A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 83

83. Good Neighbors, Good Relations (2014.06.17.)

Sasuyeon opened her eyes and realized she was lying in an unfamiliar place.

‘Where am I?’

Blinking slowly, she recalled losing consciousness due to the clash of internal energies [qi or vital energy].

The moment the shock shook her body, the dazzling lights of the banquet hall spinning around, the surprised gazes of people, and Sohn Bin’s voice calling out to her flooded her mind.

‘Ugh!’

Sasuyeon reflexively shot up. The thin blanket slipped off, revealing the simple clothes she was wearing, similar to sleeping attire.

‘This is…….’

She touched the collar, but it was a garment she didn’t remember. Turning her head, Sasuyeon saw someone slumped over on the table.

Although half of his face was hidden by his fallen hair, Sasuyeon recognized him immediately. He was Sohn Bin, using his arms as a pillow.

‘Young Master Sohn.’

The tension that had been stretched taut instantly eased. Sasuyeon slowly got out of bed. The blanket made a soft sound.

Sabeok [rustling sound].

Sasuyeon quietly approached Sohn Bin. She reached out and gently brushed the hair off his face with her slender fingers. Seeing his exposed expression, Sasuyeon smiled without realizing it.

‘Such a strange look.’

Sohn Bin’s unguarded expression as he slept seemed somehow odd. Unlike his usual intelligent appearance, he even looked a bit foolish.

Was he perhaps watching over her while she was unconscious?

‘Ah, now that I think about it…….’

A sudden worry arose that Sohn Bin might have been hurt. She was the only one besides herself, Sasuyeon, who could face the Blood Dragon Clan expert in that place.

Saeak [sound of breathing].

Listening to Sohn Bin’s regular breathing, Sasuyeon carefully examined his complexion. Fortunately, he seemed unharmed. So, he must have been taking care of her.

Looking down at the sleeping Sohn Bin, Sasuyeon hesitated slightly before cautiously reaching out and placing her hand on his cheek.

Sarak [soft touch sound].

A faint warmth was felt at her fingertips. Her white fingers lingered on Sohn Bin’s cheek for a moment before slowly moving, tracing the bridge of his nose.

Her fingers gently followed the soft curve, brushing the tip of his nose before touching Sohn Bin’s lips.

Seuk [light brushing sound].

The soft, warm sensation seemed to confirm that Sasuyeon’s memory from the snowy mountain was not a delusion. A vague and confusing memory, so uncertain that she couldn’t even be sure if it was real or a hallucination.

Sarak [soft touch sound].

It was the very moment when Sasuyeon’s face flushed as she felt the sensation through her fingertips. A sound of someone approaching came from outside.

Tat [footsteps].

Sasuyeon rose to her feet and simultaneously moved her gaze to find her sword. It was placed at the foot of the bed. Leaping up in an instant, Sasuyeon grabbed her sword as the door opened.

Click.

“You’re awake!”

A woman appeared with a welcoming voice.

Sasuyeon, who had been standing ready to draw her sword, quickly recognized her.

“Ah, Sohn Gongja’s [term of respect for a young master] neighbor…….”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m glad you look healthy.”

Jeok Sehwa said with a gentle smile.

Although Sasuyeon was dressed in light sleeping clothes, her figure wielding the sword exuded a sharp aura as if she were standing on a battlefield.

Moreover, Jeok Sehwa did not miss the fact that she was in a position to protect Sohn Bin. Finding Sohn Bin slumped on the table, Jeok Sehwa quietly shook her head.

“I knew it. He hasn’t slept for two days straight……. Sohn Gongja-nim!”

“Umm…….”

Sohn Bin stirred as if he heard Jeok Sehwa’s call, and Sasuyeon asked Jeok Sehwa.

“Has it been two days?”

“Yes. And this is the inn where our group is staying. The Divine Physician is also here.”

Jeok Sehwa replied with a smile.

“What happened to the Blood Dragon Clan warrior?”

“Sohn Gongja-nim blew him away.”

Jeok Sehwa’s expression, ‘blew him away,’ was accurate. The opponent had coughed up blood and been sent flying backward, even rolling on the floor.

“Blew him away? Sohn Gongja-nim?”

Sasuyeon frowned slightly. Jeok Sehwa blinked a few times and said.

“I see, Sojeo [term of respect for a young lady] didn’t know either.”

“Yes? What…….”

“Sa Sojeo!”

Sasuyeon’s question was cut off by Sohn Bin’s voice.

Sasuyeon turned her head. Sohn Bin, who had already jumped up, had his eyes fixed on her, a mixture of surprise and delight in his gaze.

“You’re awake. I’m relieved. I’m really relieved.”

His eyes, as he bowed and spoke, were so warm that just looking at them seemed to bring warmth to her heart.

Sasuyeon also gave a gentle smile and bowed.

“Thank you. I heard you took care of me.”

“No, it’s only natural to…….”

Sohn Bin, who was speaking with his head bowed, blushed slightly and quickly turned his head away.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, that is……. Ahem.”

Sohn Bin, who had turned his head, couldn’t continue speaking. Sasuyeon looked puzzled, and Jeok Sehwa, who was next to her, said.

“Sohn Gongja-nim, please leave.”

As soon as Jeok Sehwa’s cold words fell, Sohn Bin quickly turned around and headed out.

Jeok Sehwa glared at Sohn Bin, who was hurrying out, for a moment, then sighed softly at Sasuyeon, who was still standing there with a bewildered expression.

“Sa Sojeo, you should probably tidy up your clothes.”

“Clothes? Ah!”

The loose sleeping gown slightly revealed her chest when she bowed her head. No, even before that, standing in front of a man wearing only a sleeping gown was an absurdly embarrassing situation.

Tang [sound of door closing].

With the sound of Sohn Bin closing the door, Sasuyeon’s face, which had been covering her chest with one hand, turned bright red.

Thanks to that, she didn’t even realize that her internal energy had moved so naturally a little while ago.

∴

“Good.”

The Divine Physician, who had been checking Sasuyeon’s pulse, nodded. His face was full of a gentle smile.

“You’re fine now. There’s no more worry about the cold energy running wild or the flow of internal energy being disrupted.”

“Is that really true?”

Sasuyeon asked without realizing it. Even though she knew how foolish it was to question the Divine Physician’s words, she couldn’t help but ask.

No longer having to worry about the cold energy running wild meant that the threat had completely disappeared.

She had never imagined that she would be healed so suddenly, especially without her knowing.

“Yes. It’s all thanks to that guy.”

‘That guy?’

Sasuyeon was puzzled. She had no idea who the Divine Physician was referring to. The Divine Physician sighed deeply and said.

“But as a doctor, I’m still against it. This is virtually impossible except for that guy, a very dangerous measure. If you try it wrong, you’ll end up killing even someone you could have saved. Besides, it’s still questionable whether this can even be called a complete cure.”

The Divine Physician’s expression was very serious. However, Sasuyeon didn’t understand at all.

“But thanks to that guy, you’re alive like this, so I’m just glad.”

The Divine Physician suddenly raised his head. A smile appeared on his face.

“Indeed, he’s a guy you would choose. That guy will definitely help you and solve your problems.”

“Who are you talking about right now?”

“What? Who am I talking about? Of course…….”

The Divine Physician said with an expression as if asking what nonsense she was talking about in response to Sasuyeon’s confused question.

“I’m talking about your guy. Was it Sohn Bin? His internal energy was quite pure, no, quite pure, but I didn’t know he had this kind of talent. The martial arts competition was like that, and I don’t know where such a guy came from, really.”

He spoke as if grumbling, but the Divine Physician’s eyes were smiling and his voice was full of pure admiration.

Sasuyeon knew very well that it was the Divine Physician’s own praise, the best praise at that. But that’s why she was even more confused.

“Did you say that Sohn Gongja healed me?”

The Divine Physician nodded.

“Yes. That guy calmed your wildly raging cold energy. No, it’s not just calming it down. The extreme energy that has been tormenting you will rather become your strength. However, one thing…….”

Click.

The door opened, cutting off the Divine Physician’s words. Sasuyeon, who was still confused, raised her head.

A slender girl with her face covered by a veil stood before her.

“Can I say the next part?”

The slender girl’s voice had a slightly rough feel. At the words of the veiled girl, whom Sasuyeon was seeing for the first time, the Divine Physician readily got up from his seat.

“Yes. It’s better for a martial artist to talk about martial arts.”

‘Martial arts? Martial artist?’

Sasuyeon still couldn’t understand. The Divine Physician, who was heading out, said to the veiled girl.

“And, you should come see me later too.”

The veiled girl nodded lightly. The Divine Physician went outside.

Click.

The door closed, and now only Sasuyeon and the veiled girl were in the room. After a slightly long silence, the girl bowed lightly and said.

“I’m Dang Wora.”

Sasuyeon got up from her seat and bowed to the girl.

“I’m Sasuyeon. What is it that you wanted to say?”

“Have you ever heard of Poisonous Energy Art?”

‘Poisonous Energy Art?’

Sasuyeon frowned slightly.

“In your case, it should probably be called Freezing Ice Energy Art.”

Dang Wora said, looking straight at Sasuyeon. Her bright eyes shone from behind the veil. And at her next words, Sasuyeon’s eyes also began to sparkle.

∴

“That’s all I can say.”

Dang Wora said, but Sasuyeon didn’t seem to hear it. She was so lost in thought with a flushed face that she probably couldn’t hear anything.

Dang Wora could fully understand. What she had told her would be a story that any martial artist would be engrossed in.

“Then, goodbye.”

It was the moment when Dang Wora lightly bowed her head and was about to turn around.

“Wait a moment.”

Sasuyeon called out to her.

“Why are you…… doing this for me?”

The look in Sasuyeon’s eyes as she asked was surprisingly calm. It was hard to believe that she had been flushed just a moment ago.

“I don’t know much about the customs here, but this is not something you can say carelessly. Especially this…….”

Sasuyeon paused for a moment. What should she call what she had just heard?

“About Divine Art of Absolute Skill.”

Divine Art of Absolute Skill. That was the only way to describe it. Even she, who had mastered the Hyuncheon Sword Technique and deciphered countless martial arts techniques, could only describe it that way.

That was the essence of the Poisonous Energy Art that Dang Wora had told her.

“It’s not that great.”

Dang Wora said with a quiet smile.

“No matter how great the Divine Art of Absolute Skill is, if no one can use it, it’s ultimately meaningless.”

Sasuyeon had no choice but to agree with her words.

The Poisonous Energy Art was definitely something to be called the Divine Art of Absolute Skill, but not everyone could use it.

As of now, only Dang Wora and, according to her explanation, Sasuyeon herself were capable of it. Of course, in Sasuyeon’s case, it should be called Freezing Ice Energy Art.

“And if it’s you, you’ll soon reach that level even if I don’t tell you. All I did was give you a little help.”

That wasn’t a reason. In the first place, what reason would a complete stranger have to offer that ‘little help’?

“But…….”

“Don’t get hurt again.”

Dang Wora said.

“Don’t be in pain, and don’t spit blood. I can’t forgive you for dying, even more so.”

The look in Dang Wora’s eyes as she spoke was chillingly cold.

“Because I don’t want to see him heartbroken again.”

Sasuyeon could intuitively tell who she was talking about.

As Dang Wora turned to leave, Sasuyeon asked again.

“What is your relationship with Sohn Gongja?”

Dang Wora stopped. She didn’t even look at Sasuyeon and answered quietly.

“I’m a neighbor.”

Sasuyeon felt that her voice seemed to have a smile mixed in it.

“And I’m also a freeloader.”

Sabeok [rustling sound].

With those words, Dang Wora went outside. Sasuyeon, who was left alone, bit her lip slightly.

‘A neighbor and a freeloader?’

A freeloader meant someone who just idly got food. It wasn’t a good meaning, but it meant being next to him anyway.

Suddenly, she remembered Sohn Bin talking to a cute young lady at the banquet hall. She had also introduced herself as a neighbor.

But now, even an unidentified girl with a veil was calling herself a neighbor. Moreover, the word freeloader was added.

‘This man, what on earth…….’

“I wonder what kind of man he is, right?”

The voice heard at the door suddenly broke her thoughts. It was Jeok Sehwa who appeared from outside the door. She smiled slightly, peeking her head in and saying.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I was waiting in front of the door and heard your conversation.”

Jeok Sehwa quietly stepped inside.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t hear the part about martial arts. Ah, I’m sorry. I heard the name. Was it called Poisonous Energy Art?”

Jabak [sound of footsteps].

She stood in front of Sasuyeon. The pink ornament in her hair shook lightly.

“Actually, I don’t know much about Sohn Gongja-nim either. I accompanied him as a small reward for his help, but I never imagined he would be the lover of that Pagyeong Sinnyeo [lit. destroying-the-country goddess, a femme fatale].”

In the first place, her interest in Sohn Bin was only that there was a smart young man living in the same village.

But her younger brother, Jung-oh, was excited, saying, ‘Our teacher’s swordsmanship is the best!’, and her father also gave him the evaluation that he seemed like a young man with quite a bit of spirit.

After the Pyoheng [martial arts competition], where she had asked for help with a desperate heart, even her friend Eun Chobin seemed to have completely fallen for him. She couldn’t help but be interested.

“Lo, lover…….”

Sasuyeon stammered, blushing. But Jeok Sehwa continued.

“But what happened next was even more amazing. After seeing him defeat the top expert of the Blood Dragon Clan and save you, whom even the Divine Physician couldn’t guarantee life for, I really thought that the legendary mysterious expert was here.”

Even thinking about it now, she was newly impressed. Jeok Sehwa smiled slightly.

“But after seeing that, I suddenly had a strange thought.”

Jeok Sehwa tilted her head, tapping her chin slightly with her finger.

“I was wondering why such a person was like that back then. Ah, I’m sorry. The explanation is a bit strange, right? But it was really strange. The person I saw next to him was literally a scholar who was interested in swords and martial arts. That was all.”

Sohn Bin didn’t try to reveal himself, but he didn’t try to hide himself either. The one who was trying to hide Sohn Bin was Eun Chobin. Jeok Sehwa could now roughly grasp what had happened in that Pyoheng.

She was just watching from the side, but what about Eun Chobin, who had received direct help?

“The strangest thing I thought was that even you didn’t know his level. If you had known, you wouldn’t have stepped up to protect him.”

Sasuyeon bit her lip slightly. She could clearly understand what had happened through the words of the people. However, the reason why Sasuyeon couldn’t accept it quickly was because of Sohn Bin.

Was he hiding his level even from Sasuyeon? Even if it wasn’t intentional, was she being deceived by him?

The question was at the center of the swirling, confusing emotions in Sasuyeon’s heart.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to argue. I’m just a bit scattered and have a lot of thoughts, and once I start wondering, I can’t stop.”

Jeok Sehwa’s voice, as if making excuses, didn’t really reach her ears.

“Then suddenly, one thought came to mind. I think it’s absurd even when I think about it…….”

“What is it?”

Sasuyeon asked. Jeok Sehwa smiled.

“Isn’t it possible that I’m not the only one who didn’t know?”

“What does that…….”

Sasuyeon frowned. Jeok Sehwa said.

“What if Sohn Gongja himself didn’t know? How great his sword was, which he thought he only knew a little about.”

Swaa [whooshing sound].

It felt like something was being swept away all at once. Jeok Sehwa’s words instantly calmed Sasuyeon’s confusion.

“So, could that be why?”

It was a tone as if asking for agreement, but Jeok Sehwa was already convinced.

Sasuyeon quietly pondered her words.

“So, that could be why.”

Her heart became comfortable as if by a lie. Jeok Sehwa could clearly see that Sasuyeon’s heart was being relieved.

Sasuyeon’s face, which had been coldly hardened until just now, was now blooming faintly like a spring flower.

“Thank you.”

Sasuyeon said. Jeok Sehwa bowed her head lightly in return.

“You’re welcome. I just wanted to tell someone the answer I found.”

If it was just that, there would have been no need to wait outside. Sasuyeon could clearly feel the kindness and goodwill in her words.

“There are really good people next to Sohn Gongja-nim.”

“We’re just ordinary neighbors.”

Jeok Sehwa smiled brightly.