A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 62

62. Why a Tiger Sharpens Its Claws

At first, the rumor was just another common, unsubstantiated tale: a certain escort agency was secretly transporting treasure. There was no way to confirm it, and the source remained unknown.

However, as rumors spread that a villainous group had attacked the escort and all perished from a potent poison, the story gradually gained credibility.

“Died from poison? All of them?”

“Of course. Wouldn’t you expect that from the Tang Clan [a powerful and secretive martial arts clan known for their poison skills]? They all died from touching it carelessly. So, how amazing must the treasure inside be? They say it contains not only the Tang Clan’s elixirs and secret manuals but even beautiful women!”

Up to that point, it was merely an intriguing rumor.

The rumor began to spread explosively when the specific name of the escort agency, Soeun Escort Agency, and its itinerary started circulating.

“Soeun Escort Agency? Never heard of it… But the Hyeokryun Clan opposed it?”

“Yes! It’s an open secret in Gwangju! The Soeun Escort Agency took on a job from the Tang Clan, and the Hyeokryun Clan openly disapproved.”

“So, the Soeun Escort Agency is carrying the Tang Clan’s goods…”

“It’s a clear fact. And it’s not just any goods, but something the Tang Clan is secretly sending. It must be something truly extraordinary.”

The rumor swept through the Jiangnan martial world [a region in China known for its martial arts schools and practitioners] like wildfire. No matter how fearsome the Tang Clan was, the greed for something nearby was more tempting than distant fear.

Not only mediocre Green Forest bands [groups of bandits or outlaws] and villainous groups but even minor noble families and orthodox sects began to take action, drawn by the treasure passing before their eyes.

It became an accepted fact that the Soeun Escort Agency was carrying the Tang Clan’s treasure, and it seemed only a matter of time before news broke that someone had swallowed the Tang Clan’s treasure [succeeded in stealing the treasure].

However, the situation began to change strangely.

“The escort is passing through Nanyue in Hunan Province? In five days?”

“Yes. A runaway porter from the escort said so. Someone in Soyang even claimed to have seen the porter himself. Though the porter left Soyang immediately.”

“Nanyue… Since they have to go around Hengshan [a mountain range in Hunan Province] anyway, it makes sense…”

“Right? They’re more likely to take the southern back roads than the northern main roads. And that would naturally lead them through Nanyue.”

“So, all the sects trying to catch the Soeun Escort Agency are heading to Nanyue?”

It wasn’t as if the Soeun Escort Agency was running away, yet the word ‘catch’ came out naturally.

“Some are going to Nanyue as the rumor says, while others are guarding the northern main roads, thinking it’s a feint. Anyway, the roads around Hengshan are swarming with martial artists. Don’t even think about going near there. Fights over trivial matters are very common.”

“Sigh, if I were them, I would have given up on the escort long ago. Lose the treasure, lose your life. What’s the point?”

“They probably can’t give up.”

“Why?”

“Because there are quite a few sects following them, just in case they try to turn back.”

“Soeun Escort Agency, you say? That agency… they’re as good as dead now.”

The rumor of ‘Nanyue in five days’ caught the attention of everyone searching for the Soeun Escort Agency.

Some headed to Nanyue as the rumor suggested, while others went to the northern main roads or other routes, thinking it was a feint. But one thing was the same for everyone.

Whoever found the Soeun Escort Agency first would claim the Tang Clan’s treasure.

∴

“Huff, huff.”

At that moment, the Soeun Escort Agency, sought after by countless sects in the Jiangnan martial world, was climbing a treacherous mountain path, neither on the main road nor the back road.

“Are you alright, Officer Lee?”

“I-I’m fine, Mr. Son.”

“It may be difficult, but try to keep your breathing slow and deep. If your breathing becomes shallow, your movements will easily falter.”

“But the load is quite heavy…”

“What load isn’t heavy?”

Another officer chimed in on the conversation between Son Bin and Officer Lee.

“And how can you call yourself a martial artist with a sword if you’re out of breath from this much? We get to rest sometimes now, but the enemy’s blade will never give you a break.”

“Yeah, this is nothing. And Mr. Son is carrying a load too, isn’t he?”

“Think of it as training, and it won’t be so hard. Even the porters aren’t saying a word, so don’t be a weakling, Officer Lee.”

When even the other officers joined in, Officer Lee couldn’t say a word. The only person in the group not carrying a load was the veiled girl.

Everyone else, including the officers, porters, and even Chief Eun Cho-bin and Head Guard Jang, was carrying loads of various sizes.

Officer Lee grumbled to himself.

“First back roads and detours, and now we’re climbing mountains.”

Once the situation was assessed, the escort abandoned the northern main road and the southern back road, heading into the mountain path that cut across Hengshan.

Crossing Hengshan, also known as Nanyue, which was comparable to Mount Tai in terms of ruggedness, was no easy task, even if they were bypassing the summit.

They abandoned the carriages at the foot of the mountain, and as the path became more difficult, they had to abandon the horses as well. Of course, they took care to do so without being seen by others.

The goods from the carriages were divided among all the porters and officers.

Some porters were afraid to be near the goods, but when Chief Eun Cho-bin, a woman, carried a load herself, no one said a word.

‘Is Miss Wol-ah alright?’

Son Bin glanced at the veiled girl. She wasn’t carrying a load, but she had to abandon the carriage and walk as well.

The frail girl, who looked as if she would collapse at any moment, was steadily climbing the mountain path, though her pace was slow, and her breathing was even.

Moreover, he could tell that she was diligently looking around, as if the scenery of Hengshan was quite fascinating.

“Stop! Let’s take a break!”

At Head Guard Jang’s shout, everyone stopped walking. The officers slowly caught their breath, but some of the porters collapsed on the spot.

The officers comforted the porters, gathered the loads in one place, and prepared their defenses. One could never let their guard down during an escort.

“Are you experiencing any discomfort?”

Head Guard Jang approached Son Bin, who was putting down his load. Head Guard Jang had said he didn’t need to carry anything, but Son Bin insisted on carrying a load.

“I’m fine.”

As if he expected that answer, Head Guard Jang nodded. But in truth, Son Bin was a little surprised by his own change.

‘I’m not out of breath.’

Considering the time when he was out of breath just following Saja-hyeok, and when Saja-hyeok had to boost his energy when climbing the snowy mountain, this was a significant change.

‘Is it the result of daily training?’

As Son Bin marveled at himself, he looked at the struggling officers and porters.

‘Hmm. I wish I could help others.’

The thought of being able to boost other people’s energy like Saja-hyeok naturally came to mind.

Looking at the group, Head Guard Jang was the most energetic, and Eun Cho-bin was wiping away sweat lightly, seemingly able to endure it.

The frail veiled girl, Tang Wol-ah, was standing a little away from the group, looking at the scenery of Hengshan. The veil swayed in the wind.

“Will they come to Nanyue?”

Head Guard Jang suddenly asked in a low voice.

Son Bin replied.

“They will come. Sometimes, a name is more precious than life itself.”

“Indeed, they say tigers leave their skin, and people leave their names, don’t they?”

“Yes. But when you think about it, that’s exactly why they die. Tigers die because of their skin, and people die because of their names.”

“That’s right. But precisely because of that…”

With a quiet sigh, Head Guard Jang said.

“Tigers must sharpen their claws, and people must cultivate their strength. To protect what is precious.”

Son Bin’s eyes widened, and he turned to look at Head Guard Jang.

“That’s right. It really is.”

Son Bin’s admiration was genuine. That’s why Head Guard Jang was even more flustered.

Son Bin was helping the escort and was also the benefactor who taught him swordsmanship. The fact that he was so genuinely impressed made him wonder if he had made a mistake.

“Ah, no. I didn’t mean to upset you with my pointless words…”

“Enemies.”

Head Guard Jang’s words were cut off by the rough, low voice of the girl. The owner of the voice was Tang Wol-ah, the girl with the veiled face.

“Yes? What…”

Just as Head Guard Jang was about to ask back, Son Bin felt something unsettling.

Son Bin turned his head. His gaze was directed at the same place the veiled girl, Tang Wol-ah, was looking.

Crack.

“Wahahaha. See! I told you I was right!”

A rough voice burst out from the dense thicket.

At the same time as the resting officers and porters jumped up, several men in rough martial attire appeared.

“I said these guys might cross the mountain as a last resort, didn’t I? Woo-hahaha.”

“Hmph. It’s just like catching a rat by chance. It’s not because you’re smart, is it?”

“Still, I was right, wasn’t I? Just admit it, Second Brother. Third Brother is useful sometimes, isn’t he, Fifth Brother?”

There were five men in total. But each of them had a fierce look and an unusual glint in their eyes.

Among them, the man with the largest build was laughing with his chest almost completely exposed.

“Now, the Tang Clan’s treasure will finally fall into the hands of the Five Heroes of Hengshan.”

“The Five Fiends of Hengshan!”

Head Guard Jang said with a dismayed expression. When Son Bin looked at him, Head Guard Jang explained in a low voice.

“They mainly operate around Hengshan. They are ruthless and commit heinous acts, but their martial arts are so outstanding that even the government turns a blind eye. I never expected to meet them here…”

“You bastard!”

The man with the large build shouted at Head Guard Jang. As if he had placed a bet, his voice echoed around the surroundings.

“How dare you call us the Five Fiends! You’re going to taste something bitter today.”

He shouted without hesitation. He acted as if he had already obtained the Soeun Escort Agency’s goods.

It was only natural, as he thought there was no one in the group who could stand against them.

“Third Brother, no need to talk long.”

A tall, skinny man who looked like an old man spoke in a bizarre voice.

“Kill all the men. Don’t hurt the women. Especially that young one…”

With a bony finger, he pointed to the veiled girl, Tang Wol-ah.

“Be especially careful not to hurt her. She’s mine.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

Clang!

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of a sword being drawn was heard. It was Eun Cho-bin who drew her sword. And at the same time, the officers all drew their swords.

“You won’t be able to lay a finger on us.”

Eun Cho-bin’s words were filled with a determination as sharp as her sword.

But what came back was the skinny old man’s sneer.

“Heh heh, now that I see you, you’re quite pleasing too.”

He licked his lips.

“Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother. Kill those guys. And Second Brother, bring those women to me.”

“Hey, then there won’t be any women left? First Brother always takes them all. Isn’t that too much?”

The man with the large build said as if grumbling. But he had no intention of disobeying the skinny man’s words, as he stepped forward and drew a large dao [a type of Chinese saber].

Charrang!

A black greatsword appeared with a low sound. The blade curved gently, and several iron rings were attached to the back of the blade, making a sound.

At the same time, the other men drew deformed swords and large daos.

“Heh heh. Resent your foolishness for stepping into this mountain without permission. The masters of Hengshan are none other than the Five Heroes of Hengshan.”

He said with a fierce look.

At that fierce momentum, the officers and porters unconsciously looked at Son Bin. Everyone’s gaze was directed at Son Bin.

Amidst the gazes of the people pouring towards him, Son Bin looked at the Five Fiends of Hengshan.

‘Five of them.’

He was not conscious of the gazes of the people towards him. The men’s momentum was quite fierce, but surprisingly, they did not seem very threatening.

However, the problem was that there were many of them.

‘I wish I could do it like Saja-hyeok.’

Saja-hyeok had once neutralized the attacks of many people at once. But it was impossible for Son Bin now. Son Bin smiled bitterly.

‘Do I have no choice but to confront them?’

There was no hesitation. He had already made up his mind when he sought out the Soeun Escort Agency. As Head Guard Jang said, now that he had decided to wield a sword to protect what was precious, there was no reason to hesitate.

There was no anxiety or regret in his choice. Just like the moment when he faced Okryong in the snowy mountains.

‘Precisely because of that, tigers must sharpen their claws, and people must cultivate their strength. To protect what is precious.’

The words Head Guard Jang had said just now floated in his mind.

Son Bin reached for his iron sword and took a step forward. It was at that moment.

Woong.

The white heron cried softly. And almost at the same time, the veiled girl, Tang Wol-ah, said.

“Be careful!”

Swoosh.

It stimulated Son Bin’s senses as if piercing with a sharp needle.

Instinctively taking a step back, a sharp energy crossed the air in front of Son Bin’s eyes and passed by.

Thwack!

With a dull sound, red blood burst from the forehead of the man with the large build.

“Third Brother!”

“Third Brother!”

Along with the men’s shouts, the large man’s body slowly fell backward. His eyes were wide open as if he couldn’t believe it, but his breathing had already stopped.

Thud.

The heavy man’s body fell with a sound. Everyone was frozen as if they were frozen by the sudden event, but a heavy voice echoed.

“Who said they were the masters of Hengshan?”

It was a hoarse, raspy voice.

People’s gazes all turned to the direction of the voice. Except for the girl Tang Wol-ah and Son Bin, who were already looking that way.

“These days, young ones don’t know the fear of mountains and carelessly litter anywhere.”

Whoosh.

With a sound like the wind, an old man appeared. The old man with white hair, a white beard, and even white eyebrows was wearing shabby clothes and looked as if he was taking a walk.

“So, as an adult, I must give them a lesson. Isn’t that right?”

He said with fiery eyes. It was a strong momentum that could not be compared to the eyes of the men called the Five Fiends of Hengshan.

With those intense eyes, the old man was staring straight at Son Bin.

Woong, woong.

The white heron’s low cry continued to stimulate Son Bin.