A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 101

101. The Choice of Wudang (2)

Shuaak.

The bamboo blinds were raised, and several young Taoists hurriedly entered the inn.

Despite the considerable number of guests, a slight tension filled the quiet inn. The young Taoists ignored the gazes of the people and quickly looked around.

‘Ah!’

The ones they sought were easily found. A combination of a girl wearing a veil, an old man, and a scholarly young man was not a common sight.

“Hey!”

The young Taoist hurriedly approached the scholarly young man. It seemed they were having a late dinner, judging by the inn’s cuisine, which consisted entirely of vegetables, laid out before them. However, this was not a situation to be mindful of such things.

“Please, get up quickly. They’ve come, I tell you, they’ve come.”

His voice was very urgent, but Sun Bin remained calm, merely blinking his eyes and asking back.

“What has come?”

The young Taoist barely suppressed a scream that was about to burst out. There were quite a few pilgrims watching him now. He continued, trying to remain as calm as possible.

“The answer has arrived. And don’t be surprised. The Sect Leader himself wishes to see you. Do you understand? The Wudang Sect Leader, I say!”

Perhaps due to frustration, the young Taoist’s last words grew louder without him realizing it. As a result, the eyes of everyone in the quiet inn widened simultaneously.

“The Sect Leader?”

“Who is he that the Wudang Sect Leader would….”

People murmured. But Sun Bin calmly nodded.

“Ah, I see. But I am in the middle of a meal….”

He had already heard that news might reach the Sect Leader, so it was not a surprising matter for Sun Bin.

Old Man No also remained calm, as he thought it was only natural for someone of the Sect Leader’s stature to appear.

As for Tang Yue-ah, she seemed to have no interest in the matter from the start. She was merely focused on the vegetable dishes in front of her.

Thanks to them, the one who felt like he was going crazy with frustration was the young Taoist.

“No, these people! The Sect Leader wants to see you, and this mere meal is a problem? Let’s go quickly, quickly!”

He was about to grab Old Man No’s arm and forcibly pull him up. But even though the sturdy young Taoist grabbed him with both arms, Old Man No’s small frame remained as if rooted to the ground.

“Huh?”

The young Taoist had a momentarily bewildered expression. Then, Sun Bin spoke to Old Man No.

“Come to think of it, we came without sending word, so we have committed a discourtesy. Fortunately, Wudang has made time to meet us, so even though we are in the middle of a meal, it seems right to get up now.”

“Hmm. Well, if that’s what you think, then do as you wish.”

Old Man No said with a grumpy expression.

“Miss, are you alright with this as well?”

Sun Bin asked Tang Yue-ah. Tang Yue-ah nodded slightly, but she still seemed to have a lingering attachment to the vegetable dishes, as she fidgeted with her chopsticks.

“If we go to Wudang now, will there be a meal?”

“I wonder.”

Sun Bin replied with an ambiguous expression, and Old Man No said from the side.

“Tsk, even if there is, don’t expect much. Didn’t you hear the waiter? They say that if they smell meat in Wudang, you’ll be branded as a fake Taoist and they only serve vegetable dishes. That’s why the table is all grass. When you get older, you need to eat something greasy, but… Even though they’re both Taoist, Mount Hua eats well.”

“Me too….”

The young Taoist’s patience finally snapped at Old Man No and Tang Yue-ah’s nonchalant conversation.

“Ah, these people! The Sect Leader is calling for you! Let’s go quickly! Quickly!”

Regardless of whether people were watching or not, the young Taoist shouted and urged Sun Bin’s group, finally succeeding in getting them to stand up. And after constantly urging them without rest, he took them out of the inn.

Shuaak.

After they left, people murmured for a while but soon fell silent.

The clear energy of Wudang Mountain and the majesty of Wudang seemed to make them instinctively straighten their collars. Or perhaps it was because of the evening meal consisting entirely of vegetables.

∴

Thud, thud.

Along with the young Taoists, Sun Bin’s group went back to the Sword Washing Pond.

It was not dark, nor was it brightly lit, but subtly illuminated. Several elderly Taoists, who were not there during the day, stood with their hands behind their backs.

“I have brought the guests.”

The young Taoist bowed respectfully to them. One of the elderly Taoists nodded lightly in response.

“Are these the ones? Who came at the request of the Great Ancestor?”

“Yes. That is what they said.”

The elderly Taoist with sharp eyes looked at Sun Bin’s group with suspicion. His gaze flicked over Sun Bin and then reached Old Man No, causing the old Taoist’s brow to furrow slightly.

“Are you… perhaps Old Man No of Nanyue [Southern Marchmount]?”

“Tsk.”

Old Man No snorted.

“You have a good eye. Yes, I am Old Man No of Nanyue.”

“Hoo, it is surprising that Old Man No of Nanyue would personally visit Wudang.”

The old Taoist’s attitude changed slightly. He bowed towards Old Man No.

“I am Cheongmyeong. I am helping the Sect Leader with his duties, though I am inadequate.”

His bow did not seem very sincere. Moreover, the wariness in his eyes was growing stronger. Old Man No also brushed off his bow as if he was barely acknowledging it.

“Then, who is that young lady?”

Cheongmyeong Jin-in’s [lit. Real Person; a Taoist title] gaze turned to Tang Yue-ah. But Tang Yue-ah did not answer. Cheongmyeong Jin-in waited, but she did not open her mouth until the end.

“If the young lady does not wish to reveal her identity….”

“Tsk, you’re all so frustrating.”

Old Man No suddenly said. Cheongmyeong Jin-in frowned slightly.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Even though you are a Taoist, how can a young lady from a respectable family readily answer when a strange man suddenly asks for her name? Or do you have a way of checking the identities of the numerous pilgrims who come here one by one?”

“W, well, of course not.”

“Then it is only natural that this young lady is reluctant to reveal her name. She is a beautiful girl who is even shy of the moonlight, so how can she reveal her name carelessly?”

Cheongmyeong Jin-in hesitated for a moment. He had left home at a young age, so he did not know much about matters between men and women.

‘Hmm.’

Old Man No’s explanation seemed plausible, but he was still suspicious. However, he could not continue to delay like this.

“Ahem, if Old Man No says so… However, Old Man No must take responsibility for it.”

“The responsibility will be borne by this kid, not me.”

Old Man No chuckled and looked at Sun Bin. Cheongmyeong Jin-in glanced at Sun Bin again, but he was just an ordinary scholar. Dismissing it as just one of Old Man No’s jokes, he said again.

“The Sect Leader has agreed to meet you, so you may come in.”

If it had been useless nonsense, he would have severely reprimanded them on the spot. However, now that Old Man No’s presence had been confirmed, it was confirmed that the request from Hwanghak Jin-in was not just empty words.

He was newly impressed by the Sect Leader’s insight, who had carefully checked even such a report that ordinary people would have simply ignored. Cheongmyeong Jin-in decided to guide them inside.

“What about the swords?”

Old Man No asked as if throwing the words away. He was asking if they had to leave their swords behind since they had to pass through the Sword Washing Pond, or rather, he was saying that he would not leave them behind.

“Even if it were the Emperor himself, he would have to leave his sword at the Sword Washing Pond. However, since there was a special request from the Great Ancestor, the Sect Leader has allowed an extremely exceptional measure this time.”

“You talk too much. So, are you saying to leave them or not? What’s the conclusion?”

Old Man No frowned and said. He knew well that Wudang would not easily bend its pride, so he was curious to hear what Cheongmyeong would say.

Cheongmyeong gestured lightly to the Taoists standing next to him. Then, as if they had prepared in advance, they brought three narrow and long wooden boxes. They were boxes with simple decorations and red silk lining the bottom.

“Place your swords inside these wooden boxes. If the boxes are closed and sealed, they will be recognized as gifts rather than weapons. Of course, the ownership still belongs to you.”

“Tsk, it’s just covering your eyes and ringing a bell [a futile attempt to hide the truth]… Alright. Bring them here.”

It was just a makeshift solution as Old Man No said, but it was certainly a good method. In the end, Sun Bin’s group had left their swords at the Sword Washing Pond.

Old Man No laid his sword, Soryeong, inside the wooden box.

Click.

The box closed. The Taoist who took the wooden box to Tang Yue-ah was a little embarrassed because of her lack of reaction, but Sun Bin’s swords made the numbers match. A steel sword and Baekro, carefully wrapped in a clean cloth, lay down inside the wooden box.

“I say again, this is an extremely exceptional measure. Do you understand? Now, let’s go.”

Cheongmyeong Jin-in turned his body after confirming that the wooden boxes were closed and sealed.

“You like exceptions. Does the Emperor leave his sword behind? You’re the kind of guys who would lick the Emperor’s feet….”

Old Man No grumbled quietly with his hands behind his back, carrying the long wooden box behind him. Sun Bin respectfully carried the two wooden boxes with both hands and followed Cheongmyeong Jin-in.

Thud.

The night of Wudang Mountain was filled with clear energy.

Moreover, the grand and beautiful appearance of Okheogung [Jade Void Palace] revealed under the subtle lights, and the lights of the Taoist temples quietly shining throughout Wudang Mountain, made it seem as if they had entered another world, a strange city.

‘Beautiful.’

Sun Bin sincerely admired. Thus, they set foot in Wudang.

*

*

*

“A message has come from Cheongmyeong.”

The old Taoist said quietly. In one of his hands was a small note, and in the other hand, a small bird was perched.

“What does it say?”

Wudang Sect Leader, Cheongsu Jin-in, asked, his eyes closed in meditation.

“He says that Old Man No of Nanyue is among those who have come.”

Cheongsu Jin-in’s closed eyes flashed open.

“Old Man No of Nanyue is a former master. His name was quite well-known in Gangnam….”

“Enough. I know.”

The old Taoist, who was continuing to speak, quietly lowered his head. Sect Leader Cheongsu Jin-in quietly fell into thought.

‘The reason they cannot leave their swords behind is because of the request of the Great Ancestor, they said?’

Sect Leader Cheongsu Jin-in alone paid attention to the report from the Sword Washing Pond, which everyone else thought was useless.

The moment he heard the words sword and Hwanghak Jin-in together, Cheongsu Jin-in unconsciously recalled the words that his granduncle Hyeonheo Jin-in had said. ‘Baekro will surely return to Wudang.’

‘Moreover, Old Man No of Nanyue.’

Old Man No of Nanyue, known in the Jianghu [Martial World], is a reclusive former master. His skills seem to be recognized by the masters of the time, but in terms of presence, he cannot be said to be very great.

But Cheongsu Jin-in knew that was not all there was to it. The truth of Old Man No of Nanyue is even heavier and more ruthless.

“What did they say was the request of the Great Ancestor?”

“They have not yet revealed it.”

At that answer, Wudang Sect Leader Cheongsu Jin-in quietly fell into thought. But he was already convinced.

“Cheongjeong.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Summon the Wudang Seven Swords. All of them.”

Cheongjeong Jin-in’s eyes changed. Summoning all of the Wudang Seven Swords was by no means a light matter.

However, Old Man No of Nanyue, even though he is a former master, is not someone who deserves to have all of the Wudang Seven Swords summoned, in his judgment.

“But….”

“Cheongjeong.”

At his senior brother’s heavy voice, Cheongjeong Jin-in swallowed the words he was about to say. And he lowered his head.

“I understand.”

Cheongjeong Jin-in bowed and quietly went outside.

Cheongsu Jin-in, the Sect Leader of Wudang, who was left alone, closed his eyes and sighed softly.

“I had hoped that this day would not come….”

His lament was sincere. But he would never hesitate. He was already someone who had thrown everything away for the new Wudang.

Sarak.

Cheongsu Jin-in rose from his seat. It was now time to greet the guests.

Click.

Opening the door and stepping outside, he unconsciously raised his head and looked up at Cheonjubong [Heavenly Pillar Peak], the summit of Wudang.

Above the red Jasogung [Purple Cloud Palace], submerged in the lights, the Taehwagung [Great Harmony Palace], which enshrined Jinmu (眞武) [Perfect Warrior; a Taoist deity], stood proudly as if looking down on the world.

*

*

*

The place where Sun Bin’s group arrived was a room in Okheogung. Okheogung, where hundreds of buildings were connected to the point where it was difficult to find an exit, was the largest and most splendid of Wudang’s many buildings.

The place where Sun Bin’s group was located was also a large hall. Along with the ancient architectural style, the simple yet rough patterns that decorated all sides felt powerful under the dim lights.

“What, in the end, are you only giving us tea?”

The three had to wait for a long time in the empty hall where no one was to be seen. And all they brought out was a pot of tea.

But Old Man No was savoring the tea with a fairly satisfied expression, even while grumbling. Sun Bin also had no complaints about the tea. The taste was simple, but he could tell that quite a bit of care had gone into the tea leaves.

“It’s common, but it’s also something that’s hard to taste elsewhere.”

Sun Bin was quietly looking down at his teacup when he suddenly heard Old Man No’s voice.

“The tea grown in the nearby fields is carefully trimmed leaf by leaf. Jin-in used to boast about this tea with a smile.”

Old Man No said, quietly stroking his teacup.

“The tea is still the same old flavor, but why have the old people disappeared?”

His voice was filled with deep regret. Sun Bin also felt a sense of solemnity and quietly caressed his teacup.

“Clouds flow and the moon changes, so why do you seek the old people now?”

Someone’s voice echoed in the quiet hall. But no one was surprised.

Sarak.

An old Taoist with snow-like white hair slowly approached, crossing the dim hall. The eyes of the old Taoist, who was wearing fairly splendid clothes, were deep and very intense.

Click.

Sun Bin rose from his seat. But he did not bow. Old Man No was still sitting there. He could not step forward before Old Man No.

“It is not a short journey from Nanyue to here, yet you have made a difficult journey.”

The old Taoist said, bowing lightly. But Old Man No only frowned quietly.

“Are you the new Wudang Sect Leader?”

It was an unimaginable rudeness to the Wudang Sect Leader, but Sect Leader Cheongsu Jin-in only wore a faint smile.

“I am inadequate, but I have been entrusted with the Sect Leader’s seal. So, what brings the Old Man No of Nanyue to this Wudang?”

Instead of answering, Old Man No let out a light laugh.

“There’s no need to be so nervous. It’s not me who has business here, it’s this kid.”

A strange light flashed in Cheongsu Jin-in’s eyes. As he shifted his gaze towards Sun Bin, Sun Bin bowed respectfully to him.

“I am Sun Bin.”

“I am Cheongsu. Why has the young master come to Wudang?”

Cheongsu Jin-in’s voice was gentle, but his eyes were sharp. His suspicion grew as to what Old Man No of Nanyue was up to.

“Hwanghak Jin-in has entrusted something to me.”

For a very brief moment, Cheongsu Jin-in’s eyes sparkled. Sun Bin said.

“It is a sword called Baekro.”

A moment of silence flowed. But it was not long.

“Hoo.”

Cheongsu Jin-in let out a seemingly long lament and closed his eyes. After chanting a Taoist invocation for a moment, he opened his eyes and said.

“Baekro is a sword that is like a symbol of the Great Ancestor. Now that the sword has returned to Wudang, it is truly a joyous occasion. Do you have the sword with you now?”

“Yes.”

Sun Bin nodded.

“May I see it?”

Cheongsu Jin-in’s eyes were already directed towards the two wooden boxes placed next to Sun Bin. The desire to reach out and grab them was blatantly revealed in his eyes.

“Hwanghak Jin-in asked me to deliver this sword to his last disciple, Seo Rin.”

Cheongsu Jin-in’s eyes wavered slightly. Sun Bin looked straight at him and said.

“I want to meet him and personally convey Hwanghak Jin-in’s wishes.”

“Hmm.”

Cheongsu Jin-in groaned. After being silent for a while, he let out a long sigh along with a soft Taoist invocation.

“It is a shameful thing, but that child does not yet know the etiquette of people.”

Cheongsu Jin-in said with a rather pitiful look.

“Not only can he not speak properly, but his actions are like those of a beast. Moreover, he is very rough and aggressive, even to those closest to him. So how can I allow the young master to meet that child? So you….”

“I have already met him.”

Cheongsu Jin-in’s eyes shook at Sun Bin’s words.

“So there is no need for the Sect Leader to worry about me.”

Cheongsu Jin-in was silent. Sun Bin’s unwavering eyes were saying that he would never back down. Moreover, Old Man No of Nanyue was behind him. This matter was definitely not just about delivering a sword.

Cheongsu Jin-in made a decision.

“I understand.”

He said, nodding.

“If it is the will of the Great Ancestor, then it cannot be helped. But you alone will meet that child.”

He spoke to Sun Bin, but Cheongsu Jin-in’s words were directed towards Old Man No.

Instead of answering, Old Man No looked at Sun Bin. His eyes seemed to be asking what he would do.

“I understand. I will do so.”

Sun Bin said. Old Man No chuckled as if he knew it would be so. The eyes of Tang Yue-ah, hidden behind the veil, shook slightly, but only Old Man No noticed it.

“Follow me. I will guide you myself.”

Saying that, Cheongsu Jin-in turned his body. The pitiful expression that had been on his face was long gone.

“I will be back.”

Sun Bin said to the two. Tang Yue-ah quietly nodded, and Old Man No replied with a smile.

“See you soon.”

Sun Bin carefully carried the two wooden boxes and followed Cheongsu Jin-in.

Thud, thud.

As the two disappeared into the dimness of the hall, Tang Yue-ah quietly asked Old Man No.

“What did you mean by saying ‘see you soon’ to Young Master Sun?”

Old Man No snorted.

“That Cheongsu said that the child named Seo Rin is like a beast and is ashamed of it. But Wudang is so willing to reveal its flaws? And the Sect Leader is guiding us himself? That doesn’t make sense. When you think about it, the fact that the Sect Leader met us alone is suspicious.”

“Then….”

“Yes.”

Old Man No chuckled and said.

“This is a trap.”