A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 320

320. Private Conversation

The two Imperial Guard experts, who were chasing the black shadow, suddenly turned their heads at a distant sound. It was faint enough that only they could have noticed it, but it was definitely an explosion of some kind.

However, as they turned their heads, a sharp sword aura immediately lashed out at them.

‘Huh!’

The black shadow they had been chasing was suddenly right in front of them, unleashing a flurry of sword strikes. The Imperial Guard experts immediately swung their swords.

Clang!

“Stay focused!”

The Eastern Depot expert shouted, joining the fray. The black shadow, as if expecting this, gracefully retreated, sheathed its sword, and began to flee again.

‘Tch.’

The Imperial Guard expert gritted his teeth. This meant they wouldn’t be allowed to focus on anything else.

If so, this wasn’t just an escape, but a provocation. But they couldn’t just ignore the black shadow in front of them.

“What are you doing? Chase after it!”

The Eastern Depot expert said irritably. The two Imperial Guard experts immediately leaped forward.

Tap, tap.

The black shadow nimbly darted across the roofs of the mansion and the pavilions in the garden.

Although a black cloak concealed the figure, the curves of the body revealed beneath it made it clear that it was a young woman.

Whoosh.

The black shadow, kicking off the roof of the large mansion, leaped high.

The sight of her pressing down on her black bamboo hat with one hand and gracefully flying through the night sky was like a painting, but to the pursuing Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard experts, it was nothing more than a mockery of their helplessness.

Tap.

The black shadow landed in the middle of a secluded garden.

The three pursuing experts immediately landed in the garden, surrounding the black shadow.

Swish.

Slowly turning, the black shadow looked at the pursuing experts. Her eyes were hidden beneath the bamboo hat, but her exposed nose and red lips were alluringly beautiful.

“Hehe. Have you finally given up?”

The Eastern Depot expert let out a sneering laugh in a sharp voice. He was known within the Eastern Depot [a Ming Dynasty secret police organization] for being particularly cruel and obsessive.

In that moment, the two Imperial Guard experts could clearly feel the black shadow’s aura subtly change.

The Eastern Depot expert couldn’t have missed it either, but he provoked her even more.

“First, I’ll tear off that bamboo hat and see your face. And then, I’ll….”

“Hoo.”

A soft sigh interrupted his words. The woman, pressing down on her black bamboo hat, moved her red lips and said,

“Why do I always meet people like this?”

It was clearly a deliberately husky voice, meant to conceal her identity.

Nevertheless, her voice had a captivating charm, like someone who naturally becomes the center of attention.

Even with just that voice, the two Imperial Guard experts were certain that she must be incredibly attractive.

“Are decent men really this rare? Or am I just really unlucky? Ah, but….”

As she spoke, she suddenly smiled.

As her red lips curved lightly, the hearts of the Imperial Guard experts wavered. Considering they were masters of their craft, it was truly something magical.

“When I think about it, it’s obvious. Just meeting him seems to have used up all my luck in this life. And….”

Her aura changed from moment to moment. The gentle smile was now gone.

“I don’t need any other luck now.”

Whoosh.

A cold wind began to blow from all directions. But it wasn’t the wind.

The chill that relentlessly seeped into the experts’ bones was emanating from the woman in the black cloak right in front of them.

“It’s not my intention, but.”

Between the fluttering black cloak, she raised her white hand and pressed the black bamboo hat down even further. Now, only her red lips were visible.

“I have to defeat you.”

Shine.

The sword in her hand, Mimeong, gleamed under the moonlight. And she, Sa Soo-yeon, felt her heart warming.

“For him.”

She could do something for him.

Just thinking about that fact filled her heart with a gentle warmth.

∴

The black shadow suddenly dropped downwards. The three Imperial Guard experts, who were rushing towards him, couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

However, accustomed to coordinated attacks, the Imperial Guard experts didn’t collide with each other. Instead, they used each other’s strength to twist their bodies and immediately plunged downwards, chasing after the black shadow.

But at that moment, the black shadow was already soaring upwards towards them.

Whoong.

The blue-glowing Buljin [a type of Buddhist weapon] was swung, and the three Imperial Guard experts were helplessly caught in the massive energy surrounding them.

“Kugh!”

“Evade!”

Pat.

The three Imperial Guard experts scattered with all their might. If the black shadow had aimed for them at this moment, they could have certainly neutralized at least one of them.

Tap.

The Imperial Guard experts immediately landed on the ground, cautiously surveying their surroundings.

But as if mocking them, the black shadow slowly descended in their midst.

Exactly where he had been standing a moment ago, not even an inch off.

Sack.

The black shadow pressed down on his bamboo hat again. It was a gesture that seemed unfamiliar, as if he was bothered by it.

“Still, you guys are lucky.”

He said in a clear voice. It was the voice of a young man, and he didn’t seem to bother trying to hide it.

He lightly twirled the Buljin and placed it on his shoulder.

The Imperial Guard experts couldn’t take their eyes off the Buljin.

The way it glowed blue clearly indicated that it was no ordinary object.

“I’m good at it, you know.”

It was a voice full of pride.

But the Imperial Guard experts, who had no idea what he was talking about, frowned.

“You are….”

One of the Imperial Guard experts was about to say something in a sharp tone when the black shadow suddenly spoke.

“Hitting you without hurting you, I mean. My grandfather even praises me for it.”

The words, mixed with a slight laugh, were clearly a boast.

But to the listening Imperial Guard experts, there was no greater insult.

Gritting.

The Imperial Guard experts gritted their teeth. At this moment, their minds were all the same.

“Attack!”

Papaang.

The three Imperial Guard experts kicked off the ground and simultaneously charged at the black shadow, Seo-rin.

But Seo-rin’s smile didn’t disappear.

“Ah, of course.”

Woo-oong.

His Buljin, Hongjinmanri, once again began to emit a bluish light.

Seo-rin said.

“It might hurt a little.”

Whoong.

Following Seo-rin’s gesture, Hongjinmanri’s blue light cut through the darkness.

As if sweeping away all the impurities of the world, dignified and haughty.

∴

The Eastern Depot expert shouted.

“What are you doing! Capture that old man!”

The two Imperial Guard experts bit their lips and immediately leaped forward.

But the situation had already turned against them.

Even the Eastern Depot expert who had shouted was barely standing, gritting his teeth.

But an order cannot be disobeyed.

“Tahaaa!”

The two Imperial Guard experts roared loudly, striking down with swords that rippled with sword energy.

Sword energy, the symbol of a master and a chilling declaration of death.

However, the black shadow confronting the two swords wreathed in sword energy merely chuckled.

“Hehehe.”

Shhh.

The small figure of the black shadow lightly waved his sword with one hand.

The small sword wrapped in blue sword energy cut through the night sky, and with a sharp explosion, groans escaped from the mouths of the two men.

Thwack.

“Kugh.”

“Cough.”

The groans belonged to the Imperial Guard experts. They were thrown backwards, losing their balance. It was fortunate that they managed to land properly.

Tap.

The Imperial Guard experts lowered their bodies and barely landed on the ground.

They raised their heads, glaring at the small figure of the black shadow who had defeated them.

Just now, the attacks of the two Imperial Guards, to the point where the word ‘expert’ seemed inappropriate, had been easily nullified.

And that too, with a single sword strike that was neither a technique nor a trick.

Woong.

The sword held by the small figure, Soryeong, cried out.

It wasn’t anger, but rather a complaint about having to deal with such opponents.

“This is annoying.”

The black shadow, No-gun, said in a voice full of irritation.

Even though the Eastern Depot and Imperial Guard experts were the ones who should be angry here.

“I’m starting to get hungry too……. You guys don’t like dragging things out either, right?”

Of course, there was no answer. No-gun chuckled.

“So let’s finish this quickly.”

Woo-oong.

As if agreeing with those words, a low sword cry flowed out. The faces of the two Imperial Guard experts and the Eastern Depot expert changed.

Gritting.

Realizing that they might have to prepare for death, they gritted their teeth.

The small figure of No-gun standing on the large roof under the blue moonlight somehow seemed immense, as if covering the sky.

∴

A man with a fierce expression glared at the rising flames.

His long beard and unruly hair reminded anyone of a bandit, but it suited his strong features and rather gave off a masculine charm.

“Hmm.”

He frowned, staring intently at the flames rising in front of him. Talhondo, who wasn’t wearing a bamboo hat, watched him and said,

“Is it burning well?”

“It’s not burning.”

The burly man frowned and replied to Talhondo. Repeating Talhondo’s words exactly meant that the man was in a bad mood.

“And I’m the one grilling, not you. Don’t interfere with the cooking.”

Saying that, the man skillfully flipped the skewers one by one. A savory smell filled the surroundings.

The people standing next to him swallowed. In fact, they also wanted to buy skewers, but with the large and fierce-looking Talhondo standing there, they were just watching cautiously.

“That’s true. Understood.”

Talhondo readily agreed. The burly man grilling the skewers lightly wiped his sweat with the towel around his neck and handed a fully cooked skewer to Talhondo after applying seasoning.

Talhondo bit into the delicious-looking skewer.

“It’s delicious.”

The man grilling the skewers grinned at Talhondo’s simple comment. Talhondo mumbled as he chewed.

“Wrap up about ten of these for me. Ah, and ten of these and these too.”

Talhondo said, pointing at the skewers with his large hand. But the man frowned instead.

“You’re going to eat all that?”

“I’ll pay for it.”

“It’s not about the money.”

The man frowned at Talhondo.

“You’ll probably end up not eating it all and throwing it away. Do you want me to see that?”

Even against the fierce-looking Talhondo, the man didn’t back down at all.

Talhondo stared straight at the man grilling the skewers with his glaring eyes.

“There are six hungry people on this night.”

Talhondo said in a serious tone.

“Among them, there are three women who absolutely won’t give up on eating. One young man can’t resist delicious food, and as you can see, I’m not satisfied with a moderate amount. And one old man, as you know, is easily sulky even over small things. If it’s this delicious skewer, there’s no need to say more.”

Talhondo said with an intense gaze.

“Even if I buy twenty each, it won’t be enough.”

“Hmm.”

The man grilling the skewers had a serious expression. A deep sorrow that only a man burdened with responsibility could know was lingering in Talhondo’s voice.

“Alright.”

The man sighed as if he couldn’t help it. And he looked straight at Talhondo and said,

“I’ll give you twenty each.”

Meeting that gaze seriously, Talhondo nodded. The eyes of the men had communicated, so there was no need for further words.

The man immediately focused on grilling the skewers. Considering the other customers waiting, he wouldn’t have a moment to rest for a while.

Cheeeee.

The savory smell rose from the charcoal as the oil dripped. Watching the occasional flickering flames, Talhondo finally wore a satisfied smile.

*

*

*

Son Bin stared blankly at the spot where the Hwanma had been.

The Hwanma’s end wasn’t much different from that of the Hocheon Three Divine Guards.

Except that unlike the Hocheon Three Divine Guards, who didn’t even leave a trace, the Great Eunuch’s Robe and staff remained.

As the wind blew, the Great Eunuch’s Robe fluttered. Son Bin took a step forward and lightly stepped on the staff that was rolling next to it.

Crack.

Contrary to what it looked like, the staff shattered.

What had been emitting such an eerie energy was now just as empty and futile as an empty shell.

‘The other side of the world.’

Suddenly, the word that No-gun had told him before came to mind. If it had been the past, he wouldn’t have believed such a thing.

Well, he had thought that the martial artists breaking rocks with their bare hands was an exaggeration, so what was there to say?

Son Bin suddenly recalled No-gun’s words, ‘The higher you go, the more dangerous it is.’

It wasn’t just that the damage from a single mistake would be very great.

‘I hope this sheds some light.’

Son Bin sighed softly and turned his head to look at Geomhee.

She had already sheathed her sword and was standing with the same calm eyes as before. Her complexion was the same as before, and her eyes were no longer bloodshot.

“Shall we go now?”

At Son Bin’s words, Geomhee lightly bowed her head.

It was time to face the purpose of entering this place.

Beyond the darkness, the magnificent golden double roof of the imperial palace, brightly lit in red, was shining brightly.

∴

The only person in the world who knows the Emperor’s heart is one person.

A person who has known the Emperor since childhood and exists only for the Emperor. That is the Emperor’s eunuch.

His position is Great Eunuch, but the Emperor calls him by his name. Perhaps the only person the Emperor confides in is him.

He knows nothing but knows everything, and is more familiar with the imperial family than anyone else, but is completely unrelated to the imperial family. Otherwise, he could never stand by the Emperor’s side.

Today, he was guarding the Emperor’s bedchamber.

It wasn’t just because it was an emergency situation now. He was always ready to run whenever the Emperor called.

Whoosh.

A wind suddenly passed in front of him guarding the bedchamber.

It seemed like the usual night breeze. But the moment the Great Eunuch blinked, he could see that someone was standing in front of him.

A young man dressed as a neat scholar.

He was standing in front of the Great Eunuch with a relaxed appearance, as if he had been there for a long time.

“Who are you!”

Those voices belonged to the Imperial Guards. The Imperial Guards guarding the Emperor’s bedchamber immediately pointed sharp spears at him.

Thwack.

The sharp spearhead, as if about to pierce his neck, was aimed at the young man.

But the young man’s relaxed expression didn’t change.

“……Who are you?”

Unexpectedly, the Great Eunuch asked in a polite tone. It was because he realized that the young man who had appeared like this was by no means an ordinary being. If he didn’t have that much sense, he couldn’t assist the Emperor.

The young man smiled gently. And he respectfully bowed with his hands together.

“I am called one who walks the path of the Martial Emperor.”

The young man who raised his head said.

“His Majesty will be waiting for me.”

The Great Eunuch’s eyes changed. He bowed deeply, answering the young man’s greeting.

“I understand.”

The Great Eunuch gestured to the Imperial Guards. The Imperial Guards immediately lowered their spears.

There were no questions. Since the Great Eunuch had accepted him, all they had to do was obey and maintain their vigilance without letting go of their tension.

“Please wait a moment.”

Saying that, the Great Eunuch opened the large door slightly and disappeared into the bedchamber.

How long had he waited?

Creak.

After a while, the large door of the bedchamber opened with a low sound.

“Please come in.”

Inside the Emperor’s bedchamber, the Great Eunuch said, bowing politely.

“His Majesty has granted an audience.”

The young man, Son Bin, bowed his head in gratitude. And he took a step into the dark bedchamber.