A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 174

Sarak, sarak.

Frost spread across the floor of the banquet hall, making soft sounds.

Yet, the woman in the center, Sword Demon, stood barefoot on it as if it were nothing.

“This sword is called Baekro [White Dew].”

Son Bin said quietly. Sword Demon showed interest.

“The divine sword from back then?”

“Yes.”

Looking down at Baekro, Son Bin smiled. He acted as if he didn’t even notice Sword Demon’s Ice Sword flashing towards him.

“I never thought I’d say this about a sword.”

Son Bin sighed slightly. He had always taken it for granted, but saying it out loud made him feel awkward and somewhat embarrassed.

He recalled his past self, who had inwardly regarded Hwanghak Jin-in [Yellow Crane True Man], who spoke about Baekro, as a strange person.

“This sword is also my friend. And…”

Son Bin hesitated before finally adding a word.

“It’s very beautiful.”

Son Bin was slightly embarrassed.

However, no one there found the words strange.

The divine sword Baekro certainly deserved to be spoken of in such a way.

“But why don’t you draw it?”

At Sword Demon’s question, Son Bin smiled and said.

“The duel has already begun.”

The smile slowly disappeared from Son Bin’s lips. Looking straight at Sword Demon, Son Bin said.

“Come.”

Son Bin’s eyes shone like starlight as he looked at Sword Demon. The moment Sword Demon saw that light, her heart raced.

“Alright.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

Uuung.

Sword Demon’s Ice Sword cried. The blade was dyed as white as snow, and the frost spreading beneath her feet intensified.

“Frost Dawn First Verse.”

A low voice, like a chant, flowed from Sword Demon. At the same time, the Ice Sword, cut in half, emitted light.

Jjeojeojeok.

The Ice Sword instantly created the form of a giant sword.

The appearance of that large sword, as if everything around it had frozen along with her sword, was the same one that had crashed through the banquet hall’s ceiling and fallen.

Huuuung.

The Ice Sword’s energy swept around, and Sword Demon’s clothes fluttered as if caught in a storm. Her bare feet and white calves were exposed, and her long, black hair billowed and spread in all directions.

Eerie beams of light shot out from her large eyes. That appearance made it clear why she had earned the name ‘Demon Girl’.

Seuk.

The giant sword lightly drew a semicircle and rose silently.

The objects in its path shattered like thin ice, and the roof’s beams and rafters creaked and froze as they touched the blade.

“I’m going.”

Her voice was no longer cold or dry.

It was like the excited voice of a girl full of anticipation, exactly that.

Woong.

With a small reverberation, Sword Demon’s Frost Dawn First Verse fell towards Son Bin. And even then, Son Bin did not draw his sword.

Kwagwagwag.

The giant silver sword seemed ready to crush Son Bin at any moment.

At that very moment, as if a giant wall was collapsing towards him, Son Bin quietly placed his hand on Baekro.

Ddarang.

A clear and pure sound echoed.

It spread through Son Bin’s heart like the sound of a lonely wind chime, or like the first note of a carefully plucked zither [a Chinese stringed instrument].

—There are many currents. And they are everywhere.

Saja Hyuk’s words came to mind. Even now, countless currents, large and small, were passing through this place. But even those were only a fraction of the whole.

Son Bin stood before the vast and majestic current that encompassed everything. A current whose end and beginning were unknown.

‘What lies beyond?’

Son Bin suddenly wondered. Perhaps beyond that lay another current that even the stars in the sky could not escape.

But that was not allowed to Son Bin. All he had to do now was take a step. Into that place where he did not know what awaited.

“Let’s go.”

Son Bin said quietly. And slowly, he drew his sword.

“Baekro.”

The great current gently embraced Son Bin as if it had been waiting.

And at that moment.

Huuuk.

A storm of fragrance, like a spring breeze, swept through the banquet hall.

‘Ah.’

Everyone there could smell the fragrance. It was a fragrance that did not exist anywhere else in this world.

Strong to some, and very faint to others, the fragrance gently enveloped the banquet hall like a dream, enough to make them forget that a huge clash was unfolding before their eyes.

Sword Demon could also feel the storm-like fragrance. But what she saw was not just the fragrance that erupted from Son Bin.

Huuu.

Something was gathering towards Son Bin like a quiet wind.

It was not internal energy, or inner strength, or momentum. It was something that rippled like the waves of Seohou Lake, an overwhelming presence like a giant mountain range.

Huuk.

Sword Demon’s Frost Dawn First Verse plunged towards Son Bin.

But Sword Demon already knew. Her Frost Dawn First Verse would not harm Son Bin.

Jjeong!

A sound like thick ice breaking erupted.

The masters of the Outer History startled and regained their senses. Even though they had clearly been awake, it felt as if they had been dreaming.

Before them, the result of the clash between Ice Sword and Baekro was unfolding.

Pasak.

There was no tense confrontation, no fierce exchange.

The beautifully extended blade of Baekro shattered Sword Demon’s Frost Dawn First Verse as it was, without any energy imbued in it. As if shattering a futile dream.

“Keuk.”

A small groan came from Sword Demon. She immediately lowered her body to minimize the impact, but could not avoid being pushed back.

The appearance of the giant sword that had exuded overwhelming force had disappeared, leaving only the original Ice Sword cut in half.

Huddeudeuk.

Broken fragments fell from the ceiling. Through them, Son Bin slowly walked towards Sword Demon.

Jeobeok, jeobeok.

Son Bin’s eyes, looking at Sword Demon, were devoid of any emotion. The sword in his hand, Baekro, proudly shone its eerily beautiful blade.

“Hmm.”

Glaring at Son Bin, Sword Demon lightly stomped her foot.

Thadak.

Sword Demon’s figure seemed to blur, and she instantly disappeared from Son Bin’s sight. It was a speed so fast that everyone there missed Sword Demon’s appearance.

But Old Man No saw it. He saw Sword Demon, who had risen upwards, change direction in mid-air and fall silently behind Son Bin.

But there was not even time to shout.

Sword Demon’s Ice Sword, emitting a chilling white light, seemed ready to split Son Bin’s head in two.

Kkwahang.

A roar erupted. And a small groan followed.

“Keuk.”

Sword Demon’s figure flew through the air and landed on the other side of the banquet hall. But it was not the same as before.

Thak.

Following her two feet, one knee and one hand touched the floor.

Sword Demon, who had lowered her body as if to touch the floor, was barely able to regain her balance. Her long, black hair poured down like a waterfall.

Sword Demon raised her head.

“How… did you do that?”

Sword Demon asked as if she couldn’t believe it.

Because the inner force of Sword Demon herself that had been unleashed towards Son Bin had returned to her as it was. It felt as if there was another version of herself blocking her.

Seureuk.

Slowly lowering Baekro, Son Bin replied.

“I simply returned it to you as it was.”

Son Bin was clearly speaking. But the voice could not be identified as if it was coming from somewhere other than Son Bin.

“It’s not over yet, is it?”

Son Bin said. Sword Demon blinked.

“No.”

Seuk.

Slowly, Sword Demon rose to her feet. Her white clothes were torn here and there.

“It’s a first.”

Sword Demon said.

“An opponent I want to fight with my life on the line.”

“That’s not true.”

Son Bin replied.

“You already said that in the Snow Mountain. To the Supreme of the Black Sky, Saja Hyuk.”

Kung.

A great reverberation covered the banquet hall. It didn’t actually shake. But the shock brought by Son Bin’s words was even greater than that.

“That’s right.”

Sword Demon said in a low voice.

“He is a great wall. The person who made me realize that my sword is only half complete. If I had been just a little stronger, I could have risked my life to compete with him.”

Sword Demon’s voice was calm.

But it was also a spine-chilling word to the masters of the Outer History, especially the Buddhist Monk Bulgwang and the Buddhist Nun Beopheo, who had challenged Sword Demon.

According to her words, Sword Demon’s realm was that of the Heavenly Outer Four Sages. The same beings who were called the sky even in the Outer History of the Heavenly Outer World.

“But what are you?”

Looking at Son Bin, Sword Demon continued.

“One time was enough to know him. But I’ve crossed swords with you twice, and I can’t figure you out. You are…”

Tilting her head, Sword Demon asked.

Her technique, Frost Dawn First Verse, disappeared the moment it touched Baekro. As naturally as it should have been. Moreover, the second attack was said to have simply been returned.

“Are you… strong?”

She couldn’t figure it out. She felt a great presence from him. But it was by no means power. No, not even inner strength.

Just something that was there. It was something that was right in front of Sword Demon’s eyes, yet beyond her perception.

Like the beautifully rippling Seohou Lake, or the Snow Mountain towering towards the sky.

A faint smile crossed Son Bin’s lips. But it disappeared immediately.

“To confirm that.”

Jeobeok.

Son Bin took a step towards Sword Demon.

“Isn’t that what moved you?”

Son Bin’s eyes, looking at Sword Demon, were as clear as the blue sky.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Sword Demon held the Ice Sword, cut in half, with both hands.

Woong.

The Ice Sword cried. Holding the sword with both hands, Sword Demon said to Son Bin.

“So I have to go all the way.”

Uuuung.

Sword Demon slowly took her hands off the Ice Sword.

But the Ice Sword remained floating in the air between Sword Demon’s two hands, crying.

‘Energy Sword?’

Talhondo frowned at the sight.

‘Why suddenly like that…’

Energy Sword is an advanced martial art that controls a sword with internal energy. A technique that one would not dare to attempt unless they had surpassed the peak.

The sight of it moving through the air on its own according to the caster’s will, scattering sword light, could not be anything but a threat to anyone. But it was different for the masters of the Outer History.

‘It’s just a trick, Tangible Energy is better.’

Buddhist Nun Beopheo also clicked her tongue inwardly. If the opponent was lower in realm than herself, Energy Sword would surely bring the desired result.

But to the masters of the Outer History, it was just a variant attack that blurred the eyes.

In the Outer History, to unfold Energy Sword in front of an opponent who was worth risking one’s life against was the same as exposing one’s own weakness.

If one wanted to check the opponent, Tangible Energy would have been better.

If one was at the level to unfold Energy Sword, it would not be difficult to control the trajectory of Tangible Energy.

Uuuuuung.

The Ice Sword floating in front of Sword Demon was gradually increasing its momentum. Sword Demon’s clothes and long black hair fluttered in all directions.

The moment the Ice Sword, cut in half, shone white, Sword Demon said quietly.

“Frost Dawn Second Verse.”

Bbuung.

At the same time as Sword Demon’s eerie voice ended, the sword floating in the air flew up.

The shining Ice Sword drew a large circle around Son Bin and quickly returned to Sword Demon’s hand.

It was as if it had circled around Son Bin in vain.

But no one thought that appearance was in vain.

Because in the place where Sword Demon’s Ice Sword had passed, countless illusions of the shining Ice Sword were floating.

‘Heok.’

At the tremendous sight, Buddhist Nun Beopheo unknowingly swallowed her breath.

The sight of countless Ice Swords floating in the air was already overwhelming.

But to the masters of the Outer History, that sight was giving them even more shock.

‘This crazy woman.’

Talhondo also gritted his teeth. Those countless illusions of the Ice Sword were all created with Sword Demon’s inner force. Perhaps it was the same as the giant sword of Frost Dawn First Verse.

But controlling those countless swords with inner force was another matter.

In Talhondo’s eyes, Sword Demon no longer even looked like a person.

“You are the first.”

Sword Demon’s face was pale.

This place is the Outer History. In this literal dragon’s pool and tiger’s den [dangerous place], it is impossible to know what will happen after this duel.

But she did not even leave behind the strength to handle it. No, she couldn’t leave it behind.

In this one clash, she literally bet everything.

Perhaps a choice close to self-destruction. But her eyes were burning more than ever.

Uuuung.

The illusions of the Ice Sword floating in the air cried. They were facing Son Bin like countless teeth of ice beasts.

But Son Bin was just quietly looking at Sword Demon.

“Cut.”

Sword Demon’s red lips moved slightly. At the same time, countless Ice Swords rushed towards Son Bin.

That was not all.

“Taha!”

With a sharp shout, Sword Demon flew her body. Ignoring defense, Sword Demon, who had become one with the Ice Sword, shot towards Son Bin.

‘Ah.’

At that very moment when she was rushing towards Son Bin, Sword Demon saw it. She saw Son Bin quietly smiling at her.

But there was not a single piece of goodwill in that smile. No, she couldn’t even tell if he was looking at her.

Seuk.

A hand was raised. It was the hand of a frail scholar, not one of a martial artist.

The hand lightly passed through the air as if sweeping away a curtain. But at that moment, the illusions of the Ice Sword that were rushing in were helplessly shattered.

Chachachang.

A sharp sound like something breaking burst out in succession.

There was not even a shock. As if everything was returning to its original state, the illusions of the Ice Sword disappeared with a small sound.

The two hands of the scholar, who had broken the teeth of the beast with a single movement, grabbed Baekro. And faced Sword Demon straight on.

Seuk.

It was a very ordinary posture.

Holding the sword with both hands and spreading the feet to an appropriate width, a posture that anyone who holds a sword knows.

That posture, which was so ordinary that it could not even be compared to Sword Demon’s rushing strike, was, however, the most natural posture.

Hung.

Baekro moved.

The moment the dazzling blade of Baekro, which seemed to enchant the eyes, showed off its dignified beauty, the world split in two before the eyes of Sword Demon, who was rushing in.

∴

Kareung.

The sword cut in half fell to the floor of the banquet hall. And following it, black hair poured down in droves.

It was her own hair that had been cut off by Baekro’s blade resting on Sword Demon’s shoulder.

“Haa, haa.”

Sword Demon’s chest heaved roughly. As it moved, Baekro’s blade moved little by little, cutting off her hair one by one.

“Why, did you stop?”

Sword Demon asked the person standing in front of her. Her heavy breathing did not subside easily.

“Because that’s how it is.”

A calm voice rang out. No emotion was felt in that voice. Even this fierce exchange seemed to him like a nonchalant daily routine.

Even the way he treated Sword Demon had changed. But it was so natural as if it had always been like that.

That was not all. His eyes, which were half-open or half-closed, were looking at Sword Demon, but she couldn’t even be sure if he was really looking at her.

A strange feeling as if he was right in front of her but not existing here. That was the feeling Sword Demon was feeling from him.

“I don’t… understand the meaning.”

Sword Demon said. Her voice was trembling. But what was contained in that voice was no longer excitement or expectation.

“But I know one thing for sure. Only you in the world.”

Sword Demon gritted her teeth.

“Can make my sword complete.”

“Maybe.”

Son Bin said. Nothing could be felt in his gaze looking at Sword Demon. Only endless gaps.

“But what I can give you is no different from what I can give to others.”

Seureuk.

Baekro left Sword Demon’s shoulder. And Sword Demon could see what he was about to do.

‘Ah.’

There was no fear or surprise. No, she rather took it for granted. He is the winner and has the right to take her life.

‘This is my end.’

She did not lower her head. Sword Demon raised her eyes and looked straight into Son Bin’s eyes. His eyes, as clear and indifferent as the autumn sky.

Huuung.

A terribly beautiful blade rises diagonally. It will soon fall diagonally and cut Sword Demon.

The sight of herself soaked in blood flashed through Sword Demon’s mind. But at that very moment.

“You can’t do that.”

A warm voice like a spring breeze was heard in Sword Demon’s ear. And Sword Demon saw Son Bin’s Baekro, which seemed like no one could stop, stop.