A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 178

Swaaaash.

The waves crashed against the ship’s side. A warrior wearing a deeply pressed bamboo hat, Guigyeonsura, silently gazed at the waves of the Jang River [Yangtze River].

“Are you still thinking about him?”

At the voice of the slender woman, Guigyeonsura turned his head.

A girl in red clothes, Hyeolbong, was standing there.

“Young lady.”

Guigyeonsura immediately lowered his head.

Step, step.

Hyeolbong quietly walked and stood next to Guigyeonsura. The river breeze ruffled her hair.

“I don’t know much about swords or martial arts.”

Hyeolbong said, watching the bubbles disappear behind the ship.

“But I know how shocked Arang was.”

Hyeolbong turned to Guigyeonsura.

“That’s… because of your sword, isn’t it?”

His face hardened. It had been a while since he left Hangzhou, but his mind was still stuck in that moment at the banquet hall.

“My Hyeollang…”

Guigyeonsura placed his hand on his sword. On the black magic sword named ‘Hyeollang.’

“Was crying.”

The voice was like a moan.

“It wasn’t because it found its nemesis. It wasn’t because it wanted hot blood. It was…”

Guigyeonsura couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

After a moment of silence, he slowly opened his mouth.

“It was frustration.”

Virtuous Sword and Demonic Sword. The two swords clearly recognized each other as adversaries. But not this time.

The moment Guigyeonsura saw the offense and defense unfolded by Geomhui and Son Bin, he knew.

The Virtuous Sword Baekro had already surpassed the realm that Hyeollang could handle.

“He is not an enemy.”

“But he is an enemy to me.”

Guigyeonsura’s words were without hesitation.

“The moment he held the Virtuous Sword, we became beings on opposite sides. Just like Hwanghak Jin-in and Hyeolma.”

“Are you talking about Hyeolma, who was your teacher?”

“He is not a teacher.”

There was not a shred of respect in Guigyeonsura’s words.

“He was just trying to use me. Just as I was trying to use him.”

“I…”

Hyeolbong looked up at Guigyeonsura. Her large eyes were overflowing with affection for him.

“I hope you are happy.”

“I am happy.”

Guigyeonsura said without a change in his expression.

“You are the only meaning to me. If I hadn’t met you, I would not have escaped this painful fate.”

His eyes were so calm that they seemed scary, but Hyeolbong knew he was telling the truth. That made her even sadder.

“But I am making you kill others.”

Swish.

Guigyeonsura knelt down and lowered his head.

“The sea of blood is Hyeollang’s destiny.”

He said in a calm voice.

“I am just glad that I can be of help to you, young lady.”

“Thank you, Arang.”

Hyeolbong said. Her sincere voice sounded sadder than ever. Guigyeonsura bit his lip.

‘But at this rate…’

His lord, Hyeolbong, is risking her life to avoid meaningless bloodshed. Guigyeonsura would jump into hell if it was her will.

But he knows. At this rate, Hyeollang will never be Baekro’s match.

‘I need blood.’

Was he made anxious by the change in the Virtuous Sword Baekro?

Or was it because he instinctively sensed that he could never be Baekro’s match at this rate?

‘More blood.’

Blood oozed from his lips. But Guigyeonsura, with his head bowed, did not realize it.

*

*

*

The Grand Council Hall of the Tang Family. In fact, this was where all the important matters of the Tang Family were decided, and now there was tension in the air.

“Thank you for gathering here.”

Tang Ok-dam, the head of the Tang Family, Hwagun [Flower Lord], said.

True to his nickname, Hwagun, he had the feeling of a gentle scholar rather than a martial artist. In fact, he was close to a proxy set up by Tang Baek-ho, the previous head of the family.

Of course, after Tang Baek-ho’s sudden death, attention was focused on him for a while. But that attention soon shifted to someone else.

“Chief Military Officer.”

“Yes.”

Seolgeom [Snow Sword] Tang Hwa-ryeon, the youngest Chief Military Officer of the Tang Family, rose from her seat.

“Proceed with the agenda.”

The person who inherited everything from Tang Baek-ho, or rather, all the power and secrets of the Tang Family, was none other than her, Tang Hwa-ryeon.

Her title was Chief Military Officer, but in reality, she was the most powerful figure in the Tang Family, holding all the power.

Seolgeom Tang Hwa-ryeon bowed to the head of the family. Then she turned to the elders of the Grand Council Hall.

“A gift has just arrived from the Namgung Family.”

At Tang Hwa-ryeon’s words, the people gathered in the Grand Council Hall began to buzz.

They couldn’t understand what the Namgung Family meant by sending a gift so suddenly.

“A routine greeting… or something?”

Someone said. The Five Great Families, although they were actually in competition with each other, maintained a friendly relationship on the surface.

Exchanging gifts from time to time was a routine matter.

“Perhaps.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon smiled quietly.

“But the scale of this gift is the largest ever.”

“The largest!”

The buzzing of the people grew louder.

“It’s not just the Namgung Family.”

The voice of Chief Military Officer Tang Hwa-ryeon silenced the Grand Council Hall.

“The Hyeokryun Family has already contacted us to send a gift. The scale will be smaller, but the same goes for the Jegal Family and the Gongson Family. And a letter has already arrived from the Emei Sect.”

Tak.

A plain scroll was placed in front of her. The neat and beautiful handwriting unique to the Emei Sect was clear on the outside of the scroll.

“It is expected that letters with similar content will arrive from Shaolin, Mount Hua, and Wudang.”

Now, no one was buzzing.

The eyes and ears of the people who moved the Tang Family were focused on Chief Military Officer Tang Hwa-ryeon.

“Why are you doing this?”

Tang Hwa-ryeon said with a smile.

“Wasn’t this kind of thing routine? When the previous head of the family was alive.”

That’s right. When Tang Baek-ho, the ruler of Sichuan martial arts, was alive, this kind of greeting was taken for granted.

However, after his death, the scale of gifts sent by the families was reduced, and the greetings from the Four Great Sects became routine and rare.

Tang Baek-ho’s influence was irreplaceable.

Thanks to the appearance of Seolgeom Tang Hwa-ryeon, the Tang Family regained its vitality, but the influence of the Tang Family within the Four Great Sects and the Five Great Families had definitely decreased.

“That’s a good point.”

An old woman with white hair, Tang Un-yeong, said quietly.

“Yes, it was routine. But I don’t know how long it has been since we lost that routine.”

Tang Un-yeong, the younger sister of the deceased Tang Baek-ho and the head of the largest faction in the Tang Family.

In fact, she was another force that moved the Tang Family and the only one who could check Chief Military Officer Tang Hwa-ryeon.

“But I don’t know why they are suddenly being so polite to us. I don’t know if it’s because I’m old, but my head doesn’t work well these days. Can you explain it to me, young and smart?”

“How dare I step forward in front of those with long experience and wisdom? But there is one thing that can be said to be a reason.”

Chwaaa.

Two scrolls were unfolded from Tang Hwa-ryeon’s hand.

One was a plain letter from the Emei Sect, and the other was decorated with luxurious decorations.

“This is a letter from the Emei Sect, and this is a letter from the Namgung Family that came with the gift. As you can see, it is a routine greeting and greeting.”

Both letters were not very long. The contents were also as Tang Hwa-ryeon said.

“But.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon’s red lips sparkled.

“There is a separate personal greeting at the end of both letters. From Beopheo Shinni of the Emei Sect, and from the former Thunder Sword Namgungcheon Daehyeop of the Namgung Family.”

A look of surprise flashed across the faces of everyone in the Grand Council Hall.

Beopheo Shinni is not the head of the Emei Sect. Namgungcheon is the former head of the family who has already stepped down from his position.

However, the greetings of the two were by no means light.

Namgungcheon is still the power broker of the Namgung Family.

Beopheo Shinni’s influence within the Emei Sect is absolute, as the title ‘Shinni’ suggests.

“Who, who is the greeting for?”

Someone asked in a trembling voice.

The greetings of Namgungcheon and Beopheo Shinni were not the first. They often added greetings to Tang Baek-ho, the Fierce Tiger of Sichuan.

It also meant that Tang Baek-ho was the only one who deserved to receive their greetings, and that they were the only ones who could greet Tang Baek-ho.

“The current Thunder Sword, Head of the Family Namgung Gwon Daehyeop, wrote this.”

Holding the letter from the Namgung Family, Tang Hwa-ryeon read it out as if singing.

“My father, the former Thunder Sword, also told me to convey a special greeting to Tang Wora Sojeo [Young Mistress]. In particular, he says he would like to see her face next time.”

Silence flowed. Amid the confusion mixed with embarrassment and bewilderment, people were in chaos.

Savoring their expressions, Tang Hwa-ryeon raised the letter from the Emei Sect.

“This part is in Beopheo Shinni’s own handwriting.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon’s voice echoed clearly in the Grand Council Hall.

“Beopheo sends her regards to Tang Wora Yeohyeop [Heroine]. I sincerely hope that you and the Tang Family will become pillars to straighten the spirit of the martial arts world.”

With a slight smile, Tang Hwa-ryeon said.

“Shinni seems to have been quite impatient. ‘You and the Tang Family,’ she is very respectful to someone who is young.”

“W, who is Tang Wora!”

Someone shouted. The cry was also a representation of the feelings of everyone else.

Even Hwagun, the head of the family, was looking at Tang Hwa-ryeon.

“Oh, don’t you know?”

Tang Hwa-ryeon said as if surprised. But everyone could see that her expression was just a pretense.

Because in the next moment, Tang Hwa-ryeon’s eyes sank coldly.

“My sister, Tang Wora, who has lived her whole life trapped as a Poison Blade.”

A cold silence fell. Some were still confused, and some frowned openly.

The name ‘Poison Blade of the Tang Family’ had a significant ripple effect.

“That monster…”

Someone muttered. Sparks flew in Tang Hwa-ryeon’s eyes.

“That’s right.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon’s voice was small and clear. The clear voice, which even sounded pleasant, was without hesitation.

“It’s true that she is not a human, but can those who turned a young child into such a monster be called human beings?”

Like a cold blade, Tang Hwa-ryeon’s gaze was directed. The person who muttered unconsciously flinched and turned his head. Some other people also cleared their throats.

“Chief Military Officer, please calm down for a moment.”

Tang Un-yeong’s voice echoed quietly.

“It seems that a detailed explanation is needed first.”

She continued in a calm voice.

“If she is a Poison Blade, isn’t it time for her life to end? Why is a child who should have been in a coffin already mentioned in the letters of the Namgung Family and the Emei Sect?”

“First of all, let me make it clear.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon said.

“After dealing with the Namgung Family last time, Tang Wora has already regained all her status and rights in the family. You must no longer call her Poison Blade.”

Tang Un-yeong frowned.

It was true that Tang Wora had visited the Namgung Family last time. And she took off the name Poison Blade and regained her status and rights as a member of the Tang Family.

“Isn’t that just a play on words?”

Someone shouted.

At the time, Tang Wora’s remaining lifespan was less than a year. Perhaps it was a measure close to comforting her in the last moments of her life.

Even that was an unconventional thing that was achieved thanks to the sacrifice of the then-new Chief Military Officer Tang Hwa-ryeon.

“Anyway, the Poison Blade is an existence that must die for the family!”

“Is that so?”

Tang Hwa-ryeon sneered coldly.

“Even if she has mastered the Poisonous Energy Art?”

Kung.

It was as if something huge had fallen into the Grand Council Hall.

People were unable to speak properly due to shock. Not only the person who was shouting, but also the calm Tang Un-yeong.

“P, Poisonous Energy Art.”

After a long time, someone spat out like a groan.

“Could it be the Fierce Tiger Poisonous Energy Art…”

Fierce Tiger Tang Baek-ho’s skill is not only the Poisonous Energy Art.

Rather, what made him the ruler of Sichuan martial arts was his meticulous and cruel scheming and the secret poison techniques that matched it.

However, the Fierce Tiger Poisonous Energy Art was Tang Baek-ho’s skill that no one could approach. The absolute Poisonous Energy Art that only he could do, that no one could match.

“It’s ‘Wora’ Poisonous Energy Art.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon’s cold voice cut off the words.

“It’s not the Fierce Tiger Poisonous Energy Art.”

It didn’t matter to the listeners anyway. They stared at Tang Hwa-ryeon with an unbelievable expression.

‘Did she succeed in passing on the Poisonous Energy Art?’

‘No way, you can never use the Poisonous Energy Art just by knowing it.’

‘But maybe it’s different if it’s a Poison Blade.’

‘In the last moment, maybe she inherited some hidden secrets from the Fierce Tiger.’

Tang Hwa-ryeon pretended not to know that the gazes were casting countless doubts.

“Tang Wora has already done a lot for the family.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon said in a clear voice. Her eyes were shining with pride.

“Thanks to her, the Tang Family has once again received recognition from the Four Great Sects and other families. She also played a decisive role in opening up trade in the North Sea.”

At Tang Hwa-ryeon’s clear voice, people recalled the North Sea trade rights.

It may have been intentional, but the name Tang Wora was clearly mentioned in one corner of those many sentences.

“I, if so.”

Someone jumped up. Tang Hwa-ryeon looked at him. It was the head of the inner hall who was in charge of the inner hall of the Tang Family.

“Why hasn’t she attended the Grand Council Hall until now? If that’s the case, she should have greeted and paid respects to the elders of the sect!”

He said in a seemingly firm voice. At the same time, voices of agreement flowed out from here and there.

“That’s an interesting statement.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon let out a snort. It was a mockery to anyone.

“When the previous head of the family was alive, was there any precedent for daring to tell him to come out or not?”

Tang Hwa-ryeon’s gaze at the head of the inner hall was cold.

“That couldn’t have been possible. The Grand Council Hall was rather a place where his decisions were unilaterally notified. I couldn’t even ask questions properly, let alone summon him. Because…”

Tang Hwa-ryeon said.

“He was the Tang Family.”

The face of the head of the inner hall was distorted.

“Y, you dare to…”

“Not ‘you’, but ‘Chief Military Officer’.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon said.

“It’s Chief Military Officer. Head of the inner hall.”

Her voice echoed clearly.

“And let me tell you one thing, what are you going to do if Tang Wora asks for responsibility for making her a Poison Blade?”

The head of the inner hall was speechless.

“I would like to hear what you are going to use to stop the enraged master of Poisonous Energy Art, and how.”

There is no such thing.

Tang Hwa-ryeon’s voice sank coldly.

“Let me make it clear, even if the entire Tang Family comes forward, they cannot stop Tang Wora. No, they cannot stop her.”

Word by word, Tang Hwa-ryeon said as if declaring.

“Because now she is the Tang Family. Just like the former Fierce Tiger.”

Her words were clearly engraved on everyone in the Grand Council Hall.

“You, now…!”

However, they could not accept her declaration as it was. The head of the inner hall distorted his face and tried to shout something.

But his words were soon interrupted by someone else’s voice.

“That’s right.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon turned her head. The gaze of Tang Un-yeong, an old woman with a gentle feeling, was looking at her.

“My brother was the Tang Family. So your words are absolutely right.”

Tang Un-yeong smiled and continued.

“But it’s difficult to just believe it as it is. So, wouldn’t you like to ask Wora to return to the main family at the right time? I think that’s also the job of the Chief Military Officer.”

‘Like an old fox.’

Tang Hwa-ryeon smiled and thought so. Tang Un-yeong was clearly aware of ‘Outer Affairs’ as well.

Otherwise, she would not have stepped down so easily.

Besides, she didn’t just step down.

Tang Un-yeong’s proposal seems reasonable and neutral, but it is also a test of Tang Hwa-ryeon’s capabilities.

“I understand.”

Chief Military Officer Tang Hwa-ryeon nodded.

If it is a request rather than an order, there are many ways to delay it.

And perhaps, she wanted to see her beloved sister using this as an excuse.

“I will convey your wishes.”

Was it because of that? Tang Hwa-ryeon’s voice in response was subtly filled with anticipation.