A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 218

Blood Demon Wang Sechung frowned, taken aback by the young scholar’s sudden pronouncement.

Wang Sechung glanced at Nameless Old Gun.

Nameless Old Gun, who had blocked the flying dagger, feigned disinterest, but a clear smile played on his lips.

“Hmph.”

Blood Demon Wang Sechung, wary of Old Gun, let out a snort and turned his gaze to Son Bin.

“Govern me with law? Are you some kind of government official?”

Even as he spoke haughtily, Blood Demon Wang Sechung subtly scanned Son Bin, wondering if he was a government official in disguise.

“Heh heh heh, listen to this ignorant fool.”

Nameless Old Gun interjected mockingly. Blood Demon Wang Sechung’s face twisted, and Old Gun turned to Son Bin.

“See? I told you he wouldn’t understand. He asks if you’re an official when you talk about governance by virtue and governance by law.”

In ancient states, nobles above the rank of Daebu [a high-ranking official] were given a chance to repent even if they committed crimes, as they were governed by virtue, but serfs and commoners were invariably governed by harsh penal codes.

This later developed into a debate between governance by virtue (德治) [Dezhi, emphasizing moral leadership] and governance by law (法治) [Fazhi, emphasizing codified rules], with the former arguing that commoners should also be taught etiquette and governed by virtue, and the latter arguing that nobles should also be strictly governed by law.

“Originally, the debate on virtue and law started with the rules of governing the country, so it’s not entirely wrong.”

“Enough of that.”

Old Gun, cutting off Son Bin’s words, spoke to Blood Demon Wang Sechung.

“You ignorant fool. To say he’ll govern you by law doesn’t mean this kid is a government official. It’s just a fancy way of saying, ‘You’re a piece of trash beneath human dignity, so I’m going to give you a good thrashing.’ Understand?”

Twitch.

A vein popped out on Blood Demon Wang Sechung’s forehead.

“Heh heh heh.”

Wang Sechung let out a forced laugh. However, his gleaming eyes revealed his murderous intent.

“Boy.”

Blood Demon said, glaring at Son Bin. His gaze seemed to cut Son Bin in two.

“If you thought you’d be safe just because Old Gun is here, you’re sorely mistaken.”

Feigning not to hear Old Gun whispering, “See, I told you that he would come after you first, leaving me alone,” Son Bin said,

“Since you say it’s a mistake…”

Son Bin did not avoid Blood Demon’s murderous gaze.

“To think that having a little more power than others allows you to stand above etiquette and law is the real mistake.”

Blood Demon Wang Sechung let out a dumbfounded laugh. He raised a hand towards Son Bin, lecturing.

“What do etiquette and law have to do with those who wield swords? The law of the Murim [martial arts world] is that the powerful take everything.”

“So you want to become the Alliance Lord?”

“That’s right.”

“Even by threatening a weak young lady?”

Son Bin’s gaze was sharp. But Blood Demon Wang Sechung, being from the Demonic Sect, just laughed.

“Sometimes, ignorant children need to be strictly disciplined to know their place.”

At those words, the eyebrows of Ghost Sword Shura, protecting Blood Phoenix, twitched.

Ghost Sword Shura’s patience had run out, but he couldn’t go against Blood Phoenix’s wishes. Having experienced the painful consequences of his rash actions, he was even more cautious.

“Know your own place before that.”

As if to soothe Ghost Sword Shura’s heart, Son Bin’s scathing remark flew towards Blood Demon.

“The law of the Murim is the Way of the Warrior, something someone like you cannot dare to discuss. If someone like you were to become the Alliance Lord here, I’d rather do it myself.”

Crack.

Blood Demon Wang Sechung couldn’t bear any more insults. Even if Old Gun’s grandfather came, he couldn’t stop himself now.

“This little brat, I’ve been too lenient……”

Killing intent overflowed from Blood Demon’s body as he gnashed his teeth.

And that wasn’t all.

Swish.

Blood Demon reached into his chest. From his fingertips, a glittering metal claw appeared.

The metal claw was originally used when playing instruments like the pipa [a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument].

However, Blood Demon’s was a deadly weapon that had taken countless lives. The weapon soon emitted a blue aura according to its owner’s will.

Whoosh.

“Gasp! It, it’s Blood Claw Skill!”

“Blood Claw Skill!”

The faces of those who saw the aura flickering from Blood Demon’s fingertips changed. Blood Claw Skill, Blood Demon’s signature technique that scattered blood wherever he went, had appeared.

“Th, that’s Blood Claw Skill?”

It was rare to see a master’s signature technique in person. One only occasionally heard unbelievable stories passed down, so even for fellow Murim people, the martial arts of the masters were like tales of immortals.

Thud.

With the aura flickering from his fingertips, Blood Demon Wang Sechung took a step forward. He stared straight at Son Bin and spat out as if chewing.

“I can assure you, I will definitely……”

Old Gun’s already contorted eyebrows twitched. It was at that moment.

Thud.

Blood Demon Wang Sechung’s steps stopped. And that wasn’t all. Blood Demon Wang Sechung widened his eyes and groaned.

“Ugh.”

People were bewildered and couldn’t take their eyes off him. But Old Gun clicked his tongue quietly.

Click.

Someone stood up. The young master, who had covered his face with a jade fan and possessed a picture-perfect figure, rose from his seat and slowly walked forward.

Step, step.

“I will definitely… and what?”

He was the young master of the Blood Dragon Gate. As he walked out, he looked at Blood Demon Wang Sechung with loathing.

“Gack, cough.”

Blood Demon Wang Sechung couldn’t answer. He clutched his chest.

His mouth, distorted with pain, gaped hideously, and the aura flickering from his fingertips had lost its shape.

Whack.

The young Jade Dragon folded his fan. A frosty aura rose on his face, as beautiful as a painting.

“Someone like you.”

Swish.

The folded jade fan was raised. And the next moment, it fell towards Blood Demon.

Thwack.

“Ugh!”

The jade fan in the young Jade Dragon’s hand mercilessly struck Blood Demon’s mouth.

Blood Demon’s face turned, and his mouth was instantly stained with blood.

“Dare.”

Thwack.

“To whom.”

Thwack.

“How dare you?”

Thwack.

Blood splattered and teeth shattered. Blood Demon, a master who could infuse internal energy into his metal claws, was helplessly violated under the young Jade Dragon’s fan.

It was simple and primal violence, its sadism nakedly revealed.

Even the Demonic Sect warriors were horrified, and the violence did not hide its cruel face.

Smack, smack.

Blood Demon’s eyes had lost focus, but the jade fan never showed mercy.

This one-sided beating ended only after Blood Demon’s blood-soaked body tilted.

Thud, thump.

Blood Demon’s body, which had lost consciousness long ago, collapsed to the floor. The blood flowing from his face slowly spread across the banquet hall floor.

Looking at the scene, Seo-rin muttered quietly.

“Ah, so that’s why they said it’s not good for children.”

Son Bin gave a bitter smile. However, neither Seo-rin, Old Gun, nor Sa Su-yeon’s expressions changed. Rather, one could feel a subtle anger; they would have stepped in themselves if it hadn’t been for the young Jade Dragon.

“Tsk.”

The young Jade Dragon frowned at the blood of Blood Demon that had splattered on his fan.

“Han-wol.”

“Yes!”

Han-wol, a master of the Blood Dragon Gate, immediately knelt before the young Jade Dragon. The young Jade Dragon covered his face with the fan.

Whack.

“Clean it up.”

Han-wol grabbed the back of Blood Demon’s neck and lifted him up. Blood Demon, covered in blood, dangled like a doll.

Whoosh.

Han-wol disappeared, and the young Jade Dragon, covering his face with the blood-stained fan, slowly raised his eyes. His gaze was directed at the Demonic Alliance’s seats.

“Gasp.”

Twin Swords Gwi Jang-ssang, and the Demonic Sect warriors, swallowed hard and flinched.

A cold gaze flew over the red fan stained with Blood Demon’s blood and pierced them. The first impression of the young Jade Dragon, who looked like a gigolo, had disappeared, and now he was a terrifying figure that they would be afraid to see in their dreams.

“Dare to be rude to my guests?”

The young Jade Dragon’s eyes shone. The Demonic Sect leaders and heads felt a sense of oppression.

“Who is it? Who was trying to make that trash the Alliance Lord?”

No one could open their mouths. The opponent was the man who had turned Blood Demon into a bloody mess, and it was one-sided.

“W, w, we……”

Someone opened his mouth with a trembling voice, but he soon regretted it.

“Ugh.”

His bulging eyes were bloodshot, and his mouth was open in pain. His complexion, which had turned pale blue, turned black in an instant.

Thud.

He fell to the floor like Blood Demon. The young Jade Dragon didn’t even need to touch him. The Demonic Sect leaders and heads had an expression of deathly despair.

“Get out.”

The young Jade Dragon’s low voice echoed in the banquet hall.

“The moment you set foot in Gwiyang is the day you die.”

It was a sentence of judgment and a declaration of mercy. But the Demonic Sect warriors couldn’t dare to move and looked at each other.

Then, someone near the entrance mustered the courage to run out.

“L, let’s go!”

Like a dam that had burst, people rushed out. Chairs fell over, and some tripped.

Clatter.

“Oops.”

The sight of those fierce-looking people tumbling around was a grotesque farce, but no one laughed.

As the Demonic Sect warriors disappeared like a receding tide, all that remained were the people of the Blood Dragon Gate and the Blood Phoenix faction warriors, who were pale.

The young Jade Dragon, looking at the entrance with a frown, turned around lightly.

Step.

As the young Jade Dragon approached, the Blood Phoenix faction warriors flinched. Without paying attention to their reaction, the young Jade Dragon approached Son Bin.

Clack.

The jade fan, stained with blood, was folded. The young Jade Dragon held the fan with both hands and bowed to Son Bin.

“I have shown you an unsightly sight, my honored guest.”

Son Bin rose and bowed in return.

“Not at all. I seem to have caused trouble instead.”

“Not at all.”

The young Jade Dragon smiled brightly, making one forget the bloody scene.

He suddenly asked Son Bin.

“Do you perhaps think I went too far?”

“No.”

Son Bin did not hesitate.

“If he got a chance to reflect on his mistakes to that extent, it would be fortunate.”

Blood Demon was stained with blood, but he didn’t die. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to chew properly from now on.

It might seem ruthless, but considering the evil deeds he had committed, it was merciful.

Son Bin was not a government official, nor did he intend to punish him.

Step, step.

Han-wol, who had returned, was carrying a fallen Demonic Sect member with a blank expression. The warrior who had lost consciousness was still alive.

“Is that so?”

The young Jade Dragon asked, his eyes twinkling. His actions were intentional.

Even the Demonic Sect warriors’ faces changed at the sight of the blood splattering. If Son Bin had the mindset of an ordinary scholar, he would have frowned.

But Son Bin’s answer did not change.

“If you have decided to govern by law, you must never hesitate. If the law does not stand like autumn frost, what is the point of getting your hands dirty with blood?”

“Hahahaha.”

The young Jade Dragon laughed.

Whack.

Covering his face with the blood-stained fan, the young Jade Dragon stared intently at Son Bin.

“Now that I think about it, you said you would become the Alliance Lord earlier, didn’t you?”

“Ah, that……”

Son Bin gave a bitter smile. He certainly said, ‘I’d rather do it myself.’

But that was just a rhetorical expression.

“It was just a metaphor, not my true intention.”

“I see.”

The young Jade Dragon quietly fanned himself.

“That’s a pity. I was willing to support Young Master Son.”

At those words, the faces of the Blood Phoenix faction warriors changed. If the Blood Dragon Gate supported him, the position of Alliance Lord of the Blood Phoenix Alliance would be as good as decided.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Son Bin said as a matter of courtesy. The young Jade Dragon stared at Son Bin quietly.

“Hehe.”

The young Jade Dragon chuckled.

“You don’t have to say things you don’t mean to me. Actually…… you’re thinking it’s a hassle, aren’t you?”

Son Bin gave a bitter smile.

“That’s the truth.”

“Hahaha.”

The young Jade Dragon laughed.

“You’re a very interesting person after all.”

The young Jade Dragon’s eyes shone behind the fan. After looking at Son Bin, the young Jade Dragon turned his head and looked at Iron Sword Pacheon Lee Hong-gye.

“Continue the meeting.”

“Ah.”

Iron Sword Pacheon Lee Hong-gye finally came to his senses, due to the series of events that were difficult to follow, starting with Blood Demon’s flying dagger.

“Thank you, Young Master Son.”

Lee Hong-gye bowed politely to Son Bin, thinking that Son Bin had saved his life.

“That wasn’t me……”

Son Bin was about to wave his hand, but Old Gun quickly cut him off.

“Okay, it’s late, so let’s hurry. What’s left now?”

Iron Sword Pacheon Lee Hong-gye looked back at the remaining warriors. The people of the Blood Phoenix faction all had expressions of shock.

“Um, so……”

Step.

A small and delicate young lady, Blood Phoenix, stepped forward.

“Miss Namgung-hyang and I asked Master Son to mediate.”

Blood Phoenix looked straight at Son Bin.

“Will you allow it?”

Ghost Sword Shura’s face was full of displeasure, contrasting with Blood Phoenix’s expression, that Son Bin raised an awkward smile.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

Blood Phoenix’s expression darkened rapidly. Son Bin quickly waved his hand.

“Not at all.”

Son Bin turned his head and looked at Namgung-hyang. Namgung-hyang, who met his gaze, gave Son Bin a gentle smile.

“Would it be alright?”

“I was the one who asked for mediation first. Of course, it has to be alright.”

Son Bin sighed quietly.

“I understand. It’s too much for me, but I’ll do it.”

At that, Namgung-hyang and Blood Phoenix’s faces lit up.

“Thank you, Young Master Son.”

“Thank you, Master Son.”

Rustle.

Namgung-hyang and Blood Phoenix, as beautiful as flowers, bowed to Son Bin. Son Bin was flustered, and Sa Su-yeon smiled, while Seo-rin looked up at Son Bin with shining eyes.

“Where are we going again?”

“Yes.”

Son Bin stroked Seo-rin’s head.

“This time too, it’s a faraway place.”

The gaze of the young Jade Dragon, covering his expression with a blood-stained jade fan, could not be taken away from Son Bin.

*

*

*

“Did you hear that?”

Dang-wol said in a low voice. The fierce wind tried to bury her voice, but the children heard it.

“You must not use force recklessly, but if you have decided to punish, never hesitate.”

The five children nodded vigorously.

“But what kind of person is someone who knows humanity?”

Hong-ah raised her hand, reminded of Son Bin’s words, ‘Those who know humanity educate with virtue.’

Dang-wol quietly looked at Hong-ah. Hong-ah’s eyes, shining brightly, were directed at Dang-wol without a shadow.

“Someone who accepts you.”

“Woong?”

The children tilted their heads, not understanding. But Dang-wol did not explain.

“Now, it’s time for homework. You know what to do, right?”

“Yes!”

The children said in unison. Dang-wol looked at the five children and said quietly.

“Then start.”

Flap.

At Dang-wol’s words, the children jumped down. The fact that this was a high pavilion roof was not a problem.

Whoosh, whoosh.

The five children scattered into the night streets of Gwiyang, competing. The targets were the Demonic Alliance warriors who had fled the banquet hall.

“You must become stronger. This ignorant world will never accept you easily.”

Dang-wol muttered, tracing the children disappearing into the darkness.

“But don’t worry. You will be happy.”

Dang-wol smiled, a bright smile as if she had the whole world.

“Definitely.”

That day, a large moon that seemed to cover the whole world rose in the night sky of Gwiyang.

∴

The next day, the doctors in Gwiyang, already crowded, had to accept new urgent patients.

There were various injuries: broken bones, sickness, and internal injuries.

Although unknown, the patients had something in common: they were all warriors from the Demonic Sect factions and mountain bandits who had participated in the Blood Phoenix Alliance meeting, but were no longer affiliated with the Blood Phoenix Alliance.

And there was one more unknown thing: not a single person who participated in the meeting had lost their lives.