A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 179

179. The Great Art (2)

Rustle.

The scroll of paper unfolded with a soft rustle. Old Man No frowned as he sipped his tea.

“What is this?”

“It’s as you see it,” Hwa-wol, the head of Yewon [a renowned courtesan house], said with a smile.

“I don’t understand even when I look at it?”

As Old Man No pointed out, it was neither a book nor a letter.

It was a list of seemingly unrelated items, like a document you might find in a merchant guild.

“Oh my, isn’t this the name of a porcelain?” Jeok Se-hwa, who was looking from behind, pointed to a section of the list.

“The one with the beautiful blue petal pattern, the one that’s priceless in Gangnam [a wealthy area] these days.”

Jeok Se-hwa, her eyes sparkling, immediately pointed to another place. “It’s here too. This side is all luxury silk, and that side is rare medicinal herbs. Ah, this seems to be something from a foreign land?”

The contents and items varied, but they shared a clear commonality.

They were all extremely expensive and precious.

Seeing them in person would be astonishing.

But now, they were just words on a scroll, so Seorin and Dang Mo-ah didn’t seem very interested.

“What the hell is this?” Old Man No asked, urging an explanation. Hwa-wol answered quietly, “It’s a list of gifts that arrived for Young Master Son.”

“Gifts?”

“And this is…” Rustle.

Another scroll unfurled.

“These are the ones that came for Elder No.”

Only then did Old Man No understand what Hwa-wol was implying.

“Ah, that Phil-ong [likely a name] said he would leave it at Yewon, is that what you mean?”

“Yes,” Hwa-wol said with a bow.

Son Bin had treated a member of the Jegal Clan in Bukhae [a region]. Phil-ong, Jegal Ryeon, had said he would leave the reward at Yewon, and this seemed to be what he meant.

“Let’s see.” Old Man No pulled his scroll closer. Indeed, in the middle, there was a considerable amount of gold sent to Old Man No under the name of Phil-ong, Jegal Ryeon.

“This is Bin’s. But what are these that the Jegal Clan and Gongson Clan sent me?”

Hwa-wol smiled and replied, “It’s related to the trade rights in Bukhae. The names of the clans are written, but in fact, they were sent by the Five Great Merchant Guilds.”

“Why to me… Ah.” Muttering, Old Man No realized something. He looked back at Sa Su-yeon with a wry smile. “This is yours.”

“Mine?” Sa Su-yeon’s eyes widened.

“It was sent as a sign of gratitude for the trade. From the young lady of the Bukhae Ice Palace [a powerful organization],” Hwa-wol added with a smile, slightly bending her knees to Sa Su-yeon as a sign of respect.

Sa Su-yeon bowed her head to Hwa-wol in return, but she couldn’t shake off her confusion.

“But the trade tax goes to the Ice Palace…”

“Not the clan,” Old Man No said casually. “So this is… an expression of the Five Great Merchant Guilds’ desire to maintain a friendly relationship in the future. If you show your gratitude around this point, they will send it directly to you from now on without bothering to go through the clan.”

“Next time?” Sa Su-yeon frowned. Old Man No shrugged.

“Yes, next time. It will probably keep coming as long as the trade is maintained. They’ll think it’s a big deal if only their guild is left out.”

“T, this much continuously…?” Jeok Se-hwa said with a surprised face. At a glance, the list seemed endless.

“It’s just a drop in the bucket. It’s the trade rights of Bukhae, after all. Compared to the profits that will be gained from the trade, it’s just a small part.”

“This much continuously…” Jeok Se-hwa was dumbfounded. Just a portion of this list would far exceed the assets of the Hoyeon Martial Clan.

“Even though I told them they didn’t have to…” At Sa Su-yeon’s words, Old Man No chuckled.

“Originally, the more you have, the more anxious you are. The anxiety of what if only they fall behind.”

“These also came with it.” Hwa-wol took out a few thin letters and handed them to Sa Su-yeon politely. Sa Su-yeon unfolded the tightly sealed letters.

“This is… news about Bukhae.”

The letters briefly contained recent news from Bukhae.

“Hehe, they’re going to do the same for you as they do for the Bukhae Ice Palace. How thoughtful of them,” Old Man No said with a smirk.

Sa Su-yeon had requested that the Five Great Merchant Guilds inform the Ice Palace of the public sentiment in Bukhae.

This was, so to speak, a summary of it, just like these gifts were a miniature version of the trade tax.

“What should I do?” Sa Su-yeon asked Old Man No with a troubled expression. Even for her, this much wealth was burdensome.

“Whatever you want to do,” Old Man No shrugged.

“If you don’t like it, return it, and if you feel bad, get angry. Or tell them it’s not enough and ask them to give more. Hehehe.”

Sa Su-yeon gave a wry smile.

“If I receive this, won’t they try to trade at a higher price?”

“Then if you don’t receive it, do you think they’ll cut it down?”

Sa Su-yeon had no response to Old Man No’s words, because it didn’t seem like they would at all.

“If you were a manager of the Ice Palace, you could say that attitude is right. But this is an external affair,” Old Man No grinned. “Just do whatever you want.”

‘Whatever I want…’ Sa Su-yeon was lost in thought for a moment.

“How about this?” Suddenly, Hwa-wol, the head of Yewon, said in a calm voice. “Yewon is used to dealing with merchant guilds. We are not lacking in managing large amounts of wealth. If you wish, we can handle matters related to the Five Great Merchant Guilds on your behalf.”

“That would be good.” Sa Su-yeon’s decision was quick. She was thinking that it was meaningless to return it anyway.

“Leave what’s coming to Elder No and Young Master Son as it is. And from now on, I would like the head of Yewon to manage the things that come.”

“Why would I receive something that’s not mine?” Old Man No frowned. But Sa Su-yeon smiled.

“According to what you said, it seems that the rewards for the two of you are also included. Isn’t that right?”

At Sa Su-yeon’s words, Old Man No chuckled. “You’re learning fast?”

As she said, this gift was also a reward for Old Man No and Son Bin, who had played a role in the middle.

“Thank you for entrusting it to me,” Hwa-wol bent her knees and bowed to Sa Su-yeon. “I will do my best not to betray your trust.”

Sa Su-yeon bowed her head in return. “You’re welcome. Rather, I’m grateful.”

It was sudden, but there was no place to store this many items right away. Just looking at the list was exhausting.

“Ah.” Sa Su-yeon, who was looking at the items written on the scroll, lit up her eyes. “Young Master Son will like this.”

“Yes. Knowing that, I brought it in advance,” Hwa-wol also smiled and replied. At the place where the two people’s eyes stopped, the words ‘Seven-Stringed Zither’ were written in neat handwriting.

*

*

*

It had already been almost a month since Shin-ui [a doctor] and Jang Gang Eo-ong [likely a name] had left.

“Already? How did so much time pass?” At Old Man No’s words, Jeok Se-hwa replied, “There was a meeting of the Twelve Yewon Beauties in the middle.”

It had already been almost ten days since the meeting of the Twelve Yewon Beauties had ended. Considering the time spent before that, it was almost the promised month.

“Hmm, that’s right. Then a letter to the Seowon [a type of private academy]…”

“I wrote it earlier,” Jeok Se-hwa said. After all, the Seowon was currently being taken care of by her brother, Jeok Se-ho, so it was more natural for her to write.

“I’ll ask the head of Yewon to send it to the Seowon tomorrow.”

“Okay, thank you,” Old Man No said. He actually hated troublesome things like sending letters, so he was even more grateful to Jeok Se-hwa for taking care of things.

But Jeok Se-hwa couldn’t send the letter, because the very next day, Shin-ui and Jang Gang Eo-ong returned.

Thud, thud.

The two people entering the detached house were haggard. However, their eyes were gleaming, and the servant who was guiding them was terrified just by looking at them.

“Oh, you’re here?” Old Man No’s greeting to the two was simple.

Old Man No picked up the teapot and walked to the table in the garden.

“Sir Shin-ui! Elder Eo-ong!” Jeok Se-hwa discovered the two and approached in surprise.

“Hmm, have you been well?” Shin-ui asked Jeok Se-hwa.

“Yes. No, there were a few things that happened… Are you two okay?”

“We’re fine. Give us some tea.” Shin-ui and Eo-ong sat down opposite Old Man No. Jeok Se-hwa immediately prepared tea.

Sa Su-yeon, Dang Mo-ah, and Seorin, who were in the house, also came out. Sa Su-yeon couldn’t hide her surprised expression at Shin-ui’s haggard appearance.

“Sir Shin-ui!”

“Ah! It’s the grandpa who was lying down,” Seorin looked at him with surprised eyes. Dang Mo-ah also bowed her head to the two without a word.

“Who is this child?” The person Jang Gang Eo-ong was interested in was Sa Su-yeon.

“Sa Su-yeon. The daughter of Muje [likely a name].”

“Muje’s!” Jang Gang Eo-ong’s slender eyes widened. Sa Su-yeon bowed her head to Eo-ong.

“I am Sa Su-yeon.”

“I am an old man named Jang Gang Eo-ong.”

Eo-ong stared at Sa Su-yeon as if observing her.

“What is your relationship with Bin-i?”

“Why do you need to know?” At Shin-ui’s blunt answer, Eo-ong frowned.

“Surely it’s not an inappropriate relationship? In general, the righteous sect should be upright and exemplary…”

“Is it right for a righteous person to pry into other people’s private relationships?”

“W, well, it’s not like that.” Eo-ong coughed in vain.

“Mind your own business. They’ll take care of it themselves. There’s nothing as futile as interfering in other people’s love affairs,” At Shin-ui’s words, Old Man No smirked.

“A guy who’s never even held a woman’s wrist is talking so well?”

At Old Man No’s words, Shin-ui’s brow furrowed.

“Why wouldn’t I have?”

“Except for patients.”

Shin-ui couldn’t answer. In the meantime, Hwa-wol, the head of Yewon, heard the news and came out to the detached house.

“Sir Shin-ui, Elder Eo-ong,” Hwa-wol bowed to the two with a surprised yet welcoming expression. Shin-ui and Eo-ong also lightly bowed their heads in response to her greeting.

With the whole group gathered, it was quite crowded. Shin-ui and Eo-ong also washed away their long fatigue with warm tea and looked much more comfortable.

“By the way, where’s Bin-i?”

At Shin-ui’s words, the surroundings became quiet.

“Sleeping,” Old Man No answered. Shin-ui’s eyebrows twitched.

“He’s not the type to sleep until this late afternoon, so something must have happened,” Shin-ui, who was the first to wake up in the morning even at the Seowon, said to Old Man No, who was subtly avoiding his gaze.

“I clearly told you not to let anything happen?”

“I, if you wake him up, he’ll wake up?” Old Man No’s answer lacked strength or persuasiveness.

Clatter.

Shin-ui put down the teacup and stood up from his seat.

“I have to see the patient.”

“Are you going to touch someone in that state?” Old Man No frowned. Only then did Shin-ui realize that he was in a very dirty state.

“That’s right.”

“I’ll prepare so you can wash,” Hwa-wol, the head of Yewon, quickly got up. She had the servants prepare water to wash and new clothes to change into.

After a while, Shin-ui appeared looking like a completely different person. Shin-ui, who was tall and had a large build, looked like a magnificent high-ranking official.

Jang Gang Eo-ong originally had a weak physique, and he was wearing his old clothes as they were, so he didn’t seem to have changed much. He said it was to refrain from extravagance and vanity, but according to Old Man No, it was just because he liked the clothes.

Click.

The group entered Son Bin’s residence. Although there were eight people in the group, no one made a sound.

Thud, thud.

Shin-ui approached Son Bin without hesitation. Shin-ui, who was quietly observing his sleeping figure, looked back at Old Man No.

“Wake him up.”

“He’ll wake up if you call him.”

Shin-ui frowned, wondering what he meant.

But the other members of the group were also nodding their heads at Old Man No’s words.

Shin-ui carefully said to the sleeping Son Bin, “Bin-ah.”

Sparkle.

Like a lie, Son Bin opened his eyes. He turned his head to look at Shin-ui and smiled.

“Sir Shin-ui.”

Seorin quickly approached and supported Son Bin. Son Bin got up from his seat and sat down.

“You’ve arrived. And Elder Eo-ong as well.” Son Bin discovered Eo-ong and bowed his head. He didn’t look like someone who had been sleeping until just now.

“Let me check your pulse.”

“Please sit down first,” Son Bin said.

Only then did Shin-ui realize that everyone was standing. The group brought chairs from here and there and sat down, and Shin-ui also sat next to the bed and checked Son Bin’s pulse.

“Hmm.”

“It’s not bad,” Son Bin said in advance.

“Yes. But it’s not good either,” Shin-ui didn’t frown unexpectedly.

“Life is truly hanging by a thread.”

The group’s faces darkened in an instant.

The words ‘hanging by a thread’ meant that he could lose his life in an instant, meaning he was very critical.

“W, what does that mean…” Hwa-wol asked stammeringly. But Shin-ui didn’t answer. Shin-ui stared straight at Son Bin and said.

“If there is a disease or blockage of qi and blood, the patient’s condition is very bad, so you should treat it with acupuncture and medicine, but you should be careful not to harm the patient by making the medicine too strong. Sometimes, it is necessary to nourish the body first.”

Shin-ui continued calmly, as if giving a lecture.

“But if a person loses consciousness and their life is hanging by a thread, you must immediately perform the Great Art without delay, because returning life is the most important thing above all else.”

The group could understand what Shin-ui was saying. It meant that Son Bin’s condition was so critical that he had to perform a great medical procedure without delay.

“The Great Art?” Old Man No frowned.

“Usually, you would stick a large needle into vital points like the head or heart, but…”

Jeok Se-hwa, who was listening, covered her mouth with her hand. Sa Su-yeon’s complexion also changed, and Hwa-wol’s expression turned blue. It was a terrifying prescription just to hear about.

“But in this case, you have to shock not the internal organs but the true energy directly.”

“I, is it that serious?” Jeok Se-hwa asked stammeringly with difficulty, because looking at Son Bin’s expression now, he didn’t look any different from an ordinary person.

“Yes. This I…” Shin-ui said with a calm expression, but his eyes were shaking violently.

“I… it’s hard to find his pulse.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say that if things continued like this, he would surely die soon, because Son Bin’s eyes looking at Shin-ui now were so gentle.

“If you shock the true energy, what are you talking about?” Old Man No said in a heavy voice.

“It’s as it sounds. Just like stabbing the heart with a large needle, it’s directly shocking Bin-i’s true energy with strong internal energy.”

“If it goes wrong?”

“He dies.”

No one could open their mouths. A heavy silence flowed, and Son Bin opened his mouth quietly.

“Please do it,” Son Bin said with a gentle smile.

“I’m starting to get tired of sleeping anyway.”

It seemed like a joke, but no one laughed. It was because they acknowledged that Shin-ui’s judgment was correct.

Now, performing the Great Art had become inevitable, the Great Art that Son Bin risked his life on.

“Who among you has the strongest internal energy?” Shin-ui asked Old Man No. He probably guessed it would be Old Man No, but Old Man No shook his head.

“I am excellent at the operation of internal energy, but if you only consider the internal energy itself, it is these two,” The people Old Man No pointed to were Sa Su-yeon and Dang Mo-ah.

“Rin-i is also quite good, but she hasn’t completely made it her own yet. But it’s better than when we first met,” Seorin tucked her neck in as if she was sorry.

“Made it her own?” Jang Gang Eo-ong asked.

“I heard that that guy was the disciple who guarded the last of the True Man [likely a title],” At Old Man No’s words, Jang Gang Eo-ong’s eyes widened.

If that was the case, Seorin had inherited everything from Hwanghak Jin-in, one of the Heavenly Outer Four Sages [titles]. Only then could Eo-ong understand why Old Man No hadn’t even mentioned himself.

“Can’t we all do it together?” Seorin asked Shin-ui. Shin-ui shook his head.

“It’s not good if multiple energies are mixed. You have to do it with only one energy.”

“Then the answer is out,” Old Man No said without hesitation. “It’s cold energy.”

Not only Sa Su-yeon but also Dang Mo-ah looked at Old Man No with puzzled expressions. But Old Man No looked at the window instead of them.

“Are you there?” Old Man No shouted outside.

“I need you too. Come in quickly.”

The group’s gaze turned to the window, but there was nothing outside the window except the afternoon sunlight.

“W, who are you…?” It was when Jeok Se-hwa, who had been waiting, carefully opened her mouth.

Rustle.

With a very small sound, someone landed in front of the door. And at the same time, white frost began to spread on the door frame.

“But,” A low woman’s voice echoed. White clothes, long black hair, and a sword cherished in her chest.

“I told you not to come near me…” She, who was turning her head to avoid the group’s gaze, was none other than Geom-hui [likely a name].