A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 471

471. The Crisis of the Zhuge Family

Philong Zhuge Lian is a unique figure within the Zhuge family. Though born into a prestigious martial arts lineage, he’s better known as an accomplished writer than a martial artist. He’s highly respected for his integrity, having ceded the position of family head to his younger brother.

Unbeknownst to many within the Zhuge family, he’s also an expert in external affairs. Philong Zhuge Lian is a rare combination of literary and martial talent, truly a remarkable individual produced by the Zhuge family.

“Hoo.”

The elderly Philong Zhuge Lian, after straightening his robes and settling at his desk, sighed softly.

As was his custom, he had risen at dawn, sat at his desk, and opened a book, but hadn’t turned a single page as the morning brightened.

It was unavoidable. Concentrating on reading was impossible in the current circumstances, despite it being his routine for decades.

Clack.

Philong Zhuge Lian closed the book. He rose and walked outside.

Creak.

The old door opened with a groan. The tranquil scene of the small garden unfolded before him, but it failed to soothe Zhuge Lian’s troubled heart. Even though the sounds couldn’t reach him here, he was acutely aware of the groans that surely still echoed throughout the Zhuge family compound.

‘What am I to do now?’

He repeated the question as if it were a mantra, but no answer presented itself. He tried to steel his resolve, reminding himself that he couldn’t afford to falter, but faced with the calamity that had befallen his family, he felt utterly helpless.

“Heo.”

Just as Philong Zhuge Lian unconsciously released another long sigh…

Taptaptap.

The sound of hurried footsteps made Zhuge Lian turn. Someone was approaching through the garden gate.

“Philong-nim [esteemed elder].”

The elderly steward, spotting Zhuge Lian, quickly bowed his head in respect.

“We have a guest.”

The white-haired steward spoke before Zhuge Lian could even inquire about the commotion. Zhuge Lian frowned slightly. Who would visit in such dire times?

“A guest?”

“Yes.”

The steward replied politely, maintaining a calm demeanor.

“It’s Young Master Son, as you mentioned.”

Philong Zhuge Lian’s expression immediately brightened, but the relief was fleeting.

“…Let’s go.”

Zhuge Lian started walking. While the elderly steward bowed and followed, Zhuge Lian’s face remained grim.

***

“Why are we here?”

Nogun grumbled, his face sour. He was being served fragrant tea in a classic room, but his mood was far from pleasant.

“Has the Zhuge family always been this depressing?”

The Zhuge family was one of the Five Great Families, a martial arts powerhouse considered among the best, and a prominent clan that had rivaled the Gongsun family for dominance in Gangbuk [region north of the river].

Unlike other martial families, their influence extended into literary circles, so the Zhuge family should naturally be bustling with visitors and activity. Indeed, that was usually the case for families of their stature.

But earlier, there hadn’t been a single soul at the Zhuge family’s main gate that Nogun and his group had passed through. Not even guards were visible, and the gate was firmly locked, barring entry.

It felt eerily similar to the ruined Gongsun family of Hapbi.

“Besides, what’s with all the groaning?”

Nogun scratched his ear irritably. As an expert in external affairs, he could clearly hear the pained sounds emanating from various parts of the Zhuge estate.

“Didn’t you say there was a strange illness going around?”

Shin-ui said quietly, cradling a warm teacup.

“Since people are suffering, groaning is to be expected. Though it’s not a typical ‘strange illness’…”

He already knew from Philong Zhuge Lian’s letter that a peculiar affliction was plaguing the Zhuge family. That was why Shin-ui had accompanied them. However, the problem was that this wasn’t the kind of ‘strange disease’ one usually encountered.

“Well, I know, but it’s worse than I imagined. It’s like a funeral home.”

Nogun frowned. As he said, the entire Zhuge family was enveloped in an oppressive silence.

“No, a funeral home would at least have some noise. Here… tsk.”

Unable to continue, Nogun clicked his tongue. He raised the teacup and suddenly looked up.

“He’s here.”

No sooner had he spoken than rapid footsteps echoed. The door burst open.

“Young Master Son!”

The elderly Philong Zhuge Lian exclaimed as soon as he entered. Nogun frowned, but Zhuge Lian, disregarding his displeasure, seized Son Bin’s hand. This left Son Bin, who was about to rise, in an awkward half-standing position.

“Thank you for coming, Young Master Son!”

Zhuge Lian repeatedly bowed his head. But Son Bin’s expression remained troubled. Seeing the elderly Zhuge Lian with his white hair bowing so deeply was unsettling.

“Please, raise your head.”

At Son Bin’s words, Philong Zhuge Lian looked up. The old man’s eyes were so filled with sorrow that Son Bin felt a pang of sympathy.

“First, please sit down. I need a detailed explanation.”

Only then did Philong Zhuge Lian release Son Bin’s hand and nod.

“I understand. And thank you, sincerely.”

Zhuge Lian’s eyes trembled slightly as he spoke. Son Bin sighed softly. Philong Zhuge Lian sat, and Son Bin briefly introduced his companions.

Nogun and Shin-ui were already acquainted with Zhuge Lian, and Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, and Seo-rin had met him before in Bukhae [Northern Sea region], so they weren’t strangers.

As for Sarasvati, Princess Gyeonghui, who concealed her face with a veil, and her maidservant Hang-ah, he simply introduced them as guests of the Seowon [private academy].

“Thank you for visiting the Zhuge family. I should be greeting you with the utmost courtesy, but I apologize for being able to offer so little.”

Zhuge Lian politely bowed to the group. He didn’t even touch the teacup before him and took a deep breath. After a moment of silence, he slowly began.

“…It happened a few days after the Gongsun family was burned down.”

***

Whirr.

The Bipong Tower, where the head of the Zhuge family resided, was ablaze. The family’s servants rushed to extinguish the flames, but could only stare helplessly at the inferno.

The family head, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan, lay collapsed before the burning tower, and a strange man radiating an unnatural aura stood over him.

The servants who attempted to put out the fire were killed by unseen techniques, spitting blood, and even when the Zhuge family’s experts arrived at Bipong Tower, the situation remained unchanged.

No one dared to attack the strange man.

The concern for the family head lying at the strange man’s feet was merely a pretense. In truth, no one could even withstand the strange man’s aura. The sharp blades in the hands of the Zhuge family’s experts were utterly useless.

“What’s going on!”

Philong Zhuge Lian appeared, his sleeves fluttering. His face hardened the moment he saw the strange man.

“…You!”

“Have you been well?”

The strange man, with his hands behind his back, spoke slowly. Philong Zhuge Lian couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread at the familiar, yet alien, figure.

“…Could it be, Bi Geom [Hidden Sword]?”

There was no way Zhuge Lian wouldn’t recognize Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk. But even so, Zhuge Lian had to ask.

Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk smiled faintly. Surprisingly, he appeared as a middle-aged man in his prime.

The wrinkled, aged skin was gone, and his hair had turned black. His physique was also larger than before, and the aura emanating from his body was more ferocious and violent than before he had lost his martial arts.

“What, what is the meaning of this?”

Philong Zhuge Lian asked. Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk wore a faint sneer.

“I wonder? What could this mean?”

Zhuge Lian couldn’t comprehend it. Though it wasn’t publicly known, the Zhuge family had allied with Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk. Why would he suddenly appear, attack the head of the Zhuge family, and set his residence ablaze?

“You must know the consequences of your actions, right?”

Zhuge Lian said, his anger rising. But Gongsun Geuk’s smile only widened.

“Consequences? I do. This is a dirge (輓歌) [funeral song or lament].”

‘Dirge?’

The news of the events at the Gongsun family hadn’t yet reached them. So, to Zhuge Lian, Gongsun Geuk’s words and actions remained incomprehensible.

Swish.

Suddenly, Gongsun Geuk bent over. Philong Zhuge Lian, flinching involuntarily, gritted his teeth, realizing he was being intimidated. He, an expert in external affairs, was feeling fear before Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk.

Meanwhile, Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk stretched out an arm and dipped a fingertip into the blood flowing on the floor. It was the blood of the Zhuge family head, Iron Brush Zhuge Gwan, who had lost consciousness and collapsed.

“This is…”

Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk, straightening, looked at the blood dripping from his finger, his eyes gleaming.

“Is this the blood of the Zhuge family?”

His voice was almost melodious, as if singing. But to Philong Zhuge Lian, it was as chilling as a voice from the abyss.

Rustle.

A faint, mist-like substance began to emanate from Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk. At first, it was blurry, as if a trick of the light, but it soon solidified into a clear red aura, like blood, swirling around Gongsun Geuk.

Whooong.

‘That is?’

Before Zhuge Lian could fully grasp the nature of the mist, Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk slowly raised his blood-stained hand. And then…

Snap.

Whirr.

As Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk flicked his finger, the red mist exploded outwards.

“Everyone, stop breathing!”

Zhuge Lian shouted urgently. The Zhuge family experts, who had drawn their swords, also realized the unusual nature of the mist and immediately held their breath. But their vigilance, nor Zhuge Lian’s warning, were effective.

“Cough!”

One of the Zhuge family experts clutched his neck. Even though he had stopped breathing, the red mist-like substance was penetrating his body.

“Keuk.”

“Ugh!”

Moans echoed from all around. Enveloped in the red mist, the Zhuge family experts collapsed, clutching their throats and chests.

Moreover, that wasn’t the end of it. The red mist spread throughout the entire Zhuge family compound, like a flood.

“You scoundrel!”

Philong Zhuge Lian shouted in anger. Aura erupted from his body, and his sleeves billowed violently.

“Hmph.”

But Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk sneered. He turned his raised hand and pointed his palm towards Zhuge Lian.

Whoosh.

“Gasp!”

Philong Zhuge Lian gasped involuntarily. The moment Bi Geom spread his hand, an overwhelming aura, like a massive wall, pressed down on him.

“Kugh.”

Zhuge Lian resisted the aura, summoning all his inner strength. But the formidable aura emanating from Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk’s hand gradually crushed Zhuge Lian’s body.

Clench.

He gritted his teeth, but Philong Zhuge Lian couldn’t even lift his head. Only after Zhuge Lian’s knees buckled and his back bent, as if bowing to Gongsun Geuk, did Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk offer a faint smile.

“Find Son Bin.”

Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk said. It was a sudden remark, but Zhuge Lian, overwhelmed by Gongsun Geuk’s power, couldn’t process it.

“Maybe he will save you.

Or…”

Gongsun Geuk smiled faintly.

“Bring complete despair.”

Whoosh.

The pressure that had been crushing Zhuge Lian vanished. Philong Zhuge Lian raised his head and witnessed an unbelievable sight.

Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk was lightly treading the air, his hands behind his back, ascending into the sky.

Zhuge Lian, in shock, looked up at Gongsun Geuk. In Gongsun Geuk’s dark face against the flames, only his eyes shone like bright red embers.

“I will come again.”

Bi Geom Gongsun Geuk, floating in the air, looked down at Zhuge Lian and said.

“Until then, sing in pain. A dirge for yourselves and the Gongsun family.”

Zhuge Lian saw with chilling certainty that those bright red eyes were shining coldly.

***

“And so, he left.”

Philong Zhuge Lian said, his expression hardened. As if reliving the anger and despair of that time, his clenched, wrinkled hand trembled.

“The red mist dissipated, but those who had fallen couldn’t rise. And terrible pain afflicted them. Only those who inherited the blood of the Zhuge family.”

“You mean only the Zhuge family’s blood relatives collapsed?”

Nogun asked, frowning. Zhuge Lian silently nodded. Not only guests and outsiders, but also the family’s servants were unaffected. The excruciating pain, to the point of incapacitation, only struck those of Zhuge lineage.

“And?”

At Nogun’s prompting, Zhuge Lian continued.

“The doctors shook their heads, and all sorts of precious elixirs proved useless. They can’t even swallow food or water properly, so their strength is waning day by day, and now many have lost consciousness. At this rate…”

The elderly Zhuge Lian bit his lip.

“The Zhuge family is finished.”

His words were no exaggeration. Though some direct descendants and independent collateral branches who weren’t present that day survived, the Zhuge family’s power was concentrated here. If the main family crumbled like this, the Zhuge family would never regain its former glory. Even if they maintained their lineage, their position as a martial arts family would be effectively over.

“What about you?”

Nogun asked bluntly.

“Don’t pretend to be alright. What happened to you?”

Zhuge Lian gave a bitter smile. As expected, he couldn’t deceive Nogun’s discerning eyes.

“My inner strength is gone.”

He said calmly, but those words were far from easy to hear. Nogun’s brow furrowed, and the others couldn’t hide their surprise. The fact that Philong Zhuge Lian, an expert in external affairs, had lost his inner strength was significant.

“Perhaps that’s why I didn’t collapse like the other family members. I wish I had suffered with them…”

Looking down at the teacup in his hand, Zhuge Lian muttered bitterly. After a moment, he raised his head.

“As you may already know.”

He said, looking directly at Son Bin.

“I allied with Gongsun Geuk. I won’t deny that decision was to oppose Young Master Son. In fact, even if Young Master Son leaves now, I wouldn’t object. No, perhaps that’s the just retribution the Zhuge family deserves.”

Zhuge Lian’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

“If you want my old life, I’ll gladly give it to you. Even if you order me to live as a servant for the rest of my days, I will. Even if you tell me to take down the Zhuge family’s signboard and leave the martial arts world, I will.”

Words that no one could believe, words that no one could have imagined coming from Philong Zhuge Lian’s mouth, poured out.

“So please, save the Zhuge family’s blood relatives. Young Master Son.”

Son Bin bit his lip. But the answer came from elsewhere.

Bang.

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

Nogun shouted angrily. His fist made the large table creak.

“What good is your old life? Live as a servant? Take down the Zhuge family’s signboard? Don’t be ridiculous! What value is there in a guy who’s going to die anyway and a Zhuge family signboard that will be worth less than trash tomorrow!”

Nogun was furious, making no attempt to conceal his anger.

“Why did you even think of joining hands with a guy like Bi Geom! What were you trying to gain at this age that made you do something so unlike you!”

The elderly Philong Zhuge Lian closed his eyes and said softly, like a groan.

“…I wanted to see the Zhuge family stand as the greatest family in the world, even just once.”

It was a pathetic confession, but it only fueled Nogun’s anger.

“That damn family!”

Thud, crack.

Nogun’s fist struck the table, finally cracking it. He shouted at Zhuge Lian, grinding his teeth.

“What is it that you’re so bound to for the rest of your life? It’s a good thing! You’re going to die together, embracing that precious family!”

Thump.

Nogun rose and turned to leave without looking back.

Slam.

The door slammed shut. But no one could speak. Neither Zhuge Lian, who had closed his eyes and lowered his head, nor Son Bin, who had remained silent.

Creak.

The closed door slowly opened. In the silence, Philong Zhuge Lian said quietly.

“…I’m sorry, Young Master Son.”

Son Bin sighed softly and raised his head.

“I don’t know if I can save them…”

Son Bin said with a bitter smile.

“How can I stand idly by when Elder Nogun is so heartbroken?”

Nogun’s anger was a sign of his affection. In the harsh martial arts world, his emotions overflowed at the sight of Philong’s pathetic state, a man he at least respected. Son Bin, and everyone else, knew that.

“…Thank you.”

The elderly Zhuge Lian said. His trembling voice was so faint it seemed like it would break at any moment. The tears shining in Zhuge Lian’s wrinkled eyes made Son Bin’s heart ache even more.

(Author’s words)

Seo-rin: Grandpa Nogun. You said you were going to hold the Zhuge family accountable?

Nogun: (Frowning) Then should I hold the dead accountable? I have to let them live even if I beat them!

(In the distant future, the United States will eventually save a war criminal who attempted suicide and execute him firmly.)