A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 451

451. Devil Gongsun Zhi

Gongsun Zhi’s crimson eyes instantly plunged Dang Hwa-ryun into terror. Considering Dang Hwa-ryun was a master of the later stages with the title ‘Snow Sword,’ and had even witnessed Maeng Ho Dang Baek-ho, one of the Heavenly Outlaws, up close, this was quite astonishing. It wasn’t the murderous intent or aura, but merely Gongsun Zhi’s gaze that filled Dang Hwa-ryun with fear.

Clench.

Dang Hwa-ryun gritted her teeth. However, the endless fear, like falling into an abyss, mercilessly engulfed her. The burning Grand Righteous Hall and the warriors of the Dang Clan’s White Tiger Squad disappeared from her sight. All that remained was Gongsun Zhi’s blood-red eyes. Just as her spirit was about to break before that terrifying horror.

“Sister.”

A small voice echoed in Dang Hwa-ryun’s ears. Simultaneously, a slender hand rested on Dang Hwa-ryun’s shoulder.

Whoosh.

As if a fog had lifted, the fear vanished. And she felt a refreshing energy, like a dawn breeze, enveloping her entire body.

‘Ah.’

Only then did Dang Hwa-ryun realize that the hand belonged to her beloved younger sister, Dang Wol-ah. She also realized that the voice that had awakened her was also Dang Wol-ah.

“Draw up your inner energy, Sister.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly.

“And recognize that as evil. That alone will help you withstand it to some extent.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Dang Hwa-ryun immediately roused her inner energy and began to circulate the Subduing Demon Art left by Maeng Ho. The Subduing Demon Art, which countered demonic energy, was also based on recognizing and confronting evil.

“Hoo.”

Dang Hwa-ryun quietly composed herself and activated the Subduing Demon Art. As her consciousness returned clearly, Dang Hwa-ryun noticed that Gongsun Zhi’s eyes no longer appeared blood-red. Furthermore, she noticed that the expressions of the Dang Clan’s White Tiger Squad warriors, who were looking at her, were somewhat bewildered. To them, Dang Hwa-ryun had merely frozen for a moment. However, the goosebumps all over Dang Hwa-ryun’s body and her clenched fist, which felt like it would shatter, told her that the fear she had faced was by no means an illusion.

“Impressive.”

Gongsun Zhi’s clear voice echoed. To the Dang Clan’s White Tiger Squad warriors, the voice was still alluring, but to Dang Hwa-ryun, it was nothing more than a grating and unpleasant noise that made her frown.

“I didn’t expect you to break free so quickly… And you.”

Rustle.

Dang Wol-ah stepped forward. Seeing Dang Wol-ah standing before her as if to protect her older sister, Dang Hwa-ryun, Gongsun Zhi spoke. Her eyes were filled with a charming smile as she spoke.

“How can you not waver even for a moment? Besides, you seem too familiar with it? Could it be that you… have mastered demonic arts?”

Gongsun Zhi herself knew better than anyone that this was impossible. But she couldn’t help but ask. It was because of the very complex and strange feeling emanating from Dang Wol-ah before her.

“I don’t know anything about demonic arts.”

Dang Wol-ah replied in her characteristic indifferent voice. Gongsun Zhi frowned and tilted her head.

“Really? Then why does such a… complex scent come from you?”

At those words, Dang Hwa-ryun frowned. But Gongsun Zhi’s words were by no means intended to insult Dang Wol-ah. Even Gongsun Zhi could only describe it as a ‘scent,’ some vague feeling was emanating from Dang Wol-ah. Something that was greatly missed and desperately desired, yet at the same time, intensely loathed. Because of this, Dan Sim-hwa [Dan Sim-hwa is Gongsun Zhi’s full name] Gongsun Zhi was confused about how to judge Dang Wol-ah.

“I don’t know either.”

Dang Wol-ah replied quietly. She wondered if it was because of what she had experienced in the Western Regions, but the only answer Dang Wol-ah could give was one.

“But if there is something in me, it’s all from Young Master Son.”

She didn’t know how it happened. But the cause was clear. From the devils of Seojang to the demon gods of Cheonchuk, and even to the Gate of Hell she encountered at the end of the world, she had experienced all those things with Son Bin. Therefore, Dang Wol-ah’s answer was the clearest and most certain truth for her.

“Ahahaha.”

But not for Gongsun Zhi.

“Is that also thanks to that man, Young Master Son? You live a very comfortable life. Do you like clinging to men like that? No matter how great a man is, I…”

Gongsun Zhi said, twisting her body as if flirting.

“I wouldn’t be satisfied unless I made him kneel at my feet.”

“That’s.”

Dang Wol-ah replied.

“Because that’s the only way you know how to see the world.”

“Is that so?”

Gongsun Zhi didn’t back down either.

“Or is it just because you’re an innocent girl who doesn’t know the world?”

In her eyes, Dang Wol-ah was just a foolish young lady who couldn’t even distinguish between admiration and affection.

“…Me?”

But Gongsun Zhi’s words failed to be a scathing retort. Gongsun Zhi could clearly see Dang Wol-ah smirking faintly behind her veil.

“You know nothing.”

Dang Wol-ah said in a quiet voice.

“What pain is, what anger and sorrow are, and what despair is.”

The light of the burning Grand Righteous Hall flickered on Dang Wol-ah’s veil. Dang Wol-ah’s voice continued.

“And what meaning the miraculous hope that finally came, that warm light and warmth, has for me…”

A resolute will that even the flames of the Grand Righteous Hall could not touch was emanating from Dang Wol-ah.

“You know nothing.”

Whoosh. Flames soared, and silence descended. The overwhelming something contained in her words was enveloping everyone at this moment.

“Hmph.”

Gongsun Zhi scoffed at Dang Wol-ah’s words.

“It seems like I can’t communicate with you. It doesn’t seem fun anymore. So…”

Swish.

Gongsun Zhi said, raising her white hand.

“Now, just die.”

Whoosh.

A chilling aura tore through the air. Something that had taken the life of the Dang Clan’s White Tiger Squad warrior earlier was rushing towards Dang Wol-ah.

Tap.

However, Dang Wol-ah kicked off the ground and lunged towards Gongsun Zhi instead.

“Ha, crazy…”

Gongsun Zhi laughed mockingly. But before she could finish her words, Gongsun Zhi had to watch her attack futilely tear through the air.

Shred.

Part of Dang Wol-ah’s fluttering clothes shattered like dry leaves. But only the clothes were shattered. Dang Wol-ah, twisting her body in mid-air, evaded Gongsun Zhi’s attack by a paper-thin margin.

Swish.

Dang Wol-ah charged towards Gongsun Zhi like a spinning arrow. Gongsun Zhi frowned and tried to aim at Dang Wol-ah again, but Dang Wol-ah’s sword was already flying towards Gongsun Zhi’s eyes.

“Tch!”

Gongsun Zhi clicked her tongue and immediately reached out with her other hand. Dang Wol-ah’s sword, So-wol [So-wol is Dang Wol-ah’s sword name], which scattered a chilling energy, and Gongsun Zhi’s blackened hand clashed in the air.

Clang.

A sharp metallic sound erupted. Gongsun Zhi’s demonic hand had stopped Dang Wol-ah’s So-wol, which was covered in sword energy.

Creak, creak, creak.

So-wol and the demonic hand stood firmly against each other, not giving an inch. Dan Sim-hwa Gongsun Zhi was blocking Dang Wol-ah’s inner energy, which even the Heavenly Crown System of the Kunlun Three Immortals couldn’t handle.

“Was that called Poisonous Energy Art earlier?”

Gongsun Zhi smiled as she looked at Dang Wol-ah behind the veil, visible beyond her black hand.

“You’re not the only one who can do that, you know? And…”

Swish.

Gongsun Zhi’s hand, which had initially aimed at Dang Wol-ah, moved. Gongsun Zhi’s hand, raised naturally, was aimed precisely at Dang Wol-ah’s chest.

“This is the end for you too.”

Whoosh.

Gongsun Zhi’s hand unleashed a chilling aura. But Dang Wol-ah was already soaring into the air.

Swoosh.

Dang Wol-ah’s flexible body drew a large circle in the air. The aura unleashed by Gongsun Zhi’s hand futilely tore through the air, and Dang Wol-ah soared upside down in front of Gongsun Zhi, passing over her head. And at that very moment.

Slice.

Dang Wol-ah’s short sword slashed Gongsun Zhi’s shoulder. Dang Wol-ah, floating in the air, deeply cut Gongsun Zhi’s left shoulder.

Thud.

Dang Wol-ah landed behind Gongsun Zhi. And immediately, twisting her body, she strongly slashed So-wol sideways.

Bang.

A tremendous impact erupted with an explosion. Gongsun Zhi, who had already turned her body, stretched out her demonic hand towards Dang Wol-ah, and Dang Wol-ah’s So-wol struck it away. Dang Wol-ah lightly flew away instead of resisting the impact.

Whoosh, thud.

As Dang Wol-ah landed, creating distance, Gongsun Zhi’s voice flowed out.

“Haa. Really…”

Gongsun Zhi was holding her shoulder with one hand. It was an injury that would lead to death for others, and even masters of external affairs would not be able to avoid losing an arm, but Gongsun Zhi was merely frowning with an unpleasant expression.

“I never imagined I’d show such a sight here.”

Squish, squish. Something black oozed out of Gongsun Zhi’s deeply cut shoulder. It looked like a sticky liquid and slowly began to cover Gongsun Zhi’s wound.

‘Ugh.’

Dang Hwa-ryun and the White Tiger Squad warriors, who were watching, shuddered with instinctive disgust and fear. That black something was definitely not blood.

Whoosh.

The black substance that had covered Gongsun Zhi’s wound soon flickered like smoke and scattered away. And Gongsun Zhi’s exposed shoulder was perfectly fine without a single wound, as if nothing had happened. If her clothes hadn’t been torn, one would have thought the earlier wound was an illusion.

“You.”

Gongsun Zhi said, glaring at Dang Wol-ah.

“How did you notice my Void Strike? No matter how keen your senses are, you shouldn’t be able to sense it in advance. You, too, have mastered demonic arts…”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

Dang Wol-ah replied quietly.

“But I know when and where you’re going to aim. So, I can avoid it.”

That was something Gongsun Zhi couldn’t believe. How could she know it in advance when there was no preliminary movement, not even the process of raising inner energy? Dang Wol-ah’s calm voice continued to Gongsun Zhi, who was frowning.

“Old Man No-gun said. What’s the point of gaining power if the essence remains the same? You…”

Dang Wol-ah said, looking straight at Gongsun Zhi.

“Are clumsy.”

At that moment, Gongsun Zhi’s eyes turned fierce.

“I’m clumsy?”

Dan Sim-hwa Gongsun Zhi had gained power. It was an absolute power that even masters of external affairs looked down upon. But she was still Gongsun Zhi. Although she was one of the Five Yellow Mountains, her skills were not even those of a master of the later stages. Her pride was endlessly high, but in reality, she was just a woman who had nothing but the name of the Gongsun Clan. So Gongsun Zhi did not acknowledge Dang Wol-ah’s words. No, she could never acknowledge them.

“You…”

Swish.

Dan Sim-hwa Gongsun Zhi smiled seductively. But her eyes were pouring out a blue venom.

“Can you still say that while dying by my hand?”

Whoosh.

Gongsun Zhi’s figure disappeared in an instant. It wasn’t because she moved so fast that she couldn’t be seen.

‘Ah!’

Dang Hwa-ryun unknowingly swallowed a dry breath. Gongsun Zhi, who had disappeared in an instant, appeared behind Dang Wol-ah without any sign. The moment Gongsun Zhi’s black demonic hand lunged towards the defenseless Dang Wol-ah.

Clang.

Dang Wol-ah’s So-wol, which had been scattering energy, was already blocking her path.

“Clumsy.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly. Gongsun Zhi’s strange movements were by no means unfamiliar to Dang Wol-ah.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

Swoosh. Iron pellets surged from all directions towards Gongsun Zhi with a sharp aura. Dang Wol-ah had already floated iron pellets around her.

“Hmph!”

But Gongsun Zhi snorted.

“So I told you too.”

Gongsun Zhi flew backward and stretched out her demonic hands in all directions. Boom. An explosion erupted, and a storm-like wind swept through the place where Gongsun Zhi had been. But Gongsun Zhi was not there.

“You will die by my hand today.”

Gongsun Zhi said, whispering in Dang Wol-ah’s ear. Gongsun Zhi, who had already appeared behind Dang Wol-ah, was raising her black hand. Dang Wol-ah immediately twisted her body.

Clang, boom.

Sword lights flashed, and metallic sounds and explosions erupted without ceasing. The warriors of the Dang Clan, who were watching, had to retreat to avoid being caught up in the tremendous battle unfolding before their eyes. Dang Hwa-ryun also retreated to avoid hindering her younger sister, Dang Wol-ah. Her expression was still dignified, but in fact, her heart was burning.

‘…Wol-ah.’

At first glance, the battle seemed to be evenly matched. But looking at the details, it was slightly different. Gongsun Zhi was using her overwhelming power and strange abilities, while Dang Wol-ah was dealing with her with skillful responses and surprising tactics. Perhaps this was not unrelated to the fact that Dang Wol-ah had arrived at the Dang Clan unexpectedly early. Although it was not depleted, Dang Wol-ah had already consumed a tremendous amount of inner energy.

Thud.

Gongsun Zhi and Dang Wol-ah, who had been continuing their clash, created distance. As if to show the fierce battle, Gongsun Zhi’s clothes were so disheveled that the shoulder area that had been cut earlier was almost exposed.

“For someone who said I was clumsy.”

Gongsun Zhi said with a smile, slightly pulling up the fabric of her shoulder.

“You’re not that great either?”

Whoosh.

So-wol, shining in Dang Wol-ah’s hand, was still scattering its energy. But her veil and clothes were torn and crumbled here and there.

“…Indeed.”

Dang Wol-ah, who had been silent for a moment, opened her mouth quietly.

“Is it only Young Master Son who can do it?”

Gongsun Zhi frowned violently. That remark from Dang Wol-ah was too unexpected and sounded like she was ignoring her.

“Haha.”

Gongsun Zhi said, letting out a hollow laugh.

“You’re really amazing in some ways. Yes, Young Master Son…”

Gongsun Zhi, who seemed to be thinking about something, raised her head.

“Good.”

Gongsun Zhi said, staring straight at Dang Wol-ah.

“I will definitely make that man, Young Master Son, crawl like a dog at my feet. Just for you.”

Gongsun Zhi expected Dang Wol-ah’s reaction. What reaction would Dang Wol-ah show when such a precious target was insulted? At least she would grind her teeth and scatter venom. Or she might recklessly rush towards Gongsun Zhi like a madwoman.

‘That would be good, but.’

In fact, Gongsun Zhi’s situation was not very good either. The power of demonic arts does not work properly on Dang Wol-ah. Her Bewitching Confusion Art, which pollutes the mind and makes fear and lust boil, is not working, and she is strangely familiar with dealing with the strange abilities of demonic arts. Perhaps that is not unrelated to the complex feeling that is still emanating from Dang Wol-ah.

“How is it? Don’t you like it?”

Gongsun Zhi provoked Dang Wol-ah again. Gongsun Zhi didn’t want to drag out this unpleasant fight for long. But Dang Wol-ah showed no reaction. Eventually, Gongsun Zhi frowned.

“Why aren’t you angry? You keep saying Young Master Son, Young Master Son, but is that all you’ve got?”

“You.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly.

“Do you get genuinely angry at a dog barking at the moon?”

“What?”

That was a completely incomprehensible remark. But it didn’t take long for Gongsun Zhi to realize what it meant.

Grind.

Gongsun Zhi gritted her teeth. So now Dang Wol-ah was comparing Gongsun Zhi to a foolish and insignificant beast barking at a target she could not dare to reach.

“You…”

It was then that Gongsun Zhi was about to say something, grinding her teeth.

—Haaaaaa.

A cry echoed in all directions. The sound, which tore through the night sky and echoed, was ringing throughout the Dang Clan like the roar of a lion.

‘This is, Lion’s Roar?’

Gongsun Zhi and Dang Hwa-ryun, as well as the warriors of the Dang Clan, were all flustered. Anyone who could unleash such a cry was clearly a master with tremendous inner energy.

‘Tch.’

Gongsun Zhi frowned. She doesn’t know who the protagonist of this cry is. But she clearly saw Dang Wol-ah’s reaction. The smile that appeared on Dang Wol-ah’s lips at that moment was clearly one of relief and joy. Someone had come to help Dang Wol-ah.

“I can’t help it.”

Gongsun Zhi’s decision was quick.

“I’ll just retreat today. But remember.”

Black energy, like fog, was rising from Dan Sim-hwa Gongsun Zhi’s entire body.

“I will definitely kill you and make that man kneel at my feet.”

Suddenly, Gongsun Zhi smiled brightly.

“See you again.”

Tap.

Before those words could even finish, Gongsun Zhi leaped away. It was the very moment when her figure was about to disappear beyond the burning Grand Righteous Hall.

Swoosh.

A sword tore through the wind and charged towards Gongsun Zhi. But Gongsun Zhi snorted and turned her body to stretch out her demonic hand.

“Hmph!”

Clang.

As expected? Gongsun Zhi’s demonic hand simply knocked away the flying sword. But at that moment, Gongsun Zhi’s hand immediately began to freeze.

Crack.

‘Ugh.’

The cold air quickly climbed up Gongsun Zhi’s hand. But if she tried to respond to the cold air here, she would be caught by the opponent’s intention.

Swish.

Gongsun Zhi’s figure disappeared as it was. She hid in the darkness, clutching her freezing arm. Meanwhile, in front of the burning Grand Righteous Hall, a woman was descending from the air, fluttering her long hair and clothes.

Swish.

The sword that had flown towards Gongsun Zhi was already in the woman’s hand.

Thud.

Dang Wol-ah quietly said to her as she lightly landed on the ground.

“Soo-yeon unni [Unni means older sister in Korean].”

She was none other than Sa Soo-yeon. Sa Soo-yeon, who was so beautiful that the warriors’ eyes widened, sheathed her sword, Myeong [Myeong is Sa Soo-yeon’s sword name]. And she turned her head towards Dang Wol-ah.

Swish.

“It’s a relief. That I wasn’t late.”

Sa Soo-yeon smiled. It was a bright and beautiful smile that seemed to brighten the surroundings.

(Author’s words)

An older sister chasing away a bad girl who is bullying her younger sister.