A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 464

464. News from Gangbuk

A few days later, Princess Gyeonghui and her entourage arrived at the Seowon [a private Confucian academy]. Old Master No frowned, and Hwasa looked displeased, but Seorin and the others, especially Hyeonryeon Sehwa, welcomed Princess Gyeonghui. Time had passed, softening old memories, and Princess Gyeonghui’s demeanor had become considerably more amiable.

“Oh ho.”

Princess Gyeonghui fixed a sharp gaze on Sarasvati.

“You must be Sarasvati? The one Master Son brought from Tianzhu [ancient Indian kingdom].”

“It’s a little different, but it’s true that I came with him. And you must be Princess Gyeonghui,” Sarasvati replied with a gentle smile, her gaze equally sharp.

“The princess that Master Son brought from the Imperial Family.”

The power of the Demonic God was gone, but Sarasvati’s aura, which had subdued countless imperial concubines in the Tianzhu Imperial Family, was still formidable.

Crackle.

Son Bin felt a chill as sparks flew between the two women’s eyes. Even the confrontation between the Martial Emperor and the previous Jade Dragon in the Snow Mountains probably wasn’t this intense. Hearing Hwasa mutter from behind, “Hmm, I don’t like either of them… whose side should I take?” Son Bin felt obligated to intervene. No, he was about to.

Swish.

Someone gently tugged on Son Bin’s sleeve from behind. Turning, he saw Hyeonryeon Sehwa shaking her head sternly, signaling him to stay put. Son Bin heeded her advice. How long had Son Bin been silently observing the two women’s confrontation like a stunned mouse?

“Hmm.”

Princess Gyeonghui spoke first.

“Somehow, I feel like I can communicate with you.”

“Is that so?” Sarasvati smiled. “How coincidental. I was just thinking the same thing.”

The two women’s red lips curved into smiles, but their beautiful eyes still emitted a sharp aura.

“Then…” Princess Gyeonghui sighed lightly. “Shall we talk business?”

Her eyes changed, becoming serious. Sarasvati’s eyes mirrored the shift.

“Whenever you’re ready.”

Hyeonryeon Sehwa, watching for her chance, quickly stepped forward.

“Both of you, please come this way.” She skillfully guided the two women to a secluded spot in the garden. The maid, Hang’a, expertly prepared tea, and the bodyguards, Cheongnanggeom Wi Gajin and Rahman, stood guard behind them. Only then did Son Bin breathe a sigh of relief.

“Have you been well, Master Son?”

Turning at the voice, Son Bin saw Cheonghye Satae, the young outer envoy master of the Emei Sect [a famous Taoist sect], who had accompanied Princess Gyeonghui to the Seowon, paying her respects.

“Yes. Satae, you too…”

As Son Bin began to return Cheonghye Satae’s greeting, he noticed the seriousness in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Son Bin asked. Cheonghye Satae quietly recited a Buddhist prayer and said, “An incident has occurred in Gangbuk [region north of the Han River].”

At those words, not only Old Master No, but also Talhondo’s expression changed. Old Master No, who had been playing Go [ancient board game] with Shinui, asked Cheonghye Satae, “An incident?”

Cheonghye Satae turned to Old Master No, her expression dark. “The Gongson Clan’s manor has burned down, and many people have lost their lives.”

“What?” Old Master No frowned. “The Gongson Clan? Not the Jegal Clan or the Namgung Clan?”

“Yes. And…” Cheonghye Satae recited another Buddhist prayer. “…Among the dead, the people of the Gongson Clan were all drained of blood.”

Old Master No’s face changed instantly.

Clack.

He set down the stone and turned to face Cheonghye Satae.

“Tell me more details.” Old Master No’s eyes shone sharply. Cheonghye Satae sighed.

“The Gongson Clan’s manor was completely destroyed by fire. Many workers were killed, and especially the Gongson Clan’s blood relatives…”

Cheonghye Satae paused, then continued with a firm expression. “…Each and every one of them was found as a corpse, their blood completely drained. Moreover, their appearance was grotesquely transformed, like withered, ancient trees.”

Old Master No frowned.

“Only the Gongson Clan members?”

Cheonghye Satae nodded.

“Yes. Only the Gongson Clan’s blood relatives were like that. The officials of Hefei [city in Anhui province, China] are investigating, but they say they’ve found no clues.”

Listening, Sa Suyun asked with a serious expression, “Could it be the Blood Demon?”

“No.”

“It is not.”

The two answers came simultaneously: Old Master No and Son Bin. Old Master No looked at Son Bin, who was lost in thought, and Son Bin continued with a serious expression, “The Blood Demon won’t appear for the time being. This isn’t the work of the Blood Demon.”

“I think so too,” Old Master No agreed. Sa Suyun wasn’t the only one to associate ‘drained of blood’ with the Blood Demon, but Old Master No dismissed the idea.

“It resembles the Blood Demon’s work, but it’s different. Above all, there’s no reason to target only the Gongson Clan’s blood relatives. The Blood Demon doesn’t discriminate between men and women, young and old.”

“Then, is it the work of someone with a grudge against the Gongson Clan?” Hyeonryeon Sehwa asked. Old Master No frowned.

“There are plenty who hold grudges. But this is too bizarre. If there are martial artists in the current Kangho [martial arts world] capable of such strange things, it’s only the Demonic Sect…”

“The Demonic Sect?” Sa Suyun asked, puzzled. “Aren’t they on the same side as the Gongson Clan?”

Dan Simhwa Gongsonji, who attacked the Tang Clan, was already a demon. Moreover, Gongson Geuk had learned demonic arts in the past at Huangshan [mountain in Anhui province, China]. It seemed logical to assume the Demonic Sect had joined forces with Gongson Geuk.

“Even if they’re on the same side, betrayal is common in the Kangho. But this isn’t just internal strife. They wouldn’t turn the Flying Sword [Gongson Geuk’s epithet] into an enemy, especially considering his personality.”

Old Master No said with a serious expression, “Rather, we should see this as something done out of absolute necessity.”

Not only Sa Suyun and Hyeonryeon Sehwa, but even Cheonghye Satae’s expression tightened. She quietly recited a Buddhist prayer and asked, “What on earth could require such a terrible act?”

Old Master No shrugged. “Well, I don’t know either. But…” His eyes shone sharply. “It won’t be a good thing.”

The expressions of everyone listening hardened. Even if it was necessary, killing one’s own bloodline was a chilling thought. Moreover, considering the strong clan consciousness of aristocratic families, the matter was even more serious.

Clatter.

Setting down his teacup, Old Master No turned to Son Bin.

“Bin, are the preparations you were making finished? You know, meeting those guys from the Cheonhao Five Great Merchant Groups.”

“Ah, that’s…” Son Bin turned to Princess Gyeonghui. Her and Sarasvati, who were deep in conversation, turned to look at Son Bin simultaneously.

“Why?”

“What’s wrong? Raja-nim [term of respect],” Princess Gyeonghui asked with a frown, while Sarasvati asked with a gentle smile. Feeling like he had interrupted their conversation, Son Bin was slightly embarrassed, but since he had already brought it up.

“Um, about what I requested last time…”

“Ah, that…”

“Of course. If it’s Raja-nim’s request…”

Again, the two women answered in unison, exchanging sharp glances. Old Master No looked annoyed.

“So? Tell me quickly.”

Sarasvati sighed first, looking at Son Bin with a gentle expression. “If it’s Raja-nim’s request, it’s possible anytime. The preparation is finished.”

“Thank you.”

Sarasvati smiled brightly at Son Bin’s gratitude. “You’re welcome.”

This time it was Princess Gyeonghui’s turn. She rose from her seat and approached Son Bin with a somewhat forceful air.

Sapak, Sapak [sound of footsteps].

Son Bin gave an awkward smile. Princess Gyeonghui, now close, took a thin letter from her bosom.

“It’s a reply from Hwawol Wonju [title for a high-ranking female official] and me. In short, the preparation is finished.”

Son Bin, wanting to meet the Cheonhao Five Great Merchant Groups, had sent letters to Yewon Wonju Hwawol and Princess Gyeonghui. He hadn’t expected Princess Gyeonghui to come to the Seowon herself.

Rustle.

Princess Gyeonghui handed the letter to Son Bin. “The details are written in this letter, so please take a look.” She brought her face closer and smiled. “You’re thinking of something quite interesting, Master Son.”

“T, thank you,” Son Bin replied with the utmost politeness, pretending not to hear Hwasa exclaim from behind, “Oh my god. That woman used honorifics to Oppa [term for older brother/male friend]!” Princess Gyeonghui also lightly ignored Hwasa’s words, paid her respects to Son Bin, and returned to Sarasvati.

“So, the preparation is finished?” Old Master No asked, and Son Bin turned to face him.

“Yes. I think so. It’s a little embarrassing, though.”

“What’s embarrassing?” Old Master No smirked. “Then let’s leave today. After meeting the Five Great Merchant Groups or whatever, let’s go to the Gongson Clan and check it out ourselves…”

Old Master No stopped talking and turned his head. Not only Hwasa, but even Talhondo, who had been silent, looked up.

“Huh? This presence is…” Old Master No muttered, and Talhondo said, “The Sword Master has come.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the former Sword Master Hyeonryeon Wi appeared in his large form. Son Bin was surprised and stood up at the unexpected visit, but Talhondo raised his hand.

“Have you come?”

The former Sword Master Hyeonryeon Wi reacted to his informal greeting.

“Hmm.”

Everyone was surprised by the almost imperceptible nod. Old Master No frowned and looked back at Talhondo, and Son Bin also looked back and forth between them. Hwasa asked Talhondo with a curious expression, “Did you become friends?”

“Huh? Ah,” Talhondo said casually. “I met him once when I was guarding the Bin Seowon. Since then, we occasionally have a drink together.”

“Drink? That guy?” Old Master No looked at Talhondo in disbelief. Talhondo shrugged. “It’s just one drink, literally.”

In the meantime, the former Sword Master Hyeonryeon Wi entered the Seowon. He glanced at Princess Gyeonghui, Sarasvati, and the bodyguard Rahman, and headed straight for Son Bin, who politely paid his respects.

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while,” the former Sword Master Hyeonryeon Wi responded with a slight bow. Because he was so burly and tall, it felt like a pillar had been erected in the garden.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I had a good trip. Ah, and the two of you are…”

“I heard,” Hyeonryeon Wi said quietly. Son Bin had already guessed that he had heard the general story from Hyeonryeon Sehwa.

“More than that…”

“I can’t play with you today,” Old Master No interrupted. “Bin is busy. And as you’ve heard, the Gongson Clan…”

Rustle. Old Master No’s words were cut off by the letter that the former Sword Master Hyeonryeon Wi handed over.

“It’s from the Jegal Clan.”

The letter was addressed to Son Bin, who asked with a puzzled expression, “To me?”

Hyeonryeon Wi nodded almost imperceptibly.

Rustle.

Son Bin politely accepted the letter and was about to examine the rather thick envelope when…

“I,” the former Sword Master Hyeonryeon Wi said, “I recommend not reading it.”

“Yes?” Son Bin asked, surprised. What did it mean to deliver a letter and then tell him not to read it?

“I feel the same way,” the answer came not from Hyeonryeon Wi, but from Talhondo, who frowned. “If it’s a letter from the Jegal Clan, wouldn’t it be better to burn it instead?”

“Why?” Hwasa asked with wide eyes, but Old Master No spoke first.

“I won’t look either,” he said with a frown. “If I have to see it, I’ll see it after making an important decision. If my decision changes after reading the letter, at least I’ll know that I’ve been caught in the Jegal Clan’s scheme.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Son Bin realize what it meant.

“Is the writing on this letter such a powerful influence?”

Not reading it meant exactly that: once you see the letter, you have no choice but to act according to their intentions, to the point where even outer envoy masters would change their minds. Old Master No sighed deeply.

“I didn’t believe the saying that a brush could shake the world, but after seeing Pilong’s [Jegal Clan member known for his writing] writing, I understood. When I read that guy’s writing, my heart unknowingly gets hot…”

Old Master No shook his head and said to Son Bin, “Look. This taciturn Sword Master is doing errands for the Jegal Clan’s letter? This is what Pilong has done with a brush.”

Son Bin looked back at the former Sword Master Hyeonryeon Wi with a new perspective. It was truly amazing that the former Sword Master was delivering a letter from the Jegal Clan, who had joined hands with Gongson Geuk.

“Well, of course, he said that delivering this letter was for you, Bin.”

Hyeonryeon Wi’s expression didn’t change, but it was clear he acknowledged Old Master No’s words.

“Um, but…” Son Bin said with a troubled expression, “I don’t think I can not read it.”

It was a letter sent immediately after hearing about the Gongson Clan’s tragedy, and it was from the Jegal Clan, who had allied with the Flying Sword Gongson Geuk.

“Then read it after you decide,” Old Master No suggested. “The Jegal Clan joined hands with the Flying Sword, cooperating even knowing they divided the outer envoys and that the world could fall into chaos. If it weren’t for the Jegal Clan, the Flying Sword wouldn’t have plotted a rebellion.”

Old Master No continued with a firm expression, “Not only that, but it’s possible the Jegal Clan set up all the plans and suggested the direction, effectively playing the role of mastermind. It may not just be political cooperation.”

Old Master No looked straight at Son Bin. “Maybe the Jegal Clan’s evil deeds are deeper than we think. If so, what conclusion would you, Bin, come to about the Jegal Clan?”

“I have to hold them accountable,” Son Bin replied without hesitation.

“Just as a sword kills people, a scholar-official’s brush saves and kills countless people. Just because they aren’t holding a sword doesn’t mean they can avoid responsibility. No, rather, it’s right to hold them even more strictly accountable.”

Originally, scholar-officials had to live according to stricter moral standards. Although they didn’t take lives, they were often deprived of their official positions and exiled for even the smallest faults or the crimes of their relatives.

“The Jegal Clan will definitely be held accountable.”

“Good,” Old Master No said, slapping his knee. “Then read it. I’ve heard your intentions, so now your decision will never change.”

Son Bin nodded and slowly opened the Jegal Clan’s letter.

Rustle.

A beautiful and magnificent handwriting unfolded before Son Bin’s eyes. It was immediately clear that this letter alone would have tremendous value to enthusiasts. Son Bin slowly read the letter. He had prepared himself, but Pilong’s writing was captivating his attention from the very beginning.

‘Ah.’

He simply couldn’t take his eyes off it. The writing seemed to fly away at any moment, and the sentences were admirable. Son Bin, who had been following Pilong’s writing mindlessly, finally realized he had read the entire long letter only when he reached the end.

Sarak.

“Hoo.”

Slowly lowering the letter, Son Bin took a deep breath. Hwasa, who was watching, exclaimed, “Wow, you read that long thing all at once without resting? As expected, Oppa is…”

Son Bin gave a bitter smile. It seemed Hwasa was more amazed that he had read the thick letter in one go. Son Bin himself was surprised by that fact. He couldn’t take his eyes off the letter while reading it.

“As expected,” looking at the letter, Son Bin couldn’t hide his surprise. “It’s a great masterpiece.”

It wasn’t enough to just call it beautiful. It seemed Pilong’s sincerity was embedded in each sentence, so he couldn’t even handle the letter carelessly. Compared to before reading it, it felt like he had opened his eyes anew.

“What did he say?” Old Master No asked. “No, what did he ask you to do?”

At those words, Son Bin woke from the afterglow of the letter and raised his head.

“Gongson Geuk,” Son Bin said quietly. “He’s trying to destroy the Jegal Clan.”

Old Master No frowned violently. The others were also puzzled. Why was Gongson Geuk suddenly trying to destroy the Jegal Clan?

“Humph,” Old Master No snorted. “What does it matter to us whether the Gongson Clan burns down or the Jegal Clan collapses? So, what does he want you to do?”

Old Master No’s seemingly cold words were meant to awaken Son Bin. Everyone could guess what Pilong would ask for.

“I think I have to go to the Jegal Clan,” Son Bin carefully folded the letter and replied in a calm voice. “According to the letter, there seems to be time, so I will go and judge.”

“Tsk,” Old Master No clicked his tongue. He didn’t like the fact that Son Bin was moving, but he didn’t say anything more, because Son Bin’s expression, as he caressed the letter, was very dark.

Rustle.

Pilong’s bold handwriting and admirable sentences were no longer in Son Bin’s head. Only the content about Gongson Geuk weighed heavily on his heart.

(Author’s words)

Old Master No: Hmm, I feel like I’m forgetting something… What is it?

Seorin: Ah, right! I gave the letter that Grandpa left to Grandma!

Old Master No: Gasp!