A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 181

181. A Farewell Awaiting a Reunion

“Lord of the Garden? For us?”

Little Kangmin’s eyes widened.

He had just heard that Hwayeon, the Lord of the Garden, had come to see him and his sister, Kangrin.

“Yes, hurry along. With your sister.”

A stern woman in Yaein attire, who managed the young trainees, said.

“Yes!”

Kangmin answered energetically and quickly ran to his sister’s room.

His sister, Kangrin, who couldn’t see, was playing the seven-stringed zither [a traditional Korean stringed instrument] as always.

“Sister! Quickly, quickly.”

“Okay, I understand. But let’s go slowly.”

Kangmin quickly took his sister’s hand and went to the place where Lord Hwayeon was waiting.

He couldn’t calm down, feeling anxious about why the Lord of the Garden had called for them.

Click.

The door opened, and a classic room came into view.

Lord Hwayeon, as elegant and beautiful as ever, was waiting for the Kangmin and Kangrin siblings.

However, there was someone who caught Kangmin’s eye before her.

“Seorin, hyung!” [Hyung is a Korean term used by younger males to address older males they are close to.]

Kangmin shouted, forgetting that he was in front of Lord Hwayeon.

“Wow, Min-ah!”

Seorin also rushed over and hugged Kangmin tightly. Seorin seemed genuinely happy, holding onto Kangmin and spinning him around skillfully.

“Hyung. Ugh, I’m dizzy.”

While the two were lost in the joy of reunion, Kangrin, left behind, was bewildered, not knowing what was going on.

She could hear that Seorin had come, but she couldn’t see, so she couldn’t understand the situation.

Rustle.

Someone carefully approached and stood before her. And Kangrin could intuitively tell who was in front of her.

“Young Master Son?”

“Yes.”

A soft voice replied. The familiar voice of a young man, bending his knees to match Kangrin’s eye level. It was Sonbin’s voice.

“It’s been a while, Miss Rin.”

Something hot welled up in Rin’s chest. Rin barely held back the tears that were about to spill.

“H, how are you here…?”

“I’m returning to Cheongwon.”

Sonbin said in a gentle voice.

“It will probably be difficult to meet for a while. So I came to see you like this.”

“Th, thank you… Really.”

Kangrin said in a stammering voice.

She wanted to say something more thankful, but nothing came to mind. Just that she was really grateful.

“There may be times that are difficult and hard, but don’t give up.”

Sonbin said. Along with that, Rin felt a warm hand gently placed on her shoulder.

“Miss Rin’s seven-stringed zither is truly beautiful.”

Rin blushed slightly.

“Yes. Good luck to you too, Young Master Son.”

“Thank you.”

Rin could tell that Sonbin was smiling, even though she couldn’t see it. The warmth she felt on her shoulder left Rin after a while.

“Ah, and just in case, I’ve left a seven-stringed zither with the Lord of the Garden.”

“A seven-stringed zither?”

Rin looked puzzled. She already had a seven-stringed zither. It was old and worn, but that made it even more precious.

“I heard that it’s good to change the seven-stringed zither to fit your height as you grow. If you ever need a new seven-stringed zither, tell the Lord of the Garden.”

“I, I can’t impose on you like that…”

Rin stammered. Sonbin shook his head. Then, remembering that Rin couldn’t see, he said.

“No. I just happened to receive it, and I heard it’s not that great.”

‘Ah.’

Lord Hwayeon, who was listening to Sonbin’s words from the side, inwardly thought, ‘Oops.’ That seven-stringed zither was actually quite valuable.

‘I said that…’

Hwayeon smiled wryly.

The black seven-stringed zither that came as a gift to Sonbin was a masterpiece that only the young masters of Yewon could possess.

However, it was only because Hwayeon herself had said, ‘It might be a little lacking for you, Young Master…’ that Sonbin thought so.

After a moment of conflict, Hwayeon decided to pretend she didn’t hear it. Rin would soon realize the value of that seven-stringed zither.

“Then, are you not coming here anymore?”

“Well.”

Sonbin smiled.

“I want to say that I will definitely come again, but things don’t always go as planned. Someone who seemed like they would always be there may never be seen again, and someone you thought was a permanent farewell may unexpectedly meet again.”

His voice had a sense of emptiness, like the wind.

Sonbin looked back at Rin.

“But if I have the chance, I will come again. Because Miss Rin is here.”

“Yes.”

Rin replied with a gentle smile. Her eyes were closed, but her face was facing Sonbin’s eyes.

“I’ll be waiting.”

After talking for a while longer, Sonbin and his group left.

However, the warm feeling that Sonbin left behind remained on the girl, Rin’s shoulder for a long time.

∴

A carriage prepared by Lord Hwayeon was waiting in front of Yewon. It was a large carriage that was not flashy but had a classic charm.

“The carriage you came in has already been loaded onto the ship.”

Hwayeon said.

It was a long way from here to Cheongwon. The fastest and most common way was to go up the Yangtze River and then down the official road. Still, it would take several days.

“Cheongwon… it’s really far away.”

Hwayeon suddenly sighed softly.

“Why are you saying that all of a sudden? It’s obviously far since it’s at the southern end.”

At Nogun’s nagging, Hwayeon gave a gentle smile. Her appearance was so elegant and beautiful that it even stole the gazes of other women.

“Still.”

Perhaps because Hwayeon’s smile looked lonely, Nogun clicked his tongue and turned his head.

“Thank you for your help in many ways.”

Sonbin expressed his gratitude to Hwayeon.

“I’m worried that I’ve caused you too much trouble.”

Hwayeon smiled and bowed her head to Sonbin.

“Not at all. I don’t know how fortunate we are to have Young Master Son.”

Hwayeon bowed deeply to Sonbin, who was younger than her. And she smiled brightly at Sonbin.

“Please come and visit anytime.”

Sonbin also replied with a smile.

“I understand. There are still many songs I want to play with you, Lord.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Hwayeon suddenly smiled awkwardly. Sonbin looked puzzled.

“I will no longer play with you, Young Master.”

“Yes?”

Her words were certainly unexpected. Sonbin questioned her without realizing it, but Hwayeon’s expression did not change at all.

“I’m just going to do that.”

Hwayeon was still smiling gently. But it was clear that she would not say anything more.

After that, Hwayeon paid her respects to Nogun and Eoong, and Shin-ui. And she also greeted Sasooyeon, Dang Wora, Seorin, and Jeoksehwa.

Click.

The group all got into the carriage, and the carriage door closed.

“I hope you have a safe journey.”

Hwayeon said last. The group each replied to Hwayeon with eye contact, and Seorin waved his hand vigorously.

Clatter, clatter.

The carriage slowly left Yewon. Even after the carriage disappeared around the corner, Hwayeon could not leave that spot for a long time.

*

*

*

Thud, thud.

Dang Hwaryeon, the general strategist of the Dang Clan, walked down the ancient corridor with unstoppable steps.

Her appearance seemed to speak of her unstoppable momentum.

“Oh, isn’t that the general strategist?”

Dang Hwaryeon stopped at the sound of a woman’s voice.

“Grandmother.”

Dang Hwaryeon was slightly surprised to find the white-haired old woman. But soon, she bowed her head and paid her respects politely.

“I greet Grandmother.”

The old woman standing in front of her was none other than Dang Unyeong.

Despite her old age, her still beautiful appearance shines between her neatly styled white hair and wrinkled smile.

“It’s fortunate to meet you like this. I was on my way to see you anyway.”

Dang Hwaryeon said with a seemingly surprised expression.

“For Grandmother to come in person. If you had just contacted me, I would have come to see you immediately…”

Dang Hwaryeon’s words were not false. Although she had already stepped down from official positions, Dang Unyeong was still the head of the largest faction in the Dang Clan.

If she was looking for her, it must not be a light matter.

“No, no.”

Dang Unyeong waved her small hand. A rough jade ring that didn’t suit her finger sparkled.

“This is… how should I say it? It’s a story that only you and I should know.”

Dang Hwaryeon’s eyes sparkled. A secret story proposed by Dang Unyeong was something that should be prioritized above all else.

“Then, let’s move to a more comfortable place.”

“No, it’s not that long of a story.”

Dang Hwaryeon, who was about to turn around, paused. She stared quietly at Dang Unyeong’s eyes, but could not read anything from the old woman’s gentle eyes.

Rustle.

Dang Hwaryeon gestured lightly to the attendants and subordinates who were following her. They bowed and soon disappeared around the surroundings.

Now, only Dang Hwaryeon and Dang Unyeong remained in the empty corridor.

Until Dang Hwaryeon ordered again, this ordinary corridor would become a more secret place than any secret chamber.

“I will listen carefully. Please speak.”

Dang Hwaryeon said with a neat attitude.

But the momentum emanating from her was like that of a general facing a battle. The momentum of the old woman Dang Unyeong, who was facing her, was no less.

“Where is Wora?”

A strange light flashed in Dang Hwaryeon’s eyes. She raised a light sneer and said.

“I didn’t know that Grandmother would be interested in the whereabouts of the former Poisonous Woman.”

“Don’t be sarcastic.”

The old woman, Dang Unyeong, said in a stern tone. Dang Hwaryeon was startled by her attitude.

“As you know, I don’t like you very much. But what you said is right.”

Dang Unyeong’s expression had neither her usual gentle smile nor her graceful attitude.

Staring straight at Dang Hwaryeon, she continued.

“If Wora has mastered the Poisonous Energy Art, then she is now an asset of the Dang Clan.”

It was a word that would have made others frown if they had heard it.

However, Dang Unyeong, the head of the largest faction in the Dang Clan and the only person who could keep Dang Hwaryeon in check, did not hesitate at all.

“The Outer Affairs is the current Gangho Murim [a martial arts world].”

The sneer disappeared from Dang Hwaryeon’s face. As she expected, Dang Unyeong knew about the existence of the Outer Affairs.

How could she not know? Her own brother was the Tiger of Sichuan.

“Then you can understand why I can’t tell you.”

“Why, do you want to protect your beloved sister?”

Dang Unyeong laughed.

“Have you forgotten what you said yourself? Wora is now an asset of the Dang Clan. She doesn’t need your protection. There’s even less meaning in covering her with a veil of secrecy.”

“That is my decision to make.”

Dang Hwaryeon said in a clear tone. But Dang Unyeong did not back down at all.

“Whether that decision is right or wrong is another matter, but the question is whether you can do that until the end. There are many ways to find out even if you don’t tell me.”

Dang Unyeong’s point was accurate. Dang Unyeong was the head of the largest faction in the Dang Clan, and there would be many who would be willing to tell her what she wanted to know.

“But the reason I’m asking you directly like this is because I respect you, the general strategist of the family.”

Dang Hwaryeon bit her lip. The conclusion was already as good as made.

But Dang Hwaryeon could not easily make a decision. Even for a decision that risked the fate of the Dang Clan, she had never hesitated at all.

“And… it seems like you really care about your sister.”

At the completely unexpected words, Dang Hwaryeon looked back at Dang Unyeong with a new look.

A bitter regret was passing over Dang Unyeong’s face.

“My brother was the worst. He only thought of me as a tool for the family. He was really strong, though.”

Muttering to herself, Dang Unyeong raised her eyes. Looking straight at Dang Hwaryeon, she said.

“So tell me now. Where is Wora?”

“Okay.”

Hwaryeon straightened her back and looked straight at Dang Unyeong.

“I’ll tell you. But, my accompanying you is a condition.”

A different light flashed in the eyes of the old woman, Dang Unyeong. But it was only for a moment.

“Good.”

Dang Unyeong said.

“No matter how busy the general strategist is, there is nothing more important than meeting the next ruler of the Dang Clan, or rather, the Sichuan Murim.”

Dang Unyeong smiled. Her elegant beauty, as if avoiding the passage of time, was shining softly between her smiles.

*

*

*

The group, who had traveled up the Yangtze River, disembarked and said goodbye to Janggang Eoong.

Eoong picked up his fishing rod and basket and looked back at Sonbin.

“The one who has righteousness [正] in his heart and justice (義) in his hands is the Righteous Sect.”

Nogun frowned at Eoong’s words.

“Why is this guy suddenly talking about the Righteous Sect and the Evil Sect again?”

Nogun thought that Janggang Eoong’s bad habit had returned.

Janggang Eoong was righteous to the bone. Didn’t he have friction with Sonbin over that issue when they first met?

“But.”

Eoong said to Sonbin, regardless of Nogun’s words.

“I know that you yourself do not interfere in the affairs of Murim and do not distinguish between the Righteous Sect and the Evil Sect. But since you have the will to walk the path of the Uncrowned King in your heart, I only hope that that heart will not change until the end.”

Eoong’s eyes looking at Sonbin were warm and gentle.

“As long as you do so, I, Eoong, will surely be with you and will always be there for you.”

“Thank you.”

Sonbin said, paying his respects politely.

“As you said, I will be careful not to lose the right path.”

Eoong nodded with a satisfied expression. Then he turned around and walked away.

“Are you going? Goodbye.”

Nogun said goodbye with insincere words. Then, suddenly, Eoong stopped.

“Come to think of it.”

Eoong said, looking back at Nogun.

“The taste of Bukgang was quite good. I’ll come sometimes.”

Nogun frowned. Bukgang is a river that flows next to Cheongwon. So Eoong’s words were like a declaration that he would come to visit sometimes.

“Why are you telling me that? You should tell the homeowner. And don’t come. No room.”

Eoong chuckled.

“Why are you saying that? That’s what the homeowner should decide.”

“If it’s Eoong, you are always welcome.”

Sonbin said quickly. He was worried that Eoong’s feelings might be hurt if he spoke too late.

Perhaps because Sonbin’s heart was conveyed, a smile spread across Eoong’s wrinkled face.

Eoong raised his hand and waved it, then walked towards the riverbank. It was the back of any old fisherman.

“Let’s go too.”

Nogun said to Sonbin, who was looking at Eoong’s back, urging him. Then, as if he suddenly remembered, he asked Shin-ui.

“Can I ride in the carriage?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Shin-ui replied briefly.

“Well, shall we drive this guy again?”

Nogun rolled his shoulders and rolled up his sleeves.

The sturdy horses of Bukhae, which Nogun had personally selected and brought here on a ship, were exuding their energy.