A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 247

247. Lion’s Roar

Nogun and Guigyeon Sura stared at each other, unblinking. Guigyeon Sura’s face was expressionless, but a chilling aura radiated from his eyes.

“Heh.”

Nogun chuckled suddenly. The eyes of the Namgung Clan members, who had been holding their breath in the tense atmosphere, turned toward Nogun.

“What are you looking at?”

Nogun frowned at the Namgung Clan members. They flinched, surprised, and Nogun addressed Guigyeon Sura.

“So, feeling better now? I told you repeatedly to come to your senses, but you wouldn’t listen.”

Nogun continued, as if grumbling, “A young pup can’t overcome a simple Geumje [a type of mental restraint or curse]? What kind of state is that? When I was young…”

“Elder.”

Son Bin quietly interrupted Nogun. It seemed Nogun was misunderstanding something, but it was an unnecessary worry.

—I know.

Nogun’s telepathic message reached Son Bin.

—The Blood Demon has tampered with that guy. You probably already guessed it.

Nogun’s voice, conveyed through telepathy, trembled slightly, but not out of fear or tension.

—Yes, it must have been easy. Even if he’s a nasty and proud guy now, he was just an unlucky brat back then. Manipulating the mind of a child who knows nothing would be nothing to the Blood Demon.

Nogun gritted his teeth.

—But even if he’s an unlucky brat, he’s still a child. A child who knows nothing. To do that to a child…

It was certainly a prejudice to say that Guigyeon Sura had been unlucky since he was young, but Son Bin couldn’t say anything.

Clench.

Unconcealed anger leaked from Nogun’s mouth in a low growl.

—I will never forgive him.

Son Bin shared that anger.

“Kekeke.”

A chilling laughter flowed out, an ominous sound as if from the abyss.

“You’re angry.”

Guigyeon Sura was laughing. The chilling sight sent shivers down people’s spines.

“Yes, be angry. That anger will…”

“Shut up.”

Nogun frowned and snapped at Guigyeon Sura. “What’s so great that you’re laughing like that? You couldn’t even handle a cheeky brat properly.”

The smile vanished from Guigyeon Sura’s face. Nogun’s words weren’t just meant to provoke him; they were words that couldn’t be uttered without some certainty.

“Hehehe, did you think I wouldn’t know?”

Nogun’s sneer deepened. As if delivering a decisive blow, Nogun smiled triumphantly and said, “You are still incomplete. That means you’re not normal.”

Guigyeon Sura’s expression didn’t change at all. Rather, the Namgung Clan members looked dazed. Did anyone *not* know that Guigyeon Sura wasn’t normal right now?

Nogun frowned, aware of the glances from the Namgung Clan members.

“Tsk, are you going to deny it? Well then…”

Nogun glared at Guigyeon Sura and said, “Shall we check it out?”

Whooosh.

Wind rushed toward Nogun, but it wasn’t just a simple breeze. Nogun’s clothes fluttered and swelled up in an instant.

Swish.

Nogun puffed out his chest. His height remained the same, but at that moment, an intense presence emanated from him as if he were a giant. His eyes, fixed on Guigyeon Sura, burned like flames.

And Nogun opened his mouth.

—Who are you?

It was a voice like thunder. His voice echoed through the training ground, and the profound energy in his voice shook the depths of people’s hearts.

But that was it.

Nogun’s Lion’s Roar didn’t break anything, nor did it cause pain to those who heard it.

It wasn’t intended to be that way. Originally, Nogun’s Lion’s Roar was a martial art based on the pure mental techniques of the Daoist school.

People who had instinctively covered their ears soon realized this and looked puzzled.

But Guigyeon Sura was different. Guigyeon Sura’s expressionless face was noticeably stiff. He couldn’t even speak, struggling against Nogun’s Lion’s Roar.

“Kekeke, look.”

Nogun smiled triumphantly. The giant-like aura had disappeared, and he had returned to the playful expression of an old man.

“You can’t answer, can you? Your face is changing with just this much. You immature brat.”

The modifier ‘just this much’ didn’t quite fit that Lion’s Roar.

However, Guigyeon Sura’s eyes were clearly wavering. It was a small change, but it was enough to dispel people’s fear.

Sreuk.

The first to react were the masters of the Namgung Clan.

Seeing Guigyeon Sura wavering, they immediately exchanged fierce glances, intending to seize this opportunity to subdue him and protect the Clan Head.

“Stop it.”

Nogun, noticing their intentions, said, “Unless it’s Lightning Sword, you won’t be a match. Oh, right, is it the *former* Lightning Sword now?”

The title of Lightning Sword was currently held by Clan Head Namgung Kwon. The confused Namgung Clan members finally understood properly.

“Come to think of it, where is that guy playing around when his family is in this state? Leaving even Bin alone. If he doesn’t have a good reason, I’ll completely destroy him…”

Namgung Hyang gave an awkward, apologetic smile at Nogun’s grumbling. However, the expressions of the other Namgung Clan members were distorted.

The Namgung Clan knew Namak Nogun only as an eccentric former master. They couldn’t feel comfortable with him openly belittling the former Clan Head of the Namgung Clan, right in the middle of the Namgung Clan.

But no one spoke up. They knew that this wasn’t the time.

Whoosh.

In an instant, Guigyeon Sura’s figure disappeared without a sound. It was a completely unexpected move, but it was what Nogun had been waiting for.

“Hmph!”

Piping.

At the same time as Guigyeon Sura moved, iron pellets were fired from Nogun’s hands in quick succession, each one aimed at Guigyeon Sura with terrifying force.

‘Tsk.’

Guigyeon Sura knew that his attempt had failed. If the opponent had already predicted it, there was no point in trying to catch him off guard.

However, Guigyeon Sura didn’t back down and instead swung the Blood Fang wildly.

Jjeo jjeo jeok.

Crimson sword energy tore through the air, and the iron pellets that were rushing in were deflected.

Kakakang!

But what Guigyeon Sura had to deal with wasn’t just Nogun’s iron pellets.

“Iyah!”

Seorin, who had already jumped into the air, swung his Buljin [a type of Buddhist staff or weapon] at Guigyeon Sura. A gentle yet majestic energy surged like a wave.

Guigyeon Sura couldn’t help but feel a sense of frustration. It felt like he could reach out and grab it.

But the force of that Buljin was too unsettling to face head-on. Besides, there was still that young scholar.

The young scholar wasn’t doing anything, but just his presence alone prevented Guigyeon Sura from acting rashly.

Hwirik.

Guigyeon Sura twisted his body in the air and retreated without confronting the force of the Buljin. Compared to when he had been simultaneously facing the swords of Sasu-yeon and Dang Wora, he gave up surprisingly easily.

Tak.

The place where he landed was further back than before. In a way, he had suffered a loss.

“Kekeke. Why don’t you try harder?”

Nogun said with a smile. “It’s not easy, is it? It won’t be easy. Besides, Seorin’s martial arts are completely incompatible with you.”

It was a tone intended to provoke him, but Guigyeon Sura remained expressionless.

“But you know, now that we’re here, there’s something I’m curious about…”

Nogun tilted his head and said. He sounded like he was genuinely curious, but no one doubted that Nogun was plotting something.

“Why aren’t you running away?”

It was a truly absurd question, but Nogun shrugged. “To be honest, the most difficult situation right now is you running away like this. You could leave this place and assassinate the Namgung Clan members one by one, or you could destroy the Namgung Clan’s merchants or brothels. In fact, if a guy like you is determined to run, who would catch you?”

The faces of the Namgung Clan members turned pale at Nogun’s words. If things proceeded as Nogun said, it would be a nightmare.

Judging from Guigyeon Sura’s current level, the only person who could stop him was the former Lightning Sword, Namgung Cheon.

They say ten people can’t catch one thief, and if Guigyeon Sura started hitting and running, there would be no way to deal with it.

The merchants and sects would immediately break away, and the other clans wouldn’t miss this opportunity. In the worst case, even if they caught Guigyeon Sura, the Namgung Clan might already be ruined.

“Well, I don’t really care what happens to the Namgung Clan. But the problem is, I also have a position to consider.”

Nogun’s word ‘position’ was truly ambiguous, but his intention was clear and definite.

“So, if you run away, it would be a very, very, very troublesome situation for me. Besides, right now, I am…”

Annoyance surged on Nogun’s face as he continued, “I was on my honeymoon.”

Son Bin couldn’t help but feel sorry. If Nogun, who originally didn’t hold grudges, was talking about it so many times, it meant he was serious.

“I, will not run away.”

A rough voice flowed from Guigyeon Sura. He spoke with eyes filled with a chilling aura.

“Not until I kill all of you.”

“Oh, really?”

Nogun pursed his lips as if he was dumbfounded. “So I told you a very good way. But why aren’t you running away?”

Nogun continued as if he couldn’t understand. “Are my words difficult? Or are you already deaf at that age? If not…”

Nogun sneered, but it wasn’t even a smile anymore. Nogun’s eyes emitted a sharp light.

“The truth is, you can’t go, can you? Because of that child right there.”

Everyone knew who ‘that child’ was. The person Nogun was talking about was the fallen Hyeolbong [referring to Geum Sa-ryeon].

Whirr.

Guigyeon Sura’s crimson aura fluctuated. The faces of the people changed again at the ominous aura, but Nogun, who was facing the aura, didn’t even blink.

“It’s been bothering me since a while ago.”

Nogun said with an expression devoid of any smile.

“You’ve been desperately targeting that child.”

Swish.

Guigyeon Sura raised his head and glared at Nogun. The expressionless face had already disappeared, and a burning anger had taken its place.

“Get out of the way.”

A chilling voice like scraping metal. At the same time, Son Bin and Nogun could clearly understand why he wasn’t leaving this place.

Clench.

“That is mine.”

Guigyeon Sura’s eyes, distorted with greed and anger, were staring straight at the fallen Hyeolbong.

“Tsk tsk tsk. Yes, yes, a truly touching devotion.”

Nogun clicked his tongue, looking at Guigyeon Sura as if he sincerely sympathized.

“But no matter what, in the end, you’re saying you can’t leave.”

Guigyeon Sura’s eyes, looking at Nogun as if resenting him, were as sharp as needles.

But Nogun grinned.

“Now I can finally have a good fight without worries.”

Pat.

Before the words were even finished, Nogun rushed toward Guigyeon Sura. It was truly in the blink of an eye.

Whoosh.

In Nogun’s hand, which had disappeared behind his waist, was already a small sword imbued with a blue aura. It was his sword, Soryeong.

Guigyeon Sura didn’t just stand still either. At the same time as Nogun, he kicked off the ground and shot out. With him, his sword, Blood Fang, emitted a crimson aura.

Kwajijijik.

The two people, who were rushing toward each other like rays of light, collided head-on in the air.

The crimson aura of the Blood Fang seemed to swallow the Soryeong sword at any moment, but the blue aura of the small Soryeong sword also never retreated.

“Yes. You should have done this from the start.”

Nogun said with a smile. Guigyeon Sura’s expression, revealed behind the crimson Blood Fang’s sword energy, was distorted like a demon from hell.

“Now you’re finally being yourself.”

Whoosh, Kwang!

Soryeong emitted a blue light and pushed back the Blood Fang. The blue Soryeong and the red Blood Fang flashed wildly, dancing in the air.

Kwang, Kwaang.

The clash between the two was truly earth-shattering. If it had been the previous Guigyeon Sura, he wouldn’t have dared to be Nogun’s opponent, but now he didn’t seem to be losing to Nogun at all.

The Namgung Clan members were watching the incredible sight unfolding before their eyes without a word, and Son Bin’s group was also watching the fight with tension.

Seorin didn’t join in, fearing that he would be a hindrance, but he was ready to jump in at any moment, and Sasu-yeon and Dang Wora also didn’t let their guard down and stayed by Son Bin’s side.

—Bin.

Suddenly, Nogun’s telepathic message reached Son Bin. Son Bin widened his eyes in surprise. He knew that sending a telepathic message in this situation was no ordinary matter.

—Save that child, Geum Sa-ryeon.

Even while facing Guigyeon Sura’s Blood Fang, Nogun’s telepathic message was very calm. That calmness, which was unlike Nogun, inversely told of the urgency of the situation.

—Perhaps this is… the last chance.

Son Bin’s eyes flashed open.

It was clear what Nogun meant by ‘last chance’. Judging from what he said about Guigyeon Sura being ‘not fully complete’, there might still be a way to revert him.

No one knew more about the Blood Demon than Nogun. If he said it, that was the only way.

Son Bin turned his head and looked at the fallen Hyeolbong Geum Sa-ryeon. Shin-ui was taking care of her, but just looking at her, he couldn’t be sure of her survival.

Her figure, lying on the red blood, looked particularly small.

Jeobeok.

As Son Bin took a step toward Hyeolbong, Guigyeon Sura reacted immediately.

Whirr, Kwaang!

Guigyeon Sura’s Blood Fang tore through the air and pushed back Nogun’s Soryeong. Using that recoil, Guigyeon Sura threw himself toward Son Bin.

However, Seorin’s Buljin, Hongjin Manri, didn’t just stand by and watch.

Whooong.

The majestic force created by Hongjin Manri became a huge wall, blocking Guigyeon Sura.

The being occupying Guigyeon Sura’s body gritted his teeth. Seorin’s martial arts, based on the orthodox Daoist skills of the Wudang, especially the force of Hongjin Manri, were incompatible with him.

However, that only meant that he could oppose him, not that he had a unilateral advantage in power. If his condition was complete, as Nogun said, he wouldn’t have needed to be so cautious.

Hwik.

Inevitably, Guigyeon Sura had to step back. His eyes, stained with blood, glared at Son Bin, who was approaching the fallen Hyeolbong.

“Hehehe, how is it? The feeling of not being able to touch it even though it’s right in front of you.”

Nogun chuckled from behind.

“They say sharing annoyance halves it, and I’m only realizing that today. Uwahahaha.”

(There are no such words.) However, Guigyeon Sura gritted his teeth as he heard Nogun’s laughter.

Clench.

The only way to complete his great magic. The one that would quench this thirst that burned like the flames of hell was right in front of him, but he couldn’t even reach out properly.

Whirr.

It was impossible to tell whether this anger was Guigyeon Sura’s or the being occupying his mind.

However, the longing that burned deep within the abyss instantly swallowed Guigyeon Sura’s entirety.

“Huh, that guy. To get so worked up.”

Nogun said as if grumbling, but his eyes were more serious than ever. This was because Guigyeon Sura’s aura, which was already terrifying, was growing uncontrollably.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper dance, Soryeong.”

Uwoong.

The sword Soryeong in his hand answered quietly.