A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 81

81. Hero and Prisoner

The voice of the veiled girl, Dang Wora, was small and low, as if afraid someone might overhear.

However, everyone in the banquet hall was holding their breath and focusing on Son Bin, so no one missed her words.

“There’s a way?”

Shinui frowned.

“Extreme cold has eroded Yeon-ah’s Jinyuan energy [internal energy]. Even the Great Hwan from the Shaolin Temple can’t guarantee a cure. What method are you talking about?”

Son Bin’s face darkened at Shinui’s voice, which even carried a hint of anger.

Those watching whispered ‘Great Hwan’ and looked surprised. If Shinui said that even the legendary Great Hwan couldn’t guarantee a cure, it meant death was almost certain.

‘Sa Sojeo [Miss Sa].’

Son Bin looked at Sa Suyeon’s pale face. The one who had injured Sa Suyeon was the extreme cold sword energy. A fatal wound that even Okryong guaranteed would be fatal.

Shinui knew her condition better than anyone else, and that’s why he knew better than anyone else that there was no way to save her, so his angry question was understandable.

The fact that she looked relatively healthy was a testament to Shinui’s great medical skills.

“That method.”

The girl Dang Wora’s gaze shifted slightly towards Son Bin, who was still looking at Sa Suyeon.

“This person knows.”

“What?”

Shinui’s thick black and white eyebrows twitched.

“What are you talking about?”

Shinui’s intense gaze turned to Son Bin, as if he wouldn’t tolerate nonsense. At the same time, everyone’s attention also focused on Son Bin.

It was Son Bin who was taken aback by this unexpected situation.

“No, I don’t know anything about medicine…….”

Thump.

At that moment, the banquet hall door opened with a loud noise. Everyone’s faces hardened again, and they all turned their heads at once.

And the one who appeared at the entrance was a middle-aged warrior with a huge physique wearing the Namgung family’s uniform.

Step, step.

The warrior, who entered the banquet hall with a dignified appearance, looked around. After confirming that no one was wearing the uniform with the Blood Dragon painted on it, he spoke to the people in a heavy tone.

“Is everyone okay?”

“Great Warrior Namgung Jun of Cheongsu Sword!”

Someone shouted with a mixture of joy. Namgung Jun, the deputy head of the Namgung family’s outer hall, had appeared.

Thud, thud.

Following him, Namgung family warriors rushed into the banquet hall. As befitting Namgung Jun’s reputation for always being at the forefront, his subordinates finally appeared.

“Deputy Head, are you okay? The enemies…….”

One of the Namgung family warriors spoke, but Cheongsu Sword Namgung Jun did not answer.

“Evacuate the injured and leave this place immediately. We don’t know when there will be another attack.”

The banquet hall began to buzz at his blunt words.

The Namgung family warriors approached the injured and began to evacuate people according to Namgung Jun’s orders.

“Everyone, this way.”

“Please evacuate quickly.”

The banquet hall became busy in an instant.

Step, step.

Cheongsu Sword Namgung Jun left the banquet hall, leaving the rest to his subordinates. The hesitant people, trembling with relief and anxiety, hurriedly followed him out of the banquet hall.

People flocked to him so much that the urging warriors changed their words to ask them to move calmly.

“Ugh.”

The later generation disciples of the family, who had been lying down, groaned and got up with the support of the family warriors. They couldn’t take their eyes off Son Bin and Sa Suyeon even as they left the banquet hall.

Some of them even bowed their heads lightly to Son Bin when their eyes met. However, Moyong Lin Sojeo had a strange, glaring look, but Son Bin didn’t care.

Thud.

The Namgung family warriors approached the fallen Sa Suyeon as well. However, Shinui held out his hand to stop them.

“Don’t touch her.”

“But…….”

The Namgung family warriors looked embarrassed, but Shinui did not back down.

“If you move her now, this child will die. I will take all responsibility, so don’t touch her.”

“I understand.”

The Namgung family warrior said.

“But this place may be attacked again at any time. Please evacuate as soon as possible.”

Shinui nodded. The warrior left immediately, as he had to evacuate the others in the banquet hall according to Namgung Jun’s orders.

It didn’t take long for all the people who had filled the banquet hall to disappear. When the last Namgung family warrior bowed lightly to Shinui and left, silence returned to the banquet hall.

“Everyone’s gone.”

Son Bin turned his head at the unexpected voice. The owner of the voice was Jeok Sehwa. She had slipped away during the commotion and remained near Son Bin. She looked around and shook her head.

“This once splendid place is a mess.”

As she said, the banquet hall was in a mess, all disheveled. The brilliant lights were still on, but none of the people who had shone within them were there.

“Tell me. What’s the method?”

Shinui said to Son Bin in the now empty banquet hall. His eyes were still intense.

“Please tell him, sir.”

Dang Wora said in a voice, looking at Shinui with a haughty gaze. There seemed to be a hint of pride in her voice.

“How he saved me.”

‘Ah.’

Son Bin finally realized Dang Wora’s intention. Son Bin answered.

“I simply guided the lost flow to where it should have been.”

“What?”

Shinui frowned and asked back. That’s because Son Bin’s answer was too comprehensive and ambiguous.

No, in fact, it was so nonsensical that it was hard to understand.

“What does that…….”

Swish.

Shinui’s question was cut off by Dang Wora’s outstretched hand.

“Check it yourself. If it’s you, you’ll be able to tell.”

With a frown, Shinui looked back and forth between Son Bin and Dang Wora. From nonsensical words to an unidentified veiled girl asking him to check her pulse.

‘What is this…….’

Shinui was dumbfounded. He wondered if this was some kind of crazy act with a patient in critical condition right in front of him. If it had been his usual self, he would have gotten up and left this place in an instant.

However, after a while, Shinui sighed.

“Hoo. I understand.”

Shinui glared at Son Bin and said in a growling voice.

“But keep in mind. The only reason I’m indulging in this ghostly puppet show is because Yeon-ah believes in you.”

Shinui stood up and reached out with a reluctant expression. Two straight fingers rested lightly on Dang Wora’s wrist. Even then, Shinui’s frown did not disappear.

“Hmm?”

Shinui’s thick eyebrows twitched.

“You. How on earth can you…… No, this is…….”

As time passed, surprise spread across Shinui’s face.

Before he knew it, his two hands were holding Dang Wora’s wrist, but he didn’t even realize it.

At first, he was surprised by the vicious poison he felt from the girl. How could such a ferocious poison flow through this frail body, and how could she walk around normally in this state?

But the surprise didn’t end there.

That strong flow of poison was maintaining an unbelievably stable state.

‘No. This isn’t just stable, it’s like…….’

The poison was flowing so naturally. As if it had been that way since birth, as if it had always been one flow.

With a haughty yet gentle, strong yet natural flow, the ferocious poison was instead becoming a flow that protected the frail girl’s life.

‘My God, this is…….’

Shinui couldn’t believe what he was feeling.

Among martial artists, there are those who use heat, cold, or even poison as their power. However, that is only possible in cases where they have slowly trained for a long time through certain training methods, and even then, only partially.

It is impossible to even imagine it flowing like Jinyuan energy, or rather, becoming Jinyuan energy itself.

Even if someone tries to do this, even the slightest mistake will immediately lead to death.

“No way.”

Shinui’s expression was dyed with astonishment.

Instead of chasing away the life-threatening poison, he was making it flow like a part of Jinyuan energy, which is an astonishing idea for a doctor.

A new world that no one had ever seen, or even imagined, was unfolding before him.

He opened his eyes and looked up. Shinui’s trembling pupils turned to Dang Wora.

“How…… did you do it?”

“It’s as I said.”

Swish.

Dang Wora lightly twisted and pulled out her wrist, which Shinui was still holding. Her white wrist disappeared into her sleeve.

“This person saved me.”

“How did you do it?”

The same question was directed at Son Bin. Son Bin answered with a slightly puzzled look.

“It’s as I said. I simply guided the lost flow to where it should have been.”

Shinui was lost in thought.

“He simply guided the flow to where it should have been. Does that mean he activated the poison instead of repelling or suppressing it? That’s a really amazing idea. No, but still, it doesn’t make sense. To do that, you have to perfectly grasp the flow of Jinyuan energy as well…….”

Shinui muttered something incomprehensible and was lost in thought. Son Bin watched him and said quietly.

“If you need any medical help, Sojeo [Miss] Dang Wora is more knowledgeable than I am.”

Shinui raised his head sharply and looked up at Dang Wora.

Although he couldn’t see her clearly because she was covered in a veil, Shinui could tell that Dang Wora was giving a bitter smile.

“The only person who can save this young lady right now is Gongja [Young Master] Son.”

Dang Wora looked down at Sa Suyeon’s pale face.

“Just like you did for me.”

Shinui’s gaze turned back to Son Bin. His eyes were conflicted. No, he had no choice but to be conflicted.

‘This guy…… did he do something like that?’

He had already checked Son Bin’s pulse. He was confident that he knew Son Bin’s level of inner strength as a martial artist better than Son Bin himself.

But such a Son Bin had defeated the master of sword energy manifestation right in front of his eyes. That was unbelievable enough, but he had also done something medically impossible.

If he hadn’t seen the fight, he would have chased him away long ago, calling him crazy.

“Can you…… do it?”

Shinui asked, gritting his teeth. It was extremely unusual for him to ask such a question. It was always him who judged the patient’s condition and made the best and final decision.

Son Bin met Shinui’s eyes. Shinui’s trembling pupils were filled with affection for Sa Suyeon. Son Bin clenched his teeth at the sight of those eyes, which were so touching to see.

“There’s a problem.”

“A problem?”

“I…….”

“Hehehe.”

Suddenly, a hearty laugh cut off Son Bin’s words.

“What, are you trying to do that reckless thing again?”

“Nogun [Old Master]!”

Son Bin was overjoyed. That’s because Namak Nogun was entering the banquet hall. As always, he was laughing heartily with his hands behind his back.

It was a sudden appearance, but it wasn’t surprising. The moment he saw Dang Wora, he had a feeling that Namak Nogun would be there too.

“You’re late.”

Dang Wora said in a low voice.

“I went to clean up the surroundings. But…….”

Nogun frowned at Shinui.

“What is this old, stuffy hypocrite doing here?”

“That damn old man is still alive.”

Shinui also frowned and replied. His gruff tone, which was no less than Namak Nogun’s, was somehow out of place with the word Shinui.

“I thought you were stuck in Mount Hyung, but what brings you to Namchang?”

“Me?”

Nogun smiled and looked at Son Bin.

“This guy is trying to risk his life again, so I came. He’s very good at jumping in without being able to handle it.”

“Risking…… his life?”

The one who asked back was Dang Wora. Nogun said casually.

“Didn’t you know? Your poison almost backfired and melted him completely. If it weren’t for me, you’d both be dead. Hehe.”

“That’s…… right. For me…….”

A subtle ripple arose in Dang Wora’s eyes. Even Jeok Sehwa, who was watching from the side, had a look of emotion in her eyes.

But Son Bin had more important things to do.

“Nogun.”

Son Bin said to Nogun in a respectful manner. He needed Nogun’s help to treat Sa Suyeon. Just like he did for Dang Wora back then.

“I have a request for Nogun. Right now…….”

“I’ll grant it.”

However, Nogun answered before Son Bin could finish speaking. Nogun said with a smile, as if he already knew everything.

“I told you, if you help, I’ll help too.”

Whoo-oong.

A strong aura began to pour out from Nogun’s figure with his hands behind his back. An oppressive feeling flowed from the small old man’s body, as if facing a huge mountain range.

“Do you need strength? If so, I’ll help you as much as you want.”

Namak Nogun said with a smile.

∴

“Hoo.”

Son Bin took a breath and slowly removed his hand from Sa Suyeon’s chest.

“Cough.”

Namak Nogun also took his hand off Son Bin’s back. Sa Suyeon was still unconscious, but her breathing was definitely stable.

Although she was still pale, her expression looked comfortable, so at first glance, she could be mistaken for sleeping.

“It’s done.”

As soon as Son Bin finished speaking, Shinui checked Sa Suyeon’s pulse.

In fact, Son Bin wanted Shinui to check on Sa Suyeon’s condition during the treatment, but Shinui shook his head, saying that even checking her pulse could affect the treatment.

The doctor’s instinct was shouting at him not to miss this rare experience, but for Shinui, saving Sa Suyeon was the priority.

“Haa.”

Shinui, who had been quietly checking Sa Suyeon’s pulse, let out a sigh.

“It’s okay now. Yeon-ah is fine.”

Son Bin also let out a sigh of relief. Since Shinui guaranteed it, Sa Suyeon would definitely be fine now.

“However, it’s a pity that she will have to live with the cold for the rest of her life…….”

The extreme cold that had been raging violently had now become part of the flow that sustained Sa Suyeon’s life.

As a martial artist, he didn’t know how Sa Suyeon would accept it, but as a doctor, Shinui was just sorry that he couldn’t get rid of her cold.

Swish.

Shinui, who had been sighing quietly, suddenly glared at Son Bin and said.

“If you make her cry, I’ll kill you.”

“Yes?”

Son Bin replied with a bewildered expression. Dang Wora, who was watching the scene from behind, turned her head and sighed slightly.

“That’s good.”

Suddenly, a clear young lady’s voice was heard. It was Jeok Sehwa, who had been watching from behind. Her eyes were sparkling.

“But it doesn’t seem like we can keep doing this here. Shinui-nim [esteemed], is it okay for the patient to move?”

“If it’s for a short time, it’s okay.”

“Then how about we go to our accommodation for now? There may be a shortage of rooms…… Well, we can use our disciples’ rooms. They’d rather play all night anyway, right? Hehe.”

Shinui nodded.

“Okay. Now that Yeon-ah’s cold has been treated, there’s no reason to go back to the Jegal family. I don’t know what strange reason they’ll use to try to hold us back.”

“Why don’t you all come with us? It’s not our first time meeting, and we’re neighbors, right?”

Jeok Sehwa also made a suggestion to Namak Nogun and Dang Wora.

Namak Nogun snorted and didn’t say anything, and Dang Wora had a slightly hesitant look. After all, she had her own accommodation.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to be close by, miss? Since we’re neighbors.”

However, Dang Wora also nodded at Jeok Sehwa’s words, which she had said with a subtle smile.

“Okay. Let’s all go together. Ah, but before that, one thing.”

Jeok Sehwa stood straight in front of Son Bin.

“What are you going to do?”

“Yes?”

Son Bin asked back at her sudden words. Jeok Sehwa asked again.

“You protected the Sword Goddess of Destruction, defeated the master of the Blood Dragon Gate, and saved many of the later generation disciples and influential figures who were here. In other words, you…….”

She was speaking with a smile, but there was no smile in her eyes.

“You could become a hero.”

It was a really sudden thing to say. But Jeok Sehwa’s eyes were so serious that Son Bin couldn’t help but listen to her.

“But to do that, you need one more condition. To have established a solid support base in at least one of the Four Great Sects or the Five Great Families. If even one of them becomes your background, you can literally become a hero. But if you don’t.”

Jeok Sehwa said with sharp eyes.

“You will become a prisoner, deprived of all freedom. No one knows whether you will be lucky enough to become a hero, or whether you will be treated as an untrustworthy and dangerous person surrounded by countless suspicions. And whichever it is, your fate will depend on the heart of the person who holds your life in their hands.”

‘Ah.’

Son Bin fully understood her words.

How many loyal subjects and righteous people have been unfairly sacrificed throughout history? How many have been framed as traitors due to political interests and self-interest, and how many have had to face a miserable death even after saving the country?

Son Bin had no choice but to nod.

“I don’t want to be a hero or a prisoner.”

Son Bin said.

“I just want to go back. To the people who are waiting for me.”

At that soft but firm answer, Jeok Sehwa smiled quietly.

“I knew Jung-oh would like you.”

At the end of those words, which seemed to have come out without her knowing, Jeok Sehwa quickly added.

“My younger brother, Jung-oh.”