A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 335

335. The Great Snow Mountain Range

Chief Hwang of the Cheonjang Merchant Group was efficient. He completed all the preparations within the three days that Tang Hwa-ryeon had specified.

Of course, the Tang Clan provided the necessary supplies, but Chief Hwang’s ability to meticulously oversee the preparation process and gather what was needed was also outstanding.

And on the morning of the third day, Son Bin and his party departed from the metropolis of Chengdu and gathered in a small village at the foot of the Great Snow Mountain Range.

Chief Hwang had prepared the luggage, and Chief Military Strategist Tang Hwa-ryeon had also arrived with twelve horses, Tang Clan servants, and ‘just in case’ supplies.

Looking at the horses Tang Hwa-ryeon had prepared, Chief Hwang smiled with satisfaction.

“As expected of the Tang Clan. To gather so many fine horses in just three days.”

Chief Hwang stroked the horses, unable to hide his pleased expression. But Tang Hwa-ryeon, the Tang Clan’s Chief Military Strategist, didn’t change her expression, as if it were only natural.

These horses, though small and docile-looking, possessed tremendous stamina and resilience.

Originally brought from Seojang [a region in western China, historically associated with Tibetan culture], they were strong in high-altitude areas and smart enough to find grass hidden beneath thick snow.

Such fine horses were invaluable assets that no merchant or trading group would ever give away. So it was only natural that Chief Hwang was impressed with the Tang Clan for acquiring twelve of them in just three days.

But what surprised Son Bin was not the horses, but Chief Hwang himself.

“Uh, Chief Hwang… is that you?”

At Son Bin’s words, Chief Hwang frowned.

“Then who else would it be?”

That was obvious. But Son Bin couldn’t believe that the handsome man standing before him was the same person who had been drowning in alcohol just a few days ago.

The shaggy beard was neatly trimmed, and the sturdy clothes were perfectly prepared for winter mountain climbing.

Above all, the gleam in his eyes was truly that of a capable young chief.

The long hair was still there, but tied back and with a hat pulled down, it looked rather stylish, and above all, he was handsome. He had the kind of face that anyone couldn’t help but like.

“No, it’s just that you look so different from last time…”

Chief Hwang gave a bitter smile.

“I used to be a promising talent in the Sichuan merchant world. I just went bankrupt in one fell swoop.”

Even that bitter expression had a certain charm. But Chief Hwang didn’t care that Son Bin was surprised.

“By the way.”

Chief Hwang frowned and looked back at Son Bin and his party.

“Didn’t I tell you to prepare well? What are you going to do dressed like that?”

Son Bin gave an awkward smile. It was only natural that Chief Hwang looked displeased.

Winter mountain climbing required thorough cold-weather preparation. Chief Hwang had emphasized that several times.

The clothes Chief Hwang was wearing had thick fur trim on the sleeves and ankles, and the hat completely covered his ears. The coat he was wearing was also long, reaching below his hips, almost to his knees.

It was an outfit that minimized the risk of injury while blocking external cold air and preventing warmth from escaping. The fur-lined shoes also came up to the shins.

On the other hand, Son Bin’s party was poorly dressed.

Son Bin was somewhat similar to Chief Hwang, but the others hadn’t changed much.

“Well, everyone said they were more comfortable in these clothes.”

Behind Son Bin, who was smiling awkwardly, No-gun was standing there wearing a thin leather coat as if it were stylish. Seo-rin was happily running around wearing a large fur hat, and Sa Su-yeon had only changed her shoes to fur-lined ones because she liked them, but even those were short, only covering her ankles.

They had all changed into martial arts uniforms with narrow sleeves and ankles for better mobility, but Chief Hwang didn’t see much difference.

“Aren’t you worried about freezing to death? It’s not like you don’t have clothes, so why…”

Chief Hwang couldn’t continue, as if he was dumbfounded.

Chief Military Strategist Tang Hwa-ryeon had obtained the best clothes for her younger sister Tang Wol-ah and the others. But everyone from No-gun on down shook their heads. They said it was uncomfortable to move around.

In the end, Son Bin’s party ended up wearing whatever they wanted. The result was what he was seeing now.

“Is that Myeon-sa [veil covering the face] girl really planning to cross the Great Snow Mountain Range like that? Seriously?”

The person Chief Hwang was talking about was Tang Wol-ah. While the others had at least changed into martial arts uniforms, Tang Wol-ah was still wearing her flowing clothes and Myeon-sa.

She had changed her shoes to short fur-lined ones like Sa Su-yeon, but they were hidden by her skirt, so it didn’t look like anything had changed on the outside.

“Wol-ah, are you going to be okay?”

Chief Military Strategist Tang Hwa-ryeon even asked Tang Wol-ah that. It wasn’t that she didn’t know that Tang Wol-ah was a master of the outer family [martial arts focused on physical strength and techniques], but her sister’s heart made her worry about her younger sister.

“I’m fine, Unni [older sister],”

Tang Wol-ah said in a whisper as she looked at Tang Hwa-ryeon. Watching that, Son Bin said to Chief Hwang.

“She says she’s fine. And everyone here can take care of themselves.”

But Son Bin’s answer didn’t give Chief Hwang much confidence.

“I can overlook the fact that there’s a girl with a leg injury, but this…”

As Chief Hwang scratched under his hat and muttered, Gwigyeonsura’s gaze immediately turned fierce.

Gwigyeonsura’s outfit wasn’t much different either. Other than the martial arts uniform, he was wearing fur-lined shoes. However, only Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon, who was sitting in front of him, had perfect cold-weather gear that could rival Chief Hwang’s.

It was so perfect that it felt like she was wrapped in a blanket.

“As I said, I’m responsible for Jukun [Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon’s nickname],”

Gwigyeonsura said in his unique, chilling voice. Chief Hwang wasn’t intimidated by his force.

“I know. And as I said, you must follow my judgment during the journey. The young lady promised that herself, so don’t forget it.”

The first day he met the group, Chief Hwang couldn’t hide his dumbfounded expression.

They were all supposed to be ‘masters of martial arts,’ but the only people who looked like masters were Saja-hyeok and Gwigyeonsura. The rest were a handsome old man with a white beard, a stunning beauty, a woman with her face covered by Myeon-sa, a carefree boy, and a charming nobleman who seemed to be good at picking up women.

When he found out that the frail Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon couldn’t walk, he was speechless. Gwigyeonsura immediately glared at him, but Chief Hwang didn’t back down.

In the end, he had to promise that Gwigyeonsura would take responsibility for Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon and that he would follow Chief Hwang’s judgment during the journey.

“Of course. Please take care of us, Chief Hwang.”

Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon nodded and said. When the frail Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon spoke with a smile, Chief Hwang couldn’t harden his expression any longer.

“Tsk. I can’t help it.”

Chief Hwang scratched his head and asked Son Bin.

“Where are the clothes that the Tang Clan prepared for you?”

“I brought them.”

Chief Military Strategist Tang Hwa-ryeon answered instead, and Chief Hwang flinched. When Tang Hwa-ryeon gestured lightly, the Tang Clan servants brought the luggage containing the clothes. Chief Hwang picked out the ones that ‘would definitely be needed in the future.’

Meanwhile, No-gun was walking around, stroking the small horses one by one with an interested look. Chief Hwang, who was packing his luggage, saw this and asked.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m boosting the horses’ energy. They have a long way to go.”

No-gun answered as if it were nothing. Chief Hwang thought that was probably it and moved on. He just looked like he was stroking the horses.

After packing the luggage, Chief Hwang put a fancy ornament on the lead horse’s head and hung several thick bells.

“Okay, everyone, get on.”

At Chief Hwang’s words, Gwigyeonsura carefully placed Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon on the horse and covered her thoroughly with fur. The saddle was specially made for her, so it was no different from sitting in a chair.

Son Bin also got on a small horse. Memories of riding a horse when he climbed Mount Okryongseol came back to him. He also remembered that the horse had saved Son Bin and Sa Su-yeon’s lives.

But the others didn’t ride the horses.

“I’ll walk.”

No-gun said nonchalantly. Then Seo-rin raised his hand.

“I’ll ride later.”

At Sa Su-yeon’s words, Tang Wol-ah nodded as if she felt the same way. Saja-hyeok and Jeondae Okryong didn’t even answer, and Gwigyeonsura stood next to Hyeolbong’s horse as if it were natural.

“Well, do as you please. You’ll all change your minds after walking for an hour anyway.”

Chief Hwang chuckled and shrugged.

In the past, there had been those who called themselves masters of the Murim [martial arts world] accompanying him on his journeys. They boasted as if they were great, but on journeys where they had to walk endlessly, they were no different. Rather, they only complained about the food and lodging, which was annoying.

“Have a good trip, Wol-ah.”

Tang Hwa-ryeon, the Tang Clan’s Chief Military Strategist, said to Tang Wol-ah. That warm send-off, full of concern, made Son Bin smile. But Tang Hwa-ryeon soon glared at Son Bin with a sharp gaze.

“You too.”

That short word sounded like a threat. A threat that she wouldn’t let him get away with it if he didn’t have a good trip.

“Ah, yes. Please take care of yourself too, Miss Hwa-ryeon.”

“Don’t worry. Of course, I’ll be fine.”

Son Bin couldn’t help but laugh at Tang Hwa-ryeon’s haughty greeting. She looked like a little girl who didn’t want to lose.

But Son Bin tried to hide his laughter by clearing his throat, knowing that he would be scolded immediately if he laughed openly.

“P-Please tell Miss Gyeong-hui… that I’ll be back.”

“I already did. Are you that worried?”

Tang Hwa-ryeon frowned immediately. She knew that the maid Hang-ah had come to Son Bin last night to convey Princess Gyeong-hui’s greetings.

Even if the greeting was just the word ‘see you again (再見) [Mandarin Chinese for goodbye],’ it was too formal in some ways, but Son Bin gratefully accepted it. He could only guess that it was court etiquette that she had sent Hang-ah instead of coming in person when she was so close.

“It’s not that I’m worried…”

“Let’s go.”

Saja-hyeok’s heavy voice cut off Son Bin’s words. Without anyone telling them to, the people naturally followed Saja-hyeok’s lead.

Chief Hwang stroked the rosary hanging on his chest once, then grabbed the lead horse’s reins and began to walk.

Clang, clang.

As the horses began to move, Son Bin bowed to Tang Hwa-ryeon, and his younger sister Tang Wol-ah quietly raised her hand.

Tang Hwa-ryeon raised her hand slightly to see off her beloved younger sister.

Tang Hwa-ryeon stood there for a long time, watching the procession slowly moving away with the sound of bells.

* * *

Chief Hwang’s prediction that ‘they would change their minds after walking for an hour’ was wrong.

Not only Saja-hyeok, who looked like a master at first glance, but also the others showed no signs of fatigue even after half a day.

The steps of Sa Su-yeon, the stunningly beautiful woman, and Tang Wol-ah, who wore flowing clothes and covered her face with Myeon-sa, didn’t slow down at all.

They walked lightly as if they had just started taking a walk, and their appearance was quite leisurely. It was amazing considering they had been walking on rough mountain roads all day.

‘This is… Magwadu’s [leader of a caravan] face is not holding up?’

Chief Hwang clicked his tongue inwardly.

It was natural for Magwadu, the leader of the procession, to assess the condition of the procession and adjust the speed. But from Chief Hwang’s point of view, the slowest person here was himself.

‘That old man and boy don’t seem ordinary either…’

No-gun, the old man with a handsome white beard, was stroking the horses and walking casually. Seo-rin, the boy who was always excited, ran back and forth, looking at something amazing, but even after half a day, he didn’t seem tired at all, but rather seemed to have more energy.

Even after seeing the steps of Jeondae Okryong, the gigolo-like nobleman, who seemed to be half-floating, he couldn’t help but admit that they were really masters.

Although Jeondae Okryong’s fancy clothes and Saja-hyeok’s martial arts uniform, which revealed his arms, which didn’t match the Great Snow Mountain at all, made him feel cold just looking at them.

‘If they’re still okay after walking for a few more days, I’ll have to reduce the luggage.’

In fact, Chief Hwang didn’t believe Son Bin’s words that they were ‘extremely skilled’ as they were. But at this rate, the burden would definitely be lighter.

Clang, clang.

Listening to the sound of the bells on the lead horse, Chief Hwang habitually checked the condition of the horses.

When the horses got tired, their pace would slow down. At that time, he would usually give them a little food to urge them on.

But today, there was no need to do that at all. The horses were full of energy as if they had just started.

‘Come to think of it…’

Chief Hwang turned his head and looked at No-gun. He was stroking the horse with one hand and walking casually.

“What are you looking at?”

No-gun asked abruptly. Chief Hwang didn’t avoid his gaze.

“What did you do earlier, old man?”

At Chief Hwang’s question, No-gun chuckled.

“As I said, I just boosted their energy. They’re the ones who work the hardest. They can’t even talk, but they serve people so loyally, how can I not find them cute?”

No-gun reached out and gently stroked the horse. The small horse made a purring sound at his touch.

“I’m cute too.”

Seo-rin appeared next to him before he knew it. No-gun smiled.

“Yes, you’re cute too.”

“No, I mean the horse is cute too.”

No-gun’s brow furrowed slightly. But Seo-rin quickly discovered another amazing sight and jumped away.

“Wow, look at this!”

Seo-rin shouted. There were snowflakes all over the big tree. The snowflakes covering the bare branches shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

“Pretty.”

Sa Su-yeon exclaimed. She and Tang Wol-ah had already approached Seo-rin and were looking at the trees full of snowflakes in amazement.

Their movements were so light and fast that it was hard to believe that they had been walking on rough mountain roads all day.

Watching them, Chief Hwang sighed softly and said to Son Bin.

“If we go a little further, there’s a small village. Let’s rest there today.”

Son Bin tilted his head.

“Isn’t it too early for the sun to set?”

Even if the night came quickly in the mountains, the sun was still high. It was only natural that Son Bin was puzzled. Chief Hwang shrugged.

“We arrived earlier than expected. And I need to reduce the luggage a bit and reorganize the journey as a whole. We might be able to cross the Great Snow Mountain Range more easily than I thought.”

Although the schedule had been disrupted, Chief Hwang wasn’t in a bad mood. The journey, which he thought would be full of problems, would be much easier, so it was only natural.

“And this village is the last place to eat real food besides Suyucha [tea with yak butter and salt] and salted meat.”

Suyucha was a drink commonly drunk by nomadic people in the north and in Seojang. It was made by adding fat and salt made from goat’s milk to boiling tea, and it was essential in the frigid highlands.

This Suyucha, salted meat, and cakes made by roughly mixing grain flour were all that was eaten on the journey.

‘I brought some dried fruit and sweet snacks too, but I should save them for later.’

Chief Hwang had expected that the group would not be satisfied with the food on the journey. Difficult roads tend to reveal people’s true nature, and the more people believe they are special, like the so-called ‘masters,’ the more they will want special treatment.

These dried fruits and sweet snacks, hidden deep in the luggage, would be very useful when their complaints could no longer be suppressed during the journey.

Clang, clang.

Hwang, holding the lead horse’s reins, quickened his pace toward the small village at the foot of the Great Snow Mountain with a much more relaxed mind.

He had no idea that his hidden ‘secret weapons’ had already been discovered by Seo-rin and Tang Wol-ah when they first set out.

“Ah, by the way.”

Chief Hwang suddenly asked.

“Didn’t you say there were ten people in the group?”

Chief Hwang clearly remembered Son Bin saying there were ten people at first. But now there were only nine people in the group besides Chief Hwang.

“Ah, well…”

Son Bin said with an expression that was difficult to explain. Chief Hwang frowned.

“Are you planning to join us in the middle? But there’s nothing after this village. If we have to wait, I’d rather…”

“We’ll see him around dinner time. Probably.”

Chief Hwang frowned at Son Bin’s still unreliable words. Hoping that the remaining member of the group wouldn’t be a big problem, Chief Hwang hurried on his way.

That evening, Chief Hwang, who discovered Geomhui who had appeared without a sound, screamed without realizing it. But no one blamed him.

Anyone would have been surprised by Geomhui’s appearance, who used to be called Bangeom Gwihee [Ghost Sword Demoness], with her hair down and wearing white clothes. Especially in front of this cold and dark bonfire in the snowy mountains.

(Author’s words)

Geomhui, who is not popular in winter.