A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 483

483. Announcing to Heaven and Earth

The sight of the blue dragon that manifested atop Mount Tai, announcing its presence to heaven and earth, was immense and awe-inspiring. Embracing Son Bin, the radiant blue dragon stood majestically on the summit, a celestial being descended from the heavens. It was a truly breathtaking spectacle. *Kiiiiing.* The small, jet-black bead in Son Bin’s hands trembled violently, emitting a resonant sound. It writhed as if trying to escape, but the black abyss bead remained firmly within Son Bin’s grasp. *Kkuaaaang.* The black abyss churned restlessly. Son Bin knew this was merely its final struggle, that this jet-black bead was but a tiny, dormant fragment of ‘their’ power. “…The place you’ve come to is not ‘Wei’,” Son Bin said quietly, looking down at the abyss in his hand. His eyes shone with a blue light, mirroring the Azure Dragon’s. “It’s just… other worlds.” *Sarak.* Slowly, Son Bin brought his hands together. The jet-black abyss bead writhed even more frantically, but Son Bin neither hesitated nor paused. And at the very moment his hands closed completely… *Flash.* —*Kkiaaaaaaaa.* A bizarre sound erupted as dazzling blue light poured from Son Bin’s hands. The terrible scream, threatening to engulf the world, instantly lost its power, swallowed by the wind, disappearing as if it had been an illusion. *Swaaaaaa.* The wind brushed past Son Bin. He slowly opened his clenched hands. *Sss.* Something resembling a jet-black mist flickered briefly in his palm, then vanished without a trace. All that remained was the wind passing through his fingers. “And not yet,” Son Bin murmured quietly. The huge blue dragon form and the shining eyes had now disappeared. “It’s not your time to come.” There was no answer. But the quietly blowing wind confirmed that everything was over. ‘Their’ attempt to set foot in this world had been thwarted. But as the Living Buddha in Seoseo had said, the truth of the ‘Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds’ [a Buddhist concept referring to the vastness of the universe] still remained. Son Bin slowly raised his head. *Hoo woo woong.* Mist swirled rapidly below Mount Tai. What did the emperors of the past see and wish for in this place where they performed the Bongseon ritual [an ancient Chinese ceremony where emperors offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth], announcing their achievements? What did so many people seek on the summit of this Mount Tai, which was likened to ascending to heaven? What did they want to see? What did the foolish Dan Sim-hwa Gongson-ji, and Bi-geom Gongson-geuk, who never understood himself until the end, try to find on this Mount Tai? *Seuk.* Son Bin raised his head, looked up at the sky, and murmured, almost as a sigh. “What is a person, anyway…” The rest of the words remained unspoken. Thoughts and emotions that defied expression churned within Son Bin’s heart. What is a person that they are so foolish, and what kind of being is a person that they agonizes themselves? Why is a person, merely a fleeting breath compared to the vast flow of time, capable of such nobility and such misery? Son Bin looked up at the sky. The sky above Mount Tai, filled with mist where the blue dragon’s form had vanished, offered him no answer.

***

The form of the blue dragon that had appeared in the Jade Emperor’s Pavilion disappeared. But No-gun and the others who were watching had clearly witnessed the tremendous sight, and the terrifying ghostly cry that had briefly echoed in their ears. No one could speak, overwhelmed by the experience that defied description, when suddenly Seorin exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow!” Seorin said, her eyes sparkling. “The dragon was bigger than before! And more sparkly!”

At those words, Princess Gyeong-hui frowned slightly. It was admirable that she could express herself so simply after witnessing such a spectacle. But Princess Gyeong-hui remained silent, the sight she had just seen still resonating within her.

“…As expected,” Sarasvati said, her eyes filled with tears. The word ‘my’ tingled on other people’s nerves, but no one commented. Right now, they simply didn’t want to break the spell of that amazing sight they had just witnessed.

*Rustle.* No-gun rose from his seat and stowed his sword, So-ryeong. *Sreung.*

“It’s over.” Everyone knew it, even without No-gun’s words. Bi-geom Gongson-geuk had disappeared, and so had those unknown ‘beings’ within him. No-gun, still gazing at the summit of Mount Tai, suddenly said, “Let’s go.”

At those words, Seorin asked with a puzzled expression, “Yes? Aren’t we waiting here?”

“We have to go.” It wasn’t No-gun who answered, but Sa Su-yeon. She got up and said, “In case we have to catch him before he rides the dragon and ascends to heaven.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Dang Wora also stood up and said quietly. “Because I promised my sister that I would definitely come back. But…” With her black veil fluttering in the wind, Dang Wora raised her head and looked at the summit of Mount Tai. “I agree that we should catch him.”

Perhaps it was because the sight they had just seen was so surreal. Everyone was struck by a vague anxiety that Son Bin, standing on the summit of Mount Tai, might vanish like the Azure Dragon. *Seuk.* Geom-hui rose silently. As if it was a signal, No-gun put his hands behind his back and strode forward. Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora followed him, and Princess Gyeong-hui, Sarasvati with tears in her eyes, and Geom-hui with her sword also began to walk towards the summit of Mount Tai.

“Shall we go too?” Seorin asked, looking back at the demonic beasts. —*Keureureuk.* The three demonic beasts growled softly in agreement. Seorin jumped onto the back of the black panther and headed towards the summit of Mount Tai. The thick fog that enveloped Mount Tai seemed to be gradually thinning.

***

Son Bin, standing on the ruined summit of Mount Tai and looking up at the sky, slowly lowered his head. There was nothing left here now, and nothing left to do. The work that had begun when the Cheonma [a powerful demonic entity] opened the Gate of the Abyss had finally come to an end. Even if this was a temporary peace, it would be a very long time before ‘they’ found this world again.

“Hoo.” Son Bin let out a quiet sigh and slowly turned around. *Pararak.* The wind shook his clothes and passed by. The Jade Emperor’s Pavilion, where a venerable shrine once stood, was now in ruins. Son Bin silently moved, passing through the desolate and even eerie Jade Emperor’s Pavilion, now silent. *Jeobeok, jeobeok.* The thick fog that had surrounded him was gradually clearing. As Son Bin descended the stone steps of the Jade Emperor’s Pavilion, he suddenly raised his head and saw figures approaching through the thinning fog. *Jeobeok, jeobeok.* How could he not recognize them? As if their images were etched in his mind, Son Bin recognized the figures approaching beyond the fog at once: No-gun’s frowning face as he walked with his hands behind his back, Sa Su-yeon’s shining eyes and confident stride, Dang Wora’s slender figure, veiled but as beautiful as moonlight, Princess Gyeong-hui’s arrogant but noble appearance, Sarasvati’s elegant and gentle demeanor, Geom-hui’s expressionless face with her sword, and Seorin waving her hand while riding on the back of the black panther. The moment he recognized them, Son Bin felt his heart swell. ‘…That’s right. People are…’ What would the world mean without them? What would this world mean if it weren’t for these precious people? Not only them, but also the innocent children of Seowon [a type of Korean private academy during the Joseon Dynasty], the masters of Oesa who crossed swords with him, the many people he had saved, and even this world that he wanted to make a slightly better place. All of them gave meaning to Son Bin’s existence. ‘Loving, and being loved…’ That’s why it’s noble, and that’s why it’s humble. That’s why they agonize, and that’s why they are happy. That is what a person is. *Ttok.* Tears flowed without him realizing it. The answer that the sky had not given him was now so clearly revealed before his eyes. Overwhelmed by emotion, Son Bin stopped. He looked at those precious people who were approaching him like fate, his eyes filled with tears.

“You,” No-gun said in a deliberately nonchalant voice as he approached. “Seeing you bleeding, you must have had a hard time this time. Are you okay?”

Only then did Son Bin become aware of the wound on his left shoulder, a wound that would have meant nothing if No-gun hadn’t shown concern. “Yes, I’m fine,” Son Bin smiled. But tears welled up in both Son Bin’s and No-gun’s eyes as he looked at him.

“Son Gong-ja [a respectful title for a young master],” Sa Su-yeon said in a trembling voice. Son Bin turned his head. Sa Su-yeon’s beautiful face, her tearful eyes, were sparkling before him.

“Su-yeon So-jeo [a respectful title for a young lady],” Son Bin replied.

“…Yes,” Sa Su-yeon answered, her voice choked with emotion. And the next moment… *Sarak.* Perhaps overwhelmed by emotion, Son Bin reached out and embraced Sa Su-yeon, precious and very gently.

“I’m back.” It was the promise Son Bin had made before ascending to the summit, that he would return. Sa Su-yeon’s eyes widened at the sudden gesture, but she soon smiled warmly and quietly hugged him back.

“Yes, welcome back,” Sa Su-yeon said with a very happy expression. *Sabak.* Son Bin released his hold and stepped back. Sa Su-yeon, smiling through her tears, turned her head and looked back at Dang Wora. Son Bin also turned his head and looked at Dang Wora, who was wearing her veil.

“Wora So-jeo,” Son Bin said.

Dang Wora bowed her head, unable to answer. But Son Bin and Sa Su-yeon already knew that tears were flowing behind her veil. *Sarak.* Dang Wora’s slender shoulders trembled slightly. But soon, she quietly leaned her head against Son Bin’s chest. Holding her slender shoulders, Son Bin said quietly, “Thank you. For always being by my side.”

Dang Wora couldn’t answer, but that was enough. It was then, as Son Bin quietly released his hold.

“Hyung [older brother or a term of endearment for a close male friend]!” *Hwik.* Seorin flew and hugged Son Bin. *Pak.*

“Ugh.” A groan escaped him as Seorin had grown quite a bit, and his injured shoulder protested. But Son Bin smiled and said to Seorin, “Thank you, Seorin-ah.”

Son Bin said with a bright smile, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too, Hyung!” Seorin hugged him tightly and rubbed her face against his chest. “Hehehe.”

Son Bin smiled at her childish laughter and stroked her head. It might not have been appropriate for the grown-up Seorin, but her cheerful laughter seemed to warm his heart. —*Keureureung.* Now even the demonic beasts were taking turns nudging their heads into Son Bin. Princess Gyeong-hui sighed and Sarasvati had a slightly sulky expression, but Son Bin didn’t notice. Stroking the demonic beasts, Son Bin turned to look at Geom-hui, who was watching him.

“Thank you, Geom-hui So-jeo.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Geom-hui said with an expressionless face.

But Son Bin smiled. “Still.”

Geom-hui looked at him as if it was strange, but Son Bin continued to look at her with a warm smile. No-gun frowned slightly at the sight.

“…This is a bit strange?” No-gun wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Princess Gyeong-hui also frowned, but Sarasvati quickly said to Son Bin in an elegant posture, “I’m glad you’re safe, Raja-nim [a respectful title, similar to ‘Lord’].”

“Thank you,” Son Bin replied with a smile, still stroking the demonic beasts. “These children and Sarasvati-nim, all of them are really precious to me.”

The three demonic beasts were left by the Water God, and among the gods, only Sarasvati remained. It couldn’t help but hold a very special meaning for Son Bin. Sarasvati looked happy, as if she was moved. Princess Gyeong-hui finally realized Son Bin’s condition, and so did No-gun.

“Tsk. I thought you were getting bolder, but was that it?” No-gun clicked his tongue. Son Bin’s current state was like being filled with love for humanity, or a feeling of brotherhood, grateful for everything, moved even by the passing wind.

“Sometimes, after finishing an important battle, there are times like that. Either you fall into extreme loneliness, as if you are the only one in the world, or you are just grateful for everything,” Sa Su-yeon sighed slightly, as if she was disappointed. Sarasvati had a satisfied expression, as if she had already guessed, and Dang Wora was still immersed in happiness. But Princess Gyeong-hui frowned slightly and said, “I don’t need such shallow feelings…”

“Hyung! What about the princess? You only didn’t do it to the princess,” Seorin’s lively voice cut through Princess Gyeong-hui’s words. Son Bin smiled and said, “Thank you for being with me. When I think about it, the relationship between the princess and I is really deep.”

It couldn’t *not* be deep. Son Bin had first met her when he was dragged around by Sa Ja-hyeok, making her his oldest acquaintance besides Sa Su-yeon. Princess Gyeong-hui didn’t answer, still somewhat displeased, but the word ‘unnecessary’ remained unspoken. —*Keureung.* The demonic beasts kept pushing their heads into Son Bin, asking him to stroke them. The snow-white snow leopard licked his wound, and Seorin was also sticking close to him.

“Yes, yes,” Son Bin stroked the demonic beasts. Watching them close their eyes in satisfaction under his touch, No-gun chuckled. “Well, it’s still good. I’ve lived long enough to see times like this.” No-gun raised his head. The thick fog had cleared, and the magnificent scenery of Mount Tai was slowly revealing itself. “Shall we go down then?”

“Just a moment,” Princess Gyeong-hui said. *Sarak.* She took something out of her arms: a black cylinder, the size of a thick bamboo joint, a Hwatong [a type of signal flare launcher].

“Why that again?” No-gun frowned. He vividly remembered when Princess Gyeong-hui had threatened Son Bin with that on the summit of Hwangsan. “It’s a signal.”

“A signal?” Princess Gyeong-hui nodded. “It’s a signal that it’s safe to withdraw the troops.”

At those words, No-gun’s expression hardened. Withdrawing the troops meant that the army was already waiting. “What if Bin lost?”

Another Hwatong emerged from Princess Gyeong-hui’s arms, identical to the first, but blue. “If *this* signal goes up, the Jinan garrison will immediately surround Mount Tai and begin indiscriminate shelling, regardless of who the opponent is.” *Hwirik.* Princess Gyeong-hui said, lightly twirling the blue Hwatong in her hand. “In the meantime, the navy will block the Yellow River to cut off the road to Beijing, and His Majesty will appoint a commander-in-chief to order all the imperial troops to suppress Gongson-geuk and the Demonic Sect. In fact, the world will be swept up in war.” *Tak.* Holding the blue Hwatong, Princess Gyeong-hui smiled. “Fortunately, thanks to Son Gong-ja, there’s no need to worry about that.”

“Kkeueung.” No-gun groaned. He had expected the imperial family wouldn’t remain idle, but he hadn’t realized they were planning something so drastic. And he finally understood why Son Bin had allowed Princess Gyeong-hui to accompany him. “Then, can I send the signal now?” Princess Gyeong-hui asked in an extremely polite manner. No-gun frowned at her sparkling eyes. “Yes.”

As soon as No-gun gave his permission, Princess Gyeong-hui pointed the black Hwatong to the sky and pulled the string. *Piiiiii—.* Flames soared with a small explosion. Smoke quickly spread, and after a moment, a red flower bloomed in the blue sky. *Peong.* “…Did you shoot it up properly?” No-gun, looking at her with a sullen expression, glanced at Princess Gyeong-hui and asked. If the signal was wrong, the aftermath would be terrible. But what he saw was Princess Gyeong-hui’s stiffened expression. “Oops, the color…”

The moment No-gun’s face turned white, Princess Gyeong-hui smiled. “Just kidding,” she said, lightly shaking the blue Hwatong. “Just kidding.”

“Hey! You…!” It was natural for No-gun to be annoyed. Princess Gyeong-hui smiled triumphantly and looked up at the red signal that had bloomed in the sky. “Ah! It appeared over there too!” Seorin said, pointing to the northern sky. The same red flower was appearing in the distant blue sky. Only then did No-gun let out a sigh of relief. “Over there too!” Seorin said excitedly. The signal was rising not only in the north, but also in the south, east, and west. “They were preparing properly in all directions,” No-gun grumbled, and Seorin chirped next to him, “I miss the kids.”

He didn’t know how the red smoke signal and the children were connected, but it wasn’t just No-gun who felt a surge of longing at those words. “Me too. I miss the kids too,” Sa Su-yeon said, and Dang Wora nodded. Princess Gyeong-hui, Sarasvati, and Geom-hui also quietly looked up at the sky. No-gun, watching the red smoke signal slowly disappear into the blue sky, turned his head towards Son Bin. “Let’s go.”

“Yes,” Son Bin replied with a smile. At his bright and cheerful expression, No-gun chuckled and turned. “Let’s ride the kitties and go!”

“No. I can walk this much on my own. What kind of mountain climbing is it if you go up and down riding these things?” Listening to Seorin and No-gun’s conversation, Son Bin raised his eyes. The majestic figure of Mount Tai, now fully revealed, stood as majestically as a painting. Son Bin thought it was a truly beautiful world.

(Author’s words) Son Bin, swept away by the emotional atmosphere, hugged Sa Su-yeon and Dang Wora, and will later blush and do a blanket kick [a Korean expression for being embarrassed or ashamed].