A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 109

109. A Fleeting Encounter

“Are you going out?”

Moyong Lin, who was about to step out of the residence, stopped. She turned her head to see Son Bin standing there with a smile. Moyong Lin answered Son Bin with a composed posture.

“Yes. I’m planning to visit the Namgung Clan [one of the major martial arts clans] for a while.”

“Ah, I see. Then, do you have any plans after that?”

“Not particularly…”

“Then, would you mind if I joined you?”

“Pardon?”

Moyong Lin involuntarily asked back.

“But I’m going to the Namgung Clan, you know?”

Son Bin had a nonchalant expression, as if it didn’t matter. It seemed the rumor that Great Hero Jin Ryong [Son Bin’s alias] avoided the Namgung Clan and disappeared without a word was just nonsense. Moyong Lin spoke to Son Bin clearly.

“Many people seek out the Namgung Clan. You’ll probably have to wait a long time.”

Indeed, they would have to wait a long time. Moreover, Son Bin couldn’t accompany her to the meeting with the Chief Manager. In the end, he would have to wait outside until Moyong Lin’s business was finished.

“It’s alright. I’m used to waiting, after all.”

Son Bin said.

‘All?’

Moyong Lin was momentarily puzzled, but she soon understood the meaning. Behind Son Bin were the same faces from yesterday, their eyes sparkling. Even No-gun’s eyes, which had been indifferent yesterday, were shining with anticipation today.

*

*

*

Visiting the Namgung Clan took half a day. However, there were no results. Despite Moyong Lin’s long wait and patience, the Namgung Clan’s Chief Manager didn’t give her any clear answers.

With a sense of futility, Moyong Lin walked out, where Son Bin and his group were waiting for her outside the Namgung Clan.

They were occasionally smiling and talking to each other, as if people-watching was so much fun. Their appearance was so relaxed that Moyong Lin felt a momentary annoyance.

“Welcome, Miss Moyong.”

Son Bin greeted Moyong Lin with a smile. The other members of the group also saw Moyong Lin, and their eyes sparkled again. Seeing that, Moyong Lin felt a warmth in her heart, even though she knew it was just a perfunctory greeting.

“Let’s go this way.”

Moyong Lin, trying to hide her expression, led the way, and the group resumed their exploration of the back alley restaurants of Mu-Han [a major city in the story’s setting].

Moyong Lin’s mood improved, or perhaps she had resigned herself to the situation, and she was able to walk around in a fairly good mood.

The group, wandering through all corners of Mu-Han, stood in front of the Cheonghwa Pleasure House, which was said to be the most popular place in Mu-Han these days, as the sun set and colorful lanterns were hung.

“Don’t worry, it’s not a strange place,” Moyong Lin said with a smirk in front of the splendid and tall Pleasure House.

It was because Son Bin’s hesitation in looking up at the Pleasure House was too obvious.

“No, it’s not that it’s strange…”

Son Bin stammered, feeling a bit awkward. For Son Bin, a Pleasure House was a place for scholars who had given up on serious pursuits.

Even standing in such a place felt awkward, and it seemed like the people in fancy clothes passing by were staring at him.

“It’s worth visiting once. The talents of the artists are quite outstanding.”

“Artists! Ah, I see.”

Son Bin nodded, inwardly relieved. The place he had gone with Saja Hyuk before was also called a Pleasure House, but wasn’t it a place to showcase the talents of artists?

The image of Nanhyang, a woman who sighed softly, suddenly flashed through his mind.

‘Unique, as expected.’

Moyong Lin thought, seeing Son Bin’s relieved expression.

‘He’s so wary of entering a Pleasure House…’

As far as Moyong Lin knew, most men liked going to Pleasure Houses. Martial artists were even more so. If they were with a young lady like Moyong Lin, they would be clamoring to go.

‘Is he perhaps a Taoist or a monk?’

Or perhaps a bookworm who only reads and has no interest in the world.

Moyong Lin shook her head and entered the Cheonghwa Pleasure House.

Ting.

A small bell rang as they passed through the large door. Music and laughter spread as if they were in another world, and a neatly dressed man greeted the group with a smile.

Moyong Lin and No-gun had indifferent expressions, but Seo-rin clung to Son Bin’s arm as if uneasy, guarding his surroundings. On the other side, Dang-wol-ah was closer to Son Bin than usual.

Moyong Lin said something, and the man, who was too well-dressed to be called a servant, led the group to a large space.

The tables, which could seat four or five people, created an atmosphere that resembled a fancy inn, but there were also many places on the upper floor, connected by large stairs, that were covered with thick curtains.

“If you don’t want to be disturbed, you can go upstairs, but this side is better, right? It’s cheaper, after all.”

Moyong Lin said with a mischievous expression. But Son Bin nodded as if he understood. The one who complained was unexpectedly No-gun.

“This is a bit much for my age.”

No-gun said, looking a little uncomfortable. Just as Son Bin was about to ask if he was uncomfortable with the Pleasure House, No-gun continued.

“Shall we go up?”

Son Bin gave a wry smile at No-gun’s urging gaze.

“Shall we?”

That was the moment Son Bin answered.

Crash!

A sound of something breaking erupted from the second floor.

“Kyaa!”

Pieces of wood and dishes fell on people’s heads. And a young man was falling down with them.

Tak.

No-gun lightly stomped his foot. No-gun’s body seemed to soar upwards, and he caught the falling young man with one hand, spinning him in the air.

Whir.

With the young man in one hand, No-gun lightly landed on the floor. Then he clicked his tongue.

“What’s with this guy? Why is he suddenly falling on other people’s heads?”

No-gun shook his hand, and the young man fell to the floor as if collapsing. The young man didn’t move, as if he had lost consciousness.

Swish.

No-gun, who had been grumbling, raised his head. And he stared with sharp eyes at the person standing between the broken railings on the second floor.

“Was it you? The one who threw trash around?”

The man was wearing a wide-brimmed bamboo hat, and when No-gun glared at him, he lowered the brim deeply to cover his face and turned around, disappearing into the curtain.

“What an ill-mannered fellow.”

No-gun clicked his tongue, but his eyes were shining sharply.

“Do you know who he is?”

Son Bin asked No-gun.

“No.”

No-gun frowned and replied.

“But he’s quite capable.”

It was not common for No-gun, of all people, to praise someone as ‘capable.’

Son Bin raised his head and looked towards the curtain where the man had disappeared, when three or four warriors ran in from the entrance.

“That way! It’s on the second floor.”

The neatly dressed servant pointed to the second floor and said to the warriors. The warriors glanced at Son Bin’s group, probably because of the man lying at No-gun’s feet, but immediately ran up to the second floor.

“They are warriors from the Namgung Clan.”

Moyong Lin said with a stiff face.

“Whoever he is, that person…”

Bang, Crash!

Before she could finish speaking, another sound erupted in quick succession.

“Ugh!”

“Kyaa!”

Again, debris poured down, but Son Bin’s group, who had roughly predicted the situation, dodged to the side. Son Bin gently pulled Moyong Lin’s sleeve to the side, as she was the only one who was surprised.

Crack, Bang, Crash.

“Cough.”

“Kuhuk.”

With short groans, the warriors fell from the second floor. The tables that caught them broke, and the dishes scattered, instantly causing chaos around them.

“Kyaa.”

“W-What’s going on!”

The people who thought the situation was over stood up in fear. Some of them were already leaving, and the servants were at a loss, running around in confusion.

Thud, thud.

The surroundings became quiet at the sound of small footsteps. It was because the person who had created this situation, the black-clothed warrior wearing a wide-brimmed bamboo hat, was coming down from the second floor.

Behind him followed a young lady. She looked like a precious young lady at a glance, but her shaded expression made her look somewhat melancholic.

Thud.

The warrior’s footsteps stopped. It was because Son Bin’s group, though unintentionally, was blocking his path. The warrior’s sharp gaze turned to Son Bin’s group, but No-gun snorted instead.

“Hmph.”

A sharp aura emanated from the black-clothed warrior in an instant. As if in response to No-gun’s snort, a chilling aura poured towards Son Bin’s group.

‘Ugh.’

Moyong Lin’s complexion turned pale. It was a murderous aura that seemed to break even the will to resist, let alone confront it. It was by no means easy for her to withstand such an aura, let alone No-gun.

It was at that moment.

“Wait.”

The voice was Son Bin’s. He stretched out one hand downwards, restraining someone.

The person who was crouching down under Son Bin’s hand, ready to jump out at any moment, was Seo-rin, who had a murderous glint in his eyes.

Eyes like flashing blades that seemed to spew flames at any moment. The appearance of a young and cute pretty boy was nowhere to be found.

Gritting.

A grating sound flowed from Seo-rin’s mouth, as if he was suppressing an intense impulse. He was openly revealing his hostility towards the black-clothed warrior.

“It’s okay.”

Rustle.

Son Bin slowly stroked Seo-rin’s head. Seo-rin’s eyes were still the same, but his aura was clearly diminishing.

As Seo-rin seemed to calm down, Son Bin raised his head. And he took a step forward.

Tak.

As Son Bin stood as if shielding the group, the warrior’s aura that had been pressing down on Moyong Lin disappeared as if it were a lie. It was as if a large wall was standing in front of her.

“Move aside.”

A heavy voice flowed from under the bamboo hat. The aura emanating from him, who had covered the upper part of his face with a wide brim, was still terribly murderous. It was enough to give Moyong Lin goosebumps on her arm.

“If you don’t move aside…”

Hoo-ooh.

The warrior’s words were not finished. At the same time as a grating sound flowed from Seo-rin’s mouth again, another chilling aura began to pour towards the warrior.

The protagonist of that aura was a slender girl wearing a veil, but her hostility, which penetrated the warrior’s skin, was by no means light.

The warrior gritted his teeth. He sensed that passing through this place would not be easy. His hand reaching for his sword was an instinctive reaction.

Swish.

It was at that moment.

“Arang. Stop.”

A soft and small voice was heard from behind the warrior.

“These people are not enemies.”

The owner of the voice was the young and pretty lady who was following the warrior. She was wearing a subtle red silk dress and holding a short cane-like object in one hand, with a bird that looked like a phoenix carved on the head of the cane.

“Is that right?”

She said, looking straight at Son Bin. The surroundings were all a mess, but there was no sign of panic in her appearance. However, her face was pale, perhaps because of the swirling aura.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Son Bin, who had been quietly looking at her, replied with a gentle expression. She smiled faintly.

“The situation is not good, so I want to leave this place. If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind moving aside?”

She said in a polite tone. Etiquette was ingrained in her small actions and voice.

Son Bin turned his head to look at No-gun. Since there was no particular reason to block them in the first place, No-gun had nothing to say.

Swish.

Exactly half a step, Son Bin stepped aside. He was still standing in a position that seemed to surround the group.

Thud.

The black-clothed warrior moved his steps. If he continued, his shoulder would bump into Son Bin, but Son Bin did not bother to avoid it. It was because he knew that he would not touch him.

Whizz.

The two passed each other with a paper-thin gap. The eyes of the black-clothed warrior and Son Bin met, but it was only for a fleeting moment.

Step, step.

“Thank you.”

The young lady who approached Son Bin said in a polite voice.

“You’re welcome.”

Son Bin bowed and replied politely. The young lady also bowed lightly and quietly passed by Son Bin.

Thud, thud.

As the backs of the two disappeared around the hallway, No-gun said.

“What a nasty look in his eyes. Arang? I’d rather believe he was Asura [a demon in Buddhist mythology].”

No-gun clicked his tongue as if dissatisfied.

“The smell of blood is still lingering.”

Son Bin also did not take his eyes off the place where the two had disappeared.

He didn’t know about the smell of blood, but he could clearly tell that the black-clothed warrior was no ordinary person. And the young lady, who was polite and courteous, as well.

After the two disappeared, the warriors of the Namgung Clan rushed in. But the situation was already over, and thanks to the quick response of the servants who had come to their senses, the Pleasure House had regained its usual appearance.

Swish.

Suddenly, Dang-wol-ah looked at Seo-rin. Seo-rin flinched at her gaze, and Dang-wol-ah handed something over.

Rustle.

It was the food she had received from the restaurants they had visited today. At the savory smell, Seo-rin hesitated but accepted the bundle, and Dang-wol-ah said quietly.

“Good job.”

Seo-rin was bewildered. He wondered what she was talking about out of the blue, but Seo-rin had a happy expression on his face with the food in his hand anyway.

“I’m sorry, customers. I’m really sorry.”

The servant came and apologized to the group repeatedly. He apologized repeatedly and led the group to the second floor.

Moyong Lin also stroked her surprised chest. As a martial artist who was also considered one of the top in the younger generation, she knew very well how terrifying the black-clothed warrior was.

The true colors that Seo-rin, who seemed immature, and the unknown girl from the Dang Clan had shown momentarily were also at a level that gave Moyong Lin goosebumps.

Moyong Lin suddenly looked at Son Bin’s back. He was just following the servant up the stairs.

His appearance, laughing and chatting with Seo-rin, Dang-wol-ah, and Nam-ak No-gun, came to mind. He was so ordinary and natural that she sometimes forgot that he was Great Hero Jin Ryong.

“Who are you?”

It was a word that came out without her knowing it. Even though she muttered it softly like a soliloquy, Son Bin, who was climbing the stairs, turned around.

“Pardon?”

Moyong Lin was also a little embarrassed by the unexpected situation.

“Ah, I mean… I was wondering if there was a need for you to step in when No-gun was there.”

It was a question that came out in a hurry to change the subject. But Son Bin replied with a gentle smile.

“Well, perhaps it was because I wanted to protect them.”

Son Bin asked Moyong Lin.

“Is that a problem?”

Moyong Lin shook her head. He smiled once, and Son Bin turned around and climbed the stairs again.

‘Well, that’s right. Considering his age and skill…’

When she thought about it, it was right for Son Bin to step in. Just like disciples escorting their head of family.

Sigh.

Moyong Lin followed Son Bin up the stairs.

But she had forgotten. She had felt that Son Bin’s back, which she had seen earlier, was like a large shadow, and that even No-gun had entered under it on his own.

She had not realized that the feeling at that time had unconsciously led to such a question.

Tap, tap.

The group, following the servant, settled in a relatively cozy space on the second floor.

The Pleasure House provided one dish for free as an apology. But thanks to Seo-rin eating so much of other things, the bill came out higher than expected, causing No-gun to frown.