A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 308

308. Touring Hangzhou (2)

The next morning, Son Bin and his group decided to leave Huangshan.

Hangzhou, their destination, wasn’t far from Huangshan, but there was another problem. The group had suddenly increased significantly.

“Wait, so when we came, there were eight of us, right?”
Hwa-sa counted, ticking off her fingers.

When they came to Huangshan, there were eight people: Son Bin, No-gun, Shin-ui, Jang Gang-eo-ong, Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, Talhondo, and Hwa-sa.

“But then Seo-rin and the five children came…”

On top of that, Seom Ok-su, Oreuhan, and the twelve members of Bukhae-sibi joined all at once, along with Princess Gyeong-hui, Cheongnanggeom Wi Ga-jin, and the maid, Hang-ah.

“So, that’s forty people in total?”

“Thirty.”

Dang Wol-ah corrected Hwa-sa’s calculation. Hwa-sa, who hadn’t yet learned arithmetic, seemed confused after counting on her ten fingers.

“Even thirty is too many! There’s no room in the carriages.”
Hwa-sa frowned. Geomhee, who didn’t show herself, wasn’t even included in the count.

“There’s the carriage they brought.”

Dang Wol-ah said, looking at Princess Gyeong-hui. The awakened Princess Gyeong-hui silently followed Son Bin’s instructions. There were no attempts or provocative words.

Cheongnanggeom Wi Ga-jin and the maid Hang-ah requested to stay by Princess Gyeong-hui’s side until the end.

Son Bin couldn’t refuse their request. How could he possibly turn away the loyalty of a warrior who bowed his head and even laid down his sword?

Suddenly, Son Bin remembered and asked, “By the way, where is Soha?” Wi Ga-jin bit his lip and replied, “He has returned to his master.”

“Even with two carriages, it’s the same. How can fifteen people ride in one? And you know I’m not riding with that woman, right?”
Hwa-sa grumbled. The carriage that Princess Gyeong-hui’s group had brought was found in the forest near the entrance of Huangshan. It was quite large and luxurious, but it was still impossible for fifteen people to ride in it.

“We brought horses!”

One of the Bukhae-sibi said.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Son Bin said, his face brightening, but another member of Bukhae-sibi said,

“But I want to go with those kids. Look at their hair color. It’s so pretty! Can’t we take them on horseback?”

“I want to be with Little Lord.”

The Bukhae-sibi were chattering excitedly, as if something was so fun. Naran and Delbe, who were a bit older, kept looking at Seo-rin.

Seeing them like this, they looked just like young girls of their age, and Son Bin smiled. Suddenly, No-gun said from beside him,

“They came all the way from Bukhae [Northern Sea], isn’t it a bit much to ask them to follow on horseback?”

No-gun shrugged and said,

“Riding a horse is harder than you think. Especially for young ladies…”

Son Bin fully agreed with those words. He himself found riding a horse to be quite a chore.

Of course, the Bukhae-sibi were very familiar with horses from a young age. However, the etiquette here was different. Especially the treatment of guests from afar should be even more considerate.

“Let’s just go as we are to the nearest village for now.”

Son Bin made a decision.

“We can get more carriages there.”

No-gun nodded. So, Son Bin and his group left Huangshan and obtained two more carriages in a nearby large village.

However, there was an unforeseen problem left. It was the question of who would ride with whom.

∴

The four carriages carrying Son Bin and his group were slowly heading towards Hangzhou.

In one of the carriages, Son Bin glanced to the side. Princess Gyeong-hui was sitting between Wi Ga-jin and Hang-ah, without saying a word.

The people in Son Bin’s carriage were Shin-ui, No-gun, and Princess Gyeong-hui’s group. Of course, No-gun was holding the reins.

The Bukhae-sibi each rode in the carriages with Seo-rin, Sa Su-yeon, or the five children, as they wished.

Thanks to that, this carriage had fewer people, partly because it was intended to keep Princess Gyeong-hui and the Bukhae-sibi from riding together.

Clatter, clatter.

Son Bin turned his head and looked at the horses tied behind.

The thirteen horses that the Bukhae-sibi had brought were tied behind each carriage, three or four at a time. Because they were well-trained horses, they were running in sync with the carriages without difficulty.

“How’s your body?”

Suddenly, No-gun’s voice was heard. Son Bin turned his head. He could see the back of No-gun driving the carriage.

“I’m fine.”

“Hmm.”

No-gun asked again in response to Son Bin’s answer.

“Then you can now unleash the Pawolsamshik [Eight Phases, Three Styles martial art] without any problems?”

The eyes of Princess Gyeong-hui, who had been sitting silently, trembled slightly. Wi Ga-jin and the maid Hang-ah were the same.

“That’s not true.”

Son Bin noticed their reaction but answered calmly.

“It would have been a little different if that place wasn’t Huangshan. As I said before, it’s not that I control it as I please, but rather, I feel like I’m receiving help.”

Strictly speaking, Son Bin’s Pawolsamshik is different from Saja Hyuk’s.

If Saja Hyuk created Wolgwangmancheon [Moonlight Over All Creation] with his Hyeoncheon’s energy [Profound Heaven energy], Son Bin is merely ‘borrowing’ it.

Therefore, Son Bin doesn’t consider himself to have reached the same level as Saja Hyuk.

To him, Saja Hyuk is still a giant, and he is just someone who has been given the privilege of sitting on his shoulders and looking into the distance.

“Hmm. I don’t know what you mean, but I’ll take it as meaning there’s no problem.”

Son Bin gave an awkward smile.

“How serious is the border issue?”

No-gun asked again. He was referring to the problem of the northern border that Son Bin had mentioned. Son Bin tilted his head.

“I don’t know the specifics. I did write that I would appreciate it if it was grand, if possible.”

At those words, Princess Gyeong-hui bit her lip. With that one sentence, Son Bin was shaking the empire’s borders.

“Just in case I need to say it.”

Son Bin’s voice was directed at Princess Gyeong-hui. Princess Gyeong-hui raised her head. As always, Son Bin’s gentle eyes were looking straight at her.

“It’s not my power. I’m just asking for a favor from someone I know. Everyone lives by relying on someone else.”

No one can stand alone. Even if it is the Hyeoncheon’s Mujae [Peerless Talent of the Profound Heaven], or even the great Jade Dragon of the past.

“Maybe that’s why. We can’t help but be happy when someone else relies on us purely.”

Son Bin smiled, thinking of the children of Seowon. The children hugged him without any reservations or doubts.

That heart lifted Son Bin, who had been lost in a sense of loss, and that gaze gave strength to Son Bin, who had lost his purpose.

How could he not be happy with the hearts of those children?

What they gave Son Bin was something he could never repay, even if he had the whole world.

“I see it.”

No-gun, who was driving the carriage, said. Son Bin turned his head.

The scenery of the magnificent city of Hangzhou was faintly visible in the distance. Son Bin smiled, thinking of the smiles of the children he would soon meet.

*

*

*

Son Bin and his group met the children at the inn in Hangzhou that they had arranged in advance.

“Teacher!”

“Wow, Teacher!”

Soso and Aeng-aeng ran over as soon as they spotted Son Bin. Son Bin bent down and opened his arms.

Thud.

Soso and Aeng-aeng hugged Son Bin tightly without any hesitation.

“Teacher! It’s so cool here!”

“It’s so big!”

Soso and Aeng-aeng couldn’t hide their excitement and said with wide eyes. The other children also gathered around Son Bin.

“Yes, it is.”

Son Bin hugged each of the children, feeling especially grateful and adorable at the sight. The children hugged Son Bin tightly with their small arms without any doubt.

No-gun also hugged the children, and Jang Gang-eo-ong and Talhondo also gently stroked the children’s heads. Shin-ui even opened the children’s mouths to see if anything had happened in the meantime.

“Kyahahaha.”
Hwa-sa simply lifted Aeng-aeng high with both hands and spun her around. Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wol-ah also hugged the children especially tightly.

“Thank you for your hard work, Miss Se-hwa. And Madam Dang.”

Son Bin expressed his gratitude to Dang Un-yeong and Hyeonryeon Se-hwa. Hyeonryeon Se-hwa smiled.

“It’s nothing. We only managed to arrive yesterday.”

“I see.”

Son Bin nodded. But soon he couldn’t help but give an awkward smile.

“Um, but these children…”

Behind Hyeonryeon Se-hwa and Dang Un-yeong, there were more than a dozen children he had never seen before, huddled together.

Their ages varied, with some being around the same age as Seo-rin and others being younger than Aeng-aeng.

“Oh, who are these cuties?”

“There are more children!”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, hearing the chattering of the Bukhae-sibi behind Son Bin, replied with an apologetic expression.

“Well, some children wanted to come with us, so…”

When the children of Seowon said they were going to Hangzhou, Cheongwon was in an uproar. It was because the children proudly told the story, and not only their siblings but also the children next door wanted to go with them.

Thanks to this, requests, or rather, pleas, poured into Horyeon Martial Arts Center. The parents, who were suffering from the children’s nagging, pleaded with Horyeon Martial Arts Center, which was Hyeonryeon Se-hwa’s family home and had been rooted in Cheongwon for generations, and they couldn’t ignore their requests.

Moreover, Hangzhou was a place that even adults found difficult to visit. In a way, it was only natural that people would ask for favors. The fact that the adults didn’t come with them was perhaps the least bit of conscience they had.

In the end, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa had no choice but to bring the children. The cost was not cheap, but Hyeonryeon Gong, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa’s adoptive father, stepped in and willingly supported everything after hearing the situation.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell you in advance…”

“No, it’s okay.”

After all, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa had been entrusted with all the work of Seowon while Son Bin was away. She was also the only formally invited teacher at Seowon besides Son Bin.

“You two have really worked hard.”

As Son Bin was comforting Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, a girl said from below.

“My sister cried when I said I was going here.”

The girl with her hair braided in two pigtails chattered to another girl next to her.

“Why? Because she can’t see you?”

“No, because she hasn’t been there herself, but I’m going.”

Son Bin lowered his gaze. Another girl next to her tilted her head and asked back.

“Isn’t your sister getting married soon?”

“Yeah. So, she said adults can’t go, and she cried.”

“My mom and dad fought.”

Another boy next to her muttered.

“My mom got angry, so my dad couldn’t say anything. They made some kind of promise when they got married… Well, so he told them to send me instead.”

Son Bin smiled at the children’s words. And he bent down to meet the children’s eye level.

“Was it hard to come all the way here?”

The children shook their heads silently. It seemed they were still unfamiliar with Son Bin. Son Bin smiled.

“I’m a teacher at the same Seowon as Teacher Se-hwa.”

“I know.”

The girl at the front nodded.

“My mom said. He’s the smartest person in our village, but…”

Son Bin smiled awkwardly. But the girl’s words were not over yet.

“He failed the last state exam.”

Son Bin’s awkward smile faltered slightly.

“Th-that’s not important…”

“Then what’s important?”

The girl looked at Son Bin with sparkling eyes. Son Bin gave a gentle smile at her unreserved eyes.

“That we’re going to have a lot of fun starting today, right?”

The children’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Son Bin said with a smile.

“Welcome. Nice to meet you.”

The children could tell from that bright smile. That they were being welcomed.

Before they knew it, the same smile was spreading across the children’s faces.

“Um, but.”

Son Bin raised his head at Hyeonryeon Se-hwa’s voice.

“Who are these people…”

Only then did Son Bin realize that Hyeonryeon Se-hwa was looking at Princess Gyeong-hui’s group.

Son Bin first sent the children to where the other children were. As the children scattered, chattering to each other, Son Bin said politely with a seemingly nonchalant expression.

“I’m sorry for the late introduction. This is Princess Gyeong-hui.”

“…Who did you say?”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa’s eyes widened in surprise. Son Bin gave a satisfied smile, as Hyeonryeon Se-hwa’s surprised face was quite a sight to behold, and replied.

“She is Princess Gyeong-hui.”

Of course, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa also knew about Baek In-rok, the secret report from Huangshan, and Princess Gyeong-hui.

However, she couldn’t hide her surprise as she never expected him to bring the person herself.

“Ah, um, nice to meet you. My name is Hyeonryeon Se-hwa.”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa bowed to Princess Gyeong-hui, rarely flustered. Although it wasn’t the imperial court etiquette, it was a very polite greeting.

However, Princess Gyeong-hui didn’t respond. And Hyeonryeon Se-hwa also understood her situation.

“But we won’t be able to stay at the inn if this is the case.”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa said, looking at Son Bin. Son Bin nodded. Where to stay was a problem anyway.

This was because they had become a huge family of fifty-eight people, including the newly joined children, and Princess Gyeong-hui was also with them.

However, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa quickly found an answer.

“For now, it seems we have no choice but to get help from Yewon, would that be okay?”

“Yes? What is…”

As Son Bin made a puzzled expression, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa said in a small voice.

“The Princess will find out about Yewon?”

“Ah, that?”

Son Bin smiled.

“It’ll be fine. Probably.”

Although the last words were a bit dubious, there was no problem since Son Bin said it was okay. Hyeonryeon Se-hwa nodded.

*

*

*

Wanju Hwa-wol of Yewon, always elegant and beautiful, sighed lightly, resting one hand on her cheek.

“I did say that Master Son is welcome anytime, but…”

She glanced at Son Bin with an apologetic expression and then lowered her head to look down at the children huddled together.

“But I didn’t know you would make so many children in the meantime.”
Hwa-wol said, looking down at the children with sparkling eyes. The children were staring at Hwa-wol’s elegant and beautiful appearance, mesmerized.

“Is this youth…”

Although she said that, Hwa-wol was still young. Her expression, showing off her mature beauty, seemed much softer and more comfortable than before.

“No, that’s not it…”

“I’m just teasing.”

Hwa-wol sent a light smile to Son Bin, who was flustered, and then bent her waist slightly to look at the children.

“Hello. I’m your teacher’s friend. Welcome to Hangzhou.”

“Ah, hello!”

“Hello!”

As if they had promised, the children bowed their heads and greeted her without being told. Hwa-wol smiled brightly at the sight of the children.

“Since we have precious guests, we should prepare something delicious today, right?”

“Woaaaaah!”

It was only a moment before the children’s greetings turned into cheers.

∴

Wanju Hwa-wol of Yewon prepared a separate residence for Son Bin and his group. It was not the place they had stayed last time, but a large separate residence with many rooms and a wide yard.

After being treated to an early lunch and taking a short break, Son Bin and his group set out to see Hangzhou with the children. Of course, Princess Gyeong-hui and her group stayed at Yewon.

There were fifty-five people in Son Bin’s group who set out to tour Hangzhou. With thirty-two children and the curious and cheerful Bukhae-sibi, it was only natural that it was noisy.

“Wow! Teacher, look at this, this!”

“It’s cool! It’s cool!”

“Oh, it’s so pretty.”

“Little Lord! What is this?”

Even though they were just passing through downtown Hangzhou, everything was a surprise, joy, and excitement for the children and the Bukhae-sibi.

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, Dang Un-yeong, as well as Hwa-sa and Seo-rin, were surrounded by children and were out of their minds. But all of them had bright smiles on their faces.

In particular, Hwa-sa lifted a girl and put her on her shoulders, earning the envy of the boys.

Oreuhan and the Bukhae-sibi were the same. They had already become close to the children, and they roamed the streets of Hangzhou, holding the children’s hands.

Moreover, they were also completely captivated by the splendor of Hangzhou and the various items, so they were not much different from the children.

Thanks to this, the men, especially Talhondo, who had been robbed of Hwa-sa by the children, had to walk behind with No-gun, Jang Gang-eo-ong, and Shin-ui.

“You’re going to tear your mouth. Stop smiling. You bastard.”

Suddenly, No-gun said to Talhondo. Talhondo, who was smiling while looking at Hwa-sa, coughed. Then Shin-ui next to him said a word.

“No-gun, you too.”

Shin-ui said, looking at No-gun.

“You’ve been singing about Youngmae, Youngmae, are you so happy just looking at her? Your mouth is wide open.”

“Cough.”

No-gun turned his head and coughed.

“I.”

Jang Gang-eo-ong, with a gaunt expression, said quietly to Shin-ui.

“I won’t say anything to you.”

Shin-ui coughed rarely. Come to think of it, Shin-ui, who always disappeared saying he was going to get medicine, was with the group today.

“Teacher.”

Jang-ah, who was holding No-gun’s hand and walking, said quietly. Jang-ah, who was always dozing off, was now wide awake. Jang-ah pointed to a sparkling colorful toy with her finger.

“I want to see that.”

“Really? Then let’s go see it.”

No-gun took Jang-ah’s hand and strode into the store. Son Bin smiled at the natural sight.

“Everyone likes it.”

Son Bin turned his head at the voice of Sa Su-yeon, which he heard from the side. Sa Su-yeon said to Son Bin with a bright expression.

“I think it was a good idea to come after all.”

Sa Su-yeon was walking with Son Bin next to him. It was to check if there were any children falling behind.

“Yes, it is.”

Son Bin replied.

“Little Miss Wol-ah seems a little busy, though.”

“I’m not busy.”

Dang Wol-ah said quietly, walking right next to him. But it was obvious that she was very nervous.

“She’s counting the children.”

Sa Su-yeon explained instead.

“She’s checking to see if there are any missing children. Maybe she can’t see anything but the children right now?”

“Ah, I see.”

Son Bin nodded. Considering her meticulous personality, which was almost excessive, it was only natural.

But since there were thirty-two children, and they were never still for a moment, Dang Wol-ah had to check the children’s condition again and again.

“The children really like Little Miss Wol-ah.”

Sa Su-yeon says. Son Bin nodded.

“Little Miss Wol-ah truly loves the children.”

Sa Su-yeon’s voice was filled with faint longing. Son Bin turned his head and looked at Sa Su-yeon.

“My mother was like that too. She loved me so much that I never doubted that she loved me.”

Sa Su-yeon’s voice continued quietly.

“But I don’t remember my father ever saying warm and gentle words to my mother. And I couldn’t find any traces of my mother in Huangshan either. Mother…”

A small sigh was mixed in Sa Su-yeon’s voice.

“Was my mother happy? Was my mother loved by my father?”

“Yes.”

Sa Su-yeon turned to Son Bin at that answer, which was without even a moment’s hesitation. Son Bin’s expression, who dared to answer a question that no one else could easily answer, was, however, more gentle and comfortable than ever.

“Pawolsamshik is.”

Son Bin continued quietly.

“It was that person’s own response to your mother. It is a confession of gratitude for the loved one who made him know what this world is full of.”

Saja Hyuk saw a new world because of Garyeo. The result is Pawolsamshik.

Therefore, Pawolsamshik is Saja Hyuk’s blunt but sincere confession of his heart to Garyeo. A one-time confession that cannot be compared to anything else, conveying everything he has.

“So, perhaps your mother.”

Son Bin smiled gently, looking at Sa Su-yeon.

“Surely, she must have been happy.”

Tears welled up in Sa Su-yeon’s eyes.

“I see.”

Sa Su-yeon said in a slightly trembling voice.

“That’s, that’s what it was.”

The traces of Pawolsamshik engraved on that huge Cheonindan Cliff were the heart of his father, Saja Hyuk.

A blunt but deep love letter that could not be erased to his wife, Garyeo. That was Pawolsamshik.

Sa Su-yeon, unable to hold back her tears, finally lowered her head. Son Bin quietly stopped walking and quietly guarded her side.

Amidst the joyful voices of the children and the Bukhae-sibi, the afternoon streets of Hangzhou were filled with warm sunlight.