A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 330

The Giant's Garden

330. The Giant’s Garden

The academy was tense again because the previous Jade Dragon had happily declared, ‘The world is ending.’ But the tension didn’t last long.

Dang Wora calmly asked again,

“So, what are you going to do, and how are you going to do it?”

“I have to go see.”

The previous Jade Dragon replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Not to Sichuan or Yunnan, but to the land of the Jang tribe in the west.

No, he said he might go at least to Tianzhu [ancient Chinese name for India], or perhaps Persia or even beyond.

The previous Jade Dragon was speaking lightly about such a potentially world-ending journey, as if he were just popping over to the next village.

“Without knowing anything, without any preparation?”

It was a sharp question, but the previous Jade Dragon’s beautiful eyes instead held a mocking glint.

“What use is preparation when you don’t know anything? And if that’s the case, won’t you go?”

“I’ll go.”

Dang Wora’s answer was immediate, without hesitation.

“If Young Master Son goes.”

The previous Jade Dragon smirked as if to say, ‘See?’ That’s because Son Bin had already told Saja Hyuk that he would ‘go’.

Dang Wora sighed softly. Then she looked up at the western night sky.

“It will be a long journey.”

“W-wait a minute.”

The flustered voice belonged to Reverend Cheonghye. She spoke with a bewildered expression.

“Does Young Lady Dang believe those words? About the Heavenly Demon and Naraka [Buddhist hell]?”

Perhaps it was an obvious question to ask.

However, not many people agreed with Reverend Cheonghye.

Most, especially the masters of the Outer History, looked at Reverend Cheonghye as if she were speaking nonsense.

“I don’t believe it, but I have no choice but to believe it.”

The quiet voice belonged to Princess Kyunghee, who was standing next to her. She shook her head as if she couldn’t help it and continued.

“Because it’s what Emperor Mu [a legendary Chinese emperor] and the Jade Dragon said, not just anyone else.”

She was right. Anyone who knew Saja Hyuk and the previous Jade Dragon would never doubt their words.

“But.”

*Sarak.*

Princess Kyunghee rose from her seat. Then she looked straight at Saja Hyuk, the previous Jade Dragon, and Son Bin and said.

“If this is a matter of the Heavenly Demon or Naraka, I will no longer concern myself with it. Such things of myth and legend are irrelevant to me, and I have no interest in them.”

As if she had no further interest, Princess Kyunghee turned to leave. Cheongrang Sword Wiga Jin and the maid Hanga were briefly flustered, but soon followed Princess Kyunghee.

However, the following clear voice stopped Princess Kyunghee’s group.

“The world might turn upside down?”

The voice belonged to the previous Jade Dragon. He looked at Princess Kyunghee from behind his jade fan and said.

“Still, you don’t care?”

“Yes?”

Princess Kyunghee turned her head and looked directly at the previous Jade Dragon as she answered.

“Then let’s talk again after the world turns upside down. But whatever happens, people don’t change in the end. And if people don’t change.”

With a thin smile, Princess Kyunghee said.

“Neither does power.”

Princess Kyunghee turned and left the academy. As she departed with the maid Hanga and Cheongrang Sword Wiga Jin, the previous Jade Dragon smiled thinly.

“Really, that family only thinks about one thing.”

The previous Jade Dragon, who openly mocked the imperial family, turned his head and looked at Son Bin.

“It looks a bit too much for you to handle? Don’t you think?”

Son Bin gave a wry smile at the clearly teasing words.

It was because Princess Kyunghee had called him ‘Fuma Duwei (駙馬都尉) [駙馬: son-in-law of an emperor or a prince, 都尉: a military title]’, but in fact, it wasn’t just Princess Kyunghee. If you think about it coldly, it can be said that none of the young ladies here are someone Son Bin can easily win over.

“When do we depart?”

Son Bin asked. The previous Jade Dragon looked a little surprised, but soon said with a calm expression.

“It doesn’t matter anytime. And I don’t care who you bring. But.”

The previous Jade Dragon’s gaze slowly moved towards a small and delicate woman.

“You must come.”

That woman was none other than Blood Peak Geumsaryeon. Blood Peak Geumsaryeon answered with a calm expression.

“I’m sorry, but that is impossible. I have things to do.”

Blood Peak is currently the most important person in the Blood Peak Union.

She is the one who brokered peace between the Blood Peak Union and the Namgung family, the one who gained the trust of the Yunnan Blood Dragon Gate, and the one who is respected by the people of Guizhou Province and Guangxi Province.

Moreover, considering the relationship she has with Son Bin, ‘the one who walks the path of Emperor Mu’, her existence is virtually synonymous with the Blood Peak Union itself.

“Things to do…….”

The previous Jade Dragon laughed softly.

“I could make it so you don’t have to worry about them anymore?”

Guigyeonsura’s expression changed in an instant. The previous Jade Dragon’s words were clearly a threat. A threat to erase the Blood Peak Union if she didn’t comply.

However, Blood Peak Geumsaryeon tightly grabbed Guigyeonsura’s arm to stop him.

“Thank you for your consideration, but there’s no need to do that. Regarding the matter of accompanying…….”

Blood Peak Geumsaryeon sighed softly.

“Please give me a little more time.”

The previous Jade Dragon nodded lightly as if satisfied with her answer.

Anyway, unless he withdraws his intention, Blood Peak has no real choice.

The reason she asked for time is to find a way to manage the Union in her absence.

Nogun clicked his tongue as he watched the scene.

He doesn’t know what the previous Jade Dragon saw in Blood Peak Geumsaryeon.

However, considering her past abilities and Guigyeonsura, who was once possessed by the Blood Demon, some possibilities come to mind.

‘Anyway, he won’t answer even if I ask.’

The previous Jade Dragon is originally such an unpredictable person, so there’s nothing strange about it. The reason Nogun clicked his tongue was something else entirely.

“Are you going?”

The old woman Dang Woonyeong, sitting next to him, asked softly. Nogun looked at her with a troubled expression. She, Dang Woonyeong, is the reason why Nogun’s heart is heavy.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

Dang Woonyeong clearly understood the meaning of Nogun’s words. He meant that he couldn’t accompany Dang Woonyeong on a dangerous task where he didn’t even know what awaited them.

“I’m not alright, but I don’t want to interfere with what Soonrang is doing.”

Dang Woonyeong answered with a smile. She already knew that Nogun had made up his mind to go with Son Bin.

“At times like this, I’m so sad that I’m weak.”

Dang Woonyeong had learned the martial arts of the Dang family since she was young. She is definitely not weak enough to say that she is weak, but she is not comparable to the masters of the Outer History.

“Then I could be with you as much as those children.”

Beyond where she is looking, there were Sa Suyeon, and Dang Wora and Seo Rin.

While other people were shocked by ‘Heavenly Demon’ and ‘Naraka’ and were lost in their own thoughts, Sa Suyeon, Dang Wora, and Seo Rin were talking or savoring tea as if nothing was wrong.

That’s because they had already made their decision.

From the moment Son Bin said ‘I will go’ to Saja Hyuk, they had already made up their minds. Just like Nogun did.

“It’s good that young people are carefree.”

Nogun grumbled as he watched Seo Rin, who was emptying her fourth bowl of soup.

But the person who seems more carefree than that is none other than Son Bin.

Son Bin, who is sitting next to Saja Hyuk, has not stopped smiling from his face since a while ago, as if he is so happy about something.

Saja Hyuk, who occasionally answers Son Bin, also has a smile on his face behind his unique calm expression.

“Come back safely.”

Dang Woonyeong said, holding Nogun’s hand tightly.

“But you have to come back quickly. I’ve already waited for Soonrang until I became a grandmother.”

Dang Woonyeong’s words, which seemed to be sulking, are of course a joke.

But the joke made Nogun’s heart flutter.

Nogun couldn’t say anything and nodded, holding Dang Woonyeong’s hand tightly.

* * *

As a result, Blood Peak Geumsaryeon was able to get three days.

That’s not because the previous Jade Dragon was considerate of her, but because Saja Hyuk wanted to share more swordsmanship insights with Son Bin.

The previous Jade Dragon frowned at Saja Hyuk’s decision. But there was no particular objection or complaint.

Son Bin nodded willingly, and Blood Peak Geumsaryeon, who had gained time, was also relieved. However, the reactions of other Outer History masters were a bit mixed.

Nogun didn’t like having too many people around in the first place. Hwasa hated the fact that the previous Jade Dragon was there, and Talhondo, Orhan, Janggang Eoeong, and Reverend Cheonghye were wary of the previous Jade Dragon, but seemed to be subtly looking forward to the martial arts that Saja Hyuk and Son Bin would demonstrate.

In the end, the guests who came to the academy in the middle of the night stayed in the academy for three days.

If it weren’t for Dang Wora’s mansion and the detached house that had been renovated according to the insight of the old woman Dang Woonyeong, there would have been no place to stay.

And the next morning, Saja Hyuk’s decision to stay for three more days brought about an inevitable encounter.

“Woah.”

The youngest, Ao, looked up at Saja Hyuk and exclaimed. Because the height difference was so great, Ao had his head tilted all the way back.

Jau, who always stepped forward, and Jungo, who never backed down anywhere, also stared at Saja Hyuk with wide eyes and open mouths.

Soso, who was smart, also looked up at Saja Hyuk with a surprised expression, and Aeng Aeng, who was hiding behind Soso, was also surprised with her small mouth rounded.

“……Big.”

Ao’s exclamation was a word that perfectly captured the children’s impressions.

Their confrontation was like chicks encountering a giant, and the extreme contrast even looked somewhat comical.

It was the same for Saja Hyuk.

The situation where such small children were looking up at him with round eyes was quite a strange experience.

Basically, children were irrelevant to him, and they usually ran away or were frightened.

Even Saja Hyuk, the Emperor Mu of the world, was a little taken aback, and the corners of his eyes twitched slightly. Of course, the only people who could recognize that were Son Bin or Sa Suyeon.

“Really big…….”

Soso muttered blankly. Then the smart Hodu immediately retorted.

“No. Hyukryun grandfather is taller.”

Hodu’s point was correct. But Soso didn’t mean it that way.

“Still bigger! So, um…….”

Soso, who was trying to explain, couldn’t express it properly. Soso’s vocabulary was still insufficient to articulate the sense of intimidation felt from a person.

“Yes, anyway, bigger! Very, very big!”

Soso said, spreading her hands wide to the left and right. Meanwhile, the other children also chimed in.

“Yes. It’s really big.”

“Look at his arms. They look very strong.”

“But who is he? Is he a new teacher?”

“We already have many teachers.”

The children of the academy began to chatter among themselves at Saja Hyuk’s feet. Saja Hyuk, who had been looking down at the children, turned his head to Son Bin.

“What are these children? They don’t seem to be your and Yeonah’s children.”

Sa Suyeon’s face turned red at the words ‘your and Yeonah’s children’. On the other hand, Son Bin gave a wry smile.

“Heolheol [Korean onomatopoeia for laughter], how could that be? They’re academy children.”

Nogun answered instead. He said, pretending to be proud, as if he didn’t even remember that he had asked if they were Son Bin’s children before.

“They are the children that Bin is teaching. They are very cute.”

Saja Hyuk turned his head and looked down at the children. The children, who had been chattering among themselves, also raised their eyes again and looked at Saja Hyuk.

Even at the sight of the small children looking at him with sparkling round eyes, Saja Hyuk’s expression did not change.

*Seuk.*

Suddenly, Saja Hyuk turned his gaze as he felt someone touching his arm. Janga, who was always dozing off, was touching Saja Hyuk’s arm with her small hand.

“Aren’t you cold?”

Janga asked, looking up at Saja Hyuk with dazed eyes. Perhaps Saja Hyuk’s outfit, which exposed his arms, looked cold.

“……It’s okay.”

Saja Hyuk answered in his unique heavy voice. And that became a signal, and the children gathered around and began to touch Saja Hyuk.

“Wow, thick arms! And hard!”

“Do you do martial arts too?”

“Aren’t you a grandfather, not an uncle?”

The children crowded next to Saja Hyuk and started chattering.

Saja Hyuk also stretched out his big hand and lightly touched the children’s heads.

He seemed to be trying to pat them, but because Saja Hyuk’s hands were so big, it looked like he was covering their heads completely.

Son Bin, who was watching the scene, smiled and said.

“That’s a relief. I was wondering if the children would be surprised.”

Even to Son Bin himself, Saja Hyuk is very intimidating. Wasn’t the impression he first felt ‘I’m going to die in one hit’?

“The children are used to it now.”

Sa Suyeon answered. It was as she said. Talhondo also had a fierce impression, and Hyukryunwi, the former Paegeom [Blade Demon], was also large. And the children get along well with them too.

“And Young Master Son is here.”

Above all, the biggest reason is that academy teachers such as Nogun and Son Bin are together. Children are always brave next to adults they trust.

“Warm!”

Aeng Aeng said with a surprised expression. Saja Hyuk had taken Aeng Aeng’s small hand.

“Wow. It’s like being in a blanket.”

It was natural for Aeng Aeng to feel that way because his hands were so big. Even to Son Bin, an adult, Saja Hyuk is definitely big.

The children gathered under Saja Hyuk’s hand as if trying to confirm Aeng Aeng’s feeling.

Son Bin smiled without realizing it. Just looking at it warmed his heart.

“Father.”

Suddenly, Sa Suyeon’s voice was heard. Son Bin turned his head. And he noticed that Sa Suyeon’s eyes were already full of tears.

“He was always a blunt and reserved person. But once, when I was young and sick in bed, he held my hand.”

Tears welled up in Sa Suyeon’s beautiful eyes. But Sa Suyeon continued to speak quietly.

“I still remember it. At that time, my father’s hand that held my hand was so big and warm that I thought it was like being wrapped in a blanket.”

*Tteoreuk.*

Tears flowed down Sa Suyeon’s cheeks.

The warmth of the past, which had been forgotten for a long time but now newly recalled, was overflowing from her heart.

“I see.”

Son Bin could only say that.

He wanted to hold Sa Suyeon’s trembling shoulders tightly, but as Son Bin, who had not even succeeded in confessing, he just quietly clenched and unclenched his hands.

“Wow. Really warm! And it’s kind of cozy!”

Hodu, who was full of curiosity, shouted out her impressions with a surprised expression.

“Me too! Me too!”

The children were surrounding Saja Hyuk and excitedly talking.

Saja Hyuk is listening to the children’s words quite well while standing silently with his unique taciturn expression.

Son Bin smiled as he watched the scene. Although it is a cold winter, the small academy’s garden was full of warmth.

(Author’s words)

The subtitle ‘Giant’s Garden’ is inspired by Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Selfish Giant’.

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

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

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Status: Completed Author: , , Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] In a world where scholarly pursuits meet the thrill of martial prowess, 'A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside' unveils the extraordinary journey of Son Bin. Disheartened by academic setbacks, his life takes an unexpected turn when a renowned martial arts master recognizes his hidden potential. Entrusted with the monumental task of chronicling the master's life, Son Bin embarks on an adventure that transcends the boundaries of ink and parchment. As he traverses the land, he encounters remarkable individuals, each leaving an indelible mark on his soul. Little does he know that this odyssey will ignite within him a fire to walk the same legendary path as the Martial Arts King himself. Prepare to be captivated by a tale of self-discovery, where the written word intertwines with the art of combat, and a scribe's destiny is forever transformed.

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