MTLNOVEL Chapter 558
The destination for the group, now that they found the spirit of Qingdao, was initially to return towards the Martial Alliance.
Before leaving Hangzhou, however, there was one piece of good news.
“Uh, this…”
“Ah! The Moonlight Sword, it’s back!”
It was the Moonlight Sword sent via courier from Wolgungru.
“Hmm? What about the money bag?”
“Well, because our guest broke the bathtub floor, we had to use top-grade wood and even waterproofing, which, you see, costs a lot. We need to tear down not just the broken part but also the pillars, so we’ll need to hire some workers. That in turn means we have to lower the price on our top-tier rooms, which will lead to our losses, and since we’re on a high floor, we can’t just hire any carpenter, the material costs are basically gold—so our losses are immense, I hope you’ll understand our position. We also need to live too. Now, I’m not blaming our guest, just stating the facts…”
It seems he was scanning the room nervously, and out popped the suggestion to use the repair money for something else.
From Qing’s perspective, it was indeed quite frustrating.
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to pay the repair costs, but as an innocent victim, Wolgungru should inherently claim compensation, yet they had to play along like a sinner.
“Eh, it’s okay. I broke it to survive. It won’t be a big issue, right?”
“No, no, it’s all good! Whenever do inns not get damaged? We’re always ready for that, and please feel free to add more, and if you happen to rise to prominence, you know, if a beauty like Ah-Hyun stays in our rooms, that would be a unique selling point for us…”
Even though the old man had given me a lot of pocket money, he was declining it vehemently.
At night, I thought of only seeing Yeon-Nyeong’s face as I clutched the money bag, and with Qing having no idea of what it was like to be poor, I didn’t feel too bad about it.
Honestly, I was just grateful to have the sword back.
Qing joked about wanting to sell using her name but knowing how the ancient laws of the Central Plains still didn’t grant trademark rights, there was hardly anything that could be refused.
If they were to tarnish their honor in doing so, they’d truly find themselves in a dangerous situation—killing and avenging were values highly regarded in the culture of the Central Plain.
The infamous Ko-woo became renowned for taking down corrupt officials, yet fearing the government’s pursuit, he changed his surname and started a new family as Guan-Woo.
“How can someone as humble as us even get a thought from you? Truly, you must be truly great-hearted. Not just in beauty but also in heart, perhaps you’re the most beautiful in the world?”
Seeing how genuinely moved she looked was quite touching.
What exactly were the innkeepers of the Central Plains made of? They are magnificent people, breaking down and building back up time and again, staying ever resilient in life.
Of course, they might not align with Qing’s thinking on the matter.
Having expanded the bathing area and decorated it in gold and silver, calling it the ‘Heavenly Beauty Tang’, she had plans to significantly boost the business—Qing was entirely unaware of that.
Had she known, she might have just provided the money to have it restored right back, believing everyone should be restored to their original state.
Never underestimate those running inns in the Central Plains.
Still, Nan-Ado, Iri, and Mo Yong So-Juh all requested Qing’s service, leaving her in quite the dilemma.
Yet Qing understood their intent.
Wanting to serve a celebrity is a very old human nature!
I, as the right and left arm of my older brother, would divide our status respectively, with a series of maidservants always following behind the shining stars, that’s just human nature.
Even those with slightly lower status would wield the power if it was their master’s.
So, they too…
The great harmony and evolution theory were apparent, as the younger ones glared at one another, wanting to serve the Supreme Martial Artist, grasping at their shreds of dignity, so there was no reason to not understand those fragile feelings.
This is the true generosity of a master.
But that doesn’t mean there’d be any conflict.
So, a daily turn would be decided.
No one should monopolize the honor of serving the youngest Supreme Martial Artist; such was Qing’s vast and generous thinking.
San-I was also peeking around, casting a rather weird glance, suggesting they might want to join in on the service.
But they stuttered, unable to voice it due to the clear distinction between genders.
Hmm, but still, I guess…
Having the experience of serving a Supreme Martial Artist is indeed a glorious thing, and it wouldn’t hurt to give a chance to my very first friend, San-I, just for a day.
I wouldn’t behave with the loudness of a lady anyway.
I did feel a bit sad for missing my chance to tease San-I, and that our friendship only stooped to silly pranks because of gender feelings did leave some lingering disappointment.
Yet I could hardly insist, “You serve me!”
In truth, Swordmaster had also volunteered to serve.
But that had ulterior motives, wanting to hover around and talk blades all day, so his offer was dismissed like a hawk hunting a mouse.
Thus, today’s servant would be Mo Yong Joo-Hee.
Eating with Mo Yong So-Juh, being in their embrace, acting as a cushion back and forth, while the ride wasn’t the best feeling for a woman, it was still okay.
Comparing to professional cushions like Huimye or the old man, it was still a hardship for a beginner.
Qing, completely catching herself wandering in useless thoughts, observed Mo Yong Joo-Hee’s face.
Those fluffy, bouncy curls, could it be human hair? They seemed so fluffy and thick.
But below, Mo Yong Joo-Hee’s face had subtly transformed to that of a Supreme Martial Artist.
It seemed her head had shrunk a bit, and her eyes, nose, and mouth had become more defined. The eyes definitely appeared larger too.
Mo Yong Joo-Hee was fidgeting around for no particular reason.
Although everyone noticed, no one dared voice it.
Trying to act cute walking around, that little thing with the puffed-up chest was incredibly adorable.
However, all the shoulder scrunching she did was quite likely leaving her sore, as she now sat beside the bed, twisting her shoulders to loosen her muscles.
Hmm. It really is something.
“Hey Mo Yong So-Juh? You seem a bit different. What’s changed? Have you undergone some transformation, perhaps?”
“Ah! No, it’s not like that. Just a little, uh, hee-hee, is that really so?”
With her smile blooming like a sunflower, Mo Yong Joo-Hee replied brightly.
To be honest, it’s not that it doesn’t look good.
Transcending one’s form isn’t just looking pretty or becoming feminine—it’s transforming into a physique that’s optimal for the martial arts they’ve practiced.
So, her arms grew longer, and the already dramatic curves of her waist had become even more pronounced, leaving one speechless at first glance.
Though swinging dual swords surely must be troublesome if there’s…
In reality, it does get in the way without any practical benefit.
Qing gave a mischievous grin.
“Indeed, you’ve become quite a beauty.”
“Uh, that’s…”
Immediately, Mo Yong Joo-Hee’s expression soured.
“And your body’s presence has shifted a bit, right?”
“Ah. Hehe. Hehe.”
Once again, Mo Yong Joo-Hee beamed brightly.
“Uh, your thighs, may I poke them just once? Wow, looks like even a needle wouldn’t fit!”
“Ah, that’s… um…”
The sudden droop once more.
“Oh, and your upper body too.”
“Eek! That’s indeed right!?”
“Oh! Yeah! Your arms are longer now, right? A martial artist should have long arms, wow, that’s great. Congratulations, Mo Yong So-Juh!”
“Oh, yes…”
She immediately returned sour again, adorable.
“Umm. By any chance, is there something else…”
“What? Where?”
“Sometimes, uh, aside from legs, arms, and face… anywhere else have changed that won’t surprise me? Please, there must be!”
“Hmm. Hmm. Hmm…”
Qing was absolutely excited.
Why do I get the urge to tease small, adorable things?
The only exception might be Nan-A, who, although small, surprises me with an unexpectedly mature attitude during baths, so never quite feels diminutive.
In real-time, Mo Yong Joo-Hee’s face showed anxiousness, and just as Qing was about to drop the answer he originally desired, Mo Yong Joo-Hee abruptly, almost in desperation, declared.
“Ah! It’s the thick clothes, that must be it! If you look closely, um, not that closely, just look. It’s definitely changed, right? Right?”
Suddenly, she yanked her jacket down and tossed aside the tiny apron she wore around her neck.
Then plopping her head back onto the bed, she leaned forward.
“Ow.”
Well. This is not what I was thinking.
My eyes feasted, but her desperate demeanor stirred a hint of guilt within me.
Have I teased her too much?
A bit of remorse settled in Qing as he matched the rhythm of the act.
“Ah, your chest!? No way! Mo Yong So-Juh! Your chest, it’s here!”
“Ah… ooh…! Truly…! Sniff.”
A droplet of tear rolled down Mo Yong Joo-Hee’s enlarged round eyes.
People do cry out of too much joy.
Not to the extent of fussing, yet not a single word of deceit here.
It’s as if something has emerged from literally nothing?
Or perhaps it’s incredible enough; to create something out of nothing, truly fantastic creation from absence to fullness, how can it not be impressive?
Transcendence, what are you even?
Is it a miracle of universal reality change?
“Wow! So lovely! Compact and neat! Wow! Beautiful! Feminine! Just my type! Oh, how cute!”
Qing showered her with compliments as they flowed out.
If it weren’t for the slight fracture from my elbow, I would’ve even clapped in rhythm.
Mo Yong Joo-Hee’s face turned red. However, the corners of her mouth soared skywards.
“Uh, ah, if it’s your preference, would you like to touch…?”
“Eh?”
“Ah! No, no! Not like that! I mean, just! No! Not like that! It’s not weird since we’re both women! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it! Just purely admiring, I mean, wanting to check, uh, I mean please ignore what I just said…”
Then, as if panicked, she swiftly turned to find the chest covering she had tossed off earlier.
For reference, it had flown over to the side of the bed, so not a chance of finding it again.
What is this creature?
Daring to exhibit the cuteness of a trembling little critter before me?
Is she challenging me right now?
Qing’s eyes sharpen and a playful smile graced her lips.
“Oh my. Mo Yong So-Juh.”
Her voice took on an eerily chilling tone.
Crisis wrapped around Mo Yong Joo-Hee, who froze up in a single moment.
Gulp! A loud, nervous gulp.
With the petite head now turning slowly towards Qing, there held a glimmer of hopeful anticipation shining in those large eyes.
“What? Why aren’t you responding to my call?”
“Y-yes, I’m sorry!”
“Why would you apologize?”
“Um, I-I’m sorry.”
“Is that it?”
“Yup, sorry.”
“Again?”
“I-I made a mistake, I’ll—”
“Cut it! What did you just say to me? Was it to touch your chest? No way. Why?”
“No, no! It’s not! I was just so excited—”
“Shh.”
So Mo Yong Joo-Hee promptly shut her mouth.
Qing’s hand moved closer, slowly approaching, flushing her crimson cheeks an ever deeper shade.
As Qing’s hand neared momentarily, it froze.
“Ah, um…”
Mo Yong Joo-Hee gave a heavy, desperate sigh.
“Hmm. Now what should we do? You did a great job with the Blood Ghouls, didn’t you?”
Surprisingly, Mo Yong Joo-Hee had slain the most Blood Ghouls.
The Ghouls shivered in fear from Gongson Yo-ye’s sword aura and didn’t dare approach her, thinking Mo Yong Joo-Hee was easy prey, they swarmed in only to meet their doom.
It was she who had caused their downfall, while Jo-Gal Yi-Hyun had holes all over his body.
“Okay. So, you ought to state clearly what you want. How would you like me to help?”
“I want my chest, I want—”
“Ah, just kidding, just kidding.”
In an instant, Qing bristled and laughed, relaxing her expression.
“The little apron went flying over there to the bed. Still, seeing it with my own eyes seals the deal on the difference. Congrats, Mo Yong So-Juh.”
“Um, yes. No, no. I can’t tell very well either, but if you could check more closely… I don’t really know and I’d like to ask you to check…”
It was mischief I didn’t want to indulge in.
Qing teased her wickedly.
“Right now, my arms are not in great condition, but later when they’re alright?”
“Ah! So you promise, huh?”
“Well, sure. A promise.”
Though dealing with Mo Yong Joo-Hee, who likely wouldn’t voice it herself and whom I understood wouldn’t either, a promise was actually an empty one—until that little speck of urgency vanished, Qing would have a further laugh.
Or even just the thought of being taunted was rather mean.
Whatever the case, the next march was to catch the returning soldiers, heading to Suzhou from Hangzhou.
The disappointment of the Hangzhou crowd for not seeing the face of the Cheonhwa Sword was something else, but some strong-willed literati had already mobbed to Suzhou, where Cheonhwa Sword reshaped their tastes.
Circling literati’s praises for their wordplay equated to praising Qing’s beauty, allowing her radiance to spread even without being seen.
Sadly, Qing was oblivious.
“Does she not recognize her own work?” some might say, yet Qing had nearly lost consciousness at the time, so it could be forgiven.
And thus they returned to Suzhou.
Suzhou contained a canal leading straight to Gaebong District.
So their plan was to quickly reach the Martial Alliance by boat.
“Cough, Mama, I’m so sad I can’t serve you through to the very end, this Wang Sang-ryong will remain pained forever and won’t rest—until even my decaying corpse is unable to rot.”
“Oh wow. Preserved.”
If only he could keep the pretense of being a Great General without all the blathering.
Once alone, his sturdy shoulders shrank and his proud stature faded, transforming into that of a servant.
“Eh, truly, it’s nothing. Thank you for everything. For readily mobilizing the troops and seeing us off even now.”
“I’m eternally grateful…”
The end of their private meeting left an indelible impression of Wang Sang-ryong’s tearful goodbye.
What a caring person he is, indeed.
In the martial community, she was just the Cheonhwa Sword.
Such an escort from a Great General was deemed inappropriate, so Wang Sang-ryong took his leave.
Yet he saw them off well enough to the Gaebong District, ensuring their safety.
A boat on the canal was akin to being invincible, unshakeable—an unapproachable fortress amidst nature.
Of course, nature may strike the vessel against rocks occasionally, but how could one stand against nature?
Thus they moved towards the Gaebong District, aiming for the Martial Alliance.