A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 283

283. The Four Great Sects

Upon arriving in Huangshan, Son Bin was greeted by Hyeon Gaju and Hyeokryun Ho, the current head of the Hyeokryun Family, at the inn.

Blade Master Hyeokryun Ho had met Son Bin during Hyeokryun Sehwa’s coming-of-age ceremony. He held Son Bin in high regard and spoke to him informally.

“Sehwa often speaks of you. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Hyeokryun Ho, a dignified middle-aged martial artist, smiled. Since Sehwa had become Hyeokryun Gong’s adopted daughter, she was considered Gaju Hyeokryun Ho’s sister in terms of seniority.

“Thank you.”

Son Bin expressed his gratitude for the kindness. Blade Master Hyeokryun Ho examined Son Bin with curious eyes.

Normally, he would have reprimanded a scholar for coming to such a dangerous place. However, this young man was someone his father, the previous Blade Master Hyeokryun Wijo, also liked.

“This place is dangerous. Be especially careful.”

Blade Master Hyeokryun Ho said to Son Bin with goodwill. He considered suggesting they act together, but with Namak No-gun already by his side, it seemed unnecessary.

“Yes. Please be careful as well, Gaju [Head of the Family].”

After greeting the head of the Hyeokryun Family, Son Bin ran into Thunder Sword Namgung Kwon, the head of the Namgung Family, as he entered the inn.

“Isn’t this Master Son?”

Thunder Sword Namgung Kwon said as if they had met by chance. He still used honorifics for Son Bin.

“I was just about to pay my respects. Have you been well?”

Son Bin said, bowing politely. Namgung Kwon lightly returned the greeting.

“Thanks to you. Ah, if you find the inn uncomfortable, please come anytime. There is always a place prepared for you, Master Son. Hahaha.”

“Thank you.”

Son Bin bowed to him.

Watching this, the people in the inn whispered. The young Son Bin was acquainted with the heads of the great families and was being treated with considerable respect.

On the other hand, there were those who had some idea of Son Bin’s identity, but they wouldn’t reveal it.

In the end, they were left speculating about Son Bin’s identity as a ‘young master from a noble scholarly family who is friendly with the heads of the great families.’

“Ugh, is there a Divine Doctor here…?”

A martial artist with a severe wound on his side, looking obviously injured, came to the inn. The rumors about the Divine Doctor had already spread.

“Let’s see.”

The Divine Doctor began treating the patient as soon as he found him. And then, as if waiting for this, other patients began to flock in.

“Shouldn’t we arrange a separate residence for the Divine Doctor to care for the patients?”

Namgung Hyang said, watching the people flocking to the Divine Doctor.

“Is there such a place?”

Son Bin asked, and Namgung Hyang smiled lightly.

“We have spare tents that we brought. If it’s for the Divine Doctor, Gaju [Head of the Family] will gladly allow it.”

“Thank you.”

Son Bin thanked them on behalf of the Divine Doctor. Soon, a tent for the Divine Doctor was set up. It wasn’t very large, but it was sufficient for the Divine Doctor to care for the patients.

Some of the Five Great Families, especially the Zhuge Family and the Gongsun Family, did not look kindly on the Divine Doctor’s actions. Most of the patients were from the Demonic Factions.

On the other hand, the injured Demonic Faction martial artists respected the Divine Doctor. They knew that the Divine Doctor could be treated as a VIP and live comfortably within the Five Great Families.

Sometimes, there were those who tried to mistreat the Divine Doctor. But even other Demonic Faction martial artists, before the Five Great Families could intervene, would not tolerate it.

Even the Black Serpent Squad respected the Divine Doctor, so who would dare to oppress him?

“Tsk.”

Old Man Eo clicked his tongue as he looked at the Divine Doctor. More precisely, he was looking at the injured Demonic Faction martial artists coming to the Divine Doctor.

“How nice would it be if they were always this well-behaved?”

Son Bin also agreed with Old Man Eo’s words. The Demonic Faction martial artists, who were usually rough and fierce, were polite and docile like children in front of the Divine Doctor.

They were at the Divine Doctor’s beck and call, and their posture was even demure. Their lives, or the integrity of their limbs, depended on the Divine Doctor’s words, so it was only natural.

Some people got annoyed depending on the treatment situation, but they quickly calmed down because the other martial artists waiting in line glared at them.

“Shall I go and help Young Lady Wol-ah?”

Sa Su-yeon said, watching the people flocking to the Divine Doctor. She and Dang Wol-ah had also learned basic medicine from the Divine Doctor.

“There’s no need.”

Old Man Eo shook his head.

“You didn’t come here to treat patients, did you? Besides, this is only temporary. Everything will be over in a few days anyway.”

Son Bin also agreed with Old Man Eo’s words. Besides, if Sa Su-yeon or Dang Wol-ah went there, there would be a huge increase in fake patients, which would only be a hindrance rather than help.

The Divine Doctor treated those with minor injuries and sent those with severe injuries to nearby cities after providing emergency treatment.

As the number of patients decreased and the chaos subsided in the third inn where the Black Serpent Squad was located, the entrance to Huangshan seemed to be stabilizing.

* * *

“The Four Great Sects are here!”

Early in the morning, Son Bin and his party, who were having breakfast at the inn, turned their heads at someone’s shout.

Other people in the inn also stood up with sparkling eyes, eager to see the arrival of the Four Great Sects.

“Want to see?”

No-gun asked.

“Is it worth going out to see?”

“Well, if it’s your first time, it’s quite a sight.”

No-gun said with a smirk, but Old Man Eo clicked his tongue instead.

“It’s good for the righteous sects to act with chivalry, but showing off like that is not what a true righteous sect should do.”

“The righteous sect you’re thinking of only exists in your head now, you know?”

No-gun chided, but Old Man Eo did not hide his discomfort.

Meanwhile, most of the people in the inn went outside. Son Bin also got up from his seat.

“Shall we go and take a look?”

Son Bin was also curious. Besides, Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah couldn’t hide their excitement. Dang Hwa-ryun, who was sticking close to Dang Wol-ah, had an unpleasant expression like Old Man Eo.

“Let’s go.”

With No-gun’s words, the group went outside the inn. It was still twilight outside. As Huangshan was famous for its sea of clouds, even the fog was thick.

‘You can’t see properly with this.’

That’s what Son Bin thought.

Clang, clang.

A clear sound began to be heard from beyond the fog. And then, many similar sounds surged in like waves.

Clang, clang, clang.

“They’re coming!”

Someone said, but everyone already knew. Not only the people in the inn but also those who were sleeping in the tents got up and looked outside.

Thud, thud.

A group of people appeared through the fog, which was still full of twilight. Monks lined up neatly in two rows and entered Huangshan, chanting in low voices.

Clang, clang.

The clanging sound came from the large, ringed staffs they were carrying.

The countless metallic sounds added to their mumbling, or singing, voices, which sounded eerie or mysterious, as if they were beyond the human world, depending on how one listened.

“Amazing.”

Son Bin muttered to himself. It was definitely an impressive sight. At the same time, he could understand what No-gun meant by ‘worth seeing’ and what Old Man Eo meant by ‘showing off.’

In fact, even among the Demonic Faction martial artists, those who worshiped Buddhism were showing respect by putting their hands together.

“Is it Shaolin?”

Those who entered were all monks. Judging from the way they put their hands together and chanted, it was clear that they were from Shaolin [a famous Buddhist monastery known for its martial arts].

“Behind them is Emei.”

It wasn’t just the Shaolin monks. Behind them, Emei monks were entering. Unlike Shaolin, they were wearing Emei warrior monk attire and had their faces half-covered by their deep bamboo hats.

Even though they belonged to different sects of the same Buddhist religion, they carried ringed staffs and Zen sticks, and chanted in low voices.

“But it’s still early in the morning, so they must have left very early.”

Sa Su-yeon said. It was still before dawn. The fact that they had arrived now meant that they had left in the pitch-dark night.

“Monks wake up early. They wake up in the middle of the night, not just at dawn.”

Son Bin nodded at No-gun’s words.

It was common for scholars to prepare for the past examination in temples. Son Bin had already heard from many scholars that monks woke up very early in the morning, or in the middle of the night from the perspective of ordinary people.

“Oh? Those guys came too?”

No-gun, who was watching, suddenly said. Son Bin turned his gaze. After Shaolin and Emei passed, a group of people in Taoist robes were entering.

They didn’t chant anything in particular, and they didn’t have Zen sticks. However, the sight of those wearing Taoist robes entering in a row was powerful enough.

“Ah, that person is…”

Son Bin found a familiar face among them. It was Cheongsu Jin-in, the leader of Wudang [a Taoist sect known for its internal martial arts]. He was walking in front of the procession with a stern face.

“And there are the Seven Sages of Wudang.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly. Son Bin tilted his head at her words. He wondered if Dang Wol-ah knew the people of Wudang.

“Hmm, I see.”

No-gun also nodded. Son Bin didn’t know, but they were the ones who had blocked No-gun and Dang Wol-ah in Wudang Mountain. One of the Seven Sages who wasn’t seen at that time was probably the Taoist with the white, long beard and large build who was guarding Cheongsu Jin-in’s side.

“Look at that guy.”

No-gun let out a hollow laugh. The youngest-looking Taoist among the Seven Sages suddenly waved his hand at this side.

He found Dang Wol-ah, who was wearing a veil, and greeted her with a bright face, but he was being scolded by another Taoist next to him.

“Do you know him…?”

“No.”

Dang Wol-ah answered before Son Bin could even ask. Son Bin couldn’t bring himself to ask any further because he felt a strangely firm energy.

Behind Wudang, the people of the Mount Hua Sect [another Taoist sect, known for its sword techniques], wearing rather flashy Taoist robes, entered Huangshan.

The Mount Hua Sect felt more like a regular sect than Taoists, and they all wore swords. Unlike Wudang, who had serious expressions, they even smiled naturally.

“Well, the Mount Hua Sect eats meat. They like alcohol too.”

No-gun muttered as if he had noticed Son Bin’s thoughts. Son Bin nodded, recalling that he had only eaten vegetables in Wudang Mountain.

It seemed that the Mount Hua Sect was more liberal than Wudang. Even if they were the same Taoist religion, there were differences depending on the sect.

“It’s the Jihye Gate!”

“The Martial Alliance Inspector!”

Someone shouted. The last of the Four Great Sects to enter was the Jihye Gate of Beijing. The two people at the very front were Cheongrang Sword Wi Ga-jin and Cheonghye Satae, the Martial Alliance Inspectors.

Cheongrang Sword Wi Ga-jin’s appearance was especially dignified and handsome. His sharp eyes and restrained energy made people admire him.

No one recognized Cheonghye Satae, who was wearing Emei warrior monk attire. About a dozen young Jihye Gate disciples followed them.

“The Monarch is not here.”

Son Bin said quietly.

“Of course.”

No-gun acknowledged Son Bin’s words.

“She knows you’re here.”

He had already expected that Gyeonghui Monarch would not show up.

It was too risky for her to appear in front of Son Bin now.

Now, Gyeonghui Monarch would only meet Son Bin again after everything was over, or at the last moment.

“Well, all the guys who are coming have come.”

No-gun said with a smirk. However, the expressions of the other people in the inn were not good. Everyone who saw the Four Great Sects entering was like that.

The fact that the Four Great Sects had entered like this clearly showed their will to control this area. In other words, this was their declaration of war.

Those who had already expected it, or those who had just realized it, all had stiff expressions due to the seriousness of the reality.

“Where shall we meet?”

No-gun said, regardless of the atmosphere of those people. Son Bin asked back without realizing it.

“Pardon?”

“The External Affairs [a powerful, influential group within the martial arts world].”

No-gun frowned.

“Where would be a good place to meet?”

Son Bin didn’t understand No-gun’s words, who was asking as if it were natural.

“Do I have to decide that?”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t decide.”

No-gun shrugged and continued.

“Anyway, everyone will come to where you are, right?”

“Why?”

Son Bin asked with a still puzzled expression.

“Because the most important thing in the External Affairs right now is your will.”

No-gun said, chuckling.

“Of course, there will be those who object and those who agree. But whatever the case, it’s after confirming your true intentions. If you move arbitrarily on your own, and you have a different mind…”

No-gun said, flipping his palm over.

“It’s over in the External Affairs.”

“Surely not.”

Son Bin gave a bitter smile.

“I don’t think the martial artists of the External Affairs would care about what others think.”

No-gun’s words didn’t really resonate with Son Bin.

The pride of a martial artist does not compromise with anything.

As far as he knew, Saja-hyeok and Hwanghak Jin-in were not people who would care about what others thought. No-gun himself was like that.

“It’s not about caring about what others think, it’s about being careful.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly.

“The External Affairs is an absolute power. If you move even one step wrong, the consequences are irreversible.”

“Ah.”

Son Bin could understand Dang Wol-ah’s words.

For example, it was like holding a knife to each other’s throats. Knowing that they could destroy each other in an instant, they couldn’t use that power carelessly.

“The Five Great Families not moving is the same. Because the External Affairs doesn’t move, they can’t move either. The External Affairs is reflected in the current Kangho [martial arts world] martial arts world.”

No-gun said as if muttering to himself. Son Bin somehow gave a bitter smile.

But he had expected that the External Affairs would gather anyway. No-gun had said so too.

However, he had never thought that he would have to decide the place.

“Hmm. If it’s a place to gather…”

He pondered, but nothing came to mind.

“Hoo.”

Son Bin sighed without realizing it. He felt that it was a very troublesome task. He even wondered if that’s why there was a Yewon [a member responsible for etiquette and arrangements] in the External Affairs.

“Is there no place?”

Son Bin asked with a troubled expression. No-gun laughed playfully as if it were amusing.

“Well, or you can go up to a nearby peak.”

“I don’t think I can go up there.”

Son Bin turned his head and looked at Young Lady Sa Su-yeon. But there was no way Sa Su-yeon would have any special ideas. After all, it was her first time coming here too.

Son Bin felt even more sorry when he saw Sa Su-yeon shaking her head with an apologetic face.

“How about borrowing a tent from the Namgung Family? I think Young Lady Namgung Hyang would help…”

Sa Su-yeon said. But Son Bin wasn’t very happy with it. First of all, he didn’t want to cause trouble to the Namgung Family, and he didn’t like setting up a tent as if to show off.

But asking Namgung Hyang seemed like a pretty good idea. The Namgung Family would be quite familiar with this kind of thing.

Son Bin glanced at Dang Hwa-ryun. But she, who would be more familiar with deciding on this kind of thing than anyone else, avoided his gaze.

It was probably Son Bin’s imagination that he felt she was smiling.