Chapter 326

The news from the Central Plain travels slow.

The fastest way to relay news is to send someone directly, while a less speedy method involves handing a letter to an acquaintance heading that way—beyond that, you might as well expect to wait ages.

Without a courier, news does spread, albeit like a game of telephone, where facts are confirmed only after someone rushes off to check, all the while taking their sweet time getting back.

So, the big organizations in the Central Plain have quite the headache.

News is just so slow.

What can the Martial Alliance do, really?

In the southeast, strange happenings are afoot, but we can only react once we hear news—if we ever do!

On a different note, it was decreed in the Martial World Tournament that the righteous sects in the southeast must be assisted.

The plan is to send renowned cultivators from famous clans to stay in those regions, and this was decided in a meeting.

Just having these renowned cultivators in the southeast creates a massive burden for the local gangsters.

After all, these gangster sects are just a bunch of ragtag ruffians without any real tradition or history.

To put it bluntly, they’re like a club that accidentally stumbled upon some top-tier martial arts—just a rowdy crew, really.

Even if they claim to have some local influence, they’re still no match for the major powers.

When word spreads about the famous cultivators showing up, they’ll have no choice but to act cautiously and watch their backs.

On the upside, the Martial Alliance also gets to bask in some glory from this.

With the top-notch disciples from the most renowned orthodox sects stepping forward, it’s a major treat for the local sects.

When a local sect had to choose between a battle squad or a renowned cultivator, they’d obviously go for the latter.

It’s not like local sects are in a position to treat a large group without feeling the pinch.

But two or so renowned cultivators? That’s hardly a burden; it’s all about connections! A golden opportunity!

So, win-win for the Martial Alliance and the local sects.

We should definitely hear from those renowned cultivators about this, though.

Although, let’s be real—if they share their opinions, the elders will dismiss them, thinking they’ll just enjoy themselves and have a grand time while militarily missing the point. No way will any cultivator speak up!

But from the gangster group’s perspective, it’s just absurd.

While they don’t have the slightest desire to mess with the renowned cultivators, it’s a different story if it turns into a mutual destruction scenario.

Do we look that silly to them?

Well, we sure do.

Peace has lasted a while, and those gangsters have taken liberties. They must think they can get away with anything.

Most historical tragedies occur because someone’s too relaxed and careless.

Humans, however, are foolish creatures who only realize their negligence after tragedy strikes.

Anyway.

For these reasons, it was decided to send renowned cultivators from famous clans to the southeast.

Sama Chun-bong, the vice-military officer of the Martial Alliance, took charge of compiling the dispatch list, writing down names with flourish.

It might look slapdash, but rest assured, he never does things half-heartedly.

He considers each cultivator’s power, rank in their sect, ease of travel, compatibility with the local sects, and their ability to handle unexpected situations—all the necessary info pops into his head for the best assignments.

Indeed, Sama Chun-bong has that ability.

But he’s quirky and strange, and with the personality of a featherweight, it’s no wonder people don’t take him seriously.

As he jotted down names, he suddenly paused.

Let me see, Seomun Qing, Young Lady Seomun.

We’re life-long rivals over the title of the most talented woman in the Martial World—not exactly enemies, more like “frenemies,” maybe?

Though, I must say, beauty is subjective and I, by a hair, have the upper hand.

Young Lady Seomun is slightly taller, but when sitting, I have the advantage in presence—and maybe even authority, at least from that angle.

Of course, if we consider physical attributes, back in the day, I would have lost and declared defeat. But now, thanks to my understanding of “talent bags,” I claim victory!

Strategic intellect? Clearly, my victory. Plus, as proper offspring of the royal bloodline with a history as illustrious as the Divine Maiden Sect’s Sama clan, we can count that as victory as well.

Only my individual strength falls a bit short, but in the end, strategy wins—all in all, a win for me!

“Hehe, Young Lady Seomun. It seems you have a long way to go to catch up to this Sama Lang. Otherwise, you might drop out of this rivalry!”

If Qing had heard that, she would have turned pale.

There’s a fairness issue before even talking about victory and defeat.

I wouldn’t want to be stuck sharing a room with someone who talks to herself in the dark with sinister giggles—seriously, it’s a no-go!

At any rate, Sama Chun-bong sees her as merely a competitive pursuer.

“No, not a competitor. Since the competition’s unbalanced, I should call her a friendly stalker instead. But I can’t say I don’t enjoy being chased. That’s not bad at all.”

If the military head’s superiors were within earshot, they’d think she was off her rocker.

And if the junior members caught wind? They’d likely think she was off her rocker too.

That said, they only tolerate her because she’s good at her job and has a naturally kind disposition.

She’s quirky, but a loveable type—like a sister who’s just a little off her game.

Anyway, in a moment of reflection over her only rival, Chun-bong wrote down Qing’s name.

“Guanxi Province, Nanning, Gye-rim Sword Faction – Seomun Qing”

——

The daughter never fit in the Imperial Palace from the start.

Etiquette never stuck, and she couldn’t sit still, finding the formalities of the palace stifling and mind-numbing.

On the flip side, she was overly kind, petrified at the thought of scaring servants with just a single mistake, while she could read the room faster than anyone, growing tired of those who hid their true intentions behind sweet smiles.

Her behavior at the dining table was more like those scoundrels in the martial world—big gestures, laughter, the works.

If she were a man, her nature would certainly earn her praises for being manly; yet since she’s a woman, she gets scolded for not being feminine enough, and not a day passes without getting a thorough telling-off.

That must be a reason for her sickness.

The palace, her home, was nothing but a source of discomfort and constant strife, leaving the young lady with a worn-out heart.

Her condition worsened, and as her once lovely visage twisted into an unrecognizable mass, her awareness dwindled daily.

Then, it seemed she sensed something; with her last bit of consciousness, she desperately called for her mother, made a heartfelt declaration, and then passed out.

“Mom, please have just one more daughter. If you do, I’ll come back and be your daughter again. Thank you, I love you.”

And yet, that daughter returned.

Meeting in front of the grandest temple of the land, was this a sign of the Buddha’s help or perhaps the work of the immortals? One way or another, the divine seemed involved.

The empress’s affection was something that couldn’t be put into mere words.

As Qing slept with her head on her mother’s lap, she snored audibly.

It was so un-ladylike that tears nearly threatened to spill from the empress’s eyes.

That’s the thing.

The daughter who returned didn’t quite feel like a daughter.

Now she understood what that was about.

It was the small things: the gestures, the smiles, the tiniest of differences that made it feel off to her.

She made a vow again.

Didn’t she want to live as the Martial World’s lady knight, Seomun Qing?

Then that’s what she’d do.

The empress couldn’t ask the child to endure the same suffocating palace life that had been wrong for her in the first place.

But.

No matter how stifling and miserable the palace was, it was still a heavenly place above the clouds.

Even if free, being on the ground with the commoners didn’t mean any heavenly being could find joy amid such crowds.

Your heart would change too, before you knew it. You should prepare to return to your rightful position, your true place, whenever that time arises.

The empress’s gaze gleamed ominously.

After all, she was the empress, who navigated through the palace’s insidious power struggles, reigning as the mother of the entire realm.

But her fierce gaze faded, giving way to an expression of uncontrollable love and affection.

She gently stroked Qing’s hair.

Although the day of the ancestral offering ceremony that had been publicized had long passed, they’d soon have to part ways.

Why do happy times fly by so quickly?

It’s fine if I forget everything.

As long as you’re there, breathing, it’s a blessing above all. My daughter.

Such was the empress’s heartfelt wish. Just Qing breathing brought her immense joy—better than anything else.

If Qing had assaulted the empress in a fit of rage, she’d surely have laughed it off saying, “Oh, my dear little flower, your strikes are something to celebrate!”

Thus, there was no way Qing could face defeat or fall flat.

Moreover, as Princess Yeonsul became more like Qing, the stress in Qing’s mind mounted alarmingly.

Why is this Princess Yeonsul acting just like me? Is this world constructed by someone’s whim?

Or was the empress designed and arranged like this?

Designed? What even is this world? Where am I?

And who am I?

Yet there was no way to reject the empress.

During such a fraught time, she found herself clinging to her mother, the representative of all things warm and comforting, for support.

Plus, Qing had always been soft-hearted when it came to affection.

Even to Choi Riyong, who packed a ton of malice, or Gyeon Pohee, who was dumb enough to earn his wickedness, she was an absolute pushover.

And just like the situation with Gyeon Pohee, Qing found her very character buried deeper and deeper beneath the waves of her endless affection.

Her attitude toward her mother started to lose its formality, and soon arrived at the state where she didn’t even lift a finger to help.

At the dining table, she’d snuggle up close to her mother, resting her head on her lap, helplessly devouring whatever was offered—no, she was practically sprawled on her mother’s lap!

And here was a fully grown daughter, albeit in many ways a very big one, acting like a little child!

Nobody wanted to lift a finger—fed, clothed, washed, all like a spoiled baby having the time of her life.

In fact, Qing wasn’t unfamiliar with this experience.

Having acted as a servant back in the Martial World, she’s been through similar, though she had at least made the excuse of being physically incapacitated.

So, horrendous as it seemed, it was like playing the part of a servant herself!

Gyeon Pohee was definitely benefiting from this.

Suddenly thrust into being a half-sibling to a princess and gaining the empress herself as a direct mentor!

Qing’s descent into foolishness didn’t really hurt anyone.

The empress, too, was constantly in the happiest moments of her life as she cared for her daughter.

Thus, one could argue it was a twisted form of filial piety.

But it wasn’t like there were no victims at all.

Specifically, Jin Jangmyung, who had just lost her sister after returning from the long absence.

Yet, Qing did sense the disappointment and, while they practiced martial arts together, she made sure to spare at least a brief moment of fun—thank goodness for that!

If not, one could only imagine a rebel would spring forth from the Divine Maiden Sect, aiming her ire at the royal family!

And Seoliri? Well, she’s downright ruthless.

Seoliri reached sky-high levels of popularity among the Divine Maiden Sect disciples.

To be precise, perhaps it was more respect than popularity?

She spent every waking moment of the day meditating except when eating!

Since the Divine Maiden Sect accommodates anyone other than special guests in a communal sleeping quarters, the disciples swore she didn’t even sleep.

Of course, there’s a depth to meditation, and if you want to be precise, she was mostly just dozing off halfway.

Anyway, the sight of the mesmerizing woman with her stunning silver hair relentlessly training left a deep impression on the disciples of the Divine Maiden Sect.

How grueling that training must be, climbing the ranks to the top, when she was dripping in sweat! Wow, just wow.

Seeing such dedication inspired all who bore witness, spurring them on to train harder than ever before.

Good moments tend to fly by.

In those days of pretending to be a baby, Qing’s qi networks had all been restored.

Just as Master Ta Jeong said, her channels became more abundant and robust than before.

And just then, a dispatch from the Martial Alliance arrived as well.

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