A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 222

222. Inheritance

Under the moonlight, Sa Soo-yeon stood alone, radiating an overwhelming aura.

Her beauty seemed otherworldly, and her dignity made her appear untouchable.

It was a moment that made it abundantly clear why she was called the ‘Empress’ in the notoriously harsh Bukhae [a region or organization known for its strictness].

However, the Young Okryong suddenly saw an opportunity.

‘If it’s now…’

If he could subdue Sa Soo-yeon while she was distracted by Han-wol, he could completely reverse this humiliating situation.

That thought solidified in the Young Okryong’s mind.

*Swish.*

Sa Soo-yeon’s gaze flicked to the Young Okryong, and he saw it clearly.

A cold smile touched her icy expression.

‘Hmph.’

He didn’t actually hear her laugh, but the Young Okryong understood perfectly.

She was mocking his thoughts.

And she was warning him that the moment he unleashed his Blood Power, Sa Soo-yeon’s sword would end his life.

“Why are you silent?”

Sa Soo-yeon’s voice reached the two men.

Though a voice has no physical weight, hers, which held their lives in its hands, felt heavier than anything else in the world.

“Or are you waiting for someone to help you? Like those two who were hiding in the garden on our first day in Gwiyang?”

The Yunnan Erjhun [likely referring to two individuals from Yunnan] who had disappeared from the first banquet to welcome Son Bin and his party. They had expected their presence to be discovered.

Sa Soo-yeon was implying, wasn’t there someone else hiding, just like back then?

“They are not here.”

Han-wol replied calmly.

“My lord dismissed them, saying they couldn’t come to Young Master Son’s residence with ulterior motives. What you see is all there is.”

A subtle glint flashed in Sa Soo-yeon’s eyes, and Han-wol’s keen senses didn’t miss it.

“Young Master Son said he was indebted to my lord.”

Sa Soo-yeon had heard that as well. Son Bin had clearly stated that he was indebted to the Young Okryong, and it was no small debt.

“For Young Master Son’s sake, please stay your sword.”

Han-wol intentionally didn’t mention Pa-wol. It wouldn’t be wise to involve the relationships of the previous generation in this situation.

“For Young Master Son’s sake…”

Sa Soo-yeon repeated, her voice still cold.

“Wouldn’t it be better to take your lives right here, right now?”

Sa Soo-yeon’s voice held a hint of a sneer.

“Perhaps.”

Han-wol replied.

“But can you do that?”

The sneer on Sa Soo-yeon’s lips deepened.

“Do you think I can’t?”

“Even after Sojeo [a respectful title for a woman] takes our lives…”

Han-wol swallowed, the words crucial to his lord’s survival.

“I mean, would you be able to look Young Master Son in the face?”

It was a remark that Han-wol, desperate to save his lord, wouldn’t dare to make under normal circumstances.

*Ahdeuk.* [Sound of grinding teeth or a sharp intake of breath]

As expected, anger flared in Sa Soo-yeon’s eyes.

“How dare you…”

“I do not know Young Master Son well.”

Han-wol continued in a low voice.

“But I know what his sword is like. That sword will never take the lives of others for uncertain gains.”

Han-wol had been defeated by Son Bin’s Baekro [likely a sword technique or style] at the Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang, during the Gangnam Yongbongjihoe [a gathering or competition of martial artists].

The Tao of Tai Chi that Son Bin had displayed at that time remained a formidable obstacle in Han-wol’s path, a shocking experience he could never forget.

Sa Soo-yeon, silent for a moment with a complicated expression, eventually had to concede to Han-wol’s words.

“Yes.”

Her low voice sounded like a sigh. Han-wol knew he had saved his lord’s life.

“He… is that kind of person.”

*Sreung.* [Sound of a sword being sheathed]

Sa Soo-yeon’s sword, Myeong, disappeared into its sheath. She seemed indifferent to the abilities of Han-wol, a master, or the Young Okryong.

*Swish.*

Sa Soo-yeon’s cold gaze turned to the Young Okryong, who was silently enduring this humiliating moment, a stark contrast to his previous self, who had been enraged by the slightest taunt.

Perhaps it was unavoidable. In his current state, he could barely stand.

“I’ll give you just one piece of advice.”

Sa Soo-yeon’s voice was extremely cold and dry.

“Do not try to approach Young Master Son.”

The Young Okryong gritted his teeth, but Sa Soo-yeon continued.

“And not the Outer Palace either, because you are not qualified yet.”

Even a master of the Outer Palace cannot escape his abilities, the Young Okryong had thought, believing Son Bin to be the only exception.

But Sa Soo-yeon had revealed that it was a futile arrogance.

If it doesn’t work on Sa Soo-yeon, will the Blood Power work on the other masters of the Outer Palace? The Young Okryong couldn’t answer.

His confidence, which had dismissed even the Outer Palace, was now a source of embarrassment.

“You called yourself the ‘New Okryong,’ didn’t you?”

A faint sneer touched Sa Soo-yeon’s lips.

“Wouldn’t it be better to become the ‘Old Okryong’ first?”

*Ahdeuk.* [Sound of grinding teeth or a sharp intake of breath]

The Young Okryong gritted his teeth. Being compared to the previous Okryong was the ultimate humiliation for him.

“Go.”

Sa Soo-yeon dismissed them. Han-wol bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

Sa Soo-yeon didn’t respond. Han-wol helped the Young Okryong to his feet.

The Young Okryong, barely able to stand, couldn’t shake off Han-wol. The shock from their brief clash still lingered.

“I will offer my life after escorting my lord to a safe place.”

Han-wol said to Sa Soo-yeon.

The Young Okryong glared at Han-wol with bloodshot eyes, but Han-wol’s resolve remained firm.

“I don’t need it.”

*Sarak.* [Sound of rustling or a light movement]

Sa Soo-yeon said, turning her back. She looked at the blue moonlight and added,

“As you said, I only withdrew my sword for my own sake.”

Han-wol bowed again, but Sa Soo-yeon didn’t look back.

“Forgive my rudeness, my lord.”

Han-wol said to the Young Okryong, who remained silent, biting his lip and avoiding eye contact as Han-wol supported him.

*Tat.* [Sound of a light footstep]

With a soft sound, Han-wol disappeared with the Young Okryong.

The empty clearing was once again silent. Sa Soo-yeon remained where she was.

*Swish.*

The wind blew, causing Sa Soo-yeon’s clothes to flutter gently.

Despite the overwhelming aura she had projected, Sa Soo-yeon’s figure under the moonlight was as noble and beautiful as a solitary flower.

“Keu keu.”

A somewhat rough but familiar laugh came from behind. Sa Soo-yeon turned her head.

“Why does the winner look so dejected?”

Namak Nogun [likely a title or name] with his white beard approached with a nonchalant expression, the small liquor bottle hanging from his waist jingling.

“Anyone would think you lost.”

Sa Soo-yeon smiled sadly.

“Did I win?”

“Of course. You chased those unsightly guys away.”

“But…”

*Swish.*

The wind ruffled Sa Soo-yeon’s hair. She gently pressed it down.

“I couldn’t deny his words. People’s perceptions are often crude and resistant to change. And Young Master Son values the bonds between people more than anything.”

Sa Soo-yeon bit her lip, her red lips gleaming in the moonlight.

“If Young Master Son had to sacrifice something because of me, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”

“That’s not true.”

*Sabak.* [Sound of footsteps on soft ground]

Sa Soo-yeon turned her head. Dang Wol-ah, a slender woman wearing a veil, approached slowly.

*Sarak.* [Sound of rustling or a light movement]

Dang Wol-ah stopped and bent down to pick something up from the ground.

It was the small silver hairpin Sa Soo-yeon had shot out, now shining under the moonlight.

*Sabak, sabak.* [Sound of footsteps on soft ground]

Dang Wol-ah walked to Sa Soo-yeon and quietly offered her the hairpin.

“Young Master Son will never think he sacrificed anything. On the contrary, he’ll be happy he met you because of it.”

Sa Soo-yeon reached out and took the hairpin.

“So, if you feel sorry, just repay him in kind.”

Sa Soo-yeon looked puzzled. Dang Wol-ah’s eyes, hidden behind the veil, sparkled.

“Whatever Young Master Son sacrificed for you, just bring him a hundred or a thousand times more.”

“Hehe.”

Sa Soo-yeon laughed involuntarily. A hundred or a thousand times was an absurd amount.

But for Dang Wol-ah, it wasn’t an exaggeration but a literal truth, which made Sa Soo-yeon laugh even more.

“That’s right.”

Sa Soo-yeon said with a smile.

*Sarak.* [Sound of rustling or a light movement]

After arranging her disheveled hair and putting on the hairpin, Sa Soo-yeon looked directly at Dang Wol-ah.

“A hundred times, a thousand times. And for a lifetime.”

Sa Soo-yeon’s eyes also sparkled.

“I will repay him.”

Dang Wol-ah quietly replied with a smile, as if saying that was just like Sa Soo-yeon.

“But why did that guy come?”

Nogun, chuckling as he watched the two, asked.

“Didn’t you know?”

Nogun shrugged at Sa Soo-yeon’s question.

“It didn’t seem like he was trying to avenge his ancestors. Besides, if that’s the case, it’s strange that he returned Pa-wol in the first place.”

“He…”

Sa Soo-yeon said quietly, looking toward the place where Han-wol and the Young Okryong had disappeared.

“He is a person with very complicated feelings. Sometimes he is impulsive, but sometimes he is surprisingly rational.”

Sa Soo-yeon recalled the Young Okryong’s reaction. Compared to when he couldn’t bear the humiliation and rushed at her, he had shown a different kind of patience a little while ago.

“At first, I think he wanted to shake me up, to check how close we were to Young Master Son. He seemed to be testing me a little.”

The two-person Hyeoncheon Martial Arts [likely a martial arts style] that Sa Soo-yeon and Son Bin displayed had certainly shaken the Young Okryong.

To the point where he couldn’t stand it without acting. This unexpected visit was probably an impulsive decision.

“But he probably wasn’t prepared for a life-or-death battle with me. It would have been easier for me to end it like that.”

It was more Sa Soo-yeon’s intention to provoke a life-or-death battle, but it was also an inevitable confrontation that had to happen someday.

“Hmph, typical behavior of those born with a silver spoon in their mouths.”

Nogun snorted.

“They think the world is easy, so they act as they please, not realizing they’ll get hurt badly.”

In fact, the Young Okryong’s Blood Power gave him the right to act that way. In Yunnan, he was worshiped like a living god.

But this time, he had chosen the wrong opponent. The Sword Goddess of Breaking Evil, Sa Soo-yeon, was too much for him.

“A guy with complicated feelings…”

Nogun muttered to himself.

“In that respect, should I say he resembles the previous Okryong?”

―Okryong plays in the clouds.

Like those words, the previous Okryong was an elusive person.

He lived in the world like a game, and the Okryong, who played in incomprehensible clouds, had no common sense or understanding.

Only one person.

The Martial Emperor of Hyeoncheon understood and sympathized with him. That’s why Okryong may have only recognized the Martial Emperor of Hyeoncheon.

“Anyway, I won’t see him for a while.”

Nogun said with relief, but his expression was contradicted by Dang Wol-ah’s words.

“And when he appears next time, he will be different from now. Very different.”

“Don’t say unlucky things.”

Nogun grumbled, but no one objected to Dang Wol-ah’s words.

“Let’s go in now.”

Nogun turned and strode away.

“Seo-rin must be busy comforting the children because they all woke up.”

The images of the five children and Seo-rin vividly came to Sa Soo-yeon’s mind, and she smiled.

“Ah.”

Suddenly, Sa Soo-yeon made an ‘ah’ sound.

“Why?”

Nogun looked back. Sa Soo-yeon said anxiously,

“Did I wake up Young Master Son by any chance…?”

“Are you only worried about that guy and not worried about us?”

Nogun replied bluntly, but he knew it wasn’t Sa Soo-yeon’s fault.

“Don’t worry. I’ve scattered your energy appropriately, so he’ll be sleeping soundly without knowing anything.”

Sa Soo-yeon sighed with relief.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Sa Soo-yeon followed Nogun, who was striding away.

Dang Wol-ah quietly followed, and the empty clearing was once again plunged into silence.

***

A luxurious carriage sped roughly through the night.

It was dangerous to travel on the dark road where visibility was poor, but the carriage didn’t slow down.

*Ttagadak, ttagadak.* [Sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels]

Inside the precariously shaking carriage were the pale-faced Young Okryong and Han-wol.

Han-wol knelt on one knee in front of the Young Okryong, bowing his head.

“Raise your head.”

The Young Okryong, biting his lip, ordered.

Han-wol raised his head.

*Jjaak.* [Sound of a slap]

Blood spurted from Han-wol’s lips. The Young Okryong had slapped him.

“Never again.”

The Young Okryong said, gritting his teeth, his eyes bloodshot.

“Don’t risk your life without my permission.”

*Eudeuk.* [Sound of grinding teeth]

The Young Okryong glared at Han-wol murderously.

“Understood?”

Han-wol straightened his head and bowed.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Your arms are the same! Don’t risk even one of your fingers without my permission!”

The Young Okryong shouted spasmodically.

“Never!”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Han-wol replied briefly.

The Young Okryong turned to look out the window, trying to calm his breathing.

The moonlight revealed his disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes.

Despite his appearance, he was still strikingly handsome.

But he wasn’t admiring the scenery. His red lips were pressed so tightly that blood seeped out.

*Ttagadak, ttagadak.* [Sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels]

Only the sound of the carriage echoed in the silence.

“What… what did you do with what the previous generation left behind?”

The Young Okryong suddenly asked, his gaze still fixed on the darkness outside.

A different light flashed in Han-wol’s eyes, but he quickly erased it and bowed his head.

“As you ordered, I sealed them in Seolsan Seoldong [likely a location in the Seolsan mountains].”

To the Young Okryong, the previous generation was an object of hatred. He didn’t want to touch anything associated with them.

Not only the possessions of the previous Okryong, but everything he used was thrown into the deep snow cave of Seolsan.

The fact that he called himself the ‘New Okryong’ reflected his intention to erase the shadow of the previous generation.

*Ttagadak, ttagadak.* [Sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels]

Silence returned, but not for long. The Young Okryong had reached a decision.

“Return to Seolsan.”

The Young Okryong said in a low voice.

“And everything from the previous generation…”

The Young Okryong’s voice trembled slightly.

“I will inherit it.”

Han-wol’s eyes widened with agitation. He bowed his head without delay.

“I obey!”

His voice conveyed intense emotion, but the Young Okryong was gritting his teeth.

“Yes, I’ll become the old Okryong first. But…”

*Eudeuk.* [Sound of grinding teeth]

The Young Okryong said quietly.

“I will definitely become the new Okryong. And on that day…”

*Ttagadak, ttagadak.* [Sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels]

His last words were lost in the sound of the horses’ hooves, but Han-wol bowed his head, upholding his lord’s will.