A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 105

105. Limitless Moryong Clan

The young man, Seorin, stood tall, his shoulders squared.

His hair was still long and a bit wild, but after a rough attempt to tidy it up and tie it back, his youthful face and bright eyes were revealed, making him look like a completely different person.

The old Taoist robe, found after searching the temple, didn’t fit well and hung loosely on him.

“Even a handsome guy is still handsome when he’s dirty,” Old Man Namak grumbled from the side.

Hyeonheo Jinren asked Seorin in a quiet voice, “Are you leaving Wudang?”

“Yes.”

Seorin replied. His voice was still a little awkward, but his answer was firm and clear.

“Well, if that’s your choice, there’s nothing we can do. It seems that’s what Master Hwanghak Jinren wanted as well,” Hyeonheo Jinren nodded. He had already heard about the last moments of Master Hwanghak Jinren from Sonbin.

Although Sonbin hardly spoke about the contest itself, he told Hyeonheo Jinren everything about the last words Hwanghak Jinren had left behind.

“I’m sorry,” Hyeonheo Jinren said to Seorin, his eyes full of loneliness and regret. “I should have treated you better.”

Seorin shook his head vigorously. It seemed that actions were still easier and more comfortable for him than words.

“Then, are we returning this guy to secular life?” the Old Man asked. Hyeonheo Jinren gave a bitter smile.

“He hasn’t entered the priesthood, so how can we return him to secular life? Besides, Seorin is a disciple personally taken in by Hwanghak Jinren, so no one dares to decide Seorin’s future.”

In terms of seniority, Seorin was a grand-uncle to Cheongsu Jinren, the current head of Wudang.

The disposal of a disciple is solely the master’s authority, so now no one in Wudang has authority over Seorin, unless he wants it himself.

“Everything is up to Seorin to choose, after he becomes an adult worthy of taking responsibility for his actions,” Hyeonheo Jinren looked at Seorin. Seorin, holding the Buljin [a type of Taoist whisk] in his arms, was already looking up at Sonbin with sparkling eyes.

The gaze was so intense that Sonbin smiled and stroked his head. Seorin’s face, with his head bowed, was full of satisfaction.

“Is it an illusion? I think I can see a wolf’s tail wagging like crazy…,” the Old Man muttered with a dumbfounded expression, and Dang Wora’s sharp gaze hidden behind the veil glared at Seorin, but Seorin just smiled as if he was happy.

“The sword, will it be okay?” Sonbin asked. The divine sword Baekro was in Sonbin’s possession. He offered the sword to Seorin, but he shook his head and just thrust the sword back at Sonbin.

Seorin’s expression and actions were so insistent that Sonbin had no choice but to take Baekro back. Only then did Seorin smile again.

“The reason why that sword is called a treasure of Wudang is because it is a relic of the Great Ancestor. The Buljin, Hongjin Manri, is the same. Although he obtained it personally, there is no such thing as private property for an ordained Taoist, so if you have to be picky, the saying that it is a treasure of Wudang is not wrong,” Hyeonheo Jinren said with a gentle smile.

“But the true treasure of Wudang is the noble will of that man and the disciples who want to carry on that will, isn’t it? He said he would leave the sword to Seorin, so what more needs to be said? However, among the weaker disciples, there may be those who recognize the sword and become confused, so show them this at that time.” Hyeonheo Jinren took out a small wooden plaque from his chest and handed it to Sonbin.

The old, worn black wooden plaque with a small tassel had unfamiliar, antique letters engraved on it.

“There will be no Wudang disciple who will not restrain himself after seeing that plaque. However, the martial world is not only made up of Wudang Taoists, so don’t show it to just anyone,” Hyeonheo Jinren said with a gentle smile.

“I will keep that in mind,” Sonbin accepted the wooden plaque with a respectful attitude.

“I will say that Seorin has left for training,” Hyeonheo Jinren stared straight at Sonbin.

“Thank you. As Seorin’s inept older brother, I don’t know how to thank you enough,” Sonbin replied, his eyes filled with tender affection.

“I’m counting on you to take care of Seorin,” Hyeonheo Jinren bowed his head. Sonbin also bowed his head deeply.

*

*

*

Before they knew it, the eastern sky was turning a deep blue. The group that came down from Wudang Mountain stopped by the inn again. It was early dawn, but there were many things to do.

“Let’s wipe off the blood first,” the Old Man said. He had somehow gotten a clean cloth and warm water, probably by waking up the sleeping waiter.

“Ugh, if that Shin guy had come with us at times like this, it would have been a little easier,” the Old Man grumbled, but he carefully wiped Sonbin’s wounds. Seorin, who absolutely refused to leave Sonbin’s side, squatted next to the bed and stared with a worried expression.

“What are you looking at? You’re the one who made it like this,” the Old Man nagged. Seorin’s face looked like he was about to cry. Sonbin reached out and stroked Seorin’s head. When the Old Man left with the blood-stained cloth and water container, Dang Wora entered.

“Ah, over there……,” Sonbin started.

“I have medicine,” Dang Wora said in a calm voice. Sonbin was a little embarrassed because he was almost shirtless, but Dang Wora’s composure made him even more ashamed.

“Thank you. Then……,” Sonbin said, knowing that she had knowledge of medicine, he straightened his mind and expressed his gratitude.

Dang Wora sat next to Sonbin, opened a very small jade box, and applied medicine to the wound. Even though it was a treatment, Sonbin, who couldn’t hide his awkwardness, closed his eyes and said nothing.

The fact that Dang Wora’s fingertips trembled slightly as they passed over the wound was probably due to shyness.

“Keueung,” Seorin suddenly made a noise next to him and clung to Sonbin. For some reason, Seorin seemed a little afraid of Dang Wora.

“It’s okay,” Sonbin opened his eyes and said to Seorin. As he did, he suddenly remembered when a young lady named Dang Hwaryeon had treated his shoulder.

Sonbin gave a bitter smile as he recalled her appearance, poking at the wound and really enjoying it.

‘Ah, come to think of it, Miss Wora might know that young lady……’

Clatter.

The sound of the jade box closing was heard from behind.

“Thank you, Miss Wora.”

“Tell him not to lick it. It’s not good,” Dang Wora said in a low voice and left without giving Sonbin a chance to say anything.

Tak.

‘Why is she doing that? Is she angry?’ Sonbin made a puzzled expression as he looked at the closed door, and Seorin groaned next to him. Sonbin looked down at Seorin.

‘There’s no way he’d lick it……,’ Sonbin muttered inwardly, but Seorin, who was looking up with a worried expression, said in a stammering voice, “A, are you hurt?”

“It’s okay,” Sonbin replied. A smile naturally appeared at the reaction like the little ones in Seowon [private academies in Korea’s past].

“Come to think of it, you need to wash too.”

Sak.

It sounded like the blood was disappearing from Seorin’s face.

“I, I don’t like washing…….”

“It’s okay,” Sonbin said with a gentle expression. “It’ll be fun.”

Sonbin, wearing an old Taoist robe, took Seorin, who had a dubious expression, to the waiter. He asked if he could wash early in the morning and gave him a few coins, and the waiter gladly led the two to the bathroom.

It was said that it was specially made because there were many cases where pilgrims coming to Wudang Mountain wanted to purify their bodies. They also put in several tubs of warm water.

Seorin was reluctant to touch the water, but when he was left alone, he started splashing around.

After a while, he laughed and splashed water as if nothing had happened. Only then did Sonbin gradually wash Seorin.

Only after using all that warm water did Seorin become quite clean and neat.

“Is this guy that guy?” Sonbin felt a sense of pride when he saw the Old Man’s eyes widen.

However, Sonbin was also completely wet, so he had to apply the medicine again.

Feeling sorry, Sonbin couldn’t even look Miss Dang Wora in the eye properly, but after she left, he thought, ‘Ah, I should have asked the Old Man to do it.’

∴

Tak, tak.

“Come to think of it, I need to buy clothes again,” the Old Man grumbled on the swaying carriage.

“We need Seorin’s clothes anyway,” Sonbin said, gently touching Seorin’s disheveled hair.

Seorin, who was right next to Sonbin, was sitting on the outside and staring out at the passing scenery. He looked so neat and cute that it was hard to believe he was the dirty guy from yesterday.

“Hey, take care of the Buljin,” the Old Man said, throwing it to Seorin.

“When did you hold him in your arms, and now you’re just leaving him rolling on the floor? Tsk, he doesn’t even know how great that is……. Ugh.”

Seorin quietly hugged the Buljin that he had put next to him. But soon, he was distracted by the passing scenery again.

“And why do they only sell Taoist robes in front of Wudang? Are they telling everyone who comes to become a priest?”

“I guess it’s a souvenir,” Sonbin replied with a smile. He tried to get new clothes at the inn, but they only had Taoist robes that Taoists wore.

“Ahem. Since we’re buying new clothes, how about buying something decent this time?”

“I just need ordinary clothes,” Sonbin said.

“You’re the only one in the world who buys clothes so often but always wears similar clothes,” the Old Man clicked his tongue. But he wasn’t in a position to talk about others either. Except for the coat Sonbin bought him this time, the Old Man always wore the same clothes.

“So, are you going back home now?”

“Yes. And I have to stop by Muhan on the way,” Sonbin had already said that he would go to the Moryong Clan. Muhan in Hubei Province, where the Moryong Clan is located, is also on the way, but it is also a place of great significance to Sonbin.

It was the place where he ran away from Saja Hyuk, but was eventually caught again. And it was also the place where he met Sasu Yeon at Hwanghakru [Yellow Crane Tower, a famous landmark].

“Moryong Clan……. Hmm, should I get some alcohol for the first time in a while……,” the Old Man muttered.

*

*

*

The harbor was full of various ships carrying cargo and people. The atmosphere of the excited people coming and going on the pier seemed to be transmitted to the ship here.

It was a scene that made me realize the reputation of Muhan, a key point of land and water transportation, as a city connecting nine provinces.

“Is this Muhan?” a young girl who looked young asked. The river breeze blowing from the ship’s side lightly shook her hair.

“Yes, my lord,” a sturdy young man with intense eyes replied. The girl gave a bitter smile.

“Don’t call me that. You’re the one who said we should hide our identities here.”

The young man bowed his head.

“I understand. Miss.”

“Okay. Be sure to keep that in mind. I’m just your young lady, and you’re my bodyguard.”

“I will keep that in mind,” the girl, satisfied with his answer, turned her head. The ship she was on was getting closer to the bustling and beautiful pier of Muhan. For a moment, a smile seemed to spread across the girl’s face, but soon a dark shadow fell over it.

“That’s the symbol of the Namgoong Clan,” the girl said in a low voice. The flags of the Namgoong Clan were fluttering ostentatiously on several ships.

“That’s right,” a strong murderous intent flashed in the young man’s eyes as well.

“Those who cannot live under the same sky as us, the flags of the Namgoong Clan.”

Chwaaaa.

As the ship slowly began to rotate, the waves splashed on the ship’s side. Their splendid ship was entering the port of Muhan without hesitation.

*

*

*

Muhan was still big and busy. As a key point of land and water transportation, there were many people coming and going, and carriages full of goods were endless. It was indeed a place worthy of the nickname of the gateway to nine provinces.

“Moryong Clan? They’re still there, but why are you going there……,” the person working at the post station in Muhan frowned and said loudly. It was because the surroundings were too noisy.

Originally, it was a post station built for the work of the government office, but even private carriages used it as a base, so the surroundings were crowded with all kinds of carriages.

It’s noisy and smells terrible. Seorin especially didn’t seem to like this place. He covers his mouth with a loose Taoist robe that he bought new and wears over his clothes, which he never wants to take off.

“There’s no good reason to go there. The family has been declining since the Namgoong Clan came in, and the head of the family and his eldest son were seriously injured a while ago…….”

“Seriously injured, what does that mean?” the Old Man frowned.

“Anyway, I don’t know. If you want to go, you can take that carriage over there,” he waved his hand as if he had no more interest. Sonbin’s group decided to take the carriage as he had told them.

Tak, tak.

How long had they been swaying on the slow carriage with few passengers? Suddenly, the large manor of the Moryong Clan, located on the outskirts of Muhan, appeared.

“Tsk,” the Old Man clicked his tongue.

The Moryong Clan’s manor was a large and antique mansion, as if telling its long history.

The magnificent and restrained architectural style and the appearance of the vast mansion that seemed to overwhelm those who saw it made it possible to guess how great the Moryong Clan’s prosperity was.

However, the Moryong Clan, which would have been crowded with countless people, now has no one coming or going and is even desolate.

The firmly closed large door seemed to tell the current state of the Moryong Clan.

“Let’s go in for now,” the Old Man said with a gloomy expression.

Squeak.

The large door opened and an old servant came out. When they revealed the purpose of their visit, he gladly guided the group inside.

Jabak, jabak.

Passing through the wide yard where even the sound of footsteps was desolate, the group was guided to a small, antique room.

The old servant brought tea himself, but Seorin tasted it once and frowned, not even looking at it.

Clatter.

The door opened, and a young lady entered with a soft fragrance. She was so beautiful that for a moment, I had the illusion that the surroundings had become brighter. She was Moryong Rin.

“Great Hero Jinryong!” she couldn’t hide her surprised expression when she found Sonbin. Her face looked like she couldn’t believe that Sonbin was in front of her.

“Really, you came.”

“Ah, I……,” Sonbin started. He knew her face, but he had never greeted her yet. Sonbin was about to get up and pay his respects, but Moryong Rin was already putting both hands on her forehead and bowing deeply.

“Please forgive me for paying my respects to my life’s savior only now. I am Moryong Rin of the Moryong Clan.”

When she said that she was her life’s savior, she meant that Sonbin had stopped the Blood Dragon Gate at Namchang Deungwanggak [a pavilion in Namchang].

Sonbin also paid his respects politely.

“I am Sonbin. I was just doing what I had to do, so it is not appropriate to call me a benefactor. Besides, didn’t Miss Moryong stop me before I did?”

“But if Great Hero Son had not been there, we would not have survived.”

Sonbin gave a bitter smile.

“I dare not bear the name of Great Hero. Please take it back.”

“I understand. Young Master Son.”

In fact, the word Young Master is also awkward. Everyone he meets calls him Young Master, so he has almost given up now.

“This person is Old Man Namak. And this person is Miss Dang Wora, and this person is called Seorin.”

Moryong Rin’s eyes widened. She had heard of Old Man Namak’s name as well.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Moryong Rin. Welcome to the Moryong Clan.”

She paid her respects to the Old Man, Dang Wora, and even Seorin.

“Miss, are you related to the Dang Clan?”

“Yes,” Dang Wora replied in a small voice.

“I see. Welcome to the Moryong Clan.”

“How is the Gentleman’s Sword?” the Old Man asked abruptly. In fact, the Old Man had been polite just by waiting until now.

“Father……,” Moryong Rin bit her lip. A dark shadow fell over her face.

“Young Master Son,” she raised her head and looked straight at Sonbin.

“I know it’s rude, but can we talk for a moment?” she asked with a determined look like a sharp sword.

“Just you and me, Young Master.”

The butterfly ornament in her hair trembled slightly.