A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 9

9. Sparring, The First Time (1)

Thud.

Suddenly, someone seemed to materialize from thin air, collapsing onto the grass with barely a sound, like a feather falling.

“Huk.”

Son Bin jumped, startled. He shot up from his seat, inhaling sharply.

He was so surprised because he hadn’t seen anyone, yet he heard a groan and someone appeared right beside him.

It felt like the groan had been right next to his ear, that’s how close they were.

‘Wh-who… No, more importantly, how…?’

He had a rough idea of who it was. There were four in the group, and three had already revealed themselves, so this person was probably the last one.

But he couldn’t figure out how they had been concealed.

There was definitely no one behind him, yet there was clearly a person in front of him. The outline of a slender woman, at that.

“I don’t care about stealth or concealment,” Sa Ja-hyeok said, his voice cold.

“But hiding in such a way is unpleasant.”

“I apologize for disturbing your mood, Great Hero,” a woman’s voice responded. Sa Ja-hyeok turned his head. Beyond the two young men standing like walls, a beauty with a cold expression spoke.

“However, Hang-ah was only being loyal to her duty. Since she couldn’t possibly stand against a Great Hero like you, keeping an eye on that man was the best she could do.”

“Who’s a Great Hero?”

Sa Ja-hyeok asked with a mocking expression.

“I don’t care about chivalry or justice. Don’t call me a Great Hero.”

“As you wish, Sir.”

She said it in a natural tone. A strange light flickered in Sa Ja-hyeok’s eyes.

“You remind me of someone I dislike.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The woman said, bowing lightly.

Sa Ja-hyeok cast a sharp gaze at the woman who had collapsed behind Son Bin.

Meanwhile, the woman, who had gotten to her feet, bit her lip and glanced at Son Bin. Then, she lightly tapped her foot.

Tap.

With just that one step, the woman moved next to her companions.

‘Wow.’

Son Bin was impressed. It was hard to believe that she was the same person who had groaned and collapsed; her movements were so light.

Unlike her appearance earlier, she was wearing light combat attire, and the look she had given him for a moment was piercingly sharp. It was quite different from her cute first impression.

“Now, you’ve saved your subordinate’s life as you wished.”

Sa Ja-hyeok said, staring straight at the cold-faced beauty.

“Isn’t it time to test me?”

A strange light flickered in her eyes. Sa Ja-hyeok using the word ‘test’ implied a lot—not only her intentions but also her identity.

It might just be her assumption, but Sa Ja-hyeok was not someone to be taken lightly, not just his martial arts, but also his insight and schemes.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said quietly. A cold chill was felt in her slender voice.

Rustle.

As she took a step back, a young man with the appearance of a nobleman stepped forward.

Step, step.

He took a few steps forward and lightly clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

“I am Wi Ga-jin.”

“Sa Ja-hyeok,” Sa Ja-hyeok replied, his gaze condescending.

Wi Ga-jin, the young man with the appearance of a nobleman, was also not short, but standing in front of Sa Ja-hyeok, he seemed much smaller than he actually was.

“It is an honor to exchange swords with you, Sir.”

“You,” Sa Ja-hyeok said to Wi Ga-jin, who was showing respect.

“You need to be a little more honest.”

Wi Ga-jin frowned slightly. Sa Ja-hyeok continued.

“Put aside the lip service and etiquette. If you become accustomed to not living according to what comes from your heart, your sword will never find its way.”

“It is not lip service. However, if that is your wish, Sir.”

Swish.

Wi Ga-jin drew his sword. A sharp energy emanated from the revealed blade. The straight blade with no distortion and the blue edge that seemed to shatter moonlight looked extraordinary.

“I will face you with all my strength.”

Wi Ga-jin’s eyes, like sculptures, were burning. The always composed and calm look was nowhere to be found. Now his eyes were those of a martial artist who had found a strong opponent, exactly that.

“Yes, that’s how it should be.”

Sa Ja-hyeok laughed lightly. At the same time, the black greatsword, Pa-wol, appeared behind Sa Ja-hyeok.

Swish.

“That way, there’s at least some fun in crushing you, right?”

The moonlight was shattering in blue at the edge of Pa-wol’s blade.

Gulp.

Son Bin swallowed without realizing it. All his attention was taken by the confrontation that was about to unfold before his eyes, but in fact, his fingertips were itching.

‘I need to write down what he said earlier.’

In his heart, he wanted to move his brush and write it down right now, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the sparring for even a moment.

‘According to what comes from the heart, one’s sword finds its way. According to what comes from the heart…’

He muttered inwardly, memorizing the sentence he had to write down. Then, suddenly, he heard Sa Ja-hyeok’s voice.

[You must see the flow.]

‘Huh?’

Son Bin turned to the side without realizing it. Sa Ja-hyeok’s voice, which was definitely his, seemed to be coming from right next to his ear.

But of course, there was no one next to him, and Sa Ja-hyeok was clearly standing in front.

[Do not be bound by form and style; find the greater flow.]

‘Form and style?’

It probably meant outward appearance, and Son Bin could tell that his guess was roughly correct.

[Do not let the visible splendor steal your eyes; always keep in mind the path and the flow. The path does not reveal itself to those who do not try to see it.]

The expression on Sa Ja-hyeok’s face in front of him did not change at all. He couldn’t figure out how he was conveying his voice to Son Bin.

Moreover, judging from the expressions of the others, it seemed that only Son Bin could hear Sa Ja-hyeok’s voice.

[So, to put it simply.]

Sa Ja-hyeok’s voice was heard again, as if he had seen Son Bin’s bewildered expression.

[Look at me.]

Son Bin gave a wry smile.

‘What confidence.’

Since the subject of Son Bin’s writing was Sa Ja-hyeok, his words to look at him were correct.

However, the fact that he could say such things so openly meant that Sa Ja-hyeok was not an ordinary person after all, in some way or another.

‘Ah, I need to write this down too.’

He needed to write it down, but he couldn’t.

Moving the fine brush would only take a moment, but in that short moment, the sparring between the two would begin.

And Son Bin didn’t want to miss a single moment of that scene.

As Son Bin thought, the sparring between the two under the moonlight soon signaled its beginning. The beginning was from Wi Ga-jin’s sword.

∴

Whoosh.

The tip of Wi Ga-jin’s sword, imbued with internal energy [qi or vital energy], tore through the wind and rushed in sharply. However, the greatsword Pa-wol merely moved slightly, diverting the direction of the sword.

Clang.

With a dull and hollow sound, Wi Ga-jin’s sword shook violently.

However, Wi Ga-jin had already predicted the situation. The sword, which seemed to be shaking, drew a circle and changed direction, then relentlessly struck towards Sa Ja-hyeok.

‘Ooh.’

Son Bin was inwardly impressed because Wi Ga-jin’s movements were like amazing artistry. The sword strike, which seemed to be blocked once, had already become more deadly and sharp.

But to Son Bin’s dismay, Wi Ga-jin’s sword failed to achieve its purpose this time as well.

Clang.

At that moment, Wi Ga-jin used the force generated by the collision of the sword and the greatsword to naturally pull his body back.

Whoosh.

Sa Ja-hyeok’s greatsword did not pursue Wi Ga-jin.

Tap.

“Amazing,” Wi Ga-jin said, looking at Sa Ja-hyeok.

“I have never seen anyone handle a greatsword so naturally and delicately.”

Originally, the greatsword was a weapon that emphasized power and force. On the other hand, the sword was superior in terms of flashy changes and sharp attacks that pierced weaknesses.

However, Sa Ja-hyeok’s greatsword, unlike its appearance, moved very smoothly and naturally. And it always deflected or twisted Wi Ga-jin’s flashy attacks with minimal movement.

It was like catching a flying mosquito with a large axe, an impossible task without handling that heavy greatsword as if it were his own hand, or even more delicately.

It was only natural that Wi Ga-jin was impressed.

“That’s because you haven’t met a true master until now.”

Wi Ga-jin gave a wry smile.

“Are the warrior monks of Shaolin, the great disciples of Mount Hua [famous martial arts sects], and the first-generation disciples of the Five Great Families not masters?”

“From the moment you mention sects or families,” Sa Ja-hyeok said in a calm voice.

“You are already far removed from the true masters.”

Wi Ga-jin’s face contorted. He had started with pure admiration for the opponent’s skill, but he thought the opponent was mocking him instead.

“You are quite arrogant.”

“I am not arrogant,” Sa Ja-hyeok laughed. It was a pure sneer.

“I am simply stronger than you.”

Wi Ga-jin gritted his teeth. He glanced at the cold-faced beauty. She nodded lightly towards Wi Ga-jin. Wi Ga-jin’s eyes lit up.

“Be careful. Things will be a little different from now on.”

“Are you now imitating the righteous sects in a clumsy manner?” Sa Ja-hyeok said.

“Stop it. It doesn’t suit you.”

Wi Ga-jin did not answer. He only slowly regulated his breathing and drew up his internal energy.

Woo-oong.

His sword vibrated quietly and began to be dyed blue.

‘Oh.’

Son Bin gasped in surprise.

‘Th-that is…’

The blue light he had seen from Sa Ja-hyeok’s greatsword. That eerie blue light was blooming from Wi Ga-jin’s sword.

∴

“Isn’t it a little early?” So-ha, a young man who looked young, said.

“Wi is comparable to the top figures in the Hundred Inscriptions [a ranking of skilled martial artists]. Rather than revealing his true colors already, it would be better to take more time to understand the opponent…”

“No, that’s not right,” Hang-ah, a woman wearing light combat attire, said. Her large, cute eyes were impressive, and she was watching the sparring with a sharp gaze.

“If it’s not now, there may not be another chance.”

It was a rather definitive statement, unlike her usual self. It was a completely different look from her, who was always clumsy and cautious in speaking.

“If it’s not now, there’s no chance?”

The cold-faced beauty said.

“Yes,” Hang-ah replied, not taking her eyes off the sparring.

“Before his patience runs out, we must make a move first. If he wants to end the sparring, Young Master Wi will no longer have a chance.”

“Young Master Wi has no chance…”

So-ha said in a tone as if he couldn’t believe it. He had always respected Hang-ah’s judgment, but there had never been a time when there was such a big difference like now.

“Are you saying that person is a Sword Saint or something?”

“I don’t know about that…”

Hang-ah said, shaking her head.

“At least his words were not false.”

“Words?”

Hang-ah replied to So-ha, who was looking at her with a puzzled expression.

A faint fear was flowing on her face as she still stared at Sa Ja-hyeok.

“The fact that the young lady saved my life just now.”

So-ha’s complexion changed. If Hang-ah’s words were true, it meant that she could have died to Sa Ja-hyeok a little while ago, didn’t it?

So-ha looked at Sa Ja-hyeok again, and Wi Ga-jin’s intense shout erupted.

“Haa!”

Whoosh.

In an instant, Wi Ga-jin’s sword, which had been blooming with blue light, drew a blue trajectory and rushed towards Sa Ja-hyeok with intense momentum.

His sword energy revealed its fangs towards Sa Ja-hyeok. Wi Ga-jin’s sword energy stretched out, leaving a long afterimage in the air like blue silk.

“Hmm.”

Sa Ja-hyeok let out a laugh.

“Yes. It has to be at least this much.”

Whoosh.

A bluish energy bloomed from Sa Ja-hyeok’s jet-black greatsword, Pa-wol. The energy blooming from Sa Ja-hyeok’s blunt greatsword, which didn’t even have an edge, was complete greatsword energy.

∴

Clang, Kwaang!

A sound close to an explosion echoed. It was a roar that was hard to believe was the sound of iron colliding with iron.

‘Amazing.’

Son Bin stuck out his tongue with a stunned expression.

‘How can such a thing happen from a human’s hands…’

The blue light emitted by the sword and the blue light emitted by the jet-black greatsword were intertwined in a dizzying manner.

Judging from the sound, it was clear that the sword and the greatsword were clashing, but Son Bin’s eyes couldn’t keep up with the moment.

All he could see were the blue afterimages left by the sword and the greatsword.

Son Bin felt like he would be exhausted just by following the dizzyingly intertwined trajectories with his eyes.

‘At first glance, it seems like he’s being pushed back…’

Kwaang!

Another explosion echoed.

Wi Ga-jin’s blue sword energy rushed towards Sa Ja-hyeok like a tide. Sometimes sharply, sometimes with destructive power, Wi Ga-jin relentlessly launched a barrage of attacks towards Sa Ja-hyeok.

Son Bin, who was watching, felt dizzy from the splendor.

Sa Ja-hyeok’s greatsword Pa-wol was also blooming with blue greatsword energy, but it seemed unable to exert its power in the face of Wi Ga-jin’s fierce sword energy.

He occasionally launched counterattacks, but it was only to block or deflect the opponent’s attacks.

To someone who didn’t know, it looked like he was barely receiving the opponent’s attacks.

‘But I don’t get the feeling that he’s going to lose at all.’

Son Bin, who was staring at Sa Ja-hyeok, recalled what he had said.

‘The flow…’

Son Bin turned his gaze away from the flashy energy emitted by the sword and the greatsword, and he looked at Sa Ja-hyeok. He captured his movements, his gaze, and what his greatsword was drawing in the middle of the air.

‘Even if you say that, what am I supposed to see…’

He was just at a loss because he was told to see something he didn’t even know.

‘Well, I just have a feeling that he won’t lose…’

Son Bin shrugged his shoulders as he watched the sparring between the two. It was nothing more than a vague feeling, far from judgment or prediction.

‘What should I say, a little…’

He didn’t know martial arts, but he knew Sa Ja-hyeok. He didn’t know sparring, but he had seen the Hyeoncheon Sword Technique [a specific sword style] countless times.

There was one thing Son Bin felt as he watched Sa Ja-hyeok now.

“Is it a frustrating feeling?”

Son Bin muttered without realizing it.

The Hyeoncheon Sword Technique that had unfolded before his eyes was never like that. Sa Ja-hyeok, who scattered blue greatsword energy under the moonlight, was never like that.

If asked what was different, he had nothing to say, but that’s how Son Bin felt.

It was at that very moment.

“Now, let’s end this,” Sa Ja-hyeok said.