A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 444

444. The Big Picture and the Right Thing

A young man, dressed as a common scholar, emerged from the dense reeds. It was immediately apparent, however, that he was no ordinary academic. The sheer pressure of six Outer Palace experts subtly and overtly interweaving their energies would have been enough to give any normal person pause, if not outright difficulty breathing.

It was Sapak.

Son Bin stopped a short distance from Old Lord. He smiled warmly at Talhondo and bowed his head.

“It’s been a while, Talhondo.”

Talhondo smirked, his thick eyebrows twitching. “It has. Heard you were dead. You look well.”

Son Bin chuckled. “My apologies for the worry. I’ve been occupied with… various matters.”

“No complaints here. Just…”

Talhondo shrugged. “Glad to see you.”

Son Bin understood the genuine sentiment beneath the gruffness. Turning, he acknowledged Buddhist Light and Blue Rain. He hadn’t formally met them, but he recognized Buddhist Light from the Ye Won assembly at the Twelve Subordinate States, and Blue Rain from Mount Hwang.

“It’s been a while, to you both.”

Son Bin’s bow was polite, but his tone lacked the warmth he’d shown Talhondo. Blue Rain of Mount Hua frowned at the curt greeting.

‘Hmm.’

Blue Rain knew of Son Bin, the so-called Uncrowned King. But his knowledge was secondhand, gleaned from Ye Won. He hadn’t been present when Son Bin made his debut at the Twelve Subordinate States. He’d seen him at Mount Hwang when the Outer Palace experts gathered, but hadn’t been particularly impressed. Despite the rumors of Son Bin defeating Flying Sword and Thousand Hands Sword there, Blue Rain remained skeptical. Hadn’t Flying Sword returned to the Outer Palace unscathed?

‘The Uncrowned King, eh…’

Blue Rain hesitated, unsure how to respond. He certainly wasn’t inclined to offer goodwill. It was clear Son Bin sided with Talhondo and Old Lord.

“You are…”

“It’s been a while, Young Master Son.”

Blue Rain, about to speak, frowned and turned toward the voice. Buddhist Light of Shaolin chanted a low Buddhist prayer and sighed deeply.

“Indeed, you have returned alive.”

Buddhist Light’s voice held a note of despair. He vividly recalled the incredible swordsmanship Son Bin had displayed against Sword Play at the Ye Won assembly.

Blue Rain bristled at Buddhist Light’s respectful tone. First Night and Second Night of the Heavenly Mountain Five Elders also exchanged displeased glances.

“Where are the Uncrowned King and Jade Dragon, Young Master Son?”

Ignoring their reactions, Buddhist Light pressed. Old Lord had already told him, but he needed confirmation.

“They did not accompany me.”

Son Bin’s reply was polite, yet firm. He offered no further information.

“…I see.”

Buddhist Light, holding a large rosary, chanted another prayer. Son Bin then asked, “Why are you allied with Flying Sword?”

His gaze was direct.

“You must know of his involvement with the Demonic Sect.”

Blue Rain’s eyes widened. The connection between Flying Sword and the Demonic Sect was a closely guarded secret. Even First Night and Second Night of the Heavenly Mountain Five Elders only suspected it. Son Bin had blurted it out. Blue Rain snapped,

“You! Where did you hear such nonsense…”

“Even if that were true, it wouldn’t matter.”

It was Buddhist Light who spoke. Blue Rain’s eyebrows furrowed, but Buddhist Light calmly addressed Son Bin. “Sometimes, one must enter the tiger’s den to catch the tiger. If we can set the martial world aright, I care not who backs Flying Sword.”

“Correct what?”

Old Lord interjected.

“Do you think you’re the only ones who’ve been devoured after saying such things and entering the tiger’s den? Once Flying Sword controls the Outer Palace, the Demonic Sect will swallow you whole.”

“Heh.”

Buddhist Light stroked his rosary, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Such a thing will never happen. Shaolin’s strength is not so easily overcome.”

“You’re infuriating.”

Old Lord sighed.

“Do you think I don’t know your plan? Flying Sword is trying to eliminate the Black Snake Union of Gangbuk, the Blood Peak Union, even the Moryong Family, the Tang Family, and the Hyukryun Family. You see it as an opportunity, don’t you? After cleaning up the unorthodox factions and the families, the Emei and Wudang, who have been in seclusion, will feel threatened. Then the Four Great Orthodox Sects will band together and stab Flying Sword in the back, right?”

Buddhist Light and Blue Rain’s expressions flickered. Old Lord continued relentlessly.

“The imperial family has already branded the Demonic Sect as heretical, so the justification is there. And the martial arts of Taoism and Buddhism are incompatible with demonic arts, so you thought you could handle Flying Sword Gongsonguk easily, right? Do you think I’ve only known you for a year or two?”

Buddhist Light and Blue Rain remained silent. Old Lord clicked his tongue in disdain.

“But you underestimate Flying Sword if you think he’s unaware of this. That’s why I say you’re disposable pawns. Frustrating fools.”

Not only Blue Rain, but even Buddhist Light and the two Heavenly Mountain Five Elders wavered at those words.

“Heh heh, Southern Sacred Old Lord resorts to such childish tricks.”

Blue Rain forced a chuckle, deciding to ignore Old Lord’s words. He looked down at Old Lord and said,

“Your words are nothing more than malicious slander and speculation. None of us will be swayed by such nonsense.”

But the sneer remained on Old Lord’s lips. Buddhist Light, who had been silent, turned to Son Bin.

“Young Master Son.”

Buddhist Light chanted a prayer and addressed Son Bin.

“The Uncrowned King was a noble man. His will was so high it could be called the sky above the sky. But precisely because of that, he could not benefit the world even with great power.”

Looking intently at Son Bin, Buddhist Light continued,

“Just as an enlightened person shows compassion to all living beings, those with power have a responsibility to have great intentions and use that power. So, if you have the world’s best interests at heart…”

Clatter. Raising his hand holding the large rosary, Buddhist Light respectfully put his palms together and bowed his head to Son Bin.

“Please step down from this matter, Young Master Son.”

Blue Rain reacted first.

“Buddhist Light!”

“You don’t understand, Blue Rain.”

Buddhist Light’s expression was firm as he cut off Blue Rain’s angry outburst.

“No one has properly told you what happened at the Twelve Subordinate States of the Ye Won assembly that day. No, no one in the Outer Palace wants to talk about that day. That is…”

Buddhist Light couldn’t continue. The memory of Son Bin shattering Sword Play’s ultimate technique sent shivers down his spine.

Blue Rain remained unconvinced. Despite the arrival of Old Lord and Son Bin, they still held the numerical advantage. The presence of even one Outer Palace expert made a significant difference. That was why Blue Rain hadn’t been overly concerned by Old Lord’s appearance. Sensing Blue Rain’s thoughts, Buddhist Light sighed softly.

But there was no time for further explanations. Buddhist Light raised his eyes to Son Bin. And, unfortunately, Son Bin’s answer was as he had expected.

“I refuse.”

Son Bin’s voice was clear.

“I care nothing for grand designs for the world, nor for the orthodox or unorthodox factions. What I seek is not a great thing, but a right thing, even if it is small. So…”

Sreung. The beautiful blade of White Dew gleamed under the moonlight.

“I will never back down or pass by.”

Son Bin’s eyes shone as brightly as the blade.

“Hmm.”

Buddhist Light groaned. The conversation was over. Or perhaps it had been decided the moment he chose to side with Flying Sword.

“Heh heh.”

First Night of the Heavenly Mountain Five Elders suddenly laughed.

“Now that I see it, you possess White Dew?”

His eyes burned with anger. The White Dew that had forced him into seclusion on Heavenly Mountain was now before him.

Greed flickered in Second Night’s eyes. The blade’s beauty was something any Outer Palace expert would covet.

First Night continued, his anger undisguised.

“Only today do I…”

“Talhondo.”

Son Bin’s voice cut off First Night. First Night’s expression twisted, but Son Bin ignored him and addressed Talhondo.

“I know it’s sudden and rude, but would you mind if I dealt with them first?”

Blue Rain and the two Heavenly Mountain Five Elders were taken aback. First Night of the Heavenly Mountain Five Elders gritted his teeth.

“You! Do you dare face us alone?”

Son Bin didn’t reply. Talhondo frowned and tilted his head.

“Well, I’ve never backed down from a fight… But if my brother wants it, I can’t refuse.”

Son Bin was puzzled by the strange title, but Talhondo simply shrugged.

“Go ahead.”

Talhondo’s eyes twinkled as he spoke. Old Lord, not to be outdone, put his hands behind his back.

“I already said, I came to watch. I have no intention of interfering.”

Old Lord was also smiling. Blue Rain’s expression darkened at the blatant mockery.

“If you’re trying to provoke us…”

Swish.

Before Blue Rain could finish, Old Lord stepped back. Talhondo followed suit, crossing his arms. They acted as if they didn’t care about Buddhist Light, Blue Rain, or the two Heavenly Mountain Five Elders. Blue Rain’s face contorted with rage.

“These guys…”

“Remember, Blue Rain.”

Buddhist Light spoke softly. Blue Rain saw Buddhist Light’s robe begin to flutter.

Woong.

The thick rosary in Buddhist Light’s hand hummed softly. His eyes were more serious than Blue Rain had ever seen.

“You must give it your all from the beginning.”

His gaze wasn’t directed at Blue Rain, Old Lord, or Talhondo. Buddhist Light’s intense focus was solely on Son Bin.

Step, step.

Son Bin stepped forward. The blade of White Dew in his hand shone, but Son Bin himself seemed devoid of energy. Were it not for the setting, he could have been mistaken for a scholar holding a sword he’d found by chance.

But Buddhist Light was more nervous than Blue Rain had ever witnessed. His robe billowed as if caught in a storm.

Step.

Son Bin stopped. Holding White Dew with both hands, he slowly raised it above his head.

“I’ll give you a warning.”

Son Bin’s voice was low. There was no power in his tone or his eyes.

“Don’t block it, avoid it.”

At that moment, White Dew faintly glowed. As the beautiful blade descended, Buddhist Light and Blue Rain felt a chilling energy that seemed to cleave them in two.

Shh.

‘Gasp.’

Blue Rain swallowed hard. It wasn’t that something had flown at them, or that White Dew had unleashed a massive sword energy. It was as if the space between them and Son Bin had vanished, as if an invisible blade was cutting them directly.

“Avoid it!”

At Buddhist Light’s shout, Blue Rain retreated with all his might. He didn’t attempt to block the attack thanks to Buddhist Light’s warning, and because he dared not try.

Paak.

As Blue Rain tumbled backward, Son Bin twisted his body and slashed the air sideways. Had the blade been aimed at Buddhist Light or Blue Rain, they wouldn’t have been able to evade it.

Instead, the shining blade of White Dew was directed at First Night and Second Night of the Heavenly Mountain Five Elders.

Shhh.

The blade emitted a faint light. First Night and Second Night, unfortunately, hadn’t taken Son Bin or Buddhist Light’s warnings seriously.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

First Night immediately channeled his inner strength and drew his sword. He had guessed that an invisible sword strike was coming, judging by Buddhist Light and Blue Rain’s reactions.

Whoo-oong.

First Night’s sword crackled with red energy. He raised his sword to meet the oncoming attack. Or, he attempted to.

Suh-guh.

‘T, this is!’

‘That’ was already cutting through First Night’s chest. Only then did First Night startle and desperately leap backward. He was fortunate to escape with only his clothes being cut. But Second Night wasn’t so lucky. ‘That’, having severed Second Night’s Buddhist Staff and the inner strength it contained, mercilessly cut through Second Night’s chest.

“Avoid it!”

First Night shouted, but it was too late. Second Night’s protective energy was the strongest of the Heavenly Mountain Five Elders, but ‘that’ sliced through it without hesitation. Realizing the danger, Second Night twisted his body, but it was too late.

“Cough.”

Second Night clutched his chest and staggered backward. Blood seeped through the long gash in his clothes. The shock of having his staff and inner strength severed had already severely damaged his internal organs.

“Second Night!”

First Night cried out. But he couldn’t reach Second Night. Son Bin’s White Dew was rising again. The faintly glowing blade looked as if it would cleave him in two. No, it was cleaving him in two.

“Taha!”

First Night dodged to the side and struck his sword down at the space where ‘that’ was cutting, where he had been moments before.

He didn’t care if it was sorcery, a trick, or a technique he’d never seen. If he knew the precise location of the attack, First Night was confident his sword energy would produce results.

But the result was far from what he expected.

Suh-guh.

The sword crackling with sword energy was severed. First Night stared in disbelief at his broken sword. Then, an unimaginable pain ripped through him.

“Kuaaaak!”

The shattered inner strength surged through First Night like a wounded beast. The power that had once made him an Outer Palace expert was now destroying him from within.

(Author’s words)

Old Lord: I told you to avoid it with all your might from the beginning.