A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 240

240. Namgung Clan

The Sword Demon’s appearance was unexpected. But Sohn Bin wasn’t particularly surprised, precisely because it was the Sword Demon.

Her actions were always unpredictable. The fact that this was the heart of the Namgung Clan meant nothing to her.

Considering the Sword Demon’s level, it was more surprising that she had been learning to write from Sehwa along with Hwasa.

“Not yet?”

The Sword Demon asked again.

Hyeokryun Sehwa had said that the Sword Demon was a very bright student. Yet, her way of speaking remained the same.

“No, not yet.”

Sohn Bin replied with a gentle smile. He didn’t know what had suddenly prompted her to act, but it was impossible for Sohn Bin in his current state.

The Sword Demon stared intently at Sohn Bin before quietly saying,

“I’ll wait. No matter when it is. And…”

Rustle.

The Sword Demon slowly retreated.

“I’ll be watching. To see what you will abandon.”

The next moment, she vanished as if she had never been there. Only the frost dissipating into the air indicated that she had been there. But even that would soon disappear.

‘You must leave what you love behind.’

Sohn Bin quietly repeated the words he had told Namgung Soyou. What was it about these simple words that captivated him so?

He couldn’t understand it. Yet, the words clung to Sohn Bin like a koan [a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism for meditation] for those beginning their practice, refusing to let go.

Thanks to that, Sohn Bin was a little late for breakfast that morning, and Seorin, who was waiting, had her lips sticking out as she exclaimed, ‘Hyung [older brother or respected male figure], you’re too late!’

And with good reason. The breakfast that the Namgung Clan had specially prepared looked very delicious to Sohn Bin as well.

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After breakfast, Sohn Bin’s group spent the morning leisurely drinking tea. It seemed to be a consideration from the Namgung Clan to allow them to rest from their travels. But as noon approached, a young man in the Namgung Clan’s martial uniform came to find Sohn Bin.

“True Dragon Hero!”

The young man, with a tall stature and intense eyes, greeted Sohn Bin with a delighted expression as soon as he saw him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve always regretted not being able to properly greet you that day, but it’s good to see you like this. I am Namgung Hoon.”

The young man, bowing politely, was someone Sohn Bin remembered. He was one of the promising disciples of the Namgung Clan who had been at the Tower of Ascension that day.

Hyeokryun Sehwa’s words, ‘His position within the clan is narrow, but his skills are genuine,’ also came to mind.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Sohn Bin. Are you feeling well?”

Sohn Bin replied to his greeting. Namgung Hoon had been injured by the Blood Dragon Gate’s sword that day.

“I’m fine. That was a long time ago.”

Namgung Hoon replied with a hearty laugh. Sohn Bin couldn’t help but smile at his bright laughter.

“I was half-doubting when I heard that the Sword Breaking Divine Woman had come, but indeed, you were here, Great Hero.”

He also politely greeted Shin-ui, Dang Wora, and Seorin in turn. He was even more respectful to Sa Soyeon, who had saved his life at the Tower of Ascension. After the greetings, he looked at Sohn Bin and said,

“I volunteered to be your guide, as Shin-ui is also here. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to show you around the clan. What do you think?”

Just as they were starting to get bored, and everyone except Shin-ui seemed interested, Sohn Bin gratefully accepted the offer.

∴

Touring the Namgung Clan with Namgung Hoon was very interesting.

The buildings were large and ornate, but never excessive, and their appearance exuded a restrained beauty. The architectural style was also more exotic than traditional.

Most impressive of all were the expressions of the people passing by.

They were all lively and cheerful, with even a subtle sense of pride. Most were wearing the Namgung Clan’s martial uniform, but people in official attire were also frequently seen.

“We maintain close ties with the government.”

Namgung Hoon said, noticing Sohn Bin’s questioning expression.

“There is no influential official in Gangnam who is not associated with the Namgung Clan, and it is said that in this Nanchang, one cannot discuss government affairs without the Namgung Clan. In fact, there are quite a few collateral relatives who hold official positions.”

Namgung Hoon gave a slight bitter smile.

“Of course, there are those who don’t see it favorably, but I accept it as the Namgung Clan walking the right path. It is also true that the Namgung Clan has significantly improved the security of Gangnam.”

In areas controlled by the Namgung Clan, the Demonic Sect and gangsters do not wield much power. Merchants can also trade with relative peace of mind, so commerce is also thriving.

From the perspective of a local official dispatched by the central government, the help of the Namgung Clan, which can be considered a local power, is truly a way to gain both reputation and practical benefits.

However, the actions of the Namgung Clan are never well-received by the Murim [martial arts world] sects. They even feign ignorance of the fact that the Wudang Clan has had a long-standing relationship with the imperial family.

Nodding, Sohn Bin said,

“If used correctly, what is there to throw away in the world? The problem lies in the degree. If it is used to achieve mutually agreeable and positive results, I don’t think it’s bad.”

“That’s right. You are indeed the True Dragon Hero.”

Namgung Hoon smiled brightly, as if Sohn Bin’s affirmation had pleased him. But Sohn Bin gave an awkward smile.

“That, the title of Great Hero is too much for me…”

Being respectfully addressed as ‘Great Hero’ by Namgung Hoon, who was of a similar age, was uncomfortable for Sohn Bin.

But Namgung Hoon instead became serious.

“That can’t be. If the Great Hero is not a Great Hero, then who is? The Great Hero is the Great Hero who deserves the title of Great Hero.”

Sohn Bin gave a bitter smile at the torrent of ‘Great Hero’ titles.

He had hoped, but it didn’t work. Wasn’t Namgung Soyou the same way at dawn?

Moreover, if Sohn Bin had known that Namgung Hoon himself was the one who started the title of ‘True Dragon Hero,’ he wouldn’t have made such futile resistance.

Listening to Seorin and Sa Soyeon laughing beside him, Sohn Bin suddenly recalled what Namgung Soyou had said at dawn.

“Is there perhaps a central training ground?”

Namgung Hoon nodded.

“Yes. It’s nearby. Would you like to go?”

“Is it alright for me to go?”

“Of course.”

Namgung Hoon nodded strongly.

Sohn Bin’s swordsmanship, which had defeated a master of sword energy manifestation with a single beautiful sword, was still vivid in Namgung Hoon’s mind.

How could he refuse when he wanted to see the training of the young disciples?

“Come this way…”

“Young Master Sohn.”

At the sudden sound of a woman’s voice, Namgung Hoon and Sohn Bin’s group turned their heads.

There stood Namgung Hyang, smiling brightly.

“Young Lady Namgung Hyang.”

Sohn Bin said, pleased. Namgung Hyang, who was smiling, approached Sohn Bin’s group with a quiet and graceful gait, as always.

Swoosh, swoosh.

“Thank you for visiting the clan.”

Namgung Hyang, who had walked as elegantly as a textbook of etiquette, politely greeted Sohn Bin’s group.

“I should have welcomed you, but I was unable to do so, and I apologize.”

“Not at all. Thanks to your consideration, we received a warm welcome.”

Sohn Bin said, returning her greeting. If it hadn’t been for the jade pendant Namgung Hyang had given him, it wouldn’t have been easy to enter the Namgung Clan.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Namgung Hyang, who was smiling gently, suddenly asked,

“Are you perhaps on your way somewhere now?”

“I am escorting them to the central training ground.”

Namgung Hoon, who was standing next to her, answered, politely greeting Namgung Hyang. Namgung Hyang lightly bowed her head in response and then asked Sohn Bin,

“If it’s not impolite, may I accompany you?”

Of course, there was no reason to refuse. Sohn Bin nodded.

“I would be grateful. But I heard you had something busy to do. Is it alright?”

“Yes, it’s alright.”

Having said that, Namgung Hyang conveyed something to one of the maids following her. The maid respectfully bowed her head and quickly disappeared inside.

“Grandfather will be back soon too. He will be very pleased to know that you have come, Young Master.”

Namgung Hyang said with a bright smile. Sohn Bin suddenly thought of Shin-ui, who was not here.

“Ah, and Shin-ui has also come with us. He is currently in the lodgings.”

“I see. I will visit him later and say hello.”

With Namgung Hyang joining them, the group’s expressions became more relaxed. Sohn Bin’s group moved towards the central training ground with her.

Thud, thud.

“It’s over there.”

Namgung Hoon, who was walking ahead, said proudly. And Sohn Bin thought it was well-deserved.

The Namgung Clan’s central training ground was a larger building than he had expected.

Usually, the training ground is located outside the building, and even if it is covered with a roof, it is only a part of it. But the Namgung Clan’s training ground was entirely covered with a wide roof.

Instead of building walls, large red pillars supported the massive roof, which gave it a magnificent feeling without being stuffy.

“Amazing.”

Namgung Hoon smiled at Sohn Bin’s admiration.

“It’s a wonderful place. But the most important training ground in the clan is not there.”

Namgung Hoon said to Sohn Bin, who was looking at him with a puzzled expression.

“There is a place called the Sword Sharpening Abyss behind Cheongpungheon [the head of the family’s residence], where the successive heads of the family have trained their swords there.”

Sohn Bin nodded.

The Sword Sharpening Abyss means ‘a pond for sharpening dull blades.’

This soon speaks to the spirit of the clan, which values martial prowess, and Sohn Bin thought that it was indeed like the Namgung Clan, which is called the Sword King Family.

“But now…”

Namgung Hoon’s complexion darkened slightly as he continued to speak. But he spoke again in a seemingly bright voice.

“Let’s go quickly. The Hidden Dragon Gathering is about to be held, so many disciples will be here. Ah, the Hidden Dragon Gathering is…”

“I’ve heard of it. It’s a place to select the clan’s young promising disciples, right?”

Namgung Hoon had a slightly surprised expression, but soon smiled.

“That’s right. Let’s go, Great Hero.”

Sohn Bin hastened his steps to the training ground, following him. Namgung Hyang, who had joined the group, was talking with Sa Soyeon, Seorin, and Dang Wora with bright faces. Of course, Dang Wora was just nodding quietly.

Suddenly, Sohn Bin recalled Namgung Hoon calling him Great Hero a moment ago.

“Young Lady Namgung.”

“Yes.”

Namgung Hyang looked at Sohn Bin. Thanks to that, Sa Soyeon, Seorin, and Dang Wora, who were talking, also turned to Sohn Bin.

“Actually…”

Originally, he was going to tell her that ‘some people also call me True Dragon Hero.’ He thought it was polite to tell her himself rather than having her find out from someone else.

But when he actually tried to say, ‘I am the True Dragon Hero,’ it suddenly felt like he was showing off, so he couldn’t bring himself to say it. It was even more so because Sa Soyeon, Seorin, and Dang Wora were watching.

“Ah, well, that’s…”

Sohn Bin stammered, unable to continue.

“What’s wrong?”

Namgung Hyang asked with surprised eyes. Her large eyes were full of concern for Sohn Bin. She seemed to think it was something serious.

“Are you alright, Young Master Sohn?”

“Hyung [older brother], why?”

Sa Soyeon and Seorin also started to worry, and even Dang Wora blinked and looked at him. Namgung Hoon also stopped walking and looked at Sohn Bin, so everyone was looking at Sohn Bin.

“It’s nothing. It’s nothing, I’ll tell you later.”

Sohn Bin said, awkwardly smiling and glossing over the words. For some reason, he felt like there were many embarrassing things happening since dawn.

The group started walking towards the training ground again. But Sohn Bin’s worries were sprouting anew.

‘Ah, come to think of it, should I tell the head of the family too?’

As Namgung Soyou had said, there were very few people who could recognize Sohn Bin as the True Dragon Hero. Of course, the head of the family wouldn’t know either.

It wouldn’t be polite to hear about it later through Namgung Hoon or Namgung Soyou. He might be misunderstood as having deliberately hidden it.

The problem was how to convey that fact. Judging from his previous experience, saying ‘I am the True Dragon Hero’ was by no means an easy task.

‘Why do I have to worry about this?’

Thanks to an excessive title that he didn’t even want, he only had unnecessary worries. He felt even more wronged when he thought that he might be misunderstood for something he didn’t intend.

‘What jobless person gave me such a title….’

‘True Dragon Hero,’ just thinking about it made his face flush again. Without even thinking that the ‘jobless person’ was right in front of him, Sohn Bin hastened his steps, following Namgung Hoon.

“Tahaa!”

Sohn Bin raised his eyes at the sudden shout. The group had already arrived at the central training ground.

“Haap!”

Whoosh.

“Taat!”

The sound of swords cutting through the air and the bursting shouts filled the surroundings.

Young men and women, who looked similar to or a little younger than Sohn Bin, were training in the Namgung Clan’s martial uniform. Their eyes were quite intense, as if to say that their days of training were not few.

“Senior Brother!”

Someone discovered Namgung Hoon and shouted happily. And starting with that, the noisy training ground suddenly began to quiet down.

“Ooh.”

Someone in the training ground let out a soft exclamation. Namgung Hoon and Namgung Hyang were also objects of envy for them, but the person they were looking at now was Sa Soyeon.

Sa Soyeon’s beauty was 독보적 [peerless]. It had been that way since she was called the Sword Breaking Divine Woman, but in the Northern Sea, they even suspected it was sorcery or magic.

Since then, the power of the Northern Sea Ice Essence had disappeared, but she was still exuding her beautiful charm like a cold ice flower.

Even the group members who saw her often were like that, so there was no need to say anything about the young people who were seeing her for the first time. Regardless of whether they were male or female, they couldn’t take their eyes off Sa Soyeon.

‘Haha.’

Sohn Bin chuckled as he saw the gazes pouring towards Sa Soyeon. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand their reactions. Above all, Sohn Bin had been like that when he first saw her.

Moreover, his heart still fluttered when he made eye contact with her these days.

‘No-gun must be complaining.’

He seemed to know the hearts of No-gun and Shin-ui, who hated troublesome things.

Sa Soyeon was putting on a seemingly cold expression, but people’s gazes still didn’t seem to leave her.

Then suddenly, Sohn Bin discovered one person who wasn’t looking here. Moreover, that person was someone Sohn Bin already knew.

‘Young Lady Namgung Soyou?’

It was Namgung Soyou, whom he had met at dawn. She was sitting blankly on a chair in one corner of the training ground.

Judging from the fact that she was still in the same state as she had been at dawn, it seemed that she had been in this training ground ever since. She didn’t even notice Sohn Bin’s group had come, as if she was lost in thought.

She sometimes stroked the sword on her lap or bit her lip, and her expression wasn’t very bright.

“I will introduce the honored guests who have visited the clan.”

Namgung Hoon’s powerful voice spread to the end of the training ground. As the young people’s gazes focused on him, Namgung Hoon continued to speak.

“You all know them well. It is…”

Expectation rose in the young people’s eyes. Finally, the identity of that beautiful young lady was being revealed.

As if responding to their expectations, Namgung Hoon said with a proud expression.

“This person is the True Dragon Hero, Sohn Bin.”

In an instant, Sohn Bin could clearly see that the young people’s gazes were unable to find their way.

Although it wasn’t blatant or intentional, it wasn’t a pleasant experience to face the disappointed gazes of many people.

But Sohn Bin bowed as naturally as possible. It was the most natural and polite response for him, but that appearance instead caused even more confusion.

“That person is… True Dragon?”

Someone unknowingly let out those words, which perfectly represented everyone’s feelings. And Sohn Bin couldn’t help but give a bitter smile.

It was at that moment.

Thud.

“What kind of rudeness is this!”

A loud voice filled with spirit burst out from Namgung Hoon. He stomped his foot once and shouted loudly with a face flushed with anger.

“The Great Hero is paying his respects, and you dare not even return the greeting. Do you still claim to be martial artists of the Namgung Clan!”

Namgung Hoon’s anger quickly woke the young people up. They all put their hands together and bowed to Sohn Bin.

“We greet the Great Hero.”

“We see the Great Hero.”

Everyone bowed their heads to Sohn Bin. Namgung Soyou, who had been blankly standing, also got up with a surprised face and bowed, following the others.

“Great Hero.”

Namgung Hoon turned to Sohn Bin with a stern expression. He put his hands together and bowed deeply.

“I apologize for the rudeness.”

It was a short, heavy, and sincere voice. At those words, Sohn Bin felt his bewildered heart slowly calming down.

It wasn’t just because he had bowed his head. Through his voice, Namgung Hoon’s sincere and warm heart was conveyed.

“It’s nothing.”

Sohn Bin said with a gentle smile. Sohn Bin put his hands together and returned Namgung Hoon’s greeting.

“You are being so polite to me, who is lacking, that I am rather ashamed.”

Sohn Bin’s words were sincere. Knowing that, Namgung Hoon also raised his deeply bowed head and smiled.

Facing that dignified and warm smile, Sohn Bin felt like he finally knew where the true power of the Namgung Clan lay.