A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 136

136. Reunion (2)

Clatter, clatter.

Sunbin and his group slowly guided their horses, approaching the Ice Palace.

The towering Ice Palace exuded a strong presence even from afar. Occasionally, cheers from the crowd could be heard.

“This place is desolate.”

Looking around, No-gun frowned. The surroundings of the Ice Palace were barren, with only a few white, withered trees sparsely standing. It felt as if they were passing through ruins.

“People should have flocked here for the martial arts contest for marriage, but it’s strange that there’s nothing around.”

Where people gather, a marketplace springs up even in an empty field, and even abandoned land becomes bustling.

However, the area around the Ice Palace was untouched, as if no one had ever been there.

“Perhaps it’s a sign of reverence.”

“Reverence?”

No-gun questioned, responding to Dang Worea’s voice. However, after seeing where Dang Worea was pointing, he had no choice but to nod.

Two towering stone pillars loomed over them. Engraved with unknown patterns, the ancient stone pillars stood aloof, as if warning unfamiliar strangers.

“Or perhaps fear.”

“Hmph.”

At Dang Worea’s words, No-gun twitched his lips as if displeased.

Clatter, clatter.

Was it because of the unknown sense of oppression? Sunbin and his group silently passed between the stone pillars. It was then.

Whoosh.

A faint energy momentarily brushed past the group. No-gun’s eyebrows twitched.

“What was that?”

No-gun looked up and surveyed the surroundings. However, the strange energy was no longer felt.

“Rina.”

“Yes.”

At No-gun’s call, Seo-rin quickly responded.

“You felt it too, right?”

“Yes.”

Seo-rin nodded vigorously.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m hungry.”

No-gun frowned. They had traveled a long way, so they needed to eat something, but that wasn’t the answer to what No-gun had asked.

“Are you trying to figure out what that energy was?”

Dang Worea asked.

“Yes. If it were a strange energy, Rina would have reacted first. That kid may look like that, but he has learned the authentic Taoist martial arts of a shaman, so he’s sensitive to such energies.”

Dang Worea turned to look at Seo-rin. Then Seo-rin said,

“I’ve never learned anything like that?”

“What?”

No-gun looked at him as if dumbfounded, but Seo-rin just shrugged.

“I just imitated what Master did.”

“That’s the same thing.”

No-gun frowned, but Seo-rin kept muttering, ‘I’m hungry, I’m hungry,’ as if whining.

Judging from Seo-rin’s reaction, No-gun concluded that it wasn’t a strange energy. He said, ‘Bear with it. I’ll buy you something soon,’ and turned to look at Sunbin.

“How about you?”

Sunbin, who had been lost in thought, raised his head. The North Sea Ice Palace revealed itself before Sunbin’s eyes.

“It seems there is something there.”

“In the Ice Palace?”

No-gun also raised his eyes to look at the Ice Palace. The sight of the North Sea Ice Palace, like a huge fortress standing tall with the Great Plains and the North Sea behind it, filled his vision.

“That, I heard it’s called the Ice Palace because it’s a palace made of ice, right?”

Sunbin tilted his head.

“I don’t think you can build such a structure with ice?”

“It’s not just ice. It’s called the Ice Crystal of the North Sea, or the Eternal Ice Crystal [a magical, extremely durable form of ice].”

Sunbin looked at the North Sea Ice Palace again. But on the surface, it was just an ordinary building. Of course, the word ‘ordinary’ didn’t suit it at all.

“It seems this is no ordinary place. Everyone be careful. Don’t forget to circulate your inner energy to protect your vital energy [a technique to fortify one’s life force].”

Dang Worea nodded.

But Sunbin gave an awkward smile. He didn’t know how to circulate his inner energy to protect his vital energy. Seo-rin also tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand what it meant at all.

“You guys, well… just do whatever you want.”

Seo-rin just nodded his head as if he liked it.

“Wow!”

Suddenly, cheers erupted from the Ice Palace. No-gun said,

“Let’s go.”

Clatter, clatter.

Before long, the Ice Palace revealed its full appearance. The ancient wooden buildings surrounding it, the huge stone steps leading to the Ice Palace, and the wide martial arts arena spread out below came into view.

“Waaaaaah!”

No-gun frowned at the ear-piercing cheers. The martial arts arena was packed with people.

“What? There’s hardly anyone to challenge, but why are there so many people?”

No-gun had good reason to say that. The front of the Ice Palace was literally a sea of people. There were many martial artists watching the martial arts contest, as well as those waiting their turn.

“Of course, there would be a lot.”

A martial artist passing by said. He shrugged his shoulders as if he had heard No-gun’s words.

“Today is the last day. People who have been watching carefully until the last minute have flocked here all at once. The North Sea Twelve are probably exhausted from the continuous martial arts contests, so it’s the perfect condition to aim for.”

“Indeed.”

No-gun said with a sullen expression.

“A trick that martial artists would think of.”

“Ooooooh!”

A slightly different shout erupted from the martial arts arena.

“Gongseon Family’s Gale Sword, Great Warrior, has won!”

“The Gongseon Family has won!”

The martial artists cheered as if shaking off what had been suppressed.

The middle-aged martial artist standing on the martial arts arena was quite excited, perhaps because of the thrill of victory.

“Gale Sword Gongseon Byeok! Gale Sword Gongseon Byeok!”

He raised both arms high and responded to the crowd’s cheers. Behind him, a young woman with her arms wrapped around her was visible. She was gritting her teeth as if she couldn’t accept the defeat, but the result was clear.

Rustle.

In an instant, all the noise subsided at once, and everyone’s attention was focused on one person.

The Young Palace Master, who had been watching the martial arts contest, was getting up from her seat. It was something that had never happened before. Gale Sword Gongseon Byeok also turned his head to look at the Young Palace Master.

“Finally.”

A clear voice flowed out as her red lips moved. Everyone focused all their attention on each word of the Young Palace Master. Perfect silence descended on this place filled with people.

“This moment has come.”

The Young Palace Master spoke in clear southern language. Unlike before, it was a polite and gentle tone.

“Ooooooh.”

The martial artists buzzed, and Gale Sword Gongseon Byeok’s face flushed. It was because the Young Palace Master’s words sounded as if she was congratulating Gongseon Byeok’s victory.

However, the person the Young Palace Master’s gaze was directed at at this moment was neither Gongseon Byeok on the martial arts arena nor the North Sea Twelve.

Passing through countless people, one person filled the Young Palace Master’s eyes.

It was Sunbin.

‘Ah…….’

Sunbin’s eyes shook violently.

‘Sooyeon.’

Beyond the countless people, she was standing on the high platform.

The woman who willingly drew her sword for him, who was nothing. And the woman who even risked her life to save him.

The only person in this world who understood the deep sadness in his heart. A person who seemed so fragile and weak that he couldn’t bear not to hold her.

The woman he had longed for so much was standing there. In the name of the Young Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace.

“Sooyeon…….”

Sunbin muttered quietly. It was neither surprise nor embarrassment. It was certainly not a sense of betrayal.

The hot feeling that welled up from his heart the moment he saw her was affection.

“Soo……!”

“I will gladly wait.”

Sa Sooyeon said. In an even colder and more frigid voice.

Sunbin, who was about to step forward, froze as if he had been frozen.

“For the time to share swords with you.”

Rustle.

With those words, Sa Sooyeon turned her body. And cheers erupted behind her.

“Waaaaaah!”

“Gongseon Byeok! Gale Sword Gongseon Byeok!”

People chanted Gale Sword Gongseon Byeok’s name. The martial arts arena heated up, and the hearts of the martial artists waiting for their turn were also ignited.

However, Gale Sword Gongseon Byeok’s face was distorted.

He could quickly tell that the Young Palace Master’s gaze was not directed at him. But because of the pride of a martial artist, no, a man, he had no choice but to pretend not to know.

“Gongseon Byeok! Gongseon Byeok!”

Gongseon Byeok forced a smile and answered the crowd’s cheers, subtly looking around at the people. However, there was no way to find out who the Young Palace Master’s gaze was directed at.

Shuffle, shuffle.

Young Palace Master Sa Sooyeon slowly climbed the stairs.

Things like the cheers of the people were no longer audible. Neither the imposing Ice Palace nor the huge stairs were visible.

Only one person filled her eyes now.

‘Finally, he’s here.’

She could recognize his appearance at once. His every move, every expression was engraved in her eyes like a seal.

Among those many people, she could only see him alone.

‘He’s… here.’

There were times when she doubted what he meant to her.

There were times when she was confident that she would be fine even if she faced him.

There were times when she thought that he meant nothing to her anymore, that she didn’t need to be obsessed with him anymore.

‘But.’

But it wasn’t.

The moment she saw him, no, the moment she recognized his existence, Sa Sooyeon’s heart shook violently. Just meeting his eyes seemed to shake her soul.

Looking back now, there was not a day that she did not remember him.

There was not a single moment that she did not think of him.

When she came to her senses, she was always thinking of him. His warm smile, his soft voice.

‘Come to think of it, he picked up someone else again.’

Sa Sooyeon smiled slightly. The pretty boy next to Sunbin was someone she didn’t know. But she could quickly tell what had happened.

‘Really, that’s just like him.’

The warm gaze of the boy towards Sunbin and Sunbin’s soft response to that gaze were not at all unfamiliar.

Perhaps that pretty boy was also drawn to Sunbin.

To his warmth and his smile.

‘Like I… did.’

Sa Sooyeon bit her lip.

That place should have been her place. That place to laugh with him and share warmth with him should have been hers. The person next to him should have been her, not anyone else.

But now she is here and he is there.

Like people divided on the boundary between this world and the afterlife, separated by life and death.

‘But it’s okay.’

Shuffle.

Sa Sooyeon stopped walking. And she turned her head.

She felt the people who were still unable to take their eyes off the Young Palace Master’s back suddenly fall silent.

However, Sa Sooyeon could not see the gazes of the many people looking at her.

Only the fact that his gaze was still directed at her was the only value at this moment. Only his gaze, always warm and resolute, was the only meaning at this moment.

―Hmph.

Sa Sooyeon smiled. The people who were paying attention to her seemed to hear the sound of their hearts dropping for a moment. A low sigh that flowed out from everyone filled the surroundings of the Ice Palace.

Shuffle.

Sa Sooyeon turned her head. And she said as if whispering quietly.

“Soon, it will be mine.”

Shuffle, shuffle.

Sa Sooyeon entered the Ice Palace as it was. Until her figure disappeared, no, for a long time after that, people could not take their eyes off the Ice Palace.

∴

“Sareunae.”

“Yes.”

Sa Sooyeon, who had entered the Ice Palace, said. Sareunae immediately knelt down and waited for her command.

“Will you deliver a message?”

Sareunae put her hands together on her chest and willingly bowed her head.

*

*

*

The area around the Ice Palace was an atmosphere of festival and enthusiasm. The martial arts contests between the North Sea Twelve and the martial artists continued after that, but Sunbin’s gaze was fixed on the entrance of the Ice Palace where Sa Sooyeon had disappeared.

Grind.

An uncomfortable sound was heard from the side. Sunbin turned his head. Seo-rin was revealing complete hostility towards the Ice Palace. To the point of making a sound that he had forgotten for a while.

Rustle.

Sunbin stroked Seo-rin’s head. Seo-rin turned his head to look at Sunbin.

“It’s okay.”

Sunbin said.

“It’s okay.”

Seo-rin’s expression, looking at Sunbin, changed as if he was about to cry. It was because Sunbin’s eyes were full of sadness.

“So, this was it.”

No-gun said with a stiff face.

“I wondered what that old man Pilong was talking about…”

No-gun understood what Pilong was trying to say.

He could now understand the meaning of the words that the Young Palace Master was different, and the meaning of the words that he had to see it for himself.

Even the great No-gun felt a chill run down his spine the moment he saw Sa Sooyeon. No-gun also felt something unknown and unmanageable in her voice.

It is certainly not the kind of thing that a person can have.

“That is a demon of the heart [a deep-seated emotional or psychological corruption].”

No-gun, who spoke as if spitting it out in a low voice, turned to look at Sunbin.

“Are you okay?”

That low voice contained concern for Sunbin.

“It’s a relief.”

Sunbin replied to No-gun.

“At least Sa Sojeo is safe, and she didn’t tell me to go back.”

No-gun twitched his eyebrows. He seemed to want to say something, but he knew Sunbin’s feelings now, so he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“So, what are you going to do?”

Sunbin quietly closed his eyes.

He didn’t know what had happened to Sa Sooyeon.

However, the moment he heard Sa Sooyeon’s cold voice, Sunbin could understand her condition at once.

Her cold gaze was exactly the same as the eyes of the Jade Dragon he had seen in the snowy mountains.

“My answer has not changed.”

Sunbin said, opening his eyes.

“I will do whatever it takes.”

“Is that so? Then…….”

No-gun was lost in thought for a moment. Then, suddenly, as if he had thought of something interesting, the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

“Why don’t we sweep away this martial arts arena first?”

“The martial arts arena?”

Sunbin said with a puzzled expression.

“Yes. The martial arts arena.”

No-gun turned his gaze.

The women called the North Sea Twelve were holding martial arts contests in various places against the martial artists. As if they would not let anyone pass any further, their swords were sharp and fierce.

“If we sweep this place away, can’t we meet that child? I think it would be quite fun to defeat all twelve of them.”

“That is…….”

Sunbin frowned slightly. It was a very personal matter for him to meet Sa Sooyeon. He couldn’t even think of responding to the martial arts contest for marriage.

“That’s definitely a good idea.”

Dang Worea said.

“Whoever wins her, she said she would follow his will in everything, right? Then we just have to win.”

Dang Worea did not doubt it at all. That Sunbin would definitely win. And that he would return Sa Sooyeon to her original state.

“After defeating those twelve first.”

Dang Worea said, looking back at the North Sea Twelve on the martial arts arena. For some reason, there was a competitive spirit in Dang Worea’s eyes. Could it be that the appearance of the North Sea Twelve, who were all women, stimulated Dang Worea?

“Me too, I want to do it too.”

Seo-rin quickly raised his hand so as not to be left out. Sunbin smiled and stroked Seo-rin’s head.

“That’s not a bad idea either. But before that, there is one thing I want to confirm.”

“Confirm?”

No-gun asked back.

“Yes.”

Sunbin raised his head to look at the Ice Palace. The huge Ice Palace stood as if looking down on Sunbin.

“There is something here. And perhaps that is.”

His throat choked up for a moment. The back of her disappearing into the Ice Palace was still vivid in his eyes. And her cold eyes and voice too.

“The reason why Sa Sojeo… was driven to this situation.”

―I will gladly wait. For the time to share swords with you.

Sa Sooyeon’s voice lingered in his ears.

“Something is there?”

No-gun frowned. It was then.

Shuffle.

Someone approached them. When No-gun turned around, there were two women dressed as Ice Palace maids standing there.

“Excuse me, are you the ones who came from Cheongwon?”

The younger of the maids said. It was a little awkward, but it was definitely the language of the South.

“That’s right.”

Sunbin replied. The maid bowed politely and said.

“I have a message to deliver. Would you mind moving to another place for a moment?”

“Another place?”

Sunbin asked back. But he could immediately understand the reason. It was because everyone around them was looking this way.

“Those are the maids who were next to that child earlier.”

No-gun’s small voice was heard in his ear. Sunbin nodded. The message to be delivered must be Sa Sooyeon’s intention.

“I understand. Let’s move to another place.”

At Sunbin’s words, the two women lightly bowed their heads to express their gratitude.

“Please follow us.”

Following their guidance, Sunbin and his group left the martial arts arena. The Ice Palace, which he looked at for the last time before leaving, stood tall in front of Sunbin like a huge wall.