Chapter 433

Jin Jangmyung is flailing about.

But isn’t it Qing herself, the very embodiment of monstrous strength, who could even rename the mighty Hwang-wu to Namcheong?

No matter how much she struggles, the stance she holds is as solid as a mountain, not swaying an inch.

“Iik, let go.”

“Why? It’s damp, sticky, and, ugh, not great! In this state, how could you really want to be held? Is it possible or not?”

“Put me down. Quickly.”

“Hmm, hmm, let’s see, do you smell like sweat? When was the last time this little brat took a bath? Didn’t I tell you to wash behind your ears properly?”

In response, Jin Jangmyung’s flailing only intensifies.

Finally, Qing bursts into giggles and puts Jin Jangmyung down.

Jin Jangmyung has a pout on her face.

“You’re mean. I was training hard.”

“Oh come on. Does working hard alone mean anything? When I was your age, I had already achieved Supreme Martial Artist status.”

“……? There’s only a year difference.”

“Exactly. I’m the youngest Supreme Martial Artist, Seomun Qing. Did I say anything wrong? How can you, a little kid, even think to converse with the illustrious Supreme Master Qing?”

Jin Jangmyung’s eyes turn sharp like a blade.

“You’re so mean. I hate you.”

“Calm down. I was just joking. I even bought a present for our Jangmyung. Let’s see. Here it is.”

Qing pulls a box from her bundle and opens it to show.

“Eh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“What is this? Was it a defective product? Lady, I can’t go all the way to Gwangju to exchange it. This guy claimed it was sturdy when he certainly looks weak!”

Inside is a pair of tiny, shimmering scallop-shaped earrings, crafted from finely ground seashells.

It had been a pair.

But upon closer inspection, one side is broken and separated.

Qing scratches her head in embarrassment.

“Sorry. Did I bump it on the way here? It shouldn’t have happened since I packed it carefully. It seems it was just a defective product. I’ll get a better present for Jangmyung later—”

“No, it’s fine. I can wear just one.”

Cutting off Qing’s apologetic explanations, Jin Jangmyung snatches the box to avoid it being taken from her.

Hugging the box closely, Jin Jangmyung follows behind Qing, chattering away.

“By the way, we’re going to Taiyuan together this time, right? You’re not going to leave me behind saying we’ll go later, right? If you do, I’m going to be mad.”

“Hmm. That might happen. The Martial Alliance usually doesn’t work us too hard.”

“If you leave me behind again, I’ll be upset. I’m going wherever we go this time.”

“You’re too fragile, Jangmyung. Hmm. Just wash up for now. I’m going to see the Sect Leader.”

When a disciple returns, it’s only proper to greet the sect leader first.

Of course, in Qing’s case, it’s a bit ambiguous since she’s not exactly affiliated with the Divine Maiden Sect, but for her to skip over Wang Juhee to rush to Seomun Sulin seems a bit off, doesn’t it?

Although Wang Juhee considers herself just a decorative leader with her name on the list.

This self-criticism isn’t meant in a bad way.

After all, when it comes to difficult decisions, she can just consult her master, making Wang Juhee personally satisfied with her position.

In any case, every group has its hierarchy, and she is ready to welcome her cute youngest sister.

“Sister has arrived? No problems, I hope?”

“What could there be? How have you been, Sect Leader?”

“Me? How do I look?”

Originally, Wang Juhee had such a light presence that she was known as the Grand Sword of Concealment.

But now, her presence has grown significantly.

What should I say, she has become quite plump.

“Uh……”

Hmm. This is a bit tricky.

Qing rolls her eyes around.

Wang Juhee bursts out laughing in response.

“I gave the land to the Seolga Merchant Association since the manager was unfit, and they keep sending me snacks. Even when I don’t want to eat them, it feels wasteful when they spoil, so I ended up nibbling them one by one.”

“Oh.”

So that’s why everyone looks so plump like sparrows before hibernation. It seems to be the Seolga Merchant Association’s doing.

Of course, the Seolga Merchant Association is innocent in this.

Technically, the reason they had to take over was that Empress Mama had distributed the land.

And Empress Mama, wanting to make sure her daughter isn’t mistreated, had only given a meager allowance that felt a bit like a bribe.

In the end, who gets blamed for it?

Of course, Qing can confidently declare.

No matter how delicious the snacks are, isn’t it a matter of personal restraint?

“Still, it seems like nowadays no kid passes by without being noticed. I suppose I should have built up my stature a bit sooner.”

As it turns out, she seems somewhat satisfied with the situation.

If the Sect Leader is pleased, then that’s a good thing…..

“Right, our master is eagerly awaiting our youngest sister. Go see her quickly.”

After leaving the Sect Leader’s hall, a sudden thought struck Qing.

All the disciples have put on some weight overall.

The Sect Leader has become quite plump too.

Then, I wonder if my master has also gotten like that?

Hmm, it’s hard to imagine.

Qing’s steps gradually quicken.

Before she knows it, she’s practically bounding along.

With a smile on her face, as she sees the Great Gate that has always stood wide open just like she remembered, she joyfully shouts out.

“Master! I’m back!”

And thus, Qing leaps over the Great Gate.

Hmm. She’s not here.

Then, creak.

The door creaks open halfway, revealing a noblewoman sitting upright with her back straight, clicking her tongue.

“You’ve arrived, but why are you making such a fuss? Isn’t it a bit excessive for a disciple who’s getting older to behave like this?”

“Hehe. I’ve returned!”

“A grown lady making such a fuss is just annoying. Enough. What are you doing? It’s cold; hurry inside.”

Yet Qing stands there, a bit dazed, her smile slightly off.

While her lips curve into a gentle smile, her big eyes seem to show a hint of disappointment, and her eyebrows twitch downwards, giving her a somewhat forlorn look.

She wears a wistful smile, as if something is missing.

Why is this girl whimpering like a dog needing to relieve itself, as Seomun Sulin raises an eyebrow.

Qing grins and brings up the main point.

“Master? Aren’t you feeling something’s off? Shouldn’t we have a heartfelt hug since it’s been a while since we saw each other?”

In response, Seomun Sulin lets out a deep sigh.

Why does it seem that whenever she returns from the martial world, her disciple’s condition seems off?

It’s not an issue visible in their realms; rather, it’s a woman’s intuition from caring for her beloved disciple over time.

What’s with her eyes?

Those eyes are windows to the soul.

What kind of sight has filled her with such rage that the malevolence has tainted her original spirit?

In any case, as soon as their eyes meet, it’s clear her emotions are far from stable.

Thus, the more she seeks affection to fill that void, the more she grows needy.

“Come here. You, who only speaks, don’t even know what embarrassment is. Tsk, tsk.”

And so, this clumsy master, Seomun Sulin, takes on the role of an unwilling mom, gently resting her disciple’s head on her lap and patting it.

The disciple, who has successfully laid her head on the master’s lap, whether being a golden disciple or a treasured disciple, who knows?

“Hehe.”

And once again, Qing is delighted, causing a ruckus.

Then, perhaps a bit embarrassed herself, she suddenly stands up, kneels, and adopts a respectful posture.

“So, how was your journey?”

“Yes. Various things happened, but first, I was on my way to Namnyeong, and, ah, did you ever visit Zhangjiajie, I mean, Mount Tianzi?”

“Ha.”

What an opening line to choke on.

Mount Tianzi? Isn’t that the den of bandits?

“I was sightseeing there when a bunch of bandit guys attacked me, right?”

As expected, foreboding feelings rarely mislead.

In comes the mention of ‘bandit guys,’ causing Seomun Sulin to exhale a deep sigh.

Although she’s not overly worried, if something had truly gone wrong, her disciple’s expression would look much worse.

But seeing her bright face doesn’t suggest anything serious—

“Can I just stand by while bandit thugs approach me? I immediately drew my sword and beheaded the captain, and wouldn’t you know it? Some of those bandit leaders were experts.”

“……?”

“Oh. It wasn’t just one experienced bandit there. There were more. Help? Wasn’t there something named that? Even with such abilities, they bullied innocent commoners and robbed, so they were certainly unforgivable villains which I eliminated.”

“……?”

“Turns out that place was a bandit den. So, I burned it all down. Hehe, wasn’t that a good job?”

Seomun Sulin takes a sip of tea.

Something about this story sounds decidedly strange.

“Are you saying that you just waltzed into the heart of the Green Forest and beheaded their chief, then burned the rest?”

“Yes!”

“Hmm.”

Seomun Sulin is perplexed.

Honestly, she has no idea what to say. Nothing makes sense.

Her disciple wouldn’t lie to her, so it must be the truth.

If a single child of Supreme Master status could take down these bandits, how could the Green Forest have gained such stature?

“You did a very dangerous thing.”

“I didn’t think much of the bandits, but surprise! There were experts! I was shocked.”

“Hmm. Well, you did well. They don’t offer a hint of help to society, so cleaning them up would earn you some praise, but, who knows? Did anyone learn about you burning down their place?”

“Hmm. The ones who escaped would know, right?”

“Right. And after that, you headed straight for Namnyeong?”

“Well, initially, bandits blocked my path.”

“Not that again. Why is it that trouble follows you everywhere? No, just keep telling me what happened.”

Then, Qing recounts her journey.

Saving a reliant prince from danger, fighting against the odd gold guards like the ones in Sichuan from days past.

Then, her disciple surprisingly picked up some Demonic Arts—

Qing glances at Seomun Sulin’s expression.

Seomun Sulin lets out a huge sigh.

“Let’s just skip that part. So what happened next?”

When she reached Namnyeong, realizing that the Gye-rim Sword Faction was on the verge of destruction, she stepped in to help.

And feeling bored afterward, she moved to Gwangdong, heading to the Gwangdong Jin Family.

Then came the tales from Gwangju, about the three major Sapa and the Blood Ghoul, the Blood Sect.

It seemed like they had a fairly normal martial world experience in the Gye-rim Sword Faction, but Seomun Sulin shakes her head.

Is it due to her disciple’s peculiar fate, or is it because of the Heaven’s Kill karma that trouble follows her wherever she goes? It’s hard to say for sure, but it all must be due to her luck.

Even when the topic of the Blood Ghoul came up, she couldn’t control her emotions and unleashed some demonic energy before her master.

Hearing it all, it’s understandable that she could be upset.

And her disciple is rather praiseworthy too.

“The distinction between good and evil is a question no one can answer. It’s also a very complicated issue. Follow your heart, but it’s not easy to direct it. Thus, my disciple should ponder over this continually.”

“Yes……”

“But, you’ve picked up Demonic Arts?”

Here it comes.

Qing sneaks a glance at Seomun Sulin.

“Well, it’s called the Wheel of Law.”

Seomun Sulin’s forehead twitches, her neck muscles stand out, and her fists clench.

“Oh no, not the Ten Great Demonic Arts again!”

What is she doing, gathering all the notorious Demonic Arts?

But considering her disciple’s state is quite the issue.

Seomun Sulin has barely managed to contain her anger.

Her disciple deserves some leniency, even if she’s a bit lacking, and there’s plenty of kindness behind it……

“Sigh. Alright. Good job. Well done.”

In the moment Seomun Sulin succeeds in suppressing her nuclear smackdown, Qing feels the need to add one more thing.

“Still, Master, even though it’s Demonic Arts, it’s really convenient! Look, my Qi is moving like this, ta-da! Spinning Qi!”

At this, the frustrations brewing inside Seomun Sulin suddenly burst forth.

Boom……!

The birds resting on the roof of the Taesang Sect scatter into the sky in surprise.

---