Chapter 59

“Do you understand the heart of a father returning home on a cold winter day, shivering while holding a chicken he just bought?”

Of course, Qing does not understand. She has no children.

But I thought this must be roughly what it feels like.

Like a wanderer carrying a giant bundle as she cheerfully ascends Divine Maiden Peak.

If they knew what was inside that bundle, they might truly see it as a reward fit for a girl.

With the leftover money, she had swept up all sorts of sweets and trinkets.

Thanks to her wealthy friend, Qing’s money bag was overflowing, but it wasn’t because she was a freeloader.

That part wasn’t entirely untrue, but still.

If Qing were to whip out her money bag in this era, the reputations of Pang Dae-san and Namgoong Shin-jae would be completely wrecked.

How narrow-minded could a guy from such a prominent family be to rely on a woman? So when Qing eagerly shouted, “I’ll treat you!” the two guys freaked out and protested vehemently.

For this reason, Qing’s gift package likened her to someone from another world—

A grandpa in red clothes with a bushy beard, declaring equality for all children, giving away goodies for free.

The Divine Maiden Sect disciples guarding the sect’s entrance spotted Qing and waved excitedly.

“Ah, Lord Taesa-sukjo has arrived!”

“Lord Taesa-sukjo! How was your trip?”

Their pure joy illuminated the girls’ faces.

Qing felt warm inside.

But the disciples of the Divine Maiden Sect still had a lot to learn.

“Yeah. You all are working hard. Here. Take this.”

Reaching into her bundle, Qing skillfully pulled out some candied treats, expertly wrapped.

One by one, she handed them over to the disciples.

“Wow, sweets! Thank you!”

“Thanks! Lord Taesa-sukjo is the best!”

Offering sweets to women was a serious matter.

Qing, once an average worker who didn’t care for sweets before she advanced, now completely understood.

There was a certain ecstasy that only sweets could bestow.

Washing her mouth with tea and munching on the flavors was like an approved drug in the Central Plains.

In fact, other drugs weren’t exactly illegal either.

Back in ancient primitive China, there weren’t any proper laws or regulations about managing narcotics yet.

“Thank you! Lord Taesa-sukjo!”

She also saw her chirpy, eager young disciples.

“Thanks, little disciple.”

She gave a slight bow to the elder female disciples.

“Sukjo, hehehe… it’s sweet…”

Even the older, roaming disciples stepped up.

As Qing handed out candied treats, she moved across the sect.

There was no woman in line to block her way, so her steps were assertive.

Her sweet home unfolded before her eyes.

The real estate market in the Central Plains wasn’t booming by any means.

But how euphoric it felt to have a home!

Then, it happened.

A girl, lying on the handmade couch, suddenly leaped up and attempted a headbutt.

“Sister!”

But Qing was a master.

She was long past the level of getting caught off guard by such apparent surprise attacks.

“What are you doing?”

“Who are you? This is the residence of Seomun Qing, the great clan elder. How dare a mere disciple enter recklessly? For daring to not recognize a clan elder, I shall have to give you some treats.”

“…?”

Qing pressed some sweets into the girl’s hand.

The girl squinted her eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

“Ah. That line? Wait, you’re not. Jang Myung, are you?”

“That’s unfair.”

Qing had every right to be wronged. The Jang Myung she remembered was more of a cute boy than a pretty girl.

How was she supposed to recognize that charming girl after half a year?

But wasn’t she still the same height? Is she not being fed at the Divine Maiden Sect?

“You managed to fool me completely. You’ve got some stealth skills, huh?”

“I never fooled you…”

Regardless, Qing was doting.

“Wow, you’ve become so pretty! Our Jang Myung is lovely! Cute! Beautiful! Like a flower! Like a celestial maiden! Wow, now you are totally a girl!”

“…? So before, I wasn’t a girl?”

Jang Myung tilted her head, wondering if she was being fed sweets.

But then, suddenly feeling let down, Jang Myung’s cheeks puffed up.

This was not at all how she imagined their heartfelt reunion scene would look like.

“Forget it. I’m leaving.”

“Ah. Wait a second. I brought you a gift! A rather expensive one, so don’t go blabbing to everyone else, okay?”

Jang Myung’s ears perked up.

“…Especially?”

“Let’s see. I had it stashed over here…”

Qing rummaged through her bundle.

Moments later, a shiny golden hairpin appeared.

It was a type of head ornament worn by women.

It consisted of two branching needles extending from the ornament to secure it to the hair.

The golden leaf adorned with green jade wasn’t large, nor was it extravagant, but it was a cute and charming item.

Jang Myung’s eyes widened.

“Wow…”

“Pretty, right? Ehem, just thought, you don’t have anything like this at your place, do you? Not spring potatoes… but…”

“What are you saying?”

Though she said that, her face was all smiles.

“Put it on me.”

“Hey! Don’t you have hands? Or feet?”

“Hurry up.”

She was at an age where she shouldn’t be acting spoiled.

Yet, Jang Myung had no one else to plead with.

Softening, Qing ultimately gave in.

“Fine, since you’re so cute, I’ll do it.”

Having learned about the proper positioning for accessories, Qing carefully tucked the hairpin into the right side of Jang Myung’s hair.

“Hehe…”

“Oh? Did you just…?”

“What?”

Qing tilted her head, wondering if she misheard.

It sounded suspiciously like a very sly chuckle… strange. She was sure she heard it.

“It’s nothing. Now, I have to go see the Master. Wanna come?”

“No.”

Jang Myung retorted seriously.

That was that, and this was that.

“Our Jang Myung is quite sharp, huh? Why don’t you pretend to think a bit?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Sure, then, fine. You’re quite resolute.”

Setting her bundle down, Qing prepared to head out again.

Behind her, Jang Myung was nervously touching the golden hairpin sitting atop her head.

Of course, Qing’s eyes were focused ahead.

So she had no idea what was going on.

“Master! Your disciple has returned!”

“Ugh. A grown woman should act with a bit of decorum. Look at how the disciples carry on. Tsk tsk.”

Seomun Sulin clicked her tongue.

She interpreted Qing’s acrobatics as a joyous return.

“Hehe…”

“Don’t smile like that. All that I’ve taught you has gone to waste.”

Yet, despite her words, Seomun Sulin’s expression couldn’t hide her smile.

Looking deeply into her disciple’s bright eyes, Seomun Sulin nodded.

“Your gaze has genuinely cleared up. It seems you haven’t been up to no good while you were away. I was worried the Heaven’s Kill would have struck again, but it appears my fears were unfounded.”

It was a ridiculous misunderstanding.

Seomun Sulin had no idea that the legendary Great Master Mucheondae had wiped out that Heaven’s Kill in one blow.

When she left, the Heaven’s Kill had faded slightly, and now it was nowhere to see, so it was understandable for her to feel relieved about her disciple’s journey.

“Oh, Master. I brought a gift for you, too.”

“A gift, you say? Just your safe return is more than enough.”

“It’s a flute. I thought you might like it.”

Qing pulled out the magic flute she had hidden away.

Seomun Sulin’s expression turned complicated.

What it looked like couldn’t quite fit the bill for a gift.

It was more like a haphazardly made metal chunk than an actual flute.

“This is…”

“It’s called the Magic Flute.”

Seomun Sulin burst into soft laughter.

“Hehe, you know how to make me laugh sometimes. You’ve always sung the praises of the Moonlight Sword, and now you’ve taken to naming things for fun. So where did you pick up a name like ‘Magic Flute’?”

Qing responded with her trademark bright smile—the one she flashed when she had no clue.

Seomun Sulin’s expression turned serious.