A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 214

214. The Past Awaits in the Future

Having lost consciousness, Hyeolbong awoke to a familiar, unpleasant sensation.

Or rather, it wasn’t quite awakening.

It was a strange feeling, as if she were in a lucid dream, half-caught between the worlds of consciousness and unconsciousness.

It was a sensation familiar and frightening to her.

Whoosh.

As expected, it enveloped her entire body once more.

As if trapped in a bottomless swamp, her helpless body sank endlessly downward.

‘I have to… wake up.’

Hyeolbong repeated to herself. But the feeling of weakness, as if all the strength was draining from her body, wouldn’t release her.

‘Move.’

She knew clearly that if she stayed like this, she would truly be unable to move even a finger.

The only way was to move.

Even if her body was hardening like stone day by day, even if each step was like being stabbed with needles, that was the only way to resist her predetermined fate.

‘Not yet. Please!’

Hyeolbong cried out. And at that moment, a stream of cool air permeated her entire body. And Hyeolbong opened her eyes.

Blink.

“Ah, you’re awake.”

A clear, melodious voice rang in her ears.

Hyeolbong blinked. Before her eyes was the face of a beautiful young lady, smiling at her. A young lady so beautiful that she wondered if it was an illusion.

“You seemed to be having a hard time, so I helped a little.”

Rustle.

The young lady released Hyeolbong’s hand. Hyeolbong sat up.

“Ahem.”

Hyeolbong frowned involuntarily at the stabbing pain.

The thin blanket that had covered her body slipped down, and Hyeolbong realized that she had been changed into simple sleeping clothes.

Hyeolbong raised her head and looked at the beautiful young lady before her.

“Sasuyeon… Miss Sasuyeon, is it?”

She, Sasuyeon, nodded.

“I remember someone kidnapping me. Did you perhaps rescue me?”

Sasuyeon shook her head.

“No. The one who rescued you is, well, who should I say it is?”

The ones who brought her were the Tang Clan’s Silver Sword Unit, but the one who gave the order was Tang Wol-ah.

But she was only following the will of Namak No-gun.

But it wasn’t like Namak No-gun had saved Hyeolbong either. The person who was most concerned about Hyeolbong’s safety was Son Bin. Sasuyeon had also contributed a considerable amount of money to help with this.

In the end, Sasuyeon could only give an awkward smile and say that.

“I’ll tell you the details later. Here, first….”

Sasuyeon turned and handed her a small table with warm porridge on it. Judging by the fact that it was placed on a small table, it seemed she had considered that Hyeolbong would eat on the bed. But Hyeolbong shook her head.

“No, I’ll get up.”

Sasuyeon’s eyes flashed at Hyeolbong’s answer.

“Very well.”

Sasuyeon readily followed her wishes.

Hyeolbong rose from the bed, her face contorted in pain. She didn’t expect any support, and Sasuyeon simply watched.

Click.

Although she faltered a few times, Hyeolbong sat down at the table. Looking down at the warm, steaming porridge, she suddenly said to Sasuyeon.

“I want to see Young Master Son.”

“Yes.”

Sasuyeon said, as if she had expected it.

“But eat first. And wash your face and dress properly. You don’t mean to meet him looking like that, do you?”

Only then did Hyeolbong realize that she was only wearing light sleeping clothes. Hyeolbong’s cheeks flushed slightly, and Sasuyeon rose from her seat.

“I’ll prepare your clothes soon. Then, please eat at your leisure.”

Sasuyeon bowed her head and left the room.

Click.

After she left and the door closed, Hyeolbong slowly looked around.

It was a fairly large and clean room, but it felt more like a guest room in a mansion than an inn. Perhaps they had rented a house on the outskirts of Guiyang?

‘How long has it been? And Arang….’

How long had she been unconscious? Why wasn’t Guigyeon Soo, who she thought she would see when she woke up, by her side?

Suddenly, the smell of porridge wafted to her nose. She could tell just by looking at it that it was a carefully prepared, neat porridge.

Click.

Hyeolbong reached out her hand towards the spoon.

In truth, she had no appetite at all.

But she had to eat to live. Even if it was just another form of pain.

Gulp.

Swallowing the soft porridge, Hyeolbong frowned once more. But soon the pain became commonplace. As always.

∴

“Please help us.”

Hyeolbong said to Son Bin. Son Bin, who was holding a teacup, gave an awkward smile.

“How can I help you? I am just an ordinary scholar from a small academy.”

Hyeolbong Geum Sa-ryeon smiled. She knew that Son Bin’s words were sincere. Hyeolbong continued in a low voice.

“I have invited the Namgung Clan to this Hyeolbong Alliance meeting.”

“Yes?”

“What?”

At the same time as Son Bin was surprised, No-gun’s eyes widened. No-gun looked at Hyeolbong in disbelief, then laughed loudly after a moment.

“Puhaha! You invited the Namgung Clan to the heart of the Hyeolbong Alliance? You’re something else.”

No-gun looked at Hyeolbong with a subtle gaze and asked.

“So, did they say they’d come?”

“Yes.”

“Really? Those proud bastards won’t move here easily, will they?”

It was possible to invite the Namgung Clan. But it was another matter for them to come here. If the Namgung Clan came here, it would only be for one reason: to trample the Hyeolbong Alliance.

“I found people who would listen.”

“People who would listen? Who is it?”

“The former Lightning Sword, Namgung Cheon, and his granddaughter, Miss Namgung Hyang.”

Hyeolbong Geum Sa-ryeon said calmly.

“They listened to me. And I can trust them.”

Namak No-gun grinned. He looked at Hyeolbong with an interested gaze.

“Is it a coincidence? They’re all people you met in Hangzhou last time?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re asking Bin-ie to help.”

“That’s right.”

No-gun nodded as if he understood. Sasuyeon also gave an awkward smile as if she had guessed.

But Son Bin still didn’t understand.

“But how can I be of help?”

Son Bin couldn’t understand.

He hadn’t forgotten the martial arts contest he had with the former Lightning Sword. But even if he could break a martial artist’s sword, he couldn’t break their spirit.

Isn’t it the nature of a martial artist to even tell the opponent who defeated them to ‘cut off my head quickly’?

Son Bin had no faith that he could exert any influence on the Namgung Clan or the former Lightning Sword Namgung Cheon.

No-gun chuckled.

“You just have to be at the meeting. That’s all.”

Son Bin tilted his head.

‘So, you want me to create a good atmosphere?’

He already knew Miss Namgung Hyang. Of course, most of it was through letters, but if Son Bin was there, Namgung Hyang wouldn’t be too businesslike.

Anyway, it seemed like that was the general idea, so Son Bin nodded.

“I understand. I will help you with that much.”

Hyeolbong’s expression brightened noticeably. Hyeolbong immediately rose from her seat.

Click.

Hyeolbong Geum Sa-ryeon, who had stood up, put her hands together, bowed her head, and knelt before Son Bin.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

Rustle.

Her hair poured down and her white neck was revealed. It was too much of a courtesy, so Son Bin quickly stood up and stopped Hyeolbong.

“P, please don’t do this.”

But since he couldn’t touch Hyeolbong, Son Bin could only fidget. And Hyeolbong Geum Sa-ryeon didn’t think of getting up while bowing her head.

After a while, Hyeolbong raised her head and stood up. It wasn’t a very long time, but it felt particularly long to Son Bin.

Hyeolbong sat down again, and Son Bin regained his composure.

“Thank you again, Young Master Son.”

“No. I was invited by the Hyeollyong Gate anyway.”

Hyeolbong’s complexion changed slightly at the word Hyeollyong Gate.

“Is there anything special….”

“No.”

Son Bin shook his head. There was no need to explain the matter of Paewol to her.

“I heard that they want me to attend the meeting together.”

“I see.”

Hyeolbong was lost in thought for a moment. If the Hyeollyong Gate invited Son Bin, they might have some ulterior motive. Hyeolbong couldn’t shake off a trace of doubt.

Son Bin suddenly said to Hyeolbong, who was lost in thought.

“Not now, but there may be a way.”

“Yes?”

Hyeolbong looked at Son Bin with a questioning expression.

“A way to cure you.”

Hyeolbong was silent for a moment. Looking quietly at the teacup, she raised her eyes.

“Then this ability I have now will disappear, right?”

Son Bin knew what she was talking about.

Her flow, which had been completely cut off from the outside world. The small and weak, but more sparkling than anything else, that existed within it.

Perhaps that was the source of the ‘divine skill’ that Shin-ui was talking about.

“That’s right. But….”

He was about to say, how could it compare to life? But Son Bin’s words were blocked by Hyeolbong’s voice.

“Then I won’t do it.”

Hyeolbong answered immediately. As if there was no room for doubt, she said with a firm look.

“Saving others is more important than my life right now.”

Son Bin’s complexion was dark. But in the face of Hyeolbong’s determination, he couldn’t say anything more.

Many people had already been injured and lost their lives due to the conflict between the Namgung Clan and the Hyeolbong Alliance. The longer this situation lasted, the more the sacrifice would snowball.

“Thank you.”

Hyeolbong said. Her eyes looking at Son Bin were soft, but Son Bin’s expression was stiff.

“Let’s go.”

Shin-ui suddenly said.

“I’ll examine you in more detail and give you the necessary treatment for now.”

“Thank you.”

Hyeolbong bowed to Shin-ui and rose from her seat. And once again, she bowed her head to Son Bin. But Son Bin couldn’t return any thanks.

*

*

*

The sudden appearance of Namgung Hyang plunged the Hyeolbong Alliance meeting into chaos in an instant.

“The Namgung Clan is here!”

“What is this!”

The martial artists of the Hyeolbong Alliance who filled the banquet hall were surprised or angry.

It was understandable. Their main enemy, the Namgung Clan, had appeared in the heart of the Hyeolbong Alliance with dignity.

It was a situation where something seemed like it would happen at any moment, but Namgung Hyang’s expression was only confident. Her small and elegant appearance was as if she had come out for a walk in the backyard.

Rather, the expressions of the five Namgung Clan warriors standing behind her were more stiff.

“Hyeolbong!”

The voice of Lee Hong-gye, the head of the Iron Sword Breaking Sky of the Breaking Sky Gate, burst out. His angry voice contained Lee Hong-gye’s feelings as they were.

“Explain! What does this mean!”

Lee Hong-gye, the Iron Sword Breaking Sky, refrained from speaking rudely because she was the symbolic existence of the Hyeolbong Alliance, Hyeolbong. It also meant that he was still maintaining his reason.

But it wouldn’t be very long. Lee Hong-gye’s eyes, who had lost his son and daughter to the Namgung Clan, were already bloodshot.

“It is to determine the future of the Hyeolbong Alliance.”

Hyeolbong Geum Sa-ryeon answered in a low voice. The young and small-looking girl was exuding a stronger presence than anyone else at this moment.

“The future of the Hyeolbong Alliance cannot be discussed without the Namgung Clan. No, the future of the Hyeolbong Alliance is absolutely inseparable from the Namgung Clan. Then, wouldn’t inviting the Namgung Clan be the first thing to do?”

Hyeolbong’s small voice spread throughout the banquet hall. At this moment, so many martial artists were listening to her voice.

“Hmm.”

Lee Hong-gye, the Iron Sword Breaking Sky, groaned.

Hyeolbong’s words were right. But how could he tolerate the Namgung Clan? Even in the heart of his Breaking Sky Gate.

“Huhu, that’s interesting.”

A clear voice like rolling jade beads echoed. Although it didn’t seem to contain any internal energy, the young man’s voice was clearly heard by everyone.

“And it’s absolutely right.”

The owner of the voice was the young nobleman of the Hyeollyong Gate. The eyes of the nobleman, visible beyond the jade fan covering his face, were clearly smiling.

“Since Hyeolbong invited them, there is no justification for refusing now. Or are you going to spread rumors that the Hyeolbong Alliance is just a disorganized mob that doesn’t even follow Hyeolbong’s will?”

The voice of the young jade dragon, the nobleman, was full of threats.

If the Hyeolbong faction refused the Namgung Clan’s attendance, the Hyeollyong Gate would not remain in this place either.

Lee Hong-gye, the Iron Sword Breaking Sky, examined Han-wol’s expression. Han-wol, who had come to represent the will of the Hyeollyong Gate, acted as if the young nobleman’s actions were perfectly natural.

“I understand… If that is the will of the Hyeollyong Gate, I will acknowledge the Namgung Clan’s attendance.”

Lee Hong-gye, the Iron Sword Breaking Sky, said with a stiff face. The young jade dragon smiled as if it were natural and slowly moved the jade fan.

“Thank you for the Grandmaster’s kindness.”

With an elegant attitude, Namgung Hyang expressed her gratitude to Lee Hong-gye, the Iron Sword Breaking Sky. But Lee Hong-gye, the Iron Sword Breaking Sky, turned his head and ignored her courtesy.

Spat, spat.

Namgung Hyang and the five Namgung Clan warriors took their seats next to the Hyeolbong faction’s sects. Some people openly clicked their tongues, or simply turned their seats and turned their backs on them.

It was time to proceed with the next order, but Lee Hong-gye, the Iron Sword Breaking Sky, was closing his eyes tightly with a stiff face. He was struggling to calm his anger and excitement.

“Let’s take a break for a while.”

In the end, Lee Hong-gye declared the meeting suspended.

“I hope that all the fellow Taoists will enjoy the banquet for a while.”

Lee Hong-gye, the Iron Sword Breaking Sky, left the seat with a stiff face. Hyeolbong Geum Sa-ryeon sighed softly at the sight.

It wasn’t just Lee Hong-gye. Some of the Hyeolbong faction’s sects frowned at her. But there were also many who were excited and expectant. It was a moment when the tendencies within the Hyeolbong faction were openly revealed.

Unlike the tense tension between the Hyeolbong faction and the Namgung Clan, the sects, mountain villages, and water villages of the Demonic Alliance quickly began to chatter noisily.

“Wow, that’s the Namgung Clan.”

“Is it because they eat well? They look pretty good?”

“That’s because their clothes are good. You won’t know the contents until you peel them off yourself. Hehehe.”

They spat out blatant lewd remarks towards Namgung Hyang. Of course, they were talking among themselves, but there was no way she couldn’t hear them.

Rustle.

Namgung Hyang rose from her seat. The leaders of the mountain and water villages flinched, and people’s eyes turned to her all at once.

Spat, spat.

With a picture-like gait, Namgung Hyang crossed the front of the banquet hall. And the place where she stopped was right in front of Namak No-gun.

“Namgung Hyang greets Namak No-gun. I hope you have been well.”

Namgung Hyang bowed her head and paid her respects. It was a polite courtesy that was like a model of etiquette and had no flaws.

“Yes. Have you been well too?”

Namak No-gun nodded and answered her greeting.

“Is that guy doing well too?”

Namgung Hyang knew who No-gun was referring to as ‘that guy’. It was probably referring to the former Lightning Sword Namgung Cheon.

Namgung Hyang smiled softly. A flower-like, bright smile bloomed on her elegant face.

“Yes, he is doing very well. He sometimes talks about the academy, so I think he will visit you soon if he has time.”

“Humph, how can that guy have time? That’s just what he says. He’s a guy who will never have time in his life.”

Smiling, Namgung Hyang bowed her head. And she turned her head towards Son Bin.

“I heard you were here. Have you been well…?”

Her voice contained a special emotion. Son Bin answered her words with a smile.

“Yes, have you been well, Miss?”

“I’m always the same. Have you been here long?”

“No. We haven’t been in Sichuan Chengdu for long either.”

Namgung Hyang blinked.

“If you came from Chengdu, you must have been away from the academy for quite some time.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“I see….”

Namgung Hyang nodded slightly as if she understood something. Son Bin asked at the sight.

“Is there anything wrong?”

“Ah, no.”

Namgung Hyang smiled.

“I just thought that you probably haven’t seen the letter I sent yet.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Son Bin understand her words. She had sent a letter while he was away from the academy.

“I’m sorry. When I return to the academy, I will definitely….”

“No, it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about it.”

Namgung Hyang said with a soft smile. It was the middle of enemy territory for her, but that smile was as warm as could be.

“But it feels a little strange. My past is waiting for Young Master Son in the future….”

Namgung Hyang recalled the memory of that day. The memory of the soft breeze and fragrant flowers that brushed her cheeks on the day she wrote a letter to Son Bin under the shade of a blue tree.

Thinking that the emotions of that day were waiting to meet him in Son Bin’s future, she felt somehow shy and her heart fluttered.

“The past waiting in the future is a truly meaningful and stylish expression.”

Son Bin also said with a soft smile.

“When I return, I will reply to the Miss of the past.”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”

With a slight blush, Namgung Hyang answered.

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