A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 260

260. Visitors from Gangbuk

Son Bin, neatly dressed, sat and spoke in a clear voice.

“Only after the cold season do we know that the pine and cypress are evergreen. [歲寒然後知松柏之後凋也 – A Chinese proverb emphasizing resilience and true character revealed in adversity.]”

The fourteen children and Seorin sitting in front repeated in clear voices. Soon, they began to chatter among themselves.

“What are pine and cypress?”

“They’re pine and juniper trees.”

“I already know even when it’s not cold. Pine trees are always green.”

“Teacher! What does this mean?”

Hodu, always diligent, raised his hand and asked. Son Bin smiled and said to the children.

“What do you think this means?”

The children tilted their heads for a moment.

“It means pine trees are good!”

“No, it seems to mean there are good things even in hard times!”

“I don’t understand. Why don’t they know this?”

The children instantly started chattering noisily.

“But it’s too hot in our town. I wish it would be cold sometimes.”

Aeng-aeng muttered in a small voice. Son Bin calmed the children and said.

“It means you can know someone’s true character in difficult times. Now, let’s close our books and try to memorize it.”

“Yes!”

The children began to memorize the sentence diligently. Some closed their eyes tightly and frowned, while others stammered. Some developed strange habits, moving their bodies back and forth or swaying from side to side.

Some anxiously opened their books to check several times, while others recited it clearly already.

Soso memorized it while writing the letters in the air. Aeng-aeng, Hong-a, Cheong-a, and Nok-a next to her quickly followed suit. Then they looked at each other and smiled happily.

“Hehehe.”

When playing, Seorin and the five children were definitely ahead, but when learning to read, everyone was similar. During class, the clever Soso or the young but diligent Ao were more popular.

Jang-a consistently dozed off no matter the time, but his comprehension was the fastest, so he sometimes explained things to Seorin. Next to him, Hwang-a was, as always, doing his own thing.

“Teacher, a carriage is coming!”

Hong-a raised her hand and said in a clear voice. Some children looked towards the entrance of the Seowon [private academy], and Seorin was already looking towards the entrance.

Of course, the carriage was not yet visible or audible, but Hong-a’s words would not be wrong.

‘Who is it?’

Son Bin tilted his head.

The Seowon was on the outskirts of Cheongwon. Beyond this, there were no other houses, so a carriage coming meant someone had business with the Seowon.

In any case, he had to greet the guest, so Son Bin closed his book and said.

“Alright, everyone, let’s take a short break.”

“Waaaaa!”

It wasn’t a particularly difficult class, but the children cheered unconditionally when it came to playing. Jau, Jung-o, and Gyeon-ja, who loved to play, were already running down to the yard.

“Hey! You have to put away your books before you go!”

Soso shouted, but the children, engrossed in playing, couldn’t hear her.

“Oh, geez.”

The quiet Cheong-a patted the grumbling Soso.

“They’re kids, there’s nothing we can do. Don’t get angry.”

Even though they were the same age, the girls treated the boys like little kids. Still, Hwe-a, who was quite big among the boys, was silently tidying up the scattered books.

Thud.

Son Bin got up and went down to the yard. In one corner of the yard, Shin-ui and No-gun were playing Go [a strategic board game].

Shin-ui was staring at the Go board with his characteristic indifferent expression, and No-gun, sitting in front of him, was frowning, preoccupied with contemplating his next move.

Clatter, clatter.

As the sound of the carriage began to be heard, Sa Su-yeon, Hyeokryeon Se-hwa, and Madam Tang, who had been making snacks for the children in the kitchen, came out.

Tang Wol-a was boiling water to prepare tea, and her meticulous personality suited the tea ceremony, so her tea-making skills were improving day by day.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone out? Did someone you know say they were coming?”

No-gun raised his head and asked.

“We weren’t expecting anyone…….”

The carriage stopped a little short of the Seowon’s main gate. Two sturdy horses, breathing heavily, could be seen through the always-open gate.

“Oh? This presence is…….”

At the same time as No-gun made a surprised expression, two people who got out of the carriage appeared at the main gate.

A man exuding an extraordinary aura that made the Seowon gate seem narrow for a moment, and a young woman with an attractive figure. The two entered the Seowon without hesitation.

“Hohoho, have you been well?”

The person who spoke with a clear voice and a laugh was none other than Hwa-sa.

Hwa-sa’s expression was bright and cheerful. Her attire was similar to before, but her atmosphere had changed drastically, conveying a somewhat innocent feeling rather than being as seductive as before. Of course, her figure still flaunted her usual charm.

“Hwa-sa unni [older sister or female friend]!”

Soso and Aeng-aeng were delighted. The two children ran towards Hwa-sa.

“Soso-ya, Aeng-aeng-a.”

Hwa-sa bent down and opened her arms wide. Soso hugged Hwa-sa as if throwing herself. Hwa-sa hugged Soso and stroked her hair.

Aeng-aeng, who arrived a little later, also opened her arms and hugged her.

“Unni!”

“Yes, unni is here.”

Hwa-sa’s expression, rubbing her face against the children, looked truly happy. Aeng-aeng, overwhelmed with emotion, was already sobbing, and tears welled up in Hwa-sa’s eyes as she comforted her.

“Ahem.”

The large man standing behind her cleared his throat. Son Bin, who had been smiling at the touching reunion of Hwa-sa, Soso, and Aeng-aeng, raised his head.

Thick beard, roughly sticking-up hair, intense eyes full of spirit.

He was none other than Talhondo, the practical owner of the Gangbuk Black Serpent Society and a master of external affairs.

“Welcome.”

“Umm, ni, nice to meet you.”

Unlike his sharp impression, Talhondo couldn’t meet Son Bin’s gaze. Son Bin tilted his head. He didn’t know about him, but this reaction was definitely strange.

“Hehe, Talhondo, you rascal. Now that I see it…….”

No-gun laughed from behind.

“Ni, nice to meet you. Grandpa No-gun.”

Talhondo greeted No-gun, but No-gun said instead of greeting him.

“Did you finally touch her?”

“Touch her, what do you mean!”

Talhondo shouted in surprise.

“Can’t you be quiet? You’ll scare the children.”

Hwa-sa glared at Talhondo and said sharply. Talhondo flinched, then cleared his throat and looked away.

Son Bin gave an awkward smile. He felt like he had seen this scene recently. No-gun was exactly like this after marrying the old Madam Tang Un-yeong.

“Ahem, it’s not like that…….”

As Talhondo was about to say something, Hwa-sa stood up and said in a welcoming voice.

“Teacher Se-hwa!”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa smiled and replied to her.

“Yes. It’s been a while, Miss Hwa-sa.”

After letting go of the children, Hwa-sa stood up. Then, she wrapped Talhondo’s arm around her chest and said.

“This man, the man I told you about back then.”

Hwa-sa said with a bright smile. Talhondo, on the other hand, was caught by the arm and couldn’t move, avoiding eye contact.

“I see. Congratulations to both of you.”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa said. Talhondo’s face was flushed red, and he couldn’t even answer properly. It was a sight that would have shocked anyone who knew him.

“Hehe.”

No-gun laughed slyly, and Shin-ui frowned. But Hwa-sa’s expression was brighter and more cheerful than anyone else’s.

After a brief, bustling time, the group sat down on one side of the garden.

The children were allowed to play, suspending their class for a while, and Hwa-sa joined the girls, laughing brightly as she chatted about what was so joyful.

“Hwa-sa’s face will get a hole in it. Why are you staring with such a silly smile?”

No-gun said as if throwing a stone. Talhondo, who had been staring at Hwa-sa absentmindedly, cleared his throat and looked away.

“And aren’t you hot? You’re the only one in this town who dresses like that.”

As the owner of the Gangbuk Black Serpent Society, Talhondo’s attire was quite imposing. However, considering the hot weather here, it certainly didn’t suit him.

Talhondo chuckled.

“It seems to me that Grandpa No-gun is not much different. And it’s not as hot as I thought. I’m too lazy to change.”

Both No-gun and Talhondo were already beyond the realm of being affected by cold or heat. But that didn’t mean they were completely unaffected by the temperature. When it’s hot, it’s better to dress coolly.

“Even so, why bother wearing such clothes when it’s hot? You and Hwa-sa are both the same when it comes to showing off unnecessarily.”

No-gun clicked his tongue. In the meantime, Tang Wol-a brought the tea.

Clink.

Tang Wol-a, who had placed the teacups and teapot down, went to her seat and sat down. Unlike the usual maids who would fill the first cup, Tang Wol-a only brewed the tea.

Talhondo stared intently at Tang Wol-a. But Tang Wol-a didn’t even glance at him, silently filling her own teacup.

“Huh, really.”

Talhondo shook his head.

“I never thought I would receive tea from a master of external affairs from the Tang family.”

“Me neither.”

No-gun chimed in. Talhondo picked up the teapot and poured tea into his cup. As the teacup filled, a subtle tea fragrance spread all around.

Talhondo, holding the teacup, hesitated for a moment. Seeing this, No-gun said.

“It’s okay. There’s nothing strange in it. Besides, she’s quite skilled, so you can rest assured.”

“No, it’s not that…….”

Talhondo said, looking at Tang Wol-a.

“I’m sorry. When I hear the name Tang, I still have a strong feeling about Tang Baek-ho.”

If it were Tang Baek-ho, all of this would be a trap. But this was the Seowon in Cheongwon, and No-gun was with him. Talhondo’s wariness was just a groundless fear.

Talhondo, who had apologized, drank the tea in one gulp. Son Bin was startled, but Talhondo didn’t seem to mind the heat.

“Good. I don’t know much about tea, but thank you.”

As Talhondo expressed his gratitude, Tang Wol-a quietly lowered her head.

“Tsk, tsk, do you know how delicately this child brews the tea? To gulp it down like that.”

“I prefer alcohol to tea. Let’s have a drink later, Grandpa.”

“Yes, later. More importantly, what brings the owner of the prestigious Gangbuk Black Serpent Society all the way to this distant Cheongwon?”

The Black Serpent Society was a heretical sect. It was strange to say it was a prestigious heretical sect, but considering that it had maintained its lineage for a long time in Gangbuk, which was full of prominent orthodox sects, it was not at all awkward to say so.

“Um, that’s…….”

Talhondo, who hesitated for a moment unlike his appearance, cleared his throat a few times and said in a low voice as if passing by.

“I…… I was thinking of holding a wedding ceremony here…….”

“Pfft.”

No-gun spat out the tea he was drinking. Talhondo frowned, and the old Madam Tang Un-yeong, who was sitting next to him, quickly took out a clean cloth from her bosom.

“I’m sorry.”

Madam Tang apologized in place of No-gun, and Talhondo received the cloth Madam Tang handed him and wiped away the tea stains.

“Hahahaha. A wedding ceremony? You? Wahahahaha.”

No-gun laughed to his heart’s content. But that laughter didn’t last long. Talhondo frowned and said.

“Why are you laughing so much? If you think about it, it’s all because Grandpa No-gun got married.”

“What? Why me?”

Talhondo sighed.

“Last time, when Hwa-sa came back, she suddenly teared up and said this, didn’t she? Even Grandpa No-gun got married and left, so I’m the only one in the world who understands her……. She looked so pitiful and pathetic that I comforted her and ended up drinking together…….”

“Hwa-sa teared up?”

No-gun said as if he couldn’t believe it. Talhondo sighed again.

“That’s what I’m saying. A woman who was always temperamental and fierce suddenly showed a weak side, so what should I say? A protective instinct arose? Besides, how cute did she look with tears welling up in her eyes, saying that she had liked me for a long time…….”

Talhondo couldn’t continue speaking and turned his head.

“So, you forgot about the age difference and touched Hwa-sa?”

“I didn’t touch her, but…….”

Talhondo, who was about to refute No-gun’s words, flinched. It was because the gazes of the young ladies looking at him were so piercing.

“Ahem.”

Talhondo, thinking it was a look of condemnation, cleared his throat and turned his head. But that judgment was wrong.

“Excuse me.”

Sa Su-yeon’s voice flowed out. When Talhondo raised his eyes, Sa Su-yeon’s intense gaze was directed straight at him.

Her eyes were exactly like those of Saja-hyeok, so Talhondo tensed up without realizing it. Sa Su-yeon asked Talhondo with a serious expression.

“Could you tell us more about that story in detail?”

At that moment, Talhondo had a blank expression. But Sa Su-yeon’s eyes were only serious. Even through the veil, it was clear that the eyes of Tang Wol-a, who was sitting next to her, were sparkling.

Talhondo cleared his throat.

“What detail…… that’s the end, young lady.”

Talhondo used honorifics to the young Sa Su-yeon. Originally, he would have spoken comfortably, but because Sa Su-yeon’s eyes resembled Saja-hyeok so much, he became cautious without realizing it.

“Is that so?”

Sa Su-yeon didn’t hide her disappointed expression. Talhondo shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s right. I heard that this was all taught by the teacher.”

“Teacher?”

Sa Su-yeon’s eyes lit up again. Talhondo said.

“Well, no matter how much I thought about it, it wasn’t like Hwa-sa, so I asked her nonchalantly later, and she told me. Teacher Se-hwa taught her how to handle men…….”

The group’s gaze turned to Hyeokryeon Se-hwa. Hyeokryeon Se-hwa had been feigning ignorance from the start, but she couldn’t withstand the continuous unspoken pressure for long. She blushed slightly and said.

“To, to be honest, I don’t know much either. Miss Hwa-sa was so worried, so I just read a little from a book…….”

“That book.”

Tang Wol-a said quietly.

“Please show it to me later.”

“Me too.”

At Sa Su-yeon’s words, Hyeokryeon Se-hwa gave an awkward smile and nodded. It was a common pulp novel, so it was clear that it wouldn’t be of much help.

“Are you Teacher Se-hwa, young lady?”

Talhondo asked Hyeokryeon Se-hwa. The two had already seen each other at the Hangzhou Yewon. But it was the first time they were exchanging greetings.

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa bowed her head and replied.

“Yes, I’m Hyeokryeon Se-hwa.”

“Hyeokryeon Se-hwa?”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa quickly realized why Talhondo was asking back.

“Originally, the head of the Jeokcheolgwan of the Horyeon Martial Arts Center was my father, but recently, I came to serve Hyeokryeon Gong as my adoptive father.”

“Ah, Hyeokryeon Gong. So that’s what happened.”

Talhondo, who nodded, continued.

“I am Talhondo. Since you are that ‘teacher,’ there is something I definitely want to ask…….”

“Yes, please speak.”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa said with a serious look. Talhondo also spoke in a low voice. He was clearly concerned that Hwa-sa, who was a little distance away, might hear him.

“Ever since she came here, Hwa-sa has been using strange idioms whenever she speaks. What should I do about this?”

Talhondo’s eyes were serious. Frankly, he was afraid of the reaction he would get if he pointed out that it was strange, and he was annoyed to just leave it alone. He was also uneasy because she was doing things she didn’t usually do.

“That can be easily resolved.”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa said with a light smile.

“Easily?”

“Yes. Give her compliments. Tell her she’s pretty, cute, or thank her.”

“Even for me, it’s not cute to use strange idioms.”

“That’s not what you’re supposed to compliment. For example.”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa turned her head and looked at Hwa-sa. Hwa-sa was making flower rings with the girls, wearing a bright smile.

“She’s pretty, isn’t she?”

“Ahem.”

Talhondo cleared his throat. But that was definitely a sign of affirmation.

Anyone could see that Hwa-sa was pretty. Especially in Talhondo’s eyes.

“Please tell her later. Tell her she looked really good when she was with the children.”

Talhondo, who had been looking at Hwa-sa, tilted his head and looked at Hyeokryeon Se-hwa.

“Will that be enough?”

“Yes. That will be enough.”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa looked at Hwa-sa. Hyeokryeon Se-hwa’s gaze towards her was warm.

“That’s all Miss Hwa-sa wants. Once she knows that she is being recognized and loved, she will no longer cling to difficult words.”

“Um, I thought Hwa-sa had become interested in learning, so I was thinking of inviting someone.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa shook her head.

“All she wants is to be loved by the person she loves. The words that you are the only one in the world for her are by no means a lie to Miss Hwa-sa.”

There was no one who didn’t agree with those words. The old Madam Tang Un-yeong sighed quietly and said.

“Yes, that’s all. But sometimes, how difficult that simple thing is…….”

Hyeokryeon Se-hwa and Tang Un-yeong’s words seemed to have definitely reached Talhondo’s heart.

“I understand. Thank you, young lady.”

Talhondo bowed his head and expressed his gratitude to Hyeokryeon Se-hwa. Hyeokryeon Se-hwa also responded to his courtesy and said.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could be of help.”

“Hehe, now you’ll have to live a long life too.”

No-gun said with a sly smile. Talhondo gave a bitter smile and turned his gaze to Hwa-sa.

“Hohoho.”

Hwa-sa was laughing with the children. Talhondo said quietly.

“I never thought I would see such a sight in my life.”

Talhondo turned his head and looked at Son Bin.

“I heard you did it? I don’t know if that’s why Hwa-sa sometimes calls you oppa [older brother].”

Son Bin smiled.

“I didn’t do it alone. In fact, the most difficult part was Miss Geom-hui…….”

“Yes, thank you.”

Talhondo cut off Son Bin’s words. The smile disappeared, and Talhondo’s intense gaze was directed straight at Son Bin. It wasn’t just that.

Whoosh.

A strong aura rose from Talhondo’s whole body. It was clearly the aura of a martial artist facing an opponent.

“So, I will apply for a duel with you.”

Son Bin’s eyes widened at his words, which made no sense in terms of cause and effect. But Talhondo didn’t take away that intense gaze and said.

“Because that is the only thing I can give you.”

It was a martial artist’s eyes without a trace of selfishness. Facing those eyes that could never be mistaken, Son Bin said.

“I will gladly accept.”

Son Bin bowed his head lightly. But his eyes were also shining just like Talhondo’s.