A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 303

303. Rupture (決裂) [Breaking Point]

Silence hung in the air.

Grand Prince Gyeonghui savored the moment she had created, a faint smile playing on her lips. Soon, the simmering rage beneath the silence began to surface.

“What did you just say?”

The voice belonged to Old General No. However, Grand Prince Gyeonghui remained silent.

The meaning behind the words, ‘Aren’t you curious about what will happen to the Seowon [private Confucian academy]?’ was impossible to misinterpret or misunderstand.

“You dare! What did you say—!”

A fiery rage erupted from Old General No.

But before his furious outburst could even finish, Grand Prince Gyeonghui raised the signal flare, as if to shield herself from his anger.

Swish.

“If you kill me now…”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui smiled from behind the crimson flare.

“You’ll truly regret it.”

Gnashing his teeth, Old General No knew he couldn’t act rashly.

Step.

Son Bin stepped forward, his voice low and grave.

“Are you planning to harm the Seowon?”

The palpable, suppressed fury in his voice was clear to everyone.

“No.”

Lowering the flare, Grand Prince Gyeonghui replied. A fleeting look of confusion crossed everyone’s faces, but it was a misunderstanding.

“Not planning. I’ve already started.”

Thump.

Shock washed over everyone. Watching their reactions, Grand Prince Gyeonghui spoke in a clear voice.

“You saw the red smoke a moment ago, right? That signal is being transmitted across the land even as we speak. And the Provincial Commander of Guangdong will open the letter I sent in advance, bearing the imposing seal of the Eastern Depot [secret police agency].”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s red lips moved.

“What do you think it says?”

Grind.

“What did you write?” Old General No asked, grinding his teeth.

It wasn’t just Old General No. Seo Rin and Sa Suyeon, Dang Wol-ah and Hwa Sa, and even the ever-expressionless Sword Heiress—Grand Prince Gyeonghui could feel the chilling killing intent directed at her on her very skin.

But what thrilled her the most was Son Bin’s reaction. The anger barely concealed beneath his cold gaze was enough to fill her with a sense of victory.

“Burn it all down.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui didn’t take her eyes off Son Bin, not wanting to miss a single expression or flicker in his eyes.

“I wrote that a group of rebels plotting treason have infiltrated Cheongwon, so immediately mobilize troops to surround the village and burn everything to the ground, leaving no one alive. Kill everyone, men, women, old, and young, and utterly destroy everything in the village, leaving not a single brick or blade of grass behind…”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui spoke, as if savoring each word.

“That’s what I wrote.”

“You—!”

Hwa Sa cried out hysterically and lunged forward—or tried to.

Swish.

But Grand Prince Gyeonghui raised the flare once more and said,

“As I said before, you’ll regret it if you kill me now.”

“Regret what! The Seowon is already…!”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui smiled faintly. It was clearly a sneer.

“If that’s what you think, why don’t you try it?”

“Keuk.”

Hwa Sa’s movements stopped. She could tell that Grand Prince Gyeonghui was implying something.

Grand Prince Gyeonghui was still hiding something.

Hwa Sa suppressed her burning rage, but the immense energy swirling in her hands seemed ready to explode at any moment.

“Why don’t you just rush to Cheongwon right now?”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui sneered, looking directly at Hwa Sa.

“With your great abilities, you might be able to outpace the signal fire. But if you’re even a little too late…”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s voice was icy.

“It might be better not to go to the village at all. You’ll find a sight too terrible to bear.”

“You—!”

“I’ll say it again.”

Even with Hwa Sa’s fury prickling at her skin, Grand Prince Gyeonghui didn’t back down. Despite her pale complexion, she spoke in a clear voice.

“If you really don’t want to regret it, shut up and stay still.”

Hwa Sa gritted her teeth, but she couldn’t move forward, faced with Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s eyes, gleaming like a predator’s.

“Ugh…”

Hwa Sa trembled and, with immense self-control, dispersed her energy. Red blood flowed from her clenched hands.

“Heh heh.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui chuckled and slowly turned to look at the others.

Seo Rin and Sa Suyeon, Dang Wol-ah and Sword Heiress still hadn’t moved, but the animosity swirling in their eyes was no less intense than Hwa Sa’s.

Cheonghye’s devastated expression also added to Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s small pleasure.

But the highlight was, of course, Son Bin. Grand Prince Gyeonghui looked directly at him.

“Why so surprised? I thought you would have anticipated something like this. The thought that someone might threaten your precious Seowon.”

Son Bin didn’t answer. But as she said, he had considered the dangers that might befall the Seowon in his absence.

“What about the Outer Affairs Branch? Ah, but the Outer Affairs Branch wouldn’t do such a thing, would they?”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui spoke clearly, as if reading Son Bin’s mind.

If the opponent was a master from the Outer Affairs Branch, the very ordinariness of the Seowon would be perfect camouflage. Even if they searched Cheongwon thoroughly, the only places they would pay attention to would be the Hoyeon Martial Arts Center or the Soeun Escort Agency.

Above all, there was no one in the Outer Affairs Branch who showed clear hostility toward Son Bin and his group. And given the nature of the Outer Affairs Branch, they would rather fight Son Bin to the death than harm the Seowon.

“Perhaps a large sect might move. But the Hyeokryeon Family would stop them.”

If a large sect tried to move, the Hyeokryeon Family in Gwangju, right next door, would be a deterrent.

Cheongwon was very close to Gwangju, so unless they were prepared for a head-on collision with the Hyeokryeon Family, no large sect could act against Cheongwon.

Moreover, attacking the Seowon, where Hyeokryeon Sehwa resided, was tantamount to declaring war on the Hyeokryeon Family. Of course, no one was told, but this was one of the reasons why Hyeokryeon Sehwa had become their adopted daughter.

“There’s no need to even consider gangs of thieves, of course.”

There was no need to mention bandits or gangs of thieves. They wouldn’t even be able to get close to Cheongwon in the first place, and even if they did, the Silver Sword Unit in Oseong Village would be more than capable of handling them.

Although the number of Silver Sword Unit members had greatly decreased, it would be difficult for even a decent sect to completely neutralize them. Moreover, if something were to happen to the Seowon, they would move to save the children, even without orders.

“But what about the military?”

The problem was if the opponent was an army. That was a completely different matter.

“You probably thought about it too. That in dealing with the Imperial Family, there could be a situation where you’re branded as rebels and suppressed. You know what kind of group the Imperial Family is, after all.”

Historically, human lives were meaningless in the face of a great cause. No, a great cause was so called precisely because it had to be achieved even at the cost of countless lives.

Would Cheongwon matter in the face of the Imperial Family’s great cause? Would the lives of those cute and precious children be exempt from the Imperial decree?

Son Bin couldn’t say yes.

“But you thought, before that happens, before the situation becomes irreversible…”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s red lips curved into a smile.

“You would end the Heaven-Turning Scheme.”

The moment Son Bin had asserted that he would end the Heaven-Turning Scheme, Grand Prince Gyeonghui was certain that her guess was correct.

“You’re really smart. But that’s precisely why you have blind spots. Limitations that inevitably arise because you know, because you can’t not know.”

A military strategist preparing for war anticipates every situation, examining the climate and weather conditions.

But no one considers large-scale natural disasters like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, because that would go beyond a war between nations and become a completely different level of problem.

Son Bin was the same.

Considering the purpose of the Heaven-Turning Scheme, suppressing Cheongwon was meaningless. Unless it was Shaolin or Wudang.

Moreover, if Cheongwon became a target for suppression, it would be close to a civil war.

By then, Son Bin would have already evacuated the children to a safe place. It wasn’t easy for an army to move, and it wasn’t a quick process.

“How about it? Did I strike your blind spot…”

Feeling an unparalleled thrill run down her spine, Grand Prince Gyeonghui said,

“Properly?”

Son Bin was silent. He listened to Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s words without a single objection, then closed his eyes.

After a moment, Son Bin opened his eyes.

“What do you want?”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s eyes lit up with joy, but she soon bit her lip.

“One word.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui said in a clear voice, the words that would determine the success or failure of everything.

“With one word from you, I can stop this.”

Son Bin wasn’t surprised or shaken. He looked at Grand Prince Gyeonghui and asked quietly,

“What word is that?”

“Swear allegiance to me.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui glared at Son Bin and said,

“Swear allegiance only to me, and no one else. Swear to believe and follow only my words, without any doubts or questions. Swear not to listen to anyone else’s words but mine, to become my person, and mine alone…”

Grind.

Grand Prince Gyeonghui gritted her teeth.

“Swear that, and nothing will happen to your Seowon.”

Son Bin gave an awkward smile. Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s eyes immediately narrowed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Ah, I apologize. But…”

Son Bin chuckled lightly.

“I thought you should be asking that of someone who will become the Imperial 駙馬 [fùmǎ] Consort’s Husband.”

駙馬 [fùmǎ] Consort’s Husband was a title given to the husband of a princess. Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s face hardened.

“I don’t like jokes.”

“That wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry.”

Son Bin apologized readily. He sighed deeply and said,

“But I still don’t understand.”

“What?”

“Even if I swear that here, would you really believe me? What if I’m just trying to get out of this moment…”

“I believe you.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s voice cut off Son Bin’s words.

“I believe your words.”

After a moment of silence, Son Bin asked,

“Why?”

“Who knows?”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui smirked.

“I don’t have to give you a reason, do I? But if I had to say…”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui looked directly at Son Bin and said,

“You resemble that person now.”

Son Bin knew who she meant by ‘that person.’

It was the Martial God of Hyeoncheon, Sa Ja-hyeok.

“Would he be someone who would swear falsely to escape a momentary crisis?”

Son Bin smiled bitterly. He wouldn’t.

“I suppose not.”

“So I’ll believe you. If you swear that before me.”

After a moment of silence, Son Bin sighed softly, then turned to look at Dang Wol-ah.

“Miss Wol-ah.”

“Yes.”

Dang Wol-ah replied in a quiet voice.

“Can the Silver Sword Unit deliver a message to Cheongwon? Faster than them?”

Dang Wol-ah was silent for a moment, but then said softly,

“We can assume they’re using the military’s signaling system with the authority of the Eastern Depot [secret police agency]. If that’s the case…”

Dang Wol-ah bit her lip.

“There’s no organization in the world that can deliver a signal faster than them right now.”

“Then we can’t save Cheongwon.”

“…Yes.”

After a moment of silence, Son Bin sighed once more.

“Bin-ah!”

“Young Master Son!”

“Brother!”

Old General No, Sa Suyeon, and Hwa Sa cried out at the same time, knowing what Son Bin was about to do.

“You mustn’t, Bin-ah.”

Old General No said in a firm voice, his wrinkled eyes filled with deep concern for Son Bin.

Son Bin could only answer with a sad expression to the heartfelt sentiment.

“But, Elder…”

“How about taking her hostage instead?”

The clear voice belonged to Hwa Sa. Grand Prince Gyeonghui frowned and turned to look at Hwa Sa.

“Wouldn’t a member of the Imperial Family be valuable enough? What do you think?”

She was speaking with a smile, but Hwa Sa’s eyes showed that she was serious.

But Grand Prince Gyeonghui chuckled in disbelief.

“I have no value.”

“What?”

Hwa Sa retorted with a scowl. She wouldn’t know. The Heaven-Turning Scheme would continue, but not Grand Prince Gyeonghui. The Emperor wouldn’t give her another chance after her failure.

All that remained for Grand Prince Gyeonghui was to be sold to an unknown northern tribe or to die unnoticed in the depths of the Imperial Palace.

“And while you’re trying to negotiate with me as a hostage, Cheongwon will already be reduced to ashes, right?”

Hwa Sa’s expression changed. Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s point was valid.

She couldn’t threaten Grand Prince Gyeonghui to cancel it either. She was already prepared to die.

Her very appearance at this place presupposed that.

“I have one question.”

Suddenly, another woman’s quiet voice was heard. It was Dang Wol-ah, who had been silent behind her veil.

“If Young Master Son does as you wish, how do you intend to stop the signal?”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui smiled lightly.

“With this.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui raised the crimson flare she had been holding all along.

“I can cancel the order I sent earlier by sending a signal with this flare. So this is the only way to save the Seowon, and in fact, it’s practically the children’s lifeline, wouldn’t you say?”

Whoosh.

As soon as she finished speaking, an immense energy surged toward Grand Prince Gyeonghui. If what she said was true, all they had to do was seize the flare.

“Heh heh. Oh dear.”

Thud, step.

Grand Prince Gyeonghui shook her head and took a step back into the pavilion, while the maid Hanga and Azure Wave Sword Wi Gajin stepped forward.

“That’s why I don’t like dealing with martial artists. They think they can just take anything by force.”

Whooong.

Energy erupted from Azure Wave Sword Wi Gajin’s body. It was an energy that surpassed anything he had shown before, comparable to a master of the Outer Affairs Branch.

The maid Hanga was the same. Although she couldn’t compare to Azure Wave Sword Wi Gajin, her whole body was overflowing with a clearly different energy than before.

“This is?”

Old General No frowned. He glared at Azure Wave Sword Wi Gajin and said,

“Your energy… could it be from Wudang [Taoist martial arts sect]…?”

“Yes.”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui answered Old General No’s question.

“I gave the Wudang energy to Wi Gong, and the energy I received from Emei [Buddhist martial arts sect] to Hanga. Of course, that still won’t be enough to beat monsters like you.”

Swish.

Behind the maid Hanga and Azure Wave Sword Wi Gajin, Grand Prince Gyeonghui raised the flare slightly.

“But it’s enough to buy time to prevent you from using it. So you shouldn’t have any foolish ideas. As I said before, this is someone’s lifeline.”

The sharp energy directed at Grand Prince Gyeonghui didn’t diminish, but no one moved.

“Now, shall we continue the conversation?”

Grand Prince Gyeonghui smiled leisurely, looking at Son Bin.

“What will you do? I don’t want to rush you, but if you’re too late, it might be irreversible.”

As she said, quite some time had passed since the red smoke had risen. If they delayed any longer, everything might be in vain.

“I understand.”

“Bin-ah!”

Old General No tried to stop Son Bin, but he couldn’t continue speaking.

Thud.

Son Bin turned to face Grand Prince Gyeonghui. Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s eyes were burning with the joy of impending victory as she looked at Son Bin.

After closing his eyes for a moment, Son Bin opened them and looked directly at Grand Prince Gyeonghui, slowly saying,

“I…”

“Brother Bin.”

The one who called out was Seo Rin.

Grand Prince Gyeonghui’s expression twisted at the sudden interruption. She was just one step away from seizing Son Bin, but another interference had come.

But she soon regained her composure. Son Bin’s decision had already been made. The result wouldn’t change.

“I really hate it when adults do things their way.”

Old General No frowned at Seo Rin’s unexpected words, but Seo Rin continued.

“Adults are too arbitrary. ‘This is hard for you, and this is good for you.’ Why do they decide everything without even asking me once?”

Seo Rin spoke in an angry voice.

“Children have thoughts too. They know what’s right and what they want to do. If it’s wrong, then explain it to them. Do you think they’ll like it if you just leave on your own and say, ‘This is for your own good’? Do you think they’ll say thank you? I really hate that, I really hate that.”

Seo Rin spoke with red, bloodshot eyes, as if she was about to burst into tears.

“So, Brother, don’t try to sacrifice yourself for the children on your own.”

“Seo Rin-ah, I…”

Son Bin bit his lip as he spoke. Seo Rin had already lost her teacher, Hwanghak Jin-in, once. Knowing that feeling, Son Bin couldn’t bring himself to continue.

Son Bin closed his eyes. It was then.

“And I’m sorry, Brother.”

It was Seo Rin’s voice. The moment Son Bin opened his eyes, Seo Rin gritted her teeth and said,

“But if it were me, I wouldn’t want you to sacrifice yourself, even if I had to die. If, if something happens to the children…”

“Seo Rin-ah!”

Paang.

At the same time as Son Bin shouted, Seo Rin’s figure disappeared. But she hadn’t disappeared. She had charged toward Grand Prince Gyeonghui at an imperceptible speed.

“I’ll go with the children!”

Boo Wook.

There was nothing visible in Seo Rin’s bloodshot eyes.

All that was in front of her was the hateful enemy who was trying to take away her warmth.

Shwiiik.

Azure Wave Sword Wi Gajin stood in front of Seo Rin, blocking her path. Even as she saw the blue energy rising from his sword, Seo Rin unhesitatingly struck him with her Buljin [special martial art].

An entirely different, red energy—Seo Rin’s Hongjin Manri [special martial art]—charged toward Azure Wave Sword Wi Gajin.

“No!”

Son Bin shouted, but he couldn’t stop Seo Rin anymore.

The negotiation had broken down.