A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 435

435. A Resolution on the Sword

Namgung Hyang quietly entered the room and closed the door. Her elegant presence seemed to brighten the room. Son Bin smiled a welcome, but Namgung Hyang kept her gaze lowered as she entered and stood before Namgung Cheon and Son Bin.

“You called for me?”

Namgung Hyang asked politely, bowing her head. Despite being summoned suddenly in the middle of the night, she looked every bit the precious jewel of the Namgung Clan. From her slightly girlish hair ornaments to her elegant and composed attire, she was exactly as Son Bin remembered. However, her slightly gaunt appearance tugged at Son Bin’s heart.

“Yes. Sit here.”

At Namgung Cheon’s words, Namgung Hyang hesitated for a moment but soon took a seat at the table.

*Sarak.*

Without even offering tea, Namgung Cheon abruptly asked,

“What do you think about your marriage proposal?”

Namgung Hyang still kept her gaze slightly lowered. In fact, she hadn’t looked at Son Bin even once since entering the room. It was as if her posture spoke volumes about her situation, making Son Bin feel even more sorry for her. After a moment of silence, Namgung Hyang spoke.

“I understand it is a decision made for the sake of the family.”

“Tsk.”

Namgung Cheon clicked his tongue.

“So, you’ll obey it without question? Am I to understand that correctly?”

Namgung Hyang couldn’t say anything to his scolding tone. Namgung Cheon said with a stern expression,

“You have wasted a very precious opportunity. Haven’t I always told you that opportunities in life are rare? Your answer is befitting a member of the Namgung Clan, but it alone will never pave the path you desire.”

Namgung Cheon, speaking in a frightening tone, asked again,

“Since you have wasted your opportunity, it would be right to send you away as you are, but because of my friend’s words, I will give you one more special chance.”

Namgung Cheon said, exuding a chilling aura,

“Answer with your true heart, without a hint of falsehood. What do you think of this marriage proposal?”

A tense silence fell. A sense of unease spread as grandfather and granddaughter seemed to face off without an inch of compromise.

*Sarak.*

Namgung Hyang reached into her sleeve. And what she quietly placed on the table was a silver knife.

*Tak.*

The beautifully decorated small silver knife sparkled under the lamplight. Both Son Bin and Namgung Cheon were taken aback by the unexpected object. With her slender fingertips resting on the knife, Namgung Hyang quietly opened her mouth.

“I, though young, have someone in my heart. Even if you say it is a foolish infatuation…”

Looking directly at Namgung Cheon, Namgung Hyang said,

“If it is not that person in my heart, I would rather live alone.”

Namgung Hyang’s eyes shone as resolutely as the silver knife beneath her fingertips. Namgung Cheon met her gaze head-on. And after a moment, Namgung Cheon smiled.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Namgung Hyang replied quietly. Namgung Cheon stroked his short beard and nodded.

“It is said that a warrior’s oath on the sword shakes the mountains and rivers. You are also a child of the Namgung Clan, so I understand the meaning of your resolution on that small knife.”

Son Bin nodded in agreement with Namgung Cheon’s words. Namgung Hyang’s words and actions had deeply resonated with both of them. Son Bin smiled gently, lifted his teacup, and Namgung Cheon said to his granddaughter Namgung Hyang,

“The person in your heart… So, that’s how you feel.”

It was as if he was talking to himself. But the moment Namgung Cheon’s eyes met Namgung Hyang’s, she realized. This was another golden opportunity her grandfather had granted, and perhaps it would be the last.

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Namgung Hyang’s fingertips, touching the end of the silver knife, trembled slightly. But she never hesitated or faltered.

“If it is not Young Master Son, I will not marry.”

Son Bin almost spat out his tea.

“Yes, yes?”

Son Bin looked at her in surprise, but Namgung Cheon nodded as if he had expected it.

“Yes, I had a rough idea… So that’s how it is, hmm.”

He was speaking as if he was worried, but Namgung Cheon’s eyes were full of satisfaction and pride. Son Bin looked at Namgung Hyang with a bewildered expression. But Namgung Hyang did not look at Son Bin. Namgung Hyang’s cheeks were already flushed red, but her eyes were shining more beautifully than ever.

“Well, I……”

“Ahem.”

Namgung Cheon cut off Son Bin’s words.

“My granddaughter is revealing her heart to her grandfather. No matter how close a friend you are, this is not a place for an outsider to interfere, so please wait a moment.”

Son Bin was speechless at those words. If you think about it, he was right. But just a moment ago, Son Bin had become the person in question? However, before Son Bin could say anything, Namgung Cheon said,

“I understand. Now that I know your true feelings, I cannot remain silent as your grandfather. Don’t worry about the marriage proposal from the Gongson Clan anymore, and pray that your true feelings will reach him. After all, human relationships are determined by heaven.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Namgung Hyang replied in a serious voice. Son Bin could only smile awkwardly beside her. Every word was right, but it wasn’t something to say with the person in question right next to her.

“Alright, you may go now.”

At Namgung Cheon’s words, Namgung Hyang put away the silver knife and quietly stood up, bowing to Namgung Cheon. As Namgung Hyang was about to leave, Namgung Cheon suddenly said,

“Come to think of it, you haven’t greeted my friend yet.”

Namgung Hyang hesitated slightly. Son Bin also had an awkward expression. In fact, she should have greeted him first, so the order was very strange.

“You must be happy to see him after a long time, so greet him.”

*Sarak.*

Namgung Hyang stood demurely facing Son Bin. And slowly, she raised her head. For the first time, her eyes met Son Bin’s. Namgung Hyang said quietly,

“I’m glad you returned safely…”

Son Bin, who was looking at her, was startled. Suddenly, tears began to well up in Namgung Hyang’s large eyes. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Namgung Hyang smiled and said,

“…I’m really happy.”

Her voice was trembling. She herself didn’t know she would cry. But she couldn’t help the emotions that suddenly surged up. Son Bin’s heart also ached at her appearance.

*Sarak.*

Son Bin stood up from his seat. And he bowed quietly to Namgung Hyang.

“I feel the same way, Miss Namgung.”

Still shedding tears, Namgung Hyang smiled. She quietly bowed her head in response to Son Bin’s greeting and left the room.

*Click.*

Although the door closed and her figure disappeared, Son Bin was enveloped in the sincerity she had left behind and couldn’t say anything for a while. Namgung Cheon was the same. He felt heavy-hearted thinking that what he had done had caused his granddaughter to shed tears like that. But at the same time, he also felt pleased. The resolute determination and sincerity that Namgung Hyang had shown a moment ago were something that even Namgung Cheon had not expected.

‘…I must be getting old.’

Namgung Cheon slowly caressed his teacup, thinking such thoughts that No Gun would have scolded him for, saying, ‘You were already old a long time ago.’ Namgung Cheon suddenly looked at Son Bin. Son Bin, who was sitting in his seat, was still silently fiddling with his teacup. But the dark and cold atmosphere that he had felt when he first entered this room could no longer be found in Son Bin.

***

Gongson Cheuk, the Deputy Head of the Inner Hall of the Gongson Clan, who was staying at the Namgung Clan, heard shocking news. Namgung Hyang had been completely excluded from the marriage proposal with the Gongson Clan. This was practically the same as starting the marriage proposal from scratch, and Deputy Head Gongson Cheuk was very angry. Gongson Gye’s anger, who had been waiting for the marriage for several months, was needless to say.

“How can such a thing happen!”

The young man Gongson Gye said in an angry voice.

“Suddenly changing the marriage proposal? What does this mean!”

Gongson Gye couldn’t hide his anger. The Deputy Chief of the Namgung Clan, who was standing in front of him, wiped away sweat with a helpless expression.

“That is, I don’t know the details either… Anyway, the Clan Lord said he’s coming soon, so please wait a little longer.”

It was natural for the Deputy Chief to be at a loss. Suddenly changing the bride in the middle of a marriage proposal was extremely rude. Gongson Cheuk, the Deputy Head of the Inner Hall of the Gongson Clan, who had been sitting silently, also opened his mouth.

“This marriage is an extremely important matter conducted with the name and trust of the Namgung and Gongson Clans.”

He said, looking at the Deputy Chief as if he was questioning him with a stern gaze.

“To change such an important matter so lightly, is this the way the Namgung Clan treats our Gongson Clan?”

His voice was not loud. But anyone could tell that he was suppressing his anger. The Deputy Chief of the Namgung Clan quickly waved his hand.

“That can’t be! If you wait a little longer, the Clan Lord will explain it himself…”

In fact, the Deputy Chief didn’t know the details of this matter either. He only guessed from his long experience that the former Thunder Sword Namgung Cheon was behind it. If this matter was the will of the former Thunder Sword Namgung Cheon, no one could reverse it, no matter what they said.

“Do you think I’ll just let this rudeness pass?”

The young man Gongson Gye said in a rather angry voice. It was certainly unconventional for the Clan Lord to explain it himself, but that wasn’t enough to appease Gongson Gye’s anger.

“How dare you treat the Gongson Clan like this! Moreover, it’s a unilateral notice without even consulting us!”

*Thump.* Gongson Gye shouted, slamming the table as if he was very angry. The antique table made a sound, but the Deputy Chief couldn’t say anything.

“This is clearly our Gongson Clan…!”

It was the moment when Gongson Gye was about to raise his voice even more aggressively.

*Click.*

The door of the conference room opened, and Namgung Gwon, the Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan, entered.

“What’s all this commotion about?”

Clan Lord Namgung Gwon said in a heavy voice. His imposing aura and gaze alone were enough to intimidate people, but not the angry young Gongson Gye. Gongson Gye said as if it was a good thing.

“Clan Lord! How can the Namgung Clan do this!”

Clan Lord Namgung Gwon’s eyebrows twitched. But Gongson Gye, who had gained momentum, didn’t stop.

“To unilaterally change a marriage proposal with the name of the clan at stake, this is a rudeness that cannot be overlooked! If you don’t apologize immediately and proceed with the marriage as originally planned…”

*Bang.* The antique table vibrated greatly. Clan Lord Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon slammed the table with his large hand.

“If we don’t.”

Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon said, chewing on his words.

“What are you going to do?”

The aura emanating from his eyes was not something the young Gongson Gye could dare to handle. Gongson Gye’s back was chilled as if he had suddenly encountered a large tiger.

“To dare threaten the Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan to his face, it seems you don’t value your life.”

Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon’s voice contained his cold anger. Gongson Cheuk, the Deputy Head of the Inner Hall of the Gongson Clan, realized that he had made a mistake. No matter how much the Namgung Clan was at fault first, the young Gongson Gye’s words had definitely crossed the line. No, to be precise, he had misread the atmosphere. The Namgung Clan didn’t have the slightest bit of remorse for this matter.

“To proceed with the marriage as originally planned? Do you think the people of the Namgung Clan are yours? How dare you recklessly demand them!”

Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon’s angry voice echoed through the conference room. The flinching Gongson Gye said stammeringly,

“But, but the marriage proposal is already…”

A marriage proposal with the name of the clan at stake. But Gongson Gye’s protest didn’t work.

“Marriage proposal? So, did you make a betrothal [formal agreement to marry], or did we receive a bride price [payment from the groom’s family to the bride’s family]?”

Betrothal is when the man’s side decides to accept the daughter-in-law, and the bride price is when the groom’s side sends gifts to the bride’s side. It is an indispensable procedure in marriage, and it is also what the Gongson Clan has been constantly trying to do, but the Namgung Clan has been postponing and not receiving it. In other words, strictly speaking, the two clans have not yet taken a single step beyond the stage of discussing marriage. Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon said, looking down at the speechless Gongson Gye and Gongson Cheuk,

“Seeing how this young pup treats me, I can see how the Gongson Clan views us.”

Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon couldn’t contain his anger. It was a moment when one could clearly see why the Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan inherited the title of ‘Thunder Sword’ for generations.

“Kick these guys out right now! And for the crime of daring to insult the Namgung Clan…”

“Great Hero!”

Gongson Cheuk, the Deputy Head of the Inner Hall of the Gongson Clan, hurriedly stood up.

“Please stop for a moment. This is just a mistake of youthful blood and not an attempt to be rude to the Clan Lord.”

Gongson Cheuk said urgently, bowing his waist. If the marriage proposal was broken or prolonged in this state, he would have to take all the responsibility. Moreover, this result is not what the Gongson Clan wants at all.

“A young man with a fiery temper has committed a rudeness because he was too excited about the beautiful bride, so please be generous and forgive him.”

Gongson Cheuk bowed his head so low that his forehead almost touched the table. The young Gongson Gye gritted his teeth at the sight, but at Gongson Cheuk’s firm nod, he also stood up from his seat and had no choice but to bow his head.

“P, please forgive my rudeness. Great Hero.”

Gongson Gye’s voice was trembling. Only he himself would know whether it was because he was suppressed by Namgung Gwon’s aura or because of his anger. As the two bowed their heads, Clan Lord Namgung Gwon frowned.

“Hmm.”

Namgung Gwon, who had been looking at them for a while, sat down on his seat with a rather uncomfortable attitude. Only then did Gongson Cheuk breathe a sigh of relief inwardly.

“Sit down.”

Namgung Gwon said without looking at Gongson Cheuk. Gongson Cheuk bowed politely and sat down. The young Gongson Gye also sat down with a stiff face. A moment of silence fell. Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon, who seemed to be suppressing his anger with an uncomfortable expression, opened his mouth in a low voice.

“I understand your feelings. But marriage is a major event in human life. It’s by no means a small matter, and how can we act lightly when it’s a major event with the name of the clan at stake?”

Gongson Cheuk smiled bitterly inside at those words. That was exactly what the Gongson Clan wanted to say. But Gongson Cheuk, who had already lost the initiative, had nothing to say. Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon tapped the table and continued, seemingly lost in thought.

“This marriage is an event that shows the trust between the two clans and will be the beginning of a new relationship. However, it is also true that the elders of the clan have various concerns, so we must not be careless and ruin things hastily. Clearing up old feelings and building trust requires constant effort and patience, doesn’t it?”

Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon said, scolding as if with a frown. Gongson Cheuk tried to say something, but Namgung Gwon didn’t give him a chance.

“There will be good news soon, so please wait a little longer. I have ordered that you be treated with courtesy, so you can stay comfortably.”

*Thud.*

Thunder Sword Namgung Gwon, having said all he had to say, stood up from his seat as he was. Then he left the conference room as he was. Gongson Gye couldn’t say anything with a truly distorted expression, and Gongson Cheuk also gritted his teeth in anger and shame.

In fact, the result was already decided. Because the side holding the knife in this situation is the Namgung Clan. But the reason why they couldn’t even protest properly was, of course, because of the young Gongson Gye’s rash words and actions, but also because the situations of the two clans were so different.

‘Just you wait. This humiliation of today…’

Gongson Cheuk clenched his fist, gritting his teeth. The Deputy Chief of the Namgung Clan quickly lowered his head, seeing his shoulders trembling.

“W, well, if there’s anything uncomfortable, please tell me anytime. I’ll be on my way…”

The Deputy Chief hurriedly left the conference room. Leaving the guidance of those people to someone else outside, the Deputy Chief left the place like a shot. Only Gongson Cheuk and Gongson Gye, who still couldn’t suppress their anger, guarded the large conference room for a while.

(Author’s words)

There is a famous saying that people who say “just you wait” are not scary.