A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 290

290. Greed and Harmony (人和) [Harmony; emphasizes unity and cooperation]

The Black Sword Clan was a minor faction in Jiangnan [region south of the Yangtze River]. Like most of the groups gathered in Huangshan [Yellow Mountain, a mountain range in Anhui province, China], it wasn’t particularly large, nor did it have any outstanding masters.

It couldn’t compare to the Four Great Orthodox Sects or the Five Great Clans. It was just another unremarkable group, lagging behind even the established clans of Jiangbei [region north of the Yangtze River], which boasted history and tradition, or the emerging factions of Jiangnan.

The only reason the Black Sword Clan persisted in Huangshan, despite being pushed around, was their confidence that they were better than the Taiping Clan, who had initially discovered the treasure.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the prepared.

News spread that the obscure Bakdo Clan, unheard of among the Four Great Orthodox Sects or the Five Great Clans, had found the treasure.

The Black Sword Clan immediately mobilized all its warriors and rushed to Huangshan, aiming to seize the Bakdo Clan’s treasure before anyone else.

“Damn it.”

The Black Sword Clan’s leader, Black Phantom, muttered under his breath.

“I can’t see anything. Where the hell are those Bakdo Clan bastards?”

The whereabouts of the Bakdo Clan, who supposedly found the treasure, were nowhere to be found.

It wasn’t just the Bakdo Clan. The other factions that had entered Huangshan with them were also missing. The dense fog and shadows of the mountain obscured everything.

Even places that seemed familiar from a few days ago were now unrecognizable.

“Let’s go a bit further in.”

The sharp-eyed warrior beside him suggested. Black Phantom had no intention of turning back, so he nodded and moved forward.

Just then,

Clang, clang!

A sharp metallic sound cut through the fog. All the warriors of the Black Sword Clan instinctively lowered themselves, trying to locate the source of the sound.

“It’s over there.”

The sharp-eyed warrior pointed. Black Phantom gripped his massive blade and the Black Sword in both hands.

“Let’s go.”

As soon as Black Phantom spoke, a dozen warriors of the Black Sword Clan quickly moved out.

‘Hmm?’

How far had they gone? The acrid smell of blood stung Black Phantom’s nostrils. Perhaps it was the fog, but the stench of blood felt particularly sticky, clinging to his skin.

“Be careful.”

Black Phantom warned in a low voice. The Black Sword Clan warriors silently nodded, their eyes gleaming with murderous intent as they too caught the scent of blood.

Thud.

The Black Sword Clan warriors cautiously advanced, scanning their surroundings.

Tuk.

The sharp-eyed warrior nudged Black Phantom with his elbow. Black Phantom turned to see the warrior pointing with his sword-wielding hand.

‘Hmm?’

Black Phantom focused his vision, peering intently through the fog. Soon, he spotted a human figure.

The Black Sword Clan warriors moved even more cautiously, and the vaguely visible figure bent down to pick something up.

Shine.

‘Gold.’

The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Black Phantom instinctively knew it was gold, or something equivalent. He also confirmed that the attire of the person picking it up was neither from the Four Great Orthodox Sects nor the Five Great Clans.

Gulp.

Black Phantom swallowed. The desire to snatch it was overwhelming, but he couldn’t be sure if there were others nearby.

He signaled to the Black Sword Clan warriors, their eyes also gleaming with excitement and greed.

Rustle.

Black Phantom carefully moved his feet. But his caution was in vain.

Swish.

The person who picked up the gold suddenly turned his head and looked at the Black Sword Clan warriors. Black Phantom flinched, thinking they had been discovered, but the person smirked.

“You bastard!”

Realizing things had gone wrong, Black Phantom shouted loudly, hoping to seize the initiative.

“Which faction are you from…?”

Black Phantom’s words were cut short. The person suddenly lunged at Black Phantom.

Thwack, whoosh.

A sharp sword aimed for Black Phantom.

“This punk!”

The person’s movements were quite sharp. But Black Phantom, already wielding his sword and blade, swung his blade forcefully.

Clang.

A sharp metallic sound echoed. Black Phantom swung his sword and blade in both hands, preparing for the next attack, but the opponent retreated backward, immediately disappearing into the thick fog.

“Chase him!”

The opponent had escaped, and with something that was clearly gold. The Black Sword Clan warriors all rushed towards the direction the man had disappeared.

Thud, thud, thud.

On the way, they found someone bleeding and collapsed, but no one stopped. The gold that had been there was already taken by the fleeing man.

“I see them over there!”

Someone from the Black Sword Clan shouted. But Black Phantom had already seen them. People wearing similar attire to the man who had escaped earlier were gathered, swords drawn, with surprised expressions as if they had just discovered the Black Sword Clan.

‘Seven at most.’

Black Phantom quickly counted the number of enemies as he charged. He also noticed that they were holding gold in their hands, and that there were already bloodied bodies lying around.

“Charge!”

Black Phantom shouted loudly and swung his blade down. He couldn’t give the opponent time to prepare, nor time to hide or escape with the gold.

Clang.

“What are you doing!”

One of the enemies shouted with an angry expression. But Black Phantom ignored his words and swung his sword.

“What am I doing?”

Black Phantom sneered at the opponent.

“The real owner of the treasure has appeared!”

The opponent was holding gold. That alone was reason enough, but they had already drawn their swords, and there were bloodied corpses lying around.

Black Phantom’s sneer was natural. And the opponent clearly knew that no further words were needed.

Clang. Clang!

“Yaaaah!”

“Kill them all!”

The sharp sound of metal instantly filled the surroundings. The fact that the man who had escaped earlier wasn’t among them, and that their attire was slightly different, was no longer an issue.

Along with the sounds of fighting, the stench of blood flowing through the fog grew even thicker.

*

*

*

The Gongseon Clan’s head, Quick Sword Gongseon Chung, and the Gongseon Clan’s warriors were slowly entering Huangshan.

They held torches in their hands and didn’t move hastily. One person held a map, constantly checking their location.

There was no sense of urgency to overtake other factions.

“Are you alright?”

Dahn Sim-hwa Gongseon Ji said with a worried voice. The Gongseon Clan’s head, Quick Sword Gongseon Chung, smiled warmly at her concern.

“I’m fine. Shouldn’t I be asking if you’re tired?”

“I’m fine. I’m still young, after all. Ah, of course, I don’t mean that Uncle is old. You’re such an amazing person.”

Gongseon Ji answered with a bright smile. Although some mocked her, calling her Poisonous Heart, she was a beauty worthy of being counted among the Five Flowers of Huangshan [a group of five beautiful and talented women in Huangshan].

What uncle wouldn’t be pleased to have such a cute niece worrying about him with such concerned eyes?

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung cherished the young Gongseon Ji. Bringing her along on this Huangshan trip, which was somewhat dangerous given her martial arts skills, was also to raise her standing within the clan.

Even the venomous Gongseon Ji acted completely differently, becoming affectionate, in front of the head of the family, Quick Sword Gongseon Chung. That was another reason why she had no same-aged female friends.

Whoosh.

The Gongseon Clan’s warriors all stopped at the sound ahead. Except for one or two people like Gongseon Ji, they were all top experts in the clan, so their reactions were quick.

Thud.

A human figure lightly landed a short distance away. He was a warrior of the Gongseon Clan.

“I’ve found them.”

He knelt and bowed his head to the clan head, Gongseon Chung.

“Who is it?”

“It’s the Zhuge Clan.”

“The Zhuge Clan…”

Muttering, the clan head Gongseon Chung asked.

“Did you convey my intentions?”

“Yes. They agreed to meet with you and are waiting in the valley ahead.”

The clan head Gongseon Chung nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“Did you see anyone missing among the Zhuge Clan’s warriors who came to Huangshan?”

“Everyone was there.”

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung looked back at the Gongseon Clan’s warriors and said.

“Let’s go.”

The Gongseon Clan soon arrived at the valley where the Zhuge Clan was waiting. As expected, it was filled with fog, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead.

“Just a moment.”

Gongseon Ji suddenly said to the clan head Gongseon Chung.

“The Zhuge Clan might have other intentions, so wouldn’t it be better to check for safety first?”

Gongseon Chung thought Gongseon Ji’s words were correct. This Huangshan was a lawless place. Who would know if the Zhuge Clan had ambushed the Gongseon Clan here?

Gongseon Chung gestured to a few warriors, signaling them to scout ahead. Two warriors who received the order entered the valley.

After a while, the sound of voices exchanging greetings, along with a short, wind-like sound, was heard. It was a signal that it was safe.

“Let’s go in.”

At the words of the clan head Gongseon Chung, the Gongseon Clan’s warriors began to move. At that moment, Gongseon Ji saw the clan head Gongseon Chung take out a small flute-like object and bring it to his mouth.

However, the small flute, which clearly seemed to touch his lips, made no sound. And it immediately disappeared into Gongseon Chung’s robes.

‘Hmm?’

Gongseon Ji looked at the clan head Gongseon Chung with a puzzled expression. But Gongseon Chung moved forward as if nothing had happened.

It was a momentary event that no one except Gongseon Ji, who was closest to the clan head, had seen.

Thud, thud.

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung leisurely walked into the valley with a relaxed posture. Inside the valley, the Zhuge Clan’s people and the warriors who had been sent in earlier were exchanging greetings.

“I’m glad you’re safe, Zhuge Daehyup [a respectful title for a martial artist].”

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung first greeted the Zhuge Clan’s head, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan. Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan looked a little uncomfortable but returned the greeting politely.

“I’m glad you’re safe as well, Gongseon Daehyup.”

The relationship between the Gongseon Clan and the Zhuge Clan wasn’t very good. They had been competing for a long time to dominate Gangbuk, and recently in Nanjing, the Nanjing Lee Clan, backed by the Gongseon Clan, had clashed with the Banglim Clan, sponsored by the Zhuge Clan.

“What brings you here? This doesn’t seem like a good place to talk.”

Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan immediately asked the purpose. He didn’t want to talk for long.

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung confirmed that Pilon Zhuge Lian was standing behind him. As his title Pilon [writing brush] suggests, he was well-known for his writing, but his father, Non-Sword Gongseon Geuk, had already warned him that he was actually a master of the outer court [referring to someone skilled in martial arts but not openly recognized].

“I want to make a suggestion.”

At Quick Sword Gongseon Chung’s words, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan asked.

“A suggestion?”

“How about the Zhuge Clan and the Gongseon Clan join hands?”

Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan’s reaction was lukewarm. It wasn’t far from what he had expected. But Quick Sword Gongseon Chung continued.

“People call them the Five Great Clans, but that’s just ignorant nonsense. The Tang Clan is a barbarian from Sichuan, and the Nangong Clan and the Hyeonryeon Clan are just ignorant bumpkins from the Jiangnan frontier. How dare they be included in the Five Great Clans of the Kangho [martial arts world] martial world?”

It was an extremely biased and distorted statement. Jiangnan had already been recognized for its culture and economic level, and it had been hundreds of years since Sichuan had been incorporated into the history of the continent.

However, to those who considered their land the center of the continent, the Central Plains (中原) [Zhongyuan, the central region of China], it was still a valid point and an undeniable fact.

“Hmm, but…”

“I can’t tolerate such things calling themselves the Five Great Clans and trying to stand shoulder to shoulder with us, the orthodox prestigious clans.”

Flames were blazing in Quick Sword Gongseon Chung’s eyes as he spoke. The Zhuge Clan’s head, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan, clicked his tongue inwardly. But Quick Sword Gongseon Chung read a glimmer of hope in Zhuge Gwan’s eyes.

“That’s absolutely right.”

A clear, melodious voice rang out. Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan and Quick Sword Gongseon Chung turned their gaze to the owner of the voice. It was Dahn Sim-hwa Gongseon Ji.

“It is the law of heaven that there is a hierarchy in status and nobility in origin. The reason the world is in chaos today is all because the order has been broken.”

Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan immediately frowned. It was impolite for a young woman to interfere in the conversation between the heads of families.

“I apologize for interrupting the conversation between the two of you.”

Dahn Sim-hwa Gongseon Ji bowed politely. Her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall. She raised her head.

“But I couldn’t help but feel saddened by the current state of affairs. When it comes to treasures (秘寶) [secret treasures], it is only natural to entrust their disposal to the respected elders of the Kangho martial world. How can they commit such a disgraceful act like a dogfight in a mud pit, with everyone, regardless of whether they are from a heretical sect or an orthodox sect, rushing in today?”

Mud Fight Dog Fight (泥田鬪狗) [a chaotic and undignified struggle]. Dahn Sim-hwa Gongseon Ji’s words were perfectly suited to describe the current situation. Moreover, her words, which emphasized etiquette and propriety, were quite persuasive to Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan and the people of the Zhuge Clan.

“But I am very fortunate to meet the people of the Zhuge Clan now. Because I am confident that the people of the prestigious Zhuge Clan will fully understand this intention.”

Dahn Sim-hwa Gongseon Ji said with a soft smile. She sighed softly and then bowed deeply again.

“I apologize once again for my narrow-mindedness and rudeness.”

Dahn Sim-hwa Gongseon Ji didn’t raise her head. Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan’s expression was still stiff, but there was a clear light of inner conflict.

“What do you think of this child’s words?”

The Gongseon Clan’s head, Quick Sword Gongseon Chung, asked cautiously.

Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan only let out a low groan and didn’t answer. He felt the same way about the fact that the Four Great Orthodox Sects and the Five Great Clans had held a meeting but had not come to any conclusion.

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung looked back at Dahn Sim-hwa Gongseon Ji and said.

“Raise your head.”

Gongseon Ji raised her head and stepped back demurely. Her gaze briefly swept over Zhuge Gyeong.

Zhuge Gyeong was the precious daughter of the Zhuge Clan, called the Five Flowers of Huangshan along with Gongseon Ji herself. She had a sickly appearance as rumored, but her intelligent eyes were staring straight at Gongseon Ji.

“I apologize for my niece’s rudeness.”

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung bowed his head. Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan was startled. The Zhuge Clan’s warriors and the Gongseon Clan’s warriors were equally surprised. As far as they knew, it was the first time that the head of the family had bowed to an outsider.

“Ahem, Gongseon Clan Head, please raise your head.”

Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan, who was trying to stop him, and the people of the Zhuge Clan didn’t have a bad expression. The notoriously arrogant Quick Sword Gongseon Chung had bowed to the Zhuge Clan.

“The Zhuge Clan has never done anything that goes against etiquette and morality. If the Gongseon Clan Head’s proposal is reasonable, we will never reject it without reason.”

That was, in fact, a pointless statement. It meant that they would reject it for any reason if they had a good enough excuse.

However, Quick Sword Gongseon Chung smiled.

The other party was ready to listen to his words.

“What I want is simple.”

After a moment of silence, Quick Sword Gongseon Chung said.

“I want the Zhuge Clan and the Gongseon Clan to become the owners of the treasure. And furthermore, I don’t want to see the barbarians of Sichuan or the bumpkins of Jiangnan acting like adults again.”

Gongseon Chung’s voice was firm. And Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan was lost in thought for a moment.

If the treasure in Huangshan was real, it was certainly possible that Gongseon Chung’s words would come true. But could he trust the Gongseon Clan?

“In order to prove that this proposal is a sincere truth without an inch of falsehood.”

The softly continuing voice of Quick Sword Gongseon Chung sealed Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan’s judgment.

“I am willing to hand over Nanjing to the Zhuge Clan. Whether we take the treasure of Huangshan or not.”

Greed flashed in Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan’s eyes.

Nanjing was a major city that could never be ignored. If the Gongseon Clan handed over Nanjing, the Zhuge Clan’s influence would expand greatly. Of course, that much material profit would be guaranteed.

“Isn’t that too great a sacrifice for the Gongseon Clan Head?”

It was too tempting to be taken as a serious offer, so it was hard to believe. As if guessing Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan’s inner thoughts, Quick Sword Gongseon Chung smiled.

“Haha, how can Nanjing be a waste when it comes to gaining a blood alliance to share blood?”

The word blood alliance (血盟) [a sworn oath of loyalty] had great implications. Currently, the enemy of the Five Great Clans was only the Five Great Clans.

So, if the Zhuge Clan and the Gongseon Clan could sincerely cooperate, the current situation, like a cauldron with five legs, would face a major upheaval.

In other words, the head of the Gongseon Clan was proposing not only to take the treasure but also to create a grand new picture.

“Hmm.”

The head of the family, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan, was seriously lost in thought. He glanced at Pilon Zhuge Lian, but he had his eyes closed and didn’t react. After all, the family affairs had been entrusted to the head of the family, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan.

Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan made up his mind.

“However, such an important matter cannot be decided hastily.”

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung nodded as if he understood everything.

“I fully sympathize with the words of the Zhuge Clan Head. How can such an important matter be decided overnight?”

With a relaxed smile, Quick Sword Gongseon Chung said.

“However, starting from today, I sincerely hope that the two clans representing Gangbuk can gradually build trust.”

Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan didn’t let go of his seemingly troubled expression. But his mind was already made up.

“I understand.”

The head of the Zhuge Clan, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan, nodded.

“As the Gongseon Clan Head said, let’s work together to overcome this difficulty. It is said that even the time of heaven and the advantages of the land are not as good as the harmony of people, so even though Huangshan is dangerous, what can’t be overcome if we achieve harmony (人和) [renhe, harmony and unity]?”

“Thank you for trusting me.”

Quick Sword Gongseon Chung smiled brightly. But the smile didn’t last long.

Rustle.

Pilon Zhuge Lian, who was standing behind, raised his head and said softly.

“Be careful.”

Pilon Zhuge Lian’s warning echoed clearly in the ears of everyone in the Zhuge Clan and the Gongseon Clan.

“Something is coming.”

Whooooosh.

Before the words were even finished, Pilon Zhuge Lian’s clothes began to flutter as if they were hit by the wind. He was revealing his martial prowess without hesitation.

The person who was embarrassed was the head of the family, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan. Pilon Zhuge Lian’s martial prowess should not have been revealed so publicly.

However, Pilon Zhuge Lian didn’t care. The ‘something’ that was approaching this place now was something that could never be dealt with while hiding his martial prowess.

Swish.

Pilon Zhuge Lian stood with his back to the Zhuge Clan and the Gongseon Clan’s warriors, as if protecting them. Because of that, he didn’t see the bitter smile that flashed across Quick Sword Gongseon Chung’s face. And neither did he see Gongseon Ji wearing the same smile for a moment.

Whoooooooooosh.

Pilon Zhuge Lian’s clothes began to flutter violently.