A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 457

457. Dream

The young Okryong couldn’t believe what was happening before his eyes. Baekro’s blade was definitely falling towards him. He had no doubt that the beautiful and ruthless blade would cut off his neck, spill his cursed blood on the sacred ground, and end his days of agonizing pain. But why? Why was Hanwol’s neck being cut off before his eyes? Why did Hanwol look so peaceful as he looked at him? And why was he so shocked by that sight? The young Okryong couldn’t understand any of it. It all felt like a terrible nightmare. Swish. Baekro’s blade sliced through Hanwol’s neck. Hanwol, now headless, collapsed onto the thick snow. Thud. Snowflakes fluttered, and the accumulated snow covered Hanwol and his head. The young Okryong stared at the scene, his eyes wide with disbelief. He was completely transfixed.

Whooosh.

The wind blew, and snow swirled. Slowly, the young Okryong’s shoulders began to tremble. At first, faintly, and then more and more violently.

“…Why, why…”

A faint voice escaped the young Okryong’s lips. The thin, fragile voice, accompanied by his violently trembling shoulders, soon erupted into a huge emotional storm. It was a storm directed not at himself or Sonbin, but at Hanwol.

“Why!”

The young Okryong couldn’t take his eyes off the fallen Hanwol. Without realizing it, he reached out a trembling hand towards Hanwol.

Swish.

But the cold blade of Baekro blocked the young Okryong. The young Okryong raised his head. Whoosh. Sonbin stood amidst the swirling snow. His cold, beautiful, and piercing eyes looked down at the young Okryong.

“Why.”

A chilling voice flowed from Sonbin’s lips. He looked down at the young Okryong and asked a ruthless and cruel question, devoid of any compassion.

“Are you so surprised?”

‘Why.’

The young Okryong repeated Sonbin’s question in his mind. But his mind was blank. Hanwol meant nothing to him. He was just one of many incompetent subordinates, one of many worthless beings, like the countless subordinates of the Blood Dragon Gate and the ignorant people of Yunnan who called the young Okryong a god. What meaning could there be in something worthless? They sacrificed their lives for the young Okryong, but even those words meant nothing to him. Therefore, they, and Hanwol, were nothing to the young Okryong. That’s what he had always thought. But why was he shaking like this? Why couldn’t he think of anything? Why was he so shocked that he couldn’t even feel any emotion towards Sonbin, who hadn’t stopped Baekro? And…

‘…Why.’

Was it only after losing them that he realized their meaning? The subordinates of the Blood Dragon Gate, whom he had never looked back at while chasing after the previous Okryong, the helpless maids who trembled in fear, and the ignorant people who worshiped him. Why did he have to realize the meaning of those countless Hanwols, who were not so different from Hanwol in essence, so painfully now? Why.

Swish.

Baekro’s blade slowly retreated. But the young Okryong couldn’t reach out his hand towards the fallen Hanwol. Instead, the young Okryong withdrew his hand, knelt down, and straightened his body, as if he was afraid to even touch Hanwol.

‘Ah.’

His eyes were hot, but there were no tears. He just blankly stared at Hanwol buried in the snow.

Clang.

Baekro’s blade disappeared into its scabbard. It meant nothing to the young Okryong. But when Sonbin slowly bent down and reached out his hand to Hanwol, a fire-like anger, unknown even to himself, arose in the young Okryong’s chest. Whoosh.

“Don’t touch him!”

The young Okryong shouted as if spitting blood. It was a greater anger than when Sonbin had entered his sacred ground. An uncontrollable, truly fiery anger was trying to consume the young Okryong. But Sonbin’s hand didn’t stop.

Rustle.

Sonbin’s hand brushed away the snow covering Hanwol. Sonbin wasn’t trying to touch Hanwol. The young Okryong, who was about to rush at Sonbin, froze.

“This person.”

Sonbin said, looking down at Hanwol lying in the snow. His eyes were no longer cold or detached.

“Is not dead.”

Hanwol was there. Hanwol, who had clearly had his head cut off before his eyes, was lying on the cold snow in the same form as before. He was unconscious, with his eyes closed, but his head was clearly attached to his body, like an unbelievable dream.

“If you want to die.”

At Sonbin’s voice, the young Okryong, who had been looking at Hanwol, raised his eyes. Sonbin’s piercing eyes were looking straight at him.

“That is your choice. But don’t even think about staining my sword. Because I will never allow it.”

It was an extremely cold and cruel statement. But the young Okryong could clearly see that Sonbin’s eyes were no longer cold as he looked at him.

Thud.

Sonbin stood up and took a step back. The young Okryong lowered his head again and looked at Hanwol lying in front of him. Snowflakes lightly fluttered from Hanwol’s nose, which was still breathing. He was still alive, breathing. The young Okryong moved his hand slightly, but he couldn’t bring himself to reach out to Hanwol, as if he was afraid that this dream would be shattered. Seeing this, Sonbin slowly raised his head, and suddenly, he smiled. No-gun was stopping Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah. Sa Soo-yeon was about to draw her sword, and Dang Wol-ah had a steel mace in her hand. They had reacted to Hanwol’s attack a moment ago. Of course, No-gun had reached out in time to stop them. No-gun, who met Sonbin’s eyes, sighed and lowered his hand.

Thud, thud.

Sonbin walked through the accumulated snow towards No-gun, Sa Soo-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah. Meanwhile, Sa Soo-yeon also took her hand off her sword, and Dang Wol-ah hid her steel mace in her sleeve. No-gun glanced at the young Okryong and Hanwol. The young Okryong was still kneeling on the ground, his upper body upright, looking down at the fallen Hanwol.

“Are you okay?”

It was a question of whether it was okay to leave like this. Considering the incomprehensible hostility that the young Okryong had shown, it was a natural question.

“You have something to tell that guy, something to hear, and a place to go visit.”

What he had to tell was about the young Okryong’s mother, what he had to hear was an accusation about joining hands with Bigeom, and he had to visit the secret realm of the Snow Mountain that the previous Okryong had mentioned. Perhaps that was the reason he came, the main point, but Sonbin shook his head.

“No.”

Answering that way, Sonbin turned his head and looked at the young Okryong. He was still looking down at the fallen Hanwol without moving.

“It’s okay as it is.”

Sonbin turned his gaze away and said, looking at No-gun, Sa Soo-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah. The face that appeared on his face was the same peaceful smile as always. Suddenly, Sa Soo-yeon said.

“Young Master Son, your hair…”

Only then did Sonbin realize that his hair had fallen onto his shoulders. The small hat he always wore had been broken in the clash earlier.

“Ah, this…”

Sonbin was slightly embarrassed because of his disheveled appearance, but Sa Soo-yeon quickly stepped forward.

Thud.

With a soft fragrance, Sa Soo-yeon’s arms reached for Sonbin’s hair. Sonbin was a little surprised by her casual behavior, but he quietly entrusted his hair to her.

Rustle.

“I was surprised. I thought I had seen Hanwol die,” Sa Soo-yeon said, touching Sonbin’s hair. She lightly tidied his disheveled hair with practiced skill.

“But still, it was okay.”

“Yes.”

Sonbin, who had lowered his head for her, closed his eyes and quietly replied.

“I’m sorry for surprising you.”

He closed his eyes because Sa Soo-yeon’s chest was directly in his sight, but he could still feel her soft voice and warm heart, and her slender, cool fingers touching his hair.

“You don’t need to apologize. There, all done.”

Sa Soo-yeon lowered her hand. Sonbin opened his eyes and raised his hand to lightly touch his hair. He couldn’t see it, but it felt much neater.

“Thank you.” Sa Soo-yeon smiled at Sonbin’s gratitude.

“Let’s go.”

It was No-gun’s voice. No-gun had already turned halfway around, and his expression clearly showed that he wanted to leave here quickly. Sonbin nodded and moved his feet. Then, he suddenly stopped and turned around. The young Okryong and Hanwol were still there. Snowflakes were already falling, but the young Okryong didn’t seem to notice. The young Okryong’s disheveled hair was slowly swaying in the wind, and even his hand, which he had been trying to reach out to Hanwol, was still in the same position. Sonbin quietly watched them. He didn’t know what the young Okryong was thinking or feeling now, but the young Okryong had clearly realized something, something he hadn’t known or felt before. He didn’t know how he would change in the future, but just as Sonbin had done in the past, he sincerely hoped that that realization would bring warmth to the young Okryong’s desolate heart.

Thud.

Sonbin turned around, and he saw No-gun, Sa Soo-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah waiting for him. No-gun’s expression was frowning as if to say, ‘What are you doing?’, but a bright and warm smile was unknowingly blooming on Sonbin’s lips.

***

Hanwol opened his eyes to a cold sensation. The first thing that came into his sight was the young Okryong’s cold expression looking down at him.

‘Huh.’

Hanwol hurriedly got up. He only then realized that he was lying in the snow and that his body wasn’t moving as he wanted, but that didn’t matter when it came to paying respect to his lord. Thud. Hanwol, who had gotten up, immediately knelt on one knee in the snow and bowed his head in respect.

“My lord.”

The young Okryong looked down at him with a cold gaze and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk.”

The young Okryong said, frowning his handsome eyebrows.

“You’re useless.”

It was an incomprehensible statement, but the voice was the same as the young Okryong’s usual voice. Hanwol, who was wondering, then remembered that Sonbin and his party had come, and that he had thrown himself under Sonbin’s blade.

‘Gasp.’

To Hanwol, his lord’s safety was more important than the eerie feeling of his neck being cut. Forgetting that he was in front of his lord, Hanwol hurriedly raised his head and looked around, but there was no one in the sacred ground except them. Neither Sonbin, nor No-gun, Sa Soo-yeon, or Dang Wol-ah were visible.

“My lord, they…”

Hanwol, who was speaking, froze at the sight of the young Okryong. He only then discovered that the young Okryong’s hat was broken and his hair was disheveled. His hair seemed to have been lightly tidied, but he couldn’t hide the torn pieces of his clothes. The jade fan that the young Okryong always carried was also not visible.

“Are you alright?”

Hanwol asked with a serious expression, but the young Okryong rather frowned.

“What are you saying now?”

Whirr. The young Okryong turned around, and he began to walk towards the Great Hall, the center of this sacred ground.

Thud, thud, tap.

The young Okryong suddenly stopped. He still frowned and looked back at Hanwol and said.

“Aren’t you going to follow?”

‘Gasp.’

Hanwol only then realized his rudeness.

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

Hanwol hurriedly bowed his head, immediately got up, and followed behind the young Okryong. The young Okryong looked at Hanwol with an uncomfortable expression, and when he came closer, he turned around and started walking again.

“…Bring the register.”

Hanwol, who was following behind, didn’t understand the young Okryong’s words that he heard in a low voice.

“The register, you mean?”

“Yes, the register.”

The young Okryong continued in a quick tone.

“The warriors of the Blood Dragon Gate, the disciples, and the workers and maids, as well as their parents and children.”

The young Okryong ordered in a calm voice.

“Bring the register with all of their names written on it.”

It would be a vast amount, but there was no need to investigate anew. The Blood Dragon Gate, which was based on indigenous beliefs, was very closed off, so more detailed data than what the young Okryong had said was already prepared. Of course, there had never been a case where the living god sitting on the seat of the Okryong needed that data.

“…I should at least know the names of those who follow me.”

Hanwol was momentarily puzzled, but there could be no asking for the reason for his lord’s order.

“I understand. I will bring it soon.”

Hanwol said, paying his respects, but the young Okryong’s words were not over yet.

“After that.”

Thud. The young Okryong stopped. He stopped at the entrance of the huge Great Hall, turned his head, and looked at the empty snowfield.

“I will send a letter. A letter to be sent to the one who walks the path of the Martial Emperor.”

That voice was somehow softer than before. Hanwol couldn’t understand the change, but there was still only one answer he could give.

“I will obey your command.”

Hanwol said, bowing his head in respect. The young Okryong glanced at Hanwol, raised a thin smile like a sneer, and started walking again.

Thud, thud.

The young Okryong entered the Great Hall. Hanwol, who was looking at his back, suddenly raised his hand and stroked his neck without realizing it. It felt like he had dreamed a dream, a very terrible and unbelievable dream, like a strange miracle.

***

Sonbin and his party left the sacred ground and walked down the Snow Mountain. It was because Hanwol, who had guided them, had forbidden them from riding horses, saying it was a ‘sacred place’. Sonbin and his party, who arrived at the place where they had tied up their horses and carriages, immediately got into the carriage, and they headed for the official road leading to Guiyang, Guizhou Province. Clatter, clatter.

“After the Blood Dragon Gate, it’s the Blood Phoenix Alliance.”

No-gun grumbled as he drove the carriage.

“The dragon and phoenix are both annoying as a pair.”

Sonbin, who was sitting next to him, laughed at those words. A smile appeared on No-gun’s lips at that satisfying reaction.

“By the way.”

No-gun glanced at Sonbin and said.

“Why was that guy making such a fuss? Did you have some kind of grudge against him that I didn’t know about?”

Sonbin couldn’t possibly not know that it was a question about the young Okryong. Sonbin shook his head.

“No. I don’t know either, but I can roughly guess.”

Sonbin sighed softly and said.

“Perhaps, it’s because of the previous Okryong.”

“Well, yeah.”

No-gun clicked his tongue. It was an excessively vague explanation, but No-gun somehow felt like he knew what he meant.

“No one who got involved with that guy was left unscathed, except for the Martial Emperor [strongest warrior]. Oh, and you too.”

In fact, even the Martial Emperor was no exception. Although it was only providing the opportunity, the previous Okryong was behind the Martial Emperor losing his wife and becoming addicted to Heavenly Fragrance Tower, forcing him to have a life-or-death duel.

“I haven’t exactly been involved…”

“What?”

No-gun looked back at Sonbin with an absurd expression. It was as if he didn’t remember the fact that he had almost been killed by the previous Okryong in the Snow Mountain before, but Sonbin’s eyes looking at No-gun were telling him that he was serious. Sonbin didn’t have any resentment towards the previous Okryong. No-gun sighed.

“…Let’s put that aside.”

Clatter, clatter. No-gun grumbled, holding the reins.

“I wondered why he was making me curious about the map of the secret realm, but it ended up like this. I should have known when that guy said he would give me everything that was there.”

No-gun seemed convinced that this incident had been manipulated by the previous Okryong. Perhaps that was right, as the young Okryong had said, grinding his teeth.

“I don’t know.”

Sonbin turned his head and said, looking at the Snow Mountain covered in white snow. Even though they had come quite a distance, the Snow Mountain was still looking down at Sonbin and his party.

“I think the previous Okryong may have given me one last chance, to the young Okryong, through me.”

He couldn’t explain it, but it was like a strong conviction that had settled in Sonbin’s heart. As he left for the other side of the abyss, the previous Okryong hadn’t forgotten his consideration for the young Okryong, had he?

“Is that really so?”

But No-gun still had a suspicious expression.

“To ascend to heaven and become a god, you have to shake off all attachments. Maybe that Okryong guy wanted to use you, Bin, to get rid of his attachments, whether that young Okryong guy dies or lives.”

No-gun’s words also made sense. No, considering the previous Okryong’s personality, that was even more convincing, but Sonbin didn’t think so. Anyway, the truth had become something that could no longer be known.

“Maybe I.”

Sonbin said, looking at the white Snow Mountain.

“Could have become friends with him, if we had met in a different form.”

Sonbin smiled, recalling the image of the young Okryong dressed as a scholar from Seowon [private Confucian academy]. A friend who was especially smart and annoying, but not really bad at heart, the kind of friend that every Seowon has.

Clatter, clatter.

Sonbin couldn’t take his eyes off the Snow Mountain that was moving away. Thanks to that, he didn’t see No-gun shuddering and shaking his head, or Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah slowly shaking their heads and sighing. And around the time when the party’s carriage was about to leave Yunnan and enter Guizhou Province, Sonbin met a man waiting for him on the official road. He was the man from the Blood Dragon Gate, whom he had already met once, wearing snow-white clothes and raising a white flag.

(Author’s words)

Maybe they’re twins