Chapter 963: Passing the Martial Alliance (3)

Sima Chunbong, Deputy Vice Strategist of the Martial Alliance’s Strategy Department, had a longer day than anyone.

The last person in the Martial Alliance to fall asleep!

Because when night came, she secretly pulled the blanket over her head, lit a lamp, and handled work in the dark.

Even after working in secret until deep into the night, Sima Chunbong’s morning was faster than anyone’s.

In the middle of the night, before even dawn had stirred—when it was still pitch-black outside the window and the room was dark—the gentle sound of breathing hss, hss drifted from the bed in the center.

But only for a moment.

Sima Chunbong suddenly snapped her eyes open and, with fierce momentum, jerked her torso upright and shouted,

“Daily plan!”

One day’s plan lies in the morning—its meaning was that the plan for the day depended on dawn.

The Master said: the plan for a lifetime depends on youth, and the plan for a year depends on spring.

So the plan for a day depends on dawn.

When a disciple asked why, the Master answered:

If you do not learn when you are young, you will have no hope when you are old. If you do not plow the field in spring, you will have nothing to harvest in autumn.

So if you do not rise at dawn, isn’t it true that you’ll have nothing you can accomplish that day?

In other words: the Master was telling you to wake up early!

And then she folded her legs, went straight into circulating and regulating her breath—declaring that before she was a strategist of the Martial Alliance, she would begin her day as a martial artist!

Then—

Droooool. A light snore.

With her neck bent at an angle that made you worry it might never recover, her head dropped forward, her torso swaying back and forth—

and at some point, she simply toppled forward.

She always toppled forward, because Sima Chunbong’s center of gravity sat further forward than any woman in the Central Plain.

So there she was, legs tangled awkwardly, butt sticking up, face buried in the bed—

HNNNGH. HNNNGH.

Because she slept late...

Anyway, when the night withdrew and the window brightened and light spilled into the room—

“Hk!”

With that sound, Sima Chunbong’s second waking arrived.

The one who rises twice in a day—Sima Chunbong!

She smoothed her hair, straightened her clothes, and tidied her body into proper order.

Then she stood before the mercury mirror and arranged a stern expression.

Practicing an imposing face.

It was expression training, meant to build the proper gravitas for the youngest Deputy Vice Strategist in Martial Alliance history—and the next youngest Martial Alliance Strategist to come.

In the mirror was only a woman with vicious eyes making an evil expression with bean-sized pupils.

But she looked satisfied, stepped away from the mirror, and went outside.

Her day truly began.

Of course, a day begins with breakfast.

The Strategy Department had so much work and so many late nights that even the time to walk to the shared dining hall felt wasteful, so the Sima family—longtime power behind the Strategy Department—had set up a Strategy Department dining hall inside the department itself.

The cooks and servants were Sima family household staff too, so the dining-hall servants greeted Sima Chunbong with cheerful bows.

“Miss, you’re here? Light meal again today?”

Here, “light meal” meant both “simple eating” and “simple fare”—a meal that did not disturb body and mind, the gentleman’s diet said to have been eaten by the Master.

For reference, “not luxurious” simple fare looked like this:

Unhulled grain rice. Fresh seasonal vegetables with not even a slightly wilted part. Fish and meat that had to be caught that day—and cut cleanly so the edges held sharp.

They said the Master would rather starve than touch food that didn’t meet those standards.

For reference, in that ancient age when the Master lived, obtaining food that fresh was extremely difficult. So while it looked simple, priced out it was extravagance of the worst kind.

But letting the Master starve was a criminal act bordering on filial treason, so the disciples who supported him had their spines bent in half from the burden—or so they said.

Either way, it was a healthy diet, and it was also the reason the Master lived so long.

Anyway, the gentleman’s breakfast was to eat that simple fare in small amounts—simple fare, small eating—

But Sima Chunbong cleanly emptied three bowls of brown rice with five side dishes.

Sadly, if she was hungry, her brain wouldn’t turn, so it was a necessary compromise.

And then—heading in.

Work. In other words, clocking in.

Despite clinging to paperwork late into the night, during actual work hours Sima Chunbong wandered here and wandered there, pointlessly strolling around, sipping tea and eating snacks right in front of busy strategists and showing off her leisure.

Because if she truly set her mind to it, Sima Chunbong could process the Strategy Department’s document work in a single burst.

A once-in-the-world genius who looked like she did nothing but slack—yet finished everything like a ghost by the next day.

“Hey. If you’re going to eat, go eat somewhere else.”

“Heehee. Do you want some? I brought plenty, so wouldn’t it be fine to eat together? Ah—can’t, because you’re too busy from failing to handle your work? How sad. The sorrow of the mediocre.”

“......”

“Or do you want help from this Sima-rang? Hm. I could help you, specially. If you admit your ineptitude and beg this Sima-rang for assistance.”

Of course, the Sima family members—who knew exactly what Sima Chunbong really was—only sighed.

Where did the kid go wrong, exactly?

Was it the name? Should they have stopped the Family Head no matter what?

And another sigh.

But the kid was kind.

Her behavior was bizarre, but her nature itself was good, and didn’t she enjoy helping and giving?

So they told themselves, She’ll be fine when she gets older, and let it go.

Morning passed into afternoon. The main conference hall.

The strategists had been summoned on short notice and were gathered, waiting.

And then the Chief Strategist, Sima Jong, appeared—

followed by none other than the Martial Alliance Leader, Jo Hyeonryang, in person.

That meant it was serious.

With the situation clearly not light—and with the Alliance Leader himself having come—the strategists straightened their backs, tension sharpening their faces.

Sima Jong opened.

“Two months ago, in Liaodong, the Heavenly Flower Sword, together with the reclusive master of the Eastern Tribes, faced and repelled two Blood Cult unit commanders: the Sword Demon and the Heart-Eating Demon.”

It was shocking news.

No—it was beyond shocking. It was unbelievable.

The Strategy Department strategists already knew the Heavenly Flower Sword’s true realm—that she had reached the Harmonization Realm—

But wasn’t the Heart-Eating Demon a Transcendent Realm master?

And the Sword Demon? Even if details weren’t known, a unit-commander-level figure wasn’t exactly going to be ordinary.

“It’s true.”

The Alliance Leader himself vouched for it.

If the Alliance Leader had personally come to a meeting, it meant it was that certain.

“Ohhh, the Heavenly Flower Sword!” “This is excellent news!” “As expected—our divine star, the righteous martial world’s great blessing!”

Admiration burst out from every corner.

Sima Chunbong shrugged.

As expected of this Sima-rang’s rival! Something like this is only natural!

Of course, it wasn’t Sima Chunbong’s place to shrug.

But who could know what was inside her?

Not even the Sima family knew—those who had long since given up on understanding her heart.

But then—

Why didn’t the Heavenly Flower Sword come to this Sima-rang first? Her only true understander under heaven, the lone genius...

Qing, of course, had her reasons.

While Sima Chunbong burrowed into the question like she’d met the world’s hardest riddle, Sima Jong produced a portrait—professionally, a face sketch.

“This man is the Blood Cult unit commander, the Sword Demon. And the Plunderer Demon—whose identity could never be confirmed—turned out to be him as well. You’ve heard it, yes? That he steals martial arts. The rumor was true. His current realm is early Transcendent Realm. A notable feature: they say he carries numerous weapons on his person. Threat level: special. Put out a wanted notice for artists who can copy the sketch; prepare distribution to every sect; and contact the government to post a bounty. Bounty is ten thousand gold, the same as other unit commanders.”

Then Sima Jong smiled.

“And we will downgrade the Heart-Eating Demon’s threat level. He has lost both eyes, his right arm has been severed, and his dantian is damaged—he has lost most of his internal power. However, since we cannot gauge the Blood Cult’s level of medicine, we cannot determine the possibility of recovery, so... assumptions must always be worst-case. Adjust the threat level on the assumption that they have a divine-grade healer.”

“Ohhh!” “That’s a huge burden off our shoulders!”

“However, this is top-tier classified. That is also why I summoned this meeting. No matter how outstanding the Heavenly Flower Sword’s feat is, she is still a young martial artist who requires protection. And further, we must establish measures to protect the Heavenly Flower Sword. After suffering such a miserable defeat, those Blood Cult bastards will surely be burning with resentment. Therefore, at the alliance level, we intend to establish a protection plan for the Heavenly Flower Sword. Present your opinions.”

That was why the Strategy Department meeting had been called.

“Wouldn’t it be best if the Heavenly Flower Sword entered Closed-Door Seclusion Training?”

“Man, what are you saying? Closed-door seclusion after earning merit—does that make sense? It’ll look like punishment.”

“Shouldn’t we ask for understanding on that point? When we don’t know what tricks the Blood Cult might try, nothing is safer than closed-door seclusion. And what if we invite Transcendent Realm masters from the alliance to personally instruct her?”

“Hm. But in times like these, it isn’t easy for top masters to leave their posts.”

“Sending a combat unit as an escort also...”

“But...”

The strategists offered opinions one after another.

Measures to protect the Heavenly Flower Sword, who’d slapped the Blood Cult across the face with gusto.

That was the moment.

“Heh heh heh—this is the Martial Alliance’s Strategy Department level? It’s so pathetic I can’t even listen. I suppose the shallow thinking of common fools can’t be helped, but for the alliance’s strategists to be like this... it is truly beyond lamentable.”

The strategists all frowned at once.

What kind of bullshit is this bitch spouting now?

“Your premise is wrong from the start. The only rival to this Sima-rang under heaven—the Heavenly Flower Sword—if you hide her tracks, do you think they’ll actually stay hidden?”

“Since when were you the Heavenly Flower Sword’s rival?”

“Impossible. Of course not. A spike in a pouch will pierce through sooner or later. Just as this Sima-rang’s fame tore through the pouch and echoed across the world, the Heavenly Flower Sword’s valor cannot be concealed forever.”

“When exactly did you tear that pouch? Everybody check your pouches once. Looks like Chunbong has started targeting pouches now.”

“Heh heh heh—yes, Heavenly Flower Sword. You should at least do this much. You’re the one and only genius under heaven who can stand beside this Sima-rang.”

“That ‘genius’ level has really fallen.”

The Strategy Department strategists threw in their jabs one by one, but Sima Chunbong didn’t budge.

Because she didn’t hear anything unfavorable to her in the first place.

The jealousy of fools toward a genius is their nature—this Sima-rang must bear it as her destiny...!

So no matter what anyone said, Sima Chunbong’s mind was an impregnable iron fortress—blade-proof, unbreakable, unconquerable.

“With the thinking of average people like yourselves, you cannot understand. Alliance Leader—this is rather the time to spread the Heavenly Flower Sword’s name far and wide.”

“...I understand your heart for your friend, but excessive fame becomes poison.”

“No. The Heavenly Flower Sword has already earned the Blood Cult’s hatred. She repelled unit commanders—whether the alliance reveals it or not, they will already see her as an irreconcilable mortal enemy. If so, it is only natural that they will extend their filthy claws even if we hide her. Then there is no reason to hide her, is there?”

“It is not that simple. Even so, officially announcing it as merit and achievement is a completely different matter. Having resentment, and being forced to repay it, are not the same.”

To the people of the Central Plain, revenge was a proper duty.

If they pretended not to know and let it pass, the Blood Cult would stop at “harboring resentment” toward the Heavenly Flower Sword.

But if the Martial Alliance officially announced the Heavenly Flower Sword’s defeat of the Blood Cult as an alliance-certified public incident?

Then if the Blood Cult did not take revenge, it would become a laughingstock of the entire world—so wouldn’t they move even if they had to accept heavy losses?

“No. There is no need for the alliance to officially confirm the Heavenly Flower Sword’s achievement. But is there any need to stop the rumors from spreading?”

Sima Jong frowned.

“So you’re saying we should spread the rumors.”

“Yes, Chief Strategist. As I said—sharp spikes break through; they rise like Mount Tai and display their might across the world. Just like this Sima-rang’s fame.”

“Kid, your fame isn’t Mount Tai—it’s closer to dust—”

“Heh heh. Alliance Leader, we should spread the rumors in exaggerated form. So absurd it becomes hard to believe. For example—yes. The Heavenly Flower Sword stormed the Blood Cult’s hideout alone, slaughtered thousands of Blood Cultists, and routed the unit commanders. The unit commanders, defeated, begged for their lives in pathetic disgrace—crying and sobbing, bowing again and again, rubbing their hands and pleading for mercy—then fled in a panic. And yet, the realm of those two Blood Cult demon masters had reached the Transcendent Realm—so perhaps the Heavenly Flower Sword’s realm may also be such.”

“If a rumor like that spreads, won’t the Blood Cult bastards come charging in immediately?”

“No. Heh. It can actually prevent a large-scale move. If those Blood Cult filth launch a major retaliation over it, it will be the same as proving the rumor true. As for petty schemes—wouldn’t the Heavenly Flower Sword, who contends with this Sima-rang, be more than capable of crushing them?”

If you filtered out the nonsense in the back half, it was a fairly good plan.

If you couldn’t avoid the Blood Cult’s schemes anyway, it would be better to spread rumors and block them from making a big move.

More than anything—

Jo Hyeonryang’s heart moved.

Jo Hyeonryang was a man with shame.

He couldn’t even publicly celebrate that good child’s dazzling achievements and merit—and every time, what did he say?

I’m sorry, but let’s keep it secret.

He buried it, and every time he brought it up, he felt unbearably sorry.

And the Heavenly Flower Sword—deep and mature—only nodded, understanding, without showing regret.

Which only made him feel more sorry.

“The Deputy Vice Strategist’s opinion seems reasonable.”

Jo Hyeonryang lent weight to Sima Chunbong’s suggestion.

Sima Chunbong’s cheeks ascended to heaven.

“Heh! Heh! Heh! Did you see? This is this Sima-rang’s capability! Strategists, you should watch this Sima-rang and learn strategy! Heh heh!”

Of course it was a good measure, but of all people, that brat!

For the next month, she’d live with that line in her mouth!

What a waste—having a brain that good, and such a weird personality. Why did heaven give her brains, and then also grant her that bizarre temperament?

The conference hall sank into gloom.

But anyway—

Decision made, like this!