887 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

Jang Da-in clicked his tongue, deep in thought. "They're all clamoring for that Plague Specter to be dealt with. Kang Master, is there truly no solution? Is that Plague Specter really such a formidable foe?" "She's not an extraordinary master. She's either similar to my level or perhaps a bit superior." "Then?" The implication was clear: why had he lost, especially with so many men at his side? Kang Master couldn't help but wear a look of frustration. "It's a matter of compatibility. There's a martial art called Earth Traversing Fist, a style where you fight low to the ground and move on all fours. Even with someone in the same realm, it's exceedingly difficult to confront." "If it's such a powerful technique, yet you say it involves crawling on the ground, how many would truly choose to learn something like that?" "Exactly." "Hmm." Jang Da-in stroked his beard thoughtfully. In truth, there was a way to drive out the Plague Specter. He could venture to the city and hire a swordsman, a vagabond or wandering martial artist, but with Jang Da-in's wealth as the ruler of Geonpyeong, it was quite achievable. "Everyone's clamoring for me to invite a master from inside our borders, but those fools, can't they see the potential folly in such a task?" Unable to handle even one Plague Specter, what if the master they hired decided to settle in the town instead? Someone of Kang Master's caliber was appropriately suitable to manage a mutual coexistence. If he brought an extraordinary master, he might as well be handing over Geonpyeong. Thus, Jang Da-in cleared his throat. "So, it seems, in a way, the Plague Specter is one of our own people from Geonpyeong, isn't she? Surely, she wouldn't want to continue living like a beggar. Try to negotiate with her. After all, she's relatively skilled, and not just anyone can handle her." In essence, he was suggesting that Kang Master personally attempt to negotiate. For Kang Master, this wasn’t a bad proposition. Knowing his own abilities, how else could a mere second-tier martial artist earn any real recognition if not there? What if they called in someone superior from abroad? He'd be out of a job. Yet against the Plague Specter, once accustomed to the Earth Traversing Fist, he was confident he could defeat her. He absolutely did not consider her to be some unrivaled master. Indeed, even first-tier individuals exuded aura, yet the Plague Specter didn't manifest in such a manner. Furthermore, how could such a master subject themselves to appearing so undignified and ludicrous? Jang Da-in's face bloomed with satisfaction. Perhaps he'd feared touching on a martial artist's pride, but with him willingly stepping up, it was reassuring. "There's no one quite like Kang Master. Someone I can trust and rely on. Try to persuade her well, alright?" ---- The affairs in Geonpyeong were almost entirely concluded. Except for one. "Serve the food!" "I-I'll serve it." "What? Are you resisting? Want a beating? How did I say you should address me?" "G-Gracious Beggar Supreme, sir." "That's right, just like that." Qing nodded in satisfaction. And then, she placed her feet casually on a table and leaned back in her chair. To those from Qing's hometown, putting your feet up on the dining table might appear horrendously ill-mannered. But to the people from Zhongyuan? Well, they’d likely react no differently. A dining table was a serious matter. Even if she was at the heart of a restaurant, such a scene proved profoundly displeasing to any other patrons present. At that moment, Qing wasn't there as the Heavenly Sword Flower; she was, in fact, present as the humble Beggar Supreme of Geonpyeong's martial world. A beggar persona, in short. For this beggar lass to occupy the most visible seat in the restaurant? To place her bare foot on the table as if to flaunt it and half-recline? It was an outrageous scene, deterring even those just stepping inside. A ghastly sight, an unsanitary view, a menacing spectacle. The kind of scene that could ruin any restaurant in an instant! Surely, people would question which insane owner would allow such self-destructive behavior. That owner sat right there beside Qing, kneeling reverently. Qing patted the restaurant owner's exceedingly bald head. "I've been thinking." "Yes, oh yes! Please speak, Beggar Supreme, sir." "Once, there was a pitiless restaurant owner, wasn't there? You must know, in any thriving restaurant, there's a generous amount of surplus food daily, right?" A restaurant yields the most food waste, sometimes called "slops." In Zhongyuan, the custom of dining involves such ostentation that if the eater finishes everything, the host becomes embarrassed. Leaving no food suggests the portions were insufficient, which in turn implies the host skimmed on hospitality. These meals mostly occur with drinking, and high-end restaurants typically become the stage for such impressions. Thus, all guests inevitably leave food uneaten. "But instead of disposing it immediately, they’d let it go slightly sour and bring it out later. Why do you think that is? Was it unbearable for them to imagine beggars enjoying their gourmet dishes?" "Haha..." The restaurant owner forced a laugh. Qing feigned deep thought, "However, one day even those pots of rotting slops disappeared. They said it's good for pig feed, huh?" "Haha..." "Using leftover food for pig feed is indeed brilliant. After all, leaving food just results in it being thrown out, producing smell and attracting pests, doesn't it? That’s all environmental pollution right there. But if you feed it to pigs, you're raising pigs and protecting the environment at the same time. It's a win-win, isn't it?" "Yes, that's right, Beggar Supreme." Qing gave the owner’s bald head another gentle pat before snapping her wrist with a deft smack. "But wasn’t it a bit much to use that as an excuse to hoard slops? Turns out the pig, over at the Jang's, once it gave birth to about ten piglets, they simply promised one in return?" "Haha..." "So where did the missing slops go? Did some cold-hearted restaurant owner dump it into the river just to spite the beggars?" "Haha..." --- ### New Terms: - **Plague Specter(역병귀)**: A character seemingly feared for her martial abilities in the narrative. Translated as "Plague Specter" which encapsulates a haunting and formidable presence. - **Earth Traversing Fist(지당권)**: A unique martial art style depicted in the text. - **Geonpyeong(건평)**: Retained its proper noun form as it's a place name. - **Beggar Supreme(거지존)**: Refers to a powerful martial arts figure/you bummed with unexpected expertise and reputation. ### Contextual Annotations: - "역병귀" is portrayed as both a proficient and infamous martial artist within the story, aligning with her designation as a "specter", suggesting a tenuous and elusive threat. - The term "거지" usually refers to "beggar," combined with "존" for a touch of grandeur, contrasting the squalid lifestyle with a supreme status. - The scene contains themes of pride, respect, and social standing within martial society, highlighting even beggars can have significant stature. ### Additional Note: - "Beggar Supreme" is consistent with the established nomenclature in martial arts novels where positions are often revered, even if the title seems contradictory to general societal norms. "Why even bother dragging a heavy pot of slops all the way downstream and dumping it, when just leaving it be would have the beggars clean it up entirely? Did it irk them so much to see beggars eating for free, doing nothing but sitting around idle? Were they so unwilling to even give away garbage they were going to throw out, that they'd hire someone to get rid of it far away?" "Haha..." "Why the cold sweat? Do you have a guilty conscience?" "N-No, Beggar Supreme." "Hmm. I get it, though. Even in Zhongyuan, there were many like that. You know, those who think giving even a little extra to a customer causes them a great loss? Imagine how they must feel toward beggars." In Qing's homeland, known for its thriving trade, such stores were common. How much worse would it be in these more uncultured times? "It's less about the loss and more about emotion. It's not that they're losing much; they just can't stand the thought of someone else gaining something." So imagine how much more they despised seeing even non-customer beggars benefiting. "Then, what about those beggars who relied on that waste?" In a place like Geonpyeong, where the average heart is much colder than in Zhongyuan, the beggars' major food source suddenly vanished. What happens next? The weakest beggars would start starving at the bottom, evolving into ferocious, hungry beasts—a savage state. "Why the silence? When at a loss for words, what did I say you should do?" "Ha, ha, ha..." "See, isn't it better to laugh? Laughter brings fortune." Qing patted the bald head of the owner, who knelt beside her. "Of course, it's not exactly wrong, is it? The owner can do as they please—use their restaurant's waste to feed pigs, throw it in the river, or even eat it themselves. It's their choice. It's not a crime, nor necessarily wrong, is it?" "Y-Yes, Beggar Supreme." "Indeed. That's right." Was the owner guilty of anything? Not really. Just simple malice. Though there were beggars who died from that simple malice, that was merely other beggars killing to protect their bowl. The restaurant owner bore no legal blame. Thus, I only returned the simple malice in kind. After all, giving Geonpyeong’s most successful establishment a break for a few days wouldn't deal a devastating blow. But such a lesson could teach that if one schemes earnestly to sap others, they'd better be prepared for it themselves, no? Qing let her arms hang down lazily. From the kitchen came the clanging of pots, blending with the salty, greasy aroma unique to Zhongyuan. And after a brief moment... "I've been thinking." "Please, speak, Beggar Supreme." "There used to be a pitiless restaurant owner, you see? A successful..." Hearing it again! And again, the same words unchanged! One could almost hear the sound of blood running from Geonpyeongru's owner's ears. Removing those slops was a mistake! No, before that, they should have poisoned it, wiping out those beggar bastards entirely! But of course, as Qing firmly believed, regret isn't repentance. True repentance would mean realizing one's stingy nature and deeply remorseful. Regret is mere pettiness, a notion they shouldn't have done it, after all, getting a raw deal. Despite it all... The owner of Geonpyeongru wasn’t utterly undone. Qing merely planned to bother them for a few days before vanishing elsewhere. It wasn’t like a business would go bankrupt or its owner dead just because they couldn't operate for a few days. It was about petty payback. Yet, without knowing Qing's plan, the owner of Geonpyeongru had no choice but to think this way. This woman, not only out to ruin the business but out to ruin the people too! Now the owner's only hope was this: That Master Jang might call in a real master from inside the borders to deal with this unruly beggar. All they needed was to endure until then! Or so thought the owner of Geonpyeongru. “Ahem, Beggar Supreme.” Kang Master eased into the opposite chair. “Hmm? What is it? A rematch? I don't mind, but shouldn't we finish the meal first if you're hungry? Some food will come out soon, so perhaps join?” “No, not that. Ahem. I'll speak plainly. It seems Master Jang was impressed by your exploits. From knowing Jang for some time, I assure you his hospitality will not be lacking." “Oh, just like that?” Qing slumped nonchalantly. “Let him know there's no need. I have no particular grievances with Master Jang. If he wanted to accommodate, he should've done so when I was the Plague Specter. Let’s just coexist indifferently, like a cow stares at a chicken and a chicken stares at a cow.” There was no grudge against Master Jang. Not even petty revenge was necessary. Really, what involvement could there be between the height of Geonpyeong's power and what was once the weakest of street beggars? “Indeed, so it is. Still, should you ever change your mind, the door to the Jang estate is open.” For Kang Master, it was a satisfactory conversation. After all, wasn’t it relieving to converse with someone sane? It was not some madwoman crazed by learning obscure martial arts; rather, she was a martial artist repaying a past grudge from her days as a beggar. Just a madwoman is terrifying. Too terrifying. Because one never knows what they might do, who knows what acts they are capable of? But a woman crazed by revenge? As long as you haven’t wronged her, there’s no reason to fear. Kang Master looked around the nearly empty Geonpyeongru. Ever since the past, owner Jang had famously disdained beggars in Geonpyeong. Though there's an old saying in martial society to be wary of beggars, he disregarded it and paid a high price. It was unfortunate but self-inflicted. 'If you're going to harbor resentment, you should ensure there are no repercussions left behind.' That was Kang Master's sole reflection on the matter. However, the feelings of Jang of Geonpyeongru were quite different. It was a moment when the world seemed to collapse, and darkness fell before his eyes. Master Jang—no, the Jang family—isn't thinking of chasing away the Plague Specter at all! This can't go on. He must find a solution somehow. But what should he do? "Damn, where was I? I forgot after getting interrupted. Oh well. I've been thinking, you see..." "Haha, hahaha..." "Yeah, your laughter brings out my own. So, there was this terribly stingy restaurant owner once..." "Haha..." Jang clenched his resolve. He had to do something, anything, immediately! ---- With desperation, he made a move. When you're thirsty, even digging a well becomes necessary. When even Master Jang turns a blind eye, isn't it time to take whatever hope you can muster into your own hands? The next morning. "What? Where is the owner? You, boy, where's your master? What's the deal? Get your boss out here! Is he not coming out? Planning to close up shop?" The young boy scurried over and spoke humbly. "Well, the owner has gone to the inner lands for a special order, Beggar Supreme." "Order? What order?" Mongolian barbarians will soon come for their tribute (or loot). There are items necessary for tribute that can't be sourced from Geonpyeong, so one must go to the inner lands to purchase them. Thus, Geonpyeong regularly sends people to procure goods for plunder. Their departure was set for this morning. "The owner mentioned wanting to present Beggar Supreme with a gourmet feast, so he went to order luxury ingredients, Beggar Supreme." It was a statement so outrageous, it would make anyone laugh. Qing's brow furrowed deeply. In other words? "This bastard ran off, huh?" She had thought about leaving around tomorrow—the restaurant being closed for just three days wasn't much of a punishment. Yet, he bolted after just one day? Add on one count of impudence. If Jang of Geonpyeongru had known Qing’s intentions, he might have felt wronged. If he'd only known he needed to endure for three days, he wouldn't have forced himself onto this supply run to the inner lands. But Qing had never intended to let him know in the first place. After all, not knowing would set his nerves on fire. She purposely didn't let him know, so any sense of injustice was on him for assuming what wasn't to be. So, at Geonpyeongru? "Oh, dear, dear, please help us! Brave warriors of the martial world, hear me! A robber has come to ruin us! Please, have pity and save us!" In the plaza of Joyang Prefecture, the family of Geonpyeongru owner knelt on the ground, wailing for help. If Qing had seen this, she’d likely think, ‘Is this your grand plan?’ Yet, for those in major cities, the scene wasn't that rare. Often, rural folks would come to the city, crying for help from martial heroes. Such a scene was visible several times a year. It’s because, in stories familiar to country folk, heroes couldn't just walk past the weak and troubled. However, the results were mostly predictable. Usually, they'd return home after realizing the unkindness of the martial world and that the heroes from their stories were fictional. Nine times out of ten, or more accurately, ninety-nine out of a hundred, that would be the result. But on rare occasions, there would be a different outcome. Those exceptionally lucky might actually encounter a true hero, an untainted martial artist, or even a bored master. Just like that. "Ahem, what brings you to seek help so desperately?" A neatly attired figure, in expensive martial robes, with a luxurious gold-sheathing scabbard. Right out of the tales stood a martial hero. Ah, heaven is indeed aiding me! Tears streamed from Jang’s eyes at Geonpyeongru. Qing would have found it utterly nonsensical, cursing the heavens for helping someone like him. Nonetheless. --- ### New Terms: - **Geonpyeongru(건평루)**: Name of a restaurant owned by the character Jang, retained in transliterated form as it functions as a significant location in the narrative. - **Jang(장씨)**: Referring to the owner of Geonpyeongru; uses both given and familial ideograms in context to indicate importance and formality. - **Joyang Prefecture(조양현)**: A location serving as the backdrop for the plaza scenes, translated as "Joyang Prefecture." ### Gender Annotations: - It was confirmed through the narrative context that Jang is male, and the function of the role aligns with the traditionally male roles in martial literature. ### Additional Context: - The narrative utilizes elements like rural folk seeking aid, a prevalent trope in martial stories, to emphasize the sense of desperation and societal disparity. - The structure of the dialogue reflects the comedic and satirical take on usually grave matters, where even desperation can weave into a light-hearted portrayal through Qing's character. These elements in wuxia literature blend themes of justice, irony, and unexpected alliances or solutions.