A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 145

145. The Way Originally Does Nothing

Thud.

With a soft sound, Son Bin collapsed as if his body had crumbled.

“Young Master Son!”

“Bin-ah!”

“Brother Bin!”

“Young Master!”

Sa Su-yeon, No-gun, Seo-rin, and Dang Woal-ah kicked off the ground simultaneously.

Though almost at the same time, the lithe and quick Seo-rin landed next to Son Bin first.

Thump.

“Brother Bin…”

“Don’t touch him!”

No-gun shouted urgently. Seo-rin, who had been reaching out to Son Bin, flinched. No-gun and Dang Woal-ah immediately examined Son Bin’s complexion.

Sa Su-yeon, arriving in the meantime, bit her lip as she looked at Son Bin.

Son Bin’s complexion was beyond pale, almost bluish. The overwhelming presence he had shown just moments ago seemed like a lie, as no energy could be felt from him now.

Swoosh.

No-gun carefully, as if even touching him would shatter him, lightly brought his fingertip to Son Bin.

“Umm…”

“How is he?”

Dang Woal-ah asked. But No-gun did not answer.

Concentrating, No-gun furrowed his brow slightly and withdrew his hand.

“Is Brother Bin alright?”

“I don’t know.”

No-gun replied shortly. His voice was grave.

“I can’t feel any… true energy.”

“True energy? You mean internal energy? Then he’ll be alright after some time, right?”

Seo-rin said. Internal energy recovers at least a little over time. Once he regains consciousness, he can even circulate his energy.

“Or I can give him some.”

Seo-rin said casually. Internal energy is something martial artists cherish more than their lives, but there are many who would pour it out for Son Bin.

However, No-gun shook his head.

“It’s not internal energy.”

No-gun said.

“There’s no true energy at all. It’s completely… empty.”

True energy is the energy that forms the source of life. The absence of true energy means only one thing.

That is, death.

Rustle.

Dang Woal-ah immediately lowered her head. She held her veil so it wouldn’t touch Son Bin and quietly checked his breathing.

“But he’s breathing.”

It was faint, as if it could stop at any moment, but Son Bin was definitely breathing.

“A tiny bit of energy remains.”

No-gun said, looking down at Son Bin. It was such a small and subtle energy that even No-gun couldn’t be sure.

“A spirit as radiant as a star, but as small as a grain of sand. That is what’s holding him… together right now.”

Dang Woal-ah could understand what No-gun was saying. He was talking about that beautiful, transparent energy of Son Bin’s that she had seen once.

“Mystic Heavenly Body Art!”

Sa Su-yeon said.

“It’s the Mystic Heavenly Body Art, isn’t it?”

No-gun bit his lip.

“I don’t know. It seems like it… But it’s too dangerous to figure it out in his current state.”

“My father said…”

Sa Su-yeon said urgently.

“The Mystic Heavenly Body Art is like a great Way [Dao, the fundamental principle of the universe], knowing its own path. So there’s nothing to worry about.”

That was what Sa Su-yeon had told Son Bin as well.

“A great Way… The one that originally does nothing, yet there is nothing it does not do (道常無爲 而無不爲) [a Taoist concept emphasizing effortless action and natural order]?”

Muttering, No-gun bit his lip and looked at Son Bin.

“For now, we have no choice but to trust it.”

Son Bin’s pale expression looked peaceful, as if he were merely asleep.

“For now.”

No-gun’s voice was full of self-reproach.

There was nothing he could do. He hadn’t even prepared in advance. That self-blame was gripping No-gun.

Come to think of it, it was a result he should have expected. Son Bin had unleashed that immense, unprecedented energy all alone. Just being near him was enough to be swept away by its force, so how much more would Son Bin have suffered?

“You said you had pills given by the Divine Doctor.”

Sa Su-yeon said. But No-gun shook his head.

“No. We can’t do anything. The only thing we can do now is trust him and leave him alone.”

As No-gun spoke, he suddenly looked around.

“Bring something to lay down. It’s not good if the cold rises from the ground.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to move him to the Ice Palace?”

Dang Woal-ah said, but No-gun shook his head.

“It’s too far. We have to be careful even touching him. We can’t go all the way to the Ice Palace.”

Even the nearby Ice Palace was too far for No-gun. That meant Son Bin’s condition was that critical.

Thud.

“Did you say you needed something to lay down?”

A heavy voice was heard along with the sound of footsteps. No-gun raised his head.

The person standing before him was one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Northern Sea, Altan of the North.

“Here.”

Speaking in clumsy southern language, Altan unhesitatingly took off his outer robe. And with both hands, he spread the robe and knelt on one knee.

Rustle.

The large robe, decorated with the emblem symbolizing the Four Heavenly Kings, quietly fell to the ground.

Touching the end of his robe, Altan raised his head and looked straight at No-gun, saying,

“Lay him on this.”

It was as if he had knelt down to lay the robe on the ground.

But he did not rise. Kneeling on one knee with one hand on the ground, his posture was exactly that of performing a military salute.

Thud.

“Here too.”

Another voice and the sound of a robe fluttering. And slightly overlapping Altan’s robe, Nerugui’s robe fell. The gaunt Nerugui also knelt on one knee and placed one hand on the ground.

Flutter.

“Two might be a little short.”

Bayama of the East also took off his outer robe. His ornate robe spread on the ground, and he too knelt on one knee.

“Hmm. My robe is probably the cleanest. My wife always takes care of it.”

Flutter.

Guntumur of the South took off his outer robe and spread it on top. And he, too, knelt down like the other Four Heavenly Kings, without rising.

“You guys…”

No-gun’s eyes trembled slightly. But the Four Heavenly Kings’ gazes towards Son Bin were strong and unwavering.

Rustle.

“Here too.”

No-gun turned his gaze at the gentle voice of a woman. Seomoksu Oruhan was walking over.

Flutter.

Oruhan’s soft robe was placed down. At the sight, one of the Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea whispered.

“Oh dear, what should we do?”

“What else can we do?”

The Twelve Beauty next to her replied quietly without turning her head. And she followed Oruhan, starting to move. Along with her, the other Twelve Beauties also began to move.

“Haa.”

The Twelve Beauty who had asked what to do sighed.

“I’m giving my outer robe to a man.”

In the cold Northern Sea, an outer robe signifies the last possession one has. Therefore, taking off one’s own outer robe is a symbol of infinite affection and utmost respect.

“Am I not going to get married because of this?”

She said grumbling. But her steps were already following the other Twelve Beauties.

Flap, flap.

The women’s outer robes piled up.

Not only that. With the addition of the robes of the Four Heavenly Kings’ escort warriors and the former elders, it wasn’t just a matter of laying them on the ground, but a low bed made entirely of clothes was created.

The former elders only took off their outer robes and stepped back, but the hostility that had been in their eyes was already gone.

“Ahem.”

No-gun, as if choked up, turned his head and coughed dryly. And he reached out to hug Son Bin.

“I’ll do it.”

The one who spoke was Sa Su-yeon. When No-gun looked at her, she said.

“I…”

Sa Su-yeon had no internal energy at all. If the goal was to minimize the shock Son Bin would receive from external energy, it would be better for her to move him. But such an explanation was unnecessary.

“Do it.”

No-gun readily said so and stepped back. Sa Su-yeon quietly went in front of Son Bin and lowered her body.

‘Young Master Son.’

Son Bin’s pale face was right in front of her. His face was as still as if he were asleep. Sa Su-yeon suddenly realized that her vision was blurring.

‘No.’

She couldn’t show herself falling apart in front of him. Even if he wasn’t watching.

Sa Su-yeon gritted her teeth and steeled her heart. And she quietly hugged Son Bin.

Rustle.

‘Ah.’

Son Bin, whom she held in her arms, was too light. Son Bin’s arms limply fell down.

Thump.

Carefully, Sa Su-yeon took a step.

Amidst the kneeling Four Heavenly Kings, Oruhan, the Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea, and the escort warriors, Sa Su-yeon quietly laid Son Bin on the low bed made of outer robes.

Slide.

The moment Son Bin limply laid down, a drop of hot tears that she couldn’t hide quietly flowed down Sa Su-yeon’s cheek.

∴

No one spoke. As if performing a solemn ritual, no one opened their mouth for a while.

It was Sa Su-yeon’s quiet voice that broke the silence.

“General Altan, General Nerugui.”

“Yes.”

Altan of the North and Nerugui of the West immediately answered.

“Please take care of them.”

It was clear who Sa Su-yeon was referring to as ‘them’.

The Four Heavenly Kings raised their heads, their eyes gleaming. Countless horses and warriors were sprawled out, messily scattered across the field.

“Arrest them all. Especially the instigators. Don’t let even one slip by.”

“Understood.”

Altan and Nerugui bowed their heads, receiving the order of the Young Palace Lord Sa Su-yeon.

“Secure those leading the Thousand-Man Squads first!”

Altan, who had 벌떡 [beoljjeok – suddenly/abruptly] risen, shouted to the escort warriors.

“The same goes for those who led the Hundred-Man Squads. Don’t miss a single one.”

Nerugui also stepped forward with the escort warriors.

“General Bayama, General Guntumur.”

“Yes, Young Palace Lord.”

Bayama of the East and Guntumur of the South answered.

“The Ice Queen won’t be far from the Ice Palace. Secure the Ice Queen and the concubines who colluded with her, as well as the Young Palace Lords.”

“Understood.”

Bayama and Guntumur bowed their heads and immediately rose.

“And order the maids of the Ice Palace to come here. Those alone won’t be able to arrest all three thousand.”

Watching Altan and Nerugui running around the field, and their escort warriors, Bayama and Guntumur smiled wryly. They were tying up the key commanders one after another, as if picking up fallen ears of rice [easily picking up the stragglers].

“Understood.”

It was the moment Guntumur answered.

Doo-doo-doo-doo.

At the sound that suddenly rang out, they turned their heads. A group of horses was galloping from the Ice Palace.

“Oh, it’s Sareunae.”

Bayama said with a smile. The people riding the horses were all maids of the Ice Palace. Sareunae was at the head.

“She’s a woman with good senses and quick judgment. I’m intrigued.”

Bayama said as if joking. Guntumur frowned at him once and said.

“We needed horses anyway, so it’s a good thing. Let’s go.”

The horses that the Four Heavenly Kings and escort warriors had ridden were also collapsed. Guntumur and Bayama led the escort warriors and ran towards the maids.

The maids who were riding horses joined Altan and Nerugui and began to tie up the fallen. However, one person rode her horse straight this way.

Clatter, clatter.

“Young Palace Lord!”

The person who jumped off before the horse even stopped was Sareunae. She had two small swords on her waist. Namira’s horse followed behind her.

“The maid I sent to scout this place said something strange was happening, so I rushed here. Is everyone alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Sa Su-yeon said quietly. Sareunae’s eyes widened at her warm and gentle appearance. That warmth, which seemed to have disappeared, had returned to Sa Su-yeon.

“Young Palace Lord…”

“There’s something I need to ask of you.”

“Yes.”

Sareunae nodded. She finally saw the young scholar lying unconscious.

“But this place is…”

This place was the forbidden zone of the Northern Sea. It was the entrance to the training chamber of the successive Ice Emperors, where even entry was not free.

Setting up a tent here was impossible. Sareunae thought it would be better to move the young scholar to the Ice Palace. But that thought didn’t last.

“Please.”

Sa Su-yeon said. At her trembling voice, Sareunae nodded without realizing it.

“Understood.”

Sareunae stood up. She suddenly looked at the former elders, but they turned their heads, pretending not to know.

“Namira, follow me. And five maids with us.”

“Yes, Head Maid.”

Sareunae immediately mounted her horse with Namira. Sa Su-yeon, watching them leave, said quietly.

“Oruhan.”

“Yes.”

Seomoksu Oruhan answered. Sa Su-yeon was still looking at Sareunae’s back.

“Lead the Twelve Beauties and help Bayama and Guntumur. We’ll need more hands to subdue the Ice Queen and the other concubines.”

“Understood.”

Seomoksu Oruhan, who had bowed her head to receive the order, was about to turn around.

“And, Oruhan.”

Sa Su-yeon said. She turned her head and was looking at Oruhan. Sa Su-yeon’s clear eyes were looking straight at Oruhan.

“Yes.”

Oruhan answered quietly.

“You said you would follow my will, right? Whatever it may be.”

“That is correct.”

She had definitely said so. And Oruhan had established the Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea according to Sa Su-yeon’s will and helped them.

“I’m not the same as before.”

Sa Su-yeon said, looking at Oruhan.

“Even if I recover my internal energy, I don’t know if I can beat you. No, perhaps my sword will no longer defeat you.”

Sa Su-yeon could clearly tell. What had suppressed Seomoksu Oruhan’s technique at that time was not her own ability. If it hadn’t been for the Ten Thousand Year Ice Crystal of the Northern Sea, the Ice Soul, she would have been the one who had been defeated.

“So you no longer need to be bound by that oath.”

Sa Su-yeon raised her head and looked at the Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea. The eyes of the Twelve Beauties were directed at her. Confusion, embarrassment, and anxiety filled those gazes, piercing her painfully.

“The same goes for you. You are free to leave at any time.”

“Young, Young Palace Lord.”

Some of the Twelve Beauties pleaded, but Sa Su-yeon shook her head.

“I’m not the Young Palace Lord you knew. And…”

Sa Su-yeon turned her head. Son Bin with his pale face was lying where her gaze reached.

“I have a place to return to.”

Tears were already welling up on Sa Su-yeon’s cheeks as she looked at Son Bin. But what filled Sa Su-yeon’s eyes was by no means just sadness.

Thump.

Feeling a sudden presence, Sa Su-yeon turned her head. Seomoksu Oruhan had already come right in front of her.

Sa Su-yeon gritted her teeth. Even if Oruhan wanted a duel right now, she couldn’t refuse. It was Sa Su-yeon’s own responsibility.

Slide.

Oruhan did not draw her sword. Instead, her slender fingertips gently stroked Sa Su-yeon’s cheek.

Her gaze towards Sa Su-yeon was more than warm.

“Oruhan…”

Rustle.

As if a grandmother were embracing her grown granddaughter, Oruhan gently embraced Sa Su-yeon.

“Now that I see it, you… really look just like that child.”

Oruhan sighed quietly.

“Your grandmother was my only friend.”

Oruhan’s small voice rang in Sa Su-yeon’s ear.

“I couldn’t protect her. So I vowed that I would definitely protect her daughter, Garyeo.”

Oruhan gently stroked the back of Sa Su-yeon’s head.

“But I had no choice but to let Garyeo go. Because I knew that child sincerely loved that man, Muje.”

Oruhan grabbed Sa Su-yeon’s shoulders and looked straight at her face. Oruhan gently wiped away the tears flowing down Sa Su-yeon’s cheeks.

“When I was defeated by you, I thought it was a punishment from my dead friend. But now I see it was an opportunity.”

Her voice was trembling.

“A chance to embrace that child, whom I thought I would never see again.”

Oruhan said with tearful eyes.

“I will protect you. You, and your will. This is my oath to you.”

Tears flowed down Sa Su-yeon’s cheeks. Hearing that, sobs were heard here and there from the Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea.

“Does ‘It’s okay to leave’ mean it’s okay not to leave?”

One of the Twelve Beauties said. It was Delbe, known as a female master of the Northern Sea.

Thud.

She knelt on one knee towards Sa Su-yeon.

“I will not leave.”

She said with intense eyes.

“I do not regret becoming one of the Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea. No, rather, it is a very happy and proud thing for me. I will never leave the Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea.”

“I will not leave either.”

They said, kneeling side by side.

“The same goes for me.”

“Me too. Please let me stay too.”

One person, two people, and soon all twelve. The Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea all knelt before Sa Su-yeon and bowed their heads.

“The Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea await the Young Palace Lord’s command.”

Their voices were firm. The Twelve Beauties, who raised their heads, saw Sa Su-yeon’s tearful eyes. The Twelve Beauties of the Northern Sea were all red-eyed as well, but it seemed like there had never been a moment as happy and proud as now.

“Sniff.”

No-gun, who was watching from the side, wiped his nose with his sleeve.

“Why is everyone suddenly crying and making a fuss? It’s making my heart uneasy…”

Even if he didn’t know the words, the heart was conveyed. Although he spoke as if grumbling, No-gun’s eyes were also slightly reddened.

“Did you see that?”

No-gun said, looking at Son Bin, who was lying as if asleep.

“Now, all you have to do is wake up. So hurry… wake up.”

Son Bin still had no answer. But No-gun thought that his pale expression seemed a little more comfortable.

The divine sword Baekro, which Seo-rin had taken care of and placed next to Son Bin, was shining under the morning sunlight.