A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 209

209. Internal Strife (2)

Golden Castle was one of the most popular taverns in Guiyang.

But now, no one wanted to go to Golden Castle.

Since warriors from the Demonic Sects had barged in, Golden Castle had become nothing more than a base for the Demonic Sects, river bandits, and mountain bandits.

“Wahahaha!”

“Bring more wine here!”

These days, the warriors of the Demonic Sects, who had occupied the tavern, were having a grand feast.

The owner of Golden Castle had long since abandoned the tavern and fled with his family. However, with the money squeezed from the merchants in Guiyang, Golden Castle was bustling every day.

Especially today, the leaders of the Demonic Sects and bandit leaders were gathered in a private room on the third floor, holding a rather serious meeting.

“So, it’s true that the bitch, Hyeolbong, met with the Namgung Clan?”

A middle-aged man with a huge physique, Yeokbalsan Yuryeok, said.

He was the leader of the largest group of river bandits who had joined the Hyeolbong Alliance. He boasted that he could overturn a boat with one hand, an unbelievable feat.

Of course, he never specified the exact size of the boat.

“I don’t know if they actually met, but it’s true that the Namgung Clan’s offensive has stalled since that woman returned,” a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang, replied, raising his glass.

He was originally the leader of the Ssanggeom Sect, a Demonic Sect, and played a central role among the Demonic Sects in Guizhou.

“She joined hands with the Black Serpent Alliance not long ago, and now even the Namgung Clan… That woman’s abilities are extraordinary.”

“Hmph!”

At Yeokbalsan Yuryeok’s words, a man with a thick beard, Jingwal, snorted.

He was the leader of the Oho Mountain Bandits near Guiyang, and he also claimed to be the eldest brother of all the mountain bandits in Guizhou, though no other mountain bandits recognized him as such.

“She’s just a young girl. If she keeps acting up like that, she’ll get a rude awakening someday.”

At Bandit Leader Jingwal’s words, Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang laughed.

“Still, Hyeolbong’s momentum is said to be soaring these days, isn’t it? I heard that Wangsan Stronghold or something was recently driven out.”

“That’s because they’re idiots.”

Oho Bandit Leader Jingwal had no sympathy for Wangsan Stronghold.

“Hyeolbong or whatever, if I ever catch her, I’ll completely destroy her.”

“Well, can you do that with Gwigyeonsura [Ghost Crazed Asura] around?”

Yeokbalsan Yuryeok muttered to himself.

Bandit Leader Jingwal couldn’t have missed that comment.

Clang!

Bandit Leader Jingwal slammed his glass down roughly.

“Are you picking a fight with me, Yuryeok!”

Jingwal glared at Yuryeok with fierce eyes, but Yeokbalsan Yuryeok snorted.

“What if I am?”

Swish.

Yuryeok stood up. True to his name, Yeokbalsan [Uprooting Mountain], his physique was enormous. His murderous gaze was directed straight at Oho Bandit Leader Jingwal.

“Now, now, we shouldn’t be fighting each other, should we?”

Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang stepped in to stop the two.

“With Hyeolbong gaining more power, if we fight among ourselves, we’ll be discarded like rabbits after the hunt. So, please calm down for a moment.”

As a veteran Demonic Sect expert, Jangssang’s words were smooth and persuasive.

Oho Bandit Leader Jingwal reluctantly turned his head, and Yeokbalsan Yuryeok also plopped back down in his seat.

“So, why did you call us here?”

Yeokbalsan Yuryeok asked in a rough tone. Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang smiled.

“Isn’t there a Hyeolbong Alliance meeting soon?”

“So?”

“As you both know, the Hyeolbong Alliance has been going on longer than expected. Originally, we thought we’d just watch and grab some spoils, didn’t we?”

Jangssang’s words plainly represented the thoughts of the Demonic Sects, mountain bandits, and river bandits who had joined the Hyeolbong Alliance.

They had only lent their names, and in reality, they had never sent proper warriors.

If the Hyeolbong Alliance seemed to be in danger, they would be the first to pull out.

“But seeing how things are developing, I’m starting to think differently.”

“If we play our cards right, we might be able to swallow Guiyang’s commercial district whole?”

Oho Bandit Leader Jingwal said with a sneer. Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang smiled but didn’t deny it.

“Well, I can understand Ssanggeom Sect, since that’s what they’ve always done. If we seize Guiyang at this opportunity, we can quickly rise to become the overlords of Guizhou.”

As Bandit Leader Jingwal said.

Unlike the mountain bandits and river bandits, the Demonic Sects, centered around the Ssanggeom Sect, were accustomed to seizing the commercial districts of cities and towns.

If they could take Guiyang, expanding the sect’s power based on that wealth would be a piece of cake.

“If you pay us properly, there’s no reason why we can’t cooperate.”

At Jingwal’s words, Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang smiled. But Yeokbalsan Yuryeok threw a wet blanket on the conversation with a blunt voice.

“Will the Blood Dragon Gate stay still? This place is practically theirs.”

Jangssang shrugged and replied.

“That’s the thing. It seems like the Blood Dragon Gate isn’t going to get directly involved, surprisingly. It’s like they’re satisfied with occupying the western part of Guizhou Province as they are now…”

The Blood Dragon Gate, which had joined the Hyeolbong Alliance, quickly seized the western part of Guizhou Province, adjacent to Yunnan Province. They even poured bribes into the Guiyang government to block government interference.

But that was it. The Blood Dragon Gate didn’t directly establish a branch in Guiyang. It seemed like they were reluctant to be exposed, or perhaps they were afraid of moving too far from Yunnan.

“Of course, we’ll have to give them some concessions. But even so, it’s still a very tempting opportunity for us.”

The ‘some concessions’ that Jangssang was talking about meant periodic tributes or turning a blind eye to the Blood Dragon Gate’s activities.

But so what? With Guizhou’s capital, Guiyang’s commercial district, in their hands, what couldn’t they give?

“Leaving aside the Blood Dragon Gate, what about Hyeolbong? That woman’s faction isn’t that weak either, is it?”

Yeokbalsan Yuryeok raised another objection.

The largest force in the Hyeolbong Alliance was the Blood Dragon Gate. And then there were the Demonic Sects that joined later, and the mountain bandits and river bandits, who were numerous but weak.

But it was the six sects, centered around the Golden Sword Sect and the Guizhou Breaking Heaven Gate, that founded the Hyeolbong Alliance.

They formed a faction centered around Hyeolbong, and they were the ones who suffered the greatest sacrifices in direct conflict with the Namgung Clan.

“Tsk, they’re all sticking together so tightly? It’s like they’re trying to merge the sects into one…”

As Oho Bandit Leader Jingwal cursed, Jangssang leaned back in his chair and said leisurely.

“That side has its problems too, more than you think. I heard they’re divided into sects that want to take a hard line and sects that want to be cautious.”

At Jangssang’s words, Yeokbalsan Yuryeok shrugged.

“Isn’t Gwigyeonsura the biggest problem, more than anything else?”

The biggest problem was Gwigyeonsura.

No individual, mountain bandit, or river bandit had the ability or courage to stand against Gwigyeonsura.

“Well, we’ll take care of that, so don’t worry.”

Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang wore a relaxed smile. Oho Bandit Leader Jingwal and Yeokbalsan Yuryeok’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, do you have a plan?”

Oho Bandit Leader Jingwal asked subtly, and Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang replied.

“If you think hard enough, what can’t you hunt in this world? Whether it’s a wolf, a tiger, or even an Asura [a powerful, often malevolent, spirit in Buddhist and Hindu mythology].”

He didn’t say anything more specific.

But Ssanggeomgwi Jangssang’s eyes gleamed with a sinister smile.

The Son Bin party, having booked rooms at an inn, were out on Guiyang’s main street.

Finding delicious restaurants in a new town was now something everyone took for granted.

“This! This!”

“Wow! Wow!”

The five children were the most excited. As if they were on the street for the first time in their lives, the children showed great curiosity in everything they saw.

In particular, the handicrafts of the ethnic minorities were interesting even for Son Bin, an adult, so what more could be said for the children?

The one taking care of these children was none other than Seo Rin, who sometimes got excited with them but also knew how to naturally restrain them, which made Son Bin admire her.

Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah also stopped for a moment to look at the accessories.

Dang Wol-ah was as silent as ever, but Son Bin could tell that she always kept the children in her sight.

“Hmm, this looks delicious.”

No Gun picked up a few skewers of grilled meat sold on the street.

The five children and Seo Rin instantly gathered around and looked up at No Gun with sparkling eyes. No Gun frowned once and then handed the skewers to Seo Rin and the children.

“Tsk. Eat one each.”

“Thank you!”

Seo Rin greeted him energetically, and the children also sparkled their eyes and followed Seo Rin’s greeting. No Gun smiled and nodded.

“Here, you guys take one too.”

No Gun handed one each to Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah. Their eyes were also shining.

“Thank you.”

Sa Su-yeon bowed her head in greeting. Dang Wol-ah also bowed her head silently, and No Gun shrugged with a ‘what’s new’ expression.

“What about me?”

At Shin Ui’s words, No Gun frowned.

“Do I have to take care of yours too?”

That’s what he said, but No Gun had three skewers in his hand: one for Son Bin, one for Shin Ui, and one for No Gun himself.

“Here, take it. And eat it gratefully.”

“Hmm, the spices used in this shop are a bit unique.”

Shin Ui took the skewer and narrowed his eyes instead of thanking him. He seemed to be examining the seasoning or the grilling method.

No Gun shook his head as if he was dumbfounded and handed one to Son Bin.

“Have you been here before?”

No Gun asked Son Bin. Son Bin took the skewer and nodded.

“I’ve only passed through. It’s definitely nice to stroll through the streets like this.”

Son Bin had passed through Guiyang before: once with Sa Ja-hyeok when going to Yunnan, and once when accompanying the So Eun Escort Agency’s caravan. Both times, he was pressed for time and didn’t have the opportunity to look around properly.

“Yeah. It feels a bit remote compared to the towns in Gangbuk [area north of the Han River in Seoul], but it’s a pretty good place. Manbong Forest, where there are ten thousand peaks on the plain, or the great waterfall and canyon, are definitely worth seeing.”

Manbong Forest, towering on the plain, is a masterpiece created by the unique terrain of Guizhou. It’s a very mysterious sight, as if peaks suddenly rose between rice paddies and fields.

“Well, a guy like Eoong would absolutely hate it.”

However, even this beautiful natural terrain could not make this place escape from being a remote area.

Even in the Jianghu [martial arts world], this place is simply regarded as a land of ethnic minorities swarming with Demonic Sects.

Son Bin ate the skewer and slowly walked along the main street. The unique vibrancy and diversity created by the mix of various tribes filled the street.

It was then, as Son Bin and his party were enjoying the interesting and unfamiliar streets, that…

“It’s Miss Hyeolbong!”

“Miss Hyeolbong! Miss Hyeolbong!”

Suddenly, the street began to get noisy.

“Hyeolbong? Are they talking about that young lady?”

No Gun frowned and muttered. Shin Ui, who had been examining the skewer until then, raised his head.

“If it’s Hyeolbong, she must be the child that the doctors here are all praising.”

“Doctors?”

At No Gun’s question, Shin Ui nodded.

“Yes. She’s practically the only one who protects and supports the doctors. I wonder if she’s the child we saw in Wuhan back then?”

Shin Ui had seen Hyeolbong and Gwigyeonsura in the Moyong Clan in Wuhan, albeit from a distance.

The other members of Son Bin’s party had seen her at Yewon in Hangzhou not long ago.

“Then let’s say hello…”

Son Bin was about to say that, but people had already gathered and filled the surroundings. As the surroundings became noisy, No Gun frowned openly.

“Miss Hyeolbong!”

A familiar figure was seen among the shouts of the people.

It wasn’t Hyeolbong, but the black-clad warrior guarding her, Gwigyeonsura. And at that moment, Gwigyeonsura also saw Son Bin.

Flinch.

Son Bin saw Gwigyeonsura’s face harden, and he smiled bitterly.

Perhaps he still wanted to settle the outcome of their previous duel.

“What’s wrong?”

Hyeolbong, who was walking ahead, turned her head and asked Gwigyeonsura. She naturally followed Gwigyeonsura’s gaze, and she also found Son Bin.

“Ah, that person is…”

Hyeolbong moved towards Son Bin. Gwigyeonsura showed a displeased expression for a moment but obediently followed his lord’s will.

Step, step.

People stepped aside for her. Thanks to this, a path was created between Son Bin’s party, who were standing still, and Hyeolbong.

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

Hyeolbong bowed to Son Bin. Son Bin replied politely.

“Yes, it’s been a while, Miss Hyeolbong.”

The title was a bit awkward, but since everyone called her ‘Miss Hyeolbong,’ Son Bin called her that too.

“If you don’t mind, would you like to talk for a moment? I’d also like to greet the two elders and these ladies.”

Hyeolbong said, looking at Namgung No Gun, Shin Ui, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah in turn. Despite looking young, she had a rather mature attitude.

Son Bin looked at his party. No Gun looked a bit reluctant but soon shrugged.

“Well, there’s no reason not to.”

No Gun’s dissatisfaction was largely due to Gwigyeonsura. His sharp eyes, full of hostility, didn’t seem to please No Gun.

“Then, I gratefully accept the invitation…”

“Wait.”

The one who interrupted Son Bin’s words of acceptance was Shin Ui.

Step, step.

Shin Ui walked towards Hyeolbong and reached out his hand towards her without hesitation.

“What are you doing!”

Gwigyeonsura shouted immediately, but Shin Ui didn’t stop his actions.

Swoosh, clang!

A sharp sound rang out.

Gwigyeonsura’s sword and No Gun’s sword, or rather, the scabbards of the two men, were touching in the air. This was because both swords had not come out of their scabbards.

“A young one shouldn’t wield things he can’t handle recklessly.”

No Gun said in a heavy tone. On the other hand, Gwigyeonsura’s face was stiff.

He hadn’t swung with murderous intent from the start, but he never thought he would be blocked so easily, even if the opponent was an expert of the outer world, Namgung No Gun.

In the meantime, Shin Ui was holding Hyeolbong’s slender wrist.

“Hmm.”

“Um, not here…”

Hyeolbong smiled awkwardly and pulled her wrist away. Shin Ui released her wrist.

This was not because he was considering her circumstances, but because he had already achieved what he wanted.

“Did you know too?”

Shin Ui asked Hyeolbong with a serious expression. Hyeolbong hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

“Yes.”

Hyeolbong smiled at Son Bin.

“It’s a bit uncomfortable to talk here. Would you like to come with me?”

Without waiting for an answer, she turned her body. Gwigyeonsura, who had been glaring at No Gun, also lowered his sword and followed her, but he didn’t forget to glare at Son Bin once before that.

“Tsk, such an ill-mannered guy.”

No Gun grumbled at Gwigyeonsura’s back. The people who had been surrounding them were already moving along with Hyeolbong.

“But you, what were you thinking, suddenly grabbing the wrist of a woman you’ve never seen before and making a fuss? Did you see something strange?”

No Gun asked, turning to Shin Ui.

“She has severed meridians.”

“What?”

No Gun asked back. Shin Ui looked at Hyeolbong’s back as she walked away and said with a serious expression.

“I need to examine her more closely to be sure, but that child is suffering from severed meridians. And it’s a very serious case.”

“Severed meridians? Those severed meridians?”

Severed meridians literally mean that the flow of qi [vital energy] and blood is blocked.

It is a congenital disease, and because qi and blood cannot circulate properly, the body is weak from childhood and suffers from frequent illnesses, eventually leading to early death. And it is mostly incurable.

No Gun looked at Hyeolbong’s back again with a new look.

“But she’s walking around so normally?”

“Among children suffering from severed meridians, there are cases where they are born with outstanding wisdom or divine power.”

Shin Ui’s face was stiff.

“I think that’s probably why, but I can only know for sure after I examine her properly.”

No Gun frowned.

“Damn it. There were only five kids in the Tang Clan, but why is everyone I go to full of sick people?”

While grumbling, No Gun moved his feet following Shin Ui.

“Ah! Come to think of it, you bastard, are you throwing this precious thing on the ground?”

No Gun was annoyed to see the skewer that Shin Ui had dropped while checking Hyeolbong’s pulse.

He hadn’t even taken a bite, so he had a right to be angry. Even so, No Gun didn’t stop following Shin Ui.

Son Bin looked back at Dang Wol-ah and Sa Su-yeon. The two ladies nodded and moved their feet. Son Bin also followed them behind No Gun.