A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 67

67. The End of the Escort Mission (2)

The warriors of the Hyeokryeon Clan slowly approached the escort mission on horseback.

Most of the Green Forest bands [groups of bandits] and unorthodox martial artists who watched this scene knew that things were about to get complicated.

“Damn it.”

“Tch. Let’s go.”

With two prestigious clans appearing, staying here could lead to trouble. Calculating this risk, they began to retreat quietly but quickly.

However, the small and medium-sized clans and sects that had no reason to clash with the two great clans remained where they were, maintaining a safe distance.

The two clans had been rivals for a long time, acting as the two major powers in the Jiangnan [region in southeastern China] martial world, constantly keeping each other in check. They were curious to see how this confrontation would end.

Clatter, clatter.

As the warriors of the Hyeokryeon Clan approached, tension rose among the warriors of the Namgung Clan.

The Hyeokryeon Clan was the same, maintaining vigilance and tension towards their rivals.

“It has been a while, Great Hero Namgung Jun.”

The middle-aged man at the front dismounted and bowed towards Namgung Jun. He, too, had a sturdy build and piercing eyes.

Namgung Jun responded naturally, as if he had been expecting this.

“Great Hero Hyeokryeon Gang, I hope you have been well. What brings the Vice Head of the Outer Affairs, who must be busy with clan matters, all the way to this Hyeong Mountain?”

At Namgung Jun’s words, the Azure Water Sword disciples buzzed with recognition.

“Viper Shield Hyeokryeon Gang!”

Ignoring their murmurs, Hyeokryeon Gang smiled.

“The affairs of the Jiangnan martial world are the affairs of the Hyeokryeon Clan. Besides, I heard rumors that this consignment is going to the Namgung Clan. Is that true?”

“Well, rumors in the martial world are often unreliable. And exchanging courtesies between clans has always been common, hasn’t it?”

“Showing courtesy depends on the time and place. Exchanging such courtesies now could easily lead to misunderstandings, don’t you think?”

“Misunderstandings? Haha, I don’t know what you mean.”

“It’s surprising that there’s something Great Hero Namgung Jun doesn’t know. Anyway, Soeun Escort Agency has maintained close ties with the Hyeokryeon Clan for a long time. Since this escort mission is causing quite a stir in the Jiangnan martial world, it’s only natural for our clan to step in, wouldn’t you agree?”

Hyeokryeon Gang and Namgung Jun were smiling, but their eyes were locked in a fierce silent battle.

Rustle.

“Thank you for your kindness.”

The voice belonged to Eun Chobin. Both men turned to look at her.

“As the head of this escort mission, I am truly grateful that the two heroes of the Jiangnan martial world are showing such concern. Though it is a small matter, I offer my gratitude.”

Eun Chobin was dressed in splendid attire. From her clothes to her neatly styled face and hair, she exuded the elegance of a lady from a noble family.

And in that state, Eun Chobin performed a deep bow to the two men. It was a respectful grand salute, not caring that her clothes would get dirty from the dust.

“Hmm.”

“Ahem.”

They couldn’t possibly dislike the utmost courtesy from a young and beautiful woman. Moreover, she was performing such a grand salute in front of so many witnesses.

The two men cleared their throats and politely returned the greeting to Eun Chobin.

“I am Namgung Jun.”

“I am Hyeokryeon Gang.”

Eun Chobin smiled lightly.

“The rules of the escort agency are strict, so I cannot rashly disclose the details of the escort mission. However, if the two heroes wish to accompany us to verify the whereabouts of the consignment, I will gladly comply.”

She was speaking indirectly, but it was essentially asking them to escort the mission. Hyeokryeon Gang and Namgung Jun both understood this.

However, if they refused and turned back now, it would be seen as being pushed back by the other clan. Their clan’s pride would not allow it.

“The Hyeokryeon Clan will accompany the escort mission.”

Hyeokryeon Gang spoke first. The matter had already been decided from the start, so there was no need to hesitate.

“The Namgung Clan will also accompany you. We cannot ignore an escort mission that is causing turmoil in the Jiangnan martial world.”

The Namgung Clan was the same. The decision had already been made. The moment her letter arrived, they had no choice but to move.

The confrontation between the two clans, who claimed to be the two major powers of the Jiangnan martial world, ended as simply as it always did, almost anticlimactically.

*

*

*

Tap, tap.

“This consignment is going to Gamju?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Sonbin replied. Eun Chobin and Head Guard Jang’s tense faces were visible in the dim light of the small campfire.

Even in the deep night, they couldn’t sleep. They had to go down to Nammok tomorrow.

“Heh, then it’s certain that the Namgung Clan is involved.”

Gamju in Gangseo Province was within the sphere of influence of the Namgung Clan.

Just as Saryang Escort Agency could not operate without the permission of the Tang Clan, Gamju Escort Agency would not accept the Tang Clan’s consignment without the permission of the Namgung Clan.

“Currently, the Hyeokryeon Clan is wary of the expansion of the Tang Clan and the Blood Dragon Gate, and has a long-standing rivalry with the Namgung Clan. In this situation, if the Tang Clan joins hands with the Namgung Clan, the Hyeokryeon Clan will have no choice but to step in.”

“The Tang Clan is joining hands with the Namgung Clan? Then this consignment… is it really a treasure that the Tang Clan is sending to the Namgung Clan?”

“I don’t know about that. But it’s clear that the Namgung Clan is involved.”

Sonbin’s point was valid. Eun Chobin and Head Guard Jang were also clearly aware that the Namgung Clan had given their tacit approval.

But they couldn’t directly involve the Namgung Clan.

“So, you told the Namgung Clan to come and protect their own goods?”

“No.”

Sonbin said.

“If we say that, the Namgung Clan will immediately deny any involvement. No, they’ll ignore us altogether. They have no obligation or reason to protect our escort mission. But if the Hyeokryeon Clan steps in, they will move. If the Hyeokryeon Clan secures our escort mission in their absence, they won’t know how the outcome will be portrayed and rumored.”

“So, you spread the rumor that we’ll be passing through Nammok in five days?”

“Yes. Three escorts who are good at riding horses left the escort mission for that purpose. The person who was supposed to spread the rumor and the person who was supposed to deliver the letters to the Namgung Clan and the Hyeokryeon Clan must be riding like crazy.”

“Did you write the letters to the clans?”

“I wrote them.”

Eun Chobin said in a composed voice.

“When an escort mission enters another region, it is the head’s job to greet the local leaders and ask for their understanding. It’s not too difficult to leak enough information to satisfy the other party without revealing the exact details.”

“Hmm.”

The Old Man of Nammok crossed his arms and pondered for a moment.

“Not a bad idea. It’s quite possible, given the tendencies of those clan bastards. It was also good to focus all attention on Nammok. If things get this big, it’ll be easier for those guys to step in. But, isn’t the time too short?”

Even if the two escorts deliver the letters to the Hyeokryeon Clan and the Namgung Clan, it will take a considerable amount of time for the clan warriors to come to Nammok from their respective locations.

It would be difficult to arrive in Nammok in time.

“No, it probably won’t be that late.”

Sonbin said.

“I said that the rumors are widespread in the Jiangnan martial world. The clans have likely already grasped the details and are already moving towards us. Of course, it’s not to help us. They’ll probably recover the consignment after we’re gone.”

“Heh.”

The Old Man of Nammok grinned.

“So you’re going to lure the two clans to the same place at the same time. And since those guys always emphasize righteousness and chivalry, they won’t be able to blatantly interfere.”

Sonbin nodded.

“Yes. It’s a dangerous tightrope walk, but I think this is the only way.”

“Good.”

The Old Man of Nammok also nodded.

“I already said that no one will be able to touch you while Hyeong Mountain is visible. So I’ll take care of confirming the arrival of the clan bastards and buying time until they step in. If the orthodox and unorthodox factions openly clash, that would be quite fun, wouldn’t it? Hehehe.”

At his words, Eun Chobin felt relieved. Head Guard Jang’s stiff face also unusually brightened. The escort mission’s path to survival was now clearly open.

“Ah, by the way…”

The Old Man of Nammok suddenly said, looking at Eun Chobin.

“Do you have any money?”

“Pardon?”

Eun Chobin asked back, surprised by the Old Man’s unexpected words.

“If possible… well, it would be nice to have some iron coins. As much as possible.”

Eun Chobin looked at the Old Man with a bewildered expression, wondering what this suddenly meant. But the Old Man of Nammok’s expression was indifferent.

*

*

*

While the warriors of the two clans were starting to accompany them, causing a commotion, Sonbin suddenly noticed that the Old Man of Nammok was nowhere to be seen.

“Head, where is the Old Man?”

At Sonbin’s words, Eun Chobin looked around. But she couldn’t find the Old Man of Nammok anywhere.

“I don’t know. Maybe…”

Eun Chobin’s gaze turned towards Hyeong Mountain, and Sonbin also raised his head to look at Hyeong Mountain.

It seemed as if the Old Man of Nammok would appear right now, cutting through the rugged terrain of Hyeong Mountain, but his figure was nowhere to be seen.

“Old Man…”

Sonbin muttered quietly, but no answer came back. Thus, the Old Man of Nammok quietly left, and the group departed Nammok with the warriors of the two clans.

Clatter, clatter.

The rest of the Soeun Escort Agency’s journey passed smoothly, like flowing water. The escort mission, having acquired horses and carriages again, hurried along the road with the warriors of the two clans.

Of course, they couldn’t be at ease, and in fact, the escorts and embroiderers had to treat the warriors of the two clans with respect. But at least there was no longer an immediate threat to their lives.

The busiest person was Head Eun Chobin, who skillfully mediated between the two clans, appropriately boosting their pride and appeasing them, quite adeptly for her age.

It seemed that her experience of following the head of the agency on escort missions since she was young, and the fact that she was the only beautiful young lady among the sturdy warriors, played a significant role.

Thanks to this, Sonbin and Head Guard Jang could focus on managing the escort mission.

And strangely, both warriors of the two clans showed no interest in Dang Wora, who was holed up in the carriage again. It seemed like they were deliberately avoiding drawing attention to her.

While Sonbin silently carried out his work with a brush and notebook, the escort mission arrived at the Gamju Escort Agency.

“It’s the Soeun Escort Agency!”

“It’s the Soeun Escort Agency!”

As the Soeun Escort Agency entered Gamju, raising its flag and even ringing gongs, the head of the Gamju Escort Agency rushed out to greet them.

“Ah, how did the escort mission get here…?”

The head of the Gamju Escort Agency’s dazed face, with his mouth agape as if he had never imagined that the Soeun Escort Agency would actually arrive, was the only source of amusement for the group.

And the escort mission ended like that.

∴

“It’s over.”

“Yes, it’s over.”

Eun Chobin said, as if muttering to herself. She had successfully completed a difficult escort mission, so she should have been deeply moved, but her voice was somehow hollow.

“It was a really tough escort mission.”

Eun Chobin, who was speaking, turned her head towards Sonbin.

“If it weren’t for Young Master Son, this escort mission would not have been successful. Thank you so, so much.”

She wanted to express her gratitude sincerely, but the words didn’t come out properly.

She just put her hands together and bowed deeply towards Sonbin. Before she knew it, tears welled up in her eyes.

Sonbin hurriedly stopped her and said.

“No, no. It was thanks to everyone’s hard work. Especially if it weren’t for the Old Man of Nammok, our lives would have really been in danger.”

It was Sonbin who convinced the Old Man of Nammok to help. Eun Chobin, Head Guard Jang, and all the escorts and embroiderers knew that.

Head Guard Jang said to Sonbin in a respectful voice.

“Teacher Son, thank you.”

Head Guard Jang put his hands together and bowed towards Sonbin. Then, the escorts and embroiderers who were standing behind him also bowed to Sonbin all at once, following the head guard.

“Teacher Son! Thank you!”

“Ah, well, this.”

There was something touching about the sight of so many men bowing their heads and expressing their sincerity.

Sonbin, who was trying to stop them, couldn’t continue speaking because of the emotion welling up inside him.

“I…”

Before he knew it, Sonbin’s eyes became moist. Sonbin put his hands together and bowed respectfully towards them.

“Thank you.”

Sonbin’s voice was trembling slightly. The eyes of the escorts and embroiderers who were receiving his greeting were also becoming moist.

∴

Dang Wora only glanced at Sonbin once and then parted ways with him at the Gamju Escort Agency. The people of the Soeun Escort Agency returned to Cheongwon with joyful hearts, happy to have completed the escort mission.

The turmoil in the Jiangnan martial world surrounding the consignment was not subsiding, but rather adding to the confusion with the Tang Clan, the Namgung Clan, and the Hyeokryeon Clan. But it was no longer any of the escort agency’s business.

“Young Lady! You’ve returned safely!”

What greeted Eun Chobin, who had returned to Cheongwon, was the chief manager, who was overjoyed with tears in his eyes.

“Chief Manager!”

Eun Chobin, holding the old chief manager’s hand, asked, trying to hold back her own tears.

“How is Father?”

“The head of the agency is still the same. But…”

The head of the agency was still bedridden. It was fortunate that his condition wasn’t worsening.

“Young Lady, I have good news.”

As if to comfort her, unexpected good news was waiting for her. It was the countless requests that had poured into the Soeun Escort Agency in the meantime.

Through this turmoil, the name of the Soeun Escort Agency had become known throughout the Jiangnan martial world. Their success in the escort mission amidst the chaos, and their influence that encompassed the Old Man of Nammok, the Namgung Clan, and even the Hyeokryeon Clan, were greatly recognized.

Above all, the Hyeokryeon Clan had re-evaluated the Soeun Escort Agency through this incident and decided to bring them firmly into their fold.

Almost all of the people who participated in this escort mission wanted to officially join the Soeun Escort Agency, and Eun Chobin accepted them as family members of the agency.

Even warriors who had already made a name for themselves in the region asked to work at the Soeun Escort Agency, and the Soeun Escort Agency regained its former prosperity, or rather, even surpassed it, almost overnight.

∴

Thump, thump.

Sonbin, who had finished the escort mission and left the Soeun Escort Agency, returned to his home with two swords and a small bag on his back.

‘Huh? What’s that sound…’

Before he even entered his house, a smile appeared on Sonbin’s face. The voices of young children chattering could be heard clearly even from a distance.

As expected, his house had become a playground for the children.

Creak.

When he opened the old door, clear voices poured out like a flood.

“Ah! It’s Teacher!”

“Wow! Teacher’s here!”

“What do you mean, ‘here’! You should say, ‘has arrived’!”

“Teacher! Hodoo, you know, the baby bird…”

“Teacher! Teacher!”

When they saw Sonbin, all the children rushed out and ran towards him. They were all talking at once, raising their voices, so it was hard to understand what they were saying.

“Yes, yes. Did you all play well without getting hurt?”

Putting the bag he was carrying on his back on the ground, Sonbin spread his arms and lowered his body to greet the children. The children jumped towards Sonbin without any fear, as if throwing their whole bodies at him.

“Ouch. Gently, you have to be careful.”

Sonbin’s face was full of a bright smile as he spread his arms wide and hugged the children. The long escort mission had finally come to an end.