A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 115

115. Familiar Place, Unfamiliar Guest (2)

“Wol-ah was in Wuhan?”

Dang Hwa-ryun, the chief strategist of the Tang Clan, asked with wide eyes. Her flamboyant attire, befitting her radiant appearance, flowed down in soft lines.

She possessed a captivating charm that suited her youthful age, but no one judged her solely on her looks.

She was not only the chief strategist who held the reins of the Tang Clan’s power at a young age but also a symbolic figure representing the generational shift in the Murim [martial arts world] world.

“Yes. We have confirmed that she stayed at the Moyong Clan.”

A subordinate, kneeling on one knee, replied.

“Seven members, including the Silver Sword Captain, provided covert escort for the young lady, and it has been reported that she safely left Wuhan.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. However, what the young lady did in Wuhan is…”

The subordinate trailed off. The Silver Swords only tracked her location and maintained their distance, unaware of what was happening unless Dang Wol-ah contacted them.

It was called a covert escort, but it was questionable whether it could even be called an escort at all.

“That’s quite a coincidence. I was just about to…”

Rustle.

Dang Hwa-ryun picked up a thin letter.

“It seems I’ve received a report that the Moyong Clan has regained its influence, and the Nangong Clan’s advance into Gangbuk needs to be completely reevaluated?”

The Moyong Clan’s actions immediately garnered attention in the Jianghu [martial arts community], especially from major sects and clans.

The actions of Clan Lord Moyong Myung and his son Moyong Jin made them realize the potential of the Moyong Clan once again, and even led them to revise their assessment of the Nangong Clan.

As the Nangong Clan’s grip on Wuhan became questionable, their advance into Gangbuk was quickly downgraded to a partial success.

“Really, to do such a commendable thing.”

A bright smile appeared on Dang Hwa-ryun’s lips. It was a smile so radiant that even her close subordinates rarely saw it.

“The Wudang’s foreign policy has also changed, hasn’t it? Right after Wol-ah visited Wudang.”

Dang Hwa-ryun said with a smile.

“Yes, that is correct.”

The subordinate replied.

“Wudang’s rapid expansion has slowed down, and subsequent progress has been cautious. It is speculated that this is due to fatigue from excessive expansion, but it is clear that they have become much more prudent than before.”

“But it’s still expanding, isn’t it? I heard the sect leader is trying to improve relations with the imperial family?”

“Yes. There is internal opposition, but it is expected that they will eventually proceed.”

“It’s the right choice.”

Rustle.

Dang Hwa-ryun put down the letter and muttered.

“If things continue like this, Wudang will either wither away or be thoroughly exploited. So, I personally think the current Wudang sect leader’s choice is a good one. It’s a matter of life and death.”

Dang Hwa-ryun let out a cold laugh.

“Of course, that’s also from the perspective of benefiting our Tang Clan. I thought it was too fast, but this incident seems to have made the speed just right.”

The appropriateness she spoke of was judged from the perspective of the Tang Clan’s interests. Dang Hwa-ryun tapped the armrest of her chair with her finger as if gathering her thoughts.

Tock tock.

“Anyway, it’s a relief. I was worried that Wol-ah might be living in seclusion in some rural area, but it seems she’s actually moving actively. She wouldn’t know about my plans, so how can she do such admirable things?”

Cheongwon was by no means a rural area. But to Dang Hwa-ryun, it was all the same.

“And, there are unusual movements in the Blood Phoenix Alliance?”

“Yes.”

The subordinate immediately presented another letter to Dang Hwa-ryun.

Flipping.

While Dang Hwa-ryun read the letter, the subordinate waited silently.

“Ha, what is this?”

Dang Hwa-ryun chuckled.

“Blood Phoenix? Wasn’t that just a title?”

Essentially a coalition, the Blood Phoenix Alliance needed a central figure. Usually, a master-level figure would step up, but there was no such person in the Blood Phoenix Alliance.

In the end, they created the position of Blood Phoenix as a symbolic existence. It was meant to not forget the young people who died as Blood Knights of the Pavilion of Prince Teng, but in reality, it was just a title with no real power or ability.

“But why is it suddenly being mentioned as a powerful faction?”

“The Ghostly Asura has been revealed to be a confidant of the Blood Phoenix.”

“Ghostly Asura…”

Dang Hwa-ryun frowned slightly. A mysterious master who suddenly appeared. Nothing was known about him. Not even within the Blood Phoenix Alliance.

However, he defeated Nangong Ryeol, the Blood Sword of the Nangong Clan’s outer branch. Thanks to this, the Blood Phoenix Alliance, which was on the verge of collapse, quickly emerged as the largest and only coalition of the Jiangnan Demonic Sects.

“So, the main forces of the Blood Phoenix Alliance are now the Blood Dragon Gate, the Water Camps, the Mountain Fortress, and the Blood Phoenix?”

“Yes. Considering the weak cohesion of the Water Camps and Mountain Fortress, the faction that follows the Blood Phoenix is likely to emerge as a core force in a short period of time.”

The inclusion of the Water Camps and Mountain Fortress was not what the founding sects of the Blood Phoenix Alliance originally wanted. However, they could not reject the hand they offered in the face of the Nangong Clan’s threat. There was also subtle pressure from the Blood Dragon Gate.

In the end, contrary to the wishes of the founding sects, the current Blood Phoenix Alliance has become a de facto coalition of Demonic Sects.

“Behind the Blood Phoenix, there must be the so-called founding sects.”

“Yes. They must be aware that their influence has weakened.”

“So, they put forward the Blood Phoenix? Appealing to emotions, that’s a truly vulgar tactic.”

Dang Hwa-ryun clicked her tongue.

“Who was appointed as the first Blood Phoenix?”

“It is said to be the youngest daughter of the Golden Sword Clan. She is a naive young lady who has just come of age and is known to be completely ignorant of martial arts.”

Dang Hwa-ryun thought for a moment. But it wasn’t long.

“Bring me all the information related to the Blood Phoenix and the Ghostly Asura. Everything, without exception.”

“Understood.”

The subordinate bowed his head and received the order.

“Um, and…”

“Speak.”

Dang Hwa-ryun didn’t like long introductions.

“I think we should change the young lady’s escort policy.”

The subordinate continued immediately.

“As it is now, the effect of the escort is too minimal. Except for extreme emergencies, it’s completely…”

Currently, the Silver Swords can only act independently in emergencies, and even then, only in extremely limited situations. For example, natural disasters or regional panic, obvious disasters that everyone can recognize.

But the Silver Swords are too great a force to be kept on standby for such things.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Dang Hwa-ryun cut off the subordinate’s words as if it wasn’t worth thinking about.

“The Silver Swords are a link. A link to connect me and Wol-ah. Unless Wol-ah wants something else, this is enough.”

“Then, instead of the Silver Swords, another…”

“What if something happens to Wol-ah?”

Dang Hwa-ryun’s gaze was cold.

“Are you going to take responsibility?”

The subordinate sensed that he was touching something he shouldn’t.

She spoke of the Silver Swords as just a liaison, but at the same time, it was also Dang Hwa-ryun’s concern for Dang Wol-ah.

From the subordinate’s point of view, deploying the entire Silver Swords for such a thing was absurd, but for Dang Hwa-ryun, it was not.

“No. Please forgive my slip of the tongue.”

Thud.

The subordinate bowed his head so low that it touched the floor.

“Do whatever Wol-ah wants. But prepare as much as possible. Be ready to respond no matter what happens. Understood?”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Thud.

The sound echoed once again. Only then did Dang Hwa-ryun quietly withdraw her gaze.

“Wol-ah… has she changed a lot? She must have become even more beautiful, right?”

Her voice, speaking in a soft whisper with a faint sigh, was filled with longing.

But the subordinate realized anew what a mistake he had almost made, and his spine tingled.

*

*

*

Swish.

As the thick brush ran across the white paper, the ink’s fragrance spread subtly. Unsuitably for the slender, long fingers holding the brush, the handwriting it wrote was strong and unyielding.

Flick.

With a nimble, long tail, the brush quietly left the paper.

“Haa.”

A slender sigh escaped from between the red lips of the woman who raised her head. Even the splendid attire of blue silk embroidered with silver thread seemed to lose its luster before her beauty.

Click.

The woman, who put down the brush, quietly looked down at her writing. And she quietly sat on the stone chair and placed the black guqin [a Chinese zither] on her lap.

Tting, ttadang.

“Smiling in the spring breeze, dancing in silk clothes. If you don’t get drunk now, how can you happily return?”

Her singing voice was as clear as rolling jade beads, but the melody was so plaintive that it could melt even the most steadfast heart. But there was no one to listen. Except for the white-haired servant who entered silently a little while ago.

Ttarararang.

The performance ended, leaving a clear and pure resonance. She closed her eyes and gently soaked in the lingering sound. The jade hairpins embroidered in her ebony hair sparkled.

“Speak.”

At her small voice, Nanhyang, the white-haired servant bowed his head.

“Janggang Eoeong has met someone walking the path of the Emperor.”

Thud.

Her white and slender finger struck a string of the guqin. Nanhyang frowned slightly and raised her finger to look at it. Fortunately, no blood was visible. Nanhyang turned her head and looked at the servant.

“And?”

“Other than that fact, Janggang Eoeong said nothing.”

“Stubborn old man.”

She said with a soft sigh. It was a rude remark, but even that voice and expression were charming. Even if the person in question heard it, they would be even more shaken.

“He must have only wanted that to be known. But that stubborn person would never say anything false, so it must be true.”

The servant quietly remained silent. Nanhyang raised her head and looked at the blue sky. The sky was endlessly clear and distant.

“Baekro has welcomed a new master. And Maengho is not one to disappear quietly. Someone must have inherited his legacy.”

“Seolgeom Dang Hwa-ryun does not appear to have inherited Maengho’s legacy.”

“Not that woman.”

Swish.

Nanhyang gently stroked the strings of the guqin.

“She is the Tang Clan’s chief strategist. If she had inherited Maengho’s legacy, she wouldn’t be doing something like being a chief strategist, would she?”

Ttang, ttang.

The guqin began to weep softly from her fingertips.

“Find the two. The one who was a companion on the path of the Emperor, Son Bin. And another hidden person who inherited Maengho’s legacy.”

Ttarararang.

Her white and slender fingers ran familiarly over the guqin, and the beads hanging from the ends of her jade hairpins sparkled.

“The next generation’s Heavenly Four Stars will begin with them. How quickly we find them will determine the future of our Yewon. Or, even which of the Yewon Twelve Young Masters will become the next master of Yewon.”

The white-haired servant quietly bowed his head and received her order. The clear sound of the guqin was spreading over the sky of the historic capital, Xi’an.

*

*

*

The way back from Wuhan to Cheongwon was short. The road didn’t actually get shorter, but the way back seemed to pass by faster than the way there.

It was partly because the carriage was different, but it was probably because of the feeling of returning to a familiar place.

Ttagak, ttagak.

As the familiar streets of Cheongwon came into view, Son Bin finally felt like he had returned.

He looked carefully, wondering if he might pass by the Seowon [private academy] children, but unfortunately, he didn’t see them. And it was when the carriage arrived near Son Bin’s house.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, No Gun frowned.

“What is it?”

“What…”

As Son Bin asked, No Gun jumped up.

“Something’s there.”

“Yes?”

Bang.

Before Son Bin could react, No Gun opened the carriage door and jumped out. It was dangerous because the carriage was moving, albeit slowly, but No Gun didn’t seem to care.

Tadat.

Before the coachman could be surprised, No Gun jumped out of the carriage and disappeared into Son Bin’s house in an instant. Not through the door, but over the fence, albeit a shabby wooden fence, in one swift motion.

Shinui frowned at his sudden action.

“Please stop!”

“Whoa, whoa!”

Son Bin quickly told the coachman, and the coachman immediately stopped the carriage. Son Bin quickly opened the carriage door and got out, and Shinui said softly from behind.

“Ah, I forgot.”

“Yes?”

Son Bin turned his head. But Shinui was leisurely getting out of the carriage as if nothing had happened.

“Woah!”

The voices of children were heard from inside the house. Son Bin quickly entered the house. And he could see the bright faces of the children he had been missing. As well as the troubled expression of Lady Jeok Se-hwa and the distorted face of No Gun.

“Ah! It’s Teacher!”

“Teacher’s here!”

The faces of the children who had been clinging to someone were filled with surprise and joy. The children who had been playing while clinging to someone immediately ran towards Son Bin as a group.

Dodo doo doo.

“Teacher!”

“Teacheeer!”

“Waaah, Teacher!”

Son Bin immediately lowered his body and opened his arms. And he hugged the little ones who threw themselves into his arms with a smiling face.

Pak.

“Why did you come so late? It took too long, heeing.”

“Teacher! We’re reading strange books!”

“I did all my homework without missing a single one!”

From the sobbing Aeng-aeng to the chattering Soso and the boasting Ao, the little ones all started chattering at once.

“Yes, I’m sorry. You did it all? That’s great.”

Son Bin stroked the heads of the little ones one by one and answered them. Proud smiles quickly spread across the faces of the little ones. Son Bin, who was smiling like that, raised his head.

The stranger sitting on the bamboo mat was an elderly martial artist with a very large and sturdy physique.

There was not a single emotion to be found on his expressionless face, and his quietly watching eyes did not even flinch at the children’s commotion.

Even though the children had been clinging to him until just now, his posture did not waver at all, making one even suspect that he might be a stone statue.

“I forgot to tell you.”

Shinui, who came in afterward, said as if nothing was wrong.

“He came to visit while you were gone.”

“Hey you…! There are things you can forget and things you can’t, you should have told me sooner!”

No Gun spoke to Shinui in an annoyed voice, but Shinui was indifferent.

“What difference does it make? You’d see him anyway when you came.”

“Um, who is this…”

Son Bin cautiously asked Shinui. It didn’t seem like a dangerous situation, but No Gun’s reaction was unusual. However, Lady Jeok Se-hwa answered.

“He is the former Supreme Sword.”

She said, looking at Son Bin with a troubled expression.

“The former Supreme Sword of the Hyeokryun Clan, Great Warrior Hyeokryun Wi, is this person.”

“Yes?”

Son Bin looked back at the old man with a surprised expression.

Squeak.

He stood up. His momentum was quite impressive, as if a bear was standing up.

“Wow! He stood up!”

“He stood up! He really moves?”

The children cheered at the sight and ran to cling to him. It was as if a large playground had been created.

“Hey, kids…”

Jeok Se-hwa didn’t know what to do, unable to do anything. She had to stop them, but since he wasn’t saying anything, she was worried that she might offend him if she stopped them.

“Wahahaha.”

“Hahaha.”

The children clung to the old man’s sleeves and collars. Some children were even boldly trying to get on his back. But the old man’s expression remained unchanged from before.

“I’ve been waiting. Senior.”

A small but heavy voice rang out.

“I’m doomed.”

No Gun muttered with a rotten expression.

“That guy, once he bites, he never lets go…”

The former Supreme Sword’s face still had no change whatsoever. But Son Bin thought that his eyes seemed to smile slightly.