Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Chapter 9 - Reaction
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There are many reasons why this martial world is such a tough place to live.
Compared to modern Earth, the infrastructure lags far behind, and the atmosphere where might makes right is a big factor too.
But for the average person, the real threat is the random sword fights breaking out among martial artists—you never know when or where they'll happen.
Sure, the orthodox sects and the Murim Alliance hold sway, but the world isn't just them, and they can't patrol every corner of the vast Central Plains.
And even orthodox martial artists aren't above causing trouble. Finding one who's truly righteous just because they're orthodox is harder than you might think.
Honestly, most martial artists, regardless of orthodox or unorthodox, have sky-high pride, so even a slight offense can lead to swords being drawn.
The difference? Unorthodox folks draw first and ask questions never, while orthodox ones hold back once before drawing. That's about it—they're not all saints who care about others.
'At least no sword fights broke out in my fortune-telling shop...'
In the Central Plains, it was commonplace for a regular inn you'd frequent to shut down for repairs after martial artists trashed the place.
I'd had Dang Ayoung chase out a few rowdy customers who'd threatened me, even if it never escalated to blades.
'Self-employed folks have it rough in this world.'
Human time bombs who could explode anywhere, anytime, just wandering around carefree.
Martial artists spend generously on average, boosting sales nicely, or shop owners would hate seeing them walk in.
So, what's my point here...
"Straighten up! One!"
"No messing around!"
"Two!"
"We won't fight!!!"
"No sincerity in those voices! Again—one!!"
'...How does she even know about that?'
It was because I'd just witnessed four men getting disciplined by Yeo So-cheon right in front of me—the mess they'd made in less than ten minutes.
Four carriages lay wrecked beyond repair, scattered around. Sword scars marred the ground and walls nearby, and in the back, several people were applying golden sore medicine with others' help.
Luckily, these guys weren't high-level, so it ended at this. If stronger martial artists had gone wild, those patching up wouldn't have gotten off so lightly.
High-level experts being rare was small comfort.
"Don't sneak in extra fingers! I said two fingers only! Oh? Using internal energy now?!"
"Eek!"
Even their discipline was martial arts style—one hand, two fingers, no internal energy, of course.
She didn't look that advanced herself, but how does it even work without qi? Eh, she'll handle it. I licked my remaining candy.
They probably never saw this coming.
There's this unwritten rule that officials and martial folk don't cross lines—unless it's egregious, even the authorities can't touch martial artists.
That's why they strut around causing chaos without fear.
'But the opponents are fellow martial artists, not officials...'
What can you do? Being weak is the sin.
Actually, to be precise now—the brawl started with five guys, not four.
Why only four getting punished?
'...Hope he's okay.'
I replayed the memory of Yeo So-cheon storming in, radiating killing intent.
[Is it you lot? The ones causing the ruckus?]
[Beat it, kid. Uncle's busy—go hold your mommy's hand...]
-Crack!
I'd never seen a knee to the jaw like that, even in Earth movies.
But one sacrifice wasn't enough to gauge her against them. A comrade of the jaw-broken guy, teeth shattered, lunged at her.
-Sparkle sparkle
Even in the dim evening, his head gleamed bald.
How'd she shave him clean in one stroke without being a barber? Still a mystery.
With two down in a flash, her distinctive looks clicked for folks, and the chaos died down quick.
Good thing it ended without serious injuries, except for that one guy.
...Pray dentures are advanced in this era.
"Finally, a decent stance. Now 100 more reps, then you clean up. Your mess."
"...They insulted us first..."
"Wanna eat dirt forever?"
"..."
Most martial artist squabbles are like this—nothing grand.
Just 2v3 trash talk escalating to swords. Happens all the time.
-Clap clap
"Sigh. Young punks, past or present, never change. Pros who know better, yet they brawl like idiots."
"...Could you not say that with your looks? Cognitive dissonance..."
"Hmph. My face not matching my age? Pot calling kettle."
"No, but you and I are different—"
-Zap
"I'll be quiet."
"Hmph."
Replied and got zapped—no gain.
"..."
-Grumble grumble
So much to say, but I swallowed it and followed Yeo So-cheon.
The ruckus had scared off other merchants lest they catch stray sparks, and sightseers fled too. The market felt half-deserted now.
"...Shame. Our rare stroll for two, ruined."
The remaining carts were packing up, sensing the market's end.
No point wandering more.
"Shall we head back?"
"Yeah... Guess so."
"...Mm."
Even I, often called oblivious, could tell Yeo So-cheon was down.
First date fizzling out thanks to randos? Fair to be bummed.
"..."
I hadn't forgotten that restroom electrocution grudge, but we'd keep crossing paths.
Should leave her a good memory from the first date.
-Look around
"Hold up."
"...?"
I spotted a merchant packing and dashed over.
"Not done yet?"
"Oh, customer? I'll set it out—take your time."
"Hmm..."
I pondered, then picked a silver-glowing hair ornament and paid from my pouch.
Back to her, she stared blankly from the same spot.
Glancing between my face and the accessory, realization dawned.
"Aha. Trying to buy Poison Phoenix's favor with a gift?"
"...Huh?"
"Sure, cheap market trinkets won't impress her, but a gift from a guy she likes softens any anger..."
I cut her off, reaching to pin it in her hair.
Her unusual blue puzzled me on color match, but...
"Suits you."
"...Eh?"
"Yours. Not Dang Ayoung's."
"Eh?"
Her brain short-circuited; she stammered, face turning beet red.
"T-take it off? For real?"
"Why? Hate it?"
"N-no! Love it! It's not hate, just... you doing this suddenly..."
She seemed thrown by my move.
"What? I can give gifts too."
"B-but... Don't you hate me?"
"...?"
"I mean... I went too far in the restroom... My temper's awful... You seem extra sharp with me, so I thought you hated me..."
"...Sigh."
Never guessed she thought that.
Tsundere herself, thinking I'm tsundere toward her too?
"If I hated you, I'd have just married you off easy."
"W-well... It was rape, but we did... you know..."
"...In my world, hooking up doesn't mean marriage."
Her face screamed shock.
"So you thought our outings were forced 'cause we're 'married'?"
"..."
-Nod
She nodded silently.
I sighed, pinching my brow.
"Whew..."
"S-so... Since we're stuck together anyway, I wanted to make good memories... But words flop, actions too, and then that mess..."
"Aigoo, you rascal."
She was half-crying now.
Hard to be honest when she's not used to it.
"That's why I don't like tsunderes. Ugh."
"S-see? You don't like..."
"But that doesn't mean I hate you."
"Huh?"
I wiped her tears with my sleeve.
"Nobody's perfect. Some things you like, some you don't. That's how it averages out. Right?"
-Sob
"But I did awful to you..."
"Forget it. Water under the bridge. Honestly, take that shock once, score a bride like you? Profitable deal."
Money? Loaded. Martial prowess? Top-tier. Power? High up. Looks? Elite.
Bad personality? Overlooked.
"But no more shocks. That hurt for real."
"...Yeah."
"Or at least lighter."
"...I'll adjust."
Docile now, but tomorrow—or hours—she'd revert.
I could picture her embarrassed, telling me to forget.
'At least saw something cute for once.'
"Let's go? Dang Ayoung'll really blow if we're late."
"G-get Poison Phoenix a gift too. Might help..."
"Nah."
I took her hand, heading home.
"Not clueless enough to buy another girl a gift mid-date."
She'd ditched her hat, so I missed her full reaction.
But that full blush? Not bad.
Her silence suggested she hadn't noticed,
but truth is, I'd had my wallet the whole time.