A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 132

Rustle.

A letter made a soft sound between white fingers.

“The Northern Sea Ice Palace? A martial arts contest for marriage?”

Lady Tang Hwa-ryun, the chief strategist of the Tang Clan, frowned slightly as she read the letter.

“Yes, that is correct.”

The subordinate bowed deeply and replied.

“There was an earnest request from the Songam Trading Company. They say they need at least a master who has manifested their sword energy to its peak.”

“Ha.”

Tang Hwa-ryun let out a hollow laugh.

“At least a master who has manifested their sword energy to its peak? Is a master something you can just find on the street?”

Sharp displeasure was evident in Tang Hwa-ryun’s piercing eyes.

“I hear the Songam Trading Company is doing well these days?”

Tang Hwa-ryun said.

“Is that why? Sometimes, they seem to forget their place.”

Tang Hwa-ryun was probably the only one who could speak that way about the Songam Trading Company, one of the Five Great Trading Companies. The subordinate quietly remained silent.

Rustle.

“Hmm.”

Tang Hwa-ryun continued to read the letter. Her beautiful, furrowed brow remained unchanged.

Rustle.

Tang Hwa-ryun bit her lip slightly and muttered.

“A martial arts contest for marriage by the Northern Sea Ice Palace…….”

The subordinate said in a low voice.

“The benefits of monopolizing trade in the Northern Sea would be immense.”

“I know.”

Toc toc.

Tang Hwa-ryun put down the letter and tapped the desk with her finger. After thinking for a moment, she made a decision.

“Impossible.”

Tang Hwa-ryun said curtly. She looked down at the flustered subordinate and continued.

“I understand the need for a master. I also agree that the benefits of success would be great. But we know nothing about the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”

Click.

Tang Hwa-ryun stood up from her seat.

“To rush in for the sake of profit without knowing anything about the risks is the perfect recipe for failure. I can’t jump into something relying only on luck when it’s obvious we’ll fail.”

“But I hear the Zhuge and Gongsun families are already moving.”

“Of course. The Maun and Jaebu Trading Companies won’t be standing still either.”

The Maun and Jaebu Trading Companies are also among the Five Great Trading Companies. They have each established cooperative relationships with the Zhuge and Gongsun families.

“The trade rights to the Northern Sea are a tempting opportunity for any trading company. Moreover, the Namgung and Hyeonryun families can’t move due to the situation in the Jiangnan Murim [Jiangnan martial arts world], so there are fewer competitors. That’s probably why the Songam Trading Company is so eager. But.”

Tang Hwa-ryun’s voice was firm.

“The opponent is the Northern Sea Ice Palace. It’s not a place to step into rashly, blinded by immediate gains.”

Looking down at the subordinate, Tang Hwa-ryun said.

“The Tang Clan will not participate in this martial arts contest for marriage in the Northern Sea. Right now, the issue we need to focus on is the Jiangnan Murim.”

The subordinate bowed his head.

“Understood.”

“Focus all your efforts on understanding the movements of the Blood Phoenix Alliance and the Namgung Family. Investigate the Blood Phoenix and Guigyeonsura [Ghost Crying Asura – a particularly fierce and merciless warrior] more deeply. Oh, and Tang Baek-bu should be enough to send to the Northern Sea.”

“Yes?”

The subordinate asked without realizing it. Hadn’t she just said they wouldn’t participate in the martial arts contest for marriage? Tang Hwa-ryun turned to the subordinate and frowned.

“Did you think we were just going to do nothing with this opportunity? Send Tang Baek-bu to the Northern Sea. He’s quick to assess situations and skilled in interpersonal relationships, so he’ll be perfect for understanding the situation in the Northern Sea Ice Palace. It would be even better if he could get close to the core of the Ice Palace. This time may not be it, but there will always be another opportunity.”

“Yes. Understood.”

The subordinate bowed deeply.

‘The Northern Sea…….’

Tang Hwa-ryun turned her head to look out the window. The garden was full of colorful flowers, but at this moment, they did not catch Tang Hwa-ryun’s eye.

‘I wonder if Wol-ah is okay?’

Tang Wol-ah had headed to the Northern Sea. And as if waiting for it, the Northern Sea Ice Palace had declared a martial arts contest for marriage. Could there be some connection to this?

Tang Hwa-ryun shook her head. Tang Wol-ah had left before this news was delivered. So this was just a coincidence. But Tang Hwa-ryun couldn’t shake off an unsettling feeling.

‘I need to tell Uncle Tang firmly.’

If he meets Tang Wol-ah in the Northern Sea, he must do everything he can to help her. Although, in terms of martial prowess, Tang Wol-ah is the one who should be helping Tang Baek-bu.

“Haa.”

Tang Hwa-ryun sighed.

‘I thought she was going to roam Jiangnan and Gangbuk…….’

Now it’s the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Although I know there’s no one who could put Tang Wol-ah in danger, I can’t help but worry.

‘But, I’m a little envious.’

Tang Hwa-ryun raised her head. Small clouds were floating in the blue sky.

*

*

*

“Wahahahaha.”

“Hohoho.”

The inn was bustling even late at night. The inn was not small, and it was located on a main road, so it was full of guests from all over.

Everyone was laughing and chatting late into the night, trying to relieve the boredom of their travels.

“It’s so noisy.”

Namgung Noyun frowned. A group of young men and women were gathered where he was glaring.

Since everyone was just passing through, they didn’t care much about other people’s opinions, but their voices were especially loud.

“Oh my, really? Ohohoho.”

A young man dressed in fancy clothes said loudly.

“Of course, that’s why the Gangbuk Murim [Gangbuk martial arts world] is in an uproar right now.”

Namgung Noyun’s hand, which was holding an iron coin, twitched. Son Bin, who was lifting his teacup, also stopped moving.

“I don’t know what that mysterious sect, the Northern Sea Ice Palace, is thinking by declaring a martial arts contest for marriage, but this is truly a stroke of luck.”

The young man’s eyes sparkled.

“If you become the consort of the Northern Sea Palace Lord, you can be considered at least the deputy head of the Five Great Families. For those who have the skills but are not given the opportunity, or for those who want to prove their worth, this is truly a heaven-sent opportunity.”

Within the bloodline-centered Se-ga [martial arts clans], discrimination against collateral lines is severe.

For those who are not even given the possibility of entering the core of the family, the position of the Northern Sea Ice Palace Lord is truly attractive.

The family’s attitude toward them will change, and they may even be able to become independent from the family and rise to an equal position.

“Is that all? It is said that a huge treasure is sleeping in the Northern Sea Ice Palace? Moreover, there are many large trading companies that want to trade with the Northern Sea. If you become the consort of the Palace Lord and monopolize the northern trade, gold nuggets will look like pebbles on the street.”

The eyes of the young men changed. With trade with other countries being restricted, only large trading companies have the capacity to trade with the Northern Sea.

Moreover, the specialties of the Northern Sea are all precious, so it was natural that wealth would pour in if they held the trade monopoly. As he said, this was truly a great opportunity.

“And I heard that the Northern Sea Ice Palace Lord is such a celestial beauty. According to those who have actually seen her, she is like the legendary Moon Palace Fairy or a celestial being above the clouds.”

“Hmph.”

A young lady turned her head as if she was sulking.

“Pretty or not, that’s all men think about? What’s important is not appearance but heart.”

The young man smiled.

“Only pretty people can say that. If an ugly woman said that, everyone would laugh, right? Don’t show off that you’re pretty like that. Hahaha.”

“Oh my, is that so? Ohohoho.”

“Ahahaha.”

Sharp laughter erupted all at once. Even people sitting far away frowned and stared. Some of them were already drunk and had lost their patience.

“Hey, ssiang [a vulgar Korean expression].”

A burly man with a sword on his back spat on the floor and stood up. He seemed quite drunk, as he was already staggering.

“What, ttibal [another vulgar Korean expression]. Do they think they’re the only ones in this inn……. Ugh.”

Thud.

The man who was standing up fell forward.

“What?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Is he already drunk?”

The group sitting with him frowned at the fallen man. Everyone was already drunk, so no one heard the small ‘ping’ sound that was buried in the noise.

Waiters who were used to this kind of thing quickly ran over and helped the unconscious man up. The young men who were talking didn’t pay attention to the small commotion that had occurred over there.

“Then, all the Murim people in Gangbuk will go to the Northern Sea.”

A young man said. But the young man who first brought up the story of the Northern Sea shook his head.

“It’s no use going.”

His words were firm.

“What can the riffraff do even if they go? Only one person can seize the opportunity. You have to defeat countless competitors, and in the end, you have to compete directly with the Palace Lord and win.”

“With the Palace Lord?”

A young man who was listening tilted his head.

“Wasn’t the winner supposed to become the consort of that Palace Lord?”

The young man who was speaking shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, maybe it’s pride that she can’t marry a man who can’t beat her, or maybe it’s a strange custom. It’s the Northern Sea, after all.”

Little is known about the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Since it was originally the land of ethnic minorities, there could be any number of unfamiliar customs.

Anyway, if you can defeat other competitors, competing with the Palace Lord is just a formality. The young man continued, as if it wasn’t very important.

“Anyway, do you think the Five Great Families will miss this good opportunity to enter the core of the Northern Sea Ice Palace? They’ve already sent people, right? The trading companies they’ve joined hands with will do their best to support them.”

“In the end, even if the opportunity comes, the rich will take it.”

The young man said with a bitter expression. The atmosphere sank a little at those words.

Seeing that the conversation had died down, Namgung Noyun, who had been watching them, turned his head.

“Tsk. I listened to the end for nothing?”

Namgung Noyun said grumbling. “I was hoping to hear something about that kid, but it was all irrelevant.”

The Northern Sea Ice Palace, the Palace Lord, it was all irrelevant.

Noyun rattled the iron coins in his hand and wondered if he should silence those noisy people now. Son Bin seemed to feel the same way, as he quietly lifted his teacup.

“Should we?”

Tang Wol-ah said quietly. Her voice was so small that even Son Bin, who was sitting right in front of her, could barely hear her.

“Lady Sa went to the Northern Sea. And the Northern Sea Ice Palace suddenly announced the Palace Lord’s martial arts contest for marriage. Could these two things be completely unrelated?”

Noyun shrugged his shoulders.

“But that kid has nothing to do with the Ice Palace. What was it, the house with a lot of sons and one daughter is that kid’s maternal family, right?”

Noyun said, sliding his food bowl to Seorin. Seorin, who had already finished her share and was licking her empty bowl, sparkled her eyes.

“You should say ‘thank you’.”

At Son Bin’s words, Seorin bowed her head.

“Thank you.”

Namgung Noyun didn’t respond as if it was nothing.

“Noyun is right.”

Tang Wol-ah said in a small voice. She pulled her bowl closer to her. Her will that no one could touch it was evident.

“But Lady Sa is already a great power just by her existence. If a lion enters the midst of wolves, can the forest be quiet? The Northern Sea is bound to be shaken up. I think this is either the result of that, or something derived from it.”

“Hmm. So, you’re saying there’s some kind of connection?”

Noyun was lost in thought. Son Bin didn’t seem to understand what she was saying, but Noyun knew.

Tang Wol-ah’s point was accurate. A world where everything revolves around the strong, that’s Murim.

“I should go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”

Noyun muttered. And he frowned as he looked at Seorin.

“Did you already eat all of that?”

Seorin looked up at Noyun with a pitiful expression, with an empty bowl in front of her.

“No. And don’t look at me like that. Just because you pretend to be pitiful doesn’t mean food will…….”

“Hahaha. But there’s always another chance.”

A young man’s voice rang out loudly from behind. Noyun frowned and turned his head. He already had an iron coin in his hand.

There was nothing more to hear, so he was about to silence that noisy young man right away. But this time, the iron coin had no choice but to remain silent.

“In Namak, you know.”

The young man said.

“The Half-Sword Demoness has appeared. That beautiful witch, I heard.”

“Oh my, really?”

A young lady showed interest with sparkling eyes.

“I heard that the Half-Sword Demoness always appears like a ghost, right?”

“She always appears only on pitch-black nights. With a cold aura all around her. But that Demoness has appeared in the martial arts centers and Se-ga [martial arts clans] near Namak and is looking for Noyun, and many martial families have been harmed because of that Demoness.”

“Namgung Noyun?”

A young lady tilted her head.

“Namgung Noyun, isn’t he a former master? His name has been mentioned again recently because of some escort agency incident…….”

“That’s right, that Namgung Noyun. Anyway, the atmosphere around Namak is grim because of the Half-Sword Demoness these days. If you defeat the Half-Sword Demoness at a time like this, you’ll make a name for yourself, right?”

“Or will you fall like the others?”

The young lady said as if scolding him. But the young man smiled instead.

“Oh, are you worried about me?”

“Oooooh!”

The young men all laughed and cheered. Noyun frowned, but he still didn’t throw the iron coin.

“Anyway, Gangnam is noisy these days.”

Another young lady said with a deep sigh.

“There’s also the Blood Phoenix Alliance……. Why isn’t the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] doing anything?”

The eyes of the young men changed slightly.

“That’s…….”

Another young man replied. His voice was lower than before.

“Even if it’s not, the Murim Alliance may move soon. The sparks have started to fly to Gangbuk.”

The young lady’s eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me the Blood Phoenix Alliance has crossed the Yangtze River?”

“Not that, but the Black Serpent Clan has joined hands with the Blood Phoenix Alliance.”

The young man said with a serious expression.

“The Black Serpent Clan has drawn in other Gangbuk evil sects and sided with the Blood Phoenix Alliance. They even changed their name to the Black Serpent Alliance.”

“I can’t understand.”

The young lady frowned with her beautiful eyebrows.

“Why is the Black Serpent Clan getting involved in the affairs of the Gangnam Murim?”

“Interests. In other words, money.”

“Yes?”

“Currently, the Blood Phoenix Alliance has seized three provinces in Gangnam. If they defeat the Namgung Family in this situation, they can dominate the entire Gangnam. How much profit do you think will be generated in Gangnam then?”

The young man’s eyes sparkled.

“Gangnam has been famous for its abundant products since ancient times. The amount of logistics that moves in a day is enormous. If the Black Serpent Clan, no, the Black Serpent Alliance, gets its hands on that wealth, what will happen to the Gangbuk Murim?”

The young lady’s complexion hardened. The young man said.

“That’s why the Murim Alliance might move. Well, whether the Namgung Family will fall so easily is another matter. The Hyeonryun Family won’t stand still either.”

The young ladies’ complexions eased a little when the Namgung and Hyeonryun Families were mentioned.

“Then it’ll be okay. There are two of the Five Great Families, so no matter how much the evil sects unite, how can they be a match?”

“Well? It’s not that simple. I heard that the Blood Dragon Gate is also behind the Blood Phoenix Alliance……. Anyway, this is the first time that the evil sects of Gangbuk and Gangnam have come together like this.”

“I see. I thought the evil sects were all biting each other, but they’re better at uniting than the orthodox sects.”

“I find that even more strange.”

Suddenly, another young man said. When the group’s attention was focused, he cleared his throat a few times and continued.

“Anyway, I thought the Gangbuk evil sects would get involved in the affairs of Gangnam, but I thought it would be after the Blood Phoenix Alliance and the Namgung Family had settled things? If they fought each other and both sides were injured, the Black Serpent Clan would quickly advance into Gangnam.”

The young ladies nodded. The young man’s words certainly made sense.

“But for the Black Serpent Clan to openly unite like this is really unexpected. It seems that the abilities of the woman named Blood Phoenix are great. I heard that she’s also a celestial beauty…….”

“What is it, is it another story about a woman in the end? How come the story always ends with a woman?”

The young lady said with a frown. The young man waved his hand with a flustered expression at her serious reaction.

“No, that’s not what I mean…….”

He seemed to be inferior in terms of skillful handling. He was quite the contrast to the young man who skillfully parried the words.

“Haha, please understand. This friend of mine has always been training in martial arts, so he’s a bit naive. He must be out of his mind to see such beautiful young ladies.”

The young man next to him said skillfully.

“Well, shall we have another toast for the journey ahead?”

He skillfully led the atmosphere. The young men raised their voices again, and Noyun shook his head.

“Tsk.”

Noyun said.

“That’s a typical delusion. The delusion that if you stick next to a successful friend, you might get a chance too. In the end, they can only play the role of making that guy shine.”

Son Bin smiled bitterly. Noyun’s interest seemed to be in that direction.

“But why is she looking for Noyun?”

“I can guess roughly.”

Noyun said with a dissatisfied expression.

“That old fool, how dare he sell my name recklessly? I’ll…….”

‘Ah.’

Son Bin finally understood the situation. Since the Sword Demoness was looking for Noyun after meeting Eoong, it seemed that Eoong had told her about Noyun.

“How dare you sell my name without my permission, I’ll have to punish you when I get back.”

“Yes? Me?”

Son Bin’s eyes widened. Noyun glanced at Son Bin, but didn’t answer. Instead, he frowned as he looked at the young men who were laughing boisterously.

“It’s really noisy, those guys.”

But Noyun’s iron coin was still silent.

Tang Wol-ah still hadn’t finished her meal, and Seorin was staring at Tang Wol-ah’s food with sparkling eyes. Of course, Tang Wol-ah didn’t waver at all.