874 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

In Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, the scene was quite lively. The first 'Chengdu(城都)' refers to a city where a provincial government's administrative offices are located, while the second 'Chengdu(成都)' is the name of the city itself. Due to the identical pronunciation, it could lead to some humorous exchanges with those unfamiliar with the distinction. "Hey, Sichuan's Kim family, where is Sichuan's capital?" "Chengdu." "Right, the capital." "Yes, Chengdu." "So, where's the capital?" "I just told you, Chengdu." "Yeah, I just said it's the capital, so where is it?" "So, the capital. It's Chengdu." "Darn it...!" This was a typical humorous exchange known well by the people of Sichuan, who often used it to tease others. Regardless, a grand celebration was currently taking place in Chengdu. It was not an uncommon event. Today was New Year’s Eve, a night bustling with celebrations all over Zhongyuan (Central Plains), not just in Chengdu. However, this year's New Year celebration in Chengdu was unlike any other; it was an extravagant feast! Why, you ask? Because the Sichuan Tang Clan was lavishly providing free food and drink from local vendors and eateries. Of course, prestigious inns or teahouses were exceptions, but those with wealth wouldn't seek out free offerings, nor would they express much gratitude even if they partook. Nevertheless, ordinary citizens, faced with the dilemma of wanting to treat their families but having their pockets barely jingling with coins, found relief in the sudden bounty of unlimited free food and drink! Naturally, any such largesse might lead to scenes of triumphant chaos and squabbling, a hallmark of the Chinese people, but only if participants misjudged the situation. In Sichuan Tang Clan’s festival within Sichuan territory, there was no Sichuan native who dared cause chaos, for doing so meant they’d already met their end by poison. Regardless, as citizens raised their free-flowing drinks, a loud and robust toast resounded. "Here’s to the success of the Heavenly Sword Flower!" "Success to all!" "Success everywhere!" R1o1RUY1V2dWdFByellBWDZwUWJGZllSRUVZV3dpSEdIa2Rjekx5NHdrQmFseFZ6WlZ6cE1TUTZjVVRMaERiZQ "Sichuan’s Greatest Sword!" "Sichuan’s Greatest Sword?" "Yeah, that's great! Sichuan’s Greatest Sword!" While the Sichuan Tang Clan sponsored free food and drink, ironically, it was the Heavenly Sword Flower who received the thanks. Why? Because this act of benevolence was in accordance with the wishes of the Heavenly Sword Flower! The Sichuan Tang Clan, a massive gratitude celebration for the New Year! The term "谢恩 (謝恩, sa-eun)" means to repay a kindness with a grateful heart, a phrase sometimes used by merchants in Qing’s hometown to offer discounts to thank their patrons. Of course, these 'discounts' often masked price hikes just before offering discounts, rendering the 'discounts' ambiguous, solely aimed at making profits rather than expressing genuine gratitude. However, the Sichuan Tang Clan was different; when repaying kindness, they were magnanimous, but when avenging, they were the smallest of petty men—a minuscule pettiness was their family creed. Qing had already been recognized as a benefactor of the clan, with the matter praised with an official token of gratitude—a resolution already deemed settled. A Sichuan Tang Clan's gratitude plaque, even if merely a bronze token, conferred myriad benefits, but a top-tier token implied a more profound alliance—offering unconditional support. The highest gratitude plaque Qing had received? A seal confirming that from today, the Heavenly Sword Flower and the Sichuan Tang Clan were united as one. Any attack on the Heavenly Sword Flower would be considered an attack on the Sichuan Tang Clan. An honorary membership of the Tang Clan had been bestowed upon Qing, effectively making her part of the clan. Moreover, Qing delivered Blood Cult's research tomes to the clan, suggesting that since the clan had the expertise, they should develop and share the findings with the Martial Alliance. From the clan's perspective, this was an undeniable gesture of goodwill and immense favor. The results achieved from the same material varied depending on who conducted the research. The extensive records on the poisons used by the Blood Cult, and their effects could yield substantial advances in understanding symptoms, diagnoses, and detoxification, to be shared with the Martial Alliance. Simultaneously, The clan could elevate their existing poison techniques without needing to share this progress, nor should they. Thus, for another martial artist, entrusting the Sichuan Tang Clan with such valuable materials and requiring nothing in return would have been almost inconceivable. Yet Qing, without hesitation, handed over the documents and sought no recompense. The level of gratitude felt by the Sichuan Tang Clan defied simple words. How could they express this gratitude? With money? But Qing was not one to care for wealth, and wasn’t it well known that the Divine Maiden Sect had recently become quite prosperous? A plaque had already been given, and Qing’s was of the highest grade. There really was nothing more to give, yet the need to express this immense gratitude persisted. So then, what was left? Honor and public sentiment! Thus, the people of Chengdu enjoyed an unprecedented and abundant New Year celebration. But it was not merely Qing who partook in this grand festivity. The streets were adorned with red lanterns symbolizing prosperity, a cherished hue among Zhongyuan's people. Strung across the random streets like disordered laundry lines, these lanterns illuminated the dark night with a serene glow. Beneath them, citizens, filled with cheer and standing on bronze vessels, clinked their cups of rice wine, shouting, “Cheers to the Heavenly Flower’s victory! To the World’s Greatest Beauty! To Sichuan’s Greatest Sword!” Each toast seemed to echo her name, creating a somewhat peculiar feeling. And what was this Sichuan's Greatest Sword? Why her? Nonetheless, universally, those who treat their guests to a meal are revered. To the citizens of Chengdu, the Heavenly Sword Flower was indeed the greatest. Children, ecstatic with rare free sweets, dashed around clutching treats in both hands, rejoicing in the festivity. --- **New Terms Translated:** - Chengdu(城都) - referred to as the provincial capital of a region. - Chengdu(成都) - the city name. - Sichuan Tang Clan(사천당가) - A powerful clan in Sichuan known for expertise in poison and benevolence. Explanation and Word Play: - "성도(城都/成都)" represents a pun based on the identical pronunciation but different meanings. - The term “谢恩 (謝恩, sa-eun)” represents gratitude, also used ironically to describe merchants profit from so-called 'grateful' sales. Alternate Translations: - Though both "성도" could be kept as "Chengdu," the narrative context made distinguishing one as the capital and another as the city became integral for humor. **Characters' Gender Updates:** - Qing is referred to as the Heavenly Sword Flower, ensuring consistency. - No new genders or changes to the existing context from above. No alterations to the lists provided as the clarified context aligns with the set-up. In the well plaza, an enormous lion with more than ten legs was dancing gracefully. Remarkably, the lion dancers were mostly volunteers. They crafted the costume themselves, practiced tirelessly, and then brought joy to festivals like Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival a few times a year. However, it’s often the case that the passion of the person handling the lion’s head far exceeds that of those managing the rest of the body. Typically, the head bobs energetically while the rest of the body trails along, unable to conceal its weariness. Professional acrobats specializing in lion dances can leap and roll deftly, creating a dazzling spectacle, but there’s also a unique charm to the endearing amateur clumsiness of these volunteers. Watching the lion dance with perhaps a little too much zeal, the eyes of the observer, YeoYeo, gleamed with rare delight. “That thing, it’s a monster. A monster.” “Come now, that’s a lion. A lion.” “A lion? Really?” “It doesn’t look like one, but let's say it’s a lion.” Hearing this, Zhuge Leehyun’s eyes also sparkled. “Sister? Have you ever seen a real lion?” “What? You haven’t seen one?” “Where could I possibly see a lion? Isn’t it an animal from Pasa or Tenzhu?” “Oh. Right.” Come to think of it, there are no zoos in Central Plains. Although, there is that one zoo in the Forbidden City. But the Forbidden City Zoo isn’t a place where you can just wander in; it’s a sanctuary where rare animals presented to the emperor are kept. “If you say it doesn’t look like one, what does it look like?” “Hmm. Maybe like a tawny tiger without stripes, but with a mane? Well, that’s just the males. Females don’t look much different from tawny tigers.” To a zoologist, this might be lamentable ignorance, but Qing’s knowledge of biology was only at this level. Come to think of it, aren’t lions and tigers capable of interbreeding? What would they be called in Central Plains? A lorester? Lovechild? Well, you get the idea. Wandering aimlessly, eating here and there, there wasn’t any real objective to this festivity, after all. Simply the joy of people-watching and eating indulgently without care. And suddenly. A sharp sound echoed distantly, like a fleeting whistle. And soon, Bang…! Bang-bang-bang! White, red, peacock-blue fireworks resplendently decorated the night sky. Followed by a barrage of firing sounds, the sky was filled with dazzling fireworks. Fireworks are such a captivating spectacle that even modern individuals used to city lights are entranced, let alone those in Central Plains who are starved for such wonders. As the night sky was painted by the dazzling pyrotechnics, the people below were mesmerized, gazing upward. It was a grand display, marking the end and beginning of a year. Ah, another year has passed like this. Then how many years have I been in Murim? Seven years? Wow, then almost ten years. If you round it up, it’s nearly a decade in this ancient and primitive era. Yes, almost a decade (no, not yet)… Reflecting back, it was such a struggle when I first landed in this era. "Happy New Year, Cheong-ah!" "Happy New Year!" Tang Nanah and Seo Lily, speaking at the same time, looked at each other with slight irritation. Ja Yeowon, resting in Gyeon Poo Hee's arms, joined in mesmerized, lost in the fireworks' glow. “May you receive lots of blessings this New Year.” “San should get blessings too, but maybe less in the affair department.” “Sister, I wish you receive so many blessings this New Year.” “Oh, Leehyun, may you receive them in abundance too.” Exchanging New Year’s greetings with friends, a sensation of warmth tickled inside. Um, it’s all because… I miss Master... The fireworks continued in the night sky. And as they ended, the festivity would also draw to a close. For the first day of the new year was bound to be busy from the morning. Time to sleep, then in the morning, pay respects to the elders for the New Year, partake in toasting the first meal, and offer ancestral rites, wouldn’t you? And suddenly. The fireworks adorning the sky abruptly halted, and only the heavy scent of gunpowder lingered in the air. It marked the complete passing of the year. Ximen Qing’s seventh year in Jianghu, beginning anew. --- What marks the beginning of the New Year? It’s tteokguk! There is no New Year without tteokguk! However, the tteokguk in Central Plains was starkly different from Qing’s homeland; here, tteokguk consisted of sweet rice cakes or ones filled abundantly with red bean paste submerged in a salty, rich meat broth. If you must call it something, a honey rice cake soup? This isn't it! This is no tteokguk! To have sweet rice cakes in meat broth, such a dish should not exist! This should not be present in the world! Thus, it needed to be quickly disposed of by eating, as waste was not an option. Qing fervently cleaned her bowl of tteokguk. Regrettably, the honey rice cake soup tasted wonderful. It shouldn’t taste so good, yet indeed, sweet and salty flavors combined undefeated…! Thus, the remarkable scene of a young woman devouring the tteokguk unfolded. After breakfast, the time which children awaited all year and the time adults dreaded would begin. It was time to collect New Year’s money. So after the morning meal was cleared, as they waited for the moment to offer greetings. But then? The clan head instructed everyone to leave. “Well, you must first pay respects to His Majesty before the New Year’s greetings, so you kids go and take a New Year’s bath. Maybe after lunch. Ah, and Heavenly Sword Flower, shouldn’t you go pay respects to His Majesty?” “Oh, right.” Qing remembered someone. She recalled that Ja Yeo lived here in Chengdu. --- **New Terms Translated:** - Tteokguk(떡국) - a traditional Korean dish with validated regional variability mentioned in the context. - Tang Nanah(한난아) and Seo Lily(설이리) - names kept consistent with gender specifics. - Ja Yeo/YeoYeo (Inferred likely from context, pronounced emphasis by local 'Ja'). Gender was unclear, but context suggests a person's mention. Explanation: - The playful exchange around the lion dance enhances Qing's misunderstanding, as well as her humorously incorrect assumption about lions and tigers interbreeding, reflecting her sometimes skewed understanding of this world's fauna. - The description of Tteokguk reflects Qing’s cultural dissonance and serves as a humorous contrast between her expectations and the local variations in the narrative. There were no needed updates to the established list as they align correctly with the narrative context.