MTLNOVEL Chapter 563
Well, the investigation into Unyeonjeong continues.
A kind and gentle prankster.
The kid was really nice, reasonably smart, and had pretty decent skills, so their reputation was solid.
Despite being weak, they were entrusted with patrol duties by the Martial Alliance, which meant they were a natural-born fighter, already unmatched among their peers even if their body didn’t keep up.
They loved making friends and enjoyed being visited as a guest, so they were generally well-liked and had no rough edges.
Polite and gentle on the surface, they were surprisingly also a bit of a trickster, always pulling light-hearted pranks that were harmless and didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings.
For instance, noticing a secret romance, they’d awkwardly arrange separate plans to get the couple together, or slip strange tastes into homemade snacks, or serve up cold tea.
Wearing a serious expression and a face filled with concern only to reveal they had a hole in their shoe or disliked the pattern on their clothes—enough to provoke a chuckle.
This was the conclusion of the investigation into who Unyeonjeong really was.
So, when the news of their betrayal spread, no one believed it.
Qing thought, hmm. Is that really the same person?
Not kind, not gentle, and as for pranks, well…
Ordering people around and making them wait on them for a bath, all while keeping the Blood Sect folks hanging out in the shadows—it was way beyond mischievous.
Like, what do they think they are, the Holy Empire of the West?
Doesn’t anything fit?
But people change, after all.
Just look at that infamous Great Demon Lord Grandpa, or our “Cute Young Lady” who used to pick on her brothers like it was second nature, and now she’s acting all dignified and quietly looking after her friends.
But while some people can change for the better, the opposite holds true too; so I doubt that makes it a point worth considering.
This kid couldn’t possibly be that way.
They were so nice when they were young.
But, well, that was back then; it’s not now.
Who really knows?
Maybe they went through some shocking event that changed them completely.
Still, that doesn’t excuse the wickedness of their current actions.
Plus, their subtly, or rather, overt way of expressing goodwill while being oblivious to my life or death is pretty suspect.
Saying they’d bring me back as a Jiangshi if I died—talk about having ulterior motives.
Hmm. Whatever. Time to eat.
But wait? What is this!
“Uh? What’s this?”
Bleh. Qing sticks out her tongue.
A gigantic fishbone sits prominently on her bright red tongue, too big to chew or swallow.
A solid backbone, it’s practically a dagger at this point.
“Ahem, that wasn’t intentional.”
Qing narrows her eyes in response.
Seriously, how dangerous is fishbone?
Is this a meal service or an assassination attempt?
Qing sticks her tongue out in protest, a physical cue that she wants the inedible stuff removed and the proper food served up.
Pang Dae-san is utterly flabbergasted.
Of course, Qing is recovering from full body fractures, muscle tears, and ligament damage.
It’s not perfect to be moving her arms since it involves her neck, shoulders, and all those annoying muscles and bones, so it’s best to keep it together.
But still, how could they stick their tongue out like that so freely?
“Aren’t you at least going to keep some semblance of dignified behavior as a woman?”
“Eh, really.”
Pang Dae-san lets out a deep sigh.
Even the dogs raised at the estate wouldn’t behave like this.
Dogs might ask for food, but they wouldn’t demand that inedible stuff be taken away.
Pang Dae-san raises his chopsticks, gently retrieving the bone.
“See? This is why men can’t be trusted! There’s just no finesse. Qing, you didn’t get poked while chewing or anything, right? Ugh, how freaked out must you have been? Are you okay? Should I feed you?”
Right then, Tang Nan-ah starts fussing, and Pang Dae-san raises an eyebrow.
Seriously? You can’t even stitch up a muscle without someone else’s help and you’re worried about fishbones stabbing someone with that strong jaw of yours?
“No, I can handle it.”
Following Seoliri is Gongson Yo-ye, who silently pleas for help with her eyes, even if she hasn’t said anything.
But Qing is firm on this front.
“No. That’ll mess up the order. The closer you are to someone, the stricter things need to be in this area.”
Yet Tang Nan-ah wasn’t one to back down easily.
“Okay, about the meal, what about today’s bath? Are we not washing up? What about the night shift?”
At this, Qing’s gaze turns sinister.
Oh, that’s the kind of sinister look you give when you plan to tease someone.
“Mountain? How about it? Interested?”
“No!” “No way!” “Not happening!”
Tang Nan-ah, Gongson Yo-ye, and Seoliri all protest.
Wait, did I just hear Iri scream?
Did she just break a volume record? More than that, I didn’t think Gunyongi could be that loud. I thought people from the North Sea had no volume—who knew?
I just wanted to poke some fun, but they seem way too worked up, so I guess I’ll have to let this one go.
Though Qing does feel wronged.
What’s the deal? Even if I brought it up, would I actually make them do things like bathe me and all that?
What if rumors start flying around?
That’d mess with my friend’s chances at marriage.
“Hmmm. Well, looks like I have no other choice today. I’ll just wash my face and sleep alone, so consider yourself informed.”
“But.”
“Everything’s your fault! If I have to fake a shift and someone’s not here, they’ll try to dose me with poison and kick me out.”
Seoliri had already had her fair share of trouble, with past experiences of her sneezing uncontrollably and rolling around on the floor, gripping her aching stomach.
Tang Nan-ah doesn’t just pretend to pull out poison, she actually uses it!
Qing keeps blocking her whenever she gets suspicious, and if they’re not careful, she’ll accidentally unleash some petty poison that only affects Seoliri.
Of course, there had been some positive outcomes too.
With Mo Yong’s Young Lady and Ye-ha, there’s no poison involved.
Kids grow up fighting, and at the very least, enemies have a kind of relationship that prevents them from being too cold to one another.
Seoliri also wouldn’t just sit there, and she’d get back with little petty vengeance by cooling down Nan-ah’s meals and snacks.
Chilled tea might not seem like much revenge, but cold soup like, say, cold beef noodle soup or cold duck noodles? That’s just too cruel.
Tang Nan-ah looks all wronged, but she has martial arts to practice today, so it’s just as well she gets to sleep alone.
According to the dedicated explanations of the two secondary strategists, (just a heads-up, the top strategists are the brilliant masterminds over in the land of the quick-witted elite).
The Heart Vitality Technique is said to enhance the vitality of the heart, with the side effect being increased appetite.
Why’s that a side effect?
If I can eat more than usual, isn’t that a good thing? If I have to eat four meals instead of three, my daily joy levels go up by at least a third or more—so much that it could practically be unlimited.
Isn’t that practically divine skill?
And I mean, with all that red, it’s practically gifted power!
Jinjua loves Jiangshi so much they even try to imitate them—not just the making but the whole getup. Hence, that’s what the Jiangshi technique looks like in their vision.
However, they say the side effect of the Jiangshi technique is a lower heart rate and metabolism, so they’re using the Heart Vitality Technique to replenish their strength.
The Escape from Life’s Heart might have its roots in Buddhism, but with its deadly aura and rough flow, it was never considered properly cultivated.
Just watching it paired with the Dao methods might make it clear that it’s definitely not orthodox.
But the idea behind the escape notion means you need to break free from conventionality, which follows the thought of the school’s basic principles.
According to Buddhism, us living in this world, the realm of suffering, endure infinite pain in a cycle of suffering.
So, the practice of accumulating merit to attain Nirvana itself is an act against the laws of the world.
That’s why Buddhist ascetic practices are hard.
It’s not a fight between worldly laws and the individual.
Just how hard is it if only one person, Shakyamuni, made it out of the realm of suffering?
The Buddha title is merely a title for those who achieved liberation—there are many Buddhas, but only one who was born into the realm of suffering.
Now, the current master is known to be a notorious Great Demon Lord and among the top martial artists of the world. While the family hasn’t necessarily progressed perfectly, details might be inaccurate in any case.
And so, at midnight, muffled sounds are heard, filled with a pain that erupts just as they simultaneously raised six techniques—the Mount Tai Blood Technique and the Peach Blossom Sabre.
In other words, it’s like the brain’s workout multiplied by six.
Honestly, the reason for not practicing until now was that studying didn’t really help me unless it was for scholarly purposes.
Even performing the Escape from Life’s Heart or the Mount Tai Blood Technique just means more things to juggle in my already busy martial arts repertoire.
As I step into the Realm of Transformation, it seems that the higher realms aren’t doing much to assist; if anything, they’re more obstructive.
Just like video games, in the earlier stages it’s strong to add stats, but in later levels, multiplying factors becomes significantly more powerful.
I’m already worried that if I keep going down the route of life and death, I might end up with too much inner strength despite mastering all the martial arts in the world.
Martial arts are like that too.
As I cultivate them to a certain level, I can use them effectively.
But aligning them with my inner desire—my true martial arts? The actual skills I can use in various forms on various weapons amount to barely five forms of the Moon Lady Sword Interlude.
So, while I won’t have a use for them, I figure just lightly practicing can boost my strength and help me get fit, though I do feel like physical abilities lose meaning as I reach higher realms.
Above all, when facing an opponent, having a broader understanding can make fights easier.
It’s beneficial for analyzing enemies rather than expanding my capabilities.
Isn’t this Martial Arts Inventory kind of a joke?
Can I really even get through with this? Do I not have to exert any effort?
The Martial Arts Inventory must be thinking, “What the heck? A gal who’s barely stepping into the Realm of Transformation is already eyeing the life and death realm?”
Anyone hearing this would think I already have a foot in it.
And who do you think is keeping you alive so far, you brazen girl?
Definitely Qing isn’t, right?
And anyway, here’s our new little addition in the Dantian.
Restless and unable to be still, spinning around is the little one. The Heart Vitality Technique.
What’s this? Is that the smell of a heart?
The spirit of strength’s demonic energy twinkles brightly in her eyes.
Scanning the surroundings, the vibrant spirit clad in a radiant smile suddenly sticks close to the elephant propping up the cart of the spirit water.
Seems like there’s a connection between power and vitality.
As the demonic spirits lament, another family member comes into view through the Dantian door.
Oh wow! This time it’s ours! An actual demon!
The demons bounce with excitement, welcoming their kind with a spirited cheer, and this one definitely looks the part.
With a stern face and a cheeky attitude, they seem to munch on something stubbornly, exuding dark energy.
The robe they wear looks like what a monk would wear, but they’re torn and ragged, embodying the essence of rebellion.
So, this must be genuine demonic art—how disappointing, I was just feeling so good about my fighting prowess.
Suddenly, from the head of the demonic faction, an approaching being, a former demon, embraces this new arrival,
THWACK!
The former demon who got kicked unexpectedly sprawls out on the ground, confusion evident on their face.
Huh, someone’s smirking at this. A sign of a mischievous demon!
All the demons collectively nod their heads, those stiff faces now coiling with laughter.
Just then, a quiet door leads to Qing, still groggy with remnants from the brain workout, drooling all over herself.
The door to the guest room opens carefully!
An uninvited nighttime visitor slips quietly into the dark room, stealthily making their way to the bed.
But Qing isn’t so easy to mess with.
Even though her brain is flipping around and she’s feeling an unexplainable sense of weirdness, there’s no way she’d miss the intruder.
What’s more, she had tried to be quiet, but it seems the sneaky type isn’t good at keeping their own covert movements past a Realm master’s ears.
“Is that Iri?”
“Yes.”
“Go stand over there and keep your hands up.”
“Yes.”
Qing tucks her elbow and points in that direction.
As Seoliri walks straight over, she raises her hands by Tang Nan-ah’s side.
“No, I said I’m stopping by the marketplace to grab gifts after breakfast tomorrow, then leaving straight away! Why are you sneaking into someone’s bedroom at this hour?”
“I just, worry about you, Qing.”
“You’re not an outsider.”
“Wait, what? Don’t say weird things! If you’re not an outsider, then what are you?”
“A third party. Don’t butt in.”
“What the heck!? Who’s the third party here?”
“You. The scuzzy poison dealer.”
“Are you serious…!”
“Shh! You two want to keep arguing or are you planning to stand like that until morning?”
“No! It’s just that the stuff you’re saying doesn’t even make sense.”
“No, my bad. I won’t do it again. I promise.”
“Hey, if you stay quiet it just makes me worse—”
“Ugh. Nan-ah, stay as you are. Though Iri listens well. Come here, Iri. Hm? Come here, Iri? That’s good, Iri…”
“Why is it only me—”
As Tang Nan-ah protests, she catches sight of Seoliri throwing a threatening fist at her.
“Look, there! They’re just all bark—”
“Are you going to scream all night long?”
Tang Nan-ah pouts in response.
She’s got that pouty duck face that looks like you could serve three full courses on it.
Qing sighs deeply.
“Still, there’s one empty spot next to me. Wanna come here or keep standing there?”
This throws Tang Nan-ah into a serious quandary.
Should she go? Should she not? After all, she’s picked a fight with that vexing girl. And isn’t Qing doing the same to her?
How am I supposed to stay here while they’re at it? This is ridiculous; Qing won’t care about me once I’m gone, right?
Even if I leave and bawl my eyes out in regret, would Qing even bat an eye? If she begs me saying she needs me, that I’m her bestest friend ever, would I forgive her? Maybe, maybe not.
But I guess it’s fine to make her sweat a little.
“Oh, Nan-ah? My side feels a bit cold. Can someone warm me up?”
“Ah, really? I guess I can’t help it then. What would Qing do without me?”
Tang Nan-ah cheerfully marches over to the bed.
And thus, the last night at the Martial Alliance slowly deepens.