A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 463

463. Elegy

The carriage carrying Son Bin and his party was approaching Cheongwon. As familiar scenery came into view, Son Bin felt relieved but also impatient.

“Just sit still.”

Nogun, who was driving the carriage, frowned.

“Why do you keep getting up in a moving carriage? If you’re going to do that, just go to the back.”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Son Bin quickly apologized and sat down. Nogun grumbled and drove the carriage again, but the increased speed indicated that Nogun was also impatient.

“I hope everyone is doing well.”

Sa Su-yeon, who was sitting in the back, said. She and Dang Wol-ah, who was sitting next to her, couldn’t take their eyes off the Seowon [a private Confucian academy] direction.

“Yes, they will be fine.”

Son Bin replied with a smile, but Nogun’s blunt voice interjected.

“They may be fine, but they might not be *at* Seowon.”

Nogun said while driving the carriage.

“I told Se-hwa to tell everyone to evacuate.”

Based on past experience, Nogun had asked Hyeonryeon Se-hwa to empty the Seowon. Nogun thought that the entire Seowon would have gone on a trip somewhere, just like before. He had told Talhondo that when he said he was going to the Hwasa in Seowon.

“It’s a bit lonely to think that no one will be there. But it can’t be helped.”

Son Bin agreed with Sa Su-yeon’s words from behind. But as she said, it was necessary for the safety of Seowon. Son Bin composed himself and looked in the direction of Seowon. As the Seowon came closer, Son Bin unconsciously stood up again, but Nogun said nothing. Clatter, clatter.

“Hahahaha.”

As the carriage approached Seowon, the laughter of children could be heard over the wall. The clear laughter brightened the faces of Son Bin, Nogun, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah at once.

“Woah!”

As Nogun stopped the carriage, a colorful leather ball rolled out through the open gate of Seowon. Thud.

“Kyahahaha.”

Soso, chasing after the ball, ran out laughing, and almost at the same time, Hong-ah and Nok-ah ran out together. Then, suddenly, Soso, who discovered Son Bin’s party’s carriage, widened her eyes.

“Ah! Teacher!”

Soso shouted, forgetting to catch the ball. Hong-ah and Nok-ah also found Dang Wol-ah and widened their eyes.

“Mommy Teacher!”

Hong-ah, who usually emphasized that Dang Wol-ah should be called ‘Teacher,’ accidentally called her ‘Mommy Teacher’.

“Wow! Teacher!”

Soso threw away the colorful ball and ran to Son Bin with a bright smile. Son Bin quickly got out of the carriage, lowered himself, and opened his arms.

Whack.

Soso hugged Son Bin without hesitation. And she wrapped her small arms tightly around Son Bin’s neck, expressing her joy.

“Teacher!”

“Yes, how have you been?”

Son Bin said with a smile. Soso smiled brightly.

“Yes! We went to a really fun place! Um, I don’t know the name very well…”

While Soso was speaking with shining eyes, Dang Wol-ah also hugged Hong-ah and Nok-ah. The two children were also smiling brightly and sparkling their eyes like Soso.

“You’re back?”

At the sudden voice, Son Bin raised his head. Hyeonryeon Se-hwa was already standing in front of the Seowon gate.

“Yes, we’re back.”

Son Bin replied with a smile. Hyeonryeon Se-hwa was not the only one who came out of Seowon. Old Madam Dang Un-yeong, who had been in the Dang Family, had also returned to Seowon.

“You’re back, Soon-rang?”

Old Madam Dang Un-yeong greeted Nogun with a gentle smile. Nogun, who got out of the carriage, replied with a hearty laugh.

“I’m back, Young-mae.”

“Wow! Grandpa! Brother Bin!”

Nogun’s answer was drowned out by Seo-rin’s voice, who ran out of Seowon. Other children poured out behind Seo-rin.

“Teacher!”

The children rushed to Nogun, Son Bin, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah all at once. Soso, as well as Jau, Gyeonja, Hodoo, Jang-ah, Ao, Jung-o, Gye-gu, Cheong-ah, Hwang-ah, and Hoe-ah, all gathered, making the surroundings noisy in an instant.

“Tsk, these guys are dangerous…”

Nogun frowned and grumbled at the sight of the children rushing in. But he was also lowering himself in a familiar posture and hugging the children.

“Hahahaha.”

The children who hugged Nogun’s neck smiled brightly. The same was true for Son Bin, Sa Su-yeon, and Dang Wol-ah.

“…Teacher.”

Son Bin smiled as he looked at Aeng-aeng, who had already clung to his arm.

“Did you have a good trip?”

At the shy greeting, Son Bin stroked Aeng-aeng’s head.

“Yes, I had a good trip.”

The children smelled like sunshine. Son Bin hugged and stroked the heads of each of the children. Hwasa, Talhondo, Shin-ui, Eo-ong, Sarasvati, and her guard, Rahman, were watching the scene with pleased expressions.

***

Tteolleok. As tea was poured into the teacup, a subtle scent spread. Son Bin thanked Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, who poured the tea.

“Thank you.”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa smiled. Son Bin held the warm, steaming tea with both hands.

“But how are you all here? Weren’t you going somewhere?”

Nogun asked, holding a teacup. Hwasa answered.

“I went. Twice already!”

Hwasa said proudly, sticking out her chest. Her feminine charm was still there, so Son Bin smiled as naturally as possible with a gentle expression. This was because he already knew that if he turned his gaze away or blushed, he wouldn’t be able to handle the aftermath.

“I just came back for a while. The parents worry if the children are away for too long. I was going to leave again in a few days, but I’m glad I met you.”

Hwasa smiled brightly, as if she was really happy. Nogun nodded.

“Yes, I’m glad. I almost ended up guarding an empty Seowon.”

“I guarded the empty Seowon, Grandpa Nogun.”

Talhondo said in a heavy voice. Unfortunately, no one was there when he came to Seowon. But Nogun asked indifferently, as if it didn’t matter.

“Nothing happened when you were there, right?”

Talhondo nodded silently. Son Bin felt sorry and apologetic for his appearance.

“How did you eat?”

“I just took care of it myself.”

Son Bin didn’t ask any further, although he didn’t know what ‘take care of it myself’ meant. Nogun suddenly looked at Sarasvati and Rahman and asked.

“Did you go with the children too?”

Sarasvati smiled elegantly and raised her teacup.

“Of course. Hyeonryeon Se-hwa is a very good teacher. I was able to learn a lot.”

Her words were perfect. Perhaps it was partly thanks to Hyeonryeon Se-hwa.

“Not doing any piracy?”

Sarasvati’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“You’re being too harsh on those who are working for the peace of the southern sea routes. Loyal people are working hard over there, so it’ll be fine for a while.”

Sarasvati, who glared at Nogun slightly, raised her teacup in a very elegant posture.

“And I have things to do here too.”

“Things to do?”

At Nogun’s question, Hwasa quickly said.

“She said she’s going to say hello to her brother and leave.”

“That’s not it.”

Sarasvati sighed lightly.

“Chief Military Officer Dang Hwa-ryeon introduced me to a merchant group representative. He’s coming here, so I’m going to meet him and talk.”

At those words, Son Bin looked puzzled.

“Do you know Lady Dang Hwa-ryeon?”

“Teacher Hyeonryeon Se-hwa told me.”

Son Bin nodded. Hyeonryeon Se-hwa secretly exchanged letters with Dang Hwa-ryeon and Namgung Hyang, so that was certainly possible.

“There was a merchant group that met the conditions I wanted. She said that Young Master Son would know about it too, though?”

Sarasvati gave Son Bin a meaningful smile. But Son Bin was bewildered.

“Me? But I… Ah.”

Suddenly, one person flashed through Son Bin’s mind. And Sarasvati smiled.

“Yes. He’s someone who has enough influence in the court to grant trade permits to us Indians.”

Son Bin smiled bitterly. The ‘person’ she was talking about was clearly Princess Gyeonghui. Among all the merchants in the world, no one probably knew the court as well as Princess Gyeonghui.

“It’s not just a trade permit. I also need a certificate guaranteeing the entry of ships and the landing of people, as well as the right to establish a branch.”

“Heh, so you’re planning to run a formal maritime merchant group?”

Sarasvati nodded at Nogun’s question.

“Yes. There are quite a few people who follow me. If they want to settle down, marry, and raise children, they can’t be wanderers forever.”

Son Bin agreed with her words. Considering the future, Sarasvati’s words were absolutely right.

“Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like it will be difficult.”

Sarasvati smiled softly as she held the teacup. Son Bin thought that she looked more beautiful and comfortable than when she was in the splendid imperial garden of India.

“Hmm, isn’t that too many?”

Soso, who was sitting right next to Son Bin, frowned cutely and muttered.

“It’s good to have a lot of pretty teachers, but you can’t just keep increasing them without a plan. Men have to have integrity.”

Son Bin’s face turned red.

“So, Soso, where did you hear such a thing…?”

Soso looked up at Son Bin with serious eyes and continued.

“My sister and the chief manager said that if you touch them recklessly when you’re young and full of energy, you’ll suffer when you get old. Teacher, you have to think about the future too.”

Aeng-aeng, who was next to Soso, nodded with a dissatisfied expression. Son Bin’s expression hardened at the sight. It wasn’t because of worries about the future, as Soso said. Soso’s sister is Eun Cho-bin of Soeun Escort Agency. It was revealed what she, the chief manager, and the villagers thought about Seowon. Son Bin couldn’t speak at the shocking fact, and Soso sighed and muttered.

“Well, everyone thinks that Se-hwa Teacher will take care of it.”

“Me?”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, who was raising her teacup, was startled. But Son Bin knew what she meant. To the people of Cheongwon, Hyeonryeon Se-hwa seemed to be the highest among the Seowon teachers. No, in fact, there were even people who thought of Seowon itself as Hyeonryeon Se-hwa’s.

“So, Soso. That’s not it…”

Hyeonryeon Se-hwa stuttered rarely. Everyone’s eyes were on her, and she was at a loss as to what to explain to Soso. Son Bin glanced away and brought the teacup to his lips.

Slurp.

The tea was fragrant. Son Bin was trying to ignore the feeling that the back of his head was tingling.

***

Whirr.

A large wooden building that had endured for a long time was burning. Thick smoke covered the night sky, and scattered sparks fluttered around like flower petals.

Tap, tap.

The building spewing red flames was not the only one. Buildings with a long history that once boasted a splendid appearance were disappearing one after another in red flames here and there. And under the light, the figures of people lying here and there were revealed. Wearing clothes with the same pattern, they were the people of the Gongson Family, who had been building their base in Hapbi for a long time.

“…Kkeueueueu.”

A groan escaped. A middle-aged man with a sturdy physique was hanging in the air with his neck grabbed by someone. The middle-aged man was Gongson Chang, the head of the outer hall of the Gongson Family. He looked at the opponent holding his neck with bloodshot eyes, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Wh, why…”

“Why?”

A heartless voice without even a hint of emotion flowed out. With a height and broad build that far surpassed even the sturdy Gongson Chang, he looked at Gongson Chang with extremely indifferent eyes. His eyes were so indifferent that it was impossible to imagine that he was the one who burned down the Gongson Family and killed everyone in sight in just one night.

However, it was not the opponent’s eyes that made Gongson Chang despair. It was the fact that the opponent was Gongson Geuk, the former head of the Gongson Family and Bi Geom [a title or epithet, possibly meaning ‘Hidden Sword’].

“You are mine.”

Gongson Geuk no longer had the face of an old man. As if he had gone back in time, he was regaining his middle-aged appearance.

“So isn’t it right for you to die for me?”

At the indifferent voice, Gongson Chang’s eyes widened greatly as if he couldn’t believe it. But Gongson Geuk continued with a dry expression.

“Now, this is all I need you for.”

“Eu, eueuk.”

Gongson Chang, the head of the outer hall, struggled. But he couldn’t overcome Gongson Geuk’s power. And Gongson Geuk’s bizarre ability too.

Whoo.

A black aura wrapped around Gongson Chang, the head of the outer hall. And the vitality began to drain from Gongson Chang’s entire body in an instant. The blood disappeared from the face of the sturdy Gongson Chang, and he instantly withered like an old man.

“Kkeueoeoeok.”

Only then did Gongson Chang realize the extreme sense of incongruity he felt from Gongson Geuk in front of him. The opponent in front of him had the appearance of Bi Geom Gongson Geuk, but he was definitely not Gongson Geuk. Gongson Chang said like a groan with fading eyes.

“Who, who the hell are you…”

But Gongson Chang couldn’t finish his words. The vitality disappeared from his eyes, and Gongson Chang’s face instantly became wrinkled.

Seureuk.

Gongson Geuk let go of his hand. Gongson Chang’s body, which had lost its life, fell helplessly down. Like the others who had already experienced the same fate, Gongson Chang became another corpse and fell to the ground.

“…Who am I?”

Gongson Geuk said quietly, looking at the fallen Gongson Chang. Perhaps it was a foolish question. He is Gongson Geuk. He is the former head of the Gongson Family and Bi Geom, and the de facto owner of this Gongson Family that is burning in front of him. But the words coming out of his mouth were more heterogeneous.

“Well? I’m… who am I really?”

He is neither Cheonma [Demon King] nor Hyeolma [Blood Demon]. He has the memories of Bi Geom Gongson Geuk, but can he call himself Gongson Geuk just with that? In fact, even though the Gongson Family is burning in front of him, he has no emotion. He killed his bloodline with his own hands and swallowed their lives, but he didn’t feel any special emotion. All of Gongson Geuk’s memories still remain, but no emotion is felt in any of them. Neither the joy, the elation, the sadness, nor even the anger that he once felt.

“Heh.”

Gongson Geuk laughed. It was because he thought it didn’t matter what happened. It was an expression of emotion that he had shown in a long time, but the smile soon disappeared.

“It doesn’t matter.”

It doesn’t matter. Whatever emotions his past self had and whatever plans he made, his current self will only coldly grasp their validity and pros and cons and act as he wants. Even if it means burning down his family and staining it with blood.

‘Maybe this is a side effect of Hyeolyuk [Blood Jade]?’

Gongson Geuk’s judgment, like his memory, is still intact. He looked at his empty hand and thought. There was no trace of old age wrinkles on that hand. The Hyeolyuk (Blood Jade) that he obtained by joining hands with the Demonic Sect is a sacred object that has drunk the blood of people during the long history of the Demonic Sect. Like other sacred objects of the Demonic Sect, Hyeolyuk was not a power that people could control, but during a time when the demonic energy was unbelievably active, Gongson Geuk succeeded in absorbing the power of Hyeolyuk through the Demonic Sect’s Great Law. Although it would take much longer to make it his own.

“Anyway… it’s still not enough.”

Gongson Geuk took the power of Hyeolyuk, but he still craved blood. But the only blood that he, not Hyeolma, could absorb was that of the Gongson Family, who were closest to him. So he took the Gongson Family now. Without even a moment’s hesitation.

“Hmm.”

Gongson Geuk thought of Gongson Ji. In fact, absorbing her power would be more effective in satisfying this craving. The demonic energy and endless vitality that Gongson Ji possesses will give him more satisfaction. But the existence of only one person was blocking it.

‘…Son Bin.’

Knowing how easily he broke the Demonic Art, it is dangerous to absorb Gongson Ji, who possesses demonic energy.

“Son Bin.”

Gongson Geuk repeated the name once again. The only meaning that still remains even though all of Gongson Geuk’s emotions have disappeared. That was Son Bin. The starlight-like eyes that stabbed the sword at his past self were still shining vividly in front of his eyes.

Whirr.

The flames rising into the night sky awakened Gongson Geuk from his thoughts. Gongson Geuk raised his eyes and looked at the burning Gongson Family. Suddenly, a thought came to his mind. It wouldn’t be so bad to destroy the place for his family. Even if no one rejoices anymore, it will be an elegy for the disappeared Gongson Family.

Seureuk.

Gongson Geuk put his hands behind his back and turned his body. The moment he took a step, Gongson Geuk’s body floated into the night sky. The Gongson Family, which once proudly reigned as one of the Five Great Families, was burning under his feet, but it didn’t give Gongson Geuk any emotion.

(Author’s words)

Team kill, friendly fire.