A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 246

246. Risking Life in Danger

The aura of Guigyeon Shura was astonishing.

It wasn’t just an intangible feeling or murderous intent. The crimson aura emanating from his entire body rippled visibly, like the concentrated sword energy of a supreme master at the tip of a blade.

“Krrr!”

Seorin was the first to react. He bared his teeth, immediately showing hostility towards Guigyeon Shura. It was as if he had reverted to his feral state before meeting Sonbin.

“Seorin!”

However, Sonbin’s voice quickly snapped him back. Seorin immediately darted to Sonbin’s side.

Thud.

Seorin lowered his body and stayed close to Sonbin. Yet, his eyes still showed sharp animosity towards Guigyeon Shura.

“It’s okay.”

Swish.

Sonbin spoke gently, placing his hand on Seorin’s shoulder.

Thanks to that, the sharp hostility subsided a little, but Seorin’s whole body was still tense. He seemed ready to pounce on Guigyeon Shura at any moment.

“Krrrk.”

Listening to Seorin’s beast-like growls, Sonbin couldn’t help but feel tense as well.

The aura swirling around Guigyeon Shura clearly indicated that he had become something completely different.

Thud, patter.

Sasu-yeon and Dang Wol-ah also silently moved to Sonbin’s side. However, Sonbin was staring straight at Guigyeon Shura, or rather, the entity he had become.

“Huk.”

“Wh-what.”

Not only the family head, Namgung-gwon, but also the renowned masters of the Namgung Clan, instantly paled. They had never sensed such an aura from Guigyeon Shura.

It was an overwhelming presence that even the former Thunder Sword, Namgung-cheon, might not have been capable of.

The sight of Guigyeon Shura, not hiding his sharp animosity that made their skin tingle, was like watching a god of death descend into the world.

Namgung-gyu was also surprised. He realized that this situation was extremely disadvantageous to him.

Guigyeon Shura was the Blood Peak’s bodyguard, and the Blood Peak was bleeding from his sword wound. Therefore, the person Guigyeon Shura would point his sword at first was himself.

Swish.

Namgung-gyu silently drew his sword with a pale face.

There was no chance of winning. But he had no intention of dying like this. With this newfound power, he could at least create an opportunity to escape.

‘Besides, he doesn’t seem to be in his right mind…’

In his opinion, or rather, in anyone’s opinion, Guigyeon Shura was not in his right mind right now.

If Guigyeon Shura, having lost his reason due to anger and shock, turned his sword towards the entire Namgung Clan, it might not be a bad situation for Namgung-gyu.

However, that thought was quickly shattered.

Whoosh.

Guigyeon Shura raised his sword, Blood Fang, to the sky. It was a light motion, as if he was just testing the swing. But the result was far from light.

Paang!

The sword wind created by Blood Fang rushed towards Namgung-gyu. It was just the wind created by the sword, but the energy contained in that wind seemed as if it would cut Namgung-gyu and his sword in half.

‘Huk.’

It was an attack that could not be blocked, even if he had been prepared.

The moment Namgung-gyu’s face turned deathly pale, a majestic energy surged like a wave towards the sword wind of Blood Fang.

Papakang!

A series of sounds like exploding drums erupted. Seorin, who had kicked off the ground, was already swinging his Buljin [Buddhist cudgel], Hongjinmanri [Ten Thousand Mile Crimson Dust], in succession.

The sword wind that seemed to cut Namgung-gyu was unable to penetrate the surging energy of Hongjinmanri and subsided. Seorin had saved Namgung-gyu.

Tat.

Seorin landed in front of Namgung-gyu. Namgung-gyu stared at Seorin’s back with an unbelievable expression. Why had he saved him?

“I cannot kill him.”

The one who answered Namgung-gyu’s unspoken question was Sonbin.

Thud.

Sonbin took a step forward. He looked straight at Guigyeon Shura and said.

“I cannot let Lady Geum Sa-ryeon’s wishes be in vain.”

Whirr.

Sonbin’s clothes fluttered in the face of Guigyeon Shura’s surging aura. But Sonbin did not back down. His gaze was directed straight at Guigyeon Shura, who was like the descent of a god of death.

“Even if it is you.”

It was Sonbin who had Seorin save Namgung-gyu.

There was no prior agreement or words exchanged. But Seorin could sense it. The moment Blood Fang moved, he felt a subtle force in Sonbin’s hand on his shoulder.

That was all, but with just that, Seorin understood Sonbin’s intention. So, without a word, he kicked off the ground without hesitation.

Perhaps he already knew it would happen. The Sonbin that Seorin knew was someone who would naturally do that.

“You are…”

A rough, metallic voice flowed from Guigyeon Shura’s mouth.

The storm-like aura subsided, and he looked at Sonbin with eyes flowing with blood tears and asked.

“Who are you?”

There was no way Guigyeon Shura wouldn’t know him. But Sonbin answered calmly.

“I am Sonbin.”

That didn’t seem to be the answer Guigyeon Shura wanted. Guigyeon Shura frowned and glared at Sonbin.

Even watching from the side was frightening, but Sonbin’s expression remained calm.

Sarak.

“What happened?”

Sasu-yeon, who had approached from the side, asked quietly. Her sword, Myeong [Brightness], was already shining in her hand.

Dang Wol-ah was also guarding Sonbin’s left side from the opposite direction. She hadn’t drawn her So-wol [White Moon] yet, but no one in the group would underestimate her just because she was empty-handed.

“I don’t know exactly either. But…”

Sonbin said with a firm expression.

“It’s definitely not a good thing.”

Sasu-yeon knew that Sonbin was holding back his words. At the same time, a name flashed through her mind.

‘Could it be…’

She remembered what No-gun had said when they visited the Blood Peak.

It wasn’t something she could be sure of. There was no basis for judgment. But recalling ‘that name’ from Guigyeon Shura’s current appearance was not difficult at all.

Swish.

Sonbin surveyed the surroundings.

Shin-ui was seriously tending to the Blood Peak’s condition with a grave expression. Even the masters of the Namgung Clan were retreating, but Shin-ui seemed to only see the patient.

The Namgung Clan people also couldn’t move. This was partly because Namgung-hyang had already signaled them not to move rashly, but also because Guigyeon Shura’s aura was so ominous that they couldn’t move lightly.

The face of the family head, Namgung-gwon, was also stiff. But it wasn’t just because of Guigyeon Shura’s aura.

The Blood Peak had shielded him and taken the sword strike. The perpetrator was a member of the same Namgung family, so Namgung-gwon’s feelings were more complicated than anyone else’s.

Sonbin turned his eyes to the fallen Blood Peak.

‘Lady Blood Peak.’

Her pale face showed that she was already unconscious. Shin-ui was examining her, but anyone could tell that her condition was critical. Her red blood flowing on the ground was particularly vivid.

Why couldn’t he have trusted her more? Why hadn’t he insisted to Namgung-gwon that her ‘feeling’ should not be ignored?

―If you treat an enemy only with hostility, how can you stop the animosity?

She had never treated the Namgung Clan as an enemy. Despite the internal resistance and the Namgung Clan’s텃세 [turf protection/exclusivity], her eyes were always fixed straight ahead.

Previously, Blood Demon Hawk had mocked her for not knowing the world. To some, she would seem foolish, and to others, it would not even be understandable.

But he couldn’t blame them. That was how the world was to them, and no one had shown them that there was another way.

―When you see profit, consider righteousness. When you see danger, risk your life. And always remember old promises. [見利思義 見危授命 久要不忘平生之言] [This quote emphasizes moral principles: prioritize righteousness over profit, be willing to sacrifice oneself in danger, and always honor commitments.]

It was a passage that countless scholars throughout the world were still memorizing overnight.

Anyone who knew how to read would have read it at least once, but how many people actually lived that way?

But the truth shines even in the darkness. Even if it is as far away as a star that no one can reach, it is that small starlight that guides those in the darkness.

So the sage who conveyed those words concluded by saying:

―Only then can you be considered a complete person. [亦可以爲成人矣] [This concludes the quote, stating that living by these principles makes one a complete person.]

Sonbin closed his eyes.

What was in his heart now was not the self-reproach for not saving the Blood Peak. It was not even the shame of not knowing her true feelings.

What filled his chest to the brim and seemed to overflow was reverence and pride for humanity.

Patter.

Sonbin opened his eyes and turned his body. Guigyeon Shura, or rather, the being that had become something completely different, was standing before him.

“I dare to say.”

Standing before heaven and earth, he had no shame in his words. Sonbin’s eyes were shining as he spoke.

“You will fail. Definitely.”

Sarak, sarak.

The passing wind made a sound. It was an extremely natural and subtle movement, but the being occupying Guigyeon Shura could clearly recognize it.

Something he never imagined he would see in this place.

It was the sight of the energy between heaven and earth paying attention to the young scholar before him.

“Why…”

A grating voice that seemed to irritate the nerves leaked from Guigyeon Shura’s mouth.

“How can a being like you exist in the mortal realm?”

Sonbin frowned slightly.

“What do you mean…”

Before Sonbin could finish speaking, Guigyeon Shura’s figure disappeared. Or rather, it seemed to disappear.

Boooom!

A red aura cut through the air. With a sound like tearing silk, a crimson sword energy rushed towards Sonbin. It was as if the space between Guigyeon Shura and Sonbin was screaming.

“Hmph!”

Hoooong.

Sasu-yeon scoffed sharply. As if in response, her sword, Myeong, emitted a pure white light. And she wasn’t the only one who moved.

Wooong.

Dang Wol-ah’s So-wol, which she had already drawn, also quietly emitted a green poisonous aura.

The two swords, the incandescent Myeong and the green So-wol, blocked the Blood Fang rushing towards Sonbin.

Kwaang!

The three swords collided. It was just that, but the result exceeded everyone’s imagination.

Kwagwagak!

A storm-like energy swept through the training ground, and dust swirled. The faces of the Namgung Clan people turned blue at once.

“Kuk.”

“M-my god.”

The Namgung Clan people couldn’t hide their astonishment.

The aura of Guigyeon Shura, who had revealed his true colors, was terrifying. It was difficult enough just to withstand the aura, let alone confront it.

Moreover, the level of Sasu-yeon and Dang Wol-ah also far exceeded their expectations. Even Seorin, who seemed immature, was so deep that they couldn’t gauge his depth.

It was natural for the Namgung Clan people to be surprised. Rather, the higher their level, the more they couldn’t believe what was happening before their eyes.

Hook.

The energy of Blood Fang, which had been confronting Myeong and So-wol, suddenly disappeared. Sasu-yeon and Dang Wol-ah immediately raised their heads. Guigyeon Shura had soared into the air.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

However, Seorin was already floating in the air. He struck down his Buljin, Hongjinmanri, towards Guigyeon Shura, who was aiming for Sonbin.

Kwagwagwak!

A majestic energy surged like a wave. However, Guigyeon Shura did not confront the energy of Hongjinmanri.

Whirlick.

Guigyeon Shura lightly twisted his body in the air. He avoided Seorin’s Buljin, but he also failed to attack Sonbin.

However, the target Guigyeon Shura was aiming for from the beginning was not Sonbin.

“Shin-ui-nim!”

Sonbin shouted.

The target Guigyeon Shura was aiming for was Blood Peak. But Shin-ui didn’t avoid it. Or rather, it was already too late even if he did avoid it.

There were masters of the Namgung Clan nearby and the family head, Namgung-gwon, surrounded by them, but it was impossible for them to stop Guigyeon Shura.

Shhh.

Guigyeon Shura fell towards Shin-ui and Blood Peak like a hawk. Sasu-yeon immediately reached for her hairpin.

It was at that moment.

Ping!

A small sound tore through the air. But the result of that sound was far from small.

Adeuk.

Guigyeon Shura gritted his teeth. Blood Peak was right in front of his eyes. But he couldn’t reach out his hand.

Kwaaaang!

With a roar, Guigyeon Shura soared into the air. He created a distance and landed on the opposite side. And he raised his hand and looked down at the object that had interfered with him.

Chiiiik.

The red-hot iron piece made a sound in his hand.

“Heul heul.”

A very familiar laughter. Sonbin turned his head. No, it wasn’t just Sonbin.

“Grandfather!”

Seorin shouted. At the other end of the training ground, a small old man with a white beard was standing.

“What on earth is going on?”

A voice that sounded like he had just stopped by on a whim. It was none other than Nam-ak No-gun.

“Waa! Grandfather!”

Seorin jumped up and clung to No-gun. It was as if his wariness of Guigyeon Shura was a lie.

“Why are you suddenly like this? It’s embarrassing. I don’t have anything to eat.”

No-gun frowned as if annoyed, looking at Seorin. But he didn’t push him away.

“You are… what?”

Guigyeon Shura asked. No-gun frowned. His white eyebrows contorted as if it were a lie.

“What am I? Even in this state, you can’t fix your bad habit. You should have been educated well when you were young. Tsk tsk.”

No-gun clicked his tongue and continued.

“Well, I heard that there aren’t many places that teach properly these days, so it’s not entirely your fault.”

Eudeuk.

Guigyeon Shura clenched his fist. And after a while, the crumpled iron piece fell from his hand to the ground.

Clang.

The faces of the Namgung Clan people turned pale again at the sight of him crumpling the iron piece.

“You…”

Guigyeon Shura opened his mouth again. But No-gun suddenly turned his head.

“Why is that guy like that again?”

The person No-gun was looking at was Namgung-gyu. Thanks to that, Guigyeon Shura’s words were cut off.

Namgung-gyu was furious. It was because No-gun had said something that seemed to openly ignore him.

But because of the power No-gun had shown just now, he didn’t dare to resist. Instead, he glared at No-gun with sharp animosity.

“Oh ho?”

No-gun let out a hollow laugh.

“Looking at you, you seem like someone who doesn’t care about the consequences and just swallows anything whole. Do you think it will easily become yours? Anyway, I’m busy now, so let’s see you later.”

Toong.

Unlike the words ‘Let’s see you later,’ No-gun immediately flicked his finger.

“Huk!”

Namgung-gyu hurriedly raised his sword, but it was impossible to block No-gun’s iron piece. He couldn’t guarantee it even if the distance was far, but it had flown in front of him, so there was no need to say more.

Bbeoeok.

Namgung-gyu was hit directly in the chin and fell backward. He wondered if he was going to die, but No-gun had controlled his strength, so he had only lost consciousness.

“So stay there quietly for now. Don’t bother me unnecessarily.”

No-gun, who had explained to Namgung-gyu, who couldn’t even hear him, walked straight to Sonbin.

No-gun smiled at Sonbin. Sonbin also responded with a smile.

“The fact that I’m smiling now…”

No-gun said with a smiling expression.

“It’s not that I’m happy. If you do it right, I can go on my honeymoon with peace of mind, right? Do you know how annoying it is to rush back in the middle of a honeymoon?”

No one had ordered him, and no one had called him. But it couldn’t be said that Sonbin had no responsibility at all. In the end, it had become as No-gun had feared.

“I’ll get you back later too.”

Adeuk.

No-gun said, grinding his teeth. Sonbin gave an awkward smile. But that awkward smile didn’t last long.

“I’ll make you suffer the same way later. But first…”

Jeobeok.

No-gun turned his body. And he stared straight at Guigyeon Shura, or rather, the being that had become something completely different.

“Let’s deal with this half-baked guy first and then talk.”

The gazes of Guigyeon Shura and No-gun intertwined like flames.