A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 138

Whoosh.

Lady Saso’s clothes fluttered. It wasn’t the wind, but her own momentum, sweeping across the stage like a storm.

“Hmm.”

Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun, and Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, calmed their boiling hearts and gathered their inner strength.

Lady Saso’s momentum slowly began to subside, and with it, the energy directed at the two men also lessened. However, the bone-chilling cold remained.

Step, step.

Lady Saso slowly walked down the stairs and stood on the stage.

“Your opponent is me.”

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, said. A faint smile spread across her lips.

“What good is it to determine the superiority of insignificant people? Isn’t it like the pot calling the kettle black?” (Referring to both parties being flawed or equally guilty.)

It was clear mockery. The one who fled fifty steps laughing at the one who retreated a hundred steps presupposes that both are fugitives.

“Hahaha, Lady Saso’s spirit is truly unyielding.”

Jegeol Gyun said, feigning a hearty laugh. However, the subtle anger in his voice betrayed his true feelings.

“But isn’t this too much? Even if you are the young lady of the Ice Palace, such rudeness… Huff!”

His words were cut short because Lady Saso kicked off the ground and rushed towards Jegeol Gyun.

Swish.

Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun, instantly drew his sword and took a defensive stance. And that choice was right.

Thud.

“Ugh.”

A heavy impact shook the sword. Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun, couldn’t withstand the force and was pushed back.

Gongson Byeok, seeing this, also quickly drew his sword. Then, as if waiting for it, Lady Saso rushed towards him.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Angered by the sudden attack, Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, slashed his sword diagonally.

Swoosh.

His sword, imbued with inner strength, cut through the air. The figure of Lady Saso, who was rushing in, seemed to sink down for a moment, and then a strong impact struck Gongson Byeok’s leg.

“Ugh.”

The moment he felt he was losing his balance, Gongson Byeok thrust his palm towards the ground. With that reaction, Gongson Byeok was able to straighten his collapsing body.

But waiting for him was the same blow that had pushed back Jegeol Gyun.

Whoosh.

A blow soared towards his face. Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, instantly raised his sword to block the attack.

Clang.

“Kugh.”

It was the right choice, but as a result, he had to retreat helplessly, like Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun.

Swoosh.

The two men were pushed back, and only one person, Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, remained in the center of the stage.

Leaning her upper body to the side, her leg stretched diagonally upwards, she looked like an elegant crane.

Rustle.

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, slowly lowered her foot. She hadn’t even drawn her sword yet, but she had driven the two men back with just her fists and feet. Her fluttering clothes finally settled down slowly.

“If you’re talking about rudeness…”

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, said with her hands behind her back, her eyes arrogant and haughty.

“The very fact that you set foot in this Bukhae [Northern Sea] is rude. You, who claim to be chivalrous, drawing your swords for wealth and power, what else is that if not rudeness to martial artists?”

“Tch.”

Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun, and Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, controlled their surging inner strength. The power contained in her slender attacks was terrifying.

Rustle.

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, spread her arms, as if showing her palms to the two men, and said:

“It doesn’t matter if you come alone or together.”

Son Bin could tell that the gaze of her faintly smiling eyes was directed at him, and no one else.

“If you defeat me, I will gladly bow my head to you.”

“You wench!”

Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, shouted in an angry voice. Although it was a surprise attack, he had been mocked by an opponent who hadn’t even drawn their sword. He had never received such an insult, nor had he ever tolerated it.

“Did you think you could insult the Gongson Clan and get away with it!”

Lady Saso laughed.

“Then prove that you are worthy of respect, not with your insignificant words, but with your sword.”

“You insist on it!”

Whooooosh.

With Gongson Byeok’s angry voice, his sword began to emit energy.

The sword in his hand cried out softly, and soon it was enveloped in a deep blue aura. It was the ultimate sword energy, worthy of the name of the Gongson Clan.

“Take this!”

Gongson Byeok lunged forward with his sword, the blue aura swirling around it. The shadow his sword energy left in the air stretched out like blue silk.

Swish.

“Hmph.”

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, laughed, and reaching out, she drew her sword, Myeong.

Sreung.

The blade of Myeong appeared at the tip of Saso Yeon’s white hand, and in a flash, it seemed to sparkle, and then collided with Gongson Byeok’s sword.

Clang!

‘T, this…’

Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, gritted his teeth at the unexpected impact. But there was no time to be surprised. The blade of Myeong was plunging down towards him.

Clang, clang.

The two exchanged blows three or four times in an instant.

Gongson Byeok’s sword, emitting a deep blue aura, seemed to have the upper hand, but Myeong, wrapped in a faint light, did not back down an inch.

Clang!

A roar echoed through the stage, and Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, stepped back.

He wasn’t pushed back, but he couldn’t push her back either.

Lady Saso was still standing there, holding her sword, Myeong, in one hand.

Buzz.

With the soft hum of Myeong, Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, said:

“Is this the end?”

Lady Saso laughed.

“As I thought, it’s not enough.”

Gritting.

Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, gritted his teeth, but instead of answering, he looked up and saw Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun, standing across from him.

“What will the Jegeol Clan do?”

Gongson Byeok’s eyes were filled with anger.

“Are you going to endure this outrage and humiliation?”

Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun, bit his lip.

“Hmm.”

Watching the battle between Lady Saso and Gongson Byeok, Jegeol Gyun realized that things had gone wrong. Even if he won, it would be ridiculous, and if he lost, it would be a mess.

Logically, the best course of action would be to denounce the rudeness of the Bukhae Ice Palace and the absurd progress of the competition and leave.

But he also knew that most of it would be dismissed as a cowardly excuse for the defeated. In the world of martial arts, the winner ultimately becomes justice.

“I!”

Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok, said forcefully, as if knowing that Jegeol Gyun was hesitating.

“Today, I will surely punish this rude girl, no matter what anyone says!”

Gongson Byeok’s will was firm, but that will did not impress Jegeol Gyun.

“I…”

It was the very moment he was about to shake his head when the voice of Pilong, Jegeol Ryeon, pierced his ears.

—Come down.

—In this situation, there is nothing more to gain. You can’t handle that child.

It was a consideration shown as an elder of the family. If it was Jegeol Ryeon’s order, the clan would not hold Jegeol Gyun responsible.

But that consideration only fueled Jegeol Gyun’s heart.

—Are you saying that I can’t win?

—Gyun-ah.

Pilong, Jegeol Ryeon, frowned. Retreating here is the best option. Why can’t you see this obvious thing?

But what you see is different depending on your position, and if what you see is different, your choices are also different.

—I’m sorry.

Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun’s face hardened.

—I will take all responsibility for this competition.

He couldn’t back down.

No, there was nowhere to retreat.

If he returned to the clan like this, even if he wasn’t held responsible, he would never be given another chance.

That was the difference between Pilong, Jegeol Ryeon, and Jegeol Gyun, who was from a collateral line.

“Good.”

Chuck.

Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun, extended his sword towards Lady Saso.

“Let’s see the end of this competition today.”

Gongson Byeok smiled at his words.

“As expected of the Meng Ho Geom of the Jegeol family. I will never forget your wise and timely decision.”

It was a silent promise, a promise not to forget to share the fruits of success, no matter who won.

Jegeol Gyun’s face brightened. He realized once again that his decision was wise.

“I am also deeply impressed by the Pung Un Geom’s bold determination. I, Jegeol Gyun, will sternly question the Bukhae Ice Palace’s wrongdoings in this place.”

Now, both the justification and the practical benefits were given to the two men.

The young lady of the Bukhae Ice Palace, perhaps because she had achieved a high level at a young age, had made the worst move.

Most of the Bukhae people did not understand the conversation between the two men, but they could see how things were progressing.

Gongson Byeok and Jegeol Gyun were going to face Lady Saso.

“Is the story over now?”

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, said.

“If it’s over, come.”

Woo Woong.

Meng Ho Geom, Jegeol Gyun’s sword cried out, and soon it was enveloped in a deep blue aura. It was the ultimate sword energy, not at all inferior to the Pung Un Geom, Gongson Byeok’s sword energy.

As if responding to it, Gongson Byeok’s sword also began to emit energy again.

Two swords, separated by one person, Lady Saso, were emitting a chilling aura.

Swish.

Saso Yeon’s sword, Myeong, pointed diagonally downwards. It was as if she had given up everything, but Jegeol Gyun and Gongson Byeok could tell that the moment Myeong raised its head, someone would see blood.

Tat.

The two men rushed towards Saso Yeon at the same time, as if they had made a promise. They had never matched it in advance, but it was not a difficult task for them, who were masters of the highest level.

Whooooosh.

From above and from the side, without even an inch of difference, the two men’s swords fell towards Saso Yeon at the same time.

It was a picture-perfect combination attack that no one could avoid.

But Saso Yeon had no intention of avoiding it from the beginning.

Woong.

Myeong cried, and the next moment, the blade of Myeong emitted a pure white light.

Whack, Kwang!

At the same time as the circle of white light was created, two explosions erupted, and two short groans followed.

“Kugh.”

“Ugh.”

The two swords wrapped in blue aura staggered, but Myeong’s movement was not over yet.

Whooooong.

Almost no one saw it properly. Saso Yeon’s sword, soaring towards the sky, was slowly revealing its true form in the dazzling light.

It was a gigantic sword body that no one could imagine a person holding, like a pillar supporting the sky.

Goooooong.

The pillar of the sky fell towards the two men, slowly, but like an inescapable fate that no one could stop.

Kwaaaang!

A storm swept through the stage and its surroundings. The flags fluttered violently, and people covered their faces from the swirling dust.

Crumble.

People felt the ground shaking beneath their feet. Not only the stage but even the gigantic Ice Palace was vibrating faintly.

The faces of the people, filled with fear, turned pale, but the vibration soon disappeared, and the view slowly cleared.

“Ah!”

An exclamation burst from someone’s mouth, and it spread like an epidemic from place to place.

“Ohh.”

Only one person was standing on the stage now: Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, standing with her clothes fluttering.

At first, there was silence, but that silence immediately turned into cheers.

“Waaaaa!”

“Lady Saso! Lady Saso!”

People shouted like crazy, as if trying to forget the terrifying fear that had covered them a moment ago.

Rustle.

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, slowly sheathed her sword. Myeong, held in her white hand, was just a beautifully extended sword.

“Gyun-ah!”

Pilong, Jegeol Ryeon, flew onto the stage in one stride. Seeing that, the people of the Gongson Clan also hurriedly climbed onto the stage.

The solid stone floor was cracked and broken here and there, and Jegeol Gyun was lying there in a miserable state. The sword was nowhere to be found, and even his clothes were not properly intact.

Jegeol Ryeon checked Jegeol Gyun’s pulse with a serious expression. The blood vessels throughout his body were twisted and not in a complete state. It was not even guaranteed that he would come to his senses in this state.

“How vicious! How could you…”

Pilong, Jegeol Ryeon, said, glaring at Lady Saso. His white beard trembled with anger.

“Vicious?”

Lady Saso laughed. Her cold gaze seemed to penetrate even Pilong, Jegeol Ryeon’s heart.

“If he had realized his place and retreated, this would not have happened. Everything is just the result of his own choice.”

Even in the roar that seemed to shake the heavens and the earth, Lady Saso’s voice was clear and pure.

“T, this…”

Pilong, Jegeol Ryeon, could not refute, and he couldn’t draw his sword either.

“If you want, anytime is fine, but then, I won’t be lenient anymore.”

Lady Saso said. Pilong, Jegeol Ryeon, knew that her words were not false.

The power she had shown for a moment was enough to make even himself tremble.

Rustle.

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, turned her body.

Step, step.

The Ice Emperor and Ice Empress were sitting at the end of her steps.

The Ice Empress’s eyes, looking at Saso Yeon approaching, were filled with resentment. The fear that had made everyone tremble, even that strange wonder, did not seem to overcome her resentment.

“Is it over?”

Saso Yeon looked down at the Ice Empress and spoke in the language of Bukhae. It was a cold and dry voice without any emotion, but it was sharper than any insult or mockery to the Ice Empress.

“If it’s over, I’m disappointed. I thought you would still have something left to surprise me with.”

Crack.

Blood oozed out as her red lips were pressed down, but the Ice Empress said nothing.

Rustle.

Saso Yeon briefly glanced at the Ice Emperor’s still unreadable eyes and turned her body.

The sea of people filling the front of the Ice Palace was looking up at her.

Numerous gazes that would terrify an ordinary person just by facing them.

Those numerous eyes were only looking at her. Those numerous people were completely silent at this moment.

Rustle.

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, smiled and raised one hand, and at that moment, people instinctively realized that the unknown fear that they could never handle had become their ally at this moment.

“Waaaaa!”

“Uwaaaaa!”

People cheered and shouted. It was already close to a scream rather than a cheer. The Ice Emperor and Ice Empress were forgotten. All the cheers were only pouring towards Lady Saso, Saso Yeon.

Whirr.

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, turned her body, and she began to slowly climb the stairs again towards the Ice Palace.

“Lady Saso.”

“Lady Saso.”

Seomoksu, Oreuhan, and the Bukhae Twelve Bi knelt before her and paid their respects, but Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, did not answer.

Their respect was natural, and the people’s cheers were deserved, just as all of Bukhae had to kneel before the Empress of Bukhae.

Step, step.

Lady Saso, Saso Yeon, entered the Ice Palace. Her clothes were lightly swaying and dancing.

Now the ordeal is over. There are no more tests. Bukhae has become hers.

And only now, barely.

“It’s time to meet him.”

Saso Yeon said with a smile, but Sareuna, who was following behind her, shuddered.

* * *

No one said anything. Seorin, Dang Wora, and even No Gun were silent. It wasn’t just them who had lost their words in the earth-shattering cheers.

“What, what was that?”

Dang Wora barely managed to say. A subtle fear had settled in her voice as well.

“I’ve never heard of or read about such a sword.”

“No.”

No Gun said, his voice low and filled with unpleasant emotions.

“That’s not martial arts, nor Tao [a philosophical concept], nor even a sword. That’s just… power.”

No Gun said, spitting out the words.

“Unfeeling and merciless, primal violence itself. That’s what that is.”

It couldn’t be called sword energy either. It was even less so the legendary sword force.

Violence that was unrestrained and uncontrolled, like a liberated beast.

It was just brute force, a force that no one could dare to tame.

“It’s not just a mental demon. Even if it’s the Martial Emperor…”

No Gun couldn’t finish his words.

If the Martial Emperor of Hyeoncheon were here, could she stop her?

The martial prowess of the Martial Emperor that he remembered was incomparable to anyone, but could she break that unprecedented power?

“Bin-ah.”

No Gun said, looking at Son Bin. No Gun’s eyes were serious.

“Unfortunately…”

Son Bin looked at No Gun and smiled quietly. His smile looked so sad that No Gun’s heart seemed to collapse.

Sreuk.

The Ice Emperor rose from his seat. The noise of the murmuring people subsided, and all eyes turned to him.

“The last night of the Great Prairie is over.”

He declared, but it was already meaningless.

“With this, the young lady will embrace her true name and pass the last trial of her mother, Bukhae.”

The Ice Emperor said, looking down at the people.

“The trials of Mother Bukhae are not made public. All Bukhae people should quietly await the results.”

Swish.

The Ice Emperor’s gaze turned to the martial artists.

“You are still guests of Bukhae, but you no longer have the authority to interfere in the affairs of Bukhae. Anyone who is rude will be held accountable.”

Since there was no one to translate the Ice Emperor’s words into the southern language, the martial artists murmured for a while.

Someone who knew the language of Bukhae conveyed the meaning, and the martial artists began to whisper to each other. Everyone had different opinions about what would happen in the future.

Step, step.

Leaving the murmuring people behind, the Ice Emperor ascended to the Ice Palace. The concubines and young ladies followed behind, and the Ice Empress, who was the last to remain alone, muttered quietly:

“Is it over? It can’t be. Not yet… it’s not over yet.”

No one heard her voice filled with resentment, only herself.

“Not yet.”

The Ice Empress clenched her fist. Her trimmed nails dug into her flesh, but she didn’t feel any pain.