Chapter 371

When the soldiers set fire, the geomancers predicted that a southeast wind might blow.

They cast their nets wide to avoid responsibility, but weather forecasting relies on statistics from the past, present, and future.

So, the geomancers’ opinions were based on numerous records showing that a southeast wind usually blew around this time of year.

Even Zhuge Liang in the past, when there was no wind and we were all doomed, calmly said, “The wind will come.”

Later analyses suggest that the Red Cliffs of that time originally experienced severe northwest winds before high probabilities of southeast winds emerged.

They must have observed certain weather signs, like rain clouds from the far south, low-flying insects, and fish flapping unusually, which gave them confidence.

If Zhuge Liang had been there instead of a geomancer, he would have confidently said, “Light the fire, I’ll summon rain clouds to fall tomorrow!”

Because of this, the sudden cheers from Qing woke me up early in the morning.

It sounded like our country scored a point in a national competition.

(Though such a thing could never happen.)

So, wondering what was going on, I opened the window and saw thick rain pouring down in the early winter.

Scientifically, it made sense.

Since summer was so hot, the southern seas hadn’t cooled down yet, leading to massive rain clouds forming in winter.

So, the rain clouds rode the southeast wind, mixing with the black smoke spewing from the fire demon, creating a hot, ash-filled fog that left me crying with my eyes stinging.

But Qing doesn’t know.

The primitive people of Central Plains were just as clueless about the principles of nature.

So, they merely cheered and expressed thanks for the heavy rain that would extinguish the fire demon.

“Thank you, Buddha! Thank you, Lord!”

And with the calamity on earth blocked by the heavens, this surely was due to the virtue of the Emperor!

Thus, from dawn, cheers burst forth despite the rain.

Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long, long live!

Live long, Emperor!

Your Majesty, may you live a thousand years!

Good things are undoubtedly the Emperor’s virtue and grace.

On the other hand, if something bad happens, it’s always the people’s fault; if we need to calm the people down, it’s simply because an evil woman has entered the royal family.

Qing snorted at the sound.

Long live is nothing to shout about.

After all, it was the guy who said to set the fire in the first place.

But what kind of human would that be?

This was a thought I’d tried not to entertain for a while.

If what the Empress said was right, he must be my biological father.

But from what Qing experienced in the martial world, there was no way he could be a decent human.

Even the Empress harbored a lot of resentment regarding this and had treated Princess Yeonsul terribly in the past.

Regardless, the state of the nation is a state of disarray.

At least it was clear that the common people were treated worse than dogs and pigs.

At least, dogs and pigs are raised livestock that aren’t slaughtered if they’re not needed.

If they can go around acting like bandits, killing and setting fires, then that’s just ridiculous.

But, well. What does that have to do with me?

After all, Qing is Qing.

I have no reason to wave a flag of rebellion saying I’ll punish a depraved Emperor, or to write ‘the foundation of the nation is the people!’ in blood, declaring “Our lives are solely for revolution, sign here, comrade, red thought is but a ghost!”

Why would a martial artist like Seomun Qing interfere with the affairs of high-ranking officials?

Jayu also looked outside the window.

Even in winter rain, he danced happily, raising his arms and chanting long live with the miserable folks.

Did they realize that the heavens had sent them the rain to extinguish the fire demon? 

But what difference would it make if they did?

To them, the Emperor is the heavens.

People can resent the skies, but if they are pushed to the edge, they can only seek the heavens for mercy.

This is why all the sages discussed the virtues a ruler should possess.

A capricious heaven only strikes down with lightning, burning the world, while the land overflows with tears and sorrow.

So must the poor souls grovel and beg for mercy?

“Well, aren’t they doing alright in the end?”

Suddenly, Qing’s words flicker in his mind.

He’d never dared to think of climbing the throne.

Although he had spread benevolence in Sichuan, that was merely an effort to avoid standing out, not from any sincere desire to improve their lives.

But those who foolishly thanked the heavens for wanting to kill him were just pitiful souls.

Suddenly, everything in the world flashes bright for a moment.

Thunder rumbles…!

A moment later, the thunder comes crashing in, resonating through the world, while Qing’s face falls back into shadow.

—-

Guanxi Province, Nanning, Gye-rim Sword Faction.

In fact, if anyone hears about the Gye-rim Sword Faction in Nanning, they would probably chuckle weakly.

This is because there’s a city called Guilin in Guangxi Province.

Guilin is famous for its beautiful cedar trees and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, boasting the richest history in the southern Central Plains region.

In ancient times, the primitive people couldn’t conquer the rugged mountains, swamps, and dense jungles, so Guilin was the only livable place in Guangxi Province.

However, once humans created paths for carriages and launched boats on waterways, they reached the hidden Yonggang Plains surrounded by tall mountains.

And thus, Nanning, the heart of Guangxi Province, was born.

The Gye-rim Sword Faction, as the name indicates, originally came from Guilin.

There is no record of why the Gye-rim Sword Faction abandoned Guilin and moved to Nanning.

But it’s not like scholars need to leave reasons behind just to know.

Relocating to a much larger and developed city like Nanning would be far more beneficial in terms of income and fame.

Success often means playing in bigger waters.

And so, they succeeded.

As the representative orthodox faction in Guangxi, the Gye-rim Sword Faction made its name known far and wide, so much so that everyone in the world has at least heard of them.

Of course, that’s still in Guangxi.

The provinces of Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan are actually seen as distant frontier zones by the people of the Central Plains.

So, even if they call themselves the best in Guangxi Province, it usually elicits remarks like “Wow, do people even live there? What about those barbarians?”

Still, they are the representative sect of a province.

The Gye-rim Sword Faction is proudly upholding justice in Guangxi today…or at least that would be nice to say.

In reality, as with all things, what goes up must come down, and no flower lasts for ten days.

They too will face their time of extinction.

And that time is just around the corner.

“Is there still no word from Cheonhwa-geom? When on earth will it arrive? I know the Martial Alliance is slow, but this is too much!”

A huge man with arms like tree trunks is venting his frustrations.

This is Brother Da, the Zhang Disciple of the Gye-rim Sword Faction.

“It should be arriving soon.”

The middle-aged man, unable to hide his gloomy expression, is Gang Su-yang, the Sect Leader of Gye-rim Sword Faction.

“Soon? When is ‘soon’? The Spring Festival is just around the corner, and if it arrives after the plaque is taken down, do you expect me to go back and tell the Martial Alliance that the Gye-rim Sword Faction has fallen?”

“We don’t know yet.”

“Ha! And what good will it do to arrive now! Everyone knows it’s the Sapa scoundrels pulling stunts, and is one Cheonhwa-geom supposed to scare them off? Or do you think just having one Supreme Martial Artist will overcome our disadvantage?”

The whole mess began a couple of months ago when a disciple of the Yoga Sect got into a spat.

Like a child throwing a tantrum, that sect had the audacity to stir up trouble, and before long, their disciples increased explosively, making them the biggest faction in Nanning.

Of course, it’s not hard to figure out that the Sado Sect and Sapa Sect were behind it; once the Yoga Sect raised the Sado Sect’s flag, two elite combat units suddenly moved in, and the Sapa’s masters also started shifting factions.

So, anticipating chaos, we decided to lay low.

But five days ago, one of our female disciples couldn’t take it anymore when she was about to be insulted and drew her sword, giving them the foothold they needed.

Thus came their final ultimatum.

By the end of this year, if we didn’t vacate the manor after the plaque was taken down, they would settle things in the way of the Martial World.

“Had Cheonhwa-geom arrived earlier, things wouldn’t have spiraled to this extent! No matter how bold the Sapa scoundrels are, they wouldn’t dare unsheathe their swords in front of the sacred dragon of the orthodox faction!”

There was some truth to Brother Da’s words.

If Cheonhwa-geom had stayed with the Gye-rim Sword Faction, the Yoga Sect likely wouldn’t have dared to provoke them.

Then, they could have asked Cheonhwa-geom to stay longer and resolve the situation by requesting martial artists from the Alliance.

But Qing was late.

Since the ultimatum had already been issued, delaying the resolution would imply that the Sado Sect was afraid of the Martial Alliance.

The face of the orthodox faction is that of a noble, while the face of the Sapa is that of a ferocious beast unbridled by fear.

So now, the Sado Sect couldn’t retreat either.

“Ahem.”

Sect Leader Gang Su-yang let out a groan.

While it seems like he’s upset with Brother Da for raising his voice, it’s actually just an expression of his inner frustrations.

Being a Sect Leader, he couldn’t vent his anger freely, so of course Brother Da had to rage on his behalf.

Just then…

“Leader! They’re back again!”

The report from outside made both the Sect Leader and Brother Da’s faces drop.

Bang! Screech, bang.

The door, hastily nailed together, tilted and crashed to the floor.

“Seriously, is the door that weak? Hah, could you at least get someone rougher to fix it?”

The rogue who kicked down the door reached into his money bag and scattered a handful of coins—

Not gold or silver, just coins.

Instantly, like a disturbed beehive, the Gye-rim Sword Faction’s disciples poured out.

Among them, the chief disciple, Woo Na-ram, pulled out a flexible sword and shouted,

“You! What are you doing?”

“You? Ha, what gives a lowly girl like you the right to call me names? Look at this! This despicable barbarian dares to point a sword at me!”

The rogue, now backed by a crowd, wasn’t about to engage with a sword-wielding barbarian but instead shot a sly smile.

Of course, one in four Guangxi natives recognized those being mocked as the Zhang ethnic group, causing anger to bubble in some.

“There’s no point trying to talk to a monkey! Go get your master!”

Woo Na-ram clenched his lips.

Just then…

“Why are you causing a ruckus in someone else’s manor?”

Brother Da, the Zhang Disciple, thundered in, stomping heavily enough that the ground trembles.

The rogue flinched for a moment, but quickly wiped the fear off his face and put on a sneaky grin.

“Someone else’s manor? I’m just checking out my own property. In two days, it’ll be my house, what’s wrong with scouting ahead?”

“Mind your words.”

Brother Da said, his face reddening, but despite wanting to draw his sword, he forcefully remained composed.

“Didn’t we send you an ultimatum to vacate the manor this year? Yet, despite spring festival being just two days away, I don’t see anyone packing up. If you leave quietly, you’ll at least preserve your life—must there be bloodshed for you to be satisfied?”

“That bastard!”

The chief disciple, Woo Na-ram, raised his sword.

Brother Da raised his arm to stop him, though he couldn’t contain his anger and clenched his teeth.

That arrogant punk must be Yo Min, the third son of the Yoga Sect leader, who was shoved away to fend for himself.

Of course, a son abandoned by his father would be utterly incompetent.

Thus, the disciples of the Gye-rim Sword Faction were filled with rage, their hands trembling, hearts pounding, yet they could only grit their teeth with no other recourse.

Meanwhile, Yo Min, oblivious to being shoved to die, puffed up, shoulders lifted, trying to act tough.

Just then, the disciples of the Gye-rim Sword Faction caught sight of someone behind Yo Min and lost focus.

-Lady, move aside. Is there some gathering? Oh? A feast? Wow, is it an early feast for the spring festival? What perfect timing!

-Don’t push, don’t push me!

-Whoa, I’m being pushed! What strength…!

The crowd began to buzz, when suddenly a woman bounced forth, pushing people aside.

“No more feasts! Dongpo Pork, boiled pork, bring it on!”

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