A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 493

The exotic scenery of Yunnan was like a new world to the children. Hyeonryeon Sehwa, Hwasa, Princess Gyeonghui, and even Sarasvati were completely captivated by the unique sights of Yunnan, which they were seeing for the first time. Everyone, young and old, was filled with admiration and wonder at everything they saw.

“You’re leaving tomorrow?” The children’s eyes widened as if they couldn’t believe it. Sonbin nodded firmly.

“Yes. I have to teach.”

“Uwaaaah.” The children couldn’t hide their disappointment. Hanwol, who had unintentionally spent the whole day with the children, fulfilling the orders of the young Okryong, finally breathed a sigh of relief, but the children couldn’t shake their gloomy expressions.

“Where did that handsome *oppa* [older brother or male friend] go?” Soso asked Sonbin. The young Okryong, known as the handsome *oppa* or kind *hyung* [older brother] among the children, had not yet returned to the Blood Dragon Gate since descending from the Snow Mountain.

“Um, I think he has something important to do, so he won’t be able to come for a while,” Sonbin replied to the children. He thought he knew why the young Okryong had suddenly disappeared, but he couldn’t wait. It was a long way from here to the *Seowon* [private Confucian academy], and even more so considering the parents waiting for the children.

“Really? I wanted to say thank you before he left…” The young Okryong was quite popular among the children. The biggest reason was Hanwol, who would say, ‘It is Lord Okryong’s command,’ whenever the children were grateful for something delicious or amazing.

“It’s okay. You’ll see him again,” Sonbin said, stroking Soso’s drooping head, hoping that the young Okryong had safely reunited with his mother. Precious relationships can sometimes leave great wounds because of their preciousness.

“When are you leaving?” Hwasa asked abruptly. She seemed to like the folk costumes of Yunnan, as she was wearing a traditional dress of this region with flamboyant colors. Of course, no matter what she wore, her confident femininity never faded. Rather, she discovered a new charm in the Yunnan folk costume.

“Shouldn’t we leave tomorrow morning?” At Sonbin’s words, Hwasa’s eyes sparkled.

“Then I have to go buy a gift today! I have to give it to my darling.”

Hwasa’s ‘darling’ was, of course, Talhondo. At her words, Nogun muttered to himself.

“I think Talhondo would like you even if you just wore that dress…” When the old woman, Dang Unyeong, glared at him, Nogun turned his head and cleared his throat.

“Ah! I have to buy a gift too!” Soso said, her eyes widening as if she had just remembered. “My sister told me to buy a gift when I come. I’ll be in trouble if I don’t.”

“I have to buy one too,” Aeng-aeng muttered quietly. The boys all looked like they had forgotten something important. They had all been told to buy gifts for their siblings or parents, but they had completely forgotten about it until now.

“Ah, me too,” Seorin raised her hand. “I want to give a gift to my grandmaster.”

The ‘grandmaster’ was Hyeonheo Jin-in of the Wudang. He was a disciple of Hwanghak Jin-in, one of the Four Heavenly Saviors, the granduncle of the current Wudang Sect Leader, and virtually the highest elder of Wudang.

“Then I should get something for my grandfather too…”

“I want to give a gift to my sister,” said Sasu-yeon, and Dang Wora also sparkled her eyes behind her veil. It was a natural reaction to want to give gifts to their families, except that the ‘grandfather’ was the Ice Emperor of the Northern Sea and the ‘sister’ was the Chief Military Strategist of the Tang family.

“A gift for the Ice Emperor and the Tang family’s Chief Military Strategist… I don’t think anything ordinary will do,” Nogun muttered again. Sonbin smiled and said, “It’s about conveying the heart. And isn’t who gave the gift more important?”

“Of course,” Nogun nodded. Then, Hyeonryeon Sehwa, who was watching from the side, smiled and said, “Then shall we all go shopping for gifts together today? I have to buy some too.”

“Yes!” The children answered as if they were singing in unison.

“Oh, but Teacher, you’ve already bought a lot,” Soso said, looking up at Hyeonryeon Sehwa. In fact, Hyeonryeon Sehwa was the only one who had been buying souvenirs and gifts from every place they had visited since Hangzhou.

“Well, it’s fun. And the people who receive them like it too,” Hyeonryeon Sehwa stammered, slightly embarrassed. Of course, there were many officials and family elders to whom she had to express her gratitude, but she had always enjoyed giving small gifts and taking care of the people around her.

“Sunrang, I want to receive a gift too,” the old woman, Dang Unyeong, said to Nogun. Nogun shrugged and replied, “Really? What do you want to receive?”

“Anything is fine. As long as you buy it for me.”

Nogun chuckled. “You’re like a child… Alright. Let’s go together.” The old woman, Dang Unyeong, smiled and linked arms with Nogun. Somehow, the sight was so pleasing that Sonbin smiled and said, “Then let’s all go out together.”

That day, Sonbin and his group spent their last day in Yunnan buying gifts. Sonbin bought gifts for his uncle and aunt, and Shin-ui bought a small trinket for Oruhan. Even Princess Gyeonghui and Sarasvati, who seemed uninterested, picked out small ornaments. They were really nothing special, but the group was happy and joyful just by buying gifts for someone.

***

With the polite farewell of the warrior Hanwol, Sonbin and his group left the Blood Dragon Gate. The children, who had grown fond of him in the meantime, gathered at the back of the carriage and waved enthusiastically at Hanwol as he receded into the distance. Aeng-aeng, who was very affectionate, even teared up.

After leaving the Blood Dragon Gate, Sonbin and his group did not immediately leave Yunnan but headed south. This was because the demonic beasts sent from Mount Tai were in the forest area of southern Yunnan.

“Wow! Kitties!” Seorin shouted as soon as she spotted the demonic beasts, flying through the air and rushing towards them. The demonic beasts also seemed happy to see Sonbin and his group after a long time, expressing their satisfaction with small growls.

“Hmm, at this rate, there won’t be any damage to the villages,” Nogun muttered, stroking the chin of a jet-black panther. The place where the demonic beasts were was a very deep part of the rugged Yunnan forest, so it was not easy to see even a trace of people, let alone villages. The *Seowon* children were also told to wait in a village quite far away. There were safety concerns, but also because Nogun frowned and said, ‘What if the children want to raise them?’ Considering the way the demonic beasts treated Sonbin and his group, and the children’s personalities of quickly becoming attached to anyone, it was definitely a possibility. Besides, a big, strong, and loyal beast was almost a dream friend for children.

“Are these them? The kitties that followed *oppa*?” Hwasa, her eyes sparkling, approached the demonic beasts without fear. The demonic beasts sniffed Hwasa a few times and then showed their friendliness.

“Cu, cute.” Hwasa rubbed her cheeks against the demonic beasts, delighted. Then she suddenly turned to look at Sonbin. At that moment, Sonbin was absolutely certain what Hwasa was going to say.

“I, these kids…”

“No,” Sonbin said quickly and firmly. “There is no place to raise these children near the *Seowon*. The Black Snake Stronghold is the same. This place is better for these children.” He had unconsciously called the demonic beasts ‘children,’ but it didn’t matter. Sure enough, Hwasa’s lips pouted. But when the demonic beasts growled and nudged their heads, she quickly cheered up and giggled.

Seorin was already riding on the backs of the demonic beasts, and Sasu-yeon and Dang Wora were also stroking the demonic beasts without hesitation. At the sight, even Hyeonryeon Sehwa and the old woman, Dang Unyeong, mustered the courage to approach the demonic beasts. The charm of the large demonic beasts was more powerful than expected, and even the usually calm old woman, Dang Unyeong, couldn’t take her eyes off them, her eyes sparkling. Before they knew it, Princess Gyeonghui was stroking a pure white snow leopard, and Sarasvati was quietly caressing the three demonic beasts with particularly affectionate eyes.

“The Water Demon God would be happy to know that these children are doing well,” Sarasvati said, and Sonbin nodded.

“Yes. I suppose so.” Sonbin also recalled the Water Demon God’s memories and stroked the three demonic beasts. The demonic beasts closed their eyes at Sonbin’s stroking touch and growled, expressing their satisfaction.

***

After saying goodbye to the three demonic beasts, Sonbin and his group headed to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province. Guiyang, where the Blood Bee Union had once been, now had only a few small and medium-sized sects left, as the Blood Bee Union no longer existed. With the departure of the Blood Dragon Gate of Yunnan, which had been the largest force, and the disappearance of the Blood Bee Gold Snake Union and the Ghost Dog Asura, the alliance, which had lost its center, had collapsed as Nogun had predicted.

Sonbin and his group only stopped in Guiyang to let the children, who were tired from the long carriage ride, rest, and did not spend much time there. Thus, the three carriages carrying Sonbin and the children, filled with gifts and food, were smoothly heading towards Cheongwon.

Clatter, clatter.

“But you know,” Nogun, who was holding the reins, said suddenly. Sonbin, who was sitting next to him and looking at the passing scenery, turned his head. Nogun looked ahead and said, “You’re not a young child anymore, you need to take responsibility, don’t you think?”

“Yes?” It was a really unexpected remark. Sonbin asked with a puzzled expression. “I don’t quite understand what you mean…”

“What do I mean?” Nogun frowned and turned to look at Sonbin. “You hugged Yeon-a and Wora tightly on Mount Tai, didn’t you?”

Sonbin finally realized what Nogun was talking about. Sonbin smiled awkwardly and said, “Ah, well, that was because…”

It was nothing more than a pure act, unable to overcome the overflowing emotion and excitement. He had hugged Seorin before that, and Nogun hadn’t been teary-eyed as well? If the demonic beasts hadn’t intervened, he would have hugged the others as well.

“It was just a pure expression of affection…”

“Affection my foot,” Nogun retorted bluntly. “Is it okay to just hug marriageable young ladies like that? Do you think Yeon-a or Wora are pillows you can hug as you please?”

Sonbin had nothing to say. It was a world where young men and women were pointed fingers at for being immoral even if they just held hands. No matter how free-spirited the daughters of martial families were, it was unimaginable to hug a man in front of others, especially a man who was clearly a stranger. Sonbin felt the hairs on his head stand on end. He was glad that Sasu-yeon and Dang Wora were not here now, or he would not have been able to show his face at all. Fortunately, the two were in another carriage, and this carriage was full of sleeping children and gift bundles.

“A man must take responsibility for his actions,” Nogun said in a stern voice. “Hugging them in front of everyone and saying, ‘I just did it with a pure heart’ is bullshit. You’re a very bad guy. It’s irresponsible. That’s a scam, a scam.”

Nogun’s tone was getting stronger and stronger. But every word was right, so Sonbin had no choice but to listen. Evading the responsibility he should bear was an act that Sonbin himself could never tolerate.

“…I see,” Sonbin nodded with a somber expression. He had no words to say to Nogun’s scathing criticism.

“So, are you going to take responsibility?” Nogun asked tentatively. Sonbin nodded with a serious expression.

“If I have done something to take responsibility for, I must take responsibility.”

At those words, Nogun’s face lit up. “Really? Then…”

“However,” Sonbin asked with an even more serious look, “Can we arbitrarily decide on the great event of human life without asking the other party’s intentions? The other party may not want to…”

“They do,” Nogun cut off Sonbin’s words in one stroke. “They have more than enough intention. So don’t worry about that.”

Sonbin looked at Nogun with suspicious eyes. “I don’t think even an elder can be sure of another person’s heart…”

“I’m telling you, they do!” Nogun shouted. After spending so much time together, how could he not be sure? He was so frustrated he felt like he was going to explode.

“The children will wake up,” Nogun quickly lowered his voice at Sonbin’s urgent words. But the force he felt was still the same. “Then why do you think Yeon-a or Wora went all the way to that far place with you? And you still don’t know?”

That was a natural point. But Sonbin was more serious and cautious than Nogun thought. Besides, he knew a lot of unnecessary things.

“That may be due to the sense of responsibility of Miss Suyeon or Miss Wora. You may not know this, Elder, but people who have gone through difficult times together sometimes mistake psychological homogeneity for affection for each other. So they themselves may not know if that feeling is true love…”

Nogun chuckled at Sonbin’s anxious expression.

“So?” Nogun said, dumbfounded. “When will that true love be confirmed? No, will it even be confirmed?”

Sonbin couldn’t answer. Who in the world could confirm that? People’s hearts can even deceive themselves.

“I understand what you mean,” Nogun sighed. “It’s good to respect the other party’s intentions, and it’s good to pursue true feelings. But when are you going to get married and when are you going to have children? Do you think there are many people who will wait for you forever like Youngmae?”

Even in the midst of all this, Nogun boasted about his wife. Nogun looked straight into Sonbin’s eyes. “You don’t need pride in the face of love. Even if you get hurt and rejected, if you like them, just go for it boldly.”

Nogun said in a rather solemn tone. “That’s a man.”

Those words resonated greatly in Sonbin’s heart. But the problem still remained.

“However…”

“Why, again?” At Nogun’s annoyed words, Sonbin hesitated and continued, “The ancient sages made it clear through the family rites that marriage is a union of families. But as Nogun knows, I don’t have anything that can be called a family…”

Nogun realized what Sonbin was saying. Not only Sonbin but also his uncle did not have a family to boast about. But if the other party was the Ice Palace of the Northern Sea or the Tang family, one of the Five Great Families of the Murim [martial arts world], it was so sinful to even dare to speak.

“Heoeoeo,” Nogun let out a long sigh. It was a natural worry from Sonbin’s point of view, but for Nogun, there was no more frustrating word than this.

“What’s wrong with not having that kind of thing! It’s enough if they like each other!”

“But marriage is…”

“Create one if you don’t have one!” Nogun finally shouted. “If you put up a signboard at the *Seowon*, isn’t that a family? There’s an old saying, ‘self-made.’ If you don’t have anything inherited, just make it!”

Strictly speaking, *self-made (自手成家)* was not meant to be taken literally, Sonbin thought. Besides, would the Northern Sea Ice Palace or the Tang family really recognize such a boneless family? But Sonbin could no longer talk about the family. It seemed like Nogun was going to get angry, but there was another problem as well.

“Um, but…”

“What?” At Nogun’s annoyed reaction, Sonbin hesitated and said, “Is it okay to hug in a place where there are no people?”

Nogun frowned. “You, what did you do with someone while I didn’t know?”

Even Sonbin himself felt that the nuance was very strange after he said it. Sonbin quickly waved his hand. “No, it’s not like I did anything…”

Looking at Nogun’s expression, Sonbin carefully said, “I think the definition of an action that requires responsibility is a bit ambiguous. For example, if you had to hug someone due to unavoidable circumstances, or if it was an unavoidable measure to help someone in a dangerous situation…”

Nogun’s pale eyebrows twitched. When he thought about it, he had spent half his life alone. So what would he know about the definition of an action that requires responsibility in a relationship between a man and a woman? The only word Nogun wanted to hear was Sonbin’s one word, ‘I’ll take responsibility.’ However, what Nogun had not expected was that Sonbin was unimaginably stubborn and endlessly serious.

“I don’t know either,” Nogun said with a hollow expression, now giving up. At that reaction, Sonbin felt somehow sorry.

“…Yes.” Sonbin, who had slipped his gaze away, began to recall his memories diligently in his mind. He wondered if he had ever done anything that required responsibility without his knowledge.

Clatter, clatter.

After frowning for a while and groping through the past, Sonbin suddenly asked as if he had remembered something. “Ah, Elder.”

“What?” Was it because he was used to Nogun’s blunt voice? Sonbin unknowingly blurted out the question that came to his mind. “Does it include cases where I was hugged? If so…”

Sonbin swallowed his words. It was because Nogun’s momentum in looking at him was unusual. Nogun uttered one word very quietly.

“You. Figure. It. Out.”

Sonbin unknowingly swallowed his saliva. And he closed his mouth and quietly looked ahead.

Clatter, clatter. The carriage was heading towards Cheongwon indifferently. And Sonbin was unintentionally reflecting on the past he had passed, constantly tilting his head. (Author’s words) Sonbin skips dating or becoming lovers and just rushes into marriage.