A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 450

450. Moon Reflection Poisonous Skill

The flames had completely engulfed the Grand Assembly Hall of the Tang Clan. The Grand Assembly Hall, built with massive timbers, still stood amidst the blaze, but the surrounding structures were gradually collapsing. It was only a matter of time before the historic Grand Assembly Hall was completely burned to the ground. Crackle, crackle. Smoke rose, and embers danced in the wind. Yet, no one present looked at the Grand Assembly Hall. All eyes were fixed on Tang Yue-ah, who had descended from the sky.

“Heh heh heh.”

The eldest of the Kunlun Triple Immortals, Celestial Crown Lord, raised his eyes, chuckling as his shoulders shook.

“Being a disciple of Old Lord, you’ve got that same insolent streak.”

Although Tang Yue-ah had already stated that she was no longer a disciple of Old Lord, Celestial Crown Lord had no reason to believe her. He glared at Tang Yue-ah with bloodshot eyes and said,

“Perfect timing. Before I dig up Yellow Crane’s grave and sever Old Lord’s head, I’ll tear you apart and kill you first.”

Gnashing his teeth, Celestial Crown Lord exuded a chilling murderous intent. However, Tang Yue-ah did not respond, as if she hadn’t heard anything. Just as Celestial Crown Lord’s eyebrows twitched at her indifferent reaction, Gongsun-ji suddenly asked,

“How did you get here?”

Tang Yue-ah slowly turned her gaze to look at Gongsun-ji, the Heart-Piercing Flower. Gongsun-ji continued,

“There’s no way you could have arrived this quickly. It should have taken you at least three, no, five more days to reach here? But to arrive this quickly….”

Gongsun-ji’s crimson lips formed a seductive smile.

“Did someone inform you in advance? Or perhaps you never went to Hangzhou?”

Flying Sword Gongsun-geuk knew that Sohn Bin and his group had returned. Therefore, he wouldn’t have failed to consider Sohn Bin’s interference when attacking the Tang Clan. According to his calculations, even if they moved as quickly as possible, Sohn Bin’s group wouldn’t arrive at the Tang Clan for another three days. But now that Tang Yue-ah had appeared here, it was only natural for Gongsun-ji to be suspicious.

“No.”

Tang Yue-ah’s answer was simple.

“I just ran here.”

Gongsun-ji’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Ran?”

She didn’t understand Tang Yue-ah’s answer for a moment. But soon, a smile began to spread across Gongsun-ji’s lips.

“Ha, haha. Ahahahahaha.”

Gongsun-ji suddenly burst into laughter. Shaking with laughter, she suddenly raised her head and asked Tang Yue-ah with sparkling eyes,

“You really ran here? Day and night? Whether it was mountains, fields, or rivers? Really?”

Tang Yue-ah didn’t answer. But that was already an answer for Gongsun-ji. And her sister, Tang Hwa-ryun, also understood what Tang Yue-ah meant by ‘ran.’

‘Ah!’

Tang Yue-ah’s words that she had run here were simple. Tang Yue-ah hadn’t traveled up the Yangtze River by boat but had run on land. Because boats were slow, even though they traveled at night. Of course, Tang Yue-ah had initially ridden a horse. But horses tired easily, and the relay stations where she could find horses were limited. In the end, Tang Yue-ah had no choice but to run a significant portion of the long journey from Hangzhou to the Sichuan Tang Clan, using her lightness skill [Qinggong, a martial art technique to make the body lighter]. Only occasionally taking short rests while riding a horse during sprints.

“Ahahahahaha. I knew the outer clan were a bunch of crazies, but I never imagined there would be someone as insane as you?”

Gongsun-ji said, shaking her head. But that laughter soon turned into a bitter sneer.

“What a ridiculous thing to do. You ran so hard to save the Tang Clan, but what good is it if you’ve exhausted all your inner energy with lightness skill?”

As she said, Tang Yue-ah’s attire clearly showed the signs of a long journey. She hadn’t noticed it earlier due to her sudden appearance, but her clothes were crumpled and dirty all over.

“Hmm… So, the reason that iron pellet earlier had such unexpected force was because that was the strongest move you could muster right now? And you appeared here even after that attack was blocked, just to save that Snow Sword bitch.”

Gongsun-ji said, her eyes gleaming.

“You didn’t think we’d fall for your bluff, did you?”

The eldest of the Kunlun Triple Immortals, Celestial Crown Lord, also sneered. Only now could he understand why the iron pellet earlier had contained such unexpected power.

“Hmph. Trying to win with one strike in a state of depleted inner energy? Such petty tricks Old Lord would teach. But that won’t work on me.”

Celestial Crown Lord glared at Tang Yue-ah, grinding his teeth.

“You will be torn apart and killed by my hands here today. No matter what.”

His voice was filled with a bitter resentment that made Tang Hwa-ryun, who was watching, shudder. But Tang Yue-ah simply blinked.

“…Hwa-sa said.”

Tang Yue-ah’s quiet words were a bit out of the blue. Her small voice continued slowly.

“Some things just can’t be understood until they get hit.”

Celestial Crown Lord and Gongsun-ji’s expressions twisted instantly. But Tang Yue-ah’s words weren’t over yet.

“If I were bluffing, would I have said I ran here?”

Tang Yue-ah’s point was valid. But Celestial Crown Lord didn’t acknowledge it.

“Hmph! That’s because you….”

“And Hwa-sa also said this.”

Woo woong.

The black veil slowly began to ripple. Tang Yue-ah said in a cold voice,

“There are also those who do the same thing even after getting hit. Then Old Lord Grandpa said.”

Whoooooosh.

The aura surrounding Tang Yue-ah grew stronger and stronger. Tang Yue-ah’s small, calm voice flowed out from within that aura.

“So, when cleaning up, there’s no need to show mercy to trash.”

Parararak. Her clothes fluttered as if caught in a storm. Gongsun-ji’s prediction that Tang Yue-ah’s inner energy would be depleted was completely wrong. However, Celestial Crown Lord was also a figure worthy of being in the Outer Clan. He immediately roared and unleashed his inner energy.

“Haa!”

Kwagwagwag. Celestial Crown Lord’s robe fluttered, and a storm-like aura erupted. Celestial Crown Lord reached for his sword on his back.

Sreung.

A sword with intricate patterns appeared. It was a sword usually used by Taoists for exorcism rituals, but the red-tinged blade gave off an ominous feeling.

Woo woong.

Celestial Crown Lord’s sword made a sound. The red blade and black patterns scattered an eerie energy, and a blood-colored aura began to settle on the entire sword.

Hooook.

A crimson sword energy rose greatly from Celestial Crown Lord’s sword. Although no one noticed, it was even stronger than when Celestial Crown Lord was in the Outer Clan.

“Whether it’s a bluff or not.”

Celestial Crown Lord said with a sneer.

“The fact that you will die by my hands today will not change.”

“The word ‘fact’ is.”

Seuk.

Tang Yue-ah raised her small, white hand. At the same time, sharp auras shot towards Celestial Crown Lord from all directions.

“Not used that way.”

Ssaeeeeaeek. With a chilling sound, four iron pellets filled with inner energy rushed towards Celestial Crown Lord. However, Celestial Crown Lord scoffed and swung his sword greatly.

“Hmph!”

Boo woook.

Kwagwagwang.

The sword tore through the air, and explosions erupted one after another. Celestial Crown Lord’s skill in deflecting the attack of four iron pellets with a single sword was indeed worthy of being in the Outer Clan.

“Is that all you’ve got!”

Pat. Celestial Crown Lord shouted loudly and immediately lunged towards Tang Yue-ah. Although Tang Yue-ah had entered the Outer Clan, she was still young. She may have received teachings from Old Lord of the South Mountain, but the experience of the Jianghu [the martial arts world] martial world couldn’t be conveyed through words. Moreover, Tang Yue-ah’s method of firing iron pellets from all directions showed her reluctance to get close to danger. It was a characteristic of the Tang Clan, who used poison, and also a limitation that even Fierce Tiger, one of the Celestial Four Fiends, couldn’t overcome.

‘As expected.’

Celestial Crown Lord wore a triumphant smile. Even though he was charging at her, Tang Yue-ah didn’t move at all. She didn’t even reach for her own sword.

“Haaaa!”

Shouting, Celestial Crown Lord stretched out his left hand towards Tang Yue-ah. A destructive energy was swirling in that hand, but that was just a feint. The real attack was the sword in his right hand, lowered diagonally behind him. Such simple tricks worked surprisingly well on young ones who had entered the Outer Clan but lacked experience in the Jianghu martial world. Especially those who had lived with pride as members of the Great Four Sects or prestigious families.

Kwagwagwak.

Celestial Crown Lord charged towards Tang Yue-ah with tremendous force. Tang Yue-ah lightly tilted her head to avoid Celestial Crown Lord’s left hand. Thik. Celestial Crown Lord’s left hand, filled with inner energy, grazed Tang Yue-ah’s veil, and the end of the veil crumbled. At the same time, Celestial Crown Lord raised his sword towards Tang Yue-ah.

Boo woook.

A crimson sword energy soared diagonally from below, charging towards Tang Yue-ah. It was just as Celestial Crown Lord was certain that her chest would split open and bleed that.

Koong.

A heavy impact shook Celestial Crown Lord. And at that moment, Celestial Crown Lord saw it. The unbelievable sight of Tang Yue-ah’s right hand, glowing with a blue jade light, blocking his sword that was emitting a red sword energy.

‘Gasp!’

Celestial Crown Lord gasped for a moment. But Tang Yue-ah didn’t give Celestial Crown Lord a chance to be surprised.

Wooduk.

Tang Yue-ah’s small hand, wrapped in a jade aura, pressed down on Celestial Crown Lord’s sword. She was forcibly pressing down, using the technique of Thousand Gravity, not strength. Therefore, the fact that the sword was being pushed back meant that Celestial Crown Lord couldn’t handle her inner energy. And it also meant that at this moment, Celestial Crown Lord was defenselessly exposed to Tang Yue-ah.

Sarak.

Seeing Tang Yue-ah’s left hand, dyed in jade, approaching, Celestial Crown Lord immediately let go of the sword and tried to lean back. But Tang Yue-ah’s small hand had already reached the center of his chest.

Tuk.

Tang Yue-ah’s small hand lightly struck Celestial Crown Lord’s chest. It was such a light touch, but the result of that one touch was by no means light.

Peong.

“Keoeok.”

A shock as if hit by a giant iron hammer shook Celestial Crown Lord’s entire body. Celestial Crown Lord groaned and flew backward at once.

“Tsk.”

Gongsun-ji clicked her tongue as she watched. And she lightly waved her hand towards Celestial Crown Lord.

Hooook.

At that moment, the force of Celestial Crown Lord, who was flying helplessly, weakened. Celestial Crown Lord didn’t miss the opportunity and immediately twisted his body and landed on the ground.

Teok.

“Kueuk.”

Barely landing, Celestial Crown Lord staggered and groaned. His right hand was still holding the sword, but the sword energy that had been flickering red like blood was no more. That wasn’t all.

‘This!’

Feeling a stinging pain for a moment, Celestial Crown Lord looked down at his chest. The front of his clothes had already turned black.

“Poisonous Skill!”

Celestial Crown Lord cried out in despair.

“You were Fierce Tiger’s successor!”

“I told you….”

Seuk.

Tang Yue-ah said, retracting her small, white hand.

“I already told you.”

The jade aura that had been dyeing her hand was already gone. But Celestial Crown Lord’s pain was getting worse and worse.

“Eu, eugh.”

Celestial Crown Lord clutched his chest. Distorting his face in pain, Celestial Crown Lord immediately raised his hand and tapped his blood points here and there. Pak, pabak. But the poison of the Poisonous Skill couldn’t be blocked with such measures. Even if Celestial Crown Lord cut out his chest, he couldn’t stop the Poisonous Skill that was already spreading throughout his body. In the end, despite Celestial Crown Lord’s efforts, his whole body began to harden like stone, binding him.

“Keok, kkeoeoeok.”

Celestial Crown Lord’s face turned blue. Groaning with a desperate expression, he dropped the sword he was holding.

Teong.

His sword tumbled to the ground. And like the second and third of the Kunlun Triple Immortals, Celestial Crown Lord also lost consciousness with his eyes rolled back and collapsed to the ground.

Tteolseok.

The eldest of the Kunlun Triple Immortals, Celestial Crown Lord, who was formerly called the Peaceful Celestial Master, collapsed. The three Kunlun Triple Immortals had completely fallen before Tang Yue-ah’s slender hand.

Hwareureuk.

The flames of the burning Grand Assembly Hall flickered over the fallen three. The warriors of the Tang Clan, who were watching, couldn’t say anything and watched the scene in silence.

“They won’t die.”

Tang Yue-ah’s quiet voice echoed over the fallen Kunlun Triple Immortals. Controlling the Poisonous Skill was easier for her than breathing.

“…I’m not sure if that’s fortunate for you.”

At those words, the warriors of the Tang Clan swallowed their saliva without realizing it. Could it really be called fortunate that the Kunlun Triple Immortals had survived in that state? The warriors could once again confirm that she was a woman of the Tang Clan with Tang Yue-ah’s cold heart. Of course, Tang Yue-ah had said that because she knew Sohn Bin hated killing.

“Amazing.”

It was Gongsun-ji’s clear voice that broke the silence. Gongsun-ji was looking at Tang Yue-ah with sparkling eyes.

“I heard that Fierce Tiger also avoided close combat, but you don’t seem awkward at all with such undignified brawling?”

“The Poisonous Skill’s true value is revealed.”

Tang Yue-ah said quietly towards Gongsun-ji.

“Young Master Sohn told me it’s in close combat. So I’m used to it now.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Gongsun-ji clapped her hands.

“Even though he gave you advice, you actually fixed it. That’s really amazing.”

It’s not easy to fix habits. Especially for a master of the Outer Clan. Once they reach that level, it’s not just a habit but their own unique method and even becomes an advantage.

“That Young Master Sohn you’re talking about must be a really amazing person? Come to think of it, I heard you belong to that Young Master Sohn?”

“…You don’t know Young Master Sohn?”

“Don’t know him?”

Gongsun-ji shrugged.

“Ah, of course, I’ve heard the stories. That he’s walking the path of the Martial Emperor and that he’s an impertinent guy who held a sword to Grandpa. But I wasn’t really interested. But seeing you, I kind of want to meet him?”

Gongsun-ji stuck out her tongue slightly and licked her red lips.

“I’m curious to see how amazing he is.”

What she knew about Sohn Bin or his group was very limited. This was partly because Gongsun-ji wasn’t originally in the Outer Clan, but more than anything, it was because Flying Sword Gongsun-geuk had hardly told her anything, even though she was his granddaughter. Therefore, the knowledge that Heart-Piercing Flower Gongsun-ji had about Sohn Bin now was extremely fragmented and incomplete.

“You’ve already met him.”

Tang Yue-ah said after a moment of silence. Gongsun-ji blinked.

“…Me?”

“And you tried to slap Young Master Sohn’s cheek.”

Gongsun-ji frowned slightly. But there was no one she could think of. That’s because there weren’t just one or two men she had slapped on the cheek so far.

“Really? That’s strange? I haven’t met such a wonderful man as you describe….”

Gongsun-ji shrugged, tilting her head as if she was really curious.

“Well, who cares what happens to men? Right now….”

Hwareureuk. With the burning Grand Assembly Hall behind her, Heart-Piercing Flower Gongsun-ji smiled.

“It seems like it would be more fun to kill you in front of that bitch.”

The pupils of Heart-Piercing Flower Gongsun-ji, which had already been dyed blood-red, were glaring at Snow Sword Tang Hwa-ryun and Tang Yue-ah. The moment those red eyes moved, Tang Hwa-ryun felt fear engulfing her. It was a fear that could be called the bottomless pit, like falling into an endless abyss.

(Author’s words)

I extend my condolences to those who have been affected by the earthquake and hope that they will soon return to their daily lives.