A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 337

337. Avalanche

It was a truly bizarre sight.

A section of the white, gleaming Daesul Mountain, under the azure sky, had broken away as if it were a figment of the imagination.

The result, however, was undeniably real. The massive accumulation of snow cascaded downwards, instantly triggering an avalanche.

Kuuuung.

With an unsettling sound that reverberated through the mountain, like distant thunder, the immense snow mass slid down.

Quaarrrrr.

The torrent, slowly descending from the towering Daesul Mountain, steadily widened its path, hurtling towards the group.

“Get out of the way!”

Old Gun bellowed. Before his words were even fully uttered, Sa Soo-yeon was already darting towards Son Bin. Her expression, though tense, still radiated beauty as she rapidly approached Son Bin.

Seo-rin threw herself towards Governor Hwang, while Guigyeon Soo embraced Blood Peak.

Dang Wol-ah and Old Gun scrambled for the nearest horses, grabbing whatever luggage they could manage. Without supplies, their survival and escape from the Daesul Mountain Range would be severely compromised.

Moving all the horses at once was impractical, and they couldn’t risk being caught in the avalanche.

Almost instantaneously, Geomhee appeared, assisting Dang Wol-ah and Old Gun. Everything unfolded in a blur.

“Governor Hwang! Quickly…”

Son Bin turned and shouted. The roar of the avalanche nearly drowned out his voice.

However, Governor Hwang remained seated, staring blankly at the approaching avalanche, as if resigned to his fate.

Tak.

“Young Master Son!”

Sa Soo-yeon’s arm encircled Son Bin’s waist, and Seo-rin clutched the hem of Governor Hwang’s robe. It was at that precise moment.

“There’s no need to run.”

That resonant voice cut through the avalanche’s din, causing everyone to freeze in their tracks.

Son Bin saw him. The imposing figure of Saja-hyeok slowly advanced, his black greatsword, Pamoel, strapped to his back.

“I’ll stop it.”

It was a claim that no one, not even Old Gun or Son Bin, could readily accept.

The group stood not on a steep incline, but on an open mountainside. There were no boulders to provide cover, no forests to impede the avalanche.

Indeed, anything would be swept away by an avalanche of this magnitude. Even now, the avalanche generated a massive blizzard, bearing down on them.

So, how could they believe Saja-hyeok’s assertion that he would ‘stop it,’ even if he was the most formidable warrior in existence?

“No, to be precise.”

Saja-hyeok glanced at Son Bin and offered a faint smile. Son Bin noticed an intense gleam in his eyes.

“I’ll try to divert it.”

For a moment, Son Bin was puzzled by his words.

Divert it? Was that even possible in the face of this avalanche?

“What?”

Old Gun exclaimed, incredulous.

“Divert it? What does that even mean? It’s not like it’s a sword or a knife…”

“It’s the same thing.”

Saja-hyeok replied as he stepped forward.

“It’s just a bit bigger.”

‘Ah!’

In that instant, Son Bin seemed to grasp Saja-hyeok’s intention. The previous Jade Dragon also wore a subtle smile.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you this excited.”

He unfurled his jade fan and chuckled, acting as if the approaching avalanche was of no concern.

“This looks like it’s going to be very interesting?”

Saja-hyeok smiled faintly and slowly drew his black greatsword, Pamoel.

Uuwoong.

Pamoel resonated. However, its cry was no match for the avalanche’s roar. No matter how powerful Saja-hyeok was, it seemed he would be helplessly consumed by the onrushing torrent of snow.

But Son Bin saw it. The smile on Saja-hyeok’s face, as he stood before the avalanche, grew even wider.

‘Ah.’

Son Bin understood its meaning. It was the expression of a warrior confronting a monumental challenge.

Kwagwagwag.

A massive wall of snow descended upon the group. And then, Saja-hyeok’s Pamoel struck from above.

Huoong.

There was no impact, no explosion. But the onrushing snow split in two before Saja-hyeok’s Pamoel as if by magic.

Kureureureung.

With an eerie rumble, the enormous snow mass rushed to either side of the group. The ground was swept clean by the torrent, vanishing without a trace.

Yet, miraculously, the violent torrent parted to the left and right before the group.

“W, what is this…”

Governor Hwang, still seated, muttered blankly. He didn’t even seem to notice the snow dusting his face.

“He’s diverting it.”

Son Bin said softly, unable to conceal his awe. But Governor Hwang didn’t seem to fully comprehend Son Bin’s words.

“Diverting it? Not blocking it?”

Old Gun asked. Before Saja-hyeok’s Pamoel, the massive torrent split in two as if it were an illusion. It appeared as if Saja-hyeok’s Pamoel itself was the barrier.

It was as if an obstacle had been placed in a raging river, causing the avalanche to divide before Saja-hyeok’s Pamoel.

“No. He’s not blocking it.”

Son Bin said with conviction, pride evident in his voice.

“Pamoel isn’t obstructing the avalanche, nor is it directly opposing it. It’s finding the spaces between the flows and redirecting it. So, right now, the Martial Emperor is…”

Son Bin trembled slightly. Could anyone else in the world accomplish what Saja-hyeok was doing?

“Cutting it in two.”

Though it may not be apparent, everything possesses a flaw, a kind of fissure.

By guiding a blade along that flaw, one can separate things with minimal effort.

Regardless of size or hardness, the principle remains the same.

At this moment, Saja-hyeok was locating that flaw within the avalanche’s torrent and dividing it, even creating the flow itself.

It was an incredibly difficult feat. Impossible, even, for an ordinary human. But Saja-hyeok was succeeding.

Kwagwagwag.

The violent white torrent split before their eyes. Yet, Pamoel seemed to encounter little resistance as it cleaved the massive avalanche.

“Ha, haha.”

Son Bin chuckled weakly. Old Gun frowned and glanced at him, likely concerned by his sudden laughter.

“No, it’s nothing. It’s just…”

Son Bin shook his head and reassured Old Gun. Then, he looked up at Saja-hyeok, at his broad back as he effortlessly divided the avalanche.

“I just realized that this was his answer. That if it were him, he would have done this in the North Sea…”

Son Bin had recounted the events of the North Sea to Saja-hyeok, sharing everything he had witnessed and felt.

Saja-hyeok had listened intently, and after hearing of Son Bin’s collapse, he had simply said:

‘There are other ways.’

He hadn’t elaborated. Saja-hyeok wasn’t one to offer explanations.

Now, Saja-hyeok was demonstrating that answer directly before Son Bin’s eyes.

Kkuuuk.

Son Bin clenched his fist involuntarily. His heart pounded.

Kwareureureureu.

Even now, the massive torrent flowed to either side of the group. It was like gazing at a raging river, inducing dizziness.

That all-consuming torrent, however, caused no harm to the group, save for the snow powder swirling like a storm.

Before they knew it, the avalanche began to subside. In reality, its duration was brief, but to the group, it felt like an eternity.

Seuk.

At that moment, the previous Jade Dragon stirred. He approached Saja-hyeok silently from behind.

Son Bin, and Old Gun, tensed. Saja-hyeok’s back was completely exposed.

“Heung.”

The previous Jade Dragon snorted softly and swung his jade fan powerfully to the left and right.

Peoeong.

A tremendous explosion erupted on either side of Saja-hyeok. Simultaneously, the cascading snow burst into the air with immense force. It was a phenomenon distinct from Saja-hyeok’s actions.

“Keuk, what are you doing!”

Old Gun shouted, a natural reaction. The sheer volume of snow that the previous Jade Dragon had launched into the air obscured their vision.

But the previous Jade Dragon paid no heed. He continued to swing his jade fan, scattering snow in all directions, creating a hazy atmosphere.

“What suddenly…”

“He’s helping.”

Son Bin answered Old Gun. Sa Soo-yeon turned to Son Bin, having considered the possibility of subduing the previous Jade Dragon if necessary.

“The Martial Emperor is dividing the avalanche by utilizing its own momentum. But if the flow weakens, as it is now, it could become even more dangerous.”

The avalanche was already diminishing, but the amount of snow was still substantial.

Enough to bury Son Bin’s group in an instant.

“So he’s assisting. He’s protecting us.”

“Don’t misunderstand.”

A cold voice echoed, clear as jade beads rolling from the red lips of the previous Jade Dragon, who continued to swing his jade fan.

“Who’s protecting whom? Don’t utter such nonsense. It makes me cringe.”

Peoeong, peong.

Each swing of his jade fan unleashed a tremendous explosion. Yet, the previous Jade Dragon spoke nonchalantly.

“I simply don’t want this to end anticlimactically. After witnessing such an interesting spectacle, if you all get buried in the snow…”

The previous Jade Dragon’s red lips curled into a wry smile.

“Wouldn’t that be amusing?”

Peoeong.

The previous Jade Dragon’s jade fan stilled after the final explosion. And Saja-hyeok’s Pamoel no longer divided the avalanche. The white torrent that threatened to engulf everything had ceased.

Hwik.

Saja-hyeok withdrew Pamoel, which had been extended forward, and slashed it lightly diagonally upwards.

Peopeong.

The snow before Saja-hyeok erupted, and even the last remnants of the avalanche vanished.

The area where the group stood was untouched by the avalanche, save for the snow powder that had settled on their heads and shoulders.

“It’s been a while.”

The previous Jade Dragon said with a smile to Saja-hyeok, who was turning around.

“Since you’ve been so engrossed, and since I’ve been guarding your back.”

Saja-hyeok chuckled instead of replying. Son Bin thought he seemed slightly embarrassed.

Jeobeok, jeobeok.

Saja-hyeok walked directly to Son Bin and asked:

“How was it?”

Son Bin smiled.

“Amazing.”

It was sincere. He wanted to raise his hands and cheer, like the students of the Seowon [private Confucian academy] always did.

“Really, it was amazing.”

Saja-hyeok smiled faintly, tapped Son Bin on the shoulder, and walked past him.

Son Bin couldn’t take his eyes off his back.

His worries vanished in an instant. Even in the face of danger, he felt a sense of security, a belief that Saja-hyeok would find a solution.

‘Someday, I too.’

He didn’t aspire to possess the same martial prowess. But someday, Son Bin wanted to become someone like Saja-hyeok.

“Heoeo…”

A sigh-like sound came from behind. Son Bin turned. Governor Hwang, still sitting on the ground, stared at Saja-hyeok’s back with a blank expression.

Son Bin smiled. Not to mock Governor Hwang, but because he saw a reflection of his former self.

“Get up.”

Son Bin extended his hand to Governor Hwang, who remained fixated on Saja-hyeok.

“Is that person… a Martial God?”

Martial God (武神). Perhaps the term was fitting. ‘Hyuncheon’ was the Supreme Ultimate and Jinmu (眞武) [both are Taoist deities associated with martial prowess].

“No.”

Son Bin shook his head.

“He is Saja-hyeok. The person I am most proud of in the world.”

“Heo.”

Governor Hwang sighed in admiration once more and looked up at Daesul Mountain.

“I never thought there would be someone who could rival Daesul Mountain.”

“He didn’t win.”

Son Bin also looked up at Daesul Mountain. The white snow mountain, towering towards the blue sky, seemed unaffected.

“But the fact that someone bravely confronts even a desperate situation gives us hope, doesn’t it?”

Not everyone can achieve what Saja-hyeok does. But the existence of such a person offers hope, the possibility of finding a way even in the direst circumstances.

“Let’s go.”

Son Bin said to Governor Hwang, who remained seated.

“At this rate, the sun will set here.”

Sunset was still distant, but Son Bin’s words held truth. Governor Hwang was still reeling from the earlier shock.

“Y, yes, let’s.”

Driven by his sense of duty as a Magwadu [regional official], Governor Hwang regained his composure, rose, and brushed the snow from his hat and shoulders.

He surveyed the surroundings.

Only snow remained. Everything else was gone.

After shuddering, Governor Hwang looked at Saja-hyeok. With a sigh, he turned to Son Bin.

“If we go a little further, there’s a good place.”

“A good place?”

“That’s right. A very good place.”

Governor Hwang said, still slightly dazed.

“Because it’s the place that saved my life.”

Son Bin looked puzzled. After urging them onward for a while, Son Bin discovered the location of ‘the place that saved Governor Hwang’s life.’

Surprisingly, it was a hot spring nestled deep within the Daesul Mountain Range.

* * *

“Huuu.”

Governor Hwang inhaled deeply as he soaked in the hot spring. Son Bin, Old Gun, and Seo-rin followed suit.

“Wow, it’s warm!”

Seo-rin cheered, delighted. But she soon frowned.

“But the smell is, euuk, weird.”

The sensitive Seo-rin pinched her nose. But she seemed to enjoy the warm water, splashing it with her free hand.

“Hmm, this is very good.”

Old Gun also soaked in the water, expressing satisfaction. Governor Hwang was amazed.

“Even though you’re a master, you enjoy hot springs, Elder?”

“You’ll understand when you get old.”

Old Gun retorted.

“It’s unavoidable, whether you’re a master or a grandfather. When you age, your joints ache. Eheoheo, good.”

Old Gun, with half-closed eyes, savored the warmth of the hot spring.

“How did you discover this place?”

Son Bin asked Governor Hwang. Governor Hwang, who was splashing hot spring water on his face, offered a wry smile.

“It was luck. After losing everything in the avalanche, I stumbled upon this place when I had nothing left to lose. It’s far from the merchant routes, so I wouldn’t have found it otherwise.”

Even if he had survived the avalanche, his prospects were bleak. He had lost everything.

Without the hot spring, Governor Hwang would have eventually frozen to death.

“By the way, that person is…”

Governor Hwang cautiously asked Son Bin. ‘That person’ was Saja-hyeok, who was also soaking in the hot spring. The previous Jade Dragon remained distant.

“Is he human?”

Son Bin laughed. Governor Hwang was still reeling from the earlier events.

“Sometimes I doubt it myself.”

“Look who’s talking.”

Old Gun interjected. Son Bin brushed it off with an awkward smile.

Governor Hwang didn’t understand Old Gun’s comment and continued to mutter while looking at Saja-hyeok.

“I feel like someone like me shouldn’t be in the same hot spring as that person…”

Son Bin understood the sentiment. Governor Hwang was visibly uneasy.

“I, I’ll go out first.”

Chwaak.

Governor Hwang started to get up, but stopped abruptly.

“Don’t move.”

Saja-hyeok’s deep voice resonated. Old Gun, Son Bin, Seo-rin, and Governor Hwang all looked at Saja-hyeok, who wasn’t even looking at them.

Governor Hwang paled, wondering if he had offended him. Son Bin asked, puzzled:

“What’s wrong?”

Was there danger? Son Bin wondered. It was the first time Saja-hyeok had spoken like that.

Saja-hyeok raised his head, his expression serious.

“No one can leave until Yeon-ah is finished.”

‘Ah.’

Only then did Son Bin realize.

The young ladies were bathing in the hot spring on the other side of Saja-hyeok. Even Sa Soo-yeon, who was indifferent to the cold, and Geomhee were present.

Dang Wol-ah’s words, ‘It’s said to make your skin smooth,’ had convinced them.

“I, I don’t have any intention of looking…”

“I’ll say it again.”

Governor Hwang’s excuse was ignored. Saja-hyeok said calmly, but firmly:

“No one can leave until Yeon-ah is finished.”

Governor Hwang quietly sank back into the water, up to his nose. But having witnessed Saja-hyeok’s human side, he seemed more at ease.

Son Bin, however, struggled to control his racing heart. Saja-hyeok’s words reminded him of Sa Soo-yeon’s pajamas that he had glimpsed sometime after the Gangnam Yongbong Association event.

‘Was it red with a maple leaf pattern?’

Champpak.

Son Bin also submerged himself up to his nose, feeling as if Saja-hyeok could read his thoughts.

The heat of the hot spring flushed Son Bin’s cheeks.

(Author’s words)

The other side of Saja-hyeok can only be left to the imagination. (Crying)