Chapter 525

Gongson Yo-ye has been feeling restless lately.

The Gongson Family is growing stronger by the day.

It’s been a little over a year since the Martial World Tournament ended.

We’ve set up several new warehouses and had to tear down the walls of the manor twice to expand.

We’ve also brought in a lot of new martial artists.

Thanks to that, accidents happen from time to time, but having a powerful family means we can just brush those incidents off as if they were nothing.

Of course, it’s partly because we’re recognized as one of the Ten Great Families of the Martial World, but even more so since the speed of our family’s development noticeably changed after a certain woman entered the picture.

“Big sis, heh, could you hold this for me?”

With her sharp, slit-like eyes, tiny little pupils, lips like they were painted with blood, and those rather sinister-looking teeth, she extends a tray with a suspicious grin.

Somehow, it feels like a dark mist is rising around her, and that teacup on the tray is definitely poisoned.

“Ah, thank you. Um, little sister.”

“It’s nothing to be grateful for. Hehe. Too much is just as bad as not enough, you know? You might end up harming your body instead! What would happen then? Hehe.”

It feels oddly like she’s wishing harm upon me.

But I know that’s not her intention.

That’s just how Lady Sema is.

My younger brother, Gongson Cheon-il, married Lady Sema, the daughter of the Sema family, last spring.

For a daughter of a prestigious family, she’s rather unassuming, isn’t she?

Considering that Gongson Cheon-il is quite the handsome fellow, it’s a pity about the marriage.

But Lady Sema is a good soul.

Not only is she kind, but she’s capable too, getting involved in all kinds of business as the future mistress of the Gongson Family even before the marriage, and she swiftly held tight the reins of the affairs in Nangyeong, proving herself to be a talented woman.

If Gongson Yo-ye talks about her sister-in-law, doesn’t it give off a bit of a scheming? Nasty and fierce vibe, perhaps?

Why is it that apart from her appearance, none of it aligns?

In truth, Lady Sema is pondering similar thoughts.

It seems that her family is determined to reclaim their surname, and how anxious must she have felt heading to her in-laws before the wedding?

Moreover, Gongson Cheon-il doesn’t possess an unremarkable appearance.

But Gongson Cheon-il is a good husband.

Both our parents and the family members are polite (albeit a bit lacking in warmth), and ever since before the wedding, the keys to the storerooms were handed over to him, which is a symbol of a mistress, wouldn’t you agree?

And I initially worried that being close with my sister-in-law might result in some bullying, but surprisingly, it wasn’t the case.

Since he’s a bit naive, if I didn’t take care of him, he’d probably collapse from swinging a sword around.

Yet, all the while, he seems awkward and clumsy, and I don’t know? It’s kind of endearing, I guess?

In any case, Lady Sema is immensely satisfied.

Living as the mistress of the family now is a lot better than getting crushed by my father, brother, sister, and others back in the Sema Family where everyone is so self-absorbed.

“But is it really okay for you to be like this? The Grandmaster Cheonhwa is apparently engaging in a life-and-death match with his enemies right now, and you’re his dearest friend, right? Shouldn’t you be helping him?”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

With that, Lady Sema unfolds the story.

Gongson Yo-ye, who has been holed up in the training hall all day, has no way of knowing what’s happening outside.

Ever since the Martial World Tournament, no one has pressured her, but it’s been a self-chosen training.

Since our family has risen to the ranks of a Great House, what’s needed next is an unrivaled master to make a name for ourselves.

And also, it’s simply because she doesn’t know any other way to live her life.

“Then I need to go help right now…!”

“Hehe, I knew you’d say that. Here, I’ve already packed your things. Take them with you.”

To others, it might look like I’m a wicked sister-in-law who kicks her new sister out, but it’s not my intention.

“Okay. Thanks, little sister.”

“It’s nothing. Hehe, if you’re truly grateful, how about wishing to meet Grandmaster Cheonhwa? I do wonder who he really is, hehe.”

It’s not another intention; it’s just a pure yearning to meet Grandmaster Cheonhwa, who the budding female martial artists of the martial world, as well as the talented young ladies of this generation, dream of meeting as the next Best Female Martial Artist.

“Um. I’ll try.”

“Ah, you should have your clothes washed at every tavern you stop by, right? I’ve packed enough for at least two spare undergarments. And the rice balls are just a day’s worth and won’t last long, so you should eat them quickly, okay?”

“Huh? Yeah….”

“And I’ve packed fifty silver coins and a few more tickets from my own pocket, so you can spend as much as you like, or rather, you should spend it all. I put them in a waterproof pouch, but be careful with the tickets as they can get wet. And always keep silver coins divided in your money bag since pickpockets are particularly skilled—you shouldn’t let your guard down, even if you’re a martial artist. Also… watch out for old ladies, kids… even if someone suspicious asks for help… be cautious with enmity, and if you do form any… make sure it gets settled properly…”

Somehow, even while telling me to leave, she doesn’t stop dishing out advice.

Gongson Yo-ye is sweating buckets, yet she can’t refuse.

She simply listens obediently to the nagging.

—-

With the Crescent Moon Sword, a strike of the King’s Sword style.

It drew the swiftest and most precise trajectory among all possibilities.

The Black Tiger Sect Leader died in a single strike.

He was split in half while charging forward, the upper half flying far away while the lower half fell messily on the ground.

In that moment, Qing’s aura surged explosively.

The enemies, the crowd, and the foes all looked up at Qing like a giant touching the edge of the heavens.

Just standing there, he ruled the world.

However, Qing’s expression remained indifferent.

What importance could the death of an ordinary man hold to a sovereign?

What Qing gazed upon was not the enemy, but the world.

From high above in the sky, looking down upon the ground, it was the Emperor’s gaze moving the millions of soldiers on the game board.

Qing glimpsed the spirit contained within the King’s Sword style.

The sovereign stands alone, with neither foe nor ally, merely existing to dominate all.

And so, the sovereign extends a hand.

It’s a nonchalant attitude, merely aiming the tip of his sword.

Yet, the Black Tiger Sect warriors felt the fear of having a blade poised against their throats.

“Aaaah!” They scream in panic, doing their best to shake it off, yet knowing they’ll be defeated, they charge into battle, completely unaware.

It’s as if they had no other choice.

The Black Tiger Sect faces annihilation.

Drops of blood drip from the tip of the Crescent Moon Sword.

Nevertheless, the blade is rather gentle.

On the other side, dangling from the end of the iron staff is a gruesome sight of human skin, pale brains, and pieces of entrails.

Most of their main warriors were already killed, confirming their complete destruction.

According to the rules of the criminal world, the weak are destined to be torn apart, and it’s common for those who comply to take the clan’s treasures and flee before that can happen, especially for a Sapa scoundrel.

“Well then.”

In the quiet crowd, only Qing’s voice stands out.

You can hear someone swallow hard.

What comes next is something everyone already knows.

“Next.”

Qing casually throws out the line as always.

The enemies are utterly perplexed.

When did he learn to master the Crescent Moon Sword?

Aren’t they done for now?

Yet, among them, some nod with a solemn resolve.

They know they must kill him now.

If they let this chance slip, they’ll be facing a giant they can never defeat, for the rest of their lives.

And so, warriors step forward, names at the ready.

But how many are there?

“How come nine supreme martial artists are stepping up at the same time?”

“A supreme martial artist in the late stage countering three in the early stage is common sense in the Martial World, isn’t it?”

Qing is dumbfounded.

Wait, since when did I declare myself a late-stage supreme martial artist and say I’d take on three?

Thinking back, it seemed the last time those guys swarmed at once was partly due to it.

Back then, it wasn’t just random folks; it turned into a chaotic brawl where Qing felt he could easily outshine everyone.

Qing hesitates for a moment.

Should he signal or not?

No matter how supreme it may be, can nine actually handle it?

Can they block nine streams of Sword Aura?

And then, it happened.

“Wait! Is this even logical!?”

Someone suddenly interjects with a voice very familiar to Qing.

A figure leaps towards Qing, small in stature and wearing a straw hat that conceals her face, but how could Qing fail to recognize her?

“Hey. Is that you, Nan-ah?”

“I can’t just sit back! What’s with these grudge matches that make you act like a fool? This isn’t some performance art!”

“Um. Not exactly like that… well, let’s just talk about it later—”

“I don’t want to!”

Tang Nan-ah glares and suddenly yells.

“I’ll also lend a hand as a friend of Young Lady Seomun, seeing as this is a chance to settle grudges! My realm is still only in the mid-stage, but if someone like that is present, I’ll step up, whether you let me or not!”

“Uh, don’t say that—”

“That’s enough!”

And with that, more young men start appearing alongside Qing.

They match shoulders with each other, weapons in hand.

“I too will assist Grandmaster Cheonhwa. My realm is in the mid-stage; you can join me whenever!”

“I’m the same; I’m early-stage supreme.”

A burly giant speaks with an unexpected politeness, while someone with sharp features peeking from beneath the straw hat adds with a cocky grin.

“Hey, what’s going on? When did San reach the supreme stage?”

“Hmph. There’s someone here trying to flaunt their completion just because they reached the supreme stage first.”

“Sis, aren’t you happy to see me?”

“Ah? Je-gal, I’m glad, but….”

“Well, if something were to happen to you, we’d lose the head of the Association as well, and thus we’d have to retaliate immediately right? Originally it’s just a little trouble, ah, do you know what ‘Bamidojo’ means? That’s the idea that if something small starts getting bigger, you should take care of it before it escalates. This refers to the time after the death of the Elder of the Donghan when his young son took the throne…”

“Okay, that’s enough, but wait! How did everyone get here?”

“Well, we took a boat, didn’t we? Originally, Huaiyin is directly connected to Gaebong District, which was once the site of the Imperial Palace, so naturally boats don’t have to struggle when going downstream—it’s easier riding down than going up. So if you hail a boat on the Grand Canal it’s quick, oh, this refers to the supply ships on the canal, not the fast boats, and the difference—.”

“No, just stop.”

Qing’s brow twitches.

The Je-gal he remembers had a big mouth, yet it turns out memories don’t do justice.

So yes, he was always this talkative.

“Uh, thanks for coming everyone, but can you wait over there by the military tent for a bit? I’ll be quick about managing this.”

“I don’t want to!”

“This place is dangerous—”

“What about us? Are you just going to sit here and watch while you get yourself into danger?”

Tang Nan-ah shoots back with fiery resolve.

At that point, Qing finds himself at a loss for words.

What can he say?

You guys are putting me in a bind.

Should I be trying to protect you?

Despite being known for his carelessness, Qing certainly wouldn’t dare speak such things out loud.

---