A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 141

141. The Master of the World (2)

“Eek.”

“Ack.”

Whoosh.

Each time Seorin swung Hongjinmanri, they helplessly lost their balance.

“Get a grip!”

Orhan shouted. Six of the Bukhae Twelve Bees were facing Seorin, but they weren’t taking advantage of their numerical superiority at all.

“B, but she’s too strong.”

“You’re lacking! Always anticipate one step ahead and flexibly connect your attacks and defenses!”

The six Twelve Bees facing Seorin were each struggling, with no coordination, and sometimes even hindering each other’s movements.

Whoosh.

Seorin lowered her body and swung Hongjinmanri. The powerful energy from Buljin instantly disrupted the balance of three of the six Bukhae Twelve Bees.

“Eek.”

“A, are you okay?”

Seorin approached one of the young ladies, smiling so their faces were almost touching. Even in this situation, the young lady’s face flushed red. Seorin said to her,

“Don’t worry. I won’t kill you.”

Swoosh.

Seorin’s figure disappeared, and in her place, another Twelve Bee’s attack came crashing in.

Clang!

“What are you doing! Are you trying to kill me right now?”

The young lady, who barely managed to block the sword, retorted sharply.

“S, sorry. That’s not it…….”

Swish.

Seorin had already landed behind the young lady, who was faltering after making a mistake.

Bang.

“Argh!”

She couldn’t finish her sentence and flew sideways as if bounced away. Seorin said with a look of dismay,

“Ah, I accidentally used my foot. Sorry.”

‘Tsk.’

Seeing that, Seomoksu Orhan gritted her teeth. It was no exaggeration to say that they were being toyed with.

Seorin’s movements had no particular pattern, and she always appeared in unexpected places, catching them off guard.

Even if the Bukhae Twelve Bees had mastered the Yeon Su Hap Gyeok Jin [a coordinated attack formation], it would have been difficult to withstand her. Only the experienced Delbe was struggling to keep up with Seorin.

Thwack.

“Ugh.”

Orhan turned her head at the explosion and groan that erupted elsewhere. One of the Bukhae Twelve Bees was staggering backward. There were no visible injuries, but a faint green light was rising on her face.

‘Poisoning symptoms!’

The young lady wearing a veil, Dang Wol-ah, who had forced the Twelve Bee back, had a dark jade-colored energy swirling around her small sword.

Orhan shouted urgently,

“Fall back! Don’t engage her sword directly!”

A Supreme Master of Sword Energy Manifestation can control their breathing and inner energy. Especially when they are wary of each other, Hadok Sul [a technique to disrupt inner energy] hardly works.

However, the energy surrounding Dang Wol-ah’s sword was completely different.

‘Could it be…… Poisonous Energy Art?’

She never imagined that the Poisonous Energy Art she had only heard about would come from that frail young lady.

“B, but then how…….”

One of the Bukhae Twelve Bees said with a troubled face. Six of the Twelve Bees were facing Dang Wol-ah, but most of them were already not in normal condition.

Even the experienced Yeogo Su Naran was unable to react properly to the unprecedented situation.

“Maintain your distance and induce her mistakes! You must never clash swords directly!”

Fear makes movements sluggish. The order not to confront the opponent’s sword was like putting shackles on the Bukhae Twelve Bees’ feet. The movements of the Twelve Bees, who had been trying to resist somehow, became even more sluggish.

‘This is…….’

Orhan clicked her tongue. The condition of the six did not seem serious yet.

However, there was no guarantee that it would remain so over time. The only consolation was that Dang Wol-ah was not launching an aggressive offensive.

Whoosh.

Dang Wol-ah’s veil fluttered lightly in the wind, and her small sword Sowol (素月) [meaning “plain moon”], held in her small hand, seemed to weep softly.

Just standing there calmly, her small and frail figure looked like a huge, insurmountable wall.

“Looks like you’re frustrated.”

A voice mixed with laughter was heard from the front. Orhan raised her eyes. No Gun was smiling and looking straight at her.

“Disciples are always like that. Watching what they do is very frustrating. But if the master can’t stand it, the children can’t grow.”

No Gun, holding the sword So Ryung, which was emitting a faint blue energy, shrugged his shoulders.

“So give them a chance. A chance for the children to fall and fail. After they get through that, they grow beyond recognition. Trust their potential. Those children are your future, and the future of Bukhae.”

It was wise and thoughtful advice, but Orhan gritted her teeth. The light of mockery was clearly visible in No Gun’s smiling eyes.

“Ah, don’t tell me you’re thinking this?”

No Gun said.

“The thought that you can defeat me and join forces with them. I wouldn’t do it if I were you. You could get wiped out in one go. If you don’t think so, why don’t you try it?”

No Gun’s eyes were quite provocative. However, Seomoksu Orhan did not fall for the provocation.

‘It’s hard to guarantee victory even if I maintain my composure. Especially in this situation.’

There was a high possibility of allowing a counterattack. Above all, if Orhan herself lost here, there would be no way left to protect the Little Palace Master.

“Everyone, fall back!”

Orhan shouted. A light of admiration flashed briefly in No Gun’s eyes.

Tap tap.

The Twelve Bees immediately retreated. They were already in need of reorganization, and they distanced themselves from their opponents as soon as Orhan’s words were spoken.

As they retreated, Seorin, who had been running rampant, also retreated. But Dang Wol-ah was still standing there, as if she couldn’t retreat even a single step.

“Hoo, hoo.”

“Haa, haa.”

The Bukhae Twelve Bees caught their breath. Some of them watched each other’s condition while being wary of Seorin and Dang Wol-ah.

Orhan looked back at the Bukhae Twelve Bees. They were all battered.

Perhaps it was a natural result. The Twelve Bees, who had just reached the level of Supreme Master, were inexperienced children, except for Delbe and Naran.

But the opponents were already Outer Saga level masters. Even though they looked like a pretty boy and a frail young lady, they were by no means opponents they could handle.

“So what, are we going to have the representatives fight it out now?”

No Gun said. No Gun’s eyes towards Orhan were still provocative.

“No.”

Orhan said. Her white hair fluttered quietly.

“The one we have to protect is the Little Palace Master. If you don’t enter, there’s no need to waste our strength.”

Even if it was just to tie them down, it was holding back three Outer Saga level masters. The meaning was by no means small.

“Aren’t you worried about the guy who already went inside?”

Orhan’s eyes twitched. Was this another trick? She was not worried at all, but Orhan answered with feigned composure.

“That young man can’t possibly harm the Little Palace Master.”

Seomoksu Orhan asserted, as if persuading herself.

The problem was these three. If it was just the young scholar, even though his eyes were upright and his inner strength was pure, he would not be a threat to the Little Palace Master.

“Is that so?”

No Gun smirked.

“That guy won’t harm anyone. But if that guy decides to do it, you’re finished.”

It wasn’t just No Gun who was laughing. Seorin was grinning as if to show off, and even Dang Wol-ah’s lips, hidden under her veil, were faintly smiling.

“Hmph. You’re the ones who will be finished when the Little Palace Master comes out!”

One of the Twelve Bees shouted as if she couldn’t lose. She seemed to have understood No Gun’s words.

“That’s right! You guys are no match for us!”

“Our Little Palace Master is the best!”

The Twelve Bees shouted here and there as if they had been waiting for it. The frustration that had been building up from being unilaterally defeated was finally erupting.

“Tsk. What are you guys talking about?”

No Gun clicked his tongue. He didn’t know what they were saying, but it was clear that they were protesting something.

“My brother is the best!”

Seorin suddenly shouted. No Gun was surprised because it was fluent Bukhae language.

“When did you learn Bukhae language?”

“I don’t know. I just heard it a few times here.”

Seorin shrugged her shoulders and shouted again as if she couldn’t lose. This time it was the Southern language.

“Bin hyung [older brother] is the best!”

‘The best?’

No Gun frowned at the words that children use. It seemed like he was pronouncing Jang (長) [meaning “elder” or “leader”] strongly, but it was a vulgar word that only Seowon [private Confucian academy] kids would use.

“What? The Little Palace Master is the best…… no, the Little Palace Master is the best!”

The Twelve Bees and Seorin started shouting at each other. No Gun shook his head in disbelief.

“How are you guys the same level as Seowon kids?”

“What? You grumpy old man! Shorty dung beetle!”

A young-looking lady shouted at No Gun. Of course, it was in Bukhae language, but No Gun’s eyebrows twitched because it sounded like an insult. Orhan said quietly,

“Refrain from rudeness.”

The neck of the lady who shouted shrank.

“He is not someone you can treat carelessly.”

Her words silenced the Twelve Bees. No Gun glanced at them and said,

“Well, then, let’s have a truce for the time being. Do you agree?”

Orhan did not answer. But as No Gun said, there was no other way but a truce. Rather, it was what she wanted.

“Keep your distance and take care of your own condition.”

Orhan said, looking back at the Twelve Bees.

“But never let your guard down.”

The Bukhae Twelve Bees nodded. As the situation seemed to be calming down, Sareunae, who had been retreating to the back, said,

“Orhan!”

Orhan looked at Sareunae.

“I’m going back to the Ice Palace. I have to prepare to face the Ice Queen’s forces.”

Orhan replied with a still sharp look.

“You will have to explain to the Little Palace Master why you brought them here. And the consequences as well.”

Sareunae nodded lightly as if it were natural and immediately retreated and disappeared. As she left, one of the former elders who had been watching the situation frowned and said,

“Are you going to leave them alone like that?”

“We are not leaving them alone, but confronting them.”

Orhan’s voice was cold as she answered. Not using honorifics was a measure to respect the former elders. Essentially, Orhan had nothing to do with them.

“If you are dissatisfied, do it yourself.”

“Ugh.”

The elders groaned, but they could not dare to step forward with their skills. They had seen their battles, which seemed to have transcended the realm of humans, with their own eyes.

“If they try to enter the training room, we will stop them even if it costs us our lives.”

The elders said with a firm look of determination. But Orhan no longer cared.

“Orhan-nim.”

One of the Twelve Bees asked in a calm voice.

“What is their level? We were no match for them. If all the masters in the South are at that level…….”

“No, that’s not true.”

Orhan replied.

“Sky above the sky (天外天) [meaning “beyond the heavens” or “incomparable”]. They are all Outer Saga level masters. In particular, I can’t guarantee victory against Namak No Gun.”

They had already guessed it. But even Orhan said that. The Twelve Bees looked at the three with a new sense of wonder.

Seorin, feeling the Twelve Bees’ gaze, smiled innocently. A blush immediately rose on the faces of some of the young ladies.

“Remember. And keep in mind. What level you have to reach.”

The Twelve Bees nodded. None of them objected, having faced them directly.

As the Twelve Bees took care of themselves, the situation became completely a truce.

Orhan looked at the No Gun party, glancing at the condition of the Twelve Bees.

The pretty young man was sweeping the Buljin with his feet as if he was bored, and No Gun scolded him for it. The frail young lady wearing a veil was standing quietly and looking up at the night sky. As if praying.

Suddenly, Orhan recalled the young scholar who had disappeared earlier. He didn’t fit in with these three Outer Saga level masters at all, but he was still strangely natural.

Orhan asked No Gun.

“Is it really true that that young man will not harm the Little Palace Master?”

No Gun looked at her as if she was talking nonsense. But soon he realized what Orhan meant.

“Ah, that guy? Of course.”

No Gun sighed deeply and said,

“Harming that child is out of the question. I’m more worried that…….”

No Gun said with an extremely serious expression.

“I’m most worried that he’ll say he’ll die instead.”

Sincerity could be felt in No Gun’s eyes as he spoke. Even Orhan nodded her head in agreement.

*

*

*

Son Bin slowly walked down the huge cave leading to the training room of the successive Ice Emperors.

A huge stone staircase, rarely visited by people, continued endlessly towards the underground. The lights of the night-blooming pearls, connected in dots, drew a rather steep curve downwards.

How long had he walked? He had become accustomed to the faint light of the night-blooming pearls, and it had been a long time since he had habitually moved his feet. But the end of the cave was not visible.

It was then that Son Bin’s footsteps echoed lonely for a long time.

Step.

Suddenly, the slope of the stone staircase became gentle, and a flat passage continued. Walking a little further along the passage, a stone door appeared.

The pattern engraved on the stone door was similar to the one blocking the entrance. However, the difference was that the size of the stone door was slightly smaller, and one side of the door was wide open.

Whoosh.

A cold chill flowed out from inside the stone door. White breath rose every time Son Bin breathed. Son Bin slowly moved his steps.

‘Ah.’

Son Bin admired without realizing it. The inside of the stone door formed a large and wide underground cavity.

Something embedded in the towering ceiling was sparkling like countless stars, and the open space was wide enough to accommodate a high-rise building.

But what caught his eye more than anything else was the huge blue crystal in the center of the underground cavity.

It was as if a huge crystal was embedded upside down in the ceiling, emitting light on its own and brightly illuminating the entire underground cavity.

It was an overwhelming presence that was hard to believe even while seeing it.

The end of the huge crystal that stretched down from the towering ceiling. A large stone chair was placed under the tip. And there, Son Bin could find a person.

The one person he had been longing for so much while passing through the distant road.

She was Sa Su-yeon, sitting alone diagonally in a large chair with her eyes closed.

Something hot surged in Son Bin’s heart at her appearance. Without realizing it, Son Bin muttered. In a very small voice.

“Sa Sojeo [a respectful term for a female martial arts peer or junior].”

Rustle.

At that moment, Sa Su-yeon, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, opened her eyes.

“Ah.”

She smiled as she discovered Son Bin. Her beautiful eyes were half-closed, as if she had not yet woken up from her sleep.

“You have come.”

Rustle.

Sa Su-yeon got up. She smiled brightly like a drunk person.

Her red lips moved quietly, and a sweet voice that she had never heard before flowed out.

“My Bin.”

She smiled. With an incomparably cold and deadly smile.

Rustle.

Son Bin also smiled. And slowly moved his steps towards Sa Su-yeon.

“Is this the training room of the successive Ice Emperors?”

“That’s right.”

Sa Su-yeon said, still smiling. It wasn’t a conversation to have with Son Bin, whom she had met after a long time, but she didn’t seem to care.

Rather, as if she was happy that Son Bin was interested in this place, Sa Su-yeon naturally continued to speak.

“And this child is…….”

Sa Su-yeon turned her body and lightly stroked the blue crystal. As her touch reached, the huge crystal emitted a faint light, and a terrible chill swept through the underground cavity.

Whoosh.

A cold wind swept through the underground cavity and escaped through the entrance. His collar fluttered and his hair was disheveled, but Son Bin did not stop walking.

Sa Su-yeon’s words continued.

“In the Southern language……. Yes. It’s called Binghon (氷魂) [meaning “Ice Soul”]. The heart of Bukhae and everything of Bukhae. It is the Eternal Ice Crystal.”

Sa Su-yeon raised her head. Her gaze slowly traced the huge blue crystal that reached the ceiling.

“Eternal, it’s really an absurd story.”

Sa Su-yeon laughed.

“This child is much older than that. Old enough to repeat ten thousand times the eternal.”

Woong.

As if answering Sa Su-yeon’s words, the huge blue crystal wept.

“From that distant past, this child has existed in Bukhae. And quietly contained the cold of Bukhae within it. Like a tree that bears fruit only once in its life, very slowly.”

Sa Su-yeon turned her head and looked at Son Bin.

“This child called me. No, maybe I called this child. Because I was the only one who could hear this child’s voice.”

Sabal.

Son Bin stood in front of Sa Su-yeon. She still had no guard at all.

“This Binghon will be our child.”

Sa Su-yeon said. Son Bin looked at the Eternal Ice Crystal that Sa Su-yeon called Binghon. The energy swirling at the end was definitely not something to be called ‘child’.

But on the other hand, he understood. That unstable appearance was like a child who had lost its way.

“It’s not just this child. All the people of Bukhae, countless warriors and tribes will be our children.”

Sa Su-yeon said with an expression as if she was ecstatic just thinking about it. Her hazy eyes were directed at Son Bin.

“So no one in this world can give you more children than I can.”

“That’s a happy thing.”

Son Bin said with a quiet smile.

“Because my dream is a noisy and happy family.”

Sa Su-yeon laughed.

“I knew it. So do I.”

Sa Su-yeon continued to speak like she was chattering. Her red lips moved and a sweet voice flowed out. Her drunken and hazy face was as dreamy as a dream.

“If you want, you can bring the children of Seowon here. I like that pretty child who is just kind. Because she is like me. Ah, shall we move Cheongwon [Son Bin’s base of operation] all together? The street, the courier service, and the martial arts school, all of them. Or rather…….”

Sa Su-yeon said without a moment’s hesitation.

“Let’s just take the whole world.”

Sabal.

Sa Su-yeon raised her hand. Her white fingertips lightly touched Son Bin’s cheek. Her cold fingers gently stroked Son Bin’s face. As if to confirm that Son Bin existed here.

“Right? My Bin.”

She smiled. For a moment, her smile filled Son Bin’s vision. Nothing but her smile could be seen. Nothing but her smile mattered.

“The world is…….”

Son Bin said very slowly.

“I already have it.”

Son Bin’s voice was small, but it did not waver at all.

“The endless sky, the vast land, and the flowing water and wind are all given to us. To everyone without any cost. So we are, from birth, already the masters of the world.”

Sa Su-yeon stared blankly at Son Bin. As if she didn’t know what he was saying.

“So now it’s time to go back.”

Son Bin said with a quiet smile.

“To our place.”

Fook.

Sa Su-yeon’s expression changed.

“Ah.”

Her red lips moved. Her white fingertips that had been touching Son Bin’s face fell down, and blue flames soared in Sa Su-yeon’s eyes.

“That’s right. That’s what it was.”

Whoooo.

The extreme cold, like a flower bud, wrapped around Sa Su-yeon and bloomed. The blue ice that filled the underground cavity began to emit light as if resonating with her.

“You weren’t mine yet.”

Sa Su-yeon said.

“Not yet.”

Whooong.

Woong.

The egret cried softly in the bone-chilling cold.