A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 155

155. Initiation (入門) [Initiation, in this context, refers to the formal acceptance of someone as a student or disciple.]

* * *

Clang.

“Ah!”

A shout came from the boy, Kang Min, along with the sound that struck the ear. Son Bin turned his head.

“You broke another string, hyung [older brother/male friend]!”

“Ah, sorry.”

Seo-rin shrugged with a look that didn’t seem sorry at all.

“This string is too weak.”

“What’s weak! Do you know how strong this string is? Do you know how many times noona [older sister] has hurt her fingers? You’re just using too much force!”

Min said, huffing. The strings of the Guqin [a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument] are usually made of silk. They produce a clean sound but are quite tough and strong, often causing hand injuries.

“But the sound is lower than I thought.”

Thung, thung, thung.

Seo-rin kept plucking a perfectly fine string as if playing a prank. She barely listened to Min.

“It doesn’t make a high sound like you, noona? The sound isn’t pretty either… I like high sounds. I don’t like low sounds.”

“You need to press the exact spot as marked to get the right sound!”

The Guqin is an instrument that adjusts the pitch by pressing the middle part of the string with a finger and plucking the end.

There were twelve small dots marked on the side of the Guqin to indicate the exact positions to press.

“Doing what I’m told is boring… Here?”

Seo-rin suddenly pressed the part that made the highest sound and strongly plucked the string with her other hand.

“Uh! Then it’ll…”

Min’s warning was too late. The tightly stretched string couldn’t withstand Seo-rin’s strength and snapped with a sharp sound.

Piing.

“You broke it again!”

Min burst out in anger.

“Do you know how expensive this is? It’s silk!”

Seo-rin pouted.

“Bin hyung bought it, so what.”

“I’m the one who carved it though?”

Without responding to Min’s words, Seo-rin held out the Guqin.

“Two strings broke. Replace them.”

“You should be more careful.”

Min replaced the broken string while still angry.

“You can’t learn from noona if you can’t even do the basics.”

“This posture is harder than I thought. I can’t sit for long.”

“Tch, Bin hyung does it well, why can’t you?”

Having learned Seo-rin’s habit, Min also called Son Bin ‘Bin hyung’. Son Bin smiled at the sight of the two, when he heard a hesitant voice from the side.

“Um, are you listening?”

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

Son Bin said to the slender girl, Kang Rin. Rin sighed softly and continued.

“Making accurate sounds is the most important thing. To do that, you have to keep trying, so that your hand can find the position without looking. Once you get used to it…”

With her eyes closed, Rin pressed a part of the string with her slender finger.

“You can tell what sound it will make just by the sensation of the string on your finger.”

Ding.

A clear sound rang out. It was a small but far-reaching, accurate tone.

“The places that mark the position of pressing the strings are called ‘hwi’ [inlays]. You have to memorize them all.”

“All of them? Each string has hwi…”

There are seven strings and thirteen hwi. Since only twelve hwi are used in actual performance, you have to memorize all eighty-four.

“Yes. All of them.”

Rin answered firmly. She usually seemed frail and hesitant, but when it came to the Guqin, she showed no compromise.

“Remember. You have to memorize them with your hands and ears, not your eyes.”

“O-okay.”

“Start slowly from the first string, chohyun [the first string of the Guqin]. There’s no need to rush.”

Rin’s expression was quite stern as she spoke. Son Bin suddenly thought as he watched her.

‘This isn’t how I should be acting.’

Son Bin is both a learner and a teacher. He knows better than anyone what kind of mindset is needed for learning.

And Rin, no matter how young, is the one teaching him the Guqin.

“Is there a specific etiquette for Guqin players when accepting disciples?”

Rin tilted her head.

“I don’t really know about that. I only learned it briefly when I was young… That person was just a wandering musician.”

Son Bin looked back at No-gun. No-gun, who was a little further away, shrugged with Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah, holding teacups.

“I don’t know about musicians’ affairs. In the Murim [martial arts world], it’s usually called baesajirye [formal apprenticeship ceremony], but the form and meaning are different for each sect. Some places it’s just a word, ‘You are my disciple from today,’ and there’s nothing particularly set.”

Son Bin nodded and quietly got up from his seat.

Swish.

Rin, with her eyes closed, looked puzzled. She could tell that Son Bin had gotten up, but she couldn’t figure out why.

Son Bin straightened his clothes. Seo-rin and Min, who had been bickering, looked over, and the gazes of No-gun, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah also turned to Son Bin.

“I am late in offering the proper respect.”

Son Bin put his hands together in a formal gesture. And bowed respectfully.

“Son Bin pays his respects to the teacher.”

“Y-yes?”

Rin looked utterly flustered. Min, of course, looked surprised, but No-gun, Seo-rin, and Dang Wol-ah looked as if they had expected it.

“Respects, why are you suddenly doing this…”

As if trying to stop Son Bin, Rin stammered and reached out her hand.

However, because she couldn’t see, she accidentally bumped Son Bin’s head, which was bowed. Rin was startled and hurriedly gathered her hands to her chest.

“Please don’t do this. You’re older than me, and also…”

Rin said, almost in tears.

“It is only natural to show respect in learning. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be carelessly approaching the Guqin?”

Rin’s expression hardened slightly at Son Bin’s words.

Lightness and carelessness are clearly different. And for Rin, treating the Guqin carelessly was unimaginable. This old Guqin was her only friend.

“Haa.”

Rin sighed.

“I understand what you’re saying, but there’s no need to show me such respect…”

“No. It is only right for a learner to show respect to the teacher.”

Rin realized that she couldn’t break Son Bin’s stubbornness.

But she couldn’t just accept the respect of Son Bin, who was clearly older than her.

“At least speak comfortably. I’m too uncomfortable.”

Son Bin smiled.

“If that is the teacher’s wish, I will gladly do so.”

Rin could feel the smile in his voice. Rin still had a troubled expression, but she couldn’t hide the faint smile spreading across her lips.

‘Really, he’s just an impossible person.’

A faint smile was also on the lips of Sa Su-yeon, who was watching. She was reminded of him expressing his gratitude so many times in the past.

‘So… it’s a good thing, but.’

Sa Su-yeon turned her head slightly to hide her face, lest he see her. The warmth of the teacup held in both hands seemed to reach her heart.

“Looks like he’s really going to learn.”

No-gun muttered.

“Well, that guy wouldn’t do anything half-heartedly.”

“Is it okay?”

Sa Su-yeon asked. She must be worried about Son Bin’s condition.

No-gun shrugged.

“It’ll be fine. I saw him taking care of the White Herons in the room earlier; he must be frustrated because he can’t hold a sword. It’s not bad for him to be absorbed in something like that. It’s not particularly strenuous either.”

No-gun looked back at Dang Wol-ah. He said to her as she lifted her teacup.

“Can’t you do something like that? The women of the Dang family are surprisingly good at miscellaneous skills.”

“Only in books.”

“What?”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly as No-gun questioned her.

“The history, structure, playing methods, timbre, musical pieces, rhythm, and even aesthetics of the Guqin. I’ve read many books on the study of the Guqin. But…”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly, putting the teacup to her lips.

“No matter how many books I read, I can’t know what it sounds like.”

“Ahem.”

No-gun cleared his throat. He roughly guessed what kind of time Dang Wol-ah, who had been the poison blade of the Dang family, had spent.

No matter how many times you read the words ‘clear and beautiful sound’, how could you know the sound of the Guqin if you had never heard it before?

Sa Su-yeon also said nothing. She could feel the wounds and pain hidden behind Dang Wol-ah’s calm voice. Sa Su-yeon held the teacup tightly with both hands.

“Look! Bin hyung is learning hard.”

Min said to Seo-rin.

“Hyung is serious too…”

“Hmph.”

Seo-rin turned her head away.

“I won’t be anyone else’s disciple. I only have one teacher.”

“I don’t need a disciple like you either? And I told you to work hard; who said you could become a disciple?”

Min said as if not wanting to lose.

“Anyway, hurry up and do it. This is the first hwi, this is the second hwi…”

“That’s no fun.”

Seo-rin, who was grumbling, suddenly had a thought, and her eyes sparkled.

“Ah! I want to try that. The chwaareureung, chwaareureung thing [onomatopoeia for strumming sound]!”

She seemed to have thought of a technique of strumming several strings. At the same time as she spoke, Seo-rin reached out both hands and forcefully swept the strings. She seemed to have put a lot of force into it, and even inner energy was forming at her fingertips.

“Ah! No! Doing it like that…”

Tatatang!

It was already too late. The strings of the Guqin were mercilessly snapped from Seo-rin’s fingertips. Min’s shriek spread throughout the inn.

* * *

Tang, ttaang [onomatopoeia for Guqin sounds].

The Guqin made a sound from Son Bin’s fingertips.

It was a monotonous performance, simply continuing one note at a time from the low notes without any melody.

But the other members of the group listening to the sound were staring at Son Bin with wide eyes.

“This isn’t some kind of song, is it?”

No-gun muttered quietly. It was definitely not a song, as the notes gradually increased from the first string and moved on to the next string. It was just making sounds in order.

Nevertheless, the reason he asked that was because Son Bin’s expression and posture while playing those simple, repetitive notes were so serious that they could put a musician to shame, and there was no sloppiness or carelessness in the resonance of each note.

“I think so.”

Sa Su-yeon said in an unsure tone. She spoke in a low voice as if worried about disturbing Son Bin’s serious playing.

Dang Wol-ah simply closed her eyes and was completely immersed in the monotonous sound.

She didn’t seem to care that the warm teacup held in both hands was cooling down.

Dduung, ddung, ttaang [onomatopoeia for Guqin sounds].

All the notes of the Guqin ended with the highest sound. Son Bin, who had been holding his hand still as if savoring the lingering sound of the last note, opened his eyes.

“How is it? Teacher.”

Rin had a satisfied expression. She spoke towards the direction where Son Bin’s voice came from, as she couldn’t see.

“You did well. It seems like you practiced hard.”

Her expression was a bit awkward, but it was definitely a compliment. Son Bin smiled.

“Thank you. I memorized it diligently since dawn. I’m glad to hear praise.”

“Um, but the teacher thing is a bit…”

Rin said with a troubled expression. Son Bin smiled.

“Then what should I do?”

“Just call me like before…”

Son Bin shook his head.

“That’s difficult. It is said, ‘A person’s words come from their heart.’ If I treat the teacher carelessly, I am afraid that my heart will become like my words.”

Rin was speechless. As she was only thirteen years old, she had no ability to refute Son Bin.

“B-but I can’t possibly be a teacher.”

The small and slender Rin said, almost in tears. Son Bin asked with a worried expression.

“Then should I call you teacher?”

“T-that’s also…”

“Tell him to call you Sojeo [young lady], noona!”

Min suddenly said from the side. He had been giving up on Seo-rin’s attitude, which was not progressing at all. He had also been listening to Son Bin’s playing, which was not really playing.

“Noona always wanted to be called Rin Sojeo.”

“M-Min-ah!”

Rin’s face turned red. But her younger brother, Kang Min, didn’t care.

“Call her Rin Sojeo, Bin hyung. Noona will like it too. She tells me all the time. She said she wants to be called Sojeo like the other young ladies.”

Min said excitedly. But Son Bin shook his head.

“But how can I call the teacher Sojeo…”

“P-please call me that.”

Son Bin turned his head at Rin’s voice. Rin, with her eyes closed, said with a red face.

“So, Sojeo is rather… better than teacher.”

Her voice was getting smaller and smaller, almost inaudible.

“Is it okay?”

Son Bin asked. Rin bowed her head and said.

“Y-yes.”

In fact, there is a huge difference between teacher and Sojeo.

But he couldn’t force a teacher-student relationship on her when she was uncomfortable.

“I understand. If that’s okay with you, I’m fine with it too.”

From Son Bin’s point of view, ‘Sojeo’ was also a title with sufficient courtesy and formality. Son Bin was satisfied in his own way.

The small and slender Rin’s face was still bright red. From the side, he could hear Seo-rin saying, ‘Call me Gongja-nim [young master] too,’ and the conversation continued with ‘Hyung should call me Gang Gongja.’

“Then shall we continue?”

“Ah, yes.”

At Son Bin’s words, Rin fumbled with the Guqin.

“I’ll play the same song as yesterday. Listen carefully, and if you can follow along, you can join in.”

“I will. Rin Sojeo.”

Son Bin said. Rin’s face turned slightly red again, but soon the melody began to flow from her slender fingertips.

Tang, ttadang, tang [onomatopoeia for Guqin sounds].

“Was Bin always like that?”

No-gun muttered as he watched the scene.

“He seems to be talking a bit more than before.”

“You told him to talk a lot.”

Dang Wol-ah said to No-gun.

“Well, that’s true.”

No-gun shrugged, and Sa Su-yeon asked.

“Wasn’t he usually like that?”

“He wasn’t like Paegeom [a character’s name], who didn’t say anything at all, but he wasn’t exactly a chatty person either.”

“Paegeom?”

“There is such a guy. You’ll see him once you get back.”

No-gun answered simply and continued, recalling his memories.

“Usually, Bin doesn’t say unnecessary things. He seems to play quite well with the kids though.”

Sa Su-yeon tilted her head.

The Son Bin she remembered was a bit talkative.

He asked Sa Ja-hyeok, who would intimidate most people just by looking at him, in detail, and even dared to stand up to the terrifying Okryong, let alone be intimidated.

“I… think he looks better.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly.

After Bukhae, or rather, after that night in the Great Desert, Son Bin had definitely changed. He was no longer anxious, and he no longer gritted his teeth and tried to do something.

Sa Su-yeon also liked Son Bin’s current appearance. Just looking at his constant appearance made her heart warm.

“Me too…”

“What’s there that you wouldn’t like?”

No-gun grumbled. Sa Su-yeon’s face turned slightly red.

“I’ll do it one more time.”

Rin’s voice was heard after she finished playing.

Son Bin tilted his head.

“But it seems a little different from the song you played yesterday?”

“That’s right. Rather than an exact reproduction, it’s more important to put your heart and feelings into the music. So even the same song can change a lot. Sometimes it sounds like a completely different song.”

“I see.”

Son Bin nodded.

“Then, listen carefully.”

Ttaang, ddung, ttadang [onomatopoeia for Guqin sounds].

Rin’s Guqin began to play a melody. Son Bin listened to her performance with a serious attitude.

“This is good too.”

No-gun said with a satisfied expression. Rin’s Guqin melody and the soft tea scent filled the room.

Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah seemed to feel the same way; their expressions were soft.

After Rin’s Guqin played the same melody three or four more times.

Ttaang [onomatopoeia for Guqin sound].

This time, Son Bin’s Guqin also began to make a sound. It wasn’t a full-fledged performance. It was just that he started plucking the strings one note at a time in the middle of Rin’s performance, as if he had suddenly thought of it.

“Hoh.”

No-gun’s eyes widened. Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah also turned their heads to look at Son Bin and Rin’s performance.

“This is, quite…”

No-gun admired and looked at Son Bin.

Dduung [onomatopoeia for Guqin sound].

Most of the notes that Son Bin played were low notes. Just one note that rang out occasionally as if he had thought of it.

But even that made the overall feeling richer.

The two people’s performances did not interfere with each other, nor did they go awry. It felt as if they had been playing together for a long time.

“Wow, Bin hyung is good!”

Seo-rin exclaimed. Min quickly responded.

“Our noona is better! Bin hyung is just supporting her. But still, he’s good for that level.”

As Min said, Rin’s fingertips were moving over the Guqin, while Son Bin was just standing still and ringing the strings once in a while. But Min couldn’t deny that the result was amazing.

Ttadang, ttaang [onomatopoeia for Guqin sounds].

The two people’s ensemble continued. The group forgot their words and soaked in the melody.

Sometimes Son Bin’s heavy notes resonated in their hearts, and sometimes Rin’s melody brushed past their ears like the wind.

Everyone in that place was intoxicated by the flow created by the two people’s Guqin. But that time was not long.

Tiing [onomatopoeia for Guqin sound].

“Ah!”

The melody stopped as Rin’s Guqin made a strange sound. Rin also sighed as if she was sad that the performance had been interrupted.

“Is it loose again?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

Rin, with her eyes closed, reached out her hand and pressed one of the strings a few times. The string was loose and not making the right sound.

As if already used to it, Min quickly came over and began to fix Rin’s Guqin. Son Bin also stopped playing and watched the scene.

Then Rin asked in a quiet voice. Her voice was trembling slightly.

“Did you… learn music before?”

“Only the basics. Etiquette and music are inseparable.”

The Book of Poetry [classic collection of Chinese poetry], one of the Four Books and Three Classics [foundational texts of Confucianism], is itself a book of collected songs.

Son Bin also knew the basics of music. However, actually playing the Guqin was a completely different story.

“I see. I don’t know much about that. I just play the Guqin…”

Rin caressed the Guqin she received from Min. Son Bin looked at her Guqin and said.

“By the way, that’s quite an old Guqin.”

Rin’s old and worn Guqin didn’t seem to be in very good condition.

“Yes. It’s an old one.”

Rin said, caressing the old Guqin.

“But it’s very precious to me.”

A soft smile bloomed on her face as she spoke. Son Bin said.

“Come to think of it, it is also customary to prepare a small gift when serving a teacher.”

“Yes?”

Rin asked back. But Son Bin smiled instead of answering. Rin’s face was already full of worry, afraid of what Son Bin would say next.