A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 263

263. An Unexpected Companion

Several days after the wedding of Hwa-sa and Talhondo, Son Bin, accompanied by No-gun and Shin-ui, set out for Hangzhou.

“Come back safely.”

Sa Su-yeon smiled gently as she saw Son Bin off. Dang Wol-ah also nodded quietly, offering her silent farewell.

However, Son Bin, who was receiving these warm wishes, couldn’t shake off a sense of unease. It was because there was no opposition, which he had naturally expected.

“I… I’ll be back soon.”

Son Bin said with a hint of anxiety, but Sa Su-yeon replied with a smile, “You’re going because you have business, right? Don’t worry about the Seowon [private academy] and finish your work well.”

Son Bin had said, ‘I have something to check, so I’ll be visiting the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] in Hangzhou for a while.’

It sounded as if he were just going to the next village, but Hangzhou was a long journey that would take several days. Moreover, he had said that only No-gun and Shin-ui would accompany him, so she should have questioned his reasons.

However, Sa Su-yeon seemed to think for a moment and then readily agreed. Dang Wol-ah also didn’t say she would go with him.

“Hyung [older brother], bring back lots of tasty things!”

Seo-rin said, waving her hand.

“Okay. Take good care of the kids and wait for me.”

Son Bin stroked Seo-rin’s head. Seo-rin nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Uh, um. I’ll be back, Young-mae [term of endearment for younger sister].”

No-gun said, glancing at Dang Un-yeong. No-gun, who was holding the reins, also couldn’t shake off an uneasy feeling.

“Yes, come back safely, Soon-rang [No-gun’s childhood name].”

Dang Un-yeong said with a smile.

“Um, don’t go anywhere far while I’m gone…”

“I won’t.”

Dang Un-yeong said, cutting off No-gun’s words.

“This is our home, you know. Don’t worry and have a good trip, Soon-rang.”

It seemed that No-gun and Son Bin’s anxieties were slightly different. No-gun, unable to hide his unease, looked at Talhondo and asked,

“How long are you guys going to stay?”

“Who knows? I plan to stay until Hwa-sa feels like leaving.”

Hwa-sa, standing next to Talhondo, said to No-gun.

“This is our honeymoon, No-gun Ajusshi [term for older man]. We’re going to take a leisurely rest for the first time in a while.”

“Shouldn’t you go to a better place for your honeymoon?”

No-gun asked with a displeased expression. However, Hwa-sa replied with a bright expression,

“I like it here.”

After the wedding, Talhondo and Hwa-sa stayed at the Seowon. This was because there was a separate residence that Dang Un-yeong had built when she renovated the Seowon.

It was a moment when Dang Un-yeong’s foresight that many guests would come shone.

“Hmm, then please take care of things while I’m gone. Watch out for the kids getting hurt, and especially if you smell something burning, come out and check quickly. I know you two are busy being lovey-dovey…”

“Soon-rang.”

At Dang Un-yeong’s quiet words, No-gun cleared his throat and stopped talking. Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, who was standing next to Dang Un-yeong, said with a smile,

“Be careful on your trip.”

“Okay.”

“Um.”

No-gun and Shin-ui replied briefly, and Son Bin bowed his head in response.

“Please take care of things, Sojeo [young mistress] Se-hwa.”

Son Bin said with a special request in his heart. Since he was often away from the Seowon, the person who actually taught the children was Hyeonryeon Se-hwa.

He thought it was fortunate that he had formally invited her to be a teacher at the Seowon, but at the same time, he felt a sense of guilt.

Last time, when he returned from the Namgoong family, Son Bin had given her jewelry as a gift. He had only seen her wear it once, so it didn’t seem to be particularly to her liking.

“You guys be good too. Listen to the teachers.”

“Yes!”

The children replied as if in unison. Then, chattering voices poured out from everywhere.

“But why does Teacher always go somewhere every day? My unni [older sister] says men who keep wandering around aren’t good.”

“Bring back balls when you come back. Two, no, ten!”

“I want something to eat.”

Son Bin gave an embarrassed smile at the flood of voices, but he stroked each of the children’s heads.

“Come back safely. Ah… no, Teacher.”

The five children, including Hong-ah, bowed their heads. Son Bin smiled.

“Okay.”

Son Bin’s touch as he stroked the five children was unusually gentle and warm. Seeing the children growing up so bright and healthy, he felt like he was about to cry.

“Let’s go. It’ll be dark soon.”

No-gun’s voice awakened Son Bin, who was lost in sentimentality. Shin-ui was also getting into the carriage, receiving greetings from the children and teachers.

“Ggrrah!”

Son Bin got in, and when No-gun took the reins, the carriage began to move. It was a small, roofless carriage pulled by two horses from Bukhae, and No-gun held the reins as always.

“Come back safely!”

The children waved their hands, seeing Son Bin off. Son Bin couldn’t take his eyes off the children, but the carriage quickly moved away from the Seowon.

Clatter, clatter.

As the carriage disappeared, Seo-rin and the children soon rushed off to play with the ball. Talhondo sauntered into the inner garden, lay down diagonally under the shade, and closed his eyes.

“They’re gone.”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa said quietly.

“Do you really think it’s okay?”

Sa Su-yeon said in an anxious tone. The gentle smile she had shown when seeing Son Bin off had disappeared.

“I did as Dang Bu-in [title for a married woman of high status] told me to, but I can’t understand it. Why are they only going with the men? It’s not like they’re going to do anything strange.”

“Anything strange?”

Dang Wol-ah retorted to Sa Su-yeon. Her eyes, visible inside the veil, sparkled.

“I, I don’t really know.”

Sa Su-yeon looked at Hwa-sa in embarrassment.

“Why, why are you looking at me? I don’t know much about it yet either.”

Hwa-sa stammered, her face reddening.

“It’s alright.”

Dang Un-yeong said in a relaxed voice. The young ladies’ gazes all turned to her.

The person who found out that ‘Son Gong-ja [term of respect] was going to the Murim Alliance in Hangzhou with only No-gun and Shin-ui’ was Dang Wol-ah. When Dang Un-yeong heard that, she said it would be better to let the men go without saying anything.

“Men have a childish side, so they don’t like it if you keep interfering or stopping them. They might even rebel strongly.”

“That’s right.”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa nodded. She too had suffered a lot because of her older brother and younger sibling.

Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, and Hwa-sa listened to Dang Un-yeong’s words with sparkling eyes. Thanks to this, Dang Un-yeong was overlooking the fact that her married life was not that long.

“Then do we just leave them alone to do whatever they want?”

Hwa-sa asked a perfectly natural question. And Dang Un-yeong’s answer was also perfectly common sense.

“If it’s about outside matters, then it’s okay. But if they really have an affair…”

At that moment, a chilling smile appeared on Dang Un-yeong’s lips.

“I’ll have to break their necks and drag them back, right?”

Crack.

A sound came from Dang Un-yeong’s hand. Dang Un-yeong’s cold eyes were telling them that it was definitely not an empty threat.

‘M-maybe the neck is a bit…’

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa gave an awkward smile, thinking it was a bit much. But she didn’t say it out loud because she felt like she would be immediately branded as a traitor if she said anything here.

Somehow, the thought that the men were pitiful flashed through her mind.

*

*

*

Clatter, clatter.

Son Bin, who was in the carriage, looked back at the Seowon several times.

“Do you think it’ll be okay?”

At Son Bin’s words, No-gun replied with an uneasy expression, “I don’t know. I can’t help but wonder if they’ll follow us later after sending us off like this…”

At those words, Shin-ui frowned.

“Why are you so suspicious when they tell you to have a good trip? You should just believe what they say.”

It was a natural thing to say, but No-gun sighed.

“That’s also unsettling. I can’t help but wonder if their affection has cooled… Honestly, any man would want Young-mae, right? Anyone would say ‘thank you’ even if they just picked someone at random.”

Son Bin agreed with No-gun’s words. It was no exaggeration that Sa Su-yeon was called the Pagomsinnyeo [overthrowing-cities beauty] or the Ganghojeilgeomhwa [most beautiful swordswoman in Jianghu].

“Worrying either way, it’s so complicated.”

Shin-ui shook his head as if he was dumbfounded, then suddenly looked at Son Bin and asked,

“But why are you suddenly going to the Murim Alliance?”

“There’s something I need to confirm.”

“Confirm?”

Son Bin nodded.

“Yes. Sojeo Namgoong-hyang said that Gwan [an organization] is behind Baek In-rok. And she speculated that they are likely to take a method of expanding their influence through the Murim Alliance.”

“But it would be difficult for Gwan to directly interfere with the Murim Alliance, right?”

No-gun, who was holding the reins, interjected. Shin-ui nodded as if he agreed.

“That’s right. But there was an interesting mention in the letter that Sojeo Dang Hwa-ryeon sent.”

“Are you talking about the chief strategist of the Dang family?”

Shin-ui asked. Son Bin nodded.

“Yes. She is also Sojeo Dang Wol-ah’s older sister. Sojeo Dang Hwa-ryeon suspects that there is a master of Oesa [external martial arts] related to the Five Great Families or the Four Great Sects behind Baek In-rok. The letter from Daehyeop [great hero] Hyeonryeon-wi, the former Paegeom [supreme sword], also contained similar content.”

“I guess so.”

No-gun nodded.

“If I hadn’t heard that child’s words that Gwan was behind it, I would have thought so too. I would have said that one of the Four Great Sects or the Five Great Families was definitely up to something.”

“I have the same thought. Those who already have something are more anxious and greedy.”

Shin-ui also agreed with No-gun’s words. Son Bin gave a bitter smile and continued,

“So, Sojeo Dang Hwa-ryeon has been sending me any unusual movements among the Four Great Sects and the Five Great Families recently. Of course, there were no strange things on the surface.”

“I guess so. The Four Great Sects or the Five Great Families wouldn’t do anything suspicious that’s so obvious.”

No-gun replied with a nonchalant expression. But Son Bin’s words were not over yet.

“But if you keep Sojeo Namgoong-hyang’s predictions in mind, there was something in Sojeo Dang Hwa-ryeon’s letter that I couldn’t just pass over.”

“What is it?”

“It’s that a member of the imperial family recently visited Bokho Temple in Sichuan.”

Bokho Temple is a temple of the Emei Sect located in Mount Emei, Sichuan. After a moment of silence, No-gun spat out as if he was throwing it away.

“I smell something.”

Cheonsugeom Neung Cheon-hwa, whom No-gun pointed out, was originally a disciple of Emei. Of course, he broke the precepts and cut off ties, but at this point, it was a very suspicious story.

“I knew that Wudang was eager to improve relations with the imperial family recently, but suddenly Emei… As far as I know, Beopheo is not someone who would easily get involved in such things.”

Beopheo Shinni is a master of Oesa belonging to the Emei Sect. Son Bin also recalled her appearance when he saw her at Yewon in Hangzhou.

“If they receive the support of Emei or Wudang, or both sects, how much influence can they exert in the Murim Alliance?”

At Son Bin’s question, No-gun tilted his head for a moment and quickly came up with an answer.

“It depends on the case. If the Four Great Sects or the Five Great Families directly intervene, they will immediately start checking each other, so it will be even more difficult to expand their influence beyond what it is now. In fact, the reason why the Murim Alliance can’t exert much power now is because they are checking each other.”

Son Bin nodded. The Five Great Families, who are sensitive to practical gains, as well as the Four Great Sects, subtly check each other’s power. No-gun’s words were, in a way, natural.

“Another way is to put forward a suitable sect and have Emei or Wudang act as patrons. If the sect leader has considerable martial prowess or is intelligent, it is possible to occupy a key position in the Murim Alliance.”

No-gun shrugged and continued,

“But this is not easy either. There are many sects founded by Sokga [Buddha’s clan] disciples, so it is difficult to openly act as a patron unless it is a very special case. They will immediately hear the resentment of other Sokga disciples.”

“What would be a special case?”

“For example, if a Sokga disciple has a high rank, or… um.”

No-gun groaned as he spoke. Something had occurred to him. Son Bin said the rest.

“A very noble and influential status, for example, a member of the imperial family would fall into that special case.”

No one can ignore the imperial family. Especially if they are Sokga disciples.

“That’s true, but…”

“A member of the imperial family is directly involved in the affairs of Murim?”

Shin-ui, who was listening, tilted his head.

“I know the imperial family a little, but for them to directly step into Murim is like stepping into a mud pit themselves. Would anyone endure such humiliation?”

“They don’t necessarily have to step in directly.”

Son Bin replied to Shin-ui.

“There are many members of the imperial family who have converted to Buddhism or Taoism. There are even cases where they have left home.”

Officially, the imperial family does not recognize the authority of religion. Whether they are monks or Taoists, they are only subjects ruled by the emperor.

However, for the sake of peace and to soothe the public’s mind, the imperial family has willingly relied on the influence of religion. There is even a place in the imperial palace where Taoist gods are enshrined.

“So, a member of the imperial family can have a personal relationship with Emei or Wudang, but entrust matters related to the sect to someone trustworthy.”

“Someone trustworthy… If they are Sokga disciples of Emei or Wudang, it is not impossible to fall under the control of Gwan.”

No-gun said with a still reluctant expression.

“Sojeo Namgoong-hyang predicts that there will be movements within the Murim Alliance soon. They may have already arrived in Hangzhou by now. The person behind Baek In-rok, or the agent he put forward.”

“So you’re going to go and meet them directly to confirm?”

“Yes.”

Son Bin nodded.

“It would be good if I could directly confront the agent, or if possible, the person behind them. If all goes well, we can end this situation with this…”

Son Bin scratched his cheek slightly and said,

“And rather than just waiting for the results, I think it would be more fun to go and surprise them.”

“Hmph.”

No-gun snorted.

“Okay. Even in the worst case, it will be a warning. It’s like saying that we know everything, so if you move recklessly, we’ll smash you to pieces. Hehehe.”

No-gun couldn’t stop laughing as if he liked it very much. Son Bin gave an awkward smile. It was at that moment.

“Whoa, whoa!”

No-gun suddenly stopped the horse. Son Bin and Shin-ui, who were riding, leaned forward.

It was rare for No-gun, who handled the carriage like his own limbs, so Son Bin was also surprised.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

Shin-ui asked, frowning. No-gun clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, an annoying guy has appeared.”

“An annoying guy?”

Shin-ui turned his head and looked in front of the carriage. Son Bin also got up, wondering if they had met a highway robber. And instead of a highway robber, he was able to find a very welcome figure.

An old man with a fishing rod and a basket, with a skinny physique and a white beard fluttering, was standing in the middle of the road. The old man, dressed in a way that was completely unsuitable for walking on the main road, was none other than Janggang Eeong.

“Eeong Elder!”

Son Bin quickly got out of the carriage. Janggang Eeong strode towards the carriage. Son Bin went out to meet him and paid his respects to Eeong.

“It’s been a while, Elder.”

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

Eeong smiled, stroking his long beard.

“I was just about to go meet you. It looks like you’re going somewhere?”

No-gun clicked his tongue in the carriage and said,

“You should know you’re lucky, you bastard. If you were just a day late, we would have crossed paths…”

No-gun, who was talking, tilted his head.

“Or not? We’ll meet anyway since it’s the same way.”

Eeong smiled and said,

“If you have urgent business, you can take care of it first and come. I’ll be waiting in Bukgang, enjoying the taste of my hands [fishing].”

“Really? Then do that…”

No-gun, who was continuing his words, suddenly hardened his expression.

“No, just get in here. It’s a very important matter and it may take several days, so I can’t just make you wait indefinitely. You came because of Baek In-rok anyway, right?”

Eeong’s expression also hardened at the word Baek In-rok.

“You already knew.”

“We’re moving because of that right now. Get in quickly.”

Eeong got into the carriage and greeted Shin-ui. They seemed to have become quite close since they had traveled together last time.

For the two of them, Son Bin moved his seat and sat right behind No-gun.

“Ggrrah!”

No-gun immediately started the carriage. Then, unlike before, he drove the carriage quite quickly.

“Um, Elder. A little slower…”

“No way.”

No-gun replied quietly to Son Bin’s words. No-gun glanced at Eeong and continued in a low voice.

“You absolutely can’t send that Eeong to the Seowon. Talhondo and Hwa-sa are at the Seowon right now. If he finds out that they’re married, he’ll probably try to have a life-or-death duel.”

Son Bin understood No-gun’s words.

“Ah, he hates the Sa-pa [evil faction] so much…”

“That’s also true, but.”

No-gun said with a serious expression.

“That guy is also single, like Shin-ui.”

Son Bin was momentarily stunned. And without realizing it, he looked back at Shin-ui and Eeong. The two of them seemed to be having a pretty good time talking.

“Don’t tell him about me marrying Young-mae either. Ah, and don’t tell Young-mae that I told you not to. No wait, Shin-ui will tell her everything anyway… Ugh.”

No-gun groaned. Son Bin gave an awkward smile without realizing it.

Even at that moment, No-gun was urging the horse and running out on the main road.