Chapter 149: The Road to Kaifeng

Truthfully, Qing wasn’t the type to memorize every face she saw.

But even though it was just the beginning of spring, the weather wasn’t much different from winter yet.

There stood a man, shirtless despite the chill, flexing his muscles, proudly displaying his massive bare torso to the outside world.

An image immediately surfaced in Qing's mind—ah, that guy.

“Excuse me, shop assistant. By any chance, is Zhuge…”

Ah. But what was his name again?

All I remember is the Zhuge family name.

“What was it again… his moniker was Beast Man?”

The shop assistant’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you perhaps referring to the Great Expert, Beastly Sage?”

“Ah! Right. That’s it. Beastly Sage! The body of a beast and the brain of a sage! Wow, I think I only heard it once, but I managed to guess it. That’s right, isn’t it?”

“But… I’m the one who told you everything just now.”

The shop assistant stared at where Qing’s eyes would be behind her veil, his expression clearly asking, Have you no conscience?

“Well then, could you go upstairs and ask if he remembers the older sister who visited? If he does, could you just ask if he can save a spot for me? I’ll buy my own food.”

“But… You are a distinguished guest, how could I possibly…”

The shop assistant looked troubled.

In Muhan, the most famous martial arts faction was, without a doubt, Wudang.

Muhan’s pride, Muhan’s dignity, the leader of the Orthodox Murim and a pillar among them (though the title of regional leader often shifts depending on who you ask)—Wudang!

However, if you asked who ruled Muhan, everyone would say the Zhuge Clan.

Because their territories overlapped with Wudang's, the Zhuge Clan had moved entirely, establishing a new base in a scenic spot next to Donghu Lake, just outside Muhan proper. That was already eight hundred years ago.

Back then, imperial decrees were absolute. The Emperor had commanded, “Since you two are neighbours, it’s tricky assigning land. One of you needs to yield.” They had no choice but to obey.

So, the Zhuge Clan, beaming from ear to ear, volunteered to yield first.

In truth, even if they received the same amount of land, the spot in front of Donghu Lake was exceptionally prime real estate.

Not only was it adjacent to the Yangtze River and the lake, but the Huguang Plain surrounding Muhan was the most valuable fertile land in Hubei.

No matter how much Wudang coveted that excellent land, they couldn't abandon Mount Wudang. In the end, the Zhuge Clan snatched up all the expensive land in the major city and its surrounding metropolitan area.

In those days, the standards of martial arts weren't as high; the greatest masters under heaven were merely at the Transcendent Realm. It’s likely that the numerous Zhuge family members holding government positions heavily influenced things, funneling benefits to their main family.

“Ah. We actually do know each other.”

Seeing the shop assistant remain consistently polite, Qing read his predicament and didn't press further.

After all, from his perspective, it was like some suspicious person had called over a new recruit, barely out of basic training, and said, “Tell your battalion commander—I don’t know his name, but anyway—that I’m here.”

Just then, Tang Nanah stepped forward, employing her signature wicked woman move: pointing accusatorily.

“Hey, shop assistant! How dare a mere shop assistant like you dither when my Qing-ah speaks? Go tell your little Brother Zhuge that the Poisonous Speaking Flower of the great Sichuan Tang Clan has graced him with her presence.”

“Ah! Yes, understood!”

The arrogant, high-handed tone, the mention of the Sichuan Tang Clan, and calling him "little Brother Zhuge"—this was precisely the attitude that assured the shop assistant, Ah, this young lady must certainly be someone of high status.

“What, you know Zhuge?” Qing asked Tang Nanah.

“Just his face. Met him twice, maybe? What about you?”

“I just met him once too. He talks a bit much, but he seemed nice enough.”

“You think so? He was definitely friendly. Didn’t act like a jerk, either.”

He truly possessed an uncommon character. They had no prior appointment, nor could they be called particularly close.

Yet, as soon as the message was delivered, he himself came rushing down, giving a glimpse into his good nature.

Though, Qing thought, it probably would have been better if he’d put a shirt on first.

“Well, if it isn’t Sister Tang! What brings you all the way to Muhan! You must be on your way to the Murim conference! But how did you know I was here! Ah! You must have witnessed this humble younger brother gazing upon the landscape, cultivating his noble spirit! How embarrassing! And your companion looks familiar as well. Ah! Sister, it’s you, isn’t it! The one I met in Luoyang!”

He asked and answered his own questions, then perfectly identified the veiled Qing.

This, perhaps, was the terrifying power of the Miraculous Zhuge intellect.

Of course, anyone with sharp eyes could easily guess from her tall stature and ample chest.

How many women in the Central Plains possessed both uncommon height and an equally uncommon bust?

If anything, the veil made her more recognizable.

“Oh, hi Zhuge-ah? You remembered me?”

“How could I possibly forget? Women skilled in debate are rare in this world. Come, let’s not stand here. Please, come inside.”

“Oh, is that okay? We’re not bumping other guests’ reservations, are we?” Qing asked as they headed into the restaurant.

Zhuge Ihyeon laughed heartily.

“Sister, you are truly kind! But the restaurant only goes up to the fifth floor, so you needn’t worry. The sixth floor is used by the Clan as a watchtower; I often come up here to train. Of course, it’s also a place to entertain esteemed guests. Like now.”

“Oh.”

It was said that the Zhuge Clan had rebuilt the Yellow Crane Tower every time it burned down.

One might wonder why the building periodically caught fire, but the Yellow Crane Tower was originally built as a watchtower for surveillance, a crucial military facility. Military facilities tend to burn during times of turmoil. It was joked that the moment the Blood Cult or the Demonic Cult reappeared, the Yellow Crane Tower would be the first to burst into flames, lighting a beacon fire.

Each time they rebuilt it, they took the opportunity to add more floors using advanced construction techniques, and incidentally opened shops in the unused spaces.

Only the highest floor was kept as a watchtower, a Clan relaxation area, and a banquet hall.

In modern terms, it was essentially a penthouse.

“Ah, so you are Sister Ximen now! To have studied under the Matriarch Ximen Surin! Oh, then Sister, does that not place your seniority on par with the Sect Leaders of the Nine Great Sects! I shouldn’t delay; I must offer a deep bow!”

“Hey, let’s not be so formal between us.”

“Haha, then I must treat you with the protocol befitting a Sect Leader today! Weren’t you fond of fine dining? When one speaks of Hubei, one speaks of rivers and lakes, and Muhan is its heart. Today, we must endeavor to devour every last fish!”

“Our Zhuge-ah, how do you always manage to say such nice things?”

At that, Tang Nanah linked her arm with Qing’s from the side.

“Hey, I can buy you lots of food too, you know? I’ll call the Greatest Chef Under Heaven and just…”

“Why would you drag away someone who’s running a perfectly fine business?”

“Sworn Sister, I… I’ll work hard to earn money,” Gyeon Pohee chimed in, clinging to Qing’s other side.

“Your bond is truly deep! Now, this is the summit of the Yellow Crane Tower, Chocheongeuk – Piercing the Sky and Reaching the Clouds. The name comes from the aspiration Sun Zhongmou once held in his heart, reaching the edge of the sky of Chu. While 'Chu' could refer to several states, given the historical period and the figure involved, the scholarly consensus is that it refers to Xiang Yu's State of Chu…”

“Ooh. Impressive.”

Qing remembered him vaguely as a huge musclehead who talked a lot, and her memory was proving quite accurate.

Ignoring the explanation she couldn't understand and didn't care about anyway, Qing let the words flow past her and savored the view from the high vantage point.

Although she had visited famous spots wherever she went, none had offered such an open and refreshing panorama.

The land, naturally low-lying due to the rivers and lakes, was surrounded by flat plains. This skyscraper, built atop one of the very few hills, stood out prominently.

The view from its summit couldn't be anything but exceptional.

“Tch, this is getting in the way.”

Qing casually whipped off her veil and, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, handed it to Gyeon Pohee.

Gyeon Pohee just as naturally took the veil and stored it.

Zhuge Ihyeon reacted with exaggerated surprise.

“Ah, Sister! Heavens, the Five Flowers of Murim must become the Six Flowers of Murim! However, as you know, five is a perfect and auspicious number, while six is unfavorable… Hmm, interesting. One of the existing Five Great Beauties may unfortunately have to relinquish her title.”

For all his fuss, his attitude seemed remarkably detached.

Tang Nanah immediately started growling like a chihuahua.

“What’s this, punk? Are you hitting on my Qing-ah right now?”

“How could I possibly do such a thing? Sister Tang, surely you know?”

“Know what?”

“Oh dear. You haven’t heard? Am I not famous for valuing a person’s inner self far more than their external appearance?”

“Hmph. All men say things like that. ‘It’s the heart that matters more than the face,’ and whatnot.”

“Hmm? Are you speaking of the heart? It’s difficult enough for a person to truly know their own heart; how then can one possibly fathom another’s heart to judge it as kind or unkind? Besides, the human heart naturally grows lenient towards those one knows. When it comes to the heart shown to the one most cherished and mutually loved, wouldn't any lover in the world call it beautiful?”

Tang Nanah looked slightly weary.

Her expression clearly said, Why does he talk so much?

“So, what was that about the inner self?”

“Precisely! The inner self! A person’s beauty undoubtedly comes from within! From their skeleton and muscles! Is a strong, robust body not truly the most beautiful thing!”

Simultaneously, Zhuge Ihyeon bent his arms like sickles, raising both elbows horizontally, twisted his waist, and revealed his bulging back muscles.

Watching him, Qing thought, Honestly, that’s pretty cool.

Back home, that actor-turned-governor, even in his prime, probably wasn't quite at this level.

Then, a thought suddenly struck her.

“Zhuge-ah, is your type someone like Young Lady Peng?”

“Ah! Embarrassing as it is, I once ardently admired her! However, besides the age difference, Sister Peng declared she was already married to her Dao and had no room in her heart for a man. So, it remains merely a beautiful memory from my foolish youth.”

Zhuge Ihyeon reminisced about his past love with composure.

This guy definitely has style.

Qing nodded.

In fact, this Zhuge Clan love for physique was famous.

Considering that the third family matriarch, Zhuge Ihyeon's own mother, Hwangbo Ran, had the hidden moniker "Great Bear, Great Woman," it was hardly surprising.

There was even a joke that if a girl had an imposing frame, you should have her learn External Arts first and then make her loiter around the Zhuge Clan's main gate.

However, perhaps due to a curse of blood or something else, no direct-line male descendant of the Zhuge Clan had ever been born with both an outstanding physique and outstanding intellect simultaneously.

In the clan’s history spanning over a thousand years, Zhuge Ihyeon was the sole exception.

He had surpassed all his accomplished older brothers, to the point where even those brothers readily yielded the position of Young Lord, declaring that the future of the clan rested on his shoulders.

Of course, Qing didn't know this, nor did Tang Nanah, who had never left Chengdu in her life.

“Ah, right. What about that little guy?”

“Are you referring to Brother Uncheok?[^Zhuge Ihyeon's older brother] He is naturally at the main family home in Jinan. Ah, haven’t you heard? They’ve chosen an auspicious day this autumn for his wedding. He will be attending this Murim conference with his fiancée.”

“Oh. So, good news, huh?” [^("Scatter candy" idiomatically means good news/celebration): The original Korean uses an idiom "사탕 뿌린다" (satang ppurinda - scatter candy), which implies a happy event or cause for celebration, often like a wedding or major announcement. Qing's response confirms she understands the implication.]

“Haha, Sister, since you are a great elder of the Daoist path, Brother will be greatly pleased if you attend and grace the occasion with your presence.”

“Perfect timing.”

After the Murim conference, I can take Jangmyeong with me.

But where’s the wedding venue? It’s not too far, right?

For reference, though Qing didn't know (what did she know?), the Hwangbo Clan was located in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province.

Getting there via the Yangtze River would be relatively quick, but the return journey would be long. The probability of Wang Zhuxi, the Grand Matriarch of the Divine Maiden Sect, granting Jangmyeong permission for such an outing was exactly fifty-fifty.