A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 225

Thud.

A sharp wind whistled, and a tree branch brushed past Sword Queen’s ear. It was a close call, but Sword Queen paid it no mind.

Thud.

Sword Queen kicked off the ground, her arms still holding the unconscious Hwasa.

Flap, flap.

Hwasa’s hair and the hem of her clothes fluttered in the wind. Sword Queen’s own hair billowed in the air like a black flag.

Towering trees rushed past on either side, as if threatening her, and small streams and hills, stained with the setting sun, quickly disappeared behind her.

Thud.

Sword Queen’s bare feet kicked off the ground again. Holding Hwasa, Sword Queen raced towards the setting sun.

From the start, Sword Queen had headed west. The southeast of the Seowon was blocked by the sea, and the metropolis of Gwangju was located there.

It wasn’t good to run aimlessly. If she didn’t decide on a direction from the start, she might end up back where she started.

Flap, flap, flap.

Hwasa’s and Sword Queen’s clothes fluttered, making noise.

It had been a long time since they left Cheongwon. The sun, which seemed ready to set at any moment, was turning even Sword Queen’s pale face red.

Swish.

A strange light flickered in Sword Queen’s eyes, who had been running with an expressionless face. And the next moment…

Boom, crack.

With a sound like something exploding, Sword Queen’s body shot upwards, and Hwasa’s body plummeted downwards.

Bang!

Hwasa crashed through the large trees and into the forest.

Meanwhile, Sword Queen spun in the empty air, regaining her balance. Slowly, she landed.

Thud.

Sword Queen’s bare feet touched the ground. Instead of looking at the trees where Hwasa had crashed, Sword Queen raised her head and looked at the setting sun.

Sword Queen’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

The sky was still bright, but before she knew it, the sun had completely disappeared.

Rumble.

A sound came from among the trees.

Sword Queen turned her body. Her empty hands were now holding a sword dearly.

Bang.

A large tree trunk flew towards Sword Queen with explosive force. Sword Queen lightly leaned back.

Whoosh.

The tree trunk brushed past Sword Queen’s nose. It was a dizzyingly close distance, but Sword Queen didn’t even blink.

Crash.

The missed tree trunk collided with another tree, making a loud noise.

Sword Queen stood up as if nothing had happened. Ice Sword was still hidden in her arms, not yet revealed.

Rustle.

Hwasa appeared from among the broken trees.

Her hair was already disheveled, and her clothes were torn here and there. Hwasa put one hand on her forehead as if her head hurt, and with the other hand, she leaned on a large tree.

“Who are you?”

Hwasa said with a frown.

“Sword Queen.”

Sword Queen replied. Hwasa frowned as if trying to remember something.

“Sword Queen, Sword Queen…”

Hwasa soon shook her head.

“I don’t know. It’s like there’s fog in my head, and I can’t remember anything. But even so, your name is very unfamiliar.”

“You called me an ice block.”

“Ice block.”

Hwasa chuckled.

“It’s a fitting name, but it’s the same. I don’t remember.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Sword Queen said.

“I’ve come to stop you.”

“Is that so? I wondered why.”

The corners of Hwasa’s lips turned upwards. At the same time, energy began to rise from Hwasa’s entire body.

Whoosh.

“I smelled a nasty smell.”

Crack.

In Hwasa’s hand, a large tree trunk was torn off as if it were paper.

Her hand, shining white even in the darkness, was none other than her bare hand.

Swoosh.

A large piece of wood flew straight towards Sword Queen’s face. Sword Queen lightly turned her head to avoid it.

But behind the obscured view, Hwasa’s bare hand was already lunging towards Sword Queen.

Clang.

The moment Ice Sword appeared…

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound echoed through the forest.

Hwasa’s white hand was blocked by Sword Queen’s Ice Sword. Hand and sword collided, and a sound like stone or metal clashing burst out.

“Heh heh.”

Whoosh.

Hwasa’s white hand whimpered softly. Behind that slender and delicate hand, Hwasa laughed.

“Good sword. And…”

Slurp.

Hwasa licked her red lips.

“It’s a very sweet inner energy.”

Whoosh.

Before she knew it, the white light had disappeared from Hwasa’s hand, and Sword Queen felt her inner power draining away through Ice Sword like a tide.

At that moment, Sword Queen roared and raised her inner power all at once.

“Taha!”

Bang!

Sword Queen’s energy burst out like an explosion. The tremendous pressure caused Hwasa’s Absorption Art to momentarily lose its grip on Sword Queen’s Ice Sword.

Tap, tap.

Not missing the opportunity, Sword Queen stepped back.

“Heh heh.”

Hwasa laughed. Stepping back a few steps, she looked at her white hand in amazement.

“Great sense.”

She looked up at Sword Queen.

“It was a good decision to get out before the Absorption Art took effect, but how long will such improvisation last?”

Hwasa stuck out her tongue and licked her fingertip.

Swish.

Hwasa’s fingertip, transformed into a bare hand, was like a sharp blade. She sliced her own tongue, and blood flowed.

“The sun is already setting.”

Darkness was already falling. Soon, the surroundings would be completely dark.

“And soon the moon will rise. Then no one will be able to stop me.”

Hwasa’s bare hand, shining white, contrasted with her own blood flowing on her red lips.

Hwasa laughed. That smile spreading in the darkness was incomparably eerie.

But Sword Queen’s expression did not change. She held her Ice Sword in her hand and stared straight at Hwasa.

“Improvisation.”

“What?”

Hwasa asked, as if wondering what she meant, but Sword Queen still said with an expressionless face.

“The improvisation you just mentioned, do you know how to use it?”

Hwasa had a puzzled look.

“What is that…”

“I thought so.”

A very faint smile flashed across Sword Queen’s lips.

That smile was so unnerving that Hwasa’s eyes narrowed without her even realizing it.

“Fools never change.”

“What?”

Step.

Sword Queen quietly took a step.

Crack.

The place where her foot touched began to turn white. Not only the ground but even the grass and flower petals froze, and before she knew it, white frost spread around her.

“If you think you can pass me…”

Step.

Sword Queen stepped forward. Before she knew it, her eyes were shining white.

“Go ahead and try, you stupid flower snake.”

Whoosh.

Ice Sword cried. The chill rippling from her halved sword was all the more provocative.

“That’s strange.”

Hwasa said with a smile. Despite Sword Queen’s clearly insulting words, Hwasa seemed rather pleased.

“I don’t remember, but somehow I feel like I have to do this with you at least once, right?”

Swish.

Hwasa also took a step forward.

“You stupid ice block.”

Crack.

A chilling sound was heard from Hwasa’s mouth, and before she knew it, a sharp energy began to flow from Hwasa’s entire body.

Whoosh.

Her disheveled hair floated in the air as if fluttering in the wind, and Hwasa’s two hands, which had been dyed white, added to that pale light.

Clang.

The two women’s energy collided with each other, and the quiet forest instantly became as if it had encountered a storm.

The leaves shook violently, and dirt and grass scattered. In the tense atmosphere that made the skin tingle, the first to move was Sword Queen.

“Frost Dawn First Form.”

Whoosh.

A giant sword appeared like a phantom on her halved sword.

Hwasa stared at Sword Queen’s giant white sword body, soaring into the sky, as if it would crush anything, without any agitation.

“Oh my, what a wonderful skill.”

Hwasa looked at Sword Queen’s giant white sword body, soaring as if to pierce the sky, as if she was fascinated.

“But can you make my body hot with that?”

Hwasa said, provocatively pushing out her chest.

Her hazy eyes and glossy lips were as seductive as a courtesan in a brothel, but Sword Queen clearly knew that it was not as it seemed.

“I’ll let you know soon.”

Sword Queen said quietly, and her words were not a lie.

Whoosh.

The giant white blade cut through the wind and fell. Hwasa smiled as she watched the blade rushing down towards her without hesitation.

“Yes, please.”

Hwasa’s hands began to glow white-hot. Looking at the white blade that had already reached her nose, Hwasa muttered quietly.

“I hope you make me tingle.”

Bang!

With an ear-splitting explosion, light swallowed the forest.

***

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage carrying Son Bin’s party was running vigorously on the dark main road.

“Are you alright?”

Son Bin asked Old Gun, who was holding the reins.

“This is nothing.”

Old Gun said confidently, but the road was not as good as he thought, so Son Bin was quite worried.

In fact, they had to spend the night in the previous village, but Old Gun said that it would be better to enter Seowon today, even if it was late.

There was also the main road leading to Gwangju, so the group decided to do as Old Gun said. Thanks to that, they were driving the carriage until this dark night.

Clatter, clatter.

Son Bin glanced back at the back seat. The five children were huddled together, looking up at the night sky with shining eyes.

Surprisingly, it was not Dang Wora but Sa Suyun who was looking at the stars and teaching the children something. Not only the children but also Dang Wora and Seo Rin were listening intently to Sa Suyun’s words with shining eyes.

A smile naturally appeared on Son Bin’s lips at the sight.

“Is that Divine guy asleep?”

Old Gun asked, glancing at Son Bin.

“I’m not asleep.”

The answer was from Divine. Divine, who had been closing his eyes with his arms crossed and his head down, frowned and said to Old Gun.

“Don’t look away and drive the carriage. It’s all your fault that we’re suffering like this.”

Old Gun couldn’t argue with Divine’s words.

In fact, the reason why Old Gun wanted to go quickly was because he was worried about Old Madam Dang Unyeong, who was waiting at Seowon.

“You’re old enough to know better… Tsk.”

Divine clicked his tongue. Old Gun flared up and said.

“What does age matter when you miss someone? You’ll know this affectionate feeling when you meet a woman you like.”

“Affectionate my ass.”

Divine chuckled. A vein popped out on Old Gun’s forehead for a moment.

“You bastard, just you wait and see if you change after meeting a woman. I’ll make sure you remember this humiliation… Huh?”

Old Gun, who had been speaking with emotion, suddenly raised his head.

“What’s that sound?”

“Sound?”

Divine frowned. He wondered what he was talking about out of the blue, but Old Gun immediately pulled the reins and stopped the carriage.

“Whoa, whoa!”

The horses neighed and slowly came to a stop.

Not only Divine but also the children, Dang Wora, and Sa Suyun looked at Old Gun, but Old Gun ignored them and stared into the darkness.

Thud.

A very small vibration was heard in the darkness. It was a faint sound, as if someone was drumming in the distance.

“Did you hear it?”

Old Gun said. Everyone except Divine and Son Bin nodded.

“Something’s there.”

Son Bin said. Divine frowned and asked Son Bin.

“Did you hear it too?”

“I didn’t hear it exactly, but…”

Son Bin replied with a serious expression.

“It feels strangely familiar.”

Son Bin’s gaze was directed towards the darkness. It was definitely a feeling he had experienced sometime before.

“Let’s go.”

Old Gun said in a firm voice. He immediately pulled the reins and turned the carriage to the side road.

Clatter, clatter.

As soon as they left the main road, the carriage began to shake violently.

“Hold on tight!”

Old Gun’s cry was probably directed at Divine and Son Bin.

Son Bin was disoriented by the suddenly shaking carriage, but suddenly, someone’s slender arm carefully wrapped around his waist.

‘Huh?’

When Son Bin turned his head, he saw Sa Suyun’s profile. She had grabbed Son Bin.

“Ah, I’m fine…”

Clatter.

The carriage shook once again. Thanks to that, Son Bin couldn’t finish the word ‘fine.’ Perhaps it was because of Sa Suyun’s slightly reddened appearance, who was trying to avoid his gaze.

“Ahem.”

Son Bin cleared his throat and looked back at the other members of the party.

Divine was being held by Seo Rin, and the five children were already clinging to Dang Wora, but there was no anxiety in the children’s expressions.

“Hehe.”

Red-haired Honga smiled. Son Bin smiled at the sight. The sudden nighttime sprint seemed to be just a fun game for the children.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage, which had been running on a road that didn’t even exist properly, soon arrived at the edge of the forest. By that time, everyone in the party could clearly hear the sound like an explosion coming from the forest.

Bang.

“You guys stay here.”

Old Gun said that and immediately jumped into the forest, but no one followed Old Gun’s words.

Sa Suyun immediately got up and said to Son Bin.

“Young Master Son should stay here…”

Son Bin said to Sa Suyun, who was about to jump out.

“I have to go too.”

Sa Suyun paused. She looked back at Son Bin.

Son Bin’s eyes were firm. Sa Suyun hesitated for a moment, but then Dang Wora’s voice was heard from behind.

“It’s better to divide.”

Dang Wora was also standing up.

“If we’re going anyway, let’s go together.”

Cheonga and Honga had already jumped out of the carriage, and Divine was also getting up, as if he had no intention of waiting here.

Sa Suyun said with a slight sigh.

“Okay.”

As Dang Wora said, it was better to go together if they were going anyway. Above all, since Son Bin said he would go, Sa Suyun couldn’t break his will.

Click.

The entire party got out of the carriage. Son Bin was tidying his clothes when a heavy impact sound rang out from the middle of the forest.

Boom.

Even though it seemed to be quite a distance away, the vibration was transmitted all the way here. Son Bin said with a determined expression.

“Let’s go quickly.”

Sa Suyun took the lead, and the party entered the forest where Old Gun had disappeared.

The explosion and vibration became more and more intense, and at some point, broken large trees blocked the party’s path.

Old Gun was standing there with a frown.

“Elder.”

Son Bin called out quietly. He was about to ask what was going on, but there was no need.

Bang!

A tree trunk exploded with an explosion. Sa Suyun immediately blocked Son Bin’s path.

“Ohohoho. This is very interesting, isn’t it?”

A sharp woman’s voice echoed through the forest. A woman was slowly rising from among the broken tree trunks.

Disheveled long hair and torn clothes. The eyes of the woman with the provocative body were quite unfamiliar to Sa Suyun.

But she could clearly recognize the two hands shining white.

‘Bare hands!’

Sa Suyun’s expression hardened in an instant.

Step.

The woman slowly walked out from among the broken debris. A sneering smile and a provocatively protruding chest. She was clearly Hwasa.

“But something is a little strange. Why aren’t you trying to end it? Don’t tell me you don’t want to kill me?”

Swish.

A white piece of clothing fluttered down. The person who landed silently opposite Hwasa was none other than Sword Queen.

“I told you.”

Step.

As a small bare foot moved one step, white frost spread around her. Sword Queen, stretching out her halved sword towards the ground, stared straight at Hwasa.

“I’m going to stop you.”

“Is that so? Well, if it’s that Frost Dawn First Form, it’ll be enough to stop me.”

Hwasa smiled bitterly. She had a relaxed expression, not at all like someone who had been blown away by Sword Queen’s one sword just now.

“But it’s really strange.”

Hwasa tilted her head slightly and continued.

“I feel like I can do that skill of yours too, somehow?”

Sword Queen did not answer Hwasa’s words, but Sa Suyun could clearly see something flashing in Sword Queen’s eyes.

“Hehehe. You don’t deny it?”

Hwasa smiled as she looked at Sword Queen.

“Well, then.”

Whoosh.

A tremendous energy poured out from Hwasa’s entire body.

It was an overwhelming energy that could not be compared to when she faced Sa Suyun and Dang Wora in Hangzhou before.

Old Gun’s complexion changed as he watched, and Sa Suyun also lowered her body and reflexively reached for her sword. One hand stretched back as if to restrain Son Bin.

“Going?”

A voice that sounded like she was flirting at first glance, but the result of those words was completely different from the coquettish voice.

Swish.

Hwasa lightly stretched out one hand.

A simple movement without any preliminary motion, but at the same time as her white hand cut through the darkness, a giant hand shadow completely covered Sword Queen’s vision.

Crack.

Sword Queen’s complexion changed. Sword Queen soared without delay.

Thud.

At the same time as Sword Queen’s slender body disappeared, the giant hand shadow plunged down on the spot where she had been standing.

Boom, crash.

Large trees were crushed like sorghum, and a heavy vibration shook the earth.

Not only Sa Suyun but also Old Gun’s complexion changed. The appearance was clearly different, but Hwasa’s giant palm seemed very similar to Sword Queen’s Frost Dawn First Form.

Thud.

Sword Queen landed on the ground again, but her appearance was not the same as before.

Sword Queen’s hardened expression and torn clothes were telling that Hwasa’s one move had given her no small shock.

“How is it?”

Hwasa said in a clear voice. Her red lips sparkled under the moonlight.

“Do you still think you can stop me even now?”

Hwasa said with a haughty look as she looked down at Sword Queen.

“You stupid ice block.”