A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 343

343. The Path of Pilgrimage

Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa’s desolate expression reminded Dang Un-yeong of her own past self, mirroring the empty and heartbreaking face she used to see in the mirror each morning.

Elder Madam Dang Un-yeong looked at Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa with warm eyes and said in a gentle voice.

“There’s still no news. Besides, merchant guilds and caravans rarely venture out in winter, so we’ll have to wait a while to hear anything.”

She knew that Son Bin’s group had set off to cross the Daesul Mountain Range. Dang Hwa-ryeon, the chief military strategist of the Dang Clan, had sent detailed news to the Seowon [a private Confucian academy]. However, there was still no way to know what had happened since then.

“Are the roads completely blocked in winter? So much so that you can’t even send news?”

Hwa-sa asked while boiling water. Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa paused, then said.

“Not entirely. There are several routes on the Silk Road heading to the Western Regions. There are the Northern and Southern routes along the Tianshan Mountains north of the Great Desert [Taklamakan Desert], and a route that passes along the Kunlun Mountains south of the Great Desert.”

Dang Un-yeong was quite surprised by Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa’s explanation. It wasn’t knowledge that a martial arts daughter from Gwangju, even if she was now an adopted daughter of the Hyeok Ryeon Family, would typically possess.

“I just… I was a little interested, so I looked it up.”

Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa said defensively. It was inevitable that she would be interested; her thoughts were constantly with the person who had left.

However, Hwa-sa pressed on without noticing her discomfort.

“So? Can we send news that way?”

“Yes. They say if you follow the Silk Road passing through the Kunlun Mountains and cross the mountain range to the south, you can enter Seojang [Tibet] directly. This road is only reliably open in winter.”

“Then we can send news that way.”

Hwa-sa said with a delighted expression, but Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa shook her head regretfully.

“It’s too far. You have to go all the way to the northern end from here, then go west for a long time, and then cross the mountain range to the south. They say it’s faster to wait for summer and go via the Tea Horse Road [an ancient trade route through southwest China].”

“Really? That’s really far.”

It was understandable that Hwa-sa would say that. It was easy to mention the Tea Horse Road or the Silk Road, but in reality, they were incredibly distant.

Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa, Hwa-sa, and even Elder Madam Dang Un-yeong couldn’t hide their desolate expressions, feeling as if the missing group had become even more distant.

“…I miss them. All of them.”

Hwa-sa said in a small, almost inaudible voice. A moment of silence passed, and Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa said in a deliberately bright voice.

“They’ll be fine. Elder No-gun and Young Master Son are always so relaxed. And with the great Muje with them, they’re probably leisurely sightseeing in Seojang by now, right?”

“That’s true.”

Hwa-sa smiled, and Dang Un-yeong also smiled.

No-gun, Seo-rin, Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, and even Sa Ja-hyeok and the former Okryong were all in the group. Besides, Son Bin was someone who had broken through the Byeoncheon Realm [a high level of martial arts mastery] on his own. There was no way anything could seriously threaten them.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Master Talhon around lately?”

Hwa-sa answered Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa’s question.

“He went to the Oesa [Outer Saga, a group of martial arts experts] meeting for a bit. It’s a complete mess these days anyway. It’s no wonder, since Muje and Okryong have returned.”

The return of Muje and the former Okryong was a shock that could truly shake the Oesa. It wouldn’t be strange if an unprecedented meeting was held.

‘Oesa…’

Elder Madam Dang Un-yeong was lost in thought for a moment.

Knowing the ways of the Jianghu [the martial arts world] well, she couldn’t help but worry about the importance and repercussions of this meeting.

What would the masters of the Oesa think about the return of Muje and the former Okryong?

How would they react to the news that ‘Cheonma had opened the Gate of Naraka [Naraka is the Buddhist hell],’ and that Muje, the former Okryong, Son Bin, and No-gun had all left for the distant land of the Jang people in the west?

Depending on the outcome of this Oesa meeting, a great wave might sweep through the Jianghu. Of course, it would likely disappear as soon as the next news of Son Bin’s group arrived.

“I haven’t seen Janggang Eeong either?”

Dang Un-yeong snapped out of her thoughts at Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa’s voice. Hwa-sa shrugged and replied.

“Old Man Eeong isn’t interested in that kind of thing. All that old man cares about is crucian carp and the orthodox sects.”

As if forgetting that she was the one who ate the crucian carp dish the most deliciously, Hwa-sa said that and used her finger to pick up a teacup and plunge it into the boiling water.

“It won’t change color or anything if I boil it, right?”

“It’s not clothes, so it should be fine. But shouldn’t Young Lady Hwa-sa go too? It’s an Oesa meeting, after all.”

Hwa-sa shrugged at Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa’s words.

“It’s okay. There’s no one I particularly want to see, and he’ll come here when he’s done anyway. And I like it here. I like the kids, and I like the teacher. I really like everyone.”

Hwa-sa stirred the teacup in the boiling water with chopsticks and spoke in a bright voice. Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa and Elder Madam Dang Un-yeong felt their spirits lift at her cheerful voice.

“The children said they’ll be back tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. They said they’d be back in the morning.”

Dang Wol-ah’s five children had left a few days ago for special training with the Dang Clan’s former Silver Sword Unit, now in charge of supporting the Wol-in Unit. The children’s skills had improved so much that they were more likely to hinder than help in current situations.

In the end, this special training was not so much for the children but for the Dang Clan warriors, giving them a chance to hone their skills.

“It seems Shin-ui won’t be out for a while either, and Old Man Eeong will probably be night fishing again tonight.”

Shin-ui was holed up in his room, writing medical books. He shouldn’t be disturbed until he comes out on his own.

Eeong also returns only at dawn. His theory is that the true taste of fishing is night fishing.

“That’s right. Then it’s just us girls for the first time in a while. How about we go out to Gwangju for something fancy for dinner tonight? I’ll pay.”

Elder Madam Dang Un-yeong said with a smile. She was also feeling lonely, missing No-gun.

“Really? Wow! I don’t have to do the dishes today.”

Hwa-sa immediately perked up, still holding her chopsticks. Hyeok Ryeon Se-hwa also smiled and thanked Dang Un-yeong.

The three women laughed with bright expressions for the first time in a long time.

And that evening, Shin-ui, who had finished writing his manuscript and came out of his room, realized that no one was in the Seowon.

Janggang Eeong, who had reeled in his fishing rod early that day, was also the same. In the end, the two had to grill the fish that Eeong had caught for dinner. There wasn’t even any leftover rice in the kitchen.

* * *

The road to Lhasa, the metropolis where the Potala Palace was located, was more diverse and varied than expected.

There were endless snowfields, highland areas with blowing dust, and even unique regions where the soil and stones were all red.

They crossed wide rivers, though the water level was low and the depth shallow due to winter, and passed steep mountains and hills. They even encountered a large lake beneath the snow-capped mountains.

Truly spectacular scenery unfolded on the way to Lhasa. And everywhere, the group could easily encounter pilgrims walking while performing the five-body prostration [a practice in which the pilgrim bows fully with their entire body touching the ground].

“Is that really okay?”

No-gun frowned and asked. Hwang Bang-ju watched the pilgrims repeatedly bowing towards the red carriage and replied.

“It’s okay, but it might not be. It’s not uncommon for people to die during the pilgrimage.”

The pilgrims’ appearance was extremely shabby. They walked to Lhasa, performing the five-body prostration with each step. Son Bin saw that it was a unique form of bowing, completely prostrating themselves on the ground.

Therefore, the parts that frequently touched the ground, such as the knees, stomach, and chest, were covered in leather patches. Nevertheless, they would wear out in a matter of days, and as the pilgrimage lengthened, the weight of the clothes, thickened by these patches, would become quite heavy.

The foreheads that touched the ground were also repeatedly injured and healed, leaving dark red calluses like dots. The thick wooden boards they wore instead of gloves on their hands had already been replaced with dozens of new ones.

“Why do they do such asceticism? Are they trying to become high-ranking monks?”

No-gun looked puzzled. These pilgrimages could take years, so their asceticism was truly remarkable.

“It varies from person to person, but most are trying to accumulate good karma.”

“What do they get from accumulating that good karma?”

Hwang Bang-ju shrugged.

“They’re trying to shed their bad karma and become better people in the next life. They usually pray for all living things or wish for a peaceful world without suffering people as they make their pilgrimage.”

“What?”

No-gun said, dumbfounded.

“So, they’re doing this asceticism for world peace? Not to receive blessings or anything like that?”

Hwang Bang-ju nodded.

“Yes. Sometimes I’m even ashamed of myself. Of course, not everyone is like that, though.”

The princess’s warriors were distributing food and clothing to the pilgrims, who gratefully accepted it.

Son Bin looked at the pilgrims in their shabby attire with renewed amazement. If Hwang Bang-ju was right, they were practically saints.

“I don’t understand.”

No-gun also looked at the pilgrims and said with a sigh.

“To have such high aspirations and volunteer for asceticism in such harsh lives, I don’t know whether to call it the greatness or the harm of religion.”

Son Bin’s thoughts were not much different from No-gun’s. In poverty and suffering, they pondered the essence of humanity and volunteered for asceticism for a greater cause.

But does their asceticism actually change lives?

They would say yes. They would say that it enriches the mind, frees them from a life of suffering, and allows them to realize a higher realm beyond what is visible.

However, Son Bin, who had learned academics, could not agree. If they were just satisfied with that, how was it different from self-consolation? Moreover, would those who take asceticism for granted actively accept efforts to improve their lives?

“Let’s go.”

Hwang Bang-ju said, urging them on. The pilgrims paid their respects to the princess’s carriage several times before continuing their pilgrimage.

Even in the face of the still unfinished asceticism, the expressions of the shabby pilgrims were bright. They were doing the most meaningful thing in their lives right now.

* * *

The threat of monsters continued on the way to Lhasa. It was clear to anyone that these monsters, which even emptied villages, were a fatal threat to the pilgrims.

Of course, Son Bin’s group and the princess were not going around looking for monsters to exterminate. However, the monsters’ aggressiveness and belligerence did not even allow them the option of avoiding a fight.

Krrr.

Dozens of monsters with gleaming red eyes were burning with hostility towards the group. They were slowly closing in on the princess and the warriors, and the carriage carrying Son Bin’s group from all directions.

“Tsk.”

No-gun, sitting in the driver’s seat, frowned and clicked his tongue.

“Why do there seem to be more of them than before? And wasn’t this a Gwan-do [a major road maintained by the government]?”

As he said, there were more monsters than when they first saw them. Moreover, the important thing was that this road was a kind of Gwan-do, that is, a major transportation route that the state should directly manage.

“It’s a bit different from Gwan-do. It’s hard to say that this place is a politically unified single country right now. Why else would we call it the land of the Jang people? There’s no properly recognized king.”

Hwang Bang-ju replied, wary of the monsters.

For hundreds of years since the division and destruction of the ancient kingdom, a proper monarchy had not been established in this land of the Jang people.

Strictly speaking, tribal states were scattered throughout the region, and the Potala Palace was preventing at least a state of civil war with its religious influence.

“There are Potala monks, but it’s probably too much to expect them to reach here.”

Moreover, no matter how much influence the Potala Palace had, it did not have the military power to protect and establish security throughout this vast land. Naturally, it could not protect all of the major transportation routes.

“What, so there’s no royal family at all? What a state of affairs… Ahem.”

No-gun cleared his throat, cutting off his words. The princess of Potala might hear him.

“Still, isn’t it good that it’s not a state of civil war? If it were us, there would probably be a bloody war going on.”

Son Bin had no choice but to agree with Hwang Bang-ju’s words. The history they had passed through was telling them so.

Krrr.

Meanwhile, the monsters surrounding the carriage were openly revealing their hostility. The number had increased as other monsters from the surrounding area had gathered, and the expressions of the warriors protecting the princess’s carriage were also full of tension.

“Is, is Sir Sa not coming out at all?”

Hwang Bang-ju glanced at the carriage Sa Ja-hyeok was riding in and asked. He seemed to be hoping that Sa Ja-hyeok would defeat the monsters as he had done before.

The princess’s warriors also looked at the carriage Sa Ja-hyeok was riding in, with the same feeling.

However, Sa Ja-hyeok did not move at all. The former Okryong, who was in the same carriage, was also the same. Only Gwigyeon Sura, who was driving the carriage, was guarding Hyeolbong, vigilantly watching the surroundings with sharp eyes.

“It’s strange that he came forward last time.”

No-gun said, as if throwing the words out.

Although the monsters were dangerous, No-gun or Seo-rin alone were enough to handle them. So it could be said that it was rather unusual for Sa Ja-hyeok to come forward last time.

‘He’s originally a taciturn person, but.’

Son Bin thought, looking at Sa Ja-hyeok, who was sitting in the carriage with his arms crossed and his eyes half-closed. Even when they were alone in the past, he was not a very talkative person.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t been able to talk to him lately.’

Since entering the Daesul Mountain Range and passing through the land of the Jang people, Son Bin had hardly spoken to Sa Ja-hyeok. He had even talked more during the three days they were at the Seowon, sparring with each other.

‘Well, that’s just like him.’

Still, he was really happy when he said, ‘My friend.’ Of course, that emotion didn’t last long and quickly disappeared.

Son Bin was thinking about talking to him after defeating the monsters this time, when it happened.

Rustle.

Someone got out of the carriage Son Bin was riding in. It was Dang Wol-ah, who was still wearing her ethereal clothes and covering her face with a veil.

“Young Lady Wol-ah.”

Son Bin said with a surprised expression. However, Dang Wol-ah replied in a small voice.

“…I want to try.”

It was a small and delicate voice, but it was a clear expression of her will. Son Bin looked at No-gun, but No-gun shrugged as if to say, ‘What’s wrong with that?’

“Don’t overdo it. Especially, you must never get hurt.”

Dang Wol-ah smiled faintly at Son Bin’s words. Or, it seemed like she smiled.

Step, step.

Dang Wol-ah took a step forward towards the monsters with gleaming red eyes. The wind blowing through the highlands gently fluttered her clothes.

Sreung.

Her sword, Sowol, revealed its form. It was as if she was shy and cautious, but that was only for a moment. An enormous force began to emanate from Dang Wol-ah.

(Author’s words)

Dang Wol-ah: I want to try. It’s been too long since I’ve appeared.

Sa Su-yeon: Ah, me too.

Hyeolbong: M, me too…….

Gwigyeon Sura: (No words. Seems to have given up.)