A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 18

Episode 18. Jade Dragon and Fierce Tiger

“A… friend?”

Nanhyang turned her gaze to Son Bin, her eyes sparkling. Just as her gaze began to feel a little intense, she spoke to Son Bin in a quiet voice.

“Since it is said that every encounter is unique [a reference to the Japanese concept of ‘Ichigo Ichie,’ emphasizing the importance of each moment], may I dare to offer you a cup?”

Son Bin glanced at Saja Hyuk. However, Saja Hyuk showed no interest, not even looking at him, as if telling him to do as he pleased. As always.

“Then, I will humbly accept.”

*When* else would Son Bin receive a drink from such a beauty? Thinking that this would probably never happen again in his life, Son Bin held the small cup with a respectful attitude, of course, with both hands.

Nanhyang, holding an elegant white porcelain bottle with her fair and slender hands, poured the liquor with a soft smile.

Ttororok.

The sound from the cup was like jade beads rolling. Along with it, a refined fragrance spread all around. Even Son Bin, who didn’t know much about alcohol, could guess that it was a great vintage wine.

“Really.”

Suddenly, Nanhyang’s voice was heard.

Clack.

Setting down the white porcelain bottle, she sighed softly and said,

“I envy you.”

‘Huh?’

He didn’t understand what she was envious of. He knew that watching a martial artist’s training was a special privilege, but he didn’t think that such a beauty would sigh and envy *him*.

Anyway, thinking that he should drink the cup in his hand, Son Bin brought the cup to his lips.

Glug.

Drawn by the soft fragrance, he gulped it down in one breath, but unlike its delicate appearance, an intense burning sensation pierced his throat in an instant.

‘Cough.’

He barely swallowed the sound that was about to escape his mouth, but he couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

The small amount of alcohol fully displayed its potent presence as it traveled down his throat. Thanks to that, Son Bin could vividly feel the path of his esophagus.

“Are you alright?”

Nanhyang asked with a slightly worried expression. Son Bin tried not to show the fierce battle happening inside him as he replied to her.

“I, cough, I’m… fine. Goo, good wine.”

Son Bin’s face reddened a little, and not just because of the alcohol. Nanhyang stared at Son Bin quietly before opening her mouth.

“Someday, on a day when flower petals fall like today…”

Son Bin raised his head to look at Nanhyang.

“Please remember that I offered you a cup, my lord. Even if it’s just occasionally.”

Her voice was somehow plaintive and frail, and Son Bin nodded without realizing it. Then, when he glanced at Saja Hyuk, he saw a faint, bitter smile on his lips as he turned his head away.

“Ahem.”

Son Bin pretended to clear his throat. The moment he saw Saja Hyuk’s bitter smile, he suddenly felt that he had been too swept away by the beauty named Nanhyang.

“Um, excuse me, but…”

Son Bin asked Nanhyang.

“What kind of place is this?”

In fact, the reason why Son Bin had been uncomfortable with this situation since earlier was because he didn’t know what kind of place this was. Of course, it was also because of this beautiful woman. That beauty, Nanhyang, replied with a small smile.

“This is the backyard of a small *gisaeng* house [a traditional Korean house of female entertainers].”

‘A *gisaeng* house? This place is a *gisaeng* house?’

Her answer was unexpected. Son Bin was puzzled, and her answer continued.

“It is a place where artists like me showcase our humble talents to noblemen.”

‘Ah.’

Son Bin understood what she meant. Usually, when you think of a *gisaeng* house, you think of a place that sells alcohol and laughter, but among the women called *gisaeng*, there are also artists who discuss poetry with scholars and are skilled in calligraphy and painting.

These people are not only respected as artists despite their low status, but also famous poets, and sometimes even considered leading figures of the time.

“I know a little about poetry and the zither, and sometimes I play the flute.”

After speaking, Nanhyang turned her head to look at Saja Hyuk and smiled.

“I may not be as good as you at the flute, my lord.”

Saja Hyuk remained silent with a calm expression.

“Are you really good at the flute?”

Son Bin asked. He couldn’t imagine Saja Hyuk holding a long bamboo flute to the side and playing it.

“I heard that you are the best,”

Nanhyang said with a smile.

“Hwawol Soju also occasionally mentioned the times when you played music with her. She said that your flute melody matched to Soju’s zither was so beautiful….”

“The flute.”

Saja Hyuk said.

“I don’t play it anymore.”

Clunk.

His teacup was placed on the table. Saja Hyuk looked straight at Nanhyang and said,

“Baekro has a new master.”

Son Bin’s expression hardened slightly. It was because *his* story suddenly popped up. But Son Bin wasn’t the only one whose face hardened. Nanhyang’s eyes widened, then calmly settled.

“The Immortal….”

“That’s right.”

Saja Hyuk replied.

“Hubei Province will be noisy for a while.”

“Perhaps.”

‘Hubei Province?’

Son Bin was puzzled. Hubei Province was quite far from Sichuan. He seemed to be talking about that old Taoist priest, but Son Bin didn’t understand the conversation at all.

“Then, the reason you came here today is….”

“How is Yunnan these days?”

‘Yunnan?’

Son Bin tilted his head. Yunnan is a region located at the southern tip of the continent. The climate is mild and the scenery is beautiful, but the characteristics of ethnic minorities still remain strong.

“It is always a beautiful and rough place.”

Nanhyang replied with a smile.

“Recently, the Jinsha River flooded, and it is said that it overflowed Yunnan and covered the entire Jiangnan.”

Son Bin knew that her answer had a slightly different meaning. No matter how much the Jinsha River flooded, it could not cover Jiangnan, and Saja Hyuk would not just ask about a place with good scenery.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s water that covers Jiangnan or the world.”

Saja Hyuk said with a smirk.

“Because if you kill the dragon, the great water will also dry up.”

Nanhyang’s face hardened.

“Don’t tell me, are you trying to catch the Jade Dragon?”

Saja Hyuk didn’t say anything, but his silence was his answer.

“Haa.”

Nanhyang sighed. And she shook her head.

“Even if you have the strength to pull out a mountain and the energy to cover the world, there is no way to catch a dragon that doesn’t come out of the water.”

“I already know that.”

Saja Hyuk replied in a calm voice as he filled his teacup with tea.

Ttororok.

A faint smile hung on his lips.

“Catching a dragon has always been about wisdom, not strength.”

“It’s a little strange to hear you say that.”

A faint smile also appeared on Nanhyang’s lips.

“You are the only one who has ever subdued a dragon with strength.”

Smirk.

Saja Hyuk let out a burst of laughter.

“Did Hwawol say that?”

“No.”

Nanhyang shook her head.

“Okryong said that.”

Saja Hyuk’s face hardened.

“Did he come here?”

“It was a long time ago.”

Nanhyang replied.

“He seemed to be in high spirits from being drunk, so he picked up a glass and said that. He said, ‘Isn’t it enjoyable and delightful to have someone in the world who can suppress me with strength?’ And….”

“When was that?”

Saja Hyuk asked with a stiff face.

“It was after you stopped coming, my lord.”

Saja Hyuk’s expression was cold as he listened to Nanhyang’s answer. It felt as if a cold aura was surrounding him, so no one could open their mouths.

How long had the silence lasted? Nanhyang raised her hand.

Clang.

The bell on her wrist made a small sound, and a maid appeared at the entrance of the backyard. Nanhyang gestured lightly, and two maids came in carrying something wrapped in silk.

Clack.

A black wooden support was placed, and a black seven-stringed zither [a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, similar to a guqin] appeared from within the soft silk. The sight of the white porcelain dotted between the straight seven-stringed zither and the straight seven strings aroused Son Bin’s admiration.

Ding.

Nanhyang reached out and lightly plucked a string. Then, she raised her head to look at Saja Hyuk and said,

“I have disturbed your heart, so I would like to play a small melody as an apology.”

Saja Hyuk held his teacup and said nothing. Nanhyang lightly bowed her head towards Son Bin.

“Please don’t blame my poor skills and listen with a light heart.”

“Ah, yes.”

Son Bin bowed his head in response to her greeting.

Sarak.

Nanhyang’s long fingers were placed on the seven-stringed zither. Nanhyang’s fingers, tilting her head slightly to the side and lowering her gaze as if half-closed, began to dance on the strings.

Ttiriring, ting.

The melody of the seven-stringed zither flowed on the gentle breeze. It was as if the atmosphere that enveloped the backyard was as cozy as if it were in another world, a place where time had been forgotten.

Tiring.

The performance was not long. Nanhyang’s performance ended, leaving a subtle lingering sound of the last note. Saja Hyuk still said nothing, but his atmosphere was definitely much softer.

Son Bin was also savoring the lingering sound as if he was intoxicated by the melody, but when Nanhyang moved the seven-stringed zither to the side, he suddenly came to his senses.

‘Oh no!’

It is disrespectful to the artist not to say anything after the performance.

“It was a good performance.”

“Thank you.”

Nanhyang said with a slight smile. But he couldn’t end his impressions with just saying it was good.

“The melody was like….”

Just as he was about to offer a full-fledged impression mixed with literary rhetoric that came to mind, Saja Hyuk’s voice suddenly cut off Son Bin’s words.

“I heard that the Fierce Tiger of Sichuan often visits this place.”

“He comes when the seasons change.”

“Is that so?”

Saja Hyuk smiled faintly. And he got up from his seat.

Clack.

“My lord?”

Nanhyang looked up at Saja Hyuk and asked with a puzzled look.

“I’ve had tea and listened to the zither, so I’ll be on my way now.”

“But….”

Nanhyang opened her mouth as if to dissuade him, but Saja Hyuk had already started walking.

“Let’s go.”

Saja Hyuk said, looking at Son Bin. Son Bin secretly wanted to stay longer, but in this case, he had no choice but to do as Saja Hyuk wanted.

“Okay.”

Son Bin stood up. And he politely bowed to Nanhyang.

“It was a beautiful performance. Then, goodbye.”

Step, step.

Saja Hyuk was already going down Swaeokjeong.

“Ah, wait.”

Son Bin turned his head at Nanhyang’s voice.

“Please, drop by anytime.”

Son Bin replaced his answer with a light smile and followed Saja Hyuk. When they reached the entrance of the backyard, the old servant who had guided them earlier was waiting. Following the old servant, the two left the backyard.

And until they disappeared, Nanhyang leaned against the pillar of Swaeokjeong and watched them.

∴

Creak.

When they arrived at the entrance of the mansion, the old servant opened the door and bowed to the two. But Saja Hyuk did not go out.

“Where is Hwawol?”

At Saja Hyuk’s low voice, the old servant who bowed his head replied in a quiet voice.

“She is in Hangzhou.”

The old servant said.

“She is still beautiful.”

“Is that so….”

Saja Hyuk stepped outside. And Son Bin followed him. Behind them, the old servant bowed deeply to see them off.

Step, step.

Turning the corner and no longer seeing the mansion’s entrance, Son Bin cautiously asked Saja Hyuk.

“Is that place really a *gisaeng* house?”

“Nanhyang.”

Saja Hyuk said.

“She is quite a dangerous woman. She is still lacking, but she will soon be comparable to Hwawol.”

Turning his head, Saja Hyuk looked down at Son Bin.

“So it is better for you to stay away from this place and stay close to books.”

“I’ll stay away.”

Son Bin smirked.

“I don’t have the money to come and appreciate the talents of artists. Ah, but is it okay to just come out like this?”

“The price has already been paid.”

Saja Hyuk said.

“More than enough.”

Son Bin shrugged. It didn’t seem like he was giving anything at any time, but if Saja Hyuk said so, it would be so.

“Is the next opponent the one called Okryong?”

Saja Hyuk was silent for a moment before opening his mouth.

“No.”

Saja Hyuk said in a low voice.

“The next opponent is the Fierce Tiger.”

‘Fierce Tiger? Ah, the Fierce Tiger of Sichuan….’

Son Bin recalled that there was a mention of the Fierce Tiger of Sichuan in the conversation earlier.

‘Wait, shouldn’t I write this down too?’

He felt like he should write down the conversation between Nanhyang and Saja Hyuk as well.

‘Tsk. I should have written it down earlier.’

He felt bitter, as if he had forgotten what he had to do because he was intoxicated by the beauty. Thinking that it would be better to write it down now, Son Bin quickly took out his brush and booklet from his bosom.

Rustle.

“But if it’s the Fierce Tiger of Sichuan, we’ll have to go back to Sichuan.”

“No, there’s no need. Don’t you remember?”

Saja Hyuk smiled faintly.

“Didn’t she say that he comes here when the seasons change?”

“But it’s not yet time for the seasons to change….”

“It will be enough.”

Saja Hyuk said.

“If it’s the cold wind blowing from Hubei Province, the Fierce Tiger will also know that the seasons have changed.”

Step, step.

Saja Hyuk’s steps were unstoppable. Writing down the words in the booklet with a fine brush, Son Bin also diligently moved his steps to follow Saja Hyuk.

The handwriting was messy because he was walking, but it didn’t matter since he was the only one who would see it anyway. However, it was only difficult to follow Saja Hyuk because he seemed to be walking particularly fast.

“Let’s go a little slower.”

Son Bin said in a dissatisfied voice. The road was straight, so it was relatively easy, but it was difficult to write and follow Saja Hyuk.

‘I should organize things soon.’

Feeling the remaining part of the booklet that had become thin, Son Bin thought so.

There was no time to appreciate the antique black roofs and old mansions that stretched out to the left and right of the passing road. That’s how the first day in Xi’an was slowly passing by.