A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 433

Dragged away, Namgung Il trembled under Son Bin’s gaze, but only for a moment before he gritted his teeth.

“You bastard! Do you think you’ll get away with falsely accusing and oppressing a member of the Namgung Clan!”

“What?”

Nogun frowned deeply.

“Falsely accusing? Are you saying you’ve done nothing wrong?”

Namgung Il gritted his teeth.

“What wrong have I done? You are the ones committing a great crime by pointing your swords at me and Lord Naecheong without any evidence!”

“Huh.”

Nogun scoffed, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He stared directly at Namgung Il and said,

“Of course, there won’t be any evidence. You wouldn’t have left any behind.”

The moment Namgung Il wore a triumphant expression, sparks flew from Nogun’s eyes.

“Evidence? Fine. Then bring forth your proof of innocence. If you don’t have it, you will surely die.”

There was no proof of innocence, because it was clearly something Namgung Il had planned. Namgung Il gritted his teeth. Looking down at Namgung Il, who still had a spiteful look in his eyes, Nogun continued,

“Besides, if you were truly innocent, you would have stepped forward instead of running away, wouldn’t you? You dirty bastard who resorts to cowardly schemes to kidnap young women.”

At those words, Namgung Il flared up. As if nothing but malice remained in him, he glared at Nogun with bloodshot eyes and shouted,

“Schemes? Don’t you dare insult the Namgung Clan!”

“Hmph.”

Nogun snorted.

“You keep mentioning the Namgung Clan, Namgung Clan, as if the entire Namgung Clan will come to protect you. Well, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.”

Whoosh.

A surge of energy erupted from Nogun’s body. The force was so terrifying that even the spiteful Namgung Il flinched.

“It might be a good idea to wipe out this Namgung Clan at this opportunity.”

Namgung Il, feeling that his clan was being insulted, raised his voice again.

“How dare you…….”

“Enough, Namgung Il.”

It was the voice of Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong. He didn’t think Nogun alone could do anything to the Namgung Clan, but he clearly remembered what Lightning Sword Namgung Kwon had said.

—No matter what happens, never antagonize Son Bin.

From Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong’s perspective, he had already followed the Clan Lord’s words to the fullest. Despite such efforts, the situation had eventually reached a breaking point, but he wanted to prevent it from getting worse. Namgung Jeong glanced at Sa Su-yeon, who was pointing her sword at his neck. Her beautiful eyes showed no sign of letting her guard down. Turning his head to look down at Namgung Il, Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong spoke slowly.

“What have you done? Namgung Il.”

At those words, Namgung Il was greatly disappointed. It sounded as if even the Naecheong Lord was blaming him.

Gnash.

Grinding his teeth softly, Namgung Il replied,

“I have only done my best in my assigned duties for the sake of the clan.”

That irresponsible answer made Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong uncomfortable. However, he couldn’t show internal strife in this situation, so Namgung Jeong calmly spoke again.

“I asked what you have done, Namgung Il.”

“I have done nothing.”

Just a moment ago, he said he had only done his best, but now he says he has done nothing. Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong was filled with anger at those words.

“Shall I tell you?”

Nogun interjected from the side.

“This bastard incited the Master of the Ilsim Martial Arts Hall in Gamju to kidnap a daughter of the Hyeokryun Clan. Of course, he didn’t do anything himself. He merely said, ‘I’ll take responsibility for the aftermath, so boldly carry out the task.'”

Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong could immediately grasp the situation. He knew that Vice Lord Namgung Il had actually gone to Gamju a while ago.

‘That foolish bastard,’ he thought.

Clashing with the Hyeokryun Clan was something that even the previous Lightning Sword and the Clan Lord had avoided. Yet, Namgung Il deliberately caused this incident. The Hyeokryun Clan, having their daughter kidnapped, would be furious, and the Namgung Clan would retaliate against the unreasonable anger of the other party. Then, a head-on collision between the two clans was as clear as day.

Later, even if he secretly brought back the kidnapped daughter, making ridiculous excuses such as she was accidentally found somewhere, or it turned out she was kidnapped by a band of thieves, the situation would already be irreversible. Of course, there would also be the protection of the pro-war elders.

“The Hyeokryun Clan is our enemy!”

Namgung Il shouted. Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong’s face twisted, but Namgung Il didn’t care.

“What is wrong with avenging the clan’s enemy? A scheme, you say? It’s the fault of the side that was careless and caught off guard! Isn’t that what the *Kangho* [martial world] is all about?”

Namgung Il raised his voice as if for others to hear. He was mindful of the few senior officials who remained behind.

“Look! This man is oppressing the Namgung Clan for the sake of the Hyeokryun Clan. Then he too…….”

“Didn’t I tell you to shut up!”

Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong shouted, disregarding the fact that Sa Su-yeon’s sword was cutting his skin.

“Do you not know what you are doing! If the Clan Lord finds out, he will immediately cut off your head!”

Now, Hyeokryun Clan or Namgung Clan is meaningless. The problem is that Namgung Il tried to harm someone whom Son Bin called ‘precious.’ However, Namgung Il was greatly shocked by Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong’s words.

“T, that can’t be. I, I…….”

“Shut up!”

Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong, who shouted, turned his head towards Son Bin and said with a serious expression,

“Namgung Il has done a truly foolish thing. I assure you, this matter has nothing to do with the clan’s intentions. The Clan Lord will also be greatly angered if he learns of this. Namgung Il also did this without knowing anything…….”

“Until it has come to this point.”

Son Bin said quietly. It was a calm voice, but it naturally cut off Namgung Jeong’s words.

“Not a single person has apologized or said they were sorry. All I’ve heard are things like, ‘I understand, please take it back, leave it to me, I didn’t know anything.'”

Staring straight at Namgung Jeong, Son Bin continued,

“Is that all you have to say?”

Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong was speechless. In fact, he had never once apologized or said he was sorry. He was only concerned with not making the situation worse.

“And you.”

Son Bin’s gaze turned to Namgung Il, who was sitting on the floor.

“You only have the clan and enemies in mind, and you have no interest in who might have suffered terrible things because of your actions.”

Namgung Il’s face hardened.

“The woman you call an enemy is someone’s precious daughter, a beloved teacher to children, and a very important person to me, before she is a member of the Hyeokryun Clan.”

The voice was extremely calm, but anyone could sense the chilling coldness within those words.

“Didn’t you know? No, there’s no way you wouldn’t know. You just ignored it. So now…….”

Swish.

The beautiful blade of Baekro revealed its form. Namgung Il, as well as Namgung Jeong, Nogun, and Sa Su-yeon, were all startled. They knew Son Bin was angry, but they didn’t expect him to draw his sword so readily.

“It’s time to pay the price.”

Looking at the blade of Baekro, Namgung Il trembled, but soon, he let out a laugh—a weak laugh like a cry.

“Heh, heh heh. Do you think you can dare to kill me? If you kill me, the Namgung Clan will never stand still…….”

Son Bin smiled faintly. That smile felt extremely eerie to Nogun and Sa Su-yeon.

“That’s not something you need to worry about.”

Swoosh.

Baekro rose diagonally upwards. Looking down at Namgung Il with cold eyes, Son Bin said,

“I have found no value in you. Very…….”

At the same time as the quiet murmur, Baekro fell downwards, like a merciless judgment from the heavens.

“Disappointing.”

Shwiiik.

“Bin-ah!”

“Bin!”

Nogun and Sa Su-yeon’s shouts erupted, but at that moment, Namgung Il’s head was already floating into the air.

‘Gasp!’

Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong gasped. The onlookers also widened their eyes in shock. It was at that very moment.

“Heeok!”

Namgung Il gasped and hurriedly grabbed his neck. His neck was still attached, but he trembled as if he couldn’t believe it. Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong also froze with an expression of astonishment. Just a moment ago, he had clearly seen Namgung Il’s head being cut off, but now, Namgung Il was still sitting in front of Son Bin with a pale face, wasn’t he? Holding his neck with both hands like a child.

“B, Bin-ah…….”

Nogun’s trembling voice leaked out. Nogun had clearly seen it too—the sight of Baekro’s blade cutting off Namgung Il’s neck like a reed. But now, Baekro was still raised towards the sky. Then, was what Nogun saw an illusion? That couldn’t be. Namgung Il’s head floating into the air was still vivid, but Baekro’s beautiful blade was still motionless, and even Namgung Il, although not in his right mind, was unharmed. In that moment, Nogun saw a blue aura scattering around Son Bin. No, it seemed like he saw it. It didn’t bloom like a flame, nor did it form the shape of a blue dragon. It just seemed to appear for a moment and then disappeared.

‘W, what on earth…….’

Looking at Baekro’s unusually beautiful and shining blade, Nogun couldn’t come to his senses. Sa Su-yeon also covered her mouth with one hand and stared at Son Bin with astonished eyes. Then suddenly, Nogun realized that Son Bin was still looking down at Namgung Il and that his Baekro was still raised towards the sky.

‘Could it be!’

Was it perhaps a vision showing the future? It was at that very moment that Nogun was overcome with an eerie premonition.

“Stop!”

A thunderous voice echoed all around, and a middle-aged man in splendid clothes flew down in front of Son Bin.

Thud.

It was none other than the Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan, Lightning Sword Namgung Kwon. Flying through the air, he knelt down in front of Son Bin without caring that his clothes were getting dirty.

“Huk! C, Clan Lord!”

Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong was startled. The Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan kneeling before an outsider was an unimaginable event. No matter how much Son Bin was the Clan Lord’s benefactor, such a thing was absolutely impossible, yet it was happening right before his eyes. Although the Clan Lord had said, ‘No matter what happens, do not antagonize Son Bin,’ this was too much. But it wasn’t for Clan Lord Namgung Kwon. Once, his father, the previous Lightning Sword Namgung Cheon, had said this about Son Bin.

—What if you end up antagonizing Bin? Why create a situation where you have to antagonize him in the first place? You must avoid it at all costs. No matter how much the Martial World is a battle between forces, there are cases where everything collapses because of offending just one person. In the current situation, that person is Bin.

The previous Lightning Sword Namgung Cheon shrugged his shoulders.

—But well, things in the world don’t always go as planned, so such a thing may inevitably happen. If that happens, cut off one of your arms. If that saves your life, it’s a cheap price to pay. What? Then what if the fate of the clan is at stake? Do you even need to ask?

Frowning, Namgung Cheon said as if it were obvious.

—Cut off my head and your head to save the clan. That is the duty of the Clan Lord. I have done it that way, and you must do it that way too. Well, of course, I had to cut off many other things instead of my head.

Clan Lord Namgung Kwon could not forget the bitter smile of his father, Namgung Cheon, that he had seen at that time. That is why he had no hesitation in kneeling before Son Bin now.

“Please sheathe your sword, Young Master Son. Everything is the fault of this foolish one.”

Clan Lord Namgung Kwon bowed his head before Son Bin. Considering that Baekro was still raised towards the sky, it was literally like putting his head under Baekro’s blade.

“……C, Clan Lord.”

Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong, who was muttering in disbelief, immediately knelt down.

Thud.

Since the Clan Lord had taken responsibility, he could not stand beside him. Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong immediately slammed his head on the ground.

Bang.

“Namgung Jeong begs forgiveness from Lord Son.”

Bang, bang.

Namgung Jeong repeatedly hit his head three times. And silence fell. No one could open their mouths. Clan Lord Namgung Kwon and Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong were silent with their heads bowed, and Namgung Il was trembling and foaming at the mouth while holding his neck. And Son Bin was closing his eyes amidst the flow of complex emotions that were washing over him.

Swish.

Baekro slowly descended. The beautiful and proud blade quietly disappeared into its sheath.

“B, Bin-ah.”

“Bin…….”

Son Bin did not answer Nogun and Sa Su-yeon’s calls, and he turned around and walked away, leaving behind the kneeling Clan Lord Namgung Kwon and Naecheong Lord Namgung Jeong, and Namgung Il, who was convulsing on the ground.

Thud.

Suddenly, Son Bin stopped, and he slowly turned his head to look at Nogun and Sa Su-yeon. His face was filled with an indescribable sad smile. Even Nogun couldn’t guess what he was so sad about.

“……Let’s go back.”

“Y, yeah.”

Nogun felt a lump in his chest and quickly headed towards Son Bin. Sa Su-yeon was the same. She sheathed her sword and immediately approached Son Bin. She wanted to hug him tightly right now, but she could only tear up.

Step.

Son Bin turned and walked away. Nogun and Sa Su-yeon followed him silently.

***

Son Bin and his group returned to the inn in Namchang. Dang Wora had already joined them outside the Namgung Clan, and Hyeokryun Se-hwa, Blood Peak Geum Sa-ryeon, and Gwigyeonsura, who were waiting at the inn, rose from their seats. Hyeokryun Se-hwa approached Son Bin with a surprised expression.

“Young Master Son, are you alright?”

She asked that because Son Bin’s expression was not good. Son Bin smiled gently.

“I’m fine. I…….”

“Bin, go up and rest.”

Suddenly, Nogun said. At the same time, Nogun winked at Hyeokryun Se-hwa and the others. It meant that he would explain what had happened. Son Bin readily accepted Nogun’s words.

“I understand. Then, I’ll go first…….”

He lightly bowed his head to the group and tried to go up to his room.

“Young Master Son.”

The one who called him was Hyeokryun Se-hwa. When Son Bin turned around, she said with a gentle smile,

“I’m sorry, and…… thank you.”

It was her sincere heart without any pretense. Son Bin smiled as if he understood. He lightly bowed his head to Hyeokryun Se-hwa and quietly climbed the stairs to his room. The group couldn’t take their eyes off him until Son Bin’s figure disappeared.

“Elder, what’s wrong?”

Hyeokryun Se-hwa asked. Nogun shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing. I’m just feeling uneasy for some reason…….”

A vague anxiety that Son Bin might go somewhere like this was heavily cast in Nogun’s heart. Nogun shook his head once more, and he sighed and sat down.

Thud.

Hyeokryun Se-hwa had a puzzled expression at Nogun’s seemingly exhausted appearance. Come to think of it, Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora were also silent. Hyeokryun Se-hwa quickly poured warm tea for the three of them. Thanks to the subtle tea fragrance and the warmth of the warm tea, Nogun, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wora regained their strength a little.

“So, how did things go?”

Hyeokryun Se-hwa asked somewhat cautiously.

“It went well, but…….”

Nogun clicked his tongue and sighed.

“Until now, I thought you guys would cause a big accident if Bin disappeared, but now it seems like Bin will cause an even bigger accident if you guys aren’t around.”

“Yes?”

Hyeokryun Se-hwa’s question was natural, but Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora somehow blushed slightly at those words.

“So, you also have to be especially careful and don’t go to dangerous places. Don’t do anything reckless like this time. Aren’t there more than one or two kids waiting for you at the academy?”

It was like saying to a naive child or a pregnant woman who needs to be careful, so Hyeokryun Se-hwa gave an awkward smile.

And after a while, Nogun briefly explained what had happened at the Namgung Clan. Everyone was surprised to hear that the Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan had knelt before Son Bin. In fact, he had left out the really surprising things, but Nogun himself couldn’t be sure whether it was a hallucination or not.

Later, Dang Wora said it was a hallucination, citing the fact that ‘there was no blood,’ but she herself was not sure. Perhaps it was a mental image created by Son Bin’s intense energy—a mental image that felt extremely real. Nogun also thought that was more likely, but it was only a possibility.

Anyway, the group was relieved that things had ended well and scattered to their respective rooms. And that night, the previous Lightning Sword Namgung Cheon secretly visited Nogun’s room.

(Author’s words)

History is made at night.