A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 250

250. Righteous Hero (2)

The Blood Demon fell.

The Blood Demon Sword, Blood Fang, was broken. The Blood Demon, stabbed in the chest by Baekro, lost all his power. The person lying on the ground was now just a martial artist called Guigyeon Shura, or Arang.

Looking down at him, Sonbin slowly raised Baekro.

Swish, swish.

It was disappearing.

Those things that had shone brilliantly from Baekro’s blade for a moment, returning the life of the fallen Geum Sa-ryeon and breaking Blood Fang, were now slowly fading away like snowflakes in spring.

He would never be able to see it again. He would never be able to feel it again.

But just because it was invisible did not mean it did not exist.

That great flow would still be embracing Sonbin, all the living and the dead, and even the stars in the sky, continuing its majestic flow.

Swish.

The last light faded away, as if regretful. And with it, the sword’s cry of Baekro slowly subsided. All that remained now was a faint afterglow.

But Sonbin did not regret it.

“Hyung! [Older brother/respected male figure]”

“Bin-ah! [Affectionate way to call Sonbin]”

“Young Master Son!”

“Son… Young Master.”

The longing voices echoed in his ears. He hadn’t even been separated, but a sense of overwhelming emotion filled Sonbin’s heart as if he had returned from a long journey.

Swish.

Sonbin turned around. His face, smiling towards Seorin, No-gun, Sasooyeon, and Dang Wora, was shining brightly like sunlight.

Thud.

Seorin rushed to Sonbin in an instant. No-gun also landed beside the fallen Guigyeon Shura.

“Hmm.”

Looking at the broken Blood Fang, No-gun groaned as if he couldn’t believe it.

Blood Fang and Baekro were never meant to be broken. But before his eyes, Blood Fang was in two pieces. It was something he couldn’t believe even after seeing it directly.

“You monster.”

“Yes, he really was.”

Sonbin said, recalling the Blood Demon’s sword of blood, its eerie shape. But No-gun frowned and looked at Sonbin.

“I’m talking about you.”

“Yes?”

No-gun didn’t answer Sonbin’s question. Instead, he looked at Seorin and said it dismissively.

“You should thank Bin. If it weren’t for Bin, you would have been caught up in the fate of the divine sword and the demonic sword.”

Seorin, who was already clinging to Sonbin, tilted her head.

“I’m already thankful, though? I’m always, always thankful.”

No-gun frowned.

“Is that so? Especially when you’re eating.”

Seorin chuckled, and Sasooyeon and Dang Wora also smiled comfortably after confirming Sonbin’s safety.

No-gun glanced down at Baekro. Baekro’s beautiful, straight blade shone in the sunlight.

“This sword already belongs to Bin anyway… Hmph.”

No-gun snorted as if he didn’t like it. But it wasn’t because he was really upset.

Sreung. [Sound of a sword being sheathed]

Only then did Sonbin put Baekro back into its scabbard. As Baekro’s enchanting blade, which had captivated everyone’s attention, disappeared, sighs of regret escaped from some of the Namgoong Clan members.

Meanwhile, Shin-ui approached and examined the fallen Guigyeon Shura. Only then did No-gun’s interest turn to Guigyeon Shura’s life or death.

“Is he dead?”

“He’ll probably be okay.”

Sonbin was the one who answered No-gun, who asked as if throwing it away.

“Because the place he was stabbed is exactly the same location as Miss Geum Sa-ryeon. With Shin-ui here, there won’t be any problems.”

“The same place?”

Sonbin nodded. But Shin-ui, who was examining Guigyeon Shura, shook his head.

“It’s not the same. The direction the blade entered is different. But as Bin said, there is no danger to his life. Besides, Baekro is also a famous sword…”

Baekro was indeed a famous sword beyond all doubt. Shin-ui, who tore open Guigyeon Shura’s clothes and examined the wound, quickly moved his hands to stop the bleeding and began treatment.

“Still, both of them will have scars.”

“That’s okay, I guess.”

Sonbin said with a smile at Shin-ui’s words.

“As a bodyguard, I couldn’t fulfill my responsibility, so shouldn’t I be willing to live with the same scars as my lord?”

“Huh?”

No-gun suddenly sensed something strange in Sonbin’s words.

“You don’t mean you stabbed him on purpose? Come to think of it, Blood Fang was already broken, so why bother stabbing this guy? You could have just left him alone…”

“Did I?”

Sonbin had a look on his face as if he didn’t know at all.

“How could I have paid attention to such things during a duel? Besides, my opponent was my opponent.”

Sonbin’s expression as he answered was so natural.

But No-gun frowned and didn’t let go of his doubts.

Because Sonbin’s expression now was exactly the same as the banter No-gun usually did.

“Tsk.”

No-gun, who was looking at Sonbin, let out a snort.

“Well, that’s true. My opponent was my opponent. Besides, if the two of them have the same wound, depending on how you think about it…”

Maybe it was consideration or a gift.

Looking down at the fallen Guigyeon Shura again, No-gun had a complicated expression. It was an expression mixed with many regrets and countless emotions.

“Come to think of it, how did that kid, Blood Peak, get hit by a sword?”

Suddenly, No-gun frowned.

“You guys were there, but no one saw it?”

“I saw it!”

Seorin answered quickly.

“But in the time I was thinking, ‘Why is that sister doing that?’ she was quickly covered by the big Clan Head uncle. The distance was close, and that sister was fast, wasn’t she?”

A person who doesn’t care about their life sometimes shows amazing things. No-gun glanced at the location of the training hall. In terms of distance, Blood Peak’s position was definitely close.

“You couldn’t stop it even though she was covered? You should have thrown something.”

“But she was covered, I’m telling you?”

At Seorin’s protest, No-gun clicked his tongue and said.

“You can’t do it just because she’s covered? If it were me, I would have thrown iron pellets at the Clan Head or whatever all at once. You might get a few scratches, but you can stop the ambush.”

If he were to throw them all at once, it wouldn’t end with scratches. But No-gun had a matter-of-course expression.

“That’s something you can say because you already know the results.”

Dang Wora said quietly.

“The only people who can take extreme measures on something that hasn’t even happened yet are prophets and instigators.”

“Tsk.”

But No-gun snorted. Dang Wora’s words made sense, but the world doesn’t always work logically.

“If you roll around in the Jianghu [Martial arts world], that much sense is nothing. Anyway, it’s a relief that it ended well. After all, the ones who are going to live will live no matter what, and the ones who are going to die will die.”

No-gun looked at the fallen Guigyeon Shura. His chest, which had been torn open, was already full of silver needles.

“This stupid guy must have had some kind of Geumje [Restriction/curse] working, so he couldn’t move.”

“Geumje?”

Seorin asked, widening her eyes.

“Yeah. Maybe his body stiffened or his mind went out at a critical moment, or something like that. Despairing while blaming himself is what that guy wants the most.”

‘That guy’ is the Blood Demon who planted the Geumje in Guigyeon Shura Arang. The Blood Demon, who took the young Guigyeon Shura, had already prepared to take over his body a long time ago.

To No-gun, who already knew Guigyeon Shura’s nature, the despair he must have felt was visible.

“So, be careful if you don’t want to end up like this guy. I told my Bin, too, but the higher you go, the more dangerous it is.”

He said it as if passing by, but it was a heavy warning.

Sasooyeon and Dang Wora were silent. If the same thing happened to Sonbin, could they guarantee that they wouldn’t become like Guigyeon Shura?

But Seorin wasn’t.

“I’m okay. I have Bin hyung [Older brother/respected male figure].”

No-gun distorted his lips as if he was dumbfounded.

“Yeah, it’s my fault for saying anything to you.”

Meanwhile, the surroundings became a little busy. It was because the Namgoong Clan people, who had confirmed that the situation was over, began to move.

The elders made the young 후기지수 [Next generation disciples] retreat, and the other warriors guarded the area around the training hall. Of course, Namgoong Gyu, who had lost consciousness and collapsed, was restrained.

But even in the midst of all this, the Namgoong Clan people couldn’t easily take their eyes off Sonbin. The elders and the young 후기지수 [Next generation disciples] were the same.

How could they not? From their point of view, Sonbin had silenced Guigyeon Shura, who was like a natural disaster, who was chilling just to think about with his overwhelming momentum, with a single sword.

Step.

Clan Head Namgoong Kwon moved his steps towards the fallen Blood Peak Geum Sa-ryeon. The elders, who were worried about his safety, had bewildered expressions, but they still didn’t stop the Clan Head’s actions.

The eyes of Sonbin’s group were also directed towards Clan Head Namgoong Kwon and Blood Peak. Namgoong Hyang, who was next to the Clan Head, knelt down and examined Blood Peak’s condition.

“Tsk.”

No-gun snorted as if he didn’t like it. But Namgoong Kwon didn’t take his eyes off the fallen Blood Peak.

“Righteous Hero.”

Namgoong Kwon said in a heavy voice. The eyes and ears of all the Namgoong Clan people were directed towards the Clan Head.

“It is said that it is to have faith in that word, to not spare one’s body, and to jump into the urgency of others.”

Namgoong Kwon continued, as if lamenting greatly.

“Blood Peak, though an enemy, had no lies in that word, and did not spare her life in my urgency. How can this not be called a Righteous Hero?”

Sonbin nodded. What Namgoong Kwon said was a quote from the writings of ancient sages. Sonbin also knew the phrase well.

“From now on, the Namgoong Clan will never antagonize those who have raised Blood Peak’s spirits first.”

Thud.

It was as if something heavy had fallen on the entire training hall. That’s how shocking Clan Head Namgoong Kwon’s words were.

“Clan Head!”

Several elders called out in urgent voices. That was the same as saying that they would unconditionally yield to Blood Peak from now on.

Besides, considering what Blood Peak’s bodyguard, Guigyeon Shura, had done, there were many things to ask or hold accountable for.

Above all, yielding first was something the Namgoong Clan could not imagine.

But Namgoong Kwon’s decision did not change.

Step, step.

Clan Head Namgoong Kwon, who had finished speaking, walked towards Sonbin. Clan Head Namgoong Kwon’s eyes were more serious than ever.

Ssk. [Sound of movement]

Clan Head Namgoong Kwon bowed to Sonbin. It was still an unconventional thing to do in such a public place, and the complexions of some of the elders changed.

“I don’t know what kind of tragedy would have occurred if Master Son had not been here.”

It was an expression of utmost respect that ignored the difference in age. Moreover, considering that the person saying those words was the Clan Head of the Namgoong Clan, it could be seen that his courtesy was genuine.

“It’s something I had to do. Rather, I am grateful that you trusted me, who is lacking.”

Sonbin politely answered the Clan Head’s courtesy. Sonbin came here as a mediator. It was his natural right and duty to stop the rampaging Guigyeon Shura.

Clan Head Namgoong Kwon smiled.

“I heard that my father had specially invited you, so I wondered what kind of person you were, but you are truly a Goin (高人) [Reclusive expert].”

‘Goin (高人)’ refers to a person who lives nobly in the wilderness without holding a government post. Sonbin’s lack of fame in the Jianghu [Martial arts world] was expressed as Goin.

“Yes, he really is.”

Namgoong Hyang, who had come to his side, said. She politely bowed to Sonbin.

“Thank you for your help, Young Master Son.”

Sonbin was only embarrassed, even though he couldn’t be upset by Namgoong Hyang’s courtesy. He was embarrassed by the title of Gongja [Young master], Daein [Great person], and now even Goin had come out. He didn’t know what kind of title he would hear next.

“No, I’m…”

“Hehe.”

Clan Head Namgoong Kwon laughed as if he already knew.

“I know the high meaning of Goin well. Today’s events will not be known outside the Clan, so rest assured.”

If the Namgoong Clan of the world had invited him as a mediator, that alone would make his name famous in the Jianghu [Martial arts world]. At least in the Gangnam Murim [Gangnam martial arts alliance], no one would be able to ignore his name.

But surprisingly, Sonbin didn’t want that. Hadn’t his father, Namgoong Cheon, also told him not to reveal him to the outside world? He said that such actions would only arouse his antipathy.

“Ah, thank you.”

Sonbin expressed his gratitude for his consideration. He absolutely refused to have any more troublesome things happen here.

Meanwhile, a Namgoong Clan warrior approached.

“Clan Head.”

He politely paid his respects to Clan Head Namgoong Kwon.

“We have restrained the culprit.”

“Is that so?”

Clan Head Namgoong Kwon frowned. For a member of the same Clan to try to ambush the Clan Head, how could this not be a disgrace? Just thinking about it made his anger surge again.

“Him…”

“Wait a minute.”

No-gun stopped Namgoong Kwon, who was about to issue a disposition.

“Bring that guy here.”

The warrior looked at Clan Head Namgoong Kwon. When the Clan Head nodded, he immediately returned and dragged the unconscious Namgoong Gyu.

He was still unconscious, but his whole body was tightly bound, perhaps in preparation for when he woke up.

“Seorin-ah, don’t you smell something from this guy?”

“I’ve smelled it since earlier.”

Seorin said as if she had been waiting.

“This person is strange. He smells similar to the Taoist uncles.”

Dang Wora and Sasooyeon also felt a sense of incongruity from Namgoong Gyu. But Seorin couldn’t help but feel an even greater sense of incongruity than them.

Because she faintly felt the unique Taoist energy of Wudang, which didn’t suit Namgoong Gyu at all.

“As expected.”

No-gun nodded. He tapped a few of Namgoong Gyu’s blood points.

“This guy seems to have greedily eaten something huge without knowing his place. Besides, there’s someone who touched this guy’s Gi-blood [Energy and blood flow] and helped him.”

Clan Head Namgoong Kwon’s eyes flashed. That meant that there was someone behind Namgoong Gyu’s actions this time.

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know.”

No-gun answered bluntly to the Clan Head’s words. But his telepathic message continued the rest of his words to Sonbin’s group.

―But at least… an Outer Level expert.

There was no change in the expressions of Sonbin’s group. But there was no one who didn’t know what No-gun’s telepathic message meant.

This was by no means Namgoong Gyu’s individual impulsive action. Especially when you look at the relaxed reaction he showed even after failing the ambush, it was even more so.

“Take good care of him. There will be a lot to dig out when Lightning Sword comes later.”

The ‘Lightning Sword’ that No-gun was talking about was the former Lightning Sword, Namgoong Cheon. Now that he knew that, Namgoong Kwon nodded without panicking.

“Imprison the culprit in the deepest part of the Clan’s prison.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The warrior immediately obeyed Namgoong Kwon’s order. Meanwhile, Shin-ui, who was taking care of Guigyeon Shura, stood up.

“Move that child and this child to a safe place. There’s still treatment left.”

At Shin-ui’s words, Namgoong Kwon glanced at Guigyeon Shura. The devilish appearance he had shown came to mind, and a shiver ran down his body without him realizing it.

“Are they… going to be okay?”

The question was quite ambiguous. It meant whether Blood Peak would be okay, but it also meant whether it was okay to leave Guigyeon Shura like this.

No-gun understood the meaning of those words.

“This stupid guy just lost his mind and went on a rampage, so there won’t be anything special even if he wakes up. And that girl…”

Shin-ui continued the rest of the words.

“There is no problem with her life. But we’ll have to wait and see what kind of aftereffects will remain.”

Clan Head Namgoong Kwon nodded.

“I understand. I will move them to a safe place immediately as you said.”

With this, the urgent matter was settled for now. Clan Head Namgoong Kwon looked at No-gun and Sonbin and said with a soft expression.

“How about taking a break while drinking tea together for a while?”

“Thank you.”

Sonbin gladly accepted his offer. In fact, it would be best to return to the accommodation with his group as it is, but avoiding this place is the priority.

Because not only the 후기지수 [Next generation disciples], but even the elders were still looking at Sonbin. In particular, Namgoong Soyu’s sparkling gaze had been stinging since earlier.

“Then let’s go.”

Namgoong Hyang politely bowed and led the Clan Head and Sonbin’s group.

Leaving the training hall, Sonbin felt his heart lighten. But that was a bit of a hasty judgment.

Ssk. [Sound of movement]

It was only natural that someone bowed to Sonbin’s back. As a martial artist, how could he not pay his respects to the amazing sword that Sonbin had shown?

The young 후기지수 [Next generation disciples] and the picky elders each expressed their respects to Sonbin in different ways.

The noisy training hall became quiet, and Sonbin, whose back of his head was stinging, quickly quickened his pace, hiding his flushed face.