A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 352

352. The Meaning of the Great General

As Sword Empress’s countless sword shadows materialized, the Eastern Guardian King immediately pulled back his Vajra Flail, sweeping it defensively around himself.

Clang, clang, clang.

The sword shadows of the Sanghyo Two Forms clashed against the Vajra Flail, bursting apart in a series of explosive sounds.

“Huh?”

Old Man frowned, observing the scene.

“Was it that weak?”

The sword shadows of the Sanghyo Two Forms that Old Man had witnessed before each contained formidable inner energy [internal energy or ‘qi’ is a vital energy in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts]. Even Sword Empress seemed strained after unleashing the Sanghyo Two Forms, which was precisely why the technique could unleash such immense power.

However, the sword shadows now being swept away by the Vajra Flail’s trajectory clearly lacked that same potent inner energy.

“It’s not weak,” Tang Wuhua said quietly from behind. Old Man glanced back at her.

“Then is the inner energy contained in that flail so great?”

Tang Wuhua quietly shook her head. The aura emanating from the Eastern Guardian King’s flail was as Old Man had perceived—certainly threatening, but not enough to overwhelm Sword Empress’s Sanghyo Two Forms.

“It’s weakened, but the Sanghyo Two Forms has become stronger.”

Old Man frowned, struggling to decipher Tang Wuhua’s cryptic words. She continued softly, “Look.”

Whoo-oong.

Old Man’s eyes widened. New sword shadows were materializing in the very space where the Eastern Guardian King’s Vajra Flail had just swept through.

Swish, swish, swish.

Clang, clang, clang.

The Eastern Guardian King gritted his teeth, swinging his flail with all his might. It danced dazzlingly, attempting to cover every direction, but the sword shadows that had disappeared with explosive sounds reappeared almost instantly.

Moreover, the impact of each explosion was being transmitted directly to the Eastern Guardian King through the Vajra Flail—steadily and relentlessly.

“What on earth is this…”

Old Man gaped. The phrase ‘weakened, but strengthened’ perfectly described the situation.

Sword Empress’s Sanghyo Two Forms was endlessly generating new sword shadows.

Clang, clang, clang.

Meanwhile, Sword Empress, who had landed gracefully on the ground, looked at the Eastern Guardian King and said quietly, “Sever [斬 – ‘zan’ in Chinese, meaning to cut or sever].”

Sword Empress remained still, yet at that moment, countless sword shadows surged towards the Eastern Guardian King.

“Kugh.”

The Eastern Guardian King immediately released his Vajra Flail. Then, as if pressing his palms together in prayer, he slammed his hands together forcefully and shouted, “Heavenly Net Vajra Wall!”

Thud.

A blindingly intense golden light erupted, momentarily swallowing the Eastern Guardian King’s figure. But it was soon completely engulfed by the relentless sword shadows of the Sanghyo Two Forms.

Kwaaaaaang.

A deafening roar echoed, and a violent storm raged. The high-ranking monks, having experienced this once before, immediately covered their ears. However, they couldn’t maintain their grip on their golden crowns or fluttering robes, which were torn away by the gale.

Once again, they found themselves tumbling awkwardly in all directions.

‘Ugh.’

Sun Bin also clutched his coat tightly to prevent it from being blown away. But he was more concerned with the technique the Eastern Guardian King had unleashed at the end than with his attire.

‘What did he say?’

He couldn’t understand the words, but the eruption of golden light after the Eastern Guardian King’s shout made it clear that it was his technique.

As Old Man had explained, the shout was a way to momentarily enter a state of transcendence before unleashing a powerful technique.

Just like Sword Empress did when unleashing the Sanghyo One Form and Two Forms.

Whoo-oong.

The outcome was revealed before everyone’s eyes before long. The Eastern Guardian King stood there, covered in blood.

“Keuh.”

The Eastern Guardian King, drenched in his own blood, let out a strained laugh.

His arms, which had unleashed the Heavenly Net Vajra Wall at the last moment, hung limply. The Vajra Flail lay discarded nearby.

“Amazing. The Heavenly Net Vajra Wall is… Cough.”

The Eastern Guardian King vomited blood. This was due to the internal injuries that had been steadily accumulating as he destroyed the sword shadows, and the impact he had sustained when the Heavenly Net Vajra Wall was shattered.

“Keuh, heh, heh, heh.”

The Eastern Guardian King, laughing as he watched his blood pool on the floor, raised his head.

What he truly resented was not his defeat, nor the shattering of the Heavenly Net Vajra Wall, which had never been broken before.

Glaring at Sword Empress, he groaned, “The moment the Heavenly Net Vajra Wall was broken, the sword…”

The Eastern Guardian King’s body slowly began to tilt.

“To withdraw it…”

The pupils of his eyes, already losing focus, rolled to the side. In that instant, the Amorous Guardian King appeared, supporting the collapsing Eastern Guardian King.

Thud.

The Eastern Guardian King’s blood stained the Amorous Guardian King’s clothes, but she paid it no mind.

The Amorous Guardian King frowned, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed with concern as she looked down at the Eastern Guardian King in her arms. She immediately touched several pressure points with her fingers.

Tap, tap.

After assessing his condition, she sighed in relief.

The Eastern Guardian King’s life was not in immediate danger. He had simply suffered too much shock in a short period. His body was covered in blood, but there were no immediately fatal wounds.

“You…”

The Amorous Guardian King raised her eyes, glaring at Sword Empress. Her gaze, as sharp as a blade, seemed capable of cutting Sword Empress down at any moment.

But Sword Empress said quietly, in a calm tone, “Two.”

No one present failed to understand the meaning of that single word. Sun Bin smiled wryly to himself.

‘I did ask her to win as overwhelmingly as possible, but…’

He hadn’t expected her to end each fight with a single move. Sword Empress was, in the truest sense, faithfully carrying out Sun Bin’s request.

Swish.

Sword Empress averted her gaze from the Amorous Guardian King, or rather, from the Eastern Guardian King she was cradling. Ignoring the Amorous Guardian King’s glare, Sword Empress sheathed her Ice Sword.

Clang.

As always, with a desolate look in her eyes, she said quietly, “Next [次 – ‘ci’ in Chinese, meaning next].”

Grit.

The Amorous Guardian King gritted her teeth, but Sword Empress remained indifferent.

“Amazing.”

Old Man clicked his tongue, observing Sword Empress. Tang Wuhua’s assessment—that it had weakened but become stronger—was accurate. At this rate, almost no one could withstand Sword Empress’s Sanghyo Two Forms, which was already formidable.

Moreover, unlike before, Sword Empress’s complexion remained unchanged even after unleashing the Sanghyo Two Forms.

“When did she improve so much?”

“I told her,” Tang Wuhua said quietly. Old Man turned to her.

“Sword Empress’s technique is very inefficient in terms of inner energy usage. So I told her.”

Old Man’s white eyebrows twitched.

“Told her? What?”

“The inner energy usage of the Myriad Flying Flowers.”

Old Man gaped at Tang Wuhua’s nonchalant answer.

Myriad Flying Flowers is a Tang Clan technique that evokes the image of the sky filled with flower petals. [The Tang Clan is a famous clan known for their expertise in hidden weapons and poisons.]

This technique, which scatters enough hidden weapons to cover the entire sky at once, is a secret technique that even experts of the Outer World [Murim refers to the martial arts world] must be wary of.

“You told her that? The Myriad Flying Flowers?”

Old Man clicked his tongue at Tang Wuhua, who was nodding. To speak so casually about something that would turn the entire Murim upside down if the Tang Clan found out!

“Why?”

Old Man’s question was natural, and Tang Wuhua’s answer was clear.

“I knew it in Huangshan. If she gets stronger, Young Master Sun will be safer too.”

Sword Empress had blocked countless fire bombs with the Sanghyo Two Forms in Huangshan. Old Man couldn’t deny that Sword Empress had saved everyone’s lives, including Sun Bin’s, at that time.

Moreover, in the Imperial Palace, they had entrusted Sun Bin’s life to Sword Empress.

“No, still, the Myriad Flying Flowers is a family secret, so…”

“No matter how secret it is, it’s not as good as Young Master Sun’s sword.”

Old Man was momentarily speechless. Sun Bin’s sword was like a koan [a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment] from a high monk, allowing one to realize many things and think deeply just by looking at it.

Like the saying ‘you see as much as you know’, it possessed a magic that made experts of the Outer World lose themselves in admiration.

The reason why Nangong Cheon, the calculating former Thunder Sword, or Hyeonryun Wi, the former Tyrant Sword who was only interested in martial arts, didn’t want to leave the academy was all because of that.

“So the inner energy usage of the Myriad Flying Flowers is nothing compared to Young Master Sun’s sword.”

When you thought about it, Tang Wuhua had even told Sasu Yeon the essence of the Poisonous Energy Art, which could be called a divine art. So giving Sword Empress the secrets of the Myriad Flying Flowers was nothing in comparison.

But the Myriad Flying Flowers was still a great technique, so Tang Wuhua’s actions were a shocking departure that went beyond boldness and surprised even Old Man.

“You taught me too, Old Man.”

“No, that’s true, but…”

Old Man had nothing to say. It was true that he had taught her, but that was not so much formally teaching her martial arts as simply giving her a few hints.

“This is similar too.”

Tang Wuhua raised her eyes and looked at Sword Empress, who was standing calmly.

“Sooner or later, it was a realm she would have reached anyway.”

Sword Empress stood quietly like a painting, holding the Ice Sword in her arms. Even after unleashing the Sanghyo One Form and Two Forms in succession, her complexion showed no change at all.

‘Myriad Flying Flowers… Indeed.’

Old Man understood the change that Sword Empress’s Sanghyo Two Forms had undergone, and he could realize that it had made the technique even more powerful.

Now, the Sanghyo Two Forms had gone beyond being a last resort to be unleashed with all one’s might, and had become an excellent move that could be actively used in various situations. The meaning it held was very significant.

Meanwhile, the high-ranking monks who had been tumbling around found their places again, and the Eastern Guardian King, stained with blood, was taken to the medical bureau of the Potala Palace [a large Tibetan Buddhist complex in Lhasa, Tibet. It was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959].

Clang.

Old Man turned his gaze at the quiet metallic sound.

The young Southern Guardian King, who had been protecting the Great Monk, was slowly walking out.

He was wearing metal gauntlets on both arms, and each time he moved, thick metal leg armor with a metallic texture was revealed beneath his red robe.

Thud, thud.

A heavy sound echoed with the Southern Guardian King’s steps. The weight of the leg armor and gauntlets was by no means light, but the Southern Guardian King’s movements were not at all restricted.

“This time,” the Southern Guardian King said, adjusting his gauntlets. A metallic sound rang out from his gauntlets, which were decorated with snake patterns.

“I’ll give it a try.”

The Southern Guardian King’s eyes were burning with clear heat. But a clear voice stopped the Southern Guardian King’s steps.

“I’m a little sorry, but…”

It was the Amorous Guardian King’s voice. She stared straight at Sword Empress and said to the Southern Guardian King, “Can I go first?”

The Southern Guardian King frowned. Judging by the Amorous Guardian King’s gleaming eyes, she was about to attack him first if he didn’t yield his turn now.

The Southern Guardian King made a troubled expression and turned his head towards the Immovable Guardian King. He was trying to confirm the intentions of the Immovable Guardian King, the leader of the Five Guardian Kings.

However, the Immovable Guardian King, who was protecting the young palace lord, had his eyes closed. At this rate, it was impossible to know his intentions.

“Hoo.”

The Southern Guardian King sighed. He didn’t want to back down easily at the Amorous Guardian King’s words, but he hated causing internal strife in front of outsiders even more.

“I can’t help it.”

The Southern Guardian King scratched his shiny bald head with his metal-gauntleted hand.

“I’ll repay this debt in the next life.”

“Thank you.”

The Amorous Guardian King smiled. And she walked out, fluttering her crimson skirt stained with the Eastern Guardian King’s blood seductively.

Clang.

As she took out her hand from behind her waist, two silver rings appeared. Two silver rings, large enough for a person to wrap their arms around, gleamed with sharp blades under the sunlight.

But what was shining even more was the Amorous Guardian King’s intense gaze towards Sword Empress.

“The order has changed a little, but you don’t have any complaints, do you? And…”

The Amorous Guardian King said with a somewhat seductive smile. She moved her red lips and spat out words to Sword Empress, who was answering with silence.

Grit.

The Amorous Guardian King’s voice as she gritted her teeth. But Sword Empress didn’t even flinch.

But everyone except Sun Bin and his party could clearly understand the meaning of the Amorous Guardian King’s voice.

“The Amorous Guardian King’s Wrathful Deity [忿怒神 – ‘Fen Nu Shen’ in Chinese, a deity embodying wrathful compassion] has opened its eyes.”

The young palace lord said as if sighing. Governor Hwang translates those words.

“Wrathful Deity?”

Governor Hwang nodded with a stiff expression.

“Yes. The Guardian Kings are Wrathful Deities. That Wrathful Deity…”

Governor Hwang turned to look at the Amorous Guardian King, who was emitting streams of murderous intent, and continued, “Seems to have opened its eyes within the Amorous Guardian King.”

That was probably because of the Northern Guardian King’s defeat and the Eastern Guardian King’s blood. True to her name as the Amorous Guardian King, her heart had reacted to the pain, anger, and despair of the two Guardian Kings.

“Then what will happen?”

Sun Bin asked, forgetting that he should speak arrogantly.

“Unless the Immovable Guardian King steps in.”

The only being who can control the Guardian Kings is the Immovable Guardian King, the leader of the Five Guardian Kings. But he has his eyes closed now.

Governor Hwang bit his lip and said, “This will be a life-or-death battle.”

The meaning of becoming a life-or-death battle was clear. It had become a battle that would only end when one of the two, Sword Empress and the Amorous Guardian King, had to die.

Sun Bin couldn’t hide his dismayed expression.

‘Damn it.’

He didn’t think Sword Empress would lose, but the Amorous Guardian King must not die either.

Even if she is recognized as the incarnation of Gandharva [a celestial musician in Hinduism and Buddhism], what was he going to do if he became enemies with the Five Guardian Kings?

But if the Amorous Guardian King disregards life and death and rushes at her, Sword Empress can’t help it either.

Whoosh.

The Amorous Guardian King’s murderous intent was getting stronger. Along with that, her brown skin was gradually getting darker.

‘I can’t help it.’

Sun Bin made up his mind. If either the Amorous Guardian King or Sword Empress had to die, there was no point in continuing this martial arts contest.

And above all, Sun Bin couldn’t bear to see Sword Empress harm someone she didn’t want to because of his request.

“This martial arts contest…”

It was the moment when Sun Bin raised his hand to declare his surrender.

“Amorous Guardian King.”

A heavy voice flowed out from next to the young palace lord. It was the Immovable Guardian King, who had been silent until now.

The Amorous Guardian King glared at the Immovable Guardian King with a sharp gaze. It was as if she wouldn’t let even the Immovable Guardian King, the leader of the Five Guardian Kings, get away with it if he interfered with her.

“Why?”

“Step back.”

“I don’t want to.”

The Amorous Guardian King said in a sharp voice. A chilling murderous intent was evident in her tone.

“I can’t step back until I repay what my children have suffered.”

‘Children?’

Sun Bin made a puzzled expression as he listened to Governor Hwang’s translation. At that sight, Governor Hwang added an explanation.

“That’s what she calls her objects of affection. It means that her affection for the Guardian Kings is that special.”

Sun Bin nodded. And he looked back at the Immovable Guardian King and the Amorous Guardian King. Could the Immovable Guardian King really quell her Wrathful Deity?

“This martial arts contest,” the Immovable Guardian King said quietly. His heavy voice echoed in all directions.

“I will do it.”

“What?”

The Amorous Guardian King asked back as if she had heard unbelievable words. But the Immovable Guardian King rose to his feet instead of answering.

Swish.

The Immovable Guardian King stood up. The Immovable (不動 – ‘Fudō’ in Japanese, meaning unmoving) that never wavers had finally moved.

That alone changed the Southern Guardian King’s complexion, and the high-ranking monks also looked at him with surprised expressions.

“Hmph.”

The Amorous Guardian King snorted. But the Immovable Guardian King’s intentions were fully conveyed to her as well.

“If that’s the case, then I can’t help it.”

Clang.

The silver rings disappeared again, and the Amorous Guardian King turned around with a flutter of her red skirt. Sword Empress also turned around to face a new opponent. But the Immovable Guardian King’s words were not over yet.

“Incarnation of Gandharva from a distant land.”

The Amorous Guardian King stopped with a flinch at the Immovable Guardian King’s voice. The Immovable Guardian King was not looking at Sword Empress or the Amorous Guardian King.

The Immovable Guardian King’s deep eyes, shining beneath his raised red eyebrows, were staring straight at Sun Bin.

“I request a martial arts contest with you.”

Silence fell. Not only the Amorous Guardian King and the Southern Guardian King, but even the high-ranking monks could not open their mouths.

“What? What is he saying?”

Old Man asked Governor Hwang urgently. This was because Old Man could also tell that the atmosphere was unusual.

Just as Governor Hwang was about to translate, the Immovable Guardian King’s voice echoed again.

“A Divine General [神將 – ‘Shen Jiang’ in Chinese, a divine general or warrior] is one who fights in the forefront. All the more so if one wishes to become the Great General leading the Potala army.”

The Immovable Guardian King said, shining those intense eyes.

“Who would follow one who does not step forward himself and hides in the back?”

Governor Hwang quickly translated his words. Sun Bin listened to those words and met the Immovable Guardian King’s gaze. His eyes were deeper and more sincere than anything else.

“So, Gandharva.”

The Immovable Guardian King slowly raised his hand. His large hand was directed towards Sun Bin as if demanding something.

“Show me your strength.”

That was not a provocation or a challenge. What was stirring deep within the Immovable Guardian King’s eyes was the noble pride of someone who had lived his whole life on the path of martial arts, and a sincerity without a single lie.

And that sincerity was now stirring Sun Bin’s heart uncontrollably.

(Author’s words)

The Immovable Guardian King has requested a 현피 [Hyeonpi is a Korean slang term referring to a real-life fight or confrontation, often used in online gaming contexts] from Sun Bin.