A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 14

14. The First Life or Death Decision

Thud.

Son Bin’s door creaked open, and Sa Ja-hyuk entered. Seeing Son Bin already dressed and prepared, sitting and waiting, Sa Ja-hyuk turned around without a word.

Son Bin quietly rose from his seat, gathering his books, brush, and a small ink bottle. He then followed Sa Ja-hyuk out.

Outside the inn, a small carriage was waiting. As if prearranged, the carriage began to move as soon as Sa Ja-hyuk and Son Bin boarded.

Clatter, clatter.

Though it was the middle of the night, the lanterns scattered throughout Chengdu brightly illuminated the streets. The carriage passed through the city, brilliantly lit with various lanterns, and then sped across the wide-open fields beyond Chengdu.

‘How far are we going?’

The carriage, after what felt like an endless journey, dropped them off in front of a small temple.

In stark contrast to the bright cityscape of Chengdu, which was situated on a wide plain, this temple was nestled in the middle of rugged mountains, a secluded and quiet place without a single light.

Thud, thud.

Sa Ja-hyuk, without a word, began to ascend the path towards the temple. The carriage immediately turned back after dropping them off. Son Bin, with a tense expression, followed behind Sa Ja-hyuk.

Rustle, rustle.

“Huff, huff.”

The path quickly became treacherous. Moreover, it felt as if they were entering deeper into the mountains rather than heading to a temple, as the surrounding trees and bamboo forests grew denser and darker.

When Son Bin fell behind, Sa Ja-hyuk would wait ahead, but he never said a word. Son Bin, too, diligently moved his feet, saying nothing.

How long had they walked like that? Suddenly, Son Bin felt the surroundings brighten, and then the forest disappeared, revealing a wide-open space.

Swish.

The wind blew, cooling Son Bin’s sweat. And Son Bin was completely captivated by the sight unfolding before his eyes.

“Wow.”

A gasp escaped him involuntarily. Beyond the open space where the forest ended, the dazzling night view of Chengdu, in Sichuan province, sparkled like a fantasy.

‘Where is this…?’

Son Bin slowly looked around. The side bordering the mountain was a lush forest, but the other side was a steep cliff.

The wind was blowing from that cliff, and far below, he could see Chengdu, Sichuan. Though they had traveled for a long time, the night view of the massive city of Chengdu was still beautifully illuminated.

‘Amazing.’

While Son Bin was captivated by the night view of Chengdu, Sa Ja-hyuk remained silently still. And after a moment, a low voice was heard. It was neither Son Bin’s nor Sa Ja-hyuk’s voice.

“Have you come?”

Startled, Son Bin quickly turned his head. From beyond the forest path where Son Bin had emerged, someone was slowly revealing himself from within the bamboo forest.

“Yes.”

Sa Ja-hyuk’s voice flowed from behind Son Bin. Was it Son Bin’s imagination, or did he detect a hint of laughter in that voice?

“I have come.”

Sa Ja-hyuk said.

“As promised.”

The person towards whom Sa Ja-hyuk’s shining eyes were directed was an elderly Taoist. The old Taoist, with his graying hair and long beard, revealed his figure under the moonlight.

His hat and attire were simple, but the patterns embroidered on his collar suggested that his status was not low. The horsetail whisk in his hand indicated that he was a Taoist priest.

“I.”

The old Taoist said with a hollow expression. His voice seemed to transcend all worldly concerns.

“I had hoped you wouldn’t come.”

A smile appeared on Sa Ja-hyuk’s lips. It was a complete sneer.

“But I knew you would come again. You are a man who always keeps his promises.”

The Taoist said, his white beard fluttering in the wind.

“Even if it means losing your life as a result.”

Sa Ja-hyuk did not answer. But the sneer on his lips did not disappear.

“Who is that child?”

The Taoist suddenly glanced at Son Bin and said.

“He is.”

Sa Ja-hyuk replied.

“One who watches and records.”

The Taoist’s brow furrowed slightly.

“One who watches and records?”

Sa Ja-hyuk did not answer. The Taoist slowly stroked his beard.

“You seem to have changed a bit in the meantime. Was the Heavenly Fragrance Tower too much for even you?”

‘Heavenly Fragrance Tower?’

Son Bin tilted his head. It seemed like an important term, but he couldn’t guess its meaning. He wanted to take out his brush and book to record it immediately, but the atmosphere was too ominous to move carelessly.

After observing the situation, Son Bin slowly reached into his coat. The Taoist didn’t seem particularly wary, but he watched Son Bin’s movements with interest.

When the book and brush emerged from Son Bin’s coat, the Taoist smiled faintly.

“Truly a recorder.”

Perhaps the Taoist had understood Sa Ja-hyuk’s words differently. Anyway, thinking that he had obtained the other party’s consent, Son Bin began to move his brush in earnest.

“That’s right.”

Sa Ja-hyuk said.

“He is also one who watches. Unlike the one hiding behind you.”

Sa Ja-hyuk’s sharp gaze turned towards the bamboo forest behind the Taoist.

“Indeed.”

The Taoist smiled.

“I already knew that the Heavenly Fragrance Tower could not harm you.”

“I am pleased to see that your sophistry is still intact.”

Sa Ja-hyuk said. It was a sharp rebuke, but the Taoist did not erase his smile.

“Do not misunderstand. He too is one who watches.”

The Taoist said in a low voice.

“Come out, child.”

With the Taoist’s words, someone cautiously revealed himself from behind him.

‘Huh?’

Son Bin wore a puzzled expression. The newly appeared person was a young, no, a child, dressed in similar attire to the old Taoist.

He had a neat appearance with a slender face, and his eyes were strong and clear, revealing intelligence. However, he seemed quite younger than Son Bin, as he was short and his facial features still seemed to be shedding their childishness.

The young boy, cautious as if wary of strangers, held a sword close to his chest.

“A disciple I obtained in my old age.”

The old Taoist’s eyes were filled with warmth as he looked at the young boy.

“He is an acquaintance of mine. Pay your respects.”

It was the moment when the young boy, hesitating at the Taoist’s words, was about to bow.

“Hmph.”

Sa Ja-hyuk sneered.

“Are you going to pay your respects to the enemy who will kill your master?”

Clench.

In that instant, sparks flew in the young boy’s eyes.

“Ahem.”

Whirr.

It was only a moment before the old Taoist held out the horsetail whisk he was holding to restrain the young boy. However, in that short time, the young boy had already lowered his body.

If the Taoist hadn’t stopped him, he would have lunged at Sa Ja-hyuk as he was. His eyes, which had seemed intelligent, now gleamed with murderous intent, and one of his hands was already ready to draw his sword.

It was as if he were looking at a different person.

“Didn’t I tell you to control your mind?”

The old Taoist said to the young boy with a stern expression, as if rebuking him.

“How can you control your mind if you lose your composure at a single word?”

“Th, that’s not it, Master. Th, that person……”

The young boy’s eyes trembled slightly. He said with an anxious look.

“That person is dangerous.”

Even as he spoke, the young boy’s gaze wavered uneasily as he looked at Sa Ja-hyuk.

“Seo-rin.”

At the old Taoist’s voice, the young boy turned his head. Looking straight into his eyes, the old Taoist said in a soft voice.

“Everything will flow according to the natural order [Taoist principle of following the natural course of events], so there is nothing for you to worry about. Do you understand?”

The young boy stared intently at the old Taoist and blinked a few times. And at some point, the murderous intent disappeared from his eyes.

“Yes, Master.”

The young boy regained his composure to a surprising degree. The eyes that had been trembling with anxiety regained their intelligence, and the anxious expression disappeared.

The blatant murderous intent that had been gleaming just a moment ago was like a lie.

“Yes. That’s right.”

The old Taoist nodded with a smile.

“What are you doing?”

Sa Ja-hyuk said with a frown. An unpleasant expression was evident on his face. It was visible that the young boy, called Seo-rin, flinched and tensed up again as Sa Ja-hyuk’s gaze reached him.

“I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable.”

The old Taoist said with a smile.

“But I definitely wanted to show this child your Pa-wol [Sa Ja-hyuk’s sword].”

The old Taoist raised his hand and placed it on the young boy’s head. It was like treating him like a child, but the young boy seemed to feel a sense of relief.

“Hmm.”

Sa Ja-hyuk frowned and looked at the young boy called Seo-rin. The young boy was maintaining his composure, but he still had a wary expression towards Sa Ja-hyuk.

After a moment, Sa Ja-hyuk said as if throwing it away.

“You’ve dressed him in clothes that don’t suit him.”

“He’s just not used to it.”

The old Taoist replied.

“If he’s just watching, I won’t interfere.”

Sa Ja-hyuk said.

“But I can’t guarantee anything else. The opponent in this duel is you.”

“To hear those words from you is an honor.”

The old Taoist said.

“To the Martial Emperor of the Black Sky [a title of great respect], who always had everything at his feet.”

“I have already forgotten such a name. I am Sa Ja-hyuk.”

Swoosh.

The black greatsword Pa-wol revealed its form. The greatsword Pa-wol, which was not even sharpened, was directed towards the old Taoist.

“Let us begin the duel.”

“A duel… how like you.”

The old Taoist smiled. He reached out his hand towards the young boy.

Swish.

The young boy immediately bowed his head and handed over the sword with both hands. The old Taoist handed the horsetail whisk he was holding to the boy and took the sword. The old Taoist’s hand gripped the sword.

“Until the end, are you not going to say that you came to take my life? Then how will you get your revenge?”

Son Bin felt that his laughter was somehow hollow.

“I will not take revenge.”

Sa Ja-hyuk said with a cold gaze.

“I swear, I will never become like you.”

“Is that so?”

The old Taoist holding the sword said.

“Then I have no choice but to say this.”

Swoosh.

A plain sword with no decorations revealed its form. The sharpness of the blade, shining blue under the moonlight, was directed towards Sa Ja-hyuk.

“I swear, I will surely sever the ties of the past. Right here, today.”

Whoosh.

A tremendous force emanated from the old Taoist.

“Good.”

Sa Ja-hyuk said briefly.

“That is what I desire.”

Woo-woo-woong.

As if to counter the old Taoist’s force, Sa Ja-hyuk’s fierce energy began to spread out in streams.

∴

‘Ugh.’

Son Bin flinched without realizing it. The two men’s energy was clearly directed at each other, but just watching, goosebumps instantly rose on his arms.

As if he had seen some kind of immense natural disaster, his instincts constantly told him to flee this place. He felt an urge to run away from this absurd sight to somewhere unseen, right now.

‘Wh, what on earth…….’

Son Bin was horrified. He hadn’t expected it to be this intense. He had thought he had become somewhat accustomed to Sa Ja-hyuk’s energy. He had even admired it while watching the duel with Wi Ga-jin.

But now, this duel between these two was on a completely different level.

‘How can a person have such energy…….’

Energy is an invisible pressure. Most people feel intimidated and shrink back in the presence of someone with strong energy.

But their energy far surpassed that level. The energy emanating from them could be felt on the skin.

Moreover, it began to intensify more and more, not only causing the two men’s clothes to flutter as if they were standing in the wind, but now even the surrounding trees were shaking their branches as if they had encountered a whirlwind.

Swish.

‘Ugh.’

Son Bin gritted his teeth. It felt like he wouldn’t be able to withstand this energy otherwise. Then, suddenly, the figure of the young boy across from him came into Son Bin’s view.

The young boy, who looked younger than Son Bin, was standing with the horsetail whisk clasped tightly in both hands.

The young boy, who was only looking at the old Taoist, seemed completely unaffected by the fierce energy swirling around him.

‘He looks young, but he’s amazing.’

Son Bin admired inwardly. His first impression was that he looked too delicate, and he seemed reckless when he suddenly showed his fierce murderous intent, but now he seemed much more mature than himself.

‘Ugh.’

He didn’t want to lose even to that young boy who looked younger than him. Son Bin tried hard to straighten his back. And he raised his head and turned his gaze towards Sa Ja-hyuk. It was at that moment.

Whoosh.

The whirlwind-like energy subsided in an instant. And silence fell all around.

‘Huh?’

Puzzled, Son Bin blinked his eyes. The pressure that had made it difficult to even lift his head had disappeared as if it were a lie. As if it had never been there from the beginning.

‘What is this…….’

Son Bin raised his eyes to look at Sa Ja-hyuk. But Sa Ja-hyuk was not there. All Son Bin saw was the blue afterimage left by his greatsword Pa-wol. At that moment, the first clash occurred.

∴

The greatsword Pa-wol, emitting a blue light, penetrated the old Taoist’s defenses in an instant. However, the old Taoist slowly and leisurely moved his sword.

As if he were performing a sword dance, he moved one foot and slowly raised his sword. Even though death was approaching right before his eyes, the old Taoist’s face was calm.

Whoong.

It seemed that his sword and the greatsword Pa-wol collided, but before he knew it, the old Taoist’s sword was touching the greatsword Pa-wol.

There was no energy, no impact, no sound. The old Taoist’s sword was also emitting a blue aura, but it was very different from the case of Wi Ga-jin, where explosions had erupted.

It had merely touched. And Pa-wol deviated, drawing a trajectory completely different from its original intention.

Clang!

With a sharp sound like a mirror breaking, the greatsword Pa-wol was knocked away. At the same time, the old Taoist’s sword, which had been in contact with Pa-wol with similar force, bounced in the opposite direction.

“Hmph.”

Sa Ja-hyuk let out a low sneer and strongly struck down the greatsword Pa-wol. A chilling blue light fell like lightning towards the old Taoist’s crown.

Boo-ook!

“Hmm.”

A sound like tearing silk. The old Taoist let out a light groan and looked straight at Pa-wol, which was falling towards his crown. And he turned his body gently, as if dancing.

Swoosh.

His foot drew a circle on the floor like a painting, and dry leaves scattered and rose, while his sword, scattering a blue aura, suddenly rose from behind his back and touched Pa-wol.

Whoong.

It was a simple movement with no strength, no energy, nothing.

It was just a feeling that he had brought it there without any intention, but as his sword path and the trajectory of the greatsword Pa-wol intertwined, the trajectory of Pa-wol changed as if it had originally intended to do so.

Clang.

The greatsword Pa-wol once again swept through the air and was separated from the old Taoist’s sword as if bouncing off. And for a moment, the two men’s exchanges stopped.

“Still the same.”

Sa Ja-hyuk spoke first.

“Can you say the same for yourself?”

The old Taoist replied.

“My White Dew [likely a sword technique or style] missing its target so easily is only possible with you in all the world.”

A faint smile appeared on the old Taoist’s lips. Unlike the hollow smiles so far, it was the first smile that could feel a human vitality.

“You really haven’t changed.”