Chapter 183: Coming Soon to Kaifeng

Suddenly, the private room fell silent.

After a moment of quiet, Qing tilted her head, and then everyone started voicing their thoughts one by one.

“It’s true that woman Gongson Yoye was rude,” Zhuge began, “but the Gong Clan upholds propriety. It wasn’t necessary to harm her, was it?”

“That’s right,” San-ie chimed in. “Sister, you shouldn’t kill or maim her. Besides, there’s the Hidden Dragon Tournament coming up. Ah, you do know that killing blows are forbidden in the Hidden Dragon Tournament, right?”

“Yeah. Yeah,” Tang Nanah added eagerly. “I’ll pack a few undetectable poisons for you, so do it secretly, secretly. What? Why?”

Qing narrowed her eyes.

“What are you taking me for? I wasn’t asking because I plan to harm her. I just wanted to return the hair ornament.”

“Is there really a need?” San-ie asked. “She denied it was hers, so you probably won’t get any thanks for returning it.”

At that, Qing gave an awkward laugh and said,

“No, earlier, Zhuge mentioned the story about women’s underwear.”

“Sister!” Zhuge protested. “If you say it like that, don’t I sound like some kind of weirdo? What do you mean, ‘women’s underwear story’?”

“What, are you saying I’m lying now?” Qing retorted. “You definitely said someone secretly took off a woman’s underwear and didn’t realize it.”

“This is precisely the method of distorting the truth by selectively editing parts of the facts…” Zhuge sighed. “By removing the subject, it sounds like something I did. Truly, Sister, you are terrifying.”

“And you know that, yet you’ve been acting up lately,” Qing countered. “Anyway, so, the story Zhuge told was about getting slapped after returning stolen underwear, right?”

“If possible, could you please include the subject, ‘The Divine Thief’?” Zhuge requested tiredly.

“Same difference,” Qing waved it off. “Come to think of it, if a normal woman experienced something like that—though I don’t know if it’s possible not to notice—anyway, wouldn’t she pretend not to know rather than slap him? Like, ‘That’s not my underwear.’”

Because getting angry in that situation would be confirming the underwear was hers.

In that instant, the woman is no longer an ordinary woman.

She becomes a woman who isn’t wearing underwear!

Qing thought it could be considered reaching enlightenment in the way of comfort, but the feeling of liberation was separate from being exposed in front of others.

“So, well. I felt I might have been careless.”

“But it’s a hair ornament, right?” Nanah asked. “What’s the big deal about a woman having a hair ornament that made her fuss so much Qing-ah ended up locked up and starving for two days?”

“That’s not for me to judge,” Qing said thoughtfully. “Let’s say spring medicine was found in San-ie’s pocket…”

If someone like San-ie went through the same thing, and the stolen item was an aphrodisiac, spring medicine?

The women following him around would probably lick their lips, saying, ‘Wow, I know how to drink spring medicine too. I want to drink it all up.’

If it came from Tang Nanah’s pocket, everyone would just think, Of course, she’s from the Tang Clan.

But if spring medicine came out of Zhuge’s pocket?

He’d just be seen as a muscular pervert workout guy.

People would point fingers, calling him a guy with the body of a beast, the brain of a sage, and the heart of an animal.

“Sister?” Zhuge interrupted, sounding wounded. “Why only this little brother…”

“Never mind,” Qing cut him off. “Everyone’s circumstances are different. San-ie would lower his voice, wiggle his eyebrows, and deny it’s his, right? The shame belongs to the person involved, so I shouldn’t judge recklessly.”

If it had been something like a long phallic model instead of a hair ornament, Qing wouldn’t have deliberately shown it in public, asking, Which of these—the gold cock, the silver cock, or the wooden cock—was stolen from you? This bastard stole it, so please pick it out right here in front of everyone in the market.

But for Gongson Yoye, the hair ornament might have carried a level of shame similar to a cock.

Saying her intentions were good wasn’t an excuse.

Similarly, saying she didn’t know wasn’t either.

After all, that young lady Gongson Yoye had furiously denied it and left.

Yet, the look in her eyes when she saw the ornament was quite anxious, suggesting there might be a story behind it.

“So it’s right to return it, yes.”

“Wow, Qing-ah, your heart, wow, how could you?” Tang Nanah exclaimed, throwing her arms around Qing, unable to hide the genuine emotion in her voice. “Seriously, let me see your clothes, I need to check for stitches.”

Seamless heavenly garment, meaning the clothes of heaven have no stitches, referring to a fairy's attire or craftsmanship of equivalent skill.

“Qing-ah is truly too kind. A kind heart and a beautiful face.”

Faced with such open praise, Qing replied with an awkward smile.

“Nanah. Isn’t your hand placement a bit strange? Usually, when you hug someone, you don’t squeeze with your hands, do you?”

“No?” Nanah feigned innocence. “Since I hugged you from the side, this arm position is very natural? This is how we do it in Sichuan? It’s not strange at all?”

“Honestly, any chance you get.”

Qing pushed Tang Nanah away.

Nanah tried her best to cling on and not be separated, but how could she possibly match Qing in strength?

“So, where is Miss Gongson?” Qing asked, getting back to business.

“She’s staying in the Alliance’s guest hall,” Zhuge Ihyeon informed them.

Just then, he interjected again.

“Sister, I’m telling you just in case, but it’s Miss Gong, not Gongson.”

“Oing?” Qing looked puzzled. “Then her name is Son Yoye?”

“That is correct,” Zhuge confirmed. “However, it’s better to call her Miss Gongson. Miss Gongson would prefer that too.”

“What’s that all about?” Qing wondered.

Zhuge Ihyeon took a deep breath.

A grand explanation was about to begin.

Perhaps the biggest flaw in Qing’s personality was her tendency for careless and impulsive decisions.

And her greatest strength was her excellent execution—once she made up her mind, she moved without hesitation.

And when you combined those strengths and weaknesses?

All the good points vanished, and only the flaws doubled.

This was also characteristic of people who foolishly repeated tasks two, three, four times when they could have finished in one go.

“Hmm. How about it, San-ie, want to come too?” Qing asked Peng Daesan. “You’ve been covering your face. Won’t you be recognized if you go?”

“Hm. Hmm. Hmmm.”

Peng Daesan pondered deeply, which was unlike him.

Indeed, the past few days spent with his face covered had been a whole new world; he realized just how comfortably the people of the Central Plains lived while he alone had been inconvenienced.

Right, I should enjoy this for a few more days.

Peng Daesan reached a conclusion.

“I’ll go with you,” he said. “You don’t know anyone at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly gathering, do you?”

Peng Daesan was inwardly flustered.

He had intended to stay separate, but the answer had slipped out unconsciously.

“It wasn’t just a day or two; you seemed quite relieved lately,” Qing observed. “Zhuge and Nanah are here too, so you don’t have to push yourself.”

“It’s fine,” Peng Daesan insisted. “As someone said, I’m a guy with no friends, so I might as well try to make some now. Besides, the one friend I do have is so unreliable, it feels like I’m watching over a child playing near the water.”

As Peng Daesan spoke, he convinced himself.

That’s right. If I leave her unattended at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, there’s no telling what kind of trouble she’ll cause.

It was an unavoidable decision for the peace of the Orthodox Murim.

Thus, with her usual excellent execution, Qing immediately set off for the Murim Alliance headquarters.

Because Gongson Yoye was there.

It was a simple reason, like a mountaineer climbing a mountain because it’s there.

However, the time was late Mi hour, early Shen hour, around three in the afternoon.[^(Mi hour: 1-3 PM, Shen hour: 3-5 PM)] A proper citizen of the Central Plains wouldn't typically be in their lodgings at this hour.

So, they were told she had gone to Changliang Tower for the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly meeting.

Changliang Tower happened to be in the exact opposite direction from the Murim Alliance headquarters relative to the inn Qing had taken.

It meant doing the work twice.

Thus, upon arriving at Changliang Tower in Kaifeng, they found a sausage fest filled entirely with men.

It wasn’t the picture Qing had imagined of six or seven people gathering to chat.

It was like a grand alumni reunion, with seniors, juniors, and current members all gathered, taking up an entire floor in a loud, rowdy drinking party.

Nearly all the rising talents of the Orthodox Faction had gathered before the major event, so naturally, the crowd was huge.

“Oh dear,” Zhuge Ihyeon realized. “This is the Azure Dragon Association gathering. It seems the Phoenix Association is holding theirs at a different location.”

The Dragon-Phoenix Assembly meant a meeting of the Azure Dragon and the Phoenix; the Azure Dragon represented the men, and the Phoenix, the women.

“We came for nothing,” Peng Daesan muttered, seeing the scene. “Since I haven’t revealed my face yet, I’ll withdraw.” He slipped away.

After Zhuge Ihyeon darted inside, saying he’d ask for the location of the Phoenix Association meeting, only Qing and Tang Nanah remained, receiving the full intensity of the heated gazes from the men, who had spotted the beauty.

To be precise, Tang Nanah received them.

Qing was wearing a veil.

It was then.

Spotting a familiar face, Qing called out.

“Ah, Sword Brother!”

“Wait, that voice… Sword Brother! Is that you, Sword Brother?!”

Namgung Shinjae shot up from his seat and welcomed Qing.

Though he acted as if he recognized her voice, the truth was, there was only one person in the world who called Namgung Shinjae ‘Sword Brother’.

“Well now, Sword Brother,” Namgung Shinjae greeted warmly. “What’s with the veil? Did you perhaps get a scar on your face? Don’t be too disheartened if so. A scar on the face means you stared down your enemy until the very end, so wouldn’t you say it’s a glorious medal for a swordsman?”

“Hmm! Sword Brother!” Qing replied. “If you said that to a woman who actually had a facial scar, you might get stabbed by that beloved sword of yours! However, a true swordsman must indeed become the scabbard in the end, embracing the blade. Not a saber sheath, not a spear sheath.”

“Indeed!” Namgung Shinjae beamed. “It wouldn’t be right for any weapon other than a sword to take this life. I believe it, you are definitely Sword Brother. This clearly woven, precious statement is a golden rule, a world-renowned masterpiece that only Sword Brother could utter.”

“Right,” Qing said simply. “Have you been well?”

“What could possibly happen to me? And you, Sword Brother?”

“My chest was recently split in half, you know,” Qing stated matter-of-factly, “from here to here, and from here to here, a cross-shaped sword wound.”

“Ooh! Magnificent!” Namgung Shinjae exclaimed. “It’s the regret of a lifetime that I cannot ask you to show me.”

It was an answer as sensible as it was nonsensical.

Though magnificent, the location was such that he wouldn’t ask to see it.

“See, I knew you’d understand,” Qing said. “Unfortunately, Nanah here treated it well, so there’s no scar left.”

“Ah. It’s Miss Tang,” Namgung Shinjae acknowledged, turning to Nanah.

“Poisonous Speaking Flower!” “Poisonous Speaking Flower!” “Poisonous Speaking Flower!”

The men, who had been focused on the sole beauty, shouted her moniker in unison as if on cue.

It was a chorus executed with knife-like precision, as though they had practiced beforehand.

Qing, behind her veil, furrowed her brow.

What on earth?

Was that admiration even timed? Like, One, two, three, now! Was it strictly regulated?

Namgung Shinjae continued his greeting to Nanah.

“We met at the last seventieth birthday celebration… well, actually, since the young lady stuck right next to the Jade Qilin the whole time, we didn’t exchange greetings. What was it you said? That since your husband was present, a wife couldn’t mix words with an outside man?”

“Aaaah!” Tang Nanah shrieked, her face bright red. “You’ve got the wrong person! I never said such a thing! There are things you can say to an unmarried maiden, and things you can’t!”

Hmm. I should ask Zhuge for a favor, Qing thought mischievously. Ask him to compile a collection of Tang Nanah's sayings from the Grand Clan Lord, meaning Poison Grandfather's, seventieth birthday celebration.

The more you peel back, the more fun stuff comes out.

Then, Qing and Namgung Shinjae loosened their swords from their waists and bumped their scabbards together.

Normally, if swordsmen’s swords clashed, it was considered an insult a hundred times greater than a shoulder bump, despite feeling like nothing. Thus, this was a greeting method that revealed true friendship forged by the sword.

“So, Sword Brother, what brings you here?” Namgung Shinjae asked.

“Ah. Do you know where the Phoenix Association meeting is?” Qing inquired.

“Ah. I see,” Namgung Shinjae nodded. “The space was cramped, so they split up. The Phoenix Association is likely in full swing at Liangyun Tower.”

“Liangyun Tower. Hmm.” Qing frowned slightly. “Why did that fellow Zhuge take so long to find out something I could learn in one word?”

Then, Qing’s eyes caught sight of Zhuge Ihyeon, excitedly chattering away without pause in a corner.

Well, that figures.

Qing immediately understood.

She wasn’t going to take Zhuge to the women’s gathering anyway, so she might as well let him talk his fill on this occasion.

Qing and Tang Nanah, having struck out again, now headed for Liangyun Tower.

If they had sent a servant ahead to inquire, they could have reached it in one go. This was already their third move.

“Qing-ah, the Phoenix Association is war,” Tang Nanah warned dramatically as they walked. “It’s different from the good-natured Azure Dragon Association where they all drink together and become friends. You don’t know how much those vixens check each other, make snide remarks, and secretly bully one another. Qing-ah, you might not know women’s society, but it’s such a terrifying and heartless place.”

This was Tang Nanah, practically a newcomer to the martial world, speaking to Qing, the grand elder of the Divine Maiden Sect, a women's sect.

However, Qing, having seen how the Bliss Palace operated, couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility.

Though she didn’t trust Tang Nanah’s words at all.

“So, Qing-ah, just trust me,” Nanah declared proudly. “I am none other than the number one of the Five Flowers of Murim, the Poisonous Speaking Flower, Tang Nanah. Just stick right next to me.”

“Hm. If you say so,” Qing replied noncommittally.

Of course, since Qing was taller, anyone could see that Tang Nanah was the one clinging to her.

And in reality, Tang Nanah was clinging to her.

Thus, Qing entered the tower.

In Tang Nanah’s words, it was a brutal battlefield where faces were crushed without swords or spears, the fox den of the Phoenix Association.