A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 293

293. Reunion in Huangshan

Dang Hwa-ryun watched the Jegal Clan depart until they vanished from sight. Once they were gone, she turned to Dang Wol-ah and asked,

“Where do we head now?”

“Just a moment.”

Dang Wol-ah gestured towards Noga.

“Yes!”

Noga approached Dang Wol-ah, her green hair swaying. Sensing it would take some time, Dang Hwa-ryun ordered the Dang Clan warriors to establish a perimeter. They nodded and immediately dispersed.

Rustle.

Dang Wol-ah crouched down and handed a thin letter to Noga.

“Give this to Young Master Sohn.”

Noga nodded. Dang Wol-ah stroked her head once, and Noga smiled brightly before darting off.

Swoosh.

The green-haired Noga disappeared into the mist, and Hwa-sa, watching with her hands on her hips, muttered,

“The kids are doing quite well.”

“Of course.”

Dang Wol-ah replied.

“Because they are my and Young Master Sohn’s children.”

Dang Hwa-ryun frowned at the unnecessary addition of ‘Young Master Sohn’ to the title.

However, even Dang Hwa-ryun had to acknowledge the children’s performance.

‘If it weren’t for these kids, we’d be wandering around aimlessly.’

The known geographical information about Huangshan is very limited and uncertain.

Moreover, even the Silver Sword Unit wouldn’t be of much help in this dense fog. The local natives wouldn’t even dare to enter.

No matter how skilled the Dang Clan is, they would only be able to advance blindly through this fog, reacting to any groups they happen to encounter.

‘That would mean we’d be completely at their mercy.’

In that state, they would have no choice but to move according to the opponent’s plan. But thanks to these children, the situation has completely changed.

It’s possible to grasp the overall situation at a glance and efficiently concentrate or disperse their forces.

Tap, tap.

Meanwhile, Cheonga and Hwe-ah, followed by Hwang-ah, appeared.

“Teacher!”

The children approached Dang Wol-ah with bright smiles. They handed her letters or whispered in her ear.

‘Understanding the situation. It’s the most basic of basics, in a way…’

Accurately grasping the state of war is a fundamental prerequisite desired by all strategists.

Conversely, feeding false information to the opponent and keeping them in the dark is the beginning of deception.

In that sense, the existence of these children wasn’t some ingenious tactic. However, it played a crucial role in reversing the overall situation.

‘They really are amazing kids.’

These children, Dang Wol-ah’s ‘Moon Unit,’ dash through this chaotic Huangshan as if it were their playground. And far from being tired, they seem to be enjoying it, with such bright faces.

Dang Hwa-ryun couldn’t help but be impressed, especially as she remembered what these children used to be like.

“Teacher!”

Red-haired Hong-ah appeared. Hong-ah swayed her red hair as she approached Dang Wol-ah and whispered something in her ear.

“Why can’t you just say it out loud?”

Hwa-sa, standing next to her, grumbled.

“Why only tell Wol-ah? We can hear it too.”

“No. It wouldn’t be fun then.”

Hong-ah’s lips pouted.

“Doing it like this, um, it’s like…”

“It’s fun because it feels like we’re a secret organization.”

Dang Wol-ah answered for Hong-ah, who was trying to explain but couldn’t quite get it across.

“There’s a certain formality to playing. Criticizing that is a mistake because you don’t understand the premise itself.”

Dang Hwa-ryun was dumbfounded as she listened to Dang Wol-ah.

‘It is a secret organization…’

The Moon Unit and Dang Wol-ah are, in name and reality, the Dang Clan’s top secret organization. But Dang Wol-ah and the children just call it a game.

“Ah, I see.”

Hwa-sa seemed impressed by Dang Wol-ah’s words, especially the vocabulary she used. The children also looked proud. Dang Hwa-ryun couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

“So, how is everyone doing? How is he?”

“Wait a moment.”

After making Hwa-sa wait, Dang Wol-ah handed new letters to the children.

“Remember, you don’t need to get involved in fights. Understood?”

Dang Wol-ah said, looking at the children. Most of them nodded, but a boy with gray hair, Hwe-ah, asked,

“But what if we really, really want to help?”

Dang Wol-ah stared at Hwe-ah. Hwe-ah’s bright eyes looked straight back at Dang Wol-ah.

“Then…”

Dang Wol-ah’s white hand gently rested on Hwe-ah’s head.

“Do whatever you want.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly, looking at Hwe-ah.

“I’ll take responsibility.”

Hwe-ah nodded with sparkling eyes. Dang Wol-ah stroked Hwe-ah’s head and stood up.

“Alright, go.”

“Yes!”

The children said in unison and scattered in all directions. Dang Wol-ah watched them until they disappeared, then turned to Hwa-sa.

“The Soul-Snatching Blade is with Gui Jian Shura.”

“Gui Jian Shura? Oh, the guy who follows that girl, Blood Peak? They came here too?”

Hwa-sa looked surprised. This was the first time she had heard that Gui Jian Shura was in Huangshan.

“Not a girl, a young lady. And only the man came.”

Dang Wol-ah said, handing a thin letter to Hwa-sa. Hwa-sa frowned as she read it.

“Oh, this writing, it’s…”

“Shall I read it?”

Dang Hwa-ryun said with a bright smile.

“The terms used in the Dang Clan often have different meanings from the general ones.”

That was a blatant excuse. Even though the five children were the Dang Clan’s ‘Moon Unit,’ they didn’t use Dang Clan terminology.

But leaving it as it was was frustrating, and Dang Hwa-ryun couldn’t stand it.

“Ah, sure.”

Hwa-sa handed over the letter. Dang Hwa-ryun quickly scanned it. The children’s cute handwriting was particularly noticeable.

“The Soul-Snatching Blade is mainly dealing with the unorthodox factions along with Gui Jian Shura. They are neutralizing them and driving them out, and they are trying to avoid clashing with the orthodox sects as much as possible. It seems that no monsters have appeared on their side yet.”

“Oh, even if they did, it wouldn’t be a big deal, right?”

Hwa-sa said.

“He said he’ll run away immediately if it seems dangerous. Being able to run away anytime without worrying about face is a good thing about the unorthodox factions, or so he says.”

Dang Hwa-ryun smiled wryly. In reality, most of the unorthodox factions live with the desperation that once they are pushed back, it’s over.

“Not all unorthodox factions are like that. That’s just the Soul-Snatching Blade’s… well, a unique personality, I guess.”

Being able to run away whenever he wants. In some ways, it’s a kind of confidence.

“Really? Still, I like that about him. It’s kind of… cool, I guess?”

Hwa-sa said, her face slightly flushed. Dang Hwa-ryun was annoyed but didn’t show it and received other letters from Dang Wol-ah.

“The Mount Hua Sect and the Shaolin Sect are continuing to act independently. They are forcibly suppressing the sects they encounter and driving them out of Huangshan. Well, the Four Great Orthodox Sects already declared that they would do that.”

“If anything happens, Old Man No-gun will go. He says he’s not, but he’s secretly close with the Taoists and monks, you know?”

Dang Hwa-ryun opened another letter, listening to Hwa-sa’s muttering. Then she looked puzzled.

“The Namgung Clan and the Hyeokryun Clan… are traveling together?”

“They’re close.”

Dang Wol-ah replied. But Dang Hwa-ryun still looked doubtful.

“The Namgung Clan and the Hyeokryun Clan are close?”

“No.”

Dang Wol-ah shook her head.

“The previous Thunder Sword and the previous Overlord Sword are.”

Dang Hwa-ryun was dumbfounded.

The two clans had been engaged in a fierce battle for dominance in Gangnam [a region in southern China].

But the two people are close?

“Really?”

“They don’t even make eye contact when they meet. But you can see it. They acknowledge each other.”

Only then could Dang Hwa-ryun understand Dang Wol-ah’s words. But even so, the two clans moving together was something unimaginable in the past.

‘That man must have done something again.’

Son Bin was probably behind it. Just like how the Dang Clan is moving for Dang Wol-ah without caring about the ‘Hidden Treasure of Huangshan’ right now.

Rustle.

Dang Hwa-ryun opened another letter. Her eyes instantly turned serious.

“The Moryong Clan has encountered a monster.”

Hwa-sa tilted her head at Dang Hwa-ryun’s low voice.

“The Moryong Clan? Oh, that Young Lady Moryong Rin?”

“Yes. While the Gentleman Sword Moryong Myung and Young Master Moryong Jin were dealing with the monster, Young Lady Moryong Rin calmly led the disciples to escape. Immediately after, Moryong Myung and Moryong Jin also left the scene.”

Dang Hwa-ryun was inwardly impressed by the Moryong Clan’s response.

Avoiding a prolonged fight and leaving the scene was a clean strategy to minimize damage. The Moryong Clan must have heard about the situation from Son Bin.

‘Did Moryong Jin do this, or Moryong Rin?’

They were both people to keep an eye on. Whether it was the Iron Sword Moryong Jin, who entered the world at a young age, or Moryong Rin, who is leading the recent rapid growth of the Moryong Clan.

‘Perhaps…’

Before long, the members of the Five Great Clans might change. With the Gongsun Clan’s downfall already decided, the strongest candidate to fill that void is the Moryong Clan.

In terms of geographical location and the clan’s reputation and tradition, the Moryong Clan will soon take the place of the Gongsun Clan. Of course, they still lack absolute power or influence.

“The situation is roughly like this. I can really see everything clearly.”

Everyone else is wandering around in the thick fog, but she was able to grasp the entire situation with just a few letters. In a way, it was an advantage that was almost cheating.

Dang Hwa-ryun handed the letters to Dang Wol-ah. Dang Wol-ah received them and carefully put them in her arms.

“There’s a change in the enemy’s movements.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly. Dang Hwa-ryun’s eyes sparkled.

“What kind of change?”

“Their movements have changed. It seems they’ve shifted from offense to defense.”

Dang Hwa-ryun nodded. It was only natural.

The enemies must have thought they had an absolute advantage. They must have thought they could just appear in the fog and freely trample on the divided groups.

But those things are going wrong one by one. In this situation, anyone would know that something is going wrong.

‘They’ve really turned the tables.’

Dang Hwa-ryun smiled.

The wind is changing. The dense fog that filled Huangshan no longer bothered Dang Hwa-ryun.

*

*

*

Shin-ui was taking care of patients in an inn at the entrance of Huangshan.

At first, there was no one. Everyone was blinded by the treasure and rushed into Huangshan, so it was only natural.

But before long, warriors covered in blood began to emerge from Huangshan one by one.

They were the lucky ones. Just finding their way out of the dense fog was a great stroke of luck.

Shin-ui provided the necessary treatment and immediately sent the injured to the surrounding major cities. Fortunately, rumors had been spreading for several days, and doctors from nearby villages who came to help Shin-ui were a great help.

Swish.

The curtain of the inn that Shin-ui was using as a temporary ward made a sound. Shin-ui turned around, thinking another patient had arrived.

“Ugh.”

An elegant old woman with white hair frowned. It was only natural, as the inn reeked of blood.

Behind the old woman, a few young ladies peeked out.

“Oh? I thought it was an inn, but it looks like a clinic.”

That was Bukhae’s language. Shin-ui stood up.

“It is an inn. I’m just temporarily taking care of patients here.”

Shin-ui said in Bukhae’s language. Having wandered the world to find medicinal herbs, he could speak Bukhae’s language to some extent.

When he spoke Bukhae’s language fluently, the eyes of the old woman and the young ladies sparkled.

Step, step.

Shin-ui walked towards the old woman. Meanwhile, the number of young ladies entering the inn continued to increase, exceeding ten.

The dozen or so young ladies were looking around the inn with interest, unfazed by the smell of blood.

“Are you Oruhan?”

The old woman, Oruhan, looked at Shin-ui with interest.

“You must be Shin-ui.”

Shin-ui nodded.

“Wow, are you really a doctor?”

“He doesn’t look like a doctor, but a warrior? Or a general. He looks similar to the Four Direction Generals.”

“It was really true what you wrote in the letter, that the person least likely to be a doctor would be Shin-ui.”

The young ladies chattered from all directions. Oruhan cast a sharp glance at them, silencing them, and then asked Shin-ui,

“Where is the Blue Wolf? And where is the Young Palace Lord?”

“I’ll tell you. I was supposed to tell you anyway.”

Shin-ui called a waiter and had him bring his bundle. Meanwhile, Oruhan looked at the warriors groaning throughout the inn.

Most of them had cuts from sharp weapons or wounds from blunt objects. Occasionally, there were also wounds from arrows.

Seeing Oruhan frowning, Shin-ui said,

“They are foolish people who jumped in to seize the treasure of Huangshan.”

“Ah, the hidden treasure of the Heavenly Outlaw Star?”

Oruhan had also heard about the hidden treasure of the Heavenly Outlaw Star. Shin-ui nodded.

“Yes. This morning, that man brought news about the location of the treasure.”

Shin-ui’s gaze was directed towards a young man lying down. He was the one who had brought the news that ‘Bakdomun had discovered the treasure,’ but he was still unconscious.

“Is that so?”

Oruhan looked at him with an indifferent gaze.

“Is he alright? He seems to be quite badly injured.”

There was no answer. Oruhan turned to Shin-ui. Shin-ui’s intense eyes were staring at Oruhan as if glaring at her.

“What’s wrong?”

Shin-ui cleared his throat as Oruhan frowned.

“Ahem, it’s nothing. I just thought you would ask about the location of the treasure…”

“Even if it’s a hidden treasure, isn’t it natural to worry about the person who’s hurt first?”

Oruhan said, still frowning, as if she couldn’t understand. Shin-ui didn’t answer and continued to stare intently at Oruhan.

“The customs here must be different, Master.”

A young lady suddenly spoke from behind. Oruhan nodded at her words.

“Is that so? Well, there are so many people here, so that might be the case.”

Saying that, Oruhan looked at Shin-ui and said,

“But it’s different in Bukhae [a fictional region]. There’s grass to feed the sheep everywhere, but how often can you meet a person even if you run all day? So isn’t it natural that people are more precious than wealth?”

Shin-ui blinked and stared straight at Oruhan.

Oruhan tilted her head as Shin-ui remained silent.

“Perhaps you don’t understand what I’m saying? Was the Bukhae language a bit difficult?”

“You were speaking it just fine a moment ago?”

“It’s not that, I think he’s fallen for Master.”

Oruhan frowned and glared sternly at the young lady who had spoken last.

Even if they were excited to be in a bustling foreign country, and even if it was a meeting with a reliable person who spoke their language after a long time, this was definitely going too far.

“Haven’t I repeatedly told you not to act rashly? How can you call yourselves the Twelve Beauties of Bukhae like that?”

“So, sorry, Master.”

The young lady quickly shrank back and apologized. Meanwhile, the waiter brought Shin-ui’s bundle.

Shin-ui rummaged through the bundle lightly.

“Hmm.”

Oruhan looked puzzled at Shin-ui’s expression, which seemed to indicate that something was wrong.

“What’s wrong?”

“There was supposed to be a letter to give to you, but it’s not here. I must have dropped it somewhere in the confusion.”

Oruhan’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Then what should we do?”

“I guess you’ll have to meet Bin-i and Yeon-ah in person and hear it from them.”

Bin-i and Yeon-ah must be referring to the Blue Wolf and the Young Palace Lord.

“Where are the two of them?”

“It’s complicated to explain in words…”

Shin-ui said, frowning for a moment.

“I guess I’ll have to go with you.”

Shin-ui said to Oruhan as if it were nothing. Oruhan nodded. It was a natural logical conclusion, so there was nothing strange about it.

“Alright. Can you use light footwork [a martial arts technique for moving quickly and lightly]?”

“Do you think a doctor can do something like that?”

Of course not. Even though Shin-ui looked more like a warrior than a doctor.

“Alright. Then Naran and Delbe…”

“Are you going to leave me to young women?”

Shin-ui said with a very unpleasant expression. Oruhan tilted her head.

“Is there a problem?”

“This place values etiquette very much. It would be very impolite for a doctor like me to be carried by young women.”

“Is that so? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.”

Oruhan apologized for now. If that’s the custom here, what could she say?

Even though Naran and Delbe were among the older members of the Twelve Beauties.

“Then what should we do?”

He doesn’t know light footwork and can’t be carried by young women. Oruhan’s question was natural.

“Do you have a husband or lover?”

“No. Why?”

It was a rather rude question, but Oruhan answered honestly. Shin-ui nodded.

“I see. Then you can take me.”

“Me?”

“If it’s you, no one will criticize me.”

“Really?”

Whether it was because of her age, or because it was okay if it was a master like Oruhan, she didn’t know. Anyway, the customs here were unfamiliar to Oruhan.

But the thought of holding Shin-ui and using light footwork made her a little embarrassed. She had never been close to a man either.

“What’s wrong?”

Shin-ui asked with sharp eyes as Oruhan hesitated.

“Perhaps you don’t like me because I’m an old man?”

“Do you think I’m the kind of woman who chases after young men?”

Oruhan’s voice became sharp.

“Don’t you insult me. I’m not that kind of woman.”

“I’m sorry, I apologize.”

Shin-ui readily bowed his head. Oruhan felt a little sorry at his appearance. She wondered if she had reacted too sensitively.

“It’s okay. Master is like that because she has no experience with men. She’s never even been in a relationship.”

“That’s right. That’s why she doesn’t have any men she can introduce us to.”

The young ladies chattered from here and there.

Oruhan silenced them at once with a sharp glance.

But it wouldn’t last long. Even Oruhan had half given up on controlling these young and lively disciples.

“Ahem. Then I’ll hold you, no, let’s go together.”

“Thank you. I’m in your debt.”

Shin-ui expressed his gratitude to Oruhan. Oruhan lightly returned the gesture.

“But is it okay to leave this place empty?”

Oruhan suddenly asked Shin-ui. Shin-ui glanced back.

“Other doctors can do this much. I’ve met the old Taoist who was supposed to come, and I’ve met that Gui Jian Shura guy, so you’re the only ones left.”

Oruhan tilted her head. She couldn’t understand Shin-ui’s words. Shin-ui continued to speak with a still indifferent expression.

“What I had to do here is already done. So it doesn’t matter.”

“Alright. Then let’s go outside.”

Oruhan nodded.

Swish.

Oruhan came out of the inn with Shin-ui. The Twelve Beauties of Bukhae followed her.

“Th, then.”

She hesitated when she actually tried to hold Shin-ui. Oruhan casually put her arm around Shin-ui with one hand, as if it were nothing, taking care not to make eye contact with him.

Swoosh.

Shin-ui, on the other hand, naturally put his arms around Oruhan and leaned in close, as if it were only natural. Because Shin-ui was so sturdy, it looked like Oruhan was being held by Shin-ui.

Oruhan’s heart pounded at the unfamiliar—no, the first time this had ever happened.

‘What’s with me at this age…’

She tried to think that way, but Oruhan couldn’t help but blush.

Shin-ui’s sturdy body was big and warm, and his scent lingered around her nose. Moreover, maybe it was just her imagination, but Shin-ui’s heartbeat seemed especially loud.

But Shin-ui seemed to be the only one who didn’t care; he didn’t seem to care at all.

“Ahem. Then…”

Oruhan said in a stern voice, trying to ignore the Twelve Beauties of Bukhae who were glancing at them and smiling softly.

“Let’s go.”

The Blue Wolf and the Young Palace Lord are waiting for them. Oruhan, holding Shin-ui, immediately kicked off the ground with the Twelve Beauties of Bukhae and flew towards Huangshan.