A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 68

68. Sisters (2)

“Miss Dang Wol-ah has arrived.”

Sitting on a fancy chair, quietly lost in thought, Dang Hwa-ryun opened her eyes.

“The Silver Sword Unit has also returned. Here is the Silver Sword Leader’s report.”

The subordinate held out a letter with both hands. Dang Hwa-ryun took the letter and unfolded it.

Rustle.

A faint smile appeared on Dang Hwa-ryun’s face as she read the letter.

“Even the Namgung Clan couldn’t solve Wol-ah’s challenge.”

Dang Hwa-ryun lightly rested her chin on one hand. One end of the letter drooped down.

“Even though it was just a debate, the Namgung Clan, who call themselves the Sword King family, must have had their pride hurt quite a bit. At this rate, even if they receive the betrothal gifts, it won’t feel like they’ve really received them. Heh heh.”

“No one in the Dang Clan can solve the young lady’s challenge.”

“Indeed.”

Rustle.

Dang Hwa-ryun lightly placed the letter on the desk.

“Even though she lacks martial strength, no one in the world can match Wol-ah’s understanding of martial arts. Not even the Namgung Clan. At least on paper, Wol-ah is the best martial artist in the world. Now, no one can object to her resolving the clan’s restrictions.”

The expression of Dang Hwa-ryun, who was muttering, was not bright. Rather, a faint anger could be felt.

“They arbitrarily poisoned that young baby with a deadly poison and made her live in isolation her whole life. They forced her to read all sorts of martial arts manuals and books in a dark place where light barely entered. That’s why she couldn’t even grow properly. That innocent, kind child, my own sister Wol-ah.”

Crack.

Intense anger poured from Dang Hwa-ryun’s eyes. The subordinate silently waited for her anger to subside.

“Yes, what about the acquisition work?”

“We have already completed the acquisition of two sects and one escort agency. All eyes in Gangnam are focused on the escort business, so there was no particular resistance.”

“There’s no way there would be resistance. The aristocratic families have already given their tacit consent.”

Rustle.

Dang Hwa-ryun rose from her seat. Her splendid attire sparkled under the light. Dang Hwa-ryun placed both hands on the desk and scanned the letter once more.

“With this, the Dang Clan has set foot in the Gangnam martial arts world. The success of the escort business was a bit unexpected, though.”

“The appearance of Old Man Nam-ak was an unforeseen variable. A reassessment of his martial prowess is needed. The level of swordsmanship he showed for a moment clearly surpassed previous evaluations.”

“Hmm.”

Dang Hwa-ryun paused to gather her thoughts. There were definitely many questions about Old Man Nam-ak’s level. But Dang Hwa-ryun had a rough idea.

“No need.”

“Pardon?”

The subordinate’s question was unusual. That’s how unexpected Dang Hwa-ryun’s words were.

“Old Man Nam-ak is like Mount Hyung [a very tall and imposing mountain]. It rises so high that it blocks the sky, but if you don’t go there, it doesn’t matter at all. So, there’s no need to force such a variable in and make things more complicated. The Mount Hyung area is meaningless to us.”

They are in the clouds above the sky. If they don’t come down to the ground, that’s enough.

Having seen her grandfather Dang Baek-ho and Saja-hyuk’s duel, Dang Hwa-ryun already knew that for sure.

“But…….”

“What about Wol-ah?”

Dang Hwa-ryun interrupted her subordinate and asked. The subordinate immediately lowered his head and replied.

“She will arrive here soon.”

Ting.

Before the subordinate could finish speaking, a small sound rang out. It was a signal that Dang Wol-ah had arrived.

Rustle.

The door to the office quietly opened, and a slender girl with her face covered by a white veil entered. Dang Hwa-ryun smiled softly and looked at the girl.

The girl, Dang Wol-ah, approached with calm steps and bowed politely.

“I greet the Chief Strategist.”

The smile on Dang Hwa-ryun’s face deepened.

‘A child who didn’t even know how to bow properly…….’

She was a child who hesitated and was frightened when she saw other people.

Meeting people itself was hell for her. So, there was no way she would have learned how to bow properly.

But now, Dang Wol-ah is bowing so neatly that no one can find fault with it. As expected, having her participate in this matter was an excellent choice.

“Here is the report on the results.”

Was it just her imagination? Even her rough voice seemed to have softened.

Meanwhile, at Dang Wol-ah’s gesture, a maid standing beside her respectfully handed a scroll to Dang Hwa-ryun with both hands. Dang Hwa-ryun accepted the scroll.

Swish.

Dang Hwa-ryun broke the seal on the scroll and unfolded it on the spot. The contents written were not much different from the Silver Sword Leader’s letter from earlier.

“Well done.”

Folding the scroll, Dang Hwa-ryun straightened her back. And looking down at Dang Wol-ah, she said in a solemn voice.

“Dang Wol-ah’s contribution to handling the clan’s important affairs is not small. Therefore, according to the resolution of the Grand Council and the decision of Dang Hwa-ryun, the Chief Strategist of the Dang Clan, I hereby order the restoration of all of Dang Wol-ah’s status and rights in the clan as of today.”

At the same time as Dang Hwa-ryun finished speaking, a maid respectfully held up a small box to Dang Wol-ah.

Inside the opened small box was a shining small jade pendant.

“Dang Wol-ah, I humbly accept the clan’s order.”

The girl, Dang Wol-ah, bowed her head and accepted Dang Hwa-ryun’s order. Although it was a declaration that only a few people could hear, its meaning was by no means small.

Rustle.

With a light gesture from Dang Hwa-ryun, the subordinates and maids bowed and retreated, and now only Dang Hwa-ryun and Dang Wol-ah were left in the office.

“Wol-ah.”

“Yes, Sister Hwa-ryun.”

Dang Hwa-ryun wanted to hold Dang Wol-ah’s hand.

However, holding her hand is a dangerous and reckless act, no matter how much the jade ring that controls the poison is on Dang Wol-ah’s wrist.

“It’s over now. No, it’s just beginning.”

Dang Hwa-ryun’s voice was trembling slightly.

“There will be no more surveillance, no more sanctions, no more restrictions. You are now a proud member of the Dang Clan. Only now, finally.”

The girl, standing gracefully with her face covered by a veil, said nothing. The girl, who had been silent, spoke quietly.

“Sister.”

“Why?”

Ting.

With a small sound, something fell to the floor. Dang Hwa-ryun lowered her gaze. It was the jade ring that had been on Dang Wol-ah’s wrist.

“Wo, Wol-ah.”

Ting.

Before she could ask what it meant, another jade ring fell. And Dang Wol-ah slowly took off her veil.

Rustle.

The white veil, woven with silver threads to block the poison, was removed, and Dang Wol-ah’s silver hair flowed down like a waterfall.

And before she knew it, Dang Wol-ah’s white hand reached out and removed her black mask, and even took off the jade necklace hanging around her neck.

“No, no way…….”

Dang Hwa-ryun’s voice trembled pathetically.

She didn’t want to miss this unbelievable sight in front of her even for a moment, but her vision was already blurred with tears.

“Sister.”

The girl’s slender hand touched Dang Hwa-ryun’s hand. Dang Wol-ah, who would have flinched and avoided her hand before, reached out to Dang Hwa-ryun first.

The girl’s trembling fingers gently gripped Dang Hwa-ryun’s wrist.

Rustle.

The girl brought Dang Hwa-ryun’s hand to her cheek. Dang Hwa-ryun felt a soft sensation on her fingertips.

Instead of the monster that everyone feared and hated, she felt the warmth in the tender skin like a child.

“Wol-ah.”

Her young sister, Dang Wol-ah, was standing there, smiling as if she was about to burst into tears.

She was no longer a monster, nor was she the Dang Clan’s poisoned blade.

“Wol-ah!”

Dang Hwa-ryun threw herself and hugged her sister Dang Wol-ah.

She wrapped her arms around her slender neck as much as she wanted, and hugged her small frame tightly, as if to never let her disappear anywhere again.

Dang Wol-ah, who would have avoided her before, stood still and hugged her sister with her slender arms. Both Dang Wol-ah and Dang Hwa-ryun shed tears endlessly.

“Wol-ah, Wol-ah.”

Dang Hwa-ryun called the girl’s name endlessly. Holding the girl like that, Dang Hwa-ryun caressed Dang Wol-ah’s face with both hands.

Dang Hwa-ryun’s eyes, looking at the girl’s face one by one, were filled with tears.

“Yes, this is my sister Wol-ah. My sister Wol-ah, who used to smile brightly and beautifully like the Moon Palace Fairy [Chang’e, a goddess in Chinese mythology], was so beautiful and so small that I was afraid to even hold her in my arms. My sister Wol-ah, who used to smile so brightly at me, looked like this. Ah, Wol-ah, Wol-ah!”

The memory of receiving the baby, who was wiggling her small hands and feet, in her small hands was vividly revived.

The image of that small, bright baby smiling at her was alive on Dang Wol-ah’s face in front of her. Dang Hwa-ryun felt like this moment was a dream.

“Wol-ah.”

Even if it was a dream, it was fine. Dang Hwa-ryun endlessly prayed that time would stop like this.

Dang Wol-ah’s slender hand was gently wrapping around her shoulder, comforting her.

∴

“Sister.”

At Dang Wol-ah’s trembling voice, Dang Hwa-ryun suddenly raised her head.

“Yes, that’s right. Who on earth made you like this…… Ah, yes. I never imagined that the Namgung Clan’s abilities would be this great. Immediately form a blood alliance with the Namgung Clan…… No, first, stop all plans and re-examine them from the beginning. If we join hands with the Namgung Clan, it will be possible to have the world in our hands. First of all, the Gangnam martial arts world…….”

“No, Sister.”

Dang Wol-ah said in a quiet voice to Dang Hwa-ryun, who was rambling as if she had gone mad.

“No?”

Dang Wol-ah nodded.

“Then who on earth…….”

“Sister. There’s something I want to show you.”

Dang Hwa-ryun looked at Dang Wol-ah with puzzled eyes. She couldn’t even guess what she wanted to show in this situation.

Even this situation is like a dream.

Rustle.

Dang Wol-ah raised one hand. And after a while, her white and slender hand began to be dyed with a transparent jade color.

Buzz.

“No, no way…….”

Dang Hwa-ryun immediately realized the meaning. She was the one who had seen it up close more than anyone else in the Dang Clan.

“Poison Qi Art!”

It was the Poison Qi Art. It was different from her grandfather’s, but the energy felt was definitely the same as that of the Poison Qi Art.

Even in the long history of the Dang Clan, only her grandfather Dang Baek-ho was capable of it, and only Dang Baek-ho knew the secret. The Poison Qi Art was revived from Dang Wol-ah’s fingertips.

“Ho, how can you…… Grandfather’s Fierce Tiger Poison Qi Art…….”

“No.”

Dang Wol-ah shook her head.

“The basic idea is the same, but this is completely different from Grandfather’s Poison Qi Art. So, this cannot be called the Fierce Tiger Poison Qi Art. No, it’s not the Fierce Tiger Poison Qi Art.”

Whoosh.

Dang Hwa-ryun stared at the blue jade energy flickering in front of her with sharp eyes. It was definitely different from her grandfather’s Fierce Tiger Poison Qi Art.

Compared to the Fierce Tiger Poison Qi Art, which flickered uneasily in red, Dang Wol-ah’s jade energy was very stable, and even felt a sense of dignity.

“Yes, that’s right. I see.”

Dang Hwa-ryun nodded.

“Then we should call this ‘Wol-ah Poison Qi Art.’ Because it’s my sister Wol-ah’s Poison Qi Art.”

Dang Wol-ah hesitated for a moment, but she quietly nodded at her sister Dang Hwa-ryun’s smile.

“Now, no one in the Dang Clan will be able to restrain you. Who in the Dang Clan would dare to object to you, who has manifested the Poison Qi Art?”

That’s not all. Now, no one will be able to call Dang Wol-ah a poisoned blade anymore. Dang Hwa-ryun’s face was shining.

“Attend the Grand Council in three days. I will make you the pinnacle of the Dang Clan in that place. The leader of the next generation of the Dang Clan, no, as long as you are alive, the ruler of the Sichuan martial arts world will be you. Just like Grandfather did.”

“No.”

Dang Wol-ah quietly shook her head.

“What?”

Dang Hwa-ryun asked without realizing it. Dang Wol-ah had never expressed her will even once before.

It was Dang Hwa-ryun’s plan and Dang Hwa-ryun’s will that she participated in this matter. Dang Wol-ah, who had only obeyed like that, was speaking her mind for the first time.

“I, there’s something I want to do.”

Looking straight at Dang Hwa-ryun with those shining eyes, Dang Wol-ah said.

*

*

*

“Wow!”

“Kya-ha-ha.”

Son-bin smiled as he watched the children playing and chattering.

Sitting leisurely on the foundation of the old house’s garden, basking in the sunlight, the time of the past escort business felt like a dream.

“Be careful. You’ll get hurt.”

Son-bin spoke to the children running around, but the children didn’t care at all and ran around as much as they wanted. Son-bin just smiled and didn’t say anything more.

Then Soso found someone.

“Huh?”

Soso jumped up and ran towards Son-bin.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Soso?”

“We have a guest, a guest!”

“A guest?”

The children became quiet all at once, and Son-bin turned his head.

Someone’s figure was visible in front of the old door that was always open.

“Heh.”
A rough voice flowed out. An old man with white hair, a white beard, and even white eyebrows was standing there.

“What kind of house is this? The house is half-built, and the fence is barely there. And isn’t there supposed to be a pavilion there?”

“Old Man!”

Son-bin stood up in delight. It was Old Man Nam-ak.

“Keu-heu.”

Old Man Nam-ak smiled and said.

“I came to get some alcohol, but I’ve never seen a house built so poorly in my life.”

“Old Man.”

Son-bin ran to Old Man Nam-ak. And he put his hands together and bowed deeply.

“I’m so glad to see you like this. I was so worried about you leaving like that.”

At Son-bin’s words, Old Man Nam-ak frowned.

“What worry? You’re the one who’s more of a worry; you never know what you’re going to do.”

“You’ve come well. Please come inside.”

Old Man Nam-ak coughed and entered the house. The children, who had been staring at him, began to buzz.

“Wow. A white-bearded grandpa.”

“His eyebrows are white too.”

Old Man Nam-ak frowned at the children’s whispering.

“Hey, who are you calling grandpa?”

“Then what should we call you?”

The fearless children asked in clear voices.

Old Man Nam-ak frowned. Come to think of it, there was no suitable title.

“Um, well, just…….”

While Old Man Nam-ak was hesitating, Janga, who had been dozing off, suddenly opened her eyes and shouted.

“Grandpa Teacher!”

“Grandpa Teacher?”

The children, looking at each other, shouted all at once as if in a chorus.

“Wow! It’s Grandpa Teacher! Grandpa Teacher!”

“These, these guys…….”

Old Man Nam-ak frowned, but the children were already gathered around Old Man Nam-ak, looking at him with sparkling eyes.

Curious Jau and Gyeonja were already tugging at the old man’s collar. Of course, they were ready to run away at any time.

“The, these things…….”

Old Man Nam-ak, who was not used to children, frowned but didn’t know what to do.

It was as if small chicks that seemed like they would cause a big problem if touched were running around under his feet, so he couldn’t move carelessly.

“What, what are you doing? Do something about it.”

Eventually, at the old man’s request for help, Son-bin organized the children, and Old Man Nam-ak sat on the bamboo mat and sighed in relief.

Old Man Nam-ak glanced at Son-bin as he watched the children running all over the house.

“Are those all your kids?”

Son-bin smiled bitterly. But Old Man Nam-ak’s expression was serious.

“Weren’t you…… working too hard?”

Son-bin’s bitter smile was getting thicker.