A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 56

56. Shining Sword Under the Moonlight

Tap, tap.

The guard was dozing off, the crackling bonfire his lullaby.

The forced march all day had taken its toll; he was undeniably sleepy, especially after being roused in the dead of night.

“Ugh.”

The dozing guard’s head snapped up. He glanced around, relief washing over him as he saw Sohn Bin standing there.

“Ughhh. I’m really sleepy.”

He rose and stretched, trying to shake off the lingering sleep.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

The guard was from Cheongwon, just like Sohn Bin.

Though they hadn’t met in Cheongwon, the guard felt a kinship, a sense of familiarity born from shared roots.

“By the way, where are we headed now?”

“Didn’t they say we’re going towards Hwehwe in Honam Province? We’ll probably enter Honam Province tomorrow.”

The group, having commandeered the convoy, was heading south, past Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province.

From there, they turned east, making haste towards Honam Province.

But that wasn’t the answer Sohn Bin sought.

“I mean the final destination.”

“I don’t know that either.”

The guard shrugged.

“The exact destination is probably only known to the head manager and Chief Jang.”

The head manager and Chief Guard kept the convoy’s ultimate destination a secret, only revealing the direction of travel in three-day increments.

“Don’t overthink it. It’s common practice when escorting goods. It’s all for the convoy’s safety.”

“I see.”

Sohn Bin nodded. The guard smiled and continued.

“But, I can take a good guess.”

“Guess?”

“We took over the goods and headed south, then turned east, right? Plus, they said this escort will take a little over a month, so a little calculation gives you the answer.”

The guard swung his arm and plopped back down.

“They said this escort is a bit dangerous, why is that?”

“Well, because it’s a new route.”

The guard answered nonchalantly.

“Ah, come to think of it, you said this is your first time escorting, right?”

Sohn Bin nodded.

“Escorting, you see, it all depends on the head manager’s connections. If he knows the roads well and has built good relationships, we can pass without any trouble. But if he has no connections, we’ll be visited by bandits right away. That’s why we’re staying at inns every night, isn’t it? We need to get information on who controls this area and greet them in advance. You can roughly tell by who controls the inns and taverns.”

The guard chattered excitedly. Small talk was the best way to fight off sleep and pass the time.

“But if the Chief Guard is a renowned expert in the martial arts world, all of this becomes unnecessary.”

The guard said with a grin.

“Then no one would even think about touching us just by seeing the flag of the escort agency. That’s the same reason why the Hyeokryun Clan [a powerful martial arts clan] and the Namgoong Clan [another influential martial arts clan] claim to be the two major leaders of the Gangnam martial arts world. So the escort agencies have no choice but to be mindful of the clans. And is it just the escort agencies? Various courtesan houses and taverns, as well as merchant groups and martial arts schools… The amount of money those clans make just by sitting around must be no joke.”

The guard clicked his tongue.

‘Money…’

Power and money were inextricably linked. Sohn Bin understood, but a bitter taste filled his mouth.

“Ah. Come to think of it, you said you’re okay with standing guard every night?”

Sohn Bin nodded at the guard’s sudden question.

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you tired? You’ve been walking all day too.”

The guards rode horses, but most others walked. Sohn Bin was among those on foot.

“I’m fine. I’m not that tired, and I have to wake up at night anyway.”

“Because of your training?”

“Yes.”

The guard glanced at the two swords Sohn Bin carried, a clear disapproval in his gaze.

“Does the Chief Guard know about this?”

“Yes. I already told him.”

Hiding his nightly training would have aroused suspicion. Sohn Bin had sought Eun Chobin’s permission.

Eun Chobin had simply nodded in understanding, but Chief Jang had clearly shown his displeasure. The guard now speaking was also frowning.

“Why don’t you do that normally, during the day?”

“I do it normally too.”

“The head manager and Chief Guard may trust you and allow it, but the other guards aren’t looking at you favorably. It’s best not to do it during the escort if possible. Or do it in the early morning. You’re from a literary background, so you may not know, but martial arts originally involve circulating your energy while receiving the essence of nature in the early morning…”

The guard began to lecture Sohn Bin, a mix of advice and small talk. Sohn Bin smiled wryly and turned his gaze to the bonfire.

Tap, tap.

“And only carry one sword. Don’t think that having many swords will scare others. It’ll only reveal that you’re a beginner. Besides, it’s okay now because it’s the beginning, but later on, even a feather will feel incredibly heavy. When I went on my first escort…”

The guard’s advice continued endlessly. It seemed it would never end, so Sohn Bin subtly tried to change the subject.

“Do you happen to know who that girl in the carriage is?”

“Ah, that veiled lady in the carriage?”

‘Veiled lady in the carriage?’

Sohn Bin hadn’t known, but that’s what the guards and porters called the frail girl.

“That woman is really a mystery. Do you know that she doesn’t eat?”

“She doesn’t eat?”

“Yeah. No one has ever seen her eat. Even when we stay at an inn in the evening, she goes straight into her room and doesn’t come out. I heard she doesn’t even go to the bathroom? No one has seen her. One guard who saw her up close said she doesn’t even breathe? He said her chest didn’t move at all, but I can’t really believe that.”

“Well, I guess so.”

How could someone not breathe? Sohn Bin agreed with the guard’s skepticism.

“Actually, does that woman even have anything that could be called a chest? I don’t think you could tell even if you looked closely.”

Sohn Bin smiled wryly at the guard’s words. His reason for disbelief differed entirely from Sohn Bin’s thoughts.

“Besides, whether there’s a beauty behind that veil, or an ugly woman, is quite a matter of interest. There are a lot of bets going on, half saying she’s a beauty, and half saying there’s no beauty in the world who would cover her face. Surprisingly, a lot of money has been wagered. Do you want to bet too?”

“Who did you bet on?”

“Me? I naturally bet on the beauty side. I’m an optimistic optimist who still believes there are dreams and hopes left in the world.”

He thought that being a beauty and having dreams and hopes in the world didn’t have much to do with each other, but Sohn Bin said something else instead.

“It seems like it’s almost time to change shifts.”

“Ah, already? Time really flies when you’re chatting.”

The guard, yawning, suddenly looked at Sohn Bin and said.

“By the way, have you ever thought about joining the escort agency for good?”

“Pardon?”

Sohn Bin asked, surprised by the unexpected question.

“You walk well all day, and you wake up well in the middle of the night. It’s perfect for you! Why don’t you put down roots in the escort agency for good…”

Instead of answering, Sohn Bin offered a wry smile. As if on cue, another guard and a porter appeared, yawning.

“Then take care.”

“You’ve done well.”

After handing over to the next guard and porter, Sohn Bin walked a short distance, searching for an empty space nearby.

Chirp, chirp.

The sounds of insects and night birds filled the air. The world under the blue moonlight pulsed with subtle vitality and beauty.

‘Beautiful.’

Sohn Bin took a deep breath of the cold night air.

A sensation, unfamiliar yet comforting, enveloped him.

Enjoying the solitary night as if he were the only one awake, Sohn Bin walked slowly.

Soon, he found a suitable empty space and calmed his breathing. He quietly drew his sword.

The one sword that had been with him on that unforgettable journey, a companion holding profound meaning for Sohn Bin.

Swish.

The white blade of the Egret revealed itself under the blue moonlight.

It was the moonlight shining through the window that woke her.

Unable to sleep, she stared at the moonlit night sky, mesmerized.

How long had she been staring? After a long, blank gaze, she suddenly remembered.

There were no cruel restrictions here, no observers, no one to stop her. She rose from the bed.

Rustle.

It was a small sound, but Eun Chobin opened his eyes immediately.

Tense for a moment, he recognized the source of the sound and sighed softly in relief. He sat up and spoke.

“Are you awake?”

There was no answer. The veiled girl, the one the guards called the veiled lady in the carriage, was quietly standing.

Her frail figure was bathed in moonlight streaming through the window, illuminating her silver hair, as white as snow.

‘Beautiful.’

Eun Chobin admired inwardly. Despite having seen it before, the girl’s silver hair remained a mystery.

Unlike ordinary white hair, hers had a slight silver tint, sparkling under the moonlight.

But her face remained hidden behind a dark-colored veil.

‘She covers her face even at night.’

Eun Chobin frowned slightly.

A long white veil during the day, and a dark, fluttering veil resembling a mask at night, concealed her face.

‘What kind of face is behind that?’

The thought flashed through Eun Chobin’s mind, and with it, the words of the head of the Saryang Escort Agency.

‘Speaking out of pure goodwill, it would be best to abandon all curiosity about that person.’

The head of the agency’s lips had smiled, but his eyes had not. Eun Chobin shook his head lightly.

Rustle.

Meanwhile, the girl put on her hat with the veil attached, concealing her silver hair.

Seeing her fully prepared to leave, Eun Chobin also rose and put on his coat.

“Why…”

A rough, hoarse voice, one that would make anyone wince upon first hearing.

It was hard to believe it belonged to such a frail girl, but it was undeniably her voice.

“I can’t let you go alone.”

Eun Chobin fastened his coat and picked up his sword.

“Is it a night walk? Good. I was feeling stuffy too.”

It was unlikely someone just awakened would crave a walk. He was likely trying to match the veiled girl’s mood.

The veiled girl stared at Eun Chobin for a moment, then quietly turned.

Thud, thud.

The two slowly emerged from the dark inn, where no one else stirred.

The veiled girl walked slowly, then stopped abruptly, staring blankly at the night sky.

Eun Chobin watched from a short distance behind.

Even now, the girl stood motionless, gazing at the empty field.

He looked to see if there was anything of interest, but saw only an empty field.

‘What is she looking at?’

It was a quiet, peaceful, even boring night scene. What could she possibly be looking at?

Whoosh.

‘Ugh.’

A chilly wind pierced his collar. They had been out for a while, and the night air was quite cold.

‘It’s about time…’

Just as Eun Chobin thought they should return.

Rustle.

The veiled girl turned her head, staring intently at a spot between the shadows of the trees.

Eun Chobin followed her gaze, but saw only trees and dark shadows. He smiled wryly.

‘Is it the forest after the empty field?’

The girl, who had been looking between the shadows of the trees, began to move in that direction.

As Eun Chobin stepped forward to follow, the girl’s white hand stopped him.

Swish.

The jade ring on her slender wrist sparkled.

“Don’t come.”

Her voice was hoarse and soft, but firm.

“I told you? I can’t leave you alone.”

Eun Chobin said calmly. Though he couldn’t see her eyes behind the veil, he sensed them wavering.

“Just a moment… is enough.”

Eun Chobin, watching her unseen eyes, sighed softly.

“Haa.”

To be honest, he didn’t want to leave her alone.

But it wasn’t wise to be too forceful, and there was likely no danger in this area.

“Okay. But just for a moment. Don’t go too far.”

The girl bowed her head slightly.

“I’ll wait here.”

Eun Chobin said, but the girl didn’t answer. She walked straight into the bushes.

Watching her retreating figure, Eun Chobin felt uneasy.

‘Should I follow her now?’

But he had already given his word.

Vowing never to leave her alone again, Eun Chobin stared intently at the bushes where she had disappeared.

Crunch.

The girl walked through the bushes, her clothes growing damp from the dew-laden leaves, but she paid no mind.

Before long, she confirmed that the faint sound she had heard was growing louder.

Whoosh.

A sound so faint it was almost imperceptible, yet impossible to ignore.

Crunch.

The girl’s footsteps led her to an empty space. And at that moment, a beautiful, fantastical trajectory of a sword revealed itself under the moonlight.

‘Ah.’

Breathless, the girl forgot how to speak. Just one step had brought her to an overwhelming sight, a wonder of nature.

As if stepping into a different world, a breathtaking beauty unfolded before her.

Whoosh.

The faint but clear sound of the sword’s cry, the trajectory of the blue blade stretching freely as if embroidering the sky.

She had never seen anything like it, couldn’t even imagine it.

Yet it proudly revealed itself before her eyes.

‘Ah ah.’

The sword flowed, the moonlight shone. The free and proud flow of the sword danced across the sky without hesitation.

At that moment, the girl forgot everything.

The shackles, like a heavenly punishment she had endured since birth, no longer held her back.

Tears welled up.