A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 216

With Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye returning to the banquet hall, the Blood Alliance meeting resumed.

Lee Hong-gye’s face was still stiff, but he had at least calmed down enough to control his boiling anger.

As he entered the banquet hall, the people who had been gathered in small groups returned to their seats. All eyes were on Namgung Hyang, Unfeeling Sword of the Black Serpent, the young master of the Blood Dragon Gate, and Blood Alliance.

Meanwhile, having heard that the master of the Blood Dragon Gate was in attendance, Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye paid his respects to the young Okryong.

“Thank you for attending, Master of the Blood Dragon Gate. I, Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye, offer my respects.”

The middle-aged martial artist, Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye, clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully. However, the young Okryong did not even respond.

Lee Hong-gye frowned slightly at his rudeness. However, he reminded himself that the Blood Dragon Gate’s actions were often secretive and incomprehensible, and decided to move on.

There was a more important matter at hand, one that he had to address.

“It is not in my nature, Lee Hong-gye, to beat around the bush when the main issue is right in front of us. So, let us first hear the Namgung Family’s intentions.”

Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye glared at Namgung Hyang with a sharp glint in his eyes.

“Speak. What is the Namgung Family’s intention?”

The minimal respect he showed was only out of consideration for her being a guest, nothing more, nothing less.

*Rustle.*

Namgung Hyang quietly stood up and bowed with a graceful demeanor.

People were intrigued by the Namgung Family’s respectful behavior. In fact, she had already paid her respects when she first appeared, but at that time, the shock of the name Namgung Family had prevented them from fully understanding its significance.

“I am Namgung Hyang, and I have been granted full authority by the head of the Namgung Family, Thunder Sword Namgung Kwon, and the previous Thunder Sword Namgung Cheon, to attend this meeting.”

Namgung Hyang’s clear voice echoed through the banquet hall.

Contrary to her elegant appearance, she was not at all intimidated in front of the rough martial artists. Rather, it was the five martial artists who had come with her who were extremely nervous.

“The Namgung Family deeply regrets that so much blood has been shed due to a misunderstanding.”

*Thud.*

“A misunderstanding, you say!”

A heavy surge of anger erupted with a dull thud. It was the head of the Herculean Gate, Black Iron Axe Lee Beol.

The Herculean Gate was one of the six founding clans of the Blood Alliance. Black Iron Axe Lee Beol had also lost his son in the Yongbong Branch in Gangnam, and half of his disciples were either injured or killed when Namgung Ryeol, the outer head of the Namgung Family, pacified Honam.

“Innocent young lives were lost! How can you call that a misunderstanding!”

Black Iron Axe Lee Beol’s angry voice reverberated through the banquet hall.

However, Namgung Hyang did not back down either. Looking straight at Black Iron Axe Lee Beol, Namgung Hyang said,

“What if clear evidence emerges that the Namgung Family is innocent?”

“What!”.

“Will you admit your mistake and apologize? You probably won’t. No, neither will our Namgung Family. Too much blood has already been shed to argue about the truth now.”

Namgung Hyang’s eyes were shining intensely as she spoke.

“Once the sword is drawn, it can never be put back. That is the law of the martial world, and the predetermined course for the Blood Alliance and the Namgung Family. Isn’t that so?”

Her words were correct. It no longer mattered to dwell on the truth now.

All that remained was the clash of force. That was the law of the martial world.

“However, Blood Alliance wanted to escape this vicious cycle. And the previous Thunder Sword Namgung Cheon highly valued that courage. That is why he sent me here.”

Namgung Hyang’s gaze turned to Blood Alliance. Along with her, the gazes of the people naturally turned to Blood Alliance. Thanks to this, no one noticed that Namgung Hyang briefly glanced at Son Bin.

“First.”

At Namgung Hyang’s voice, everyone’s attention turned to her. Namgung Hyang raised her head and spoke to the people in a confident voice.

“Blood Alliance will visit the Namgung Family as a representative of the Blood Alliance. Second, the Blood Alliance will withdraw from all mountain and water fortresses.”

Namgung Hyang, standing tall, looked down at everyone and said.

“This is the will of the Namgung Family.”

Rumble.

People frowned and began to murmur.

“What? Blood Alliance to the Namgung Family?”

“Withdraw from the mountain and water fortresses?”

Namgung Hyang’s words were unexpected by everyone.

They expected unconditional surrender, as befitting the ruthless Namgung Family, or perhaps the dissolution of the Blood Alliance.

No one had expected her to bring up these two conditions.

“Wait, what is this? Are they telling us to get lost?”

One of the mountain fortress leaders said grumbling.

“These *ssiangs* [a vulgar Korean term], who do they think they’re fooling……”

Shouts began to erupt from here and there. The atmosphere quickly turned ominous, as if something was about to happen.

However, Namgung Hyang did not waver in the slightest.

“Heh heh.”

A shrill laughter echoed softly. However, the laughter contained a considerable amount of power.

“How amusing.”

The owner of the voice was none other than Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung. He leaned back in his chair, sneering as he spoke.

“To tell perfectly good clans to withdraw, isn’t that the same as disarming us and telling us to come empty-handed? Huh?”

“Is that so?”

Namgung Hyang asked Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung. Her attitude was so audacious to Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk that it was only natural for him to frown.

“To say that the Blood Alliance is disarmed because the mountain and water fortresses withdraw, surely you don’t mean that seriously? The mountain and water fortresses are just spectators. The Namgung Family doesn’t even consider them important.”

Namgung Hyang’s tone was sarcastic. And it was also true. However, it was also a statement that aroused the utmost anger in the mountain and water fortress leaders who were listening.

“Really? That’s strange.”

Just before a torrent of curses was about to pour out, Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung said mockingly.

“Why would you set the condition of withdrawing the mountain and water fortresses that you don’t even consider important? Huh? Answer me. Great Namgung Family’s young lady.”

The eyes of the fortress leaders lit up. They thought Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk’s words were right.

However, Namgung Hyang smiled faintly. It was clearly a sneer.

“It’s a matter of class.”

Namgung Hyang continued quietly. Her tone was as if she had to explain even this.

“It is an intolerable insult for the Namgung Family to talk to mountain and water fortresses. Therefore, the Namgung Family demands that the Blood Alliance have at least the minimum level of dignity.”

“Then what do we get?”

Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye said in a heavy voice.

“What do we gain by bowing our heads to the Namgung Family!”

Lee Hong-gye’s voice eventually turned into an angry shout. His anger echoed through the banquet hall.

“Peace.”

Looking straight at Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye, Namgung Hyang replied in a calm voice.

“And perhaps, the truth. The truth about the young lives that have vanished in vain.”

Namgung Hyang’s spirit, emanating from her elegant appearance, contained a force that shook even the martial artists.

‘Amazing.’

Watching Namgung Hyang’s appearance, Unfeeling Sword Doeng Won-yeong was inwardly impressed.

Such spirit cannot be obtained simply by having high martial arts skills.

Only those who have crossed the boundaries of life and death while exchanging swords with the best masters, and who have an indomitable will to match, can possess such spirit.

‘Is it the influence of the previous Thunder Sword Namgung Cheon?’

If you are familiar with the aura of the previous Thunder Sword Namgung Cheon, how could you care about the people in this banquet hall?

Unfeeling Sword Doeng Won-yeong nodded, somewhat convinced.

“Did you tell Blood Alliance to come to the Namgung Family?”

Someone belonging to the Blood Alliance faction said to Namgung Hyang with a glint in his eyes. He was Jo Hyuk, the head of the Jo Family in Joju, Black Bear Sword. The Jo Family, based in Guizhou Province, was sending the greatest support to Blood Alliance, who was seeking a peaceful resolution.

“How can you guarantee that Blood Alliance will be safe?”

“Do we have any reason to harm Blood Alliance?”

“You never know.”

Black Bear Sword Jo Hyuk flashed a sharp look.

“For example, you might forcibly extract a confession that this whole situation was fabricated by the Blood Alliance? Or you might have a non-existent culprit harm Blood Alliance.”

Namgung Hyang looked at Black Bear Sword Jo Hyuk with a momentarily troubled expression.

“It is very insulting for the Namgung Family’s sincerity to be doubted. But you are right. We still don’t have even the minimum level of trust with each other. But if we don’t take a step forward, we will never reach the future.”

“Who can’t say such sweet words?”

Black Bear Sword Jo Hyuk frowned.

“We still can’t trust the Namgung Family. So we need a minimum guarantee.”

“A guarantee…….”

Namgung Hyang was lost in thought for a moment. But soon, she raised her head.

“Then, can we ask for fair arbitration?”

“Arbitration?”

“Yes, that’s right. Just as we invite observers for a fair martial arts competition, we ask a great man acceptable to both sides to mediate.”

The observers of a martial arts competition are not just watching. They guarantee a fair martial arts competition and, at the same time, bear the ultimate responsibility for what happens if things go wrong.

Arbitration is the same. To be a mediator of a dispute means to be a great man recognized and respected by both sides.

This is true even for small disputes, and especially considering the status of the Namgung Family, it is naturally a very honorable and important matter.

“Then who…….”

Black Bear Sword Jo Hyuk trailed off and looked around.

Usually, in this case, one would think of the Shaolin Temple. However, Shaolin is a member of the Martial Arts Alliance along with the Namgung Family. In that case, it would be better to find a master with a high reputation in the Gangnam martial world.

Coincidentally, there are Southern Dignitary and Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk, whose names are well-known in the Gangnam martial world, and there is also a representative of the Black Serpent, whom the Namgung Family cannot easily dismiss.

“Ahem.”

Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk coughed deliberately. On the other hand, Southern Dignitary had a nonchalant expression, and Unfeeling Sword Doeng Won-yeong, the representative of the Black Serpent, was clearly troubled. He was conflicted as to whether he could accept this level of work.

*Rustle.*

However, Unfeeling Sword Doeng Won-yeong’s conflict became unnecessary.

Because Namgung Hyang turned to Southern Dignitary. Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk’s face was distorted as if he had chewed something bitter, and Namgung Hyang said in a clear voice.

“If you don’t mind, would you like to take on the role of mediator, Great Man Son?”

‘What?’

Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk thought for a moment that he had misheard.

However, Namgung Hyang’s voice continued.

“If it is Great Man Son, the previous Thunder Sword Namgung Cheon will also be satisfied. I dare to ask Great Man Son to mediate this matter.”

People’s gazes all turned to the young man dressed as a scholar.

With the sudden concentration of gazes, Son Bin gave an awkward smile.

“No, well, I mean…….”

“Heh heh.”

Southern Dignitary laughed next to him.

“That’s good. I agree.”

The Dignitary’s agreement was probably just because he found this situation amusing.

Son Bin gave a bitter smile, but people couldn’t hide their surprise.

‘Southern Dignitary agreed?’

People were confused. Who was that scholar youth that Namgung Cheon of the Namgung Family would be satisfied with, and Southern Dignitary volunteered to agree?

On the other hand, Unfeeling Sword Doeng Won-yeong, who came from the Black Serpent, nodded with a firm face as if he knew it would be so.

‘He wasn’t an ordinary person after all.’

It was now certain that the scholar youth was related to *talhondo* [escape from the mortal realm] or *hwasa* [disaster].

Moreover, his aura, which he had examined just in case, was surprisingly unnoticeable. At first, he had casually dismissed it, but now he knew that it was definitely not a trivial matter.

He vowed to himself that he must convey the words of ‘Young Master Son’ to *hwasa* [disaster].

“Okay.”

Blood Alliance replied to Namgung Hyang in a small voice.

“If Great Man Son will mediate, I will gladly visit the Namgung Family.”

Since Blood Alliance had accepted Namgung Hyang’s proposal, it was as good as decided.

However, Blood Alliance’s words did not put an end to the confusion, but rather fueled it further.

The murmuring grew louder and louder, when suddenly a loud laughter erupted.

“Kuhahahaha.”

The person laughing was none other than Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung.

“This is just a mess, a complete disaster. A truly amazing combination.”

Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk said with a bitter smile.

“How can it make sense to invite the Namgung Family here in the first place? Isn’t this just showing the enemy everything?”

He said, expressing his blatant dissatisfaction.

“Besides, to try to entrust mediation to such a young boy, what nonsense is this? Well, the thoughts of young girls are bound to be childish. It’s ridiculous to see them calling each other great men. ”

He said, looking at Twin Swords Ghost Jangssang.

“It’s all because there are no adults to hold the center, adults. I’m saying this because I have affection for the Blood Alliance, but that’s why you should have appointed a leader long ago. Tsk tsk tsk.”

Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung spoke in a condescending manner, as if he didn’t care about anyone else. Twin Swords Ghost Jangssang couldn’t dare to answer and kept nodding.

Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye frowned. No matter how much Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung was, this level of abuse was close to an insult.

“Right now, Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk is…….”

At that time, Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk poked Twin Swords Ghost Jangssang in the side. Jangssang frowned, but he couldn’t dare to ignore Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk’s instructions. Besides, it was already at the point of no return.

“I have an urgent proposal!”

Twin Swords Ghost Jangssang shouted as he jumped up. He didn’t care that Iron Sword Demon Lord Lee Hong-gye was glaring at him.

“As many fellow members can see, something unacceptable is happening at the Blood Alliance meeting right now. As Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk pointed out, this is all because there is no adult in the Alliance!”

Twin Swords Ghost Jangssang shouted, even raising the veins in his neck.

“I propose to invite Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk as the leader of the Blood Alliance!”

Everyone was bewildered by the sudden words. It was already chaotic, but suddenly inviting a leader seemed to make the confusion even more extreme.

“That’s right!”

Someone shouted. It was one of the *sapa* [heterodox sects] clans, and he jumped up when Twin Swords Ghost Jangssang gave him a look.

“We must invite Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk as the leader!”

“Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk as the leader!”.

“Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk! Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk!”

The leaders of the mountain and water fortresses, who had grasped the atmosphere, also stood up and shouted.

Jin Gwal, the leader of the Five Tiger Fortress, who claimed to be the eldest brother of the mountain fortresses, and Yoo Ryuk, the leader of *yeokbalsan* [overturning mountains], who claimed to be the representative of the water fortresses, nodded leisurely.

The banquet hall became noisy in an instant. And in the midst of it, Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung leaned back with a leisurely smile. This was exactly what Twin Swords Ghost Jangssang had promised him.

‘Kekeke.’

Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung laughed. It was because Southern Dignitary’s expression was distorted. That expression was more enjoyable to Blood Soul Poisonous Hawk Wang Se-chung than anything else.

* * *

“It’s getting noisy down there.”

Next to the banquet hall, on top of a tower that soared high as if to show the past power of the Demonic Heaven Gate, a child muttered.

He was precariously close to being swept away by the strong wind, but the child was managing not to fly away.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

A small, frail woman, Dang Wora, said, fluttering her clothes in the wind. The veil covering her face hardly moved despite the strong wind.

“More than that, Cheonga, you need to focus more on the operation of *cheon geun chu* [thousand-root weight technique].”

“Yes.”

The child called Cheonga answered with a sullen expression. There were four other children next to Cheonga, all standing stably in balance.

*Kwaga Kwak* [sound of wind].

Just in time, a gust of wind blew and the head covering the child was wearing was blown off. Blue hair, cut to about a bob, fluttered in the wind.

“Hehe. Cheonga’s head covering came off.”

Noga, who was next to him, laughed. Cheonga quickly put on his head covering as if he was embarrassed. But in that wind, one foot falters and loses balance.

“Ah.”

Cheonga made a sound as if he thought he was in trouble, but Dang Wora reached out first. She grabbed Cheonga’s clothes and lifted him up, as if she was grabbing the back of a cat or dog’s neck.

“I told you to be careful.”

Dang Wora said in a low voice.

It was a voice that did not feel any emotional fluctuations, but the other children looked at her with sparkling eyes as if they were moved. It was because no one had ever worried about them.

“I, I’m sorry.”

Dang Wora put Cheonga down. Cheonga was about to burst into tears as if he thought he was being scolded.

“It’s okay, it’s the first time. But don’t make a mistake next time.”

Cheonga clenched his lips tightly and nodded. Dang Wora stroked Cheonga’s head because he looked so admirable. The other children’s eyes flashed with envy.

*Pararararak* [sound of wind].

Dang Wora’s clothes fluttered in the rough wind. However, Dang Wora was standing on the roof of the tower, regardless of the strong wind.

Her gaze was fixed on one place in the banquet hall below and did not move.

The five children were also looking down with bright eyes. It was the Daejeon [main hall] of the Demonic Heaven Gate where the Blood Alliance meeting was being held.