Chapter 28

Jagwi is a port. A port city.

You might wonder what a port city is doing by a river, but the Yangtze River accounts for a third of the total shipping volume of the Central Plain.

However, just because a city is on the Yangtze doesn’t mean it necessarily thrives on commerce.

Jagwi was exactly that case.

It had a pretty lackluster road network, and more importantly, was close to Yichang.

Yichang had a major road leading to Chongqing.

So where the road met the water, development flourished.

But given the massive natural barriers of the martial world, there was no reason for travelers to stop in Jagwi.

This martial world is known as the most beautiful site among the three gorges on the Yangtze.

So, Jagwi, positioned at the entrance to the martial world, was popular with tourists.

In other words, Qing was stuck at the tavern waiting to see if any travelers would pass by, which didn’t sound like much fun.

In fact, if she wanted to join a caravan, she could just stop by the local office of that caravan.

With someone like Qing, she would be treated like a VIP, rising to bow the moment she entered.

Even without a smile, she’d have people offering to carry her around.

Of course, they’d be burdened with a nickname like “The Odd Woman on Her Back.”

That meant a strange woman riding on one’s back.

But Qing didn’t know this fact at all.

She was completely oblivious.

She never even bothered to find out.

If she knew, she could have used it to her advantage, but she simply wasn’t looking for it.

Anyway, in Qing’s mind, the tavern was a place to meet people.

It sounds absurd, but in a way, it wasn’t entirely wrong either.

While Qing propped her chin on her hand and watched travelers pass by in the tavern, a young man appeared, suddenly flashing a bright smile.

A dazzling smile, to be sure.

“Well, well, here’s a flower with no owner blooming in the middle of nowhere.”

Qing looked around.

The tavern was actually quite deserted, with the few patrons looking either ordinary or worse.

Travelers, being typically well-off, would have their meals at restaurants, tea at tea houses, and alcohol at pubs.

In such a touristy town, the tavern served only the likes of wanderers like Qing or those a bit less fortunate.

There didn’t seem to be any suitable “flowers” around.

Feeling doubtful, Qing pointed at herself with her finger.

The young man winked at her.

“Me? Seriously? Why?”

Qing was a bit astonished.

“I’m Cha Namjeong. Might I have the honor of hearing your precious name, lovely lady?”

Qing scrutinized Cha Namjeong closely.

Not for any specific reason.

-598, what’s this guy’s deal…?

Now that she thought about it, she had been patient for a long time.

Those moments of humiliation where she had to endure a barrage of insults without any way to counter…

But here came a guy just ripe for the taking!

Her fighting spirit rekindled.

Qing cracked a cold smile.

“Seomun Qing.”

“Oh! Lady Seomun! But it seems your companions are quite neglectful.”

“Why’s that?”

“Otherwise, how could they leave such a beautiful lady alone like this?”

“I have no companions.”

“Ah, I see. I suspected as much. No one would leave a celestial being in human form unattended.”

Look at this guy and his slick talk.

“What’s your name? Did you come alone?”

Oh, is this guy a bit too familiar with flattery?

Next up—how about grabbing a drink?

“So, what now?”

“Ha ha! You see, I have to head to Beijing because the Emperor has summoned me. I’ll be busy receiving official duties, so I just wanted a final bit of fresh air.”

“Hm.”

Qing was nonchalant.

So he’s saying he’s quite the official now?

Surprisingly, Qing’s thoughts matched the common sentiment.

Martial world folks tended to underestimate officials.

All thanks to the legendary Great Master Mucheondae.

“Actually, my father is the Inspector General for the Huibei Province. This arrangement was made possible thanks to his influence.”

What? This guy just casually boasts about getting a job through connections?

Is this the spirit of the great nation of China?

Surprisingly, Qing got it right!

This is the essence of Chinese history—connections matter!

A father’s connections are a son’s connections.

Even if it’s not the type of thing one should brag about out loud, it certainly was something to show off!

“So, I was thinking of going for a boat ride tonight, and I wondered if you would join me?”

“A boat ride, you say…?”

“Ah, it’s not one of those tiny rowboats you’re imagining. I mean a grand boat, as big as a palace, where we can enjoy fine dishes and drinks while appreciating the scenery of the Yangtze. If you could spare a bit of your time, I’d be deeply grateful!”

And finally, the call for a drink came forth.

But fine dishes and drinks? Sounds suspiciously like…blood.

Would turning it down mean losing half a lifetime?

Qing was all in.

“Well, actually, I’d like to ask a favor.”

“Oh! My lady! Thank you!”

“For what?”

“Then, I’ll send someone with a message; should I send them here to this tavern?”

Qing nodded.

“Yes, that works. Then.”

—-

Cha Namjeong had it too easy in life.

He was the treasured only son of Cha Sundan, the Inspector General of Huibei.

The Inspector General was a high-ranking official directly under the Emperor.

He had the enormous power to supervise provincial officials independently, so his authority was immense.

Moreover, being the sole heir of the prestigious Cha family made it even simpler.

Thus, from a young age, Cha Namjeong could get everything he wanted simply by whining and pointing.

That is the absolute worst way to raise a kid.

Cha Namjeong could have anything.

So, of course, he wanted what he couldn’t have.

What could that possibly be?

Right! How about forcibly taking a woman who said no!

That was the conclusion Cha Namjeong reached.

And after his first grand attempt, he got caught right away.

How skilled can a kid be at planning his first crime?

His dad, Cha Sundan, only said one thing.

“Boys will be boys.”

Thus, the infamous rapist was born.

Cha Sundan was actually wronged.

It’s a rite of passage for any boy to try and force someone who says no.

So he left it be, thinking God would take care of it.

But heaven showed no mercy.

Even the endlessly loving dad reached a point where he said, “Hey, that’s a bit too far.”

He even spent connections to secure a position just to curb his son’s awful hobby—thinking maybe some hardship would straighten him out.

Anyway, as with all crimes, they tend to get bolder over time.

Cha Namjeong was no exception, starting with easy targets.

First, he joked around with random girls, then it escalated to servant women, then pretty women.

And now he was eyeing beautiful female warriors.

Qing just happened to be unlucky enough to get noticed.

Or maybe it was a twisted fate knitted by the influence of Heaven’s Kill.

Qing had drawn attention simply because she was there.

Though she was dressed modestly, sitting in a tavern in a tourist town, that pretty much screamed “I’m poor.”

What kind of skills could a poor warrior possibly have?

She was pretty enough to be considered a beauty, though.

“Wow, did you see that? The moment she heard my name she melted! Wanna take bets on how she reacts when I drop my father’s name?”

Cha Namjeong was just messing around with his henchmen on deck.

“I’ll bet she’ll burst into tears.”

“I’m in on that!”

“Ugh, that’s so boring. She needs to start throwing a fit, maybe yell a bit for it to be any fun.”

What a convenient attitude.

“She’s a warrior, isn’t she? A warrior pretending to be tough is usually just as fierce as any guy, Young Master.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Cha Namjeong chuckled, puffing himself up.

It was almost time for his servant to come back with Qing.

Cha Namjeong licked his lips,

Oblivious to the disaster he was about to summon upon himself.

—-

“Oooh, what a boat!”

Qing exclaimed.

Cha Namjeong had said it wouldn’t be like a palace.

It was the size of a 20-person fishing boat, though.

In her working-class life, one had to at least ride on a ship like this once.

For something she was dragged into, this was surprisingly enjoyable.

Honestly, Qing viewed Central Plain civilization as being somewhere above primitive but below modern.

So even a boat this size seemed impressive.

She found it akin to the amazement of a child who received compliments for simple feats.

“Wow, there’s a boat! Wow, a three-story building! Wow, there’s a carriage!”

“Ancient China is amazing!”

A party-loving man from Central Plain came out to greet Qing.

“Lady Seomun, thank you for coming!”

“Not at all. I came here for a meal.”

“Ha ha! Please, come this way. Allow me to show off my prized boat.”

“Oooh, you’re the captain?”

“Ha ha! I hardly ever take this boat out, so it’s not really fair to call myself a captain. But a master is still a master.”

Once on deck, Qing gasped in surprise.

Before her lay a splendid sight she had never seen in her life.

A banquet of every possible delicacy spread out in a U-shape before her.

This kind of hospitality could wipe the slate clean of any past misdeeds.

What? This guy’s really stepping up his game!

Didn’t take long for that sly grin to return?

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