A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 157

157. Journey on the Yangtze River

Following the main road, Sunbin and his group reached the Yangtze River and boarded a large ship heading to Hangzhou. It was a large ship carrying many people, a mountain of luggage, and even horses and carriages.

“I’ve never seen such a huge ship before!” Min exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder. Even Lin, who couldn’t see, was slightly excited by her younger sister’s enthusiasm.

“Get us a good cabin.” Old Gun glared at the sailor. The journey to Hangzhou was long, so they secured a comfortable cabin, even if it was a bit pricey.

The fare to Hangzhou was paid by Sasu Yeon, who said she had received money from the Northern Sea.

“I have plenty of travel money, so don’t worry.”

He recalled that she had paid for Sunbin’s expenses before. She had entrusted gold and silver to the doctor who saved them in Seolsan, and Sunbin had even bought a modest house in Cheongwon with that money.

“Then I’ll take care of the food, or rather, she will.” Old Gun gestured towards Dang Wol-ah with his chin. Dang Wol-ah remained silent as always, but the group knew she agreed.

*Splash.*

The ship cut through the Yangtze River, advancing steadily. There wasn’t much to do on the ship, so the group enjoyed a leisurely time for the first time in a while.

However, Sunbin and Lin were exceptions. Lin’s zither [a traditional Chinese stringed instrument] lessons were still ongoing. Since they were on the ship all day, the lesson time was greatly increased.

“You’re wrong,” Lin said in a clear voice, stopping his performance.

“I’m sorry.” Sunbin bowed his head. Lin’s zither lessons had become stricter than before.

She was originally more serious than anyone else when performing. Having decided to properly teach Sunbin, she didn’t let even the smallest things pass.

Unlike before, when she was awkward and uncomfortable around Sunbin, she now didn’t hesitate to point out his mistakes.

“You don’t need to apologize to me. But you shouldn’t be ashamed of your own sound. An unstable finger position indicates a problem with your basic posture.”

Her voice and expression were those of a strict teacher. If Sunbin called her ‘teacher’ now, it wouldn’t seem out of place at all.

“Be bold, yet gentle and precise. Do you understand? Let’s try again.”

“Yes, I understand.” Sunbin began to play the zither with Lin. As their melodies flowed, Seorin pouted, watching Sunbin.

“Brother Bin doesn’t play with me and only plays music every day. It’s boring…….”

Min, who was sitting across from her, sighed.

“You can do it too, Seorin. Study hard and play a duet with Brother Bin.”

“But I can’t.”

Seorin, with her lips sticking out, plucked a few strings of the zither with her fingers.

“It’s hard to control my strength. The Buljin is easy, though.”

“Buljin?”

Min tilted her head at the unfamiliar word but soon lost interest. It wasn’t the first time Seorin had said something strange.

“If Brother Bin can do it, there’s nothing you can’t do. Now, try again.”

“Ugh…….” Seorin openly showed her dislike, but she didn’t run away. Seeing Sunbin so engrossed in it, she seemed to want to follow along.

As Seorin struggled with the zither at Min’s urging, the ship leisurely flowed along the Yangtze River.

* * *

“Hoo-ooh.” A sturdy young man with his upper body exposed sat cross-legged, calming his breath with his eyes closed. Heat emanated from the young man’s solid body, honed by long training.

*Flash.*

The young man, having gathered his breath, opened his eyes. At the same time as his fiery gaze flashed, a powerful energy poured out from his entire body.

“Good.” A middle-aged man with a dignified air said. Watching the young man’s training with a satisfied smile, he was the head of the Limitless Moryong Clan, the Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung.

“Very good!” His expression was very pleased. The young man, Iron Sword Moryong Jin, rose from his seat and paid his respects to his father. The flashing light in his eyes was gone as if it had never been.

“I am still far from good enough.”

“Not enough? Your level has already surpassed mine, so how can this not be a cause for joy?”

Moryong Myung’s words were sincere. He was trying to hide his excitement, but his face was beaming.

“But you didn’t achieve it with just your own skills, did you?”

A beautiful woman in luxurious clothes said in a sharp voice.

It was Moryong Lin, the precious daughter of the Moryong Clan. She looked displeased at her brother, who was on top form.

“The Divine Doctor released his cold energy, activating the blood and energy throughout your body. When you think about it, it’s the same as being helped by a precious elixir, so you can’t say you achieved it fairly with your own skills.”

Not long ago, the family had gone through difficulties, and at one point, they thought their lineage might be cut off. But the crisis became an opportunity.

Through the experiences he had during the treatment process, Iron Sword Moryong Jin’s level greatly increased to an extent that could not be compared to before. Of course, this was the result of his constant training.

“That’s not just what the Divine Doctor did.”

Iron Sword Moryong Jin said with a smile. Even his sister, who was speaking as if she was sulking, looked cute in his eyes. Especially since he knew how much she had suffered when the family was in trouble.

“When you think about it, wasn’t it actually Young Master Son who helped us? You say it’s not just your own skill, but it’s okay to gratefully accept the kindness of a friend.”

“Hmph.” Moryong Lin couldn’t find anything to say and turned her head. Her butterfly-shaped hair ornament swayed slightly.

“Take your sword and come to the training ground.” Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung, who had been watching with a pleased expression, said.

“I’ll have to test your skills with a sword.”

“Dad!” Moryong Lin said in surprise. The title she used to call him when she was young slipped out.

Iron Sword Moryong Jin’s expression also hardened. A sparring match was not something to be taken lightly, especially if that person was the proud Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung.

“Father, I’m not ready yet…….” Iron Sword Moryong Jin said as if trying to dissuade him. But Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung shook his head.

“If you can’t surpass me, you can’t dare to set foot in the Outer World.”

Moryong Myung’s eyes were shining.

“Not only that, but the Outer World is not the end but the beginning. In the future, you will meet beings from beyond the heavens. People whose existence you would never have known if you had just lived as an excellent martial artist.”

His gaze towards his son, Moryong Jin, was like a flame.

“The martial world is not just about gaining power with a sword, building a family to accumulate wealth, and using strength to oppress the weak. It is the path of those who pursue the ultimate in martial arts, abandoning both honor and power. A path of asceticism where one tests one’s limits on a fierce blade and finally transcends oneself to reach the truth.”

Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung’s words were those of the Martial Emperor. The words he had said to himself, thus changing his life, were now being passed on to his son.

“That is the Outer World. Do you understand? Now, you have finally entered the true path of martial arts.”

Moryong Myung’s sincerity was conveyed to his son, Moryong Jin. Iron Sword Moryong Jin nodded. His eyes were also shining like flames.

“If you lose to me, be prepared for at least three years of secluded training.”

Moryong Lin’s face, who was listening from the side, turned pale. The secluded training that her father was talking about was a real secluded training where even family members could not meet.

“Father, that’s too…….”

“But.” Before Moryong Lin could finish speaking, Gentleman’s Sword Moryong Myung said with a smile.

“If you beat me, I’ll show you a very good sight. It will probably be a memory you’ll never forget.”

“A good sight?” Iron Sword Moryong Jin had a puzzled expression.

“It’s a good sight. How can it not be enjoyable when outstanding flowers gather in one place?”

Father Moryong Myung said with a smile, but Moryong Jin had a puzzled expression.

It was unlike his usual self, and he had no idea what was going on.

But there was someone who noticed.

“I’ll go too.” Iron Sword Moryong Jin turned his head at Moryong Lin’s sudden voice. Having noticed something, his sister was staring at the two men with a cold look.

“Lin, that’s…….”

“Or I’ll tell Mother. I’ll say that Father is taking only Brother to some ‘good place.’ A place where flowers gather.”

The two men’s faces turned pale. And at that moment, Moryong Lin was sure that her guess was correct and that her father would not be able to refuse.

She wore the smile of a victor.

* * *

The journey along the Yangtze River was leisurely.

Time flowed quickly like the flowing river, and before they knew it, Sunbin and his group were about to reach Hangzhou.

“Haa.” Lin let out a soft sigh, as if regretting the gradually disappearing lingering sound. But it soon turned into a satisfied smile.

“Good.” A smile spread across her face with her eyes closed, and Sunbin, who had finished playing, bowed his head lightly.

“Thank you.”

“I don’t think there’s anything more I can teach you. I’m glad I could finish before we arrived in Hangzhou.”

Everyone knew that Lin had done her best to teach Sunbin.

During the not-so-short journey on the Yangtze River, she had always taught Sunbin the zither. Even when she was alone, she was only focused on the zither.

She didn’t even think about getting off the ship when it was temporarily docked, and her younger sister Min had to forcibly drag her down. Each time, she was surprised by the unique foods of each region, but still.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Hard work?” Lin shook her head with her eyes closed.

“Rather, I’m grateful to you. Thanks to you, I was able to come here safely. The boat trip is really fun too.”

The Yangtze River trip wasn’t just boring. The large ships that traveled up and down the long Yangtze River docked more often than expected, and each time, the delicious foods selected by Seorin’s nose delighted the group’s taste buds.

Lin sometimes played the zither on the deck. It was Min, who was clever, who came up with the idea after seeing the bored passengers.

Lin’s zither performance, listening to the river breeze, added to the charm of the Yangtze River trip. Of course, it also enriched the pockets of the Lin and Min siblings.

“Your zither playing is really good.”

Lin said suddenly. Sunbin straightened his posture and listened attentively.

“But there’s one thing……. How should I say it, I feel like you’re suppressing your emotions too much.”

“Emotions, you say?”

“Yes.” Lin nodded.

“The best performance isn’t a perfect performance without a single flaw, but a performance that moves the listeners.”

Lin continued with her eyes closed.

“But if the performer suppresses their own emotions, how can they convey emotion to the listeners? What can they use to move people’s hearts?”

Sunbin listened quietly to her words. Lin said,

“That’s why they say that performers sometimes need to be emotional. You shouldn’t become a performer who plucks the strings without any emotion.”

Sunbin bowed his head.

“I will keep that in mind, Miss Lin.”

“Ah. And, if it’s okay with you…….” Lin said hesitantly. It was as if she had suddenly returned to her usual self. In an increasingly small voice, Lin said,

“Could you perhaps…… play with me sometimes in the future?”

Her younger sister Min had a dumbfounded expression. But Sunbin smiled and replied,

“If it’s okay with me, anytime.”

Lin’s anxious face brightened.

“Thank you, Young Master Son.”

“You’re welcome. I’m the one who’s grateful.”

Sunbin said that and got up to clean up. Min ran over and wrapped her sister’s zither in a cloth. Then, she glanced at Sunbin and called her sister in a small voice.

“Sister.”

Min’s voice was full of embarrassment.

“Why did you do that?”

“Huh? What?”

Min was anxious at Lin’s nonchalant words.

“What if he got angry when you asked him to play together?”

Lin is still a young girl and, at best, just a street musician. On the other hand, Sunbin is an adult, and although I don’t know much, he’s said to be a *Gueoin* [a person of extraordinary talent or ability] or something, and even has a *Seowon* [private Confucian academy], so he’s a respectable scholar.

Asking such a person to play together, depending on how he takes it, he could get angry, saying it’s an insult to a scholar, and there’s nothing we can say.

“Sister, I keep telling you, we must never let our guard down! We shouldn’t trust anyone carelessly! You have to be more careful because you can’t see!”

Those are all true words, especially in their situation. But Lin smiled quietly.

“Min.”

“Why?”

“There are things you can know because you can’t see.”

Lin said in a calm voice.

“I don’t know much, but maybe knowing the sound is the same as knowing the heart. Even if you can hide your appearance, you can’t do that with sound.”

Min stared at her sister Lin with her mouth open. She couldn’t understand what confidence her sister, who was always so passive, had to say such things.

“What does that…….”

“Brother!” *Thud.*

The two people’s conversation was interrupted by Seorin’s voice, who suddenly entered the room. Min was startled and looked around, but Seorin said in an excited tone.

“The grandfathers are here!”

Sunbin had a puzzled expression. But Seorin continued in an excited voice.

“The doctor grandfather and the grandfather who was lying sick! They’re on the ship. Very fast!”

“What are you talking about?” Min frowned and looked back at Sunbin.

“It seems like she met some acquaintances?”

It was clear that Seorin was talking about Divine Doctor and Janggang Eoong. But the ship was still in the middle of the river. Sunbin also had no idea what was going on.

“Go faster than us! Small! Fast! Hurry!” Seorin urged in a hurried voice, pulling Sunbin’s hand.

“Okay, I understand.” Sunbin got up from his seat. Then, he suddenly turned to look at Lin.

“Shall we go out together?” Lin nodded and, holding her younger sister Min’s hand, left the room with Sunbin.

“Wow!”

“Look at that! What is that?”

“Fast!” As they stepped onto the deck, they heard a buzzing sound. People were gathered on the deck, pointing at something and talking.

Sasu Yeon and Dang Wol-ah, who were getting some fresh air, were looking at the river a little away from the people, and Old Gun was standing next to them with a frown.

“Wow!” Min, who looked at the river, exclaimed in surprise.

“Why? What is it?” Lin, who couldn’t see, asked.

“It’s a small boat. But it’s really fast. It’s like gliding over the water…… no, flying.”

Sunbin also looked at the river. Compared to the large ship they were on, a small boat like a leaf was rushing down the river.

There wasn’t even any spray hitting the boat, but it was moving so fast that it seemed to be flying over the water, just like Min said.

“Ah.” Sunbin exclaimed. He could see the familiar faces on the small boat.

They were none other than Divine Doctor, sitting with a solemn expression, and Jeok Seok-hwa, with a pale face, and Janggang Eoong, holding a large oar and standing proudly.

“Why did that guy come too?” Old Gun frowned and muttered. Sunbin approached Old Gun.

“Did Eoong take good care of the boat?”

Old Gun glanced at Sunbin once and turned his head again.

“He doesn’t steer the boat well, but he knows the waterways well. He knows the waterways of the Yangtze River better than the back of his hand.”

Sunbin looked at the small boat with renewed surprise.

Janggang Eoong, who was holding the oar, didn’t seem to be putting in much effort, but their boat was surprisingly fast. Janggang Eoong’s long beard was fluttering wildly in the river breeze.

“Should we call them?” Sunbin said. Janggang Eoong didn’t seem to notice them. If this continued, the small boat with the three people on board would pass by the group.

“Should we just let them pass and meet them in Hangzhou?” Old Gun said with a nonchalant expression.

“I have a feeling it’s going to be a hassle.”

Of course, he wouldn’t do that. Meeting Divine Doctor was urgent. But Old Gun’s expression clearly showed that he really didn’t like it.

Sunbin smiled wryly and said,

“The others look like they’re having a hard time.”

Divine Doctor, who was sitting in the front, had a solemn expression as always, but his complexion wasn’t good. Miss Jeok Seok-hwa, who was sitting in the middle, had a completely pale face.

In fact, the boat was very small and so fast that it seemed like it would capsize with the slightest mistake, so it was unsettling.

Even Jeok Seok-hwa, who had grown up in a martial arts family and learned martial arts, couldn’t help but be terrified.

You could tell just by looking at Divine Doctor’s expression, which didn’t change easily.

“Tsk.” Old Gun clicked his tongue. But soon, he rummaged around and took out an iron coin, and without giving Sunbin a chance to say anything, he flicked it away.

*Peeing.*

The iron coin cut through the Yangtze River wind and flew straight. Janggang Eoong, who was looking at the waterway, instinctively waved his hand at the sharp energy he felt from the side.

*Paang.*

The small boat swayed, and Jeok Seok-hwa’s face turned pale.

“Why, why are you doing this?”

“Hmm.” Without answering Jeok Seok-hwa’s words, Janggang Eoong let out a faint groan. What he was holding in his hand was the iron coin.

“Found it.”

“Yes?” Janggang Eoong smiled as he looked at the large ship in the distance.

“See, I told you I’d catch up, right?”

Jeok Seok-hwa turned her head, following his gaze. And she couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Ah!” She also began to see it. The figures of the welcoming people standing on the deck.

“Let’s go.” Eoong grabbed the oar. The small boat swayed greatly and immediately changed direction.

“Eek.” Jeok Seok-hwa instinctively gripped the boat tightly.

“Looks like they finally saw us.” Old Gun said, watching the small boat approaching without hesitation.