Chapter 523

In the end, until we left Imgi-hyeon, there wasn’t a manly man to be found, so those who always bragged about being great men just went with the flow when push came to shove. They really need to have their peppers chopped off.

So, after sleeping for three nights, the military tent was bustling from the morning.

Our destination was Huaiyin County in Jiangsu Province.

I kinda knew the lay of the land in the Central Plains, but I still didn’t know squat about its history as Qing.

However, it’s about six hundred li from Imgi-hyeon to Huaiyin.

By Qing’s side, there was the famous commander, Wang Sang-ryong, of the world, or so they say.

In the Central Plains, a loyal subject is like a tongue in one’s mouth, saying what one wants to hear while filtering out what one actually wants to say.

Contrary to common sense, if that’s how loyalty works, how would the country fare? You might even question if the country is really doomed!

And indeed, it fell.

Countless royal families have fallen victim to such loyalty, marking the rise and fall of countries akin to fleeting beauty.

And the next city, Huaiyin, is the birthplace of that infamous traitor, Han Xin.

‘The one who crawls under the bed,’ Han Xin.

If Han Xin had been a woman, that might not have mattered much, but he was a man.

Han Xin was just another ruffian in Huaiyin County.

But there was one thing he was exceptional at — serving as a great general under Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han dynasty.

As a result of his achievements, he was later conferred with the title of Marquis of Huaiyin and returned home in glory.

However, his character was something else entirely, quite remarkable.

Just think of how puffed up he must’ve been upon his victorious return to his hometown.

With how conceited Han Xin was, he probably relished every moment until his beheading for treason a few years later.

To endure beneath others while crawling could also conjure thoughts of a man with ambitions, bearing shame while hoping for a better tomorrow.

But Han Xin’s utterly detestable character is quite famous.

He was the kind of person who would kill his comrades to seize achievements and endanger the country.

It’s a shallow scheme to think a capable general is only needed when the nation is in peril, right?

Even to Liu Bang, his lord, he had the audacity to smugly say, “Let’s be real, I’m the one who handed you the unification of the world. Your military might is a mere tenth of what I do!”

With that kind of attitude in front of the Emperor, he was sure to lose his head eventually.

In truth, Liu Bang is a divine character. Still, he tried to overlook Han Xin’s arrogance and greed, thinking he wasn’t necessarily a bad guy.

“Hmm. Quite a foolish person, I must say. Everyone thought he was some grand figure, all talk about excess and accumulation.”

“Cough, I must say his military abilities are indeed remarkable. But no matter how skilled one is, they’re nothing without virtue. A true loyal subject should be figuring out what they can do for their lord, rather than what they can gain, right? Ah, I’m saying this directly, but would you care to try some rice cakes I just baked?”

“Whoa, rice cakes!”

Rice cakes are like ancient snacks; you can put in sweet fruits or savory fragrant veggies like green onions or coriander, or whatever meat you like!

“What’s inside?”

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I baked a variety. Sweet, savory, fragrant, with and without meat — each one is different.”

“Ah, you made this for me?”

“Ahem, I just got bored during a break and decided to whip something up; nothing special, really. I just wanted to see how it turned out.”

“No need to go through all this trouble. Mmm. Yum!”

Honestly, Qing is the kind of person who’ll gobble up anything that’s somewhat edible, claiming it’s delicious, speaking as a local of the region.

This is because she’s lived on whatever couldn’t be consumed by humans, so her bar for tastiness is lower than even a dog’s.

Anyway, she’s munching away, joyfully enjoying herself.

“Wow, General, you could open a rice cake shop!”

“Haha, thank you.”

Wang Sang-ryong, seemingly flattered, bowed his head.

But wait, is that really a compliment?

Should a deputy commander who leads twelve thousand soldiers really consider opening a rice cake shop?

Anyways, Qing didn’t bother to hide her joy as she devoured the rice cakes, making Wang Sang-ryong beam with satisfaction.

It’s not that Qing is a picky eater.

How could she dare feast in such a manner before the lord without consequences? Wouldn’t someone think her cheeks are about to burst?

She thought that she’d accomplished something today.

Every time the mama saw the rice cakes, she would surely remember the loyalty of this general.

It’s what you might call a lifestyle-oriented, relatable strategy!

Wang Sang-ryong’s most terrifying scheme!

The rice cakes were meticulously crafted with such care that they even burst out of the sides!

So, while indulging in the treats, they marched on; the soldiers on their noble white steeds were not dispirited at all, making them truly elite troops who feared no noble steeds.

And so they arrived at Huaiyin!

A massive city that grew along the gigantic canal leading directly from Gaebong District.

From here came figures like Han Xin, and Oh Seung-un, who wrote the immensely popular novel “Journey to the West.”

And their specialty? Salt.

It’s a hub for salt being stored, extending inland along the canal, where they keep salt produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong, even having a whole street dedicated to warehouses!

This is something Qing found out directly from the Huaiyin branch.

But why wouldn’t they report it to me?

And when we talk Huaiyin, we can’t forget about Hongtaek Lake.

While it’s no match for the Taehyo or West Lake in Gangnam, any city with a big lake tends to have entertainment facilities.

Just sipping liquor with a view of the lake!

So the first day went as it always does, dining beside the generally well-received general — though Wang Sang-ryong and the branch leader might have differing views — feasting and enjoying themselves.

Now this was already the third city.

There’s no need to stay four days in Hangzhou, so the duel venue events were left for Taebu and Suzhou.

Thus, as a mid-point to divert the enemy’s numbers, we needed to lower the count.

So, how to do it?

We need to make it easy for them!

On the second day, we just frolicked about.

It was a sad affair for the masses who had come chasing after a Life and Death Match.

But they were all assured that there would be a duel eventually, so no one would rush to go back just yet.

Taking a day to enjoy, they’d think, “Ah, the duel dates aren’t that many left.”

If someone were to get seriously hurt, the soldiers might have to intervene, but we needed to instill some urgency in them before backing down without having swung a single blade.

Additionally, at the camp, we made a nice dueling arena and put up a big sign.

“If you claim your enemy is one you cannot coexist with, and yet no one is coming for a Life and Death Match, that only proves that my resentment isn’t as deep or serious as I thought.

(You say they’re enemies, but are they really?)

Originally, those who risk their lives for Demonic Arts have committed to death, so it would be quite rude to trivialize their grievances.

(Aren’t you even a bit sorry for the dead?)

And even if they obtained the Demonic Arts, it only means a major disaster is afoot; you all are surely recognizing that I acted according to virtue.

(Well, we only killed the scumbags, didn’t we? You agree?)

So instead of battling in beautiful Huaiyin, why don’t we enjoy the stunning waves of Hongtaek!?

(If you’re not going to fight, just enjoy your time here.)

A young girl set sail with her boat, gleefully enjoying herself, and indeed, it was just as renowned as Hangzhou and Suzhou, and so she wanted to capture that feeling on scrolls today.

(Not that I enjoyed myself, but I’d probably have more fun.)

If anyone else has ongoing grudges to settle, please feel free to leave a note with your name and handprint on the post below, and I’ll take it under consideration.”

Fight! Just leave your name and handprint behind.

Then I might consider whether to fight or not.

That was the gist of the message.

A shinily written, absurd taunt.

And the crowd could only marvel at the message.

Wow, that really hits home.

I had been waiting the whole time back in Imgi-hyeon, just sensing the atmosphere for revenge. Ugh.

So, the Cheonhwa-geom has some bite after all.

But isn’t it true?

If they’d been searching for Demonic Arts and met their fate, wouldn’t that have been a fitting end?

In reality, even if they had found the Demonic Arts, what would have been born is only the Great Demon Lord, and they were, to begin with, a bunch of wicked folks.

So it’s no surprise that the arena echoed with angry shouts.

“Grrr!” “Aaaah!” “Cheonhwa-geom, you little!”

And there were those who just stepped back, sporting wry smiles.

What a remarkable tactic.

Once they leave their names and handprints, they can’t delay their turns like this.

Proclaiming to the world that the Cheonhwa-geom cannot cohabit with them even for a moment, but holding off only invites ridicule; it becomes difficult to excuse waiting for the right timing.

But if they don’t leave those marks?

That sounds like a signal to keep having fun.

It’s not merely that the Cheonhwa-geom’s revelry is painful to watch.

In reality, when a Life and Death Match is on the table, they’ve just abstained; until they settle their grudges, they’ll have to endure being labeled as cowards, spineless, stupid fools, and more.

If there are just one or two witnesses, they can brush it off, but lo and behold, five cities are renowned for their prosperity.

And between prosperous cities, roads stretch out, giving rise to major cities.

If we’re talking Liu Bang and Imgi, there are at least four sizable cities they’ve passed through.

Thus more and more people are coming to watch the Life and Death Match.

The population of Huaiyin is equal to that of the capital city, Nanjing, so just the folks from Huaiyin alone would be overwhelming.

So those willing to give up will do so, looking forward to tomorrow, while only those who absolutely feel the need will step up, sparking flames of rage in their eyes.

It’s a blatant scheme, yet they’ve no choice but to oblige.

Revenge seekers were hastily stamping their names onto notes and pinning them under the post.

Thus numerous notes fluttered in the riverside breeze as if swept along, truly a fiery show of support.

—-

The next day.

Qing had a hearty breakfast before heading to the duel arena.

“Ow.”

Just one word, and she could feel the atmosphere change. It’s like they were ready to bite off every last piece of gold from her teeth.

But Qing grinned with an irritating smile.

Having ransacked the Realm of Transformation, today is my day to ascend to that realm. Just you wait!

But when I get to the Realm of Transformation, what am I even going to say?

If I step into the Realm of Transformation, it’s not something mere words can describe.

Well, I have faith in what I believe.

“Um, are you okay with this?”

“Just keep your eyes open. You know the signal, right?”

In any case, I can end the duel whenever I like.

It’s simple: if it’s too tough, I can just back out.

As long as I don’t let go, there’s that ultimate escape route, where anyone must concede under the final sneak attack.

Just using the excuse that a woman must rest for a few days a month is good enough.

Hmm, it’s a bit too embarrassing to say it aloud.

No matter how much I throw all shame to the wind, it’s a special move of a female warrior that can’t be faulted.

Yet, nobody can call Qing a coward either.

Was the last battle truly fair?

If you’re going to pounce on an enemy after they’re injured and exhausted, you better have guts to do it.

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