A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 269

The Murim Alliance Inspector

Nanjing had been the capital of several dynasties. As the name ‘Southern Capital [南京]’ suggests, its pride in history and tradition was unmatched in the continent.

Generally, Nanjing was considered the territory of the Gongsun Family. This was because the Gongsun Family, based in Hefei, which was nearby, had long invested in Nanjing, where the logistics of the lower Yangtze River converged.

Although close, the Gongsun Family of Hefei, which belonged to a distinctly different province, worried about the backlash from the fiercely proud martial artists of Nanjing.

In the end, the Gongsun Family changed direction, choosing to cooperate with the Nanjing sects instead of establishing a branch directly.

However, the other sects in Nanjing didn’t stand still either. They brought in the Zhuge Family from the north.

Jinan, where the Zhuge Family was based, was a distant region that could hardly be considered close to Nanjing. However, the Zhuge Family readily responded to the request, a decision that prioritized keeping an eye on the Gongsun Family over practical benefits.

As a result, in Nanjing, the sects allied with the Gongsun Family were generally dominant, while the sects supported by the Zhuge Family opposed them, a structure that had persisted for several years.

Clang! Crash.

The antique table in the high-class tavern was overturned, and expensive tableware flew through the air.

Clink. Clatter.

Amid the sounds of shattering, a sharp metallic noise pierced the ears. The manager of Jinling House watched the scene in horror from his hiding place.

‘Oh my, they’re really smashing everything to pieces.’

Before the manager’s eyes, two groups of martial artists wearing different uniforms were clashing.

They were the Bangnim Clan and the Nanjing Yi Family, both based in Nanjing.

Usually acting like great heroes, they were now showering each other with deadly moves as if they had met their mortal enemies.

“Die!”

Crash.

Seeing an expensive ornament being smashed instead of a person by a martial artist’s blow, the manager involuntarily held his breath.

‘That, that’s worth so much…….’

The white sculpture, imported from a foreign country across the sea, was no longer recognizable. In this state, it was just worthless garbage.

The manager clicked his tongue with a regretful heart.

‘If only Master Jang had just chosen one side, why did he have to offer bribes to both…….’

Master Jang was the owner of this high-end tavern, Jinling House. He had maintained a so-called ‘good relationship’ with both the Bangnim Clan, who were on the side of the Zhuge Family, and the Nanjing Yi Family, who had the Gongsun Family behind them, thus professing a kind of neutrality.

Until now, when the conflict between the two families was not so fierce, it had been a good choice for the tavern. However, recently, the atmosphere had suddenly changed.

The Bangnim Clan and the Nanjing Yi Family had suddenly and openly stepped forward to ‘protect’ Jinling House.

Unable to decide one way or the other, the owner, Master Jang, had delayed making a decision, and eventually, the Nanjing Yi Family had taken action first.

They openly provoked the Bangnim Clan disciples who were dining at Jinling House.

“Haa!”

Clang.

“Kugh.”

The Nanjing Yi Family martial artists unilaterally pushed back the Bangnim Clan disciples. It was only natural, as they were superior in number and had a different level of determination from the start.

Clang.

The sword of the Bangnim Clan disciple, who had resisted until the end, flew away. Clutching his torn wrist, the Bangnim Clan disciple could not hide his resentment.

“You, you bastards. How dare you…….”

“Hehe. This is what happens when you defy our Yi Family in Nanjing.”

The Nanjing Yi Family martial artist said with a smile. Perhaps because of the fierce fight, his face was also flushed red.

“What a joke!”

The Bangnim Clan disciple did not back down either.

“What nonsense are you spouting, relying on the power of the Gongsun Family!”

The Yi Family martial artist’s face changed. Such words were taboo to the proud martial artists of Nanjing.

“You foolish ones! You’re the ones clinging to the Zhuge Family…….”

Crash.

His words were cut off by the sound of the front door being smashed. He quickly turned his head, and the face of the Bangnim Clan disciple, who had been at a disadvantage, brightened.

“Senior Brother!”

The group entering through the front door were the top disciples of the Bangnim Clan. The eyes of the young man who entered first, called ‘Senior Brother,’ were very intense, and his aura was extraordinary.

“You bastards!”

The young man called ‘Senior Brother’ shouted, putting strength into his voice. His voice echoed loudly in the room, and some of the martial artists with weaker inner strength changed their expressions.

“Did you think you could harm the disciples of the Bangnim Clan and get away with it!”

“Tch.”

The Nanjing Yi Family martial artists retreated and gathered together.

Meanwhile, the Bangnim Clan disciples who had entered Jinling House took care of their fallen fellow disciples.

“Are you alright?”

“Thanks……. Ugh.”

The Bangnim Clan disciple, supported by a young man, frowned in pain. The young man supporting him gritted his teeth.

“I’m sorry. I was the only one who escaped…….”

“Wasn’t that what I ordered? If you hadn’t brought Senior Brother, we would all be dead.”

Realizing the situation was serious, he had immediately sent the youngest disciple to the Bangnim Clan. Thanks to that, they were able to turn the situation around.

“Hmph! Now even the top disciples and first-generation disciples are stepping in? The Bangnim Clan pretends to be righteous alone, but in the end, they’re just overwhelming with numbers, no different from a demonic sect.”

One of the Nanjing Yi Family martial artists, who had been on the defensive, sneered. They were also skilled, but their opponents were the top disciples and first-generation disciples of the Bangnim Clan.

The situation had been reversed in an instant, but there was no sign of anxiety on his face.

“Why? Why don’t you just bring in the Zhuge Family while you’re at it? The great Bangnim Clan top disciple.”

The intention of mentioning the Zhuge Family was clear. It was both a mockery and a reminder not to forget that the Gongsun Family was behind the Yi Family.

The Bangnim Clan top disciple’s eyes blazed with anger at the blatant sarcasm. He was already angry at the injuries of his fellow disciples.

“You’re relying on the power of the Gongsun Family, and your arrogance is reaching the sky.”

Crack.

A hard porcelain bowl was shattered under his foot as he stepped forward.

“I will severely punish you today.”

Clang.

He drew his sword without hesitation. The blue blade shone menacingly, as if showing the owner’s anger.

It was at that very moment when a bloodbath seemed about to sweep through Jinling House.

“Punish? Sounds good.”

Thud.

The Bangnim Clan disciples quickly drew their swords at the low voice from behind.

Thud, thud.

The Nanjing Yi Family disciples entered through the broken furniture. Although their numbers were not large, the aura of the three leading men was extraordinary.

“I’m very curious to see what kind of punishment the Bangnim Clan scraps will inflict on us, the Yi Family Three Swordsmen.”

Sturdy build, shining eyes. They were the ‘Yi Family Three Swordsmen,’ whose martial prowess was said to be comparable to the family head. They were known for their outstanding martial skills in the Nanjing Yi Family, but also for their quick tempers.

Since the Nanjing Yi Family had allied with the Gongsun Family, their martial power had also improved rapidly, making them opponents that anyone in Nanjing was reluctant to face.

“Hmm.”

The Bangnim Clan top disciple’s expression also hardened. Although the numbers were similar, the situation was definitely unfavorable if the opponents were the Yi Family Three Swordsmen. Moreover, the arrival of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen meant that the Nanjing Yi Family was determined to take action in this matter.

Meanwhile, the Nanjing Yi Family martial artists, who had been on the defensive, joined the Yi Family Three Swordsmen.

“Thank you.”

“You’ve worked hard. Go and report to the family head, and also notify the authorities. Tell them that ‘the Bangnim Clan ruffians are causing a disturbance in Jinling House.’ Oh, and don’t forget to mention that our Yi Family Three Swordsmen are appropriately suppressing them.”

The faces of the Bangnim Clan disciples changed at the words of the eldest of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen. The Bangnim Clan top disciple’s face also hardened.

“You bastards…….”

The Bangnim Clan top disciple could not hide his anger.

“It was all planned from the beginning!”

The Yi Family martial artists provoking the Bangnim Clan, and the Yi Family Three Swordsmen appearing as if they had been waiting for the top disciples and first-generation disciples to appear, were all prearranged.

“What plan?”

The second of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen smirked.

“It’s already heaven’s destiny that your Bangnim Clan will be crushed by our Yi Family. Did you think the name of the Zhuge Family would protect you? According to the Hundred Benevolence Record, the Zhuge Family is the last among the heads of the Five Great Families. Hehehe.”

The first one sneered at those words, and the third one laughed loudly.

“As expected…… those who hold brushes are just ink-washers, there’s nothing they can do.”

“Hahaha. Last place? Are the Bangnim Clan clinging to such things as connections? Keuhahaha.”

The Yi Family martial artists who came with them also burst into laughter. The faces of the Bangnim Clan top disciples and first-generation disciples hardened at the blatant humiliation.

“Bangnim Clan disciples, listen!”

The top disciple raised his voice loudly. His voice, filled with inner strength, echoed once again.

The Yi Family Three Swordsmen frowned, but the Bangnim Clan top disciple continued with a firm expression.

“This is not a simple quarrel. The Yi Family bastards are determined to erase our Bangnim Clan today!”

As the Bangnim Clan top disciple said, the Yi Family Three Swordsmen smirked. It was as he said. If they eliminated the top disciples and first-generation disciples here, the Bangnim Clan’s strength would be halved.

“You realize that now…….”

“If we retreat, the Bangnim Clan is finished! How can we accept the tyranny of the Yi Family and the Gongsun Family like this! How can we break our swords without even fighting!”

He mentioned the Gongsun Family to stimulate the pride of the Nanjing martial artists. In fact, the eyes of the Bangnim Clan disciples changed at the words of the top disciple.

“Don’t spare any mercy with your swords! No matter what it takes!”

The Bangnim Clan top disciple shouted with a heart full of blood.

“Protect the Bangnim Clan!”

“Waaaa!”

The Bangnim Clan top disciples and first-generation disciples rushed towards the Yi Family martial artists all at once.

“You bastard!”

The Yi Family Three Swordsmen also drew their swords without hesitation. As if they had already decided, there was not a moment of hesitation. The Yi Family martial artists who came with them also drew their swords all at once.

Clang. Crash, clatter.

Jinling House instantly turned into a scene of carnage. The manager, who had remained to assess the situation, felt his life was in danger as the situation reached this point.

In fact, he thought that neither the Bangnim Clan nor the Yi Family would harm him, but lingering any longer in such a place filled with murderous intent was tantamount to suicide.

‘I, I’m really going to die.’

The manager lowered his head and hurriedly tried to escape Jinling House. As he crawled near the entrance, he discovered another group entering Jinling House.

‘Oops.’

Surprised, the manager involuntarily retreated. And that was the right choice.

The young man in white martial robes, who was entering at the forefront, widened his eyes and shouted loudly.

“Haa!”

Rumble.

The manager was horrified and quickly covered his ears. Jinling House, a high-rise building, trembled at his shout.

No, perhaps it just felt that way. However, the young man’s shout was filled with tremendous inner strength.

“Ugh.”

“Kugh.”

The warriors of the Yi Family and Bangnim Clan, who were engaged in close combat, felt the impact and retreated all at once. The two of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen who were pushing the Bangnim Clan top disciple also frowned and assessed the situation.

Thanks to that, the Bangnim Clan top disciple escaped from his predicament. The second of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen, who was facing the Bangnim Clan first-generation disciples, also stopped moving.

Thud.

A young man with a handsome face like a sculpture entered the tavern. His eyes, wearing white martial robes, exuded the aura of a typical martial artist.

‘Huk.’

The manager, who was sitting down, almost fell backward the moment he saw those eyes. It was as if seeing a tiger in person, as he had only heard in stories, his eyes were overflowing with an extraordinary aura.

Thud, thud.

The young man, who had stopped the fierce battle with a single shout, confidently entered the tavern. Several martial artists wearing the same white martial robes followed behind him.

They were all young men of similar age, and their eyes also exuded an intense aura, but there were only six of them. A number that did not even reach the Yi Family martial artists, let alone the Bangnim Clan.

The eldest of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen quickly assessed the reaction of the Bangnim Clan top disciple. Then, he met the Bangnim Clan top disciple’s bewildered eyes towards him. At least, that person did not seem to be a hidden expert prepared by the Bangnim Clan.

“Who are you?”

The eldest of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen asked in a cautious tone. The number of newcomers was not large. However, the aura of that young man alone was not to be taken lightly.

The Bangnim Clan top disciple also waited for the reaction of the newly appeared young man with a tense expression. Depending on the situation, he might be a solution to overcome this situation.

The young man did not answer. He stood in place and slowly looked around the tavern.

The surroundings were a mess, belying the reputation of a high-class tavern. In addition, the blood shed by the fallen Bangnim Clan disciples was vivid everywhere.

The young man frowned and looked at the Bangnim Clan top disciple and the Yi Family Three Swordsmen of the Yi Family.

“Bangnim Clan and Nanjing Yi Family.”

The young man said in a firm voice.

“Both sects will immediately disarm and return to their respective sects to await punishment. Resistance will not be tolerated.”

“What?”

The Yi Family Three Swordsmen’s faces contorted. The Bangnim Clan top disciple’s expression was also not good. The third of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen, who had a quick temper, immediately protested.

“Await punishment? Who do you think you are…….”

Swoosh.

The young man drew his sword. The third of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen stopped speaking at that simple movement. His aura was that extraordinary.

“I said resistance will not be tolerated.”

That voice seemed to penetrate the ears of everyone in the tavern. The Bangnim Clan disciples and the Yi Family martial artists felt a chill down their spines.

The Yi Family Three Swordsmen’s expressions also changed. But that was only for a moment, and the third of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen gritted his teeth as if rebelling against himself.

“You, you bastard…….”

“Who are you?”

The Bangnim Clan top disciple’s voice cut off the third of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen’s words. The Bangnim Clan top disciple asked in a polite but wary voice.

“What authority do you have to order us?”

The young man who drew his sword turned to the Bangnim Clan top disciple with a calm gaze. It was clearly a gaze looking down from above.

“I am Wei Gajin, the inspector of the Murim Alliance.”

The Bangnim Clan top disciple, as well as the Yi Family Three Swordsmen, frowned. It was because they had never heard of the name Wei Gajin or the position of inspector.

The sudden appearance of the name ‘Murim Alliance’ was also incomprehensible. But they could not ignore it.

The eldest of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen frowned and asked.

“Murim Alliance? What’s that all of a sudden…….”

“I warn you one more time.”

Wei Gajin said.

“Disarm and disperse immediately.”

“This son of a bitch……!”

The third of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen spat out a curse. No matter how much of a Murim Alliance it was, this was Nanjing. Moreover, the name of an inspector that they had never heard of had no reason to hold any meaning for them.

“What’s what? I’ll immediately…….”

Swish.

Wei Gajin’s sword was aimed at the Yi Family Three Swordsmen.

“Resistance will not be tolerated. And this is.”

At that moment, the Yi Family Three Swordsmen clearly saw Wei Gajin’s lips faintly smiling.

“The last warning.”

Gritting.

The third of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen gritted his teeth. He immediately threw himself at Wei Gajin.

Bang.

At the same time as the third of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen moved, the first and second also rushed towards Wei Gajin.

It was a perfect collaboration as if it had been planned in advance. It was because they had already realized that he was an opponent they could not handle alone.

Clang clang clang.

Three swords filled with inner strength struck towards Wei Gajin.

However, the smile that had appeared on Wei Gajin’s lips did not disappear.

Whoosh.

The Yi Family Three Swordsmen clearly saw a blue aura rising from Wei Gajin’s sword.

‘Huk. Sword Ki [Sword energy]!’

‘He’s a supreme master!’

They realized that the young man in front of them was a supreme master of Sword Ki Emission. But they did not have the ability to recover the swords they had already unleashed.

‘Damn it, since we’ve already gone this far.’

‘It’s okay. There are three of us.’

The Yi Family Three Swordsmen exchanged glances in an instant. If it was like this, it would be better to just collide head-on.

“Uaaaaa!”

“Kuaaaa!”

The three men shouted and added inner strength to their swords and struck towards Wei Gajin, who still had no movement.

But that was their recklessness.

Whoooo.

As if in a dream, a blue aura covered Wei Gajin’s sword, and then, like a lie, it swept them away in an instant.

And the next moment, instead of a sharp metallic sound, an explosion shook Jinling House.

Kwaaaang!

A tremendous force swept through the interior of Jinling House. The force alone was enough to make the Bangnim Clan disciples and Yi Family martial artists unable to stand properly.

“Be careful!”

The Bangnim Clan top disciple sent a warning to his fellow disciples even in the midst of the chaos. He also could not believe the situation that was unfolding before his eyes.

‘No matter how much of a supreme master he is, how can he…….’

The force that had swept through Jinling House slowly subsided. And the revealed appearance made everyone doubt their eyes.

“Keuek.”

The eldest of the Yi Family Three Swordsmen bent over and groaned. He could not even stand properly. The sword in his hand was cut in half, and blood was flowing from his mouth.

He was in a better situation. The second was already lying on the floor, and the third was blown away to the opposite wall and crashed into it. Their swords were also broken without exception.

Swish.

Wei Gajin sheathed his sword. It meant that there was no more meaning and it also told the result of this battle.

“Will you also resist?”

Wei Gajin’s calm eyes turned to the Bangnim Clan top disciple. The eyes of Wei Gajin, who had exuded momentum when he first entered, were rather calmly subdued.

That subdued gaze was even more chilling to the Bangnim Clan top disciple.

“N, no.”

The Bangnim Clan top disciple, who answered with a flustered expression, regained his composure and put his hands together to pay his respects to Wei Gajin.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

If it hadn’t been for Wei Gajin, they, no, the Bangnim Clan would have collapsed in this place. Although he had heard coercive words such as ‘await punishment,’ it was true that he had received help as a result.

Wei Gajin’s eyes changed slightly at his courtesy. Wei Gajin lightly nodded his head in response to the Bangnim Clan top disciple.

“Clean up.”

At Wei Gajin’s command, the martial artists wearing white martial robes who were standing behind him immediately moved. Wei Gajin turned his body as it was.

“Wa, wait a minute!”

The Bangnim Clan top disciple called out to Wei Gajin. Wei Gajin stopped walking and turned his head to look at him.

“Ca, can you tell me your name?”

Wei Gajin had a puzzled look for a moment. It was because he had already revealed his identity as the ‘Murim Alliance Inspector.’ But soon he realized the intention of the question.

“Cheonglang Sword Wei Gajin.”

He answered in a much lighter voice.

“I am Cheonglang Sword Wei Gajin, the instructor of the Beijing Jahye Gate.”

“Cheonglang Sword of the Jahye Gate…….”

While the Bangnim Clan top disciple repeated his title, Wei Gajin moved his steps and disappeared out of Jinling House.

Similar incidents continued several times in the Jiangsu Province area. People who were already in anxiety spread rumors excitedly, saying ‘the Murim Alliance has stepped in.’ At the same time, the name ‘Cheonglang Sword Wei Gajin’ also spread.

It was right after that that the Murim Alliance was in an uproar. This was because the position of ‘inspector’ that existed in the Murim Alliance was a virtually nominal authority given to the Four Great Righteous Sects.

The Five Great Families strongly condemned the Four Great Righteous Sects for overstepping their authority. However, the Four Great Righteous Sects did not back down. Rather, they countered that the Five Great Families were condoning the disputes of their subordinate sects.

This was the moment when the conflict between the Four Great Righteous Sects and the Five Great Families, which had been hidden until now, was revealed to the surface. And at the same time, it was also the moment when the loose alliance system called the Murim Alliance was being seriously tested.