A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 294

294. Riding the Tiger

So-ha sat in an old pavilion nestled deep within the Hwangshan Mountains, his expression grim. The plans he had meticulously laid out were crumbling before his eyes.

“This isn’t good.”

So-ha groaned, admitting his mistake—a significant blow to his pride.

“The enemy is targeting and disrupting our actions with pinpoint accuracy, as if they know our plans already.”

So-ha’s face twisted in frustration. However, the Grand Prince Gyeonghui, leaning against the railing of the old pavilion, remained composed.

Supporting her face with one hand, Grand Prince Gyeonghui looked down at So-ha.

“Even if they know, didn’t you say ‘he’ can’t do anything?”

The ‘he’ Grand Prince Gyeonghui referred to was Son-bin, the one walking the path of the Uncrowned King. So-ha nodded.

“Yes. The Bi Geom [Hidden Sword Clan] and Cheonsu Swords [Thousand Water Swords Clan] also agreed that he couldn’t do anything. If he tried to control the Outer Affairs [independent martial factions], he would face resistance. In fact, he gave up, saying, ‘Do as you wish.’”

“But in reality, they are responding very systematically?”

“…Yes.”

So-ha bit his lip.

“Then what happened? Didn’t you say the enemy was divided, uncontrolled, and unable to oppose us?”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui listed So-ha’s previous assurances one by one.

“But in reality, the enemy is cooperating, organically connected, and even thwarting our intentions.”

The Hyeokryun Clan [Crimson Wheel Clan] accompanying the Namgoong Clan, the Guigyeonsura [Demon Sword Asura] of the Blood Phoenix Squad with the Talhondo [Masked Swordsmen] of the Black Serpent Society, and even the Moryong Clan [Mystic Dragon Clan] and Tang Clan [renowned for their poison and assassination techniques]. The masters of the Outer Affairs, who were supposed to be divided, were acting in the opposite manner.

Rather, it was the Amizan [Emei Sect] and Gongson Clan on their side who were being defeated individually.

“Without Amizan, there’s no one to persuade the Hwasan [Mount Hua Sect] or Shaolin [Shaolin Monastery]. It’s impossible for the Wudang [Wudang Sect], lacking Outer Affairs-level masters, to convince them.”

The best option was to win over Beopgeo, the Buddhist nun of Amizan, but if she refused, Cheonsu Sword, Neung Cheon-hwa, could take control of Amizan.

Neung Cheon-hwa of the Cheonsu Sword, having taken over Amizan, would have been able to lead discussions with Hwasan or Shaolin on equal terms.

But this, too, had become nothing more than a useless assumption.

“And the Gongson Clan can’t do anything in the end. Not even the simple task of hindering the other Five Great Clans.”

“They were targets to be eliminated anyway. The Gongson Clan, too.”

So-ha shrugged.

“Once the Heaven-Turning Scheme [a grand political and martial arts manipulation] is activated, the Four Great Righteous Sects and Five Great Clans are meaningless.”

Removing the core forces of the Four Great Righteous Sects and Five Great Clans for an artificial generational shift was already decided.

Bi Geom, Gongson Geuk, would be upset, but they could simply say it was an unforeseen event. After all, he would be prepared for that level of sacrifice.

Cheonsu Sword, Neung Cheon-hwa, need not be mentioned. She would have enjoyed Amizan falling into a state of irreversible ruin.

“But if we fail to neutralize the Outer Affairs here in Hwangshan, His Majesty will be greatly disappointed. In the end, the question is whether to dismantle the Outer Affairs with minimal sacrifice, or…”

“No.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui interrupted So-ha.

“That’s not it. The problem wasn’t the Outer Affairs. The real problem is…”

The eyes of Grand Prince Gyeonghui were shining. A subtle heat was rising in her eyes, which had shown no emotion until just now.

“Can we stop ‘him,’ or can we not? That’s the question.”

So-ha was silent for a moment. The ‘he’ Grand Prince Gyeonghui was referring to was, of course, Son-bin, ‘the one walking the path of the Uncrowned King.’

But So-ha couldn’t agree. Her words were baseless, a wild guess.

“Unlike the Uncrowned King, his martial prowess hasn’t been verified yet.”

So-ha cautiously spoke. But Grand Prince Gyeonghui chuckled. Unverified? Had he forgotten the sight he had shown on Gwando?

Of course, he had never drawn his sword. But how could anyone doubt him after seeing that spectacle?

“Besides, he hasn’t yet taken control of the Outer Affairs, and those who share his views are few. Making him the core of this development is…”

“With those few.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui looked straight at So-ha and said,

“He is distorting our plans one by one. And now, they are no longer a minority.”

Beopgeo, the Buddhist nun, and Pilong, Je Gal-ryeon, followed his lead and retreated from Hwangshan.

Cheonghye’s situation had completely turned to his side, and considering Hwa-sa was with Dang Wol-ah, even Talhondo of the Black Serpent Society and Guigyeonsura of the Blood Phoenix Squad were suspicious.

The information about the Outer Affairs that Bi Geom, Gongson Geuk, had passed on could no longer be trusted. In the first place, they hadn’t revealed everything to each other.

“He may not have fully grasped the Outer Affairs. But wasn’t that too hasty a judgment? What if he already had the Outer Affairs in his hands in a way we don’t know?”

A chill ran down Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s spine as she spoke.

“We might be the ones cornered.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s voice trembled slightly. But it wasn’t out of fear. The instinctive fighting spirit she had lost since the subject of the Heaven-Turning Scheme had become His Majesty, not herself, was stirring within her.

How could carrying out unilateral slaughter according to someone else’s will be enjoyable?

Being someone’s tool was nothing more than unpleasant to Grand Prince Gyeonghui.

But the story was different if there was a strong adversary. Grand Prince Gyeonghui recalled Son-bin’s appearance in the carriage and his overwhelming presence on Gwando.

“Then, what should we do?”

After a sigh, So-ha asked. He knew that no one could stop Grand Prince Gyeonghui in this state.

“Summon everyone.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui said without hesitation.

“Cheonsu Sword, Bi Geom, and even the Hocheon Three Divine Guards [elite royal guards]. Now, the victory or defeat in Hwangshan depends on whether we capture that one person or not.”

“Should we also call Cheongrang Sword, Wi Gong?”

So-ha said. But Grand Prince Gyeonghui, already lost in thought, simply nodded absentmindedly.

“And shouldn’t we check on the Wudang Sect one more time?”

“Wudang Sect? Why?”

“Hwangshan is currently shrouded in mist. We can’t see even an inch ahead. In this situation, everyone’s actions are bound to be restricted.”

“So?”

“But they seem to know our movements as if they’re looking at the palm of their hand. If so, I can only think of one possibility. Someone’s betrayal.”

So-ha spoke with a serious expression, but Grand Prince Gyeonghui let out a light laugh.

“Do as you wish.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui continued.

“You, too, need to have an excuse for failure.”

With those words, Grand Prince Gyeonghui turned her head and looked at the sea of clouds in Hwangshan. The flower patterns on her silk shoes shimmered at the end of her skirt as she sat cross-legged.

“…Thank you.”

So-ha barely managed to say. But his voice no longer reached Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s ears.

‘Yes. I might have been expecting it. For you to come out like this.’

Looking at the peaks of Hwangshan rising above the clouds like islands in the sea, Grand Prince Gyeonghui recalled ‘his’ face.

Numerous images of him flashed before her eyes.

The naive expression of the scholar she first saw at the inn, the lonely smile she remembered in the carriage when they reunited in Hangzhou, and the overwhelming yet detached appearance he showed on Gwando.

As if waiting for it, her own subconscious was vividly drawing his image before her eyes.

‘That way, this ridiculous farce will at least have some meaning.’

Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s red lips drew a faint smile.

Neither So-ha nor Hang-ah could understand that smile.

But one thing was certain.

The beast within Grand Prince Gyeonghui, which had been dormant for a while, had reopened its eyes.

*

*

*

The Wudang Sect’s leader, Cheongsu Jin-in, was cautiously moving through the fog of Hwangshan with the Wudang Seven Swords [seven most skilled swordsmen of the Wudang Sect].

“Hmm, it’s completely different from when I came before.”

One of the Wudang Seven Swords spoke in a somber tone. He was the only Taoist among them who had been to Hwangshan before. But it was a long time ago, so it wasn’t of much help.

No, in this fog, even if one knew Hwangshan well, they would have no choice but to lose their way.

“There’s no need to rush.”

Leader Cheongsu Jin-in said.

“Check the surroundings and be careful enough to ensure there’s no danger.”

“Understood.”

He responded to the leader’s considerate words with eyes full of trust and gratitude. Looking at those eyes, Cheongsu Jin-in struggled to steady his wavering heart.

“I say again, be especially careful. This is dangerous ground.”

They had already passed through blood-stained corpses and piles of gold.

But the threat wasn’t just that. Cheongsu Jin-in clearly knew that a greater threat with a clear purpose was lurking in this Hwangshan.

Of course, that ‘threat’ wouldn’t endanger the Wudang Sect. But the court and the royal family, while always asserting great authority, were places that could reverse their words at any time depending on the situation. Their promises couldn’t be trusted.

Because of that, even though he had brought only the most skilled of the Wudang Seven Swords, Cheongsu Jin-in couldn’t let his guard down.

‘But all of this is for the sake of Wudang.’

In the past, Hwanghak Jin-in, who was like a symbol of Wudang, had left this world. And Seo-rin, who had guarded his end, had descended Mount Wudang with the White Dew Sword.

Some said that Wudang was withering away, holding onto the empty honor of being one of the Four Great Righteous Sects, pushed aside by the Five Great Clans, but what was more serious than that was that Wudang no longer had a master of the Outer Affairs.

‘This is the only way.’

Cheongsu Jin-in gritted his teeth. If he could only restore the previous relationship between the royal family and the Wudang Sect, the Wudang Sect could survive. Even if there were no Outer Affairs-level masters.

So, Cheongsu Jin-in chose. But that was just like riding another tiger.

‘Riding the tiger.’

Cheongsu Jin-in wore a bitter smile at the word that suddenly came to mind. Having ridden the tiger, he could no longer let go until the end. Even if that tiger was running wild, trying to trample the Kangho Murim [martial arts world].

Crack.

Cheongsu Jin-in startled out of his reverie at the sound of a branch breaking.

“Who’s there!”

Clang, clang.

The Wudang Seven Swords drew their swords all at once. Cheongsu Jin-in also drew his sword and scanned the front.

“Show yourself!”

The voices of the Wudang Seven Swords were fierce. It couldn’t be helped. It wasn’t just once or twice that they had passed through blood-stained corpses.

“Um, just a moment.”

A voice of a boy, sounding somewhat young, came from the fog.

Cheongsu Jin-in and the Wudang Seven Swords frowned. In this blood-soaked Hwangshan, the voice of a young boy was by no means ordinary.

Rustle, rustle.

The person presumed to be the owner of the voice slowly walked forward. The excessively light footsteps indicated that the opponent’s martial prowess was extraordinary.

Leader Cheongsu Jin-in and the Wudang Seven Swords watched him approach with intense tension.

Thud.

The person who appeared was truly a handsome, picturesque boy. However, he was wearing an unsuited old Taoist robe like a coat, and if it weren’t for that, one might think that a monster of Hwangshan had transformed to seduce people.

‘Um? That boy is….’

Jin-myeong, the youngest of the Wudang Seven Swords, found the boy somewhat familiar. And soon, he recalled that the boy had been with a veiled lady at the inn at the entrance of Hwangshan not long ago.

“Ah, you are….”

“It’s been a while, Uncle Cheongsu.”

Before Jin-myeong could say anything, the boy, Seo-rin, greeted Cheongsu Jin-in with a somewhat awkward greeting.

‘Uncle?’

The Wudang Seven Swords couldn’t hide their bewilderment as they watched the handsome boy call the leader of Wudang, Cheongsu Jin-in, with an absurd title.

The Wudang Seven Swords naturally turned to look at Leader Cheongsu Jin-in. Cheongsu Jin-in’s expression was slowly but surely distorting.

“Do you know this young brother?”

One of the Wudang Seven Swords cautiously asked Cheongsu Jin-in.

Not many people in Wudang knew of Seo-rin’s existence. Even the Wudang Seven Swords didn’t know about Seo-rin.

At one time, Seo-rin’s existence itself was considered a disgrace to Wudang, so it couldn’t be helped. At that time, Seo-rin was a raging beast who had lost his reason.

Swish.

Without a word, Cheongsu Jin-in sheathed his sword. But the Wudang Seven Swords couldn’t lower their guard.

It was clear that the handsome boy before them possessed surprising martial prowess that was completely different from what they saw.

“What brings you here?”

As soon as he said that, Cheongsu Jin-in regretted it inwardly. He saw the light of suspicion deepen in the eyes of the Wudang Seven Swords as he used honorifics.

It would have been better not to use honorifics. But the laws of Wudang, which he had upheld all his life, did not allow him to be rude to Seo-rin, who was his grand-uncle, especially in front of the disciples of Wudang.

“Um, that’s….”

Seo-rin scratched his head with one hand.

“Sister Wol-ah said she was going with the Tang Clan, and Grandpa No-gun said he was going to help a friendly sect. So, I said I wanted to help Wudang too, and my brother said it was a good idea. So, I came.”

Leader Cheongsu Jin-in’s face hardened. He already knew that Namak No-gun was acting as a patron of ‘the one walking the path of the Uncrowned King.’ If so, it was clear whose side Seo-rin was on now.

“You have nothing to do with us. You have never been ordained, nor have you ever returned to secular life. No, you have never been a member of Wudang.”

Cheongsu Jin-in said. It was an excessively polite tone for a young boy, but the content was cold and sharp.

“So, leave.”

A clear order to leave. The Wudang Seven Swords raised their guard even higher against the unidentified handsome boy.

However, while receiving the full force of the seven masters of Wudang, Seo-rin quietly shook his head with a sad expression.

“I can’t.”

Twitch.

Cheongsu Jin-in’s eyebrows furrowed. He glared at Seo-rin with a sharp gaze and asked.

“What do you mean?”

“He told me to take care of you.”

Cheongsu Jin-in scoffed.

“Is that what the one walking the path of the Uncrowned King said?”

Was he trying to bring Wudang to his side with the connection of the White Dew Sword? Cheongsu Jin-in thought so.

“But it’s already too late.”

But the situation was already over. This wasn’t a question of which side was stronger or more advantageous.

Since the royal family had made its decision and the Heaven-Turning Scheme had been activated, the result would never change. All that remained was how much blood would flow.

“The Heaven-Turning Scheme is already….”

“No.”

Seo-rin’s low voice interrupted Cheongsu Jin-in’s words. Cheongsu Jin-in frowned, not understanding the meaning of Seo-rin’s words, and Seo-rin quietly said.

“My master.”

Thud.

It felt like something heavy had fallen on Cheongsu Jin-in’s chest. As if following that shock, Seo-rin’s voice was heard.

“My master said as his last words. Please, take care of Wudang.”

Seo-rin’s face was distorted as if he was about to burst into tears.

“So, I.”

Seo-rin smiled, gritting his teeth and holding back tears.

“Absolutely, won’t back down.”