ah away.

She was trying her best to cling on, but how could she fight against Qing’s strength?

“So, where is Gongson young lady?”

“She’s staying at the guest hall of the Alliance.”

At that moment, Je-gal Lee-hyun butted in.

“Sister, just so you know, it’s not Gongson but Gong- young lady.”

“Oh, really? So her name is Son-yo-ye?”

“Yes. However, it’s better to call her Gongson young lady. She would want that too.”

“What’s that now?”

Then, Je-gal Lee-hyun took a deep breath.

A grand explanation began.

—-

The biggest flaw in Qing’s personality could be said to be careless and impulsive decisions.

And the greatest strength is her remarkable execution ability, moving without hesitation once she sets her mind to it.

And if you bundle those strengths and weaknesses together?

The good points vanish, leaving only the flaws double in size.

Typical of people who foolishly repeat things they could finish in one go two, three, or even four times.

“Hmm. How about you, San? Want to join? Since it’s rare that your face is covered. Won’t you get found out if you go?”

“Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.”

Pang Dae-san was unusually deep in thought.

It wasn’t a lie that covering his face for a few days was a whole new world; he’d realized to the extent that he felt uncomfortable while people in the Central Plains were living so comfortably.

So he decided to enjoy a few more days.

Pang Dae-san concluded.

“Let’s go together. I don’t know anyone at the Dragon and Phoenix Association meet, right?”

Pang Dae-san felt a bit flustered.

He was just trying to separate, but he unknowingly blurted it out.

“It’s not just for a day or two; I’ve been pretty carefree these days. Plus, with Je-gal and Nana around, there’s no need to push it.”

“Fine. Like they say, you’re a friendless loser, so why not try to make some friends? The only one you have is so unreliable that it feels like babysitting a kid playing at the river’s edge.”

Pang Dae-san explained and agreed.

That’s right. If he let this guy go to the Dragon and Phoenix Association undefended, who knows what trouble he’d cause.

For the peace of the orthodox martial world, it was an unavoidable decision.

So Qing, with her remarkable execution ability, rushed headlong toward the Martial Alliance.

Because Gongson Yo-ye was there.

It was as simple as why mountaineers climb mountains.

However, by the time it was around 3 PM at Shinhwa Oh-shin, a proper person from the Central Plain wouldn’t usually be at their lodging at this time.

Thus, they heard that she was at Changliang Tower for the Dragon and Phoenix Association gathering.

Changliang Tower happened to be in the opposite direction of where Qing was heading.

So they had to make another roundabout trip.

When they arrived at the Guest Hall of Changliang, it was packed with men to the brim.

This was not the image Qing had of a gathering of around seven people chatting away.

It was a sea of noise where everyone from seniors to juniors was gathering for a big event.

Because a majority of the martial sect’s prominent members were present for the major event, the crowd couldn’t help but be massive.

“Oh boy. This is the Blue Dragon Association gathering. Seems like the Phoenix Association is holding theirs elsewhere.”

The Dragon and Phoenix Association indicated the gathering of the Blue Dragon (men) and the Phoenix (women).

“Guess I came here for nothing. Since I haven’t revealed my face yet, I’ll quietly withdraw.”

Pang Dae-san, feeling that way, quietly slipped out.

Je-gal Lee-hyun went in to ask about the Phoenix Association gathering location, leaving only Qing and Tang Nan-ah to stand there, receiving the scorching gazes of the men who spotted beauties.

Specifically, it was Tang Nan-ah who garnered the attention.

That’s because Qing was wearing a veil.

At that moment, Qing spotted a familiar face and shouted.

“Ah, Swordmaster!”

“No way, that voice! Swordmaster! Is that really you?”

Namgoong Sin-jae jumped up, delighted to see Qing.

Hearing her voice, he seemed to recognize her, but there was only one person who would call Namgoong Sin-jae Swordmaster.

“No, Swordmaster. But what’s with the veil? Did you get a scar on your face? But don’t take it too hard; a scar on your face can be seen as a glorious medal for a swordsman, like you’ve gazed fiercely at your enemies to the end.”

“Hmm! Swordmaster! If you say that to a woman with a scar on her face, she might stab you with that sword you love! But, as a swordsman, you must ultimately become a sheath that hugs the blade. Not a spear or a halberd.”

“Indeed! No other weapon should dare take this life. I trust you; you are definitely the Swordmaster. This beautifully woven precious statement could only be made by you, the Swordmaster!”

“Yeah. Been keeping well?”

“Was there any particular issue for me? And you?”

“Recently, my heart’s been in two halves, see, here to here, and here to here making a cross-shaped scar.”

“Whoa! That’s cool! It’s a pity I can’t ask to see because it’s a heart-wrenching regret.”

The response was a half-mixed bag—part sensible, part nonsensical.

Though cool, it was something she wouldn’t ask to see due to its nature.

“Of course, I thought you’d appreciate it. Unfortunately, thanks to Nana’s good treatment, there aren’t any scars left.”

“Ah, so you mean the Tang young lady.”

“Heavenly Flower!” “Heavenly Flower!” “Heavenly Flower!”

The men, focused on the only woman in the group, called out her title as if they had made a pact.

It was a sharp chorus as if they had practiced beforehand.

Qing frowned through the veil.

What on earth was going on?

Was there a specific moment designated for that applause, like “One, two, three, now!”?

Namgoong Sin-jae continued the pleasantries.

“I didn’t get to greet you last time at the birthday feast because the young lady stuck with Oki-rin, so what did you say? ‘Because the husband is present, the wife cannot chat with her maternal relatives’?”

“Ahh! You’ve got the wrong person! I never said that! There are things that I can say and not say to a girl who hasn’t married yet!”

Tang Nan-ah blushed, boldly pretending innocence.

Hmm. I should probably ask Je-gal for a favor.

A collection of quotes from the Grand Elder when he celebrated his birthday, please.

Each line is amusing in its own way.

Then Qing and Namgoong Sin-jae crossed swords in greeting, tapping the edges together.

Usually, swords clashing between swordsmen has no significance, yet here it held a hundred times more insult, being a true display of friendship between those joined by blades.

“So, Swordmaster, what’s bringing you here?”

“Oh. Do you know where the Phoenix Association gathering is?”

“Oh. Right. The place was cramped, so they had to split up. The Phoenix Association is likely in Liangyun’s Tower.”

“Liangyun’s Tower. Huh. Why is Je-gal getting involved in this?”

Then Qing spotted Je-gal Lee-hyun, who was excitedly chatting away.

Of course, she realized it.

Since she wouldn’t take Je-gal to the gathering of women anyway, it’d be fine to let him talk freely.

Qing and Tang Nan-ah found themselves walking out of yet another disappointment, heading now to Liangyun’s Tower.

Had they sent a servant ahead to gather information, they could have gone directly, but now they found themselves on the third detour.

“Qing Ah, the Phoenix Association is war. Those ladies might drink together and be friendly like the Blue Dragon Association, but they’re actually backstabbing each other, snarking while secretly tormenting each other. You might not understand women’s circles, but it’s a horrendous and ruthless place.”

In essence, a newcomer like Tang Nan-ah was saying this to Qing, the eldest of the Divine Maiden Sect.

However, having seen Hwanhui Palace’s way of dealing with things, Qing felt a hint of skepticism.

Given it was Tang Nan-ah’s words, she found it hard to believe.

“So just trust me, Qing Ah. I’m the one ranked number one among the five flowers of martial arts, the Heavenly Flower Dou Nan-ah. Just stick by my side.”

“Hmm. If you say so.”

Of course, given Qing’s height, it made it pretty obvious that Tang Nan-ah had clung onto her.

And indeed, Tang Nan-ah was clinging on.

Thus, Qing entered the hall.

By Tang Nan-ah’s description, it was a brutal battlefield without swords, the den of foxes for the Phoenix Association.

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