A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 75

Chapter 75. Calamity

Blood excites people. After Namgung Cheol left a long sword mark on his opponent’s face, a murderous aura began to fill the eyes of the participants.

Injuries were rampant in the subsequent sparring matches, and the preliminary selection sparring quickly turned into a fierce atmosphere.

And leading that brutal atmosphere were the young, promising talents from the unorthodox factions who were participating for the first time.

“The atmosphere is unusual.”

Jeok Se-ho said the next morning while finishing his meal and savoring his tea.

“I heard that all the promising talents from the unorthodox factions passed the first round of the preliminary selection.”

“Ah, is that so?” Son Bin replied, tilting his head in confusion.

“But why is the atmosphere like this…”

“Because uninvited guests are spoiling the festive mood.”

Jeok Se-hwa quietly put down her teacup and replied, “As my brother mentioned yesterday, not many people have expectations for the promising talents from the unorthodox factions. In fact, most people dislike them. The Gangnam Yongbong Assembly is an event of the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] led by the Four Great Orthodox Sects and the Five Great Clans. Promising talents from the unorthodox factions… there might have been times when they secretly participated by concealing their identities, but this is the first time they’ve come forward so openly. Even the Black Serpent Gate, the leader of the Jiangbei unorthodox factions, has never participated in the Gangnam Yongbong Assembly.”

Jeok Se-hwa seemed a little excited when the topic turned to the political situation of the Murim world. She continued, “Moreover, yesterday, the Namgung Clan prohibited some factions, specifically the promising talents from the unorthodox factions, from entering the banquet. They say it’s for safety reasons, but it’s clear discrimination. The promising talents from the unorthodox factions will never accept it.”

“But it’s understandable why they made that decision. Who would want to associate with people from the unorthodox factions?”

“Then they shouldn’t have allowed them to come to the Yongbong Assembly at all. It’s clearly wrong to welcome all the promising talents in the world and then openly discriminate against them.”

“You’re right. But will it be a problem because of that? Only the promising talents from the unorthodox factions are protesting against this decision, calling it discrimination. They are a minority, and from the Namgung Clan’s perspective, they are not important people at all. The decision will not be reconsidered.”

Jeok Se-ho’s point was valid. Only the promising talents from the unorthodox factions were protesting against this decision, calling it discrimination.

They were a minority, and from the Namgung Clan’s perspective, they were not important people at all.

However, the anger of the unorthodox faction’s promising talents, whose pride had been wounded, was growing deeper.

*

*

*

The preliminary selection sparring in front of the Pavilion of Prince Teng continued the next day. The number of participants had clearly decreased, but the number of people who had gathered to watch the sparring had actually increased.

The area around the sparring stage was so crowded that there was barely any room to step, and the already hot weather felt even hotter. But Son Bin forgot about the heat and was engrossed in the sparring in front of him.

Clang!

The swords, carrying their respective bets, collided, creating a sharp, ear-splitting sound.

The young lady, who had been skillfully deflecting her opponent’s momentum, was unable to withstand this impact and lightly flew backward.

“Heh.”

Thud.

“Hmph, where do you think you’re going!”

But the young man facing the woman had no intention of letting her go. The young man increased his momentum and swung his sword at the retreating woman.

Whoosh.

The moment the young man’s sword cut through the air with a sharp sound, the woman lightly soared into the air.

At that moment, the young man was certain of his victory. She would not be able to avoid his attack in the air.

However, before the smile could even reach his lips, the woman’s attack had already begun.

Flap, flap, flap.

Numerous sword strikes poured down on him from between the pink sleeves fluttering like flower petals.

For the young man, who had been preparing a decisive move with confidence in his victory, it was an attack that he could neither block nor avoid.

“Kugh.”

Preparing for a major injury, the young man instinctively raised his sword to cover his face. But the sword strikes that were pouring down on him stopped right in front of his eyes, as if by magic.

“I won, right?”

A clear, ringing voice was heard. Her shining sword was stopped right in front of the young man’s eyes.

The woman, who had already landed on the ground, was staring straight at him with sharp eyes.

Grit.

The young man gritted his teeth. He could not accept that it had ended like this.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Clang!

The young man swung his sword reflexively, deflecting her sword. The woman, as if she had been waiting for it, spun around in place, riding on that momentum.

Whirl.

It was a graceful and smooth movement, as if she were dancing.

The silver blade in her outstretched hand cut through the air as accurately as if it had been measured with a ruler, and once again reached the young man’s neck.

Rustle.

The sharp tip of the sword touched the young man’s neck, and blood began to seep out.

“If you can’t admit defeat, then I have no choice.”

The woman’s voice was cold. As if to show that it was not just words, her sword, which was touching the young man’s neck, slowly began to dig in. The young man’s face turned pale.

“I-I lost.”

The young man’s face contorted, and the woman withdrew her sword.

“Miss Moryong Lin wins.”

A middle-aged warrior standing as a referee said in a heavy voice.

‘Moryong Lin?’

Son Bin, suddenly reminded of Moryong Jin, looked at her face again. He wondered if she might be related to the young man named Moryong Jin whom he had met at the Akryang Pavilion.

With a slender face and a slightly youthful appearance, she was very beautiful.

Strictly speaking, her appearance, which was more cute than anything else, was enough to monopolize the attention of most of the men watching the sparring.

Her slightly flushed appearance, perhaps due to the excitement of the sparring, made her stand out even more.

‘I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before…’

He stared intently, but he couldn’t be sure. She seemed somewhat similar to Moryong Jin, but he also felt like he had seen her somewhere before.

But he was sure that he didn’t know her. It would be strange if he couldn’t remember such an attractive young lady.

“You’re staring too blatantly.”

Suddenly, Jeok Se-hwa’s voice was heard from beside him.

“Yes? Ah, I was wondering if I knew her…”

“That’s a very cliché excuse.”

Jeok Se-hwa said with a slight smile at Son Bin’s words.

“Men are all the same, aren’t they? Even when there’s such a beautiful woman, your eyes still wander to other women in front of you?”

“No, that’s not it…”

“Aaaagh!”

Son Bin’s words were cut off by a sharp scream. Everyone’s eyes turned to the source of the scream.

“Oh, my!”

“Heh.”

People frowned and sighed at the sight before them. The sparring stage that their eyes were directed to was covered in red blood.

“Hmph, is this the skill of those who claim to be orthodox factions? It’s laughable.”

A young man with a sharp impression said with a cold smile. His opponent looked miserable due to numerous injuries.

Moreover, he was holding his right arm with his other hand, and the injury seemed quite serious.

“I am Lee Ho-seon of the Guizhou Pacheon Gate!”

He shouted loudly. His voice, filled with madness, echoed loudly through the silent crowd.

“Whether it’s a challenge or revenge, I’ll accept it anytime! If you have the courage to do so.”

With a sneer, he stepped down from the sparring stage. He didn’t even wait for the referee’s declaration of victory or defeat. And the people began to buzz.

“Why didn’t they stop the sparring until it got to this point?”

At Son Bin’s words, Jeok Se-hwa replied with a stiff expression.

“He initially induced bleeding with small injuries. Then, the moment the referee tried to stop the sparring, he delivered the final blow to his opponent. It was planned from the beginning.”

“Will the injured person be okay?”

Son Bin asked, watching the young man being carried away by the people. Jeok Se-hwa shook her head.

“I don’t know. With that kind of injury, he might not be able to use his arm anymore.”

The surroundings were chaotic due to the buzzing people. Occasionally, the word ‘Shin-ui’ [divine physician] could be heard.

‘Shin-ui?’

Shin-ui was the name he had heard while talking with Miss Sa Su-yeon. He was probably the doctor who was taking care of Miss Sa Su-yeon.

Soon, someone came out to clean up the arena and announced the resumption of the sparring.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been three days.’

Three days had passed, but he had not been able to meet Sa Su-yeon. She had not appeared at the Pavilion of Prince Teng banquet or the preliminary selection sparring.

He thought that there must be some reason, but he was also secretly worried. Being with Shin-ui meant that she had not fully recovered yet.

“Waaaaah!”

Son Bin was awakened from his thoughts by a sudden cheer.

“He’s here.”

Jeok Se-hwa said quietly.

A young man in a flamboyant outfit was ascending the sparring stage where her gaze was directed. He was none other than Namgung Cheol, waving his hand at the people.

Perhaps because of the excitement from the previous sparring, the cheers of the people erupted even louder. Occasionally, there were also shouts to kill the unorthodox factions.

They seemed to have forgotten that the opponent whom Namgung Cheol had fatally injured yesterday was not from the unorthodox factions.

Namgung Cheol’s opponent came up to the sparring stage where he was monopolizing the cheers. And the cheers of the people died down as if by a lie.

“You came? I commend you for your courage in not running away.”

Namgung Cheol said with a sneer.

“Enjoy it to your heart’s content.”

He said in an eerie voice, as if crawling up from the depths of the abyss.

“Because now will be your last moment.”

Namgung Cheol flinched. Geum Sa-yul’s cold eyes seemed unfocused and unusual. But Namgung Cheol said with a sneer.

“As expected, the delusions of trash are endless. You’re the one who’s going to be the last one.”

Swish.

Namgung Cheol took off his flamboyant coat and handed it to the young man standing next to him. He took the coat, bowed to Namgung Cheol, and immediately stepped down from the sparring stage.

―The Geumgeom Gate is a sect that has some influence in Honam Province.

Namgung Cheol recalled what he had heard. It was right after he had been ordered to participate in the preliminary selection by the angry head of the family.

―But that’s only to a certain extent. In terms of martial power, it can’t be compared to the Namgung Clan. Their family’s martial arts are also not very good, and no one has made a name for themselves as a master. So, think of it as an opportunity to make your name known, young master. If you overwhelm them to the point where they can’t even be compared to you, no one will bring up this issue again.

‘Hmph.’

Namgung Cheol frowned.

‘An opportunity to make my name known? Participating in the preliminary selection itself is already an insult to me. I, who will be the protagonist of this Yongbong Assembly, have to come out to this trivial sparring match because of you.’

Geum Sa-yul’s figure was visible in front of him. He couldn’t feel any momentum from him as he stood there calmly. Namgung Cheol gritted his teeth.

Grit.

‘The responsibility for this… you will have to pay with your life.’

From the first day, Namgung Cheol had already decided to kill Geum Sa-yul. And it was neither a difficult nor an unfamiliar thing for Namgung Cheol.

“Come.”

Swish.

Namgung Cheol’s silver sword revealed its sharp blade. But Geum Sa-yul still hadn’t drawn his sword.

“Hmph.”

Namgung Cheol laughed.

“What, are you scared now? Well, I guess you would be. Because there’s no Hyeollyong Gate to protect you here.”

Wooong.

Namgung Cheol’s sword began to hum softly.

“Now it’s time to take responsibility for your arrogant behavior.”

“Hehehe.”

Geum Sa-yul chuckled. It was a low, eerie laugh.

“Take responsibility? You’re the one who has to take responsibility. And you’re the one whose family has disappeared.”

Swish.

“Now it’s time to die.”

The crimson tip of Geum Sa-yul’s sword was pointed at Namgung Cheol. A subtle chill from his sword extended towards Namgung Cheol.

“Oh, really? But you know, what was your sister’s name again?”

Namgung Cheol said, ignoring the cold chill that seemed to cling to his back.

“I can’t seem to remember it no matter how hard I try. She was quite a decent girl… Well, but it doesn’t matter if I don’t remember.”

Namgung Cheol laughed.

“Because she’s already dead.”

Grit.

Sparks flew from Geum Sa-yul’s eyes. And the next moment, Geum Sa-yul’s sword struck towards Namgung Cheol. It was a completely unexpected attack.

Clang!

But the sword technique of the Namgung family, which had been ingrained in his body through long training, moved Namgung Cheol instinctively. The two swords collided, and a sharp cracking sound echoed through the sparring stage.

“Not bad.”

Namgung Cheol said. Right in front of him, where the two swords were intertwined, Geum Sa-yul’s eyes, full of murderous intent, were glaring at him.

“But, trash is still trash after all.”

Wooong.

At the same time as Namgung Cheol’s sword vibrated subtly, his sword strongly pushed Geum Sa-yul away. While Geum Sa-yul was retreating, the Namgung family’s sword technique unfolded from Namgung Cheol’s sword.

Namgung Cheol had absolute confidence in that one sword, unique to the dignified and majestic Namgung family. But Geum Sa-yul’s sword also began to move.

Clang, clang.

The swords clashed with sharp sounds.

Contrary to most people’s expectations that Namgung Cheol would overwhelm or at least be superior, the two people’s battle continued evenly for a while.

“Was the Geumgeom Gate’s sword technique that strong?”

“No, it seems like his inner strength is not to be underestimated either?”

“That sword also feels somehow eerie.”

Clang!

The two people’s swords collided head-on once again. At the same time as the impact sound echoed through the sparring stage, one person spat out blood and was thrown backward.

“Kugh.”

Surprisingly, it was none other than Namgung Cheol. Geum Sa-yul flew towards Namgung Cheol and whispered closely.

“Now, it’s over.”

Whirl.

Geum Sa-yul’s sword drew a semicircle. Even in the midst of the shock, Namgung Cheol reflexively raised his sword. And Son Bin shouted without realizing it.

“No!”

Son Bin jumped up from his seat and reflexively reached for his waist. But there was nothing there. He had left the Baekro and the Iron Sword at the inn.

‘Damn it.’

Whirl.

While Son Bin hesitated, a pink sleeve brushed past Son Bin and headed towards the sparring stage.

But Geum Sa-yul’s crimson sword was already falling towards Namgung Cheol’s neck. The referee was shouting to stop the sparring from the side, but Geum Sa-yul didn’t care.

At the last moment, someone’s silver blade blocked Geum Sa-yul’s sword.

But Geum Sa-yul’s crimson blade, filled with inner strength, did not stop and plunged straight towards Namgung Cheol.

Clang!

“Ugh.”

A woman’s short groan erupted from the sparring stage. She had tried to block Geum Sa-yul’s sword, but she couldn’t overcome the inner strength contained in the sword and was thrown back, receiving the impact.

But thanks to her sword, Geum Sa-yul’s sword, whose trajectory had been twisted, was deeply embedded in Namgung Cheol’s right chest.

Thud.

“Aaaagh!”

At the same time as Namgung Cheol’s scream, a man of enormous physique flew onto the sparring stage. And he struck Geum Sa-yul with his palm as it was.

Bang!

“Kugh.”

Geum Sa-yul, who had been struck in the chest, dropped his sword and was pushed straight back. The blood flowing from the corner of his mouth was telling that the impact he had just received was by no means light.

Thud.

“Drag that guy out.”

The man who had lightly landed on the sparring stage said. He was none other than Namgung Jun, the Vice Chief of the Outer Affairs of the Namgung Clan, Cheongsgeom [Blue Sword].

“And take Cheol-ie to Shin-ui immediately. Time is of the essence.”

At his words, several warriors immediately escorted Namgung Cheol. The sight of him being carried away with a sword stuck in his right chest looked gruesome.

“And, was she Miss Moryong of the Moryong family?”

Cheongsgeom Namgung Jun said. She was Moryong Lin, who had blocked Geum Sa-yul’s sword at the last moment.

“Thank you. I will not forget this favor.”

Namgung Jun bowed lightly to her. She also endured the pain and bowed to him. But Namgung Jun had already turned around and was sorting out the situation.

‘Hoo.’

Moryong Lin slowly took a breath. As the shock transmitted through the sword gradually subsided and the pain disappeared, she turned her head to look for someone.

‘If it hadn’t been for that person…’

Son Bin was where her gaze reached. His momentary shout had awakened her. He was the first to start moving, even before herself.

She was actually just following him.

He was clearly the same person who had created a picturesque scene with Fakeom Shinnyeo [Snow Sword Fairy] at the Pavilion of Prince Teng a few days ago, talking to the young lady next to him as if nothing had happened.

But Moryong Lin had seen him even before that.

He was definitely the same person who had gotten into a fight with Namgung Cheol at the Hwanghak Pavilion in Wuhan.

‘Back then, that person.’

At first, she didn’t remember him. But the moment she saw Fakeom Shinnyeo’s face, Son Bin’s appearance also came to mind.

Because Moryong Lin was also there when Namgung Cheol was defeated by Fakeom Shinnyeo.

∴

Namgung Cheol’s condition was more serious than expected. It was because a strong chill had penetrated through the sword and damaged his true energy.

Shin-ui clicked his tongue, saying that if it had been even an inch closer to his heart, he would have died instantly.

This incident that occurred in the preliminary selection of the Yongbong Assembly swept through the Murim world in an instant, especially the Gangnam Murim world.

Some people shuddered, saying that the unorthodox factions were indeed cruel, and some people were relieved that they had given the Namgung family a taste of their own medicine.

The story of the Geumgeom Gate, which had been despised as an unorthodox faction, defeating the young master of the Namgung family became a hot topic everywhere. Namgung Cheol’s behavior and the heartbreaking death of the young lady were also on the lips of gossips.

The next day, another shocking news swept through Nanchang.

Geum Sa-yul, who had defeated Namgung Cheol, was found dead.