A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 245

245. Skyfall

From the start, Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon knew that Namgung Gyu harbored animosity towards Namgung Kwon.

A vague yet intense and blind animosity towards someone. It was a chilling emotion, a mix of jealousy, envy, affection, and hatred.

She naturally anticipated an accident during the sparring match.

“Namgung Hyang, I have a favor to ask.”

Hyeongbong conveyed her words to Namgung Hyang. Namgung Hyang also wore a doubtful expression, but she still accepted Hyeongbong’s unusual request.

“I’m sorry, Hyeongbong.”

Namgung Hyang, having returned from speaking with the head of the family, shook her head apologetically.

Her advice, given with the risk of being misunderstood, was rejected. She had heard that Son Bin and his party were preparing for any eventuality, but her unease did not dissipate.

“Taha!”

The sparring match began, and an astonishing thing happened. As Namgung Gyu sparred with Namgung Soyu, his chilling emotion miraculously began to fade.

Was it just her imagination? While fervently hoping that it would end without incident, Namgung Gyu stood face to face with the head of the family, Namgung Kwon.

‘Ah.’

Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon realized that Namgung Gyu’s animosity was intensifying once more.

However, it was not the indiscriminate, turbid emotion it had been before. Although still aggressive and sharp, it was clearly under control.

“Insolent fool.”

It was a single word from the head of the family, Namgung Kwon, that transformed it into a chilling and destructive impulse.

“I am not your granduncle.”

Whack.

The dark emotion instantly engulfed Namgung Gyu. And at that moment, Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon realized what Namgung Gyu was about to do.

The single gift, or curse, that his severed meridians, like a heavenly punishment, had bestowed upon her.

That ability was clearly telling Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon: Namgung Gyu is about to kill the head of the family, Namgung Kwon.

However, Guigyeonsura [Arang’s title, meaning ‘Ghost-Blade Asura’] is far away, and Son Bin is not looking at her. None of the other Namgung family experts are watching Hyeongbong.

It goes without saying that they do not anticipate what is about to happen. But they cannot be blamed. Who could know what has not yet happened?

Whoosh.

Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon did not hesitate.

She did not see Namgung Gyu’s movements. However, she knew for certain that if she did not stop him now, the head of the family, Namgung Kwon, would die.

Thud.

“No!”

Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon blocked Namgung Kwon’s path and spoke to Namgung Gyu in a resolute voice.

Her eyes were shining brighter than ever, but she could not stop a sharp dagger from piercing her chest.

Thwack.

‘Ah.’

Hyeongbong could feel the cold dagger digging into her chest. A blade filled with such intense murderous intent that it slightly lifted her frail body.

Even as all senses were fading due to the influence of the severed meridians, leaving only pain, the chilling and alien sensation of the blade piercing her was incomparably distinct.

Clang.

The red dagger fell from Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon’s hand and tumbled to the ground.

∴

“Kugh!”

Namgung Gyu frowned at the unexpected interference.

He had already anticipated the presence of the family’s experts. Therefore, he carefully gauged the distance, guided the line of sight, and even calculated the blind spot hidden by the head of the family, Namgung Kwon.

The distance between him and the head of the family, Namgung Kwon, was close, and the time the dagger was exposed was extremely short. Moreover, no one knew of his new realm. Namgung Gyu was certain that even the former head of the family, Namgung Cheon, would not be able to stop him.

But that absolute move failed because of Hyeongbong’s sudden intervention. In fact, she was already moving before Namgung Gyu even drew his dagger.

“What!”

The head of the family, Namgung Kwon, also immediately recognized the situation. Namgung Gyu immediately pulled out the dagger that was embedded in Hyeongbong to attempt another attack.

Swish.

As the dagger was pulled out, Hyeongbong collapsed to the ground like a fleeting paper doll.

Thud.

Her chest was instantly stained red, and blood slowly spread across the floor. Even as she watched the blood flowing from her, Hyeongbong did not waver.

‘This is… the end.’

This is finally the end. This cursed severed meridian, her body that had been hardening like stone, and the pain that tormented her every day.

And seeing the pitiful sorrow of those who pleaded for her. So death is rather a rest for her.

“What are you doing!”

“Family Head!”

People’s voices sounded like buzzing above the fallen Hyeongbong. The blood flowing out of her small body was rapidly stealing her hearing and sight.

However, she could clearly recognize one person.

The only person visible in Hyeongbong’s fading vision. Standing far away in black martial attire, stiff as a stick, was none other than Guigyeonsura, Arang.

‘Arang.’

Hyeongbong smiled faintly.

He says that she saved him, but Arang is her salvation.

What the severed meridians brought her was not only pain. The ability to see people’s hearts, however, was just another curse for her.

It was a reality too difficult for the young her to bear, that her beloved parents actually felt pain whenever they saw her and that they sometimes wished she would rather die.

However, meeting Arang changed everything.

The moment she saw that Arang, whom everyone feared, was more afraid than anyone else and didn’t know what to do, Geum Saryeon realized that she could save people with her ability.

Since that day, understanding those who were suffering and helping them became the meaning of her life.

It wasn’t easy. Empathizing with the pain of others was like accepting that pain. But Arang is her salvation. As long as he is by her side, Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon will never collapse.

‘I’m sorry, Arang.’

His expression is not visible, but Geum Saryeon knew better than anyone how surprised he must be.

‘I decided that I would be with you until the end, but.’

There is no way she doesn’t know his heart. That’s why she’s always sorry, and that’s why she’s always grateful.

She never said it, but she had always thought that she would definitely be with him until the end.

In a place where no one knows, and in a place where no one can find. She had only wished to feel his warmth, caress his face, and die in his arms.

She had only thought that it would be enough if he left just a small tomb, so that he could sometimes think of her.

But now even that has become impossible. Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon could clearly see that her life was fading away along with the slowly draining red blood.

‘I’m sorry, and.’

A word she had never said, a word that she didn’t think she would be able to say even until the moment of her death.

The fallen Hyeongbong quietly moved her lips. It was her first and last confession to Arang.

“……”

∴

Throughout the sparring match, Guigyeonsura, Arang, had been watching only Hyeongbong.

The moment she suddenly started moving, he sensed it – that she was risking her life to save someone.

Of course, he had to move. He knew it was already too late, but he still had to throw himself forward.

And then, a chilling sound that should never be heard pierced his ears.

Thwack.

The cold dagger embedded in her chest, her red blood spreading on the ground, and her powerless eyes looking at him.

All of it was unbelievable. Something that should never have happened, and something that could never happen.

Woo-oong.

Something has been buzzing loudly in his ears for a while now. Is it because of that? He can’t move his whole body, let alone a single finger, but he didn’t have the mind to care about that.

Because right now, this world was showing him an absurd sight.

Kieeeing.

For a very brief moment, he felt that the sound was his sword, Blood Fang. The wailing sound, as if echoing in his head, was now turning sharp like a ghostly cry.

But that was it.

What is more important to him now is the fact that she is bleeding and that the flame of her life is fading before his eyes.

None other than her.

‘No… way.’

It can’t be. This must never happen. It should be him who dies. If the heavens take her life, it will be after he dies for her.

—Blood is needed.

His own voice swirls in his head, buzzing. The words he once uttered himself.

—More blood.

Rustle.

It was then. The fallen Geum Saryeon moved her lips slightly towards him. Even though no voice came out and only her moving lips were visible, Guigyeonsura, Arang, could tell.

The word that she had never said even once, but that he could never mistake. It was the very word that he had never dared to hope he would hear, but that he had dreamed of all his life.

“……”

Geum Saryeon, who had been moving her lips, smiled faintly and quietly closed her eyes as if she had run out of strength.

“Lyeon……”

Guigyeonsura, Arang, muttered with a blank expression. If it’s a dream, it was a dream that was too sweet, and a terribly terrible nightmare.

*

*

*

“What are you doing!”

The head of the family, Namgung Kwon, immediately shouted as he distanced himself. He is also an expert; no matter how much it is a surprise attack that hits the vitals, he will not be hit twice.

“Family Head!”

Others were not just watching either. The experts and elders of the Namgung family flew through the air at once and landed around the head of the family, Namgung Kwon.

Son Bin also immediately looked back at Shinui next to him.

“Doctor Shinui.”

“Okay.”

Shinui immediately got up from his seat. Meanwhile, Seorin and Sasuyeon stepped aside as if to protect Son Bin and Shinui, and Dang Wora rather took a step back and looked around the entire training hall as if surveying it.

“Hehehe.”

Namgung Gyu let out a bitter smile. The assassination of the head of the family failed, and the surroundings were surrounded by the experts of the Namgung family, but he doesn’t seem to be in the slightest bit of trouble.

“You villain! How dare you commit such an act with what thoughts!”

One of the elders rebukes in a stern voice. Namgung Gyu smirked.

“Then I will also ask: with what thoughts do you humiliate a blood relative and drive them to death?”

The elders of the Namgung family frowned. Namgung Gyu’s question is not important. The fact that he is showing such composure is bothering them.

“Presumptuous fellow! How dare you to the head of the family……”

“This is not the time to argue about that.”

Jabak [sound of something snapping].

The calm voice of a young man drew the attention of the elders and Namgung Gyu. He was none other than Son Bin, who was sitting with Shinui.

“Miss Hyeongbong’s life is in danger.”

Son Bin, dressed as a scholar, says, looking at Namgung Gyu with shining eyes. Namgung Gyu glanced at Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon, who was lying at his feet.

Her complexion, bleeding and collapsed, was telling of the seriousness of her condition. She was stabbed deeply in the chest by a dagger imbued with internal energy, so it is difficult to even consider her alive.

“Outsiders, get out.”

Namgung Gyu said in a cold voice. Son Bin sighed.

“I have no choice. I have to save a life……”

“Hyung!”

Seorin’s sharp voice cut off Son Bin’s words. Son Bin also turned his head almost at the same time.

Thump.

A martial artist in black clothes, Guigyeonsura, was staggering over. At first glance, he looked like a helpless beggar or a drunkard, but the sinister aura he was exuding was changing everyone’s complexion.

“Young Master Son.”

Sasuyeon’s expression hardened and blocked as if to shield Son Bin and Shinui. Dang Wora also moved to Son Bin’s side at some point, and Seorin also stuck close to Son Bin with a hardened expression.

The gazes of the head of the family, as well as the elders, and even Namgung Gyu, are directed towards Guigyeonsura. But Guigyeonsura was not interested in anyone.

The only target he is looking at now is the fallen Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon.

Thump, thump.

Guigyeonsura passed everyone and approached the fallen Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon.

“Kugh.”

Namgung Gyu, who was holding on, also distorted his face and stepped back. He cannot dare to stand up against Guigyeonsura’s momentum.

Swish.

Guigyeonsura bent down and reached out his hand to Hyeongbong Geum Saryeon.

“You mustn’t touch her!”

Shinui shouted. Son Bin immediately said to Seorin.

“Rin-ah!”

“Yes!”

Paang [sound of something exploding].

Seorin immediately flew forward. In an instant, Seorin’s hand, who had reached Guigyeonsura, held a luscious horsehair whisk that looked like an animal’s tail.

“Iyap!”

Whoong [sound of wind].

The horsehair whisk was swung, and a majestic momentum poured towards Guigyeonsura. Guigyeonsura, who had just touched Hyeongbong, did not react at all as if the sinister momentum was a lie.

Poong [sound of something being pushed].

Guigyeonsura was pushed back at once and collided with a large pillar supporting the training hall.

Koo-oong [sound of a heavy impact].

The pillar vibrated faintly as he collided so hard. Seorin landed lightly next to Hyeongbong, but her expression was not so bright.

“It won’t work, Hyung.”

Seorin said to Son Bin with a frustrated expression. She realized that her attack was not working on the opponent.

As if to confirm those words, Guigyeonsura, who had been stuck in the pillar, slowly raised his body and looked down at his hand.

“Lyeon……”

Full of red blood in his hand. Her blood was staining his hands all over.

—Blood is needed.

It was no longer just his own voice. It was the voice of the Blood Demon, and it was also the voice of his sword, Blood Fang.

—More blood.

His voice, echoing in his head, was laughing. As if mocking himself, the voice echoed in Guigyeonsura’s head.

And Guigyeonsura realized.

Blood.

Her blood, which was more precious than his own life and more fearful than his own death, and which he could never let flow even if his heart burst.

That very blood was what he was craving, and that blood was the only thing that would awaken the Blood Demon.

—Keuheuhe.

The Blood Demon awakened within him. The Blood Demon who was covered in her blood was none other than Guigyeonsura himself.

“Lyeon……”

A voice like scraping metal flowed from Guigyeonsura’s mouth.

“Lyeooooyeon!”

Kieeeeeing!

At that moment, the sky collapsed [崩天 – Bēng tiān] without a sound, and Blood Fang’s ghostly cry swallowed his world.

“Kugh.”

“W-what is this!”

People frowned and immediately covered their ears, but they couldn’t take their eyes off Guigyeonsura.

A chilling momentum that seemed to burn the whole world was erupting from him like a flame.

It was the reincarnation of the Blood Demon.