A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 142

142. Dawn (未明) and White Dew (白露) [Dawn and White Dew are likely references to the swords or fighting styles, with 未明 meaning pre-dawn or daybreak, and 白露 meaning white dew.]

Woo-oong.

The massive underground cavern was in chaos. A terrible chill swept through like a storm, and a giant blue crystal pulsed with light, vibrating intensely. Amidst all this turmoil, White Dew emitted a soft cry.

Swish.

Sa Su-yeon drew her sword, revealing its blade as beautiful as White Dew itself. Its straight form was reminiscent of Sa Su-yeon when they first met.

“This sword is Myeong (未明), Dawn.”

Despite the biting cold, her breath didn’t even mist. Blue flames flickered in Sa Su-yeon’s eyes, and a light of excitement tinged her voice.

Hoo.

Son Bin’s white breath bloomed in the air. Sa Su-yeon drawing her sword could only mean one thing, and Son Bin knew it well.

“If it’s a duel with you, Miss.”

Son Bin slowly stroked the hilt of White Dew.

Woong.

White Dew vibrated in his hand, as if urging him on. He felt its warm energy at his fingertips. Son Bin gripped White Dew, lightly but firmly.

“I’m always ready.”

Swish.

The noble form of White Dew was revealed. Its beautiful blade, captivating to all who beheld it, shone even brighter in the cold wind.

“You haven’t changed. Neither you nor your sword.”

Sa Su-yeon said.

“No. I have changed.”

Son Bin replied. Sa Su-yeon smiled.

“Then shall we see? How much you’ve changed while I was away.”

Whoa-ah-ah!

Light erupted from the giant blue crystal. In the blinding light that obscured his vision, Son Bin could sense Dawn rushing toward him.

Woong.

White Dew cried out and, following Son Bin’s fingertips, drew a smooth arc in the air.

Clang!

A sharp sound, like something shattering, burst forth. But that was only the beginning.

Clang, clang.

In the light, so intense it was hard to open his eyes, White Dew moved as if embroidering the air.

And wherever White Dew passed, a sharp sound followed.

Clang.

Son Bin took a step back, and Sa Su-yeon also retreated.

“Indeed.”

Sa Su-yeon smiled. Her sword was emitting a white energy like frost.

“You’ve become deeper, heavier. If it were the you I remember, you would have already been swept away by this Dawn.”

“I told you, I’ve changed.”

Son Bin smiled, but the smile vanished from Sa Su-yeon’s face.

“The Way of Taiji [a Chinese martial art and philosophy focused on balance and harmony].”

Sa Su-yeon said.

“To twist the flow of a massive power with only a small amount of internal energy, a supreme realm that can be said to have reached the heavens.”

Woo-oong.

Sa Su-yeon’s Dawn began to hum softly. The frost-like white Dawn gradually began to glow.

“But what if that flow is so immense it surpasses imagination? If it’s a flow like a vast ocean, who in all the world…”

Hung.

Sa Su-yeon’s sword emitted light.

“…could dare to twist it?”

Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwak!

A massive flow crashed down on Son Bin. As Sa Su-yeon had asserted, an endless sea of power that no one could dare touch was surging toward Son Bin.

Hoo-oong.

Son Bin did not resist. He did not try to twist it.

But he had not given up. White Dew, held in Son Bin’s hand, still radiated a warm energy, and the power of the Hyuncheon Grand River Art [likely a martial art technique] contained within its beautiful blade remained unshaken.

Woo-oong.

Entrusting himself to the waves of the massive flow, Son Bin drifted along, relying on a fragment of White Dew.

Immense power cannot be controlled. Therefore, it is inevitable that multiple flows coexist within it.

Amidst the countless flows that flickered like starlight, Son Bin never missed the single moment he needed to see.

Ping.

A very faint sound echoed in the underground cavern.

Sa Su-yeon’s eyes widened in surprise. The tip of White Dew’s blade was precisely blocking the blade of Dawn.

“No one fights the sea.”

Son Bin said. His expression was gentle.

“Neither do I.”

Son Bin’s appearance was a mess. His hair was disheveled, and his clothes were torn. Numerous red streaks of blood revealed his wounds through the torn fabric.

Only his warm gaze was fixed on Sa Su-yeon, as if nothing were amiss.

Tak.

At the warmth in his eyes, Sa Su-yeon unconsciously stepped back. And the moment she realized she had retreated, anger surged within her.

“You have to beat me.”

Sa Su-yeon’s voice trembled. She gritted her teeth.

“Otherwise, I’ll take everything from you.”

“Is that so?”

Son Bin smiled. His voice was still soft and warm.

“Then either way is good for me. Whether I lose or win.”

Son Bin said.

“I will gladly follow your will, Miss.”

Sa Su-yeon bit her lip.

Why doesn’t this man get angry? Why doesn’t he show any hostility toward her? Why is he so consistent, even in this situation?

“Fine.”

Sa Su-yeon smiled coldly.

“You’re that kind of person. So…”

Sa Su-yeon raised Dawn. The blade, pointing straight to the sky, looked down on Son Bin mockingly.

“…I’ll take you. All of you. I won’t give you to anyone, not even a single piece.”

Woong.

Dawn and the giant blue crystal cried out as one. And the blade of Dawn began to expand endlessly.

Crack.

Sa Su-yeon’s sword soared high, as if to pierce the towering underground cavern. But it was clear that it was not something tangible, as its expansion did not stop even when it touched the inner walls of the cavern.

Swish.

Son Bin quietly adjusted his stance. The calm posture of holding the sword with both hands was familiar to Sa Su-yeon.

“Jade Dragon’s Reverse Scale Strike [likely a powerful sword technique].”

Sa Su-yeon smiled.

“No sword technique in this world is more amazing than that. But…”

A faint sneer appeared on her lips.

“…the story is different if I know you can’t harm me. It’s just a game to entertain me for a while.”

A cold wind blew from Sa Su-yeon’s giant blade. The energy emanating from the blue crystal and Sa Su-yeon’s blade was perfectly synchronized.

“It’s not Jade Dragon’s Reverse Scale Strike.”

Son Bin said softly.

“The first of the three moves he showed me.”

Son Bin’s voice was warm and full of longing.

“Now, I can finally show it to you.”

Son Bin’s White Dew pointed to the ground and slowly began to draw a large circle. The energy was different from before, and Sa Su-yeon’s face hardened.

“Binghon (氷魂), Ice Soul [likely a powerful technique or spell].”

Sa Su-yeon said softly with a stiff expression. The giant blue crystal responded to her call.

“Let’s go.”

With that, her giant blade emitted a white light and fell straight toward Son Bin.

Koo-koo-koong.

It felt as if the sky was collapsing. An overwhelming despair that seemed to stop his breath just by looking at it was pouring down on Son Bin.

But the circle Son Bin was drawing did not stop. It did not waver. Even as he faced the despair rushing toward him, White Dew went its way with dignity.

Koo-geu-geu-geung.

Just before the giant pillar of light, cleaving through the underground cavern, swallowed Son Bin, the circle was completed as if by fate. And.

Flash.

A serene blue moonlight filled the underground cavern.

∴

Roar.

The trembling vibrations of the underground cavern slowly subsided. Along with it, the storm-like wind that had been raging began to die down. The giant blue crystal, which had been emitting light, slowly faded and returned to its original form.

“Haa.”

Son Bin took a long breath and looked down at White Dew.

Woong.

White Dew was vibrating faintly. Perhaps it was because of his hand. Son Bin’s hand was also trembling slightly.

“Thank you.”

Son Bin said and slowly sheathed White Dew.

Tak.

White Dew disappeared, and Son Bin raised his gaze. Sa Su-yeon was collapsed before him, her sword, Dawn, still gripped in one hand. Son Bin walked toward her.

Thud, thud.

Son Bin’s footsteps echoed in the silent underground cavern. Son Bin lowered himself and checked Sa Su-yeon’s condition. Her face was pale, but there seemed to be nothing else wrong.

‘Hoo.’

Son Bin was relieved. The collision between Dawn and White Dew was not something Sa Su-yeon could withstand. The tremendous impact had caused her to lose consciousness.

‘But that’s all.’

She had only lost consciousness for a moment.

Nothing has changed. When she wakes up, she will repeat the same conversation as before. Perhaps this time, she will try to kill Son Bin without question.

Rustle.

Son Bin quietly raised his fingertips and carefully brought them to Sa Su-yeon’s face. He felt her cold face at his fingertips.

Son Bin gently stroked her beautiful face, just as she had stroked his face a moment ago.

“Both I and White Dew have changed.”

Son Bin said in a whisper, words he could not bring himself to say in front of her.

“Because my longing for you has been 쌓였으니까요 [ssahyeosseunikkayo – Korean for ‘has been piling up’ or ‘has accumulated’] so long.”

Son Bin gazed silently at Sa Su-yeon’s unconscious face, as if to engrave it in his eyes. After looking at Sa Su-yeon like that, Son Bin stood up.

“Hoo.”

Son Bin composed himself with a breath and turned his head to look at the blue crystal.

The tip of the giant blue crystal extending from the ceiling of the underground cavern.

At its end, a violent energy was swirling like a small storm.

“Yes. I know.”

Son Bin said to the giant blue crystal as if having a conversation.

“It’s dangerous, isn’t it? Unless someone controls you, your power. That’s why you had no choice but to cling to Miss Sa.”

Woo-oong.

The giant blue crystal cried out, as if answering Son Bin.

“It’s okay.”

Son Bin said. His eyes were warm and gentle.

“I’ll do something about it.”

Son Bin turned his head and looked at Sa Su-yeon, who was collapsed. Even unconscious, she was still beautiful.

Swish.

Son Bin looked at the blue crystal and slowly raised his hand. He reached out toward the tip of the giant blue crystal, where power was swirling like a storm.

Clang!

In that instant, a tremendous impact sound tore through the underground cavern.

*

*

*

Feeling a languid sensation as if waking from a dream, Sa Su-yeon slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was filled with small things that sparkled like stars.

‘The night sky?’

Realizing that she was lying down, Sa Su-yeon tried to get up. But a terrible pain assailed her, a pain as if her head was breaking.

‘Ah.’

Sa Su-yeon frowned and touched her forehead with one hand. As if temporary, the headache soon disappeared. Sa Su-yeon opened her eyes again.

‘Where… is this?’

Looking around, Sa Su-yeon realized that she was sitting in a place she did not recognize. The place she was in was like a giant cavern.

‘Did the Ice Palace have a place like this?’

Still sitting, Sa Su-yeon raised her head. What she had thought was the night sky was countless shining things embedded in the ceiling. Perhaps they were a type of jewel.

But what caught her eye more than anything was the giant blue crystal showing off its presence in the center of the cavern. Although faint, the giant crystal emitting a blue light was subtly illuminating the cavern.

“Have you awakened?”

A soft voice reached Sa Su-yeon’s ears. A voice she had missed so much, a voice she had wanted to hear so much. For a moment, she wondered if it was a hallucination.

Even though she doubted, Sa Su-yeon turned her head. A young scholar stood there, as kind as ever, with a smile on his face as always.

“Son… Young Master.”

Sa Su-yeon said with a dazed expression. Son Bin smiled, as if to confirm that it was him.

But Sa Su-yeon could not believe that he was standing before her.

“How are you here…”

Thud, thud.

Son Bin walked over and bowed his head toward her.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, yes.”

Realizing that she was sitting on the floor, Sa Su-yeon got up. Her body stiffened, and she staggered for a moment, but Son Bin did not catch her. Rather, he took a step back as if trying to distance himself from her as she got up.

“Where is this place? Why am I here…”

Sa Su-yeon asked, slowly looking around.

“Don’t you remember?”

‘Remember?’

Sa Su-yeon tilted her head. What memory was he talking about? At that moment, a scene flashed before Sa Su-yeon’s eyes.

‘Dawn!’

The giant sword falling toward her. That desperate sight was vivid before her eyes. And at the same time, anxiety struck.

‘Could it be that I…’

Had she been defeated? Was that why she was trapped in this unknown place? Sa Su-yeon looked at Son Bin urgently.

“It’s dangerous! We have to get out of here quickly…”

“No, it’s alright.”

Son Bin said with a smile. The smile was so bright that Sa Su-yeon was momentarily speechless.

Thump.

It was as if she could hear the sound of her own heart beating. Sa Su-yeon blushed without realizing it and turned her head away, so that Son Bin would not see her red face.

‘Why am I like this?’

Sa Su-yeon covered her cheeks with both hands. It was true that Son Bin’s smile was pleasing. Sa Su-yeon liked that warm smile.

But Son Bin’s appearance just now was somehow different. That smile, which seemed to shake the viewer’s soul, was like an irresistible magic.

Rustle.

At the soft sound, Sa Su-yeon turned to look at Son Bin. Son Bin was taking something out of his pocket. Two rather thick pills, carefully wrapped in clean paper.

“The Divine One gave them to me. One for me, and one for you, Miss.”

Son Bin handed one of the pills to Sa Su-yeon. When Sa Su-yeon reached out, Son Bin carefully dropped the pill into Sa Su-yeon’s hand, as if afraid of touching her hand.

“He said it would be helpful. It would be best to take it now.”

‘Now?’

Sa Su-yeon was puzzled, wondering if her condition was so bad that she needed to take medicine.

But when Sa Su-yeon tried to summon her internal energy, she was startled. As if empty, there was not a single ounce of internal energy left in her body.

“This is…”

“It’s okay.”

Son Bin said, interrupting Sa Su-yeon. With his unchanging smile, Son Bin said to her.

“It’s okay.”

At that smile, Sa Su-yeon nodded without realizing it and unwrapped the paper and swallowed the pill. A bittersweet and refreshing fragrance spread.

Feeling the warmth slowly spreading through her body, Sa Su-yeon asked.

“Are you going to be alright?”

Son Bin nodded as if to say he was alright.

“Still, the pill…”

“I don’t need it right now.”

It was an incomprehensible statement.

But strangely, Sa Su-yeon no longer felt like questioning it. Whatever he said, it was as if everything would be as he said. His every word was entering her heart as it was.

“Then, shall we go out?”

“Yes?”

Son Bin smiled quietly at Sa Su-yeon’s bewildered expression. As Sa Su-yeon’s face turned red again, he said.

“Everyone is waiting.”

‘Everyone?’

Everyone, who was he talking about? Sa Su-yeon was puzzled, but Son Bin was already moving.

Step.

Sa Su-yeon followed Son Bin. Then, she suddenly turned back. The giant blue crystal was faintly shining.

“Let’s go.”

At Son Bin’s voice, Sa Su-yeon turned her head. Son Bin had stopped and was looking at her.

“Ah, yes.”

Sa Su-yeon moved again. Confirming that she was coming, Son Bin began to walk out again.

Suddenly, Sa Su-yeon thought that Son Bin’s back, walking ahead, looked particularly reliable, as if looking up at Mount Tai [a mountain in China, often used metaphorically to represent something of great importance or reliability].

Feeling her face flushing again, Sa Su-yeon thought it was fortunate that she was behind him.