882 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

[The Plague Ghost Hiding Its Power] Geonpyeong-hyeon, strictly speaking, is not recognized as an official 'hyeon'(county). According to the nation's laws, a 'hyeon' is defined as an administrative region where a county magistrate dispatched from the central government establishes a governing office and manages the area. However, Geonpyeong lacks any governmental office. It is merely an overlapping area of southern Yeongwon-hyeon and western Pyeongcheon-hyeon jurisdictions. This overlap is the reason for its name, Geonpyeong; they decided to take one character each from the overlapping jurisdictions' names and combine them. At that time, Yeongwon-hyeon was known as Geonchang, hence the name Geonpyeong was derived from the initials of Geonchang and Pyeongcheon. Typically, such fringes of jurisdictional territories do not host cities. Administrative seats are established at strategically important locations as well as those important for their products, so regions lying on the outskirts of two counties usually only host small villages or hamlets. Yet, Geonpyeong is a thriving small city. Why? Because the land is outstanding. It exemplifies the feng shui ideal of "Six Mountains, One Water, Three Fields(六山一水三田)"—proclaiming a golden ratio of six parts mountainous terrain, one part large river, and three parts plains across the area's full landscape. Of course, the concept "Six Mountains, One Water, Three Fields," was more of a concern during the times when the central regions were frequently fragmented and engaged in battles. Surrounding mountains naturally provide abundant resources such as wood, herbs, fruits, medicinal materials, and game, while making enemy invasions difficult. The importance of water needs no explanation. And plains? Well, they mean farming, naturally making them important. In this era, mountains aren't especially valued, so these are bygone tales. Regardless, based on this geographically blessed land and its abundant resources, Geonpyeong has achieved the form of a thriving city. Yet one wonders, why has this self-growing 'sweet land' that naturally forms a city without even trying been left as a borderland between two jurisdictions without any governing office? Even though population equals tax revenue? Because the north is wide open. Geonpyeong-hyeon is blocked by mountains to the east, west, and south, but it directly borders the land of the Mongolian nomads to the north! Given the Mongolian invaders' penchant for horseback raids, they are unlikely to bother coming over the mountains. Even if Geonpyeong is plundered, that’s where it ends. They can’t encroach further into the Central Plains' domain. When the nomads invade? Once they plunder Geonpyeong, they'll head back home. Ah, the nomads have to eat too, after all! But if a governing office were established in Geonpyeong? Defensive walls would need to be raised, military deployed for clashes with the nomads. If the nomads get determined, they might even cross the mountains. Without the possibility of joining the mountains with a Great Wall. So, it’s better to leave things as they are. Indeed, while it's irksome that the Geonpyeong folk dodge taxes, it’s far more economical to simply let them be without placing a governing office. This is the harsh principle of governance! In reality, Geonpyeong residents are periodically looted by the Mongolian nomads. When Mongolian cavalry ride into the city with carts, the people of Geonpyeong rise as volunteers, defiantly confronting the barbaric nomads with bags of grain. For the nomads, there's no reason to trouble the compliant Geonpyeong folk, who provide sustenance peacefully. Trouble might bring government troops or cause the civilians to relocate elsewhere, so they take what’s given and leave. It was a rather peaceful plundering scene. You might say that it sounds like simply offering tribute to the nomads rather than plundering? Hush! Oh, such dangerous talk. Plundering, yes, always plundering, nothing but plundering. Do you think we offer it happily? Thus, now. The ferocity of the Mongolian nomads, once a specter dominating the world, is now forgotten. Both the government and military departments remain oblivious. And no one criticizes these shady transactions. The plundering now feels like a well-oiled deal. It's in this situation that a peculiar vagabond trudged along a mountain path. The vagabond's appearance was exceedingly bizarre. To begin with, the individual was a vagabond. The attire was every bit vagabond-like. Utterly disheveled. In fact, had the attire been decent, one would have called this person a lady rather than a vagabond. The very implication of the word ‘vagabond’ includes wearing outfits that scream 'vagabond.' Most peculiar was the hair. Loose, unkempt tresses covered the face, lending a ghostly, nightmarishly disturbing visage. The greasy, tangled hair seemed impervious even against the biting mid-winter wind, remaining statuesquely still. Who on earth was this enigmatic vagabond, this epitome of vagabond-nature? Who was this vagabond-like vagabond? It was none other than Ximen Qing(서문청), the Heavenly Flower Sword(천화검) of orthodox Murim—a revered prodigy who attained the Transformation Realm at the youngest age! Known as "Heavenly Flower," an influential star that Central Plains’ women long to emulate! The sole female luminary of Hanlimwon(한림원), a beacon of intellectual prowess! Sometimes a healer, saving lives. Sometimes a carpenter, espousing positive influence, building homes, and cultivating lives. At other times the Murim’s great mystery, a notorious thief, even the grand thief of the realm! Sometimes the pinnacle of Central Plains' machine artistry, at yet other times a gourmet with an insatiable hunger for meat. She possessed such ever-changing, myriad transformations(千變萬化) that her true identity was utterly elusive— Heavenly Flower Sword, Ximen Qing, the legendary figure of Ximen. And today, she returned to her roots, her very beginning mindset. Today’s Qing was the plague-afflicted vagabond of Geonpyeong, known as the Plague Ghost! Of course, upon closer inspection, certain suspicious indications could be noted about this plague ghost. Despite wearing numerous layers of grimy, filthy rags, no foul odor emanated—an indication that the stains, though persistent, were on clothes that had been washed clean. The luster in her greasy hair, when buried between its matted strands, revealed a deliberate application of oil, hence the discernible subtle aroma upon close contact. Terms to note: 1. Geonpyeong-hyeon(건평현) - Translated as 'Geonpyeong County', described as an administrative area. 2. Yeongwon-hyeon(영원현) - Translated as 'Yeongwon County', a neighboring administrative area. 3. Pyeongcheon-hyeon(평천현) - Translated as 'Pyeongcheon County', another neighboring administrative area. 4. Geonchang(건창) - Historical name of Yeongwon-hyeon, used in naming Geonpyeong. 5. Six Mountains, One Water, Three Fields(六山一水三田) - Transliteration of a feng shui concept representing an ideal landscape ratio, emphasizing the importance of balancing mountains, water, and plains for prosperity. 6. Hanlimwon(한림원) - Translated as Hanlimwon, a likely prestigious institution or academy in context. 7. The term Plague Ghost(역병귀) was used to give Qing a mysterious and eerie aura fitting her current guise. Changes required in the above list: 1. Ximen Qing's nickname, '천화' (Heavenly Flower), revealed through context alignment with her title as Heavenly Flower Sword. 2. The inclusion of 'Transformation Realm'(化境) for realms, marking the attainment of Ximen Qing. 3. Proverbs and sayings might require consideration for contextual translation regarding their historical and cultural significance in similar passages. However, who would pay attention to just a vagabond? Especially when they catch glimpses of the pestilent, blistered skin peeping through the tangled, drooping hair that obscures the face. From the middle of the mountain, Qing overlooks the wide basin below. Fields spread out around the city, with an impressive view of a city standing tall against the backdrop of a pure white snowy landscape, suggesting that it snowed quite a bit. A true snow country vista—charming and impossibly beautiful. Of course, despite the enchantment of the snow, she hadn't forgotten the horrid nature and vile temperament of the city. But having returned, what's the best way to announce her return? Should she go to Geonpyeong Pavilion and cause a scene? ‘You bastards, enemies of food waste, betrayers of scraps, I'll never forgive you?’ Or perhaps, should she decapitate the beggar king and hang his head in the town square? Hmm, for some reason, that doesn’t seem too appealing. Even if she makes a grand entrance, that’s all it amounts to. No matter if they realize that the disappeared vagabond has returned as a highly-skilled martial artist, they'd likely just apologize and grovel, admitting their faults at last. Granted, watching them would be entertaining. But no, that’s not it. It's time to hide her power. This was also a test for Qing. She wanted to quietly re-enter and observe if the public sentiment was still just as vile, and see how the Plague Ghost would be treated. If the people of Geonpyeong, having lost the Plague Ghost, finally repented their meanness and changed as individuals? In that case, well, she would have no choice but to treat them gentlemanly as well. After all, anyone can commit mistakes, but correcting them is what makes us human, isn’t it? ...Not a chance! Crunch! A snowball smashes against Qing’s head and shatters. Of course, trying to crack Qing’s head with just a snowball is an utterly futile task. Her physical body has already surpassed human limits, and her skull's hardness is likewise superhuman, so even angrily thrown snow cannot harm it in the slightest. Then, ouch! A vein prominently pops up on Qing’s forehead. Damn it, who would put a stone inside a snowball? Of course, a stone is far too fragile to break through Qing’s head. At best, it might scratch the skin, but a pebble without internal energy is far from tearing the skin. But it's incredibly annoying. Really, those bastards haven't changed at all. In fact, it’s towards the end of February right now. Which means people are in a state of deep boredom. Surely, people of this primitive age are always thirsty for amusement, as they always lack entertainment. Especially during these winters, they thrash in boredom with nothing to do. And amidst this, intriguing news swept over Geonpyeong. - “Have you heard? The Plague Ghost has returned?” - “Plague Ghost? Wasn’t she that ghostly lady who used to flaunt just her chest? I thought she had croaked.” Who was the Plague Ghost? A vagabond who appeared sometime five or more years ago, only to disappear again after about half a year, becoming unseen ever since. Of course, one might say there are countless vagabonds appearing in the city only to vanish unnoticed. Yet, the Plague Ghost was distinct. First, her appearance was unbearable to look at, with her face covered in blisters and scars that seemed like a nightmare to behold. Despite that, her body exuded lewdness, and she hid her face under her hair, walking around like that. She was quite the spectacle for the eyes, to put it kindly. Particularly, when threatened with stones or clubs, she’d flee in fear, and the sight of her jiggling flesh was a sight in itself. Although one could argue that no matter how appealing her physique, no fool would want to consort with a diseased ghost. - “Well, a beggar's lifespan is sturdy like steel. Seems she got chased out from somewhere else.” - “Where? We’re bored, let’s go right now.” Jumping up from his seat, a man exclaimed. Harassing beggars isn’t common, because those with nothing to lose are feared by those who have things to lose. In worst-case scenarios, if a beggar gets upset, they can stab someone or bash them with a rock and easily escape. But there were exceptions: sick, disabled, or child beggars were targets. The world becomes harsh for weak beggars without much fear of retaliation. This does not mean the Central Plains people are inherently wicked. Human beings generally have a base desire to feel superior and recover self-esteem by bullying those weaker than themselves. These primal, wicked cravings come from within every person, and thus bullying, known as an act of 'gabjil,' is an expression of these base desires. In recent days. Having infiltrated Geonpyeong, it was simultaneously significantly changed and entirely the same. The major change was the disappearance of beggars. Why are there no beggars in the city? Where did they all go? Though a few unknown faces appeared, the usual territorial beggar gangs were absent. Not even the comforts of bridges, ruins, or holes occupied by the head honchos were present. The spots were held by unfamiliar beggars suitable for living rough, but Qing isn't a newcomer among new faces. What happened to all those beggars? The answer is they were all rounded up and forced into labor in a mine north of Shanxi Sheng. Unbeknownst to Qing, the original beggars of Geonpyeong inadvertently offended some very high-ranking individual and were sentenced to a life of labor. This was actually a lenient sentence given that a fireworks festival premiere was considered to celebrate the new year by bombing them. However, if Geonpyeong were erased? The nomads would starve without Geonpyeong. And if the nomads starve, they would cross mountains to raid. Raids happen daily somewhere, so they don’t matter much, but if the Mongolian nomads pave mountain paths during their raids? Then it could become a major issue. Terms to note: 1. Geonpyeong County: Refers to a key location within the narrative, fostering conflicts with nomadic invaders. 2. **Plague Ghost (역병귀)**: A mysterious figure shrouded in both local myth and Qing’s true identity. 3. **Gabjil**: A term denoting the abuse of power, particularly towards those perceived as weaker. 4. **Shanxi Sheng(산서성)**: A region involved in forced labor camps, emphasizing the story's setting within broader semi-historical context. 5. **Mongolian Nomads (몽골 오랑캐들)**: Referring to the historical context of Mongolian incursions during the era. Changes needed for the list: 1. Emphasizing the role of Plague Ghost as an alias for Ximen Qing and its particular resonance given the societal context. 2. Defining Shanxi Sheng geographically to better grasp the broader environment. 3. Reflecting 'Gabjil' as cultural commentary on socio-political issues relevant to the narrative’s tension. Due to such thought processes, the officials desperately took action, allowing Geonpyeong to survive. Of course, this was also thanks to the testimonies collected from the common folk of Geonpyeong during a field investigation led by an Seo Chang inspector, which conveniently minimized any mention of how they had mistreated the Plague Ghost. Because really, who would boast about harassing a beggar to an outsider from another region? Naturally, Qing was unaware of this. The people of Geonpyeong regarded the Plague Ghost as little more than an unintelligible beast in human form, unlikely to comprehend anything said. Just as Qing suspected, the folks of Geonpyeong must have finally captured the beggar. Or perhaps those bastards at Geonpyeong Pavilion eventually poisoned the scraps. Well, it's all irrelevant to me. Despite these events, the unchanged aspect is the average nature of Geonpyeong’s people. Throwing snowballs could be considered a mild mischief. However, the brat who threw the stone—Qing made sure to memorize that face. And, isn’t it going too far when someone is splashing water? Splashing water on someone in this cold weather— Still, the guy who brought a water pouch and squirted it was just messing around. But the jerk who cautiously approached with a full bucket, presumably heavy, ended up splashing himself when he slipped. To make matters worse, his ankle snapped due to the bad fall, leaving him in a pathetic state. Anyway. Other than that, there are those who throw inedible things. Sure, I did specialize in the art of eating anything before. But, amidst them, some devil even gave me bitter Sophora bark. Sophora bark is dreadfully bitter, causing an involuntary retching response no matter how strong one's stomach is. What would possess someone to peel useless Sophora bark in the mountains just to throw it at a beggar? It’s because they wanted to see an entertaining spectacle of retching, that's why. And as for the kids poking with sharp sticks—that's just par for the course. When adults behave like this, it's inevitable for the kids to mimic their behavior, isn't it? Ugh, what despicable bastards. Is this the average of Geonpyeong? Truly, how thankful I am. Thanks to this, I won't feel guilty no matter what I do to those scum. Heh, heh heh... The Plague Ghost laughed. It was a very ominous laughter. Yet, the people of Geonpyeong didn't recognize the Plague Ghost. “What’s that? Hey, she’s laughing.” “Leave her be; she must have lost her mind.” And they merely sneered. But what about their future? Terms to note: 1. **Seo Chang (서창)**: Refers to an inspector or official, mentioned in the context of collecting testimonies. 2. **Sophora bark (소태나무 껍질)**: A real plant known for its bitterness, highlighting the torment the townspeople inflict on those they perceive as beneath them. 3. **Geonpyeong Pavilion (건평루)**: A location significant for its implied corruption and suspected role in poisoning food scraps. Changes necessary for the list: 1. Highlighting **Seo Chang** as part of the bureaucratic landscape investigating crimes against marginalized groups. 2. **Sophora bark** needs recognition for its cultural significance related to disciplines in foraging and its use as a metaphor for cruelty. 3. Emphasize **Geonpyeong Pavilion** not just as a place but a societal symbol for corruption and vice.