A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 475

475. Leisure in Busyness

Consort Gonsonji of the Single Heart Flower had a deep love for beauty.

Who doesn’t appreciate beautiful things? But Gonsonji was particularly obsessed, believing that only the most exquisite things were worthy of her.

Rustle, rustle.

Maids moved with utmost care around Gonsonji. In a splendid hall, draped with white curtains, they gently sprayed fragrance on her radiant, nude body, carefully wrapping her fair skin in thin, soft, top-quality silk.

Rustle.

Enjoying the feel of the silk against her skin, Gonsonji quietly raised a hand.

Swish.

The maids flinched, but the gesture wasn’t directed at them. They refocused on adorning Gonsonji.

‘Hmm.’

Gonsonji examined her slender shoulders, outstretched arms, and lovely hands. Her hands, truly delicate and beautiful, were fair and exquisite.

After completing her ‘meditation,’ she no longer detected the usual smell of blood. Perhaps that was only natural. Her ‘meditation’ only absorbed the demonic energy of the Demonic Cultists; it never involved getting blood on her. Still, she always washed and changed into new clothes afterward.

‘Good.’

Gonsonji wore a satisfied smile. In truth, her new identity told her these rituals were unnecessary, but she couldn’t bring herself to abandon them.

She had to be beautiful. That was her unwavering principle, even now as a Divine Maiden of the Demonic Cult.

Her beauty was a pillar supporting her existence, along with her family, the Gonsonji.

“Divine Maiden.”

A maid bowed respectfully. Gonsonji nodded, signaling her approval.

Thud.

Footsteps echoed from beyond the ornate curtains. Gonsonji lightly spread her arms, allowing the maids to dress her.

“Yes, what news do you bring?”

Gonsonji asked. The person beyond the curtain knelt and spoke quietly with reverence.

“The Gonsonji Clan has been burned to the ground, and all members of the Gonsonji bloodline are dead.”

“Hmm.”

Rustle.

Red silk covered Gonsonji’s shoulders, its elaborate patterns shimmering. Gonsonji wasn’t surprised by the news that the Gonsonji Clan had been destroyed and its bloodline extinguished. Once the precious jewel of the Gonsonji Clan, she was now a Divine Maiden of the Demonic Cult, and the Gonsonji Clan meant nothing to her.

“The Blood Demon has finally begun to crave his own blood, it seems.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Gonsonji smiled. She was pleased with both her new clothes and her subordinate’s report. The fact that the being she had just called ‘Blood Demon’ was originally her grandfather didn’t bother Gonsonji in the slightest.

“Huhu, so now I am the only one with the blood of the Gonsonji Clan. Or, to be precise…”

Licking her red lips slightly, Gonsonji laughed.

“Only me and the Blood Demon.”

She already knew the Blood Demon, Gonsonji Geuk’s, intentions. But things wouldn’t go as he wished. Gonsonji was no longer a young lady to be manipulated by her grandfather.

Rustle.

The maids carefully supported Gonsonji’s white hands and began her makeup. Watching them, Gonsonji spoke again.

“And?”

“Afterward, the Blood Demon went to the Jegal Clan, defeated the head of the family, and spread a strange disease.”

“The Jegal Clan?”

Gonsonji frowned slightly but soon let out a burst of laughter.

“Honestly, that old man’s thoughts… Even as a Blood Demon, he couldn’t forget his old grudges?”

It was foolish. What good would it do to destroy the Jegal Clan now?

“So, the Jegal Clan is no more, then?”

“No. The Blood Demon’s attempt was thwarted by Son Bin.”

Gonsonji’s expression changed. The maids flinched for a moment, then immediately stopped all actions, bowed their heads, and took a step back.

“Son Bin?

Are you talking about ‘Young Master Son’?”

“Yes.”

The subordinate’s answer was astonishing enough to make even Gonsonji’s face harden. Gonsonji bit her lip slightly.

She knew about Son Bin, the ‘one walking the path of the Uncrowned King’ [a person destined for greatness but not yet recognized]. However, Gonsonji wasn’t interested. No matter how much someone walked the path of the Uncrowned King, she believed they were essentially no different from the experts of the Outer World.

Even knowing that Flying Sword Gonsonji Geuk was wary of Son Bin didn’t change her mind. After all, Flying Sword Gonsonji Geuk was just a tool to be used and discarded, no different from Gonsonji’s own tools. Of course, Gonsonji Geuk probably thought of Gonsonji as his tool instead.

‘Son Bin, huh….’

Gonsonji became interested in Son Bin because of Dang Wol-ah. Dang Wol-ah, who had broken through her Empty Sky Strike and inflicted a significant amount of damage, cherished Son Bin, calling him ‘Young Master Son’ every time.

At first, it was just to provoke Dang Wol-ah, but Gonsonji felt a strange curiosity about this ‘Young Master Son.’ It was an instinctive attraction that she herself couldn’t understand.

“To stop the Blood Demon, he must be quite capable, then?”

Dang Wol-ah had said that Gonsonji had met Son Bin before. But she still couldn’t even remember. Perhaps that was only natural. She had met many men so far, but none of them had been meaningful.

Rustle.

Gonsonji sat on a chair and extended her hand. The maids quietly approached and began to adorn Gonsonji’s hands and hair again.

“And?”

“The Blood Demon has decided to have a final battle with Son Bin at the summit of Mount Tae. He has also ordered all members of the Demonic Cult to immediately gather at Mount Tae.”

Gonsonji looked at her hand with a leisurely expression. Under the maid’s meticulous touch, Gonsonji’s white hand was becoming even more beautiful.

“To think that the Blood Demon dares to give orders….”

Letting out a hollow laugh, Gonsonji said in a light voice.

“There’s no need to follow his orders anymore. We just need to move according to the original plan.”

“Then….”

“But we should go to Mount Tae.”

Gonsonji wore a subtle smile.

“I need to seize the Blood Demon’s power as he comes down from the final battle.”

Gonsonji Geuk would rather absorb Gonsonji’s blood and demonic arts. But from the start, the Blood Jade was a sacred object of the Demonic Cult. Before the authority of Gonsonji, the Divine Maiden of the Demonic Cult, even the Blood Demon was just a tool.

“Ah, maybe that ‘Young Master Son’ will win? If that happens, it will be even more enjoyable.”

Licking her red lips slightly, Gonsonji continued.

“Forcing a strong man to kneel before me is always a thrilling experience.”

Before she knew it, Gonsonji’s adornment was finished, and the maids stepped back. Gonsonji rose from her seat.

Looking down at herself, Gonsonji wore a satisfied expression. There wasn’t a single mirror in the place where she adorned herself, but she didn’t find it strange at all.

Swish.

The ornate curtains opened one by one, and the subordinate kneeling before her lowered his head. Gonsonji, having completed her adornment perfectly, crossed the great hall with a light step.

The possibility that her obsession with beauty was actually a psychological attempt to conceal her empty self never even crossed her mind.

Swoosh.

As she approached, the doors of the great hall opened silently, and countless lights greeted her.

“Divine Maiden!”

With a heavy voice, five demons prostrated themselves before her. And at the same time, over a thousand Demonic Cultists bowed in unison.

“Divine Maiden!”

Their heavy voices echoed like thunder in front of the great hall. The demonic beasts, excited by the sound, growled, but it wasn’t out of hostility.

“Huhu.”

Looking at the five demons and over a thousand Demonic Cultists, as well as the demonic beasts, prostrating themselves before her, Gonsonji wore a satisfied smile.

The day when the sky of the Demonic Path, her world, would unfold was approaching.

***

Son Bin and his group, having left the Jegal Clan, were still staying in the great city of Jenam. One reason was that Mount Tae wasn’t far from Jenam, but also because there were many things to prepare before ascending Mount Tae. The great city of Jenam was a very good place to make those preparations.

“So, is everything ready?”

Old Man, holding a teacup on the second floor of a splendid pavilion, said to Son Bin. Son Bin, who was also holding a teacup and taking a breather, said with a gentle smile.

“I think we’ve roughly finished for now.”

“Good job.”

Old Man looked at Son Bin with a pitiful expression. Waiting for Son Bin and his group after leaving the Jegal Clan was a letter sent by Hyo Seol, the head of Pungwol Pavilion.

The letter contained news acquired from the Ohdae Merchant Guild, each piece of information being quite extraordinary.

In fact, the Ohdae Merchant Guild had sent more than just that, but this was the result of summarizing only what Son Bin immediately wanted.

“Still, there are too many suspicious places, aren’t there?”

Old Man frowned as he spoke. The problem was that there were more places than expected that Hyo Seol had pointed out as having the potential for riots.

However, Princess Kyunghee gave a simple answer.

—Send them all.

Princess Kyunghee said to Son Bin without a change in her expression. When Son Bin was taken aback, Princess Kyunghee smiled slightly and continued.

—It’s okay. Just tell them to do everything. Every single one. That is the power of the imperial authority that moves the world.

At those words, Son Bin nodded. And he realized anew what it meant for the imperial family to rule the world.

“You said you sent a letter to the Regional Commander?”

At Old Man’s words, Son Bin nodded.

“I also sent letters to the Inspector and the Commissioner of Justice. Although the Regional Commander holds military power in the region, cooperation from administrative and inspection agencies will be necessary for this kind of matter.”

The Regional Commander was a local official who held military power in each region. Along with the Commissioner of Justice, who oversaw administration, and the Inspector, who was in charge of inspection, they could be considered the highest-ranking officials in the region.

“I doubt those guys will move properly….”

Old Man had an unreliable expression. It was because he had been thoroughly disgusted by the arrogant behavior of officials.

“In truth, it won’t be easy to move the Regional Commander or the Inspector with just one letter.”

Son Bin sighed quietly.

“But they won’t be able to ignore the name of the Special Royal Inspector. At least they will mobilize troops to investigate the places I have clearly pointed out, and that alone will make the Demonic Cult’s movements more cautious.”

“It’s not just one letter, though?”

Seo Rin, who was sitting next to him and sipping tea, suddenly interjected.

“There were so many, weren’t there? That’s why Hyung [older brother/term of endearment] had a hard time writing them all.”

As she said, Son Bin had sent letters to all the local officials in the suspicious areas, following Princess Kyunghee’s advice. But all those letters were official documents, so it took a long time to write them properly, following the formalities.

“Hehe, to move those high-ranking officials with their high noses with just letters….”

Old Man muttered with a hollow laugh, and Shin Eui, who was sitting next to him, said.

“If the Demonic Cult is such a problem, wouldn’t it be better to suppress them this time? I think the Four Great Sects would step forward if you just said the word.”

“They’d have no choice but to step forward.”

Old Man said as if throwing the words out.

“But their hearts would definitely not be willing. No matter how great the Four Great Sects are, they wouldn’t want to show themselves openly colluding with the court.”

In fact, colluding with the government was already being done secretly, mainly by the Five Great Clans. However, it was also true that the government and the martial arts sects had kept their distance, saying ‘Well water does not invade river water,’ [idiom meaning to keep separate] meaning they do not interfere with each other. Even though it wasn’t a codified law and was a principle that had been ignored at any time depending on the circumstances.

“Then how about getting the cooperation of just a few Taoist priests or monks?”

Shin Eui said again, but Old Man shook his head with a sullen expression.

“I’m against it. There’s too little to gain compared to what we put in. And Bin isn’t some official, why should he be responsible for the peace of the world?”

He ignored the fact that Son Bin had the badge and seal of the Special Royal Inspector. After all, it was just a temporary position, and if he were to be precise, he would have to mention that he was also the 驸马都尉 (fùmǎ dūwèi) [Imperial Son-in-law’s Commandant – a high-ranking military title].

“The Demonic Cult is small in number.”

Son Bin said to Shin Eui in a calm tone.

“If they want to hide, a full-scale suppression could instead disrupt the world. There will also be cases where ambiguous people are harmed.”

Stroking Seo Rin’s head, Son Bin continued.

“I did think about it for a moment, but I didn’t really feel like it. If possible, I wanted the Four Great Sects, the Five Great Clans, and the court to keep some distance from each other.”

Son Bin smiled awkwardly.

“I guess I’m becoming a martial artist too.”

Shin Eui nodded. But Old Man, who was listening, let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded.

“Now?”

It was such a natural thing to say that Son Bin also gave an awkward smile. Huff. Old Man, who was drinking tea, suddenly said as if he had remembered something.

“By the way, about the Jegal Clan.”

“Yes.”

“You definitely said you suppressed it, right? That curse of the Blood Jade or whatever it is.”

“That’s right.”

“So, if you wanted to, you could wake it up again?”

Son Bin tilted his head.

“Well? I’ve never thought about that….”

“Don’t think about it.”

It was Shin Eui’s voice. Shin Eui said with a serious and stern voice.

“That is something that should not be done as a person. How can you save a life and then try to put a shackle on it as an excuse?”

Shin Eui’s words were more than firm. Son Bin also agreed with those words, but Old Man didn’t care.

“So, that means you can do it?”

Old Man smiled at Shin Eui, who was frowning.

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to play with people’s lives either. But as I live, I find that there’s nothing that changes as easily as people’s minds.”

Old Man’s eyes shone sharply.

“So, it’s not bad to prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

Those words were quite persuasive. Shin Eui still had an uncomfortable expression, but his momentum had decreased.

“So, are you going to tell that to the Jegal Clan? To tell them not to have any foolish thoughts?”

“Tsk tsk, you’re thinking like a doctor who doesn’t know the ways of the world…. If you tell them that, do you think the Jegal Clan will say, ‘Oh, I see. We’ll be careful,’?”

Old Man clicked his tongue.

“Not at all. They’ll pretend to obey on the surface, but behind the scenes, they’ll be planning to get rid of Bin no matter what. There’s no way the clans will just let someone else hold their leash.”

Shin Eui groaned. He knew that things would turn out as Old Man said, as Shin Eui had clearly experienced the behavior of the clans.

“So, this is just preparing for the worst-case scenario. I’m only bringing this up in a situation where it’s already irreversible. So, you better keep your mouth shut too.”

At Old Man’s words, Shin Eui frowned.

“Doctors never speak carelessly about other people’s words.”

“Well, that’s true for decent doctors.”

Old Man said bluntly, raising his teacup.

“And those doctors are always rare. Like you.”

Huff.

Shin Eui smiled bitterly and fiddled with his teacup.

“By the way, when are we going to Mount Tae?”

At Seo Rin’s question, Son Bin smiled.

“We’ll leave as soon as we get a call from the Inspector here.”

The letters sent to the local officials in each region were sent through the Inspector of Jenam here. And cooperation was also needed around Mount Tae. It was important to prevent ambiguous residents from getting caught up in it.

“Really? Ah, I hope the sisters buy something delicious.”

Seo Rin rested her chin on the table as if she was bored and muttered. Her appearance was somehow cute, so Son Bin stroked Seo Rin’s head again. Seo Rin closed her eyes and smiled as if she was satisfied.

The time in the great city of Jenam, with Mount Tae ahead, was passing by like that.

(Author’s words)

It was Old Man’s mistake that he saw Seo Rin’s tail.