A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 429

429. Friend or Foe

Hyeokryun Sehwa was very surprised to learn that she had been unconscious for two days. She had been asleep for over a day due to accumulated fatigue and the effects of strong alcohol. Only then did she understand the hunger she felt upon waking up.

“Ahem.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa cleared her throat self-consciously. A slight blush crept onto her face, but she forced a bright smile.

“It’s okay, Young Master Son. It wasn’t intentional; it was an accident. Actually, it’s not *okay* okay… but still.”

Her face flushed again as she thought about how disheveled she must have looked to Sonbin. She tried to comfort herself with the fact that she was only in her sleeping gown, but as a young woman in her prime, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. As Hyeokryun Sehwa’s voice trailed off, everyone’s sharp gaze returned to Sonbin. He remained silent, quiet as a mouse.

“…Still, I’m really glad you all came back.”

Sasu-yeon smiled at Hyeokryun Sehwa’s words.

“Yes. You’ve worked so hard, Miss Sehwa.”

“It was nothing. I did it because I wanted to. Rather, I wasn’t much help…”

“That’s not true.”

Sonbin said with a sincere look in his eyes.

“Sehwa did her best for the Seowon [a type of private academy in Korea] and the children. That’s truly precious and something to be grateful for.”

At those words, Hyeokryun Sehwa’s eyes welled up. No matter how insignificant her efforts might seem, having her hard work acknowledged was always a heartwarming experience, especially when it came from someone who held a special place in her heart.

“…Thank you.”

Sonbin smiled gently. That smile alone made Hyeokryun Sehwa feel as if she had been compensated for all her hard work. Feeling tears threatening to spill, she quickly changed the subject.

“But what brings you two here?”

By ‘you two,’ she meant Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon and Guigyeonsura. There must have been a specific reason for their company. However, it was No-gun who answered, not them.

“Before that, there’s something I need to ask you first.”

No-gun said with a serious look in his eyes. Hyeokryun Sehwa nodded.

“Yes, please ask.”

“Is it true that you and that girl from the Namgung Clan exchanged letters?”

“Yes.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa answered without hesitation.

“To be exact, it was me, Miss Namgung Hyang, and Military Strategist Dang Hwa-ryeon. The three of us.”

Dang Wora’s eyes flickered, and No-gun’s eyebrows twitched. Hyeokryun Sehwa tilted her head.

“Didn’t you hear from the Dang Clan? If you came from Seojang, you must have…”

If they had come the way they said, they would have stopped by the Dang Clan before coming to the Seowon. However, No-gun shook his head.

“We came by sea, so we entered directly into Gwangju. As soon as we arrived at the Seowon, we heard about you and flew straight here.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa couldn’t hide her surprise. No-gun grumbled.

“I still feel like I’m swaying on the waves. I haven’t even had a proper rest… Geez.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

No-gun shook his head at Hyeokryun Sehwa’s words.

“What do you have to be sorry for? Those who tried to harm you are the bad guys. We’ll talk about them later, but let’s confirm the important stuff first.”

No-gun asked with a serious expression.

“Is the Namgung Clan our enemy or our friend?”

Everyone watched Hyeokryun Sehwa closely. No-gun asking such a question meant that he had already heard about the recent changes. Hyeokryun Sehwa bit her lip slightly.

“Miss Namgung Hyang is definitely not an enemy. But as for the Namgung Clan… I honestly don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes. These days, the Namgung Clan is aggressively expanding its territory. They don’t hesitate to join hands with the Gongson Clan. Besides, I’ve heard that Great Warrior Namgung Cheon’s actions and words in the Outer Affairs are like…”

She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

She couldn’t bring herself to say ‘Sonbin is dead.’ It wasn’t because Sonbin was standing right in front of her, but because it felt like a self-imposed taboo.

“Acting like we’re dead?”

No-gun said, twitching his lips. Hyeokryun Sehwa spoke cautiously.

“Yes. Even trying to send Miss Namgung Hyang to… the Gongson Clan…”

“I’ve already heard.”

No-gun cut off Hyeokryun Sehwa’s hesitant words.

“The rumors have reached all the way to Tianzhu [ancient Chinese name for India]. Since we’re on the subject, what’s with that marriage proposal or whatever?”

Hyeokryun Sehwa was momentarily puzzled by the word ‘Tianzhu,’ but she continued.

“After the rumors about Young Master Son spread, the Outer Affairs’ agreement on how to deal with the Gongson Clan was broken. There was even talk of reviving the Gongson Clan.”

News from the Outer Affairs was mainly conveyed through Talhondo and Hwasa. Hyeokryun Sehwa’s face hardened slightly as if recalling that time.

“The Namgung Clan began aggressively absorbing the Gongson Clan’s territory from then on. They even didn’t hesitate to use full-scale military force.”

No-gun nodded as he listened to her words. The content was exactly the same as what he had heard on the ship.

“But soon the situation changed. The Gongson Clan joined hands with the Namgung Clan.”

No-gun chuckled as if he had expected it.

“Well, the Gongson Clan had no choice but to choose the Namgung Clan. The Zhuge Clan betrayed them directly in Huangshan, so they became mortal enemies, and the Moryong Clan is completely unreasonable. Swordmaster Moryong Myung is a bit stubborn for a clan leader.”

“Yes. Besides, the Moryong Clan was originally supposed to absorb the Gongson Clan’s territory. They wouldn’t have liked whatever the Gongson Clan proposed.”

Above all, the Moryong Clan has deep ties with the late Muje Saja-hyeok, and his successor, Sonbin. The Gongson Clan, whose martial arts were abolished by Sonbin’s predecessor, would never want to face them.

“So the Gongson Clan decided to sell themselves to the Namgung Clan.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa gave an awkward smile at No-gun’s blunt expression. But No-gun’s words weren’t wrong.

“Yes. Probably.”

No one knows exactly what was said between the two clans. But looking at the results, anyone can guess the content.

“And suddenly, marriage talks began between the two clans. According to the letter sent by Miss Namgung Hyang, the Gongson Clan was granted the minimum territory necessary for the clan’s survival, centered around their base in Hefei.”

Sasu-yeon tilted her head as she listened.

“Only Hefei? Isn’t that almost nothing left?”

Hyeokryun Sehwa shook her head.

“That’s not true. Giving up Hefei is a huge concession.”

Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon also nodded.

“I think so too. Hefei is a very large city. Since the Gongson Clan originally rose to prominence based in Hefei, it’s not impossible for them to rise again. No, if they protected Hefei, they could already be halfway to success.”

However, Sasu-yeon’s question was still not resolved.

“Even so, can’t the Namgung Clan or the Zhuge Clan make them disappear at any time if they want to?”

Hyeokryun Sehwa answered her question.

“That’s right. So, as a way to guarantee the Namgung Clan’s trust, a marriage proposal came out. In other words, the two clans are forming a blood tie.”

Sasu-yeon frowned, but she couldn’t say anything more. After all, Princess Gyeonghui’s situation was similar, though the specific circumstances were very different. Hyeokryun Sehwa continued her explanation.

“Originally, the Gongson Clan was going to send Miss Gongson Ji to the Namgung Clan as a daughter-in-law, but the Namgung Clan didn’t accept it.”

“Of course, they wouldn’t.”

No-gun said casually.

“If that happened, the Gongson Clan’s blood would end up mixing with the Namgung Clan. Besides, what if the child born from that union later became the head of the clan? The Namgung Clan would never accept such a possibility. It’s better to send a daughter. Daughters are considered outsiders after marriage.”

Historically, powerful families have married off their daughters as if bestowing a favor, forming nominal blood ties. Even the imperial family sends princesses to the north, doesn’t it? Of course, there are those who claim the legitimacy of a vanished empire based on such blood ties.

“That’s right. In the end, the Gongson Clan had no choice but to accept the Namgung Clan’s proposal. Instead, the Namgung Clan also needed to send a woman from their direct lineage, and a very important one at that, to the Gongson Clan. They had to show their sincerity. So…”

Everyone could guess what Hyeokryun Sehwa was about to say. No-gun frowned and said.

“So the name that came up was Namgung Hyang, that child?”

“Yes. In particular, the will of Great Warrior Namgung Cheon, the former Thunder Sword, was firm. The Gongson Clan also seems to welcome it.”

No-gun sighed softly. The former Thunder Sword, Namgung Cheon, had always brought Namgung Hyang with him whenever he met Sonbin. In fact, Namgung Hyang had exchanged letters with Sonbin and spared no advice or help.

“What on earth is Namgung Cheon thinking…”

No-gun muttered with a stern expression before asking Hyeokryun Sehwa again.

“And? There must be a reason why you said you don’t know in this situation, right?”

“Yes.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa said with a serious look in her eyes.

“Since the marriage proposal came out, Miss Namgung Hyang has stepped down from all clan affairs. Naturally, the letters she sent me became less frequent, but they didn’t stop completely. Even though we exchanged them secretly, I don’t think Great Warrior Namgung Cheon was unaware of this. If so…”

“You’re saying he turned a blind eye even though he knew?”

Hyeokryun Sehwa nodded at No-gun’s words. No-gun chuckled.

“That’s right. There’s no way Thunder Sword would miss something like this. It’s definitely suspicious.”

“And there’s something else strange.”

No-gun’s eyes lit up at Hyeokryun Sehwa’s words. She continued.

“It’s been several months since the rumors about the marriage proposal spread throughout the Jianghu [the martial arts world], but the wedding hasn’t taken place yet. Even though Great Warrior Namgung Cheon, the former Thunder Sword, has a firm will, the wedding is being delayed, which means…”

“That’s also Thunder Sword’s intention, right?”

The Thunder Sword that No-gun mentioned refers to the former Thunder Sword. Hyeokryun Sehwa’s eyes sparkled with a serious expression.

“Yes. That’s the only way to see it. Because no one in the current Namgung Clan can go against Great Warrior Namgung Cheon’s will.”

The current head of the Namgung Clan is clearly Thunder Sword Namgung Kwon, but could he really oppose what his father has decided?

“I see.”

No-gun, who had been thinking for a moment, suddenly chuckled.

“So, the three of you have been exchanging letters all this time? The Dang Clan’s military strategist, the Namgung Clan’s strategist, and the Hyeokryun Clan’s rising talent. It must have been a completely rigged game.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa’s face flushed slightly.

“Well, that’s…”

She wanted to find something to excuse herself, but no words came to mind. In the end, she had no choice but to admit No-gun’s words.

“…Yes.”

“Heh heh.”

No-gun laughed as if he found it amusing.

“Since you’re all working together, the world must have seemed very easy, right? But the Jianghu isn’t always a place where things go the way smart people want them to.”

The laughter disappeared, and No-gun said with a serious expression.

“Even this incident is like that. People never move according to calculations alone. If we hadn’t been here, who knows what terrible things might have happened to you? You need to take this incident as a major warning.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa bowed deeply.

“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

No-gun nodded. Hyeokryun Sehwa carefully opened her mouth.

“Um, if you came by sea, did you send word to the Dang Clan?”

No-gun flinched. His expression rapidly hardened. Hyeokryun Sehwa’s eyes widened.

“…Don’t tell me.”

“I sent a letter.”

That voice belonged to Dang Wora. Hyeokryun Sehwa turned her head and asked Dang Wora.

“A letter? Did you happen to write the date?”

At that question, the expressions of Sonbin’s group became bewildered, but soon they realized the meaning and looked dismayed. Seeing that, Hyeokryun Sehwa sighed deeply.

“The letters you sent arrived in a strange order. If there had been a date… No, even then, the Outer Affairs wouldn’t have believed it.”

The rumors from Seojang had already spread throughout the Jianghu. Even if they showed a letter with a date, those who had decided not to believe wouldn’t have changed their minds.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Sonbin stammered an apology. It was his decision to leave the rumors from Seojang unchecked. But Hyeokryun Sehwa shook her head.

“No, it’s just a series of misunderstandings and coincidences. More importantly, what happened to the people you went with?”

“That’s…”

No-gun’s words stopped Sonbin from answering.

“It’s too long to explain everything, so is the Dang Clan okay? Hwasa said that Youngmae will be back soon too, so it’s better to just stay at the Seowon. Said we’d get lost.”

“The Dang Clan is fine for now. There have been many difficult things, but the Military Strategist’s abilities are outstanding…”

At the end of Hyeokryun Sehwa’s words, Dang Wora suddenly said.

“I didn’t write the date.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa’s face hardened at those words.

“Um, then what about the content…”

Hyeokryun Sehwa asked, hoping that there was at least a specific mention that clearly indicated they had returned. But that hope was shattered.

“I just wrote, ‘Sister, it’s me.'”

Seeing Hyeokryun Sehwa’s complexion change, Sasu-yeon quickly said.

“It’s okay. Chief Hwang took it, so he’ll explain it properly.”

“Chief Hwang?”

“Yes. He’s part of the group that went to Seojang together.”

Only then did Hyeokryun Sehwa feel relieved. If someone who had left together had returned, no other evidence would be needed.

“Oh, I only entrusted a letter to Hwasa too… Will it be okay? Hwasa saw us coming.”

When No-gun asked, Hyeokryun Sehwa said with a serious expression.

“Well, Madam Dang was very worried…”

At those words, No-gun’s face hardened instantly. And the image of Old Madam Dang Un-yeong vividly appeared before his eyes – the image of her crumpling the letter he left behind and giving a murderous look, saying, ‘Leaving just a letter and leaving again? Just try coming back.’ Seeing No-gun’s face distorting terribly, Hyeokryun Sehwa quickly said.

“I’ll explain it well too. I’ll say it’s because I acted rashly…”

Hyeokryun Sehwa didn’t know what would have happened to her if it hadn’t been for No-gun. It was only natural that she wanted to help, but he shook his head.

“No. Youngmae gets angrier if someone says something next to her. It’s better for me to handle it all.”

Even as he said that, No-gun sighed deeply. Hyeokryun Sehwa, not knowing what to do, suddenly remembered something and asked again.

“Ah, now that I think about it, how did Miss Geumsaryeon get here…”

No-gun, Sonbin, Sasu-yeon, and Dang Wora were one thing, but the company of Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon and Guigyeonsura was definitely unexpected. No-gun, who had only been sighing, answered Hyeokryun Sehwa’s words.

“Helping you was the top priority, but after that, we were planning to go to Yewon in Hangzhou. Rather than moving rashly in the current situation, it’s better to first understand the situation in the Outer Affairs.”

No-gun’s judgment was accurate. Knowing what happened in the Outer Affairs was the most urgent thing.

“Well, I can roughly guess what happened, though.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa nodded at No-gun’s clicking tongue.

“I see.”

The same reason must be why Hyeolbong Geumsaryeon and Guigyeonsura accompanied them. Rather than going to Hyeolbongryeon right away, it’s better to know the situation accurately through Yewon. The reason why Dang Wora didn’t go to the Dang Clan, and the reason why No-gun left without waiting for Dang Un-yeong, as he said, was the same. Hyeokryun Sehwa bowed politely to No-gun.

“Thank you again for your help.”

“It’s nothing, just doing what’s natural.”

No-gun said as if it were nothing. That seemingly indifferent affection was even more overwhelming for Hyeokryun Sehwa.

“By the way, those guys were from Ilsim Martial Arts.”

No-gun said as if in passing, but in fact, while Hyeokryun Sehwa was asleep, he had meticulously and diligently obtained answers from Instructor Jang about the background and motives of this incident. Hyeokryun Sehwa nodded with a bitter expression.

“I thought so. There’s no reason for Ilsim Martial Arts to suddenly antagonize the Hyeokryun Clan, so I wondered if someone was trying to frame them…”

“That’s the problem. That guy, Instructor Jang, doesn’t know the exact purpose either. He just followed the headmaster’s orders. Well, he said that they would become the rulers of Gamju after this is over?”

At those words, Hyeokryun Sehwa’s expression darkened. If it was to settle personal grudges, it would be one thing, but if it was to become the ruler of a region called Gamju, they would have to think about the aftermath. In other words, the fact that Ilsim Martial Arts decided to antagonize the Hyeokryun Clan meant that there must be someone else behind them.

“What are you going to do now?”

At No-gun’s question, Hyeokryun Sehwa sighed softly.

“Originally, I should take them to the clan first. Of course, I should stop everything here and return to the clan, but…”

The Ilsim Martial Arts warriors and Instructor Jang would be taken to the Hyeokryun Clan, interrogated to reveal the truth, and the appropriate punishment for this incident would be decided and executed. Whether the result was an apology from the other party or the destruction of their clan, this was the procedure that should have been taken.

“But I’m also a daughter of a martial arts family.”

Hyeokryun Sehwa said with a determined look in her eyes.

“I can’t just go back like this.”

Thinking about the moment when Ilsim Martial Arts betrayed her trust, Hyeokryun Sehwa’s anger flared up anew. Seeing that, No-gun chuckled.

“That’s perfect.”

Slyly glancing at Sonbin, No-gun said.

“We were just about to pass through Gamju anyway. Isn’t that right, Bin-ah?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Sonbin, who had been listening quietly until now, answered without hesitation.

“There’s something I definitely need to ask the headmaster of that Ilsim Martial Arts.”

There was no sharp look, no grinding of teeth, but in Sonbin’s eyes, speaking softly, his still unquenched anger was clearly flickering.

(Author’s words)