A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 288

288. Awakening

The clash between Dharma Divinity Beopgeo and Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa had ended. The receding mist slowly enveloped the surroundings, and Hwangsan fell back into silence as if nothing had happened.

“Heh.”

A low sigh escaped the lips of Dharma Divinity Beopgeo. Her entire body was covered in wounds from Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s relentless strikes.

Her staff, which had glowed with a brilliance that seemed to illuminate the world, had now lost its light and returned to its original, rough color.

“When did you learn such a technique, Junior Sister?”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa asked Dharma Divinity Beopgeo with shining eyes. Except for her slightly flushed cheeks, she looked no different from before the fight. Not even the slight exhaustion that followed after pouring out a tremendous amount of internal energy was visible on her.

However, the earth around her, riddled with cracks, clearly showed the immense impact left by Dharma Divinity Beopgeo’s staff.

But even the shock that overturned and split the earth could not harm Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa.

“As far as I know, there was no such martial art in the Emei Sect? Could it be that there was a secret technique in Emei that I didn’t know about?”

Dharma Divinity Beopgeo quietly chanted a Buddhist prayer and replied,

“…Recently, there was a small opportunity.”

Her voice trembled as if it would soon fade away. If her staff hadn’t been supporting her old body, she wouldn’t have been able to stand like this.

“I just created it on the spur of the moment when my heart was stirred by someone’s swordsmanship. It’s foolish of me at this age.”

“You created a new martial art? You, Junior Sister?”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa couldn’t hide her interest. But Dharma Divinity Beopgeo let out an empty laugh.

“No. I simply reinterpreted it as ‘I would do it this way’.”

“No, that’s even more amazing.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa was genuinely excited.

“If what Junior Sister says is true, then you created it by only looking at the form of the moves without knowing the mental cultivation or the secrets? How can I not say that’s amazing?”

She was like an excited child. At that sight, Dharma Divinity Beopgeo quietly chanted a Buddhist prayer. Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa continued,

“So, in what way did Junior Sister…”

“What are you going to do now?”

Dharma Divinity Beopgeo’s voice interrupted Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa.

“The Lion has defeated me. Now you can take revenge on the Emei Sect as you wished. No, that’s just the beginning.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s eyes turned cold. But Dharma Divinity Beopgeo continued in a calm voice.

“Isn’t the fact that things have come this far mean that you intend to overturn not only the Emei Sect but also the Outer Sects and the entire Jianghu [martial arts world]? By doing so…”

Dharma Divinity Beopgeo raised her eyes and looked straight at Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa.

“After denying everything that Emperor Mu left behind, what will you do? Even if you cling to him and agonize over him, who will never return, how can you still not know that nothing will change?”

“I no longer cling to him, nor am I attached to him.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa said in a cold voice.

“Agonize? Where in me is there such agony for him? Where in me is there such attachment to him?”

Grinding.

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa gritted her teeth. She wore a bitter smile and said to Dharma Divinity Beopgeo.

“I am already stronger than him.”

Whoosh.

An overwhelming force crashed down on Dharma Divinity Beopgeo. It was too much for Dharma Divinity Beopgeo, who was already close to exhaustion. But Dharma Divinity Beopgeo instead let out a hollow smile.

“Is that so? Then why…”

With an irreversible past and a heart full of regret for the Lion, who was once dearer than anyone else, Dharma Divinity Beopgeo said,

“Why are you still in that form? Why are you clinging to that youthful appearance, the one closest to Emperor Mu, until now?”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s complexion changed drastically. No more composure or smile could be found on her face.

“Stop.”

Her eyes were overflowing with murderous intent. Even when she unleashed the Thousand Hands Sword, her eyes had been playful, but now they were filled with hatred for her opponent.

“This appearance is just a game. I won’t forgive even you, Junior Sister, for insulting me any further.”

Dharma Divinity Beopgeo closed her eyes and chanted a Buddhist prayer inwardly. She didn’t even have the strength to speak anymore.

“Now, is it your turn?”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa turned her head and looked at Cheonghye. As if she hadn’t yet recovered from the aftermath of the two people’s clash, Cheonghye’s eyes were trembling slightly.

“Choose.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa said in a cold voice devoid of even a shred of warmth. It was a world of difference from when she was dealing with Dharma Divinity Beopgeo.

Cheonghye slowly turned her head and looked at Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa. Towards her, Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s cold, dry voice fell.

“The destruction of the Emei Sect, or obedience to me.”

She didn’t offer a hand or attempt to coax her. She simply forced her to choose. To Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa, Cheonghye was just a meaningless stranger.

‘Destruction.’

Cheonghye bit her lip at the weight of that short word. The Emei Sect, the name she had devoted her life to and had always been proud of, would disappear.

Cheonghye turned her gaze to Sect Leader Hyewol.

She, too, was looking at Cheonghye with a pale face. Her lips were bitten until they bled, and her pleading eyes fully conveyed what Hyewol wanted to say.

“You better choose well.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s mocking voice echoed in Cheonghye’s ears.

“Depending on your decision, the lives of countless Emei disciples may disappear.”

Cheonghye’s shoulders twitched. Sometimes they conflicted with each other, and sometimes they hated each other, but the Emei Sect was where she had grown up. They could be driven to their deaths by her choice alone.

“Oh, and I heard you also established the JaHye Gate in Beijing? Amazing, when I was there, I needed permission just to go outside the sect.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa laughed quietly.

“They will all die. Not only you, but also the disciples of the JaHye Gate who followed you without knowing anything.”

Cold murderous intent crossed the mist and reached Cheonghye. Her murderous intent was genuine, and she also had the will and ability to do so.

Besides, there was another problem. If all of this was the will of the imperial family, then it was a natural consequence, another problem that had been causing confusion in her mind since earlier.

‘…Junior Sister.’

Grand Princess Gyeonghui, her junior sister who received the Dharma name Cheongryeon, could not be unrelated to this matter either. No, perhaps the mastermind behind all of this was her.

‘Why….’

She knew the reason without having to hear it. Because it was the will of the imperial family, and because it was the order of the Emperor that she, as a Grand Princess, had to follow.

But Grand Princess Gyeonghui had betrayed her. Her sparkling eyes, her pitiful sighs, and even her warm words and gazes towards her were all lies. There was no sincerity at all. Not a single bit.

“Cheonghye.”

A soft, warm voice awakened Cheonghye from her thoughts. Cheonghye looked at her teacher, Dharma Divinity Beopgeo. Her teacher’s eyes, as always, were gentle and were looking at her.

“This is not your fault. And it’s not your responsibility either.”

Dharma Divinity Beopgeo’s weak voice was warmer than ever. The regret and affection for her disciple, who had to face an unavoidable choice, were deeply contained in her voice, which seemed to be on the verge of breaking.

“So, there’s no need to feel guilty. I want to see you live and be happy.”

‘Teacher.’

Something hot welled up in Cheonghye’s heart.

Looking back, her teacher’s eyes towards her had always been like that. Sometimes they were strict and firm, but inside, they were full of sincerity towards her. Always, and even at this moment.

“Ha, disappointing.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s mockery was directed at Cheonghye.

“You can’t even decide on something like this? Don’t you know that you can’t reach the Dao [spiritual path] if you don’t cut off your worries? If you can’t throw anything away like this, you’ll probably never attain the Dao.”

Cheonghye couldn’t say anything to that blatant insult.

The unbearable responsibility of countless lives at stake and the pressure of an irreversible choice, Grand Princess Gyeonghui’s betrayal, and her teacher’s affection were swirling like a storm in her heart.

And that wasn’t all.

The clash between Dharma Divinity Beopgeo and Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa was a tremendous shock to Cheonghye.

The sight reminded her once again of Son Bin and Sword Hee’s martial arts contest, and through the two similar yet different contests, Cheonghye felt something faint passing by.

Something that seemed to be within reach but couldn’t be grasped.

If she was given a little more time and space, something completely new would open up, but now she was being forced to make a choice that would determine her own life and the lives of countless others.

“Foolish people always postpone decisions.”

Contempt flowed in Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s eyes.

“Without knowing that as a result, someone other than themselves, or something else, will determine their fate.”

Not hiding her blatant contempt, Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa raised her sword.

“Of course, you will bear all the responsibility for that decision.”

‘Ah….’

But Cheonghye couldn’t choose. Her brilliant reason was already saying that the answer was set, but her heart was rejecting that answer.

How could she betray her teacher, who had laid down her life for her? How could she deny her will?

The only thing Cheonghye could choose was to die with her teacher. In despair, anger, disappointment, and frustration, Cheonghye closed her eyes, sensing the blade of Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa falling towards her.

It was then.

—The Outer Sects.

Someone’s low voice floated in Cheonghye’s heart. The voice of the person who had shown her that tremendous martial arts contest, and who had received Cheonghye’s contempt in the form of a powerless scholar.

-Isn’t it a place where you do what you want?

‘Do what you want.’

Cheonghye repeated those words. Doing what you want means following the path that your heart tells you to. And for Cheonghye, who was devoted to Buddhism, those words meant another sentence.

‘Everything is created by the mind (一切唯心造) [a core Buddhist principle].’

The mind is the path. In an instant, Cheonghye’s mind, which had been wandering in confusion and worry, found its path.

Whoosh.

‘Huh!’

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s complexion changed as she was holding her sword. It was because the aura of Cheonghye, who had been closing her eyes and lowering her head, was changing rapidly.

‘This, this is….’

Not only that, but the energy surrounding her was rushing towards Cheonghye before her eyes. It was as if she was the center of this world.

Sect Leader Hyewol, as well as Dharma Divinity Beopgeo, were unable to grasp the situation and had puzzled looks on their faces. But only Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa knew.

This was the moment when Cheonghye was gaining a new enlightenment. Just like she herself had done before.

‘Dangerous.’

The judgment was quick, and the decision was firm. Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa immediately stretched out her sword. No, she was about to stretch it out.

Ping.

A sharp aura cut through Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s eyes. A heavy energy that even she couldn’t dare to ignore.

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa had no choice but to stop moving. She already knew the owner of that energy.

“Tch.”

At the same time as she clicked her tongue and turned her head, a low laughter echoed through the mist.

“Hehehe.”

The shadow of a person slowly emerged from the other side of the mist. He was constantly laughing as he walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

“I always wondered why the bad guys in stories always appear laughing….”

Step, step.

He, with white hair and white eyebrows, stroked his long beard leisurely and said.

“Now I know. Throwing dirt on someone else’s hard work is more fun than I thought? Keuheuheuhe.”

He, who revealed himself from the mist with a villainous laugh, was none other than Old Man Namak.

The laughing old man glanced at Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa and frowned.

“What are you looking at?”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s eyebrows twitched.

“Since when did Old Man Namak start caring about the Emei Sect?”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa said, trying to maintain her composure. But even in the midst of that, her gaze brushed past Cheonghye.

“When did I ever?”

The old man shrugged and replied nonchalantly.

“I’ve never cared? What does it matter to me what happens to the Emei Sect? It’s just a pie in the sky anyway. There’s no woman prettier than Youngmae.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa couldn’t understand the old man’s words. But now the content wasn’t important.

“Then why are you interfering?”

“I told you.”

The old man smiled and replied.

“To throw dirt on it. You forgot what I just said? You look fine on the outside, but your brain is already senile? Well, I guess you’re getting old too.”

Gritting.

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa gritted her teeth.

‘Should I end it here?’

If she immediately cut down Cheonghye and settled things with Old Man Namak, there was a possibility. After all, Old Man Namak wouldn’t risk his life.

But it was already too late. Time didn’t give Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa a choice.

Whoosh.

The energy that had been rushing towards Cheonghye slowly began to subside. The opportunity to stop her had already passed.

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa clicked her tongue inwardly. And she had to watch Cheonghye open her eyes.

Flash.

Cheonghye’s eyes were shining brightly. An intense light that seemed to see through everything in the world was faintly present in her eyes.

“It’s really amazing. Was I like that too?”

The old man looked at Cheonghye with an interesting gaze. Even in the midst of that, Dharma Divinity Beopgeo didn’t like his gaze that was scanning her disciple up and down. But now wasn’t the time to worry about that.

Swish.

Cheonghye slowly turned her gaze and looked at Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa. Her red lips moved slightly.

“Did you tell me to choose?”

Cheonghye said with a gaze that didn’t waver in the slightest. Her clear voice spread out like the gentle sound of a bell.

“Yes.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa spat out as if chewing.

“I….”

Cheonghye replied. Her choice was neither destruction nor surrender. The path of the heart that she had found.

“I refuse.”

It was resistance.

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa’s face contorted. But there was no more hesitation or worry in Cheonghye’s eyes. She said to Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa.

“Step back. I don’t want to cut you down in front of my teacher.”

“Hmph.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa snorted.

“You’re going to cut me down? Do you think that’s possible?”

“You never know.”

Cheonghye said in a calm voice.

“Everything depends on the mind.”

Whoosh.

At that moment, a sharp energy rose from Cheonghye’s entire body. She didn’t even hold a sword, but it was as if thousands of sharp sword strikes were aiming at Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa at this moment.

“Oh ho.”

Old Man Namak exclaimed.

“The state where the sword rises when the mind moves? Surpassing the teacher, indeed, you’ve raised a disciple properly?”

Dharma Divinity Beopgeo gave an awkward smile. Her disciple’s achievement was a joyful thing for her, but she wasn’t thick-faced enough to joke around like the old man.

“Well, even so, it’s no match for Bin.”

Dharma Divinity Beopgeo’s eyebrows twitched at the old man’s words that he slyly added. But now wasn’t the time to worry about such things. The old man also didn’t pay attention to Dharma Divinity Beopgeo’s expression.

“What are you going to do? If you’re really upset about being chased away by a kid, why don’t you give it a try?”

The old man said in a mocking voice. Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa gritted her teeth and glared sharply at Cheonghye instead of the old man.

“Do you know what the result of your choice will be?”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa said, filled with ridicule and resentment.

“Everyone will die. The disciples of the Emei Sect, the disciples of the JaHye Gate, all of them. And this is all because of you….”

“I won’t let that happen.”

Cheonghye said.

“That is my choice.”

A firm resolution that would never back down was contained in her voice. And Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa knew that she could no longer reverse Cheonghye’s choice.

‘Tch.’

Although she didn’t show it, dealing with Dharma Divinity Beopgeo required a considerable amount of energy for Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa as well. It was because she didn’t think she would be able to withstand the Thousand Hands Sword.

Besides, Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa had things to do. It was by no means a wise choice to face Cheonghye and, above all, Old Man Namak at the same time here.

“Just you wait.”

Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa glared at Cheonghye and spat out as if chewing.

“I will definitely see you despair.”

Tap.

Before the words were even finished, Thousand Hands Sword Neung Cheon-hwa flew up. Her figure disappeared into the thick fog in an instant.

“Keulkeulkeul.”

The old man laughed. Then he turned to Cheonghye and said.

“She said she’ll be watching?”

At those words, Cheonghye smiled quietly.

“The only people who have no enemies are those who do nothing.”

Parak.

Cheonghye stood up, put her hands together, bowed her head towards the old man, and respectfully clasped her hands.