A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 415

415. Like the Moon Reflecting on a Thousand Rivers

The former Jade Dragon saw it. The moment Son Bin drew the White Dew, he saw the massive aura of a blue dragon descending like lightning. It felt like a divine judgment. His eerie, light-emitting wings and the Heavenly Demon’s power he had greedily stolen were no match for that judgment.

‘Ah.’

However, the former Jade Dragon wasn’t surprised. He didn’t deny it in disbelief, nor did he grind his teeth in resentment. Perhaps this outcome was predetermined. He, who had obtained distorted power by cheating death, and Son Bin, recognized by the world as a ‘Raja’ [a king or ruler], had different starting points. So, the former Jade Dragon didn’t reject the judgment. He welcomed it. This was the best possible outcome he had prepared for.

Swish.

A ‘line’ was drawn before his eyes. He had no intention of avoiding it, but he couldn’t have avoided it anyway. That line, dividing the world in two, filled not only the space where the former Jade Dragon stood but the entire world. Just as a single moon reflects on a thousand rivers, a single sword filled the world.

‘Now, with this…….’

Everything would end. The former Jade Dragon could clearly perceive it. The moment the blue moonlight seeped through that ‘line,’ everything would end.

Whoosh.

The moonlight poured down, but it wasn’t the light of cold judgment; it was a soft, gentle moonlight that embraced everything.

Swoosh.

A warm cluster of light enveloped him, rippling gently, as if to comfort him, or as if it already knew everything about him. And then, the next moment.

Crack.

Something broke within him. With a shock that shook his very existence, the former Jade Dragon lost consciousness. The first sensation he felt was a sense of loss. The power that filled his being, the energy he called ‘divine might,’ was leaking out like the wind. But strangely, he felt no regret or sorrow. Rather, a comfortable freedom filled his heart.

“Are you alright?”

An unpleasant voice reached the former Jade Dragon’s ear. Instinctively, he frowned, and another voice followed.

“What kind of law is it to slash someone with a sword and then ask if they’re alright? Besides, this guy doesn’t even seem to be conscious yet.”

The grumbling voice was No-gun’s.

“Well, when you think about it, it’s similar to what this guy usually does…….”

No-gun clicked his tongue. At those words, the former Jade Dragon wanted to get up immediately, but his body wouldn’t obey. A sense of powerlessness, unlike anything he had ever experienced, filled him. He couldn’t even open his eyes.

“Oh ho? Even without consciousness, look at him frowning. Getting annoyed with that handsome face, how incredibly irritating.”

“Um……, I just think it’s cool?”

That voice was Seo-rin’s. Despite being a descendant of the Yellow Crane Master, he always followed Son Bin around like a puppy, a rather annoying boy.

“I’m a little uneasy.”

Another unpleasant voice was heard. To some, it might be the sweet voice of a beautiful woman, but to the former Jade Dragon, it only brought back unpleasant memories.

“I can’t trust this person. I’d rather…….”

The former Jade Dragon himself fully agreed with Sa Soo-yeon’s words. It was a judgment worthy of the daughter of the Martial Emperor, but at the same time, it was also like her mother. Even that infinitely weak woman was sometimes so resolute that even Sa Ja-hyeok couldn’t stop her.

“If we want to restrict his freedom, there are many ways.”

A quiet woman’s voice. It was a small voice, as if lacking confidence, but the venom within it was clear.

“Even without killing him.”

The woman of the Tang family, a descendant of the Fierce Tiger, but who rejected it herself. Tang Wol-ah’s clear expression of intent was definitely a virtue that the former Fierce Tiger did not possess. Only that gaze of infinite trust, directed solely at Son Bin, was something he couldn’t bear to see.

“Um, it’s okay. You don’t have to do anything.”

Son Bin’s awkward expression seemed visible before his eyes.

“……Really? He’s not going to suddenly jump up and try to kill us, is he?”

He didn’t pay attention to that trembling voice. After all, it was probably a guy not even worth remembering. However, the gaze of the Sword Demon, subtly felt, even in this situation where he couldn’t see anything, was quite unsettling.

“More than that, Seo-rin. What happened to Blood Phoenix and Gwigyeonsura?”

No-gun asked. The former Jade Dragon already knew that Seo-rin had tried to save Blood Phoenix and Gwigyeonsura during the fierce battle. Although it would be a useless effort anyway.

“I couldn’t get close to Blood Phoenix unni [term of endearment for older sister or female friend].”

Seo-rin said in a gloomy voice. Her lips were probably pouting.

“It’s strange. It felt like that Gate of the Abyss was pushing me away. It even stung.”

“Was it just that you didn’t want to get close?”

No-gun said casually. Seo-rin especially hated demonic energy.

“I don’t want to get close either.”

Seo-rin readily admitted. Her aversion to demonic energy wasn’t just a simple tantrum but because she sensed some vague danger. So, No-gun didn’t say anything more.

“What about Gwigyeonsura? Why is he still like that?”

“Ah, that’s…….”

Whoosh.

Suddenly, an eerie presence spread from above. Seo-rin, as well as everyone else, turned their gaze towards the Gate of the Abyss. The Gate of the Abyss was shaking.

“That……!”

Thud.

Before No-gun could say anything, Gwigyeonsura flew into the air. And without hesitation, he reached out towards Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon.

Crackle, crackle.

Jet-black darkness emitted a sharp aura towards Gwigyeonsura. Just as Seo-rin had said, the Gate of the Abyss was rejecting him.

Flap, flap.

Gwigyeonsura’s hair was cut, and his clothes were torn. Blood splattered on his entire body and face as if lines were being drawn. Sa Soo-yeon and Tang Wol-ah tried to jump in to help him, but No-gun stopped them.

“No. Wait for now.”

No-gun’s judgment was correct. The aura emanating from the Gate of the Abyss was unusual, and they hadn’t yet properly grasped the situation. If they acted rashly, Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon might get hurt, or the situation might worsen.

Crackle, crackle.

Even in pain, Gwigyeonsura didn’t stop. He gritted his teeth and didn’t even let out a groan as he reached out towards Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon.

Rustle.

Gwigyeonsura’s fingertips touched Geum Sa-ryeon’s cheek. His inner energy was transmitted through his fingertips, and relying on that small strength, Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon faintly opened her eyes.

“Arang…….”

Her pitiful voice was barely audible. However, Gwigyeonsura opened his mouth towards her with a rather calm expression, even amidst the intense pain of being cut all over his body.

“It’s okay.”

Gwigyeonsura’s words were just a single phrase. He probably couldn’t say more than that, but there was no need to say more. A faint smile bloomed on Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon’s face, but only for a moment; she closed her eyes again and lowered her head.

Wham.

The Gate of the Abyss pushed Gwigyeonsura away. Gwigyeonsura, who wanted to be in contact with her even a little longer, resisted, but it was ineffective.

Thud.

Gwigyeonsura landed weakly on the ground. And with gritted teeth, he looked up. The unusual movements that had been seen in the Gate of the Abyss subsided, but Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon’s complexion was becoming even paler. At this rate, she clearly wouldn’t last long. In fact, she had already exceeded her limits.

Clench.

“If you keep doing that, you’ll suffer when you get old.”

No-gun, who had approached unnoticed, clicked his tongue and said. He quietly placed his hand on Gwigyeonsura’s back. Inner energy flowed into Gwigyeonsura, and No-gun could see that his condition was extremely miserable.

“……Have you been doing this all along?”

Gwigyeonsura closed his eyes without answering. No-gun could see that he had been sustaining Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon’s life until now. No-gun, looking down at Gwigyeonsura, turned his head towards Son Bin.

“Shouldn’t we beat that guy up to wake him up now?”

‘That guy’ clearly meant the former Jade Dragon. Son Bin, who had witnessed the suffering of the two, also nodded with a serious expression. Of course, he didn’t mean to beat him up.

“Even if we don’t, he’ll be awake soon…….”

“Shut up.”

A clear voice echoed. The group all turned their heads towards the owner of that voice.

Swoosh.

The former Jade Dragon got up. He, who had been unconscious and collapsed, slowly raised his upper body, supporting himself with one hand on the floor.

“Hmm.”

He frowned and touched his head. The disheveled long hair and slender hands created a scene as beautiful as a painting.

“Can’t you be a little quieter? It’s deafening.”

Of course, his words weren’t very beautiful.

“I don’t expect singing, but shouldn’t you at least let me wake up to the sound of birds?”

No-gun twitched his lips at him, complaining as soon as he opened his eyes.

“Birdsong? Since when did you like birdsong?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

The former Jade Dragon sighed softly.

“Come to think of it, I hated birdsong. And singing too.”

That appearance was a heartbreaking sight, even for a man. Only on the surface, of course.

Swish.

The former Jade Dragon turned his head. Amidst the tense atmosphere that spread among the group in an instant, he saw Son Bin, the only person whose attitude hadn’t changed at all, whether before he woke up or now.

“You’re doing something quite cruel.”

The former Jade Dragon said, looking at Son Bin.

“To not even let me die.”

Son Bin smiled gently. The former Jade Dragon’s eyebrows twitched slightly at that smile, but the previous sharp venom was already gone.

“Why didn’t you kill me?”

The former Jade Dragon’s lips were still sharp, and that was also the question that everyone else had.

“Why should I kill you?”

Son Bin asked, instead. The former Jade Dragon’s face contorted. He greatly disliked this kind of nitpicking.

“Then you don’t care if I burn this world to ashes?”

The former Jade Dragon glared at Son Bin and said sharply.

“Why? Because you saved me, you think I’ll repent and become a new person? You want me to kneel at your feet and shed tears? Not a chance.”

Clench. The former Jade Dragon gritted his teeth.

“I meant it when I said I would burn the world. That’s still the same now. If I could, I would right now…….”

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”

Son Bin interrupted the former Jade Dragon’s words, an action that the former Jade Dragon greatly disliked, but Son Bin didn’t care.

“Why are you trying to burn the world?”

The former Jade Dragon glared at Son Bin’s rather serious expression as if displeased.

“……Because I don’t like it.”

“I see.”

Son Bin nodded. The former Jade Dragon was enraged by that reaction, as if he were coaxing a child.

“You’re now…….”

“Saying you’re going to burn everything because you don’t like it means that it’s a situation you can never tolerate or accept.”

Son Bin looked straight at the former Jade Dragon.

“And if that’s the reason you’re reacting so strongly, there’s only one reason, or rather, only one person.”

He had been thinking about it from the beginning. There was only one reason that could make the former Jade Dragon so sincere.

“What happened to him?”

Silence flowed. The former Jade Dragon glared at Son Bin with a look that could devour him, but it didn’t last long.

“Hoo.”

He closed his eyes and sighed.

‘Huh.’

No-gun’s eyes widened at that sight. That was clearly an expression of surrender. As far as No-gun knew, the only person the former Jade Dragon had ever shown that expression to was just one person.

“In the end, I have to say it myself.”

The former Jade Dragon, muttering in vain, turned to look at Son Bin. Sting. The sharp gaze was only for a moment. The former Jade Dragon raised his hand and pointed to the shattered giant jade throne.

“Put your hand on that.”

The place he was talking about was the armrest of the giant jade throne. It was just a place with complex decorations, but Son Bin obediently followed his words.

“Wait.”

No-gun stopped Son Bin.

“You’re not trying to pull a trick, are you…….”

“Hurry up.”

The former Jade Dragon said to Son Bin as if annoyed.

“Aren’t you the great ‘Raja’? Besides, I don’t have the power of the Heavenly Demon anymore. You took it all. You pretend to be innocent, but you’re actually the most greedy bastard in the world.”

No-gun’s eyes widened once again. It seemed like he was being sarcastic, but the only people the former Jade Dragon had ever treated so intimately were the Martial Emperor Sa Ja-hyeok. The former Jade Dragon, who alone aroused absolute fear, always turned into someone who nitpicked or grumbled only when he was with the Martial Emperor. He didn’t even care about people’s gazes.

Thud.

Son Bin placed his hand on the armrest of the jade throne. Then, some of the things that seemed like simple patterns faintly glowed.

“Wow.”

Seo-rin, who had followed along unnoticed, peeked out from behind and admired it, but that was just the beginning.

Swoosh.

The floor in front of the jade throne suddenly opened. Hwang Bang-ju was startled and stepped back, and a stone bed-like thing rose from below. The person lying with their eyes closed on the bed covered in unknown patterns was none other than the Martial Emperor Sa Ja-hyeok.

“Dad!”

Sa Soo-yeon rushed over in an instant. She couldn’t touch him carelessly and examined Sa Ja-hyeok’s complexion. Sa Ja-hyeok was lying with his eyes closed. He looked as if he were asleep, but the crimson energy rippling from his entire body indicated that he wasn’t in a proper state.

Sa Soo-yeon bit her lip. No-gun also looked at Sa Ja-hyeok with a serious expression and then turned his head towards the former Jade Dragon.

“What, what happened?”

No-gun’s eyes were filled with anger, but the former Jade Dragon couldn’t meet No-gun’s gaze. As if desperately trying to avoid Sa Ja-hyeok’s appearance, he turned his head and looked at the empty floor.

“After parting ways with you, the Martial Emperor and I headed straight for the Gate of the Abyss.”

The former Jade Dragon said in a calm voice.

“It wasn’t that difficult. It didn’t take long either. There was no need to deal with the six demons. The Heavenly Demon’s control wasn’t yet complete, and the demons were confused by vague missions. Rather, the demons of Seojang who were watching us were more clever.”

It wasn’t a difficult task for the Martial Emperor and the former Jade Dragon. Of course, it would have been an experience close to the limit for Gwigyeonsura and Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon, who accompanied them.

‘Huh? But…….’

No-gun suddenly noticed something strange. Perhaps it was a fundamental question, but first, it was more important to hear what had happened to the Martial Emperor.

“We discovered the Heavenly Demon and the Gate of the Abyss he opened here. Ha! For something like that to be called the Heavenly Demon, it’s ridiculous.”

The former Jade Dragon scoffed.

“Later, I found out that he had exhausted all his strength opening the Gate of the Abyss, but in any case, it didn’t meet my expectations. Subduing the Heavenly Demon was enough for the Martial Emperor alone.”

In fact, it was a great battle that shook the heavens and the earth. The power of the Heavenly Demon, the ruler of the Demon Realm and the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, was terrifying, even in that situation where he had lost most of his power. But he was no match for the Martial Emperor. It wasn’t even up to the level that the Jade Dragon had expected. Was that why?

“At the last moment, the Heavenly Demon struggled. That bastard chose mutual destruction.”

Clench. The former Jade Dragon gritted his teeth.

“Mutual destruction?”

No-gun frowned. Mutual destruction is a method of choosing to die together in extreme situations. It’s a very difficult and worst method to deal with because it disregards one’s own life.

“Mutual destruction with the Martial Emperor……. Could it be that the Martial Emperor was careless?”

But no matter how much mutual destruction is, it’s different if the opponent is the Martial Emperor. In the first place, the Martial Emperor doesn’t care about his own life.

“Yes. He was careless.”

No-gun couldn’t believe those words. Son Bin, as well as Sa Soo-yeon, did so. But the former Jade Dragon’s words weren’t over yet.

“I was.”

The former Jade Dragon said with a distorted face.

“Not the Martial Emperor, I was careless. That’s why it turned out like this.”

The former Jade Dragon, gritting his teeth, closed his eyes.

“Because of me, he became like this.”

His expression, struggling to speak, was crumpled as if he would burst into tears at any moment.

(Author’s words)

I was also careless and didn’t think about the author’s words, so there are no author’s words today. And the White Dew One Sword, Sword Reflecting a Thousand Rivers, is taken from King Sejong the Great’s ‘Songs of the Moon Shining on a Thousand Rivers.’ King Sejong is awesome.