A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 432

432. The Weight of Responsibility

Namgung Il, the Deputy Head of the Outer Affairs Bureau of the Namgung Clan, was having a busy day. The workload pouring in from all directions was enough to make him wish he had two bodies, but he considered it a happy problem. Never before had so many martial sects and merchant guilds flocked to the Namgung Clan, seeking alliances. Restaurants, courtesan houses, and upscale eateries everywhere were clamoring for the Namgung Clan’s protection. It was only natural. The Namgung Clan’s power had spread beyond Gangnam, forcing the Gongsun Clan of Gangbuk to kneel, and rumors even circulated that the Imperial Family wouldn’t dare to provoke the Namgung Clan. Namgung Il was immensely proud of his clan and of being a member of the Namgung Clan.

‘At this rate…’

Becoming the greatest martial arts clan in the world, something he had only heard about, was not just a dream. As Namgung Il was indulging in such exhilarating fantasies, he was suddenly disturbed by a commotion somewhere. Wondering what was happening, Namgung Il spotted a servant hurrying past.

“Hey, you. What’s all the noise about?”

The passing servant recognized Deputy Head Namgung Il and quickly bowed his head. Even though there were several Deputy Heads in the Outer Affairs Bureau, Namgung Il was not someone one could fail to recognize.

“Ah, Deputy Head. It seems there’s some kind of disturbance at the main gate. I’m on my way to inform the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau…”

“A disturbance? At the main gate?”

Namgung Il frowned. If there was a disturbance at the main gate, he knew what it was without even having to ask.

“Is someone trying to meet with the clan’s important figures without an appointment again? Teach those impudent fools a lesson and chase them away. How dare they not know their place with the Namgung Clan…”

“Well, that’s not exactly it…”

The servant hesitated. Namgung Il wore a puzzled expression.

“What is it? Speak up.”

“The, uh, the warriors guarding the clan’s main gate have all been… subdued.”

“What?”

Namgung Il was taken aback. There were about ten warriors guarding the main gate, but with the elite warriors on standby, there were over thirty in total.

“How could that be? Has another martial sect invaded us or something?”

In the current martial arts world, it was impossible for another sect to invade the heart of Namchang. But how else could such a thing happen? At Namgung Il’s words, the servant quickly shook his head.

“No, there are only three of them. But…”

The servant hesitated before cautiously speaking.

“One of them claims to be the Great Hero Jin Ryong, so I’m on my way to inform the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau.”

Namgung Il’s expression hardened.

‘If it’s the Great Hero Jin Ryong, then it must be…’

The one who saved the Clan Head’s life. He wasn’t there himself as he was part of the Outer Affairs Bureau, but he had heard the story. And he already knew the rumor that the man had died in Seojang.

“I see. Go quickly.”

The servant bowed and hurried away. Namgung Il turned his steps toward the main gate. A disturbance at the main gate was a matter for the Inner Affairs Bureau, just as the Gongsun Clan’s guests were a matter for the Outer Affairs Bureau. But with the clan’s warriors subdued, such distinctions were meaningless. There must be something he could do to help.

‘Who dares…’

It must be someone impersonating him. No, even if it were the Great Hero Jin Ryong himself, the crime of assaulting the clan’s warriors was grave.

Thud, thud.

Suppressing the anger boiling within him, Namgung Il quickened his pace toward the main gate. The main gate of the Namgung Clan. A place that would normally be bustling with people and carriages carrying goods was now filled with silence. It wasn’t that there were no people. Three people were standing just inside the main gate, and Namgung Clan warriors were lying scattered here and there. Moreover, many eyes were watching the situation from a distance. But no one was speaking. Only the faint murmur of hushed voices could be heard from those standing far away.

“Hmph.”

One of the three people standing inside the main gate, No Gun, snorted.

“The Namgung Clan boasts so much, but they can’t even withstand a single blow. What a joke. Did they put rookies on guard duty at the main gate?”

That couldn’t be. Especially the twenty warriors were elites even within the Namgung Clan. However, no matter how elite the Namgung Clan’s warriors were, they were no match for an Outer Realm expert [a martial artist who has transcended the normal limits of skill and power].

“Still, they seem to have trained quite a bit, judging by how they didn’t lose their fighting spirit until the end. I’m not sure about the rookie part…”

Sa Soo-yeon, one of the three, said. She, too, was a little dissatisfied because the whole thing had ended before she could even properly swing her sword. The last person, Son Bin, stood silently without saying a word. Sa Soo-yeon glanced at Son Bin and asked No Gun.

“Are we going to keep waiting here? Shouldn’t we go inside to find this Deputy Head of the Outer Affairs Bureau?”

No Gun shook his head.

“That’s what you do when you’re hitting and running. Right now, we’re staging a show of force to demand that they hand over the Deputy Head. If we keep beating up everyone who comes out, the Clan Head or whoever will eventually show up, and then we can demand it. Well, it’ll be a bit tough if they swarm us all at once, determined to die.”

Even No Gun would have trouble facing all the Namgung Clan warriors at once, Sa Soo-yeon thought, when No Gun said.

“I wonder if I can beat them all up without killing anyone. I feel like my skills have deteriorated a bit lately…”

Sa Soo-yeon gave a wry smile. She didn’t think No Gun’s skills could have possibly deteriorated, and she asked No Gun again.

“Will they hand over the Deputy Head willingly?”

Sa Soo-yeon was right. Would the Namgung Clan really hand over the Deputy Head themselves? That was unlikely.

“Then we just keep beating them up.”

No Gun smirked. Then, he said with a resolute look.

“Until they hand him over. No matter who comes out.”

Sa Soo-yeon gave a slightly awkward smile. But she liked what No Gun said. She, too, was very angry about the Namgung Clan’s behavior, especially their attempt to harm Hyeonryeon Se-hwa.

‘How dare they harm Lady Se-hwa…’

Sa Soo-yeon didn’t care about the Hyeonryeon Clan or the Namgung Clan. But she couldn’t just let it go that they had harmed Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, her teacher at the academy.

“Um, but…”

Sa Soo-yeon, who was still waiting for the Namgung Clan people to come, suddenly asked No Gun.

“Weren’t we supposed to go to Yewon first to assess the situation? If we do this…”

“Of course, assessing the situation comes first.”

No Gun replied as if it were obvious.

“But that doesn’t mean we’re going to hide and sneak around. Did we commit a crime? Why should we avoid people and hide? If there’s anyone who needs to have their habits corrected…”

No Gun gritted his teeth.

“I’ll make sure to correct them. No matter who it is.”

Sa Soo-yeon already agreed with No Gun’s words. But there was still something she was curious about.

“Then why did you tell Wol-a and Lady Se-hwa to wait at the inn?”

“Because it’s a hassle.”

No Gun answered nonchalantly.

“And what’s so great about this place that we have to drag everyone here? We’re enough.”

He said it as if brushing it off, but Sa Soo-yeon thought she knew what No Gun was thinking. If Dang Wol-a or Hyeonryeon Se-hwa set foot in the Namgung Clan, the meaning would change greatly. It would become a problem between clans. Therefore, this was No Gun’s consideration. A delicate consideration to prevent Dang Wol-a and Hyeonryeon Se-hwa from being put in a difficult position.

‘Still, Wol-a will jump in right away if something happens.’

There was no need to even mention Dang Wol-a. She could already feel her gaze watching this place on her skin. It was then that No Gun muttered.

“Hmph, those slowpokes are finally moving.”

Sa Soo-yeon also noticed the suspicious movements. The first of these movements was closing the Namgung Clan’s main gate behind the group.

Crrrr, thud.

The Namgung Clan’s gate closed. The intention was to prevent people outside from seeing what was happening inside. Probably, Namgung Clan warriors were dispersing the crowd outside the closed gate. Sa Soo-yeon no longer paid attention to what was happening outside. Inside, a group of warriors had already appeared. Cha-cha-chak. The thirty-odd warriors stood in three groups, quite a distance apart. All of them were exuding an extraordinary aura. Meanwhile, people wearing ornate robes embroidered with the Namgung Clan’s crest appeared. These were the so-called important figures of the Namgung Clan. And one of them walked toward the group. He was a man with a dignified appearance, slightly graying hair, and a rather large build.

Thud, thud.

He stopped a short distance away. And he lightly bowed to Son Bin among the group.

“I am Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau of the Namgung Clan.”

His face was in Son Bin’s memory as well. He didn’t know his name, but he had seen him at the Namgung Clan’s Hidden Dragon Gathering before.

Swish.

Son Bin bowed to him.

“Son Bin. I remember seeing you once before.”

His voice was extremely businesslike. The expression of Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, hardened slightly. It was because he had confirmed that the other party was indeed the Great Hero Jin Ryong, Son Bin.

“So you really are the Great Hero Jin Ryong.”

He said with a sigh. Son Bin said in a calm voice.

“Please drop the title of Great Hero. I cannot bear it.”

Son Bin’s words were polite, but his eyes were extremely cold. Facing that gaze, Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, felt a chill run down his spine. His own level was by no means low, but he couldn’t dare to withstand Son Bin’s gaze. However, Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, did not find it strange. He had clearly seen Son Bin defeat the grotesquely transformed Guigyeon Sura with that beautiful sword of his. Even though he was younger than himself, Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, acknowledged Son Bin. No, he couldn’t help but acknowledge him. Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, lightly sighed and looked around. The warriors who had been guarding the main gate were lying scattered here and there.

“It seems the clan’s warriors have acted discourteously toward you.”

This was the utmost courtesy that the Namgung Clan, and Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, personally, could offer. Nowhere else would they show such respect to someone who had beaten up the clan’s warriors.

“Please come inside with me. The Clan Head wishes to see you…”

“That will not do.”

However, that utmost courtesy was resolutely rejected by Son Bin’s one word. Son Bin looked straight at Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, and said.

“I have come here to hold someone accountable. I have not come as a friend, so I cannot accept your hospitality.”

At those words, Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, felt that his premonition had come true. The moment he confirmed that the other party was the real Great Hero Jin Ryong, he had a feeling that he had not come with good intentions.

“…May I ask who that person is?”

The tone of Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, changed. Since the other party had not come as a friend, there was no need to show the courtesy of a friend. The reason his voice trembled as he asked was the fear that a name he couldn’t handle might come out of Son Bin’s mouth.

“Namgung Il, the Deputy Head of the Outer Affairs Bureau.”

In that instant, Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, was relieved. Fortunately, neither the Clan Head’s name nor the name of the previous Clan Head had come out. But at the same time, he felt a sense of bewilderment.

“What did he do to warrant such accountability?”

What could the Deputy Head of the Outer Affairs Bureau have done wrong to the Great Hero Jin Ryong? Moreover, coincidentally, that Namgung Il was right behind him. Could it be that the Great Hero Jin Ryong didn’t recognize him, meaning that it wasn’t something he was directly involved in?

“He.”

Son Bin said quietly.

“Tried to harm someone precious to me.”

The color of Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, changed.

“Could you tell me more details? Perhaps there was some misunderstanding…”

“Namgung Il incited the Head of the Ilsim Martial Arts School in Gamju to try to kidnap a woman through a secret plot. I cannot…”

The scene from that time vividly flashed before Son Bin’s eyes. Feeling the hot anger that had not cooled down boiling within him, Son Bin said.

“…I will never allow it.”

That vivid anger was conveyed to Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, as well. Moreover, Gamju was the area in charge of Deputy Head Namgung Il. Namgung Jeong knew that this was not a misunderstanding. But the answer he had to give was already decided.

“He will be imprisoned in the clan’s prison. The truth of what he did will be thoroughly investigated, and he will be severely punished according to his crime.”

Sighing, Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, said.

“Would that not quell your anger?”

Son Bin smiled faintly. But it was by no means a sign of goodwill.

“The Namgung Clan is neither a government office nor the Imperial Family.”

In a low voice, Son Bin continued.

“Furthermore, Namgung Il is the Deputy Head of the Outer Affairs Bureau of the Namgung Clan, so the Namgung Clan is not free from responsibility either. Therefore, it is completely illogical to claim to be a fair judge. So there is no reason for me to accept your proposal.”

With cold eyes, Son Bin said.

“Besides, even now, aren’t you hiding the existence of Namgung Il, who is right behind you, from me?”

Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, felt his heart sink.

‘Namgung Il, you idiot.’

Clearly, Son Bin had not recognized Namgung Il at first. So he must have recognized him after seeing Namgung Il’s reaction. Namgung Jeong turned his head. Sure enough, he saw Deputy Head Namgung Il of the Outer Affairs Bureau trying to sneak away, then stopping in surprise, looking awkward. Deputy Head Namgung Il was also in a predicament.

‘Damn it!’

In fact, Namgung Il had thought that Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, would be angry and subdue the other party. No one who dared to injure the Namgung Clan’s warriors, especially at the main gate, could be safe. For whatever reason, it was a capital crime that could only be punished by death. Yet, Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, had shown respect. He should have left then, but how could he have known that his name would come out? Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, turned his head and looked at Son Bin.

“I understand your anger.”

Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, said with a troubled expression.

“But I cannot hand over a member of the Namgung Clan to an outsider.”

“In that case.”

Son Bin’s answer was also decided.

“I have no choice but to hold you accountable as well.”

Flinch. Before those words could even finish, Namgung Il, who was standing behind, ran away as fast as he could. But his attempt was unsuccessful.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

No Gun’s sharp eyes had been watching him for a long time. No Gun immediately threw a steel dart. Ping. Thwack. The flying steel dart struck the back of Namgung Il’s head. He let out a short groan and tumbled forward. The only reason he didn’t die was thanks to No Gun’s artistic control of his power, but no one would recognize that.

“What is the meaning of this!”

Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, shouted in an angry voice. At the same time, the Namgung Clan’s thirty elite warriors all rushed toward No Gun, Son Bin, and Sa Soo-yeon. No Gun threw himself toward the fallen Namgung Il and shouted in a thunderous voice.

“Get out of the way if you don’t want to die!”

It wasn’t just a shout. A blue aura was emanating from No Gun’s sword, So-ryeong, which he had already drawn. It was sword energy [a martial technique where the user projects their internal energy into their weapon].

“Gasp.”

The Namgung Clan’s elite warriors swallowed hard. However, having already prepared themselves for death for the sake of the clan, they did not back down even in the face of sword energy. Seeing the Namgung Clan’s warriors rushing toward him, No Gun clicked his tongue.

“Damn it. That’s why these clan guys are a pain. They don’t know how precious their lives are…”

Unleashing sword energy was meant to make them run away on their own. But now that it had come to this, he had to knock them all down one by one. While controlling his power.

Pi-pi-ping.

No Gun’s sword disappeared, and instead, steel darts began to fly. Screams and impacts erupted everywhere. The reason why more warriors were falling than the number of steel darts No Gun had thrown was thanks to Dang Wol-a’s hidden efforts to subtly control the steel darts. On the one hand, it was very convenient, but No Gun couldn’t help but admire her.

‘Amazing. She’s even doing this now…’

Although he had responded to it, it was almost an acrobatic feat for Dang Wol-a to control the steel darts containing No Gun’s aura with such precision, even for an Outer Realm expert. Perhaps it was really fortunate for the martial arts world that Dang Wol-a was following Son Bin, No Gun thought, as he grabbed the nape of Namgung Il, who was trying to get up.

“Let go!”

Namgung Il resisted, but he couldn’t withstand No Gun’s strength. In the end, Namgung Il was grabbed by No Gun and dragged in front of Son Bin. Namgung Jeong, the Head of the Inner Affairs Bureau, was also unable to move, with Sa Soo-yeon’s blade touching his neck.

“Let go of me!”

Namgung Il screamed and shouted.

“Do you think you can get away with this? The Namgung Clan will never…”

“Hmph.”

No Gun snorted and threw him away. Namgung Il rolled pathetically on the floor.

Thud.

Namgung Il realized that someone had stopped in front of him. He raised his head and looked at the person standing before him. It was the young man called the Great Hero Jin Ryong. The moment he met his gaze for the first time, Namgung Il trembled all over without realizing it. Eyes as clear as the blue sky, yet incomparably indifferent and cold, were looking down at him.

(Author’s words)

Since it is a serious scene, the author’s words are omitted. It’s definitely not because I’m busy with the Chuseok holiday deadline.