A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 89

89. The Village’s Strange Guest

“Ho-oh.”

The young nobleman, seated on a splendid chair adorned with a white tiger’s pelt at the front of a grand hall, exclaimed with a glint in his eyes. Dressed in snow-white martial attire, he was a handsome man with gentle eyes and fair skin.

“So, the Feast of Blood ultimately failed. All because of that True Dragon Great Hero.”

“Yes.”

The man bowing deeply before him was Hanwol, the supreme master of the Blood Dragon Gate, who had vanished after his defeat by Sonbin at the Dengwang Pavilion banquet.

“‘Yes,’ you say? How fortunate that you can still answer me.”

Swish.

The young nobleman smiled faintly and lightly extended his hand. In the next moment, Hanwol groaned.

“Kugh.”

Hanwol gritted his teeth, his eyes twitching. Though the nobleman’s fingertip hadn’t touched him, Hanwol was enduring excruciating pain, barely able to breathe.

Just as Hanwol’s face turned blue, the nobleman finally lowered his hand with a sneer.

Rustle.

“Cough. Haa.”

Freed from the pain, Hanwol gasped for air. But only for a moment, as he immediately slammed his forehead against the floor.

Thud.

“Thank you for your mercy.”

“There is no mercy. I merely delivered the punishment befitting your failure.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Hanwol said in a stiff voice. His forehead was stained with blood, but he paid it no mind.

“Who is this so-called True Dragon?”

“Nothing is known about him.”

Hanwol answered immediately.

“He does not match any of the individuals we have identified. However, we have confirmed that he possesses a treasured sword and is rumored to be the lover of the Sword Saintess.”

The young nobleman’s eyes flickered with interest.

“Sword Saintess… Could it be Geomhui?”

“They are entirely different people.”

“Hmm.”

The young nobleman pondered, then suddenly chuckled.

“True Dragon… How amusing. Those who have never seen true dragons dare to use the title.”

He knew beings worthy of being called true dragons.

The giants who stood tall on that lofty snowy mountain.

How could one dare utter the title of dragon without witnessing their clash, which seemed capable of pulling down even dragons hidden in the clouds?

Without knowing those who seemed to dwell above the heavens.

As if it were yesterday, those scenes vividly flashed before his eyes.

The great giants, the unidentified youth permitted to be among them, and Geomhui, whom he desperately reached for but could never touch.

The nobleman shuddered slightly, not from fear, but from elation.

“The only true True Dragon Great Hero is Okyong.”

Hanwol’s words snapped the young Okyong out of his reverie.

“That is not me.”

Perhaps it was because his thoughts had been interrupted, but he spoke with a face full of displeasure.

“First of all, I am not some kind of great hero. Moreover, my abilities are still far inferior to those of my predecessors.”

Clack.

He lightly waved his hand and unfurled a jade fan. His handsome face, as if painted, hid behind the fan.

“If you utter such careless words again, I will cut out your tongue.”

“I will be careful.”

“Is the Blood Bee Alliance useful?”

“They are insufficient.”

Hanwol said.

“Even after imparting martial arts and mental cultivation techniques to the younger generation and having them consume pills that temporarily boost their potential, they could not defeat the younger generation of the Namgung Clan. With the exception of a few notable individuals, they are all at a similar level, I believe.”

“Is that so? There must be a reason why the two great clans claim to be the overlords of Gangnam [an area in South Korea].”

“Other minor sects are observing the situation and distancing themselves from the Blood Bee Alliance. The ten sects that joined later are already showing signs of defection.”

“Impressive.”

The young Okyong said, as if admiringly.

“Everything is as she predicted. I must admit that her schemes are quite remarkable. That is, if she delivers the promised results.”

Hanwol remained silent. The young Okyong looked at him and smiled.

“You don’t seem pleased.”

“That is correct.”

Hanwol said in a calm voice.

“I know. You would prefer to drench all of Gangnam in blood rather than resort to such schemes. But if we do that, we will be ruined.”

Hanwol’s eyebrows twitched.

“With all due respect…”

“Enough.”

The young Okyong said with a cold gaze.

“Silence, unless you wish to lose your tongue.”

Hanwol gritted his teeth and lowered his head. Though he stopped speaking, his eyes still showed disagreement. The young Okyong, looking down at him, said quietly.

“I spent ten years confined in the snowy mountains. The ancestral power that had placed the restriction was something I could not dare to break, and all I could do was wait endlessly. Do you know what I learned then?”

The young Okyong waited for Hanwol’s answer. Hanwol replied in a low voice.

“I do not know.”

“Correct judgment and patience.”

The young Okyong smiled.

“A misjudgment leads to death. Failure to endure when you must also leads to death. Thus, I came to realize how crucial correct judgment and patience are. But now, we know almost nothing about the Murim [martial arts world] world. That is why we must even borrow such schemes from others.”

Rustle.

The young Okyong rose from his seat.

“I entrust the affairs of the Gangnam Murim to you. Proceed as planned.”

Hanwol bowed his head to receive the order and said,

“The Council of Elders has requested a report on the Gangnam conquest.”

“The Council of Elders?”

The young Okyong gave a bitter smile.

“Those who were barely even present during my predecessor’s time now shamelessly extend their greedy claws towards me. But it cannot be helped. Give them what they want.”

“Understood.”

“If they mention responsibility, tell them to ask me about anything. I am responsible for everything that happens in the Blood Dragon Gate.”

Thud.

“How could I dare to shift the responsibility to Okyong? Please, retract your words.”

Hanwol kowtowed. But the young Okyong said with a calm gaze,

“Do not misunderstand. This is not to protect you. It is merely the truth. And even if the Council of Elders seeks to hold me accountable, I do not care.”

Smiling faintly, he said,

“It would be good to add one more excuse to wipe out the Council of Elders someday, just like my predecessor did.”

Clack.

The young Okyong closed his fan.

Thud, thud.

As he lightly put his hands behind his back and left the grand hall, he murmured to himself as if talking to himself.

“Come to think of it, was it during his journey through the Jianghu [the martial arts world] that my predecessor executed the entire Council of Elders?”

*

*

*

“Welcome. I am honored to greet you.”

Hyukryun Gil, the inner head of the Hyukryun Clan, smiled and bowed politely.

“It is truly an honor to welcome such esteemed guests from afar. I am personally delighted to meet Great Hero Namgungcheon, whom I have long admired.”

“Thank you. But I would have been happier if a pretty maiden had said those words while offering me flowers.”

Namgungcheon said with a serious expression devoid of any humor. Hyukryun Gil was momentarily taken aback but soon replied with a smile.

“Had I known that the former Thunder Sword was such a jovial person, I would have done so sooner. I will keep it in mind and prepare accordingly next time.”

“They say that no place that promises to do better next time ever really does…”

Namgungcheon muttered with a frown. Namgung Jin, the vice head of the inner hall who was behind him, quickly bowed and said,

“We are simply grateful for your warm welcome. We have always heard of the esteemed name of the Hyukryun Clan, and it is a pleasure to be able to visit in person.”

Though it seemed like a sudden interruption, Hyukryun Gil gladly welcomed the new conversational partner.

“Thank you for saying so. The Clan Lord is waiting for you all, so please come this way.”

Hyukryun Gil led the way, and Namgungcheon, Namgung Jin, and Namgung Hyang quietly followed a step behind.

As befitting the Hyukryun Clan, which claimed to be the overlords of Gangnam, none of the clan’s buildings or passing halls were without splendor.

Perhaps because of its location in the southern part of the continent, the decorations and architectural style were quite different from those of the Namgung Clan, capturing the attention of Namgung Jin and Namgung Hyang. In terms of scale and majesty, it was comparable to the Namgung Clan.

“By the way, is the Supreme Sword here?”

Namgungcheon, who had been following with a bored expression unlike the other two, suddenly asked. Hyukryun Gil tilted his head and asked back,

“Are you perhaps referring to the former Clan Lord?”

Just as the Thunder Sword symbolized the Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan, the Supreme Sword symbolized the Clan Lord of the Hyukryun Clan.

Since he had said that the Clan Lord was waiting but asked if the Supreme Sword was here, he assumed that he was asking about the former Clan Lord.

“That’s right. I mean the former Supreme Sword.”

“He left a few months ago, saying he was going to Mount Heng, and has not yet returned.”

“Mount Heng? Tsk.”

Namgungcheon clicked his tongue. Then he muttered in a small voice,

“How boring. I should have followed the outer head…”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. Didn’t you say the Clan Lord was waiting? Let’s go quickly.”

“Ah, yes.”

‘Was the former Thunder Sword this kind of person?’

Namgungcheon during his time as the Thunder Sword was, so to speak, the epitome of a martial artist.

He was always at the forefront, covered in blood, wielding the Thunder Sword, a figure of terror to the enemy but more reliable than anyone to his allies.

Even within the Hyukryun Clan, there were many who respected him as a fellow martial artist.

But the former Thunder Sword he met in person seemed quite different from what he had heard.

Hyukryun Gil hastened his steps back to the Clan Lord’s office. The atmosphere was good only for now. Soon, a battle in the name of negotiation would begin.

However, unlike him, who was filled with determination, the former Thunder Sword Namgungcheon, who was following behind, did not hide his bored expression.

*

*

*

Cheongwon’s summer is hot.

Except for the occasional breeze from Bukgang that cools the heat, the scorching sun shines all day long, making it suffocatingly hot with even the slightest movement.

“Hoo. It’s really hot.”

Only after stepping under the shade of a large tree could Namgung Hyang finally catch her breath.

“Are you all right?”

The two warriors accompanying her replied, “We are fine.” One was a warrior from the Namgung Clan, and the other was from the Hyukryun Clan.

Although the number of escorts for Namgung Hyang felt insufficient, it could not be helped.

The other warriors from the Namgung Clan who had come with her had all scattered with the warriors from the Hyukryun Clan, searching for the former Thunder Sword Namgungcheon.

‘Where on earth did he go…’

She already knew that Namgungcheon was not very enthusiastic about this negotiation.

But she never expected him to disappear from dawn.

Vice Head Namgung Jin, upon learning of Namgungcheon’s absence, ordered Namgung Hyang,

“There is a welcoming banquet hosted by the Clan Lord of the Hyukryun Clan in the evening. It would be a great discourtesy if the former Clan Lord is not present, so be sure to find him and bring him back.”

Officially, Namgung Hyang was the attendant of the former Clan Lord Namgungcheon, so it was a natural thing to do, but she could not help but feel disappointed. It was because she would not be able to observe the negotiations between the two clans.

‘I wanted to watch too.’

Even though she was an attendant, the fact that Clan Lord Namgung Kwon had her accompany him on this matter meant that he acknowledged her abilities.

Namgung Hyang also thought so and made thorough preparations. But she would not be able to observe the negotiations themselves.

“Wow!”

Dodo.

A group of children ran by, squealing. Watching them, Namgung Hyang lightly wiped the sweat flowing down her neck.

Even though she had tied up her hair because of the hot weather, the sweat did not stop. It would have been even more terrible if she had let her hair down.

“There are many famous attractions and taverns in Gwangju. Wouldn’t it be better to look for him there?”

The warrior from the Hyukryun Clan said cautiously. Namgung Hyang shook her head.

“My grandfather does not enjoy drinking or entertainment. Nor does he like scenery or beautiful views.”

She already knew Namgungcheon’s tastes. Namgung Hyang was certain that he would never seek out a fancy tavern or a beautiful attraction.

“There is only one thing he is interested in.”

“That is…”

“Strong people.”

Namgung Hyang said.

“That’s why we’ve come all the way here. There is the Hoyeon Martial Arts Center here, and I hear that the head, Jeokcheolgwan, is a martial artist with high spirits. Perhaps he has gone to find him.”

“Jeokcheolgwan may be a martial artist with high spirits, but he is no match for our Hyukryun Clan.”

The warrior from the Hyukryun Clan said with a proud expression.

“That’s probably true.”

Namgung Hyang wiped away her sweat and replied lightly.

“But my grandfather’s standards are a little different.”

The warrior from the Hyukryun Clan said no more. But it was clear that he did not understand. It was then.

“Ah!”

A little girl who was running tripped over something and was about to fall, right in front of Namgung Hyang. Namgung Hyang immediately reached out her hand.

Thump.

Fortunately, the hand she reached out in a hurry touched the girl before she fell.

“Are you okay?”

Namgung Hyang asked, helping the girl up. The little girl, who seemed a little surprised, nodded as if she had finally come to her senses. Then she immediately bowed to Namgung Hyang.

“Thank you.”

“Be careful next time.”

Namgung Hyang smiled at the girl’s surprisingly mature response.

The little girl did not run away but lingered for a moment before handing something to Namgung Hyang.

“Would you like to have this?”

What the little girl offered was a small piece of candy. Its colorful appearance made it look quite sweet at first glance.

Rustle.

Namgung Hyang bent down to meet the girl’s eye level and said with a smile,

“Are you giving this to me?”

“Yes. Candy is good for regaining energy in the hot summer. But you’ll get scolded if you eat too much.”

Namgung Hyang smiled and accepted the candy.

“Thank you. What’s your name?”

“I’m Soso. Eun Soso.”

“Is that so? I’m Namgung Hyang.”

“Yes. Hyang unni [term used by younger females to address older sisters or female friends].”

The little girl named Eun Soso smiled cutely. Namgung Hyang forgot about the heat for a moment and smiled contentedly.

“Does Soso like candy?”

“Yes. I like the ones that the teacher buys the most. It’s more delicious when we eat together.”

“Teacher?”

Namgung Hyang raised her head. A little away, there was a group of children holding candy, and in the middle, there was a young scholar.

He seemed to be suffering from the children’s antics, but his face was full of smiles.

“Is that Soso’s teacher?”

“Yes.”

Soso bowed her head once more and ran towards the children. The way she worked her feet looked like a small animal, and Namgung Hyang smiled without realizing it.

‘Ah.’

At that moment, the young scholar’s gaze turned to Soso. As he bent down, the small Soso ran and hugged him with all her might.

The young scholar stroked her head, and Soso said something eagerly.

The young scholar stood up and looked at Namgung Hyang. Then he bowed lightly to Namgung Hyang, probably as a sign of gratitude.

Namgung Hyang also stood up and bowed lightly to him in return.

After a while, the young scholar left with the children. The sight of him holding the children’s hands, not having enough hands to hold them all, looked so happy that Namgung Hyang could not easily take her eyes off him.

‘He must be a good teacher.’

The children’s brightly smiling faces said it more clearly than anything else.

Those smiles could only be created by a teacher who truly cared for the children.

‘I’m envious.’

That was Namgung Hyang’s honest feeling.

If she were surrounded by such small and cute children, she would not envy anything in the world.

The sight of small children sitting together and reading like chirping birds was enough to make her smile just thinking about it.

“Haa.”

Namgung Hyang sighed without realizing it. She had never envied the teacher of a small private school she did not even know the name of as much as she did now.

“Shall we go?”

The two warriors bowed their heads to receive the order, and Namgung Hyang put the colorful small candy she was holding in her mouth. The candy had a little salt in it, so it tasted sweet and salty.

‘It’s delicious.’

Namgung Hyang liked the slightly salty candy rather than just the sweet one.

Before she knew it, the sweat had subsided, and she felt quite refreshed. Namgung Hyang hastened her steps towards the Hoyeon Martial Arts Center.