A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 175

Rustle, rustle.

Geomhui’s hair was quietly falling.

The long, black hair was being cut off one by one by the blade of Baekro [White Dew, a sword name] resting on her shoulder.

It was as if it was announcing the end of this martial arts contest.

“It is originally like that.”

The calm voice of the young scholar quietly echoed in people’s ears.

‘Ah.’

Sasu-yeon trembled.

A voice that was so familiar but extremely strange.

It was definitely Son-bin’s voice.

But it had never felt so unfamiliar and distant.

Sasu-yeon raised her head and looked at Son-bin. His clothes fluttered slightly as if the wind was passing by.

His appearance was as calm and gentle as ever. But his eyes were no longer warm or soft.

No, his half-opened eyes were no longer seeing anything.

-Perhaps I may not be able to return.

Son-bin’s voice echoed in Sasu-yeon’s mind.

And Sasu-yeon knew. The words ‘unable to return’ that he spoke meant the current him.

‘I have to stop him.’

She had to stop him. She had to bring him back. But how?

‘Can I… do it?’

Even Geomhui was no match for him. But could she stop him? Could she bring him back?

-Please take care of me, Miss Suyeon.

Sasu-yeon bit her lip.

The conclusion had already been decided a long time ago. Now was the time for her to risk her life for him. Just as he had risked his life for her in the past.

Step.

It was the very moment when Sasu-yeon took a step forward with the sword of the North Sea, Myeong [Unclear Dawn].

“Bin is.”

It was the voice of Namak Old Lord. Sasu-yeon turned her head and looked at the Old Lord.

“He said he would leave you behind.”

The Old Lord was looking at Son-bin, not Sasu-yeon.

“Not your sword, but you.”

Swish.

The Old Lord turned his head and looked at Sasu-yeon. His eyes were more serious than ever.

“You are not going to stop Bin. Nor are you going to defeat him.”

The Old Lord said, looking straight at Sasu-yeon.

“What Bin left behind is you. Don’t… forget that.”

Filled in his wrinkled eyes was affection. And Sasu-yeon knew. What she had to do.

Sasu-yeon was speechless for a moment. And barely, she answered in a trembling voice.

“Yes.”

Rustle.

Quietly, Sasu-yeon unsheathed her sword, Myeong.

“I’ll be back.”

Sasu-yeon handed her sword to the Old Lord. The Old Lord accepted the sword without a word.

Sasu-yeon turned her body towards Son-bin.

Now she didn’t even have a sword. But there was no impatience or anxiety. There wasn’t even a worry about whether she could do it.

Because now she knew why he had left her behind.

‘Bin.’

The Son-bin she missed, the Son-bin who made her want to cry just by looking at him, was standing in front of her.

Step.

One step, Sasu-yeon took a step. To the place where he was waiting.

∴

“Maybe.”

Son-bin said.

“But what I can give you is no different from what I can give others.”

Sreuk.

The blade of Baekro soared diagonally.

‘Ah.’

Geomhui could know what would happen. But even a handful of instincts for survival were not left to her. No, it was not allowed.

Now, all that remained was the stern sentence he would pass. Geomhui stood like a prisoner waiting for the execution of the sentence.

Hoo-oong.

The very moment when the beautiful blade of Baekro was about to fall towards Geomhui.

“That won’t do.”

A woman’s voice quietly echoed.

It was neither sharp nor fierce.

Just a soft and warm voice like a spring breeze that quietly spread.

It was like a mother’s voice soothing a child.

Swish.

Baekro paused. But Son-bin didn’t even try to look back at the owner of the voice.

Baekro, who had stopped for a moment, began to fall towards Geomhui again.

Shwiik.

There was no anger or revenge. There was no emotion or judgment at all. Just as the sun sets and the wind blows, the blade was falling towards Geomhui. As if it were a given destiny.

But at that moment, another destiny reached out to Son-bin.

Rustle.

A soft warmth embraced Son-bin. A faint fragrance wrapped around him, and slender arms wrapped around Son-bin from behind.

“It’s okay.”

Sasu-yeon said. Sasu-yeon, who was hugging Son-bin from behind, gently placed her cheek against his back.

“Now, it’s okay.”

He was here. The Son-bin who brought warmth to her.

She was so grateful and happy for this moment when she could return that precious warmth, that she felt like she was about to cry.

“So…”

Sasu-yeon said. What was overflowing from her voice was an affection that could not be hidden.

“Let’s go together, Bin.”

It was perhaps too futile and meaningless a word.

Like a foolish gesture trying to stop the collapsing sky with a single word.

But that foolish act created an unbelievable result.

Rustle.

A strand of cut hair fell along Geomhui’s clothes. Son-bin’s Baekro was stopped right in front of Geomhui’s neck.

No one said anything. No one even dared to think of moving.

But Sasu-yeon, and Geomhui, could know.

That Son-bin, who was far away, on the other side of the endless gap, was now back in front of her.

‘Huh?’

Son-bin blinked. It was as if he had been lost in thought for a moment while standing, or as if he had had a daydream.

‘Why am I here…’

Rustle.

Before the question could be finished, Son-bin felt something soft and warm touching his chest.

Son-bin lowered his head. What he saw were two beautiful hands. Definitely a woman’s.

“Ugh!”

Surprised, Son-bin let out a groan.

It was not only because he could recognize the owner of those pretty hands at once.

The soft and cozy feeling on his back was telling him that she was hugging him now.

“M, Miss Suyeon!”

Embarrassed, Son-bin turns his head this way and that to look back. Sasu-yeon gently let him go as if he was struggling to escape.

Tuk.

Son-bin quickly pulled himself away and stepped back.

In front of Son-bin’s eyes was, as expected, Sasu-yeon.

Hanging in her sparkling eyes was a drop of tear, but her beautiful face was full of a bright smile.

“M, Miss.”

Son-bin, who didn’t know what was going on, said without realizing it.

“Yes.”

Sasu-yeon replied. And walked towards Son-bin.

Step.

“Ah, I’m… that’s, well, this is…”

Son-bin tried to make excuses or explanations somehow.

But he couldn’t remember how he ended up in Sasu-yeon’s arms.

And the next moment, Son-bin’s thoughts could no longer continue.

Kko-ok.

Sasu-yeon, who had come closer, hugged Son-bin as he had done for her sometime.

‘Ah.’

Son-bin froze. He forgot to speak. He didn’t know how to react to this warm and soft feeling that was surrounding him.

“Thank you.”

Sasu-yeon, who was hugging him, quietly leaned her head on Son-bin and said.

“For coming back.”

For a moment, Son-bin couldn’t speak. In a trembling voice as if his throat was choked, Son-bin quietly replied.

“Yes.”

There was no strength in Son-bin’s voice. In Son-bin’s relaxed hand, Baekro was softly shining its beautiful blade.

∴

“You’ve returned.”

Dang Mwol-ah said. Her face was hidden by a veil, but there was no one who didn’t know that her voice was trembling.

“Yes.”

The Old Lord also cut off his words as if his throat was choked.

“I’m back.”

“But.”

Dang Mwol-ah asked, calming her mind.

“What was that? Young Master Son was clearly without any inner strength.”

When she recalled the overwhelming presence that had been felt from Son-bin until just now, she couldn’t help but feel a chill.

It was clearly neither inner strength nor internal energy.

Then what was it?

“It is extremely great and firm [至大至剛], and it fills between heaven and earth [則塞于天地之間].”

The Old Lord said as if muttering.

Dang Mwol-ah turned to look at the Old Lord. What the Old Lord had just quoted was an expression for the great righteousness, which means a kind of moral courage.

But what Son-bin had shown was completely different from great righteousness.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know. How would I know if it’s the energy between heaven and earth, or the spirit of nature.”

The Old Lord continued as if spitting it out.

“But one thing is clear. It is something from far beyond. Something that is not allowed to humans, something that cannot be put into words.”

“Something that cannot be put into words.”

Dang Mwol-ah quietly repeated the Old Lord’s words. Son-bin shattered Geomhui’s Sanghyo Iljeol [a sword technique] with Baekro.

But how can one explain breaking Sanghyo Ijeol with just a gesture? Was it a Jangbeop [a martial art technique] with tremendous power, or the operation of internal energy?

No. If that were the case, this banquet hall would not have been able to withstand the huge collision of power and would have collapsed.

Perhaps what Son-bin said, ‘returned it,’ is correct. If it was just returning it to its original form, then it can be explained.

‘But how?’

Can a person do that? Can it be done with tremendous internal strength and earth-shattering divine skill?

Dang Mwol-ah shook her head.

“Does that mean that Young Master Son can control the energy between heaven and earth?”

“I told you I don’t know.”

The Old Lord’s voice sounded somewhat angry.

“Even if it’s the energy between heaven and earth, I don’t need that. Do you want to see that Bin again?”

The Old Lord said, grinding his teeth. Dang Mwol-ah realized what the Old Lord was saying.

-What I can give you is no different from what I can give others.

A calm voice without even a hint of favor. The absolute gap that seemed to be heard from high in the sky. That gaze that looks but does not look at anyone.

“I… don’t care.”

Dang Mwol-ah replied in a slightly trembling voice.

“If that is Young Master’s will.”

“Humph.”

The Old Lord snorted. But that is the way Dang Mwol-ah expresses herself.

After a moment of silence, Dang Mwol-ah asks quietly.

“Is that… what changed Young Master Son?”

The appearance Son-bin showed at the end was definitely different. The Son-bin she knew would never have done that.

Rather, wasn’t Son-bin the one who would try to save even those who were trying to harm him?

“Heaven and earth originally do not take anyone’s circumstances into consideration.”

The Old Lord said quietly.

“The sky gives birth to life and the earth nurtures it, but at times the sky and the earth ruthlessly sweep away countless lives. In front of it, wealth and nobility do not matter, and the strong and the weak are the same, like a great fire burning countless straws.”

‘Straw that will be burned.’

Dang Mwol-ah recalled the look in Son-bin’s eyes that she had seen earlier. His gaze that seemed to be looking but not looking.

A chilling tremor ran down Dang Mwol-ah’s back.

“Heaven and earth are originally not benevolent [天地不仁] and the way of heaven is not biased anywhere [天道無親]. It does not seek anyone’s understanding, nor does it desire anyone’s help, but only goes its own way.”

The Old Lord said, gritting his teeth.

“The absolute mystery that does not dare to allow human consideration, that is the ultimate Dao (道) [the Way].”

Dang Mwol-ah could know what the Old Lord was angry about, or worried about.

He is truly afraid.

That Son-bin will go far away, to a place where his hands cannot reach.

“Humph.”

The Old Lord muttered, puffing out his nose.

“That guy still has a lot to do. He has to have a sweet romance and have children. He has to live for a long time and die after I die. Would I let a young guy go before me?”

The Old Lord said, growling. But Dang Mwol-ah could know. What was full in the Old Lord’s voice was affection. Just like Sasu-yeon or Dang Mwol-ah, and others.

“I don’t care about the energy between heaven and earth or ascending to immortality. Until then, I will keep that Bin guy on this land even if I have to grab his ankles.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Dang Mwol-ah replied quietly.

“It must be, it has to be.”

Her voice was also trembling slightly.

∴

‘Huh?’

Sasu-yeon, who was quietly feeling Son-bin’s body temperature, suddenly realized that Son-bin’s body was about to fall down.

“Young Master.”

Sasu-yeon carefully called Son-bin.

“Ah…”

Son-bin, who opened his eyes, gives an awkward smile.

“I’m sorry. I was a little… sleepy…”

Son-bin couldn’t even finish his words. His blinking eyes looked like they would close at any moment.

For a moment, Sasu-yeon’s expression hardened, but it was only for a moment.

“I see.”

Sasu-yeon gently released Son-bin. Son-bin stood still in that spot.

“Bin hyung [older brother]!”

Only then did Seorin run towards Son-bin. Son-bin smiled and opened his arms towards Seorin.

Pak.

Sasu-yeon smiled as she watched Seorin hug Son-bin. It was as if the two people, who had never been apart, were having a dramatic reunion of brothers.

Sasu-yeon turned her head and looked for the pillar of Yewon.

“Wonju-nim [House Lord].”

“Yes.”

Wonju Hwa-wol immediately replied.

“Young Master Son wants to rest, so would you please prepare a place?”

Hwa-wol nodded. She got up and immediately left the banquet hall.

Sasu-yeon turned her head again. A woman with long black hair, Geomhui, was looking at Sasu-yeon.

Rustle.

Sasu-yeon picked up Geomhui’s Ice Sword that was lying at her feet.

The very sword that had been stuck in her chest in the past.

After looking at the half-cut blade for a moment, Sasu-yeon lightly shook her hand.

Ping.

The Ice Sword flew straight towards Geomhui. But there was no momentum in the sword.

Tuk.

Geomhui accepted the Ice Sword.

“Go.”

Sasu-yeon said in a cold voice. A strange light flashed in Geomhui’s eyes.

“Before I want to stab a sword into your chest.”

It was a sharp voice, but Geomhui could know that it was not everything.

Sasu-yeon is now letting Geomhui go. So that she can escape from this Yongdamhohyeol [Dragon Spring Tiger Cave, a dangerous place].

Geomhui turned her head. And blew a Jipoong [a gust of wind technique] towards her scabbard lying on the floor.

Pa-ang.

The scabbard of the Ice Sword bounced towards Geomhui, and Geomhui lightly snatched the scabbard. With a small sound, the Ice Sword disappeared.

Rustle.

Geomhui quietly bowed her head to Sasu-yeon. But Sasu-yeon did not return the greeting.

And for a moment, Geomhui’s gaze swept past another place.

‘Huh?’

The experts of Oesa [Outer Gate, referring to martial artists outside the main sect] had puzzled eyes for a moment.

It was because it was clear that Geomhui seemed to be glancing somewhere. But it was not long.

Tat.

Geomhui flew her body. Lightly kicking the railing of the banquet hall, she quickly disappeared beyond Seohyeo [Western Hill].

“Hyung, are you sleepy?”

Sasu-yeon turned her head again at Seorin’s voice. As expected? Son-bin opens his eyes that he had been blinking.

“Let’s go. Wonju-nim will have prepared it.”

“Yes.”

Son-bin replied with a soft smile. And took Seorin’s hand and moved his steps out of the banquet hall. The Old Lord, Dang Mwol-ah, and Jeok Se-hwa quickly joined Son-bin.

Moyong-rin was also unable to take her eyes off Son-bin’s back. Sasu-yeon lightly exchanged greetings with Moyong-rin. She seemed to want to say something, but she couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth.

Sasu-yeon, who was turning her head towards Namgung-hyang for the last time, stopped without realizing it. It was because countless gazes were pouring towards Sasu-yeon.

Sasu-yeon almost burst into laughter. The fiery gazes of the Oesa experts towards her. Their eyes were hoping that she would say anything, really anything.

The gazes of the great experts were now so comical that they could not be seen.

Sasu-yeon turned her head and looked at Namgung-hyang.

“Miss Namgung.”

“Yes.”

Namgung-hyang replied.

“Can I ask you to take care of the back?”

At Sasu-yeon’s words, Namgung-hyang had a puzzled expression for a moment. But soon she realized Sasu-yeon’s intention.

‘Ah.’

Sasu-yeon is now giving her a chance. A chance to help Son-bin, which she tried to do but failed.

Namgung-hyang smiled.

“I will gladly do so.”

“Thank you.”

Sasu-yeon bowed her head lightly to express her gratitude, and then walked out of the banquet hall.

Step, step.

Namgung-hyang could not take her eyes off her and Son-bin’s backs.

After they disappeared out of the banquet hall, Namgung-hyang turned her head and, as expected, faced the fiery gazes towards her.

Squeak.

The weakened roof of the banquet hall made a strange noise. But no one cared.

The gazes of the Oesa experts were focused on one elegant and slender woman, Namgung-hyang.

“Um, then…”

After clearing her throat, Namgung-hyang said. The gazes of those great Oesa experts were not at all scary now.

“First of all, I must tell you this story.”

Her pretty eyes sparkled.

“As you have seen, it is not difficult to move Young Master Son.”

Her pretty eyes sparkled.

“But you must bear the consequences.”

The complexions of the Oesa experts changed at once.

The overwhelming sight of shattering Geomhui’s Sanghyo Ijeol with a single gesture. The thrill of that sword path that seemed to cut even themselves together.

They trembled without realizing it. And at this moment, the small and delicate Namgung-hyang was clearly standing above all the Oesa experts.