A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 300

300. Guardians of the Heavenly Trinity

Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk, wore a sardonic smile as he faced Sunbin and his group.

In contrast, Cheonsu Geom, Neung Cheonhwa, watched Geomhee with a sharp gaze.

The three grotesque figures standing behind Gongsun Guk and Neung Cheonhwa stood still like lifeless dolls. Only their gleaming green eyes indicated they were alive.

“Hoh hoh, where did these dog-like things come from…”

Hwasa stepped forward, laughing. But anyone could tell she was angry.

“Did it get too hot and fry your brains? Where are you scattering those things… No, what’s with scattering those things around?”

Hwasa changed her words mid-sentence thanks to Hyeonryeon Sehwa. One of the words she had forbidden had slipped out without her realizing it.

“Tsk.”

Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk, frowned and turned his head.

“As expected, those from the Demonic Sect lack even basic manners.”

“Manners?”

Hwasa’s eyes immediately flared up.

“You shower us with fire bombs and talk about manners? You ugly old man, your nonsense is so refreshing! Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face, so how about I beat you until you look like dust on a rainy day and then we’ll see if you still talk like that? Huh?”

“Hmph.”

Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk, feigned indifference to her insults, sneering.

“You know that we used fire bombs, but do you understand their significance?”

Hwasa frowned. Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk, mocked Hwasa as he spoke.

“Those just now are no ordinary fire bombs. They are small, and you can freely adjust the timing of their explosions. Moreover, they maximize the killing effect by using shrapnel. They are completely different from the existing fire bombs that are just loud.”

Gongsun Guk spread his arms wide, as if proud.

“Tell me, which of the Great Four Clans or the Five Great Houses has such fire bombs? Even the Cheonroe [a powerful explosive device] that the Tang Clan boasts of cannot compare to these fire bombs.”

“So.”

Cheonghye Satae said in a low voice. She seemed to suppress her rising anger, chanting Buddhist mantras inwardly before continuing.

“Are you so proud of possessing such brutal fire bombs that kill people?”

“Humph.”

Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk, scoffed at Cheonghye Satae’s words.

“You still don’t understand. It’s not that…”

“It’s the ability to unleash such fire bombs at will.”

A young man’s voice quietly interrupted Gongsun Guk. The owner of the voice was none other than Sunbin.

“That’s what you’re so proud of.”

All technology and knowledge related to explosives are strictly controlled by the state. The fireworks set off during festivals or the explosive technology possessed by the Tang Clan are, strictly speaking, merely things that have been passed down and developed in the private sector.

No matter how skilled the Tang Clan is, they naturally cannot match the weapons developed and manufactured at the national level.

Gongsun Guk glared at Sunbin with cold eyes.

“Indeed.”

Gongsun Guk said with a chilling sneer.

“Even the fire bombs we unleashed on you are only a tiny fraction of what the Imperial Family possesses.”

The group’s expressions changed. And for good reason. If there were countless fire bombs like the ones from before, who could stand against them?

Gongsun Guk smiled and said with a triumphant expression.

“Do you understand? Now you have no hope left…”

“That’s a lie.”

Sunbin interrupted Gongsun Guk again. Gongsun Guk glared at Sunbin with sharp eyes.

“Historically, fire bombs have never been used as a main weapon. Fire bombs are extremely difficult to handle and cost a fortune to make. This is especially true for special fire bombs like the ones from before. Such fire bombs would be more expensive than the same weight in gold, so it would be much better to use that money to train soldiers.”

Sunbin continued calmly but relentlessly. However, anyone could tell that the faint flickering in his eyes was anger.

“Therefore, your claim that the Imperial Family possesses a huge amount of fire bombs like the ones from before is a lie. What they have are existing fire bombs, and those are already deployed in border regions.”

“Sun Gongja’s [term of respect for a young master] words are correct.”

Tang Wola said quietly.

“The Cheonroe made by the Tang Clan also costs a fortune. It is said that the family fortune is bound to decline in the generation of the Tang Clan leader who makes the Cheonroe. You can’t make a lot of those things.”

If they could use Cheonroe freely, the Tang Clan would have already dominated the Murim [martial arts world]. Or they would have been suppressed by the Imperial Army.

“Hmm, and there’s something else that’s strange.”

Seorin shrugged and said.

“If you have so many, you can just throw them again. Why did you come down here in person without throwing them? Isn’t it because you wanted to throw them but you didn’t have any?”

Gongsun Guk’s expression twisted at Seorin’s seemingly innocent words.

In fact, what he knew about the Imperial Family was extremely limited. He had tried to break the opponent’s will by taking advantage of the momentum, but now that he had been refuted like this, it only had the opposite effect.

“But the fact that you have to fight against the world remains unchanged.”

Gongsun Guk said, gritting his teeth.

“Look, whose world is this? The Imperial Family has already chosen us, so no one will be with you. Your resistance is futile and vain.”

Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk’s words were correct. The world belongs to the Imperial Family. Being hostile to the Imperial Family is the same as being hostile to everyone in the world. Whether they are Murim people, armed groups, or ordinary people.

“So.”

No Gun said quietly. Gongsun Guk’s gaze turned to No Gun.

“You said that one person must die? That if we want to live, we have to hand over one person?”

Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk’s bitter smile deepened. He answered No Gun’s words.

“That’s right.”

“Heol heol.”

As if dumbfounded, No Gun turned his head and let out a hollow laugh. Then, he looked straight at Gongsun Guk again and asked.

“Tell me. What are you thinking?”

Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk, still wearing a sneer, opened his mouth.

“It’s a very simple story. The Imperial Family will take all the responsibility…”

“No, not that.”

No Gun said, interrupting Gongsun Guk.

“What are you thinking, pulling off this kind of stunt? Are you drunk? Or are you already senile at your age? How dare you in front of us…”

Hooo Wook.

Ki [spiritual energy] surged from No Gun’s entire body. It was such an intense Ki that even Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk’s expression changed.

“How dare you even think of saying such nonsense? Huh? Gong. Sun. Guk.”

No Gun said, spitting out each word.

It wasn’t just No Gun. The Ki emanating from Seorin, Sasu Yeon, Tang Wola, Hwasa, and Cheonghye Satae crashed down on Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk, like a storm.

Only Geomhee, who was controlling her inner energy, watched the situation with a blank face next to Sunbin.

“Heh heh heh.”

Even in the face of that overwhelming Ki, Gongsun Guk actually laughed.

“You can discern that there are no fire bombs, but you don’t realize why I, who am outnumbered, can stand before you.”

“What is that…”

Before No Gun could frown and say anything,

Shuk.

Gongsun Guk took a step back. And he commanded the three stiffly standing grotesque figures.

“Begin.”

Woong.

The grotesque figures’ green eyes began to glow eerily.

Their entire bodies trembled unnaturally, and with the sound of something tearing, they opened their mouths. In a bizarre form that no human could open.

And a shriek erupted from their mouths.

Kyaaaaaaa―.

A shriek that was hard to even describe echoed from all directions. It wasn’t just an unpleasant sound. Their shriek contained an evil intent that shook the mind.

“Keuk.”

Cheonghye Satae immediately raised her inner energy. She, who had learned the orthodox martial arts of the Emei Sect, Seorin, who had inherited the orthodoxy of the Wudang Sect, and No Gun, who was of the Taoist lineage, immediately countered the shriek with their inner energy, preventing it from shaking their minds.

But Sasu Yeon, Tang Wola, Hwasa, and Geomhee were different. They had to draw up all their inner energy to resist the shriek. Their lips were bleeding from gritting their teeth.

“This, this can’t be!”

No Gun couldn’t hide his shocked expression. Gongsun Guk, with a bitter smile, answered No Gun’s question.

“That’s right.”

Gongsun Guk continued with shining eyes.

“Do you remember the Blood Cult and the Demonic Cult that were suppressed by the Imperial Army in the past? Although they couldn’t eradicate their roots, the Imperial Family succeeded in acquiring their secret arts. The Guardians of the Heavenly Trinity are made with those secret arts. To counter the Martial Emperor and Okryong, no less.”

Gongsun Guk wore a sneer. In the shriek that shook the mind, Gongsun Guk said to No Gun with a leisurely expression.

“Now do you understand? That my proposal that one person must die is extremely merciful.”

Kkiaaaaaaa―.

A shriek like a death throe poured out from the three grotesque figures. The flesh on their cheeks, which had opened their mouths, had collapsed, creating a gruesome shape.

‘Keuk, at this rate…’

No Gun gritted his teeth. The shriek was getting louder and louder, and even No Gun was finding it hard to endure. He had to do something.

It was then.

Tang―.

A small sound rang out. Like a clear and lonely temple bell ringing in a quiet mountain temple, that sound instantly silenced the screams that filled the world.

“Keoheok. H-How could this happen…”

It was Bi Geom, Gongsun Guk, who was flustered. The grotesque figures, who had been screaming, staggered and took a step back as if they had received a physical blow.

Gongsun Guk himself was no exception. Gongsun Guk, who had been staggering, immediately ordered the grotesque figures again.

“What are you doing! Again…”

Tang―.

Once again, a clear bell sound rang out. And this time, it didn’t end with just one.

Tang, Tta-dang, Tang―.

Beautiful sounds spread out as if someone was playing an instrument. No Gun turned his head.

Seon Geom [Sword Saint], Baekro [White Dew], was singing.

When Sunbin’s slender fingers, with his eyes closed, lightly struck the sword’s body, the beautiful Baekro’s blade, standing tall towards the sky, rejoiced at his touch and willingly made a sound.

Like a celestial instrument, Baekro was pouring out beautiful melodies whenever Sunbin’s fingertips passed over it.

Tang―.

The short melody ended with a low note.

Sunbin, who had been playing Baekro, slowly opened his eyes. Neither the screaming shriek nor the people suffering from the sound were there anymore.

However, the reactions of the three grotesque figures and Gongsun Guk were different.

“Keoheok.”

The grotesque figures’ bodies staggered, and Gongsun Guk gritted his teeth with a distorted face. From that appearance, No Gun realized that Gongsun Guk had mastered Demonic Art.

‘Tsk. That bastard has done something irreversible.’

Demonic Art contaminates the mind. But its effect is absolute. If Sunbin hadn’t been there, he couldn’t be sure if he could have stopped them.

No Gun glanced at Cheonsu Geom, Neung Cheonhwa. She didn’t seem to have mastered Demonic Art. After all, her martial arts were incompatible with Demonic Art, so she wouldn’t have been able to learn it.

“H-How…”

Gongsun Guk asked with an expression that still hadn’t recovered from the shock. Unlike before, his eyes had a faint green glow.

No Gun glanced back at Sunbin and answered Gongsun Guk.

“Actually, our Bin is also a bit of a musician.”

No Gun shrugged and grinned.

“You saw it too, right? Even the artists of Yewon [a place of art] were completely captivated by Bin’s skills. He’s just too good, heh heh heh.”

Gongsun Guk’s expression twisted at the absurd answer. But No Gun had no intention of telling him at all.

That Sunbin had already broken the Demonic Sword, Hyulrang, and severed the karma of the Seon Geom and the Demonic Sword. That even Hyulma, although not in perfect condition, couldn’t withstand his sword.

“Keuk.”

Gongsun Guk let out a groan. But he had no intention of ending it here.

“Guardians of the Heavenly Trinity. Now…”

Gongsun Guk said, gritting his teeth. But the words couldn’t continue.

“That one person must die.”

Jeobeok.

Sunbin stepped forward and said.

“You must be referring to me, right?”

“Hyung [older brother]!”

“Oppa [older brother]!”

“Sun Gongja!”

“Sun Gongja!”

The group’s voices poured out towards Sunbin. The only ones who didn’t speak were Tang Wola, Geomhee, and No Gun.

“Bin-ah, you don’t need to step forward.”

No Gun said to Sunbin with a serious expression.

“You just stay in the back and play Baekro. Then we’ll subdue these things.”

Gongsun Guk’s expression changed. Because No Gun’s words were correct. Sunbin’s sword song was fatal to him and the three grotesque figures. Cheonsu Geom, Neung Cheonhwa, alone could not handle them.

“Elder’s words are correct. But why haven’t they retreated yet, even though they know that?”

Sunbin said quietly.

“It must be because they have another plan, right? For example, those three grotesque figures.”

Turning his head, Sunbin looked at the three grotesque figures. They were standing there, staring at nothing with their unfocused green eyes.

“Like self-destructing, for example.”

Sunbin could clearly see it. The extremely evil energy raging like a storm inside those three grotesque figures.

If they were to suddenly run wild and self-destruct, even a master like No Gun would suffer significant damage.

“Heh heh, should I call this impressive… I must apologize for underestimating you.”

Gongsun Guk said to Sunbin with a bitter smile. Of course, apologizing was just words.

“You’re right. So what are you going to do?”

“I will face them.”

Gongsun Guk’s eyes flashed.

“You alone? Those three?”

Sunbin nodded.

“Heh heh heh.”

Gongsun Guk laughed.

“Good. If you win, we will retreat as we are. But if you lose…”

“Are you crazy?”

Hwasa’s sharp voice popped out.

“Where are you going? I told you, let’s get beaten until we look like dust on a rainy day. You’re dead in my hands today.”

Hwasa said, grinding her teeth, but Gongsun Guk didn’t respond. He said to Sunbin.

“…If you lose, you will have to give up your life.”

“I will die someday.”

Sunbin said in a calm voice. No Gun and the others’ expressions hardened, but Sunbin’s voice continued.

“But not today.”

Relieved sighs were heard from behind. No Gun grumbled.

“Who wants to see someone’s heart pounding and dying early? You should say that from the beginning.”

“Then it wouldn’t be cool…”

Seorin tried to argue, but when No Gun glared at her, she quickly turned her head. Gongsun Guk frowned at the absurd atmosphere. But soon, he gave Sunbin a bitter sneer.

“You’re very arrogant for a young man. Good! I will see with my own eyes if you are qualified to say such things.”

He was still speaking as if he was ignoring Sunbin. But Gongsun Guk didn’t dare to act rashly in front of Sunbin. Because the shock that Baekro’s sword song had brought him earlier was deeply engraved in his mind.

Seuk.

Gongsun Guk stepped back. Cheonsu Geom, Neung Cheonhwa, who was still silent, stepped forward as if to protect him.

No Gun also reluctantly stepped back behind Sunbin. Now Sunbin and the three grotesque figures stood facing each other at a slight distance.

“Guardians of the Heavenly Trinity…”

Gongsun Guk said, shining with green eyes.

“Follow the Imperial Order.”

Hooo Wook.

The three grotesque figures’ eyes shone and came to life.

“Kuaaak.”

“Kaaaaaa.”

They opened their mouths wide and howled. Unlike before, they didn’t hide their beast-like appearances.

Crimson blood flowed between their torn clothes, and the red energy surging all over their bodies was like living demons.

“I’m sorry.”

Sunbin’s words were completely unexpected to everyone. Sunbin looked at the three grotesque figures with a heavy heart and said.

“This is the only thing I can do for you.”

Seueuk.

Sunbin’s Baekro slowly rose towards the sky. Like a flag raised towards the sky, Baekro’s blade shone in the sunlight.

And an amazing thing happened.

Shwaaaaa.

It was like a breeze that happened to blow. But No Gun and the others could immediately tell.

‘This is!’

They had already experienced this phenomenon once.

The energy of nature that had gathered towards Sunbin before in Yewon, and recently when facing Hyulma.

The energy between heaven and earth was gathering towards Sunbin at this moment, towards his Hyeoncheon Daeganggyeol [Heavenly Energy Gathering].

“Bin-ah!”

No Gun shouted urgently. He was suddenly worried that he might fall into the same state as before again.

“Don’t worry.”

Sunbin said in a soft voice. Although he didn’t turn his head towards No Gun, No Gun could tell that Sunbin was smiling.

“I already told you, not today, didn’t I?”

No Gun gritted his teeth. Now he had no choice but to believe.

Shwaaaaa.

The wind that was gathering towards Sunbin continued in the meantime. The energy between heaven and earth was slowly but constantly rushing towards Sunbin.

It was naturally responding to Sunbin’s Hyeoncheon Daeganggyeol, which was shining like a star, and fulfilling Sunbin’s will.

“Kiaaaaaak!”

“Kyaaaaaaa.”

The three grotesque figures also seemed to instinctively understand this situation and screamed. But there was nothing they could do.

“A-Attack! Quickly! Quickly!”

Gongsun Guk shouted as if in despair. The three grotesque figures immediately threw themselves towards Sunbin.

“Kaa!”

The three grotesque figures, who had already given up even their human form, lunged at Sunbin with strangely bent arms and legs. Their swords, overflowing with crimson energy, struck towards Sunbin from three directions.

But before their swords could even reach Sunbin, Baekro was already scattering blue moonlight.

Hwaaaak.

In an instant, even the sun withdrew its light, and a blue full moon filled the world.

It was none other than Pawol Isik, Wolgwang Mancheon [Piercing Moon Style, Moonlight Over the World].