A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 364

364. Demon

The summit of Hwangto Mountain, where the ruins of the old palace lay shrouded in black mist, was eerily silent.

The five grotesque figures, cloaked in jet-black robes, stood motionless, their gazes fixed on the swirling mass of dark mist before them.

This mist, which had just swallowed the six intruders whole, was the Demonic Energy of the Abyss, a manifestation spewed forth by the Great Demon.

Swirl.

The Demonic Energy writhed as if alive. Though a dense black fog, nothing could be seen within its depths, and occasionally, a low moan echoed from within.

Groooan.

“They are putting up a futile resistance,” one of the grotesque figures spoke, its voice chilling. Unlike before, it spoke fluently in the language of Seojang [a fictional region or country].

The grotesque figure, its red eyes gleaming, continued, watching the swirling black Demonic Energy. “Relying on meager Daoist [referring to Taoism, a Chinese philosophy and religion] and martial arts skills, they dare try to resist?”

“But it is meaningless,” another grotesque figure echoed.

“Even if they possessed the divine power of the Five Great Bright Kings [Buddhist deities], they could not withstand this Demonic Energy of the Abyss. What more can be said of the ignorant martial artists of the Kangho Murim [a term for the martial arts world in wuxia fiction]?”

This black Demonic Energy was something that even the greatest masters could not withstand. Flowing from the Abyss, it was unlike anything in the world, and even those trained in orthodox Daoist or Buddhist martial arts would find themselves helpless against it.

“They will only struggle in vain and be crushed to death. At this rate, I doubt they can even transform into Demonic creatures, let alone a Demon.”

That was an excessive disparagement of their opponents. However, though there might be differences in degree, the other grotesque figures’ thoughts were not much different. Such was the absolute power of this Demonic Energy of the Abyss.

The grotesque figure standing at the center front, who had remained silent until now, slowly turned its head.

“What is the situation with the Potala monks who entered the valley?”

Another grotesque figure answered, “The Bright King’s ten thousand troops are steadily entering the valley. But that too is as we intended. Only when they have reached a point of no return will they realize they have stepped into the heart of a death trap.”

The ten thousand troops of the Seogun [likely a military unit or faction] were steadily trampling the Demonic creatures as they advanced. But that was merely a lure, a death trap designed for the annihilation of the Potala monks—indeed, for the annihilation of this entire land.

“The ten thousand troops of the Seogun will become food for the Demonic creatures in this valley today. The Bukgun [another military unit or faction], who will arrive later, will meet the same fate.”

The grotesque figure’s red eyes held a thin sneer. “After that, there will be no more enemies in this land to stop us.”

The ten thousand troops of the Potala monks guarding Lhasa [the capital of Tibet] could not subdue the Demonic creatures in the Dal’s Castle Valley.

Even if a general mobilization order was issued throughout Seojang, it would be futile. By then, the Demonic creatures’ forces would already outnumber the Potala monks.

And then there were the re-mutated green Demonic creatures, as well as the countless people of Seojang who had transformed into Demons.

However, the grotesque figure standing at the center front showed no reaction. It merely silently watched the black Demonic Energy before it.

Groaaan.

Once again, an eerie moan leaked out, perhaps like a sigh of despair echoing from the depths.

“What are you worried about?” another grotesque figure asked, its red eyes clearly showing reproach. “These guys can’t withstand the Demonic Energy of the Abyss…”

But the grotesque figure’s voice was cut short. At that moment, a sharp screech burst out from the black Demonic Energy.

Kiyaaaaang.

With a screech that rang in the ears, the black Demonic Energy explosively swelled up in an instant, resembling a huge black bubble rather than a mist.

The black Demonic Energy trembled briefly, resisting the force erupting from within. But even that resistance was fleeting.

Hung.

The Demonic Energy of the Abyss could no longer withstand the pressure and simply scattered, vanishing as futilely as a mist.

Piipiping. Shiiiik.

Before the grotesque figures could react, blades crackling with blue energy tore through the dissipating black mist, and iron pellets imbued with internal energy were fired.

It all happened in a single, blinding moment.

* * *

As soon as he realized that black mist was rushing in from all directions, No-gun shouted, “Everyone, get out of the way!”

But contrary to his shout, No-gun found himself throwing himself towards Son-bin. It was an almost instinctive movement to protect him.

‘Damn it!’

No-gun saw that the others—Seo-rin, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah—were reacting the same way.

Despite his shout to get out of the way, everyone was throwing themselves towards Son-bin. Even Geom-hee.

There was only one way. No-gun immediately shouted at Seo-rin, “Seo-rin-ah!”

“Haa!” Before No-gun’s shout could even finish, Seo-rin’s Hongjinmanri [likely a martial arts technique or weapon] was already scattering blue energy. But the black Demonic Energy rushing in from all directions was unlike anything they had faced before.

Shiiiik.

The black Demonic Energy merely twitched, but without retreating, it enveloped the group. Even the gray landscape was swallowed by darkness, and No-gun knew they were trapped in complete blackness.

“H-How do we deal with this?” Seo-rin asked No-gun, her expression troubled. Even though she was standing right next to him, her voice sounded faint. The black mist was even absorbing sound.

“I don’t think I can hold out for long!”

Uuuuuung.

Seo-rin’s Hongjinmanri was emitting an intense blue light, indicating she was pouring out as much internal energy as she could.

But the darkness surrounding them from all sides did not recede or disappear. Instead, it was slowly pressing in on the group.

It felt as if they were being swallowed alive by the mouth of a giant Demonic creature.

“Haaap!” No-gun brought down his So-ryeong [another martial arts technique or weapon] with great force. The So-ryeong, emitting blue energy, cleaved through the black Demonic Energy, but the Demonic Energy merely shook a little, without any real change.

No, there was a change.

Groooan.

A low groan, like a moan, flowed out. It was an eerie sound that even masters who had reached the realm of Outer Body [a high level of martial arts mastery] couldn’t help but get goosebumps from.

“Ugh.” No-gun frowned. Sa Su-yeon’s Myeong [another martial arts technique or weapon] or Dang Wol-ah’s So-wol [another martial arts technique or weapon] also couldn’t do anything about the black Demonic Energy. They only elicited the eerie groan two more times.

“We need to find a way to do something quickly…”

It was as No-gun was saying this, biting his lip, that Geom-hee spoke.

“Why?”

It was Geom-hee’s voice. When No-gun turned around, Geom-hee said with her usual expressionless face, “Son Gong-ja is here.”

It was an unexpected remark. Not only Seo-rin, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah, but even Son-bin turned to look at Geom-hee.

But Geom-hee continued with a nonchalant expression, “Everyone knew and avoided it, didn’t they?”

No-gun was the only one who didn’t realize it was a questioning expression.

No-gun frowned, wondering what this was all about, when suddenly a thought occurred to him.

“So you, just now, weren’t trying to protect Bin-ie, but just trying to avoid it?”

Geom-hee nodded slightly, as if it were obvious. Come to think of it, Geom-hee was sticking closer to Son-bin than anyone else, and she still hadn’t even drawn her Ice Sword.

It was as if she was sticking next to someone with an umbrella on a rainy day.

“Um, Geom-hee So-jeo [a term of address, likely meaning ‘Miss’], what does that…” Now even Son-bin was wondering and asked Geom-hee. Geom-hee looked straight into Son-bin’s eyes.

“It’s the same as then.”

“As then?” Son-bin’s question was natural. Geom-hee blinked once and said, “When you saved me in the Imperial Palace.”

“In the Imperial Palace?” “Saved you?” The first was No-gun’s voice, and the next was Sa Su-yeon’s. Geom-hee nodded.

And only then did Son-bin realize. Geom-hee was talking about the time she encountered Hwanma [a powerful demonic figure] in the Imperial Palace.

“This,” Geom-hee glanced at the black Demonic Energy rushing in from all directions and said, “It’s similar.”

Son-bin agreed. This eerie and sticky energy was definitely similar to the aura that Hwanma had emitted. In fact, it couldn’t even be compared in terms of scale or degree.

‘That’s right. Hwanma is also a member of the Demonic Sect…’

Hwanma himself claimed to be the Supreme Protector of the Demonic Sect. It was not strange that the ability he used was essentially similar to Demonic Energy.

“So,” Geom-hee said quietly, “I can cut it. Like then.”

Everyone’s eyes sparkled at those words. Son-bin nodded and slowly took out Baekro [a sword]. No, he was about to take it out.

“…Um, it’s a bit cramped here.”

Before he knew it, all five people were sticking close to Son-bin.

The direct cause was the rushing Demonic Energy, but after hearing that Geom-hee had avoided Son-bin, everyone had unknowingly moved closer to him.

It was like gathering under one umbrella, and when Son-bin tried to take out Baekro, the people sticking to him were in the way.

“Everyone, move aside a bit.” No-gun, who was saying that, also didn’t budge. He didn’t want to accidentally step aside and touch that unpleasant Demonic Energy.

Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah were the same. Geom-hee didn’t even pretend to listen. In the end, Seo-rin had to make a tearful face and move aside a little. At least his Hongjinmanri was pushing back the Demonic Energy.

Sreung.

The beautiful blade of Baekro revealed its form. At the same time, exclamations burst from everyone’s lips.

“Ooh.”

“…Pretty.”

“Wow.”

The blade of Baekro was shining faintly as if sprinkled with gold dust. It was really just a faint glimmer, but it seemed as if the darkness surrounded by black Demonic Energy was momentarily pushed back.

“Hmm, it’s so clear… Is it perhaps repelling the Demonic Energy?” No-gun, who was muttering, suddenly asked Son-bin, “Was it like this in the Imperial Palace too?”

It was clearly what Blood Demon had called ‘Afterimage’ [a special ability or phenomenon], the one that had briefly appeared in front of the Immovable Bright King [a Buddhist deity].

But it was the first time it had revealed itself so clearly. Moreover, it didn’t disappear quickly.

“Well? I don’t know if it was like that back then…” Son-bin turned his head and looked at Geom-hee. He hadn’t noticed it himself, but Geom-hee might have sensed the subtle change.

“I don’t know,” Geom-hee replied briefly. No-gun scratched his chin.

“Originally, the darker the darkness, the more radiant the light is…” No-gun muttered, as if he didn’t understand. It was the same for everyone, but everyone also had the same thought that ‘it would work’.

Son-bin slowly took a breath and held Baekro with both hands. The other five people stuck close behind him.

“Everyone, get ready,” No-gun said with a bitter smile. “It’s time for us to surprise those guys.”

It was a sentiment that perfectly represented everyone’s feelings. As the group put more strength into the hands holding their swords, Son-bin looked at the deep darkness in front of him and slowly raised Baekro.

Uuuuuung.

There was nothing to see, but Son-bin could clearly feel it.

Like an indiscriminate malice, an eerie and sticky aura was swirling around, and the clear flow that this thick Demonic Energy was creating.

Sabeok.

Into that abyss, Son-bin took a step and drew Baekro from top to bottom, resolutely and clearly, as if rejecting everything.

Hung.

It was only a single move that cut through the air, but the result was clear.

Kiyaaaaang.

A screech that seemed to deafen the ears filled the world. And in that one moment, the group could clearly see. Following the sword path that Son-bin had drawn, the world was regaining its original color.

“Seo-rin-ah!” Even without No-gun’s shout, Seo-rin’s Hongjinmanri had already finished preparing.

“Haaaaaa!” With Seo-rin’s shout, Hongjinmanri emitted a dazzling light. And Seo-rin swung Hongjinmanri greatly, as if to blow away all the world’s煩惱 [Sanskrit term for afflictions or troubles].

Kwagwagwag.

The black Demonic Energy, which had not moved at all until just now, explosively swelled up, unable to withstand the energy of Hongjinmanri.

It was a clearly different reaction from before, when it had rather pressed in on Seo-rin’s energy.

The black Demonic Energy, which had trembled briefly like a final struggle, scattered like mist in the next moment.

Hung.

Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, No-gun, and Geom-hee did not miss that brief moment when the black Demonic Energy disappeared.

Piipiping. Shiiiiik.

Sword energy tore through the air, and iron pellets flew in all directions. The black grotesque figures, who had not even anticipated their attack, had their necks cut off and holes pierced in their chests in an instant.

Thud.

The four grotesque figures collapsed on the spot as if crumbling, without even showing a counterattack, no, not even a reaction.

Ttak.

The grotesque figure standing at the center front also took a step back. The iron pellets that had flown towards him were blocked by his hand.

Sarak.

Six shadows descended in the center of the palace ruins. It was Son-bin and his group, who had been swallowed by the Demonic Energy of the Abyss just a moment ago.

Uuuuuung.

No-gun’s So-ryeong, Sa Su-yeon’s Myeong, Dang Wol-ah’s So-wol, and Geom-hee’s Ice Sword emitted sharp sword energy. Seo-rin’s Hongjinmanri was also rippling with blue light, clearly revealing its presence.

The Demonic Energy of the Abyss, which no one thought they could withstand, had been scattered by them.

“Amazing,” a grating voice, like the sound of metal, leaked from the grotesque figure’s mouth. The other four grotesque figures had their necks cut off and their chests pierced in an instant and collapsed, but he didn’t even turn his gaze.

His redly rippling eyes were focused on only one thing: the enchanting blade of Baekro that Son-bin was holding.

“Is that a Divine Sword? No, even if it is a Divine Sword, it shouldn’t be able to repel the Demonic Energy of the Abyss so easily.”

The faint light on Baekro seemed incomparably small and weak compared to the sword energy of the others, but it was certainly the cause that made the Demonic Energy of the Abyss scream.

“The owner of the young Bodhicitta [enlightenment-mind] at least had an excellent eye.” The grotesque figure looked straight at Son-bin and asked, “Who are you?”

Son-bin gave an awkward smile. “Well, I’ve been called so many names here and there that I don’t know what to answer anymore. But I can say this to you.”

Looking straight into the grotesque figure’s red eyes, Son-bin said, “I am your adversary.”

As if greatly surprised, the grotesque figure’s red eyes rippled violently, but only for a moment.

“Kekeke.”

A sneer flowed out. Son-bin felt a moment of doubt.

Until just now, the grotesque figure was clearly wary of Son-bin. There was no feeling of looking down on or underestimating him.

So why was he sneering so much at Son-bin’s declaration that he was his adversary?

“Keuheuheuh. You are my adversary…” He quietly repeated Son-bin’s words as if savoring them. Then he raised his head and looked at Son-bin.

“Yes, that may be so. How can I fathom the will of that being, the ruler of the Demonic Sky?”

Son-bin suddenly felt that the grotesque figure’s red eyes were looking not at him but at some distant place.

“Yes, my adversary,” the grotesque figure’s eyes turned back to Son-bin. “You are originally a foreigner in this land, so why do you interfere with our work?”

There was no emotion in that voice, which sounded like scraping metal—an extremely cold voice that felt neither anger nor hatred.

“What did the Potala Palace promise you? They revere you as the incarnation of Gandharva [a celestial musician in Hinduism and Buddhism] and raise you to the position of Great General, entrusting you with thirty thousand troops, so did you develop a sense of mission to save this world yourself? Or do you feel that saving and rescuing this land is your destiny?”

The grotesque figure continued with a still-cold gaze. “But that is only a fleeting illusion. Those who made you a hero and savior will eventually demand that you ascend to the position of God—a God who has died and disappeared, leaving only a name, whom they can worship and wish for as they please according to their ugly desires.”

The grotesque figure’s red eyes revealed emotion for the first time. He spoke with complete scorn and anger.

“No, you can’t even do that in this land, because somewhere, another reincarnation of you will appear again—a reincarnation that they want, completely unrelated to your will.”

The red eyes, which had been burning like fire, slowly erased their emotions.

Looking straight into those eyes, Son-bin opened his mouth. “It is human nature to try to help when you see an emergency. Calculating and pondering the aftermath is something you do after that.”

Son-bin’s eyes, looking at the grotesque figure, were calm. There was no hostility or anger there.

“So, there is originally no reason for a person to want to help another person.”

Son-bin smiled as he spoke. “Of course, that doesn’t mean that I am an absolute 善人 [good person] with no calculations at all. If Demonic creatures run rampant in this land, my precious people in distant places won’t be able to live in peace either.”

The grotesque figure’s red eyes turned straight to Son-bin, as if trying to confirm his true intentions.

Son-bin did not avoid the grotesque figure’s gaze. And after a while, a grating voice, like the sound of metal, flowed out.

“Foolish,” the grotesque figure said, looking straight at Son-bin. “Does that place not have the Demonic Sect?”

It wasn’t ridicule. Perhaps it was close to sincere advice. Son-bin sighed quietly.

“That’s right. So I want to follow you to the west as soon as possible, if possible. I need to close the Gate of the Abyss or whatever it is quickly so I don’t have to go through this trouble.”

Son-bin thought that the grotesque figure would get angry or furious, because it was clearly a provocation and a hostile declaration against the Heavenly Demon and the Demonic Sect.

But the grotesque figure was silent. And after a while, he said, “The one you call the Heavenly Demon is the ruler of the Demonic Sky and the king of the Desire Realm. All human煩惱 [Sanskrit term for afflictions or troubles] and ecstasy belong only to him.”

Seureuk.

The grotesque figure raised his hand and extended it to Son-bin. No-gun, who was watching from behind, flinched, but the grotesque figure did not show any other movement.

“Become his. Accept his supreme Dao [the Way or the Path]. Then all the pleasures of the world will be yours forever.”

Son-bin did not answer. Instead, No-gun’s grumbling voice popped out. “Why are there so many things coveting Bin-ie? Now all sorts of 잡것 [worthless things] are telling him to come.”

No-gun said as if he was amused. “But no. We can’t give our Bin-ie to just anyone. If you really want him, wait in line.”

Behind No-gun, who was pointing behind him with his thumb, were not only Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah, but also Seo-rin and Geom-hee.

“Of course, that’s after you survive.”

The grotesque figure, who had been looking at No-gun’s sneer, slowly shifted his gaze and looked at Son-bin. Son-bin had a slightly embarrassed expression, but he didn’t exactly deny it.

“…Is this your answer?”

Son-bin cleared his throat and said, raising Baekro, “I refuse.”

It was Son-bin’s own courtesy to the grotesque figure, and the grotesque figure accepted that answer.

“I see. Then…”

Seuk.

The grotesque figure withdrew the hand he had extended. In the next moment, his red eyes burned like flames.

“Eek, look at that!” At Seo-rin’s shout, No-gun turned his head and frowned without realizing it.

Huuuuuuung.

Black Demonic Energy was gathering over the fallen grotesque figures. In an instant, the Demonic Energy of the Abyss filled their chests and connected their severed necks and bodies.

And soon, the grotesque figures’ red eyes shone in the darkness.

“Damn it,” No-gun spat out a curse. “These guys, they were Demons.”

Seureureureuk.

The grotesque figures rose as if black shadows were rising. Clearly dead, they surrounded Son-bin and his group as if nothing had happened.

The grotesque figure—no, the Demon—said with eerie red eyes, “…Die here, all of you.”

It was an eerie voice, as if flowing out of the bottomless pit.

(Author’s words)

Q. The mob is strange. It doesn’t die even if I cut its neck?

A. Keep hitting it until it dies.