A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 220

220. Hyuncheon Sword Formation

Son Bin was momentarily speechless.

The large, crude black greatsword, carefully placed on the white silk, captivated Son Bin’s gaze.

Unlike the typical form of a sword, it had a simple, straight blade and an end that seemed to have been cut off abruptly.

More than anything, the sword’s immense size made it unmistakable.

Son Bin reached out without realizing it. Then, he suddenly stopped and looked at Sa Su-yeon.

“Young Lady Su-yeon… would you like to confirm it?”

Sa Su-yeon’s eyes, as she looked at the black greatsword, were also moist.

“No. Please, Young Master Son, confirm it.”

In truth, there was no need to confirm. What was before her was clearly Pa-wol. The black greatsword that was always with Sa Ja-hyeok, Pa-wol.

Rustle.

Son Bin’s fingertips touched Pa-wol, and he slowly traced the crude blade. The rough surface of Pa-wol transmitted through his fingers.

“It’s still… warm.”

Son Bin said quietly. The young Okryong tilted his head.

“Warm, you say?”

“Yes.”

“It was very cold when I received it, though.”

It had been that way from the moment he first discovered it until now. Pa-wol was as cold as ice, naturally, since it was found in the snowy mountains.

But why was Son Bin saying it was warm?

“Could this be a special kind of weapon?”

Suppressing the urge to touch it again, the young Okryong asked Son Bin.

In the Jianghu [martial arts world], there were weapons passed down like legends.

Most were far-fetched stories, but some actually existed.

For example, the sword Son Bin possessed, Baekro, was undoubtedly a special sword, though it was not widely known.

Son Bin looked up at No-gun. No-gun, who had been looking down at Pa-wol with a look of regret, shook his head.

“As far as I know, I heard it was roughly made at a blacksmith’s shop he passed by.”

Son Bin gave a bitter smile. For a greatsword of this size to be called ‘roughly made’ seemed entirely inappropriate.

Perhaps that was because it was being evaluated from Sa Ja-hyeok’s perspective?

“But it was used by the Hyuncheon’s Martial Emperor. It wouldn’t be strange if it became something special later on.”

It was possible that something originally ordinary had changed as it absorbed Sa Ja-hyeok’s immense energy.

No, the fact that it could contain Sa Ja-hyeok’s energy meant that it was never ‘roughly made’ or ‘ordinary’ to begin with.

Son Bin slowly stroked Pa-wol. What he felt at his fingertips was still the rough surface and the warm temperature.

“It is Pa-wol.”

Son Bin said quietly. The young Okryong smiled.

“I see.”

Clap.

The young Okryong clasped his hands together and bowed to Son Bin.

“With this, I have returned Pa-wol to Young Master Son.”

“Thank you.”

Son Bin returned the courtesy politely.

“This is by no means a small favor. Thank you once again for your kindness.”

“You’re welcome.”

The young Okryong said with a smile.

“I’m glad I could keep my promise.”

Son Bin turned his head to look at Sa Su-yeon. Sa Su-yeon was reaching out and gently stroking Pa-wol.

As if a mix of complex emotions had welled up within her, the corners of her eyes were still moist.

“Would you like to keep it, Young Lady Su-yeon?”

Son Bin asked. Since it was Sa Ja-hyeok’s, it was natural for his daughter, Sa Su-yeon, to receive it.

However, Sa Su-yeon shook her head.

“No. Please, Young Master Son, keep it.”

“But I…”

“This isn’t a keepsake, is it?”

Sa Su-yeon said, looking at Son Bin. Son Bin was speechless at her tearful eyes.

“Is it?”

“No.”

Son Bin himself said so. It wouldn’t be strange if he came tonight.

Therefore, this Pa-wol is definitely not a keepsake.

“So please, Young Master Son, keep it. My father would want that too. He especially disliked me having any interest in swords or blades.”

Sa Su-yeon tried to speak lightly, forcing a smile.

However, her voice was trembling as if she would burst into tears at any moment.

“I understand.”

Son Bin nodded. While Sa Su-yeon was struggling to hold back her tears, Son Bin, who had been silent, raised his head.

“Young Lady Su-yeon.”

“Yes.”

Sa Su-yeon replied.

“Could you help me for a moment?”

What did he want her to help with? Sa Su-yeon blinked with a puzzled look.

Son Bin smiled at her.

“I’m going to try the Hyuncheon Sword Formation.”

At Son Bin’s words, Sa Su-yeon’s eyes widened in surprise. Shin-ui frowned, and No-gun shouted.

“What are you saying! You are now…”

“It’s alright.”

Son Bin said in a quiet voice.

“I’ll only follow the form and style. In other words… it’s just imitation.”

No-gun frowned. If it was as Son Bin said, it would only be imitating the form without loading the energy of the Hyuncheon Art.

“Hmm.”

No-gun groaned as if he was not pleased.

However, he didn’t say anything more.

It was because he knew the feelings of Son Bin and Sa Su-yeon, who had Pa-wol in front of them.

“Are you alright?”

No-gun’s question was directed at Sa Su-yeon.

However, he could already guess the answer without hearing it. Sa Su-yeon’s shining eyes were already revealing her intentions.

“Yes.”

Sa Su-yeon’s consent brought the matter to a conclusion.

“Shall we go?”

At Son Bin’s words, everyone stood up as if they had made a promise. It was to go to the rear garden where they always trained.

As he stood up, No-gun suddenly turned to look at the young Okryong.

“What about these guys?”

He was asking whether to send them back now that things had turned out this way or to have them wait here.

The young Okryong smiled.

“We will stay here…”

“Let’s go together.”

That voice belonged to Son Bin. Son Bin smiled at the young Okryong.

“These are the people who brought Pa-wol. They have the right to see what this is like.”

“Tsk. It’s not like you can understand the Hyuncheon Sword Formation just by seeing it once or twice…”

No-gun groaned.

It wasn’t exactly teaching the secrets, nor was it explaining the Hyuncheon Art. If it was just the form and style, it was merely scratching the surface.

However, since the other party was the successor of the previous Okryong, No-gun couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

“What about you?”

The person No-gun asked was, of course, Sa Su-yeon. She nodded.

“If Young Master Son is alright with it, I don’t mind either.”

“I was a fool to ask you.”

No-gun said, muttering to himself.

Sa Su-yeon’s answer was always predictable. Moreover, Sa Su-yeon was not bound by the customs of the Jianghu martial world, so she had no hesitation in following Son Bin’s wishes.

“We’ve seen it too, you know.”

Dang Wora said quietly. It wasn’t just seeing it. Hadn’t they watched Son Bin’s training countless times every night?

However, No-gun snorted and replied.

“We’re family.”

“Hyeolbong has seen it too.”

As Dang Wora pointed out, Hyeolbong Geum Sa-ryeon had also seen Son Bin’s training swordplay during the few days she had stayed here.

“That kid doesn’t understand even if she sees it.”

No-gun still clicked his tongue as if he didn’t like it. But the conclusion had already been decided.

“Well, what’s the point of hiding it now when everyone has already seen it?”

In the end, No-gun gave up. The ‘everyone’ he was referring to was probably the previous Thunder Sword and the previous Tyrant Sword.

No-gun, who had been grumbling, glared at the young Okryong.

“Watch quietly, without disturbing. Got it?”

However, the young Okryong’s eyes could not hide his bewilderment. At least, he didn’t look happy at all.

“Why? Don’t like it?”

Swish.

The young Okryong covered his face with his fan. After a moment, he said quietly in a low voice.

“Are you really, alright with this?”

That was a question directed at Son Bin. Son Bin smiled.

“Yes, I’m alright.”

The young Okryong’s brow furrowed slightly. Seeing that, No-gun snorted.

“Geez, you’re the first guy I’ve seen hesitate even when I offer to show you. If you don’t like it, forget it.”

“No, it’s not that.”

The young Okryong said, as if he had regained his composure.

“Since Young Master Son is showing me kindness, I can’t miss this opportunity.”

The young Okryong’s voice was quite smooth, but he couldn’t hide the slight tremor.

“Then let’s go.”

At Son Bin’s words, Seorin quickly approached and lifted the wooden box. Unlike Han-wol, it was a completely natural movement, as if she didn’t feel any weight at all.

And everyone began to move towards the rear garden.

Suddenly, No-gun frowned as he saw Han-wol following behind.

“That guy too?”

Han-wol’s expression changed. Since he couldn’t guarantee his lord’s safety, Han-wol couldn’t back down under any circumstances.

If it was because of the leakage of martial arts, he would have to follow even if it meant cutting off one of his arms. That was the moment Han-wol made up his mind.

“Yes.”

With Son Bin’s one word, Han-wol’s determination ended up being unnecessary.

“If you give too much, they won’t know how precious it is.”

With No-gun’s grumbling voice, the group was entering the rear garden.

No one realized that Han-wol, a master of the Blood Dragon Clan, was being treated as someone who was being given too much.

∴

Whoosh.

The wind swept through the rear garden.

The rear garden was quite deserted. Except for a small pavilion, only an empty space remained, making it feel desolate.

The sky had already begun to turn red, and it seemed that darkness would descend soon.

“Wouldn’t it be better to light a lamp or something?”

At No-gun’s words, Son Bin shook his head.

“It won’t take that long.”

Step, step.

Son Bin walked to the center of the rear garden and took his place. Seorin approached with a light step and handed Son Bin the wooden box. Son Bin reached out and slowly gripped the handle of Pa-wol.

‘Hmm.’

Son Bin gave a bitter smile.

As expected, Pa-wol was much heavier than it looked.

It was so heavy that he couldn’t even lift it with one hand, so Son Bin barely managed to take Pa-wol out of the wooden box with both hands.

Thud.

The tip of the black greatsword touched the ground, and Son Bin supported Pa-wol with both hands.

Pa-wol was quite large, so it looked more like Son Bin was leaning on it rather than supporting it.

“Are you alright?”

At No-gun’s worried voice, Son Bin nodded.

“Yes.”

“But with your current strength…”

“It’s alright. Young Lady Su-yeon will help me.”

Step, step.

Sa Su-yeon approached Son Bin. She also had a puzzled expression, wondering how Son Bin was planning to perform the Hyuncheon Sword Formation.

“Young Lady Su-yeon.”

“Yes.”

Sa Su-yeon’s eyes, as she looked at Son Bin, were incomparably beautiful.

“I will only lead the way.”

‘Ah.’

Sa Su-yeon realized what Son Bin meant. It meant that the person who would perform Sa Ja-hyeok’s Hyuncheon Sword Formation was Sa Su-yeon herself.

“Yes.”

Something hot welled up in Sa Su-yeon’s chest. Perhaps because of that, Sa Su-yeon’s throat was momentarily choked up.

“I underst… and.”

“Stand opposite me, and let your sword touch Pa-wol.”

Step, step.

Sa Su-yeon walked to the opposite side of Son Bin, and she drew her sword, Myeong.

Clang.

The straight blade of Myeong was dyed red as it was bathed in the twilight. Sa Su-yeon lowered her sword diagonally and made it touch the end of the black greatsword, Pa-wol.

It was as if the two of them had placed their swords and blades on the ground.

“Then.”

Son Bin’s eyes, as he looked at Sa Su-yeon, were shining more clearly than ever.

Was it Sa Su-yeon’s imagination that, for a moment, that gaze looked like Sa Ja-hyeok’s, who had looked down at her when she was young?

“Let’s begin.”

At Son Bin’s voice, Sa Su-yeon nodded, and she slowly drew up her inner energy.

Woo-oong.

The moment Sa Su-yeon’s sword, Myeong, emitted energy, the beautiful sword and the huge black greatsword soared into the sky.

Thud.

At first, it looked like Pa-wol was being bounced away.

Pa-wol, which had soared into the air, drew a large circle and fell downwards.

Whoo-oook.

The huge curve drawn by the black greatsword in the twilight-dyed sky was so overwhelming that it captivated the eyes of those who saw it.

But that would only be for a moment. Pa-wol was merely bounced away by Sa Su-yeon’s momentum.

However, Pa-wol, which had been falling to the ground, twisted its trajectory as if it were a lie and soared back into the sky.

Boo-oong.

As he heard the sound of the air tearing that rang in his ears, the young Okryong widened his eyes. It was because Son Bin was lightly holding that large Pa-wol with one hand.

Swish.

It was a very natural and extremely small movement. However, the trajectory of Pa-wol was changing according to Son Bin’s small gesture.

The sight of Son Bin leading the huge Pa-wol according to his will was so unbelievable, considering he was the same person who had struggled just to support it a moment ago.

And that was just the beginning.

Kwa-gwak.

Pa-wol made a sound as it cut through the wind. Sa Su-yeon was waiting right there where the oppressive black greatsword was falling.

Whoo-oook.

Even as she watched Pa-wol falling towards her, Sa Su-yeon did not waver.

That was because what was contained in that crude black greatsword was not hostility, but the heart towards her.

The clumsy father’s affection for his beloved daughter.

Without fear or hesitation, Sa Su-yeon extended her sword towards Pa-wol.

Cling.

Myeong and Pa-wol met like an old destiny, and the two people’s Hyuncheon Sword Formation began.

Rustle.

It was a fantasy unfolded under the twilight sky.

The two people’s steps were as soft as stepping on scattered flower petals, and their movements were as natural as flowing water.

It was like the legendary Biyik bird [a mythical Chinese bird with one wing; two must pair up to fly] that flew through the sky with each other’s wings, and even an elegant beauty was felt in every movement.

Woo-oong.

However, the Hyuncheon Sword Formation unfolded from their fingertips was completely different.

Sometimes it cut through the air, drawing delicate trajectories, and sometimes it exuded a tyrannical momentum as if it would divide the sky and the earth.

As if only they existed in this world, Myeong and Pa-wol lavishly showed off their presence. It seemed that even the sky could not block their path.

Kwa-gwak.

In that amazing and overwhelming experience, Sa Su-yeon was shedding tears.

She didn’t even think about the possibility of danger during training because the person who was leading her way now was the person she trusted the most in the world.

Rustle.

Tears flowed down Sa Su-yeon’s beautiful cheeks.

Her teardrops, scattered in the air, were sparkling like jewels falling from the sky.

‘Ah.’

The young Okryong groaned without realizing it.

No, he couldn’t even be sure if he had made a sound.

He was literally overwhelmed by the sight unfolding before his eyes.

The jade fan that had been covering his face had already fallen down powerlessly, and his two eyes were fixed on Son Bin and Sa Su-yeon’s movements.

However, his beautiful face, which had been filled with astonishment, was soon distorted into a mess.

‘This is.’

The young Okryong gritted his teeth. The Hyuncheon Sword Formation that the two people were unfolding under the red-dyed sky.

The dreamlike world of paradise was unfolding before his eyes. An ideal that would never be allowed to him.

‘It’s a nightmare.’

His beautiful lips, as he looked at Son Bin and Sa Su-yeon, were pressed so hard that blood was seeping out.

*

*

*

“You can’t have dinner with us?”

Son Bin asked with a puzzled look. The young Okryong gave a bitter smile.

“I would like to, but I don’t think I can eat anything today.”

Fearing that his slightly trembling hands would be noticed, the young Okryong hid his hands behind his back.

Still, Son Bin seemed unable to understand. Rather, No-gun, who was sitting next to him, nodded with a sly smile.

“That’s why you need alcohol.”

No-gun said to the young Okryong as if he was giving advice. The young Okryong gave a bitter smile.

However, Son Bin tilted his head because No-gun didn’t usually enjoy alcohol.

But when he thought about it, it seemed that No-gun always brought out a small bottle and a cup when Son Bin was training at the Seowon [private Confucian academy during the Joseon Dynasty].

“I’ll see you again next time, Young Master Son.”

The young Okryong gave a light bow and left his seat. There was no time for Son Bin to stop him any further.

Han-wol gave a small nod to Son Bin and followed his lord. And so, the two of them left Son Bin’s residence.

“Oh well.”

Son Bin shrugged his shoulders.

“There might be food left over.”

“Don’t worry, hyung [older brother/term of endearment for a close male friend]!”

Seorin said as if she had been waiting for it.

“We’re here!”

‘We?’

Son Bin turned to look, and there were Seorin and the five children with shining eyes.

At that sight, Son Bin couldn’t help but smile.

However, he didn’t notice that Dang Wora’s eyes were also shining under her veil.

∴

Son Bin and his group finished their meal and chatted while drinking tea as usual.

There wasn’t much conversation, but time passed quickly just watching Seorin and the five children play.

In particular, the appearance and movements of the five children had improved greatly, so it seemed that they no longer needed to wear loose clothes or head coverings.

However, perhaps conscious of the children’s hair color, No-gun muttered, ‘Should I put veils on them?’ which almost made Son Bin spit out the tea he was drinking.

That was because the image of the five children wearing veils, following Dang Wora, was drawn in his mind.

Still, Cheonga and Hwanga were boys, so he wondered if they should wear bamboo hats instead of veils.

As the night deepened to some extent, Son Bin held Baekro and unfolded the Hyuncheon Training Sword Formation in the rear garden.

As always, No-gun, Shin-ui, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wora took their seats in the pavilion, and Seorin and the children played nearby, watching Son Bin’s training.

Unlike usual, when they chatted lightly, no one spoke today. Son Bin’s training also ended early, and the group went to their respective residences.

It seemed that the day was ending like that.

Step, step.

In the deep rear garden where no one was around, the sound of a woman’s footsteps continued quietly.

There were no lights, but she could distinguish even small insects with just the bright moonlight.

Step.

She stopped in the middle of the rear garden, and she raised her head to look at the night sky. She was so beautiful that it felt like a celestial maiden had descended for a moment, and that was Sa Su-yeon.

“Hoo.”

Standing in the very spot where she had unfolded the Hyuncheon Sword Formation with Son Bin, Sa Su-yeon sighed softly.

Rustle.

Lowering her head, she raised her sword, Myeong.

It was the sword that had unfolded the Hyuncheon Sword Formation with Son Bin’s Pa-wol.

However, Sa Su-yeon’s eyes, as she looked at Myeong now, were revealing complex emotions without hiding them.

“I am…”

“Are you uneasy?”

A beautiful voice rang in Sa Su-yeon’s ear.

Whoosh.

Sa Su-yeon immediately turned her body towards the place where the sound came from. Her sharp eyes pierced through the darkness and caught the existence hidden behind it.

“Who is it?”

Step.

The existence hidden in the darkness took a step forward.

The person who revealed himself under the moonlight was someone Sa Su-yeon already knew.

However, it was someone she could never treat with goodwill.

“You…”

Sa Su-yeon frowned.

“I know it’s rude, but.”

The picturesque nobleman smiled, lightly waving his jade fan.

“I have something I must ask you, young lady.”

The blue moonlight fell on his beautiful face. He was smiling at Sa Su-yeon, and that was the young Okryong.