A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 111

111. Black Tiger Gate’s Assault

Step, step.

Son Bin walked without hesitation. As he rounded the corner, a group of menacing men came into view.

Clack, clack, clack.

Kang Il-cheon, who was ahead of Son Bin, suddenly stopped, halted by the scene unfolding before his eyes.

Grit.

Kang Il-cheon gritted his teeth and rushed towards the men, specifically targeting Jang Hwa-san, the leader of the Black Tiger Gate, standing in front. Jeong Yo-gu and the other disciples followed close behind.

“Move.”

Jeong Yo-gu said, tossing the word over his shoulder as he passed Son Bin. Expecting a sword fight, his voice was sharp.

However, Son Bin continued to walk without faltering.

Step, step.

“Wow, the new bride has come to greet the groom herself. I’m so touched. You’re even more beautiful in person?”

Jang Hwa-san, the self-proclaimed Herculean Overlord, said to Moryong Rin with open arms.

“But a bride should be a bit more reserved. It’s troubling if you’re too eager, haha.”

The men of the Black Tiger Gate began to chuckle.

“Why are you looking for your bride here?”
Moryong Rin said with a cold gaze. Even facing dozens of menacing men who seemed capable of intimidating anyone, she stood tall and dignified, without the slightest hint of discomposure.

“Go to the pigsty to find a bride suitable for a pig. This is a place to slaughter pigs, not raise them.”

“What was that?”

Jang Hwa-san’s eyebrows twitched. The men of the Black Tiger Gate also fell silent at once. Jang Hwa-san, who had been glaring at Moryong Rin, suddenly laughed loudly.

“Uwahahaha. My new bride certainly has a witty tongue. Of course, we have to catch the pig. Today is a joyous wedding day, after all. Hahaha.”

“Wahahaha.”

The men of the Black Tiger Gate, who had been tense, laughed along.
Moryong Rin bit her lip.

‘Today won’t end easily.’

The fact that they weren’t falling for her provocation meant they were aiming for something big. Above all, the sect leader Jang Hwa-san had come in person. It was clear that they had come today intending to settle things.

“Milady.”

Kang Il-cheon said in a low voice. Moryong Rin glanced back. All the disciples who had remained in the Moryong Clan were standing behind her.

It was appreciated, but the difference in numbers was so great that it seemed to darken the prospect of victory even further. The tense expressions of the Moryong Clan disciples and the faces of the Black Tiger Gate warriors, already smiling triumphantly, were in stark contrast.

“They say you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. You’re pretty enough to be my concubine…….”

“Marriage is the most important event in human life.”

All eyes turned to one side at the clear voice.

Step, step.

“How can it be achieved through coercion?”

The person walking out from behind Moryong Rin was a young man dressed as a scholar, Son Bin.

“What’s this?”

The self-proclaimed Herculean Overlord Jang Hwa-san frowned. He asked Wang Chang, who was next to him.

“Wang Chang, who is this guy?”

Wang Chang had no idea. Only Moryong Rin knew the identity of this retainer in the Moryong Clan.

Step.

Meanwhile, Son Bin, seemingly shielding Moryong Rin, spoke with a confident attitude.

“You have trespassed on another’s residence without permission and are coercing another’s marriage. Do you know that this is a serious crime?”

Everyone was staring at Son Bin with blank expressions. Even Moryong Rin’s attitude was clearly bewildered.

“Hey, Wang Chang.”

Jang Hwa-san said with a sneer.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“I really hate scholars and intellectuals. Do you know why?”

‘Isn’t it because of his inferiority complex from being uneducated?’ Wang Chang thought, but Jang Hwa-san’s words continued.

“They’re so frustrating and annoying. They act like they’re something special, spouting old-fashioned nonsense without knowing anything about the world. And those righteous sects and heroes are even more annoying. Do you know why?”

Wang Chang did not answer. It was not that Sect Leader Jang Hwa-san was expecting an answer, but also because he was not speaking to him.

Jang Hwa-san glared at Son Bin with wide eyes and said.

“Those sons of bitches are so cowardly. They’re always busy filling their own pockets, and when things get a little tough, they just make excuses about righteousness and the greater good. They’re masters of bullshit. Damn it.”

Jang Hwa-san spat.

“I, at least, don’t make such cowardly excuses. What’s life, damn it? You take what you want, eat when you want, and shit as you please. Isn’t that manly and clean? Frankly speaking, we’re a hundred times better than you scholars and righteous hypocrites. Aren’t we?”

“That means.”

Son Bin said with a cold gaze.

“It just means you don’t want to think.”

“What?”

At Jang Hwa-san’s question, Son Bin continued.

“There are beings who are faithful to their emotions and desires, just like you said. Beings who don’t make excuses, don’t hold back for even a moment, and can’t even conceive of hypocrisy. That is, crawling infants.”

Twitch.

Jang Hwa-san’s eyebrows contorted.

“Hypocrisy is to be condemned, but at least it has reverence for good. But you don’t even have the slightest consideration for your actions, so how can I not call you foolish?”

“You little… who are you calling…”

“Because you don’t think for yourself, you can’t even know how shameful your words are. Besides, did you say you don’t make excuses? But right now, you are…….”

A faint smile spread across Son Bin’s lips.

“Aren’t you desperately making excuses? Saying that you are more right than others.”

Twitch.

Jang Hwa-san’s eyebrows contorted greatly. Wang Chang knew that his sect leader was truly angry.

“Little boy.”

Jang Hwa-san’s large eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

“Don’t you know that life is a battlefield? In the Jianghu [the martial arts world] world, weakness is a sin. There have been many guys like you who blabbered without fear and ended up bloody on the ground in front of me.”

“I see.”

Son Bin said.

“Powerless justice is empty, so that is also true. But there is also the saying that truth shines on its own. Even if I die here, it will not change the fact that your actions are foolish and wrong.”

“Wang Chang.”

“Yes, yes!”

At Jang Hwa-san’s subdued voice, Wang Chang replied in a very nervous tone.

“Don’t let anyone touch that guy. Got it?”

Gritting.

The Black Tiger Gate’s leader, the self-proclaimed Herculean Overlord Jang Hwa-san, gritted his teeth.

“I will tear that son of a bitch apart with my own hands.”

Son Bin silently met Jang Hwa-san’s gaze, which gleamed with murderous intent.

Watching that scene, Moryong Rin inwardly sighed in relief.

‘As expected.’

Jinryong Daehyup [Golden Dragon Grand Knight] Son Bin had intended to help her from the beginning. The reason he hadn’t given a definite answer was perhaps because he disliked showing off, or perhaps because he considered it a virtue to hide good deeds.

Still, he was the person Moryong Rin had expected, because he was now standing up to the Black Tiger Gate for her sake.

‘Now, it’s done.’

Looking at Son Bin’s confident eyes and attitude, Moryong Rin thought.

The Moryong Clan and herself were as good as saved. Now, if Jinryong Daehyup Son Bin defeated the Black Tiger Gate with the Moryong Clan’s disciples, everything would be over.

“Hmph, do you really think you can do that?”
Moryong Rin raised her voice. The atmosphere was now completely on the side of the Black Tiger Gate. If she didn’t reverse this, the disciples would suffer greatly, even with Jinryong Daehyup present.

“Do you even know who this person is…….”

“Milady.”

It was none other than Son Bin who interrupted her words. When Moryong Rin turned her head, Son Bin smiled brightly.

“He’s finally here.”

“Yes?”

She couldn’t help but ask. What did he mean by ‘he’s here’? Son Bin continued.

“Please take care of this place for a moment.”

Before Moryong Rin could even understand the meaning of those words, Son Bin turned his body.

“Huh?”

All eyes turned to Son Bin once again. However, Son Bin ignored all those gazes and walked on nonchalantly.

Step, step.

No one spoke.

“Hey, you son of a bitch…….”

It was Jeong Yo-gu, a disciple of the Moryong Clan, who muttered a curse towards Son Bin’s back.

“Are you running away alone after making things this bad?”

‘What is this…….’

Moryong Rin’s bewilderment was already beyond comprehension. She wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

“Ha, haha, uwahahaha.”

Jang Hwa-san’s loud laughter struck Moryong Rin’s ears.

“What, are you running away after all? Hahaha.”

The Black Tiger Gate’s leader Jang Hwa-san laughed, clutching his stomach. But that laughter soon disappeared. Jang Hwa-san’s eyes flashed with murderous intent.

“I’m telling you, those fast-talking bastards are like that. In the end, they’ll shamelessly run away with their tails between their legs. How dare you say what and what? Hey, what are you doing! Immediately shoot that bastard in the back of the head…….”

“It’s already too late.”

Wang Chang said quietly. As he said, Son Bin had already turned the corner and disappeared.

“Hey, you son of a bitch! You’re dead today even if you run! Got it?”

His voice was shot towards Son Bin, who had already disappeared.

“Aish, suddenly some dogshit bastard…….”

Jang Hwa-san, who seemed unable to contain his anger, took a deep breath.

“Hoo. Well, now that the nuisance is gone, shall we finish our story intimately?”

Jang Hwa-san said to Moryong Rin. Moryong Rin’s face, which still couldn’t hide her bewilderment, hardened.

“We must hold a wedding ceremony today, right? A historic wedding ceremony where two families become one. Keuheuheuh.”

Gritting.

Moryong Rin gritted her teeth. The judgment on Son Bin’s incomprehensible actions would come later. Right now, she had to stop the greedy bandit in front of her. Without anyone’s help, only with herself and the remaining disciples.

“Il-cheon.”

At Moryong Rin’s low voice, Kang Il-cheon immediately answered.

“Yes, Milady.”

“I’m sorry, but can you risk your life for the Moryong Clan? No.”
Moryong Rin said.

“Can you die……?”

“Of course.”

Kang Il-cheon replied. Moryong Rin quietly closed her eyes.

“Thank you.”

Moryong Rin opened her eyes and drew her sword.

Clang!

With a sharp metallic sound, her sword shone in the sunlight.

Clang, clichiching!

Kang Il-cheon’s sword also revealed its form, and following behind him, Jeong Yo-gu and the other disciples also drew their swords. There were those who hesitated, but no one backed down.

“I am Moryong Rin!”
Moryong Rin shouted. Her beautiful eyes were shining with determination.

“I will risk my life for the Moryong Clan today!”

“Oh my.”

Jang Hwa-san widened his eyes and feigned surprise.

“This new bride is seriously angry. Oh my, how scary.”

The men of the Black Tiger Gate chuckled.

“But you can’t risk your life.”

Jang Hwa-san said with a sneer.

“You have to marry me today, so how can you risk your life? Just bet your family or property or something like that. I’m going to take it all anyway. Keuhahaha.”

“Wahahahaha.”

The men of the Black Tiger Gate laughed all at once.

“And there, you kids with swords.”

Jang Hwa-san said to the disciples of the Moryong Clan. It was a relaxed and leisurely voice, unlike the tense expressions of the disciples.

“The result is obvious even if you fight, right? The Moryong Clan will disappear tonight anyway, so is there really a need to start a sword fight and create animosity with us? I, you see, always remember the guys who point their swords at me and find them to take revenge until the end.”

There was a stir in the eyes of the Moryong Clan disciples. Jang Hwa-san did not miss it. He slowly looked at each of the Moryong Clan disciples, as if savoring their reactions, and said slowly.

“I can specially accept you if you have nowhere to go. I can be generous enough to do that on a joyous day. A son-in-law should show his in-laws well. Isn’t that right? Keulkeulkeul.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Moryong Rin shouted sharply. Even though she knew that his words were just mockery, the impact on the disciples’ morale was great, especially in a situation where the outcome was so obvious, like now.

“Do you think you can dare to take my sword! Anyone who wants to die, come forward! I will show you exactly what the Moryong Clan’s sword is like.”
Moryong Rin shouted, pointing her sword at Jang Hwa-san.

“Ah, that’s right. Now that I think about it, my new bride was quite skilled with the sword, right?”

Jang Hwa-san said as if he had just remembered.

“Yes, to be honest, you’re the best with the sword. Among us, there is no one who can take your sword…….”

Jang Hwa-san turned around. However, no one among the numerous men of the Black Tiger Gate came forward.

“Looks like there isn’t. I knew it. I can’t trust anyone, damn it.”

Jang Hwa-san raised both hands as if surrendering. But his words were not over yet.

“But, there’s also the saying that one hand can’t beat ten hands, right?”

Fling.

As soon as Jang Hwa-san’s words were finished, something flew towards Moryong Rin. Moryong Rin immediately struck down with her sword.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Clang!

Something broke off from Moryong Rin’s sword, and the broken piece bounced on the floor, revealing its identity.

“Arrow!”

Someone among the disciples shouted. It was clearly an arrow. At the same time, several men with bows appeared from behind the men of the Black Tiger Gate.

“Experts? That’s nothing special.”

Jang Hwa-san said, sneering.

“If you tie their feet and fire arrows like crazy, there’s no way they won’t get hit by one or two. Then they die. Why? Because we’re firing like crazy.”

The men of the Black Tiger Gate chuckled.

“Ah, you can run away? Of course, you can do that. But what will happen to your remaining parents and siblings?”

Moryong Rin’s complexion changed. Jang Hwa-san grinned.

“This is how you tie the feet of an expert. So, why don’t you put down your sword before you see something terrible?”

Jang Hwa-san said in a subtle tone.

“If you put down your sword, I’ll spare your life. But if you hold the sword…”

Gritting.

Jang Hwa-san, who had been speaking casually, gritted his teeth and emitted murderous intent.

“You all die.”

As befitting a leader of a heretical sect, Jang Hwa-san’s voice had great force. There was no doubt that he would do as he said.

Clenching.

Moryong Rin gritted her teeth. It was as Jang Hwa-san said. Now, she seemed to have no choice. Only one thing remained.

“Everyone.”

Moryong Rin said in a low but firm voice. Kang Il-cheon, Jeong Yo-gu, and the other disciples listened to her voice.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. Find your own way to live.”

“Milady!”

Kang Il-cheon said as if shouting, but Moryong Rin’s determination did not waver.

“Jang Hwa-san!”
Moryong Rin shouted. Jang Hwa-san smirked.

“You’re young and rude. You should call me husband…….”

His words could not continue. Moryong Rin’s sharp voice burst out.

“I, Moryong Rin, will die with you today!”

“What? What does that…….”

“Haa!”

Thud.

The moment Jang Hwa-san frowned, Moryong Rin was already rushing towards him. Disregarding all defense, Moryong Rin became one with her sword and headed for Jang Hwa-san.

“Hmph.”

Seeing Moryong Rin rushing towards him in an instant, Jang Hwa-san sneered.

“I knew you’d do this. Guys!”

Whirr.

In an instant, a large net unfolded before Moryong Rin’s eyes. The men of the Black Tiger Gate, who had only been known to chuckle, had already finished all preparations.

‘I’ve been had.’

The wide-spread black net was rushing towards her like a greedy hand. Her last gamble, risking her life, seemed to fail just like that.

“Stop!”

A stream of majestic voice echoed. At the same time, a deep blue light cut through the net.

Swoosh.

The black net that had been covering Moryong Rin was split in two as if it were a lie. And someone flew in front of Moryong Rin and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Whiririk.

With one hand wrapped around Moryong Rin, he landed lightly on the ground.

“Who dares to make a fuss in the Moryong Clan!”
A handsome man like a nobleman pointed his sword at Jang Hwa-san and shouted with a confident attitude.

“L, Lord!”

Kang Il-cheon shouted with a shocked expression. Not only the other disciples of the Moryong Clan, but even Jang Hwa-san was staring with his mouth open.

It was a sight that was hard to believe even with their own eyes. Jang Hwa-san muttered without realizing it.

“H, how…….”

He was none other than the Moryong Clan’s young master, Iron Sword Moryong Jin. Everyone was staring at him with wide eyes, and Moryong Jin looked down at Moryong Rin.

“O, Brother.”
Moryong Rin, who was in his arms, said with surprised eyes. Moryong Rin’s pupils were shaking violently, wondering if what she was seeing was a dream.

“Yes. It’s me.”
Moryong Jin said with a smirk. Then suddenly, he frowned.

“But you, have you gained weight again in the meantime?”
Moryong Rin’s face turned bright red.