A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 494

494. Wisdom Hides Among People

Wisdom hides among people, and at the entrance of Cheongwon, the parents of the Seowon [private school] children were waiting. The meticulous Hyeokryun Se-hwa had been regularly sending letters to Cheongwon to inform them of the situation.

So-so’s older sister, Eun Cho-bin, the acting head of Soeun Bureau [a government office], as well as Son-bin’s uncle and aunt, came out to greet them. Surprisingly, that was also thanks to Hyeokryun Se-hwa’s consideration. “Ah, it seems Young Master Son wanted to meet them, so I sent a separate letter.”

Son-bin couldn’t hide his surprise at Hyeokryun Se-hwa’s words. “Yes? But…”

Of course, he wanted to see them. But he had never told anyone, so how did Hyeokryun Se-hwa know?

“You bought gifts in Yunnan [a province in southwestern China]. I thought there were only two people you would give such gifts to. Sooyeon and Wol-ah thought the same.”

Hyeokryun Se-hwa said with a little hesitation, “Did I overstep my bounds?”

“No, not at all,” Son-bin quickly waved his hand. Then, smiling, he bowed politely. “Thank you, Miss Se-hwa.”

“It’s nothing.” Hyeokryun Se-hwa lightly bowed her head in response to Son-bin’s greeting. “Even if it wasn’t for me, they would have come out anyway.”

Son-bin’s uncle and aunt had come to greet Son-bin before. At that time, their expressions were half embarrassed and half puzzled. The nephew they thought was running a small Seowon had succeeded to the point of having the young lady of the great Hyeokryun family as a Seowon teacher, which was certainly surprising.

“Mom!”

“Oh, my babies.”

The children were already having emotional reunions with their parents. The children ran into their parents’ arms, and the adults hugged them tightly. Perhaps because they had experienced it once before, the children didn’t cry as much as they used to, but everyone, adults and children alike, still had tears in their eyes.

Son-bin also approached his uncle and aunt and bowed politely. His uncle and aunt also gave Son-bin bright smiles. The previous uneasy look was gone, and their faces were full of pride. Just that alone warmed Son-bin’s heart.

***

For the children who were tired from the long journey, Son-bin decided to take a few days off from class. Of course, the children would all come to play at the Seowon anyway.

The children took their parents’ hands and returned home with gift bundles. So-so also returned with her older sister, Eun Cho-bin. Son-bin greeted Eun Cho-bin, whom he had met after a long time, and she was still bright and cheerful.

“Let’s go too.” Noh-gun walked, holding the reins of the carriage. Perhaps because of the long carriage ride, everyone got out of the carriage and walked. Dang Wol-ah’s five children were also doing the same.

Step, step. The road to the Seowon located on the outskirts of Cheongwon was quiet and deserted. Sa Soo-yeon, who was walking slowly, suddenly said, “It’s nice.”

Everyone felt the same way. Son-bin smiled and replied, “Yes, it’s nice.”

The sun is bright and the wind is cool. The reason why this ordinary road is so comfortable is probably because it is the road back home.

As Son-bin leisurely savored the atmosphere, Noh-gun, who was holding the reins, suddenly asked Sarasvati, “By the way, what happened to your kids?”

By ‘your kids,’ Noh-gun meant the people from Tianzhu [ancient name for India] who were with Sarasvati. Sarasvati smiled and replied, “We have settled near Hainan Island [island in the South China Sea]. We have officially received permission, so we will be active mainly there now.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

It was, so to speak, a kind of settlement. Hainan Island was also the best place for southern maritime trade. Of course, they had to hide their warships elsewhere.

“Everyone misses you. Especially Rahman, he really wants to see Young Master Son.”

Rahman was the former Imperial Guard who accompanied Son-bin’s group to the Pasa Desert.

“Ah, and Jaina is doing well too. She’s working hard to learn these days. She misses Elder Noh-gun.”

“Jaina? Ah, that girl?”

Jaina was the girl whom Son-bin’s group, or rather Noh-gun, rescued in the Pasa Desert. Noh-gun nodded and frowned slightly. “…She followed Rahman?”

Sarasvati gave an awkward smile at those words. It was perhaps natural for Jaina, who had nowhere to go, to follow Rahman.

“Well, anyway, the vicinity of Hainan Island is quite good. There’s a Gwan-do [official road] road open to this place, and there’s also a sea route.”

“Yes. So it’s easy for Rahman to contact me.” At Sarasvati’s words, Noh-gun noticed something strange.

“Contact? Aren’t you going?”

That was a natural thing to say. But Sarasvati smiled elegantly and said as if to show off, “I’m going to stay here.”

“What? Why?” Noh-gun frowned, but Sarasvati didn’t care. “I like it here. I’ve already gotten permission.”

“Permission? Who gave you that permission…?”

“Of course, the owner of the house, Miss Wol-ah.” Noh-gun realized. Come to think of it, the women were all staying at Dang Wol-ah’s house. Except for the old woman Dang Woon-young, who lived with Noh-gun.

If they lived in Dang Wol-ah’s house and came to the Seowon to play, there was nothing he could say. Son-bin couldn’t stop them even more.

“Ugh.” Noh-gun groaned. “Why Wol-ah…”

“I’m going to teach her how to draw instead. I’m quite skilled in painting.” Noh-gun frowned, wondering what she was talking about. But he gave up quickly. “I don’t know. Do as you please.”

Sarasvati, whose smile was elegant even in her triumph, laughed, and before he knew it, the Seowon came into view.

“Wow! It’s the Seowon… Huh?” Seorin, who shouted as if she was happy, said in a puzzled voice. “What’s that carriage?”

A small carriage was parked in front of the Seowon, which was always open as usual. It was a carriage that could barely fit one person, and its decorations and colors were quite antique. Noh-gun twitched his eyebrows and said, “It’s not from the Outer World [a realm beyond the mortal world]? Who is it?”

He doesn’t feel any special energy from inside the Seowon.

“It seems like we have a guest.” Son-bin also said with a puzzled expression. It was rare for a guest who wasn’t a master of the Outer World, because most guests were from the Outer World or related to it.

Step.

Son-bin’s group cautiously approached the Seowon. And soon, they could see the two guests who had come to the Seowon.

“…Who are they?” Noh-gun muttered, frowning. It wasn’t just because the two guests were strangers he had never seen before.

An old man in rather antique clothes was sitting in the garden, drinking tea. And another old man in similar attire was standing next to him, guarding him. The old man leisurely savoring his tea looked like a carefree grandfather enjoying the sun, but the moment Son-bin saw him, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Oh, have you finally arrived?” The old man who was drinking tea also found Son-bin. And immediately raised his hand. “I don’t need it.”

His voice was firm. But soon he smiled warmly and continued, “It’s not a place for that, and I’m a guest here.”

Noh-gun wondered what he meant. But soon, he realized that the old man’s gaze was directed at Son-bin and Princess Kyunghee. Son-bin’s expression was clearly surprised. But Princess Kyunghee’s face was even more so. Her usually cold expression was frozen stiff.

“What are you doing? Come in and sit down.” The old man spoke more like an owner than a guest.

“Hmm.” Noh-gun groaned. He thought it was impossible, but at this point, he couldn’t deny it. Something that even the bold Noh-gun would be surprised at was happening right before his eyes.

“…Soonrang?” The old woman Dang Woon-young asked Noh-gun with a puzzled expression. It was at that moment.

“Ah! My teacup!” Suddenly, Hwa-sa shouted. The old man was holding the teacup that Hwa-sa cherished. Hwa-sa quickly ran to the old man. The other old man who was standing flinched, but Hwa-sa didn’t care.

“Hehe. This is mine…” Hwa-sa said with a half-crying expression, confirming that it was her teacup. The old man who was holding the teacup also looked surprised.

“Ah, was this yours? I liked it, so I took it from the kitchen…”

And a surprising thing happened. “I’m sorry.” The old man bowed his head. The other old man standing next to him was horrified, but it was already done. Soon, the old man raised his head and said to Hwa-sa in a polite voice, “I didn’t know it was yours. I apologize for using it without permission.”

No one could open their mouths. The others just didn’t understand what was going on, but Princess Kyunghee’s face had turned completely pale.

Hwa-sa sighed deeply. And said, “Okay. It’s okay. No, it’s not okay, but…”

Hwa-sa wasn’t one to say anything to someone who admitted their mistake and apologized, especially an old man. Hwa-sa said as if she couldn’t help it. “What can I do, it’s already been used?”

Once it was settled, Hwa-sa didn’t dwell on it anymore. It was a rather generous response, but the old man standing next to her had a red and blue face.

“Is that so? Thank you.” The old man said with a smile. “If you want to buy something else, tell me. Anytime…”

“Ah, it’s okay. I can just boil it thoroughly later.” Hwa-sa said to the old man with a smile. “Actually, I brought something that someone else used too. I wanted to buy the same thing and use it with my husband, but it wasn’t here.”

“Is that so?” The old man turned his head. “Can you find something like this?” The other old man standing next to him bowed deeply and answered politely. “I will.”

“Really? Really?” Hwa-sa liked it with surprised eyes. The old man, satisfied with the reaction, looked at Hwa-sa again and said, “Come to think of it, you look very healthy. And well-developed. Your husband must love you.”

Son-bin flinched at those words. Such words to a young woman were undoubtedly a flirtation. But Hwa-sa, who was sensitive to people’s energy, already knew that the old man’s words didn’t contain any flirtatious intent. Besides, she was also pleased to be told that she would be loved by a Talhondo [a powerful warrior].

“Right? I have a great body.” Hwa-sa said proudly, sticking out her chest. The old man smiled contentedly. “Yes, it’s very nice to see you growing up so well. I feel rewarded too.”

Hwa-sa frowned at those words. “Do you know me? And rewarded? Did you help me grow up well?”

“I didn’t directly help, but…” The old man still said with a contented expression. “It can’t be said that it’s completely unrelated.”

Hwa-sa looked puzzled as if she didn’t know what he meant. But some people realized the meaning. Son-bin was one of them.

‘It’s certainly not completely unrelated.’

A peaceful reign is the greatest achievement of a monarch. So, it was a natural reaction for a ruler to feel rewarded by the sight of his people living well. Of course, Hwa-sa’s case was far from that.

“Let’s organize our luggage first.” Son-bin said to the group. “We can’t stand in front of the guest like this.”

The suspicious eyes were still there, but no one asked. Because Son-bin and Noh-gun were silent.

While the group scattered to organize their luggage, Son-bin and Princess Kyunghee approached the old man.

“Welcome.” Son-bin put his hands together and bowed politely. “It’s humble, but I’m glad to have you here.”

Sarak. Princess Kyunghee bowed silently. The old man had already said ‘I don’t need it,’ but no matter how deeply she bowed, it was bound to be a rudeness. The old man in front of her was the pinnacle of power and the master of the imperial family who ruled the world from the huge red palace, the current emperor.

“Sit down.” At the emperor’s words, Son-bin and Princess Kyunghee sat down. The eunuch standing next to him was expressing his dissatisfaction with his expression for daring to sit in the same seat as the emperor, but the emperor, Son-bin, and Princess Kyunghee didn’t care.

“This, we’ll need more tea.” “It’s here.” Clatter. The person who brought the tea before the emperor finished speaking was Hyeokryun Se-hwa. She said with a graceful smile, “The water is boiling. I hope you like it.”

“Thank you.” Hyeokryun Se-hwa lightly bowed her head at the emperor’s words. There was no way she, who was quick-witted, wouldn’t know the identity of this old man, but the fact that she was acting so naturally meant that she was no ordinary person either.

Hyeokryun Se-hwa also brought tea to Noh-gun and Shin-ui, who were sitting a little further away. Noh-gun was holding the teacup and looking elsewhere, but his ears were probably not missing the conversation between Son-bin and the emperor.

Sreuk. The emperor leisurely raised the teacup and savored the tea. And quietly said, lowering the teacup, “I heard you went to the Western Regions?”

“Yes.” Son-bin also answered, holding the teacup. The subtle tea scent softly enveloped the surroundings.

“How was it there?”

It was a question with many meanings. Son-bin smiled, stroking the teacup. “Some were fighting for power, and others were moving according to their own causes.”

Son-bin raised his head. “But people lived there too. And there were those who cared for others there too.”

Perhaps that wasn’t a fair assessment. No place, not even Seojang, was ever full of hope. But people lived there too, and there were people who showed kindness and goodwill to Son-bin’s group, who were strangers.

Princess Potala of Seojang, who saw hope in Son-bin, the people of the Tianzhu village, who were untouchables but brighter than anyone else, and even the girl Jaina of Pasa, who showed small kindness.

“Is that so?” The emperor quietly answered Son-bin’s words. Perhaps it wasn’t the answer he wanted, but it wasn’t much different from what he expected.

“I see.” The emperor, who was muttering quietly, raised his head and looked at the Seowon. It was so small that it couldn’t be compared to his palace, but it was full of people’s laughter and warmth.

“…I wanted to come and see it once.” The emperor turned his head and looked at Princess Kyunghee. “I also wanted to check if you were doing well.”

That was something Princess Kyunghee had never expected. Perhaps it was just a formality. But nevertheless, the meaning of the emperor saying that was great. Princess Kyunghee’s pupils trembled, unable to hide her agitation.

“…Thank you.” Princess Kyunghee said, committing a rudeness that she would never dare to dream of in the imperial palace. Originally, she should have immediately prostrated herself on the ground and shouted ‘I am infinitely terrified.’

“This is a good place.” The emperor said, raising the teacup. “You can know what kind of person he is by looking at where he lives. You are still the same person I saw.”

Son-bin smiled at those words. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why the emperor came all the way to this distant place. Confirming the true intentions of an existence that he could not control was a duty that he, as a ruler, had to do.

Especially if he was preparing for the next generation’s reign.

“Thank you.” Son-bin also answered, raising the teacup. In the small garden where the leaves were rustling in the wind, the three of them quietly savored the tea.

***

The emperor soon left in a carriage. Son-bin and Princess Kyunghee saw him off, and Noh-gun also stood outside the Seowon and watched until the carriage disappeared into the distance.

“But who is that old man?” Hwa-sa poked her head out from the Seowon door and asked. Son-bin just smiled, but Noh-gun snorted and said, “That person? He’s the owner of the biggest house in the world.”

“Big house?” Hwa-sa shrugged. “I don’t like big houses very much. It’s annoying to clean.”

Hwa-sa, who had lost interest, went back into the Seowon. Noh-gun chuckled and moved his feet inside with Son-bin. Princess Kyunghee was still standing outside the door, looking at the side where the carriage had disappeared.

“I was a little surprised, but it’s all over, right?” At Noh-gun’s words, Son-bin nodded. “Yes, it’s over.”

Looking at the small garden, Son-bin smiled. “Now I can teach the children, practice swords at night, and occasionally compete with the Outer World people.”

It was something that made his heart feel at ease just thinking about it.

“What are you talking about.” Noh-gun chuckled. “You have to have children and live happily ever after too.”

Son-bin blushed slightly. It was at that moment.

“The book?” Suddenly, Hwa-sa asked. Son-bin blinked, wondering what she meant.

“You said you were going to write a book? Muje said that back then.”

‘Ah!’ Son-bin realized what Hwa-sa was talking about. No, he couldn’t not know.

“Book?” Sarasvati asked, shining her eyes with curiosity. “What book?”

“A book that only Bin-i [Son-bin’s nickname] in the world can write.” Noh-gun said. He looked at Son-bin and smiled. “Isn’t that right?”

Those words were true. And it made Son-bin’s heart beat at once.

‘A book that only I in the world can write.’

As a scholar, as someone who knew how to write, how could those words not be heart-fluttering? It was a word that even felt like a solemn calling. At the same time, the things he had experienced with Saja-hyeok rushed into Son-bin’s heart like a tide.

“Why is it a book that only Young Master Son can write?” The old woman Dang Woon-young whispered to Noh-gun. Anyone could tell that Son-bin’s reaction was special.

Noh-gun shrugged and said in a small voice, “Muje only gave permission to Bin-i.”

Dang Woon-young still had a puzzled expression. Does he get so moved for that reason?

“I think he’s misunderstanding something, but he likes it, so let’s just leave it alone.” At Noh-gun’s words, Dang Woon-young nodded.

“I want to see it too.” Sa Soo-yeon said to Son-bin with a soft smile. “The image of my father that I don’t know, that I should have known. It would be really nice if Young Master Son wrote it.”

Her words fueled Son-bin’s passion. Son-bin nodded greatly. “Yes, I will definitely write it. No, I will write it right away.”

Sa Soo-yeon’s smiling face was so beautiful that he couldn’t help but stare at her.

“What are you going to call the book?” At Noh-gun’s voice, Son-bin paused for a moment. But it wasn’t long. “I’ll call it ‘Bicheonmuseo’ as Muje hoped. Because it’s his book.”

“Is that so? Are you going to write about your story too?”

“Me?” Son-bin asked back as if he hadn’t thought about it. “Why would I get involved in a book about Muje? For the sake of the book’s consistency, and to maintain an objective position as the author…”

That was a natural thing for Son-bin to say. Why would he be in Saja-hyeok’s book?

“Then what about your story?” Noh-gun didn’t give up. Besides, the others were also shining their eyes and looking at Son-bin as if they were expecting something.

Son-bin gave an awkward smile. “I’ll leave that to someone else. It’s a little awkward for me to write my own story…”

Writing an autobiography is an embarrassing thing. In the end, it will be like gilding his own face. He would rather write a confession or a confession.

“Then I…” At Dang Wol-ah’s small voice, Son-bin quickly answered. “A book must be fair and objective. Miss Wol-ah is on my side, so it won’t work.”

She was openly rejected, but Dang Wol-ah was not disappointed. Rather, she blushed slightly as if she was happy and embarrassed.

“But it would be strange if there was no mention of it.” Noh-gun still said strongly. “Wouldn’t readers be curious about what happened to the author who followed such a great person?”

“That’s right.” When Seorin said that, Sa Soo-yeon and Dang Wol-ah were also subtly agreeing. Hyeokryun Se-hwa and the others were already nodding without saying a word.

“Th, then…” Son-bin finally surrendered. “I’ll just write about one sentence.”

“What are you going to write?” Son-bin was speechless. Because he hadn’t even thought about what to write yet. But really, suddenly a sentence came to his mind like inspiration.

“…Power soared into the sky and played among the clouds, and wisdom went down to the earth and hid among the people.”

Noh-gun’s eyes widened. The former Okryong said, ‘Son-bin can never ascend to the sky.’ But Saja-hyeok said, ‘He learns wisdom among the people’ and supported Son-bin’s decision to stay.

So that was perhaps the most accurate expression of Saja-hyeok and Son-bin’s choices.

“It’s not good?” Noh-gun said, frowning. “If you write it like that, only people who know will understand. There’s no name. Isn’t there a sentence that’s more clear and direct, something that hits you right away?”

Son-bin smiled. “That’s why it’s good. Isn’t that kind of thing, that only people who know, is the communication through books?”

Noh-gun was still grumbling as if he was dissatisfied. But he didn’t say anything more. Already full of writing motivation, Son-bin muttered something and soon ran into the room to find paper and ink.

Noh-gun chuckled, watching the scene. “Ugh, he just likes it.”

Noh-gun’s mouth, who was speaking as if he was half teasing, had a satisfied smile on it. Sa Soo-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, Hyeokryun Se-hwa, and Seorin and the others were also the same.

“Yes, it’s nice.” The old woman Dang Woon-young said quietly. Like her soft smile that bloomed on her wrinkled face, the warm warmth that bloomed in the small Seowon warmly embraced the people. The day at the Seowon was quietly coming to an end with the soft sunlight.

(Author’s Note) This concludes Wandering Poet and Swordsman. To be honest, the story felt like it ended several chapters ago, but I lingered, and now I’m finally bringing it to a close. Thank you to everyone who has stayed with me until the end, despite the many shortcomings in my writing. I also thank Dhalephin, the illustrator who worked so hard, and everyone on the editing team. If you enjoyed this story, you probably have very similar tastes to me. We might have become close friends if we had met somewhere. *^^* I will announce my next serialized work, platform, and schedule on my blog. I hope to see you all in the next story. Thank you.