A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 449

449. Snow Sword, Tang Hwa-ryun

Dan Sim-hwa, Gongsun Ji, stared at Snow Sword Tang Hwa-ryun with a chilling smile. The Great Righteous Hall of the Tang Clan was ablaze behind her, but even its heat couldn’t dispel the coldness in the air.

“Heh heh.”

Gongsun Ji chuckled. The enchanting sound, like a whisper in the ear, immediately unsettled the Tang Clan’s White Tiger Squad warriors. The second and third of the Kunlun Three Immortals also groaned softly. They had been warned by the eldest, Cheon Gwan-je, to be cautious, but even they couldn’t remain unaffected by Gongsun Ji’s laughter.

“See? Wasn’t I right?”

Gongsun Ji continued, sounding almost gleeful.

“The legacy of the Fierce Tiger… it does contain demonic arts…”

“No. There are no demonic arts.”

The young Chief Military Strategist of the Tang Clan, Snow Sword Tang Hwa-ryun, stated firmly. His voice was particularly clear, aware of the surrounding Tang Clan warriors. Although they might not know about the Outer Affairs [matters concerning martial artists outside the main clans], they surely understood the meaning of ‘Fierce Tiger’ and ‘legacy’.

“There was merely a mental technique to counter demonic arts.”

After Son Bin and his sister, Tang Wol-ah, left for the Western Regions to stop the Heavenly Demon, Tang Hwa-ryun began to re-examine the things left behind by Tang Baek-ho, a former member of the Extraterrestrial Four Stars [a group of highly skilled martial artists]. He meticulously reviewed matters concerning the Demonic Sect and demonic arts, which he hadn’t previously considered important, thoroughly investigating their possibilities. In the process, Tang Hwa-ryun learned a mental technique to counter demonic arts.

“Is that so? Either way, I don’t care…”

Gongsun Ji chuckled. Her words were true. Tang Hwa-ryun might have to consider many things, but it didn’t matter to her whether rumors spread that Tang Baek-ho had mastered demonic arts, or that the Gongsun Family had colluded with the Demonic Sect.

“But it seems it wasn’t a very impressive technique after all.”

Gongsun Ji said, looking at Tang Hwa-ryun with a subtle gaze.

“You seem to be struggling quite a bit.”

Tang Hwa-ryun had learned a mental technique to counter demonic arts, but his mastery wasn’t significant. He had only confirmed its existence. Therefore, Tang Hwa-ryun’s current resistance to Gongsun Ji’s Soul-Bewitching Art relied heavily on his unwavering will and superhuman endurance.

“Hmph.”

However, Tang Hwa-ryun let out a light laugh.

“If you have time to worry about others, why don’t you take care of your own problems?”

Tang Hwa-ryun spoke with a confident and arrogant attitude. It was the usual demeanor of the young Chief Military Strategist, Snow Sword Tang Hwa-ryun, that the Tang Clan warriors were accustomed to.

“You’re the one who looks terrible.”

“Oh my, what about me?”

Gongsun Ji subtly twisted her waist. The simple movement felt incredibly seductive to others.

“I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt right now.”

Tang Hwa-ryun frowned. There was no point in continuing this useless argument, and Gongsun Ji felt the same way. Gongsun Ji turned her head.

“You two.”

The ones she spoke to were the second and third of the Kunlun Three Immortals. The two men frowned at her casual disrespect, but she didn’t care at all.

“This place is done, so go find the Heavenly Thunder.”

The faces of Tang Hwa-ryun and the White Tiger Squad warriors instantly hardened. The Heavenly Thunder was a secret weapon of the Tang Clan, capable of taking countless lives. Even within the Tang Clan, it was just a rumor, and the name, unknown to most, had come out of Gongsun Ji’s mouth.

“Destroy anything or anyone that gets in your way. Or rather…”

Gongsun Ji slightly licked her bright red lips.

“Just kill anything that catches your eye.”

The chilling aura made everyone’s faces stiffen. The second and third of the Kunlun Three Immortals were no exception, but they soon cleared their throats and asked with uncomfortable expressions.

“Ahem, we don’t know where the Heavenly Thunder is, so how can we…”

“Are you stupid?”

Gongsun Ji’s eyes sharpened.

“The Tang Clan is on high alert right now. Do you think they wouldn’t be guarding the place where the Heavenly Thunder is? Just look for the most heavily guarded places.”

The expressions of the second and third of the Kunlun Three Immortals twisted at Gongsun Ji’s sharp words. No matter how skilled Gongsun Ji was, being the granddaughter of Flying Sword Gongsun Guk and a master of demonic arts, they couldn’t tolerate such an insult. Grinding his teeth,

“How dare you treat us like this…”

The second, Ji Gwan-je, was about to burst out when.

“Enough.”

The eldest of the Kunlun Three Immortals, Cheon Gwan-je, said quietly. As the second and third frowned and turned to look at him, Cheon Gwan-je continued, his eyes gleaming ominously.

“Since all the Tang Clan members who heard these words will be killed anyway, you don’t need to worry and just go find the Heavenly Thunder.”

The second and third frowned and groaned softly. However, they couldn’t oppose Gongsun Ji to the point of rejecting Cheon Gwan-je’s words.

“…Understood. But…”

The second stopped speaking, about to say that there was a limit to his patience. It was because the terrifying gaze of the eldest, Cheon Gwan-je, was directed at him. Ji Gwan-je, who couldn’t finish his sentence, felt resentment boiling within him, but he couldn’t say anything more.

“Tch.”

Ji Gwan-je clicked his tongue. Fortunately, there were plenty of targets here to vent his anger on.

“It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed the Tang Clan’s women.”

It was also a roundabout rebellion against Gongsun Ji’s order to find the Heavenly Thunder, but Gongsun Ji didn’t care.

“Let’s go, Third.”

Swish. The second and third of the Kunlun Three Immortals lightly leaped away. It was clear that a tragedy would soon occur if they were left alone, but no one could step forward to stop them. Tang Hwa-ryun and the White Tiger Squad warriors gritted their teeth as they watched their backs disappearing into the darkness.

“Is this the time to worry about others?”

Gongsun Ji’s voice rang out clearly. Tang Hwa-ryun turned to look at Gongsun Ji with a hardened face.

“If I were you, I’d worry about my own life first. Now, shall we continue what we were saying earlier?”

Gongsun Ji asked with an utterly bright expression.

“Where is the Fierce Tiger’s legacy?”

Tang Hwa-ryun didn’t answer.

“Why? Did you suddenly lose your tongue? Hahaha. There’s no way you wouldn’t know.”

Gongsun Ji continued, sounding almost gleeful.

“From a young and inexperienced junior to suddenly seizing the core of the Tang Clan’s power…”

A bitter smile appeared on Gongsun Ji’s lips.

“You, Snow Sword Tang Hwa-ryun, I mean.”

Whoosh. Flames soared from the Great Righteous Hall. Tang Hwa-ryun, who had been silently glaring at Gongsun Ji, slowly opened his mouth.

“That’s right.”

Gongsun Ji’s eyes flashed. Tang Hwa-ryun continued.

“I inherited the Fierce Tiger’s legacy. And I took over the Tang Clan.”

It was already an open secret within the Tang Clan, but Tang Hwa-ryun said it without hesitation, something no one had dared to say out loud.

“But that’s not the Fierce Tiger’s legacy. It’s the legacy that our ancestors, who willingly sacrificed themselves for the Tang Clan, left for us. It’s something that no one can monopolize, and something that can never be handed over to others, something that belongs only to the Tang Clan.”

Tang Hwa-ryun continued with a cold gaze.

“And you think I’m going to hand that over to you?”

“You’ll die if you don’t hand it over, you know?”

“Heh heh.”

Tang Hwa-ryun laughed.

“Kill me if you want. I…”

“No, not you.”

Swoosh. Gongsun Ji lightly raised her hand. Her unusually white hand pointed towards one of the White Tiger Squad warriors, and the warrior took a defensive stance with a tense expression. Then, whoosh, thud. A chilling aura rose, and blood splattered everywhere.

“Gasp!”

The Tang Clan warriors widened their eyes, but the body of the warrior, who had already lost his head, was collapsing powerlessly before their eyes. Thud. No one could open their mouths. They didn’t even know what had happened. Just by Gongsun Ji pointing her hand, one of the Tang Clan’s elite warriors had lost his life. Gongsun Ji, with her white hand still raised, said,

“I mean that everyone in the Tang Clan except you will die. If there’s no Tang Clan, who cares who takes the legacy?”

Fear settled heavily, but Gongsun Ji’s bright red lips still held a smile. Tang Hwa-ryun gritted his teeth.

“The legacy isn’t here. It’s in the safest place in the world.”

“Oh, really? If you say so, then I…”

“So if you want to destroy the Tang Clan, kill me first.”

Murdurous intent radiated from Tang Hwa-ryun’s eyes. He didn’t try to hide his anger.

“Because I am the Tang Clan.”

Whoosh. Just then, the wind blew. Tang Hwa-ryun, standing before the flames of the burning Great Righteous Hall, completely captivated the White Tiger Squad warriors for a moment, and another flame began to rise in their hearts.

“White Tiger Squad, listen!”

A cry burst from the White Tiger Squad Leader’s mouth. No one had ordered him, but he was clearly certain of what he had to do at this moment.

“We are the White Tiger Squad, and we are the swords of the Tang Clan!”

The White Tiger Squad Leader’s voice echoed loudly. Before long, every single one of the White Tiger Squad warriors was looking at the Squad Leader. The Squad Leader could clearly see the flames burning in each of their eyes. It only took a moment for the Squad Leader to exchange glances with the Deputy Squad Leader. The Deputy Squad Leader clearly understood the Squad Leader’s intention that had passed in an instant.

“Now I command!”

Exuding a heat that felt like his chest would burst, the White Tiger Squad Leader shouted loudly.

“Swords of the Tang Clan! Throw down your lives for the Tang Clan at this very moment!”

“Waaaaaaaah!”

As if answering the Squad Leader’s command, the thirty or so White Tiger Squad warriors simultaneously roared. The shouts of the elite warriors shook the burning Great Righteous Hall, but Tang Hwa-ryun cried out urgently.

“No!”

But it was already too late. The White Tiger Squad warriors, disregarding their lives, drew their swords and charged towards Gongsun Ji. Only the Deputy Squad Leader was flying towards Tang Hwa-ryun, probably to protect her, but Tang Hwa-ryun could clearly imagine the tragedy that would soon unfold before his eyes.

“Hmph.”

Dan Sim-hwa Gongsun Ji smiled bitterly and raised her hand, but Cheon Gwan-je, the eldest of the Kunlun Three Immortals, was already moving.

Rustle.

Cheon Gwan-je stood before Gongsun Ji as if to protect her, and he clicked his tongue softly.

“Tsk. Like foolish moths jumping into the fire.”

They were elite warriors of the Tang Clan, but they were meaningless before the masters of the Outer Affairs. Therefore, Cheon Gwan-je’s words were correct.

Whoooooosh.

Cheon Gwan-je clenched his fists and took a stance. He hadn’t even drawn the sword hanging on his back, but the tremendous aura gathering in his hands was clear to anyone.

However, the White Tiger Squad warriors didn’t stop charging, and Cheon Gwan-je had no intention of showing them any mercy.

“…Die, all of you.”

It was the very moment Cheon Gwan-je was about to extend his fist.

Ping. A chilling aura charged towards Cheon Gwan-je. It had pierced through the White Tiger Squad warriors with exquisite precision, and it contained such tremendous power that even Cheon Gwan-je was surprised.

‘Gasp.’

At the same time as Cheon Gwan-je’s expression changed, he roared and unleashed his fist towards ‘it’ that was aiming for him.

“Taha!”

Kwaaaang. With an explosion, a tremendous aura swept through the surroundings. The White Tiger Squad warriors, who had been charging, screamed and flew in all directions from the storm-like force.

“Kuaaak.”

“Ugh!”

The White Tiger Squad warriors, who were rolling around here and there, groaned, but no one was dead, and no one was seriously injured. They had merely been caught in the aftermath of the collision between the two forces containing immense power.

Whooooo.

The storm-like force slowly subsided. Cheon Gwan-je’s appearance was also different from before. His clothes were disheveled, and his white hair, like a divine immortal, was a mess.

Clang.

A small iron pellet fell and rolled before Cheon Gwan-je’s eyes. It was the one that had been charging towards Cheon Gwan-je himself a moment ago. The iron pellet, heated red by the collision of tremendous power, was emitting faint smoke before Cheon Gwan-je’s feet.

Grind.

Cheon Gwan-je, who had been staring at the iron pellet, gritted his teeth. How could Cheon Gwan-je not know the meaning of that small iron pellet?

Whirr.

Cheon Gwan-je raised his head. His eyes were emitting a chilling murderous intent.

“Reveal yourself!”

Cheon Gwan-je shouted towards the darkness as if in a frenzy.

“Come out now! Nam-ak Old Man Woon!”

Cheon Gwan-je’s eyes were burning red, but there was no answer.

Whirr.

Something was thrown towards Cheon Gwan-je from the darkness. Cheon Gwan-je frowned, but he quickly realized that it wasn’t aiming for him.

Thud, thud.

They fell powerlessly before Cheon Gwan-je, and the White Tiger Squad warriors unknowingly swallowed hard.

“Th-that’s…”

Someone muttered as if they couldn’t believe it.

“Kunlun, Three Immortals.”

What had fallen before Cheon Gwan-je were the second and third of the Kunlun Three Immortals, unconscious. The two members of the Kunlun Three Immortals, who had disappeared a moment ago in a fit of anger, were now thrown before Cheon Gwan-je like luggage. Their ragged clothes, disheveled hair and beards, and the blood flowing from their mouths showed that they had already suffered a tremendous shock.

“I’m not Old Man Woon.”

A slender woman’s voice echoed from the darkness. Cheon Gwan-je, who had been staring at the second and third with disbelief, raised his head.

“I am.”

Sarak. A woman, backlit by the bright moon, was descending, her robes fluttering. Although her face was covered with a black veil, the graceful curves faintly visible in the blue moonlight clearly showed that she was a very young woman.

Sabeok.

Her toes lightly touched the ground. She opened her mouth quietly, descending in an unbelievable manner, like a fairy descending from the moon palace.

“Tang Wol-ah. My sister’s younger sister, Tang Wol-ah.”

She was Tang Hwa-ryun’s younger sister, Tang Wol-ah, quietly standing and lightly fluttering her veil.

“Wol-ah!”

With Tang Hwa-ryun’s surprised voice, her large eyes instantly became wet. The figure of her younger sister, Tang Wol-ah, who had appeared before her eyes at this moment, was truly beautiful and heartwarmingly lovely to Tang Hwa-ryun, like the Moon Palace Fairy.

However, Cheon Gwan-je’s gaze towards Tang Wol-ah was still full of anger.

“I heard there was a young girl in the Outer Affairs in the Tang Clan…”

He said, grinding his teeth at Tang Wol-ah.

“To think she would be a disciple of Nam-ak Old Man Woon.”

The technique Tang Wol-ah had used to throw the iron pellet a moment ago was Old Man Woon’s skill. It wasn’t a particularly great divine art, but the iron pellet thrown by a seasoned Old Man Woon, catching one off guard, was a target of caution even for the masters of the Outer Affairs. But Tang Wol-ah answered quietly.

“I’m not Old Man Woon’s disciple.”

Cheon Gwan-je frowned because he couldn’t believe those words, but Tang Wol-ah’s words weren’t over yet.

“I’m not the Fierce Tiger’s predecessor, nor a poisoner, nor a monster. I am…”

Tang Wol-ah, who had stopped speaking for a moment, said hesitantly in a small and delicate voice.

“…Son Gong-ja’s, thing.”

It was a voice so small that it was hard to even understand, but there was no way that Cheon Gwan-je or Gongsun Ji, and Tang Hwa-ryun, would miss her words.

“What does that…”

Cheon Gwan-je’s distorted expression became even more twisted. Tang Wol-ah’s words, mentioning something that hadn’t been asked, sounded like she was mocking him. However, Tang Hwa-ryun’s expression, her teary eyes slightly distorted, was different.

‘Could it be…’

It wasn’t strange that Tang Wol-ah was talking about being ‘Son Gong-ja’s thing’. Tang Hwa-ryun had also guessed that those words would come out. The problem was the brief hesitation that Tang Wol-ah had shown just before that. What could that mean? Besides, was it just Tang Hwa-ryun’s imagination that Tang Wol-ah’s slender figure standing before her now looked like a shy little girl?

“Kekeke.”

Cheon Gwan-je laughed. It was a laugh filled with terrible resentment and anger, but Tang Hwa-ryun was more concerned about Tang Wol-ah’s reaction earlier. The emotion that had welled up because of her younger sister, Tang Wol-ah, had disappeared somewhere, and the figure of an annoying man floated before Tang Hwa-ryun’s eyes. Tang Hwa-ryun’s mood instantly worsened.

(Author’s words)

Tang Hwa-ryun, happy but annoyed.