A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 186

186. No Past Events (2)

Tang Hwa-ryun and Tang Un-yeong were received with a courteous welcome. A meal for distinguished guests from afar was, of course, in order.

The food, prepared with care, suited the palates of Tang Hwa-ryun and Tang Un-yeong, who were accustomed to Sichuan cuisine. Tang Un-yeong was particularly impressed, exclaiming in admiration with each taste.

However, Tang Hwa-ryun couldn’t properly enjoy the flavors.

Partly because she was straining her nerves to understand the situation, but also because the man she loathed kept catching her eye.

After a leisurely meal that lasted a long time, they continued their conversation over tea.

The old lady, Tang Un-yeong, seemed endlessly delighted, her laughter never ceasing, but Tang Hwa-ryun found this time utterly tedious.

‘What am I even doing right now?’

This is a meeting of the Tang Clan’s new External Affairs Expert, the Chief Strategist, and the head of the largest faction. Its importance cannot be overstated.

Moreover, the Young Lord of the Northern Sea, the disciple of the Yellow Crane Hermit, and even the Divine Doctor are present.

It wouldn’t be strange if a world-shaking outcome emerged, but the conversation lacks any tension, making it feel anticlimactic.

‘Besides, they’ve been talking about food since earlier….’

Of course, stories about their trips to the Northern Sea and Wuhan also came up.

Hoping to hear some unknown stories about the Ice Palace, Tang Hwa-ryun strained her nerves.

But all she heard were stories about what they ate and how it tasted.

‘I’d rather….’

She even considered asking directly, as was her usual nature. But Tang Hwa-ryun didn’t do so.

No, she couldn’t.

Her younger sister, Tang Wol-ah, though mostly silent, was clearly enjoying this time.

Hiding her discomfort, Tang Hwa-ryun maintained a polite demeanor without saying a word.

However, because she had treated Sohn Bin, everyone seemed to think that Tang Hwa-ryun was a good person, despite her cold exterior.

‘When will this end?’

Before she knew it, the sun had set, and stars were twinkling in the night sky.

Sohn Bin had skillfully lit a small brazier and hung a lantern a long time ago, but the story still showed no signs of ending.

Beyond patience, now almost resigned, Tang Hwa-ryun suddenly realized that it had been a long time since she had such a moment.

‘I guess so. It’s been a while since I’ve had nothing to do.’

Since becoming the Tang Clan’s Chief Strategist, she had lived a life constantly chased by time.

The things she had to do were overwhelmingly numerous, and none of them were unimportant.

But now, even if she wanted to, she had nothing to do. Not since she carried the sword of the former Clan Lord, Tang Baek-ho, had she been so idle.

Rustle.

The heat of the day had vanished, and a cold night breeze brushed her cheek.

Amidst the laughter of the people, the warm glow of the small brazier caressed her, and the soft lantern light illuminated smiling faces.

‘This isn’t so bad either….’

Tang Hwa-ryun gave a faint smile.

However, the moment a man’s smiling face entered her vision, she unconsciously frowned.

* * *

The people who had been sharing stories finally rose from their seats late at night.

The young ladies, and even Tang Un-yeong, all went into the kitchen together to wash the dishes, continuing their unfinished stories.

Of course, Sohn Bin, who had been chased out of the kitchen, and Tang Hwa-ryun, who hadn’t even considered entering, were excluded.

Sohn Bin seemed to want to say something to Tang Hwa-ryun, but Tang Hwa-ryun didn’t even look at him.

After the cleanup was finished, Sa Soo-yeon went to her house, and the remaining women went to Tang Wol-ah’s residence.

“The house is clean.”

Tang Un-yeong looked around the room and gave a satisfied expression.

She seemed to have forgotten that she had come to see Tang Wol-ah, the Tang Clan’s new External Affairs Expert.

“We cleaned it together.”

“Hehe, all together?”

The old lady, Tang Un-yeong, laughed at Tang Wol-ah’s calm words, as always.

Perhaps because of the fragrant Mijiu [Korean rice wine] she had drunk with the meal, the old lady’s cheeks were flushed red.

Rustle.

Tang Un-yeong approached Tang Wol-ah and hugged her without hesitation.

Tang Wol-ah didn’t resist. Tang Hwa-ryun’s eyes widened in surprise, but she couldn’t show it because of Sa Soo-yeon next to her.

“I’m glad. You didn’t become like your brother.”

Tang Un-yeong closed her eyes and said quietly. After a moment, Tang Un-yeong released Tang Wol-ah.

“Sleep well. I had a very enjoyable day.”

Tang Wol-ah quietly bowed to her. Tang Hwa-ryun and Sa Soo-yeon also paid their respects to Tang Un-yeong and came outside.

“You must be tired from the long journey. This isn’t my house, but please rest comfortably.”

Sa Soo-yeon smiled and said to Tang Hwa-ryun.

“Yes, Young Lord.”

“Just call me Sa So-jeo.”

At her words, Tang Hwa-ryun suddenly thought of the name ‘Sa Ja-hyuk.’

But before Tang Hwa-ryun could ask anything more, Sa Soo-yeon bowed her head and went into her room.

“Sister is in the same room as me.”

Tang Wol-ah said.

“Is that okay?”

Tang Hwa-ryun replied with a bright smile.

“Of course, it’s okay. I’m so happy to be in the same room as you.”

This was Tang Hwa-ryun’s true feeling. Tang Hwa-ryun could tell that Tang Wol-ah was a little shy, even though it was hidden behind her veil.

Shuffle, shuffle.

The two entered Tang Wol-ah’s room together.

Reflecting Tang Wol-ah’s character, her room had no decorations. It was almost desolate for a young lady’s room, but Tang Hwa-ryun rather liked it.

Clatter.

Tang Wol-ah took out a sword from her bosom and placed it on the desk.

It was a short sword, slightly shorter than a normal sword, and Tang Hwa-ryun’s eyes sparkled the moment she saw it.

“This sword is….”

“It’s Sowel (素月) [meaning ‘White Moon’ in Korean].”

Tang Hwa-ryun thought it was a name that suited her younger sister well.

“Did he… give it to you?”

“Yes. It’s a gift from Young Master Sohn.”

Tang Hwa-ryun bit her lip. The hilt of Tang Wol-ah’s sword, Sowel, was the Ho-ah (虎牙) [meaning ‘Tiger Fang’ in Korean] that had been Tang Baek-ho’s sword.

“Isn’t this originally Tang Baek-ho’s?”

Tang Wol-ah suddenly said. There was no respect for the former Clan Lord, Tang Baek-ho.

“Yes. Did he tell you?”

“No.”

Tang Wol-ah shook her head.

“Young Master Sohn only said it was from the Tang Clan. But the only person who could use something like this is probably just one person.”

The jewels embedded in the hilt of Sowel were not just decorations.

Tang Wol-ah could tell that it was for a special person, the user of the Poisonous Energy Art.

“I see.”

Tang Hwa-ryun felt strangely bitter.

She had never expected the hilt of Ho-ah to return in this way.

“Does Sister dislike Young Master Sohn?”

Tang Wol-ah asked. Tang Hwa-ryun’s eyes widened. But she soon gave a bitter smile and replied.

“How did you know?”

“You’re my sister.”

Tang Wol-ah continued in a quiet voice.

Tang Hwa-ryun let out a small laugh. Just as she had been watching her younger sister, her younger sister had been watching her.

“Why do you dislike him?”

“Well….”

Tang Hwa-ryun suddenly recalled when she first met Sohn Bin.

He had appeared with Sa Ja-hyuk. At first, she thought he was someone like her, buried in the shadow of an absolute powerhouse.

But that thought soon disappeared.

He was a scholar. Moreover, just a mediocre scholar, seemingly no better than Tang Hwa-ryun.

Yet, he even pitied Tang Hwa-ryun, not even realizing that Tang Baek-ho had used a terrible poison on her.

‘Of all people….’

But he was being recognized. Even Sa Ja-hyuk, who was like the sky to Tang Hwa-ryun, the one who had defeated Tang Baek-ho, was acknowledging him.

Unlike Tang Hwa-ryun, who was treated like mere decoration despite her outstanding skills.

Was that why? She wanted to torment that scholar who didn’t know his place. She deliberately treated him roughly and told him how great she would become.

She wanted to make him clearly recognize that she was superior to him.

Even after that, judging from his advice about the ‘true target of revenge,’ it didn’t seem very successful.

“Maybe it’s just because he’s unlucky?”

Tang Wol-ah quietly looked at Tang Hwa-ryun. Tang Wol-ah said in a low voice.

“That can’t be. Sister isn’t someone who holds such things to heart.”

No one in the world understood Tang Hwa-ryun better than Tang Wol-ah.

Because they were sisters who had endlessly talked through a small wooden window even when Tang Wol-ah was isolated. Of course, Tang Hwa-ryun was always the one talking.

“Still, I can never forget the day I met him.”

Tang Hwa-ryun said with a bitter smile.

Perhaps the reason why Sohn Bin felt so unlucky was because of Sa Ja-hyuk.

Just as she couldn’t forget the intense shock that Muje had shown, she couldn’t forget Sohn Bin, who seemed to be from another world that day.

“Don’t worry.”

Tang Hwa-ryun smiled.

“I won’t do anything to him now. It’s already in the past.”

“I’m worried about Sister.”

Tang Hwa-ryun couldn’t understand her words.

“Thank you. But you don’t have to worry about that. Anyway.”

Tang Hwa-ryun didn’t want to talk about Sohn Bin anymore.

“When are you coming back?”

Tang Hwa-ryun asked, looking at her younger sister with warm eyes.

“All those great Tang Clan elders are waiting for you. You should go and surprise them, right?”

The thought alone made her want to laugh. But Tang Wol-ah lowered her head and hesitated for a moment.

“If I’m here, will it cause trouble for Sister?”

Tang Hwa-ryun stared at Tang Wol-ah. Her tightly clasped white hands seemed to speak of her younger sister’s heart.

Pfft.

Letting out a small laugh, Tang Hwa-ryun embraced Tang Wol-ah’s slender shoulders. Tang Wol-ah’s frail body nestled snugly in Tang Hwa-ryun’s arms.

“No.”

Tang Hwa-ryun said in a comforting voice.

“You won’t cause me any trouble. You can just do whatever you want.”

Tang Hwa-ryun gently stroked Tang Wol-ah’s back.

“You’re my sister. The only one in this world, the sister I love the most.”

It didn’t matter if she acted spoiled for the rest of her life. Considering what she had been deprived of so far, Tang Hwa-ryun wanted to give her even more.

Tang Hwa-ryun’s face, with her eyes slightly closed, was serene. Just like her younger sister, Tang Wol-ah, who was embraced in her arms.

“Okay, then.”

Tang Hwa-ryun said, looking at Tang Wol-ah.

“Tell me how you’ve been. In as much detail as possible.”

* * *

Sohn Bin was reading a book in his residence. He would have been training at this time before, but these days he had to be satisfied with just grooming Baek-ro and reading books.

‘Hmm?’

Sohn Bin raised his head at the sound of someone entering the Seowon [private academy]. To be exact, it wasn’t a sound, but just a feeling.

Sohn Bin got up from his seat.

“Woong, Hyung [term for older brother]?”

Seo-rin, who was sleeping on one of the beds, rubbed his eyes and tried to get up.

“It’s okay, keep sleeping. I’ll just go out to the yard for a bit.”

“Okay.”

Seo-rin, who couldn’t even open his eyes properly, nodded and fell back asleep. Still, he would jump up at any sound.

Shuffle.

Sohn Bin came out into the yard. The moon brightly illuminated all directions, and the lonely cry of a night bird occasionally awakened the silence.

“Welcome.”

Sohn Bin greeted the midnight visitor without warning with a smile.

“I’m sorry. So suddenly.”

The old lady with white hair, Tang Un-yeong, said.

“Has Old Man returned?”

“He has not returned yet.”

“I see….”

Tang Un-yeong’s eyes, looking at Old Man’s residence, were desolate. The old lady said in a voice full of regret.

“Is he still unable to forgive me?”

“I don’t know what you mean, but I don’t think so.”

Sohn Bin said quietly.

“The reason Old Man avoided you during the day was because he was afraid of hurting you.”

A different light flashed in Tang Un-yeong’s eyes.

“Really…?”

“Yes.”

Sohn Bin nodded without hesitation. And he said with a smile.

“His feelings are all over his face.”

The old lady Tang Un-yeong’s eyes soon became moist.

“Yes, that’s him.”

Tang Un-yeong said with a tearful smile.

“Soon-rang is that kind of person.”

Tang Un-yeong raised her eyes to look at the night sky. Her wrinkled hand was gently stroking a rough jade ring.

“You must be tired from the long journey, so please go in and rest today.”

Sohn Bin said in a soft tone, waiting for a moment.

Tang Un-yeong nodded.

“Thank you.”

It was a word with many meanings. Sohn Bin quietly bowed his head in response to her gratitude.

“Shall I escort you?”

Tang Un-yeong shook her head.

“No. The moon is bright, so I want to walk alone for a while. And there are children protecting me.”

Sohn Bin escorted the departing Tang Un-yeong to the gate.

Step.

When Sohn Bin, who was watching Tang Un-yeong’s lonely back, turned his head, there was someone on the bamboo mat in the yard.

It was Old Man. As if he had been there all along, Old Man was sitting silently, looking at the moon.

“Have you eaten?”

“She had everything.”

Old Man said. His voice was more desolate than ever.

“Of course. She was the Tang Clan’s precious daughter. But I had nothing. Yet, she promised to abandon everything and be with me. So I swore to her.”

Old Man gritted his teeth.

“That I would protect her no matter what.”

Old Man was silent for a moment. Sohn Bin waited quietly.

“But I couldn’t keep that promise.”

The voice was so mournful that even Sohn Bin, who was listening, felt like he was about to cry.

“She wanted to meet you.”

Old Man gave a hollow laugh.

“It’s all in the past. What’s the point of meeting now? I can only live with it like this for the rest of my life.”

“If it’s already in the past, why do you say you’ll live with it for the rest of your life?”

Sohn Bin said quietly.

“There’s no such thing as the past in the heart. And if it’s something really important, you must face it with all your might.”

Old Man turned his head to look at Sohn Bin. Sohn Bin, standing under the blue moonlight, was smiling at Old Man.

“Whether it’s a past event or a future event. Isn’t that right?”

Old Man was silent for a moment. But he soon let out a hollow laugh and said.

“Yes. That’s right. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”

Looking up at the moon, Old Man quietly muttered.

“Not at all.”

After sitting like that for a while, Old Man got up from his seat.

“Good night.”

“Good work. You should rest too.”

Old Man waved his hand and strode into his residence.

From the room, Shin-ui’s voice could be heard, ‘Are you just coming now? You’re not a child, why are you so late?’ Old Man didn’t back down, retorting, ‘Have you gotten old and need less sleep? Why aren’t you asleep yet?’

Clack.

The door closed behind Old Man. But Sohn Bin had not yet returned to his room.

“Please come in now.”

Sohn Bin said, looking at the always-open Seowon gate.

Shuffle.

With small footsteps, the shadow of a slender woman fell into the yard.

“You haven’t changed.”

A sharp voice said mockingly.

“That habit of giving advice to anyone without knowing your place.”

The proud figure of a woman was revealed under the moonlight.

The Tang Clan’s young Chief Strategist and Tang Wol-ah’s sister, she was none other than Snow Sword Tang Hwa-ryun.