A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 200

200. Success (合擊) [Combined Strike]

The sudden appearance of the young scholar and his group instantly drew everyone’s attention. Several elders recognized Shin-ui and Namak Old Master.

Everyone wondered why Shin-ui and Namak Old Master had appeared here.

However, no one dared to ask. The words that Dang Wol-ah had spoken a moment ago were still ringing vividly in their ears.

―Should I just let the Dang Family be, even after this?

It was nothing short of a declaration of judgment. And the young scholar had replied.

―I will gladly support Miss Wol-ah’s decision.

Few understood the meaning behind the young scholar’s response.

Yet, everyone knew that the answer was far from trivial.

This seemingly unremarkable young man was the center of this enigmatic group.

Gulp.

The elders swallowed involuntarily.

“Sister.”

Dang Wol-ah’s small voice made the elders and key figures flinch. Dang Wol-ah was asking her sister, Dang Hwa-ryun.

“Do we still need the Dang Family, even after this?”

“Wol-ah. That’s…….”

Dang Hwa-ryun couldn’t finish her sentence.

If one were to search, there would be many reasons to answer. The Dang Family was a poison clan with a long history. The power, organization, influence, and reputation of the Dang Family were undeniable.

But none of that mattered to Dang Wol-ah right now. And more than anything, Dang Hwa-ryun had felt the same way as her younger sister, Dang Wol-ah, before she became the Chief Strategist.

‘A family that forces sacrifice on an innocent child should just crumble to the ground.’

Knowing her sister’s pain better than anyone, she couldn’t defend the Dang Family. No matter how important it was, it wasn’t more precious than Wol-ah.

Dang Hwa-ryun bit her lip. The answer had already been decided long ago.

“Yes. Do as you wish.”

The elders were startled by Dang Hwa-ryun’s calm voice.

“Ch, Chief Strategist!”

The elders spoke in trembling voices. However, Dang Hwa-ryun continued coldly. Standing tall, Dang Hwa-ryun spoke without hesitation.

“If the Dang Family is to be judged, you are the only one qualified to do so.”

Dang Hwa-ryun took a step forward. And slowly, she knelt.

Rustle.

The splendid clothes of the Dang Family’s Chief Strategist were stained with dirt.

But Dang Hwa-ryun didn’t care. Dang Hwa-ryun straightened her back, held her head high, and continued.

“But I will not evade responsibility either. If the Dang Family is judged, so am I.”

“Why?”

Dang Wol-ah asked.

“Sister wasn’t involved in this.”

“No. It’s the same.”

Dang Hwa-ryun shook her head. Her gaze towards Dang Wol-ah was dignified.

“I inherited the Dang Family. Both the glory and the disgrace, all of it.”

Dang Wol-ah looked at her sister, Dang Hwa-ryun. But Dang Hwa-ryun’s resolve did not waver. Dang Wol-ah bit her lip and raised her head.

“Grandmother.”

Dang Wol-ah used honorifics. And the target was clear.

“Yes, Wol-ah.”

Dang Wun-yeong’s voice, answering, was slightly trembling.

“Does Grandmother also have no intention of leaving the Dang Family?”

The old woman, Dang Wun-yeong, gave a bitter smile. And slowly shook her head.

“I want to leave. But I am the sister of that Dang Baek-ho.”

Thud.

“Lady Dang Wun-yeong!”

“Wun-yeong, you!”

Not only the key figures but even the elders were startled. Dang Wun-yeong, whose seniority was unmatched by anyone here, had knelt. To Dang Wol-ah, who was young enough to be her granddaughter.

“Even if I hate and despise him, I am still my brother’s flesh and blood. If there is anyone among us who should be judged first, it is I.”

The old woman with her white hair bowed her head.

Regardless of her own assessment of Dang Baek-ho, Dang Wun-yeong did not evade responsibility as a member of the family. Even though she, too, was a victim of Dang Baek-ho.

This intense sense of kinship was perhaps the driving force behind the Dang Family’s existence today.

Dang Wol-ah quietly looked at the two, Dang Hwa-ryun and Dang Wun-yeong. She didn’t ask anyone else anymore.

“Gurgle.”

A low groan broke the silence. Dang Wol-ah turned her head.

“Th, that!”

The elders and key figures were startled. The grotesque figures who had been knocked down by Dang Wol-ah were beginning to stir one by one.

“D, didn’t they die?”

“They’re truly monsters…….”

Fear and disgust were mixed in people’s voices. The thought that even Dang Wol-ah’s poison energy couldn’t kill them sent shivers down their spines.

“Be quiet.”

Dang Hwa-ryun’s sharp voice spread softly.

“It is our own karma, not anyone else’s.”

The murmuring people fell silent. Saying they didn’t know wouldn’t work. If this got out, the Dang Family would be annihilated.

In an era where exterminating three generations was considered natural, the fact that one wasn’t involved wouldn’t grant absolution.

“Kuhahaha!”

People frowned at Dang Hu-gwang’s convulsive laughter.

Dang Hu-gwang, who couldn’t even move properly, tilted his head back and laughed like a madman.

“Look! This is the power of the Death Squad!”

Laughing, Dang Hu-gwang glared at the elders with bloodshot eyes.

“Karma? Judgment? What nonsense! The strong survive is the absolute justice of the Jianghu Murim [martial arts world]! Dang Baek-ho is the true absolute being!”

It was sheer madness. The elders couldn’t say anything in the face of Dang Hu-gwang’s spirit.

Step.

Dang Wol-ah moved. She approached the grotesque figure writhing closest to her.

The small figure was trying to stand up despite the pain.

“Ggrrr.”

The grotesque figure, kneeling on the ground like a beast, saw the small foot in front of it. The grotesque figure raised its head. And looked up at Dang Wol-ah.

“Grrr.”

At that moment, the grotesque figure trembled and backed away.

Dang Wol-ah hadn’t done anything. Just seeing her was enough to terrify the grotesque figure.

“Kyareureuk.”

The other grotesque figures were the same. They knelt on the ground like beasts, only looking at Dang Wol-ah. All of them lowered their bodies and bowed their heads.

As everyone’s attention was focused on the grotesque figures, Dang Hu-gwang rolled his eyes. Confirming that no one was paying attention to him, Dang Hu-gwang immediately gritted his teeth.

Clack.

The elixir hidden in his mouth broke, and the spiritual medicine flowed out. It was the very elixir that had once made him a supreme master of sword energy manifestation.

―Well? Too much of anything isn’t good.

The warning from the person who had given it to him came to mind.

―But what can you do? You have to use it if you need it.

Now was the time. Dang Hu-gwang’s body seemed to heat up, and his inner energy madly surged through his blood points. In an instant, Dang Hu-gwang regained his freedom.

‘Hehe.’

The back of Dang Hwa-ryun, kneeling, was not far away. If Dang Hu-gwang reached out, the fragile woman’s body wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

Dang Hu-gwang gathered his inner strength. Just the will alone caused tremendous inner energy to surge, satisfying Dang Hu-gwang’s expectations. With this momentum, it felt like he could do anything.

“Miss Dang Hwa-ryun!”

At that moment, the young scholar’s shout echoed through the training ground.

Dang Hwa-ryun frowned and looked at Son-bin. She wondered what was happening again.

The moment she saw Son-bin’s urgent expression, Dang Hwa-ryun felt a strong killing intent approaching from behind her.

But it was too late. Before she could even turn her head, the killing intent would strike her back directly.

‘Ah.’

Just as Dang Hwa-ryun sensed the end, Dang Wol-ah, who had been looking down at the grotesque figures, immediately raised her hand. But Old Master was faster.

“Hmph.”

Fing.

With Old Master’s low snort, the sound of wind tearing through the air was heard.

Dang Hu-gwang twisted the palm strike he was about to deliver to Dang Hwa-ryun and swung it forcefully.

Clang!

With a sharp impact sound, the trajectory of the iron beads was distorted. The iron beads, with their momentum, were embedded in a large training ground pillar.

Koo-oong.

The pillar vibrated faintly from the force of the iron beads. Dang Hwa-ryun quickly dodged, and Dang Hu-gwang didn’t chase after her.

“You blocked my iron beads? Who are you?”

Old Master frowned as he looked at Dang Hu-gwang. Blocking Old Master’s iron beads with bare hands was no ordinary feat.

“Hehehe.”

Dang Hu-gwang let out a laugh instead of answering. A dark red aura was swirling in Dang Hu-gwang’s hand that had blocked the iron beads.

“I am Dang Hu-gwang.”

A strange light flickered in Dang Hu-gwang’s eyes. Old Master clicked his tongue. He realized that his condition was not normal.

“Tsk, you’re out of your mind.”

“Hehe. Since everyone in the world is going crazy anyway, what does it matter now?”

Dang Hu-gwang took out a red vial from his chest. And said with a bitter sneer.

“Kill them all!”

Talla-lang [sound of a bell].

“Gasp.”

“D, dodge it!”

The elders’ faces changed as they shouted. They thought that the grotesque figures, who were immune to Dang Wol-ah’s poison energy, would attack again.

But that didn’t happen.

“Kyareureuk.”

Despite hearing the bell sound, the grotesque figures didn’t move.

They knelt on the ground with both hands, looking up and cautiously watching Dang Wol-ah.

“Wh, what is this…….”

The most embarrassed person was Dang Hu-gwang. The grotesque figures, who should have obeyed absolutely, were refusing his orders.

No, it seemed like they didn’t even care.

Dang Hu-gwang shook the bell convulsively.

“Kill! Kill them all!”

Talla-lang, talla-lang.

The grotesque figures, called the Death Squad, didn’t move. As if they had blocked their ears, they were only looking at Dang Wol-ah.

The eerie bell sound was now echoing in vain.

“It’s useless.”

Dang Wol-ah said softly.

“I sent poison energy to these children earlier. Following the traces of the Fierce Tiger Poison Energy, without missing a single blood point.”

The elders wore puzzled expressions. Sending poison energy while accurately targeting blood points was a very complicated task.

If the goal was to incapacitate the opponent, it would be faster to melt the entire inside.

But Dang Hu-gwang was horrified.

“Yo, you don’t mean…….”

Controlling the Death Squad was the red bell. Like a instinctive response, the Death Squad obeyed the red bell.

But there was a more fundamental means of moving them.

That was Dang Baek-ho himself.

In the process of awakening the Fierce Tiger Poison Energy, the Death Squad had suffered terrible pain from Dang Baek-ho’s poison energy.

That experience, engraved deep in their unconscious, had instilled unconditional obedience to Dang Baek-ho. An absolute obedience that disregarded even death.

“Yes.”

Dang Wol-ah replied.

“Now, they will no longer obey your orders.”

Dang Hu-gwang could understand why the grotesque figures hadn’t even moved.

In that short moment, Dang Wol-ah had figured out how the grotesque figures were made. And by retracing what Dang Baek-ho had done, she had neutralized the Death Squad from the root.

A truly genius-like judgment. Now, Dang Wol-ah was the new master to whom those grotesque figures had to offer absolute obedience.

“He, hehehe.”

Dang Hu-gwang let out a hollow laugh.

“Amazing. Truly amazing.”

He was sincerely admiring. Dang Hu-gwang, who had been laughing, raised his head and glared at Dang Wol-ah.

“To think there would be such a perfect monster, truly worthy of Dang Baek-ho.”

Dang Wol-ah’s poison energy was Dang Baek-ho’s legacy. Dang Hu-gwang firmly believed that.

“It’s not him. And, I’m not a monster either.”

Dang Wol-ah said softly. But Dang Hu-gwang couldn’t hear it anymore.

“Then now.”

Dang Hu-gwang said in a despondent voice.

“Is this really the end?”

He looked around with a leisurely expression.

The Thunderclap had been neutralized, and the Deputy Clan Leader and the White Tiger Squad Leader had collapsed, unconscious. Even the Death Squad, which he thought was an absolute power, didn’t listen to his orders.

“You, you bastard!”

Elder Dang Bi-gwang shouted in an angry voice.

“There’s no way you could have done this alone! Who is behind you!”

Dang Hu-gwang’s expression hardened.

“Do you think I’m a puppet? There is no mastermind.”

“Then how did you get your hands on the Thunderclap?”

Dang Hwa-ryun said in a cold voice. Dang Hwa-ryun’s gaze towards Dang Hu-gwang was chilling.

“Even if there is no mastermind, there is an accomplice. Definitely.”

The faces of the elders and key figures of the Dang Family turned pale.

Dang Hu-gwang was the Inner Clan Leader. There was no one who didn’t have a friendship or connection with him. If they were pointed out as accomplices, it would be the end.

“Accomplice…… Of course, there is.”

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Dang Hu-gwang. Receiving their tense gazes, Dang Hu-gwang smiled contentedly.

“But you will never find out.”

Dang Hwa-ryun snorted.

“Hmph. You think I…….”

“Because you will all die.”

With Dang Hu-gwang’s soft words, he gritted his teeth.

Crack.

The sound of something else breaking was heard. And immediately, Dang Hu-gwang’s body began to be enveloped in a dark red aura.

“Ggrrr.”

Foam flowed from Dang Hu-gwang’s mouth. His eyes rolled back, revealing the whites, and Dang Hu-gwang’s slender body slowly swelled.

“M, my god!”

Someone shouted. No one dared to attack or strike Dang Hu-gwang. It was clear that touching him would only invite danger.

Even if they didn’t know what it was, one thing was certain. This was an absolutely dangerous situation.

“You guys protect Bin!”

Namak Old Master shouted and flew towards Dang Wun-yeong. Sa Soo-yeon and Seo-rin immediately stood in front of Son-bin and Shin-ui, holding their swords and Buddhist prayer beads.

The elders and key figures also hurriedly stepped back. Meanwhile, Dang Hu-gwang’s grotesque appearance was swelling more and more.

Amidst all the urgency, only Dang Wol-ah stood quietly.

Rustle.

Dang Wol-ah’s veil swayed gently. At this moment, Dang Wol-ah was looking at the children kneeling on the ground.

Like terrified beasts, they didn’t even dare to look directly at Dang Wol-ah.

Right now, with just a word from Dang Wol-ah, they would surround Dang Hu-gwang and bear all the damage. Even if it meant their own deaths.

“Kyareureuk.”

As if asking Dang Wol-ah’s intentions, one of the children made a sound.

Dang Wol-ah closed her eyes. Their appearance was like seeing her past self. The reason she had neutralized them instead of killing them was precisely because of that.

Should she now drive them to their deaths?

“Please don’t do that.”

That voice was like a light in the darkness.

Dang Wol-ah turned her head. The figure of a young scholar, whom she could never mistake, filled her vision.

“I will do it.”

Son-bin’s expression as he spoke was gently smiling. As always.

Step.

Son-bin took a step and drew Baek-ro [his sword].

Sreung [sound of sword being drawn].

The straight, beautiful blade revealed itself. Dang Wol-ah felt tears welling up in her eyes without her knowing.

“Young Master Son.”

Sa Soo-yeon asked in a worried voice. She meant to ask what he was planning to do.

Son-bin said to Sa Soo-yeon.

“Will you help me?”

“How?”

“It’s simple.”

Son-bin turned to look at Dang Hu-gwang.

“Please stop that person with me. You can think of it as us attacking at the same time.”

“Attack? Even in that state?”

Sa Soo-yeon looked at Dang Hu-gwang. Dang Hu-gwang’s bloated appearance, with his whole body stained dark red, didn’t even look human anymore. It was obvious to anyone that touching him wouldn’t be good. Wouldn’t it be better to avoid him?

“There’s no time.”

Son-bin could see it. The flows and energies gathering towards Dang Hu-gwang at this moment.

It had always been like this since the incident in Bukhae [previous event]. It was now as natural as breathing for Son-bin, and as obvious as feeling the passing wind.

Sa Soo-yeon bit her lip. If they failed, Son-bin and she would be the first to be harmed.

But the conflict didn’t last long.

“Okay.”

Sa Soo-yeon raised her sword, Mi-myeong [her sword’s name]. Her beauty shone beautifully with the sharp blade.

“Ah, and I’m sorry, but you need to…… hold me…….”

“Yes?”

Sa Soo-yeon was flustered. But she soon understood Son-bin’s words. Son-bin didn’t have the inner strength to fly towards Dang Hu-gwang right now. In other words, Sa Soo-yeon had to hold him.

“Quickly.”

Sa Soo-yeon, who had been hesitating, quickly reached out and wrapped her arm around Son-bin’s waist at his urgent voice. She paused slightly when his body touched hers, but Sa Soo-yeon soon shook off her hesitation and hugged Son-bin tightly.

Son-bin’s hand also wrapped around Sa Soo-yeon’s waist. It was important not to drop her in the middle.

“I will lead the sword path.”

Before Sa Soo-yeon could understand what that meant, Son-bin shouted loudly.

“Now!”

“Taha!”

Tat [sound of movement].

Sa Soo-yeon, holding Son-bin with one arm, shouted and flew towards Dang Hu-gwang. Son-bin also lightly rolled his feet, matching Sa Soo-yeon’s movements without a single deviation.

Whoong [sound of wind].

The figures of the two flew through the air.

Suddenly, Sa Soo-yeon recalled the memory of rescuing Son-bin in the snowy mountains. And at that moment, Son-bin’s Baek-ro approached like a painting and touched the tip of Sa Soo-yeon’s sword.

Ching [sound of metal].

The tips of Sa Soo-yeon’s sword, Mi-myeong, and Son-bin’s sword, Baek-ro, met in parallel.

The two swords moved as if they had become one. Sa Soo-yeon’s sword, Mi-myeong, cut through the air as if it had its own will.

‘Ah.’

Sa Soo-yeon understood what Son-bin’s words meant. ‘I will lead the sword path’ meant exactly this.

This strike was clearly Sa Soo-yeon’s power, but everything was just comfortable.

Hoo-ook [sound of wind].

The wind shook Sa Soo-yeon’s hair. Son-bin’s face was right in front of her eyes. His cheeks, looking ahead with a steadfast gaze, were so close that Sa Soo-yeon’s lips would touch his if she just turned her head.

Woong [sound of energy].

Then Mi-myeong moved. And Son-bin’s Baek-ro and Sa Soo-yeon’s Mi-myeong simultaneously stabbed Dang Hu-gwang’s right chest area strongly.

That place was the central core where Dang Hu-gwang’s destructive energy was gathering.

Shuk [sound of stabbing].

There was no resistance. The two swords stabbed Dang Hu-gwang as if they were passing through empty air.

But the result was truly dramatic.

Hwaaaak [sound of explosion].

The destructive energy that had been gathering towards Dang Hu-gwang lost its center. And it scattered without being able to withstand it for even a single moment. Vanishing like a spring mist.