A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 184

184. The Conditions of Happiness

Son Bin was taken aback.

Dang Wora’s older sister was none other than the Sword Demon, Dang Hwa-ryeon. The very woman who had sworn revenge on Saja Hyuk for killing the Tiger of Sichuan and had vowed to find Son Bin someday.

It was already disconcerting that Dang Hwa-ryeon had suddenly appeared, but the moment the Namak Old Lord saw the elegant old woman accompanying her, he fled.

A person who could make the Namak Old Lord run away!

It was unimaginable.

Dang Hwa-ryeon was just as bewildered.

Son Bin had appeared with the Supreme of Hyeoncheon [a highly respected and powerful figure]. Despite being an insignificant scholar, he had sympathized with Dang Hwa-ryeon, and even after she had saved his life, he hadn’t hesitated to offer her advice.

Perhaps that was why Dang Hwa-ryeon disliked the young scholar. Even the thought of his face made her feel unpleasant.

But her beloved younger sister was with that man!

Her usual composure was nowhere to be found, and Dang Hwa-ryeon didn’t even know what expression she was wearing.

“Sister?”

Dang Wora’s voice cut through her thoughts. Dang Hwa-ryeon snapped back to her senses at the sound.

“Ah, yes.”

Dang Hwa-ryeon tried to calm herself. She glanced to the side and saw that her grandmother, Dang Un-yeong, was also regaining her composure.

The elegant old woman, Dang Un-yeong, dabbed her eyes slightly with her sleeve.

Dang Hwa-ryeon, as well as the others, clearly looked curious about what was going on.

“Ahem.”

Son Bin cleared his throat deliberately. Then, forcing a smile, he spoke to Dang Hwa-ryeon and Dang Un-yeong.

“You must be tired from your long journey. Please, come inside.”

His words were gentle, but Dang Hwa-ryeon’s brow furrowed instantly.

Son Bin’s simple words sounded extremely presumptuous, and even his smiling face seemed to amplify her annoyance.

However, she couldn’t act rashly based on her emotions. Her younger sister was watching.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

Dang Hwa-ryeon bowed lightly. It was neither excessive nor insufficient. Her extremely perfunctory smile seemed to speak volumes about her feelings.

“Let’s go in, Grandmother.”

“Ah, yes.”

Dang Un-yeong forced a smile but couldn’t hide her agitation.

“Well, shall we all go in?”

Son Bin said to the children, who were already buzzing with excitement.

“Teacher, Teacher! Grandpa Teacher flew!”

“Awesome! Grandpa Teacher is the best!”

“I’m next!”

Smiling gently at the excited children, Son Bin said.

“Jang-ah is always polite, that’s why. You all should always greet adults respectfully too. Got it?”

“Yes!”

The children answered in unison like a chorus of little birds.

Son Bin wore a satisfied expression.

“Then let’s go inside and wait.”

At Son Bin’s words, the children rushed into the Seowon [a traditional Korean private academy]. Seo-rin was with the children as well.

Watching them, Son Bin suddenly turned to look at the old woman, Dang Un-yeong. Her gaze was already back in the direction where the Old Lord had disappeared.

“Please, come inside.”

Son Bin urged again in a soft voice. Dang Un-yeong turned to Son Bin and nodded silently.

“Thank you.”

Son Bin bowed as if to say it was nothing. And, as if protecting Dang Un-yeong, he entered the Seowon with her.

Dang Hwa-ryeon glared at Son Bin’s back with displeasure. But feeling her younger sister Dang Wora’s gaze, she quickly followed them.

Dang Wora also followed her older sister Dang Hwa-ryeon into the Seowon. The only ones left were Shin-ui, Sa Su-yeon, and Jeok Se-hwa.

“What is going on?”

Jeok Se-hwa muttered to herself, her words echoing everyone’s sentiments.

“I don’t know. It’s a bit unexpected, though.”

Sa Su-yeon replied. Dang Wora’s sister and Son Bin clearly recognized each other and were flustered.

That was unexpected enough, but then the Old Lord suddenly disappeared as if fleeing.

“I have an idea about the Old Lord’s matter, though.”

Shin-ui said in a deep voice.

“It’s not something I should speak about carelessly.”

His words were correct. Judging by the title Dang Un-yeong used to address the Old Lord, it was probably a very personal matter.

“Let’s go inside quickly.”

Jeok Se-hwa said. There was no point in staying here; the Old Lord wouldn’t return anyway. The three of them quickly entered the Seowon.

∴

A rather pleasant fragrance was rising from the teacups.

The bamboo mat shaded by the cloth also felt quite cool, creating a picturesque atmosphere.

The neatly maintained appearance of the Seowon, which seemed to reflect the owner’s taste, pleased Dang Hwa-ryeon.

But the problem was the owner himself.

Son Bin, dressed as a young scholar.

‘I need to stay calm.’

Feeling the warmth of the teacup with both hands, Dang Hwa-ryeon slowly calmed her mind.

This was where her younger sister Dang Wora was. No matter how flustered and uncomfortable she felt, she must never lose her composure.

‘First, I need to find out what’s happening here.’

In fact, until she arrived at the Seowon, Dang Hwa-ryeon had been completely confident.

Why would she need to be mindful of anyone’s eyes in a small Seowon in a small city?

Her grandmother Dang Un-yeong was accompanying her, but she was the one in control. So Dang Hwa-ryeon acted quite boldly.

The reason she hugged Dang Wora as soon as she got out of the carriage was, of course, partly because she was overwhelmed with emotion, but also to subtly assert the closeness between herself and her younger sister Dang Wora. That way, they wouldn’t dare to take Dang Wora lightly.

‘But…’

How could she have known that the presumptuous young scholar, Son Bin, would be here?

Clench.

Dang Hwa-ryeon clenched her teeth without realizing it. Then, suddenly feeling a gaze on her, she turned her head.

‘Huh?’

Dang Hwa-ryeon flinched for a moment at the sight of the sparkling eyes looking at her.

The children were huddled together next to the stone foundation where the bamboo mat was laid out, staring at her.

‘Who are these children… Ah!’

Only then did she remember the report that had come up from the Silver Sword Unit [an intelligence or special operations group within the Dang Family].

The story that Dang Wora had come to Oseong Village with the children. These children must be those children.

‘A Seowon, but a Seowon for children?’

She understood why the children were looking at her.

But what she couldn’t understand was why her younger sister Dang Wora was in a children’s Seowon.

“Teacher! Who is this older sister?”

A child’s voice interrupted Dang Hwa-ryeon’s thoughts. A boy who seemed to be the smartest among them bravely asked the question.

‘Older sister?’

Dang Hwa-ryeon frowned.

Calling the chief strategist of the Dang Family ‘older sister’?

Even if he was a child who didn’t know any better, it was an extremely impudent thing to say.

“She is Dang Wora Teacher’s older sister.”

Son Bin replied. His voice was gentle, but just hearing it made Dang Hwa-ryeon feel a surge of annoyance.

But there was an unmissable word mixed in that answer.

‘Teacher? Wora?’

“The one who eats… I mean, the smart older sister Teacher’s older sister?”

Another child said with surprised eyes.

Next to the child, a girl poked him, and before Dang Hwa-ryeon could fully process that he had changed his words midway, another little girl muttered in a small voice.

“Our Dang Wora Teacher is prettier, though.”

It was a very small voice, but no one could have missed it.

Seeing Dang Hwa-ryeon’s eyes change ominously, Son Bin quickly said.

“Well, shall we all greet our guests together?”

The children quickly stood up straight. And first, they bowed to the old woman, Dang Un-yeong.

“Hello!”

“These are the students of our Seowon. They are all good children.”

Son Bin introduced the children. A gentle smile appeared on Dang Un-yeong’s face.

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you all.”

The children bowed to Dang Hwa-ryeon again.

“Hello.”

“Um. Yes.”

Dang Hwa-ryeon replied simply with a displeased expression. The children whispered to each other.

“She’s mean. She barely acknowledged our greetings. I don’t think she’s happy to see us.”

“Teacher said that’s impo-, no, impolite.”

“I still like Dang Wora Teacher more.”

They chattered among themselves, and there was no way Dang Hwa-ryeon couldn’t hear them. Dang Hwa-ryeon glared at the children with sharp eyes.

The children flinched and huddled together. They looked like a flock of frightened chicks.

“They all greet so well and are very cute children.”

Dang Un-yeong said with a smile.

“Shall this old woman buy you some sweets as a reward?”

The children’s expressions brightened instantly.

“No, I’ll…”

Son Bin tried to stop her, but Dang Un-yeong smiled warmly.

“It’s alright.”

Dang Un-yeong beckoned Seo-rin, who was sticking out among the children.

As Seo-rin trotted over, Dang Un-yeong took out a silver coin and gave it to her.

Son Bin’s eyes widened. It was too much money to buy sweets.

“Thank you.”

Seo-rin bowed as Son Bin had taught her before.

“Thank you!”

The children said as if in chorus.

“Seo-rin! Don’t spend it all!”

Son Bin quickly said, but Seo-rin was already rushing out with the children.

Son Bin was worried about how many sweets they would buy. He could only trust the sweet shop owner’s common sense.

“Master Son, shouldn’t you continue the introductions?”

Son Bin was looking worriedly at the children’s backs when he suddenly heard Jeok Se-hwa’s voice.

Only then did Son Bin remember that he was in the middle of greeting them.

“Ah, and I am Son Bin.”

Son Bin said, bowing politely.

“I teach children in this Seowon.”

“I am Dang Un-yeong.”

Dang Un-yeong replied with a soft smile.

“I am about the age of a grandmother to Wora and Hwa-ryeon. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Dang Un-yeong looked at Son Bin with interest and asked.

“Master Son, have you ever held a government position?”

“No, I took the civil service examination, but I did not pass.”

“Oh dear.”

Dang Un-yeong said with a regretful expression.

“But you are still a recommended candidate, aren’t you? You are still young, so don’t be discouraged.”

Son Bin gave a wry smile.

Dang Un-yeong calmly examined Son Bin with a curious expression. She thought he was a decent young man, but she couldn’t find anything particularly special about him.

“Earlier, Sun… no, the Namak Old Lord was holding a child. Is that child also a student of this Seowon?”

“Yes.”

Son Bin smiled.

“His name is Jang-ah. He often dozes off, but he is quite quick to understand.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was a fairly detailed answer, but Dang Un-yeong’s expression wasn’t very pleased.

“Jang-ah is the youngest son of the Samgeori dry goods store.”

Jeok Se-hwa, quick to notice, quickly replied.

“He has no connection to the Old Lord, but he is a cute little boy who is especially fond of the Old Lord among the teachers.”

“Teachers? Is the Namak Old Lord a teacher here?”

Dang Un-yeong asked with a puzzled expression. Jeok Se-hwa smiled brightly and replied.

“Of course. He is a very popular Grandpa Teacher to the children. Ah, I am Jeok Se-hwa from the Hoyeon Martial Arts Center.”

Jeok Se-hwa bowed politely.

“Oh, is that so? It’s nice to meet you.”

Dang Un-yeong’s face was smiling particularly brightly as she replied.

Son Bin also noticed it, but he couldn’t understand why. It didn’t seem like there was much difference between Jeok Se-hwa’s answer and his own.

“He is a teacher to the children…”

Dang Un-yeong muttered to herself. She was smiling, but her expression seemed somewhat lonely.

Dang Un-yeong suddenly turned to look at Shin-ui and said.

“That must be because of Shin-ui, right?”

At her words, Dang Hwa-ryeon’s eyes flashed sharply.

‘Shin-ui?’

Shin-ui was a figure respected not only by powerful families but also by the imperial family. Not to mention the Five Great Clans [the most influential martial arts families]. It was certainly unexpected that he was in such a small Seowon.

“That’s not it.”

Shin-ui, whose appearance didn’t seem like a doctor at all, replied in a deep voice.

“The Old Lord was here before I came to this Seowon. If I had to say, it’s probably because of Bin.”

At Shin-ui’s words, Dang Un-yeong tilted her head. But Dang Hwa-ryeon had an idea.

‘Saja Hyuk.’

Perhaps he was behind this Seowon. If so, it wouldn’t be strange for the Namak Old Lord or Shin-ui to be here.

‘Could it be that Wora…’

Dang Hwa-ryeon had an ominous feeling that her younger sister Dang Wora might have some connection with Saja Hyuk.

“Are you acquainted with the Old Lord?”

Shin-ui’s deep voice interrupted Dang Hwa-ryeon’s thoughts. Dang Un-yeong smiled quietly.

“A little…”

She said in a low voice.

But Son Bin saw it. She was unconsciously fiddling with her thick jade bracelet.

“But I didn’t know he was living with children in a place like this. I thought he never left Namak…”

A moment of silence passed. During that time, Dang Hwa-ryeon politely bowed to Shin-ui.

“It is an honor to meet Shin-ui, whose fame is known throughout the world.”

Dang Hwa-ryeon had a painted smile on her face.

“I am Dang Hwa-ryeon, the chief strategist of the Dang Family.”

Jeok Se-hwa’s eyes widened.

“Sword Demon, Dang Hwa-ryeon!”

She said without realizing it. Dang Hwa-ryeon smiled brightly.

“You know me.”

“How could I not? You are the young chief strategist of the Dang Family, and a symbol of the changing of generations in the Murim world [the martial arts world].”

Jeok Se-hwa bowed politely.

“I am Jeok Se-hwa from the Hoyeon Martial Arts Center.”

“So you are Young Lady Jeok.”

Dang Hwa-ryeon replied to Jeok Se-hwa with a satisfied smile.

“I would appreciate it if you kept my visit here a secret. I don’t want things to get noisy.”

As she said, it was no small matter that the chief strategist of the Dang Family had come here.

Considering the Hyeokryun Family right next door, it could easily lead to misunderstandings.

“Chief Strategist?”

Shin-ui had a surprised look in his eyes.

“You look young, but you’re quite capable.”

Dang Hwa-ryeon smiled.

“Thank you.”

“It’s not a compliment, so there’s no need to thank me.”

Shin-ui’s words were extremely blunt. It was just as the rumors said, that he disliked the Murim families, or rather, the Murim people.

“If you are a strategist, is your position one where you give advice or recommendations?”

Dang Hwa-ryeon turned her eyes to the clear voice of a woman.

A beautiful young lady who could be called a peerless beauty was smiling and looking at Dang Hwa-ryeon.

“Young Lady Wora is intelligent, so she must have inherited it from her older sister.”

Her smile was so dazzling that even Dang Hwa-ryeon, a woman herself, was stunned. Her unadorned, simple appearance seemed to make her beauty even more striking.

But Dang Hwa-ryeon was not comfortable.

“Rather than advice.”

Dang Hwa-ryeon said with a challenging smile.

To think that there was someone who didn’t even know what the chief strategist of the Dang Family meant, it was pathetic.

“I have full authority over the Dang Family’s external policies as well as internal affairs. At times, it is a position that can determine the fate of the family, so the responsibility is quite heavy.”

“Ah.”

The beautiful young lady seemed to realize her mistake only then.

“I see. You are doing very important work.”

“Who are you, young lady?”

Dang Hwa-ryeon asked with a slightly condescending look.

The beautiful young lady bowed lightly and said.

“I am Sa Su-yeon.”

Dang Hwa-ryeon’s face hardened in an instant. That name was vivid in Dang Hwa-ryeon’s memory.

“Could you be the one with the title of Sword Saint of the Northern Seas…?”

Sa Su-yeon gave an awkward smile.

“Some people call me that. I don’t particularly like it, though.”

It was a gentle answer, but Dang Hwa-ryeon’s face did not brighten. The important thing was not the title of Sword Saint of the Northern Seas.

‘The missing Young Palace Lord of the Northern Seas.’

The very Young Palace Lord who had opened the closed Northern Seas, the one who was even called the ‘Empress of the Northern Seas,’ was sitting in front of Dang Hwa-ryeon’s eyes.

It was a place that didn’t suit the name of the Young Palace Lord of the Northern Seas at all, in the garden of a small Seowon teaching children in Cheongwon, a small city at the southern end of the continent. But Sa Su-yeon was smiling more happily than anyone else in the world. And that was the same for Son Bin, who was looking at Sa Su-yeon.

The moment she saw that smile, Dang Hwa-ryeon felt annoyance rising again.