A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 353

353. Obedience and Allegiance

Everyone was looking at Son Bin.

Not only the high-ranking monks in disarrayed robes but also the young Palace Lord, Princess Potala, and even the Bright Kings were all focused solely on Son Bin’s words.

Meeting their gazes, Son Bin recalled what the Immovable Bright King had just said.

—Who would follow one who does not step forward but hides in the back?

It was a perfectly valid point, but there were many arguments against it. Conversely, he could provoke the opponent or point out procedural issues.

However, Son Bin did not do that. No, he couldn’t.

The sincerity reflected in the Immovable Bright King’s large eyes had already moved Son Bin’s heart.

Son Bin sighed softly. Then, he raised his head, looked directly at the Immovable Bright King, and said,

“I accept.”

The deliberately affected arrogant tone was no longer necessary.

As Son Bin spoke, a strange light flickered in the eyes of the high-ranking monks. Hwang Bang-ju hadn’t even begun to translate yet.

The Immovable Bright King remained composed, as if he had expected it. However, Son Bin’s words were not over yet.

“However, there is a condition.”

As he spoke, Son Bin turned to Hwang Bang-ju. The surprised Hwang Bang-ju was still unable to translate.

His trembling eyes seemed to ask what he was planning to do. Son Bin spoke in a gentle tone.

“It’s alright. Just convey what I say.”

Hwang Bang-ju swallowed hard and began to translate. The Immovable Bright King asked Son Bin in return.

“A condition?”

“That’s right.”

Son Bin nodded.

Looking directly into the Immovable Bright King’s eyes, Son Bin said,

“If I win this martial contest, you must obey me.”

‘Obedience’ is a word that clearly defines a superior-subordinate relationship. Therefore, it could be a very insulting remark to the Immovable Bright King.

However, upon hearing Son Bin’s words, the Immovable Bright King quietly nodded.

“If it does not go against the will of the master of Bodhicitta [Enlightenment Mind].”

The Immovable Bright King replied to Son Bin.

“I shall do so.”

His answer caused the high-ranking monks to be unable to hide their surprise. It was unprecedented for the Immovable Bright King to publicly declare that he would follow the will of someone other than the Palace Lord.

However, Son Bin was not yet satisfied.

“Regardless of what the high-ranking monks decide, it must be based solely on the outcome of this match.”

Son Bin continued in a firm voice.

“If I defeat you, even if those present do not acknowledge it, you will acknowledge me as the incarnation of Gandharva [a celestial musician in Buddhist cosmology] and obey me. Then I will accept this contest.”

Son Bin emphasized the words ‘acknowledge’ and ‘obey.’ Hwang Bang-ju, realizing the meaning, quickly translated Son Bin’s words.

A murmur arose among the high-ranking monks. The other Bright Kings also frowned.

The authority to acknowledge Son Bin as the incarnation of Gandharva lies with the high-ranking monks of the Four Great Sects.

However, if the Immovable Bright King had already acknowledged it, and even did so regardless of the decision of the high-ranking monks, it was nothing short of directly pressuring the high-ranking monks.

In other words, it not only meant unconditionally acknowledging Son Bin but also, in some cases, completely disregarding the high-ranking monks.

However, Son Bin did not even turn his gaze. He was only looking at the Immovable Bright King.

The Immovable Bright King’s red eyebrows slowly furrowed. However, it was for a different reason than the other Bright Kings or high-ranking monks.

“A person of your caliber.”

He asked Son Bin.

“Why are you so obsessed with the position of Great Leader? Is the position of commanding the Potala army so important to you?”

Son Bin’s demand ultimately meant being acknowledged as the incarnation of Gandharva, and it was nothing more than a desire to secure the position of Great Leader at all costs.

The sight, which seemed like the greed of a petty person at first glance, was now confusing the Immovable Bright King. Could it be that the Immovable Bright King had misjudged Son Bin?

However, surprisingly, Son Bin readily admitted the Immovable Bright King’s words.

“That’s right.”

“Why?”

Looking directly at the Immovable Bright King, Son Bin replied. There was not a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

“To protect the people of this land from the threat of demons.”

A strange light flickered in the Immovable Bright King’s eyes. He stared at Son Bin with a stern expression. Son Bin did not avoid his intense gaze.

“…I see.”

Muttering those words, the Immovable Bright King closed his eyes. And when he opened them again, no more doubts remained in his eyes.

“I shall do so.”

Thud.

The Immovable Bright King’s voice shook everyone like an impact.

Not only the young Palace Lord but also Princess Potala and the other Bright Kings could not hide their surprised expressions. The Immovable Bright King’s heavy voice continued over them.

“If you defeat me, even if you are not acknowledged as the incarnation of Gandharva, the Five Great Bright Kings will obey you and uphold your will.”

The Immovable Bright King’s declaration was a step further than Son Bin’s request. He actively declared that ‘the Five Great Bright Kings will uphold Son Bin’s will.’

The Great Scholar, who had been quietly chanting, silently recited a mantra [a sacred utterance], and the high-ranking monks stared at the Immovable Bright King with horrified expressions.

The Southern Bright King and the Ragaraja Bright King, who had been silent, were also drawn in, but neither of them objected. Rather, the Ragaraja Bright King was looking at Son Bin with even more intriguing eyes.

“Thank you.”

“I also have a condition.”

Looking directly into Son Bin’s eyes, the Immovable Bright King said,

“If I win, you shall pledge allegiance to Potala.”

Upon hearing Hwang Bang-ju’s translation, Son Bin tilted his head.

“Not to the Buddhist Order, but to Potala?”

“That’s right.”

Son Bin’s question meant that he was seriously considering the Immovable Bright King’s condition. The Immovable Bright King nodded.

“You, of all people, should know the difference.”

Pledging allegiance to Potala meant becoming a member of the Potala Palace.

Not to Tibetan Buddhism, but only to the master of Bodhicitta, like the Immovable Bright King himself, who was utterly loyal.

After thinking for a moment, Son Bin made up his mind.

“I understand. I will do so.”

“Wait a minute.”

It was Hwang Bang-ju’s voice. He did not translate Son Bin’s words and gestured to the Immovable Bright King as if asking him to wait. Although Son Bin had already nodded.

“No, what are you trying to do? Didn’t you see the previous martial contest? What if something big happens….”

Hwang Bang-ju lowered his voice as much as possible, worried that the high-ranking monks might hear him, and spoke urgently. Son Bin smiled at his desperate words.

“It’s alright. I won’t die.”

Hwang Bang-ju opened his mouth wide. He couldn’t believe how carefree Son Bin sounded.

“No, I’m telling you, you’ll really die! They don’t abide by precepts like not taking life! The Bright Kings are truly wrathful deities!”

Hwang Bang-ju whispered desperately, wondering if Son Bin thought the Immovable Bright King wouldn’t kill him because he was a monk.

However, Son Bin only smiled. Hwang Bang-ju looked back at Old Gun with a frustrated heart.

“Aren’t you going to stop him?”

It was such a natural question for Hwang Bang-ju to ask. But Old Gun said nonchalantly.

“Well, if he wants to do it, he can do it.”

Hwang Bang-ju was dumbfounded. He had thought they were close, but it was almost as if they were enemies.

Not only Old Gun. Hwang Bang-ju looked back at Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah, but Sa Su-yeon only smiled awkwardly, and Dang Wol-ah didn’t even move.

‘No one is helping me.’

Even so, Son Bin was taking a life-threatening risk and moving forward with good intentions. Yet, this was the reaction he was getting. Didn’t Son Bin really deserve pity?

Meanwhile, Son Bin spoke to Seo-rin.

“Seo-rin, would you give me the sword?”

“Yes!”

Seo-rin replied happily and handed the White Dew, which he had been holding, to Son Bin with both hands respectfully.

In fact, this was also originally intended to appear arrogant. Hwang Bang-ju had come up with the idea that having a handsome boy like Seo-rin carry a sword would make him look more impressive, but he hadn’t really planned to receive the White Dew.

However, Seo-rin smiled happily as he handed over the White Dew, perhaps reminded of his memories with the Yellow Crane Hermit.

“Thank you.”

Son Bin accepted the White Dew. As always, a subtle warmth was transmitted through the handle of the White Dew.

“Ah, right. The coat.”

Now that he thought about it, he was wearing a grand coat. Son Bin took off his coat and handed it to Seo-rin. Seo-rin readily accepted the large coat.

“Then, I’ll be off.”

Son Bin, now in a much lighter outfit, greeted Old Gun and his companions with the White Dew in hand.

“I’m telling you, you might not come back!”

Hwang Bang-ju, still unable to give up, made a pitiful, but very small, objection.

Regardless, Old Gun nodded to Son Bin with a nonchalant attitude. Dang Wol-ah also bowed her head slightly, and Seo-rin and Sa Su-yeon smiled and saw Son Bin off.

Step.

Son Bin walked to the center of the plaza with the White Dew in hand. The Immovable Bright King, who had been guarding the young Palace Lord, also stepped forward with his massive sword.

Step, step.

The two were now walking side by side. However, soon they would have to exchange swords, betting their respective sincerity.

The Sword Demoness was still standing in the same spot. Son Bin bowed lightly to the Sword Demoness.

“Thank you, Sword Demoness.”

The Sword Demoness nodded almost imperceptibly. Then, she glanced at the Immovable Bright King.

In that moment, Son Bin could see a hint of regret flashing in her eyes. Perhaps the Sword Demoness had also been looking forward to a match with the Immovable Bright King.

Tap.

The Sword Demoness flew straight up into the air. And in the next moment, she was landing next to Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah.

The gazes of the high-ranking monks poured over her, and the Ragaraja Bright King glared at her with sharp eyes, but the Sword Demoness didn’t even care.

Hwang Bang-ju, who hadn’t expected her to come to the side, was startled and cautiously watched the Sword Demoness.

Step.

Son Bin turned his head at the sound of the Immovable Bright King’s footsteps. The Immovable Bright King was standing in front of Son Bin.

A massive physique reminiscent of Saja Hyuk, and the dark brown, solid muscles revealed between the red robes.

The upward-pointing red eyebrows and the unusually intense eyes were intimidating just to look at.

‘Still.’

Son Bin thought. Still, it couldn’t compare to facing Saja Hyuk.

Clang.

The Immovable Bright King drew the sword he was holding. A thick greatsword, engraved with patterns unique to Tibetan Buddhism, revealed its form.

Whoosh.

The Immovable Bright King threw the large scabbard and said in a low voice.

“This sword is the Vajra Dragon King Sword.”

Son Bin’s eyes sparkled upon hearing Hwang Bang-ju’s translation. The name ‘Dragon King’ probably described the characteristics of this sword.

He was wondering what it could be when a red aura flickered from the Immovable Bright King’s greatsword.

And in the next moment, an intense force like flames completely covered the sword.

Swish.

It was like a real flame, licking with a red tongue and wrapping around the sword. However, it was the Immovable Bright King’s inner power manifested through the sword, that is, sword energy.

“The flames of the Dragon King Krikala burn away all evil and demons. This is my Vajra Dragon King Sword.”

The Immovable Bright King’s voice was filled with unwavering confidence.

Son Bin thought that his sword energy was indeed like the flames spewed by a Dragon King. He could feel the heat even though he was quite a distance away.

‘I should do it too, right?’

Like the Eastern Bright King’s Vajra Flail Sword earlier, the Bright Kings seemed to prefer a very fair martial contest. So, Son Bin had to introduce his sword, White Dew.

Clang.

With a light sound, the White Dew revealed its form. And Son Bin noticed a strange light passing through the Immovable Bright King’s eyes.

It wasn’t just the Immovable Bright King. The blade of the shining divine sword White Dew was so beautiful that it instantly captivated everyone’s attention. Even the high-ranking monks, who didn’t know much about swords, let out quiet exclamations.

“This sword is White Dew.”

Son Bin said with a smile. He had never imagined that he would be so proud to say the name of his sword.

“As you can see, it is very beautiful and a very proud sword.”

The beauty of the White Dew was never inferior, even in front of the Vajra Dragon King Sword with its flickering red flames.

No, rather, the two different swords contrasted sharply, leaving an even more intense impression.

“It’s like a beautiful and haughty young lady, you could say?”

Son Bin noticed that the voice of Hwang Bang-ju, who was translating his words, was a little hesitant.

In fact, Son Bin himself felt a little embarrassed. But what could he do? To Son Bin, the White Dew was truly like that, without a single lie.

“I see. Then now.”

The Immovable Bright King, for his part, affirmed Son Bin’s words in a heavy and short voice. He held his large sword, the Vajra Dragon King, in one hand and pointed it straight at Son Bin.

“Let us begin.”

Whooooosh.

At the same time as his words, a huge heat covered Son Bin. It was the force of the Immovable Bright King and the Vajra Dragon King Sword.

In that fierce force that seemed to swallow Son Bin at any moment, Son Bin held the White Dew with both hands and calmly composed his breathing.

And in the next moment, the flow that filled the world revealed its form before Son Bin’s eyes.

Thud.

The earth vibrated under the Immovable Bright King’s feet. With that, the Immovable Bright King’s body rushed towards Son Bin with tremendous speed.

A powerful charge that seemed to smash anything just by colliding with it. But Son Bin was seeing something even greater than that now.

‘Indeed.’

A huge force was erupting from the Immovable Bright King’s entire body.

Not only that, but his Vajra Dragon King Sword, spewing streaks of red sword energy like flames, seemed ready to cut the opponent in half no matter which direction they dodged.

Dodging was simply handing over one’s life to the opponent, and blocking was an even more foolish choice. Even if one managed to block it, they would not be able to withstand the tremendous force and would be shattered in an instant.

‘But with that level of force.’

It was then that a sudden, unexpected thought came to mind. A thought that was too incongruous for such a moment. But making a decision was not difficult.

Scribble.

Son Bin took a step forward. And he lightly slashed the divine sword White Dew from top to bottom, diagonally.

Swish.

The White Dew, carrying Son Bin’s Mysterious Heaven Great River Art, which contained no oppressive force but was as radiant as starlight, cut through the air.

The Immovable Bright King’s red eyebrows twitched slightly.

Son Bin’s single sword seemed like a meaningless action at first glance.

However, the Immovable Bright King could not ignore that movement. No, rather, he was absolutely certain that he had to avoid the space where the White Dew’s trajectory had passed.

Crack.

The stone floor shattered with a sound under the Immovable Bright King’s feet. With that, the Immovable Bright King’s path changed very slightly.

However, almost nothing had changed. The Immovable Bright King’s force and the Vajra Dragon King Sword’s sword energy were still the same.

Crack, crack, crack.

The Vajra Dragon King Sword, spewing streaks of flame-like sword energy, charged straight towards Son Bin.

Towards Son Bin, who had lowered the tip of the White Dew to the ground and was not even looking at the Immovable Bright King.

Nothing had changed from before. Only the direction had changed slightly.

However, when Son Bin raised his head towards the Immovable Bright King, and the divine sword White Dew, raised with one hand, faced the Vajra Dragon King Sword head-on, everything changed in an instant.

Ching.

The tips of the Vajra Dragon King Sword, filled with tremendous force, and the White Dew met.

It was a clash of two swords, but there was no impact or explosion. All that was heard was a small bell-like resonance.

But at that moment, Son Bin disappeared from before the Immovable Bright King’s eyes. As if nothing had been there from the beginning.

‘This is!’

The Immovable Bright King’s eyes widened. But now was not the time to think. The Immovable Bright King raised his inner power and stomped his foot hard.

“Haa!”

Kwaang.

The stone floor, unable to withstand the impact, broke apart with a roar under the Immovable Bright King’s feet, and pieces of stone scattered in all directions.

However, with that single stomp, the Immovable Bright King corrected his distorted senses and the distorted trajectory of the Vajra Dragon King Sword.

Confirming that his two feet were firmly rooted in the earth and that the Vajra Dragon King Sword was in his hand, the Immovable Bright King raised his head.

Swish.

Son Bin was still in the same spot. He was holding the divine sword White Dew horizontally with one hand and lightly placing the other hand behind his waist.

But the moment he discovered that figure, the Immovable Bright King couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

Son Bin’s back, which had not been visible until a moment ago.

The meaning was clear. Son Bin had blown away the Immovable Bright King in an instant, with a single sword.

Step.

Son Bin slowly lowered the White Dew and turned his body. And the moment he met Son Bin’s clear eyes, the Immovable Bright King felt a thrill run through his entire body.

“Finally.”

The Immovable Bright King said in a low voice. His voice, which was always low and heavy, was trembling slightly. But what he was feeling now was neither surprise nor fear.

“I have met you.”

It was the joy of a martial artist, boiling up from the depths of his heart and spreading throughout his body.

(Author’s words)

This text always adheres to the ratio of [Woman 1: Old Man 1: Child 1: Man 1]. Uh… maybe.