A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 57

57. Ambush

Swish.

Having completed his final movements, Son Bin quietly regulated his breathing.

As always, the warmth of the Spirit Sword Baekro gently transmitted to his hand, and a soft flow embraced Son Bin’s entire body, as if comforting the slight exhaustion after training.

As he savored the lingering sensations of training, like slowly awakening from a dream, Son Bin suddenly felt someone’s gaze upon him.

‘Hmm?’

Son Bin turned his head. Under the moonlight stood a slender girl.

Her face was hidden by a long, flowing veil; she was the girl the porters called the Veiled Maiden of the Carriage.

‘What’s going on?’

He stared at her for a while, but the girl didn’t move.

Puzzled, Son Bin looked down at the Spirit Sword Baekro and then, realizing his mistake, quickly sheathed the sword.

A sense of embarrassment washed over him, as he had shown someone his training for the first time, making him belatedly flustered.

Clang.

As Baekro disappeared from view, the girl seemed to awaken, making a small movement.

Although he couldn’t see her face behind the veil, Son Bin could tell she was looking at him.

“Um…,”

Son Bin spoke first. At Son Bin’s voice, the girl flinched noticeably. It was clear she was wary of Son Bin.

Son Bin gave a wry smile.

‘It’s not like I’m going to eat you.’

In any case, the other party was a frail girl. Besides, it was night, and this place was a slightly secluded clearing.

He wanted to ask why she was here, but judging by her condition, it could easily lead to misunderstandings.

He decided to ask another time and thought it would be better to return to the inn for now.

“I’m about to head back to the inn…,”

Son Bin asked in a polite and calm tone, then gave a wry smile. He couldn’t bring himself to say, ‘Would you like to go back together?’

Because the moment Son Bin spoke, the girl had already taken a step back.

“I see.”

Son Bin said with a wry smile. The girl’s actions spoke for themselves.

“Then.”

After bowing lightly, Son Bin slowly left the clearing.

Step, step.

He could feel the girl’s gaze following him, but Son Bin deliberately didn’t look back even once.

‘What are the manager and head porter doing? Leaving that girl to wander around alone like that at this hour.’

Muttering to himself, Son Bin quietly left the area, careful not to unnecessarily provoke the girl.

However, he resolved to visit Head Porter Jang or Eun Chobin as soon as he returned to the inn.

Son Bin didn’t know that Eun Chobin was anxiously waiting not far from there.

Step, step.

After Son Bin disappeared, the girl stood in the clearing, unable to move.

Son Bin had already vanished, but she couldn’t believe he had simply left like that.

‘Why… did he just leave?’

In the martial world, watching someone else’s training without permission is taboo. If the other party were to find fault with it, one could not deny their fault, even if it was a mistake.

But what she had seen was something that far surpassed the realm of ordinary training.

Even if he had taken her life on the spot, she would have had nothing to say. But he had simply left.

It was something she couldn’t understand at all.

Rustle.

Startled by the sound from behind, she turned her head. There, she saw the familiar figure of another woman.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I was waiting, but you didn’t come….”

Perhaps the girl was too surprised? Eun Chobin apologized with a flustered expression.

“Haa.”

The girl let out a sigh of relief and turned her head back to look at the clearing.

Still, no, rather, anew, her heart was racing.

Even though the clearing was empty, the scene she had just witnessed was etched in her eyes like a phantom.

‘What’s going on?’

It was the first time the girl had shown such a reaction. Her appearance made Eun Chobin even more puzzled.

Just in case, she looked around, but only moonlight quietly settled in the clearing; there were no dangerous people or animals.

However, the girl was staring blankly at the clearing, as if she were bewitched by something.

Feeling somewhat responsible for startling her, Eun Chobin quietly stood behind the girl for a while.

Eventually, Head Porter Jang, having heard the story from Son Bin, came to find them, and the two returned to the inn.

*

*

*

The caravan entered Hunan Province the next afternoon. And the group continued to hasten their journey eastward.

Some people sighed with regret as they passed by fairly large villages, but comfortable and relaxing rest was not something they could expect anyway.

The procession took occasional breaks. And each time, Son Bin felt subtly burdened by the veiled girl’s gaze upon him.

‘Why is she staring?’

Her face was hidden by the veil, so he couldn’t see it. But Son Bin was certain that the girl was looking at him.

Because if he even glanced at her, she would immediately turn her head away.

“What’s wrong?”

Someone muttered from beside him.

“That woman comes out often today. Is she feeling stifled?”

He wasn’t the only one looking at the girl. Not only the embroiderers but even the porters were glancing at her.

Although they couldn’t openly stare because they were afraid of Head Porter Jang’s glare.

“What are you doing! Why aren’t you setting up the pot! We need to hurry to reach the inn before tonight!”

Only after Head Porter Jang’s shout did people start moving busily.

Eun Chobin had also noticed the veiled girl’s unusual behavior. And Eun Chobin, who was right next to her, was certain that she was looking at Son Bin.

‘What’s going on?’

Eun Chobin frowned slightly as she looked at Son Bin. There was no way this girl would be paying attention to Son Bin for no reason.

There seemed to be a reason, and it was more likely that Son Bin would be able to provide an answer than the girl.

“Young Master Son.”

Eun Chobin called out to Son Bin, who was setting up the pot with the porters.

“Yes, Manager.”

Son Bin immediately stood up and approached Eun Chobin.

Eun Chobin could tell that the veiled girl was becoming tense as Son Bin approached. Considering that the girl had shown almost no reaction until yesterday, it was truly surprising.

“Shall we have a meal together? There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Eun Chobin said with a smile, as naturally as possible. Son Bin had no reason to refuse, so he nodded lightly. No, he was about to nod.

Whoosh.

A chilling sound of wind being cut through was heard. And it was followed by a loud noise as if something was breaking.

“Agh!”

Crash!

Along with a scream, pots and dishes were scattered on the ground. And in front of them, a spear that had flown in from somewhere was stuck in the ground.

The spear stuck in the ground trembled, unable to overcome its momentum.

“Wh-what is it!”

The people who were preparing the meal were startled and stepped back.

However, the experienced porters quickly reached for their weapons. Head Porter Jang and Manager Eun Chobin were no exception.

“Who is it!”

Head Porter Jang shouted as he drew his sword. As if responding to his shout, someone’s voice was heard.

“Who else? The owner of this road.”

A young man who appeared from the side of the road replied in a leisurely voice.

Behind him stood about a dozen men with fierce expressions, all carrying weapons such as swords, blades, and spears.

“I haven’t heard that there are Green Forest bandits in this area.”

Head Porter Jang said as he stepped forward.

Head Porter Jang’s face was full of suspicion. The attire of those who had appeared was quite neat, and the men were all sturdy, which was quite different from ordinary bandit groups.

“Green Forest? Ah, Green Forest. Well, it’s similar.”

The man’s reply was indifferent. Instead of looking at Head Porter Jang, he scanned the people of the caravan, and then, upon discovering the girl with her face covered by a veil, he smiled.

Then he said something quietly to another man standing next to him. Head Porter Jang, who was watching the scene, hardened his face.

“You are not people of the Green Forest.”

At Head Porter Jang’s words, the man made a surprised expression. And soon he laughed.

“That’s right. You’re quite perceptive, aren’t you?”

“We are a caravan belonging to Soeun Trading Company. This cargo belongs to Saryang Trading Company and the Tang Family, so do not recklessly….”

“Is that so? Then tell the Tang Family to come all the way here. Then we’ll quietly step aside.”

The man said mockingly in a sneering voice. Head Porter Jang, who had been trying to lead the conversation, realized that his efforts had been in vain.

“There is only one choice you can make. Leave the cargo and that woman behind and leave, or die here.”

The man said. Son Bin subtly assessed the surrounding situation.

‘This isn’t good.’

There are more of us in number. However, except for about ten porters, most of the embroiderers have no will to fight.

It’s because people were gathered so suddenly. So, if we compare the actual combat power, we are at a disadvantage.

“Everyone, take up your weapons!”

Head Porter Jang shouted loudly. As if trying to arouse the fighting spirit of the porters and embroiderers, Head Porter Jang shouted in a thunderous voice.

“Are you going to hand over the cargo, which is as precious as your lives? Soeun Trading Company never backs down!”

“Is that how it’s going to be?”

The man said, sneering at Head Porter Jang.

“Well, I prefer it that way too. Hey, everyone!”

The man said.

“Charge!”

“Waaaah!”

As if they had been waiting for it, the men shouted and rushed in. Head Porter Jang and the porters also did not back down and confronted them.

In an instant, the surroundings were filled with the sounds of weapons and shouts, and brawls began to break out everywhere.

Clang! Claaang!

The porters of Soeun Trading Company were putting up a good fight against the men.

The porters, who usually seemed to be doing nothing, were facing swords and blades, showing the experience of their long porter lives.

Some of the embroiderers also joined the fight to help the porters, but most of the embroiderers retreated to the back and watched the situation with anxious eyes.

‘Oh dear.’

Son Bin, who was also watching the situation from the back, frowned.

At first, they seemed to be fighting on equal terms, but as porters were injured one by one, the situation was rapidly tilting. It was truly a matter of moments.

“Agh.”

With a scream, another porter dropped his sword. The porters, who numbered only about six, were surrounded by more than a dozen men.

“What, you were so confident and shouting so loudly, but is this all you’ve got?”

The man who had stepped forward first clicked his tongue and came forward. There were some injured among the attacking men, but the result was almost one-sided.

“You people… are martial artists.”

Head Porter Jang said, catching his breath. The injured among the attacking men were all due to Head Porter Jang’s skill.

He was definitely more skilled than the other porters, but he couldn’t handle all of them alone.

“Anyone with a sword can be called a martial artist. Don’t you think?”

The man shrugged and said. Perhaps because the result was already out, his expression was even more relaxed than before.

On the other hand, Head Porter Jang’s face was full of dismay. Among the embroiderers, there were already people who were slowly trying to slip away.

“Ah, there. Don’t move.”

The man pointed out the embroiderers who were trying to escape.

“I told you earlier? There’s only one choice you can make. That meant you all die here. Sorry, but we can’t leave any witnesses.”

It was a clear voice, but it was like a death sentence. The faces of the embroiderers turned pale in an instant.

With people bleeding and collapsing before their eyes, the man’s words were by no means a threat.

“Why are you targeting us?”

Head Porter Jang asked.

The man’s series of words indicated that they had deliberately attacked the Soeun Trading Company’s caravan. They were by no means mere bandits targeting the cargo.

“Why? That’s obvious.”

The man said.

“It’s because you possess a treasure that doesn’t match your capabilities.”

“Treasure?”

Head Porter Jang frowned.

“There’s no use pretending you don’t know now. We already know everything. The fact that Soeun Trading Company is carrying cargo filled with the Sichuan Tang Family’s secret manuals and elixirs to the Namgung Clan.”

“Nonsense! There’s no such thing!”

“That’s something we’ll find out when we open it ourselves.”

The man said.

“Why don’t you just give up now? If you obediently offer your neck, I’ll kill you without pain. Although I’ve never died before, so I don’t know if there really is no pain.”

At those mocking words, Head Porter Jang gritted his teeth.

“I can’t do that.”

“Is that so? Then it’s troublesome, but.”

Clang!

The man drew his sword.

“I’ll deal with you myself.”

At the same time as those words, the man’s aura changed in an instant. Along with his calmly sinking eyes, the aura emanating from his entire body was unusual.

Head Porter Jang knew that his martial arts were not up to par with the man, but he could not back down like this.

“Haa!”

Head Porter Jang charged at the man with a shout. Head Porter Jang’s sword seemed to strike the man at a sharp angle, but the man’s sword lightly deflected Head Porter Jang’s sword.

Clang, clang!

After a few exchanges, the man’s figure disappeared from Head Porter Jang’s sight in an instant.

Whoosh.

Along with a chilling sound of wind being cut through, a hot sensation spread through his side.

Head Porter Jang groaned without realizing it.

“Kugh.”

Thud.

Head Porter Jang knelt on the spot. He didn’t drop his sword, but the outcome of the match was clear to anyone.

“Hmm. The head porter is only this much? Disappointing.”

The man said without even looking back at Head Porter Jang.

The attacking men smiled triumphantly as if they had expected it, and the porters who were still holding weapons lost their will to resist and retreated step by step.

Some of the attacking men were already approaching the cargo.

“Now then.”

The man twirled his sword and casually placed it on his shoulder.

“Shall we meet the beauty who is said to be the Tang Family’s hidden treasure?”

His gaze was fixed on the veiled girl. Eun Chobin bit her lip and drew her sword.

Clang!

The man frowned. Eun Chobin met his gaze with a determined expression. The man muttered in disbelief.

“Seriously, now even a scribbling scholar is trying to take me on?”

‘Scholar?’

Eun Chobin turned her head with a puzzled look. And she saw Son Bin drawing a steel sword.

Eun Chobin was flustered, but Son Bin’s eyes and expression as he faced the man were calm.