A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 430

430. The Mastermind

The master of Ilsim Martial Arts Center, Mu Il-sim, was observing the trainees. He stood on a raised platform, specially built for him, wearing a long coat with his hands clasped behind his back. His sharp eyes scanned the trainees. To an outsider, he might have seemed like a strict but caring teacher, but this was Mu Il-sim’s cherished time to bask in his influence, a moment he never missed.

“Haa!”

Thud.

The spirited shouts of the forty-odd men echoed through the martial arts center.

“Hmm.”

Mu Il-sim stroked his long beard and frowned. He feigned dissatisfaction, but the chief administrator, a long-time servant, recognized the glint of joy in the master’s eyes.

“Your shouts are too weak!”

Master Mu Il-sim suddenly roared.

“How can you call yourselves members of Ilsim Martial Arts Center with such feeble shouts? What have the instructors been doing? Have they not been teaching you properly!”

The instructors’ expressions tightened. Reprimanding them in front of the trainees might boost the master’s authority, but it would undermine their credibility. Consequently, instead of fostering discipline, the trainees would disrespect the instructors and only pay attention to the master’s mood. That was why instructors rarely stayed long at this martial arts center. But Master Mu Il-sim didn’t particularly care. He believed that the success of Ilsim Martial Arts Center was solely due to his own abilities. He sincerely thought others were merely clinging to him.

“Taa!”

A loud shout, seemingly amplified by the instructors’ discomfort, shook the training hall. Master Mu Il-sim was satisfied with the increased volume, but he maintained his frown. He believed that any sign of leniency would cause his subordinates to slack off. As the loud shouts continued, Master Mu Il-sim felt pleased. Just as he was about to speak in a more relaxed tone,

Thwack.

A loud crash came from outside. Mu Il-sim, who always kept the main gate wide open for show, turned his head. The trainees and instructors also paused their training and looked towards the sound.

Whoosh.

‘Huh.’

Something large flew directly towards Master Mu Il-sim. Before he could identify it, Mu Il-sim instinctively ducked.

Clang.

The object brushed past Mu Il-sim’s head and slammed into the pillar behind him, shattering. Even as fragments rained down, Mu Il-sim couldn’t identify the projectile. But when he saw pieces of the shattered red letters ‘Ilsim’ [Ilsim means ‘one mind’ or ‘single-heartedness’ in Korean, often used to denote focus and dedication], he realized it was the signboard of Ilsim Martial Arts Center.

Grind.

Enraged, Mu Il-sim gritted his teeth and 벌떡 [baldeok – abruptly] stood up.

“Who is it! Who dares…….”

Before his roar, which echoed through the martial arts center, could finish, a calm voice drifted in from the main gate.

“It is I.”

The voice was clear and easily heard by everyone. An old man with white hair stood firmly in front of the main gate. The old man, with his white beard and eyebrows fluttering in the breeze, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Though a bit short, his presence exuded an aura that discouraged approach. But not to Master Mu Il-sim, who was already seething with anger.

“You! Who are you to commit such an outrageous act!”

“Are you the master here?”

The old man asked, seemingly uninterested in Mu Il-sim’s outburst. Master Mu Il-sim’s expression twisted. He glared at the old man, then raised his head arrogantly.

“Yes. I am Mu Il-sim, the master of Ilsim Martial Arts Center.”

Mu Il-sim sensed that the old man was no ordinary person. But his own backing was strong enough to make anyone back down, especially within the Murim [martial arts world]. Mu Il-sim was confident.

“Then who are you? How dare you break the signboard of Ilsim Martial Arts Center and still…….”

Before he could finish, the old man slowly moved his foot. It seemed like a simple step forward, but a heavy roar erupted from beneath his feet. Thud.

The floor sank, and the large stone slabs shattered as if they were mere tiles. Mu Il-sim gasped for air.

“Huff.”

“What does it matter what happens to a signboard?”

The old man said, emitting streaks of blue light from his eyes.

“This martial arts center is finished as of today anyway. You trash who tried to kidnap a young girl with cowardly tricks.”

Mu Il-sim’s expression froze at the old man’s words. He instinctively knew he had to escape immediately. He needed time to do that. Mu Il-sim shouted at the instructors and trainees.

“What are you doing! Subdue this outrageous man!”

The instructors and trainees, who had been stunned, snapped back to attention at the shout. They reflexively moved towards the old man, but another shock stopped them. Boom.

The floor shook again, and Mu Il-sim, trying to escape, staggered on the platform. The old man, looking directly at Mu Il-sim, said.

“Anyone willing to give their life for this trash?”

Swish.

The old man turned his head towards the instructors and trainees.

“Come forward. I will highly appreciate your loyalty and give you a special crushing.”

Crack.

As if to prove his point, the floor beneath the old man shattered further. The instructors and trainees swallowed hard. In Murim, the difference in power is absolute. Even if they all attacked together, they couldn’t defeat that old man. Moreover, Master Mu Il-sim had clearly tried to escape, showing he had no intention of holding his ground, let alone fighting alongside them. It was at that moment that a group of people hurried into the martial arts center from the main gate.

Pitter-patter.

“W, who are you!”

One of the instructors shouted reflexively. The newcomers were about twenty sturdy warriors, all with drawn swords. The instructors and trainees quickly recognized the Hukryun [Black Dragon] family crest emblazoned on their uniforms.

“H, Hukryun family?”

While the instructors and trainees panicked, another person entered Ilsim Martial Arts Center.

Swish, swish.

A young woman with an elegant aura entered, her coat embroidered with the Hukryun family crest fluttering behind her. The instructors and trainees, captivated by her appearance, failed to notice their master Mu Il-sim’s face turning blue.

Swish.

The woman, standing amidst the Hukryun family warriors, spoke with a confident look.

“This is a matter between Mu Il-sim and the Hukryun family.”

Her voice echoed clearly. Her resolute eyes and tone made it clear that this was not a friendly visit.

“So, those who consider themselves members of this martial arts center, leave immediately.”

Despite her firm declaration, the instructors and trainees hesitated. The young woman said with sharp eyes.

“If you don’t leave, I will take you to the Hukryun family with Mu Il-sim.”

“O, misunderstanding! I don’t know anything about this!”

Mu Il-sim shouted, inadvertently confessing his involvement. The trainees near the main gate exchanged glances and began to back away slowly. There were other martial arts centers. They had no intention of risking their lives for Master Mu Il-sim or being taken to the Hukryun family with him.

“L, let’s go.”

Once they started moving, the exodus was swift. The instructors also had no intention of sharing their master’s fate. The forty-odd sturdy men who had filled the martial arts center vanished without a trace.
The woman, Hukryun Se-hwa, confirmed that everyone had left and then looked at Master Mu Il-sim. Mu Il-sim flinched at her gaze, then forced a smile.

“H, haha. It seems the young lady of the Hukryun family has misunderstood something.”

Hukryun Se-hwa didn’t reply. Master Mu Il-sim 벌컥 [balkeok – abruptly, indignantly] got angry at the blatant disregard.

“H, how rude! Even if you are from the Hukryun family, do you think you can oppress us like this! If you do this, you will never be safe…….”

“Humph.”

The old man, No-gun, snorted and lightly kicked a piece of stone at his feet. Ping. The flying stone struck Mu Il-sim’s forehead, interrupting his rant.

“Cough.”

Thud. Mu Il-sim tumbled from the platform, but he didn’t die or lose consciousness. As he tried to get up, clutching his bleeding forehead, he heard Hukryun Se-hwa’s clear voice above him.

“Who is it?”

Mu Il-sim raised his head. Hukryun Se-hwa stood looking down with a cold gaze.

“W, what do you mean, who…….”

“The fact that Ilsim Martial Arts Center dared to plot against the Hukryun family means someone is backing you. Who are you relying on?”

“Heh.”

Master Mu Il-sim laughed, a definite sneer. Even with blood flowing from his forehead, he sneered at Hukryun Se-hwa.

“You’ll regret it if you hear it? Do you have the ability to handle it?”

Hukryun Se-hwa smiled coldly and drew her sword without a word.

Clang.

Mu Il-sim’s expression hardened. Hukryun Se-hwa looked down at Mu Il-sim and swung her sword. Swoosh. Mu Il-sim hurriedly shouted as the blade descended.

“N, Namgoong family!”

Thwack. Hukryun Se-hwa’s sword brushed past Mu Il-sim’s ear and stuck into the wooden floor. Mu Il-sim, who had tightly closed his eyes, trembled and opened them. Hukryun Se-hwa’s elegant face, still with a cold smile, looked like a grim reaper to him.

“Namgoong family’s, who are you talking about?”

Mu Il-sim swallowed hard.

“Say the name. Who in the Namgoong family said what?”

“N, Namgoong Il. The deputy head of the outer branch…….”

Hukryun Se-hwa smirked. The name she expected had been spoken.

“What exactly did he say?”

“H, he said that if I just made the move, he would take responsibility for the aftermath…….”

“Of course, you wouldn’t have any documents or tokens guaranteeing that, would you?”

Namgoong Il was one of the many deputy heads of the Namgoong family’s outer branch and a prominent pro-war figure. As expected of a member of the Namgoong family, he was cunning and would never leave behind evidence. As expected, Mu Il-sim shook his head. Hukryun Se-hwa bit her lip. While she was thinking, Mu Il-sim regained his composure and sneered again.

“Hehe, do you think you’ll be safe after this? The Namgoong family will never let this go. And no matter how powerful the Hukryun family is, you wouldn’t want to start a major conflict with the Namgoong family. In the end, you will kneel before me…….”

“That’s none of your business.”

Hukryun Se-hwa’s firm voice cut him off.

“When did you meet Namgoong Il? The date he promised to take responsibility for the aftermath.”

Mu Il-sim sneered. It was then that Hukryun Se-hwa confirmed he wouldn’t answer, sighed softly, and raised her hand.

“I, it was the fifteenth of last month!”

Hukryun Se-hwa turned her head. A middle-aged man with slightly gray hair was trembling as he spoke.

“The master met the person from the Namgoong family on the fifteenth of last month.”

“Who are you?”

At Hukryun Se-hwa’s question, the man hurriedly bowed his head and answered.

“I am the chief administrator of Ilsim Martial Arts Center.”

A slight gleam flashed in Hukryun Se-hwa’s eyes at the chief administrator’s words. Hukryun Se-hwa turned her head and looked down at Mu Il-sim.

“Amazing. To think there are still people loyal to you.”

Hukryun Se-hwa, speaking with a cold expression, turned to the Hukryun family warriors.

“Arrest this man and take him to the family. Search Ilsim Martial Arts Center and confiscate anything that could be evidence, but do not touch other people or property.”

The instruction to avoid harming anyone besides Mu Il-sim was clearly a generous gesture. The middle-aged chief administrator bowed deeply to Hukryun Se-hwa and sighed.

“Thank you. I know the affairs of the martial arts center well, so I will cooperate with the search.”

“C, chief administrator!”

Mu Il-sim shouted urgently, but the chief administrator continued.

“And please take me with the master. Although I don’t know much, I will testify to everything possible, so please have mercy on the master.”

The chief administrator’s words were unexpected. Surprise flashed across Hukryun Se-hwa’s face, but she nodded silently.

“I understand. I will personally convey your request to the elders of the family.”

Hukryun Se-hwa, while speaking, looked at the chief administrator with a bitter expression.

“It’s a pity. It would have been better if you had served a better master.”

With a bitter smile, the middle-aged chief administrator replied.

“It can’t be helped. I am also lacking in ability, and there are times in life when things cannot be helped by human power.”

Hukryun Se-hwa couldn’t say anything more. If she hadn’t met Son Bin, she would still be living as the daughter of a small martial arts center. There are aspects of life that are beyond human control, for better or worse.

Rustle.

Hukryun Se-hwa bowed her head slightly to show respect to the chief administrator. The family warriors immediately arrested Master Mu Il-sim and dragged him away. The remaining warriors began to search Ilsim Martial Arts Center with the chief administrator. Hukryun Se-hwa, watching the scene, turned.

Rustle.

Son Bin stood at the entrance of the martial arts center, accompanied by Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah, as well as Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon and Gwigeonsura [likely names of individuals or groups]. Hukryun Se-hwa walked towards them. Sa Su-yeon said with a smile.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Dang Wol-ah and Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon also bowed their heads. Hukryun Se-hwa smiled and replied.

“Thank you.”

No-gun had also approached. Hukryun Se-hwa expressed her gratitude to No-gun with a polite bow.

“Thank you, Elder.”

“What, it’s nothing.”

In reality, Hukryun Se-hwa and the warriors had rushed because No-gun had arrived first. But it was clear that No-gun had prevented unnecessary conflict. After sighing softly, Hukryun Se-hwa said.

“In the end, it was the Namgoong family. I expected it.”

It was obvious who was behind Ilsim Martial Arts Center. Such an act against the Hukryun family would be impossible without the Namgoong family’s backing.

No-gun, standing next to her, asked.

“What’s the reason? There must be a purpose for the Namgoong family to instigate your kidnapping, right?”

“The antagonism between the Namgoong family and the Hukryun family is deeply rooted.”

Hukryun Se-hwa replied softly.

“Many in both families haven’t forgotten the grudges of the past. Although Namgoong Il, the deputy head of the outer branch, is young, he belongs to that pro-war faction. If they use this incident…….”

“Humph. They could trigger a full-scale war between the two families, right?”

At those words, Son Bin recalled Namgoong Tak’s words on the Cheonchuk merchant ship. He had mentioned adults wanting a showdown with the Hukryun family for dominance in the Gangnam Murim [area of the martial arts world] now that the Namgoong family was gaining momentum.

“What are you going to do now?”

No-gun asked Hukryun Se-hwa. Hukryun Se-hwa bit her lip slightly.

“I don’t know. If the master denies everything, there will be no clear evidence or witnesses. To avoid a full-scale conflict, it might be better to pretend we don’t know the Namgoong family is the mastermind…….”

“We can’t do that.”

Son Bin’s voice cut off Hukryun Se-hwa’s words. Son Bin said quietly but firmly.

“Miss Se-hwa was almost in great danger. We can’t pretend we don’t know.”

Hukryun Se-hwa smiled softly.

“Thank you. But fortunately, nothing happened to me…….”

“That’s not true.”

Son Bin said with a calm gaze.

“Even if Miss Se-hwa can, I can’t. Besides, no one has apologized, and no one has taken responsibility. This is not right.”

With a stiff face, Son Bin continued.

“I will hold them accountable. No matter who the opponent is, I will never let it go, and I will never pretend nothing happened.”

His angry voice filled Hukryun Se-hwa with gratitude. But she didn’t want Son Bin to become hostile to the Namgoong family because of her. Besides, wouldn’t it be better to understand the situation in Yewon first?

“Young Master Son. I’m grateful for your words, but…….”

Swish.

Son Bin looked straight at Hukryun Se-hwa.

“From now on.”

Son Bin said with a faint smile.

“Leave it to me, Miss Se-hwa.”

At his soft and warm gaze, Hukryun Se-hwa was speechless. She didn’t know this was the second time Son Bin had said these words. Hukryun Se-hwa looked at Sa Su-yeon or Dang Wol-ah as if asking for help, but Sa Su-yeon nodded seriously. No-gun was already grinning.

Swish.

Son Bin raised his head and looked at Ilsim Martial Arts Center. The Hukryun family warriors were searching every corner. But Son Bin’s cold gaze lingered on the shattered signboard of Ilsim Martial Arts Center lying on the ground.

(Author’s words)

Once you turn it on, it’s 왕까지 [wangkkaji – all the way to the king, meaning going all out].