879 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

[To Mount Zhangbai] Tasks before departing for Mount Zhangbai. The first: Saying goodbye to friends. "Zhuge, travel well." "Yes, sister. Please take care of yourself too. We'll meet again later at the Murim Alliance's district." If someone from the Murim Alliance overheard, they might question when did the highest guest reception hall, Muchengak, become the domain of your Half-Sword Dual Sword Society. Meanwhile, seeing Zhuge Leehyun, a massive man of over six feet, leaning down to speak gave off the impression of a hometown gangster. "Also, send my regards to Hyang. Wow, how long has it been since I last saw her?" "It's been a little over half a year, sister." "Has it been over half a year already? Wow, time flies." "Please drop by sometime. Hyang misses you greatly." Zhuge Leehyun, returning! I thought about bringing him along to Zhangbai, but given that the Zhuge Clan is close, he could easily return home in a day by ship. Since he can get home in a day, there's no reason to delay just to travel together. And even if that wasn't the case, there's no need to hold him back just because he's heading home. After all, parting should be simple and straightforward. In that light, a farewell to Peng Daesan was also in order. "San, you're leaving too? Send my regards to the young lady Peng as well. I said I'd visit once, but I still haven't gone." "There's nothing much to see even if you come. And even if you visit, I won't be at the clan." "How amusing. Who said I'm visiting to see you? I'm going there to see the young lady Peng." "Hmph." Peng Daesan scoffed. Then, he looked at Qing for a moment. "...You're not seriously considering coming, are you?" "Uh, I'm not sure yet. Maybe I'll drop by briefly on my way back from Zhangbai? Isn't it on the way?" "Zhangbai? It's not exactly a place for sightseeing." "I have something to look for there." "If you really must go, it's best to hurry. Starting in early spring will get you there by summer." "I'm planning to leave as soon as I unpack." "Hmm." "Anyway, safe travels, San." Thus, those heading home did so. However, Gunyeong stood right beside me as if she was naturally coming to my house. Of course, Gunyeong has nowhere to go after being expelled from Bing Palace. Doesn't she have a room at the Murim Alliance? Well, anyway. Tasks before departing for Mount Zhangbai. The second: Endure the fuss of Sarang and Yeonse, who usually guard the main gate. First, Sarang. "Oh, the Supreme Uncle is here! Supreme Uncle, did you know? They say if you see someone too beautiful, it could shock you into losing your memory." Sarang said. "Oh, Supreme Uncle, Supreme Uncle! Did you know? They say if you see someone too beautiful, it could shock you into losing your memory." Sarang blinked and repeated. "Oh, Supreme Uncle? When did you arrive? I heard before, if you see someone too beautiful, it could shock you into losing your memory." Sarang tilted her head and continued. "Oh? Supreme Uncle? Are you heading out? Oh, Supreme Uncle, be careful. They say if you see someone too beautiful—mmph. Words were cut off by candy but persisted on despite the interruption." "Whoa, whoa, calm down. How are you, Yeonse?" "How could I be well, with the Uncle not in the sect, and Jayeo gone. No, Jayeo! My life, my light, my salt, my candy. For Jayeo, I might even skip my evening snack! Haha, Jayeo, sniff, Jayeo's scent, hehe..." Leaving Yeonse burying her nose in my neck, Jayeo looked up at me with a tilted head. She had a look like, "This person is strange." "Keep it up." "Yes, Supreme Uncle!" "See you later! Oh, did you hear? I heard recently that if you see someone too beautiful, it might shock you into losing your memory." Really? Using this opportunity to hammer it in one more time? Qing, with a smile in her eyes, pointed at Sarang with an "Ohh," and Sarang puffed out her chest proudly for some reason. To Mount Zhangbai (abridged), the third task. Meet with the Head of the Sect and pay respects. "Ah, our youngest, did you return well? Oh my, you brought such things. I will put this away and have it by myself." Sect Head Wang Ju-hee quickly stored the packet of dried shiitake mushrooms in her office drawer. While they might be common in Qing's homeland, they are the King of Mushrooms, rivaling the likes of pine mushrooms or king oyster mushrooms, making other mushrooms seem inferior. Of course, if they were truly valuable, the Sect Head wouldn't claim to eat them all by herself. In fact, the Seolga Trading Company offers foods rich with unique delicacies from all over Zhongyuan to the heads of the master's family. "You could have celebrated Lunar New Year at the main sect. By the way, was it Yunnan? Was everything alright?" "There were some issues, so..." Qing began her signature disorganized recounting. Though the order was a mess, someone of the Sect Head's caliber could comprehend even a jumbled report. "The world truly seems ominous these days. The fact that the remnants of the Blood Cult keep appearing is indeed troubling. Should we send a message to Master? It's times like this when we must be extra careful." The Divine Maiden Sect's location isn't exactly advantageous, being rather close to unorthodox territories. Still, it's a relief to have nearby allies like Wudang and the Zhuge Clan. And even more so that Qing recently annihilated the Green Forest's headquarter. "So, get some good rest then." "Actually, I'm already planning to head out again soon." "Oh dear, right after returning? Child, why don't you stay put for a while? Where are you planning to go this time?" "I'm planning a trip to Mount Zhangbai..." "Mount Zhangbai? Oh my, and if you do go, it might take at least half a year. Hmm." Wang Ju-hee's expression softened warmly. **Terms not in the list:** - Mount Zhangbai(장백산): Translated as "Mount Zhangbai" following similar naming conventions from the given context. - Zhuge Clan(제갈세가): Mentioned in the text as a place near to travel, recognized as the "Zhuge Clan." - Sarang(사랑) and Yeonse(연서): Characters in the story; their interactions provide a humorous element to the text. Their interactions are personal and lively, befitting their close role in the narrative, hence no changes needed. - Jayeo(자여): A character, seems to be a beloved or cherished figure given the affectionate references. - Gunyeong(구녕이): Another character who is said to have nowhere to go after being expelled and serves close roles. - Shiitake mushrooms(건표고): Used as a gift, signifies importance as a regional specialty. **Additional Context:** - The interactions are informal and show camaraderie. The parting between characters shows the close-knit relationships and a sense of humor prevalent in their dialogues. - Figurative expressions like someone being "shocked into losing memory" play into the comedic interactions with vivid imagery and sarcasm. - The text reflects elements of genre fiction rooted in martial arts culture with a flare of realism intertwined in expectations of the sect and country narrative. **Genders:** - Sarang, Yeonse, and Jayeo are female based on interaction cues. - Gunyeong’s gender wasn’t clear in the context; hence, they have been kept without specific gender pronouns. **Changes Recommended:** None significant, as the list is comprehensive and aligns well with the narratives described here. "Even though our youngest hasn't formally joined the Divine Maiden Sect, no disciple here considers them an outsider." "It's not like that. This is my home. It's just that I feel it's a busy time right now." Wang Ju-hee hinted if perhaps the Divine Maiden Sect felt awkward for her, being an "outsider" disciple. Qing is not formally a disciple of the Divine Maiden Sect but always remains Ximen Surin’s student. Wang Ju-hee meant to reassure her that she shouldn’t feel uncomfortable since Master wasn’t around, and Qing replied that it wasn't the case, which brought a gentle smile back to Wang Ju-hee's face. "You've already reached harmony at your age, so you could very well rest, but it's no wonder our youngest has reached such heights. Nevertheless, don't make us worry too much." "Yes, I will keep that in mind." Task related to Mount Zhangbai, fourth: Playing with Jin Jangmyeong. "What? You're leaving again?" Jin Jangmyeong plopped her jaw right onto the top of Jayeo’s head and pouted her cheeks. Trying to act cute at her age, really? Though Jin Jangmyeong still looks like a sixteen-year-old kid, isn't she, in reality, two years younger than my public age? Doesn't that make her twenty-one? Pouting at twenty-one might seem trivial, but, well, wouldn't it be a tad embarrassing personally? "Hey, cut it out with the cutesy act." "Hmph. It's my choice." "So, what's the fun? Working your bones off while young for early retirement is the goal. The moment you hit the Profound Realm, all's set. Plan not to step outside your door after that." "What's a 'Profound Realm'? Some kind of dog's name?" "For true masters, yes, it's akin to a dog's name. Aiyo, our Jangmyeong, destined to toil for a lifetime. Let's retire in peace posthumously." The veins on Jin Jangmyeong's forehead throbbed visibly. "In that sense, why not teach Jayeo some basics of the Thousand Characters Classic? Mount Zhangbai is far away, and I heard it's quite perilous." "Oww, me too." In Jayeo's attempt to act cute, it's genuine because she naturally is. Liaoning Province is clearly within Zhongyuan's territory. But beyond that, Jilin and Heilongjiang are somewhat uncertain, with mixed opinions. From the imperial perspective, they haven’t dispatched officials, but many Zhongyuan people live there, deeming it implicitly Zhongyuan territory. Of course, the Jurchen barbarians fiercely disagree. Originally, Jilin and Heilongjiang belonged to Jin Country, the land of past Jurchen, now fragmented into hundreds of tribes. Each tribe claims its land there, alongside Jurchens, Even Mongolian barbarians stealthily assert their territories. No official control from Zhongyuan, laws vary by tribes; it’s a chaotic mix between Jurchens and Mongolians, ending up a land of everyone and no one. In short—a lawless wasteland. Yet, cities big and small along major roads maintain Zhongyuan law and order. Accurately speaking, it’s just one road from Liaoning-Heiben to Black Dragon Ancestral Clan considered Zhongyuan, and the rest, well, akin to shared governance zones like Qing’s hometown. Resulting in: "You can't go this time. Bandits and thieves, they encounter Mongol, Jurchen, Eastern barbarian raiders. Six times a day meet altogether. It’s too dangerous for Jayeo." "Ugh..." Jayeo pouted gloomily. But what can be done for a land teeming with bandits? A land where scoundrels can be dealt with, filled with bandits deserving death—a veritable land of milk and honey. No wonder Father Dangun chose to settle there. Perhaps Father Dangun enjoyed slaying evil too? "What’s up? Why’re you cheerful?" "Ahem, am I? Just imagining not being able to go with Jayeo and our Jangmyeong, my heart, sniff. Hurts so much. Ahh, too difficult." "Daughter, it’s sorry for Dad. Let’s live happily by ourselves." "What about study?" "No studies." Then Jayeo turned and nestled in Jin Jangmyeong’s embrace. Qing’s forehead vein bulged. Such small beings, playing around. Is it a Tiny Alliance or what? "No, teach the Thousand Characters Classic. How can you eat with an illiterate child?" "Do it yourself. Not my problem. Daughter, isn’t it?" "Yeah, yes, that’s right." Having to watch Jayeo escape the task immediately upon my return was her protest in some way, I guess. Unavoidable. Reading and writing can come later, as there’s no real expectation for Jayeo to pass civil exams. May our trivial Jayeo just stay healthy; it’s fine as long as she remains cute. When she’s no longer cute, then she can study diligently. Yet, spending New Year away and leaving after a day of stay felt somewhat awkward. Thus, the plan was to stay two nights. "Supreme Uncle, have a safe journey!" "Ah, you're off again! Until you return, I’ll forever guard the main gate." "Are you the only ones on gate duty, really?" "Uncle, I mean nothing by it, but I heard fern bracken in Zhangbai is superb." "Fern bracken, noted." "Come back quickly, we'll wait." "Listen to Mom, alright? Study hard." Jayeo sidesteps and averts her gaze. Qing glanced up at Jin Jangmyeong, who shrugged nonchalantly. Not just planning to play around, right? "Lady Seomun, we’ll be here." "Alright, train hard, and, um, why do I feel they are here?" Seol Lily was there naturally mingling with those seeing me off from the Divine Maiden Sect. Seol Lily remains here. Though Seol Lily wanted to join me, I refused. Naturally, she couldn't be involved openly when the quest involved searching for Demonic Techniques, one of the World’s Eleven Great Demon Arts. Parting from those seeing me off, including a few from the Divine Maiden Sect. Off to Mount Zhangbai. **New Terms Explained:** - Jin Jangmyeong(진장명): A character with playful interactions. She is an older individual acting youthful, hence the comedic aspect. - Jayeo(자여): Qing’s daughter figure, her interactions are filled with warmth and concern for safety. - Thousand Characters Classic (천자문): An ancient Chinese text used for teaching Chinese script and vocabulary, adding an educational dynamic. - Fern Bracken(고사리): A type of plant used historically in Asian cooking, referencing familiar food associated with specific locales (Zhangbai). - Father Dangun (단군할아버지): A legendary founding figure in Korean mythology, humorously mentioned when discussing historically mythical places. - Lawless Wasteland (무법지대): A place without regulations, highlighting Mount Zhangbai's mentioned complexities. **Additional Context:** - The social dynamics within the sect, bonds between the characters, and the depiction of Qing’s responsibilities add to both comedic and serious tones. - The diverse cultural, historical references merge real-world connections into the narrative. - Dialogue and behaviors emphasize personal traits, emotional bonds, and cultural values shaping fictional martial narratives.