A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 266

266. Confrontation

In the dark night, the carriage swayed gently, like a cradle. Occasional lights indicated they were entering the outskirts of Hangzhou.

Inside the carriage, Son Bin couldn’t hide his awkward expression.

A beautiful woman with a dignified demeanor sat across from him, legs crossed. She, who identified herself as ‘Princess Gyeonghui,’ slightly frowned.

“Why? Don’t you like my offer?”

Her eyes signaled that she was on the verge of becoming displeased.

No one wants to upset a member of the royal family. However, instead of immediately accepting her offer, Son Bin sighed softly.

“First, I apologize for my previous impoliteness. I would like to offer my apologies right away, but this isn’t the best place.”

A member of the royal family deserves to be treated with respect. Even if he didn’t know, it was clear that not showing respect until now was impolite.

However, no matter how good Princess Gyeonghui’s carriage is, it isn’t tall enough for a grown man to stand up and bow while it’s moving.

“It’s unnecessary.”

Princess Gyeonghui’s cold voice stopped Son Bin’s apology. Her dry tone indicated that she was becoming even more displeased with Son Bin’s apology.

“If I wanted to receive your apology, I wouldn’t have been talking to you until now.”

Son Bin lowered his head in gratitude.

“Thank you for forgiving my impoliteness.”

“So, what’s your answer?”

Princess Gyeonghui’s expression was clearly unpleasant. She had expected Son Bin to be surprised and flustered by her status, but she hadn’t wanted such a stiff and distant attitude.

“First, I have something I would like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Did you visit the Amisan Temple recently?”

Princess Gyeonghui’s eyes flashed sharply, and Son Bin could tell what her answer was.

“I’ll ask again. Do you know someone called Cheonsugeom Neung Cheonhwa [Heavenly Sword Neung Cheonhwa]?”

Princess Gyeonghui kept her mouth shut and stared straight at Son Bin. Son Bin asked again.

“Were you involved in a booklet called ‘Baeginrok’ [Hundred White Records]?”

Again, there was no answer, but her reaction was answer enough. Son Bin quietly inhaled and asked.

“One last thing. What do you hope to gain through this chaos?”

Son Bin’s gaze was fixed on Princess Gyeonghui.

“Hmph.”

Princess Gyeonghui chuckled softly. It was a smile as radiant as a flower, but it was different from before. The unadorned smile she had shown until just now had already disappeared.

“I think I underestimated you a little. I thought you were just a good-for-nothing recluse wandering the streets of Hangzhou…”

That wasn’t entirely wrong, but now wasn’t the time to point that out.

Princess Gyeonghui, who had been smiling, raised her eyes.

“Which side are you on? The Five Great Clans? Or someone in the middle of the Orthodox Faction? Or perhaps a member of the Demonic Sect?”

Her eyes were cold as she asked. It was as if an ice wall had formed between them.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You!”

Princess Gyeonghui’s voice suddenly became intense before calming down. She clenched her teeth for a moment before speaking.

“…I’m asking whose side you’re on. You must be from the Outer Faction, right?”

Son Bin sighed softly.

“If you must ask, I’m not on anyone’s side. I simply want to walk the path I desire, just like ‘he’ did.”

In that moment, a memory flashed through Princess Gyeonghui’s mind. The idea that the two were the same person was too much of a leap to accept, but her intuition was screaming that the leap was true.

“Could it be…”

The legs she had been crossing came down, and Princess Gyeonghui’s cold expression crumbled. She widened her eyes as if she couldn’t believe it.

“You… are you walking the path of the Supreme Emperor?”

Her voice was low and weak, like a soliloquy.

The desire that it couldn’t be, and the hope that it wasn’t, betrayed her feigned composure at this moment and were revealed as they were.

Son Bin nodded, dashing her expectations.

“Yes.”

“Haha, ha.”

Princess Gyeonghui let out a hollow laugh. She looked at Son Bin, leaned back, and suddenly turned her head to her maid, Hang-ah.

“Hang-ah, can you protect me?”

Son Bin reacted first to those words.

“I have no intention of harming you, Princess…”

Swish.

Princess Gyeonghui reached out and stopped Son Bin’s words. Her white fingers blocked Son Bin’s eyes.

“If you’ve said something you can’t handle, isn’t it polite to wait a little? I waited for you, so you could answer.”

Princess Gyeonghui’s sharp voice poured out.

In Princess Gyeonghui’s eyes, directed at Son Bin, were complex emotions, none of which were good.

Son Bin closed his mouth. Princess Gyeonghui turned her gaze back to Hang-ah.

“How is it?”

“Until just now, I thought I could protect you if I risked my life.”

“And now?”

“If his martial prowess is as Cheonsugeom said…”

Hang-ah bit her lip.

“It’s impossible.”

“Is that so?”

Princess Gyeonghui also bit her lip slightly, but soon, she gave a soft smile and said to Hang-ah.

“Thank you. If you hadn’t told me honestly, I might have made a serious misjudgment. After all, Hang-ah is very different from someone who hides his identity and flirts with women.”

Her pointed words were clearly directed at Son Bin. Son Bin gave a bitter smile.

“I have never hidden anything, nor have I ever flirted with you, Princess.”

“Oh, really?”

Princess Gyeonghui lowered her hand. She looked straight at Son Bin, not hiding her sarcasm, and said.

“I’d rather ask where it all started. Ah, right. Was standing on the streets of Hangzhou all part of the plan? Well, it had to be. There’s no way I would have just passed you by.”

Princess Gyeonghui’s words poured out towards Son Bin like a waterfall.

“How was it? Was it fun to see someone who didn’t know anything spout nonsense? Come to think of it, even saying you hoped things would go well was just mockery. Really, someone like you…”

Her voice was as if she was venting something. There was no courtesy or respect for the other person, which she would normally have shown.

“No.”

Son Bin said in a calm voice. Like a lie, Princess Gyeonghui’s words stopped with that one word.

“No?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe it.”

Princess Gyeonghui’s answer was firm.

“You hold my life in your hands right now. I’ve completely fallen into your trap. In this situation, how can I believe your sincerity?”

Her eyes were provocative and challenging. If words had blades, they would have been sharp and blue.

However, Son Bin, who met that gaze, smiled instead.

“You haven’t changed.”

“What?”

Princess Gyeonghui frowned and asked back.

“Back then, you saved the lives of your subordinates, even against ‘him’.”

The one who crossed swords with Sa Ja-hyeok was Wi Ga-jin.

But the one who stood against Sa Ja-hyeok was the beauty in front of him, Princess Gyeonghui.

She saved Hang-ah, whose hiding place had been revealed, and saved Wi Ga-jin, who had lost the martial arts contest. And she even proposed to Sa Ja-hyeok to become the best in the world.

The image she had shown back then was being recreated before Son Bin’s eyes. It was why Son Bin couldn’t help but smile.

“And don’t you already know? That I have never flirted with you or deceived you.”

“Hmph.”

Princess Gyeonghui sneered. It was intended to ridicule the other person’s absurd insistence, but her expression was exactly like that of a sulky young lady.

“How would I know that? It’s not like I’ve been inside you.”

“But you know, don’t you?”

Son Bin said in a comfortable voice.

“It’s impossible that someone who can read my eyes wouldn’t know that.”

Son Bin’s clear eyes were directed straight at Princess Gyeonghui. Princess Gyeonghui frowned as if she didn’t like it, and avoided his gaze.

‘Tch.’

She was annoyed and unpleasant. She didn’t like any of this situation. She even wanted to turn back time to when she first discovered Son Bin.

‘Really, he looks so stupid.’

That was a bit much. Rather, Son Bin had a rather intelligent appearance, and he was actually intelligent. Instead of getting caught up in the argument as she intended, he chose to take a step back.

‘This is… disadvantageous.’

Princess Gyeonghui admitted that she was in a disadvantageous situation. It wasn’t about the advantage or disadvantage of force. Son Bin already knew about Princess Gyeonghui, but she didn’t know Son Bin.

The biggest mistake was that she was drawn to his natural atmosphere and unknowingly revealed her true feelings. She even wondered if it was some kind of sorcery.

Clatter, clatter.

Princess Gyeonghui glanced at Son Bin.

The ‘one walking the path of the Supreme Emperor’ she had only heard about was now in front of her, but she couldn’t believe it.

She also felt betrayed, but that was more about resenting why he was her enemy than being deceived.

“Princess.”

Son Bin said. Princess Gyeonghui suddenly woke up from her thoughts at that quiet voice.

‘Goodness.’

She couldn’t believe herself. She was having other thoughts in front of this powerful and dangerous enemy.

Meanwhile, Son Bin’s voice continued.

“I am not as great as ‘he’ is, and I don’t have the ability to change your mind. So, I’ll just say one thing.”

In a gentle tone, Son Bin said, looking straight at Princess Gyeonghui.

“Many people will suffer. Can’t you stop what you’re doing?”

Princess Gyeonghui was silent for a moment, and she looked up at Son Bin.

“Isn’t that unnecessary to say?”

Princess Gyeonghui’s gaze, with a cold smile, was directed straight at Son Bin. She brought her white hand to her neck like a blade.

“If you kill me here, everything will be resolved. Isn’t that the way of the Jianghu [martial arts world]? Stop this useless conversation.”

As she spoke, a bitter smile hung on her lips. She lightly brushed her red lips with her long, white fingers that had touched her neck, and she said.

“Or, do you want to get me?”

The gaze of greed towards her was too familiar to Princess Gyeonghui. Of course, no one directly showed it. She was, after all, a member of the royal family.

But her outstanding beauty and the position of a member of the royal family fiercely stimulated the greed of men.

Princess Gyeonghui truly hated that vulgar desire.

It was even more so for those with power, martial arts, or wealth.

“I heard that ‘the one walking the path of the Supreme Emperor’ is fond of women…”

“No!”

Princess Gyeonghui was startled by Son Bin’s sudden loud voice, but Son Bin said with a completely flustered expression.

“F-f-fond of women? Wh-who said such a thing?”

“Aren’t you?”

Princess Gyeonghui, who felt a little better at his flustered appearance, glanced at Son Bin and asked. Son Bin shook his head and actively denied it.

“No! Th-there are girls, but there are also many children and elders…”

Son Bin desperately made excuses, but Princess Gyeonghui became displeased again.

“So it’s true that there are many women. And what about the children? Don’t tell me you already…”

“Absolutely not.”

Son Bin said with emphasis. Princess Gyeonghui liked his unnecessarily serious and red face, so she decided to accept his answer.

In fact, it was very awkward to continue the conversation on such a foolish topic.

“But it’s true. If you kill me now, everything will be as you wish. Surely you won’t deny even this?”

Son Bin was dumbfounded. Usually, in this situation, they would try to secure their safety somehow.

But Princess Gyeonghui was rather asking why he wasn’t killing her. It was a sweet temptation and a fierce test.

“And more people will die and get hurt.”

Son Bin sighed softly and said.

“The Emperor will not condone the death of a member of the royal family. Perhaps the world will become one where people are dragged away and killed just for carrying a sword.”

“Yes, but you won’t be able to do anything about it. Maybe the royal family will try to appease you, giving you whatever you want.”

It sounded ridiculous, but there was a possibility. Sometimes, even irreconcilable enemies join hands because that is politics.

Son Bin smiled.

“If I were only thinking of myself, wouldn’t I have no need to be talking to you here, Princess?”

Clatter, clatter.

Son Bin turned his gaze to the scenery passing outside the carriage. Behind the occasional lights, houses submerged in darkness were quietly asleep.

“It’s a strange thing to say, but I’m satisfied now. Seeing people together and the world slowly changing. It’s like I’ve received a huge gift.”

“You sound like an old man.”

Or like an enlightened hermit. Princess Gyeonghui didn’t say the latter.

And she had no intention of continuing this topic any further.

In fact, in some ways, she was just being spiteful. She knew from the beginning, as Son Bin said, that he had no intention of harming her.

“If you want to stop me…”

Princess Gyeonghui said quietly. There was no longer the same intense emotion in her voice as before.

“Bring ‘him’.”

Son Bin quietly shook his head.

“That’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“As I said, I don’t know either.”

Princess Gyeonghui glared at Son Bin. Son Bin calmly met her gaze. Perhaps she read something in Son Bin’s eyes, and she suddenly bit her lip.

“Is he dead?”

“I don’t know.”

Son Bin smiled. It was as if he was trying to comfort Princess Gyeonghui.

“So I’m waiting. If it’s him, he’ll suddenly appear in the middle of the night and say to me, ‘Let’s go’.”

Princess Gyeonghui could tell that there was longing in his voice. After a moment of silence, Princess Gyeonghui said in an indifferent tone.

“Then the story is over.”

Princess Gyeonghui looked straight into Son Bin’s eyes.

“I have no intention of stopping. Those who carry swords must be under the control of the royal family.”

Son Bin responded with a soft smile to her firm words, as if declaring war.

“Then all those who hold brushes must become officials of the royal family.”

“That’s right.”

Her eyes did not back down at all.

“All people are subjects of the Emperor, even if they are not called.”

“Heaven’s mandate is not only in the royal family. Rather, there is also the saying that the people are heavy and the Emperor is light… I don’t think you want this kind of argument, Princess.”

Seeing Princess Gyeonghui’s unchanging eyes, Son Bin sighed.

“Still, thank you for telling me.”

That was her answer to Son Bin’s last question, ‘What do you hope to gain through this chaos?’

“However, I do not agree. I…”

“No more conversation is needed.”

Her beautiful eyes shone under her long eyelashes.

“There is justice for the rabbit and for the tiger that hunts it. Now that the will has been established, all that remains is who survives.”

Her expression was truly filled with determination, with no room for even a needle to enter.

‘Haa.’

Son Bin sighed inwardly. No-gun had been disgusted with Cheonsugeom Neung Cheonhwa, calling her ‘a woman who doesn’t listen,’ but Princess Gyeonghui seemed to be no less than her.

“I understand. Let’s stop here today.”

“You’re a man who doesn’t know how to give up.”

Princess Gyeonghui raised a sneer, but despite that clear mockery, Son Bin simply shrugged his shoulders.

“I can’t deny that I have that side of me.”

Princess Gyeonghui, who was looking at him, said quietly.

“I’ll say one last thing.”

Her red lips parted.

“You really have no intention of joining hands with me?”

“That’s already…”

Son Bin, who was answering, stopped speaking. Princess Gyeonghui’s eyes, looking at him, were shining more transparently than ever, just like when they were sharing silly jokes a little while ago.

“It may be the only, and the wisest solution. Really, no?”

Son Bin smiled.

“I don’t like definitive words. No, most people who have read a little tend to be like that. But for that offer…”

Son Bin said, looking straight at Princess Gyeonghui.

“I have no intention of accepting it.”

“That’s a pity.”

With that, Princess Gyeonghui’s words ended. Princess Gyeonghui turned her head and looked at the darkness outside the carriage.

“I have something to say too.”

“What is it?”

Princess Gyeonghui, who thought the conversation was over, frowned and looked at Son Bin.

If he was still thinking of persuading her, she would be really disappointed, but Son Bin didn’t disappoint her.

“Earlier, you clearly said you would take me.”

Princess Gyeonghui blinked for a moment and let out a burst of laughter.

“Shall I give you this carriage?”

“I don’t need that.”

Son Bin answered firmly, still smiling.

∴

Another carriage, he didn’t know how he contacted, was waiting for Son Bin in the middle of the dark road.

Son Bin got out of Princess Gyeonghui’s carriage. In the new carriage, only an old coachman was sitting in the coachman’s seat, and of course, no one else was there.

“Thank you, Princess.”

Son Bin politely bowed to Princess Gyeonghui, but Princess Gyeonghui didn’t get out of the carriage, nor did she respond to Son Bin’s bow.

Son Bin, who was looking at the inside of the unresponsive carriage, turned around and got into the carriage that was waiting for him.

“Giddy up!”

As the coachman whipped the reins, the carriage Son Bin was riding in began to move in the opposite direction.

Clatter, clatter.

Princess Gyeonghui’s carriage did not move until the carriage Son Bin was riding in disappeared into the darkness. The maid, Hang-ah, who had not let her guard down, said softly after a long time.

“It’s safe now.”

Princess Gyeonghui did not answer. Hang-ah bowed to her and signaled the coachman to drive the carriage.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage soon moved along the road it was going. Princess Gyeonghui, who bit her lip between the echoing hoofbeats, said softly.

“It’s the worst.”

Hang-ah said nothing. The two carriages turned their backs on each other and went away.