A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 207

207. Blood Phoenix and the God of Death

No-gun’s gaze was terrifying. He stared directly at the handsome man with the jade fan covering his face, the young Okryong, and asked,

“You possess the Unparalleled Dao of the Martial Emperor, Pa-wol?”

The young Okryong smiled behind his fan.

“I never said I had it.”

“What did you say?”

No-gun’s eyes wavered.

“Didn’t you just say you would return Pa-wol?”

“Yes, I said that. And I will certainly do so.”

The young Okryong’s eyes, like those of a beautiful woman, turned to Son-bin. He didn’t seem to care at all about No-gun’s murderous aura, which seemed ready to explode at any moment.

“This bastard dares to play with words in front of me…!”

“No-gun, Elder, please wait.”

Son-bin stopped No-gun, who was about to explode in anger.

“The children are getting scared.”

No-gun’s aura was not something an ordinary person could withstand.

Son-bin turned his head and looked at the children. They might be clinging to Dang-wol-ah, trembling.

‘Huh?’

However, Son-bin’s guess was wrong. The children were actually looking at No-gun with sparkling eyes, as if expecting something.

“Ahem.”

Son-bin cleared his throat and looked at the young Okryong.

“So, you mean Pa-wol is not with you now, but with someone else who is still under your influence.”

Son-bin said in a calm voice. The young Okryong’s eyes smiled.

“Exactly. As expected of you, Young Master Son.”

“The reason you didn’t say so from the beginning is probably because of your personality.”

“That’s also correct.”

The young Okryong shrugged.

“Having to explain everything in detail to be understood, isn’t that a troublesome thing? But there are also people who understand the heart just by holding a flower.”

He was referring to the story of Yeom-hwa-mi-so [a Zen Buddhist concept referring to the silent transmission of wisdom]. When the Buddha of the Western Regions silently held up a flower, only Gaseop among the many people understood its meaning and responded with a smile. That is Yeom-hwa-mi-so (拈華微笑).

“It is truly a joyful thing when minds connect without even words.”

Son-bin replied in a calm voice.

“But not everyone is like that.”

“I don’t need everyone.”

Swish.

The young Okryong said, turning his head.

“I only need a few people, or even just one person.”

Clatter, clatter.

The white horse ridden by the young Okryong began to move. No-gun frowned as he watched the scene.

“Hmm.”

No-gun’s low groan clearly meant he didn’t like it. No-gun said without turning around.

“Let’s go. Sit down.”

Sa-soo-yeon bit her lip and quietly sat down. She wanted to demand an explanation right away, but it was clear that the young Okryong had no intention of doing so.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage carrying the group slowly moved, following the young Okryong.

“It’s alright.”

Son-bin said to Sa-soo-yeon. Sa-soo-yeon turned her head and looked at Son-bin.

Son-bin was smiling gently as always. His warm appearance made even the confusion in her heart melt away.

“If we force him to explain, he will rather shut his mouth. But if we wait quietly, he will surely tell us himself.”

Sa-soo-yeon had seen it herself. But that also meant it ultimately depended on the young Okryong’s will, which Sa-soo-yeon didn’t like. Besides, there was something else bothering her.

“Be careful.”

Sa-soo-yeon said to Son-bin.

“That person, I have a bad feeling about him. Even more so than the previous Okryong.”

It was closer to a conviction than a feeling.

“Me too.”

Dang-wol-ah’s low voice was heard. Son-bin looked at Dang-wol-ah with a surprised expression. But Dang-wol-ah just sat still and said no more.

“I know.”

Son-bin replied. Among the group, the person who was most wary of the young Okryong was probably Son-bin himself.

“Okryong, or rather, the previous Okryong, said the same thing to me.”

In the Snow Mountain, Okryong had told Son-bin that it would be good to be careful of So-ryong, now the young Okryong.

“Is that so?”

The clear voice of the young Okryong was heard. Son-bin turned his head and looked at the young Okryong. Riding ahead on his white horse, he said without even looking this way.

“That he told Young Master Son to be careful of me, this is truly a delightful thing.”

His voice, like jade beads rolling, had a faint smile mixed in.

No-gun’s frown deepened, and Son-bin’s group fell silent. Now that the other party had expressed that he was listening, they couldn’t carelessly have a conversation.

Clatter, clatter.

The sound of hooves echoed on the official road heading to Guiyang.

Thus, Son-bin’s group entered Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, where the Blood Phoenix Alliance meeting was to be held.

*

*

*

Pat.

A small woman wrapped in red silk got out of the carriage. It was the middle of a crowded marketplace, but as soon as she appeared, everyone’s eyes turned to her.

“B, Blood Phoenix Young Lady!”

Someone shouted in a surprised voice. Then, a murmur spread among the people.

“Blood Phoenix Young Lady?”

“Blood Phoenix Young Lady!”

The people quickly flocked to the carriage.

The black-clothed warrior wearing a bamboo hat behind the woman frowned. But he couldn’t stop the approaching people, because he already knew that his lord wouldn’t want it.

“It’s okay.”

As expected? The small woman, Blood Phoenix, said quietly and smiled at the people.

“Oh, Young Lady.”

The people flocked around and began to bow their heads. Some cried as soon as they saw her, and others pleaded for help.

“Thanks to you, Young Lady, our sons lived. Thank you, thank you, Young Lady.”

“Please save us, Blood Phoenix Young Lady. Suddenly, warriors with swords came and dragged my son away.”

The carriage was suddenly surrounded by a long line of people. However, the small woman, Blood Phoenix, was not at all flustered.

“Please come to the Golden Sword Clan branch and tell us in detail. We will definitely help you.”

Blood Phoenix said softly, holding the hand of an old man who was complaining.

The Golden Sword Clan is Blood Phoenix’s sect and one of the six sects that started the Blood Phoenix Alliance.

Originally a sect in Hunan Province, after Namgung Ryeol of the Namgung family reorganized the sects in Hunan Province, it established a branch here in Guiyang and maintained its existence.

“Oh, thank you, Young Lady.”

The old man soon shed tears. It wasn’t just the old man. People who wanted to complain to Blood Phoenix quickly gathered around her. There were old men and merchants carrying luggage.

“P, please help me too!”

“Me too!”

Blood Phoenix looked at such people with a heavy expression.

“Come to the Golden Sword Clan. Then we will help you as much as we can.”

The people repeatedly bowed to Blood Phoenix and expressed their gratitude. In fact, with the government ignoring their problems, Blood Phoenix was their only hope.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged man rushed out of a large inn right in front of where the carriage had stopped.

“Welcome, Young Lady. I’ve been waiting.”

The middle-aged man said, wiping sweat with his sleeve. Blood Phoenix nodded and looked back at the people once more.

The desperate gazes of countless people gathered on Blood Phoenix. That desperate heart pierced Blood Phoenix’s heart like a needle.

“Hang in there. I will definitely find a way.”

Blood Phoenix said and followed the middle-aged man into the inn. However, the people were about to follow her into the inn.

“Stop.”

Whoosh.

With a heavy voice, a sharp aura erupted from the black-clothed warrior, Guigyeon Sura. The people’s commotion subsided at once, and those who had been rushing in hesitated, unable to step forward.

Guigyeon Sura, who was escorting Blood Phoenix, was already well known. He, who had defeated Namgung Ryeol, the head of the Namgung family’s outer hall, was like a god of death to ordinary people.

Swish.

Guigyeon Sura, who had been staring at the people with a chilling gaze, slowly turned his body and disappeared into the inn following Blood Phoenix. Only after he disappeared did the people let out a sigh of relief.

Pat, pat.

“How is the situation?”

Blood Phoenix asked the middle-aged man as she passed through a small garden entering the inn. The middle-aged man, the innkeeper, said with a tearful face.

“Don’t even mention it. These thugs are about to swallow the inn whole.”

It had been a month since about thirty warriors had entered this inn. They came in high spirits, occupied the best rooms, and ordered all kinds of expensive dishes.

They didn’t pay a penny. Moreover, they started causing trouble, demanding that they bring in female entertainers and bring in alcohol.

“This inn is originally under the jurisdiction of the Breaking Sky Gate, right? Didn’t you ask for help?”

“I already did. But the Breaking Sky Gate said there was nothing they could do.”

The innkeeper asked the Breaking Sky Gate, which he usually paid protection money to, for help. However, the Breaking Sky Gate refused.

The thugs were from Wangsan Stronghold, one of the Green Forest gangs [groups of bandits] that had joined the Blood Phoenix Alliance.

The reason was that they couldn’t cause disputes between the sects of the same Blood Phoenix Alliance, but in fact, they couldn’t touch the Green Forest gangs.

If they did, other Green Forest gangs might rise up.

“Now, not only is it about going bankrupt, but they are even threatening my family’s lives, so I don’t know if I’m really going to die.”

Even the officials didn’t listen. In the end, the innkeeper made the last choice. He asked Blood Phoenix to save him.

Swish.

Blood Phoenix, the middle-aged man, and Guigyeon Sura entered the inn, parting the curtains.

Blood Phoenix frowned. This place, which was originally splendid, was now a mess. There were no tables or chairs intact, and broken dishes were scattered everywhere, making it a complete mess.

“Where are they?”

“Up there, on the third floor.”

The group headed up the large wooden stairs leading to the third floor. Before they could take a few steps, a loud laughter was heard.

“Hahaha, so is Guizhou our world now?”

“Of course! Who in the world would dare to touch this Wangsan? Look, even the officials can’t say a word now.”

Guizhou Province is originally a frontier. It has been the land of ethnic minorities for generations, and because of its rugged terrain, there were many heretical sects and mountain bandits, so the central government’s control had never been properly exerted.

On the other hand, the officials dispatched from the central government were incompetent, corrupt, or both incompetent and corrupt. Their only concern was how to return to the center.

After the Blood Phoenix Alliance was created, the Blood Dragon Gate pushed a large amount of wealth to the officials of Guiyang.

Since then, the officials of Guiyang have completely turned a blind eye to the affairs of the martial arts sects. Even Guiyang, where the central government’s control was still being exerted, had become the world of heretical sects.

“The result we chose for revenge is this.”

Blood Phoenix sighed.

“It’s not the Lord’s fault.”

Guigyeon Sura, who was following behind, said quietly.

“It’s just that some crazy dogs who don’t know their place are having a party in an empty house.”

Thud.

Blood Phoenix and Guigyeon Sura went up to the third floor. The owner couldn’t dare to go up and stayed on the second floor.

“What are those things?”

A man with a red face and a bristly beard, Wangsan, the chief of Wangsan Stronghold, said. He was large and pot-bellied, and he seemed quite drunk.

Blood Phoenix slowly looked around. The third floor of the inn was larger and more antique than she had thought. However, the place reminded her of a marketplace because of the rugged men who occupied it and the pungent smell of alcohol.

Pat, pat.

The small woman, Blood Phoenix, moved without hesitation. Following her, the thirty or so men shifted their gaze.

“Whee, pretty?”

The embarrassment was only temporary, and inevitably, a voice of mockery flew in. Wangsan, with his bristly beard, grinned and stood up.

“What, did the owner finally come to his senses? Bringing such a beauty only now…”

“Are you Wangsan, the chief of Wangsan Stronghold?”

At Blood Phoenix’s words, Wangsan frowned. Only then did he realize that the other party was not a female entertainer.

“Goat Beard. What the hell is this bitch?”

A middle-aged man with a goat beard, as his name suggested, quickly came to Wangsan’s side.

“E, well, this young lady is…”

The man with the goat beard narrowed his eyes and looked at Blood Phoenix. He was also drunk, so his memory was hazy.

However, the man soon opened his eyes wide in surprise.

“It’s B, Blood Phoenix, Wangsan-nim [term of respect].”

“Blood Phoenix? Ah, that Blood Phoenix?”

Even though he knew her identity, Wangsan wasn’t very surprised. He looked up and down at Blood Phoenix with a sly look.

“Yes, what’s wrong, Blood Phoenix Young Lady? Did you suddenly miss a man’s embrace? Huh?”

“Wahahaha.”

The men burst into laughter at Wangsan’s words. But the laughter didn’t last long.

Whoosh.

A chilling aura covered all directions. It was clearly murderous intent, as if pricking the skin with needles. It was also a different level of murderous intent that they had never encountered before.

“Huk.”

“Ugh.”

The men’s faces turned white. Some of the men even fell off their chairs. Wangsan, who had suddenly sobered up, straightened his body and asked.

“Wh, what is it? Who are you…”

“I am Guigyeon Sura.”

The eyes of the man wearing a black bamboo hat emitted a blue light.

“U, ugh.”

Wangsan unknowingly groaned. He knew the name of Guigyeon Sura well. And he also knew that he was a strongman to the extent that they couldn’t handle him even if they all rushed at him.

“So, so what brings you two here?”

Wangsan said as if nothing was wrong.

He couldn’t dare to compare in terms of force, but Wangsan also had something to believe in.

Wangsan Stronghold is a member of the Blood Phoenix Alliance, and of course, they have promised not to clash with the same Blood Phoenix Alliance sects.

If the justification is clear, no matter how strong Guigyeon Sura is, he can’t touch them.

“Is the chief of Wangsan Stronghold trying to occupy this inn? This inn is clearly in the territory of the Breaking Sky Gate.”

“Occupy?”

Wangsan smiled bitterly. If they came to covet the inn, it would be the same as invading the territory of the Breaking Sky Gate. And that is an act of breaking the promise.

“We’re just guests of this inn. Or, are we Green Forest gangs not allowed to enter inns?”

Wangsan put emphasis on ‘Green Forest gangs’ on purpose.

“Is that true?”

Blood Phoenix asked. Wangsan became even more high-spirited.

“Of course. Although I haven’t paid yet, I’ll take care of it when it’s time to leave. Isn’t that right, Goat Beard?”

“That’s right.”

The middle-aged man with the goat beard laughed and agreed. That ‘when it’s time to leave’ will never come, though.

“So, Wangsan Stronghold is just a guest of this inn?”

“Of course, of course.”

Wangsan smiled triumphantly. What can Blood Phoenix, a third party, do when they are guests?

If Guigyeon Sura oppresses them for no reason, it is the same as turning all the Green Forest gangs into enemies.

“I see.”

Blood Phoenix said quietly. It sounded like a declaration of surrender, so Wangsan felt even better. But that feeling didn’t last long.

“But I came here to occupy this inn.”

“What?”

Wangsan frowned. He wondered what this was all of a sudden. But Blood Phoenix said in a clear voice.

“The Golden Sword Clan will take over this inn. And I will close it from this moment on. So, you guests, please leave this place immediately. No payment is necessary.”

Wangsan, who had been rolling his big eyes, finally called his subordinate because he couldn’t understand.

“Hey, Goat Beard. What does this mean?”

“E, well, it seems that the Golden Sword Clan just took over this inn, which is in the territory of the Breaking Sky Gate…”

“What?”

Wangsan’s distorted frown didn’t ease.

“No, then now the Golden Sword Clan is breaking the promise and invading the territory of the Breaking Sky Gate…”

“That is something for the Golden Sword Clan and the Breaking Sky Gate to resolve.”

Blood Phoenix said firmly.

“It’s none of Wangsan Stronghold’s business, who are guests. If you want, you can raise the issue at the Blood Phoenix Alliance meeting. After you leave this inn first.”

“What? This bitch is…”

Whoosh.

Once again, murderous intent covered all directions.

Wangsan flinched. It wasn’t just Wangsan. The face of the man with the goat beard turned blue, and it was clear that the other men were also frightened.

Why wouldn’t they be? How could a mere bandit withstand the murderous intent of a supreme master?

“If you do not leave, I will have no choice but to accept that you have the will to invade the territory of the Golden Sword Clan.”

It was Blood Phoenix’s ultimatum.

Wangsan’s face turned red and blue. But there was no way.

Guigyeon Sura is a supreme master of Sword Energy Emission who defeated Namgung Ryeol, the head of the Namgung family’s outer hall. Moreover, that god of death’s murderous intent is by no means a bluff.

If Blood Phoenix’s order is given, he will draw his sword without hesitation, right away. Unlike the Breaking Sky Gate, which had avoided clashing with them.

“This ssibal [a Korean curse word].”

Wangsan spat out a curse. And he slammed the glass down roughly and got up from his seat.

Clang.

“I can go!”

He pretended to be angry and went downstairs with a thud. But he didn’t break the table or smash the chairs. Only slamming the glass down hard was the only expression of his dissatisfaction.

The other men, including the goat beard, also went downstairs slowly. They couldn’t dare to make eye contact with Guigyeon Sura.

As the Wangsan Stronghold gang went down, the innkeeper, who had been waiting, rushed up.

“Th, thank you. Thank you.”

He bowed his head to Blood Phoenix several times. Blood Phoenix smiled.

“It’s okay.”

“B, but if the Breaking Sky Gate finds out about today’s events…”

The innkeeper’s face, who had been listening to the conversation below, was full of worry. But Blood Phoenix shook her head.

“You don’t have to worry. For now, we will treat this inn as having been taken over by the Golden Sword Clan, but the protection money will be delivered to the Breaking Sky Gate as it is. You can think of it as a temporary measure.”

The innkeeper’s face brightened. If that’s the case, the innkeeper won’t suffer any damage. Even if Blood Phoenix becomes a little troubled.

The innkeeper, who had thanked her several times, went downstairs. To check if Wangsan Stronghold had really left. Now, only Blood Phoenix and Guigyeon Sura were left on the third floor of the inn.

“Hoo.”

Blood Phoenix sighed. She lost her balance for a moment, holding her forehead.

“Lord!”

Guigyeon Sura immediately grabbed her. Blood Phoenix, who was embraced in Guigyeon Sura’s one arm, smiled faintly.

“I told you to call me Young Lady.”

“But that’s to hide your identity…”

“I like that better.”

Guigyeon Sura couldn’t answer. Blood Phoenix soon straightened her posture.

“I’m okay now. Thank you for catching me.”

Despite the beautiful young lady’s gratitude, Guigyeon Sura’s face hardened. He alone knew what pain she was enduring.

“Are you okay? Young Lady.”

Blood Phoenix said with a faint smile.

“I said I’m okay. No, I have to be okay. Because an important meeting that will determine our fate will be held soon.”

Blood Phoenix’s eyes were shining with determination as she spoke. Blood Phoenix raised her head and looked up at Guigyeon Sura.

“Will you help me? Arang.”

Looking into those clear eyes, Guigyeon Sura gritted his teeth. He wanted to stop her right away.

But he couldn’t stop her. He was the only person in this world who knew her fate.

Rustle.

Guigyeon Sura knelt down and answered. The only answer he could give.

“Yes.”

Blood Phoenix smiled faintly. It was a transparent and fragile smile, like morning dew.