Chapter 44: Journey towards Mount Hua

There are moments when you have something to say, but the sheer absurdity of the situation leaves you speechless—mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

That was exactly how Peng Daesan felt.

Qing chuckled.

"Come on, is our friendship really this shallow, San?"

"Haa..."

Qing believed that jokes should be fun for everyone.

Even if they went a little too far, they should only push the boundaries just enough to be mildly annoying.

If the other person got genuinely upset, it stopped being a joke and became outright provocation.

This was the right moment to reveal the truth.

Acting coy and dragging it out would only make it more irritating.

This keen understanding of just the right amount was Qing's true talent.

Let’s leave him to process that for a moment.

Qing turned to another target.

"By the way, this friend here is drinking all alone? Would you mind pouring me a cup as well?"

Qing picked up an empty cup from the table and held it out.

Chang Bin visibly flinched before fumbling for the bottle, grasping it with both hands as if it were something sacred.

Then, with a trembling grip, he carefully poured Qing a drink.

"H-here..."

"Why are your hands shaking so much?"

"Ah, n-no reason. Just a bit of tremor in my hands..."

A tremor?

Wait... is he not a martial artist?

Well, not every companion on this journey had to be a peak-level expert.

Qing shrugged it off, tapping the table lightly.

"Alright then, why don’t you have a drink too?"

"Ah, yes."

Chang Bin quickly emptied his own cup and held it out for a refill.

For someone claiming to have shaky hands, his tremors were almost comically excessive.

He was shaking so badly that it would’ve been difficult to pour him a drink properly.

But Qing was a Peak Late Stage master.

And one of the greatest abilities of a warrior at this level was—being able to pour alcohol into a violently trembling cup without spilling a drop.

It was said that those who reached the transcendence stage, the realm of Hwa-Kyung, could even pour into a flying cup midair.

This was why martial artists were revered since ancient times.

"Well then, since we've met, let's toast. Cheers."

"C-cheers..."

Qing downed the clear liquor in one go.

A strong, pungent aroma burst up through the nose—this was Baekseju[^translates to "100-year wine."]-ah, a high-proof spirit.

As expected of rich young masters, even their liquor is top-shelf.

The fiery alcohol burned its way down Qing’s empty stomach.

Qing shuddered.

"Phew. That’s good stuff."

With long, elegant fingers, Qing picked up a dried fish snack.

The love for beautiful hands in the central plains was legendary.

A person's hands were a major criterion for beauty.

Phrases like delicate jade-like hands and exquisite fingers like carved ivory were testaments to that.

Peng Daesan, who had been staring blankly at Qing’s pale fingers, suddenly snapped out of it.

Wait, were her hands always like that?

Now that he looked closely at Qing’s overall appearance and delicate hand structure, something felt... off.

A realization struck him.

Body Transformation.

When one reached the transcendence and their body was reconstructed, their innate beauty often surpassed its previous limits.

"Did you reach the transcendence realm?"

Qing nonchalantly chewed on the dried fish.

"No? I did gain a small enlightenment though."

A very minor enlightenment.

One that everyone here was already aware of.

A realization necessary for reaching peak-stage martial mastery.

But Qing had taken a shortcut—achieving the realm first and only later filling in the missing understanding.

Since Qing wasn’t aware of how unusual this was, they simply felt very proud of themself.

Wow. I guess reaching an epiphany really does show physically, huh?

Of course, that wasn’t the reason.

"I almost thought you underwent Bone and Flesh Rebirth[^Body Transformation]. If not that, then what? Did you learn some rejuvenation technique?"

"Rejuvenation technique?"

Qing tilted their head in innocent confusion, their expression completely blank.

"Ah."

Peng Daesan muttered under his breath.

It's been a while—I'd forgotten how ignorant she was.

"Rejuvenation techniques are... never mind. I only mentioned it because your face looks different."

"Ah. I picked up a few martial arts techniques. They make you prettier."

"...You learned Fairy Maiden Arts? That quickly?"

"Whoa! You know about Fairy Maiden Arts?"

"What the hell are you even saying... haaa."

The common Fairy Maiden Arts primarily enhanced skin clarity, whitened teeth, brightened the eyes, and eliminated unnecessary body fat.

Of course, these were essential traits in the central plains’ beauty standards, so the technique was highly prized.

It was even considered a mark of refinement among female martial artists.

But techniques that actually reshaped facial structure were extremely rare.

Such methods were typically kept as secret legacies within legendary sects known for their beauty—

Sects like Shin-Nyeo Gate, Vermillion Bird Sect, Celestial Flower Pavilion, and the Blissful Palace...

Or in rarer cases, unnatural arts like those of Northern Sea Ice Palace, which could even turn men into delicate, feminine figures due to its unusual side effects.

"I actually got a new master recently. They recognized my genius and practically begged me to become their disciple. I had no choice but to accept."

"What kind of disrespectful nonsense is that? No, forget it, I'm sure your master understood and taught you anyway, so you have a master now?"

"Yeah. Their name is Ximen Surin. They even gave me their family name! So now I’m Ximen Qing."

"Cough!"

A violent choking noise erupted from beside them.

"Hrk, kuhak, krrrk!"

When a 50-proof liquor goes down the wrong pipe, even a master martial artist is reduced to a pathetic, gasping mess.

Chang Bin doubled over, coughing violently, eyes watering.

And yet, even in his fit, he somehow managed to clasp his hands together in a respectful greeting.

"Young lady, by any chance, are you referring to the Great Mother Ximen Surin, the Supreme Elder of the Divine Maiden Sect...?"

"Oh! You know my master?!"

"N-no, please lower your speech..."

"Ah. So this guy is from a Daoist sect?"

Qing looked at Chang Bin with curiosity.

Ximen Surin had once told Qing that if any cheeky Daoist or monk started acting up, they should just drop her name.

Even if their sect leader himself showed up, he wouldn’t dare disrespect her disciple.

"Wait, Sword Comrade... You mean to say you were personally taught by the greatest female swordmaster of our time—the Sword Empress herself?"

"Huh? Did I never mention that?"

"You most certainly did not. I had already suspected your swordsmanship was beyond ordinary... But for the heir of the greatest sword clan and the disciple of the Sword Empress to meet as comrades, what an incredible fate!"

"Is it really that special? If you look at it that way, every encounter in life becomes extraordinary."

"Then... has the Sword Empress truly reached the level of Sword Qi Projection?"

"Sword Qi Projection? No idea. But she does fly around on her sword."

Unless one had personally experienced the terror of a nuclear noogie to the head delivered from midair, they could never truly comprehend its horror.

"Sword Flight?! You're saying she’s attained such a level? Ah... If only I could meet her once and witness her supreme swordsmanship, I would have no other wishes left in life!"

"Wouldn't that be a bit difficult?"

Namgung Shinjae was now practically wheezing for air.

Qing, seeing his reaction, lazily responded—only for an annoyed voice to cut in.

"Namgung, we're in the middle of a conversation. So, did you officially join Divine Maiden Sect?"

"Nope. Just an Outer Disciple. I had my reasons for not formally joining, but Master said it was fine regardless."

"Hmm."

Peng Daesan let out a thoughtful hum.

So the rumors were true. The grand matriarch herself had insisted on taking Qing as a disciple.

For someone of her standing—one of the highest-ranking figures in the martial world—to make such an exception, even accepting an outer disciple, meant a great deal.

And, thinking about it, it made sense.

A young female warrior who had already reached the late peak-stage.

If even half of what was said about the Sword Empress's temperament was true, it was perfectly plausible.

"But of all people, why are you traveling with him—no, with Namgung?"

"Because he's my Sword Comrade."

"That ridiculous term again... No, actually, I think I understand. I don’t need an explanation."

"I was heading to Mount Hua. I heard the Sword Cliff there is worth seeing. And I’m curious about Mount Hua itself."

"You're speaking as if it’s just a casual sightseeing trip... Ugh. Never mind. Wait a second."

Peng Daesan's eyebrows twitched.

"Where’s the rest of your group?"

"There isn’t one?"

No companions?

Peng Daesan’s frown deepened.

"You’re telling me you two have been traveling alone this whole time?"

"Yeah?"

"I know you’re reckless, but you’re really wandering around with just a random man?"

Qing smirked and shrugged.

"From what I can tell, my Sword Comrade doesn’t care about things like that. In his eyes, there are only two kinds of people in this world—those who wield swords and those who don’t."

"Exactly. There are only two types of people. As expected of my Sword Comrade—our minds are truly in sync. We’re practically Kindred Swords at this point."

"Ooooh, Kindred Swords."

That was a reference to the famous tale of Kindred Music, the legendary friendship between Bo Ya and Zhong Ziqi.

Their bond was so profound that Bo Ya could play his guqin, and Zhong Ziqi would understand his every emotion without a word spoken.

Ever since, the term Kindred Sound had been used to describe the deepest of friendships.

"Stop dodging the topic."

Peng Daesan’s voice dropped a note as he forced the conversation back.

Qing raised a hand.

"Hold up! Are you still upset? What would’ve changed if I stayed back? The Black Shadow Society, was it? We couldn’t fight them to the death anyway. The weaker side should be the one to leave." [^ Qing straight up murder blended the Daughter of the Black Shadow Society back in Chapter 11: Friends, thats why she had to run away!]

"That’s not what I was referring to..."

Peng Daesan’s tone returned to normal.

Now that he thought about it, why was he even bothering?

What did it matter who this crazy lunatic traveled with?

And, honestly, Qing had a point—

Namgung Shinjae was probably the least threatening man on the planet when it came to women.

Even if they traveled alone, they had likely done nothing but spar the entire time.

That man had nothing in his head besides swordsmanship.

"So, you’re heading to Mount Hua?"

"Yep."

"Perfect timing. Chang Bin and I were just on our way back there."

"Hmm? You're saying let's go together?"

Peng Daesan’s eyebrows twitched.

"What? You don’t want to?"

"No, I'd love to, but..."

Qing turned to look at Chang Bin.

He was furiously shaking his hands and rapidly shaking his head—only to slowly lower it when Qing’s gaze landed on him.

"Ignore that. This man has spent his entire life wishing he could travel with a woman. Think of this as granting him a lifelong dream."

"H-hey, Brother Peng, don't put it like that! I am the eldest of the Hidden Dragon Society, you know. You should show some respe—"

"How about you shut up and enjoy your drink? Should be extra delicious now that there’s a woman present, right?"

"Ahem."

For some reason, Chang Bin suddenly decided to quietly sip his drink.

"So, have you booked an inn?"

"Nope. We just came here because it looked good, but then I saw the wall of women. Figured San would be here."

"So, you haven’t booked anything. Then let’s do that now."

And with that, Peng Daesan called for the innkeeper and promptly booked them a room.

Now that’s what friends are for.

And of course, since he was a rich young master—he got them the best one available.