A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 93

93. An Inch of Shade (2)

Namgungcheon visited every day, arriving precisely at breakfast time. Though the food was initially a little scarce, Sonbin anticipated this and prepared accordingly from the following day.

After the meal, Namgungcheon would survey the humble house or offer unsolicited advice while watching Old Man and Shinui play Go [a strategic board game].

“The upper left is empty.”

“Upper left… Hmm, so it is.”

*Tak.*

Shinui placed a stone in that single spot, and the entire complexion of the game changed.

“Cough. Why would you tell him that!”

Old Man’s face instantly contorted, but Namgungcheon said with an indifferent expression, “Don’t pretend you knew it. If you did, you would have blocked it already… More importantly, you should resign now, shouldn’t you?”

“Tsk… Let’s play again. You, get lost!”

When he grew tired of watching Go, Namgungcheon would sit in the shade, observing the children play, or peruse Sonbin’s books on the desk.

Old Man asked, seemingly intrigued by Namgungcheon sitting askew in the shade, reading a book with one hand, “Is it interesting?”

“Not at all.”

Namgungcheon tossed the book down dismissively and replied to Old Man. “It wasn’t interesting when I was young, and it’s still not interesting now that I’m older. When I see people reading this and finding it interesting, I think they’re not just amazing, but… peculiar.”

*Sip.*

Namgungcheon drank his tea. He tilted his head, savoring the aroma with his eyes half-closed, and said with a serious expression, “Indeed, aren’t those people a little… off?”

Sonbin, who was reading a book while sitting on the bamboo mat, gave a wry smile. It was as if all the scholars and literati in the world were being branded as mentally unstable.

“How could that be?”

Old Man scoffed and said, “It’s painful for everyone. They’re all just enduring it.”

“Hmm. To endure this, what incredible patience. I’d rather wield a sword a hundred times over. I’m glad I was born a martial artist.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Rarely did the two agree, but Sonbin decided to pretend he didn’t hear it. It was better to be considered patient than mentally unstable.

Suddenly, a leisurely breeze passed, shaking the branches of the trees.

*Swish.*

When the children went home and darkness fell, Namgungcheon would sit next to Old Man with a small liquor cup in his hand, watching the trajectory drawn by the White Dew Sword. At those times, he remained silent, and when Sonbin’s training was over, he would disappear without a word. Several days passed in this manner.

∴

*Clatter.*

After washing and putting away the dishes, Sonbin wiped his hands and came outside.

“Good work,” Old Man said casually. Though the words seemed perfunctory, Sonbin smiled at the warmth contained within.

“Thank you. But, he’s not coming today?”

“Who? Oh, you mean Lightning Sword?”

“Former Lightning Sword,” Shinui, who was wiping the Go stones, corrected Old Man from the side.

“That guy is that guy. And why would I know why he’s not coming? Maybe he went home. That guy also…”

Old Man frowned as he spoke. “Damn it, he’s still here.”

*Thud.*

No sooner had Old Man finished speaking than someone entered. It was none other than the former Lightning Sword, Namgungcheon.

“Oh dear, this is…” Namgungcheon, realizing that breakfast was already over, frowned and said, “I’ve never been late for a meal in my life, but why does this have to happen today…”

“Hmph. Spilled water cannot be gathered, and the past cannot be undone,” Old Man grinned and said, as if feeling pleased. “Your breakfast for today is already gone. You can never eat it now. Hehehe.”

Sonbin smiled and rose from his seat at the sight of Namgungcheon frowning. “Please wait a moment. I’ll…”

“No, it’s fine,” Namgungcheon, who had been frowning, suddenly said.

*Rustle.*

Sonbin stopped moving as he was getting up.

Behind Namgungcheon, a slender, somewhat young-looking lady was walking gracefully. Her black hair, tied up, swayed above the azure-tinged, splendid collar of her dress.

“Who is it?” Old Man asked, frowning.

“She is my granddaughter. Hyang-ah, pay your respects. This is Namak Old Man and Shinui.”

Namgunghyang bowed to Old Man and Shinui with a refined posture. “My name is Hyang. It is an honor to meet you.”

Old Man grunted in response, and Shinui nodded lightly.

“And that young lady is from the Tang family… Hmm, I don’t even know her name.”

Namgunghyang smiled slightly. “We meet again.”

Tang Wola’s eyes flickered briefly beneath her veil.

“You may not know me, but I…”

“I know,” Tang Wola’s quiet voice interrupted Namgunghyang’s words. “You were wearing a purple dress and a jade hairpin.”

A look of surprise spread across Namgunghyang’s eyes. That was exactly what she had been wearing before.

“Amazing. I never expected you to remember me.”

Tang Wola silently turned her head instead of answering, as if it were none of her business. Seeing this, Namgunghyang couldn’t hide the rising questions.

‘So, it was the same person. But how?’

It was surprising that she remembered her, even though they had only seen each other once in passing. But what was even more surprising was that her aura had changed so much that she felt like a completely different person.

However, Namgunghyang’s questions could not continue, because her grandfather, Namgungcheon, said this: “And this is Sonbin.”

Namgunghyang turned her head. A young scholar with a gentle demeanor, who seemed ordinary compared to the others, was standing in front of her.

At the same time as she thought his face looked familiar, she remembered seeing him smiling with the children.

“Ah, back then…”

“Ah.”

Sonbin also recognized her at the same time. It was the young lady he had helped when she was about to fall. A gentle smile spread across his face. “We meet again.”

Sonbin said, bowing politely.

“My name is Hyang.”

Namgunghyang smiled and returned the greeting.

“Ahem,” Old Man cleared his throat, seemingly displeased with something. As the atmosphere became awkward, Namgungcheon took out a small pouch from his chest as if he had suddenly remembered something. “Come to think of it, I somehow got my hands on this…”

Old Man was the one who reacted, turning his head sharply. He immediately recognized what Namgungcheon was holding in his hand. “What is it? Tea?”

“The Sword Tyrant’s son—no, is he the Sword Tyrant now? Anyway, he gave it to me. He said it was precious, but I don’t know much about tea…” Leaving Old Man, whose eyes were sparkling, Namgungcheon handed the tea pouch to Namgunghyang. “There’s a tea set over there, so go and prepare some. You can use the water there, and the fire in the kitchen.”

Namgungcheon spoke as if it were his own home. Namgunghyang, who received the tea pouch with both hands respectfully, asked Sonbin, “Excuse me, may I use the kitchen for a moment?”

“Yes, of course,” Sonbin nodded willingly. “I already have water prepared, so you can use that.”

“Be careful. Don’t break anything in this poor household,” Namgungcheon joked. Only Namgunghyang laughed at Namgungcheon’s joke.

*Rustle, rustle.*

Namgunghyang entered Sonbin’s kitchen with a graceful demeanor. Sonbin thought it was fortunate that he had cleaned up the kitchen, even if only for a short while.

“Hmm, the head of the Hyeokryun family gifted this tea… What kind of, no, more than that,” Old Man, who couldn’t take his eyes off Namgunghyang’s back, turned his head sharply and frowned. Shinui clicked his tongue, and even a cold chill could be felt near Tang Wola.

“What are you trying to do now? Don’t tell me you’re at it again…”

“No, it’s not that. Well, it’s not entirely not, but…” Namgungcheon, who had been frowning, turned to Sonbin. Sonbin had a bewildered expression, not knowing what was going on.

“Hmm. How should I put it? I didn’t *not* think about it at first, but…” Namgungcheon scratched his stubble-covered cheek. It was actually very rare for him to hesitate like this—so much so that no one who knew him would believe it, although Namak Old Man still had a suspicious look on his face.

“That is…”

Namgungcheon couldn’t easily open his mouth. It wasn’t because he had nothing to say. He could speak more confidently than anyone else about the power of the Namgung family, who prided themselves on being the Sword King family.

If Sonbin’s martial prowess, Namgunghyang’s wisdom, and the power of the Namgung family were combined, they could seize the world, he wanted to say. Even if Sonbin didn’t want to become a martial artist, it didn’t matter. If the Namgung family set their minds to it, it wouldn’t be difficult for Sonbin to pass the civil service examination [a rigorous test for government positions].

After taking the palace examination, he could be appointed as a local official in Namchang, a city controlled by the Namgung family, and live like a king. He also wanted to say that if he built a foundation in the central political world and waited for the right time, the power to be second to none would not be a dream.

“Um, that is…”

But he couldn’t, because he knew too clearly what Sonbin’s answer would be and what he would lose as a result.

“Hoo.”

Namgungcheon sighed and looked at Sonbin.

“I’ve rested well thanks to you for the past few days,” Namgungcheon said with a smile. Not only Old Man but also Shinui’s eyes showed a different light. Old Man still had a suspicious expression, but Shinui turned his head and looked at Namgungcheon anew, as if he were seeing a strange sight.

“You’re welcome,” Sonbin replied with a smile.

“It won’t be easy to protect this place, will it? The outer affairs are by no means simple.”

At Namgungcheon’s words, Sonbin looked back at Namak Old Man, Shinui, and Tang Wola, and he quietly smiled once more. That became the answer for Namgungcheon.

“Is that so… Hehe,” Namgungcheon laughed and said, “You have too many obvious flaws. So, always be careful.”

It was said like a joke, but it wasn’t *just* a joke. Sonbin said he would protect what was precious, but there was nothing more difficult in the world than that.

If Namgungcheon moved the warriors of his family right now, he could subdue a small village like this in an instant. Even if Old Man or Tang Wola were holding out, taking one or two children hostage would not be a problem.

Then everything would be over. The moment they took hostages, they would have Sonbin’s life in their hands.

*Rustle.*

At that moment, Namgunghyang came out of the kitchen. She carried a tea set and teapot on a small tray and walked out quietly. It was a flawless movement, as if water were flowing. Along with her, the fragrant aroma of tea spread through the garden. Old Man’s eyes sparkled again.

“Would you like to join us? They say it’s good tea.”

“Thank you,” Sonbin willingly accepted his invitation. The bamboo mat was spacious enough for several people to sit on, so Namgungcheon enjoyed the tea with Sonbin, basking in the soft morning sunlight. Namgunghyang also sat quietly, drinking tea with a graceful demeanor.

“I can’t just leave after eating and resting well.”

*Whoosh.*

Namgungcheon, who was drinking tea, threw something at Sonbin. Sonbin accepted it in a fluster. It was a small, antique jade pendant with patterns engraved on it.

“Come and visit me sometime. I’ll treat you properly. If you show them that, no one in the Namgung family will treat you poorly.”

The snow-white jade sparkled in Sonbin’s hand. It was not ordinary at first glance. Sonbin hesitated.

“Such a precious thing…”

“Who said I was giving it to you?” Namgungcheon said, as if preempting what Sonbin was about to say. “I’m just keeping it for a while, so you have to keep it safe. He liked it quite a bit.”

“I understand. I will definitely visit you sometime.”

Namgungcheon laughed. The wrinkles on his wrinkled face deepened, but he didn’t care.

*Swish.*

“I’ll come occasionally when I need shade,” he said with the sound of the wind. Sonbin nodded.

*

*

*

*Clatter, clatter.*

That day, Namgungcheon and his party left Gwangju. The carriage, with its awning shielding the sunlight, was open on all sides, making it much cooler. Unlike when they came, they were not pressed for time, so the carriage was moving relatively leisurely.

“Hoo.”

Namgungcheon, who had been absentmindedly looking at the passing scenery, sighed softly.

“Are you uncomfortable somewhere?” Naecheong Vice Lord Namgungjin asked. His voice was cautious, as if worried about Namgungcheon’s silent appearance.

“No,” Namgungcheon replied without even turning his gaze. His voice was calm, but that made Namgungjin even more uneasy.

He glanced at Namgunghyang next to him, hoping she would intervene, but Namgunghyang was also lost in thought, her eyes fixed on the flowing scenery, so she didn’t even notice.

“Ahem, Hyang-ah.”

“Yes?”

When Namgunghyang turned around, Vice Lord Namgungjin gestured again. Namgunghyang finally realized his intention and turned her head to look at Namgungcheon.

The former Lightning Sword was leaning back, looking outside and sitting silently.

*Clatter, clatter.*

“It was a quiet place.”

“Yes. It’s a quiet place.”

Namgungjin briefly thought, ‘Was Gwangju a quiet place?’ but soon dismissed the thought. It was always too much for him to follow the conversation between those two.

“Was that young master him?”

“Yes,” Namgungcheon replied. “He’s different from what he looks like, but he’s also exactly as he appears.”

Namgungcheon chuckled as he spoke. The image of the young scholar with a gentle smile vividly appeared before Namgunghyang’s eyes.

“I wish I could have talked to him more.”

But there was no time to do so—or, to be precise, she didn’t want to disturb that time, because it was the first time she had seen her grandfather, the former Lightning Sword, with such a comfortable expression.

“You can,” Namgunghyang raised her head at Namgungcheon’s seemingly indifferent answer. Namgungcheon was looking at her and smiling. “If you go, write him a letter. Your handwriting is so pretty that no man will dislike it.”

“Should I?”

Namgunghyang smiled and turned her head to the back of the carriage. While feigning ignorance of Namgungjin’s still clueless gaze, Namgunghyang couldn’t take her eyes off the receding scenery of Gangnam.

“Wait, come to think of it, shouldn’t we change the order of this? It doesn’t make sense for the senior to be later, does it?” Namgungcheon’s grumbling voice brushed past her ear.