A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 154

154. Gathering of Flowers

“Shall we go buy a gayageum [Korean zither]?”

Son Bin asked this in a fairly large town they arrived at a few days later.

“A gayageum? Are you really going to buy one?”

Son Bin looked rather puzzled at Noh Gun’s question.

“You need at least an instrument to learn on.”

Noh Gun shrugged, thinking that learning was just an excuse. Looking at the others’ expressions, it seemed Noh Gun wasn’t the only one who thought so.

“Well, let’s do that.”

Noh Gun drove the carriage toward the town and was able to find a place that sold gayageums without much difficulty.

*Ting.*

The merchant, who had been sitting leisurely, raised his head at the sound of the small bell. A group of people of all ages was entering.

“Welcome.”

A gentle-looking young man replied to the merchant’s words. It was Son Bin.

“Hello. I’ve come to see some gayageums.”

“Gayageums? There are many gayageums. Please, look around comfortably.”

The group had already scattered and was looking at the instruments with curious eyes. As a well-known instrument, there were quite a few types of gayageums.

“Well, these days, many people hang them up as decorations.”

The merchant said, as if he had noticed Son Bin’s thoughts.

“There are many decent ones too. They’re not too expensive, so pick one out.”

“How much is this?”

Noh Gun, who had already picked up a plausible gayageum, asked. It was a wonderful gayageum that one could tell was high-end at a glance.

“That would be at least five gold coins…”

“Gold coins?”

Noh Gun’s mouth dropped open.

“Not silver coins, but gold coins?”

Noh Gun clicked his tongue at the price, which was a completely different unit than expected.

“No, why is it so expensive when it’s just a few strings on a wooden board? Did you put gold trim on the gayageum?”

“That’s right.”

The merchant said with an indifferent expression. Noh Gun stared at him with a dumbfounded expression, and the merchant shrugged.

“That yellowish trim, like that decoration, is real gold. So, it’s like it has gold trim. Most of them are used as decorations in wealthy people’s homes rather than for actual performances.”

“So, they buy it to show off to others.”

Noh Gun grumbled as he looked at the gayageum. The wood material itself was high-end, and the craftsmanship and decoration were different from the others.

“An instrument just needs to sound good, why put gold trim on it unnecessarily…”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. The ones that sound good are even more expensive.”

The merchant said with a leisurely face.

“There are many instruments called true masterpieces that you can’t get even if you give the same weight in gold. There are musicians who lose their homes and fields as soon as they fall for that sound.”

The merchant clicked his tongue and continued.

“I make a living from this, but this is a hobby that’s perfect for losing everything you have. Why else would they say there’s no hope once you fall for an instrument? Well, it’s similar to how men of letters fall for collecting inkstones and inksticks [tools for calligraphy].”

“There are people who collect inkstones and inksticks?”

The merchant shook his head at Noh Gun’s words.

“Don’t even mention it. Real expensive inksticks, you can’t get them even if you give the same weight in gold… Ah, did I say that earlier? Well, anyway, there’s even a story of giving the price of ten horses for one inkstick the size of your palm.”

The merchant’s words were quite interesting to Noh Gun.

“It’s not like they’re secret manuals or divine weapons… Unless everyone can’t help but dance when you play it, or something like that.”

Noh Gun put down the gayageum he was holding without regret.

“Um, Master Son…”

At the hesitant small voice, Son Bin turned his head. Rin was touching a gayageum and calling Son Bin. She was looking in a different direction because she couldn’t see.

“Yes, did you find something good?”

“Yes. I think this one is good.”

Next to Rin, her younger brother, Kang Min, was touching another gayageum.

“Sister. How about this one?”

When Min led her hand, Rin touched the gayageum. Then she shook her head slightly. Something didn’t seem to please her.

“Ah, um. How many of you will be learning…”

Rin asked.

“Me! Me!”

Seo Rin raised her hand enthusiastically. Son Bin looked back at the others.

Noh Gun didn’t even look at it, as if he had no interest, and Sa Soo-yeon shook her head lightly. Dang Wol-ah was looking around at this and that, but she didn’t seem to have any intention of learning.

“It seems like just me and Seo Rin will be enough.”

“Then, this one and this one…”

“Really? Then…”

Just as Son Bin was about to say that they should buy these two, Min stepped forward.

“Leave the bargaining to me.”

Min’s face was full of confidence as she spoke. Son Bin smiled.

“Okay. I’m counting on you.”

Min was just twelve years old. It was difficult to expect seasoned bargaining, but Son Bin willingly entrusted it to her. And Min did not betray Son Bin’s trust.

“Goodbye. Take good care of your sister.”

The merchant said, stroking Min’s head. His eyes were full of admiration.

“Yes, thank you. Mister.”

Min bowed her head politely. Unlike a twelve-year-old, or rather, acting exactly like a charming twelve-year-old, Min charmed the merchant with friendliness and cuteness.

In the end, the merchant, who had been indifferent at first, fell completely for Min’s words. Moreover, knowing that she and her sister were going on a long journey, tears even welled up in his eyes.

“You have to live hard. There will be many good things in life.”

“Yes. I’ll live hard!”

Min bowed her head once more.

The merchant waved his hand, saying it was okay several times. And when they left the place, Son Bin was holding two fairly good gayageums, though they were used.

The price was so light that a smile appeared on Son Bin’s face.

* * *

*Spat, spat.*

A small stone made a sound under the luxurious Tang shoes [traditional Chinese footwear]. The pretty Tang shoes with fine embroidery were not suitable for mountain paths, but the owner of the Tang shoes didn’t care.

“Are you alright, Soju-nim [young lady]?”

The old male servant who was following behind asked.

“I’m fine.”

The young lady said in a lively voice.

“How can I serve a precious person without this much effort?”

The beautiful woman with a round face and a cute impression, holding her skirt with both hands, sparkled her eyes.

Sweat was beading on her white forehead, but far from being tired, she had a full of energy.

*Swoosh.*

A gust of wind from Namak shook her clothes. The beautiful scenery of Namak, as if it would fly away, was all around, but it did not capture her attention.

“Still, you could have come in a palanquin [covered litter or sedan chair]…”

The lady shook her head at the servant’s words.

“Don’t you know? That person clearly hates all kinds of pretense and formality. It’s absurd to bother someone like that with a palanquin when you’ve come to serve them.”

The lady said, putting her hands on her waist and pointing her finger as if to emphasize her point.

She frowned, but even that look was cute and lovely, even though there was no one else to see besides them.

“But it’s already been three days.”

The servant said without any change in expression.

“Until when…”

“Until I see that person, of course.”

The lady said with a firm expression, putting both hands on her waist.

“There’s also the saying ‘three visits in seeking talent’ [a proverb about persistence]. We haven’t even met yet, so it’s not even once…”

It was that moment.

*Whoosh.*

A cold gust of wind blew. Sudden fog enveloped the surroundings, and at the same time, white frost began to spread underfoot.

The faces of the beautiful lady, as well as the old servant, hardened. The lady slowly turned her head.

“Ah!”

The lady let out a low exclamation. A white shadow was visible through the unknown fog.

That shadow, passing through the trees where untimely frost had fallen, was clearly the figure of a person.

“Soju-nim.”

The old servant’s voice, full of tension, was heard.

However, instead of answering, the lady bent down and reached for her feet. The pretty Tang shoes were taken off, and her feet were revealed.

*Spat.*

Her small, white feet stepped on the frosty grass. The cold air seemed to sting her feet, but she didn’t show it.

She put the Tang shoes aside, put her hands together neatly, and straightened her back. With her eyes slightly lowered, she waited for the white shadow to approach.

*Rustle, rustle.*

The person who came through the fog was a woman.

Snow-white clothes flowed down her slender shoulders and chest, and her hands, covered by long sleeves, were holding a sword preciously to her chest.

*Spat.*

The snow-white bare feet that were visible under the hem of her clothes stopped.

Long flowing black hair, a face as beautiful as a painting.

However, her eyes, which felt lifeless like a doll’s, turned to the two people.

The old servant trembled without realizing it.

Those eyes, like those of a dead person, contrasted with her mysterious and beautiful appearance, adding to the eerie feeling.

It was a moment when the reason why she was called ‘Guihee’ [Ghost Princess] was overwhelmingly convincing.

“Who are you?”

A slightly rough voice flowed out from between her red lips.

Was it just the old servant’s delusion that the voice felt as ominous as if it were echoing from the abyss?

*Rustle.*

The lady who identified herself as Hong-ryun took a step forward.

Speaking in a clear voice, the lady slowly knelt down and bowed her head. The cute appearance from a moment ago was nowhere to be found, and it was an extremely elegant and sincere courtesy.

Guihee’s dry eyes looked down at the polite courtesy.

Certainly, this lady’s reaction was different from others.

This lady did not scream, nor did she show hostility and exude murderous intent.

No, she didn’t even seem to have the ability to do so in the first place. Yet, she doesn’t seem to be afraid at all.

*Rustle.*

The lady who identified herself as Hong-ryun slowly stood up and raised her head. Her shining eyes met Guihee’s dry eyes.

“Have you been waiting for me? Why?”

“Are you looking for someone?”

Hong-ryun said. Her posture was modest, but her eyes were shining intensely.

“Someone as strong as Namak Noh Gun.”

Guihee’s eyes sparkled. For the first time, life returned to her eyes, which had seemed dead. Hong-ryun smiled.

“Do you know where he is?”

“I don’t know.”

Guihee’s eyes changed slightly. With just that, the old servant felt an instinctive fear.

However, Hong-ryun continued to speak even more slowly.

“But Namak Noh Gun is not the only one in the world. Just like the Old Fisherman of the Jang River.”

‘Old Fisherman.’

Guihee recalled the master she had met in the Jang River.

“Is he the Old Fisherman of the Jang River?”

“If he had a skinny figure and was holding a blue fishing rod.”

“That’s right.”

“Did he tell you to go find Namak Noh Gun?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Hong-ryun was able to confirm that her guess was correct. The reason why the Half-Sword Guihee, who had been appearing near the Jang River, suddenly came to Namak was because of the Old Fisherman of the Jang River.

“Perhaps.”

Hong-ryun smiled.

“Do you know the Outer History of the Martial World (武林外史) [Wulin Waishi, a term for the hidden world of martial arts masters]?”

Guihee shook her head slightly. It was a small movement that was difficult to recognize, but Hong-ryun did not miss it.

“Originally, there are countless hidden things in the martial world besides what is visible. Among them, those who have reached the sky with their martial arts, the world of those belonging to the Outer Heavens (天外天) [Tianwaitian, a realm beyond the heavens], is called Outer History.”

Hong-ryun’s eyes were shining.

“Neither sects, families, nor fame matter. A world where only the strong can enter, and even knowing about it is not allowed. That is the Outer History of the Martial World.”

Hong-ryun said with a slight smile.

“The Old Fisherman of the Jang River and Namak Noh Gun are all people from the Outer History.”

“Outer History…”

Guihee muttered.

“And we are called Yewon [a gathering place for talented women]. It’s just a place to show off humble talents, but it’s the only place allowed to know about the Outer History.”

There was a subtle pride in Hong-ryun’s voice. But Guihee doesn’t show any interest in Yewon.

“I’m looking for it.”

Guihee said in a calm voice.

“One who walks the path of the Martial Emperor… One person who will complete my sword.”

“I’ll find them for you.”

Hong-ryun said with shining eyes.

“Even if I have to search the whole world, I will find them without fail.”

“Good.”

Guihee nodded, barely visibly, and she turned away without hesitation, as if there was no more business to be done.

*Spat.*

“Ah, just a moment.”

Hong-ryun hurriedly called Guihee. Guihee turned her head.

“There will be a gathering of the Twelve Sojus of Yewon in Hangzhou soon.”

Hong-ryun said, looking straight at the dry eyes that showed no interest.

“When this time comes, many people from the Outer History will gladly move to Hangzhou. Even those who usually live in seclusion are exceptions only at this time. The sight of the twelve flowers of Yewon gathered in one place is not something you can see often.”

It’s not just that you can’t see it often. It is impossible to know when this meeting of the twelve flowers of Yewon will take place. In some cases, it has been held every three years, and in others, every ten years.

The result of this meeting determines the order of the Sojus for three or ten years. Becoming the next owner of Yewon is also not unrelated to the result of this meeting.

Therefore, this feast of flowers, which is gorgeous and enjoyable for those who watch it, is actually a fiercely competitive arena for survival.

“So?”

Unlike Hong-ryun, who was slightly excited, there was no change in Guihee’s expression. Before her patience disappeared, Hong-ryun quickly continued.

“You might be able to hear stories about those who walk the path of the Martial Emperor there. No, you will definitely be able to hear them.”

Hong-ryun was sure. If it was about the Martial Emperor, whatever it was, the woman who wanted it more desperately than anyone else was the current owner of Yewon.

“If you wish, with me…”

Hong-ryun said cautiously. But her invitation was not necessary.

“I’ll go.”

Guihee said, her eyes shining. Hong-ryun smiled and bowed her head.

“Thank you. Ah, come to think of it.”

Hong-ryun asked, raising her head.

“May I ask your name?”

“I have no name.”

Guihee said in a low, rough voice. It was chilling compared to Hong-ryun’s clear voice.

“But if you call me Sword Demon, that will be fine.”

“Ah. So you were originally Sword Demon.”

A bright smile bloomed on Hong-ryun’s face.