A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 122

122. Not Saying Sorry

Shin-ui’s words, ‘Sa Su-yeon is in danger,’ shook Son-bin. However, Son-bin, who seemed ready to leap out at any moment, maintained his composure surprisingly well.

“Is there anything else I need to know?”

Only after a long while did Son-bin ask Shin-ui. He sat still and listened attentively to Shin-ui’s words.

Shin-ui’s explanations regarding Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah were very complex and difficult to understand. But Son-bin listened to the end.

Fortunately, he also heard that in the case of the Mo-yong family, they were able to treat the condition by releasing the cold energy.

“Is this the time to be listening to him? You can listen while we’re on the way. And why do you keep repeating yourself?”

Old Gun couldn’t stand it any longer and said that, but Son-bin didn’t budge. In the end, Shin-ui finished speaking only after the sun had set.

“Don’t worry about the matters of the Seowon [private Confucian academy].”

Jeok Se-hwa, who had been waiting, left a message and returned to the Horyeon Martial Arts Center first. It meant that he would help whenever needed.

After a silent dinner, Son-bin went to the Bukgang riverside with Baekro, as always.

Whoosh.

“Today, the sword path is hurting.”

Old Gun said, looking at Son-bin’s sword. The trajectory of Son-bin’s sword looked even more poignant under the moonlight.

However, as the sword path of the Hyeoncheon Great River Sword Technique neared its end, Baekro was drawing its ever-graceful and smooth flow, as always.

*

*

*

Chirp, chirp.

Son-bin, who had been lost in thought, raised his head at the sudden sound of birds.

‘Already…….’

Before he knew it, the outside of the window was filled with blue. The cold air of dawn before sunrise flowed in through the open window.

Whoosh.

Son-bin turned off the light. The lamp that had been lighting the room all night emitted a faint white puff as it was extinguished.

Click.

Son-bin quietly opened the door. Perhaps because everything was so quiet, his steps were cautious.

Son-bin stepped into the silence of dawn, where even the sound of the wind was asleep, and suddenly realized that someone else was in the yard.

Rattle.

Someone was sitting on the newly renovated foundation. A small brazier with charcoal burning was gently emitting fragrance from a teapot.

‘Miss Wol-ah.’

Son-bin looked at Dang Wol-ah with slightly surprised eyes. Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Miss Dang Wol-ah return home yesterday.

Like Son-bin’s residence, where the lights hadn’t been turned off all night, could it be that she had been here too?

Thud.

“Miss Wol-ah!”

Son-bin quickly walked towards Dang Wol-ah. She quietly turned her head and looked at Son-bin.

“Are you alright? Why are you here…….”

The dawn air was cold. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to have been exposed to the dew, but a young lady’s clothes weren’t meant for spending the night outside.

Thud.

Son-bin, who had rushed to the front of the foundation, stopped. He felt her gaze on him.

Her calm eyes were fixed on Son-bin in the dim light of dawn.

“Miss…….”

Son-bin’s face hardened. Dang Wol-ah was the same as Sa Su-yeon.

She was controlling the extreme poison of the Dang family’s Poison Blade, sacrificing her own life. And Son-bin had guided that flow to become one with her Jinyuan Qi [true energy source/origin].

Although she had saved her life thanks to it, she would have to live with the poison for the rest of her life instead. Just like Sa Su-yeon.

Son-bin, who had stopped, lowered his gaze. He couldn’t bear to look at Dang Wol-ah. But he had to say these words. Son-bin gritted his teeth.

“I’m sorry. I…….”

Rattle.

Suddenly, Dang Wol-ah stood up and quietly approached Son-bin.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound of her clothes dragging was heard in the silence of dawn. She stopped just within arm’s reach.

Thud.

Dang Wol-ah didn’t say anything. Then, she quietly lowered her head and took off her veil.

Rustle.

“Miss.”

Son-bin looked at Dang Wol-ah with surprised eyes. Her mysterious silver hair, shining faintly even in the dim light, flowed like waves over Dang Wol-ah’s delicate shoulders and shy chest.

Swish.

Dang Wol-ah raised her slender fingers and gently held the black veil that covered her face. Son-bin could see her white fingers trembling slightly. The black veil fell weakly down.

Silver hair and silver eyebrows. Small and delicate Dang Wol-ah was fantastically beautiful. It was as if a young moon goddess had lost her way and come down to the mortal realm. Her gaze, standing on the foundation, met Son-bin’s directly.

“Don’t say you’re sorry.”

Dang Wol-ah said. Her small lips trembled.

“You, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Son-bin bit his lip.

“But the young lady is now…….”

Dang Wol-ah’s silver hair was fantastically beautiful, but it also meant that she could never go back to the way she was before. Son-bin had completely eliminated her possibility of enjoying ordinary happiness.

“Are you talking about having to live with poison for the rest of my life?” Dang Wol-ah said.

“Even if there is no poison in that body, there are many people who put poison in their words. There are countless people in the world who do things with poisonous actions that are more colorless than even the most extreme poison for their own selfish gain.”

She had lived as the Dang family’s Poison Blade all her life. But she was more afraid of people than any of the world’s most extreme poisons.

The gazes of people looking at her and the words they said about Dang Wol-ah were more frightening and painful than poison. Only her sister, Dang Hwa-ryeon, was an exception.

“Did Sa Su-yeon say that she would have to live with cold energy for the rest of her life? I don’t care about things like that. People can kill others without hesitation even without poison, and they can become colder than anything else even without cold energy.”

There was no hesitation in Dang Wol-ah’s voice.

“So you didn’t do anything wrong. Never.”

Son-bin could feel the warmth slowly spreading from his chest. Son-bin bit his lip slightly and said with calm and serious eyes.

“But it is also clear that I acted rashly. So I must apologize to the young lady.”

Swish.

Son-bin put his hands together and bowed politely to Dang Wol-ah.

“I’m sor…….”

Rustle.

Son-bin’s apology was not 이어지 못했다 [not continued]. It was because slender white fingers blocked Son-bin’s lips. Cold fingertips touched Son-bin’s lips.

“If you say you’re sorry, I will become miserable.”

Dang Wol-ah said. Her eyes looked straight at Son-bin. Her transparent eyes were filled with tears and flickering.

If Son-bin made such a painful expression because of her, she would not be able to forgive herself. Because what she wanted to receive from Son-bin was never an apology.

“That’s the same with Sa Su-yeon.”

Dang Wol-ah said.

“Why do you think she asked you not to tell her until the deadline? She didn’t want you to spend your days worrying. She wanted you to be happy here.”

Dang Wol-ah was so sure of Sa Su-yeon’s heart. Because she had the same heart.

“So never say you’re sorry. To me or to her.”

Her finger left Son-bin’s lips.

Sarack.

She quietly turned around. She raised the lowered black veil, lightly tidied her hair, and put on the veil again. The white veil fell on her slender shoulders, covering her like a mist.

Dang Wol-ah turned her head and looked at Son-bin again. It was the Dang Wol-ah he always saw. The mysterious beauty like a young moon goddess also hid behind the veil and veil.

“I will go there with you.”

Dang Wol-ah said and quietly came down from the foundation and walked out of the Seowon.

Sabak, Sabak.

Son-bin couldn’t say anything until her figure disappeared. Amid the birdsong in his ears, the dawn twilight was already fading away.

*

*

*

“So Shin-ui must stay here.”

Son-bin said. Warm steam rises from the teacup he holds.

“I agree with the point that the paths may diverge. But if Yeon-ah can’t meet you and comes here, I have no way to inform you and have you return here.”

Shin-ui said.

“There is a limit to taking care of Yeon-ah’s condition with medicine. In the end, without you, there can be no fundamental solution.”

“Wouldn’t it be possible to inform us through the courier service where we are going? Or we could roughly decide where to go,” Old Gun said. Seeing him say ‘we,’ it seemed that he was already taking it for granted that they would move together. Old Gun, who was drinking tea, frowned slightly.

“Did you boil this water for too long? The taste is somehow…….”

“That’s not a solution.”

Shin-ui said.

“It’s a long journey that will take several days. Some unforeseen events may change the schedule.”

“There will be a way.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly. She said, putting down her teacup.

“Leave it to me.”

“Hmm.”

Old Gun nodded as if something had struck him.

“Well, those guys would be faster than the courier service.”

Son-bin didn’t understand what the two were talking about. But it didn’t matter since Dang Wol-ah said there would be a way and Old Gun seemed to understand.

“I understand. When will we know if it’s possible?”

Dang Wol-ah nodded.

“It will be by this evening.”

“When are you leaving?”

Shin-ui asks.

“It’s a bit tight, but I’m going to finish the preparations today. Then we can leave tomorrow,” Son-bin said.

“Hoo.”

Shin-ui sighed softly.

“Then I’ll prepare a few things for you to take.”

Shin-ui’s expression was full of regret. He was sorry that he had to wait here when Sa Su-yeon might be in danger.

Raising his teacup, Shin-ui muttered as if to himself.

“Today will be quite busy. Preparing this and that.”

“What is there to prepare?”

Old Gun said grumbling.

“We’re just going. My So-ryeong [Old Gun’s sword] is all I need to roam the world.”

“It’s always warm here, but it’s different there.”

Shin-ui smiled bitterly. He said, fiddling with his teacup.

“The North Sea is quite cold, you know?”

“Hmph. The North Sea, pshaw.”

Old Gun snorted.

*

*

*

As time passed, the little ones flocked in. Jeok Se-hwa also came with servants carrying a large bamboo mat. The foundation was covered with wood, but having a bamboo mat made it much cooler.

“It’s not much, but it’s a commemorative gift for the Seowon’s renovation,” Jeok Se-hwa said.

“Still, something of this size must have cost a lot,” Son-bin said worriedly. Jeok Se-hwa smiled brightly.

“It’s okay. I received even more.”

“Yes?”

“You may not know, but the relationship between Horyeon Martial Arts Center and Hyeokryeon Family has become very good.”

After the renovation of the Seowon, the attitude of the Hyeokryeon Family towards the Horyeon Martial Arts Center changed surprisingly a lot.

First of all, the fact that they sent a letter to inform them about the renovation of the Seowon was unexpected in itself. This is because it officially acknowledges the influence of the Horyeon Martial Arts Center on Cheongwon.

The attitude, which seemed like they were ordering around subordinates, also became very polite, and sensitive news about the situation in Gangnam martial arts was also shared recently.

Even Gwan-ju [title] was puzzled by the sudden change, but Jeok Se-hwa intuitively knew that the former head of the family, Hyeokryeon-wi, was behind it. He didn’t know what he said or how he said it.

“Is that so? That’s a good thing,” Son-bin said with a good-natured smile.

“Then I’ll ask for your help starting today. Ah, and…….”

Today will be busy with various preparations. Son-bin, who was talking, took out something like a neatly folded letter from his arms.

“I prepared it because I thought it would be good to teach the children.”

The letter Son-bin took out listed the books that should be taught to the children.

“Ah. Yes.”

Jeok Se-hwa smiled as if understanding, accepting the letter. This was because the children had only read difficult medical books when Son-bin was away last time.

“Please do it,” Son-bin’s face was full of concern that the Seowon might turn into a clinic when he returned later. Jeok Se-hwa gave an awkward smile with an expression that said, ‘Surely that won’t happen,’ but Son-bin was only serious.

Son-bin entrusted the Seowon to Jeok Se-hwa and came out to Cheongwon. Dang Wol-ah had disappeared somewhere, and Seo-rin was playing with the little ones.

Shin-ui went into his room, saying that he had something to prepare, and only Old Gun followed Son-bin leisurely with his hands behind his back.

‘Should I prepare some clothes too?’

As if reading Son-bin’s thoughts, Old Gun said from behind.

“Don’t even think about taking clothes. It is right to get northern clothes in the north.”

Son-bin nodded without realizing it because Old Gun’s words were convincing. But Old Gun’s last words remained in Son-bin’s ears.

“Well, women might be a little different…….”

“What about Miss Dang Wol-ah’s clothes?”

“She’ll take care of it herself,” Old Gun said indifferently. Son-bin thought that he should pay attention to it later, even if he couldn’t make new clothes right now.

Even though she is a bit unique, Miss Dang Wol-ah is still a beautiful young lady. Beautiful enough to understand why she has to wear a veil.

“Is it okay for Miss Dang Wol-ah to go with us?”

It’s a long way to the North Sea. Son-bin couldn’t help but worry. But Old Gun chuckled.

“Don’t worry. She has the ability to protect herself.”

“Well, that’s true, but…….”

Son-bin was aware of Dang Wol-ah’s martial arts skills to some extent. But he had never seen Dang Wol-ah use martial arts.

“Does Miss Dang Wol-ah use a sword?” Son-bin asked.

“Well? If she has one, it’s better than bare hands.”

Old Gun’s obvious answer was not helpful.

‘Could Miss Wol-ah have something useful?’

Son-bin headed to the smithy. Of course, it was Jeongnyeon Smithy.

Ttang, ttang!

As he got closer to the smithy, he heard the sound of hammering iron.

“It’s open today.”

Old Gun said. Jeongnyeon Smithy had been closed for the past few days. Son-bin was worried because the blacksmith had seen Baekro, but the owner of the Dangwa [sweets] store knew the situation.

He said that the blacksmith was heating iron like crazy day and night, as if some wind had blown on him.

“The sound is good, though?”

Old Gun, who was listening to the sound of hammering iron, said a word. Son-bin agreed. Unlike other times when it hit his ears, the sound was clear and even felt refreshing.

“Are you there?”

The one guarding the smithy was a very young blacksmith who looked like his son. He widened his eyes when he saw Son-bin.

“Please wait a moment,” the young blacksmith said and hurried inside. Son-bin was bewildered but waited. And then the middle-aged blacksmith appeared.

“How have you been?” Son-bin greeted. The blacksmith’s face looked more haggard than before, but his eyes were shining strongly. An unusual force was emanating from his eyes, making it difficult for ordinary people to even talk to him.

Instead of answering, the middle-aged blacksmith stared straight at Son-bin. Then he came closer and suddenly hugged Son-bin tightly. The blacksmith’s thick arms, built with muscles, strongly pressed Son-bin.

“Ah, well…….”

Son-bin was embarrassed and Old Gun chuckled.

“Thank you,” the blacksmith said. His thick voice was trembling.

“Really……. Thank you.”

Son-bin, who was struggling, had no choice but to stop moving. How long had it been? In the end, the middle-aged blacksmith let go of Son-bin when Old Gun started yawning.

“This is it.”

The blacksmith carefully opened the wooden box with both hands. Inside the wooden box was a short sword blade. It was just a sword blade, not yet a complete sword.

“Hoo.”

The first to react was Old Gun. Old Gun’s eyes shone sharply as he looked at the sword.

“Not bad.”

It is a great evaluation for Old Gun to say it is not bad. This is because his standard is the famous sword So-ryeong.

Even to Son-bin, who was accustomed to Baekro, the sword blade was unusual. It had an overall white color, but it was a very beautiful and fascinating sword, although different from Baekro.

“Now I have no regrets.”

The blacksmith’s expression as he looked at the sword blade was surprisingly calm. Unlike before, when he was emitting intense eyes, he looked like a Taoist hermit who had attained enlightenment.

“Take it.”

“Yes?”

Son-bin, who was looking at the sword blade, was surprised and raised his head. The blacksmith’s big eyes were looking at Son-bin.

“I’ll leave the disposal to you.”

“I can’t do that.”

Son-bin shook his head. His eyes were also serious.

“Although I don’t know much about swords, I know what this means to you, sir. How can I do this…….”

“Then I’ll have to melt it down.”

The blacksmith’s eyes looking at Son-bin were shining frighteningly.

“I can never see this guy being sold here and there. But I can’t stand seeing it rotting without an owner. If you refuse, I have no choice but to melt it down.”

It was a terrible threat. And it also showed the blacksmith’s will well.

“But I have…….”

“I know.”

The blacksmith said. He also knew that Son-bin had Baekro. The blacksmith also knew well what kind of sword that sword was.

“So I said I’d leave the disposal to you. I’m just a blacksmith who hammers iron.”

Son-bin stared straight into the blacksmith’s eyes. The blacksmith also never backs down. The two people’s staring contest, which had been confronting each other like that, ended with Son-bin backing down in the end.

“Hoo.”

Son-bin sighed, closing his eyes tightly. Son-bin, who opened his eyes, looked down at the sword blade in the wooden box. The sparkling gloss is unusual.

“This is too much for me.”

The blacksmith smiled.

“I only knew how to hammer iron all my life. I’m glad I can repay your kindness even in this way.”

The blacksmith’s large hand stroked the sword blade. Son-bin put his hands together and bowed politely. The blacksmith looked down at the sword blade and said.

“Send it to a good place.”

Son-bin could tell that his voice was full of affection. Suddenly, one thought came to Son-bin’s mind.

“By any chance, can I use the handle of another sword?”

The blacksmith’s brow furrowed slightly.