A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 234

234. Her Spirit

A *Seowon* [private Confucian academy], especially one filled with children and the elderly, is no place for a young man.

Dan Sim-hwa, of the Gongson Clan, spoke those words. Her statement was quite narrow-minded, but it was one that would resonate with the young people from the Five Great Clans and the Five Great Merchant Guilds present.

However, the important thing wasn’t empathy or understanding. Gongson Ji was attacking Jeok Se-hwa, openly and publicly.

Not a single woman present was unaware of the true meaning hidden behind Dan Sim-hwa, Gongson Ji’s words. The young ladies’ expressions changed instantly, and even Jin Hye-mi of the Maun Merchant Guild, who was standing next to Son Bin, stiffened.

“Is that so? Perhaps it might seem that way.”

Jeok Se-hwa smiled slowly. But everyone could tell that her smile was not the same as before.

“However, I think this. What Young Master Son is doing is not something a young person *cannot* do, but…”

Jeok Se-hwa raised her head and looked not at Gongson Ji, but directly at Son Bin, and said,

“It is something a young person *dares* not do. No one but Young Master Son can do it.”

For a moment, Jeok Se-hwa’s gaze made everyone forget that this was a banquet hall. Her earnest eyes seemed to blow away even Gongson Ji’s insults.

“And, in fact, Young Master Son is not my boyfriend. Though I wish he were.”

Jeok Se-hwa said with a playful smile. Her smile seemed to brighten the atmosphere around her in an instant.

Nung So-ryeon of the Hwanam Merchant Guild, who was standing next to her, looked at Son Bin with renewed interest. Jeok Se-hwa and Son Bin seemed to have a special relationship. And she became curious about Son Bin, for whom Jeok Se-hwa would go so far.

“Haha, I’m so envious that you’ve captured the young lady’s heart.”

The young men standing nearby quickly chimed in, trying to soften the tense atmosphere. However, Dan Sim-hwa, Gongson Ji, would not let it go.

“Ha, that’s just something a naive girl who doesn’t know the world would say.”

Gongson Ji did not hide her scorn.

“It might seem cool now, but will it still be so later? If you want to become the adopted daughter of the Hyeokryun Clan, you should get rid of any relationships that might invite ridicule from others.”

Gongson Ji’s clear voice spread throughout the banquet hall. Jeok Se-hwa quietly stared at Gongson Ji.

“Ahem.”

Namgung Hyeok of the Namgung Clan cleared his throat and interjected.

“Young Lady, your words are a bit…”

“Oh, why? I was just worried and giving advice.”

Gongson Ji said, widening her eyes, as if she couldn’t believe they didn’t understand her sincerity.

“I didn’t want to say this, but… Actually, that man subtly flirted with me last time.”

Gongson Ji’s words suddenly changed the atmosphere strangely. The men frowned instantly, and the women’s gazes were also unkind.

Even Jin Hye-mi, who was standing next to Son Bin, looked up at Son Bin with a ‘Could it be?’ expression.

“No, I…”

Son Bin was taken aback by the sudden attack. In the meantime, Gongson Ji spoke again.

“Look. Today, he’s flirting with such a young lady.”

That was a rather powerful blow. Son Bin and Jin Hye-mi were standing a little apart from the others, a situation that could be misunderstood depending on how one looked at it.

“N, no, it’s not like that.”

This time, Jin Hye-mi hurriedly waved her hands. However, Gongson Ji didn’t listen. Gongson Ji said with a triumphant expression.

“How can I not worry? Does the Hyeokryun Clan even know that the young lady they’re trying to adopt is getting close to such a man?”

“Yes.”

Jeok Se-hwa’s quiet voice poured cold water on Gongson Ji, who was filled with a sense of victory. Jeok Se-hwa looked straight at Gongson Ji and said,

“They know very well. So they certainly know that Young Master Son is not someone who flirts with young ladies.”

‘Ah.’

To Son Bin, who had been flustered, Jeok Se-hwa’s words were like a ray of light.

It is never easy to stand up for others, especially when faced with such one-sided misunderstandings and slander.

However, Gongson Ji only wore a sneer. She chuckled and said,

“Haa. They say when you fall for a man, you can’t see anything else, and it’s really true. If you’re already defending a man like this, I’m even more worried about what will happen to the Hyeokryun Clan in the future.”

Gongson Ji’s venomous words showed no sign of stopping. However, no one would rebuke her or openly oppose her, as she was the daughter of the Gongson Clan. Even the clans were like that, let alone the merchant guilds.

“That’s not something you need to worry about.”

Suddenly, a soft male voice flowed out. Everyone’s eyes turned to the owner of the voice.

Step.

The one who spoke was Son Bin. Jin Hye-mi looked up at him with a puzzled expression, but Son Bin took a step forward and looked straight at Gongson Ji.

“At the Hwanghak Tower in Muhan, it was Young Master Namgung Cheol, and at the inn on the Janggang River, it was Young Master Jegal Gi, and who is it today? If you have time to worry about others, wouldn’t it be better to take care of your own affairs?”

Dan Sim-hwa, Gongson Ji, widened her eyes. She couldn’t even accept the situation where Son Bin was talking to her like this.

But that was only for a moment. Dan Sim-hwa, Gongson Ji’s pretty face twisted viciously.

Son Bin smiled and continued speaking calmly.

“Ah, excuse me. This is also unnecessary worry. But it can’t be helped. Someone who has nothing to boast about except for the family they were born into is giving presumptuous advice to Lady Se-hwa, who was recognized by the previous Sword Demon, so how can I, watching from the side, not be worried?”

“Wow.”

Jin Hye-mi exclaimed from the side, looking at Son Bin with a surprised expression. Son Bin’s words were so scathing and unrestrained.

“Y, you dare…”

Gongson Ji’s voice trembled as she suffered an unexpected insult. But Son Bin’s words continued to flow out.

“Yes, ‘dare’.”

Son Bin looked straight at Gongson Ji and continued,

“But it’s nothing compared to the rudeness you’ve shown. If you weren’t a member of the Gongson Clan, could you have attended this event with your own power alone?”

The banquet hall fell into a quiet silence. Most of the young ladies’ gazes were subtly mocking Gongson Ji, who had been insulted.

However, they were not friendly to Son Bin either. The young men’s gazes were even more so.

The conflict between Jeok Se-hwa and Gongson Ji was within the realm of possibility. However, Son Bin’s insult to Gongson Ji was definitely ‘going too far’.

Son Bin was also aware of that. He didn’t want to get into an argument with a young lady either.

However, if Jeok Se-hwa was standing up for him like that, how could he, as the person involved, step back and pretend to be an uninvolved bystander?

Clench.

Gongson Ji gritted her teeth.

Step, step.

Dan Sim-hwa, Gongson Ji, who had been insulted, walked fearlessly and stood in front of Son Bin.

Her eyes overflowed with a murderous intent that seemed capable of killing a person with just a glance, but Son Bin did not avoid or back down.

Whoosh.

Gongson Ji’s white hand, clearly imbued with internal energy, flew towards Son Bin. But Son Bin did not try to dodge.

‘Hoo, it can’t be helped.’

Son Bin knew the consequences of his words. And he knew that while his actions were right, they would also put Jeok Se-hwa in a difficult position.

In the end, there was only one way to resolve this situation: to be slapped by Gongson Ji and step down from this place.

That way, this incident would become a dispute between Son Bin and Gongson Ji, and Jeok Se-hwa would become an uninvolved third party. Although Son Bin’s cheek would be a little sore and his face would be quite ruined.

‘But, it’s too slow.’

As he waited for Gongson Ji’s hand to fly towards his cheek, Son Bin suddenly had a strange thought.

‘At this rate, wouldn’t it not even hurt if I got hit?’

“Young Master Son!”

Jeok Se-hwa also realized Son Bin’s thoughts. She shouted urgently, but Gongson Ji’s white hand was already striking Son Bin’s face.

It was at that very moment.

Wrap.

From behind, a slender and soft arm embraced Son Bin and pulled him back strongly.

For a moment, Son Bin lost his balance and staggered backward, and Gongson Ji’s white hand, which had been flying in, cut through the empty air in vain.

“Are you crazy? Why are you just standing there?”

A hurried voice was heard from behind Son Bin.

Son Bin turned around. It was Jin Hye-mi, the young lady of the Maun Merchant Guild. She had pulled Son Bin back.

“Can’t you see the energy contained in that hand? Something terrible would have happened if you had been hit by that!”

Jin Hye-mi, who had spoken to Son Bin, looked up at Gongson Ji. Gongson Ji was frowning and looking down at Son Bin.

“You too! How can you hit someone like that? No matter how angry you are…”

“Who are you?”

Gongson Ji asked, looking down at Jin Hye-mi with a cold gaze. The gaze was not something the young Jin Hye-mi could handle, so Jin Hye-mi swallowed without realizing it.

“I, I’m Jin Hye-mi of the Maun Merchant Guild.”

“Jin Hye-mi of the Maun Merchant Guild.”

Gongson Ji murmured quietly.

“I’ll remember that. And never again…”

Dan Sim-hwa, Gongson Ji, slowly raised her hand.

“Don’t interfere with what I’m doing.”

Whoosh.

A hand filled with sharp energy fell towards Jin Hye-mi. It was weaker and slower than before, but Jin Hye-mi, who had turned pale, couldn’t even think of dodging.

‘Oh no!’

Son Bin couldn’t just stand by and watch. Son Bin immediately reached out and tried to pull Jin Hye-mi into his arms. But a little earlier than that, someone’s hand grabbed Gongson Ji’s wrist.

Clasp.

Gongson Ji turned her head sharply. Standing where her venomous gaze was directed was Dang Young, the Deputy Commander of the Silver Sword Unit of the Dang Clan.

“It’s unsightly. Stop it.”

Dang Young said in a calm voice.

There was no way such words would enter Gongson Ji’s ears. Gongson Ji didn’t even pretend to listen and tried to pull her hand away, but she couldn’t even budge, as if she were tied to a solid tree.

Realizing that the opponent’s internal energy was beyond her imagination, Gongson Ji made a painful expression.

“L, let go. It hurts!”

Dang Young frowned. Gongson Ji was feigning pain. But if things continued like this, Dang Young would become the perpetrator.

“Tch.”

Dang Young snorted and let go of her hand. Gongson Ji took a few steps back and stroked her wrist as if it hurt.

Dang Young stood as if protecting Son Bin and Jin Hye-mi. Jin Hye-mi was still pale and hugged by Son Bin.

“Just you wait! Today’s events…”

“Young Lady Gongson Ji!”

Jeok Se-hwa’s resolute voice cut off Gongson Ji’s words. Gongson Ji frowned and turned to look at Jeok Se-hwa.

Jeok Se-hwa’s eyes directed at Gongson Ji were flickering with complete anger. However, Gongson Ji chuckled.

“Why?”

“You have insulted a guest of the Hyeokryun Clan and attempted to inflict ambiguous violence. Apologize to Young Master Son and that young lady right now.”

That was a natural and resolute demand. However, Gongson Ji snorted.

“Apologize? Me?”

Gongson Ji’s sneer soon turned into vicious anger.

“How dare a daughter of a small, insignificant martial family… Do you think you can get away with this after doing this to me, the daughter of the Gongson Clan? If the Hyeokryun Clan finds out, they’ll cancel your betrothal ceremony right away…”

“Hyeokryun Jeong!”

Jeok Se-hwa’s voice echoed. Suddenly called by name, Hyeokryun Jeong, a young man from the Hyeokryun Clan, looked at Jeok Se-hwa with surprised eyes.

Looking straight at Hyeokryun Jeong, Jeok Se-hwa said,

“Does the Hyeokryun Clan endure insults?”

That voice was overflowing with spirit. Hyeokryun Jeong quickly came to his senses. As a martial artist of the Hyeokryun Clan, the answer he had to give was fixed.

“No!”

“Does the Hyeokryun Clan fear the Gongson Clan?”

Jeok Se-hwa asked again. Hyeokryun Jeong puffed out his chest and answered in a strong tone.

“That is not the case!”

Gongson Ji’s expression gradually distorted, and Jeok Se-hwa asked in a clear tone.

“Is the Hyeokryun Clan a place that cannot even protect its own family?”

“Absolutely not!”

Hyeokryun Jeong’s voice burst out passionately.

“Absolutely not! The Hyeokryun Clan will definitely protect its family! Even if it means shedding thousands of lives!”

Jeok Se-hwa looked at Gongson Ji with a cold gaze.

“We refuse the Gongson Clan’s attendance at the betrothal ceremony. If you do not formally apologize, the Hyeokryun Clan will never sit idly by this matter.”

It was a low voice, but Jeok Se-hwa’s spirit was resolute. Gongson Ji flinched for a moment, but she was not one to back down so easily.

“Hmph! You can only say such things after becoming the adopted daughter of the Hyeokryun Clan…”

“Captain!”

At Jeok Se-hwa’s voice, the captain quickly approached. The atmosphere was already so fierce that he had been waiting nearby.

“Yes, Young Lady.”

“Dock the boat on the riverbank and kick this rude woman out.”

Gongson Ji’s face contorted. The captain bowed his head and said,

“A small boat is prepared, so how about we put her on that boat and have her disembark?”

“Do so.”

The captain approached Gongson Ji and bowed politely, saying,

“Please come this way.”

Gongson Ji bit her lip. But no one was standing up for her. Dang Young had already sided with Jeok Se-hwa, and Hyeokryun Jeong was, of course, out of the question.

Namgung Hyeok and Jegal Ho also clearly did not want to get involved in this matter. After all, the relationship between the clans and the position of the young people were only at that level.

“You…”

A murderous intent settled in Gongson Ji’s venomous eyes as she looked at Jeok Se-hwa. But for now, she had no choice but to retreat quietly.

“Hmph!”

Gongson Ji turned her head sharply and left the banquet hall.

Step, step.

As she disappeared, the banquet hall finally regained its composure.

Jeok Se-hwa approached Son Bin and Jin Hye-mi and said with a bitter smile,

“You can let go now.”

Son Bin was still holding Jin Hye-mi in his arms. Son Bin was startled and quickly released his hands. Then, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

But Jin Hye-mi was a little different. She looked up at Jeok Se-hwa and her eyes sparkled.

“Cool…”

Jin Hye-mi rushed towards Jeok Se-hwa. Jeok Se-hwa was startled by her spirit.

“Um, can I call you ‘unni’ [older sister]?”

“Ah, y, yes.”

Since there was an age difference anyway, it wouldn’t be strange to call her that. When Jeok Se-hwa gave her permission, Jin Hye-mi jumped up and down as if she was happy.

“Thank you, Unni! And thank you so much for saving me.”

“It was Young Lady Dang who saved the young lady. Thank you, Young Lady Dang.”

Jeok Se-hwa expressed her gratitude to Dang Young, the Deputy Commander of the Dang Clan. Jin Hye-mi also bowed her head accordingly, but Dang Young only nodded slightly, as if it were someone else’s business.

Jeok Se-hwa spoke to Jin Hye-mi again.

“Were you called Jin Hye-mi? Thank you for protecting Young Master Son.”

“You’re welcome. I just stood there blankly, so I stepped forward without realizing it.”

Jin Hye-mi said in a lively tone. The appearance of her being terrified just a moment ago could not be found.

“And, Mister. You should do some training or something.”

Suddenly turning to look at Son Bin, Jin Hye-mi said,

“Even if you’re a *Seowon* teacher, how can you be so weak? A man has to be able to protect a woman.”

Son Bin smiled bitterly.

“A sickly scholar is okay, but you have to have the looks to back it up. Mister has a plain impression, so study hard and take the civil service exam… Ah, you’re a teacher, so you must have studied a lot.”

Son Bin smiled awkwardly, and Jeok Se-hwa, who was watching that scene, also smiled. The unpleasant tension from before seemed to fly away with Jin Hye-mi’s chattering voice.

“More than that, are you okay?”

Son Bin asked Jeok Se-hwa with a worried expression. He wondered if it was okay to cause such a problem with Gongson Ji before the betrothal ceremony.

“‘More than that’? What were you thinking earlier?”

Jeok Se-hwa asked with a serious expression. She was really angry.

“To try to get slapped by such a woman? If such a thing happened, I wouldn’t have the face to see the others.”

Son Bin smiled bitterly.

Perhaps Old Master would be furious. But in the end, he would understand. If it was to protect Jeok Se-hwa, what was a slap or two?

“Really, what would have happened…”

Jeok Se-hwa sighed deeply.

Son Bin shrugged his shoulders. The *Seowon* atmosphere might be bad for a while, but it didn’t seem like anything would happen.

“Anyway, never do that again. Understood?”

“Ah, yes.”

Anyway, since it was concern for him, Son Bin nodded like a well-behaved student.

Slightly avoiding Jin Hye-mi’s gaze, who was staring at him with a curious expression from the side, Son Bin cleared his throat and asked again,

“But, is it really okay?”

“Ah, you mean Young Lady Gongson Clan?”

Jeok Se-hwa smiled.

“It’ll be okay. And if there’s a problem, what can I do? I’ll just get scolded a little.”

Son Bin smiled awkwardly at Jeok Se-hwa’s words, which were as nonchalant as if it were someone else’s business.

However, it was a little different for Dang Young, the Deputy Commander of the Dang Clan, who was listening from the side.

‘Get scolded? There’s no way.’

Even in the previous generation, the Five Great Clans had fiercely opposed each other. The adults who still vividly remember that are the absolute majority in the clans.

If today’s events become known, Jeok Se-hwa will be praised rather than scolded. Rather, they will give her a high evaluation, saying, ‘That’s how qualified she is to become a member of the Hyeokryun Clan.’

‘Even that young man right now…’

Dang Young looked at Hyeokryun Jeong, a young man from the Hyeokryun Clan. His eyes, looking at Jeok Se-hwa’s back, were shining with respect. What kind of report will he give about this incident?

‘She’s an amazing young lady.’

There was a feeling that she had been buried because the other people in the *Seowon* were so amazing, but Jeok Se-hwa is not an ordinary young lady either.

Dang Young looked at Jeok Se-hwa with new eyes.

Meanwhile, Hyeokryun Jeong of the Hyeokryun Clan also could not take his eyes off Jeok Se-hwa.

‘She’s an amazing person.’

Jeok Se-hwa’s elegant appearance was not very impressive. Even now, her smiling face is just that of a virtuous young lady.

However, when Jeok Se-hwa asked him a question earlier, Hyeokryun Jeong felt his heart burning.

What was emanating from her eyes at that time was something that no one could ever have. A spirit that was like standing at the highest level and looking down on the world.

Would it be an exaggeration to say that for a moment, he felt like he had encountered the eyes of the previous Sword Demon or the Clan Lord?

‘So that’s what the adults decided.’

Hyeokryun Jeong felt like he knew a little bit about what the previous Sword Demon, Hyeokryun Wi, or Elder Hyeokryun Gong had seen in Jeok Se-hwa. And why they had the idea of adopting her as the adopted daughter of the Hyeokryun Clan.

Hyeokryun Jeong puffed out his chest. He felt proud that such a young lady would become family.