Chapter 502

Hwakyeong is a bit much.

You have to let your guard down for ambushes or poison or whatever to happen, right?

If you’re fighting head-on, no matter how supreme and transcendent I claim to be, how can I handle it?

My body feels light, and my mind is clear.

The Dao and the Buddhist mystics, who had been quiet until now, all spread their wings at once for this reason.

Daoist Seomun Qing has arrived!

Complete liberation of the Dao and Buddhism!

The pure energy seeps into every pore, causing the thorns of the spirit to gently settle down.

After a long time, the sunset glow of my qi smiles brightly as it welcomes Qing.

And soon enough, the sword begins to dance.

When you see the sword, there’s no one there, and when you see a person, there’s no sword—because they are one, inseparable in this principle: Divine Sword Merging.

The innocent Moon Lady’s sword dance, swinging branches among the monkeys, is a natural performance without any structure, just a free-flowing dance.

The swordsmanship itself lifts the spirit, bubbling with excitement, making even the sensation of slaughter feel distant.

Once in a while, a majestic bell tolls.

“Central Plain brat! Seomun Qing! Cheonhwa-geom!” Various voices, coming from masters approaching Qing, highlight the murderous intent, yet Qing gracefully disperses and vanishes.

Nengpa Mibo has many obstacles to avoid, the biggest of which is people.

Thanks to that, a pain like a needle suddenly pierces my brain.

But that’s just for a moment; the pure essence of Daejeongseongong gently soothes my head as if to caress it.

“Running away again, huh? Come here! Come and fight boldly!”

Qing is filled with laughter.

A supreme master of Hwakyeong telling me not to run away but to fight boldly?

Well, of course, the supreme Seomun Qing is a figure of Hwakyeong.

Other people’s rage is my amusement, isn’t it?

Qing’s eyes shine mischievously like a crescent moon.

Thanks to that, excitement fills her hands wielding the sword.

Moon Lady Sword Play, first form.

Mua-yuhuh (a child plays with monkeys).

Once upon a time, long, long ago.

A girl raised alone in the mountains met a troop of monkeys.

It was the moment the Moon Lady first encountered someone other than herself.

Though their shapes were similar, they were monkeys that could not communicate, so they played not through words but through sword fights.

Finally, the sword that had been swinging in loneliness for so long finally meets someone.

Qing’s sword dance gradually takes form.

No longer just a wandering child’s scribble in the air, but a clever recognition of the opponent, insisting that she will strike.

Thus, Qing’s dance transforms from a solo performance into a harmonious dance together.

As swords clash and the enemy pushes, they are pushed back, swirling around, exchanging glances, weapons meeting, and clothes flowing smoothly.

The reason fighting surpasses dancing is that it penetrates deeper than mere skin contact.

As Qing’s blade pierces the opponent’s heart.

The second and third forms of the Moon Lady Sword Play are essentially no different.

Faster. More intense. Stronger. Smoother.

But this is precisely what martial arts strives for.

To become even more powerful.

The third form of the Moon Lady Sword Play.

Hwa Jung Cheong Ah (a blue child amidst calamity).

While the world burns in disaster, the child in blue, the Moon Lady, lives in a world that remains natural and peaceful, a separate island.

And the Moon Lady grows.

No longer just a child, her limbs elongate, and her puffed chest feels uncomfortable and painful, almost in tears.

Yet, while she is pleased with her increased height, long arms, and rising strength.

The Moon Lady has become a woman but still remains just a child in blue clothing, peacefully swinging with the monkeys in the forest.

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, the Moon Lady will continue to wield branches with laughter ringing high.

Suddenly, the Moon Lady looks around.

On the vast land that seems familiar.

The playful forest is gone, replaced by a snow-covered expanse, yet the Moon Lady’s eyes only gleam with curiosity.

The phrase “innocent and carefree” holds no fear.

Before long, the Moon Lady, realizing, blinks.

Instead of blood, fine snowflakes cover the ground, and the walls of blood form into pure white ice—the very place that star with a mouth looks down upon.

Above the sky, instead of a frightening star boiling like mercury, only snowflakes swirl infinitely above.

Why is it a snowy field?

Why, indeed? Because it’s the path yet to be traveled.

The realm where my heart dyes the world, the beginning of thought, my thoughts that are still uncharted, are a pure snowy field that only I can walk.

Qing looks at the ice wall and realizes quickly.

Ah. Just a little more is needed. What a shame.

Qing turns her back, taking in the vast snowfield behind her.

A broad land, an opening in the earth, a single line of footsteps continuing endlessly.

Qing smiles with relief.

Still, I’ve come this far, haven’t I?

Yeah, this whole “entrance to Demon” business.

Why was I fixating on that?

Strength is necessary, but if I keep getting caught up in swordplay and on top of that wield martial arts, that real Great Demon Lord, yeah, I’d be born a real demon.

No matter what, I’m not Seomun Qing, the Great Demon Lord, right?

I’ve already achieved Divine Sword Merging, and soon Hwakyeong will follow.

Inside Qing’s dantian, little Qings clapping hands and spinning around joyfully are actually the mystics of the Dao and Buddhism.

As the threshold for slaughter rises, there will come a time when it becomes dull.

Qing exhales with bright eyes.

On the ground, warriors groan, struggling.

It’s shocking to see so many survivors left after my rampage.

When Qing looks around, the warriors quickly step back in surprise.

As she glances up at the wide-open entrance of the mystic cave, she nods her head.

Then, shall we head out slowly?

Qing’s spirit fractures into eight.

Among them, a translucent Qing spread her arms wide, poised in an elegant flight as she touches down on the ground, scampering away with light footsteps.

“Cheonhwa-geom is fleeing!” “Catch her!”

Only then do the hunters react with shouts, and the glimmer of murderous intent fills their eyes, turning muddy with desire.

But Qing, having already reached the large clearing outside the stone door.

“Haha, I’m off to Yubang! Try and catch me if you can!”

With that, Qing jumps into the bushes, disappearing from sight.

The warriors swarm after her.

However, those remaining in the clearing, being more than half, have each come to their own reasonable conclusions.

Seeing Nengpa Mibo in person and realizing chasing her from the mountains is futile.

But the next city? Yubang?

What kind of city is named Yubang?

Is it a city founded by Liu Bang?

Since we’ll end up in Yubang District anyway, whether we camp outside or in the city, she’ll come to us if we just wait.

In fact, the ones hastily heading down the mountain are likely the ones reporting to their sects or gathering acquaintances to await the Cheonhwa-geom.

Thus, the pursuers slow down in fear as they see Qing’s figure distancing.

Trees whiz past Qing on either side.

Her lightness in movement is unparalleled across the world.

The quick turns to the left and right prove she’s more than deserving of that title.

As she dashes, a voice pierces her ear.

“Hey, is just running away all you’ve got? What’s your plan now?”

“Ah! Master! What about the kids!?”

Qing’s face lights up.

Turning her head, she sees figures appearing among the trees, running alongside her.

“For now, hide up there. Can you not reduce that voice of yours? That’s just shouting in one direction.”

“Thank goodness! It’s tiring to run!”

The sound needs to reach the other party to be heard.

When the opponent moves, it’s hard to aim, making it equally difficult to convey.

Of course, even when not running, Qing boldly speaks without controlling her volume.

Looking around, Qing says,

“Master!? It’s the Martial Alliance! We were going to eliminate the Heart Consumption Technique but fell into the Blood Sect’s trap and got falsely accused of practicing demonic arts! Can you please spread the word!?”

That was the foundation of her confidence.

Those Sapa creeps? Ronin? Who would believe the words of those drawn to demonic arts?

Unyeonjeong, if you see her, she has her naïve moments.

If I insist I’m not using demonic arts, isn’t that enough?

Qing follows the teachings of Seomun Sulin very faithfully.

Stirring and fabricating tales are still too early fragments for someone from the Central Plain.

“Falsely accused, huh? Sure. Demonic arts can be wielded properly, though.”

Cheon Yu-hak has seen his disciple wield demonic arts from beyond the glass, in the spectator seats.

But that doesn’t make the disciple wicked, does it?

What wicked demon would beam a stupidly wide grin full of affection while meeting your gaze?

Certainly, while the brutality in hand is no less than that of a killing machine, he’d never aimed it at anyone besides villains, and I wholeheartedly trust that’s how it’s been until now.

“Ah! Master! By any chance, do you still have the map to No Mountain? Can I have it!?”

“Just gradually shift to the left. I’ll see you up ahead.”

As the two speed along, they gradually align their angles and close the distance.

Before long, as they grab disguises, Cheon Yu-hak swiftly pulls out a map.

“Oh, Master. But if you call it a rescue team from the Martial Alliance, please, just stop that. We could start a massive brawl. If left alone, they’ll head back themselves, no need to worry.”

“Eh? How? What leverage are you at the mercy of that wretched girl? How’s she planning to pierce through the bloodline to Hangzhou alone?”

“I’ve got a plan; just tell me that map is to where? Where should I go?”

“Deputy Commander’s camp? Why there? Ah! I heard there’s some connection to the army?”

Cheon Yu-hak’s expression brightens.

Even if one pretends to ignore the government, patrol officers and soldiers inherently belong to the emperor’s wealth.

And Qing, chuckling, nods her head.

Qing didn’t ask if she could get help from Unyeonjeong for nothing.

Head to Hangzhou?

Yeah, I’ll just go.

But do they really expect me to “endure some hardship” and bravely march in there?

No way! I’m going to stride in comfortably.

Didn’t they say Official Imposition of Non-Interference?

Even aside from that, why would a warrior want nothing more than to have a proper quarrel with the soldiers?

If they provoke, artillery bombardments will rain like a storm.

After all, I’m bound to sneak a peek into the Imperial Palace one of these days.

I can’t keep delaying things forever.

---