Chapter 546: Hanga Yoran (6)

Pinned under the women, Qing lay crushed to the floor and thought, very quietly.

Were they not embarrassed to make “kyao-o” noises with their own mouths? A throat-scratching growl, fine—but “roar,” “awoo”—ugh, goosebumps. Were they sane?

Then again, if they were sane, they wouldn’t be sprinting around on all fours with collars on.

Qing even had leisure for idle thoughts.

Truth be told, it was oddly comfortable.

The weight of a mere dozen-odd women couldn’t possibly infringe upon the Central Plains’ strongest body (unofficial).

The bitches clawed with their hands, but that was all; the celestial-silkworm silk outfit blocked them, so they only tugged and stretched the cloth to death.

So Qing would play subdued, take a breath, and scout the situation.

Playing subdued, she pricked her ears.

—Did we finish her?

—What mongrel shit are you barking? Hey, cut the jokes and bring the net—no, the wire. What strength is this—she’s not a bull.

—Heh-heh. A dairy cow fits, doesn’t it?

—You’re cracking jokes now? How many of ours died—tch. Tie her properly. The Sect Master will interrogate her personally. What are you all gawking at? Is this a show? It’s a Blood Howl Sect operation—mind your business and go to bed!

When would Central Plains folk ever miss a fight-show?

A harsh voice blustered, driving off the rubberneckers.

Blood Howl Sect?

Sounded familiar somehow.

Thanks to Seo Mun Surin’s “general-knowledge download,” Qing had skimmed the big Evil Path names; if she’d heard of it, it was a fairly large outfit.

Of course Blood Sect scum wouldn’t openly call themselves “So-and-so Royal House” or “Sik Sim Faction” and strut around.

On second thought, it was a perfect cover.

Judged by deeds, you couldn’t tell Evil Path from Blood Sect anyway.

It was all depredation and atrocity—only a question of “extremely harmful” versus “merely harmful.”

Thinking that way, how many Blood Sect rats were mixed among the Evil Path? In any case, those Evil Path bastards contributed nothing to the world. The lot should be scythed to the root.

Then it came.

—Halt! Stop!

—Who goes there? Name yourself! If you dare obstruct a Blood Howl Sect operation, you will pay in kind!

—Ahem. Impudent brat. I am an elder of the Righteous Adventurers Combined Alliance of the Demonic Union and a section chief of the Justice-Enforcement Disciplinary Council—Chae Unsok.

—Twin Goats Iron-Paired Fists!

Qing had felt it for some time: the Demonic Union was obsessed with coining words to sound important.

Their own name was long; the “Ten Evil Celestial Sects” recycled old job titles—pure kiddie-level stuff.

And if it was some kind of council, why was he a “section chief”?

Still, Qing understood.

The incompetents lived or died by their titles.

—Ahem. I apologize for the rudeness. But this wen—this person is a criminal who, without cause, slew our sect’s disciples. The Blood Howl Sect seeks only to exact blood-price.

—The Heavenly Flower Sword is the owner of an atrocious demonic art. Regrettable as your situation is, for the greater good, will you not yield her to our Union first? Once our interrogation concludes, I vow to send her to your sect.

—That requires the Sect Master’s sanction. We only follow orders.

—Come now, man. Are we not all one family under the Demonic Union? Surely your master will not protest if, as kin, we borrow the criminal for a short while?

Kin, my ass. Not knowing they were Blood Sect scum—pitiful.

By the look of it, the Union wanted the “demonic art,” too.

The Blood Sect wouldn’t go along; they’d bicker for a while.

Qing took the chance and flipped open her martial window.

She had to see what qi had barged in and squatted down.

Heart-Plucking Art—ten stars, red border. So one of the Ten Supreme Demonic Arts rated merely red. And how had it forced its way in and settled down?

On reflection, it wasn’t exactly a loss.

It wasn’t as if she’d spent her own money—no, cultivation points—to learn it. Call it a freebie.

Before closing the window, Qing bumped Rapture Swaying Art up in one go—to Twelve Stars, Great Attainment.

Eon Yeonyeong, next time, you’ll really [N O V E L I G H T] die.

Then two items itched in temporary registration: a matched pair—Lifesnatching True Heart and Lifesnatching Blade.

One gold, one red. She couldn’t knead her brain right now, so leave them. Were they demonic arts or not? “Lifesnatching Blade”—just by the name, pure demonic; but “Lifesnatching True Heart”? Hm. Ask Master.

Oh right. Ask Jeogal too.

Damn it—should’ve asked earlier. She’d frittered time away playing.

Cursing her own laziness, Qing listened outward again.

—Do you truly mean to defy the Demonic Union’s will? However your strength has grown of late, will you thrive after spurning us?

—Even so, I have no authority. I only seize my sect’s criminal.

—You persist? A petty sect dares defy the great Union?

Chae Unsok slid into condescension.

Qing’s eyes lit. If she left them, wouldn’t Blood Sect and Evil Path go at it?

But hope was brief.

—Ahem. If so, our Disciplinary Council’s third squad will accompany the Heavenly Flower Sword. I will speak to my Sect Master directly. Blockheaded—tsk. Tch.

If words failed, men with dicks were supposed to draw steel—what was this conclusion? Just cut them off. This breed only acted “tough” when facing someone weaker.

“Waait!!”

Qing’s voice rang like a bell—clear and crisp even under a heap of women.

The mound of bodies twitched—then, fwash! Qing rose, flinging the collared women in all directions.

The entrance was striking enough that both Blood Sect scum and Evil Path warriors, the bystanding fighters and Hangzhou’s looky-loos, all goggled wide.

“Wait! Everyone! Don’t be fooled. These aren’t the Blood Howl Sect—they’re the Blood Sect’s worst mongrels, the Sik Sim Faction under the Heart-Plucking Demon Lord!”

Faces turned from shocked to more shocked; some slapped their brows and reeled; others clutched their heads and thrust their elbows high—an identity no one had imagined!

“Wh-what!? Proof—do you have proof?”

“These women, crawling about like beasts, are the proof! Blood Fiends—the Blood Sect’s monsters—abominations that crave human hearts! One look and they’re not normal—monsters, aren’t they!?”

Yet the expressions were... off.

Chae Unsok, master of the Disciplinary Hall’s elite squad—shortened from that unwieldy affiliation—gave a prim cough.

“There is some misunderstanding. Vile as the Blood Howl Sect may be, their Beast-Maiden troupe is no sorcery. They’re warriors trained in a sort of Ground-Fist.”

“Eh. Beast-Maidens?”

“Beast” and “maidens”—Qing’s face crumpled at the absurd name. Loyal to Union ties, Chae Unsok added a line to shield the Blood Howl Sect.

“The Union has already verified them. Do not dare bring up the Blood Sect.”

“But anyone can see they’re not normal. What woman wears a collar, makes beast noises, and bites people?”

Qing protested, but the crowd seemed to accept it.

Why? That was “normal”? Frustration pounded; she almost thumped her chest, then held back as the punctured wound throbbed—

“Your words go too far. Heavenly Flower Sword or ‘world’s first beauty,’ that’s excessive.”

“We merely trained the Earthly Beast Art—must we be treated like monsters? It’s too cruel!”

Pointed voices, tinged with tears.

Qing glanced back; the women had somehow dusted themselves off and stood upright on two legs, glaring at her.

“Wait—you can... stand on two legs—and talk?”

Qing was dumbfounded.

Then what were those beast cries? They’d been imitating animals, stone-cold sober?

And—damn.

Come to think, even the Blood Sect wouldn’t trot out Blood Fiends in broad day—no, in a night as bustling as day—and flaunt them before the public.

Those four-legged bitches must have had a way to dodge suspicion under eyes—thus the brazen display.

“But...! They’re Blood Sect—ugh.”

Qing smarted. Bitterly.

Just as enemies often choked on her own ironclad patter, now she was the one left speechless.

No, they are Blood Sect bastards!

They are—but why won’t you believe me? Why the “she’s being a bit much” looks? Why the tongue-clicks and head-shakes at me!

Qing’s fists trembled.

No one would buy it if she argued on.

They could be crushed later. First, survive the moment. First survive—no, really, as if I’d ever let the Blood Sect slide—no—hoo—calm down. Calm.

But they are Blood Sect. Why can’t eyes see Blood Sect when they’re looking at Blood Sect? I should yank every eyeball out!

Qing drew long, slow breaths—hoo, hoo—and steadied her mind.

Hmph. You think that means I’ll lose?

“Ahem. In any case—everyone—I have already proved that the Absorbing Qi Demonic Art is a vile Blood Sect plot.”

“Beyond your testimony, Heavenly Flower Sword, there is no material evidence. The Demonic Union has concluded we cannot trust it. If wronged, why not come with us and make a sincere statement?”

Logic that made the brows of demonic-art hunters throb.

By what right did the Union demand a statement? In the end it was “We want the art—hand it over.”

Cook the porridge, feed it to the dogs—having raced to Hangzhou and lain in wait, they were a line-cutter leaning on size.

Qing answered.

“Understood. Some may believe that, since I belong to the orthodox Martial Alliance, if they prove my innocence it’s only my own side shielding me. But if the honored heroes of the Demonic Union judge whether it is a demonic art, surely the public will accept it, won’t they?”

She would accept an investigation by the Union.

No one was more shocked than Chae Unsok himself.

So shocked he asked again.

“Eh? Wh-what? Are you serious?”

“Of course. If the Union’s honored heroes merely wish to investigate, and I do not own a demonic art, why would I refuse out of fear?”

“O—of course. Right. Quite right.”

Chae Unsok’s face soured—then he nodded along.

“Hold! Heavenly Flower Sword! Where do you think you’re going!”

A Blood Howl Sect warrior shouted.

Qing didn’t stop—only turned her head and answered blandly.

Sticking with the Union was far better than with the Blood Sect.

At least the Union minced around in public and hid their colors; no immediate danger.

“I’m going to be investigated by the Demonic Union. Do you have something to say?”

“Th—that won’t—won’t do!”

“Why?”

The Blood Sect man floundered.

This wasn’t it. Let the Heavenly Flower Sword go? But how, like this?

“Th—the, what is it—yes, blood-price—we must take blood-price! You think to strike the Blood Howl Sect and walk away!”

“You drew first and attacked. I merely defended myself. How is that ‘blood-price’?”

“D—don’t be ridiculous! You first slandered us as Blood Sect and—”

“Ah. The Union elders can investigate and decide that, too. Yes, elder?”

Qing smiled with her eyes at Chae Unsok.

The Disciplinary chief blinked—then gathered himself and said his piece.

“Mm. Yes. Quite. I do not ignore the Blood Howl Sect’s position—but through a strict inquiry we will make the truth plain, beyond doubt—”

“Disaster! Disaster! The young lady—the young lady—!”

A cry, rudely cutting off even an elder of the mighty Righteous Adventurers Combined Alliance.

A Blood Sect man who’d run in to check on the “young lady” came pelting back, face chalk-white, and whispered.

The spokesman’s complexion, too, drained so fast you could hear the color flee.

Well, he’d have seen their “young lady” parboiled to a turn, twitching like a maggot.

Let her go? Abandon their mistress? Judging from “Mahi’s” tyranny, her father would be no ordinary father.

If they let Qing go like this—would that father nod and let it pass?

Qing tugged up one corner of her mouth.

Well then. What now?