Chapter 524

The crowd blinked at Qing.

What’s that? What’s he holding? A crescent moon sword?

On top of his back, besides a huge long sword, he was gripping a long and heavy weapon in his hand—it was the essence of the crescent moon weapon.

It’s also known as the “Crescent Moon Sword,” and the legendary Blue Dragon Crescent Moon Sword used by the ancient warrior Guan Yu is famously recognized as the representative weapon.

Of course, the crescent moon sword didn’t even exist in the time of Guan Yu.

That weapon only appeared at least five hundred years, or possibly a thousand years, after Guan Yu’s death.

The writer of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Luo Guanzhong, might have been clueless about history but certainly threw weapon authenticity to the dogs.

What’s five hundred years anyway?

The claim that Guan Yu wielded a crescent moon sword is akin to saying a certain admiral yelled, “I still have three nuclear submarines!” during the Imjin War in Qing’s hometown—a serious historical distortion.

Still, whether it’s a panokseon or a nuclear submarine, both would lead to the same outcome—victory—though the nuclear submarine story does sound much more entertaining and convincing.

So maybe Luo Guanzhong, as a novelist rather than a historian, couldn’t resist spinning that tale.

Guan Yu using a Blue Dragon Crescent Moon Sword?

Eighty-two jin? Is a human even capable of swinging something like that?

Of course, it’s impossible—but it’s cool, right?

According to the martial arts texts of the Central Plains, the crescent moon sword is the supreme weapon, that is, the best weapon among all kinds.

This contradicts the claim most martial world individuals make that the sword is the most perfect weapon.

Why is that?

It’s because if a martial world individual used a crescent moon sword, it wouldn’t be pretty for them.

National law strictly prohibits commoners from possessing such advanced secret weapons.

What happens if you get caught holding one?

You’re guilty of revolt.

So, only they get to use the good stuff, while the rest have to settle for the similar but pathetic imitation known as the Noble Heavy Staff, which features a heavy iron hammer instead of a blade at the end of a long weapon.

And Qing discovered a strange martial art had been preliminarily registered while organizing the martial arts inventory last night.

What? “Skyward Prosperity’s Magnificent Strike”? With a red border?

It might be only slightly red, but where the heck did this come from?

After some thought, it seemed like it could be the martial art used by the bandit leader who flew up and fell like a shooting star.

Imagining Qing soaring like a meteor with the splendid Meteoric Descend showcase in mind.

An intangible shockwave spreads out, turning the ground to dust, engulfing the world in a pitch-black shadow illuminated by an intense glow.

Then a powerful heat burns everything, shattering the shadow into pieces, turning me into death itself, the destroyer of worlds….

Oh wow, that’s epic.

If Qing’s imagination is to be believed, it’s “Skyward Prosperity’s Magnificent Strike.” Well, not that it’s really a martial art, just an immense release of thermal energy from a nuclear chain reaction.

Of course, it’d probably lack that level of power.

But just having the ability to drop from the sky would be something.

And on top of that.

Whenever Qing was traveling with soldiers and it was meal time, there were elite troops who randomly showcased their swordplay with the crescent moon sword.

According to Commander Wang Sang-ryong, they weren’t showing off for anyone in particular.

The elite troops from the Shandong army simply exercise after meals for digestion.

Now that’s some serious martial spirit.

When I praised the fact that elites exist under skilled commanders, Wang Sang-ryong smiled as if he were the happiest person in the world.

However, as I watched, it seemed like I could almost predict the next move. Well, that makes sense.

Hey, isn’t that the Moon Lady’s sword technique?

Indeed, it is the Moon Lady’s sword technique.

As the first martial art to appear in the world, it made Moon Kingdom troops fly high, and since then, it has evolved into the fundamental training technique of the army.

It’s essentially a cheap imitation, where the core martial art’s essence is absent, resembling only the outer shell.

Consider it a trial version of the Moon Lady Sword.

So, should I give the Blue Dragon Crescent Moon Sword a try too?

Moreover, the Realm of Transformation seems ambiguous, and trying out different weapons might actually help.

Just in time, there’s also a martial art for long weapons.

And so, “Skyward Prosperity’s Magnificent Strike!” Magnificent!

However, after forcibly experiencing “Skyward Prosperity’s Magnificent Strike,” I realized if I slammed the blade into the ground, it would likely break after just a few uses.

So then what? Let’s upgrade it with a hammer!

Consequently, I attached a heavy iron hammer to the opposite end of the entirely steel crescent moon sword, making it a vicious long weapon—a crescent moon at the front and a Noble Heavy Staff at the back.

Boom! The iron hammer of the Noble Heavy Staff hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

With a hefty twenty-five jin of solid metal, even the earth struggled to handle the weight, raising a ruckus.

“Since many of you have drawn your lines and confirmed your grievances, warriors must resolve their vendettas in their own way.”

At that, the warriors turned to Qing, specifically eyes focused on the firmly planted combined moon staff.

Warriors must have their own ways.

But hey, the crescent moon sword is a weapon banned for warriors.

The fact that the crescent moon sword is prohibited for warriors means it’s a strange weapon that even experienced combat experts have never faced.

This caused whispers among the warriors.

“Hmm.”

“Still, I’ve never heard of the Cheonhwa-geom being wielded by a crescent moon sword user, so he shouldn’t be too adept at it, right?”

“The intent seems way too transparent, don’t you think? Trying to hide your skills and seize victory through an unfamiliar weapon, but then standing there so proudly?”

“Wow, how incredibly smug and dastardly…”

But the crowd didn’t catch on to the hidden complexities.

Come to think of it, hasn’t there never been a warrior wielding a crescent moon sword before?

Or is it just too heavy? Can he even swing it?

“If anyone here wants to settle their grievances with me, we can unravel this knot right here.”

And thus, another round of mental sparring began.

Didn’t you all say you were going to settle this today?

But honestly, who expected you to bring out a crescent moon sword? Shouldn’t you be taking a turn showing what tricks you’ve got first?

“Anyone? This is strange. So many grievances gathered yesterday. Well then, hmm, Brother Jo? Would you kindly read the names of the grievances? It seems you have some urgent business that’s keeping you from being here.”

With that, a man known as Brother Jo pulled out an impressive pile of grievance paperwork.

And the enemies’ faces turned pale.

Are you calling out names here?

You’re not showing up after being named?

Giving up your vendetta? Bolting before your name is called?

Even in front of such a large crowd, no one can recognize the face of the warrior called out?

At that moment, he’ll have to carry the label of coward until the Cheonhwa-geom itself dies.

What if the Cheonhwa-geom were to die at someone else’s hands?

Then he’d have to carry that title for a lifetime.

The enemies had underestimated Qing too much.

They should have known just how cunning Qing’s mind could be when it came to making a fool of his enemies.

“Let’s see, Anpil’s Zhu Sheng-yun! Is Zhu Sheng-yun from Anpil here?!”

“Here I am!”

A man excitedly shouted back.

And he wasn’t just holding up a bun; he was munching on it as he spoke.

“I’m just sitting out because I’m having breakfast! Hold on just a sec!”

The enemies frowned in disgust.

What the heck is this guy doing, slipping away all on his own?

And what meal are you talking about now?

“Hey, toss me a bun while you’re at it.”

“How much for that duck noodle soup? Hurry up!”

Much to the delight of the merchants selling snacks, who were happily making a buzz.

It was also a moment when illusions and fantasies the crowd held about the martial world began shattering.

Is this what warriors are like?

These guys who seem all pumped up, ready to break necks, now eating snacks instead of facing their enemies?

Seriously, you guys, can this still slide?

You came out here at this busy time, and instead of preparing to fight, you’re just mucking around.

But wouldn’t the enemies’ frustrations boil over too?

Having to witness such pompous behavior while facing their ultimate nemeses is enough to rattle anyone.

The enemies expressed their ire generously.

Munching on buns and noodles, they practically envisioned Qing as their next meal.

“Well, looks like everyone is having their meals. Let’s see here, Pingdu, oh Pingdu. Gu Jun-on from the Hong Ho Sect, are you here!?”

Brother Jo from Pingdu was addressing them.

Recognizing his hometown gang leader and calling out without a care for names written anywhere.

Of all the times, why now?

Gu Jun-on squeezed his eyes shut.

His son’s cheerful face flashed before his eyes.

The sunny smile of a young boy in a cherished portrait.

But according to word he heard from Brother Jo who sometimes visited home, that boy was a human scum who had joyfully beaten people to death.

So, it’s revenge.

Even if I die before I can repay my grudge, that brat’s life isn’t going to be all that long.

If those who witnessed the deeds go on to carry out the life-and-death match afterward, even if I fail, I’ll be waiting in the afterlife to laugh at that brat.

“Yeah, I’m Gu Jun-on. Do you remember the name Gu Yeong-jun?”

Qing replied. No clue.

“He was my son.”

“I see.”

Is there anything else to say?

And then, warriors wearing the same martial attire flocked out.

From Qing’s perspective, excluding the sect leader, none of them look particularly eager to engage.

I mean, how much fighting spirit can there be after the son of their sect leader was killed, right?

Qing chuckled and raised his fist.

A pale, translucent hand, with a slender index finger waving back and forth.

—-

The most famous city in Jiangsu Province is Suzhou.

However, Suzhou is not the capital of Jiangsu Province.

It’s just that the reputation of the entertainment district in Gangnam is so great that, to outsiders, Suzhou seems like a more appealing travel destination than the capital.

So where is the capital of Jiangsu Province?

That would be Nanjing, known for having the dirtiest weather in the Central Plains.

In summer, it’s hot.

Not just hot, but humid to the point that it chokes you with a muggy heat.

In the winter, it’s cold.

Not that it’s literally cold compared to particular cities in the northeast where water freezes, but being one of the hottest cities in the Central Plains, with temperatures low enough to freeze water in winter makes it feel colder due to the temperature shifts between the seasons.

Of course, all of this applies to the Central Plains.

If Qing were to experience it for a year or so, they’d think, “Is this how bad it gets?”

For someone from a similar summer climate and a far colder winter, it wouldn’t even feel like anything.

Traditionally, the capital cities are the oldest cities in their provinces, rather than just the largest.

Why? Because old cities generally have good locations.

In ancient times when transport and distribution were underdeveloped, it means that those primitive people established their homes in places with significant geographical advantages compared to other cities.

And of course, much like any old city, there’d typically be at least one very old clan residing within.

So which clan is that in Nanjing?

Well, it’s the Gongson Family, who, despite being completely innocent, were caught up in trouble because, “Is that your surname? How dare you carry the emperor’s surname?” resulting in their surname being shamefully cut in half.

In fact, in the Central Plains, when speaking of the emperor, it’s not just the figurehead but it’s synonymous with the concept of a god in modern times.

In Qing’s hometown context, surnames like Jesus, Buddha, and Allah would be rather sensitive.

So, arguably, their surname deserved to be cut, but still.

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