A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 82

82. Dragon Among Men

Clatter, clatter.

The Hoyeon Martial Arts School一行 [a group] was hurrying along the main road.

The atmosphere wasn’t exactly great, but it wasn’t terrible either. The other disciples were clearly dozing off on their horses.

This was partly due to staying up all night for the past few days, but also because they had to squeeze into small rooms with several disciples to sleep.

“We lost in the first competition again.”

Jeok Se-ho muttered quietly. His voice was full of regret, but it wasn’t too dejected.

“It’s okay, Brother. Facing Shaolin in the first official competition is just bad luck. Besides, Shaolin doesn’t usually compete after the first match, right? It’s better than seeing the person who beat me win the whole thing.”

Like monks and Taoists who didn’t care about worldly fame, it had become customary for the participants from the Four Great Sects to decline further participation after winning their first official match.

In the end, the Gangnam Yongbong Competition was an arena for the aristocratic families.

“But who knows how long the Four Great Sects will keep doing that? I heard that Wudang has already started to actively expand its influence.”

Stimulated by Wudang’s unconventional moves, Shaolin, Mount Hua, and Emei might jump into expanding their power at any time. Within the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance], there are growing calls for more active participation from the Four Great Sects.

Wudang’s unconventional moves have largely contributed to this. Even though there is still internal debate about the identity of the Taoist sects.

“You’re so blunt sometimes.”

Jeok Se-ho gave a bitter smile. Even he, as her brother, couldn’t figure out his sister, Jeok Se-hwa.

Sometimes she seemed smart and assertive, but other times she was incredibly naive. And then, out of nowhere, she would do something big without a second thought.

‘Come to think of it, nothing really happened at this Gangnam Yongbong Competition.’

Last time, she caused a scene by slapping the cheek of some family’s son who was trying to throw his weight around—though he wasn’t from a martial arts family—and pouring tea on him.

Fortunately, the other person was drunk and things were resolved well, but the situation could have become serious.

“Nothing happened this time?”

He asked casually, just in case. But Jeok Se-hwa’s reaction was unexpected.

“Huh? Ah…”

Jeok Se-ho turned to look at his sister, surprised by her reaction as if she had been caught off guard.

“Why? Did something happen?”

Jeok Se-hwa smiled brightly at her brother.

“No, nothing happened.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Jeok Se-ho nodded readily. He knew very well that nothing had happened.

“I’m glad for you too. You were safe and unharmed even after that big incident at the Deungwanggak banquet. Do you know how worried I was when I heard about it so late? Oh, did your friends you brought with you get back okay?”

After kicking out the disciples and taking over a few of their rooms, Jeok Se-hwa had made up a story about bringing her friends from the Deungwanggak banquet.

Jeok Se-ho had suggested that he should greet them, but Jeok Se-hwa told him not to even come close because the young ladies were still shaken by the tragedy.

Actually, there were two young ladies, so it wasn’t a complete lie, but she didn’t mention Shin-ui or Namak Old Lord.

‘Maybe I didn’t need to sprinkle powder in front of the door.’

She had even sprinkled powder in front of the door, just in case.

In any case, Jeok Se-ho, not wanting to be hated by his sister for meddling, and the other disciples, who knew Jeok Se-hwa’s personality well, didn’t even go near.

After two days, they quietly disappeared.

“Oh, and Young Master Son left first, right?”

“Yes. He said he met some welcome acquaintances after a long time.”

Following Jeok Se-hwa’s advice, Son Bin had left with them. With that group, escaping Namchang unnoticed would be a piece of cake.

“The Gangnam Murim is so chaotic these days, I hope he doesn’t run into any trouble. It would have been better if he had traveled with us.”

Jeok Se-ho was genuinely concerned. He seemed to like Son Bin, who had a calm personality.

‘You don’t have to worry about that.’

Jeok Se-hwa thought to herself, but Jeok Se-ho continued.

“I don’t know what the Blood Dragon Gate is thinking, barging into the banquet like that. And I can’t understand the Namgung Family’s decision to continue the Yongbong Competition in that situation.”

“They want to show that they won’t be shaken by anything. And the Namgung Family has already declared a strict judgment.”

After the Deungwanggak banquet turned into a mess, the Namgung Family, in the name of the Murim Alliance, publicly announced that they would impose a severe judgment on the Blood Dragon Gate and related sects.

The aristocratic families, sects, major merchant groups, and influential families whose children had been held hostage at the banquet took the Namgung Family’s announcement for granted.

“But a gag order has been issued regarding what actually happened at the banquet. They probably don’t want to reveal their weaknesses. Anyway, the Namgung Family will take full action as soon as the Yongbong Competition ends.”

“But will those sects just accept the sanctions? Especially the Golden Sword Sect, they are openly blaming the Namgung Family for the suspicious death of Geum Sa-yul. And the whereabouts of the Demonic Faction’s late-stage experts who broke into the Deungwanggak banquet are also unknown.”

The Demonic Faction’s late-stage experts who broke into the Deungwanggak banquet could not be found. The Namgung Family’s warriors, as well as nearby allied sects, had set up a strict security perimeter, but no one was found.

Geum Sa-yul, who died mysteriously the day after defeating Namgung Cheol, was already being revered as a hero among some sects.

Rumors about the missing Demonic Faction’s late-stage experts were also rampant.

And the rumor that the Namgung Family had secretly dealt with them was gaining traction.

“A clash is inevitable.”

The distrust between them is growing, and the conflict has become increasingly sharp. A large rift has already formed in the Gangnam Murim, and it will not be easy to bridge that gap.

Especially in a situation where neither side is willing to compromise or understand.

“The Hyeokryun Family has promised full cooperation to the Namgung Family, so I’m worried about the impact this will have on our Hoyeon Martial Arts School.”

Jeok Se-ho said with a worried look. For the Hoyeon Martial Arts School, which cannot escape the influence of the Hyeokryun Family, this conflict is no longer someone else’s problem.

“We’ll be walking on thin ice for a while.”

Jeok Se-hwa said with a bitter expression. Small and medium-sized martial arts schools without power cannot even decide their own fate. That frustrating reality cast a shadow over Jeok Se-hwa’s face.

Clatter, clatter.

Suddenly, Jeok Se-hwa thought of Son Bin.

Even with such amazing abilities, he seemed to live outside the turbulent currents of the Murim world, and she could picture Son Bin’s carefree appearance, smiling with the children in a humble academy.

“Hoo.”

Jeok Se-hwa sighed. If possible, she wanted to live like that too. Living a cozy life with her loved ones, running a small martial arts school.

‘Speaking of which, the lover of the Sword Saintess… Eun Cho-bin has fallen for quite the person.’

The more she thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. How could she have known that Young Master Son, who had caused a stir as a successful candidate in the civil service examination a few years ago, would be a person who had reached such a level?

‘Young Master Son, too. I thought he had somehow learned a bit of swordsmanship, but it turns out that swordsmanship was his main job and studying was his hobby?’

If he passed the civil service examination as a hobby, that would be quite an accomplishment in itself.

“Come to think of it, the final competition of the Gangnam Yongbong Competition must be underway by now.”

Jeok Se-hwa said suddenly.

With the Gangnam Murim situation on the verge of explosion, they had to return to Cheongwon as soon as possible. They didn’t have the luxury to watch the finals of the Gangnam Yongbong Competition, which was no longer relevant to them.

“There won’t be any surprises this time either. As always.”

Jeok Se-ho said casually. Jeok Se-hwa smiled slightly at her brother’s words.

‘There already was a surprise.’

But she didn’t say her thoughts out loud. As the setting sun gradually slanted, they hurried back to Cheongwon.

*

*

*

Clang!

A sharp metallic sound echoed from the arena in front of Deungwanggak.

Under the clear sky, the hot sunlight was dazzling, but the people filling the arena were watching the competition unfolding in front of them without even having time to wipe away their sweat.

Because the winner of the Gangnam Yongbong Competition would be decided in this very match.

Whoosh.

A sword filled with internal energy cuts through the air, making a sound. As if resisting that momentum, another sword, also filled with internal energy, lunges towards its opponent.

Clang!

A sound like an explosion erupted. The force was enough to make the onlookers flinch. And the outcome of that clash determined the victory or defeat of the match.

“I lost.”

Hyeokryun Hu of the Hyeokryun Family said briefly, gritting his teeth. His expression still seemed unwilling to accept the defeat, but the opponent’s sword placed at his neck indicated that the victory or defeat had been decided.

No matter how thin the margin, no matter how regrettable the match, defeat is defeat.

Swish.

Namgung Hun of the Namgung Family sheathed his sword. At the same time, the referee of the competition declared his victory in a loud voice.

“The victory goes to Young Master Namgung Hun!”

“Waaaaah.”

Before the declaration of victory was even finished, the cheers of the people shook Deungwanggak.

The Hyeokryun Family’s attempt to defeat the Namgung Family this time ended in failure.

Jegeal Hwi of the Jegeal Family and Gongson Gak of the Gongson Family, who were watching, also had expressions full of regret.

How could it be just them? The faces of all the young people who attended the Gangnam Yongbong Competition were full of regret. The only ones who seemed indifferent to victory or defeat were the participants from the Four Great Sects.

“The Dragon Among Men of this Gangnam Yongbong Competition is Young Master Namgung Hun of the Namgung Family!”

The referee’s declaration was almost drowned out by the cheers of the people.

Representing the Murim Alliance, Hyebul of Shaolin carried a large flag and stepped onto the arena.

That flag, made with a long spear with a sharp blade as its flagpole, was a prestigious symbol awarded to the winner of the Gangnam Yongbong Competition for generations.

Whoo-oosh.

The large and ornate flag, decorated with golden tassels, fluttered wildly in the wind blowing from Lake Panyang.

The golden inscription ‘Dragon Among Men (人中之龍)’ [an outstanding person] written in bold strokes on the large, person-sized flag was displayed proudly in front of the people.

“Waaaaah!”

The people cheered even more.

Dragon Among Men originally meant a mysterious person who is difficult to meet, but it also implied that the winner of the Yongbong Competition was an outstanding person like a dragon.

Similarly, a flag called ‘Phoenix Among Flowers (花中之鳳)’ is awarded to women.

“It was a good match. I hope that your excellent martial arts will be used for the well-being of the people and the righteous path of the Murim world.”

With a gentle smile, Hyebul handed the flag to Namgung Hun.

However, Namgung Hun’s expression was not very bright.

He didn’t show the proud smile that every winner had, nor even the burning desire to win that seemed to say he was still not satisfied.

Hyebul was puzzled for a moment, but he had already handed over the flag to Namgung Hun. He quietly stepped down from the arena after briefly bowing.

“Waaaaah.”

“Namgung Hun! Namgung Hun! Namgung Hun!”

Amid the pouring cheers and chants, only Namgung Hun stood alone on the arena. The wind blowing from Lake Panyang fluttered the flag, revealing the four characters ‘Dragon Among Men’.

“I.”

As Namgung Hun’s heavy voice filled with internal energy echoed, the cheers subsided as if by magic. The people filling the arena around the arena listened to the words of Namgung Hun, the winner of this Gangnam Yongbong Competition.

“I am not worthy to call myself a Dragon Among Men.”

At the unexpected words, the people stirred slightly. But they thought it was just a display of humility, a customary modesty.

Because Namgung Hun had rightfully defeated everyone with his skills and stood in that position.

The fierce wind of Lake Panyang fluttered the flag. Namgung Hun, holding the flagpole as if gripping a spear, declared in a voice filled with internal energy.

“Therefore, I will dedicate this flag to the one who truly deserves to be called a dragon, the True Dragon (眞龍).”

At the same time as he finished speaking, Namgung Hun lifted the flagpole and slammed it straight down onto the floor.

Thud!

The strong spear pierced through the arena floor and stuck there. Everyone fell silent at his action. They didn’t know how to interpret Namgung Hun’s actions.

Was this a new declaration of victory, or did it literally mean that he was declining the award? If so, who was this person called the True Dragon?

Swish.

Not stopping there, Namgung Hun drew his sword. And he plunged it in front of the fluttering Dragon Among Men flag.

Clang!

The sword, filled with strong internal energy, was embedded in the arena. The people murmured. Because a martial artist planting his sword in the ground could be interpreted in many ways.

Step, step.

Namgung Hun walked straight down from the arena. The cheering people all remained silent, whispering about Namgung Hun’s actions.

Not only the seats where the honored guests were invited, but also the elders of the Namgung Family were clearly at a loss as to how to interpret Namgung Hun’s actions.

It was then.

Step.

Hyeokryun Hu of the Hyeokryun Family stepped onto the arena. In an instant, the murmurs of the people grew louder.

Did this mean that the real winner of the competition was Hyeokryun Hu?

However, Hyeokryun Hu walked straight to the flag and picked up his sword. And just as Namgung Hun had done, he plunged his sword into the arena floor.

Clang!

The two swords were planted in front of the flag as if they were symbols. And Hyeokryun Hu went straight down from the arena without saying a word. In the meantime, Gongson Gak and Jegeal Hwi were already stepping onto the arena.

“They are young indeed. Full of vigor.”

Namgung Ryeol, the outer head of the Namgung Family, said with a smile.

The people did not understand this situation, but they knew why Namgung Hun and the young late-stage experts were acting like this. Because they were the ones who ordered them to remain silent.

“Young people should have that much spirit. Aren’t they cute?”

Hyeokryun Pil, the outer leader of the Hyeokryun Family, said stroking his beard. The external enemy called the Blood Dragon Gate consolidated the internal unity.

The conflict between the Namgung Family and the Hyeokryun Family, triggered by the Tang Family’s secret agreement, will also subside for a while.

“When you think about it, that unknown guy’s way of handling things is very cunning.”

Jegeal Sang, the outer head of the Jegeal Family, said.

“By quietly disappearing without seeking fame, he has rather become a hero to the late-stage experts. Haha.”

People see the world as they want to see it. Son Bin’s actions, who quietly disappeared, are seen by the representatives of the aristocratic families as a clever way of handling things.

Just as Hyebul’s actions, who tries to walk the righteous path, are seen as just a check on power.

“But he will soon be forgotten.”

Namgung Ryeol said, his eyes shining.

“People will cheer for the new young heroes who have judged the Blood Dragon Gate.”

And the Namgung Family will be at the center of it. Namgung Ryeol was sure of it.

Clang, clang!

Gongson Gak and Jegeal Hwi, who stepped onto the arena, also planted their swords in front of the fluttering Dragon Among Men flag. Jegeal Hwi’s expression seemed a little dissatisfied, but he also went down from the arena without saying a word.

It wasn’t just them. Almost all the late-stage experts who participated in the official competition followed suit.

Although no one could officially speak out because of the Murim Alliance’s decision and the aristocratic families’ gag order, they alone knew.

Who were the people who truly deserved to be called the Dragon Among Men (人中之龍) and the Phoenix Among Flowers (花中之鳳) in this Gangnam Yongbong Competition.

Clang, clang!

The sound of swords being planted continued one after another. The place where so many swords were planted had become like a tomb made of swords, a sword mound (劍塚) [a burial ground for swords].

And now everyone could know.

That it was the respect (敬意) of the late-stage experts dedicated to the one who truly deserved to be called a dragon, the True Dragon.

Whoo-oosh.

The large flag flutters in the fierce wind blowing from Lake Panyang. The four characters ‘Dragon Among Men’ shine brightly on the flag that flutters as if to cover the countless swords planted in the ground.

∴

After that incident, the mysterious title of ‘True Dragon Great Hero, Dragon Among Men (人中之龍 眞龍大俠)’ began to spread in the Gangho Murim [martial arts world].

All that was known about him, a mysterious great hero like a dragon in the clouds whose name and sect were unknown, was that he was the lover of the Sword Saintess and possessed an unbelievably beautiful sword.

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