Chapter 482

Qing’s gaze swept across the crowd.

Two, four, six, eight…

Looks like they’ve been trapped; among the forty-two, some were broken and scattered around.

Qing checked the number on the stone door again.

Twenty-one.

Forty-two, twenty-one. Isn’t that exactly half?

Is there some incomprehensible top-notch inner strength mechanical system used in the Central Plain that senses the number of people and jots down half?

Then she tilted her head.

But hold on, while the number of people seems one thing, what about the writing on the stone door?

There are five passages, so at most fifty people. Since it’s half, shouldn’t it list somewhere around twenty-five to a rough approximation of a minimum of twenty?

Do they jot down a matching number after sensing the people?

Yet everyone seems unfazed.

Qing simply could not wrap her head around it.

To be honest, Qing’s attitude could be described as quite unruly.

There’s absolutely no way such advanced technology exists in the Central Plain! This was the view of someone so-called “woke.”

Her hometown was far superior to the primitive technologies of the Central Plain savages; a higher civilization from her homeland could never emerge among the primitives.

It’s the perspective of so-called civilized people looking down on less developed societies, and it was also a contributing factor to countless massacres and exploitation.

(Note: The fundamental reason is greed.)

Let’s say monkeys created mechanical clocks.

It’s fascinating, but from an observer’s standpoint, it’s totally ridiculous—there must be some foul play involved.

Meanwhile, from the monkeys’ point of view, it’s all the rage, but they wouldn’t think it impossible.

So, among the primitives of the Central Plain, the smartest savage responded like this:

“How can you accurately halve the number of people and call for their deaths? Who’s watching and dropping numbers anyway?”

“Hmph. Does that make sense? Does a ghost linger in a mausoleum over a hundred years old just to watch? Come on, it’s just coincidence. I bet they’ll just tell us to split into seven groups at the next passage just like at the entrance.”

“Oh, is that so…?”

“Well, how would you even know how many would tumble into that trap?”

“But what if twenty people are all swept up by the trap?”

“Hmph. Was that trap really that serious? A nimble person would have dodged it long ago.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

After hearing that, it all sounded pretty plausible.

Especially with the world being one where murmurs and breaths could channel all the energies and let one soar and shine, why wouldn’t the mechanical system also operate on Qi?

For now, forty-two had to become twenty-one.

Suddenly, a certain feeling welled up.

Initially, Qing’s intention in defeating villains was survival; after becoming a master, it was a compromise.

But what about cutting down those blinded by greed here?

Wasn’t it just a tragic spectacle of them dancing to the hand of a rotten scumbag who had long been dead, merely killing each other?

To pass through the stone door and to gain demonic arts, one must kill half of the people here?

That’s, uh.

Wow! Infinite supply of villains! Unlimited filling!

Unlimited slaughter possible! (Number limit)

The late Demon King Hubul is the best!

How can all these red-dressed scum gather here?

Qing’s lips curled into a lovely arc.

Just take out the ones with the highest crimes, right?

I mean, the injured will die off anyway, so why not keep them alive for numbers?

Qing was looking around like a kid in an all-you-can-eat restaurant, wondering what to kill first.

In the stone cave, an ominous air began to seep in.

Anyway, as long as twenty-one survived, right?

Naturally, fighting together was to their advantage.

Those who had recognized each other or were acquaintances exchanged glances, inching closer together.

Then it happened.

“Hey! Since we have to reduce the numbers by half, wouldn’t it be better to enjoy this while we can?”

One yelled, startlingly loud.

He was a particularly pale man with a handsome face.

But, hey, we’re about to start killing each other, and you want to have fun?

I get it, none of us are real saints here, but come on, that’s a bit too reckless.

People shot him wide-eyed looks, but the man just smiled cheerfully.

“I am Dam Hwajong. The countless women of the world refer to me as the Beauty of Four Styles, a title representing my mastery in the arts of pleasure.”

“Four Styles, my foot!”

Just as expected, old traditions from the Central Plain popped up.

Qing thought, that guy is just a wannabe; some people come to the Central Plain and get to be “the Most Beautiful in the World,” meanwhile he’s just picking up their scraps.

“Ah! A beauty with a twist!”

As usual, the old customs quickly reasserted themselves.

As Qing observed the wicked people of the Central Plain, she found that regardless of whether you’re a seducer or a lowlife, they both get treated like filthy beasts among their guilds.

Well, who among them hasn’t been done in by someone who slipped?

There might have been a notorious seducer, but she barely remembered.

Honestly, Qing’s observation was spot on.

Those lowlifes enjoyed bragging about taking women by force as if it were a proud feat.

But there’s also a difference between the seducers and those lowlifes.

Lowlifes try to get their blood pumping and are lusty but suitors often have a clear aim from the get-go.

Those who practiced seductive martial arts or those who deliberately roam in pursuit of victims.

Thus, for the lowlifes, being treated the same way is so irritating it’s enough to spark a life-or-death match.

Being a killer confers the title of a heroic figure, but pursuing women alone makes one a dog on heat!

Regardless, for that reason, the warriors gathered in the stone cave had a rough understanding of what Dam Hwajong was hinting at.

And sure enough.

“It’s just a bunch of black-clad guys here, it’d be more pleasant if there were some women joining in, don’t you think?”

The crowd’s gazes shifted towards the group of lady warriors.

The daring ones exchanged anxious glances and slowly began moving towards Qing’s group.

Naturally, the young men separated from the ladies and formed their own substantial group.

Qing, rather pleased, thought, how about that?

I didn’t want to kill anyone, and now these fools are flocking together on their own!

But then, Qing’s brows twitched.

Is it a bit, you know, humbling?

How dare they talk nonsense in front of me?

Who do you think you are to incite a crowd?

Qing shot up, drawing her sword.

“You all say such unspeakable things; this young girl can’t just sit by and take it!”

“Taking it while sitting? Nah, should be taking it lying down!”

One of them shouted, causing laughter to erupt.

However, the laughter, ill-timed as it was, faded quickly.

Because Qing was exuding strong aura.

“Don’t think I’ll just sit back any longer, but you are many and we are few, plus there are lives to protect, so I must bring forth some strong elder to fight alongside us.”

At that, people looked at her, confused.

“Who’s the strongest elder here? If they could join us, the scales would balance somewhat.”

Then one voice answered.

“You seem to have some skills, but that’s quite a bold statement. Why would I choose to stand with the weaker side?”

It was a middle-aged man with a sprinkling of gray hair.

This was the main characteristic of what they call “half-return of youth.” In the realm of transformation, one would typically have their wrinkles smoothed out and hair turned black again.

Though not completely defying the natural order like the reverse flow of youth, they had found some degree of rejuvenation, hence called “half-return.”

“Either way, there’s bound to be one owner of divine skills, why would I share that precious thing? Thus, when future disputes arise, wouldn’t it be easier to stand together with the weaker ones?”

“Hmph. Those scoundrels are no different than one another. And a girl like you emitting strong aura talks tough, but really, if you just take down the men on your side and drag the women to fill up the numbers, wouldn’t that also suffice? Is there any other advantage to it?”

The master of the realm sneered unpleasantly.

Old men and young men alike.

Qing pretended to stutter as if she couldn’t come up with a reply, then quickly composed herself, nodding gravely.

“Let’s proceed however the elder wishes.”

“Hmph. Quite the composed girl you are.”

And then he strode over with his entourage.

“Wait, Elder Mount Tai Demon! Please hear me out for a second!”

Dam Hwajong cried out urgently.

Qing’s ears perked up.

Mount Tai Demon? Now that’s a name that carries weight.

Seems to be quite a famous person, I thought.

Well, any master from the realm wouldn’t be one to go unnoticed.

“Now, that’s curious; a precious lady of supreme level wouldn’t be daft enough not to recognize me. But we know of your esteemed name and respect you, should you join us, we would appreciate it even more!”

“Well, is that so? You, girl, what’s your name?”

“They call me Mak Nagam, though I am a nameless guest, so you wouldn’t have heard of it—”

“Look now! You’re openly hiding your identity, no?”

At that, the Mount Tai Demon halted.

Seems his ears aren’t as thick as others.

“And anyway, isn’t the outcome going to be the same? Just as you said, if we were to just take the women—”

“Enough!”

The Mount Tai Demon asserted his weighty presence.

Then he turned steadily towards Qing’s group.

“Why…?”

“First. Do you think I’ll indulge like a beast, swarming in on you?”

“Second. Am I supposed to share a table with a rogue?”

He was one to speak of dishonest schemes and yet detest rogues.

Can this even be called self-hatred?

Regardless, with the Mount Tai Demon’s joining, their numbers matched up rather well, and the men seemed a bit intimidated.

Qing approached Mount Tai Demon and respectfully lowered herself, greeting.

“Thank you, Elder. I bow to you.”

“Ah, a well-mannered child you are. Seems you’ve been taught proper etiquette?”

As Mount Tai Demon smiled contentedly, there was one fundamental wisdom anyone should know.

When Qing knelt, one must carefully observe if any vicious killer truly follows the elder nearby.

And if there was no elder, one shouldn’t be complacent and should remain on high alert.

Because Qing usually bends her knees for leverage.

What happens if you don’t know this?

You get taken down.

As Qing bowed deeply and rose, suddenly, her blade lunged out.

No signs or malice, her blade flew right between the Mount Tai Demon’s legs!

In the past, Qing had still been shaken even with her protective technique wrapped around her.

Because that protection only shields bones and muscles.

It does not cover a blanket to block all physical strikes.

It’s only the fatty tissues of the woman’s chest that fall outside that protective range.

Her vulnerability is significant, but for men too, they also have unprotected weak spots located right between their legs.

“Ugh.”

A faint scream.

But ironically, the greater the pain, the less one screams.

Regardless of how skilled he was, he was still a man.

Mount Tai Demon grasped his privates, his waist bent like a bow.

Of course, bending forwards.

If he bent backwards, well, that’d be quite the awkward situation.

With Qing releasing her hold on the sword, she grabbed his head.

And then with a swift movement!

A strength beyond human capability twisted the neck.

It’s one thing to hit or stab, but how can one keep a guard against the twisting neck when struck in the sensitive area?

Mount Tai Demon’s vision spun around.

Daring to look up at the ceiling while bent over!

Just in case, Qing spun him around twice more before outright ripping his head off.

After all, who knows if a master of the realm could survive even with his neck twisted?

Thud.

Mount Tai Demon’s body slumped, devoid of its head.

Qing hoisted it high and proclaimed.

“Captain! I have defeated him!”

---