A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 460

460. Golden Thread

The grand hall of the Shattered Heaven Clan was silent. The representatives of the Blood Phoenix Alliance, seated around the hall, looked at Sohn Bin with expressions ranging from bewilderment to outright displeasure. Even under the martial artists’ unkind gazes, Sohn Bin’s eyes remained unwavering.

“The sword,” Sohn Bin said, his voice clear and resonant, “despite its potential for violence, is only justified when used to protect. Martial artists do not till the fields, craft goods, or transport materials. They walk the path of martial arts, and even that pursuit is, at its core, a form of self-cultivation.”

Sohn Bin met the clan representatives’ gazes head-on, his expression firm.

“If there is no chivalry, no sense of justice, what purpose does a group of martial artists serve? What reason do the people have to tolerate your existence?”

Silence hung heavy in the air. It wasn’t agreement, but rather stunned opposition. Jo Hyuk, the head of the Jo family, visibly contorted his face in anger. Lee Hong-gye, the leader of the Shattered Heaven Clan, glared at Sohn Bin with a sharp, piercing gaze. The other clan representatives shed their bewilderment, their faces now etched with clear displeasure. Just as Clan Head Jo Hyuk was about to speak, a clear female voice cut through the tension.

“There is none.”

It was Geum Sa-ryeon of the Blood Phoenix Alliance who answered. She looked directly at Sohn Bin, her voice unwavering. “If there is no chivalry, then any clan or powerful family is merely another burden on the people. There is no justification for its existence.”

A low murmur rippled through the hall, a mix of uncomfortable coughs and disapproving clicks of tongues. Their very reason for being had been challenged. But Geum Sa-ryeon didn’t stop. Instead, she turned her gaze upon the assembled clan representatives.

“Revenge is a natural impulse, a deeply felt duty. If you seek revenge, even if it means bloodshed, that is your right. But we do not have the right to ruin the lives of innocent people in the process.”

Her words resonated with the core tenets of a martial artist’s code. Though, Sohn Bin couldn’t help but think they should seek justice through the proper channels, like the government office, instead of personal vendettas.

“If you wish to expand your clan and increase your power, you must first earn the people’s respect and recognition, rather than simply relying on the backing of the Blood Dragon Clan or the Blood Phoenix Alliance.”

As she continued, the clan representatives’ expressions grew even more distorted, but Geum Sa-ryeon remained unfazed.

*Clack.*

Geum Sa-ryeon tightened her grip on the table, her knuckles white. She was about to rise, but her strength was failing her.

*Swish.*

Gwi Gyeon-sura immediately stepped forward, offering his support. Geum Sa-ryeon used his assistance to stand.

“Is revenge truly so important? Is the clan’s benefit so paramount? Even at the cost of your fellow disciples’ blood and the suffering of innocent people? If that is the case,” she straightened her back, her gaze firm and unwavering, “what purpose does our Blood Phoenix Alliance serve? Shouldn’t we be here to protect them instead?”

*Grind.*

Clan Head Jo Hyuk of the Jo family gritted his teeth, his jaw muscles bulging.

“Don’t be ridiculous!” *Bang!* Enraged, Jo Hyuk slammed his fist on the table, rising from his seat. “Who do you think you are, lecturing us? The Blood Phoenix Alliance was built with our blood and sweat! How dare a young girl like you…”

*Whoosh.*

Jo Hyuk’s words were abruptly cut off. Gwi Gyeon-sura’s killing intent surged towards him like an invisible blade.

*Ugh.*

Jo Hyuk flinched, a primal reaction he couldn’t suppress. His allies, who had been poised to join the criticism of Geum Sa-ryeon, hesitated, their courage faltering. No one present could withstand Gwi Gyeon-sura’s raw martial prowess. Even though Jo Hyuk held a higher position of power, he was momentarily paralyzed by Gwi Gyeon-sura’s killing intent. He had been confident that Geum Sa-ryeon would restrain him, but now, faced with the palpable threat, that certainty evaporated.

“Umm.”

Jo Hyuk gritted his teeth, letting out a low, guttural groan. Unable to meet Geum Sa-ryeon’s gaze because of Gwi Gyeon-sura’s presence, Jo Hyuk’s anger sought a new outlet, a new target for his frustration. That target was Sohn Bin. Jo Hyuk turned his head towards Sohn Bin, ready to unleash his fury. But before he could speak—

*Crack.*

The sound of something breaking reached Jo Hyuk’s ears. His gaze snapped down to No-gun, who was seated next to Sohn Bin, or rather, to the teacup he had placed on the table.

*Crackle, crackle.*

The thick porcelain teacup was slowly, inexorably, breaking apart. The force responsible was No-gun’s hand, pressing down with unnatural strength.

*Crack.*

Jo Hyuk’s complexion turned an ashen blue in an instant. A porcelain teacup could never be crushed like that by mere pressure. It would shatter, or the wooden table beneath would splinter first.

Yet now, No-gun was crushing the teacup on the table, bit by bit, with a single hand. His immense inner strength, coupled with unimaginable control and manipulation of his *qi* [life energy], made the impossible a reality.

*Swoosh.*

With one hand still crushing the teacup, No-gun slowly rose from his seat. He wasn’t particularly tall, and one hand remained casually behind his back, but the aura emanating from No-gun now enveloped the entire grand hall. It was as if the teacup being destroyed in his hand could just as easily be someone’s head.

“What are you glaring at?”

No-gun said, twitching his eyebrows in a subtle challenge. His low voice echoed clearly throughout the grand hall, each word carrying a weight of unspoken threat. It seemed as if the intangible aura surrounding No-gun was almost visible, a faint, menacing halo.

“Ahem.”

Jo Hyuk coughed involuntarily, turning his head away. He quietly sank back into his seat, his bravado deflated. Fortunately for him, Jo Hyuk didn’t see the sharp, warning gazes directed his way by Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah.

“Did you say that the Blood Phoenix Alliance was built with blood?”

Jo Hyuk heard Geum Sa-ryeon’s voice. She addressed him with a calm, composed expression.

“Our Golden Sword Clan also shed blood.”

In truth, the Golden Sword Clan had suffered the most significant losses. They, along with Gwi Gyeon-sura, had been at the forefront of the fight against the Namgung Clan in Honam.

“And yet.”

The heavy voice belonged to Lee Hong-gye, the leader of the Shattered Heaven Clan. Geum Sa-ryeon turned to face him.

“Are you saying that you will not seek revenge?”

Lee Hong-gye, his thick eyebrows furrowed, fixed Geum Sa-ryeon with a sharp, unwavering gaze. “My daughter died covered in blood on the streets of Namchang. You are the one who inherited the title of Blood Phoenix, a title she earned with her life.”

Geum Sa-ryeon bit her lip, a wave of empathy washing over her. How could she carelessly dismiss his grief, having lost his own daughter? It was partly out of respect for his pain that she had been answering Lee Hong-gye’s questions so earnestly, even though she suspected he was using the pretext of revenge to seize control of the Blood Phoenix Alliance and expand his clan’s influence.

“Are you saying that the blood shed by that child, and by countless comrades, was in vain?”

“I never said their blood was in vain,” Geum Sa-ryeon replied, meeting Lee Hong-gye’s gaze directly.

“But your method is wrong.”

The two stood their ground, neither willing to yield an inch. Lee Hong-gye knew that she wouldn’t change her mind, but he couldn’t abandon his own convictions either.

“Then there’s no choice.”

Lee Hong-gye said, his eyes locked on Geum Sa-ryeon’s.

“You, who have abandoned the path of revenge, are no longer worthy of being called a Blood Phoenix.”

Geum Sa-ryeon gritted her teeth, the injustice of his words stinging. But Lee Hong-gye wasn’t finished.

“And your Golden Sword Clan also does not deserve to be a part of the Blood Phoenix Alliance.”

The face of Clan Head Jo Hyuk, who had been listening intently, suddenly regained its vitality, a spark of malicious glee igniting in his eyes.

“The leader speaks the truth!” *Tak.* Jo Hyuk slammed his hand on the table, seizing the opportunity. “That girl has abandoned the duty of the Blood Phoenix, and has even dared to claim that there is no reason for the Blood Phoenix Alliance to exist! This is an outrageous statement that cannot be ignored!”

Jo Hyuk continued, his face flushed with anger as he glared at Geum Sa-ryeon. “As the head of the Jo family, I fully support the leader of the Shattered Heaven Clan’s proposal. Geum Sa-ryeon should be stripped of her position as a Blood Phoenix, and the Golden Sword Clan should be expelled from the Blood Phoenix Alliance!”

Jo Hyuk’s voice was resolute, unwavering. He wasn’t concerned that dismissing the Blood Phoenix might jeopardize the agreement with the Namgung Clan. There might be some initial disruption, but ultimately, the agreement was between organizations, not individuals. As soon as Jo Hyuk finished speaking, the other clan representatives behind him slammed their hands on the tables, as if they had been waiting for a signal.

“That’s right!” *Tak, tak.*

“That’s what we should do!”

“Expel that girl and the Golden Sword Clan!” *Tak, tak, tak.*

“Expel them!”

The sound of slamming tables and the cacophony of angry voices filled the grand hall, creating a deafening roar. Faced with those cruel sounds and the cold, hostile gazes, Geum Sa-ryeon closed her eyes, a wave of despair washing over her.

“In the end…….”

There was no need to ask for approval. She knew it, Guigyeon Sura knew it, and everyone here knew it. The Blood Phoenix Alliance had abandoned her, Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon. Son Bin looked at her with a pitiful expression. Old Man No, who had been sitting down, sighed.

“……It has come to this.”

Old Man No murmured, clutching the cup that Son Bin had quietly pushed towards him, replacing the broken one. He had said it would come to this. Geum Sa-ryeon’s firm words and attitude had certainly provoked this reaction. However, this scene was a stark illustration of the Blood Phoenix Alliance’s current state. Geum Sa-ryeon had barely managed to hold it together until now, but they were fundamentally on different paths.

“They used to call themselves the Blood Phoenix faction and all that.”

Old Man No clicked his tongue. When the Green Forest and the Water Camp were mixed, and when there was a threat from the Namgung Clan, they were called the Blood Phoenix faction and united.

“But now that the problems are solved, they’re fighting among themselves……. Tsk, tsk.”

The internal problems had disappeared, and the external threats had diminished. He thought all that was left was to build strength, but the real enemy remained within them.

“This is why I hate groups. You have to endure seeing all sorts of dirty things, or the organization will fall apart.”

Old Man No shook his head.

“Well, if it were me, I would have overturned everything and run away……. Why fight with words when you have a perfectly good sword?”

If he did that, any group would collapse. In fact, Son Bin used to think that it was right to endure and embrace everything. But now, he was more drawn to Old Man No’s words, perhaps because he had become accustomed to Old Man No’s way of thinking.

“I understand.”

Geum Sa-ryeon’s subdued voice broke Son Bin’s reverie. Blood Phoenix Geum Sa-ryeon looked at the representatives of each clan and said,

“As you wish, I will relinquish the name of Blood Phoenix, and the Golden Sword Clan will no longer be with the Blood Phoenix Alliance.”

It was a complete declaration of surrender. Jo Hyuk, the head of the Jo Family, had a triumphant smile on his face. There was no pity or regret in the eyes of Lee Hong-gye, the head of the Breaking Heaven Clan.

“Originally, the alliance (盟) [meng – alliance in Chinese] was said to be made when blood is shed together…….”

Her voice trembled slightly. She was no longer a Blood Phoenix.

“Now that I am leaving the Blood Phoenix Alliance, it would be right to shed all my blood, but I hope you will understand that I cannot do so as I have a great task ahead of me.”

The words ‘shedding blood’ expressed her desperate feelings as she left the Blood Phoenix Alliance. However, only Guigyeon Sura and Son Bin’s group cared about those words.

“To all of you who have taken care of my 부족한 저를 [bujokhan jeoreul – inadequate self] until now…….”

Geum Sa-ryeon bowed respectfully to the representatives of each clan with her uncomfortable body.

“Thank you.”

Her hair flowed down. Geum Sa-ryeon couldn’t believe that she could leave the Blood Phoenix Alliance so easily with just a few words, but the situation was already irreversible.

“A great task?”

Jo Hyuk, the head of the Jo Family, smiled wryly at Geum Sa-ryeon’s bow.

“What great task can you have with nothing?”

The Golden Sword Clan had been driven out of Changsha, Hunan Province, where they had originally been based. They were maintaining their existence by establishing a branch in Guizhou, but even that was thanks to the Breaking Heaven Clan’s consideration. Now that Geum Sa-ryeon had been dismissed from her position as Blood Phoenix and expelled from the Blood Phoenix Alliance, it would be difficult even to preserve the name of the Golden Sword Clan. So Jo Hyuk’s mockery was perhaps natural. But Guigyeon Sura did not just watch it pass. No, he couldn’t.

슥 [Seuk – sound of drawing a sword].

Guigyeon Sura’s hand went to his sword. But Geum Sa-ryeon grabbed Guigyeon Sura’s arm.

“Don’t do it, Arang.”

It was a title she had never used in official settings. Guigyeon Sura’s eyes wavered for a moment, but soon he said quietly.

“They are no longer our allies, my lord.”

At that moment, Guigyeon Sura’s gaze turned to Jo Hyuk, the head of the Jo Family. Jo Hyuk’s expression stiffened at the murderous intent felt in that sharp gaze. Geum Sa-ryeon and Guigyeon Sura were no longer part of the Blood Phoenix Alliance. And that meant that there was no longer any justification for restraining Guigyeon Sura’s anger.

“But still…….”

Geum Sa-ryeon said with sad eyes.

“Don’t do it.”

Guigyeon Sura could not defy that look. He gritted his teeth and slowly removed his hand from his sword. Only then did Jo Hyuk and the other clan representatives’ expressions relax. But they couldn’t let their guard down. They realized once again what it meant for Guigyeon Sura to become an enemy.

“I.”

Geum Sa-ryeon turned her head towards Jo Hyuk.

“I have been trying to accomplish things that were beyond my reach, taking on positions that were beyond my capacity. As a result, I have achieved nothing and have been placed in a situation like today.”

Her voice was full of bitter regret. But it didn’t last long. Geum Sa-ryeon’s eyes lit up, and she said quietly and firmly.

“Now we will return to Hunan Province and rebuild the Golden Sword Clan. And we will dedicate our lives to helping those within our reach.”

Laughter leaked out from here and there. The Golden Sword Clan’s original base was Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. However, it had already been taken over by the Namgung Clan. Moreover, considering the Namgung Clan’s recent rapid expansion policy, the rebuilding of the Golden Sword Clan was an impossible dream.

“Rebuild?”

Jo Hyuk, the head of the Jo Family, smirked.

“Shouldn’t you be asking the head of the Breaking Heaven Clan not to kick out even your branch? Or…….”

He couldn’t finish his sentence. Because Guigyeon Sura’s gaze, which flew in at that moment, blocked his mouth.

The taunt that ‘If you come to our Jo Family, we’ll give you a room or two out of old friendship’ couldn’t even be uttered.

사락 [Sarak – rustling sound].

Geum Sa-ryeon, with a pale face, sat in her wheelchair. Guigyeon Sura grabbed the handle on the back of the chair and slowly moved to the center of the hall. Geum Sa-ryeon, crossing the hall, kept her upper body upright, but she couldn’t hide her desolate expression. Guigyeon Sura was also extremely careful, moving the wheelchair without a single tremor, as if he were carrying something precious.

“Humph.”

Someone chuckled among the people. There was no anxiety or confusion about Geum Sa-ryeon, who had been a Blood Phoenix, leaving the Blood Phoenix Alliance. Lee Hong-gye, the head of the Breaking Heaven Clan, with his cold gaze, and Jo Hyuk, the head of the Jo Family, who openly smiled, were the same.

‘After all.’

Jo Hyuk thought. The existence of the Blood Phoenix Alliance depends on the Yunnan Blood Dragon Gate. Of course, the threat of the Namgung Clan will remain, but it is not easy to come to Guizhou Province beyond Hunan Province, and if a new Blood Phoenix is established, the justification will be with the Blood Phoenix Alliance. The flag of the Blood Phoenix that the Namgung Clan spoke of refers to the Blood Phoenix Alliance, not Geum Sa-ryeon personally, no matter how it started.

So the expressions of the remaining Blood Phoenix Alliance clan representatives were relaxed. All that remains is to seize the rights and interests covering Guizhou and Guangxi, two provinces. Although it is not as rich as other regions and is only a periphery, they will now be the kings of this place.

“Tsk.”

Old Man No clicked his tongue as he watched. Although he had told her to do so, it was not a pleasant thing for Old Man No to see Geum Sa-ryeon’s desolate expression.

“Let’s go too.”

Old Man No said as he stood up. Son Bin, who had already stood up, nodded, and just as Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah were about to get up, it happened.

콰당 [Kwadang – sound of something heavy falling or breaking].

The door of the hall was opened roughly. And the chief manager of the Breaking Heaven Clan rushed in.

“S, something terrible has happened!”

Guigyeon Sura and Geum Sa-ryeon’s expressions hardened, and doubt and embarrassment flashed across the faces of the other clan representatives. Lee Hong-gye, the head of the Breaking Heaven Clan, frowned.

“Chief manager, what is this rude behavior?”

“T, that is…….”

Before the chief manager could answer,

저벅 [Jeobeok – sound of footsteps].

A middle-aged man dressed in a splendid military uniform entered the hall. Behind him, a dozen sturdy warriors wearing the same patterned military uniforms appeared at the same time.

“헉 [Heok – gasp]!”

The Blood Phoenix Alliance clan representatives gasped. They had no choice. The military uniforms of those who had appeared now were those of the Namgung Clan. Not only that. The dignified man standing at the very front was none other than Namgung Jeong himself, the head of the Inner Court of the Namgung Clan, who oversees the Inner Court. The Breaking Heaven Clan’s hall was plunged into chaos at once. Old Man No smiled as he watched the scene.

“Heh heh.”

Old Man No, who was laughing, suddenly turned his head and looked at Son Bin. Son Bin was also very surprised by the appearance of Namgung Jeong.

“Why are you so surprised? You sent the letter.”

“No, that’s true, but…….”

It was a letter asking for his opinion, perhaps seeking advice. He didn’t ask for help or ask anyone to be sent. But suddenly, the head of the Inner Court of the Namgung Clan appeared in this place.

“As expected.”

Old Man No smiled and looked at Namgung Jeong.

“You came the fastest. I like that Thunder Sword guy; he’s definitely reliable in these things.”

Even while listening to those words, Son Bin couldn’t hide his puzzled expression. But a triumphant smile did not leave the corner of Old Man No’s mouth as he slyly stroked his white beard.

(Author’s words)

Old Man No: (Smirking) As planned.