A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 130

Whoosh.

A sword wreathed in deep blue energy descended, cleaving through the darkness. It seemed poised to slice Sasu-yeon in two, but its intent was thwarted by a white sword radiating a pale aura.

Clang!

A deafening explosion erupted. The lamps flickered violently from the immense force, and the banners of the Seven Palace Main Hall fluttered as if caught in a storm.

Yet, the two figures remained unyielding, their swords locked, glaring intently at each other.

Whooooong.

The cold gaze of Sasu-yeon clashed with the fiery stare of Seomoksu, Orhan, in the void.

“Hmph.”

Clang.

Orhan swung her sword powerfully, retreating slightly.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Sasu-yeon was about to lunge at Orhan when a voice called out.

“Young Palace Lord.”

It was Sareunae’s voice from outside.

“Are you alright?”

Sareunae dared not enter so late at night, asking from outside. Yet, the worry in her voice was unmistakable.

“Young Palace Lord, I’m coming in.”

Receiving no response, Sareunae spoke with resolve.

Orhan frowned, glancing at Sasu-yeon, but Sasu-yeon remained silent. The curtain veiling the entrance stirred slightly, revealing Sareunae.

Rustle.

Sareunae was clad in a thin sleeping gown with a long outer robe hastily thrown over it. It was clear she had rushed here without properly dressing.

“Ah!”

Sareunae’s eyes widened upon seeing Seomoksu, Orhan. But only for a moment. Her gaze sharpened, and she lunged towards the weapons hanging on the wall.

Thud.

“No need.”

Sasu-yeon said. Sareunae froze as if struck. Sareunae’s movements were extraordinary, her fingertips already touching the hilt of a sharp dagger.

“Young Palace Lord?”

Sareunae asked, wary of Orhan, ready to seize the dagger at any moment.

“Don’t mind her, Sareunae.”

Sasu-yeon replied, her eyes fixed on Orhan.

“Go out and prevent anyone from entering. If anyone asks, tell them I am training. In fact…”

Sasu-yeon said with a faint smile.

“This is training.”

Orhan’s brow twitched, but she said nothing.

“Understood.”

Sareunae withdrew her hand from the dagger and obeyed Sasu-yeon’s command.

Step.

With measured steps, Sareunae exited, not sparing Orhan a single glance.

“A fine hound you have.”

Orhan said as Sareunae disappeared outside.

“Trust, affection, or loyalty… Whatever you call it, it’s rare to find someone who gives their whole heart to another. You are fortunate.”

“That is none of your concern.”

Sasu-yeon said coldly.

“Didn’t you say there was something you wanted to confirm with me?”

“Yes, I did.”

Orhan said with a bitter smile, her white hair swaying gently.

“But for now, it seems I should teach you some manners.”

Whoosh.

Seomoksu, Orhan’s aura shifted instantly. An immense energy began to emanate from her entire body.

Whooooong.

Orhan’s silent sword once again radiated a deep blue aura. It was sharper than anything Toolker possessed, like facing the tip of a needle.

“Here I come.”

Swish.

In an instant, Orhan vanished. But Sasu-yeon was not flustered. Her sword, as white as frost, immediately drew a semicircle, tearing through the air.

Clang!

The banners fluttered, and the lamps shook. But the blue and white swords never ceased their exchange.

Bang, bang, clang.

Explosions echoed one after another, and the large, spacious Seven Palace Main Hall trembled, unable to withstand the two figures’ clash. Seomoksu, Orhan, who continued the fierce battle, could not hide her surprise.

‘Impressive.’

The swordsmanship Sasu-yeon displayed was remarkable. Especially her Profound Heaven Freezing Art, whose cold energy was lethal enough that even Seomoksu, Orhan, could not ignore it.

‘But what’s truly amazing is…’

Orhan looked at the cold eyes fixed on her. Beautiful enough to be admired even by another woman, yet so chilling.

‘This child right here.’

At first, Sasu-yeon seemed to be pushed back by Seomoksu, Orhan. Orhan’s years of experience as a martial artist were something Sasu-yeon lacked.

But that advantage vanished in an instant. Sasu-yeon absorbed everything Orhan showed her with terrifying speed. Now, even a mature, seasoned skill could be felt in Sasu-yeon’s swordsmanship.

‘If that’s the case.’

“Taha!”

Seomoksu, Orhan, struck down with her sword like lightning. A desperate strike that suddenly broke the flow of the duel. Sasu-yeon’s beautiful eyes widened.

Whoong.

As Sasu-yeon’s sword cried out, an explosion erupted.

Clang!

The two figures were pushed back. Orhan found it hard to believe. But Sasu-yeon frowned, as if displeased with the outcome.

“To withstand that, you are impressive indeed.”

Orhan said with a sigh. It was her sincere sentiment.

“Your sword is excellent as well.”

Sasu-yeon replied, still with a dissatisfied expression.

“But it’s not particularly impressive.”

At the moment of impact, what flashed through Sasu-yeon’s mind was Son Bin’s swordsmanship.

The swordplay of the Jade Dragon Reverse Scale Strike he had shown under the moonlight.

How could she compare Orhan’s sword to that one, which seemed to split the world in two?

Compared to the shock Son Bin’s sword had given her, Orhan’s sword was not particularly impressive. Excellent, of course, but not as impactful.

Twitch.

Seomoksu, Orhan’s brow twitched. It may have been Sasu-yeon’s honest opinion, but to Orhan, it was close to an insult.

“I owe a debt to the Martial Emperor.”

Orhan said. The anger of a martial artist who had been insulted writhed in her voice.

“I will repay that debt with this one strike.”

“Is that so?”

Sasu-yeon replied, her voice calm and cold.

“What if you can’t repay it?”

Sasu-yeon’s gaze towards Orhan was chilling. Orhan did not back down.

“Then I will follow your will. Whatever it may be.”

It was no longer a duel. It was a primal struggle between those who had staked everything on a single sword. In the face of that, life itself was but a trivial matter.

Orhan’s lips moved slightly.

“Everything to the strongest.”

Before the laws of the Northern Sea, it was an absolute principle that was too obvious to them. Just as no one questioned that the sun rose in the east and set in the west.

Whooooong.

Seomoksu, Orhan’s sword began to wail. The blue energy surrounding her sword seemed to vanish for a moment, then became a massive sword spirit, revealing its true form.

‘That’s!’

How could Sasu-yeon forget? The Sword Demon who had plunged a cold blade into her chest, and her ultimate technique, that massive silver sword spirit.

She couldn’t say that Orhan’s ultimate technique was the same as the Sword Demon’s. No, even before that, Orhan was not the Sword Demon. But to Sasu-yeon, such things no longer mattered.

Swish.

A blue light flashed in Sasu-yeon’s eyes.

Whoooooooong.

“Draw it out.”

Orhan said. Her eyes and voice were completely different from before. Her clothes and hair were fluttering as if caught in a storm by the aura she was emitting.

“The one that cut through Toolker’s Dao [path or principle]. Otherwise, you will die.”

Sasu-yeon knew that her words were not false. Sasu-yeon smiled coldly.

“That is also none of your concern.”

Seomoksu, Orhan’s eyes did not change. Her lips moved slightly.

“I gave you a chance.”

Orhan’s eyes flashed. And her massive sword spirit fell towards Sasu-yeon.

Seomoksu, Orhan’s ultimate technique that had made her who she was. A sword that broke all restraints like a bolt of lightning, the One Flash to Shatter the Prison.

Krrrrr!

It was like watching a towering cliff collapse before her eyes. An overwhelming sense of oppression that no human could withstand. But Sasu-yeon did not back down.

Whooooong.

Her sword emitted a pure white light. As if resisting her predetermined fate, Sasu-yeon raised her sword upwards. And the massive blue sword spirit collided with Sasu-yeon’s sword.

Clang!

A tremendous impact shook Sasu-yeon. Sasu-yeon’s ears heard nothing, but her heart felt the impact. And at that moment, Sasu-yeon knew that she would be pushed back.

Crack!

Sasu-yeon’s sword was still emitting a dazzling light. But it could not push back Orhan’s massive blue sword spirit.

‘Ugh.’

A fleeting moment like an eternity passed, and Sasu-yeon’s sword began to be pushed back. And defeat became inevitable.

Whoosh.

Darkness enveloped Sasu-yeon. Despair opened its mouth beneath her feet, and fear began to swallow her.

Just like when the Sword Demon’s sword had pierced her chest, Sasu-yeon’s heart was growing cold.

‘No!’

Sasu-yeon cried out. She absolutely could not lose. If she lost even once, everything would be over.

But that one time appeared before her like an unavoidable fate. All that remained was to fall into the endless abyss below.

‘I…’

Sasu-yeon screamed.

‘I have to win!’

-Have to win!

Thud.

There was no sound. But Sasu-yeon heard it. Something was resonating with her will. Something vast and absolute was echoing her cry.

That which had only been a vague feeling until now. That which had existed since ancient times and was now responding to Sasu-yeon was a vast ocean of power with no end in sight.

Flash.

Sasu-yeon’s sword emitted light.

Crackle.

With an eerie sound, the sword spirit grew larger. Without regard for even touching Orhan’s blue sword spirit, Sasu-yeon’s sword spirit, emitting light, continued to expand endlessly.

“I-Impossible.”

Seomoksu, Orhan, could not believe what was happening before her eyes. But as if mocking such Orhan, the silver sword spirit slowly began to push back Orhan’s sword.

Goo-goo-goong.

It felt like being an insect crushed by a giant’s finger. Orhan knew instinctively that no ultimate technique, no amazing skill, could stand against this power.

All that remained was to be crushed. That overwhelming despair was the last emotion Orhan felt.

Clang.

The next moment, everything sank into darkness with a sound like ice breaking.

* * *

Swaaaa.

Orhan slowly opened her eyes to the sound of the Northern Sea’s waves in the distance.

Flap, flap.

The Seven Palace Main Hall was in ruins. The lamps had long been broken, and the tattered banners were fluttering eerily in the darkness.

The stone floor was also cracked and broken, and the few pieces of furniture that had been there were completely destroyed.

Rustle.

Orhan raised herself. Surprisingly, there was not a single wound on her body. But she was far from normal. Not a single ounce of internal energy remained.

She was now just a powerless woman. The fear that her internal energy might never return assailed Orhan.

“It’s alright.”

Orhan trembled at the quiet voice. It was the voice of a beautiful young woman, but the chill in her voice was bone-piercing.

“Your internal energy will return.”

Flap.

In front of a large window where the cold wind was blowing in, a woman was sitting in a broken chair in a disheveled posture. She looked even frail, but Orhan knew.

That this woman was the one who had crushed her ultimate technique, One Flash to Shatter the Prison. That she was the daughter of the nightmare-like Martial Emperor, Sasu-yeon.

“Ugh.”

Orhan stood up. Her body did not move properly, but she could not stay like this. Forcibly raising herself, she lost her balance but managed to avoid falling again.

Sasu-yeon was watching her with cold eyes.

Swish.

Orhan, having stood up, put her hands together on her chest. And knelt on the cold floor.

Coo.

“Seomoksu, Orhan, awaits the Seven Palace Lord’s command.”

Orhan’s voice, with her head bowed, was calm to the point of being detached. Even if Sasu-yeon were to order her to end her life right now, she seemed as if she could accept it calmly.

Sasu-yeon looked at Orhan kneeling before her. Orhan’s white hair, which had lived for many years, was bowing to her. But what meaning did her courtesy have for her?

“Is there anyone in the Northern Sea who can defeat you?”

“Only the Young Palace Lord.”

Orhan replied. Sasu-yeon was silent for a moment. But it was not long.

“Those who follow you?”

“I lead a small number of disciples. All women.”

“Twelve.”

Sasu-yeon said. Her voice was low but unwavering.

In this situation, what she had to do was becoming so clear. While waiting for Orhan to wake up, she had already finished thinking.

“Establish twelve who will become the strength of the Northern Sea. I will call them… from now on, the Northern Sea Twelve Maids.”

Sasu-yeon’s voice, commanding, was full of majesty like an empress. Orhan was accepting it as a matter of course.

“Understood.”

Orhan bowed her head and received Sasu-yeon’s command. Sasu-yeon spoke towards the outside.

“Sareunae.”

Rustle.

“Yes, Young Palace Lord.”

Although it was not a loud voice, Sareunae immediately came inside. She was not at all surprised by the sight of the ruined Seven Palace Main Hall.

“Escort this person out of the Ice Palace. With the utmost courtesy.”

Sareunae, still in her sleeping gown and coat, bowed her head and received the command. And left the Seven Palace Main Hall with Orhan.

Swaaaaa.

In the empty Seven Palace Main Hall, the cold wind rushed in with the sound of the Northern Sea’s waves. The torn banners fluttered eerily.

“Ha.”

Sasu-yeon let out a low laugh as if in vain. If Orhan was right, there was no one in the Northern Sea who could defeat Sasu-yeon now.

“Haha.”

Sasu-yeon laughed.

“It’s over.”

The duel was over. No, it was as good as over. Now, all she had to do was wait for Son Bin to come.

But why wasn’t she happy? Why couldn’t she feel anything? Why was her laughter so dry?

Rustle.

Sasu-yeon leaned back in the broken chair. She was so tired that she couldn’t move a single finger. But her heart was like steel, and her thoughts were like ice.

There was nothing to be confused or dizzy about. It was like she had been closing her eyes and had just opened them.

Slowly, Sasu-yeon recalled her memories. The eyes of everyone she had seen since entering the Northern Sea vividly came to mind. Even the expressions and reactions of the people she had passed during the duel.

“I see.”

Sasu-yeon murmured.

“That’s how it was.”

Not only the situation surrounding her, but also the thoughts and intentions of the young palace lords, concubines, influential tribal chiefs, and generals were all visible.

‘Is this what it feels like?’

She could clearly understand what it felt like to look down. As if looking at the bugs busily crawling on the ground, she was looking down on their trivial thoughts. With a haughty and arrogant gaze.

Suddenly, at the end of Sasu-yeon’s gaze, she saw her broken sword. The shattered remains of the sword, like a broken teacup, were sparkling in the darkness.

“His words are right.”

Sasu-yeon said. Her voice was cold and chilling.

“If you get it, you can do whatever you want.”

Bingje’s words were right. If you get it, you can do whatever you want. There was no reason to be anxious or impatient.

“If I… get it.”

She didn’t have to be afraid that he would forget her. She didn’t have to be hurt that she might be abandoned. Even if there were any flaws in herself.

“Ha.”

Even her sneer was dry. Why hadn’t she known this clear and absolute truth until now?

Rustle.

Sasu-yeon closed her eyes. The thoughts were over. There was no more agony or anguish. As everything lost its color and faded away, Sasu-yeon’s heart slowly began to sink into the abyss.

‘I want to rest, even if only for a moment.’

At this moment, all she wanted was rest. A rest like death that no one could disturb.

Sasu-yeon slowly fell asleep.

Swaaaa.

The wind blew, and the banners fluttered. The faint moonlight came in through the window and landed on Sasu-yeon’s fair forehead as she slept.

“…Bin.”

It was such a small voice. Sasu-yeon’s red lips were moving instinctively under the moonlight.

“Please…”

Sasu-yeon said in a whisper. But the next moment, the voice scattered in the moonlight.

Whoosh.

A chill rose as if enveloping Sasu-yeon. And a cold frost began to spread around Sasu-yeon.

But Sasu-yeon didn’t care. No, nothing mattered to her anymore.