Chapter 401

청 laughed, her voice filled with amusement.

“Why are you crawling out from under a woman’s bed like a little rat? Isn’t the color of lust a death sentence?”

“W-well, you see…”

As she looked down at the flustered Hammer, Qing added, “Answer me.”

Now that was truly a statement fitting of a strong man.

A man of strength has to convey his meaning with just one word, after all.

Overwhelmed by that force, Hammer dove straight into a headbutt.

“I’ve committed a grave sin!”

—-

Among the warriors of the Jin Gajang, some had particularly bright expressions.

They looked as light as a feather, like someone welcoming a new day with a joyfully shaken off burden.

Yet, the reason they felt so buoyant was that the previous night at the Umi Gae In Shrine, it had echoed with wails, no, screams.

The common folk, upon hearing those sounds, propagated the rumors with shining eyes and chapped lips.

“Did you hear those sounds at night? Do you know what it was? Spine-chilling, it was a truly horrifying scream that sounded like someone was dying! And do you know where I heard that from?”

*Cough*, my throat is a bit dry.

Ahh, refreshing. So, don’t pester me. That was directly from the Umi Gae In Shrine. The Civil Engineering Fairy had cast a curse. The innocent souls of the Jin Gajang turned into vengeful spirits and gathered.

Yes, a grand calamity. Just thinking back on it gives me goosebumps from that horrendous sound.

The Civil Engineering Fairy? I don’t know. A truly skilled shaman would surely appear alive instead.

Where else would there be such fascinating stories in the dull Central Plain?

Quickly buying drinks, those who heard the tales, saying, “Now it’s your turn to buy!” initiated discussions like, “Have you heard that story?”

There were plenty who hadn’t bought drinks and leaned in closer at others’ tables to eavesdrop on the free gossip.

In any case, it’s just standard that a rumor spreads across cities in the Central Plain within a day.

By the way, it’s curious that rumors don’t travel well beyond the city. Someone has to carry the rumor outside, and besides, the townsfolk aren’t super curious about someone else’s neighbor’s news, and it’s tricky for someone to tell it in an interesting way.

So, we had a Civil Engineering Fairy who was fond of the Yang He merchant, but before I go on, I should mention the Jin Gajang disaster. It’s…

Anyway, the author blazed with the curse between the Civil Engineering Fairy and the Jin Gajang.

So, who finally triumphed, the Civil Engineering Fairy or the curse, it’s common in the Central Plains for betting boards to pop up everywhere.

In this idle winter, when the idle people’s chatter reaches the Salwold Sect, it was only natural.

“What’s going on? Damn, summon Wang Woo, that little punk!”

As soon as the Salwold Sect leader Wang Woo arrived, the inkstone was flying through the air.

Should I dodge? Or just take it?

Wang Woo briefly contemplated but just shrank his neck in preparation for the shock.

A thin inkstone was no big deal to take a hit from, anyway.

*Crash!*

The inkstone is basically a container for holding water used to grind ink.

Naturally, since it was filled with water, the shattered inkstone sprayed water everywhere.

Following that, the Salwold Sect leader Lee Wang-chul unleashes his fury.

“You! What do you think you’re doing?! I told you I’d handle it myself! Just because you now hold the title of leader doesn’t mean you can get lazy! When did you start sending only the younger guys out and act like it’s none of your business?”

“I… I’m sorry.”

Wang Woo bowed his head.

Water dripped from his hair, trickling down his forehead right to the tip of his nose.

Although Wang Woo was regarded as a master, getting hit by an inkstone didn’t tear his tough scalp or anything, but it still felt repelling.

If there were a self-help book in the Central Plain, Lee Wang-chul probably wouldn’t be acting this way.

Prodding your subordinates in this manner will only yield resentment and rebellion, not sincere remorse.

Looking at Qing’s hometown, that’s crystal clear.

Many employees remain stuck in jobs they despise just to survive, and if imagining their frustrations could kill someone, they’d all have died over and over again by now.

So, Wang Woo felt quite displeased himself.

Ignoring the fact he disobeyed orders, this type of inquiry brought no benefit at all.

Damn, isn’t this a bit too much?

I lost seven younger brothers, and instead of consolation, I’m receiving this kind of disrespect.

Besides, didn’t my older brother know that I look out for that Hammer punk?

The faction of Bang Jeoksa had been growing lately.

In times like this, if a younger brother has lost his arm, shouldn’t I offer some words of comfort first?

“Calm down, Sect Leader. Surely the commander didn’t make the orders lightly, did he? Right, Commander Wang?”

“…That’s right.”

For a moment, Wang Woo glanced at Bang Jeoksa, surprised that the guy was siding with him, even if subtly under the pretense of supporting.

“Since you sent out seven and not a single one came back, it means the enemy was quite formidable, doesn’t it? Commander Wang could have also faced a tough fight. Of course, if you went yourself, that might be different. But if you are indeed experienced, why are you here safe instead?”

“Ha, I’d rather have gone and died instead! Get out! I don’t even want to look at you!”

Wang Woo felt wronged and furious.

After Commander Wang departed, Lee Wang-chul grabbed Bang Jeoksa.

“Listen here, Bang Jeoksa. Was that Civil Engineering Fairy truly that skilled? She’s not planning a revenge scheme from some clan or anything, is she?”

The saying that “Learning the hard way” entered the mind only after having meddled and failed.

“You should be careful in the Martial World…”

But Bang Jeoksa shook his head.

“More likely, the Jin Gajang was involved.”

“What? Do you mean to say the Jin Gajang has figured out our schemes?”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Of course, the Jin Gajang had probably suspected us already. With the evidence now at hand, what can they truly do? Don’t you realize, Sect Leader?”

“Hmm?”

“Wasn’t it a unilateral action by Commander Wang? Did the Sect Leader give an order? Or was it me?”

At that, Lee Wang-chul had a revelation.

“I see!”

It wasn’t his command.

Wang Woo acted on his own judgment and carried out the task.

“Passing this on to Commander Wang should suffice to resolve the matter. We might no longer use the curse, but we’ve already had a bit of fun, haven’t we?”

Then, Bang Jeoksa let out a chuckle.

“The Jin Gajang won’t retaliate anyway.”

“Why’s that?”

“The Jin Gajang doesn’t have any warriors. They only have about ten direct masters, right? If they engage directly, they’re definitely doomed.”

“Wouldn’t we be doomed too?”

“Well, the Gold Robbery Guild and Gwangju Seonbang have also teamed up, right? When the three eminent sects join forces, how can even the Jin Gaju, a master of the Realm of Transformation, stand a chance?”

“But if the Martial Alliance moves…”

“Then you’ll have to trust our Sado Sect. We’re counting on you very much, Sect Leader. Just look at how I’ve been dispatched to the Salwold Sect.”

Bang Jeoksa was sent from the Sado Sect.

Without that backing, despite being a capable strategist, there’s no way he could freely blend in without resistance.

No matter how much the Sect Leader tried to keep it low-key, in a weak state, trouble would always arise, but for someone backed by the Sado Sect, no one dared to act recklessly.

“You truly are like my prized strategist!”

“Ah, you flatter me.”

Zhang Liang, another renowned strategist from an ancient period, is often considered superior to Zhuge Liang, thus calling someone a “Zhang Liang” is the highest compliment a strategist can receive in the Central Plain.

“Damn, these guys are just sitting around.”

Behind the Zhangji Gate, Wang Woo gnashed his teeth.

It was pure luck that I overheard their plans; otherwise, I would have found myself at the mercy of the Jin.

This is why they say, be careful what you say during the day; the position of safety is uncertain when night falls.

—-

With the interrogation of the Sapa had come to an end, the Jin Gaju’s complexion was as pale as it could get.

What on earth am I looking at?

How is it, in this world, how could it be? I haven’t seen such a horrific sight in over fifty years.

My Cheonhwa-geom, how I thought it was an elegant and proper blade, how could it come to this?

The actions were so cruel and horrific that the Jin Gaju could barely catch his breath, only his lips moving.

At that, Qing smiled sweetly.

A truly lovely smile, but as the chief of the Zhengpai, he had to fulfill his role.

“Ahem, Cheonhwa-geom. A hot drink needs to be enjoyed hot. How would one drink it cold?”

“But cold tea has its own charm!”

“Cold tea is not real tea. You shouldn’t use actual tea leaves to make it cold.”

Although there is such a term as cold tea, strictly speaking it’s not made from actual tea.

You can only drink those things made from fruit syrup, boiled fruits, or fragrant flowers or roasted grains served cold.

Real tea brewed from tea leaves should never be consumed cold.

“Come on, it really is fine!”

“Ahem.”

Even the gentle Jin Gaju turned his head away, unable to bear it.

They say nobody is perfect in this world.

The wonderfully skilled and decent junior had such a ghastly quirk.

Or could it be that such horrifying flaws were necessary to give rise to someone as exceptional as the Divine Dragon?

Why has heaven bestowed such terrible tastes upon such a brilliant child?

The Jin Gaju sighed, blaming the heavens.

Regardless of that, Qing asked, “So, when the Martial Alliance’s support troops arrive, will you resolve the matter?”

“Hmm. Unfortunately, that can’t be done.”

Jin Jagang shook his head.

“But those Sapa punks killed innocent people and blamed the curse!”

At that, the Jin Gaju wore a wry smile.

“I was aware from the start that it was the Sapa’s scheme. Even if there are additional witnesses, nothing has changed; if anything, they’ll just cut off the tail and claim they acted on their own.”

The Jin Gaju explained to Qing.

It was exactly what he said in the notably vast Salwold Sect leader’s office; a head of a prominent family should be adept at such political maneuvers.

“Then we’ll just let them be? Those punks?”

The Jin Jagang glared in frustration at Qing, who seemed to be genuinely bothered.

It was quite commendable, seeing her genuinely angry as if it were her own problem.

If possible, he wouldn’t mind taking her as a daughter-in-law, but honestly, he felt embarrassed to pass her off with his sons, who were very mediocre.

It wouldn’t be appropriate for a senior like Yeong-gwang to adopt a disciple cherished like a daughter either.

“Since they won’t be able to interfere with reconstruction any longer, the Jin will regain its former strength eventually. They say vengeance is like a debt that never goes unpaid? When that time comes, I too will be in the vanguard and smash down those Sapa punks.”

As Qing recalled the interrogation of the Sapa punks.

Surely those Sapa punks have no notion of loyalty. There’s no such thing.

They were already riled up, and everything purported as verification reinstated the vengeance of the Jin.

Hmm, that was quite entertaining.

I didn’t see it that way before, but the Jin people were quite tough too.

However, Qing still felt unsatisfied.

Seeing that expression, Jin Jagang smiled.

The vigor of youth, seen through the eyes of an old man, was indeed dazzling.

“When the Martial Alliance’s support troops arrive, we could engage in an offensive. But that would mean the Martial Alliance warriors would incur losses, wouldn’t it? We can’t demand the blood of the Martial Alliance’s promising young talents just to satisfy Jin’s grievances.”

Now that was truly a commendable statement.

Smashing those Sapa punks was indeed a glorious sight, but if a real war broke out, there would inevitably be injuries and deaths.

But who is Qing?

When it comes to tormenting villains, she is the most diligent and ruthless evil woman in the world.

“Lord, how about we refrain from attacking? I have an idea…”

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