Chapter 189

She suddenly appeared out of nowhere, hurling insults like a beautiful lady with no filter.

Talk about a sense of chaos.

Qing decided to just watch for now.

At this moment, the newly arrived woman seemed like nothing more than a bad apple, but who knew—there might be some backstory between the two that Qing wasn’t aware of.

Perhaps it was an enemy family situation, or unresolved grudges from the past making them adversaries.

Or maybe Qing was just misinterpreting their interaction, and they were the closest of friends, exchanging vulgarities instead of greetings.

After all, some guys find that just by seeing each other’s faces, they can’t help but insult one another while joyfully bonding over it.

And it wasn’t just guys—women could build deeper friendships through playful insults like “you stupid girl”

And above all, it might actually be fun.

The situation was getting more interesting by the second.

As the woman, who strode in like a hurricane, approached, the women sitting at one of the three tables greeted her warmly.

Clearly, they were part of her crew.

As Qing scanned the area, he noticed a plate of fried snacks, known as Sachi-ma, being pulled in front of him. He wished there were fried cornflakes like the ones that looked like snow, but since they didn’t exist here, he’d have to settle for whatever available and enjoy the show.

“That Geomhwa girl…!”

Jin Seol was grinding her teeth next to him.

Then it suddenly hit him; isn’t Mo Yong Joo-hee the little sister of that brat from the Mo Yong Clan?

Qing accidentally caught a glance at the woman’s chest and tilted his head. Huh? It’s not like there’s nothing there…

It’s petite and modest, but definitely not absent altogether.

While Qing was lost in thought, Jin Seol fired back, her voice laced with anger.

“What’s the point of this?”

“Oh, what’s this! Bai He! Are you angry? Oh dear, I said I was sorry! It’s easy to misinterpret things, considering those outfits are mainly worn by shameless hussies who flaunt their bodies on the streets. I mistook you for one of them. I’m deeply sorry!”

Apologizing while throwing shade? Now that’s a talent!

If she got angry now, she’d just look petty; it was practically an invitation to vent some more!

Jin Seol’s earlobes turned a bright red as she struggled to keep her voice steady.

“Well, sure, anyone can make mistakes, but picking on perfectly fine clothing is a bit much.”

“Perfectly fine? Ah! You’re right. So it wasn’t the clothes after all. Just the other day, I saw courtesans who exposed their chest down to the solar plexus, so I probably misjudged you there. I really am sorry for the confusion, but let’s be real… oh, never mind.”

Wow, she’s smooth.

Qing was munching on the snacks with a racing heart.

So far, Jin Seol was on the losing end! Would she reverse her fortune?

Just then…

“But hey, who’s that next to you? I don’t recognize them…”

Mo Yong Joo-hee suddenly looked at Qing.

Though it was through a curtain, Qing was wearing the best quality fabric, so he could see outside freely.

As their eyes met but didn’t really connect, Mo Yong Joo-hee’s gaze drifted slightly lower.

“Oh my, who might you be? Is all the energy in your body concentrated in your dantian? Or perhaps you’re hiding something beneath those robes—oh, judging by that haggard look, young lady, you can’t hide those banquet snacks in your dress! But seriously, who are you?”

Qing couldn’t help but grinning.

What’s this now? Why all of a sudden direct it at me?

It wasn’t something about disguise that could be hidden by clothing; it was the overwhelming presence of evil one could sense from a distance.

However, Qing didn’t know about that part.

The mention of the dantian didn’t trouble him; he had more than enough prowess in martial arts to disregard such petty jealousy with sympathy.

But being called haggard? Now that hit home.

He was wearing the Divine Maiden Sect’s uniform.

“Oh, what did you just say?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. That wasn’t meant to offend, I just thought I’d give some advice. If you’re coming to the Dragon and Phoenix Association, you should at least dress appropriately. What kind of state is that? Who invited a sight like that? Bai He, was it you again?”

“How dare you be so rude!”

Gongson Yo-ye leapt up in protest, but Qing swiftly held her back.

At the same time, he grabbed Tang Nan-ah’s wrist.

“I’m fine, really. Don’t let the etiquette here suffer. And Nan-ah, hold those psychos in check.”

“But that crazy woman…”

“Enough.”

Qing gave a chilly smile.

“You, young lady? I’m sorry, could you speak a little louder? I can’t quite hear you.”

“Oh my, has your dantian not just swelled but your earlobes puffed up too? Can’t you hear what I’m saying?”

“It’s not that; normally, voices come from the chest, and if someone’s lacking in that region, I can barely make out anything they say. You’re moving your mouth so frantically that I think I might sense something, but, Jin Seol, can you hear her?”

Jin Seol snapped back into focus.

“No, I was just thinking it was surprisingly quiet.”

“See? Are you perhaps feeling drowsy, with all that yawning?”

“Huh? Do you know who you’re messing with?”

“Ah, right. I was in the middle of an entertaining conversation with Jin, would you like to listen? I heard of a market in the Central Plain and went to check it out.”

Qing continued, bantering away.

“They were selling these little pouches stuffed with cotton, so I asked what they were for, and, oh my, don’t be shocked. Apparently, they’re used by women without any chest to deceive people! Jin Seol, can you believe that?”

“Oh my goodness! Is that true!? I can’t believe it!”

“Right? Just how ridiculous is the existence of such useless items? A woman without a chest is basically the same as a eunuch, don’t you think?”

Suddenly, the mood turned hostile.

Mo Yong Joo-hee wasn’t the only one; the group of women gathered around her glowered with venomous glares.

Looks like that faction is definitely lacking in height.

“You little…”

“Oh my, why are you yawning with such a furious expression? And say, Jin Seol, who’s that scary-looking eunuch glaring at me? Can you introduce us?”

Jin Seol hesitated for a moment.

She had to respond well, but should she say she didn’t know or just introduce them obliviously?

There wasn’t much time to think, so Jin Seol decided to throw caution to the wind.

“Ah, that’s not a eunuch; that’s Mo Yong Joo-hee from the Mo Yong Clan!”

“Geomhwa! Oh, you’re that famous best female martial artist! No wonder you have such an advantageous figure for swordsmanship.”

“Advantageous figure?”

“With a body so light and slim, you can wield your sword without any hassle. Look at me, if I tried that, my chest would get stuck! Oh dear, it’s a shame to be born this way, I tell you.”

“Oh, it’s a great loss indeed.”

“So when I see someone endowed with a physique suitable for martial arts, I feel a pang as one swordsman to another. Well, if you’re a woman, you should genuinely have a bountiful amount.”

Qing injected more fuel to the fire,

Even the most intelligent muscular man, Je-gal Lee-hyun, couldn’t help but be astounded by the brutal tongue lashing.

Mo Yong Joo-hee’s face flushed a bright crimson.

“You! You! Are you done?!”

“If you’re going to talk to me, could you at least face me? Why are you turning your back while talking?”

“Huh? What’s that? Can’t you see me? Who’s got their back turned?”

“Oh, are you facing forward? I just thought it looked so flat and featureless from behind. But really, who could see that as the back? What kind of woman has such a flat back like a guy? Oh my! I see!”

Qing dipped his head slightly.

“I’m really sorry; I didn’t know you were dressed as a woman. You must have your reasons for pretending to be one. It’s just that I’m a bit slow on the uptake. So, you’re a disguised eunuch? Got it. I can just call you ‘young lady’ then?”

“Who’s dressing up as a woman?!”

“Right, you’re not dressed as a woman. All good. I’ll absolutely pretend I haven’t noticed, so feel free to rest easy. I have a heavy mouth just as heavy as my chest. It’s a lighthearted jab at anyone who can just insult people out of sheer frivolity; that’s the privilege of someone both light in body and spirit.”

Jin Seol’s composure was getting icy.

Wow, what a tongue that girl has.

If she started provoking and turning friends into enemies, it would be totally chaotic,

Poor Geomhwa would surely suffer.

But in truth, she wasn’t feeling too sorry for her.

What could she say? It was refreshing like sipping on iced fruit tea on a scorching summer day, and she was desperately trying to keep her lips from curling up in a smirk.

“You, you…”

“Hmm. Since you’re putting on a pretty good act, why not take it a step further? We could even stick a beehive to further enhance the look, getting stung might give them a swell! Or, oh wait. If bees seem troublesome, maybe just whack yourself a few times? Bruises make everything puff up, after all! Who’d care when it’s covered, right?”

“You…!”

“Ah! A fake chest! That’s what that merchant was selling! Not for women but for those who were pretending to be women! Surely everything in existence has reason and purpose, and that wasn’t a waste of creation.”

Mo Yong Joo-hee couldn’t respond, her fury reaching a boiling point as tears brimmed in her eyes.

“Could you please take my advice seriously? It’s said that when the Divine makes a person, they start with no gender, so to differentiate, they gave males the thing and females the chest. So, if you’re trying to imitate a woman, the size of the chest is a crucial affair…”

“Shut up! Can’t you stop yapping? Your mouth is a drain!”

“Oh my, say, should your mouth also stay muted? Since it’s perfectly normal for a woman to have a rounded chest, is it not equally reasonable for one’s mouth to also be unimpeded?”

“How can you jabber about breasts like that, making it sound like all women, so tragically unfair? I can’t stand those with huge chests to begin with!”

“Well, it’s not like it’s anyone’s fault that your chest is small, or totally absent for that matter. But isn’t it your fault to lash out at others just because you’re envious? Did you offend me on purpose, knowing who I am?”

“Hmph, it’s only some shabby uniform.”

“I’m Qing, and this is attire tailor-made for me by the greatest swordswoman, Seomun Sulin. By any chance, is there a little one from the Mo Yong Clan around here? What’s the distribution looking like? do you not greet your elders?”

As soon as Qing spoke, chairs across the room clattered as if in chaotic disarray.

“The Hyeongsan Sect’s San-hye peeks to meet you!”

“The Hyeongsan Sect’s San-young bows to you!”

“The Musan Sect’s Mu-rin pays respects!”

“The Cheng Wei Sect’s Ma Yu-ran greets you!”

“The Hyeongsan Sect’s Chang Yang salutes you!”

“Well, how can such ruthless kids be hanging around like this? How heart-wrenching would it be if the elders from our clan were to hear of this?”

“Oh, no!”

“That’s right, don’t linger in such an embarrassing place; go somewhere else. I have a terrible habit of forgetting faces, so if I don’t see you, I’ll forget you quickly.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

As the five hastily cleared out, concealing their faces, they bolted straight down the stairs.

And then Qing, with a smirk that asked what they would do next, crossed his arms, leaning sideways.

For reference, since stepping into the martial world, Qing never crossed his arms. It felt uncomfortable.

But he purposely crossed his arms, lifting them up from the solar plexus, presenting an imposing aura like a majestic mountain.