A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 257

257. A Big Gift

It was late at night when Son Bin and his group returned to Cheongwon. The children had already gone home, and Jeok Se-hwa, or rather, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, along with the five children, greeted Son Bin and his party.

Despite the late hour, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa prepared a meal for the hungry travelers, as they had skipped dinner to arrive as quickly as possible.

Dang Wol-ah sent the sleepy children to their quarters first. Then, Son Bin and his group shared stories with Hyeonryeon Se-hwa about what had happened at the Namgung family.

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa’s eyes welled up at the tales of Blood Peak and Guigyeon Sura. Above all, she was most delighted to hear that Son Bin was doing better.

Perhaps due to the relief of returning to the Seowon [a type of private academy in Korea], Son Bin and his companions enjoyed a comfortable time, chatting late into the night for the first time in a while.

∴

Late at night, the five children were huddled together in Dang Wol-ah’s quarters. They yawned repeatedly, as if they had been awakened from sleep.

“Hey, don’t doze off.”

Said Hong-ah, a girl with red hair. Hwe-ah, a gray-haired boy with a larger build than his peers, flinched and quickly protested.

“Ah, I wasn’t dozing off.”

“I saw you. It’s bad to lie.”

Hong-ah said in a clear voice. As Hwe-ah hesitated, Nok-ah, a girl with green hair, spoke up.

“Hong-ah, you’re scolding him. Be a little gentler. Hwe-ah must be tired because he did a lot of cleaning and organizing today.”

“I cleaned too. That’s no excuse. Besides, it’s training time now. You shouldn’t doze off.”

Hong-ah didn’t give in easily. But Nok-ah with green hair didn’t back down either.

“Still, Hwe-ah always does the hardest work, doesn’t he?”

Hwe-ah tended to step forward before the other children, especially when it came to difficult tasks. Being a boy and one of the larger children, he seemed to feel a sense of responsibility.

“That’s true, but…”

Hong-ah sighed slightly. She knew very well that Hwe-ah worked hard.

“Still, dozing off during training…”

“D-don’t fight.”

Cheong-ah, a girl with blue hair, said tearfully. Small and frail, Cheong-ah teared up easily whenever the atmosphere became even slightly tense. But in training, she was an unyielding force.

Meanwhile, Hwang-ah, a boy with golden hair, was off to the side, oblivious to the others, doing his own thing.

Rustle.

The five children stopped moving all at once at the faint sound of footsteps in the distance. Soon, however, Hwe-ah’s face brightened.

“Ah, it’s Master.”

“Idiot. I told you not to call her that.”

Hong-ah immediately interrupted Hwe-ah.

“Then what should I call her?”

Hwang-ah, who had been playing by himself, suddenly chimed in.

“Mom?”

Hong-ah shook her head as if to say no.

“No. Teacher. Have you already forgotten?”

Hong-ah said each word clearly. Hwe-ah nodded as if he had just remembered.

“Ah, right. Mom Teacher.”

“Oh, geez, not Mom Teacher, just Teacher.”

Hong-ah said, frustrated. Cheong-ah, small and frail, hesitated before chiming in.

“B-but she likes it when we call her Mom, doesn’t she? Even though her expression doesn’t change.”

“I know. But she said we should call her Teacher when we’re addressing her.”

“Why does she do that? It’s confusing…”

“She’s embarrassed. What was it? Mom is still a young lady, or something…”

Hong-ah said, chattering, when Nok-ah asked.

“Who said that?”

“Teacher Se-hwa.”

If Teacher Se-hwa said it, it was probably true. Nok-ah nodded, thinking that must be the case.

“Oh, but what’s a young lady?”

Hwe-ah asked. Hong-ah shook her head.

“I don’t know. But I’m going to be a young lady when I grow up too.”

Hong-ah’s eyes sparkled. Everything about Mom Teacher was the object of Hong-ah’s envy. She even felt a subtle jealousy towards Hwe-ah, who had a similar hair color to Mom Teacher.

Click.

Dang Wol-ah, wearing a veil, entered the room. The five children quickly sat on the floor and looked up at Dang Wol-ah with sparkling eyes.

They looked like puppies waiting for their owner, and a faint smile spread across Dang Wol-ah’s lips.

“Welcome, Teacher!”

Dang Wol-ah quietly nodded to the children who spoke as if in unison.

In the middle of the room, a chair was placed as if it were already Dang Wol-ah’s spot. Dang Wol-ah quietly sat down.

Quickly.

The children quickly took their places at Dang Wol-ah’s feet. Hwang-ah, who had been playing alone, also clung close.

“Um, Teacher. Was the place you went to fun?”

“I want to go too.”

“What delicious things did you eat?”

“Idiot, you should ask, ‘Did you partake of?'”

The children instantly became noisy.

“It’s a gift.”

Dang Wol-ah held out a rather large bundle. The children instantly recognized what it was, wrapped tightly in oil paper.

“It’s food!”

“We can’t eat it now, it’s the middle of the night!”

Hong-ah stopped the children who were rushing in with wide eyes. But even Hong-ah couldn’t help but swallow hard.

“You can eat a little.”

Dang Wol-ah said. She carefully unwrapped the bundle for the children.

“Wowww.”

The exclamation came from everyone without exception. Skewers, sweets, and even foods they had never seen before; a variety of snacks dazzled the children’s eyes.

“C-can we really eat it?”

Hong-ah asked. The children looked up at Dang Wol-ah with sparkling, round eyes.

“Yes.”

Dang Wol-ah quietly nodded. Her voice was calm, but everyone could tell that she was smiling beneath her veil.

The children each picked up the one they liked the most. Then, they tasted it and smiled brightly with surprised expressions.

Dang Wol-ah silently watched the children.

“Um, Teacher. What are you going to teach us during training today?”

“Isn’t there a way to do the dishes faster?”

“I want some martial arts to grow taller.”

The children began to chatter noisily. In the midst of that, Cheong-ah quietly said.

“But they say you won’t grow if you sleep late…”

Dang Wol-ah’s eyes changed. It was a very small change, but the children instantly fell silent.

Dang Wol-ah, who had been silent, asked quietly.

“Who said that?”

Hwe-ah said in a small voice.

“And it’s not good for development? Or something…”

The last words were almost a whisper. A heavy silence fell, and the other children glared at Cheong-ah, blaming her.

“Starting tomorrow.”

The children perked up their ears at Dang Wol-ah’s voice.

“Training will be in the early morning. You must go to bed early.”

The five children seemed slightly surprised, but soon answered as if in unison.

“Yes!”

But as soon as they finished answering, the children began to murmur to each other.

“Then should we go to sleep now?”

“Not until tomorrow?”

“Isn’t now tomorrow?”

“Idiot. How can now be tomorrow? Tomorrow is tomorrow.”

The children, each holding something to eat, sat at Dang Wol-ah’s feet and chattered among themselves.

As if they had nothing more to wish for in the world, the faces of the five children were radiant.

“Aren’t you going to eat, Teacher?”

Hong-ah, who always took care of Dang Wol-ah, asked. Dang Wol-ah quietly shook her head.

“It’s okay.”

Dang Wol-ah gently stroked Hong-ah’s head. Hong-ah didn’t understand Dang Wol-ah’s “It’s okay.” Everyone knew that Mom Teacher liked to eat.

But Dang Wol-ah was really okay. The children’s happy faces were the greatest gift to her.

“M-me too, please do it for me too.”

Cheong-ah, who had seen Hong-ah’s head being stroked, hesitated and clung close. The other children were already looking up at Dang Wol-ah with sparkling eyes.

Rustle.

Dang Wol-ah reached out and stroked the children’s heads. She didn’t say a word. Her heart was so full of the children’s bright smiles that she felt like she might burst into tears.

Thus, the night in Cheongwon was slowly deepening.

What greeted Gyeonghui Gunju [a princess of the highest rank] and Cheonghye Satae as they descended from Mount Emei were splendid carriages and numerous attendants.

The Commissioner of Administration, who oversaw Sichuan’s administration, as well as the Regional Commander, who held military power, and even the Surveillance Commissioner, who conducted inspections, all came forward to pay their respects to Gyeonghui Gunju. Hundreds of government troops escorted them.

‘Good heavens.’

Cheonghye Satae couldn’t hide her surprise.

Local high-ranking officials were people that even the Emei Sect couldn’t treat carelessly. In fact, they were often treated as honored guests.

To see them bowing their heads was a shock to Cheonghye Satae. She experienced the authority of the imperial family, which she had only heard about, firsthand.

The surprise didn’t end there. When the splendid and grand procession arrived in Xi’an, high-ranking officials and local dignitaries from Xi’an were waiting for Gyeonghui Gunju outside the city.

What was unexpected was that there were no people belonging to martial arts sects among them, despite the fact that there were quite a few sects in Xi’an affiliated with the secular disciples of the nearby Mount Hua.

“That’s because from the imperial family’s point of view, they are merely reclusive martial artists.”

Inside the large and ornate carriage, Gyeonghui Gunju, now with the Dharma name Cheongryeon, said with a smile.

There was nothing left of the simple feeling she had shown on Mount Emei. Moreover, Gyeonghui Gunju’s demeanor when dealing with high-ranking officials was full of confidence.

Thanks to this, even her flower-like smile seemed full of dignity in Cheonghye Satae’s eyes.

“Ah, of course, Emei is different. So are Mount Hua, Wudang, and Shaolin. Although the Emperor doesn’t like it, the imperial family has traditionally respected Taoism and Buddhism. But other than that…”

Gyeonghui Gunju said firmly.

“Even if it’s one of the Five Great Families, it’s not enough to qualify to greet the imperial family’s Gunju.”

Her explanation was quite intentional.

Greeting the imperial family’s Gunju was the domain of the ‘官(guan)’ [government officials], the government. Even the Five Great Families couldn’t bypass the government offices and greet the imperial family’s Gunju.

But her words were shocking to Cheonghye Satae. Even the Five Great Families, who outwardly respected the Four Great Orthodox Sects but secretly looked down on them, couldn’t compare to the imperial family’s Gunju.

And that was also a clear fact. It was the moment when Cheonghye Satae clearly realized who the true master of governing the world was.

“But that doesn’t mean I’m a great person.”

Looking at the long line of carriages stretching out in front and behind, Gyeonghui Gunju wore a lonely expression.

“All of this is just respect for the imperial family, and I’m just one Gunju. The things I’m trying to do are just one of the many trivial things to the Emperor, who governs the world.”

“Gunju…”

Cheonghye Satae carefully opened her mouth, but Gyeonghui Gunju laughed lightly.

“Please call me Samae [sister-disciple]. When it’s just us.”

Gyeonghui Gunju gently reached out and took Cheonghye Satae’s hand. Even Cheonghye Satae’s hand, still in her prime, looked rough compared to her fair and beautiful hand.

“The imperial family isn’t just a beautiful and splendid place.”

A shadow suddenly fell in Gyeonghui Gunju’s eyes.

“You can’t trust anyone there. Moreover, the responsibility given to those who become members of the imperial family is great and heavy. It’s really such a lonely place.”

Her voice, sighing softly, contained the emotions that had accumulated over the years.

Cheonghye Satae sympathized with her words. If there were problems even in Emei, a place of pure cultivation, how could the imperial family be any different?

The loneliness of not having peers to confide in was also the same. So Gyeonghui Gunju’s sincere confession was shaking Cheonghye Satae’s heart.

“That’s why I’m so happy. It’s like I’ve been given a sister as a gift.”

Gyeonghui Gunju’s face, blushing slightly as if embarrassed, was as beautiful as a flower.

“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be like this to Satae, but…”

“No, it’s okay.”

Cheonghye Satae said. Her eyes were shining more sincerely than ever.

“You are a gift that I didn’t expect. If you’re okay with it, I’ll gladly be Samae’s strength.”

Cheonghye Satae’s words that she was a gift were sincere.

A peer Samae with a noble status, and the world she showed, which she had never known. Everything was surprising to the young Cheonghye Satae.

Moreover, seeing Gyeonghui Gunju, a member of the imperial family, relying on her as a person, she felt a kind of maternal affection beyond a simple sense of responsibility.

“Thank you.”

Gyeonghui Gunju said with a soft smile.

“And you can speak comfortably when it’s just us.”

The age difference between the two was not that great. They were literally like older and younger sisters, and since they were sisters of the same school, it wasn’t a bad request.

“Y-yes.”

Gyeonghui Gunju’s hand, holding hers, tightened slightly as if pleased with Cheonghye Satae’s response.

“And this is a secret.”

“A secret?”

Gyeonghui Gunju said to Cheonghye Satae, who was puzzled.

“Actually, I asked the Head Disciple to recommend an envoy for this matter.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I heard that you are the most skilled person in Emei. To have such great martial prowess while being so young and beautiful, I really wanted to meet you.”

“Y-you say beautiful.”

Cheonghye Satae waved her hand. But it wasn’t an unpleasant sound. Although hidden by her monastic robes, Cheonghye Satae was also radiating a youthful beauty.

“Come to think of it, your robes are unique. Were they different when you were at the mountain temple?”

The clothes Cheonghye Satae was wearing now were not ordinary monastic robes. They mainly used white and black, and to put it bluntly, it felt like she was wearing a thin kasaya [a type of robe worn by Buddhist monks] over martial attire.

“This is the clothing that the martial monks of Emei wear when they leave the mountain gate. It is in accordance with the teachings left by the founder of Emei.”

Buddhism may seem the same, but it is very different. There are even places where they don’t shave their heads.

“I see. It suits you well.”

Gyeonghui Gunju smiled. Cheonghye Satae coughed in vain and said.

“And don’t say things like that from before. My martial prowess is still far from Shinni’s.”

“Certainly, Master is a great person. But the one who will carry Emei in the future is Saja [a term of respect for a senior disciple].”

Gyeonghui Gunju held Cheonghye Satae’s hand tightly.

“If you’re okay with it, please tell me anytime. If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do my best to help.”

It was a promise from Gyeonghui Gunju, a member of the imperial family. Moreover, judging from the reactions of the Head Disciple and her master, Beopheo Shinni, one could fully guess what the influence of the imperial family was like.

In this situation, even Cheonghye Satae, who was not good at calculations, could quickly realize the weight of the words Gyeonghui Gunju had just said.

‘Oh dear, what am I thinking now.’

Cheonghye Satae muttered inwardly and quickly shook off the delusions in her mind.

Looking into Gyeonghui Gunju’s eyes, she was even ashamed of herself for trying to rely on her position even for a moment.

“Thank you. But it’s okay. I’m grateful just to have a Samae like you.”

“Me too.”

Gyeonghui Gunju smiled brightly and withdrew her hand. Cheonghye Satae coughed in vain and calmed her mind.

“Ah, come to think of it, there are still people I haven’t introduced.”

With a light gesture, Gyeonghui Gunju stopped the carriage. The entire long and grand procession stopped at her gesture.

There was a commotion here and there as they stopped suddenly. But Gyeonghui Gunju didn’t care.

In the meantime, a young escort warrior on horseback immediately ran to the carriage.

A handsome young warrior with shining eyes and an unusual aura bowed his head to Gyeonghui Gunju.

“Call Hang-ah and So-ha. And you get in too.”

The young warrior bowed his head and obeyed her command. The three of them got into her carriage, and soon the procession began to move again.

“Let me introduce you, Satae-nim. These are the people who accompany me.”

By now, Gyeonghui Gunju’s tone had changed. Cheonghye Satae also noticed it.

Externally, Gyeonghui Gunju was only a lay believer who had converted to Buddhism. Prioritizing the position of the Emei Sect over the status of the imperial family was absolutely unacceptable, at least publicly.

Cheonghye Satae’s accompaniment this time was also as a guest of Gyeonghui Gunju, who had invited her to listen to the teachings of Buddhism.

“I am So-ha.”

So-ha, who was short, smiled and paid his respects. His eyes were clear, and one could quickly tell that he was intelligent.

Cheonghye Satae answered his greeting with a 합장(hapjang) [a gesture of respect, putting hands together in front of chest].

“I am Cheonghye.”

“I, I am Hang-ah…”

A lady dressed as a maid, Hang-ah, stuttered shyly. But Cheonghye was not fooled by her appearance.

“I am Cheonghye. Miss, you don’t seem to be an ordinary maid.”

The person who answered Cheonghye Satae’s words was Gyeonghui Gunju.

“Yes. Hang-ah has excellent skills in stealth, tracking, and various poisons and hidden weapons. Her swordsmanship is also not low. Of course, it can’t compare to Satae’s.”

Hang-ah lowered her head as if embarrassed. Cheonghye Satae couldn’t hide her curiosity. Stealth, tracking, poisons, and hidden weapons were things that she hadn’t often encountered in Emei.

“And this is Cheongranggeom (Azure Wave Sword) Wi Ga-jin, Wi Gong. He is someone I trust.”

At Gyeonghui Gunju’s words, the handsome young warrior paid his respects.

Cheonghye Satae had never been so close to a member of the opposite sex. Moreover, Wi Ga-jin was a handsome young man with pure eyes and a dignified spirit, and Cheonghye Satae’s cheeks flushed slightly without her knowing.

“I am Wi Ga-jin. It is an honor to meet Satae.”

Generally, young men who met Cheonghye Satae showed more than average curiosity. This was because of her status as a female monk, but also because they were captivated by Cheonghye Satae’s beautiful appearance.

However, there was no such superficial curiosity in Wi Ga-jin’s greeting. His greeting contained a sincere respect for Cheonghye Satae. That pleased Cheonghye Satae’s heart.

“I am Cheonghye. From what I see, Wi Gong is a truly noble warrior.”

Even his words of humility were dignified. Cheonghye Satae looked at Cheongranggeom Wi Ga-jin with new eyes.

“No. If Wi Gong had been taught by my master, he would probably have had even greater martial prowess than me.”

Of course, it was just a hypothetical. But Cheonghye Satae’s assessment was sincere. Even though he was about the same age as her, Cheongranggeom Wi Ga-jin felt like a master of the outer world.

“Then how about Satae giving Wi Gong some teachings?”

Gyeonghui Gunju suddenly said. Cheonghye Satae was momentarily flustered. But the answer was already decided.

“It is impossible.”

Cheonghye Satae said in a low but firm tone.

“Teaching Emei’s martial arts to outsiders is strictly prohibited.”

A moment of awkward silence flowed. Cheongranggeom Wi Ga-jin opened his mouth.

“Receiving teachings from Satae is too much for me. So, Gunju…”

“However.”

Cheonghye Satae’s voice cut off Wi Ga-jin’s words.

“If Wi Gong asks for a sparring match, I will not refuse.”

Cheonghye Satae’s eyes as she looked at Cheongranggeom Wi Ga-jin were those of a warrior.

The expectation of what kind of sword this young and spirited warrior would show was undisguised in her eyes.