A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 326

326. Breaking Moon and White Dew

The maid, Hang-ah, held Princess Kyunghee in her arms and ran towards the Seowon [a private academy or study hall]. Ahead of her, Cheongrang Sword, Wi Gajin, sped like the wind.

“What’s going on?”

Princess Kyunghee frowned as she asked. Having to move so suddenly, she was only wearing a thin coat over her light clothes.

“I don’t know.”

The maid, Hang-ah, replied with a stiff expression.

“But a moment ago, I felt an enormous presence from the Seowon.”

Hang-ah trembled slightly.

Could it even be called a presence? That overwhelming force that had shocked Cheonghye Satae [a high-ranking female Buddhist monk], Cheongrang Sword Wi Gajin, and Hang-ah herself simultaneously, and that chilling sensation that made her skin tingle.

Without a second thought, Cheonghye Satae had darted towards the Seowon. And now, Cheongrang Sword Wi Gajin and the maid Hang-ah were running towards the Seowon with Princess Kyunghee.

“In that case.”

The intelligent Princess Kyunghee immediately understood Hang-ah’s words.

“I must go.”

The maid Hang-ah bit her lip, knowing that Princess Kyunghee would say exactly that.

Perhaps it would be right to avoid it. But what was happening at the Seowon at this moment, though she couldn’t even imagine what it might be, was something she absolutely couldn’t miss.

Even if it meant sacrificing the lives of Hang-ah herself and Cheongrang Sword Wi Gajin to protect Princess Kyunghee.

Hang-ah kicked off the ground with determination. And at that moment, Cheonghye Satae, who had left first, had already arrived in front of the Seowon.

Thud.

Cheonghye Satae landed in front of the Seowon. The Seowon, with its small lamp lit, was as quiet as ever, but the energy swirling there was anything but ordinary.

Whoosh.

Just in time, Janggang Eoeong [likely a character name, possibly a fisherman] also descended to the ground, still holding his fishing rod. Cheonghye Satae nodded to Janggang Eoeong and immediately entered the Seowon.

‘Ugh.’

Cheonghye Satae barely suppressed the groan that threatened to escape her lips.

A primal fear, as if she had stepped into a place she shouldn’t have, and a ruthless sense of oppression that seemed to crush her from head to toe.

It was a terrifying force that she, as a master of the Outer Palace [likely a martial arts organization or faction], could feel all the more acutely.

“Umm.”

Janggang Eoeong’s groan was heard from behind. But Cheonghye Satae couldn’t turn back.

A man, a single presence, had stolen her gaze as if snatching it away.

Whoosh.

One person among many that she could never miss.

The man standing before Son Bin was smiling gently, with intense eyes that seemed to defy reality.

‘The Supreme of the Hyuncheon……!’

Goosebumps rose all over Cheonghye Satae’s body.

She had never met him before, never seen him. But Cheonghye Satae knew for sure.

If someone exuding such overwhelming presence wasn’t the Supreme, then who in the world could be?

Even if it weren’t for the warm smile Son Bin was giving him, she couldn’t have failed to recognize his identity.

Swish.

Just then, something chilling swept over Cheonghye Satae. A terrifying sensation, like the fangs of a beast preying on her in the dark.

Cheonghye Satae immediately turned her head and met a pair of breathtakingly beautiful eyes.

‘Heok.’

The nobleman, his mouth covered with a jade fan, was so attractive that he could shake the heart of anyone in the world, even Cheonghye Satae, who had left the secular world.

But the moment she met those beautiful eyes, Cheonghye Satae was overwhelmed by a chilling fear.

A desperate terror, as if gripped by the massive, sharp claws of a dragon, opened its mouth towards Cheonghye Satae.

‘Oh, Jade Dragon…….’

There was no need to ask who that beautiful nobleman was. Nothing but the name ‘Jade Dragon’ could explain him.

One of the Heavenly Outer Four Stars, who had reigned at the pinnacle of the Outer Palace alongside the Supreme. And the one spreading ruthless oppression and fear here now.

Cheonghye Satae’s almost instinctive reaction was to chant a Buddhist invocation.

—Heh.

The laughter was silent. But Cheonghye Satae felt that Jade Dragon, the previous Jade Dragon, had laughed. And his gaze left Cheonghye Satae.

“Heeuh, heok.”

Cheonghye Satae gasped for breath without realizing it.

Perhaps the moment she met his gaze was very brief. But it was more than enough time for her to feel fear and despair.

Step.

“Excuse me.”

A clear, ringing voice of a woman was heard from behind Cheonghye Satae. Before Cheonghye Satae could turn around, someone passed her and entered the Seowon.

‘Guigyeon Shura?’

Cheonghye Satae recognized him. In Guigyeon Shura’s arms was a small, frail lady. The owner of the voice she had heard a moment ago.

“It’s been a while, Young Master Son.”

The lady in red, Crimson Phoenix Geum Saryeon, bowed to Son Bin.

“Ah, Miss Crimson Phoenix.”

Son Bin replied with a surprised expression.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly. And in this state…….”

Crimson Phoenix blushed slightly. Being held in Guigyeon Shura’s arms was certainly embarrassing.

“But I couldn’t help it. It was by chance that I learned of these two’s existence, but…….”

It couldn’t be said to be entirely by chance. The young Jade Dragon passing by the Crimson Phoenix Union was clearly intended to draw in Guigyeon Shura.

But thanks to that, Crimson Phoenix Geum Saryeon learned of the existence of the previous Jade Dragon and Saja Hyuk. And she immediately chased after them.

There was no time to bring the wheeled chair she rode in. Thanks to that, she had to be carried like this the whole time.

“Still, now that I know, I couldn’t just stand by.”

Crimson Phoenix Geum Saryeon turned her head and looked at Saja Hyuk and the previous Jade Dragon. And Cheonghye Satae couldn’t hide her surprise at that sight.

That lady, who seemed so weak, was enduring the gaze of the previous Jade Dragon. Was this thanks to the protection of Guigyeon Shura, who was holding her?

‘No, perhaps…….’

There was no way the previous Jade Dragon wouldn’t have known that Crimson Phoenix Geum Saryeon and Guigyeon Shura were following. The previous Jade Dragon had allowed Crimson Phoenix Geum Saryeon’s presence.

If so, did that mean she had something special that would attract the previous Jade Dragon’s attention?

Step.

Cheonghye Satae’s thoughts couldn’t continue. Just in time, other people entered the Seowon.

“Ugh.”

Cheongrang Sword Wi Gajin and the maid Hang-ah, who had entered the Seowon, groaned. They immediately drew up their inner strength to protect Princess Kyunghee. But they alone were not enough.

“Samae!” [Term of address, likely meaning ‘older sister’ or ‘teacher’].

If Cheonghye Satae hadn’t stepped in, Princess Kyunghee wouldn’t have been able to stand. Cheonghye Satae placed her hand on Princess Kyunghee and raised her inner strength to protect her.

“Umm.”

Even so, Princess Kyunghee’s complexion was already pale. But even that situation couldn’t silence her.

“As expected, you were alive.”

Princess Kyunghee said, looking straight at Saja Hyuk. And soon her gaze turned to Son Bin.

“And you were deceiving me.”

Her gaze was very provocative. Son Bin sighed at her eyes, which seemed to gain vitality in this situation. What was he deceiving her about?

“I did say she might bother you.”

Saja Hyuk said in a heavy voice. He remembered Princess Kyunghee as well. Saja Hyuk turned to look at Son Bin.

“I never thought you’d be living with her.”

“No!”

“That’s not it!”

Son Bin and Sa Soo-yeon said almost simultaneously. Son Bin hurriedly continued.

“That’s not it, Princess Kyunghee is…….”

“Huhu, Princess Kyunghee, is it.”

The previous Jade Dragon’s clear voice cut off Son Bin’s words.

“Indeed. A noble woman of the Imperial family is wearing such clothes in a place like this, standing so calmly before you…….”

At those words, Princess Kyunghee hurriedly adjusted her collar.

Although it wasn’t her sleeping clothes, Princess Kyunghee was wearing fairly light clothing. The coat she had on was also very thin, so no matter how you looked at it, she didn’t look like a guest. It was even less of an outfit to show to people.

“And yet, she’s not your woman?”

The previous Jade Dragon, covering his mouth with a jade fan, smiled charmingly at Son Bin. But Son Bin knew that it was by no means a good sign.

“No, she is not.”

Son Bin said firmly.

“And she knows nothing. So please stop that energy.”

Son Bin’s request was for Princess Kyunghee’s sake. But that consideration only irritated Princess Kyunghee.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Princess Kyunghee said, looking at Son Bin with a gentle smile. Son Bin had a very bad feeling about that bright smile, which he had never seen before.

“I don’t know anything. Since Vice-Consort says so, what can I dare to say?”

The ripple she caused was great. In particular, the word ‘Vice-Consort’ immediately triggered the reactions of several people.

“Vice-Consort?”

“Did you say Vice-Consort?”

The voices of Saja Hyuk and Sa Soo-yeon popped out, followed by the gazes of Dang Wol-ah and Hyeokryun Sehwa.

“Hyung, what’s that?”

Seo-rin, who was sticking close to Son Bin, also asked.

Seo-rin was not letting his guard down against the previous Jade Dragon, as well as Saja Hyuk. Saja Hyuk was still a source of fear for him.

“……It’s nothing.”

Son Bin calmly replied to Seo-rin, trying to avoid Princess Kyunghee’s mocking gaze.

It’s nothing. At least not here.

“I’ll explain it to you slowly later, okay?”

He thought he had already explained enough about Princess Kyunghee. Everyone was convinced.

But he didn’t know that not mentioning ‘Vice-Consort’ would come back like this.

“You’re quite something, aren’t you?”

As expected? The previous Jade Dragon’s clear voice rang out again.

“You used to be so adamant that you hated money, power, and beauties…….”

Clack.

The previous Jade Dragon said, folding his jade fan. Revealing his face, he smiled brightly at Son Bin.

His captivating appearance, stealing everyone’s attention at once, was clearly revealed under the light.

“You seem to have had quite a bit of fun for someone who said that?”

Son Bin’s head ached.

He seemed to have said something similar when he rejected Jade Dragon’s offer to cut off his head in the past. But it wasn’t like this.

Besides, he had an uneasy feeling that Princess Kyunghee and the previous Jade Dragon’s chemistry was strangely good. Both of them were making things difficult for Son Bin with strange words.

“It wasn’t really related to money or power, though.”

After sighing quietly, Son Bin replied.

For conscience’s sake, he had to leave out ‘beauty’. Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah were beautiful enough to be called national treasures, and Hyeokryun Sehwa was also not lacking in elegant charm.

Son Bin turned his head and looked at Saja Hyuk. As always, his deep and intense eyes were looking straight at Son Bin.

“I had fun.”

Son Bin said with a gentle smile.

“I mean it sincerely.”

Slowly, a smile spread across Saja Hyuk’s lips.

“I see.”

Saja Hyuk’s one word had the power to silence the surroundings. Even the previous Jade Dragon, who had been mocking Son Bin, clicked his tongue and frowned, turning his gaze away.

“Is Breaking Moon here?”

Suddenly, Saja Hyuk asked. Son Bin smiled again. He knew he would say that. The moon was especially bright today.

“Yes, I’ll go…….”

“No.”

Saja Hyuk said.

“I have something to ask you before that.”

Son Bin looked at Saja Hyuk with a puzzled expression.

What could be more important than his sword, Breaking Moon?

“Have you completed the Breaking Moon Three Forms that I showed you?”

Saja Hyuk’s eyes, as he asked, were burning like flames.

“Something like that.”

Son Bin said with a smile. There was only one answer.

“I can’t say it with words, can I?”

Saja Hyuk smiled with satisfaction. No one didn’t know what the two men’s smiles meant.

“Tsk.”

Clatter.

The previous Jade Dragon unfolded his jade fan as if he didn’t want to see it. And looked at the young Jade Dragon.

“Good for you. So-ryong.”

The previous Jade Dragon said, not hiding his blatant contempt.

“Escaping to this place was the right choice.”

“I am.”

Swish.

The young Jade Dragon stood up.

“I am Jade Dragon.”

His hair was disheveled and his complexion was pale. Nevertheless, he was still attractive.

However, compared to the previous Jade Dragon, there was still a difference in class.

“I am the one who inherited the power of blood. I am Jade Dragon. But how…….”

He couldn’t hide his trembling voice.

“How are you alive?”

“Huhu.”

The previous Jade Dragon laughed.

“Deceiving death is not that difficult, surprisingly.”

That answer, spoken as if it were nothing, was enough to make everyone shudder.

Because they knew that the incomprehensible words of deceiving death were by no means an exaggeration.

“That’s ridiculous…….”

The young Jade Dragon distorted his face. But the previous Jade Dragon, who should have been dead, was standing proudly before him like this.

“If you want to know the answer.”

The previous Jade Dragon said in a rather clear voice. A faint smile spread across his eyes.

“Find it yourself.”

Gritting.

The young Jade Dragon gritted his teeth. But he couldn’t say anything more.

*

*

*

Swaaaa.

A blue wind blew. The reeds full of the riverside swayed like waves in the wind, and the waves of the North River beyond flowed slowly under the moonlight.

It was a sight that Son Bin always saw when he started training, but today was different. Saja Hyuk was standing in that blue wind.

Holding the greatsword Breaking Moon, just like in his memory.

Woong.

A low cry of White Dew suddenly awakened Son Bin. The warm warmth of White Dew in his hand gently caressed Son Bin’s chest.

Son Bin smiled without realizing it.

The appearance of White Dew crying softly felt like a proud beauty telling him to calm down, but was actually trembling herself.

“It’s a good place.”

Suddenly, Saja Hyuk said. He was looking at the swaying reed field and the quietly flowing waves of the North River.

“It’s a good place.”

Son Bin turned his head and looked at the flowing river. It felt like time was flowing slowly with the sparkling waves.

“So, I wanted to show it to you.”

There was nothing like a scenic view. But it didn’t seem like any place in the world could be more beautiful than this.

“I couldn’t do anything for Yeon-ah.”

Saja Hyuk quietly continued, looking at the flowing river.

“So, thank you.”

Saja Hyuk’s sincerity was contained in that short voice. Son Bin smiled.

“I’m the one who’s grateful.”

Saja Hyuk silently looked at the river. And after a while, he turned his head and looked at Son Bin.

“Then.”

Woo woong.

At Saja Hyuk’s one word, White Dew cried again. And at the same time, the greatsword in Saja Hyuk’s hand, Breaking Moon, quietly made a sound.

Hooo woong.

A blue energy began to linger on Saja Hyuk’s Breaking Moon. It was a sight he had seen countless times, but it was the first time he was experiencing it directed at himself.

‘This is…….’

Son Bin bit his lip. A shiver ran down his spine.

Thinking that this was the sight that those who had faced Saja Hyuk until now had seen, he couldn’t help but respect them anew. But he couldn’t just stay like this.

Swish.

Son Bin slowly raised White Dew. Under the blue moonlight, White Dew rose, and with it, White Dew’s sword cry quietly subsided.

The trembling heart and the shivers running through his body were gone.

Saja Hyuk smiled at that sight. He was also aware of Son Bin’s change.

“Let’s begin.”

Son Bin quietly replied to that heavy word.

“Anytime.”

Son Bin said so behind the enchantingly shining blade of White Dew.

And the next moment, Breaking Moon rushed towards Son Bin.