A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 151

151. The Wind from the Northern Sea

Ding.

The door opened with a soft sound. The maidservant bowed respectfully to Dang Hwa-ryun and said,

“The Elder has arrived.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Dang Hwa-ryun, who had been sitting, stood up, a delighted expression on her face.

At that moment, a middle-aged man in luxurious clothing entered.

His well-groomed beard and hair were particularly striking. It was Dang Mun-won, who had returned from the Northern Sea.

“Welcome, Uncle Dang.”

“Dang Mun-won greets the Chief Military Officer.”

The middle-aged man, Dang Mun-won, bowed respectfully.

“There’s no need to be so formal with me. You’re my uncle.”

“Haha, even if you are my niece, you hold an important position in the family, so I cannot neglect proper etiquette.”

The middle-aged man, Dang Mun-won, laughed heartily.

“Please, have a seat.”

Dang Hwa-ryun offered him a seat. Dang Mun-won accepted. As he sat down, a maidservant brought tea as if she had been waiting.

“I heard you secured the trade rights to the Northern Sea?”

“That’s right.”

“Amazing.”

Her admiration was genuine.

“I heard that the Five Great Merchant Guilds have poured enormous wealth into obtaining the Northern Sea trade rights over the past few years. For you to bring back those rights, you’ve accomplished something truly remarkable.”

Dang Hwa-ryun smiled brightly. Her smiling face was radiant.

“And that’s not all. The Northern Sea Ice Palace has directly expressed its desire for reconciliation with the Five Great Families. The significance of that is by no means small.”

“You flatter me. The Ice Palace proposed this to all Five Great Families, so it’s not really a great achievement….”

“The result is what matters.”

Dang Hwa-ryun interrupted him.

“Uncle, you’ve brought the best possible result. Your reputation will greatly improve because of this.”

In fact, Dang Mun-won wasn’t a particularly noteworthy person. If he hadn’t been in the same faction as Dang Hwa-ryun, he would have been nothing more than a loafer living off the family name.

“Actually… there’s something I need to mention regarding this trade.”

Dang Mun-won said, slightly touching his forehead with his finger as if embarrassed.

“It seems that Wol-ah is the one who truly secured these trade rights.”

“Pardon?”

Hwa-ryun, who was raising her teacup, widened her eyes.

“Are you talking about my sister, Wol-ah?”

Dang Mun-won nodded.

“As I said, the Ice Palace offered trade rights to the Five Great Merchant Guilds, or rather, to all Five Great Families. And at the center of this movement is the Seventh Palace Lord of the Ice Palace. The very Seventh Palace Lord who has been shaking up the entire Northern Sea.”

Dang Mun-won said, taking a sip of tea and savoring the aroma.

“I had the opportunity to become close with some elders of the Northern Sea this time. They are elders of a fairly large tribe, and they mentioned that outsiders were invited to the last trial that the Seventh Palace Lord underwent. And among them, there was a young lady wearing a veil.”

“That’s….”

Before Dang Hwa-ryun could continue, Dang Mun-won said,

“And before the official letter from the Ice Palace arrived, Wol-ah informed me of the news regarding the Northern Sea trade rights. What does that mean?”

His eyes were filled with conviction.

“Wol-ah has a connection with the Seventh Palace Lord, who is a key figure in the Ice Palace. So much so that she was exceptionally invited to the Ice Palace’s exclusive event.”

“That’s wonderful.”

Hwa-ryun’s voice trembled slightly. Her eyes were shining fiercely.

“Isn’t the Seventh Palace Lord of the Ice Palace the person closest to the Ice Emperor’s throne? It’s already said that she’s practically the Empress of the Northern Sea.”

She is a figure who can instantly open up the Ice Palace’s notorious reclusiveness. The saying that she is no different from the Empress is no exaggeration.

“For such a person to be close to Wol-ah, this is something that I should go to the Northern Sea for myself, wouldn’t you say?”

That wasn’t just a polite remark. For Dang Hwa-ryun, joining hands with such a person was something that made her heart race.

“Ah, but the Seventh Palace Lord has left the Northern Sea.”

Dang Mun-won shook his head as if disappointed. For a moment, Dang Hwa-ryun couldn’t understand his words.

“Left? The Seventh Palace Lord? Why?”

“I don’t know. They say it’s the will of the Blue Wolf?”

“The Blue Wolf?”

Hwa-ryun asked back.

“They say she’s the only one who can receive the Ice Emperor’s blessing. I don’t know if it’s a custom of the Northern Sea or an old legend… but I’ve written down everything I’ve gathered here.”

Dang Mun-won took out a thick letter from his pocket. Dang Hwa-ryun unfolded the letter as soon as she received it.

Rustle.

While Dang Hwa-ryun was reading the letter, Dang Mun-won savored his tea and continued leisurely.

“The Seventh Palace Lord’s name is soaring in the Northern Sea right now. Her decision to leave the throne and seek the wisdom of the Blue Wolf is seen as a very noble choice among the older elders and chieftains.”

Hwa-ryun’s gaze stopped at one part of the letter.

“The eternal Empress of the Northern Sea, who left for the edge of the earth following the will of the Blue Wolf.”

“Some call her that. ‘The Eternal Empress.’ Anyway, the story of the Seventh Palace Lord is like a legend in the Northern Sea now. So much so that even the current Ice Emperor’s influence is growing stronger.”

Rustle.

“How disappointing.”

The letter crumpled in Dang Hwa-ryun’s slender, beautiful fingertips. A cold voice flowed from between Dang Hwa-ryun’s red lips.

“Does that mean she’s abandoning reality and chasing ideals? I don’t need an Empress like that. What I need is someone who can actually move the Northern Sea at this moment.”

Hwa-ryun’s sharp gaze was enough to make even the unrelated Dang Mun-won feel a chill.

“If she’s going to wander around in the clouds looking for some bottomless wisdom, then let her. Whether it’s a dragon or a Kirin [a mythical hooved creature], it’s just a useless beast if I can’t ride it.”

Hwa-ryun roughly placed the letter she was holding on the desk. Several letters scattered across the desk with the force.

“Ahem.”

Dang Mun-won coughed awkwardly. For some reason, Dang Hwa-ryun’s reaction to the Seventh Palace Lord’s choice was very prickly.

“Well, the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] is discussing whether to send a formal envoy to the Northern Sea Ice Palace as a result of this….”

“Just pick someone suitable and send them. It would be nice if you could take the trouble this time as well, Uncle Dang.”

Hwa-ryun said, bringing the teacup to her lips without even looking at him. It was a completely different, cold attitude from before when she said she would go herself. Dang Mun-won gave a bitter smile.

“Ah, and the merchant guild asked which way they should share information and give rewards.”

“Didn’t we decide to give the trade tax to the Ice Palace?”

“No, not that.”

Dang Mun-won shook his hand.

“The Five Great Merchant Guilds have decided to share information and give rewards separately to the Seventh Palace Lord. Of course, it will be something qualitatively very different from what they give to the Ice Palace.”

Dang Mun-won’s eyes were meaningful. Dang Hwa-ryun also understood the meaning well.

That ‘reward’ will certainly be smaller than the trade tax. But it is giving the most brilliant and valuable part to the Seventh Palace Lord. Whether it is wealth or information.

“But you said the Seventh Palace Lord has left?”

“That’s what’s strange.”

Dang Mun-won tilted his head.

“The Zhuge Family seemed to have some kind of separate connection with the Seventh Palace Lord. It seems to be a few steps removed, though. And the same goes for the Namgung Family and the Hyeokryun Family. Even the Gongson Family didn’t seem particularly flustered by this.”

Hwa-ryun was lost in thought for a moment. But soon, she let out a burst of laughter. Because something had come to her mind.

“It’s Cheonoecheon [Outer History] again.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing.”

Hwa-ryun changed the subject. But now she was convinced.

Who exactly did the Seventh Palace Lord, who left to seek wisdom, come into contact with? Why did she make such a choice?

There is only one possible target.

It is the Outer History.

‘Has she had her heart stolen by the world above the clouds?’

Hwa-ryun, who was inwardly sneering, said,

“Just send it to Wol-ah.”

“What do you mean….”

“Tell the merchant guild. Tell them that the information sharing and rewards they were going to give to the Seventh Palace Lord should be given to Dang Mun’s Dang Wol-ah. You’re the one who said that Wol-ah has a connection with the Seventh Palace Lord, Uncle.”

“Ah, I see.”

Dang Mun-won understood only then. Come to think of it, didn’t he say that?

“That’s right. I said something foolish. I’ll tell the merchant guild that.”

Clatter.

Hwa-ryun put down the teacup.

“Thank you for coming all the way here.”

Hwa-ryun stood up first. It meant that she was ending the conversation now, so Dang Mun-won also put down his teacup and stood up awkwardly.

“The Grand Council will soon discuss the rewards for this. You can look forward to it.”

“Th, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Hwa-ryun lightly bowed her head. Dang Mun-won also bowed his head and moved his steps outside.

But at that moment, a sentence from the scattered letters on the desk suddenly caught Dang Hwa-ryun’s eye.

“Wait.”

A short voice stopped Dang Mun-won’s steps. Dang Mun-won turned his head.

“Huh? Why?”

Rustle.

Hwa-ryun picked up a letter.

“Was the Seventh Palace Lord of the Ice Palace, Sa Soo-yeon, the Sword Saintess?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s what they said? I’ve never seen the Sword Saintess, so….”

Hwa-ryun’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed.

‘Sword Saintess Sa Soo-yeon….’

It was definitely a name she remembered. She definitely saw that name in the report about the Jiangnan Dragon Phoenix Gathering [a martial arts tournament] not long ago.

“If you need more accurate information, I can….”

“No, it’s okay.”

Hwa-ryun’s firm voice flowed out.

“Thank you for your trouble.”

“Oh, okay. Alright.”

After finishing her words, Dang Hwa-ryun turned her gaze back to the letter. Dang Mun-won hesitated for a moment and then left. Because it was certain that she had no more business with him.

Left alone, Dang Hwa-ryun stared intently at the name written on the letter. Other than the Jiangnan Dragon Phoenix Gathering, there were no other memories that came to mind in relation to that name.

‘The young palace lord of the Northern Sea is hiding her identity and traveling the Gangho [martial arts world].’

It is certainly something to be aware of. But if it’s just an individual wandering around the Gangho, then it doesn’t mean much.

Sword Saintess Sa Soo-yeon did not form a force in the Murim, nor did she leave behind any significant achievements that could not be ignored. It’s just about that much, just something that would be mentioned once or twice in the mouths of gossipers.

‘Perhaps Wol-ah got to know the Seventh Palace Lord at the Jiangnan Dragon Phoenix Gathering.’

That was probably the case. Dang Wol-ah was definitely there at the Jiangnan Dragon Phoenix Gathering.

Considering that Dang Wol-ah was close to the Seventh Palace Lord in the Northern Sea, it is a plausible story.

‘So that’s why Wol-ah went to the Northern Sea.’

Her sister’s sudden trip to the Northern Sea now made sense.

‘If so, it might be a good thing.’

She has no interest in the dragon above the clouds that she cannot ride.

But if that dragon is within Dang Wol-ah’s reach, the problem is different. Dang Hwa-ryun smiled.

“But….”

Hwa-ryun’s red lips twitched, letting out a small sound. Her gaze was fixed on the words Sa Soo-yeon written on the letter.

“Somehow, it’s an unpleasant name.”

This creeping discomfort in her heart was the same as when she heard the Seventh Palace Lord’s choice. But she was not even aware of it.

The fact that someone’s appearance had momentarily flashed through her mind a little while ago.

It was also that it was the appearance of an absolute being looking down on her from that high place, and a scholar who shamelessly gave advice by his side.

“Unpleasant.”

Her beautiful eyebrows were slightly furrowed. A vague sense of discomfort was enveloping her entirely. But she still didn’t realize why she was feeling bad.

* * *

A white-haired servant quietly approached and bowed his head. Nanhyang, a beautiful woman who was gazing at the garden and lost in thought, raised her head. Her ornate hair ornaments sparkled and swayed.

“News has arrived from Hangzhou.”

“News sent by the Garden Lord.”

Nanhyang murmured. Her low voice was as sweet as a dream.

“Tell me.”

“Pil-ong of the Zhuge Family has entrusted the reward and letter to Nammok Old Master to Yewon.”

“To Old Master?”

“Yes.”

Nanhyang was lost in thought for a moment.

“And?”

The news sent by the Garden Lord could not be just that.

“The Gongson Family has also entrusted the reward and letter to Old Master.”

Nanhyang’s eyes twinkled.

“Is that perhaps related to this Northern Sea trade rights?”

“The Garden Lord seems to think so.”

Yewon never asks why. But it is by no means that they know nothing.

This is because Yewon is the only place that knows the Outer History that the world does not know.

“Old Master.”

Nanhyang repeated in a clear voice. Her voice was like singing.

“Since Nammok Old Master is not in Nammok, who would know his whereabouts? Come to think of it, a new Outer History level expert has appeared in Nammok, haven’t they? They called him the Half Sword Ghost?”

“Yes.”

“Yewon is not the same as before.”

Nanhyang sighed lightly and touched the glass in front of her. A soft fragrance wafted from the beautifully decorated antique teacup.

“When the Four Heavenly Outer History visited Yewon, all the Outer History level experts in the world listened here. Because it was the only place where stories about those who would determine the fate of the world were allowed. At that time, Yewon was the center of the world.”

She shook her head.

“But now there are Outer History level experts who are unrelated to Yewon, and they didn’t even know that the Northern Sea trade rights would be granted to the Five Great Families. How can this be called the center of the world?”

Nanhyang raised her eyes and looked at the old servant.

“The Namgung Family and the Hyeokryun Family, and the Dang Family, must have sent the same thing to Old Master, right?”

“No, they didn’t.”

The servant said.

“The Dang Family did not send anything. And the Namgung Family and the Hyeokryun Family entrusted the reward and letter to a person named Son Bin….”

Clang.

The glass fell over and the tea spilled. It was because Nanhyang jumped up from her seat.

The tea spread over the blue silk, but Nanhyang didn’t care. Her eyes were shaking as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Now… who did you say?”

“It’s Son Bin.”

Nanhyang’s red lips trembled slightly.

“The Emperor’s Companion.”

Her voice was also trembling.

“The one who watches and records, and the only one who is allowed to know everything about the Emperor.”

Nanhyang bit her lip. She clearly remembered. Saja Hyuk’s words, ‘Listen to him.’

“Did Pil-ong go to the Northern Sea?”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t he say anything else? Who did he meet in the Northern Sea?”

“He didn’t say anything.”

“That’s a pity.”

Nanhyang clenched her fists as if frustrated.

“Why don’t they tell me anymore? Pil-ong and Eo-ong.”

Janggang Eo-ong said that he met someone walking the path of the Emperor. But that was it, and nothing more could be found out.

“I have to send someone to the Northern Sea.”

“Young Lady.”

Discomfort lingered in the eyes of the expressionless old servant.

“Interference with the Outer History or those around them is forbidden by Yewon.”

“I know.”

Nanhyang said coldly.

“But listening to rumors that are floating around is not forbidden. In fact, as long as they don’t feel unpleasant, nothing is a problem.”

Yewon does not ask. That is why it can exist.

And with that alone, Yewon could have great power. Knowing about the hidden great power that moves the world is the same as knowing how the world will move.

“But there’s no law that says Yewon has to rely on the Outer History forever. Isn’t that right?”

The old servant shrugged slightly. Essentially, Yewon exists in the shadow of the Outer History. Nanhyang is questioning that major premise.

“I am….”

“No, no.”

Nanhyang shook her head.

“I was just saying it. I was too… frustrated.”

Looking up at the sky, Nanhyang put her hands together on her chest and sighed lightly. It was a small movement, but it was a beauty that could shake the hearts of those who saw it.

“I didn’t know it would be so heartbreaking that the Emperor wasn’t here. Can’t he suddenly appear like he did then?”

Nanhyang, who was looking up at the sky, turned her head and faced the old servant.

“The Garden Lord must also be looking for Son Bin’s whereabouts, right?”

“An order has already been issued to all twelve Young Lords of Yewon, including you, Young Lady.”

“Yeah….”

Nanhyang, who was repeating as if whispering, quietly smiled. A sad smile like falling petals.

“I hope he remembers. The glass of wine I offered on the day the petals fall….”

Swaaa.

A gust of wind blew into the Swaeokjeong [pavilion name].

Nanhyang’s beautiful appearance, with her hands clasped together and her beautiful hair fluttering, was so poignant. But only her eyes were shining quietly.