A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 434

Late at night, No-gun’s door burst open without a sound. But No-gun wasn’t surprised at all.

“Tsk, you’ve come?”

No-gun said, looking less than pleased. He was sitting in the lit room. On the table in front of him, two cups of tea emitted a gentle fragrance.

“What are you doing? Come in if you’re here.”

At No-gun’s words, Namgungcheon, the former Thunder Sword, turned to the old servant and said,

“You wait here.”

The old servant bowed deeply in silence, obeying the command. As Namgungcheon entered No-gun’s room, the door closed behind him.

“Sit down.”

No-gun said, lifting his teacup without looking up. Namgungcheon slowly walked over and sat down across from No-gun. As Namgungcheon sat in silence with his gaze lowered, No-gun frowned.

“Drink. It’s yours. And figure things out before I have to tell you. Come in, sit down, drink—do I have to spell everything out for you?”

No-gun grumbled. Namgungcheon wordlessly took the teacup. Watching him, No-gun pursed his lips.

“Well, come to think of it, it’s a rare opportunity to order the Thunder Sword around like this. And for you to obey so readily.”

Namgungcheon gave a bitter smile. He took a sip of the hot tea and sighed deeply.

“Tsk, you’ll make the ground sink.”

At No-gun’s words, Namgungcheon said,

“This is an inn. The floor will sink.”

“Feeling a bit better, I see? Picking on me over things like that.”

Namgungcheon raised his head. He spoke with a more hollow voice than usual.

“You look healthy, Senior.”

“I told you, not Senior, you rascal… So, disappointed that I’m healthy?”

Namgungcheon shrugged.

“It would be a shame for the family. Ah, but personally, I think it’s fortunate.”

“Personally, my foot. When have you ever had a personal stance…”

No-gun, who was speaking, stroked his white beard.

“Well, now that I think about it, it’s strange that you came back unharmed. If it weren’t for Bin, it might have ended near the Western Border…”

No-gun’s expression was serious as he spoke. Namgungcheon asked with a grave expression,

“What happened?”

No-gun glanced at Namgungcheon and picked up his teacup.

“I won’t tell you. You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

“I believe you.”

“Whether you believe me or not doesn’t matter. Let’s talk about the details later. For now, just know that Muje and Okryong won’t be coming for a while.”

Namgungcheon’s eyes gleamed. The sudden mention of Muje and Okryong was the reason.

“For a while?”

“Yes. For a while. Actually, I’m worried that Bin might go where those guys are.”

No-gun’s concern was genuine. Before, he had vague worries, like whether Son Bin might ascend to immortality, but now there was a very specific and realistic destination.

“Is the Gate to the Abyss finished?”

“Yes. I finished it off, along with that Cheonma [Demon God] or whatever. Twice, even.”

No-gun said “twice” because Muje and the former Okryong had done it once, and then Son Bin had defeated the former Okryong, who had usurped the Cheonma’s divine seat, once more.

“Then the Demonic Cult is finished too.”

“Demonic Cult? Ah, come to think of it, there were guys like that too?”

No-gun chuckled as he spoke.

“I’ve been dealing with gods and Cheonmas, so I haven’t paid them any attention. Well, they won’t disappear completely, but they won’t be a problem either. Why? Has the Demonic Cult caused any trouble in the Murim world [martial arts world] in the meantime?”

“Well, you’ll have to find out about that yourself.”

Namgungcheon’s answer was unexpected for No-gun. No-gun frowned. Looking at Namgungcheon, No-gun said quietly,

“…Something’s up.”

Namgungcheon smiled bitterly.

“Words may seem like nothing, but sometimes they bind people more strongly than chains.”

It was a vague statement, but it was enough for No-gun to roughly grasp the situation.

“I understand. Then I’ll take care of that.”

Nodding, No-gun continued,

“Why is the Namgung Clan acting like a bunch of reckless fools? Judging by your son’s reaction, it seems like he never intended to antagonize Bin from the start.”

For the head of the Namgung Clan to kneel meant a great deal. Moreover, the head, Namgung Kwon, was not fully aware of the situation at the time. In effect, it was an unconditional surrender, which would never have happened if that hadn’t been the plan from the start.

“It was the result of a rational calculation. In its own way.”

No-gun frowned. Namgungcheon sighed and continued,

“The land was empty, so we thought we’d occupy it first and then hand it over when Bin came. We could even act generous.”

The value of the Gongson Clan’s territory was immense. Moreover, handing over something once it had been occupied was never easy, even if it wasn’t originally yours. If that had happened, it would have been a huge concession, not just a show of generosity.

“What if Bin didn’t come?”

Namgungcheon shrugged.

“Then we’d just keep it. Either way, it’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?”

No-gun clicked his tongue as if he was dumbfounded.

“That’s not a rational thought, it’s self-justification. And that kind of behavior is called opportunistic.”

No-gun’s words were scathing. Namgungcheon nodded.

“Hyang-ah told me too. That those who walk the wrong path cannot gain anyone’s trust.”

“Of course. No matter how much you say you were going to hand it over later, would it really have been easy? And even if you did, do you think people would trust you? They’d just think you’re the kind of guy who would stab them in the back if the situation changed.”

Sometimes words are fleeting. No matter how unintentional it was, it doesn’t change the fact that Namgungcheon’s choice was opportunistic.

“I thought it would be better for us to have it than to hand it over to someone else, but it ended up like this, so I have nothing to say.”

Namgung Il, the Vice Lord of Bucheon, trying to harm Hyeonryeon Sehwa was not what Namgungcheon intended. But it’s also clear that it was due to the ripple effects of Namgungcheon’s decision.

“I thought Bin would come as planned, and nothing would go wrong.”

“As planned? You knew Bin would come?”

At No-gun’s puzzled question, Namgungcheon shrugged.

“I deliberately leaked it for Bin to hear. About our Hyang-ah’s marriage proposal.”

“What?”

Namgungcheon replied to No-gun, who was frowning.

“If Hyang-ah was forced into an unwanted marriage, Bin wouldn’t just ignore it, would he? Or at least send a letter. He must have heard rumors that the Namgung Clan was acting erratically, so I thought he’d come to us first. If he came back alive, that is.”

No-gun was dumbfounded. So, Hyang’s marriage proposal was a scheme aimed at Son Bin from the start.

“So that’s why you’ve been putting off the wedding day after day? For months?”

Namgungcheon nodded. In fact, when Namgungcheon heard the urgent news that Son Bin had come to the Namgung Clan, he secretly rejoiced. But the news that followed was beyond even his expectations. Namgung Il, the Vice Lord of the Outer Clan, tried to harm Hyeonryeon Sehwa, that elegant teacher from the Seowon [private Confucian academy], and as a result, Namgung Il almost lost his head?

“What if Bin didn’t come at all?”

“I’d drag it out for another year or so, and if he really didn’t come, I’d replace Hyang-ah with another child. After all, we hold the knife, and we never intended to send Hyang-ah to the Gongson Clan in the first place. Then, if Bin came back…”

“You’d pretend to be generous and hand over the Gongson Clan’s territory, and then use that as an excuse to subtly marry Hyang-ah off to Bin?”

“Wouldn’t that be the natural course of events? Bin rescuing Hyang-ah, who was forced into marriage against her will by the family, would be something out of a story.”

No-gun clicked his tongue at the brazen answer. It wasn’t that No-gun himself and Dang Un-yeong hadn’t dreamed of such a thing. Either way, if Son Bin and Namgung Hyang were to marry, it would be the best possible outcome for Namgungcheon. It was easy to understand why he had made such an opportunistic choice.

“But things in this world really don’t go as you please.”

Namgungcheon sighed. He never thought that the situation of a successful clan would lead the Vice Lord of Bucheon, Namgung Il, or rather, the pro-war faction of the clan, to do such a thing. It was a very regrettable mistake for Namgungcheon.

“You’re just realizing that now? Anyway, those who think they’re so smart…”

No-gun clicked his tongue. And the two men silently fiddled with their teacups. After a while, No-gun suddenly said,

“What are you going to do now?”

Namgungcheon gave a bitter smile.

“Since it’s come to this because of my wrong choice, I have no choice but to wash my hands and walk away.”

No-gun knew what those words meant. When the former Thunder Sword, Namgungcheon, said he would ‘wash his hands and walk away,’ it was meant literally. That is, the Namgung Clan would effectively withdraw from the affairs of the Jianghu world [martial arts world community].

“I think I’m fortunate to have been given the opportunity to clean things up myself.”

“Tsk.”

No-gun clicked his tongue.

“I always feel this way, but you know the Jianghu world too well, and that’s the problem.”

Namgungcheon looked puzzled. No-gun continued,

“Yes. You’re right. That’s what you have to do in the Jianghu world. But Bin isn’t a Murim person [martial artist]. Well, I can’t say he’s not a Murim person… Uh, so he’s a Murim person but not a Murim person… Ah, forget it.”

No-gun, whose words had become twisted, suddenly became annoyed.

“There’s still a chance left, you rascal.”

Namgungcheon’s eyes flashed. No-gun immediately said in a stern voice,

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about the Namgung Clan.”

No-gun clicked his tongue again and continued with a displeased expression,

“If you’re still tied to the family, I have nothing to say to you. But if you still have a sincere desire not to lose a friend…”

No-gun looked at Namgungcheon with a sincere gaze.

“…Go see Bin. That’s all I have to say.”

That was invaluable advice to Namgungcheon. Namgungcheon bowed respectfully to No-gun.

“Thank you, Senior.”

“I told you, not Senior, you rascal…”

No-gun grumbled and picked up his teacup. Looking at Namgungcheon, whose eyes were full of life, he wondered if he should have said anything. But when he remembered the sad expression on Son Bin’s face when he left the Namgung Clan, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Being hurt is inevitable in life, and deceiving and being deceived is the way of the Jianghu world, but at least he didn’t want to see that expression on Son Bin’s face again.

Slurp.

No-gun habitually drank the tea, which was still warm. The warmth of the tea gently enveloped No-gun.

***

Looking out at the bright lights of the street outside the window, Son Bin suddenly sensed someone’s presence. Son Bin turned his head and looked at the door.

“Come in.”

It was a quiet voice, but the person outside the door heard it.

Click.

The door opened, and an old man with white hair, Namgungcheon, appeared. Namgungcheon frowned slightly.

“You weren’t even turning on the lights?”

The room was dim. Perhaps because the window was open, it felt a little chilly. Son Bin, who was sitting at the table by the window, said quietly,

“The night streets are bright.”

The bustling night streets of Namchang stretched out outside the inn window. Even the bright moon in the night sky paled in comparison to the splendor of the sleepless streets. The streetlights shone on Son Bin’s face as he looked out the window. Watching his profile, Namgungcheon cleared his throat.

“May I come in?”

Son Bin turned to Namgungcheon and smiled. He had already said to come in at the beginning.

“I was just about to have some tea. Join me.”

“Hmm.”

Namgungcheon nodded.

Rustle.

Son Bin got up from his seat, lit a small lamp, and prepared a seat for Namgungcheon at the table. Namgungcheon came into the room, closed the door, and sat in the seat that Son Bin had prepared. As befitting an inn in the big city of Namchang, each room had a warm teapot.

Son Bin poured tea into two cups.

Pour, pour.

The fragrance of the tea spread, filling the room with a warm atmosphere. It was a common tea, but it was enough to drive away the cold air that remained in the room.

Thump.

The two men sat facing each other at the table. Son Bin held the teacup in both hands and savored its warmth for a moment. Then he slowly lifted the teacup. Namgungcheon also held the teacup in both hands. It was a cheap tea that couldn’t compare to what he had drunk before, but the warmth that this one cup of tea gave him now was more precious than anything else. Until they had emptied a cup of tea, the two men said nothing.

Click.

Namgungcheon put down his teacup. And looking down at the empty teacup, he suddenly said,

“I’m sorry.”

Son Bin’s answer was not heard. What Namgungcheon saw when he raised his head was Son Bin’s extremely relaxed expression. Seeing that expression, which seemed to embrace everything with compassion, or seemed completely indifferent to everything, Namgungcheon asked in a slightly trembling voice,

“Are we still friends?”

The expression Son Bin showed at that moment was one that even Namgungcheon could not read. But Son Bin’s soft voice was already reaching Namgungcheon’s ears.

“Yes, I think so.”

Those short words rolled away the heavy stone that had been pressing down on Namgungcheon’s heart until just now. It wasn’t because the name of the Namgung Clan had been preserved, nor was it because he had saved the lives of countless members of the clan. Something that was only for Namgungcheon himself, something he couldn’t even explain, had returned at this moment.

“…Thank you.”

Namgungcheon closed his eyes tightly. So many words welled up in his heart, but he couldn’t say any of them properly. He just held the teacup tightly in both hands and sat there without saying a word. Son Bin also didn’t say anything. He didn’t ask for the slightest explanation, nor did he ask what he would do in the future. He just felt the remaining warmth of the teacup in both hands and sat there quietly. After sitting in silence for a long time, Namgungcheon tried to refill his tea. Son Bin got up and poured warm tea into Namgungcheon’s and his own cups.

Pour, pour.

Looking at the tea filling the teacup, Namgungcheon asked,

“I heard you closed the Gate to the Abyss?”

In fact, Namgungcheon himself didn’t know what the ‘Gate to the Abyss’ meant. But it was clear that Son Bin had done something significant with Muje.

“Yes. It wasn’t that difficult…”

Son Bin said as he put down the teapot and sat down. If No-gun had heard these words, he would have frowned. Son Bin lifted the warm teacup and said,

“Sending him away… was not easy.”

Son Bin turned his head and looked at the bright lights outside the window. The sense of loss in his expression and voice was conveyed to Namgungcheon as well.

“I heard that Muje won’t be coming for a while.”

Namgungcheon sighed softly and continued,

“So he left, after all?”

Son Bin nodded.

“Yes. To a very distant place.”

Namgungcheon sighed deeply.

“In a way, I envy him. To be able to leave everything behind and go. Human relationships are not easy to break…”

Son Bin smiled.

“It’s okay. I was definitely asked to do it.”

Namgungcheon’s eyes twinkled. Of course, Son Bin was talking about Saja Hyuk’s daughter, Sasu Yeon. But to Namgungcheon, it could only be heard as including ‘all relationships.’ If so, the meaning would be very different. It would mean that Son Bin would inherit everything that Saja Hyuk had left behind in the Jianghu world [martial arts world community]. In fact, it was already the same since Son Bin was called ‘the one who walks the path of Muje.’

“Is that so?”

A smile and composure returned to Namgungcheon’s face. He took a comfortable posture as if he was quite pleased and savored the tea.

“I see, I see. Hahaha.”

After laughing for a while, Namgungcheon suddenly remembered another thing he had started. It was something that he had to take responsibility for and resolve as a grandfather, not as the former head of the clan or the former Thunder Sword.

“Well, you know there’s a marriage proposal for our Hyang-ah, right?”

Namgungcheon subtly checked Son Bin’s expression. He was worried that he might get the answer ‘It’s not something I should get involved in,’ but fortunately, Son Bin nodded with a serious expression.

“Yes. I was thinking of talking to you about it anyway.”

Barely hiding the relief that filled his heart, Namgungcheon nodded with a serious expression.

“Yes, what do you think?”

Instead of answering, Son Bin smiled.

“Isn’t there someone whose intentions we should ask before my opinion?”

Namgungcheon frowned slightly as if asking what he meant. But he immediately realized what Son Bin meant and slapped his knee.

“That’s right. You’re right.”

Turning his head, Namgungcheon said loudly to the outside,

“Are you out there?”

“Yes, Elder.”

When he heard a quiet voice from outside the door, Namgungcheon said,

“Go and bring Hyang-ah here.”

It was late at night, but that didn’t matter. As the presence outside the door disappeared, Namgungcheon talked about the big city of Namchang, mainly about how he played here when he was young and who he hung out with, but Son Bin quietly listened to Namgungcheon’s story. Just as the bright night streets of Namchang somehow began to feel familiar to Son Bin, he heard a presence outside.

“It’s Hyang.”

Son Bin turned his head at the woman’s voice from outside the door. Namgungcheon smiled and said,

“Oh, yes. Come in.”

Click. The door opened, and a young woman appeared. Still slender and elegant, she was none other than the precious daughter of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Hyang.

(Author’s words)

You can’t avoid problems if you straddle two things.