A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 345

345. Delegation

The process of entering Princess Potala’s residence was as difficult as expected. The senior monks of the temple scrutinized Son Bin with sharp eyes, reluctantly nodding with ill-concealed displeasure.

One might wonder why they were acting this way, given the princess’s invitation, but it also underscored their deep respect for Princess Potala.

While Son Bin had experienced such an invitation before, it was likely a first for these high-ranking monks.

‘A princess…’

Inevitably, the matter of Princess Gyeonghui came to mind.

Despite her noble status, she was meant to exist as a mere ornament within the palace, a fate she vehemently resisted.

Of course, her chosen method was misguided and unacceptable.

Eventually, the formalities concluded, and Son Bin entered the princess’s residence. As before, a young monk emerged, leading Son Bin to a spacious room, his curiosity about the ‘foreigner’ barely concealed.

‘Hehe.’

Son Bin smiled, pressing his palms together in greeting. The young monk returned the smile, his innocent charm lifting Son Bin’s spirits.

After the young monk departed, Son Bin settled onto a thick cushion, awaiting Princess Potala.

‘I miss the kids.’

Perhaps the young monk’s smile had triggered the thought, but he suddenly longed for the children of the Seowon [a type of private academy in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty].

Alone in the large room, surrounded by the vibrant and intricate decorations of Tibetan Buddhism, Son Bin soothed his yearning heart.

Time passed slowly. Just as boredom began to set in, the door creaked open.

Clack.

As expected, Princess Potala entered. Behind her, adorned with her signature necklace and headdress, was the young monk, carrying a teapot and teacups.

Son Bin rose and bowed respectfully. However, Princess Potala simply sat down without acknowledging him. After a moment’s hesitation, Son Bin followed suit.

The young monk placed the tea set beside the princess and departed with a dignified bow. Son Bin watched with a smile.

Once the young monk had left, only Son Bin and Princess Potala remained in the room.

‘Where is the translator?’

Son Bin waited, but no one else appeared. Growing concerned, as he knew no Tibetan, Princess Potala suddenly addressed him.

“Thank you for accepting the invitation.”

Her accent was noticeable, but it was undeniably the language of the Central Plains [historical term for China].

“Ah, I see you speak our language.”

He was surprised, but on reflection, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. The princess had been understanding their conversations all along.

“There was no intention to deceive. However, openly speaking the language of another land is a delicate matter for someone in my position. I apologize.”

“Ah, no. It’s quite alright.”

Son Bin waved his hand, mindful of Princess Potala’s symbolic role. There were likely many restrictions he wasn’t aware of.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Princess Potala offered a gentle smile. She looked even more beautiful in simpler attire, Son Bin thought. Or perhaps the local garments simply suited her better than his own.

Clack.

Princess Potala poured tea directly into a cup. Steam rose from the warm liquid.

“Drink.”

Son Bin gratefully accepted the teacup. He needed the refreshment.

‘Oh, is this also significant?’

Receiving her apology and being served tea by her own hand might be a gesture of great importance. He pondered briefly, regretting Hwang Bangju’s absence to confirm.

The two quietly savored the tea’s warmth and aroma. After a moment, Princess Potala spoke.

“When Great Lord Sa first entrusted everything to Young Master Son…”

Son Bin looked up. The princess held the teacup tightly. The accurate use of titles for Saja Hyuk and Son Bin indicated she had indeed been listening to their conversations.

“I was very perplexed. I couldn’t discern Great Lord Sa’s true intentions. I even suspected he had ulterior motives.”

Son Bin understood her confusion. Depending on one’s perspective, it could be interpreted as Saja Hyuk expressing ‘rejection’ in a subtle, even insulting, manner.

“However, witnessing the exceptional martial prowess of the two female warriors, Sasu Yeon and Dang Wora, I reconsidered Young Master Son.”

“Ah, well, what Miss Wora said at that time…”

Son Bin, feeling awkward, began to explain, but the princess continued, cutting him off.

“Young Master Son.”

The princess spoke with curiosity.

“Are you a strategist (策士)?”

“Yes? A strategist?”

A strategist is someone who devises plans, a military advisor (軍師).

Son Bin’s surprise wasn’t due to unfamiliarity with the term, though the princess’s pronunciation was slightly off.

“I observed them. The gazes of the two female warriors towards you were filled with unwavering trust. That’s…”

What the princess saw in Sasu Yeon and Dang Wora’s eyes was respect and affection (敬愛), a deep trust and devotion that seemed unbreakable.

It wasn’t just those two. No Gun and Seo Rin displayed the same. And that look was familiar to Princess Potala. It mirrored how people regarded her.

“That’s not easily earned.”

Saja Hyuk’s declaration echoed in her mind.

His words, ‘My friend will do it,’ held no mockery or insult. Saja Hyuk spoke with genuine conviction.

And the princess was certain.

“I realized then that Young Master Son is someone even those great martial artists cannot help but acknowledge.”

Many scholars possess greater intellect than martial artists. But gaining the respect of martial artists is no simple feat, especially those of extraordinary skill.

Therefore, the fact that Son Bin commanded the unwavering trust of such individuals, even in the face of danger, suggested he possessed exceptional integrity or strategic acumen.

“That is why I asked. I wondered if you were a great strategist capable of influencing the world.”

“I am not such a great person.”

Son Bin replied with a wry smile. A strategist who moves the world? It was absurd.

Princess Potala didn’t fully believe him. But now wasn’t the time to debate the point.

Regardless, Son Bin had earned the complete trust and loyalty of remarkable individuals, enough for them to declare, ‘I am his,’ without hesitation.

“Today, I…”

Princess Potala’s expression grew even more serious, her large eyes shining brightly.

“I would like to formally request that Young Master Son command the Potala Monk Army.”

Son Bin paused, neither accepting nor rejecting the offer. He had no intention of simply saying ‘Trust me,’ like No Gun.

“…There are conditions.”

Son Bin said softly. As if anticipating this, Princess Potala’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Tell me.”

“Our party has its own objectives. It may seem irresponsible, but we must be free to leave whenever necessary.”

This was due to Saja Hyuk, not Son Bin himself. He might decide to leave at any moment, and they would have to follow, regardless of the situation.

Princess Potala sighed. It was a significant condition. But she had little choice. Besides, hadn’t the ‘Living Buddha’ already foreseen this?

“I understand.”

“And one more thing.”

Son Bin continued.

“I require the full support and trust of the Potala Palace. This, of course, is contingent upon our recognition as the incarnations of the Eight Gods of the Sky and Dragon.”

The princess smiled gently.

“You needn’t worry about that. The moment the owner of Bodhicitta [enlightened mind] declares you as the incarnations of the Eight Gods of the Sky and Dragon, the Potala Monk Army will gladly obey any order, even at the cost of their lives.”

‘Is it really that simple?’ Son Bin wondered.

This was still a place where people lived, with diverse motivations. Not everyone in the Potala Palace would share the princess’s vision.

Some might prioritize their own interests during a crisis, and others might betray them once the danger had passed.

Moreover, his party were outsiders. Foreigners wielding military power could easily create enemies where none existed.

The Potala Monk Army, which she held in such high regard, was also susceptible to internal divisions. Could the four major sects, known for their rivalries, truly be united within the army?

“I understand. Then…”

Despite these reservations, Son Bin answered.

“I will gladly follow the princess’s will.”

The princess’s eyes flickered at his response. Holding the teacup tightly, she quietly asked.

“Is that all?”

“Yes?”

Son Bin was puzzled by her reaction, which lacked the expected joy. He worried he had said something wrong.

“Is that all?”

In truth, Son Bin’s request could be seen as impudent. It implied he could abandon his post at any time and that he lacked complete faith in the Potala Palace’s cooperation.

But it differed greatly from the ‘conditions’ Princess Potala had anticipated. Sensing her thoughts, Son Bin smiled.

“If this land falls to demons, I will be in trouble as well. It’s only a matter of time before they cross the Daesul Mountain Range. The trade route will also open in the summer.”

It would be detrimental to Son Bin if this region became overrun by demons and chaos. Furthermore, the ‘Demon Cult’ might be involved. He couldn’t simply ignore that possibility.

In essence, Princess Potala’s proposal aligned with Son Bin’s own interests.

But it was also driven by his ‘goodwill.’ As he had told Saja Hyuk, Son Bin was willing to help this land, without expecting reward or compensation.

“I promise you one thing.”

Princess Potala said, her star-like eyes fixed on Son Bin.

“As the princess of Potala, I am dedicated to serving the suffering people of this land. But if Young Master Son saves this land…”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“In the next life, I will dedicate my life to Young Master Son.”

Her sincerity was palpable. But Son Bin was at a loss for words.

‘The next life.’

For Son Bin, who didn’t believe in reincarnation, it was a meaningless statement. It would be more beneficial to have her support now.

However, he understood her sincerity. For those who believed in reincarnation, there was no greater vow of gratitude.

Moreover, wasn’t she the reincarnation of Princess Munseong? Any man would be moved by such a promise, even with the condition that it applied only to the ‘next life.’

Of course, Son Bin was an exception.

“Thank you.”

Smiling calmly, Son Bin replied.

“But there is no need for the princess to do that.”

By the time the princess was reincarnated, Son Bin would be long gone, or perhaps an old man like No Gun.

Even if a young Princess Munseong appeared to repay her debt, he would only chuckle.

‘Well, it would be cute.’

Imagining the princess as a child, like the young monk, Son Bin smiled gently.

“I don’t want to burden the princess with the next life. It’s better to minimize sacrifices made for goodwill, even if it involves the reincarnation of Princess Munseong.”

Son Bin raised his teacup, missing Princess Potala’s startled expression.

‘What?’

The princess couldn’t hide her surprise.

She was the reincarnation of Princess Munseong, the princess of Potala, revered as the lotus of the sea and a beacon of hope for the suffering. She had always received immense respect and affection.

Even virtuous monks were touched by her gestures, and many openly expressed their admiration. Especially if the other party was a foreigner.

She could confidently say that no one had ever rejected her kindness so firmly, except for the ‘Living Buddha,’ the monk she revered who had renounced all worldly possessions and lived in the valley of Lhasa until his death.

Until now.

Slurp.

Ignoring the princess’s inner turmoil, Son Bin drank his tea.

‘Hmm, good.’

He thought the last sentence was quite clever. The phrase ‘people sacrificed for goodwill,’ borrowed from Miss Geum Saryeon, was particularly apt.

More than anyone, the princess was sacrificing her life for that ideal, at least from Son Bin’s perspective.

“Here.”

Princess Potala said, her voice small but firm.

“It is strictly forbidden to make noise when drinking tea.”

“Ah, is that so? I apologize.”

Son Bin apologized. The princess picked up her teacup and drank silently, as if to demonstrate.

Son Bin shrugged. He suspected the princess’s tone was slightly sulky.

‘But when are they going to serve food? It’s impolite to drink tea on an empty stomach.’

Feeling his hunger grow, Son Bin waited for a meal that never arrived. The private meeting with Princess Potala had concluded.

He later learned from Hwang Bangju that sharing tea was a significant event, but Son Bin returned empty-handed.

Waiting for his party in the empty room, Son Bin barely satisfied his hunger with the food they brought back late that night.

Seo Rin offered him her share, but her tearful expression prevented him from accepting it.

(Author’s words)

In Tibet, tea is a valuable source of protein, or rather, vitamins.