Chapter 301

The city has mostly been restored.

Of course, many lives were lost, so it will never be the same as before.

Still, the fact that such significant flood damage was repaired in just a month is indeed a remarkable history.

Naturally, the tireless efforts of the heavenly maiden, who seemed to fly around like a person who doesn’t know the meaning of laziness, played a huge role.

With the heavenly maiden working, there was no time to relax, so, well, she’s divine and all, but couldn’t she take it a bit easier?

So, within a month, most of the ruins had vanished, and haphazardly rebuilt houses were taking shape, making the sweat and blood shed over that month a solid source of pride for the people of Naknyeong.

“Ugh, what the heck? Just when I thought I could study in peace. Where are you going?”

“Uh, elder? I’m not originally a physician—”

“Tsk. If you’ve learned medicine and taken care of patients, then you’re a physician. Here, hold this and memorize it in your spare time. I’ll ask you later if you’ve memorized it all.”

“Wait, where’s the ‘later’ in all of this?”

“Hmph. Who knows what the future holds? An insightful girl like you seems to have a physiognomy that suggests we’ll meet again somewhere.”

The elder clicked his tongue and handed her the medical book.

In truth, though he didn’t say it, he was quite surprised by Qing’s speed in learning medicine.

Medical texts are filled with difficult terminology, and one would expect to stumble over something and have to ask questions.

Yet, she never asked a single thing, and when he tossed in questions out of curiosity, she always had a ready answer.

Unknown to the elder was the fact that Qing was already a master of human anatomy, renowned in the martial world.

She had a solid understanding of how the human body was structured, how muscles and tendons ran, how the organs were shaped and fitted together, making her comprehension of the medical text a hundredfold better.

Of course, the elder, who was unaware of this, thought she was exceptionally talented and figured he ought to at least give her a medical book.

If she had been a boy, he would have nurtured her properly into a full-fledged physician, but it seemed heaven had been careless, letting her be born a girl.

No matter how skilled a female might be in medicine, she’s still only a physician, and a single physician can’t truly become the real deal.

As a result, the elder suddenly became an average male in the martial world, but what can one do about such societal perceptions?

Even so, for an old man who had been set in his ways for so long, praising her for suddenly handing over the medical book was practically worthy of admiration.

If it were Seomun Sulin, she would have thought about this and ended up pulling out all her beard hair, but Qing had no such thoughts.

She simply learned from the venerable elder who had lived his life helping others.

Eventually, she got swept up in the atmosphere and found herself becoming something akin to a physician apprentice, even though she was originally a warrior, not a physician.

“Everything is fine and dandy, but you should let go of the need for recognition. You always have to bring attention to everything. Do I really have to elevate my name every time I help out?”

“Ah! You see, I have my reasons.”

That was actually a phrase Qing had become quite accustomed to saying while helping out with public works or attending to patients.

“I, Seomun Qing, am at your service! I, Seomun Qing, am here to take your pulse! I, Seomun Qing, built this house, unit one, unit two, unit three….”

But actually, it wasn’t entirely a matter of seeking attention.

It was because she had truly missed out on catching a few bandits.

It would have been great if she hadn’t let a single one escape, but with all the swarming flies buzzing around, one hand simply couldn’t manage it all.

That worthless beggar was just busy getting beaten up by the bugs instead of lending a hand.

On top of that, she had left behind the Young Master’s corpse, which would surely lead the Green Forest or whoever to come back seeking revenge, a future that was already predetermined.

So, she publicly proclaimed her name, making it known that the enemy was right here, telling everyone not to harass innocent folks.

Had Qing known more about the Green Forest, she would have at least hidden the corpses somewhere like a cliff.

However, she simply couldn’t comprehend that an officially recognized bandit organization existed in the world.

Besides, the bandits Qing encountered were all those ridiculous types who vanished like magic whenever they appeared.

Honestly, she’d underestimated them.

If the bandit dudes were to raise a ruckus seeking revenge, wouldn’t that just mean the people they were after would come rolling in on their own?

It was pure luck for her, getting to kill off people while doing nothing, right?

But I guess I should just go around bragging that I shut down those who were about to go wild on innocent people.

Anyway, thanks to all this, nearly a faith-like devotion to the heavenly maiden was born in Naknyeong territory.

This was due to the tireless efforts of the Taecheong Sect members from the Heavenly Demon Sect, who were running about creating a ruckus.

From what I’ve heard, they’ve adopted a doctrine somewhat similar to the Maitreya faith, claiming that during the destruction of the world in some distant future, she will lead everyone into a new era, reflecting the twisted teachings of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

Though it wasn’t Qing’s intention, she ended up laying the cornerstone, a significant support, and a sturdy foothold for the wicked victory of the Demon Sect.

And as a result, her own merits had dramatically increased, hadn’t it?

Helping a nefarious plot while reaping benefits for herself; that makes her a cunning and ruthless girl, doesn’t it?

“Oh, Young Lady! When will I ever see such dazzling beauty again? I, Geoltaran, feel as if my very insides are being torn apart!”

“Ugh! A-anyway, thank you. Were you able to rest comfortably? Hmm? Did you have a good time?”

Thinking back, she really hadn’t found any peace at all.

Due to the flood, she had skipped out on some precious meals—

Not because she couldn’t eat, but because she simply wouldn’t.

Geoltaran insisted on hosting lavish banquets every single day, but Qing couldn’t bear to just feast alone in these times.

Instead, from the moment she awoke until she went to bed, she spent her days working on public projects, attending to patients, and looking after Seoliri, only to fall asleep late at night after reading through medical texts.

Of course, the bed was quite soft and luxurious, allowing her to sleep very well, given her tired body.

“Anyway, I appreciate how you treated me like royalty even though I suddenly appeared.”

“Huh! Uggh.”

It was the moment Geoltaran finally failed to hold back his tears.

“Wait, why are you crying again?”

“For this lowly person, such an undeserved honor… Tch, I’m just so grateful… so, so grateful…”

Geoltaran was all good and well, but he was just a bit off.

It had somehow become a month during which he would burst into tears every time she expressed gratitude, leading Qing to wonder if he was just inherently odd.

This concept of becoming accustomed to something is rather terrifying, as although he was certainly strange, she could brush it off thinking he was just always like that.

“Heh, huff. You’ll be staying in the Sun and Moon Bureau, you know.”

“Sun and Moon Bureau? Is that also related to the old man?”

Geoltaran presented the pre-prepared answer.

“Not at all! How could a sect work alone? Since the Taecheong Sect doesn’t yet have an independent distribution network, we made a contract with them, so it’s like sworn brothers. Therefore, you’ll be treated as a guest there!”

“Sounds good to me.”

Qing didn’t have much knowledge about the sect’s affairs.

She didn’t know anything else about the sect; she just figured the Sun and Moon Bureau was a close ally.

In fact, just the name “Sun and Moon Bureau” was incredibly blatant in suggesting ties to the Heavenly Demon Sect.

But Qing was oblivious.

She didn’t know the difference between the Heavenly Demon Sect, the Baehwa Sect, or the Taepyeongdo Myonggyo, not even showing curiosity.

As Qing set off, all the inhabitants of Naknyeong gathered to guard the path of the heavenly maiden.

The wagon had been replaced with one of exceptional quality, and among the tethered horses, one particularly familiar hindquarters caught her eye—it was that rip-roaring little guy.

Thus, Qing left the lands of Naknyeong.

Before the Heavenly Demon Sect officially raised the banner of invasion with their benevolent influence, the wagon business had already been their main focus, ensuring a notably cushioned ride.

And so, as Qing settled in, Seoliri casually took the seat beside her.

“Hey! Why did you come over here?”

Seoliri’s motive was quite simple.

It was mid-August.

The heat was at its peak, and Seoliri was among the worst of the heat-sensitive in the current Central Plains.

For someone from the Northern Sea, the warm days of the Central Plains felt like being trapped in a sauna compared to the relatively chilly weather back home.

But Qing’s hands were cold.

So, Seoliri would wipe her forehead, dripping with sweat, with Qing’s hands, wrap them around her wrists, and stick them to her neck, much like a princess using the Supreme Hand-to-Hand Combat to cool off.

However, if Seoliri was cold, then naturally, the sensation for Qing would be quite warm.

Qing was about to say something, but since she felt pity for how hot the girl must have been, she held her tongue.

Was this even a person or just an artificial waterfall dragged into the garden, considering how she was sweating profusely?

Honestly, if Qing tapped on her lightly, it would sound like a *plap!*

“Hey, if you’re that hot, just use the ice technique…”

“We need to be prepared for ambushes.”

“Pffft. The driver is from the Taecheong Sect, right? Just relax and use the ice technique.”

“No way.”

Qing promptly gave up on persuading her.

Seoliri was as stubborn as a mule.

Was she tired? No, Seoliri was the one struggling.

Even though she was suffering from the heat, she refused to use the ice technique to preserve her inner strength. Whatever.

For Qing, who didn’t really suffer much from the heat thanks to her own abilities, just opening a window and getting hit by the breeze felt warm.

Now that she thought about it, she was curious.

“Hey, why do you feel cool when you use the ice technique? The ice technique isn’t even what makes me cool!”

“It’s the Lamentable Skill.”

“The Lamentable Skill? How is that the name of a martial art?”

“Yep. Yup.”

Qing’s condescension was instinctual.

Seoliri had also grown used to this and accepted it as normal.

The Lamentable Skill was a survival technique of the Northern Sea residents.

And no joke; the ice halls were places simply uninhabitable for humans.

Even the people from the Northern Sea don’t live on the ice.

They dwell on solid ground during the frost, go down south when winter hits, and return when the weather warms up—it’s a continuous cycle.

However, the fools dwelling in the Frost Halls live on ice year-round.

This is a fundamental technique for the Northern Sea warriors, essential for enduring the cold.

Originally, it was not for cooling off, but to help maintain body temperature to avoid freezing to death.

In Qing’s hometown terms, it’s like placing a refrigerator in the Arctic, making the inside warmer than the outside.

“Hmm. Blue.”

At this, Seoliri looked directly at Qing.

“What are you talking about?”

Qing ignored her, choosing instead to brush her off.

“Just drop it.”

“But it sounds interesting…”

“Do you want me to tell you?”

“Eh? Can you tell me?”

“Probably.”

That was her not being sure.

“Probably? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ve learned it all.”

“Can you say that a bit more extended?”

Even the Northern Sea claimed its territory as the martial world, so it would be called the Northern Sea Martial World.

Hearing it made the citizens of the Central Plains chuckle in disbelief.

To simply claim oneself as a martial world just because a couple of clans were gathered was rather embarrassing, don’t you think?

In any case, besides the Ice Halls, there were multiple sects in the Northern Sea, and none of the sects went without practicing the Lamentable Skill.

So, it wasn’t strictly an Ice Hall skill, nor was it exactly a Northern Sea technique.

Apart from the warmth-producing abilities, it was a rather mediocre skill in terms of martial arts.

In terms of inner strength, it barely builds any at all.

Regardless of how high your mastery is, the output of the ice techniques merely ends up being lukewarm, not showing their true power.

It was merely survival skill, a necessary basic education.

“Hmm. Then, teach me. Like, the breathing methods.”

“Yes. Yes.”

Seoliri willingly began explaining the Lamentable Skill’s secret techniques and breathing methods.

Following her instructions, Qing sat cross-legged—

“Could you take your hands off me for a moment? If it’s really hot, just use the Lamentable Skill for now.”

“No. Never.”

And thus, Qing successfully learned the Lamentable Skill!

With blue edges signaling no strain, she managed to bump her proficiency up to the point of feeling a tiny bit of inner strength comfortably settling in her Dantian.

Considering her skills were supposed to be terrible, it seemed to verify reality.

Qing tested her True Energy.

Although, thanks to her ability, her entire body was already naturally well cultivated, with every bit of channeling in place, everything was sufficiently developed.

Furthermore, even if her True Energy was lacking, she could supplement it with the jade maiden and the ice celestial method, swiftly elevating her output.

It was like having a human air conditioner, cool air flowing all over her body!

“Hah…”

A relieved sigh escaped her lips, arising from pure refreshment.

In the peak of August heat, being suddenly hit with a cold breeze under her clothes was enough to make anyone squirm.

The instant the chilled air seeped in, oh my god, she could swear those words felt like it would literally give her chills…

And someone else was flinching too.

“Hah…”

Seoliri stuck closely beside Qing.

Soaked and burning hot, she felt as if she could explode.

Qing’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“Can’t you just use the ice technique too? I’m boiling over here!”

“No way.”

“Why not? Ugh, why? What are you keeping your inner strength for?”

“I’ll protect you next time.”

That’s what she said.

Of course, it was an emotional response.

She was going through thick and thin to keep her inner strength intact just to protect Qing.

It was a touching thing to hear, but…

Realistically, with her current prowess, she couldn’t do much protection, could she? But still, the heart was where it counted.

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