A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 298

Oruhan, holding Shinui, gently descended in front of Sa Su-yeon. The Bukhae Twelve Bi [Twelve elite warriors from Bukhae] arrived in succession behind her.

Oruhan carefully set Shinui down and knelt on one knee before Sa Su-yeon.

“Young Palace Lord.”

Following her lead, the Bukhae Twelve Bi also knelt in unison, paying their respects.

“Young Palace Lord!”

Sa Su-yeon chuckled softly, watching Oruhan kneel.

Unlike the Bukhae Twelve Bi, Oruhan wasn’t strictly required to pay respects to the Young Palace Lord.

However, Oruhan was using this gesture to express her vow to protect Sa Su-yeon.

“Please rise, Oruhan. And all of you, rise as well.”

Oruhan stood, and the Bukhae Twelve Bi followed suit. The expressions on the faces of the Bukhae Twelve Bi, as they looked at Sa Su-yeon, were radiant. Among them, Oruhan’s eyes couldn’t hide her deep emotion.

Rustle.

Sa Su-yeon stepped forward and embraced Oruhan. Oruhan seemed momentarily surprised but soon carefully returned the embrace.

“It’s been a while, Oruhan.”

Oruhan smiled at Sa Su-yeon’s voice in her ear.

“Yes, it has been a while.”

Oruhan’s expression was as content as a grandmother hugging her grown granddaughter. The tears welling up in her eyes were likely an expression of joy.

After savoring the reunion for a moment, Oruhan quietly stepped back. Then, she knelt on one knee again, facing Son Bin.

“Oruhan greets the Azure Wolf.”

“We greet the Azure Wolf!”

The clear voices of the kneeling Bukhae Twelve Bi echoed.

Son Bin was taken aback by the respect shown by Oruhan and the Bukhae Twelve Bi.

“There’s really no need to do this…”

“That is not so.”

Oruhan raised her head and looked directly at Son Bin as she spoke.

“Which son or daughter of Bukhae would dare not pay respects to the Azure Wolf?”

Oruhan’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Son Bin. The warm grandmother who had just been rejoicing and shedding tears was nowhere to be seen.

As it seemed impossible to refuse, Son Bin sighed inwardly and gave a gentle smile.

“Thank you. Please rise.”

“Yes.”

Oruhan and the Bukhae Twelve Bi bowed their heads in gratitude before rising.

“Wow, you seem even more impressive now.”

“The Young Palace Lord must have taken good care of you. You look much healthier than before.”

“Didn’t you get taller in the meantime?”

The greetings from the Bukhae Twelve Bi girls poured in on Son Bin, while Delbe and Naran looked around, searching for someone.

“Ah, Seo-rin is elsewhere for a while. You’ll be able to see her later.”

Son Bin said, remembering how they had been particularly fond of Seo-rin back in Bukhae. Delbe and Naran blushed slightly, looking a bit embarrassed, and quietly bowed their heads in gratitude.

Son Bin turned his head and spoke to Oruhan with a respectful attitude.

“Thank you for coming such a long way to this place, Oruhan.”

Oruhan smiled.

“No one would refuse a request from the Azure Wolf. Bingje [Leader of Bukhae] also gladly agreed and sent me and the Bukhae Twelve Bi here.”

“Is that so? Then…”

“Yes.”

Oruhan nodded, her eyes gleaming.

“Everything will be done as the Azure Wolf commands.”

“Thank you.”

It was a request, not an order, but Son Bin thanked Oruhan nonetheless.

“Bingje said that once everything is settled, you should visit Bukhae.”

“I understand. If possible, I will definitely do so.”

At Son Bin’s reply, Oruhan smiled and turned to look at Sa Su-yeon.

“Bingje also sent her regards to the Young Palace Lord. And Chilbi and Ibi also asked to send their greetings. Sar-nae and Nami even had tears in their eyes.”

Familiar faces flashed before Sa Su-yeon’s eyes. Tears welled up in Sa Su-yeon’s eyes as well.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Oruhan gently reached out and wiped away the tears from Sa Su-yeon’s eyes.

Oruhan, who had been looking at Sa Su-yeon with such a soft smile, turned her head towards Son Bin.

“So, what shall we do now?”

“Yes?”

Son Bin looked at Shinui with a puzzled expression. Shinui said with a calm expression.

“You all can help me protect the patients and monitor the area to prevent any fights or attacks. There will also be people who can’t find their way out because of the fog, so light torches in various places.”

“Ugh, so it’s basically house-sitting?”

“No fun.”

Amidst the grumbling girls, Oruhan’s sharp gaze turned to Shinui.

“Didn’t you say you lost the letter?”

“That’s right.”

“You also said that the only way is to hear it directly?”

“Because I didn’t see that letter.”

“Then why didn’t you say you knew the contents?”

“Because I wanted to be with you.”

Shinui said without a moment’s hesitation.

“I wanted to know what kind of person you are, what you like, and what you dislike. That’s why I asked you to come with me.”

Oruhan was speechless at Shinui’s confident answer.

But in the end, Shinui had deceived Oruhan. Just as Oruhan was about to get angry, Shinui bowed his head to Oruhan.

“But it’s also true that I didn’t tell you. I’m sorry for deceiving you.”

Since he apologized first, the justification for getting angry disappeared. But that didn’t mean the anger had subsided.

“How can you, as a doctor, be so reckless…”

“Do you like children?”

“What?”

Oruhan frowned at Shinui’s sudden question.

“I originally disliked ill-mannered children. But strangely, I’ve started to find them cute these days. I also like seeing them running around energetically in the yard and watching them grow taller day by day. What about you?”

“Who dislikes cute children?”

Oruhan replied curtly.

“Besides, when it comes to being energetic, can anyone compare to the children of Bukhae? Compared to them, the children here are all…”

“Is that so?”

Shinui’s expression suddenly became serious. He stroked his chin with one hand and muttered to himself.

“But based on what I felt earlier, you’re already past your childbearing years. So, unfortunately, you’ll have to give up on having children.”

“What are you saying!”

Oruhan flared up. She was already angry with him, so Oruhan lashed out at Shinui.

“Is it only my children if I give birth to them? Children born from the heart are also my children. If you want children, you can adopt sons or daughters as many as you want. How can you carelessly say to give up? This land’s frustrating obsession with bloodlines is simply…”

Oruhan stopped speaking abruptly. Not only Son Bin and Sa Su-yeon but also all of the Bukhae Twelve Bi were looking at her with surprised expressions.

Only Shinui nodded with a serious expression and asked Oruhan.

“What you say is very true. I was wrong. Then how many children would you like to have?”

Oruhan’s face turned bright red. At the same time, exclamations erupted from the Bukhae Twelve Bi.

“Wow, Master, you’re so cool.”

“Master, good luck!”

Oruhan desperately waved her hands at the cheering Bukhae Twelve Bi.

“Ah, no, that’s not it… Young Palace Lord! That’s not it.”

Sa Su-yeon, who was awkwardly smiling, glanced at Shinui and then spoke to Oruhan.

“Well, how should I put it? I understand because Shinui is a really good person, but still, isn’t it a bit premature to be talking about family planning already…”

Oruhan was frustrated. She was just refuting Shinui’s mistaken perception, but it ended up sounding like she was talking about family planning.

Son Bin still has a surprised expression, and Shinui is just serious. Moreover, the Bukhae Twelve Bi [elite warriors] are chattering and making a fuss among themselves.

Only Delbe and Naran, who are a bit older, are looking at Oruhan with sympathetic eyes.

Oruhan sighed. The situation is already irreversible. No matter how much Oruhan tries to explain here, it will only sound like an excuse.

“Blue Wolf.”

“Yes?”

Son Bin, who was still looking surprised, flinched and answered Oruhan.

“Do you have any other orders?”

“Ah, for now, Shinui’s words are enough…”

“Understood. Then I will step down now.”

Oruhan politely bowed to Son Bin. Son Bin inadvertently bowed back, and Shinui approached Oruhan.

“What is it?”

Oruhan asked with a sharp gaze, and Shinui answered.

“Shouldn’t you take me with you?”

“Find someone else.”

Oruhan turned away from Shinui and spoke coldly.

How could she not? Shinui is the person who made her suffer this humiliation. She has no intention of taking him in her arms.

“Then are you telling me to be held by another woman?”

Shinui’s thick eyebrows furrowed. However, Oruhan said with a stiff face.

“If you don’t like that, then walk. I’ll leave a few of my Bukhae Twelve Bi as escorts…”

“Even a moment can mean life or death for a patient.”

Shinui said with an even more serious look.

“What if a life that could have been saved is extinguished because of my delay? I know you’re very upset right now, but would you endanger someone else’s life because of that? Are you that kind of person?”

“Tch.”

Oruhan bit her lip. But Shinui’s words are correct. How can she call herself a master of the outer palace and a teacher of the Bukhae Twelve Bi if she can’t control her emotions?

The final blow was Shinui’s next words.

“Take me with you. I will repay today’s rudeness to you for the rest of my life.”

Oruhan frowned. How can this man so lightly utter words like ‘for the rest of my life’?

“Just so you know, you’re the first woman I’ve ever said I would repay for the rest of my life.”

Oruhan stared at Shinui for a moment and then let out a long sigh. It seemed there was no way to win against this man.

“Alright. I’ll do as you say.”

Oruhan turned around and bowed to Son Bin and Sa Su-yeon. The Bukhae Twelve Bi also bowed, and Son Bin and Sa Su-yeon politely returned the gesture.

“Then.”

After giving Sa Su-yeon a gentle smile, Oruhan held Shinui in one arm.

Just before being held, Oruhan glared at Shinui once, but Shinui remained calm.

Thud.

Oruhan and Shinui disappeared into the mist, and the Bukhae Twelve Bi followed behind.

As their figures completely disappeared, Son Bin muttered with a worried expression.

“Will they be alright? Oruhan seemed quite angry…”

“They’ll be fine.”

Sa Su-yeon replied with a smile.

“After all, Oruhan took Shinui with her personally. She didn’t leave him to someone else.”

‘Ah.’

Son Bin realized the meaning of Sa Su-yeon’s words. Oruhan was clearly angry, but in a way, it wasn’t her true feelings.

‘Shinui, good luck.’

Son Bin, who was cheering for Shinui in his heart, was secretly envious of him.

When will he be able to say that he likes someone so confidently?

Just thinking about it makes his heart race and his face turn red.

“Ah, it seems the fog is clearing.”

Suddenly, Sa Su-yeon’s voice awakened Son Bin.

Son Bin raised his head. The hazy sun revealed a clear circle, and the surroundings were definitely brighter than before. The scenery also seemed farther away than before.

“Indeed.”

Son Bin nodded and said to Sa Su-yeon.

“Then shall we go now?”

Sa Su-yeon thought for a moment and then carefully said to Son Bin.

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait for the others? If they have turned defensive as Lady Wol-ah said, there is a high possibility that they are waiting for Young Master Son. If it’s a trap…”

Son Bin smiled brightly.

“I am happy as long as I have Su-yeon by my side, but since you wish it, we shall do so.”

Sa Su-yeon’s heart fluttered slightly at those words.

Of course, she knows that’s not what he meant, but the reason it sounds like a confession is probably because she has such feelings herself.

Rustle.

Son Bin, unaware of Sa Su-yeon’s inner thoughts, took out the letters and began to examine them again carefully.

In fact, Son Bin was also secretly wondering if he should try to repeat the conversation from earlier.

But he doesn’t want to repeat the previous disaster, and when he thinks about it, now is not the time for that.

‘It’s a relief that it passed by vaguely.’

If Sa Su-yeon had realized Son Bin’s intentions, she might have been greatly disappointed.

As if trying to shake off his 잡념 [idle thoughts], Son Bin seriously examined the letters. And Sa Su-yeon, forgetting to be wary of her surroundings for a moment, watched Son Bin.

‘What a strange person.’

Perhaps that expression is not correct. But Son Bin is one of a kind in this world, a person who cannot be compared to anyone else.

His slightly disheveled hair, his shining eyes, his firmly closed mouth, and his neat jawline. The more she looks at him, the more amazing and surprising he is.

‘How can such a person exist?’

The person who saved her life in the snowy mountains. Not only did he rescue her from that terrible cold, but he also ran from the end of the earth to Bukhae just for her.

The only person who made Sa Su-yeon feel warmth in this meaningless world.

Sa Su-yeon couldn’t take her eyes off Son Bin.

Was it because he felt her gaze? Suddenly, Son Bin’s eyes met Sa Su-yeon’s.

As Sa Su-yeon blinked, Son Bin smiled softly at her.

‘Ah.’

Sa Su-yeon quickly turned her head away. Son Bin had a puzzled expression for a moment but soon turned his gaze back to the letters.

‘Goodness, what am I thinking in this situation…’

Now is not the time to be 넋을 잃고 [넋을 잃고] looking at Son Bin. Above all, doesn’t she have the important responsibility of protecting him?

Sa Su-yeon blamed herself for momentarily forgetting her responsibility and then stealthily looked at Son Bin. She was worried that he might think she was strange.

However, Son Bin was focused on examining the letters again, unaware of anything.

‘Hoo.’

Sa Su-yeon let out a sigh of relief and soon began to be wary of her surroundings.

Rustle.

The sound of turning letters comes from behind. He is there.

Sa Su-yeon unknowingly smiled. Her heart, which had been flustered for a moment, was once again filled with warm warmth.

*

*

*

Kwaang.

With an explosion, the 괴인 [strange being]’s body flew backward. However, the 괴인, who seemed to be pushed back helplessly, twisted his body in mid-air in an instant and then ran away.

The other 괴인, who seemed to be looking for an opportunity, had also disappeared into the mist.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Cheongyang Jin-in, the first of the 무당칠절 [Seven Sages of Mudang], shouted. He immediately tried to chase after the 괴인, but a clear voice from behind stopped him.

“You mustn’t follow him.”

Cheongyang Jin-in stopped in his tracks.

The handsome young man, Seorin, lightly swung the beast-tail-like Buljin [a type of weapon].

The eerie, frosty blue energy vanished as if washed away, and the Buljin Hongjinmanri soon disappeared into Seorin’s embrace.

“Good work, Uncle.”

Seorin grinned. He seemed a bit impudent, like a young man, but Cheongyang Jin-in respectfully bowed to him.

“It’s all thanks to your help, Senior Uncle.”

“Oh, why are you suddenly like this?”

Seorin was rather taken aback by Cheongyang Jin-in’s courtesy. However, none of the Mudang Taoists found Cheongyang Jin-in’s politeness strange.

They had directly witnessed Seorin’s astonishing power.

Moreover, Seorin had fought to protect the Mudang Taoists.

How could they dare to be rude, calling him an ‘outsider’?

“Wow! That was a really amazing Seven Stars Sword Formation. Incredible!”

Jinmyeong, the youngest of the Seven Sages of Mudang, couldn’t hide his excitement. Cheongyang Jin-in frowned at his attitude but didn’t feel like scolding him. In fact, he secretly felt the same way.

“Wow, how can there be such a Seven Stars Sword Formation? At this rate, won’t it become an incredibly powerful Seven Stars Sword Formation that no one in the world can break?”

The Seven Stars Sword Formation with Seorin was truly unique.

They had never seen a Seven Stars Sword Formation that was so unrestrained yet flowed so naturally.

Moreover, due to the nature of the Seven Stars Sword Formation, which followed the mysteries of Taegeuk [the Great Ultimate, a fundamental concept in Taoism], Jinmyeong was not the only one who thought that if they had maintained it a little longer, its momentum and power could have reached the heavens.

“It can’t be like that. There are limits. And first of all, it won’t work on Bin-hyung [older brother or respected male figure]…….”

“Limits? What kind of limits are you talking about?”

Cheongyang Jin-in immediately showed interest.

He prided himself on knowing the Seven Stars Sword Formation better than anyone else, so he couldn’t just let those words pass.

Thanks to this, Seorin’s words, ‘and it won’t work on Bin-hyung either,’ were buried.

“Of course, the limits of the people forming the Seven Stars Sword Formation. The momentum of the Seven Stars Sword Formation seems to flow on its own, but in the end, it absolutely depends on the people forming the sword formation. Um, it’s like, even if the pillars in a building seem to be there for no reason, everything collapses without them…….”

“H, how did you know that?”

Cheongyang Jin-in asked with a stiff expression.

Seorin had clearly said that he had never learned the Seven Stars Sword Formation. That’s how it seemed to him.

But how could he see through the limits of the Seven Stars Sword Formation in an instant?

“I just saw it? And it was easy to figure out because you uncles moved so accurately.”

Seorin was praising the Seven Sages of Mudang in his own way, but Cheongyang Jin-in couldn’t relax his stiff face. He had now clearly recognized Seorin’s brilliant genius.

“Seorin-ah.”

Behind him, the old Taoist Hyeonheo Jin-in spoke in a soft voice.

“Grandfather!”

Seorin’s face immediately brightened, and he ran to Hyeonheo Jin-in in an instant.

“Well done. Thank you so much.”

Seorin smiled at Hyeonheo Jin-in’s praise.

“Um, what are you going to do now?”

At Seorin’s question, Hyeonheo Jin-in looked at the sect leader, Cheongsu Jin-in. After a moment of silence, Cheongsu Jin-in quietly said,

“I will return to Mudang. And I will await the decision of my senior uncles.”

‘Senior uncles’ referred to Hyeonheo Jin-in and Seorin.

Hyeonheo Jin-in nodded to Cheongsu Jin-in and then said to Seorin,

“Did you hear that? Now you don’t have to worry about Mudang, so you can do what you want to do.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Seorin bowed to Hyeonheo Jin-in and tried to leave the spot.

“W, wait a minute.”

The one who called out was Jinmyeong, the youngest. He looked a little younger than Son Bin and hurriedly approached Seorin.

“Um, can I go with Senior Uncle too?”

At those words, the expression of Cheongyang Jin-in, the first sage, twisted. He wondered what nonsense this immature youngest was spouting again.

“Go with you? Why?”

Seorin asked with a puzzled expression.

“No, well, that’s…….”

Jinmyeong hesitated, then brought his face closer to Seorin and spoke quietly. Of course, there was no one here who couldn’t hear him even if he did that.

“That Dang family’s young lady who covers her face with a veil. I saw her with Senior Uncle back then, does she have a boyfriend?”

“She doesn’t have a boyfriend?”

It’s just that there is someone who already owns everything of Dang Wol-ah. The person she said, ‘I am all his.’

But Jinmyeong, who didn’t know that, immediately brightened up.

“Ah, I see. Then do you know what type of man she likes?”

“Um, someone with a warm heart and strong?”

“That’s great.”

Jinmyeong said happily.

“I also have a warm heart and am quite strong.”

His words were not false. Being included in the Seven Sages of Mudang at such a young age was a clear indication of Jinmyeong’s excellence. And the reason he is called the youngest is because of his age and seniority, not his skills.

“Um, if it’s okay, could Senior Uncle introduce me…….”

“Jin. Myeong.”

Cheongyang Jin-in’s heavy voice fell upon Jinmyeong. Jinmyeong quickly flinched and turned his head.

“How dare you be so rude to Senior Uncle? Besides, I have repeatedly told you to abandon your worldly thoughts!”

Cheongyang Jin-in was genuinely angry. Jinmyeong’s neck shrank even further.

Even if the rules of leaving home in Taoism are not so strict, openly mentioning returning to secular life is definitely too much. Jinmyeong might have been thinking of going out into the martial world under the pretext of Seorin.

“Ah, I’m okay with it.”

Seorin said. Jinmyeong, who found a lifeline, was overjoyed, but Seorin’s words continued.

“But I think hyung [older brother or respected male figure] needs to get stronger. Shouldn’t you focus on training hard first?”

“Training? For how long?”

When Jinmyeong asked, Seorin tilted his head.

“Well? At least enough to beat me?”

In an instant, Jinmyeong’s face contorted. He had just seen Seorin’s power, and to surpass that was like being told not to leave Mudang for the rest of his life.

“No, Senior Uncle. That’s too…….”

“That’s a very good idea.”

Cheongyang Jin-in said from behind, grinding his teeth. Shining with intense eyes like a celestial being, Cheongyang Jin-in looked down at Jinmyeong.

“I gained a great enlightenment today seeing Senior Uncle’s martial prowess. I will pass it all on to you, so don’t even think about taking a step outside Mudang Mountain until your training is over.”

Jinmyeong’s face crumpled. Seorin lightly patted Jinmyeong’s shoulder.

“That’s great, hyung. I hope you train hard and become strong.”

Seorin smiled brightly. Then he waved his hand towards the other Taoists.

“Ah, and Grandpa Eoeong will help you until you leave this place. Grandpa Eoeong, please.”

“Okay.”

The wrinkled Eoeong nodded. He, too, had a red glow on his face due to excitement after witnessing Seorin’s Seven Stars Sword Formation.

“Then goodbye. Everyone, take care.”

Thud.

Before the Taoists could say anything, Seorin flew straight into the thick fog and disappeared.

“Ah, Senior Uncle! Senior Uncle!”

Jinmyeong called out desperately, but there was no answer.

With a frustrated expression, Jinmyeong didn’t know what to do, but Cheongyang Jin-in straightened his body and bowed towards the direction Seorin disappeared.

“May Senior Uncle also be at peace.”

The other Taoists all bowed, following Cheongyang Jin-in. Jinmyeong had to bow as well, even with a tearful face.

The sect leader, Cheongsu Jin-in, let out a long sigh and then slowly bowed. The wrinkled hand of his senior uncle, Hyeonheo Jin-in, rested on his shoulder. That warm warmth gently caressed Cheongsu Jin-in’s complex feelings.

Before he knew it, the thick fog in Huangshan was gradually thinning. Along with the confusion that filled Cheongsu Jin-in’s heart.