A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 170

170. Heavenly Fortune or Fate (1)

Dang Wora’s words instantly threw everyone at the banquet into confusion.

Some of the women blushed with embarrassment, but the Outer Palace experts sharpened their eyes to grasp Dang Wora’s true meaning.

“You belong to that person?”

It was an expression of utmost devotion and trust. Or did it truly signify ownership?

And such words came from none other than an Outer Palace expert, and from the young lady of the Dang Clan, no less.

Hwa-sa looked anew at the scholar-attired young man whom Dang Wora called ‘Young Master Son.’ The young man, his face flushed red, also seemed utterly bewildered.

“Um, Miss Wora.”

Feigning nonchalance, Son Bin smiled as naturally as possible. Yet, he couldn’t quite mask his awkward expression.

“If you put it that way, people might misunderstand.”

The gist of Dang Wora’s words was likely, ‘Son Bin is my savior, and I am indebted to him beyond repayment.’

But how would people interpret it when phrased like that?

Moreover, given Dang Wora’s petite and delicate appearance, strange rumors might circulate. No, judging by the whispering gossips, they already seemed to be spreading.

“When speaking, it’s better to use simple and precise words rather than ambiguous expressions. So, what the young lady means is…”

Son Bin desperately tried to correct people’s misunderstandings. However, Dang Wora’s next words shattered his efforts.

“Yes, I belong to this person.”

Dang Wora answered Hwa-sa’s question.

“Miss!”

Despite Son Bin’s cry of dismay, everyone’s eyes and ears were fixed on Dang Wora.

“If not for Young Master Son, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Her words were simple, precise, and clear.

Son Bin knew there was nothing more he could do. The situation was beyond salvage.

The young masters, some of the young ladies, and even the maids cast sharp glances at Son Bin.

No one cared that Dang Wora was already a respectable young lady who had undergone the coming-of-age ceremony [a traditional rite of passage into adulthood]. They judged only by what they saw.

Thus, they could only see Son Bin as someone who had seduced an innocent young girl.

Son Bin sighed. He felt like he had suddenly become a heartless criminal.

“Heh heh. That’s quite a fiery answer.”

Though she was smiling, Hwa-sa didn’t believe Dang Wora’s answer implied a conventional romantic relationship.

The delicate young lady before her, wearing a veil, was an absurd existence with an inner strength made of pure venom.

“Tell me, what does that person hold over you? Your life? Or…”

Hwa-sa asked, her eyes gleaming sharply.

“Something more precious than life?”

“There’s nothing like that.”

Dang Wora didn’t hesitate for a moment.

“He holds nothing over me. He asks nothing of me, and he wants nothing from me.”

She gently placed a small hand on her chest and said,

“So I can be, who I am.”

Thump.

The answer shook Hwa-sa. It felt as if something large had fallen into her chest.

‘I can be, who I am.’

Having lost her human heart and emotions, Hwa-sa couldn’t even trust her own judgment.

Who knew better than Hwa-sa the torment and misery of being chased by a fear that threatened to consume her, forcing her to do the very things she hated and cursed?

Meanwhile, Son Bin smiled wryly at Dang Wora’s answer.

Judging by the gazes of the maids directed at him, he seemed to have avoided being branded as a complete villain.

But whether this was truly an improvement was questionable.

“Haha, impressive.”

Hwa-sa, who had been silent, let out a hollow laugh.

“It doesn’t even feel fun to tease you.”

Though she spoke mockingly, Hwa-sa’s feelings were complex.

Dang Wora’s answer reminded her of her own situation, leaving her with an indescribable feeling. Her interest in the young musician had waned.

“I don’t want to get caught up in someone else’s love affair, so I’ll take my leave.”

She hadn’t felt this miserable in a long time. She didn’t want to exchange another word with Dang Wora.

Swish.

Hwa-sa turned to leave.

But at that moment, an unknown, chilling sensation grabbed her ankle.

A sense that she was missing something very important. It was perhaps an instinctual feeling, like that of an animal.

“Come to think of it.”

Hwa-sa tilted her head slightly. Something uncertain lingered in the depths of her subconscious.

It felt like it could burst out at any moment, yet the more she thought about it, the more ambiguous it became.

“You used the expression ‘who I am now,’ but what were you like before?”

She didn’t expect a specific answer. Perhaps she was just blurting out whatever came to mind. But Dang Wora answered the question.

“A monster of inhuman ways.”

Swoosh.

Dang Wora’s veil fluttered in the wind.

“That’s what I was.”

A being in human form, yet not human. Having strayed from the path ordained by heaven, an existence unacceptable anywhere.

That is what is called a monster of inhuman ways.

Dang Wora didn’t hesitate to call herself such a monster.

“That’s not true.”

A resolute voice rang out from behind. Dang Wora turned her head.

“Not once, Miss, have you ever been a monster.”

Dang Wora could clearly sense Son Bin’s anger. That’s why she could smile.

“I know.”

Dang Wora said. And she answered with all her heart.

“Thank you.”

Still, Son Bin’s anger didn’t seem to subside.

“And…”

It was then, as Son Bin was about to say something more.

Whooooosh.

A tremendous force emanated. Dang Wora slowly turned her head.

“I see.”

It was Hwa-sa. The woman before her was emitting streams of white energy.

“That’s exactly it.”

The moment she heard Dang Wora’s answer, the scattered pieces instantly fell into place. And the hidden truth clearly revealed itself.

A truth that Hwa-sa could hardly believe, yet could never overlook.

“May I ask one more question?”

Hwa-sa’s voice was echoing.

“How much lifespan do you have left?”

It was a truly bizarre question.

But Dang Wora quietly smiled. She knew well what Hwa-sa was thinking.

“That… heaven will decide.”

Woosh.

Hwa-sa’s energy wavered greatly. Noticeably so.

“Heh heh heh.”

Her laughter escaped.

“Heaven’s mandate… Indeed.”

Heaven’s mandate, the lifespan ordained by heaven. It was a cruel word that a monster of inhuman ways, who had strayed from the path of humans, could not even dare to hope for.

But Dang Wora said it. So confidently and naturally.

“If that’s the case…”

Crack.

A grating sound escaped from Hwa-sa’s mouth. Her gleaming eyes were fixed on the scholar-attired young man, Son Bin.

He was the one. The one who had turned a monster of inhuman ways into a human.

He was also the one who had brought her the heaven’s mandate that she could not even dare to hope for, and the one who had freed her from her cursed fate.

‘I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for him?’ Of course. He was the one who had made her, a monster, into a human.

‘I belong entirely to him?’ If he could save her from this damned fate, she could use even more extreme expressions.

“I can never let him go now, can I?”

The faces of the Outer Palace experts hardened. Her chilling voice was sincere.

“Hwa-sa!”

Talhondo frowned and shouted. He couldn’t understand why Hwa-sa’s attitude, which had seemed like a mere joke at first, had suddenly changed.

“Stop it! The Outer Palace does not suppress the Ye-won [a group or organization] with force.”

“Who says so?”

Hwa-sa replied in a cold voice, not even looking at Talhondo.

“Does the Martial Emperor, whom I’ve never even met? If so, tell him to come out and stop me now.”

Whooooosh.

A chilling aura began to emanate from her.

A powerful energy that was incomparable to before. The storm she created began to sweep through the banquet hall.

Clang clang clang.

“This is heavenly fortune. No… perhaps it’s fate.”

Hwa-sa’s subdued voice echoed.

This might truly be fate. The fate brought about by the meeting of two women who had been monsters of inhuman ways.

“I can never… let it go.”

It might be a delusion created by her own fantasies.

But if so, she had to confirm it even more. Whether he truly had the ability to save her from this cursed fate.

No one had initially expected him to be an exceptional artist.

But now, no one could ignore his zither [a traditional Chinese stringed instrument].

So who knew if he might be the one who could save Hwa-sa, as Dang Wora had said?

‘Anything is fine. As long as I can escape this fate.’

Hwa-sa’s hands turned white. Not only that, but her hair billowed out in all directions. Her entire body was enveloped in white energy, and light emanated from her eyes.

Step.

She took a step forward. Beneath her small foot, the solid floor crumbled.

“Even if it means killing you, I will have him.”

“That can’t happen.”

Dang Wora said in a cold voice. From her sword, So-wol, streams of blue energy were also extending.

“You can’t defeat us.”

“And you can’t have him either.”

Whooong.

Sa Su-yeon, holding the sword Mi-myeong that emitted a pure white light, said.

“I will stop you.”

The energy emanating from Sa Su-yeon’s Mi-myeong seemed ready to cleave Hwa-sa in two.

But Hwa-sa had no intention of backing down.

No, she couldn’t back down.

“Heh heh heh.”

Hwa-sa’s eyes, as she laughed, were no longer human.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve gone all the way to the end.”

Step, crack.

The floor beneath Hwa-sa’s feet made a sound.

“Is that so?”

Hwa-sa flinched at the heavy voice.

Even the chilling sword energy emanating from the two swords couldn’t change her mind.

But the owner of this voice was an exception.

“Are you really going to go all the way to the end?”

The person who approached from behind Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora was none other than Nam-ak No-gun.

He didn’t have a storm-like aura, nor did he emit a sharp killing intent, but his presence was shaking Hwa-sa.

“Uncle No-gun…”

Hwa-sa’s energy changed. Her rampaging energy visibly wavered.

“Please step aside.”

She said. Hwa-sa’s voice was even pitiful.

“You know too, Uncle. How I… feel right now.”

“I know.”

No-gun said.

“That’s why I can’t step aside.”

“That’s…”

“If you get him now, do you really think you can make him move according to your will?”

No-gun asked. Hwa-sa looked at the scholar-attired young man. He was also looking at Hwa-sa.

His exceptionally clear eyes held not a trace of fear towards Hwa-sa. Even in this situation.

“Heh heh.”

Laughter leaked from Hwa-sa’s lips.

“Well, that’s something I can’t know. Until I try.”

Hwa-sa said in a chilling voice.

Humans are weak. And in the face of overwhelming violence, anyone is bound to succumb. At least, that was the world she had lived in.

“Absolutely not. That guy can’t be moved that way.”

No-gun asserted.

“If your skills are Minority and Essence Absorption, this guy’s skill is not fearing death for what he believes is right.”

As he spoke, No-gun clicked his tongue without realizing it.

“A very reckless guy, tsk.”

His simple action revealed No-gun’s sincerity.

No-gun looked straight at Hwa-sa.

“So step back. I don’t want to point So-ryeong Sword at you.”

No-gun never made empty promises. Hwa-sa realized. As long as No-gun was sincerely involved, she couldn’t have that scholar young man.

“Hoo.”

Hwa-sa closed her eyes and quietly composed herself. Her energy, which had been rampaging just a moment ago, had disappeared as if it were a lie.

It was an abnormal emotional change, but no one expected Hwa-sa to be normal in the first place.

Flash.

Hwa-sa opened her eyes. And she saw the scholar-attired young musician, Son Bin.

Far.

He was right in front of her. But Nam-ak No-gun stood between them. Like an impassable gap.

“Hmph.”

Hwa-sa gritted her teeth and turned her body.

“This guy doesn’t run away.”

No-gun’s voice caught Hwa-sa as she turned around.

“Yes?”

Hwa-sa turned her head. No-gun said.

“Because he’s not afraid of you. And he’s not trying to kill you either. He’s definitely not your enemy.”

Hwa-sa frowned. She wondered what he was suddenly talking about.

“So speak.”

No-gun’s shining eyes were directed straight at Hwa-sa.

“Politely, with sincerity.”

Hwa-sa looked at No-gun. His gaze was more serious than ever.

“Haha.”

Hwa-sa let out a hollow laugh.

“Words? If everything could be solved that way, who would…”

No matter how much No-gun said it, she couldn’t accept it.

The world doesn’t listen to monsters of inhuman ways. She had realized that only violence was the only way to protect herself.

“Um…”

A quiet voice suddenly flowed out. Hwa-sa raised her head. The person who spoke to her was the scholar-attired young man.

“Sometimes, writing is more comfortable than speaking. Writing can help you organize your thoughts and clarify what you want to say. If you have something you want to say to me, you can send a letter.”

His words were considerate, but Hwa-sa frowned.

“I don’t know how to write.”

Son Bin was momentarily taken aback. He had never imagined that an adult, especially an Outer Palace expert, wouldn’t know how to write.

“Ah, well then…”

Son Bin said, flustered.

“You can just come visit me whenever you’re comfortable.”

No-gun had already expressed his intention to invite her. It was a natural reaction for Son Bin.

But the reactions of the young masters and maids were different. They all had sharp eyes and were glaring at Son Bin as if they were scolding him.

“Ahem. You shouldn’t just let anyone into your house like that.”

Even the former Thunder Sword, Namgungcheon, coughed uncomfortably and said.

“A man should have integrity. And having flowers in both hands isn’t always that enjoyable, I’ve told you several times… Ahem.”

His words were cut off. Because No-gun was glaring at him.

Hwa-sa laughed.

“Okay. Where should I go, Sister?”

She asked as if nothing was wrong. The banquet hall fell silent in an instant. Everyone’s eyes were focused on Son Bin.

“It’s Cheongwon in Guangdong Province.”

Son Bin answered. Some people quietly repeated his answer.

“Cheongwon where?”

“There’s a small Seowon [a private Confucian academy]. You can come there.”

“If you put it that way, I can’t not go.”

Hwa-sa said, lightly covering her mouth with her hand.

“I’ll be sure to visit you. But… is it okay to tell me all this?”

Hwa-sa said in a whisper. Her voice was as gentle as if she were flirting.

“It seems like everyone doesn’t know what’s going on right now, but I think there will be quite a few people who want you in the future?”

It was a warning or a threat. But Son Bin smiled instead.

“Guests are always welcome.”

Hwa-sa’s eyes widened. Son Bin’s answer was something she had never expected.

Behind her, Namgungcheon muttered, ‘Damn it, should I make them move?’

“Heh heh heh.”

Hwa-sa laughed again. She lightly swept back her disheveled hair with one hand.

“I like it. Much more than before.”

Her red lips shone seductively. But she didn’t approach any further.

“Then, see you later.”

Hwa-sa winked and walked back to her seat.

Tap, tap.

Her footsteps echoed through the banquet hall.

—Are you just turning around?

Hwa-sa stopped with a start. It wasn’t just Hwa-sa. Everyone in the banquet hall heard the voice.

It was small, as if coming from afar, but it was a clear woman’s voice that even the maids could hear.

—Then there’s nothing I can do.

Whooooosh.

The faint voice grew louder in an instant. As if someone was approaching here at tremendous speed.

“I have no choice but to check it myself.”

The last voice was so loud that it echoed in her ears. The maids covered their ears at the sound, which was like thunder.

“This!”

The first person to shout was No-gun.

“Evacuate!”

No-gun shouted. At the same time, No-gun’s So-ryeong Sword flashed, and in the very next moment.

Kwaang!

A huge sword pierced through the roof of the banquet hall and plunged down. The huge sword, so large that it seemed like a pillar had collapsed, was shining in silver as if it had been frosted.