Chapter 256

There exists an astonishing figure in the uncivilized Central Plain that defies belief.

Sima Qian is the first and greatest historian of the Central Plain, rightfully claimed to be the most illustrious historian throughout all times and places.

Sima Qian has made grand achievements as the historian of an ancient super civilization, penning a massive account of history by one singular individual.

Despite this, he remained true to his role as a chronicler.

He vividly documented the lives of both the ruling class and the common folk while striving for objectivity, setting aside personal grievances and emotions as best he could.

Of course, he bore a profound grudge against Emperor Wu, who had rendered him a eunuch, but considering the grudge of a eunuch, it’s somewhat understandable.

This exemplifies his nobility as a chronicler; he is fundamentally different from the human refuse that ought to be burned away in Qing’s homeland.

After all, comparing a person to irredeemable, toxic waste is bound to show them as fundamentally different.

Anyway, this Sima Qian’s masterpiece is titled “Records of the Grand Historian,” or rather, it’s also known as “Taishigong’s Records,” which was lazily shortened to “Shiji” by the slovenly Central Plain folk due to its four-character length.

According to this “Shiji,” it’s said that a scholar dies for one who acknowledges him.

Thus, the favor felt by the ronin warriors toward Qing was no mere triviality expressible in just two characters.

A ronin is fundamentally a disposable asset.

In frontline battles, they were used as tools for analysis and trap breaches, the kind of disposable commodities that were part of the financial equation.

What? You’re injured? Just replace you with someone else.

What? You’re dying? Just replace you with someone else.

What? You died? Oh well. Just replace you with someone else.

Their treatment was pitiful, but their perception was even more disgraceful.

When employed, they’re called ronin; when idle, they’re mere bandits.

Although they act as if they’re inseparable friends who can’t live without each other, once they meet on the opposing side, they resort to blade fights, revealing themselves to be cold-hearted manipulators.

The bandit narrative isn’t entirely unfounded, but to the independent warriors who pride themselves on having lived with some degree of righteousness, it’s merely an unfair label.

Moreover, when fighting for money, if they pretend to quarrel with someone they know (which is typically how it’s done), then they’d face scorn for lacking camaraderie and integrity.

At that time, Qing appeared.

For the ronin, Qing did not deny her humble origins; instead, she comforted, encouraged, and affirmed them.

Their efforts to live honorably despite difficult origins were finally recognized.

This wasn’t just talk; it was a truth proven with her very life on the line.

It marked the first positive recognition in the lives of the ronin warriors, acknowledging that their struggles were not in vain.

Thus, the ronin, given the present sentiment, could have laid down their lives for Qing.

Of course, feelings might change in the face of death, so the future sentiment was uncertain.

So, the tales spun by the ronin reached a level equivalent to “Oh, let us all praise her!”.

Truly, the unworthy ronin were led astray by the nefarious schemes of the Blood Sect, resulting in their shameful abandonment, leading them to swallow solitude whole.

In this, the wise and illustrious Jo Hyun-ryang perceptively remarked, “Ah, how unfortunate it is that they couldn’t resist a moment’s temptation, but fret not, for I will resolve it all.”

Thus, he single-handedly tracked down the Blood Sect, driving them to the hidden shadows beneath the earth, swinging his sword once, separating the bones from the flesh of the Blood Sect’s warriors, and commanding them to die with such authority that they couldn’t help but end it all themselves.

Ultimately, he executed the malevolent leader of the Blood Sect (though the Blood Demon may be puzzled), exhibiting astonishing wisdom by eliminating solitude.

Meanwhile, in this story, Mo Yong Joo-hee was omitted entirely, primarily because the ronin had no knowledge of her whatsoever.

After all, these people had never even set foot underground.

Hearing the entire tale, Sama Chun-bong thought to himself, “How they claim to be ronin, yet they just spill lie after lie the moment they open their mouths.”

However, when he analyzed the truth with his keen intellect, the conclusion was that Qing assessed the situation and sought help from her master to resolve it.

If it’s the Best Female Martial Artist, then an independent faction of the Blood Sect, or even the Blood Demon, would be nothing more than worthless insect breeders.

This made Sama Chun-bong feel both a sense of crisis, with a powerful foe threatening the position of the next heavenly female genius, and excitement, for at last, there was a true rival for this prodigious beauty.

A rival is essential for a genius, as they are also the greatest understanding.

Finally, a great intellect capable of comprehending her emerged, distinctly different from the common populace of the world, bringing her immense joy.

Regrettably, being born in the same era as this great Sama Lang is a pity, but…

In any case, Sama Chun-bong hurriedly prepared a report to submit.

This report then reached the hands of the Martial Alliance’s owner, Jeong Hall leader Jo Hyun-ryang.

Then Jo Hyun-ryang exclaimed in admiration,

“Surely, Sulin has accomplished something remarkable. No, if she did it, she should speak up about it! Why keep such a noteworthy achievement quiet?”

“Was it not for the face of the alliance she did that? With the Martial World Tournament ongoing, she probably saw no good in letting the world know about the Blood Sect’s underhanded dealings.”

“Hmm.”

Jo Hyun-ryang replied briskly.

But unlike what the Chief General accepted, the “Hmm” here was not an affirmation but an outright denial.

The heavenly heroine couldn’t possibly be so modest.

Surely, she wouldn’t be one to consider the alliance’s dignity at all.

No doubt she would have paraded around saying, “Look, ultimately it’s women who accomplish great things! While the men just lounge about, see what I’ve done!” as per her usual manner.

However, Jo Hyun-ryang didn’t need to waste time contemplating what seemed odd.

“That? My disciple did that! Though just in case it was dangerous, I went down with her; in the end, some lackeys were chopped, so it wasn’t a big deal.”

“Is that so? Was it that child, Seomun Qing? The Blood Demon isn’t that easily dealt with, even if the combat unit isn’t on the front line.”

“Do you think I would lie about something like this?”

Jo Hyun-ryang nodded.

While the heavenly heroine was indeed merciless, she wouldn’t lie. She was, by nature, an exceedingly candid person.

“And worry not, for that Great Lord you mentioned is dead now. We’ve completely handled the matter.”

“The Great Lord too? You handled him, didn’t you?”

“No. I woke up to find my disciple had her head set right on him; it was the Blood Wheel Demon.”

Of course, she didn’t lie.

Seomun Sulin understood that the act of not lying itself was a significant weapon.

“The Blood Wheel Demon! So, you’re saying Seomun Qing beheaded the Blood Wheel Demon? Is that true?”

Seomun Sulin merely smiled without a word.

Jo Hyun-ryang snapped his fingers in realization.

“Good heavens! Brilliant, my dear! Truly, she is the Divine Dragon of the Martial World! But how did you raise such a child? I’ve seen her skills, and not only that, she’s polite with excellent character—ugh, I’m so jealous!”

“Did I raise her? She was always like that. I didn’t do anything special; it’s just her doing well.”

Despite Seomun Sulin’s modesty, her face brightened with pride.

Jo Hyun-ryang didn’t hide his envy in the least.

“How on earth did you cultivate such character? Please, if only you could help out a bit with the successor of the Jo clan!”

“Well, if I were to say anything, it would be the maternal love.”

Jo Hyun-ryang looked incredulous.

“You beat that child? The good little girl?”

“Wouldn’t it hurt my feelings as well? But every time she’d stray from the right path, I disciplined her thoroughly until the tears dried up.”

“Well. It seems discipline is indeed key…”

I must say, it’s a rather unfortunate moment for Jo Hak-che and Brother Jo.

“By the way, why haven’t we heard about such excellent news? With the downfall of the Blood Demon, doesn’t that eliminate a serious headache?”

“Don’t even mention it. My disciple is so tender-hearted; she’s worried about the ronin getting scorn for being associated with the Parasitic Sect. How on earth will they survive in this brutal martial world if they remain so soft-hearted? It’s a mountain of worries for her, truly a mountain.”

Seomun Sulin said with a bright smile.

“How can such a pure heart exist? Tsk.”

“Even if a warrior possesses a pure heart, does that count as praise?”

Seomun Sulin said this, appearing cheerful.

She was the brightest version of Seomun Sulin Jo Hyun-ryang had ever seen.

Jo Hyun-ryang sighed deeply, filled with longing, and finally said,

“Well. If that child feels that way, then it can’t be helped.”

Jo Hyun-ryang ordered to bury Qing’s sentiments. It’s very unfortunate to sacrifice the honor of defeating the Blood Sect all for a mere ronin, but that in itself can also be termed as collaboration.

However, things in the world don’t always align perfectly.

The issue at hand was the demonic faction.

“The Magic Dao Alliance announces:

There are too many parasites gnawing at the world.

Let’s highlight a representative—the Blackspots.

Look at the atrocities committed by these Blackspots.

They freely process stolen goods, so if something gets stolen and they sell it to the Blackspots, then that’s that. This has resulted in a surge of thieves throughout Central Plain.

In that case, what about the ruling class?

They engage openly in human trafficking, which is prohibited by national law, brazenly stealing precious lives to sell recklessly.

Indeed, even those cursed cannibals.

These abominable cannibalistic beings easily obtain human flesh while disguising their malevolent nature with the face of a gentleman.

Not to mention they sell potent poison carelessly, making everyday life filled with fatality, and they distribute flawed manuals on martial arts that lead brilliant talents to meet their end under the influence of toxic arts.

Truly, they are of no benefit, existing only to bring harm to the world as the wicked parasites they are.

The new Supreme Heavenly Demon commands: Make the world a better place where the virtuous are rewarded.

Thus, the Magic Dao Alliance shall do away with these parasites in accordance with the severe command.

To all the heroes of the martial world!

If you too hold a sense of righteousness, let us set aside our past grievances and stand united against our shared enemy, helping to rid this vile parasite together.

On behalf of the great Supreme Heavenly Demon.

A priest of the Divine Sect addresses the heroes of the martial world.”

“For inquiries about joining the Magic Dao Alliance, feel free to visit the headquarters in Nanjou, Gansu Province at any time. Even if you do not believe in the Divine Sect, even if you harbor monstrous feelings, we warmly welcome fellow martial artists with a commitment to follow the righteous path. Your participation is highly anticipated.”

“I said let’s wipe out those Blackspots! What kind of humiliation is this?”

Seomun Sulin protested.

The absolute masters of the orthodox martial world evaded the burning gaze she directed at them.

The proposal Seomun Sulin rolled out to eliminate the Blackspots was turned down by the vote, the most equitable method throughout human history.

And this led to the current situation.

“The things that the Martial Alliance had avoided doing, the demonic sect took the initiative to do, so what kind of shame could be worse than this?”

“Ahem.”

What had been the purpose of the Martial World Tournament?

Because of the demonic faction’s rise, a new force appeared that aimed to further solidify the unity of the orthodox martial world, didn’t it?

Yet now, the demonic sect has presented an incredibly moral justification and declared war, publicly humiliating the orthodox martial world’s dignity.

“Already murmurs were swirling, asking whether the demon sect has truly become benevolent or whether this new Heavenly Demon is indeed virtuous. What shall we do about it?”

“Ugh.”

Everyone had nothing to say, even if they had a hundred mouths.

Perhaps had they a thousand, they’d find a reply. How were we to know the demonic faction would emerge so brazenly?

This has spiraled into a genuine issue, as ignoring it would imply the orthodox martial world purposely abstains from treasuring righteousness.

Even if they joined the hunt, they would be reduced to mere supporters.

That would indeed spell defeat for Ji Seung-ju’s one victory in mind.

The Magic Dao Alliance successfully made a name for itself through this endeavor, gaining substantial perks via the newly established business of Blackspots.

Moreover, this allowed them to alleviate internal dissatisfaction by targeting an easier enemy, so it was truly a masterstroke.

While harbored dreams of unity through the Martial World Tournament, the leaders of the Martial Alliance faced dismal defeat.

At that moment, simply because it was advantageous, the Chief General Mubul Tongdal introduced a solution.

“Lady! I’m sorry to trouble you, but I believe the accomplishments of the Blood Sect’s elimination should be broadly announced. Is that permissible?”

“What now?”

“The Blood Sect’s elimination? What’s that about?”

“Why suddenly are the cursed ones coming out?”

The masters who were unaware of the situation began murmuring.

Sama Jong sought permission from Seomun Sulin with an imploring look, and she reluctantly nodded along.

Then, Sama Jong elucidated Qing’s collaboration.

“Ah, truly an auspicious sign for the Orthodox faction!”

“See? The very moment I glanced at her, I knew this child was a true hero. The Moonlit Divine Sword! How splendid a name that is.”

The leader of the Hwasan faction exclaimed with great excitement, while Great Master Muhak nodded in agreement.

Seomun Sulin’s lips lifted slightly in amusement.

“Given the current situation, the Martial Alliance should also engage in the elimination of the Blackspots. However, we simply can’t lag behind the demonic pricks; let’s announce the eradication of the Blood Sect to proclaim that the spirit of our sect remains vibrant in front of everyone.”

Ultimately, it’s all about honor.

Compared to the Blackspots, the Blood Sect is far more wicked, in fact, it’s a situation where it feels sorry for the Blackspots as the lesser evil, so to announce this achievement is a way to uphold the dignity of the orthodox martial world.

But Seomun Sulin shook her head.

“That’s not a good idea. If we declare so openly, the Blood Sect won’t stay quiet. Do you intend to let my disciple bear all the blame?”

“Then may I humbly ask if we can frame it as a secret operation of the Martial Alliance?”

“Cough.”

Seomun Sulin coughed uncomfortably.

There’s a clear difference between the rumors that her disciple merely beheaded the Blood Sect and the official stance of her claiming credit.

The former could slide, but with the latter, the Blood Sect would have to eliminate Qing for their own honor’s sake.

Yet, we can’t allow the entire dignity of the orthodox martial world to be trampled upon.

So what to do?

“Alas, it can’t be helped. Let’s proceed that way. But, since it’s my disciple’s wish, let’s exclude all mention of the ronin and the Parasitic Sect. I’m sure she’d approve of that.”

“Thank you for your decision.”

Seomun Sulin snorted dismissively.

“Don’t just say thank you. My disciple would feel wronged if you take the credit away; a reward should be in order.”

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