A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 217

217. The Master of the Blood Lotus 봉련 [Lotus] (a fictional organization)

The banquet hall buzzed with the clamor of a marketplace.

However, the loudest voices belonged mostly to Demonic Sect leaders and chiefs of mountain and water bandit groups.

The Blood Dragon Gate contingent maintained their characteristic blank stares, while members of the Blood Lotus 봉 faction [Lotus Faction] frowned, openly displaying their displeasure.

“What’s going on?” Son Bin asked Noh Gun, a puzzled expression on his face.

Noh Gun replied with a shrug, “What else? That Blood Soul Poison Dragon wants to become the master of the Blood Lotus 봉련.”

Of course, Son Bin knew *that*. What he couldn’t understand was *why*.

“But isn’t he not even affiliated with the Blood Lotus 봉련? Besides, there are plenty of other prominent figures within the Blood Lotus 봉련, so why him…?”

There was the young Jade Dragon and the Ghost 견수라 [Gyeon Sura – a fierce ghost or demon]. Moreover, the Blood Dragon Gate itself had many individuals comparable to the Blood Soul Poison Dragon. Above all, Wang Se-chung, the Blood Soul Poison Dragon, wasn’t even a member of the Blood Lotus 봉련 to begin with.

Son Bin couldn’t fathom why the Demonic Sect alliance had suddenly thrown their support behind him.

“Didn’t that letter say anything about this?”

“Pardon? What letter are you talking about…?”

“The letter the Tang Clan’s daughter gave you. She said it contained information about the Blood Lotus 봉련’s situation.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Noh Gun understand. Son Bin recalled the letter Tang Hwa-ryun had given him concerning the Blood Lotus 봉련 the night before he left the Tang Clan. He gave a wry smile.

“It contained information about each faction’s situation… and their weaknesses. It didn’t seem very savory, so I put it away.”

The letter contained explicit details about the internal dynamics of each faction within the Blood Lotus 봉련 and their secret, fatal flaws.

If he had intended to exploit it, that single letter would have been enough to manipulate the entire Blood Lotus 봉련 assembly.

“Is that so? As expected of the Tang Clan…” Noh Gun also gave a bitter smile. He glanced at the Blood Soul Poison Dragon. The man’s triumphant grin slightly irritated him.

“For now, the Blood Dragon Gate won’t interfere. They’d rather prop up a scarecrow than get directly involved, wouldn’t they?” Noh Gun said casually.

“Is there a particular reason for that?”

“Well… the Blood Dragon Gate has always had a mysterious, sect-like tendency, but I think there’s also an element of pragmatism. Guizhou and Yunnan have been treated as ethnic minorities since ancient times, so there’s a deep-seated fear of being targeted if they step forward too prominently.”

Son Bin nodded, understanding Noh Gun’s point.

People are often wary of those they perceive as different.

Exploiting that psychology makes it easy to create a hostile alliance.

From the perspective of an ethnic minority, it might be wiser to wield real power as the second-in-command rather than occupy the precarious position of top leader.

In fact, very few officials from Guizhou and Yunnan have ever risen to high positions in the central government.

So much so that a pavilion called Gapsuru was built in Guiyang specifically to pray for success in the civil service examinations.

While the remote location certainly played a role, the underlying prejudice against ethnic minorities must have also contributed.

“Anyway, the Blood Dragon Gate won’t step in directly. They won’t care as long as you don’t provoke them. And recommending a renowned figure from the martial world as a representative isn’t unheard of.”

“But still, so suddenly…”

“Suddenly? It seems they’ve already made up their minds.” Noh Gun chuckled, looking towards the gathering of Demonic Sect members and chiefs. Far from being surprised by the sudden recommendation, they were chanting the Blood Soul Poison Dragon’s name in unison.

“Well, let’s see what happens. If they can’t handle even this much, there’s no reason to help them.” Listening to Noh Gun’s detached tone, Son Bin suddenly turned his gaze to Namgung Hyang.

Despite being visibly taken aback, she maintained a relaxed demeanor with a subtle smile.

“Miss Namgung Hyang, or rather, why did the Namgung Clan set such conditions?”

“Conditions? Ah, are you talking about those two things?”

“Yes.”

Old Man Namak pursed his lips.

“The Namgung Clan’s intentions are obvious. What they want now is justification.”

“Justification?”

“Yes.” Noh Gun gripped his teacup.

“From the Namgung Clan’s perspective, the Blood Lotus 봉련 affair is a case of being unfairly blamed. Moreover, they were effectively slapped in the face by the sudden appearance of the Ghost 견수라.”

Noh Gun chuckled, as if amused by the situation.

“But the bigger problem is that the Blood Lotus 봉련, which is hostile to the Namgung Clan, is still intact. Moreover, they’ve even started to align with the Gangbuk Black Snake Alliance. The Namgung Clan, which prides itself as the Sword King family, has lost face. If things continue like this, who will fear the name of the Namgung Clan in the future?”

Son Bin nodded. The return of the Blood Lotus 봉 Gold Thread Badge, the symbol of the Blood Lotus 봉련, would certainly enhance the Namgung Clan’s prestige. It would also allow them to broker peace while appearing magnanimous.

“So, if the Blood Lotus 봉련 adopts a humble stance, it signals their willingness to settle things as they are. Judging from the fact that they can’t use the court as justification as usual, it seems there are some internal problems within the Namgung Clan as well.”

However, Son Bin’s question still lingered.

“Then, are they giving up practical benefits for the sake of justification?”

Although she hadn’t said it explicitly, Namgung Hyang’s tone clearly implied that she would acknowledge the Blood Lotus 봉련. Did that mean she was willing to hand over Guizhou or Guangxi?

“Give up? What are you talking about? They’ve already cleaned up Hunan.” Noh Gun said bluntly.

“From the perspective of the Namgung Clan or the Hyeokryun Clan [likely a typo and should be Hyeonryun Clan – another powerful clan], Guizhou and Guangxi are too remote and not profitable. They’ve cleaned up Hunan this time, pushing out all the other sects, so that’s probably more lucrative.”

Under the pretext of dealing with the Blood Lotus 봉련, the Namgung Clan, led by Namgung Ryeol of the Outer 청 Prefecture [Outer Blue Prefecture – a region], had purged the sects in Hunan.

Those sects that had been uncooperative with the Namgung Clan, the so-called neutral sects, were either shut down or forced to pledge allegiance.

With that, the Namgung Clan had already secured significant practical benefits.

The humiliation Namgung Ryeol of the Outer 청 Prefecture suffered from being defeated by the Ghost 견수라 was a direct result of dividing his forces to deal with the Blood Lotus 봉련 in Guizhou.

“If the Blood Lotus 봉련 takes charge of Guizhou or Guangxi, they might even prefer it. This place is full of mediocre Demonic Sects, so it’s quite a headache to manage directly.”

“Then, the request to withdraw from the mountain and water bandit groups is…”

“It’s literally to maintain appearances. Even if they’re a family that promotes chivalry, what would they say to the government if they embraced bandits? It’s also a ploy to sow discord within the Blood Lotus 봉련.”

If the Blood Lotus 봉련 and the mountain and water bandit groups turned hostile, the Namgung Clan would effectively be passing on troublesome tasks. It was a plan designed to establish justification and secure practical benefits.

Nodding, Son Bin carefully asked again, “What should I do about Miss Namgung Hyang’s request for me to mediate?”

Noh Gun chuckled.

“Well, that’s for Master Son to decide.”

Son Bin gave a troubled smile at Noh Gun’s playful tone.

Noh Gun shrugged, watching the scene with amusement.

“Even if it’s mediation, it’s not much different from sitting here, in my opinion. Well, if you want to help the Namgung family’s daughter, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go to Namchang on this occasion.”

Namchang was the city where the Namgung Clan was based. If he accepted the role of mediator, he would have no choice but to visit.

“I’ve already been to Namchang.”

It was in Namchang that the Gangnam Dragon and Phoenix Assembly had been held. It was also the city where Son Bin had reunited with Sa Su-yeon after their separation, a place he could never forget.

“I know. But going as a guest of the Namgung Clan is different. Besides, if you go, how happy do you think that annoying guy will be? He’ll probably welcome you more than bringing the entire Gangnam martial world. Ugh!”

‘That annoying guy’ was clearly referring to the former Thunder Sword, Namgung Cheon.

Noh Gun clicked his tongue as if he was annoyed just thinking about it.

“Everyone, be quiet!” Thump.

Lee Hong-gye of the Iron Sword 파cheon [Pa Cheon – Splitting Heaven] slammed his hand on the heavy table and spoke in a loud voice. The Demonic Sect leaders and the chiefs of the mountain and water bandit groups quieted down and looked at him.

“First, I ask the Blood Soul Poison Dragon: does the Great One have any intention of joining our Blood Lotus 봉련?”

“Hmm, this is quite sudden.” The Blood Soul Poison Dragon spoke with a seemingly troubled expression. Everyone had seen him instigating Jangssang, the Twin Sword Ghost, but he shamelessly didn’t acknowledge it.

“However, if the juniors of the martial world truly need my strength, there’s no reason for me not to step forward, hehehe.” In short, he meant that if they were willing to serve him as their leader, he would accept.

“Thank you.” Lee Hong-gye of the Iron Sword 파cheon politely bowed to the Blood Soul Poison Dragon.

Lee Hong-gye slowly looked around at the members of the Blood Dragon Gate, the Blood Lotus 봉 faction, and the Demonic Sect alliance. His gaze stopped on Namgung Hyang and the five Namgung Clan warriors.

“Our Blood Lotus 봉련 has always welcomed those who share our ideals! Now that the Blood Soul Poison Dragon has expressed his intention to join us, I would like to ask the opinions of our fellow comrades!”

It was an open display of power towards the Namgung Clan. They had brought a mediation proposal, but the Blood Lotus 봉련 was about to make the Blood Soul Poison Dragon, whom they couldn’t trust, their leader.

The Namgung Clan warriors’ faces immediately contorted as if they had been openly insulted. Namgung Hyang also smiled bitterly.

“What is there to ask? We must serve the Blood Soul Poison Dragon as our leader!” One of the Demonic Sect leaders shouted. As soon as he finished, the chiefs of the Demonic Sect alliance echoed his sentiment.

“The Blood Soul Poison Dragon as our leader!”

“Blood Soul Poison Dragon! Blood Soul Poison Dragon!” The banquet hall erupted in noise again. Lee Hong-gye of the Iron Sword 파cheon didn’t seem to want to stop them and turned his head to look at the Blood Dragon Gate.

As always, the Blood Dragon Gate showed no clear expression of intent. The young nobleman who was said to be their leader seemed more concerned with Master Son, Son Bin, than with the current situation.

‘Hmm.’ Lee Hong-gye of the Iron Sword 파cheon frowned. The Blood Dragon Gate held the key to this issue. But they remained silent.

“Then…” The Blood Soul Poison Dragon’s eyes flashed at Lee Hong-gye’s words, as if a conclusion was about to be reached.

However, a small, clear voice cut off Lee Hong-gye.

“I object.”

The Blood Soul Poison Dragon’s eyebrows furrowed, and Lee Hong-gye turned to the source of the voice.

It was the Blood Lotus 봉 Gold Thread Badge.

Sarak [sound of rustling].

Blood Lotus 봉 rose from her seat. She turned and looked directly at the Blood Soul Poison Dragon, her eyes shining as if they could see through his heart.

“I ask you: what kind of future do you intend to bring to the Blood Lotus 봉련?”

The Blood Soul Poison Dragon’s eyebrows twitched. He hated Blood Lotus 봉 calling him ‘you,’ a sign of disrespect.

“Hehe, this young lady is quite bold.” The Blood Soul Poison Dragon smiled as if he were a generous gentleman.

“The future… Do you think negotiating with the Namgung Clan will magically create a better future? Resolving disputes with words in the martial world? Ha, that’s nonsense.”

The Blood Soul Poison Dragon openly sneered.

“The world isn’t that simple. I can say with certainty that the Namgung Clan will drag out the negotiations and eventually declare a breakdown for some ridiculous reason. And the Blood Lotus 봉련, clinging to false hope, will be crushed by the Namgung Clan before they can even react. It’s all because of reckless young girls like you with such absurd ideas.”

His sharp gaze towards Blood Lotus 봉 was unsettling. Even the rough chiefs were taken aback, but the small and slender Blood Lotus 봉 didn’t flinch.

“This bastard…” The Ghost 견수라 was enraged. He was about to step forward, but Blood Lotus 봉 stopped him with a gesture.

“I am Blood Lotus 봉, not a reckless young girl,” she said in a clear voice. The Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung shrugged.

“Ah, that’s right, you’re called Blood Lotus 봉? Please understand. When you get to my age, everyone just looks like children. Anyway, it’s not that wrong.”

Blood Lotus 봉 repeated her question to the Blood Soul Poison Dragon, who spoke with a sly expression.

“Then, are you going to continue fighting the Namgung Clan? Hasn’t enough blood been shed already?”

“Hehehe, this is really…” The Blood Soul Poison Dragon shook his head with a troubled expression. He spoke to Blood Lotus 봉 as if scolding her.

“I’m saying this because I see you as a granddaughter, but who steps forward is very important in the martial world. Even if someone like me says something casually, it can be resolved right away, but if a young girl like you steps forward, she’ll be openly ignored. No, they’ll look down on you and try to play tricks on you.”

The Blood Soul Poison Dragon sneered, looking at Namgung Hyang.

“Look at this. Even if the Namgung Clan looks down on the Blood Lotus 봉련, there’s a limit. To kick out a friend who shed blood together and bow down to the Namgung Clan—is that even possible? Huh?”

The mountain and water bandit groups and the Demonic Sect factions had never shed blood with the Blood Lotus 봉련. However, the chiefs and leaders of the Demonic Sect alliance were excited and shouted loudly.

“That’s right! We don’t have to listen to the Namgung Clan’s words!”

“Kick out the Namgung Clan’s girl right now!” As if on cue, they raised their voices. However, when the Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung raised his hand, the chiefs immediately fell silent.

The Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung said with a relaxed expression, “Kick her out? Why do such a wasteful thing? We can just take that girl hostage. Even the vicious Namgung Clan will never stand by and watch their blood relatives die, hehehe.”

The members of the Blood Lotus 봉 faction frowned, but the Demonic Sect alliance members had admiring expressions.

“Oh! That’s right!”

“Let’s serve the Blood Soul Poison Dragon as our leader!”

“Imprison the Namgung family’s girl right now!” They were excited and raised their voices, some even directing harsh words at Namgung Hyang.

However, Namgung Hyang was focused on Blood Lotus 봉. Her cold eyes were challenging, as if she was testing Blood Lotus 봉’s capabilities.

Blood Lotus 봉 raised her head and looked directly at the Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung.

“I have learned that a warrior’s promise is heavier than a thousand gold coins. If we invite a guest and then take them hostage, who in the world will ever trust us?”

“Hehe, this young lady really doesn’t understand the world. In the end, the world belongs to the one holding the sword.” The Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung said as if trying to persuade her. However, Blood Lotus 봉 calmly replied,

“That’s just the way the Blood Soul Poison Dragon lives.”

The Blood Soul Poison Dragon’s eyebrows twitched.

“Since you have never sincerely treated anyone, you cannot recognize the sincerity of others. Since you have never shown goodwill yourself, you only calculate with vulgar gains and losses. So you have no choice but to cling to the one holding the sword.”

“What? Cling to?” The Blood Soul Poison Dragon was dumbfounded. However, Blood Lotus 봉’s words hadn’t ended.

“Did you say you would take this young lady hostage? Would the Namgung Clan bow down if you did that? I clearly tell you, all that will come back to us is the Namgung Clan’s fiery anger. And after that, the whole world will point fingers at us.”

Anger flickered in Blood Lotus 봉’s eyes.

“You said I don’t know anything. But the one who doesn’t know anything is you. You are the only one who cannot hear the ridicule that is pouring out towards you even at this moment.”

Looking straight at the Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung, Blood Lotus 봉 asserted, “You can never be the master of the Blood Lotus 봉련. You are only thinking of satisfying your own desires by shedding the blood of others, and in the end, you will abandon the Blood Lotus 봉련, just as you have done so far.”

Bang.

The table shattered with a loud crash. The heavy table had been smashed by the Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung’s palm strike.

“Hehe.” The Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung stood up. He let out a hollow laugh, but his eyes were filled with a blue light like a demon.

“To think I would be insulted by such a young girl after living this long.”

His aura was completely different from before.

The chiefs and leaders of the Demonic Sect alliance shrank back at his murderous voice. Jangssang, the Twin Sword Ghost, who had been standing next to him, had already moved far away.

‘This 씨앙 [ssiang – a curse word].’ Jangssang, the Twin Sword Ghost, cursed inwardly. Once his eyes turned like that, no one could stop him. The Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung’s temper, which had ruined so many things so far, had finally exploded.

Step.

The Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung took a step towards Blood Lotus 봉.

“Did the world look easy because people were praising you as Blood Lotus 봉? I’ll have to give you a very stern lesson today.”

“Stop!” Lee Hong-gye of the Iron Sword 파cheon shouted loudly.

“The Blood Soul Poison Dragon should show respect as a guest! I will not tolerate any more than this!” Lee Hong-gye’s voice echoed throughout the banquet hall. But the Blood Soul Poison Dragon laughed.

“If you don’t tolerate it…” Whoosh.

“What will you do?” As the Blood Soul Poison Dragon lightly flicked his wrist, two throwing knives shot from his sleeve with a sharp sound.

“Gasp!” Lee Hong-gye of the Iron Sword 파cheon was shocked and drew his iron sword without hesitation.

However, the throwing knives were already upon him. Lee Hong-gye’s complexion turned ashen.

Clang.

With a sharp sound, sparks flew in the air. The two throwing knives were deflected, losing their target and bouncing off to embed themselves in a large wooden pillar and girder.

Thwack, thump.

The throwing knives, carrying tremendous force, were half-embedded in the thick wooden pillar and girder.

Another dull sound followed, but few people realized what it was.

But the Blood Soul Poison Dragon saw it. He saw Noh Gun’s iron coin deflect his two throwing knives and become deeply embedded in the pillar.

‘Noh Gun!’ The Blood Soul Poison Dragon glared at Noh Gun with murderous eyes. But Noh Gun was calmly holding a teacup and feigning ignorance.

“Well, what should we do?” A young man’s clear voice echoed in the silent banquet hall. All eyes turned to him.

The Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung also looked at the young man, not lowering his guard against Noh Gun.

“The sages said, ‘Those who know humanity should be taught with virtue, but those who are reckless should be strictly governed by law.'”

Rustle.

The young man dressed as a scholar, whom the Blood Soul Poison Dragon Wang Se-chung himself had disparaged as a ‘brat,’ slowly rose from his seat.

“So you, who threaten a weak girl with force and commit violence against the host, must be governed by law.” The young man looked down at him with stern eyes.

He was none other than Son Bin.