Chapter 268

사마춘봉 was putting on his best neutral face.

You know, having a poker face is a must for geniuses. Though honestly, he was just fooling himself into thinking he was doing a stellar job at it.

To Qing, it appeared that the already fierce expression on Sama Chun-bong’s face was getting even fiercer.

So, he was only inwardly pondering, ‘Wow, he looks kinda scary when he frowns. But did I do something wrong?’

I guess he was just frustrated because the nickname “Jinang Hyunhwa” took way too long to catch on?

But it seemed there was a different answer altogether.

“That girl hates being called Jinang Hyunhwa. She feels that the hulking mass that’s all wrapped up and hidden, known as the ‘Wisdom Pocket’, doesn’t suit her.”

Mo Yong Joo-hee chimed in with all the seriousness of a five-year-old.

“Whoa. You can’t say mean things! Use nice words. We agreed to be better people, right?”

After saying that, it felt like I had said something similar before. Oh wait, Mo Yong is just a little brat.

The sibling energy was practically identical.

Maybe thinking the same on being obedient got him a meek response.

“Ugh. Yes. I’ll do that, I will.”

“Aww, you’re so good.”

Qing patted Mo Yong Joo-hee on the head.

On the flip side, Qing couldn’t see the expression on Mo Yong Joo-hee’s face. She was perched on his lap with her chin resting on his shoulder, hence her view of the uninvited Sama Chun-bong was blocked.

But from Chun-bong’s perspective, he could see Mo Yong Joo-hee relax the moment she got her head patted.

At this sight, Jinang Hyunhwa couldn’t help but gasp in wonder.

“How in the world did you tame that fierce beast? Despite what this girl preaches about morality, the savage wouldn’t listen to a thing until you turned her into a docile creature…!”

Not that she kept her thoughts to herself, which is what makes Jinang Hyunhwa a genius.

Her point being neither beasts nor livestock ever really get treated as human, which showcases her exceptional intellect.

“What!? Beast? Livestock? This pig…!”

“Whoa, no mean words.”

“But she started it!”

“Just because your opponent acted that way doesn’t mean you have to stoop to their level, right? You promised to be better! And also, saying she started it? Mo Yong is no seven-year-old kid. She’s a grown woman for crying out loud!”

“Yes, yes! I was wrong, I was wrong!”

Mo Yong Joo-hee’s protest was both pitiful and childish, but Qing’s sweet voice—her whispers were so captivating that she just answered aimlessly.

That made her suddenly recall,

‘Didn’t they say an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? That the same pain should be inflicted down below? Oh, hmm…’

Caught in realizing Qing’s duality, Mo Yong Joo-hee was abruptly reminded of the bloody scene from before. Her gaze turned vacant, losing focus.

Yet, Qing was nowhere to be found, and Sama Chun-bong showed little interest.

He was more focused on something else.

“How is it that this beast-like, no, even beasts know to watch their steps around more capable creatures, yet you managed to tame something vile, something beneath that standard?”

“That ‘tamed’ descriptor seems a bit…”

“Then how exactly did you make this foolish woman so docile?”

“Isn’t that the same phrase?”

Even while saying that, Qing didn’t directly deny that she was less than a beast or foolish.

“Hmm. Hold on. A different term? That’s intriguing.”

Sama Chun-bong struck a pose that screamed, ‘I’m deep in thought!’ Folding his arms and stroking his chin.

“Enlightenment! How did you enlighten this ignorant and savage woman? Or correction would suffice.”

“Um… through trust, love, and patience?”

“Indeed! Excellent! I believe it. It seems young lady is indeed a genius. You must feel your precious time—a treasure, was it—was worth spending on such a task.”

Qing had seen all sorts of weird folks in the Central Plain, but Chun-bong was truly one of a kind.

Weirdo is about right since that’s what it means if you break down the characters!

“Er, what’s your reason for visiting…?”

“I just wanted to see if the rumored prodigy matched reality. I also had some questions if the rumors held any truth. I’d say I feel qualified to ask those questions.”

Jinang was indeed a strange individual, but there was a unique charm he carried to polish his vanity.

So, was he actually a nice guy?

“Well, it goes like this,”

Out of nowhere, the pumped-up rampage of Sama Chun-bong was suddenly quelled as he hunched his shoulders, lowering his voice.

“How come the Cheonhwa-geom displays that shameful flesh for everyone to see?”

“…Huh? Shameful flesh?”

“That’s just the milk production organ for feeding a baby, but due to size variations, it becomes a yardstick for unfair evaluations. It’s something inherently female.”

To this, Qing cut the lengthy explanation short.

“You mean breasts?”

“Yeah. How come Cheonhwa-geom walks around with such shameful things on display?”

“Me? When? I only expose them while I sleep!”

“Good grief, why are you making a dumb face like you’re some clueless offender? It’s not like you strut around naked, but the size is all too obvious! You cover your waist but still let the world know the size of Cheonhwa-geom!”

At which point, Chun-bong was gritting his teeth, listening to what felt like quite the suspicious muttering not too far away.

Should I let that slide? Since we were in conversation, Qing chose to keep quiet for now.

“I’m not trying to emphasize size. If I don’t dress properly, I look dull!”

“Well then, wouldn’t it be better to hide it like me? Didn’t you hear those people gossiping because of the size? Why should you be labeled just a woman with big breasts? Doesn’t anyone care about your achievements but simply brand you as the big-chested girl?”

That was the reason why Sama Chun-bong kept her chest bound. A genius who was the youngest commander-not-in-training and was bound to become the youngest Martial Alliance leader, didn’t want to be remembered solely for having well-endowed assets.

And even after years since she wrapped her bust, mockeries like Jinang and Samjeol persisted.

So, it’s no wonder she was eternally disgusted.

The fact was that in this world’s perception, a woman with bigger breasts was deemed vulgar, foolish, and obscene.

She could be a concubine but couldn’t be a legitimate wife, for then it would be an embarrassment!

One could avoid saying anything ugly to an unattractive woman, yet would click their tongue and say vulgar of a woman with large breasts!

So Qing answered back.

“Ah, who cares what they say? I just have to be proud. Besides, surely I can become famous for something other than breasts. Given I can’t change their size, I guess they’ll just have to settle for the fact that I’m not just a big-breasted girl, but a girl who happens to be big-breasted!”

At that moment, tufts of thunder struck Chun-bong’s head.

“Big-breasted girl…”

Sure, that was already something Chun-bong would readily agree with. Let’s just ignore those foolish, ignorant crowd’s remarks. My worth is not based on my breasts.

But for someone to change from just a big-breasted girl to a “girl who happens to be big-breasted” was pure revolutionary!

“Wait, wait a sec!”

Sama Chun-bong said that as he stumbled away.

Qing cocked his head in confusion.

What’s with her? But more important…

“Mo Yong? Do take care of those teeth, okay? Don’t grind them too hard. You’ve already got four less than usual, so treasure what’s left!”

“But, but that girl is really pushing my buttons. Total spoiled brat, that pig…!”

The noise of teeth grinding echoed again.

Qing sighed deeply.

Mo Yong Joo-hee jolted at the sound.

“Didn’t I tell you not to speak harshly?”

“Sorry, sorry! I just… I’m so envious of her…”

Mo Yong Joo-hee waved the white flag.

Then, suddenly, she asked slyly.

“But, um… if I say something mean… will I get punished? Will you punish me? If it’s real punishment, maybe I might be able to improve…?”

“Why? You want another peek at punishment? If you get hit again, your crowned head might grow a mountain on top, what then.”

“No more head smacks!”

“Well, real punishments should be the things you hate most—”

“Just, just not the head smack! That, that’s not okay, please!”

“Why not? What’s the big deal about a head smack?”

“Uh… that’s because… when they smack your head, it reminds me of when I got smacked. And I really can’t handle that!”

She was stumbling over her words, and it ultimately came out as a lament.

Qing was taken aback.

“Ah! I didn’t know that. Sorry for bringing up something painful like that. Ouch, that must’ve hurt! I must’ve been too insensitive.”

“No, no. So! If I say something mean, you’ll discipline me, right? I could be punished, right?”

“Mo Yong Joo-hee, you should start being cautious. We can’t learn by just getting punished like little kids. Plus, who am I to dare scold Mo Yong Joo-hee?”

“That’s why… I feel like it’ll be impossible for me to do this alone. If Lady Seomun helps me and if I need to be scolded, then… please, please give me a thorough scold…”

If she was that eager to ask, then maybe…

The determination to improve really was commendable.

Creak, this time, the timid sound of a door opening broke the air. Qing turned to see Sama Chun-bong coming back, now nicely dressed.

Wow! Oh my! What a tall mountain!

Hyunhwa had strength hidden! So much hidden strength!

But now she was free and bold!

They say ‘the mountain is tall!’ yet here below it, stands Hyunhwa!

And then came a great revelation.

Wow. I really like the big stuff.

Seeing it up-close feels empowering, wow.

Even without baring it like Bai He, her presence alone is enough to be stunning, wow, wow.

Qing’s jaw dropped in awe.

He looked almost like he had dislocated his jaw.

Then came the words.

“Hey, you pig!”

Mo Yong Joo-hee couldn’t shake her habit and hollered again.

It sounded a bit awkward because even Mo Yong seemed a little intimidated by that level of presence.

“Whoa, Mo Yong? You gonna be rude again?”

“Oops! I didn’t mean to! Then, uh, smack.”

Qing was in a dilemma, but then pinched Mo Yong Joo-hee’s side fat gently between his thumb and index finger.

“Ow! Wait a minute! But, uh, if it leaves a mark, people might see it; can you please spare a blind spot…?”

“Wow, you’re quite picky, Mo Yong.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

“You really want to apologize to Sama Chun-bong, right?”

“Um, Chun-bong… I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have said such harsh things…”

Sama Chun-bong’s expression didn’t look happy. She was originally a beauty, but now her expression was off.

“You were told not to call me by name, right?”

“Oh, Lady Seomun! What a village name! I can’t believe someone’s named ‘Chun-bong.’ How embarrassing!”

“Mo Yong Joo-hee, you’re not mocking people’s names, are you? You’re too old to be acting childish. Are you gonna get scolded again?”

“Oops! I did it again. But really, come on, Chun-bong does sound old-fashioned! Ow!”

She just mentioned it wasn’t a specific ‘blind spot’ at all.

Qing seized the opportunity to pinch a spot right above Mo Yong Joo-hee’s elbow, just a little more inward.

“But honestly, it’s just so clunky! Ow! I mean, calling it clunky is just plain awkward!”

It genuinely hurt when pinched above the elbow; Qing was quite familiar with it, whether it was back in high school or middle school with crazy teachers who did such things.

But even while she was in pain, she didn’t seem ready to yield her opinion.

Is the pain just not unbearable enough yet?

So Qing tried to squeeze a little harder.

“Eek! I was wrong! I was wrong! Sama Chun-bong, I’m sorry!”

Finally, Mo Yong Joo-hee yielded and apologized.

Seeing her, Sama Chun-bong seemed to smile with satisfaction.

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