A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 127

The Night of the Great Prairie (2)

Swish.

A sharp spear sliced through the wind, emitting an eerie sound.

Seemingly imbued with extraordinary power, the force emanating from the long spear was incredibly threatening. Most of the people surrounding the martial arts arena could only see the afterimage left by the gleaming spearhead and hear the chilling sound of it cutting through the air.

Whoosh, thud.

The spear, which had been thrashing through the air, returned to its stance in its owner’s hand. The young man, Talafu, smiled at Sa Soo-yeon. Sa Soo-yeon, standing on the martial arts stage, silently watched him.

“Be careful, Little Palace Lord.”

Talafu said. His appearance was so charming that the young women of the Northern Sea couldn’t help but sigh. With the air of a handsome nobleman, Talafu slowly gathered his inner strength.

Whoo-oong.

Talafu’s aura was quite unusual. The energy faintly lingering on the spearhead testified to it.

“Taaaa!”

Bang.

The sharp spearhead, trembling slightly, lunged towards Sa Soo-yeon like a viper. However, Sa Soo-yeon, who had not yet drawn her sword, instead took a step towards the spearhead.

Swoosh.

As Sa Soo-yeon’s body spun like a top, her sword emerged from its scabbard. And the next moment, Sa Soo-yeon’s silver sword clashed with the sharp spearhead.

No, the expression ‘clashed’ was not accurate.

Because Sa Soo-yeon’s sword was splitting the spearhead.

Clang, clang, clang!

Sa Soo-yeon’s shining sword relentlessly cleaved through the spearhead and the spear shaft. Neither the steel spearhead nor the metal used to reinforce the spear shaft could stop Sa Soo-yeon’s sword.

Clang!

As Sa Soo-yeon stopped spinning, her sword, having finished its work, revealed its form. A deep blue energy surged from her sword, extending towards the sky.

Talafu stared wide-eyed, looking down at his hand. The spear shaft was shattered in front of his hand, as if it had exploded.

If Sa Soo-yeon had extended her sword just a little further, not only the hand holding the spear but Talafu himself would have been severely injured.

Swish, thud.

Sa Soo-yeon’s sword disappeared into its scabbard. Sa Soo-yeon turned around with an indifferent expression.

Step, step.

“The second night of the Great Prairie has ended,” the Ice Emperor declared as he rose from his seat. The cheers of the people erupted like thunder, but Sa Soo-yeon descended from the martial arts stage without looking back.

***

“Does Sareuneu want me to win?”

Sa Soo-yeon asked in the language of the Northern Sea. Sareuneu’s hand, which had been styling her hair, paused for a moment.

“Of course, Little Miss.”

Sareuneu called Sa Soo-yeon ‘Little Miss.’ It felt as if Sa Soo-yeon had become a child again.

“But if no one can defeat me, I will leave the Northern Sea. Do you still want me to win?”

In a calm voice, Sareuneu replied,

“I want nothing more than for you to be happy, Little Miss. If you wish to leave, I will gladly send you on your way.”

But tears would flow from Sareuneu’s eyes once again. Sa Soo-yeon said nothing. Following Sareuneu’s touch, Sa Soo-yeon’s hair flowed softly.

As the two sat in silence for a while,

“Little Palace Lord.”

Namira’s voice was heard from outside the curtain.

“Come in.”

Sa Soo-yeon replied. However, instead of entering, Namira said in a trembling voice,

“The Ice Emperor has arrived.”

Sareuneu was startled and stepped back.

Rustle.

The curtain opened, and the Ice Emperor, Namira, and the maids following behind appeared. Sa Soo-yeon rose from her seat.

Thud, thud.

The Ice Emperor slowly entered. The Ice Emperor’s imposing presence filled the small room as he entered.

Sareuneu quickly knelt before the Ice Emperor and paid her respects. The Ice Emperor calmly accepted her greeting.

“I’ll be going now.”

Sareuneu, who had been bowing, tried to leave.

“Stay here, Sareuneu,” Sa Soo-yeon said. Sareuneu looked at the Ice Emperor with a flustered expression. However, when the Ice Emperor said nothing, Sareuneu knelt respectfully behind Sa Soo-yeon.

Thud.

The Ice Emperor took a seat where Sa Soo-yeon had been sitting. The maids who had been following him went outside and closed the curtain, leaving only the Ice Emperor, Sa Soo-yeon, Sareuneu, and Namira.

Rustle.

Sa Soo-yeon slowly gathered her hands and bowed her head. It was the etiquette of the South. Watching her, the Ice Emperor frowned and looked around Sa Soo-yeon’s room.

His gaze turned to Sa Soo-yeon’s sword hanging on the wall and the long wooden box placed on the table below it.

“Why don’t you use that sword?”

As Namira was about to convey the Ice Emperor’s meaning, Sa Soo-yeon, who had been bowing her head, spoke first.

“It is not my sword.”

It was clear Northern Sea language.

“I gave it to you.”

“There is no reason to receive it.”

The Ice Emperor’s eyebrows twitched. Sareuneu and Namira’s faces turned pale. No one had ever challenged the Ice Emperor’s will so directly.

The two trembled at the Ice Emperor’s anger, which seemed about to erupt at any moment.

“Just like her.”

However, the Ice Emperor’s voice contained not anger but regret.

“Ga-ryeo was like that too. But you resemble her even more than Ga-ryeo does. Even your personality and voice are all the same.”

‘Her?’

Sa Soo-yeon raised her eyes. However, the Ice Emperor rose from his seat and walked towards the wooden box.

Click.

The wooden box opened, and the Ice Emperor grasped the sword. And slowly, he drew the sword.

Swish.

The beautiful sword revealed its form. It was a beautiful sword comparable to Sonbin’s Egret [a famous sword].

“This sword belonged to her.”

The Ice Emperor’s eyes were warm as he looked at the sword. But soon, they turned into a look of anguish.

“Who is she?”

To Sa Soo-yeon’s question, the Ice Emperor replied without turning his head,

“The woman you call the previous Ice Queen.”

‘The previous Ice Queen!’

The previous Ice Queen was Sa Soo-yeon’s grandmother. The beautiful and strong woman whom Sareuneu had told her had passed away when her mother was young.

Stroke.

The Ice Emperor slowly stroked the sword. After a moment of silence, the Ice Emperor turned his head towards Sa Soo-yeon. His large eyes were shining strongly.

“You said you wanted to leave the Northern Sea?”

His eyes were as if they were burning. The imposing presence that only the emperor of the Great Prairie could exude was emanating from him.

“Then take the Northern Sea into your hands. The weak can never escape the shadow of the Northern Sea, even if they flee to the ends of the sky. But on the day the Northern Sea kneels before you, nothing in the world will be able to defy your will.”

The Ice Emperor’s heavy voice seemed to echo in Sa Soo-yeon’s head.

Thud.

The Ice Emperor sheathed the sword and gently placed it in the wooden box.

“Don’t become a failure like me.”

It was a faint and sorrowful voice that even Sa Soo-yeon could barely understand.

Thud, thud.

The Ice Emperor turned around and walked towards the curtain. Sareuneu and Namira startled and tried to pay their respects, but the Ice Emperor had already left.

Sa Soo-yeon was confused.

‘What does he mean?’

Sa Soo-yeon could not understand what the Ice Emperor’s words meant. It was then.

Step.

A maid entered through the curtain and paid her respects to Sa Soo-yeon.

“What is it?”

Sareuneu said to the maid in a stern tone.

“It is not a good time now, so tell me later.”

The maid bowed deeply and said in a polite tone,

“The Ice Emperor has granted the Seventh Palace Lord a new residence.”

Sareuneu and Namira’s eyes widened. Namira stammered and asked,

“A, a new residence, you mean…”

In a calm voice, the maid said,

“The Seventh Palace Lord may choose one of the grand halls in the Ice Palace as her residence. And that place will be called ‘The Seventh Palace Lord’s Hall’ from now on.”

Sareuneu and Namira could not hide their surprise. Being granted her own grand hall within the Ice Palace meant that she was being allowed to form her own independent power. It was by no means a light honor.

“Little Miss…”

Sareuneu looked at Sa Soo-yeon with a moved expression. But Sa Soo-yeon’s expression was not bright.

‘A new residence?’

She quickly realized that it did not simply mean that she would be staying in a good place. Judging from Sareuneu’s reaction, the meaning would also be significant.

But Sa Soo-yeon was not at all moved or pleased.

Especially for her, who wore a mask of indifference and armored her heart.

“Such a thing.”

Dugun.

She was about to say that it was unnecessary. But at that moment, a certain sensation brushed past Sa Soo-yeon’s heart. Sa Soo-yeon turned her head.

“What’s over there…?”

Sareuneu tilted her head, following Sa Soo-yeon’s gaze with a puzzled expression.

“If it’s the north side of the Ice Palace, there’s a training room.”

“Training room…”

Sa Soo-yeon quietly repeated. But the decision was quick.

“I’ll go there.”

Sareuneu said with a flustered expression.

“But that place is not suitable for you to reside in, Little Miss. There’s nothing there…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Sa Soo-yeon’s voice was cold.

“Anywhere is the same to me.”

It might be better. All she needed now was to win; comfort and warmth would only weaken her resolve.

***

“Are you that woman’s daughter?”

A nobleman-like man with a drawn sword asked Sa Soo-yeon.

His flamboyant attire and handsome face were quite different from the other warriors of the Northern Sea. Moreover, the words he had just spoken were not in the language of the Northern Sea but in that of the South [referring to Southern China or a similar region in this context].

“They said you resembled that woman so much, and indeed, you have a remarkable beauty.”

The third opponent to ascend the martial arts stage, the Third Palace Lord, said. Sa Soo-yeon frowned.

‘What is this…’

She is the daughter of Saja Hyuk. She has always wanted to be confident in her sword, and she has acted that way. Therefore, concealing her realm and insulting the weak is never her way.

Even if her fate depends on the result, or rather, all the more so.

But the man before her was not at all a suitable opponent for Sa Soo-yeon. He was even worse than the opponent in the previous martial arts contest. Sa Soo-yeon could not hide her displeasure.

‘Besides, the Third Palace Lord?’

Although she didn’t know the exact details, if she thought about it, he would eventually be related to Sa Soo-yeon by blood. What does it mean that he is on this martial arts stage?

“I will become the Ice Emperor who will one day rule the Northern Sea. So you can be proud.”

The Third Palace Lord said in a calm voice. Namira’s complexion changed as she understood the language of the South. But the others remained expressionless. Either they didn’t understand, or they didn’t care.

“But you cannot become the Ice Queen. No, you won’t even have a single child.”

A bitter smile hung on the lips of the nobleman-like Third Palace Lord.

“Because I won’t allow it.”

A cold chill settled in Sa Soo-yeon’s eyes. A chilling contempt became a blizzard, raging in her heart.

‘Third Palace Lord.’

Her cold reason revived her memories. The opponent was the one who had disparaged Sa Soo-yeon’s mother at the grand banquet. The conclusion was easily reached by adding past memories and present judgments.

He is not even worth dealing with.

Swish.

Sa Soo-yeon drew her sword. She didn’t want to drag out this insulting martial arts contest any longer.

“I won’t even allow you to hold a sword in the future.”

The Third Palace Lord said to Sa Soo-yeon.

“There are such women in the South, right? Women who dress up like flowers and wait for men all day long.”

He laughed.

“From now on, I’ll make you wait for me like that…”

Swoosh.

Sa Soo-yeon was no longer listening to his words. Her sword lunged towards the Third Palace Lord.

‘Hmph.’

The Third Palace Lord sneered. He knew that Sa Soo-yeon would not be able to bear it. No, he was waiting for it. He shouted.

“Haa!”

Whoosh.

Instantly, an enormous force emanated from the Third Palace Lord. It was a force that could not be compared to what it had been just a moment ago. And his sword fell towards Sa Soo-yeon.

Clang!

A burst of sound erupted. The onlookers widened their eyes in surprise at the rapidly changing situation. A proud smile hung on the Ice Queen’s lips, as if she knew it would happen.

Thud.

Sa Soo-yeon, who had stepped back, landed lightly. She frowned.

“Why? Can’t you finish it in one go like before?”

The Third Palace Lord said. A blue energy was rippling and rising from the sword in his hand.

Rustle.

Sa Soo-yeon raised her hand to her nose. Her long, white fingers covered her lips.

‘Poison.’

What had erupted from the opponent at the moment of the clash. What had instantly covered Sa Soo-yeon was clearly poison. Moreover, it was a very potent San Gong poison [a type of poison that weakens inner energy]. Her inner strength was scattering like sand.

‘And, a sudden change.’

Sa Soo-yeon examined the opponent’s aura with cold eyes. The energy rising from his sword was rippling like flames.

It looked eerie, like the energy of death, but Sa Soo-yeon could tell that the energy was rough and unstable.

“Hmph.”

Sa Soo-yeon let out a laugh without realizing it. Her cold smile was so captivating that it made everyone who was watching’s heart race for a moment.

“Was this what you were relying on?”

Sa Soo-yeon’s voice, like jade beads rolling, flowed out. The quiet voice clearly penetrated everyone’s ears.

Swish.

Sa Soo-yeon raised her hand. Her white and beautiful hand was facing the Third Palace Lord, and her red lips slightly parted.

“Come.”

With that one word, the Third Palace Lord felt his inner strength boiling. He was barely suppressing the urge to lunge towards Sa Soo-yeon immediately.

-Never rush.

The middle-aged man who had obtained the medicine had said so.

-It is a great thing that even the masters of the Murim [martial arts world] cannot move. If you succeed in poisoning, the opponent will weaken as time goes by. On the other hand, this pill that triggers the Third Palace Lord’s potential will last for at least an hour, that is, about the time it takes to eat a slow meal.

The middle-aged man laughed.

-So, drag it out as much as possible. Time is on the Third Palace Lord’s side.

“Why?”

The Third Palace Lord’s thoughts were cut off by a clear voice.

“Are you scared?”

Sa Soo-yeon said with a cold smile.

Gritting.

The Third Palace Lord gritted his teeth.

‘Scared? Me?’

There’s no way he could be scared. The overflowing inner strength added endless confidence, and the sight of the opponent weakening every moment conveyed a sense of intoxication as if he had already won. The Third Palace Lord said.

“Hmph. Did you say you would follow whatever the will of the one who defeats you is?”

When he thought about it, it wasn’t just about dragging out time. If he shook the opponent’s inner strength, the effect of San Gong poison would be even stronger. Time was on his side anyway.

The blue energy rose from the Third Palace Lord’s sword. And the Third Palace Lord did not forget to say one word that would agitate Sa Soo-yeon.

“Then tonight, I will take you.”

Whoo-oosh.

The blue energy covering the Third Palace Lord’s sword fiercely increased its momentum. And the next moment, the Third Palace Lord lunged towards Sa Soo-yeon.

Woo-oong.

Sa Soo-yeon’s sword cried. Due to the scattering inner strength, the blue energy lingering on her sword was weakening every moment. But Sa Soo-yeon was neither afraid nor impatient.

-Don’t lose.

Something whispered inside Sa Soo-yeon. The more Sa Soo-yeon’s inner strength scattered, the stronger the sound became.

-There is no one who can defeat you in this land.

“Taaaa!”

Swoosh.

With a sharp shout, the Third Palace Lord’s sword fell towards Sa Soo-yeon. Sa Soo-yeon’s sword, which had been still, began to move only then.

But it seemed too slow and too late. Until her sword emitted a white light.

-You, win.

‘I, win.’

Flash.

A group of white light filled the martial arts stage. And a cold energy covered the people around the martial arts stage. Even the people of the Northern Sea, who were accustomed to the cold, shuddered.

But the chill disappeared like the wind in an instant.

Thud!

A quiet sound erupted from the martial arts stage. And the Third Palace Lord’s body flew and tumbled across the martial arts stage.

Thump.

“Kugh.”

The Third Palace Lord’s appearance, who had fallen, was a mess. His flamboyant clothes were torn like rags, and his glossy hair was disheveled.

The blue energy rippling from his sword was broken as if it had been shattered.

“Ugh.”

The Third Palace Lord struggled to get up. But the cold that had penetrated into his bones made it difficult to even move his body properly.

Step, step.

Sa Soo-yeon walked towards the Third Palace Lord. A chill flowed down like a faint mist from her snowy white blade.

Swish.

Sa Soo-yeon, who had approached, bent down and took something from the Third Palace Lord’s chest. A fairly luxurious silk pouch was in her hand. Sa Soo-yeon held it upside down.

Rustle.

Fine powders poured out of the silk pouch. Most of it poured on the Third Palace Lord’s face, but some of it spread along the wind to where the Little Palace Lords and tribal chiefs were sitting.

“Ugh.”

“Th, this is.”

They covered their mouths with their hands. There was no color or smell, but as soon as they inhaled the powder, their inner strength scattered.

“Ah, no! This is not mine!”

The Third Palace Lord shouted like a seizure. He, who had raised his body halfway, shouted, pointing his broken sword at Sa Soo-yeon.

“You wench! How dare you try to deceive anyone! If it’s not you, who would have such things from the South…”

Sa Soo-yeon looked down at the Third Palace Lord with a cold gaze. The tip of the Third Palace Lord’s broken sword was trembling. There was no reason or value to listen any further.

Swish.

Sa Soo-yeon raised her sword. The Third Palace Lord’s face turned pale in an instant, and she could not hear what he was stammering, nor could she hear the Ice Queen shouting in a sharp voice.

Swoosh.

Her sword fell towards the Third Palace Lord. At the moment when the blade, colder than ice, sentenced a ruthless judgment, the figure of one person came to Sa Soo-yeon’s mind.

A person with a soft smile under the blue moonlight. His warm eyes, directed at Sa Soo-yeon without the slightest tremor.

Sa Soo-yeon bit her lip and twisted her sword in an unwanted direction because she never wanted to see him sad.

Slash.

“Aaaaaagh!”

The Third Palace Lord covered his face and screamed. Red blood flowed between his hands.

Thud.

Sa Soo-yeon sheathed her sword and turned around without hesitation.

Step, step.

“Ajai!”

The Ice Queen ran up to the martial arts stage in one breath. Her face turned pale, she hugged the groaning Third Palace Lord and shouted in a sharp voice.

“That girl shed the blood of a brother! Are you just going to let it go?”

The Ice Queen’s eyes, staring at the Ice Emperor, were full of resentment. The Ice Emperor slowly rose from his seat.

“Third Palace Lord Ajai has defiled the laws of the Northern Sea.”

The Ice Emperor’s voice was heavy and cold.

“Remove Ajai from the position of Third Palace Lord and send him back to his mother’s tribe.”

The Ice Queen’s complexion turned blue. It was a humiliation worse than death for her and Ajai.

“Y, you…”

The Ice Emperor turned his head away from her.

“The third night of the Great Prairie has ended.”

His heavy voice echoed loudly.

“The brave must prove their bravery! Anyone who wins will have the right to ride with the Seventh Palace Lord!”

Not even a breath could be heard. But the silence was soon buried in the cheers that rose like a fire.

“Waaaaa!”

Amid the heatwave that covered all directions, only Sa Soo-yeon was leaving the martial arts stage without looking back.

But the aftermath caused by her sword was by no means light.

As a result of the martial arts contest, the Third Palace Lord was deposed, and the Ice Queen, who had lost her successor, fell. It was no longer a question of who would become the new consort of the Seventh Palace Lord.

Who can beat her? Does anyone in the Northern Sea really exist who can beat her? Who is the strongest in the Northern Sea?

People began to say that perhaps the one who defeats Sa Soo-yeon will become the next Ice Emperor. The entire Northern Sea was in turmoil.