A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 120

120. Ohsung Village Silver Sword Unit

“Wow!”

“Wa-ha-ha!”

Dodo-do-do.

The children ran around excitedly, thrilled to be just a little outside the village.

Soso ran with the boys, not wanting to be left out, and Aeng-aeng, clinging tightly to Son Bin’s sleeve, chattered happily, clearly in a good mood.

Dang Wol-ah quietly followed behind, while Seo-rin jumped and skipped among the children, adding to their excitement.

“Shall we have a snack here?”

“Yes!”

The little ones answered in unison to Son Bin’s question as he found a shady spot.

The group soon settled down in the shade and began to eat their simple snacks. These mainly consisted of roasted beans or small boiled potatoes, but everyone ate with enthusiasm.

“Ah!”

“Ugh.”

Jau, who hadn’t stopped playing even while eating, caused an accident, knocking over the water bottle they had brought.

“Waa, my clothes are all wet!”

“I told you not to play around.”

“Teacher! I’m thirsty.”

Son Bin soothed Ao, who was on the verge of tears because his clothes were wet, calmed Soso, who was scolding Jau, and offered tea to Hodu, who said he was thirsty. But Hodu frowned as soon as he tasted it.

“It’s too bitter, I can’t drink it.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m thirsty too!”

Other children raised their hands, also wanting a drink. Son Bin immediately remembered that Ohsung Village was just over the hill.

“There’s a village just a little further. We can get water there.”

“Yes!”

The children answered in one voice. Despite the minor mishap, they seemed only excited, and there wasn’t a hint of worry on their faces.

In the meantime, Son Bin woke up Jang-ah, who was already dozing off, cleaned up the area, and prepared to head to Ohsung Village. Jung-oh patted Jau, who was dejected after causing the accident, on the shoulder to comfort him.

*

*

*

Ohsung Village was nearby. As Son Bin arrived at the village entrance, he felt a strange sensation.

“Has it always been this deserted?”

Son Bin muttered.

“Teacher, what about the water?”

Hodu looked up at Son Bin and asked.

“Ah, right. Just a moment.”

Son Bin looked around, and just then, a middle-aged man dressed as an ordinary villager came out of the house next door.

“Who are you?”

The middle-aged man asked, frowning. It was a natural reaction, as he didn’t recognize them in the small village. His voice was quite sharp.

“I’m sorry. I’m the teacher of these children, and I was wondering if we could get some water?”

“Hmm.”

The middle-aged man scanned Son Bin’s group, his eyes quite fierce.

“Why are you glaring when they’re just asking for water?”

Nogun grumbled. It seemed like a thug was trying to pick a fight. Son Bin gave a wry smile.

“Ahem.”

The middle-aged man cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry. The world has been so unsettling lately… How difficult could water be?”

The middle-aged man said with a much gentler demeanor.

“Thank you.”

Son Bin bowed his head.

“Teacher! Can we drink water now?”

“I’m thirsty!”

“Me too!”

The eyes of the little ones, who had been watching, sparkled. The middle-aged man said.

“Yes. Just wait…”

“Wow!”

Before the middle-aged man could finish speaking, the little ones rushed into the house.

“That’s the kitchen!”

“What’s this?”

The shabby house, with even its fence in poor condition, was like a new playground for the children. The little ones scattered here and there, quickly began to rummage around the house.

‘Oh no.’

The face of the middle-aged man, the Silver Sword Unit Captain, contorted. He had already attracted the old man’s attention by not controlling his gaze earlier, so he needed to react carefully.

‘What should I do in this situation?’

The Silver Sword Unit [a covert military unit] is not a group of assassins. Although their identity and size are thoroughly concealed, they have always carried out their missions as warriors. So, a situation like this was very unfamiliar to the Silver Sword Unit Captain.

“No!”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain flinched for a moment. It was Son Bin who had spoken. Although his voice wasn’t loud, it had a heavy impact, as if a drum was ringing in his ear.

“Everyone, come out here.”

The little ones who had been running around the house stopped at once. They looked at Son Bin and began to come out slowly.

“It’s not right to act like this in someone else’s house. You should always be polite.”

“Yes.”

The children gathered at the door answered in subdued voices.

“Now, apologize to the mister.”

“We’re sorry.”

The little ones said in unison. The Silver Sword Unit Captain said, forcing a natural smile.

“Ah, no. It’s nothing… !”

At that moment, the Silver Sword Unit Captain’s eyes widened. One of the little ones was holding his sword. Just in time, Son Bin also noticed it.

“Gyeon-ja, what’s that?”

“This?”

Gyeon-ja held up the sword he was holding.

“I found it in the room. It’s similar to Teacher’s.”

Son Bin frowned. It seemed he had already opened the door.

“You shouldn’t touch other people’s things without permission. Give it back quickly.”

“Yes.”

Gyeon-ja answered obediently and ran to the Silver Sword Unit Captain.

“Here. I’m sorry.”

Gyeon-ja said, bowing his head deeply.

“Y-yes.”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain received the sword with an awkward smile. He tried to be as natural as possible, but he couldn’t even guess how an ordinary villager would react when receiving a sword.

“You have a sword.”

Son Bin asked. The Silver Sword Unit Captain gave an awkward smile.

“That is…”

Jebak [sound of footsteps].

At that moment, the Silver Sword Unit Captain saw Dang Wol-ah stepping forward. Before he knew it, the Silver Sword Unit Captain’s face hardened, and Son Bin also turned his head to look at Dang Wol-ah.

Jebak, jebak.

The sound of footsteps echoed softly. Dang Wol-ah, who had walked out, bent her knees slightly and wiped Soso’s face.

“You had something on your face. From earlier.”

There were snack crumbs on the corner of Soso’s mouth from earlier. The Silver Sword Unit Captain breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

But with this, one thing became clear: Dang Wol-ah didn’t want the Silver Sword Unit’s identity to be revealed.

“Please, continue.”

Son Bin asked, as if urging him. After a moment of silence, the Silver Sword Unit Captain avoided Son Bin’s gaze and took a deep breath.

“Hoo.”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain spoke with difficulty.

“Actually, there have been rumors of a bandit gang appearing in this area.”

“A bandit gang?”

“Yes. What’s happening to the world that they’re even coming to a place like this…”

“Have you suffered any damage?”

Son Bin asked with a serious expression. The Silver Sword Unit Captain waved his hand.

“No, not that. But we can’t just sit still, can we?”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain clicked his tongue.

“So, I thought we should create a village self-defense force and prepared it with the people.”

It was hastily put together, but it was the perfect excuse for the current situation. This also explained why he had looked at them with sharp eyes at first sight. He could say he was wary of strangers.

“So that’s why there were no people in the village. Did the children and elderly move to other villages?”

Son Bin said, nodding. The Silver Sword Unit Captain also nodded. Come to think of it, it was strange that there were no children or elderly in the village. Realizing anew that his explanation was excellent, the Silver Sword Unit Captain said.

“Yes. It seemed dangerous, so I had them evacuate for the time being.”

“In that case, have you told the government office about it?”

“Um, that’s…”

He couldn’t have. The first thing they would do when officials came was to hide themselves. The Silver Sword Unit Captain hesitated, wondering what to answer. And Son Bin understood that reaction in a different way.

“They didn’t take any action.”

“Tsk.”

Nogun clicked his tongue. And he said in a low voice.

“Even if it’s just a rumor, it’s a bandit gang. And the government isn’t doing anything? Isn’t that frustrating?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain seized on Nogun’s words.

“They collect taxes every year without fail, but when we really need them, they turn a blind eye. How are people like us supposed to live?”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain said with a seemingly mournful expression, but inside, he was sweating bullets. The way Nogun was looking at him seemed to be mocking him.

“Hmph.”

Nogun snorted. Then, he turned his head towards the little ones who were still waiting.

“What are you doing? You should go inside and drink water now.”

“Yes!”

At Nogun’s words, the little ones’ faces lit up all at once. The Silver Sword Unit Captain was also secretly glad to hear those words.

“Y-yes, do that. Ah! Don’t go into the room…”

“Thank you.”

At Son Bin’s words, the Silver Sword Unit Captain cleared his throat.

“Ahem. What’s there to thank for just water…”

Nogun went into the house with the little ones, but the Silver Sword Unit Captain couldn’t let his guard down. Son Bin’s gaze was still directed at the Silver Sword Unit Captain’s sword.

“Are you having any difficulties learning the sword?”

‘Sure enough?’ Son Bin asked again in a kind voice.

“I’m trying hard, but it’s not working out.”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain answered with an awkward smile.

“I’ve never even held a sword properly in my life…”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain said, vaguely glossing over it, trying to hide his desire for them to leave quickly.

“I see. That must be the case.”

Son Bin nodded, as if understanding. After thinking for a while, Son Bin carefully opened his mouth.

“If you need someone to help you, I can talk to the security bureau…”

The security bureau would be able to teach him the sword properly. But before Son Bin could finish speaking, the Silver Sword Unit Captain quickly shook his head.

“No, no. There’s no need for that. I appreciate the thought, but how could I…”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain said with an awkward smile, but Son Bin’s eyes only darkened further.

‘Ah, money…’

Who wouldn’t know that they could ask the security bureau or a martial arts school? But learning the sword costs money, and this village is poor. Son Bin made up his mind.

“I am just a teacher at a small private school, but I know a little about swordsmanship.”

Son Bin said, his eyes shining.

“May I help you for a while?”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain, who was inwardly dumbfounded, looked at Son Bin anew. A firm conviction that he was doing the right thing was shining in his eyes. It was familiar, like his own younger self that he had seen somewhere.

“Wa-ha-ha.”

“Kya-ha.”

The sound of the little ones running around in the house could be heard. He could feel Nogun’s gaze burning the back of his head. It seemed there was only one way to end this situation as quickly as possible.

“I understand.”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain said, sighing inwardly. It would look strange for an ignorant villager to openly refuse help.

“Then, I’ll ask you just once.”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain said with an awkward smile. It seemed Nogun was sneering behind him. The Silver Sword Unit Captain quickly moved his steps to the backyard with Son Bin.

Jeobeok, jeobeok.

As the two disappeared, Nogun clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, they’re going through a lot.”

“Who?”

Dang Wol-ah asked.

“Who else but your kids.”

Dang Wol-ah tilted her head.

“Why?”

Nogun let out a burst of laughter.

“What, didn’t you care if you got caught?”

After thinking for a moment, Dang Wol-ah answered slowly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I don’t care, unless it’s about the young master.”

Nogun shook his head as if he was dumbfounded. The image of the middle-aged man struggling to control his inner strength was vivid in his mind. Although he couldn’t fool Nogun’s eyes.

“Well, Bin doesn’t know much about that, so he’ll somehow get through it… Ah, never mind. Give me some water too.”

“Here.”

Gye-gu ran over and handed him a glass of water. After stroking Gye-gu’s head once, Nogun drank the water in gulps.

*

*

*

The Silver Sword Unit Captain, who had gone to the backyard, seemed to be able to breathe a little easier. He was out of Nogun’s sight, and here, he only had to be careful of the scholar youth. Of course, continuing to control his inner strength was a given.

“Are you from Cheongwon?”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain asked. Son Bin nodded.

“Yes, I am.”

“You said you were a teacher at a private school, but how did you learn the sword?”

Getting information about Dang Wol-ah’s acquaintances was a rare opportunity. The Silver Sword Unit Captain carefully asked a question.

“At first, it was somewhat forced…”

Son Bin gave a wry smile. The image of Saja Hyuk waking him up in the middle of the night came to mind anew.

“Later, there was nothing else to do.”

Without realizing it, Son Bin’s gaze turned to the distant sky. After being lost in thought for a moment, Son Bin turned his head and looked at the Silver Sword Unit Captain.

“Would you like to try it once?”

“Huh? Ah, the sword?”

“Yes.”

Son Bin nodded. The Silver Sword Unit Captain thought for a moment.

‘The sword of an ignorant villager…’

It would probably be utter nonsense. The Silver Sword Unit Captain slowly drew his sword.

Seureung [sound of drawing a sword].

“You’ve been working hard.”

As soon as he drew his sword, Son Bin said a word. The Silver Sword Unit Captain was taken aback.

“What’s so difficult about drawing a sword? Haha.”

He vaguely glossed over it, but Son Bin’s words hit the nail on the head. You can roughly guess someone’s skill just by watching them draw their sword. The youth who said he knew the sword was definitely not lying.

“Well, then, I’ll give it a try.”

After taking a deep breath, the Silver Sword Unit Captain held the sword with both hands and swung it roughly.

Boong [sound of a sword swinging].

The sword, which was swung with just arm strength and no inner strength at all, cut through the air.

Boong, boong.

There were no forms or anything. The Silver Sword Unit Captain swung the sword as if he was swinging a club. After moving around like that several times, the Silver Sword Unit Captain deliberately let out a rough breath and let his arms droop.

“Huk, huk. H-how is it?”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain, who inadvertently turned his head to look at Son Bin, flinched. Son Bin’s eyes were shining sharply.

“That’s strange.”

Son Bin said, frowning. The Silver Sword Unit Captain asked, inwardly nervous.

“W-what is it?”

“It’s very good?”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain was inwardly startled. Could he have noticed even though he did it so poorly? There were no forms, but perhaps traces of long training were embedded in each movement.

“There are awkward parts in between, but the overall flow is very good.”

Son Bin’s words were a little different from what the Silver Sword Unit Captain had expected.

“At this point, there’s no need for me to watch you. You just need to keep practicing and get used to it.”

Son Bin said with a smile. It was a welcome remark, as it meant they would end it here. But for the Silver Sword Unit Captain, there was something he couldn’t just let go.

“You’re saying this is okay?”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain’s voice was slightly sharp.

“Yes.”

Son Bin nodded with a smiling face. The Silver Sword Unit Captain gave an awkward smile, as if hiding his true feelings.

“But even I can see that this is nonsense…”

“No.”

Son Bin said with a serious face.

“The flow is very good. The forms are messy because you’re not used to the sword…”

“Don’t speak carelessly.”

The Silver Sword Unit Captain’s voice was stiff.

“What’s so good about this… nonsense? Just because I’m an ignorant villager doesn’t mean I don’t know anything.”

Son Bin realized that he was trying to suppress his anger. It seemed his intentions had been misunderstood.

“May I have the sword for a moment?”

Son Bin said with a serious face. The villager, the Silver Sword Unit Captain, handed over the sword with an uncomfortable expression. Son Bin respectfully received the sword with both hands.

Hwirik [sound of sword swinging].

Son Bin swung the sword once. It looked like an ordinary iron sword, but it felt comfortable in his hand.

“It’s a good sword.”

Even at Son Bin’s words, the Silver Sword Unit Captain’s expression didn’t change.

“Hoo.”

After calming his breath, Son Bin said.

“Just now, the elder did this.”

Swish [sound of sword swinging].

Son Bin’s sword lightly cut through the air. It was still a movement with no inner strength at all, but the sword path was impeccably clean.

“And like this…”

Tak, swish [sound of sword swinging].

As the sword drew an arc, Son Bin’s feet stepped in the exact direction. The Silver Sword Unit Captain’s eyes flashed as he watched the scene.

‘That’s…’

“And you connected it like this.”

Shwiik [sound of sword swinging].

Son Bin’s sword cut through the air, and a sound rang out from the tip of the sword.

‘Isn’t that the swordsmanship of the main family?’

The Silver Sword Unit Captain frowned. Even if he swung the sword like a club, his body was stepping in familiar directions. The Silver Sword Unit Captain could understand the meaning of Son Bin’s words that the flow was good.

Tak [sound of sword stopping].

Son Bin’s sword stopped.

“Um. And if we were to say the original flow of this sword path…”

Son Bin lowered his head and muttered something, then picked up the sword again.

Woong [sound of sword].

A small sword cry startled the Silver Sword Unit Captain, but Son Bin had already entered his own world.

Woowoong [sound of sword].

The iron sword cried, and Son Bin had already become one with the sword and began to move.

Shwiik [sound of sword swinging].

It was the same sword path as before, but the trajectory drawn by the tip of the sword was no longer the same. It was a new sword that was very familiar to the Silver Sword Unit Captain, but he had never seen before.

‘T-this is…’

Woowoong [sound of sword].

The sword cry that the iron sword made filled the small backyard of the village, and the Silver Sword Unit Captain’s face began to be filled with shock.

*

*

*

“Now, say goodbye.”

At Son Bin’s words, the little ones put their hands together at their belly buttons and bowed their heads.

“Thank you!”

“Okay, goodbye.”

A woman in shabby clothes said with a smile. She had returned around lunchtime and thankfully packed snacks for the little ones.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you properly.”

Son Bin said to the middle-aged villager, who still had a stiff face.

“It’s nothing.”

He answered curtly. The woman standing next to him glanced at him, but the villager’s stiff face didn’t relax.

“Let’s go. It’ll be dark soon.”

Even though the sun was still high in the sky, Nogun said, urging them. Then, he took the lead and strode away. The little ones followed Nogun in a rush. Shin-ui, who had been there or not, and Dang Wol-ah, who had been silent, also followed Nogun.

“Then, we’ll be going now. If you need any help later, please stop by.”

With Seo-rin, who was looking at him impatiently, by his side, Son Bin bowed his head once again to the middle-aged villager. He felt sorry for making him feel bad instead of helping him properly.

The villager bowed his head slightly towards Son Bin, and Son Bin took Seo-rin’s hand and walked away.

“Wa-ha-ha.”

“Teacher! Come quickly.”

After confirming that Son Bin’s group had passed the village entrance and were moving away, the woman said in a low voice.

“What should we do about the follow-up measures?”

The middle-aged villager didn’t answer.

“His acquaintances are quite unusual. An investigation is definitely necessary, but the Chief Military Officer will probably not allow it. He said never to touch them unless the young lady wants it.”

The deputy commander, dressed as a shabby woman, gave a wry smile.

“So this meaningless situation will continue for the time being anyway.”

“The situation is not important.”

Suddenly, the Silver Sword Unit Captain said in a heavy voice. Although he was dressed as a shabby villager, the aura emanating from his whole body could not be hidden.

“Meaning doesn’t matter either.”

The youth said with a sad smile that there was nothing else to do.

The Silver Sword Unit Captain could understand exactly what that meant. Perhaps that scholar youth had also spent meaningless time.

But how could anyone who had seen that sword say that time was meaningless?

Eudeuk [sound of gritting teeth].

The Silver Sword Unit Captain gritted his teeth. Just thinking about it made his skin crawl again.

‘That is…’

It was a swordsmanship that he had swung hundreds, thousands of times since he was a child, so much so that he couldn’t hide it from his body.

But his sword is never like that. No, it can’t even be compared.

“I was thinking wrong.”

Jeobeok [sound of footsteps].

The Silver Sword Unit Captain turned his body and said.

“What we have to do is not waiting.”

“Yes?”

The deputy commander asked back. The Silver Sword Unit Captain said.

“It’s training.”

If the sword of the youth scholar is at that level, how can they dare to say that they are protecting Dang Wol-ah?

Now, there is no such thing as a meaningless situation anymore. No, this was rather an opportunity. The heavens have shown him a new goal for his sword to go to.

The Silver Sword Unit Captain’s eyes were burning.