A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 169

Despite the two swords flashing before her eyes, Hwa-sa smiled brightly.

“Who are these little darlings?”

The two wielding the swords were both women. One was a stunning beauty with a slightly cold demeanor, and the other was a slender woman with her face veiled.

“That’s far enough.”

The slender woman wearing the veil, Dang Ah-wol, spoke.

“I won’t allow you to come any closer.”

It was a small voice, but her tone contained an undeniable force.

“Didn’t you hear you were only supposed to watch?”

The beauty with the cold expression, Sa Soo-yeon, added. A faint, cold fury flickered in her eyes.

“Quietly step back.”

The two swords emanated a thick killing intent, as if they would cut Hwa-sa down at any moment.

However, Hwa-sa was not at all surprised.

“Hohoho.”

She covered her mouth with her fan and laughed.

“Oh, my. It seems I’ve been quite underestimated lately. Even by little darlings like these…….”

*Whoosh.*

Hwa-sa’s aura exploded. At the same time, an eerie energy began to gather on her fan.

“To think you’d look down on me.”

*Swoosh.*

Hwa-sa’s body seemed to sway slightly, and then her fan emitted a red light, slashing towards the two women’s swords.

However, Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Ah-wol were not flustered in the slightest.

“Hmph.”

*Whoong.*

As Sa Soo-yeon snorted, her sword, Myeong, emitted a pure white light. Dang Ah-wol’s sword, So-wol, also released a green aura as if it had been waiting. And as if they had coordinated with each other, the three women’s auras collided at the same point.

*Kwaang!*

A clash with no room for compromise. The result they created was tremendous.

*Kugugung.*

The banquet hall shook as if caught in a storm, and decorations and tableware were scattered by the force.

“Kyaa!”

The maids screamed. Hwa-wol was also startled, covering her face with both hands and turning her head away, instinctively knowing that the aftermath of the collision right before her eyes would be significant.

However, the feared event did not occur.

“Hmph.”

Hwa-wol raised her head at the familiar snort. No-gun’s back was before her eyes.

‘Elder No-gun!’

Before she knew it, No-gun was standing between Hwa-wol and Son-bin, extending one hand forward, as if restraining a charging beast.

Moreover, the wide, fan-shaped area starting from No-gun was unaffected. No-gun had protected not only Hwa-wol and Son-bin but also the Vice Lord and young masters at the same time.

“Tsk, can’t really interfere in women’s affairs……. Tsk.”

No-gun’s grumbling could be heard.

*Whoooo.*

The aftermath of the collision caused by the three women subsided. Hwa-wol quickly assessed the situation.

The damage was less than expected. Most of the Outer Saga experts had raised their inner energy early on, enveloping themselves and their surroundings.

Thanks to Bul-gwang Seonsa and Beop-heo Sin-ni, who actively protected the maids, no one seemed to be injured. Of course, there were also people like Gong-son Geuk, who only protected themselves.

Son-bin’s group was also being protected by a handsome young man who seemed to be from Wudang.

Surprisingly, the former Thunder Sword, Nam-gung Cheon, and the former Overbearing Sword, Hyeok-ryun Wi, were also blocking as if protecting their groups. Behind them, the expressions of Jeok Se-hwa, Nam-gung Hyang, and Mo-yong Rin looked grim.

“Keuk.”

A low groan escaped. It came from Hwa-sa.

Hwa-sa, who had not lost her smile until now, was now frowning.

“Step back.”

Dang Ah-wol said. Her sword, So-wol, was pointing at Hwa-sa’s face just as before. And intersecting with her sword was Sa Soo-yeon’s sword, Myeong.

“Step back. This is the last warning.”

Sa Soo-yeon said.

The result of the collision was clear. Dang Ah-wol and Sa Soo-yeon’s swords were still aimed at Hwa-sa, but Hwa-sa’s fan was no longer in her hand.

“Ah, it was a fan I liked.”

Hwa-sa let out a bitter laugh and turned her gaze. Her fan was in tatters, lying in a corner.

“These young ladies have more prickly personalities than I thought. Quite talented too. That’s a good thing. But…….”

Before she knew it, a faint sneer crept onto Hwa-sa’s red lips.

“My specialty is bare hands anyway.”

Hwa-sa raised one hand to eye level. With a soft sound, her hand began to turn white.

*Woooong.*

“Have you heard of Sosu [素手, literally ‘bare hands’; a martial art using unarmed combat]?”

Her signature technique, the Sosu, which had caused the Gaebong Bloodshed ten years ago, was shining in Hwa-sa’s hand.

∴

“Is that the Sosu Gong [素手功, Sosu skill]?”

Cheong-hye Satae asked with surprised eyes. Beop-heo Sin-ni nodded silently.

“Yes. It is a martial art that only women with the energy of extreme yin (極陰) [extreme negative or passive energy in Taoist philosophy] can master. It can grant great power in a short time, but because its essence lies in yin (陰) [negative or passive energy], it leads to cruel and cold natures.”

Beop-heo Sin-ni’s gaze as she looked at Hwa-sa’s Sosu was complicated.

“As the Sosu Gong becomes stronger, the human heart disappears. Eventually, one loses reason and only craves blood, so the *jianghu* [martial arts world] calls it a demonic art. One can escape those restrictions by mastering the Sosu Gong, but before that, everyone self-destructs.”

‘Demonic art…….’

Cheong-hye Satae felt a slight chill at the eerie feeling given by that short word. And at the same time, a question arose.

“If everyone self-destructed, how was that woman able to master the Sosu Gong?”

“Much blood was shed.”

Beop-heo Sin-ni said briefly.

“A great deal……. That is the Gaebong Bloodshed.”

Despite Beop-heo Sin-ni’s explanation, Cheong-hye Satae’s question was not resolved.

The fact that an event worthy of being called a bloodshed was not well known was one thing, but in the first place, there was no way that her teacher, Beop-heo Sin-ni, or Bul-gwang Seonsa would have stood by and watched such a thing happen.

“How could such a thing…….”

“There was someone who wanted to see her mastery.”

Beop-heo Sin-ni said with a stern expression.

“If it weren’t for his whim, Hwa-sa would not exist. At that time, Mu-je was not showing himself.”

“Who is he?”

Cheong-hye Satae asked.

Beop-heo Sin-ni closed her eyes.

“The one who frolics in the clouds. He is…… Ok-ryong [Jade Dragon].”

Cheong-hye Satae could tell that her teacher was silently chanting a Buddhist prayer.

‘Ok-ryong.’

Cheong-hye Satae recalled what she had heard about him.

One of the Heavenly Outer Four, and a being called ‘frolicking in the clouds’ because no one knows his true intentions.

To this day, no one dares to even guess his whereabouts, let alone Mu-je’s. It is enough to guess how great a shadow he casts on the Outer Saga.

“So that’s why you said she was one of the two strongest women in the Outer Saga.”

“Yes.”

Cheong-hye Satae had another question.

“Who is the other one?”

Beop-heo Sin-ni opened her eyes.

“Seom-oksu [Jade Handed Hermit].”

She said.

“Seom-oksu of the Northern Sea, O-reuhan. Her skill is said to be comparable to that of Nam-ak No-gun. Of course, they have never clashed directly.”

‘Seom-oksu O-reuhan.’

Cheong-hye Satae quietly repeated the name. She thought her teacher, Beop-heo Sin-ni, was normal, but before her eyes was a woman named Hwa-sa, and in the Northern Sea was a being called Seom-oksu.

And what about the beings called the Heavenly Outer Four?

‘The road is long.’

Feeling her fighting spirit rising, Cheong-hye Satae silently chanted a Buddhist prayer.

This was the Outer Saga (外史), a place called the sky above the sky [天外天, beyond the heavens].

∴

*Woooong.*

Hwa-sa’s hand shone white. It was just the hand of a seemingly weak woman, but no one could guess what would happen the moment that hand was struck.

“Shall we take a quick look at how good you little ones are?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Hwa-sa crossed her two hands and brushed away the two swords.

*Kwaang.*

Hands and swords collided, but what erupted was an explosion. Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Ah-wol deflected Hwa-sa’s Sosu and immediately launched a counterattack.

*Shriek, shwik.*

*Kwang, kwang!*

The two swords and Hwa-sa’s hands intertwined in a dizzying manner, and a roar erupted. Each time, the banquet hall subtly vibrated, and the faces of the maids and young masters turned pale.

“You have quite good swords? To be intact even after colliding with my Sosu.”

Hwa-sa said with a relaxed smile. She, who was simultaneously facing Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Ah-wol’s swords with both hands, strongly pushed away Sa Soo-yeon’s sword with both hands in an instant as if to push it away.

However, her trick had already been seen through by Sa Soo-yeon.

“Hmph.”

*Shriek.*

Sa Soo-yeon’s sword bent along a strange trajectory. And instead, it fell straight down, aiming for Hwa-sa’s face.

*Kwaang.*

“Kyaa.”

The maids’ screams erupted. However, the event that the maids were worried about did not occur.

*Woooong.*

“Ha, this is really something.”

Hwa-sa let out a bitter smile.

Her complexion was not good.

The hair ornament had been broken off, and her hair was disheveled. But thanks to that, she was able to block the two swords that were rushing towards her neck.

*Woooong.*

Myeong and So-wol were blocked by her two hands. Hwa-sa’s Sosu was lightly holding the two blades that had crossed in front of her, as if catching butterflies.

However, the inner energy contained in that hand would never be light.

“Are you really trying to do this?”

Hwa-sa said.

“Can you handle it?”

“We haven’t been serious yet either.”

Dang Ah-wol said in a calm voice. Sa Soo-yeon continued her words.

“But, if you want, anytime.”

Sa Soo-yeon’s eyes were shining with a determined will.

“Hmph.”

Hwa-sa snorted and glanced behind them. The figures of Hwa-wol and the scholar youth could be seen beyond No-gun.

Hwa-wol’s complexion was dark, but the scholar youth was rather calm. As if he was used to this situation.

‘Hoo.’

Even in this touch-and-go situation, he was not terrified.

There was no greed or disgust that most martial artists had shown.

Only pure interest in Hwa-sa’s Sosu was floating in his eyes.

‘He’s more of a find than I thought?’

Hwa-sa felt her desire grow anew. Right now, the matter with these two young ladies was a priority, but she had no intention of giving up what she wanted.

“As expected, good men already have owners.”

Hwa-sa smiled. However, no one thought she was really smiling.

“But if it comes to this, I can’t just step back either, can I?”

*Shuuuwoong.*

Hwa-sa’s shining Sosu slowly began to lose its light.

Sa Soo-yeon frowned. If Hwa-sa withdrew her Sosu like this, her bare hands would not be able to withstand Myeong.

It was not her intention to see blood in this place. Above all, she could not help but think about the impact it would have on Son-bin. It was the moment Sa Soo-yeon was thinking about whether she should withdraw her sword.

“Actually, there’s something else I’m good at.”

*Hooook.*

‘Ugh.’

The eerie energy felt through the sword. Feeling as if she was being sucked into an abyss, Sa Soo-yeon quickly flicked her sword.

*Taang.*

*Shwirik.*

Sa Soo-yeon’s body spun around and stepped back.

*Cheok.*

Sa Soo-yeon straightened her posture, aiming her sword at Hwa-sa. But her eyes were full of surprise.

“What was that just now…….”

“It’s Heupjeong Gong [吸精功, Essence-Sucking Skill]. It’s another one of my specialties. Such martial arts are essential for my constitution.”

Hwa-sa said, slightly licking her lips. She looked at her hand that had missed Sa Soo-yeon’s sword with regret.

Although it was only for a moment, the inner energy of Sa Soo-yeon that she had tasted through her hand was truly tempting. Her hand was still tingling.

“You had quite amazing inner energy? And you…….”

Hwa-sa shifted her gaze. In her other hand, she was holding the blade of Dang Ah-wol’s sword, So-wol.

Although she was covered by a veil, Hwa-sa was certain that Dang Ah-wol was flustered.

“Your senses seem a little duller than hers? In this situation, the right answer is to quickly step back.”

But now she couldn’t step back. Now that Heupjeong Gong had begun to be unleashed in earnest, her hand would never let go of Dang Ah-wol’s sword.

*Woooowoong.*

Dang Ah-wol was resisting. But the stronger the opponent’s resistance, the more the true value of Heupjeong Gong was revealed.

Before long, Dang Ah-wol’s inner energy would begin to be sucked in. Her young and pure inner energy.

“I’ll enjoy this.”

Hwa-sa’s red lips glowed red. Her face was flushed with the joy she had tasted in a long time.

To think it would be the inner energy of such a fresh young lady. She was even worried that she might not be able to control herself.

‘I can’t do this.’

Sa Soo-yeon sensed that she couldn’t let this continue. It was the moment she was about to take a step.

“You want my inner energy?”

Dang Ah-wol said softly to Hwa-sa, who was enveloped in joy.

Contrary to expectations that she would be flustered, her voice was even calm. It was as if she could see her unwavering eyes beyond the veil.

“Then, take it.”

*Hoooook.*

Dang Ah-wol’s sword, So-wol, began to emit a green aura. And at the same time, a tremendous energy began to pour in through Hwa-sa’s hand.

“What……!”

Hwa-sa frowned. For a moment, she thought that the opponent had given up.

But Hwa-sa’s thoughts could not continue any further.

“Heok!”

Because something absolutely impossible was mixed in with the inner energy pouring in through her hand.

No, it wasn’t mixed in. Dang Ah-wol’s inner energy *was* poison (毒) itself.

*Kaang!*

In an instant, Hwa-sa strongly struck Dang Ah-wol’s sword. And spinning around, she immediately retreated.

*Pararak.*

The distance between Dang Ah-wol and Hwa-sa widened in an instant. The force was so strong that Hwa-sa had already retreated to near her seat.

“You…….”

Hwa-sa said, grinding her teeth. She was strongly gripping the elbow area of her other hand with one hand.

Her hand, which had been holding Dang Ah-wol’s sword, was turning black from the fingertips as if it were dead.

Due to the nature of Heupjeong Gong, which absorbs the opponent’s inner energy, Hwa-sa had poured extreme poison into her body.

“Keuk.”

Hwa-sa groaned and immediately began to apply pressure points with her other hand.

*Pak, pak.*

As she tapped various parts of her arm, the progression of discoloration noticeably slowed. But it wasn’t over yet. Hwa-sa reached for a teacup lying on the floor.

*Hwik.*

The teacup was sucked into Hwa-sa’s hand as if someone had thrown it at her. Hwa-sa shattered the teacup with one hand.

*Pasak.*

The hard teacup made of porcelain shattered powerlessly. Hwa-sa picked up one of the sharply cut pieces and grazed the blackened fingertips.

*Pick.*

Dark red blood gushed out. Not only that, but as Hwa-sa drew up her inner energy, black blood flowed out from her fingertips in clumps.

After a while, her arm slowly returned to its original color.

Having finished the treatment for now, Hwa-sa glared at Dang Ah-wol.

“Could it be, you…….”

All the Outer Saga experts saw the sight. They could also guess what Hwa-sa was about to say.

“Maengho Dokgi Gong [Fierce Tiger Poison Energy Skill]?”

The moment Hwa-sa spat out the words, the complexions of all the Outer Saga experts hardened.

Maengho’s signature technique, Maengho Dokgi Gong, which was one of the Heavenly Outer Four, could never be passed on.

The Dokgi Gong that only Maengho had been able to master even in the long history of the Tang family. But at this moment, it was appearing from Dang Ah-wol’s fingertips.

“No.”

Dang Ah-wol said in a still calm voice.

“This is Wol-ah Dokgi Gong [Crescent Moon Poison Energy Skill].”

Hwa-sa distorted her face.

“What nonsense…….”

She thought Dang Ah-wol was playing word games. But at the same time, another thought came to her.

‘Wait.’

Even if it was Maengho Dokgi Gong, it would not change the inner energy itself into poison.

However, the poison that had poured into her was clearly Dang Ah-wol’s inner energy.

‘Inner energy *is* poison itself, this is absurd.’

Even Hwa-sa herself, who possessed the constitution of extreme yin, needed a certain amount of yang energy to maintain her reason and continue her life.

A being made up only of poison was unheard of. No, it was even doubtful whether such a being could be called a person in the first place.

“Okay. Let’s say that’s the name.”

Hwa-sa asked with a sharp look.

“Tang family?”

Dang Ah-wol silently nodded. Hwa-sa knew it would be so. There was only one place in the world that could create such a monster, and that was the Tang family.

“I thought Maengho of Sichuan wouldn’t just disappear. Maengho must have created you? Is the Tang family’s secret technique that he left behind you?”

Sa Soo-yeon frowned. Hwa-sa’s words were very rude, not treating Dang Ah-wol as a person.

But the impressions of the other Outer Saga experts were not much different from Hwa-sa’s.

“No, not Maengho.”

There was no respect or hesitation in Dang Ah-wol’s voice as she answered.

“The fact that I am alive, the fact that I exist. And every breath I take.”

*Shwaaaa.*

The wind of Seohwa lightly shook her veil.

“The fact that I am standing here now is only due to one person.”

Dang Ah-wol quietly turned her head. Following her, everyone’s gaze moved.

The person that all those gazes reached was the youth dressed as a scholar.

“So I am, all Young Master Son’s.”