A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 201

201. The New Tang Family

Tang Hukwang opened his eyes, confusion clouding his mind. He thought it was all over, so how was he alive?

“Kugh.”

A sharp pain shot through his right chest. He grimaced, looking down at the blood slowly seeping through the torn fabric of his clothes.

‘What is this…’

He couldn’t even recall being injured.

Tang Hukwang raised his head and met the gazes of countless people. Some looked surprised, others grimaced, and still others stared in disbelief.

Averting his gaze, Tang Hukwang noticed someone standing before him.

Looking up, Tang Hukwang realized he was kneeling.

She was a striking beauty, sharp and intelligent, so dazzling she almost hurt his eyes.

A young scholar in literary attire was practically being held in her arms as she stared at him with cold eyes.

“Um, you can let go now…”

The young scholar said, bewildered. The beauty, who had been fixedly staring at Tang Hukwang, startled and quickly released him.

“S-Sorry.”

Her face flushed instantly. It was hard to believe this cute, flustered woman was the same cold beauty from moments ago.

Swish.

The beauty’s sword disappeared into its scabbard. The young man also sheathed his sword. The gleaming, beautiful blade caught Tang Hukwang’s eye for a moment.

The beauty turned her head, seemingly embarrassed to have been holding the young scholar.

The young man also looked down at his arm for a moment with an awkward expression. Then, suddenly, his eyes met Tang Hukwang’s.

The young man wore a bitter expression.

“It’s over.”

The young scholar’s voice echoed. From the pitiful gaze directed at him, Tang Hukwang finally understood.

“I see.”

Tang Hukwang’s voice was cracked and hoarse. And it wasn’t just his voice.

His skin was cracked and torn, blood oozing from countless wounds. His hair was disheveled, making him look like a prisoner about to be executed.

“Am I… not even allowed to die as I wish?”

No one answered. Even Tang Hwaryeon and the elders remained silent.

Tang Hukwang didn’t have a high opinion of himself, but even he knew he looked more dead than alive.

Tang Hwaryeon glanced at Shin-ui, but Shin-ui quietly shook his head. From the moment he used that bizarre power, Tang Hukwang’s fate was sealed.

“Heh heh heh.”

Tang Hukwang let out a laugh that sounded more like a groan.

“In the end, I couldn’t become like Tang Baekho.”

Tang Hukwang tried to stand, to straighten his back, raise his head, and face the end with dignity. But he no longer had the strength.

Swoosh.

His eyes closed, and Tang Hukwang’s body began to tilt. He fell to the training ground floor.

Thud.

The sound was so light, it was hard to believe a person had fallen. Tang Hukwang was no longer breathing.

The gazes that had been fixed on the fallen Tang Hukwang shifted to Son Bin and Sa Suyeon, who stood before them.

The picturesque joint attack they had displayed moments ago was a beautiful sight, more like a sword dance than a fight.

Of course, much of that beauty was due to Sa Suyeon’s presence, but in any case, the elders and key figures were captivated by the two.

Suddenly, the young scholar raised his head and said softly,

“What will you do now, Miss Wol-ah?”

At those words, the elders and key figures snapped back to attention and immediately turned to look at Tang Wol-ah.

Amidst the five prostrate freaks, the slender Tang Wol-ah stood tall.

She who had subdued the freaks with the green Wol-ah Poisonous Energy and instantly neutralized the master with a surprise attack of Dragon Poison, and who had unleashed a storm of anger at the elders and key figures.

At this moment—no, from the beginning—everyone’s lives were in her hands.

Rustle.

Tang Wol-ah turned her head towards the elders and key figures.

“Sister.”

“Yes.”

Tang Hwaryeon answered, her voice trembling slightly.

“Grandmother, and… Clan Lord.”

Calling the old woman, Tang Un-yeong, was natural. But mentioning the Clan Lord was unexpected.

The Clan Lord, Hwagun Tang Ok-dam, raised her head and looked at Tang Wol-ah.

“From now on.”

Tang Wol-ah paused for a moment, then her small lips moved, and her voice flowed out.

“I hope the Tang Family will never disappoint me again.”

“I understand.”

The Clan Lord, Hwagun Tang Ok-dam, nodded.

“I swear to you on the position of Clan Lord, I will definitely pledge that to you.”

Even though she had no real power, the Clan Lord of the Tang Family staked her position. But no one thought that oath was rash or excessive.

Moreover, the elders’ faces showed clear relief, though they couldn’t openly display it. Tang Wol-ah’s words meant she was giving the Tang Family a chance.

But that didn’t mean the matter was over. There weren’t only people from the Tang Family present. Besides, they had all witnessed this fatal flaw within the Tang Family.

“Is this okay, Young Master Son?”

Tang Wol-ah turned her head and asked, looking at the young scholar.

“Of course, Miss Wol-ah.”

The young scholar, ‘Young Master Son,’ nodded with a smile.

“I’m always on Miss Wol-ah’s side.”

Tang Wol-ah bowed her head slightly.

“Thank you.”

Everyone could tell that Tang Wol-ah’s voice was trembling slightly, but no one dared say anything.

“Wol-ah…”

Tang Hwaryeon tried to speak, but she realized that Tang Wol-ah’s sadness was profound. She instinctively knew she had to dismiss the others.

Whirr.

Tang Hwaryeon turned to face the elders and key figures.

“Everyone, leave. This place is still dangerous.”

Tang Hwaryeon commanded with a dignified voice.

The elders and key figures finally came to their senses.

Even though the Fire Release Formation had been dismantled, Thunder Bombs still remained overhead. The thought of those bombs made a chill run down their spines.

“Silver Sword Captain!”

“Yes!”

The Silver Sword Captain immediately knelt, awaiting orders.

“Arrest the White Tiger Captain and the former Vice Clan Lord, and collect the body of the former Inner Hall Lord. Immediately subdue and arrest the guards who were guarding this training ground. They may have been colluding as well.”

“Understood!”

The Silver Sword Captain bowed his head.

“Golden Dragon Captain.”

“Yes!”

The Golden Dragon Captain also knelt. Although his physical condition wasn’t normal, he could still move.

“Immediately issue orders to arrest all members below the White Tiger Captain. Not only the family members of the former Inner Hall Lord, but also anyone involved. This rebellion that has dared to disrupt the family…”

Gritting.

Tang Hwaryeon gritted her teeth.

“I will definitely ferret them out and punish them thoroughly.”

Her words defined the essence of the situation.

This was a betrayal and rebellion against the family. Anyone involved would never be safe.

“Understood!”

The Golden Dragon Captain answered with force.

No one was exempt from suspicion. The only way to survive was to show unwavering loyalty.

The elders and key figures, sensing the storm brewing within the Tang Family, turned pale. But for now, escaping this place was the priority.

The Silver Sword Captain and the Golden Dragon Captain moved immediately, and the elders and key figures hurried out.

Then, suddenly, an elder said to Tang Hwaryeon,

“Ah, those freaks…”

He meant what to do with the five freaks, the so-called Death Squad. But he couldn’t finish his sentence.

He was met with the sharp gazes of Military Director Tang Hwaryeon, Tang Un-yeong, and Clan Lord Tang Ok-dam, all directed at him. Tang Wol-ah didn’t even look his way.

“Ah, do as you see fit. Cough.”

In fact, he shouldn’t have said that. Those freaks were the Tang Family’s fatal flaw, living evidence of their dark practices.

Giving them away was like handing over the Tang Family’s leash.

But that elder, and the others, couldn’t voice their objections.

Now, who would dare to object to Tang Wol-ah or Tang Hwaryeon’s decision?

The elders and key figures hurried out, not wanting to remain a moment longer. They wouldn’t even approach this place for the time being, let alone look at it.

“Un-yeong, you too…”

Elder Tang Bi-gwang, supporting Elder Tang Hwan-dok, said to Tang Un-yeong. But Tang Un-yeong shook her head.

“I’ll stay here.”

“Cough.”

Turning at the sound of a cough, Nam-ak Old Man [likely a title or nickname] stood a little behind, pretending not to notice.

“Then do so.”

Anyway, Tang Un-yeong had earned Tang Wol-ah’s respect and trust. Tang Bi-gwang didn’t need to worry.

Nodding and moving on, Elder Tang Bi-gwang suddenly had a thought.

‘Come to think of it, Un-yeong seemed to know from the beginning.’

Rumors had been circulating that Tang Un-yeong had joined hands with Tang Hwaryeon.

But Tang Un-yeong herself maintained a neutral stance, saying nothing. Therefore, her followers remained silent on the issue or asserted their own beliefs.

In that overwhelmingly unfavorable situation, Tang Wol-ah had silenced all the elders and key figures of the Tang Family, relying solely on her own skills, without any political protection or support.

“Hmph.”

Tang Bi-gwang chuckled.

Those who cannot stand alone can never reach the summit.

If Tang Un-yeong had taken care of Tang Wol-ah from the beginning, Tang Wol-ah would have been seen as someone under Tang Un-yeong’s protection, and she wouldn’t have gained the absolute advantage she held now.

‘A new Tang Family, huh.’

Tang Bi-gwang recalled Tang Un-yeong’s words. In the face of a fatal flaw that could lead to extinction, the Tang Family had paradoxically become united.

Now, the distinction between the forces that followed the Military Director or the largest faction of the Tang Family had vanished.

As Tang Un-yeong had said, ‘the Tang Family had become one anew’ under Tang Wol-ah.

“Hoo.”

Tang Bi-gwang sighed.

Even after Tang Baekho’s death, his shadow loomed heavily over the Tang Family. Today, he felt that perhaps that shadow had finally disappeared.

Step.

As he left the indoor training ground, bright sunlight poured down. Elder Tang Bi-gwang raised his head and looked up at the sky. The bright blue sky stretched endlessly before him.

∴

In the now-empty indoor training ground, only a few people remained. The five children, still hunched over, watched Tang Wol-ah.

“Are you okay?”

Tang Hwaryeon asked cautiously. Tang Wol-ah didn’t answer, quietly looking down at the children, the ‘Death Squad’ or ‘Freaks.’

“Are you alright?”

Son Bin approached Tang Wol-ah, close enough to touch her.

“Karr.”

One of the children made a wary sound. Tang Wol-ah said quietly,

“Young Master Son.”

“Yes.”

Son Bin answered.

“I…”

Tears.

A single tear flowed down her cheek.

“I… hate people so much.”

Everyone felt a pang of sadness at her words.

Tears welled up in Sa Suyeon’s eyes, and Seo-rin sniffled. Even Shin-ui turned his head to hide his tears.

Her sister, Tang Hwaryeon’s heart ached as she watched. She knew Tang Wol-ah had accepted the Tang Family because of her.

Son Bin looked at Tang Wol-ah and said quietly,

“Sometimes, so do I.”

Tang Wol-ah lowered her head. She looked so lonely and small at that moment.

Drop, drop.

Tears fell. Son Bin wanted to comfort her, but he couldn’t find the right words. Empty words would only make her feel more alone.

After hesitating, Son Bin carefully raised his hand and lightly placed it on Tang Wol-ah’s veiled hat. It was as if he was stroking her hair, something he wouldn’t have done if she had removed her veil.

Rustle.

Tang Wol-ah reached out her hand. After hesitating, she quietly grabbed a piece of Son Bin’s collar with her slender, white fingers.

No one spoke. They silently shared in Tang Wol-ah’s sadness.

“Cough.”

Old Man cleared his throat. Tang Un-yeong glared at him for breaking the atmosphere, but Old Man, startled, continued,

“So, what are you going to do with these guys now?”

Tang Wol-ah released Son Bin’s collar. Son Bin lowered his hand and cleared his throat, as if to hide his embarrassment.

Tang Wol-ah looked down at the five children, the freaks and monsters.

“These children don’t have much time left to live.”

Tang Wol-ah said calmly. The overwhelming sadness seemed to have subsided somewhat.

“So, I want to make them comfortable, even if it’s just for the remaining days.”

“Is that so?”

Son Bin spoke softly, his tone contrasting with Tang Wol-ah’s subdued mood.

“Didn’t Miss Wol-ah say that the remaining lifespan is determined by the heavens?”

Tang Wol-ah’s eyes widened, though he couldn’t see it.

“That’s…”

It was the answer Tang Wol-ah had given to Hwa-sa, words she had used to express her newfound freedom from the shackles of the cursed poison and her ability to live and look up at the sky.

“Although she’s more complicated than the old Miss Wol-ah.”

Son Bin looked down at the five children. They were not only poison people but also children whose blood vessels had been twisted by the Fierce Tiger Poisonous Energy.

If Tang Wol-ah was a poison person who had built up her foundation step by step, they were poison people who had been haphazardly created like consumables. Their abnormally developed skeletons were also a result of that.

“I’ve gotten a little better than I was back then.”

Son Bin said, shrugging.

“Young Master Son.”

Sa Suyeon was the first to speak, her expression worried. Even if Son Bin made it sound easy, it wasn’t a simple matter. Everyone knew he wasn’t in a state to do such a thing right now.

“Brother Bin!”

“Bin-ah.”

“Are you okay?”

Not only Seo-rin and Shin-ui, but even Tang Un-yeong, whom he didn’t know well, tried to dissuade him. They had heard so much from Old Man about Son Bin’s unstable condition.

“Hmph.”

Old Man snorted.

“No one can stop that guy if he sets his mind to it.”

Smiling, Old Man looked at Son Bin.

“So, just tell me how to help.”

Son Bin smiled back. But this time, Old Man wouldn’t be the one helping him.

“Miss Tang Hwaryeon.”

“Me… me?”

Tang Hwaryeon asked, flustered. She was particularly startled.

“I heard that the Tang Family has all sorts of rare medicinal herbs and tools.”

“Y-Yeah.”

Tang Hwaryeon answered, trying to sound confident.

“I can’t keep up with Shin-ui when it comes to medical skills, but when it comes to the environment for performing medical skills, there’s no better place than here.”

“Very good.”

Tang Hwaryeon was embarrassed by Son Bin’s praise.

“If it’s Shin-ui, Miss Wol-ah, and Miss Tang Hwaryeon, then you can definitely…”

Stopping for a moment, Son Bin looked down at the children. Pressing down on the heavy feeling in his heart, he said,

“You will be able to help them.”

“Kyak.”

As if answering, one of the children made a sound. Son Bin didn’t take his eyes off them.

“Then what about you?”

Tang Hwaryeon asked.

“Aren’t you going to do anything?”

She had heard that Son Bin had also helped Tang Wol-ah. Looking at the current situation, it seemed like he was planning something, but she was curious why he was only talking about others.

“Me?”

Son Bin turned to look at Tang Hwaryeon, a gentle smile on his face.

“I’m going to guide Miss Wol-ah’s hand. Ah, to be exact, I should say needle.”

‘Ah!’

Sa Suyeon immediately understood.

“Guide the needle?”

“What’s that, hyung [term for older brother or respected male figure]?”

Shin-ui frowned, and Seo-rin asked. The others looked bewildered, wondering what he meant.

But only Sa Suyeon and Old Man understood Son Bin’s words.

“Tch.”

Old Man grumbled.

“Now you’re doing all sorts of things.”