A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 325

325. A Visitor in the Night

The academy quickly returned to its daily routine.

Even though the children talked about Hangzhou during class whenever they had a chance, the excitement gradually faded after a few days.

After classes, playtime at the academy was the same as before. Children who had become friends in Hangzhou would visit and they would all go out to play around the village together.

As the sun began to set, the children would wave their little hands and head home.

Then, the academy, which had been lively all day, would finally sink into a tranquil atmosphere.

“So, you’re saying they can’t come right away?”

Old Man No asked, sipping his tea. Sohn Bin nodded.

“Yes. It seems everyone is busy at the moment.”

Buddhist Nun Beop Heo of the Emei Sect and Taoist Hermit Hyeon Heo of the Wudang Sect had sent letters to Sohn Bin. They expressed their gratitude and informed him of their current situations.

“Busy with what? They’ve closed their doors [referring to a period of isolation from worldly affairs], so they should have less to do.”

Old Man No grumbled. As he said, the Emei and Wudang Sects had declared that they would not be involved in the affairs of the Jianghu [the martial world] for the next three years.

This was shocking news for the secular disciples and related martial arts centers and merchant groups, but it was also praised as upholding the duties of Buddhism and Taoism.

“They’re probably swamped with the aftermath. Closing the doors isn’t just about shutting them.”

Madam Dang Un-yeong, holding a teacup beside him, said with a smile.

Self-imposed closure is a radical event that overturns all the sect’s policies and plans. The tasks that follow are by no means easy.

“Buddhist Nun Beop Heo and Taoist Hermit Hyeon Heo will likely find it difficult to visit the academy for the time being.”

Both Buddhist Nun Beop Heo of Emei and Taoist Hermit Hyeon Heo of Wudang are like the spiritual pillars of their respective sects. They cannot leave their positions during such turbulent times.

“What about the Tang Clan or the Namgung Clan? The Moryong Clan also seemed eager to come.”

“Ah, it seems difficult for them as well at the moment.”

Sohn Bin answered, holding the teacup in his hands. Among the letters that came to the academy were those from Tang Hwa-ryeon, the chief strategist of the Tang Clan, Namgung Hyang of the Namgung Clan, and Moryong Jin and Moryong Rin of the Moryong Clan.

“That’s probably because the Gongsun Clan is on the verge of collapse.”

Hyeokryun Se-hwa said. She continued with a gentle expression.

“Following the Tang Clan and the Zhuge Clan, the Namgung Clan has also declared its severance of all ties with the Gongsun Clan. And all the merchant groups close to the Gongsun Clan have cut off trade.”

The Gongsun Clan was truly cornered. The Zhuge Clan in the north, the Namgung Clan in the south, and the Moryong Clan, which had joined hands with the Tang Clan, were besieging the Gongsun Clan from the west.

The merchant groups, which had initially been observing the situation, immediately turned their backs when they learned that the Five Great Merchant Groups of the World had cut off trade with the Gongsun Clan.

As their funds dried up, even the sects that had followed the Gongsun Clan were wavering.

“The Gongsun Clan’s territory can already be considered to have passed to the Zhuge Clan, the Moryong Clan, and the Namgung Clan. Perhaps all that remains is Hefei, where the Gongsun Clan is based? It seems that the Hyeokryun Clan also believes so.”

Some said that the Gongsun Clan would not be shaken to this extent, but the Gongsun Clan’s influence was rapidly shrinking.

The Gongsun Clan, which had wielded immense influence in the Yangtze River logistics along with the Namgung Clan, was collapsing in an instant.

“So, everyone is bound to be busy. They want to come, but they can’t.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon is the chief strategist of the Tang Clan. Namgung Hyang is also highly regarded in the Namgung Clan, and Iron Sword Moryong Jin and Moryong Rin are the core of the Moryong Clan.

As Hyeokryun Se-hwa said, they are in a situation where they want to come but cannot.

“I see, everyone is busy.”

Sohn Bin said with a smile, as if it were someone else’s problem. In fact, it was someone else’s problem. The academy was peaceful, with no problems or busy work.

However, Old Man No shook his head and clicked his tongue.

“Who do you think is responsible for this?”

Sohn Bin couldn’t possibly misunderstand Old Man No’s words.

“Ah, of course, if you look into it, I am also a little responsible…”

“A little?”

Old Man No said, as if he were dumbfounded.

However, Sohn Bin felt wronged. Even if it wasn’t him, the Jianghu martial world would have been swept up in a great storm anyway.

Of course, the situation would have been very different from now.

“Forget it. And Lightning Sword will come anyway. That guy is the type to come and play when others are busy.”

Old Man No sighed and said. The Lightning Sword he was talking about was Namgung Cheon, the previous Lightning Sword. Sohn Bin nodded, thinking that Namgung Cheon, who was always playful at the academy, might do that.

“But I heard that a letter also came from the Zhuge Clan?”

“Ah, yes. It was addressed to Young Lady Hwa-sa and Young Lady Dang Wol-ah…”

The person who sent the letter was Zhuge Gyeong of the Zhuge Clan, whom he had seen in Huangshan. She, who had also been counted as one of the Five Flowers of Huangshan [a group of renowned beauties], sent letters to Hwa-sa and Dang Wol-ah.

Her letter, addressed to ‘Respected Sister,’ contained only simple greetings and a desire to meet, but it was clear that she was aware of the Outer Affairs [referring to the academy and its activities], as it had arrived accurately at the academy.

“She says she will come with Phil Woon Zhuge Ryeon when the clan’s affairs are settled.”

“So, for the time being, the only one coming is Lightning Sword…”

Old Man No stroked his beard. Then, he suddenly met the sparkling eyes of the Twelve Virgins of Bukhae, who were looking at him.

“Why?”

One of the Twelve Virgins of Bukhae asked in fluent southern language. It was the result of taking classes at the academy under the strict orders of Seomoksu Oruhan.

The classes at the academy were not very interesting for the lively girls of Bukhae. However, they had great concentration and were all bright, so their skills quickly improved.

“Well, you could say he’s strong.”

That was an assessment that only Old Man No could make. No one in the Outer Affairs could ever underestimate the previous Lightning Sword.

“When he comes, can we have a sparring match?”

At those words, Old Man No sighed.

“You’ll die.”

Namgung Cheon doesn’t hold back. If he judges that the Twelve Virgins of Bukhae might become a threat in the future, he won’t hesitate to use lethal moves during the sparring match.

“Even if all of you attack him together, you won’t last ten seconds. So, you guys should focus on Sohn Bin’s training. Don’t think about anything else.”

“Uuuu.”

The Twelve Virgins of Bukhae raised their voices in dissatisfaction, but Old Man No didn’t budge.

After dinner, Old Man Eo headed straight for the river. People who had been chatting under the lamp for a while also returned to their respective quarters one by one. Since they would gather again when Sohn Bin trained, they didn’t seem particularly regretful.

Sohn Bin checked the children’s homework in his room and prepared what he would teach tomorrow. And when he came out to the garden for a moment, Sohn Bin found Sasu-yeon, who was coming out.

“You haven’t left yet.”

Sohn Bin said with a smile. Sasu-yeon, who had found Sohn Bin, also smiled.

“Yes. I have some work to help Shin-ui with.”

Sasu-yeon’s smiling face under the light was as beautiful as a painting. Sohn Bin forgot his words for a moment and stared blankly at her.

“Hehe.”

Suddenly, Sasu-yeon chuckled. Sohn Bin startled awake. Sasu-yeon said with a smiling face to the flustered Sohn Bin.

“It reminds me of the old days.”

“Ye, the old days, you mean…”

“When I first met Young Master Sohn.”

Sasu-yeon said, looking at Sohn Bin.

“Young Master Sohn had that kind of expression back then too. A slightly surprised, slightly embarrassed look.”

Sohn Bin also let out a hollow laugh. The first time they met was right when he was being humiliated at the Hwanghak Tower in Wuhan. Of course, he couldn’t help but be surprised and embarrassed.

Thinking about it now, he is glad that he met Sasu-yeon there, but he is also a little ashamed.

“Was that so?”

“Yes.”

Sasu-yeon said. She stared at Sohn Bin quietly.

“So much has happened since then.”

Sohn Bin nodded.

“Yes. So many things have happened.”

“Thank you.”

Sohn Bin raised his head at Sasu-yeon’s voice. Her eyes, as beautiful as starlight, were looking at Sohn Bin.

“What Young Master Sohn has given me are only precious things that I cannot express in words.”

Sohn Bin saved her life when she was dying.

Moreover, it was also possible for Sohn Bin to save the precious people of Bukhae and to open the heart of her grandfather, Ice Emperor.

If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have known the truth of her mother, Garyeo, and her father, Saja-hyeok, as well as the bright smiles and warm warmth of the children.

Therefore, Sasu-yeon’s words were her true feelings without any shortcomings.

“Really, thank you.”

Sohn Bin smiled softly at her trembling voice.

“You’re welcome. I am the one who is grateful. Young Lady, I mean…”

How should he express this feeling now? How should he express this feeling of gratitude just for her being here?

“That, I mean, that… I’m just ha, happy that Young Lady is here…”

Sohn Bin, who couldn’t speak properly, avoided eye contact because he felt embarrassed for some reason. Because of that, he didn’t notice Sasu-yeon’s cheeks turning red.

“St, still, it’s a relief.”

Sohn Bin forced a smile and raised his head.

“Because I think I kept his request.”

At the last moment, Saja-hyeok said, ‘Please take care of Yeon-ah.’ That made Sohn Bin unhesitatingly step forward in Sasu-yeon’s affairs. Even when Sasu-yeon, who had reunited at the Yongbong Assembly, turned away from Sohn Bin.

Therefore, it was Sohn Bin’s true heart. However, what Sohn Bin faced when he raised his head was Sasu-yeon’s eyes, which were somehow dark.

“Um…”

Sohn Bin, wondering if he had said something wrong, carefully opened his mouth. But before he could finish his words, Sasu-yeon said.

“Is that all?”

“Yes?”

“Is everything you did for me just because of my dad’s request?”

The title had changed [from Young Master to dad], but Sohn Bin didn’t notice. It was because Sasu-yeon’s eyes, which were looking at Sohn Bin now, looked so sad.

“Really, is that all?”

“No.”

Sohn Bin said without realizing it. Looking straight into Sasu-yeon’s beautiful and sad eyes, Sohn Bin continued without hesitation.

“That’s not true. I, Suyeon Young Lady…”

Thwack.

Sohn Bin’s voice was cut off by the sudden rough noise. Sohn Bin immediately turned his head.

The source of the sound was Geomhee. She, dressed in pure white clothes, had appeared behind Sohn Bin.

However, there was something different from usual. She, who had always come down slowly, had collapsed to the ground as if she had plummeted.

“Young Lady Geomhee!”

Sohn Bin said in a surprised voice. Geomhee, who was sitting on the ground, raised her head and looked at Sohn Bin with a stiff expression.

“He’s coming.”

“Yes?”

The question was natural. ‘He’? Who is she talking about?

“Who…”

Thud.

“Oppa!”

The academy’s gate was violently opened. The gate, which Madam Dang Un-yeong had installed while renovating the academy and was always open during the day, made a sound as if it would break.

“Young Lady Hwa-sa?”

The person who burst through the door was Hwa-sa. Hwa-sa said with a hurried expression.

“It’s a disaster! Right now, an ice block… Oh? Was it a good time?”

Hwa-sa said, looking back and forth between Sasu-yeon and Sohn Bin. Sasu-yeon’s surprised expression disappeared, and her cheeks turned red.

“Young Lady Hwa-sa. What…”

It was before Sohn Bin could even ask what was going on.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Hyung [older brother/term of endearment]! Are you okay?”

Old Man No and Seo-rin’s voices were heard from the back of the academy.

It wasn’t just the two of them. There were Talhondo and Dang Un-yeong, as well as Dang Wol-ah and even Hyeokryun Se-hwa. Or-uhan and the Twelve Virgins of Bukhae were also together.

They were clearly the people who had disappeared, saying they were going to their lodgings earlier. Besides, why is Hyeokryun Se-hwa here when she said she was going home?

“Ah, well, Seo-rin called me just now…”

Hyeokryun Se-hwa, who was restless, said hesitantly. But now was not the time to argue about that.

Thwack.

With a sharp explosion, a shadow of a person flew into the academy’s garden. Old Man No and Seo-rin reflexively jumped out in front of Sohn Bin.

“We have to catch him!”

Sohn Bin shouted. Old Man No and Seo-rin, who were rushing towards the shadows, also understood Sohn Bin’s words.

Whack.

Old Man No flexibly twisted his body and caught the flying person. He was a man wearing a crimson martial uniform, and not only was his clothes torn here and there, but his whole body was covered in wounds. He didn’t even have consciousness.

“What, this guy. It’s him.”

As soon as he saw his face, Old Man No frowned. Sohn Bin also recognized him.

‘If that’s the case.’

If Han-wol is there, there is someone who must be there.

Flutter.

As expected? When Sohn Bin raised his head, a young jade dragon dressed like a nobleman was descending towards the academy.

Swish, clang.

Old Man No and Seo-rin, who had put down Han-wol, and Dang Wol-ah and Sasu-yeon blocked Sohn Bin and blocked the young jade dragon. Three swords and one Buddhist prayer beads revealed their appearance in an instant.

“No.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

Geomhee and Sohn Bin’s voices flowed out almost simultaneously. And after a while, Old Man No realized that the condition of the young jade dragon, who was landing in the garden, was not much different from that of Warrior Han-wol.

Thud.

“Huk, huk.”

The young jade dragon’s hair was disheveled, and his clothes were torn. There were no wounds, but his expression was full of exhaustion.

Heaving a sigh of relief, he raised his head and looked at Sohn Bin, and then at Geomhee behind him.

“I knew you’d be here…”

The young jade dragon, who was smiling faintly, lost his balance and staggered. Sohn Bin quickly stepped forward and supported him.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay. But more than that…”

The young jade dragon turned his head and looked behind him. The handsome nobleman gritted his teeth.

“They’re coming.”

At his words, Old Man No frowned.

“Who the hell…”

However, Old Man No couldn’t finish his words. It was because not only the young jade dragon but also Sohn Bin and Geomhee, and Hwa-sa were staring into the darkness with stiff faces.

No one, even if the emperor appeared, could have such an expression.

And immediately after that, Old Man No realized it too.

The feeling that was slowly spreading in the darkness, that he could never forget, and that momentum.

“Hehehehe.”

A soft laughter spread in the darkness. But it had the power to make everyone who heard it shudder.

A white face slowly revealed under the moonlight, a beautifully drawn face line and shining eyes.

He, who was exuding the same, but more fatal, charm as the young jade dragon, was none other than Jade Dragon, the previous Jade Dragon.

Tak.

Falling from the air, he lightly landed at the entrance of the academy.

Swish.

The wind blew. The collar of the Jade Dragon standing in front of the academy fluttered softly. That appearance, which was like a lie, was by no means a mistake or an illusion.

Chwalak.

A jade fan unfolded from his hand and covered his mouth. Clearly, the jade fan that the young jade dragon used to use was now in his hand.

Sabak.

The Jade Dragon entered without hesitation through the door.

“Hmm. Everyone’s gathered here?”

As if leisurely appreciating it, the Jade Dragon slowly looked back at the young jade dragon, Sohn Bin, and the group.

“Amazing. I can understand Geomhee, but there was even a failure.”

Astounded.

The target of the Jade Dragon’s gaze was Hwa-sa.

Hwa-sa gritted her teeth. Her clenched hand trembled. Her memories, the fear and anger towards the Jade Dragon engraved in the deepest part of her, could never disappear.

Swish.

Surprised by the sudden touch of someone, Hwa-sa was startled. Talhondo had already approached her and was holding Hwa-sa’s white hand with his big hand.

“It’s okay.”

Talhondo looked straight at Hwa-sa and said again.

“It’s okay.”

Hwa-sa nodded. Her eyes looking at Talhondo were no longer driven by fear or anger.

“Hehehe.”

The Jade Dragon laughed.

“This is interesting? There’s no way Talhondo you could have fixed Hwa-sa… So this is.”

The Jade Dragon’s gleaming gaze turned to Sohn Bin.

“Is it you?”

Swish.

Sasu-yeon blocked the space between the Jade Dragon and Sohn Bin. The Jade Dragon frowned behind the jade fan, but Sasu-yeon didn’t care.

Her eyes looking at the Jade Dragon now were burning like flames.

“Oh, you’re still alive too.”

The Jade Dragon said quietly. But his eyes were filled with undisguised mockery.

“To be alive even after being pierced in the chest by Geomhee’s Ice Sword… Is it good luck, or just tenacity?”

Crunch.

Sasu-yeon gritted her teeth. The events that happened in Seolsan [Snow Mountain], that despair and miserable feeling, rushed in like a tide.

But more than anything, there was something she wanted to ask. There was a fact that she had to find out at the risk of her life.

“Where is he?”

Sasu-yeon glared at him with fiery eyes. And she spat out each word as if chewing it.

“Where is my dad!”

Pfft.

It was a small sound, but it was definitely a sneer.

“Is all you can do is whine like that? Why are you asking me about your dad? If he’s such a precious person…”

The Jade Dragon said, looking at Sasu-yeon with cold eyes.

“Find him yourself. Even if you have to turn over the entire Seolsan.”

Astounded.

Sasu-yeon gritted her teeth. And with it, her sword, Mimeong, began to cry.

Woo-oong.

Swish.

“Just a moment.”

The person who reached out as if to stop Sasu-yeon was none other than Sohn Bin. Sasu-yeon raised her head with gritted teeth. But Sohn Bin was not looking at Sasu-yeon.

“Just… please wait.”

A voice trembling so much that anyone could tell. Sohn Bin was looking beyond the Jade Dragon, still at the dark entrance of the academy.

“Just, just a moment…”

Jeobuk [sound of a footstep].

A quiet footstep was heard. No, maybe it wasn’t a sound but some kind of momentum.

Everyone in that place, without exception, heard that sound.

“Stop.”

A heavy and familiar voice was heard. The owner of that voice said, looking at the Jade Dragon.

“That’s enough teasing my daughter.”

“Humph.”

The Jade Dragon turned his head. But he didn’t say anything more.

Jeobuk.