A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 492

492. Everything Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect

The preparations to blow up the pavilion that the previous Jade Dragon left in the hidden realm of the Snow Mountain took longer than expected.

“No matter how strong the Heavenly Thunder is, detonating it without a plan will only blow off the roof,” the young Jade Dragon said to Son Bin with a serious expression.

“To get the desired result, we need to concentrate the explosive power of the Fire Bomb as much as possible. For example, in this case…”

He explained to Son Bin, his eyes gleaming with interest. Son Bin was impressed by his deep knowledge of Fire Bombs. The handling of gunpowder as a weapon was strictly controlled by the country, making it difficult to obtain related knowledge. The exceptions were some technicians who made fireworks or the Tang family, who passed down their knowledge through generations.

“I just looked into it once,” the young Jade Dragon said, as if noticing Son Bin’s thoughts. “To surpass the previous generation, I had to cling to anything. I didn’t get very good results, though.”

Son Bin nodded. Although the destructive power of the Fire Bomb was great, he didn’t think it could do anything to the previous Jade Dragon.

Then, Son Bin suddenly recalled a past memory.

“Perhaps…”

“If it were me, what would you do?” the young Jade Dragon said before Son Bin could even ask. His eyes, as beautiful as a painting, sparkled as he provocatively looked at Son Bin.

“If I were the one who caused the avalanche on the Snow Mountain the day the previous generation and the Martial Emperor fought to the death.”

That was exactly what Son Bin was about to ask. The avalanche had taken the Lion’s Roar from Son Bin. Although it miraculously returned, the scar left by the avalanche was not small—not for Son Bin, nor for Sa Su-yeon.

Son Bin sighed softly, impressed by his great perception.

“I’m not sure.”

That was Son Bin’s most honest answer. He could think of it as something that had already happened, but the memory of that day was still vivid. Just because it ended well in the end doesn’t mean it can be undone.

However, would it be wise to create new conflicts with past wounds?

“…But.”

Son Bin looked straight at the young Jade Dragon and said, “There is no forgiveness without truth.”

The young Jade Dragon blinked for a moment, and after a while, he chuckled.

“I see.”

The young Jade Dragon raised his chin and looked at Son Bin with an arrogant gaze.

“But one does not seek truth or forgiveness from others who are irrelevant to oneself. So, if you ever become important to me…”

The young Jade Dragon said to Son Bin with a charming smile that any woman would fall for, “I’ll think about your words again then.”

It was neither an affirmation nor a denial, only deepening the suspicion towards the young Jade Dragon. Son Bin smiled bitterly but didn’t ask any further. He somehow felt like he had already heard the answer, although he couldn’t be sure.

The young Jade Dragon turned his eyes to look inside the dark pavilion and said, “But is it really okay to burn it all down?”

The previous Jade Dragon’s bizarre collection was piled up in the center of the pavilion. Large bookshelves surrounded the objects, covering them as if to protect them, but in fact, they were designed to concentrate the destructive power of the Fire Bomb in one place.

For the corpses that were here, they had a simple funeral by scattering soil.

“Even if the value of those things doesn’t matter, might they be needed later?”

“Just in case, maybe later.”

Son Bin said calmly, “If you hold on to them with that thought, you won’t be able to throw anything away in the end. Those things are just baggage to me, nothing more, nothing less.”

The young Jade Dragon looked surprised at his firm words.

“Really? Other scholars would foam at the mouth and say they should be preserved.”

Son Bin chuckled. Come to think of it, the young Jade Dragon was right. Where else could there be people as greedy for books and knowledge as scholars?

However, Son Bin murmured quietly in a calm voice, “Maybe I’m not a proper scholar.”

“I guess so,” the young Jade Dragon said, pursing his lips. But the mockery was surprisingly bright and cheerful. “Because you failed the civil service examination so spectacularly.”

Son Bin smiled bitterly. He had never said it directly, but the young Jade Dragon would have found out anyway.

Meanwhile, the young Jade Dragon raised his hand holding the fire starter.

“Well, is it time to declare a break with the past?”

“Ah, I…”

Son Bin opened his mouth when he saw him about to detonate the Heavenly Thunder. He was about to say that he wasn’t good at movement techniques, so he would avoid it first.

However, before Son Bin could finish speaking, the young Jade Dragon’s red lips twisted, and a bitter voice flowed out.

“Goodbye, you bastards.”

*Pot.*

There was no time to be surprised by the sudden vulgarity. At the same time as the fire starter made a soft sound, a flame rose in the dark pavilion. The flame immediately began to burn quickly along the fuse—more beautiful and faster than Son Bin had thought.

*Whoosh.*

At the same time as Son Bin was surprised, the young Jade Dragon turned around. He wrapped one arm around Son Bin and leaped towards the open door.

*Tat.*

The young Jade Dragon’s movement technique was amazing. The flame burning in the dark pavilion quickly disappeared from Son Bin’s sight.

*Parararak.*

It was when Son Bin and the young Jade Dragon jumped out of the pavilion and reached a considerable distance away…

*Flash.*

The inside of the pavilion lit up for a moment. Soon, a heavy explosion followed.

*Kugung.*

The old-fashioned pavilion shook as if it were swelling up. With a loud noise, the pillars and walls, followed by the roof, collapsed.

*Kwarururung.*

The pavilion was completely sinking amidst the rising dust. Not only that…

*Hwareureuk.*

The flames that rose in the smoke engulfed the pavilion. As if oil had been poured on it, the flames quickly gained momentum, illuminating the night.

*Seuk.*

The young Jade Dragon released his arm around Son Bin. He pursed his lips as he looked at the burning pavilion.

“It burns well, as expected.”

Son Bin blankly stared at the burning pavilion. Even though they used Heavenly Thunder [a powerful explosive], he didn’t expect that a pavilion of that size would collapse so quickly.

*Pung.*

Son Bin frowned at the small explosion that erupted from inside the pavilion. It seemed that something inside had exploded.

Meanwhile, the young Jade Dragon raised his head to look at the night sky.

“The wind is as expected, but the weather on the Snow Mountain can change at any time. Some medicinal herbs emit toxic fumes when burned, so it’s best to leave this place quickly.”

The young Jade Dragon’s voice had returned to normal, but Son Bin could tell that he harbored hatred for the things that were inside.

*Tadak, tadak.*

The flames of the burning pavilion illuminated the young Jade Dragon’s face. It was a handsome face as if it had come out of a painting, but his eyes, looking at the burning pavilion, were cold.

“Why?”

The young Jade Dragon frowned and turned around, sensing Son Bin’s gaze. Son Bin shook his head.

“It’s nothing.”

“Hmph.”

The young Jade Dragon snorted. He looked at the burning pavilion once more and turned his body. Son Bin also followed him silently.

*Hwareureuk.*

The flames that engulfed the collapsed pavilion were brightly illuminating the dark night road. Stepping on their long shadows, Son Bin and the young Jade Dragon left the hidden realm of the Snow Mountain.

***

Leaving the hidden realm was simple. It was almost embarrassing that it took quite a while to enter, as the outside of the valley appeared right after walking a bit. Son Bin turned his head to look at the valley. The valley, hidden by snow-covered bushes, still looked blocked. The smoke from the burning pavilion beyond it was not visible. Only the night sky full of stars and the white peaks of the towering Snow Mountain were particularly clear under the moonlight.

“People say this mountain is sacred.”

Son Bin turned his head at the sudden voice. The young Jade Dragon was looking up at the white peaks of the Snow Mountain.

“It can’t be helped. This mountain inspires awe just by looking at it.”

Son Bin agreed. The huge mountain makes people feel awe just by being there.

“But not to me.”

The young Jade Dragon turned his head to look at Son Bin. He bit his lip slightly and said, “This Snow Mountain was a prison to me. All that’s here are just terrible memories. This mountain gave me nothing.”

Son Bin could understand those words. When he was called Little Dragon, the young Jade Dragon told Son Bin that he was a prisoner trapped in this Snow Mountain.

“The existence of a mother is the same.”

That was a word Son Bin had never expected. As if avoiding Son Bin’s surprised gaze, the young Jade Dragon turned his head to look at the Snow Mountain peaks.

“I only know that she gave birth to me, but I have no memory of receiving anything from her—no warmth, no comfort, not even a single word. Absolutely nothing.”

The young Jade Dragon continued calmly. “Well, it can’t be helped. I don’t even know her face or her name.”

Son Bin couldn’t say anything. Unlike his seemingly indifferent voice, the young Jade Dragon’s expression was distorted with pain.

“After you talked about mothers, I thought: Is it really meaningful to find the birth mother who gave birth to me now?”

The young Jade Dragon thought and thought again, but the answer didn’t come.

“I don’t know. What does that word, which only gave me frustration and deprivation, mean now?”

He was silent. Son Bin quietly waited for his words.

“…But one thing is certain.”

The young Jade Dragon bit his lip slightly and said in a faintly trembling voice, “If she’s alive, I must meet her at least once. Otherwise, I won’t be able to bear it.”

Son Bin’s heart ached at the sincerity conveyed in that voice.

“Yes.”

Son Bin said in a low and trembling voice, “…You must.”

Son Bin closed his eyes. He couldn’t remember the faces of his parents who had passed away when he was young, but still, only the longing that pierced his heart was overflowing.

***

The young Jade Dragon left on horseback first. He asked, ‘Aren’t you going down together?’ but Son Bin declined, saying he had something to do. He was puzzled for a moment but soon got on his horse. He seemed to have accepted that Son Bin had something in mind.

*Clatter, clatter.*

Watching the young Jade Dragon’s back as he disappeared along the dark, snow-covered mountain road, Son Bin thought.

‘Perhaps…’

The young Jade Dragon will not be able to become like the previous Jade Dragon. The previous Jade Dragon abandoned the power of blood himself and stood shoulder to shoulder with the Martial Emperor Sa Ja-hyeok, eventually even usurping the divine power of the Heavenly Demon.

But at the same time, Son Bin thought that the young Jade Dragon would never become an inhuman being like the previous Jade Dragon—as long as the young Jade Dragon does not forget his human nature as he does now.

*Whoo-oong.*

A cold wind caressed Son Bin’s cheek and passed by. Standing alone, Son Bin raised his head to look at the white Snow Mountain peaks. The cold and beautiful, incomparably noble and high peaks were shining white under the moonlight.

“Are you there?”

Son Bin said quietly. “Sword Dame, Geom-hui.”

*Hook.*

Geom-hui, wearing white clothes, fluttered her black hair and landed on the snow-covered ground. There was almost no sound, so it seemed as if she had appeared in the blink of an eye.

*Seureuk.*

Geom-hui, holding her sword, quietly stood up. Her black, long hair quietly fell on her shoulders. Geom-hui, holding her sword to her chest with both hands as usual, said to Son Bin.

“The children…”

“I know.”

Son Bin said with a smile, “The children are fine, so Elder Noh-gun told you to follow me, right?”

Geom-hui nodded slightly.

“The idiot flower snake said that too.”

Son Bin laughed at those words. Geom-hui still calls Hwa-sa [Flower Snake, a nickname] ‘idiot flower snake.’ Of course, Hwa-sa also calls Geom-hui ‘ice lump.’

Son Bin suddenly raised his eyes to look straight at Geom-hui—her eyes, which were incomparably strong, beautiful, and noble, but did not feel human emotions, the eyes of the one who was once called the Half-Sword Demon.

“You said you were looking for someone who would complete your sword.”

Geom-hui nodded silently. Son Bin slowly continued.

“The reason you think your sword is not complete is because you think you are not complete yourself.”

Geom-hui, who blinked for a moment, said, “So?”

“I found a clue in the records left by the previous Jade Dragon.”

What Son Bin found in the records was about the great technique that the previous Jade Dragon performed on Geom-hui. Although there were no specific details, the basic idea was clearly written. According to those records, there might be a way.

“I can’t say for sure yet, but perhaps there’s a way to restore you…”

“I don’t like it.”

Son Bin was speechless at the sudden words. He wondered if he had misheard, but Geom-hui said to Son Bin in a clear voice, “I like it the way I am now.”

Son Bin blinked blankly.

“…Uh, well, still…”

“All I want is for my Ice Sword to be complete.”

Geom-hui said without hesitation. “I’m not interested in becoming complete.”

Son Bin was flustered. Of course, he didn’t expect a reaction like trembling with emotion, but he never thought he would be so firmly rejected.

“Well, I mean…”

Son Bin’s attempt to talk more did not succeed.

“I like it the way I am now.”

Geom-hui said quietly, interrupting Son Bin. “Everything doesn’t need to be perfect.”

Those words completely shut Son Bin up. Regardless of her intentions, those words strongly resonated with Son Bin’s heart. Hadn’t he unfolded the perfectly complete Jade Dragon Inverse Scale Strike in this Snow Mountain, and hadn’t he seen the incomplete yet so absolute Moon Piercing Three Styles of the Lion’s Roar?

“…I see.”

Son Bin smiled and bowed to Geom-hui. “I understand. I was short-sighted.”

Geom-hui blinked. Son Bin quickly added an explanation when he realized the meaning.

“I mean I spoke without thinking deeply.”

However, Geom-hui still didn’t understand.

“That’s not true.”

Geom-hui said, looking straight at Son Bin. “You are thoughtful—the most thoughtful of the people I know.”

That was probably a compliment, although there weren’t many people Geom-hui knew.

“Thank you.”

Son Bin smiled and answered that way. Geom-hui’s words were right. Everything doesn’t need to be perfect, but that didn’t mean resignation or indifference. Son Bin already knew that some things sometimes take time.

Just a moment ago, Geom-hui clearly expressed her feelings without hesitation, saying ‘I like it the way I am now’.

*Seuk.*

Geom-hui nodded lightly, and Son Bin quickly said to her as she was about to disappear again, “Ah, Sword Dame, Geom-hui!”

Geom-hui stopped moving and looked at Son Bin. Son Bin said with some hesitation, “The road is rough. Would you mind going down together?”

That was half a suggestion for Son Bin himself. The mountain road at night is dangerous. It goes without saying that it’s a snow-covered Snow Mountain. Besides, Son Bin is alone now because he sent the young Jade Dragon ahead. It would probably be a lie if he said he wasn’t scared at all to go down the dark Snow Mountain covered in snow alone.

But Geom-hui is familiar with this Snow Mountain. She would be a more than reliable guide on the snowy Snow Mountain night road.

“It’s okay.”

However, Geom-hui said in a calm voice, “Just go down. I’ll come out if it’s dangerous.”

*Hook.*

With those words, Geom-hui disappeared.

Son Bin was half crying. What does it mean to just go down? Besides, she said she would come out if it was dangerous, but if Geom-hui suddenly appeared on the night road, it would be even scarier.

“Hoo.”

Son Bin sighed, but he couldn’t ask Geom-hui for more. Son Bin, who had dragged the horse tied to the tree, got on the saddle powerlessly. Thinking he was alone, he suddenly felt that the surroundings were particularly quiet, and even though he was wearing thick clothes, a chill seemed to seep in.

“Giddy up!”

Son Bin said on purpose loudly.

*Clatter, clatter.*

The short horse slowly began to move. Fortunately, the snow piled up on all sides reflected the moonlight, so it wasn’t as dark as he thought. Swaying alone on the horse like that, Son Bin came down the Snow Mountain at night.

(Author’s words) The horse was smart, so the descent was not difficult.