A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 452

452. A Reunion of Two

The Tang Clan warriors couldn’t hide their surprise at Sa Soo-yeon’s sudden appearance. It wasn’t just her beauty, which could light up a room, but also because she was the one who had shaken the Tang Clan with a single shout and unleashed a sword strike filled with terrifying inner force at Gongsun Ji as he fled. Now, Sa Soo-yeon was looking at Dang Wol-ah with relief, but despite her gentle expression, the warriors didn’t dare to speak.

“Thank you, Young Miss Sa,” the Tang Clan’s chief strategist, Dang Hwa-ryun, said, breaking the silence. He bowed respectfully to Sa Soo-yeon.

“If it weren’t for Young Miss Sa’s help, Gongsun Ji wouldn’t have retreated so easily.”

Dang Hwa-ryun also believed Dang Wol-ah might have been in danger if Sa Soo-yeon hadn’t arrived, but he kept that to himself. Too many ears were listening.

“You’re welcome,” Sa Soo-yeon replied with a smile to Dang Hwa-ryun. “I’m glad I could help.”

Sa Soo-yeon, illuminated by the flickering lights of the Grand Assembly Hall, looked ethereally beautiful. The Tang Clan warriors unconsciously sighed. It was similar to the admiration they had felt for Gongsun Ji earlier, but fundamentally different. Dang Hwa-ryun’s sharp voice shattered their reverie.

“What are you all doing?” Dang Hwa-ryun asked the warriors sternly. “Quickly move the injured and assess the damage. And check if all the elders and key figures are safe.”

The main figures of the Tang Clan had already taken refuge in a safe location. The reason no one had come even though the Grand Assembly Hall was burning was that Dang Hwa-ryun had given appropriate orders before arriving.

“Move it!” At Chief Strategist Dang Hwa-ryun’s command, the Tang Clan’s elite White Tiger Squad warriors immediately sprang into action. The White Tiger Squad leader directed the warriors to begin the cleanup, then asked Dang Hwa-ryun, “What should we do with the Grand Assembly Hall?”

At the question, Dang Hwa-ryun turned his head.

*Whoosh.*

The flames had completely engulfed the Grand Assembly Hall. The smoke seemed to be lessening, and the fire was burning steadily. The fact that it hadn’t spread was thanks to the lack of wind and the buildings being spaced apart in anticipation of such an event.

“Just focus on preventing the fire from spreading. Right now, we need to prioritize…”

Just as Dang Hwa-ryun was about to continue, a tremendous shout echoed all around.

—*Tahaaaaaaa.*

Dang Hwa-ryun and the warriors stopped in surprise. Sa Soo-yeon suddenly exclaimed, “Ah! That sound is…”

Dang Wol-ah finished Sa Soo-yeon’s sentence: “…Grandfather No-gun.”

Sa Soo-yeon nodded. “Now that I think about it, Wol-ah, you’re related to Grandfather No-gun, right? What’s the exact relationship…”

However, Dang Wol-ah shook her head. “Grandfather is good. And more important.”

It was a strange answer, but Sa Soo-yeon understood. To Dang Wol-ah, No-gun was more than just a relative.

“…And the sisters, too,” Sa Soo-yeon smiled at Dang Wol-ah’s quiet addition. When she said ‘sisters,’ she clearly included Sa Soo-yeon herself.

“Thank you, Wol-ah.” As Sa Soo-yeon smiled at Dang Wol-ah, two figures descended from the night sky.

*Flap, flap.*

No-gun landed with tremendous force, his robes fluttering. Holding Son Bin in one arm, he touched down heavily. *Thud.*

Son Bin, released from No-gun’s grasp, immediately stood up. No-gun, however, remained half-crouched, panting.

“Hah, hah. Damn it. I guess I can’t do this anymore now that I’m old,” No-gun grumbled, straightening up.

“So, what happened?” Son Bin, with a stiff expression, looked around, confirming the presence of Sa Soo-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, and Dang Hwa-ryun. Only then did he sigh in relief.

“It seems like everything is alright, Elder.”

“Oh, really? Did I come all this way for nothing?” No-gun’s breathing was still labored. He glanced around, indifferently passing over the tense gazes of the warriors, and then fixed his gaze on the burning Grand Assembly Hall.

*Whoosh.*

“…It’s burning well.”

The Grand Assembly Hall symbolized the authority of the Tang Clan. It was there that the previous Clan Lord, Dang Baek-ho, had ruled. To No-gun, the Grand Assembly Hall only reminded him of Dang Baek-ho or the Tang Clan itself, which had stood between him and Dang Un-yeong.

*Crackle, crack.*

No-gun was silent for a moment as he watched the fire. Then, Chief Strategist Dang Hwa-ryun’s quiet voice broke the silence.

“What are you doing? White Tiger Squad Leader.”

The White Tiger Squad Leader, who had been staring at No-gun, flinched and snapped to attention. He bowed to Dang Hwa-ryun and immediately began directing the warriors. The White Tiger Squad warriors resumed their tasks, and Dang Hwa-ryun approached No-gun and Son Bin.

*Shuffle, shuffle.*

“Welcome, Grandfather No-gun,” Chief Strategist Dang Hwa-ryun said, bowing politely. Her title acknowledged No-gun as an elder of the family, but No-gun simply nodded.

“Yeah. Nothing serious happened, right?”

Dang Hwa-ryun gave a bitter smile. In fact, everything that had happened was significant, and every problem, big or small, affected the future of the family. Even now, the Tang Clan’s historic Grand Assembly Hall was burning. However, Dang Hwa-ryun had no choice but to nod and answer, “…Yes, that’s right. In the end, nothing serious happened.”

Her younger sister, Dang Wol-ah, Son Bin, and the others had returned. The events would now become insignificant. Dang Hwa-ryun would turn them into opportunities that would bring several times the benefits.

*Rustle.*

After greeting No-gun, Dang Hwa-ryun turned to Son Bin.

“H-Have you been well, Young Miss Dang Hwa-ryun?” Son Bin stuttered slightly, unnerved by Dang Hwa-ryun’s sharp gaze, so different from her demeanor with No-gun. It wasn’t just sharp; it felt almost murderous.

“Do you think I’ve been well… Son Gongzi [Young Master Son]?” The honorifics were clearly forced, a concession to Dang Wol-ah’s and the others’ presence. Dang Hwa-ryun tried to smile, but it was even scarier than an angry expression.

“Ah, well, that’s…” Son Bin floundered, unsure what to say. Dang Hwa-ryun, who had been staring intently at him, let out a soft sigh.

“Hoo, really.” Dang Hwa-ryun raised her head and took a step closer to Son Bin.

‘Oh.’ Surprised, Son Bin unconsciously tried to step back, but Dang Hwa-ryun frowned, freezing him in place.

*Rustle.*

Dang Hwa-ryun leaned close to Son Bin and whispered, “What happened while you were gone… you have to tell me everything later. Especially anything related to Wol-ah. Got it?”

Her words were spoken through gritted teeth, intended to keep the other warriors and Dang Wol-ah from hearing, but her cheek was so close to Son Bin’s that it would touch if he turned his head.

Son Bin barely nodded, his expression tense. Dang Hwa-ryun, frowning at his reaction, finally realized she was too close and quickly straightened up.

“Ahem.” Dang Hwa-ryun cleared her throat. Fortunately, Dang Wol-ah and the others didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. Dang Hwa-ryun straightened her clothes and bowed to No-gun and Son Bin once again with a polite attitude.

“Thank you for your help. Thanks to you, we were able to avoid a great disaster.”

It was a polite greeting, but No-gun answered indifferently. “What help? I shouted a Lion’s Roar, but it was already over.” No-gun shrugged, gesturing to the unconscious Kunlun Three Immortals. He had shouted as he flew over, fearing an emergency, but it was already resolved when he arrived.

“By the way, when did you guys get here?” No-gun turned to Dang Wol-ah and Sa Soo-yeon, who were already standing next to No-gun, Son Bin, and Dang Hwa-ryun.

“A little while ago,” Dang Wol-ah answered quietly. “We got horses at the relay station, and when the horses got tired, we ran using *gyeonggong* [light-body skill, a type of martial art that allows for enhanced speed and agility].”

It was a brief explanation, but No-gun understood.

“Hmm, that’s a good method. At least you can rest while riding the horse.”

In fact, resting while riding a horse was nearly impossible. But Dang Wol-ah, who had transformed the Tang Clan’s poison with her own true energy, was capable of it. However, it had greatly depleted her inner strength.

“Ah,” Sa Soo-yeon said with a look of realization. “There was such a method. I just… ran here.”

No-gun clicked his tongue. Only then did Dang Wol-ah realize why Sa Soo-yeon, who had left later, had arrived sooner. Sa Soo-yeon had literally sprinted all the way to the Tang Clan using only *gyeonggong*. Since it was *gyeonggong*, there was no need to follow the road, greatly reducing the distance through the rugged terrain of Sichuan. Dang Hwa-ryun, who was listening, couldn’t hide her surprise.

‘Good heavens. How much inner strength does Young Miss Sa have…’

Gongsun Ji had called it a crazy act, but it was more than that. Even an outer expert would exhaust their inner strength and risk *juhwaipma* [internal energy deviation, a dangerous state in martial arts] doing such a thing. Dang Hwa-ryun, looking at Sa Soo-yeon with new eyes, noticed her clothes were torn and dirty. She hadn’t noticed it earlier due to Sa Soo-yeon’s beauty and sudden appearance, but now she saw the signs of a long run.

“…Thank you, Soo-yeon Unnie [older sister],” Dang Wol-ah said quietly, grateful that Sa Soo-yeon had rushed there, worried about her.

“This much is nothing. It’s okay,” Sa Soo-yeon smiled. It was a heartwarming scene, but No-gun sighed.

“Well, Yeon-ah is…” No-gun didn’t finish his sentence. The fact that Sa Soo-yeon had assimilated with the Bukhae Manyeonbingjeong [Northern Sea Ten Thousand Year Ice Heart] was a secret known only to their group. In terms of inner strength, no one in the world could surpass Sa Soo-yeon.

“By the way, Elder, how did you get here so quickly?” Sa Soo-yeon suddenly asked. No-gun and Son Bin had left last, yet they had arrived faster than her.

“Well, that’s…” Son Bin hesitated, but No-gun said, “We took a shortcut. No one at the intermediate stop had seen you, so I thought something was wrong.”

Dang Wol-ah’s and Sa Soo-yeon’s appearances were bound to attract attention. The fact that no one had seen them meant they hadn’t taken a boat up the Yangtze River, suggesting something was amiss. Son Bin, worried about them, had decided to head straight to the Tang Clan.

“I see,” Dang Hwa-ryun nodded. Sa Soo-yeon looked at Son Bin with a new, warm gaze, but it didn’t last long.

“And Bin was carried on Geomhee’s back. Or, was he *eonjyeo* [piggybacked]?”

At No-gun’s words, the three women’s eyes widened. Dang Hwa-ryun glared at Son Bin outright.

“Oh, you were *eonjyeo*?” Son Bin, flustered by Dang Hwa-ryun’s sharp tone, tried to explain, but No-gun continued.

“Yeah. Geomhee said she could just carry him, but Bin insisted he couldn’t and went to get a small *jige* [A-frame carrier].”

No-gun clicked his tongue. “It’s more uncomfortable for the person carrying it… Well, it’s not a big deal for Geomhee. Anyway, that’s why I said he was *eonjyeo*.”

Sa Soo-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, and Dang Hwa-ryun understood No-gun’s meaning. It would have been much easier for Geomhee to simply carry him. The three young ladies’ gazes softened, and Son Bin inwardly sighed in relief.

“Anyway,” No-gun glanced at the fallen Kunlun Three Immortals and said, “It seems like the Kunlun Three Immortals came… Didn’t Bi-geom come?”

“Gongsun Ji came,” Dang Wol-ah replied calmly. “And she was already a *main* [demonically influenced person].”

Gongsun Ji’s strange abilities were familiar to Dang Wol-ah, resembling the *moseup* [appearance] of the *main* she had seen in Seojang.

“Tsk.” No-gun clicked his tongue, frowning but not looking surprised.

“I guessed it when you said you felt a strong *magi* [demonic energy]…” He had already heard about Gongsun Ji. Cheonghye, who was with Princess Gyeonghee, had sensed a strong *magi* from her.

“How was fighting her? Was it manageable?”

Dang Wol-ah answered quietly, “We’re okay. But other people… are in danger, even if they are *oesa* [outer experts].”

Dang Wol-ah’s assessment was accurate. Gongsun Ji’s *mihongong* [bewitching skill], emitted by her *magi*, and her *heogonggyeok* [empty space strike], fired without warning, were difficult to deal with even for *oesa*.

“Why are we okay?” Sa Soo-yeon asked. Dang Wol-ah quietly raised her head and looked at Son Bin, who blinked.

“Me?” The veiled gazes of Dang Wol-ah and Son Bin met. Dang Wol-ah lowered her head slightly. “Maybe.”

Dang Hwa-ryun’s eyes sharpened at Dang Wol-ah’s seemingly embarrassed demeanor. The change in her beloved younger sister was a concern.

“It’s thanks to Bin… Well, maybe,” No-gun nodded and asked, “But did you find out why they were targeting the Tang Clan? Surely it’s not really because of that slap back then, is it?”

“They were after the legacy of Maeng-ho and *cheonroe* [heavenly thunder],” Chief Strategist Dang Hwa-ryun answered.

“Maeng-ho?” No-gun frowned, and Dang Hwa-ryun continued, “To be exact, they seem to be looking for *magong* [demonic art] or something related to it among Maeng-ho’s legacy. *Cheonroe* was probably secondary.”

“Really?” Just as No-gun was pondering and about to ask something, a surprised voice called out, “Soon-rang!”

No-gun quickly turned his head. The only woman who could call him ‘Soon-rang’ was his wife.

“Yeo, Yeongmae…” No-gun muttered, surprised. His wife, Dang Un-yeong, was looking at him with a surprised expression. Old Madam Dang Un-yeong, checking the damage as an elder of the family, had discovered No-gun and called out without thinking.

“Th, that’s Yeongmae. That’s…” No-gun couldn’t hide his flustered expression. He hadn’t expected to meet Dang Un-yeong, whom he thought was back at the Seowon [private academy]. Moreover, he had left the Seowon without seeing her, leaving only a letter. He felt guilty and expected a scolding.

“…Soon-rang,” Dang Un-yeong’s reaction was different. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she ran towards No-gun.

“Soon-rang!” No-gun was momentarily flustered, but he caught Dang Hwa-ryun’s slight wink and took the courage of a lifetime.

“Yeongmae,” No-gun smiled gently and opened his arms. Dang Un-yeong rushed into his embrace. *Thwack.* Old Madam Dang Un-yeong was embraced by No-gun, who gently wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his shoulder, tears in her eyes.

“…Soon-rang,” Dang Un-yeong’s voice was slightly choked with tears. No-gun raised his hand and stroked her snow-white hair, more beautiful than ever.

“…I’m sorry, Yeongmae. For making you wait.” Tears welled up in No-gun’s eyes. Old Madam Dang Un-yeong silently buried her face in his arms. He gently patted her slender shoulders. Sa Soo-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, and Son Bin watched, their eyes also moist. *Whoosh.* A corner of the burning Grand Assembly Hall collapsed. But No-gun and Dang Un-yeong remained locked in their embrace. No-gun’s gaze, subtly directed at Dang Hwa-ryun, conveyed gratitude, but she only smiled lightly.

(Author’s words)

Party Buff: Son Bin’s party.

Effect: Resistance to all *magi*. Son Bin’s party members are not affected by *magi*. However, it gradually weakens if they are separated from Son Bin for a long time.