A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 166

166. The Power of the Sect (2)

The young lady with the pretty, slender face and stylish, elegant attire was slightly flustered, probably because she never expected to meet Sohn Bin here.

“It’s been a while, Miss Moryong.”

With a gentle smile, Sohn Bin offered his greetings. Moryong Rin quickly composed herself.

“Ah, yes.”

Moryong Rin first paid her respects to Old Master.

“Greetings, Namak Old Master.”

Even in her flustered state, her manners were impeccable.

Having grown up as the daughter of a prestigious family for many years, etiquette was ingrained in her. Her elegant yet confident demeanor was evident in her greetings.

“Yes.”

Old Master responded lightly.

Moryong Rin looked at Sohn Bin again.

“It’s been a while, Young Master Sohn.”

Moryong Rin greeted Sohn Bin with a light bow.

“Are you touring Hangju this time? Still as leisurely as ever.”

Though her tone was slightly sharp, Sohn Bin smiled.

“It’s not as enjoyable as before. There’s no one here who knows the good restaurants in Hangju.”

“Oh, really? That’s too bad. Um, then…”

Moryong Rin was about to suggest they travel together when she noticed Sohn Bin’s companions.

“It might be good for you to suffer a little. Wouldn’t anything be enjoyable with a lover?”

Moryong Rin’s voice suddenly turned sharp.

“Pardon?”

Ignoring Sohn Bin’s question, Moryong Rin lightly greeted Dang Wora and Soh Rin, then turned to face Sa Soyeon.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Moryong Rin, Miss Sa Soyeon.”

Sa Soyeon, who was rising to return the greeting, widened her eyes.

“Do you know me?”

Moryong Rin smiled faintly.

“How could I not know the Sword Saint’s lover, Sword Goddess Sa Soyeon?”

Those who participated in the Gangnam Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, and the young members of influential families in the Pavilion of Prince Teng, couldn’t possibly not know.

The True Dragon Hero who made the ice-cold Sword Goddess smile, and his shining sword.

“Who is that?”

Sa Soyeon frowned.

“Pardon?”

Moryong Rin looked puzzled, but Sa Soyeon didn’t hide her displeasure as she said,

“I don’t know who the True Dragon Hero is, but I have never been anyone’s lover.”

Sa Soyeon’s expression genuinely looked unpleasant.

“No, but…”

It was Moryong Rin who was flustered. What did it mean to stand next to the True Dragon Hero and deny it so vehemently?

Moryong Rin looked back at Sohn Bin. She saw Sohn Bin looking embarrassed and Juk Sehwa shaking his head slightly.

“So, Miss Sa Soyeon is not the True Dragon Hero’s lover.”

“No.”

Sa Soyeon said firmly.

“Do you perhaps know who the True Dragon Hero is?”

“I’ve never heard of him. Who is he?”

“He’s the one who saved many young members of influential families with a beautiful sword on the last night of the Gangnam Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Among the young martial artists, he’s called the True Dragon Hero, the true dragon among men.”

Sa Soyeon’s expression changed slightly. It sounded like a story she had heard before.

Moryong Rin continued.

“The True Dragon Hero didn’t reveal his sect or name. All that’s known is that he has a dazzlingly beautiful sword and is the lover of the Sword Goddess. He embraced his lover like a painting at a banquet where many people gathered. I’m sure there are quite a few young ladies who envy that sight.”

Sa Soyeon’s face turned red. She finally realized who Moryong Rin was talking about.

“Th, that’s…”

“You were held tightly, but you’re not lovers?”

Moryong Rin asked as if to confirm. Sa Soyeon said softly with a flushed face.

“Ah, yes…”

“I understand. I also personally invited Young Master Sohn and spent some time with him.”

Moryong Rin smiled.

“We toured the city of Wuhan with your group and stayed in the same house for a few days, but that doesn’t mean we have a special relationship. So, I apologize for saying you were lovers.”

Sa Soyeon gave an awkward smile. It was true that they weren’t lovers.

But even while receiving the apology, she didn’t feel good. It felt like she had been subtly played.

It was then.

“Old Master!”

Before her thoughts could end, a middle-aged man with a dignified presence appeared.

“I never expected to see Old Master here.”

Step, step.

Moryong Myung, the head of the Moryong Family and known as the Gentleman’s Sword, approached Old Master with a broad smile. He bowed to Old Master with a respectful attitude.

“Have you been well?”

“I haven’t been well.”

Old Master said in a blunt tone. However, Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung smiled.

“The fruit wine I made last time is starting to develop a good aroma. Come by sometime.”

“Really?”

Old Master’s eyes widened instantly. Seeing this, Namkoong Cheon, the former Thunder Sword, who was sitting next to him, muttered as if to himself.

“Our family has plenty of alcohol too.”

But no one responded.

Moryong Myung turned his gaze to Sohn Bin.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Great Warrior Moryong Myung.”

Sohn Bin bowed to Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung. Moryong Myung responded with a smile.

“It’s been a while for you all too.”

Moryong Myung’s face stiffened as he exchanged greetings with familiar faces. Sa Soyeon, who received his gaze, gave a bitter smile. How many times had this reaction happened already?

“Nice to meet you. I am Sa Soyeon.”

Sa Soyeon bowed politely. When she raised her head, she met the warm gaze of Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung.

“Sa Soyeon… So that’s how it was?”

Regret filled Moryong Myung’s eyes.

“Nice to meet you. Truly, nice to meet you.”

Though his words were brief, Sa Soyeon could somehow feel his sincerity. Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung turned to Old Master.

“I will see you again later.”

Old Master waved his hand dismissively, and Moryong Myung moved away. Sohn Bin was sorry to see Iron Sword Moryong Jin leave, whether Old Master cared or not.

Step, step.

As Moryong Rin moved to her seat, she suddenly noticed that the middle seat next to her was empty.

A spirited old martial artist and a huge martial artist were sitting on either end, leaving the middle seat vacant.

“Excuse me, may I sit here?”

“Rin-ah.”

Her brother, Iron Sword Moryong Jin, frowned. In his view, his sister Moryong Rin didn’t seem to know who those two people were.

If she did, she probably wouldn’t have spoken to them. Moryong Rin had very negative feelings towards the Namkoong Family.

“Well, do as you please.”

Namkoong Cheon said casually.

“Anything is better than this stuffy guy.”

Moryong Rin looked at the large old martial artist. However, he kept his eyes closed and didn’t even pretend to listen.

“Thank you.”

Moryong Rin decided to take his silence as permission. She called a servant to bring a chair. Realizing that this wouldn’t do, Moryong Jin finally stepped in.

“Rin-ah, this person is the former Thunder Sword.”

“Pardon?”

“He is Namkoong Cheon, the former head of the Namkoong Family and the former Thunder Sword.”

Startled, Moryong Rin looked at Namkoong Cheon. But Namkoong Cheon looked back at Moryong Rin as if nothing had happened.

“So, are you not going to sit?”

He spoke indifferently, but Moryong Rin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Of course not. You’ve given me permission, so I should sit down.”

It was a kind of stubbornness. Moryong Rin bowed gracefully to Namkoong Cheon.

“Moryong Rin of the Moryong Family thanks Great Warrior Namkoong Cheon for allowing me to sit here.”

Namkoong Cheon chuckled, and Moryong Jin knew that he could no longer stop his sister. Moryong Jin bowed respectfully to Namkoong Cheon and said,

“Please take care of my sister.”

“Brother.”

Moryong Rin glared at Moryong Jin, meaning what are you saying that is embarrassing.

Namkoong Cheon waved his hand dismissively. With that, Moryong Myung and Moryong Jin left, and Moryong Rin sat between the former Thunder Sword Namkoong Cheon and the large old martial artist.

“Who is the person on this side?”

Moryong Rin asked Namkoong Cheon.

“Ah, that guy? He’s the Tyrant Sword. The former Tyrant Sword.”

Moryong Rin was surprised by Namkoong Cheon’s answer. The former Tyrant Sword meant Hyukryun Wi, the former head of the Hyukryun Family. She stood up again.

“Moryong Rin of the Moryong Family pays her respects to Great Warrior Hyukryun Wi.”

Hyukryun Wi opened his eyes. He slowly turned his head to look at Moryong Rin once, then replied very quietly, ‘Hmm.’

Swoosh.

Hyukryun Wi closed his eyes again, and Moryong Rin sat down.

‘Haa.’

Moryong Rin sighed softly without realizing it.

‘Between the Namkoong Family and the Hyukryun Family.’

She finally understood why her brother had tried to stop her. But backing out now was something her pride wouldn’t allow.

‘And this is the closest seat anyway.’

It wasn’t her style to just stare at someone she was curious about from afar.

Moryong Rin quietly savored the tea that the servant had brought. The aroma rising from the warm teacup seemed to soothe her surprised heart.

“Are you acquainted with Bin?”

Moryong Rin turned her head at the sudden voice from beside her. It was the former Thunder Sword Namkoong Cheon who had spoken. Moryong Rin nodded.

“Yes.”

“I heard you personally invited him earlier. How did you do it?”

“Pardon?”

“How did you get that guy to come with just a letter? Did you promise him something…?”

“I just asked him.”

“Asked?”

Namkoong Cheon frowned.

“Who in the world comes just because someone asks? Is it because of your beauty? But I think our Hyang is the youngest and prettiest, and there’s no reply… Oh, right, she said she hasn’t received the letter yet?”

Namkoong Cheon rested his chin on his hand and muttered something to himself.

“Is that young man your brother?”

A heavy voice suddenly came from the opposite side. Moryong Rin turned her head. The former Tyrant Sword Hyukryun Wi, who had been closing his eyes, was looking at Iron Sword Moryong Jin.

“Ah, yes.”

“Interesting. How did he do it?”

“Pardon?”

Moryong Rin widened her eyes. She couldn’t understand what he meant.

The explanation came from the side.

“He means it’s interesting that there are two of them in this generation.”

The one who spoke was the former Thunder Sword Namkoong Cheon.

“An Outer Realm expert is never easily achieved. Even I could only reach the Outer Realm after inheriting everything from my ancestors. No matter how great the Five Great Families are, there is only one Outer Realm expert in each generation.”

“The Four Great Sects are different.”

The heavy voice of Hyukryun Wi interjected from the other side.

“They have no choice but to be different. Those guys just train all day long. Drawing water is training, chopping firewood is training, and even meditating day and night?”

Namkoong Cheon said to Hyukryun Wi as if grumbling.

“We’re so busy. Martial arts are basic, but we also have to read, learn politics, and even learn the art of kingship to manage various businesses and merchant affairs, and govern our subordinates. We also have to visit and greet people everywhere.”

Namkoong Cheon sighed.

“Besides, our families are rich and everyone supports us, so it’s impossible not to wander around when we’re at the height of our energy. No, it’s better to do it when we’re young. If we cause trouble when we’re older, we can’t even fix it. Then, before we know it, we’re in charge of important family affairs and we’re too busy to even breathe. So when do we train and when do we become real experts?”

Moryong Rin was staring blankly at Namkoong Cheon. Only Namkoong Cheon in the world could complain that the martial artists of the Five Great Families weren’t real experts.

Moreover, she never imagined that Namkoong Cheon, the former Thunder Sword who was considered a paragon of martial artists with his magnanimous personality, would be so talkative.

“That is the power of the Four Great Sects.”

Namkoong Cheon sighed at Hyukryun Wi’s words.

“Power. Yes, what they’ve built up is different. No matter how precious the elixir the Five Great Families make, it’s just a rough mix of things they bought from somewhere. But where would they sell things like the Great Return Pill or the Purple Cloud Pill? They keep the really good stuff to themselves. So how can the families catch up? Ah, is the Tang Family an exception?”

“So there’s only one in each generation?”

Namkoong Cheon glanced at Moryong Rin when she spoke.

“Yes. It was only in the Four Great Sects that two people in the same generation reached the Outer Realm. Like the Emei Sect over there. So I’m asking, how did you do it?”

Though he seemed casual, Namkoong Cheon’s eyes were shining. Hyukryun Wi, who had been indifferent, was now looking at Moryong Rin.

Moryong Rin felt a sense of pride rising within her. Considering how much humiliation she had suffered from the Namkoong Family’s branch in Wuhan, it was like heaven and earth.

“It’s bone-carving training.”

Moryong Rin said in a seemingly clear voice.

“What other way is there?”

“Hmm.”

Namkoong Cheon frowned at the obvious answer, and Hyukryun Wi quietly closed his eyes.

“But.”

Moryong Rin’s words were not over yet. The eyes of the two men turned back to Moryong Rin.

“Young Master Sohn did help a little.”

“I knew it.”

Namkoong Cheon said as if he expected it, and Hyukryun Wi’s eyes sparkled.

Seeing the results of her answer, Moryong Rin felt proud. Just a moment ago, she felt like she was squeezed between the two, but now she felt like she had confidently taken her place.

Clink.

Moryong Rin lifted her teacup. Then, she suddenly met Sohn Bin’s gaze next to her.

Although it was annoying to see him sitting among beautiful women, Moryong Rin showed her generosity by responding with a soft smile.

* * *

As the greetings of the young masters ended, the servants began to bring out the dishes. As befitting a famous city, the dishes were all new and exotic. There were thin dumplings and noodles that were transparent, and many unique dishes made with rare ingredients.

Thud.

A new face entered the banquet hall with a heavy sound.

“Oh, did it already start?”

A man with a face full of thick beard and intense eyes said. His roughly sticking hair had a few gray strands, but his eyes were sharper than anyone else’s.

He leisurely scanned the not-so-friendly gazes focused on him, and his face lit up when he found Namak Old Master.

“Oh, Old Master Grandpa. It’s been a while.”

“You’re old yourself, who are you calling Grandpa?”

Old Master frowned. But the man with the intense eyes chuckled.

“Once a grandpa, always a grandpa. Anyway, it’s nice to see you after a long time.”

He gave a greeting that didn’t have much respect and moved to his seat. Behind his back, a large sword without even a scabbard dangled.

“Who is that?”

Chunghye asked. Her teacher, Buddhist Nun Beopheo, quietly chanted a Buddhist prayer and said.

“That’s Talhondo. He is a representative of the Kangbuk martial world and an old member of the Outer Realm [a realm of martial arts mastery]. Even if his words and actions seem light, he is not someone to be ignored.”

“Oh my? Old Master Uncle is here?”

A woman’s voice echoed. Chunghye turned her head and immediately frowned. A seductive woman dressed like a courtesan was entering.

Her makeup was heavy, and she was holding a fancy fan in one hand. Her large breasts, which were half-exposed as if to show off, immediately caught the eye.

‘How vulgar.’

Chunghye clicked her tongue without realizing it.

“It’s been a while, Uncle.”

“You smell like powder. Go away.”

Old Master waved his hand, but she acted even more coy.

“Oh, don’t be like that. Calling a young maiden smelly.”

“How many men have you devoured to be talking nonsense?”

Even with the blatant taunt, the woman smiled brightly. A small mole under her red lips shone seductively.

“But I haven’t given my pure heart to anyone yet.”

She said, winking one eye. But it didn’t work on Old Master.

“Go eat.”

Chunghye said, watching her flirt with Old Master.

“Is she also an Outer Realm expert?”

She couldn’t believe it. How could such a vulgar woman be in the Outer Realm?

“That’s Hwasa (Flower Snake) [a term for a seductive and dangerous woman].”

Buddhist Nun Beopheo’s face was stiff as she answered. There was no contempt in her eyes.

“She has mastered the Soul Absorption Art and the Charming Art, and is one of the two strongest women in the Outer Realm. She is also the one who caused the Gaebong Bloodshed [a major conflict or massacre] ten years ago.”

Chunghye looked at the woman in front of her with surprised eyes. She didn’t know much about the Gaebong Bloodshed. But if it was named Bloodshed, it couldn’t have been an ordinary event.

“Then see you next time, Uncle.”

Hwasa waved her hand innocently at Old Master and moved to her seat. It was hard to believe that she, who was playing around like a clueless courtesan, was the woman who caused the Bloodshed.

Step, step.

As she disappeared, new faces appeared. They were a martial artist in black clothes wearing a bamboo hat and a small girl in red clothes.

The martial artist in black clothes looked around the banquet hall with a calm gaze. Even when he found Old Master’s group, his eyes didn’t change. But the moment his gaze reached one person as if by fate, his energy immediately changed.

“You…”

The target he glared at was Sohn Bin. If it weren’t for his sword, ‘Blood Wolf,’ he wouldn’t have recognized him.

“Wait.”

At the word of the girl in red clothes, the martial artist’s energy quietly subsided.

“Nice to meet you.”

The girl, Hyeolbong, bowed lightly to Sohn Bin. Sohn Bin also bowed in return.

Hyeolbong smiled, but her smile looked a little sad.

“Let’s go, Arang.”

The girl and the martial artist in black clothes moved to the seat next to Talhondo.

“Is he the one that Talhondo and Hwasa dragged in?”

Buddhist Nun Beopheo said quietly. Her expression was also not very bright.

“I expected there to be many new figures, but it’s more than I thought.”

The nun’s gaze was directed at a young man dressed as a scholar. Looking at him holding the White Dew Sword, Buddhist Nun Beopheo murmured quietly.

“Is it because the vacancy of the Heavenly Outer Four Stars has been too long?”

The change of people is the change of the times. The vacancy of the Heavenly Outer Four Stars was like demanding a new order in the Outer Realm.

Buddhist Nun Beopheo quietly chanted a Buddhist prayer, thinking that it would be a windy day for some reason.

“Now then.”

Suddenly, the voice of Hwawol, the owner of Yewon, echoed.

“Shall we begin the meeting of the Twelve Young Masters of Yewon?”