If someone says it’s not allowed, isn’t that just fuel for our desire to do it even more?
Thus, in Heavenly Bright Moon, people have diligently challenged the forbidden zones, and quite a few have succeeded.
The easiest method among them is stealth.
Starting from the lodging of the female monks at Botasam, one of the forbidden zones, I shook my head while recalling the frequently used methods during other infiltrations of forbidden zones.
The essential martial arts for stealth? If only I had the Shadowless Skill. That would make things easy, but acquiring it requires an outrageous amount of prerequisite quests, not to mention sneaking in feels like being a thief, so that option is out.
So, I thought, what if I borrowed the power of the overseer like during the Black Maiden Palace breakthrough event to take down all the guards and force my way in?
But that sounds even more absurd.
From the perspective of needing to strengthen Hongseong, why would I create friction with them?
I had a few other methods in mind, but I shook my head.
For a super man like me, such tricks were unnecessary.
So, the day after meeting Hyeonryeong, I boldly headed to Hongseongsan and stated confidently to the disciple guarding the sect’s entrance,
“…Ah. So, you want to enter Hongseong, huh?”
What I chose was a frontal assault.
As a man, you gotta just say you’re going in openly.
“The overseer asked me to conduct an investigation.”
“I believe we’ve already submitted the investigation results… Please hold on. I’ll check with someone.”
Watching her quickly ascend the path, I took a seat on a nearby bench. The scenery with the blooming Cheonil Plum Blossom was truly beautiful.
As such, I wanted to prevent this mountain from burning at all costs.
How long had I been waiting patiently without lighting up even a single cigarette?
I spotted a woman descending from the sect’s entrance.
Ryuhyun, the second disciple of Hongseong.
“I heard your message. Innkeeper Yu, you need to investigate Hongseong, right?”
“Um. Here you go.”
I showed her the cooperation request form provided by Hyeonryeong. It detailed that as an external investigator hired by the overseer, I was to investigate the internal affairs of Hongseong and identify who among the wicked had attacked this place while also collecting data on the martial arts used with the Baekokpa.
Only after receiving and reading the request stamped by the overseer did Ryuhyun let out a long sigh.
“I understand the overseer’s request for cooperation. However… as you know, Hongseong is a forbidden zone.”
“So, I’m hoping you could manage that a bit, but it’s not completely impossible, right?”
“Ugh…”
The members of Hongseong take their sect’s policies very seriously. Since they’re determined to uphold Hongseong’s teachings without support from their families, they likely wouldn’t want to break the forbidden rule.
“It might sound like a threat, but a fallout with the overseer would be troublesome.”
No matter how much our policies deter interaction, we can’t just completely ignore each other, can we?
“I know. The overseer provides us with a lot of conveniences as well.”
“So, what will you do?”
“That part I need to ask my Master about. Currently, my Master is teaching the Senior Sister…”
No wonder I hadn’t seen Hongryeon lately. Was she getting trained by the Sword Saint?
“I heard the training hall got partially destroyed, but is there a space left for training?”
“Yes. There’s another training venue behind the training hall. However, unless something special happens, we’ve been told not to approach it…”
“That must be a hassle.”
“What are you saying? Thanks to the Innkeeper’s consideration, it seems I’ve been able to lessen my burdens quite a lot.”
Sending patrols to Seomhwa Village had considerably reduced the things she had to handle. Ryuhyun smiled bitterly and shrugged her shoulders.
“And the previous bounty as well.”
“Hmm…”
“Anyway, I’ll ask my Master.”
“I’ll ask the Master.”
“Then please do.”
“Take care.”
After finishing my conversation with Ryuhyun, I came down from the mountain. When I returned to the inn and sat in the backyard to light up a cigarette…
“Where have you been with the guards gone?”
It was Chaejin, a long-term guest.
Dressed in that tight Moonjeong outfit, she approached me naturally, trying to lead me back to the backyard even more naturally.
“I have one question. Are you not going home?”
“I haven’t had my duel with Hongryeon yet.”
After the last attack by the Demon Sect, I sent a few challenges, but Hongryeon completely ignored them.
I didn’t understand it, but it made sense. They probably needed to sort things out within the Hongseong clan urgently.
Besides, receiving training from the Sword Saint would likely take priority over dueling Chaejin; of course, she wouldn’t be able to do that.
But it’s already been a few days, and she’s still not going home.
Is this obsession?
“And, member, you haven’t finished your training. You have to do it properly! Properly!”
Is this despair?
“What are you working so hard on?”
“If you received it, you have to give it your all.”
She spoke as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, leaving me speechless. I nodded, and when Chaejin saw I had no intention of getting up, she clicked her tongue and sat next to me.
“So? Where have you been?”
“I went to Hongseong.”
There was no need to hide it, so I explained the situation. She silently listened and then elbowed me in the side with a grin.
“Should I go along and challenge Hongryeon to a duel? If I get in the way of her training, I feel like she would do it. I don’t think the Sword Saint would hit me.”
“Even if the Sword Saint wouldn’t hit you, Hongseong would definitely come for you. Want to get a taste of Hongseong’s sword arts?”
No matter how much Chaejin was part of the righteous sect and a disciple of Moonjeong, it wouldn’t end without her taking some serious heat for that.
“Oh. That’s not it. But what are we supposed to do? The government tasked the innkeeper with work, which was a concession on their part, but if Hongseong refuses…”
“What…”
I crushed the cigarette I had lit and stood up.
“If they have their own thoughts, they would concede. Come on, let’s train.”
A smile appeared on Chaejin’s face.
After being grilled by Chaejin, I did some work and, after dealing with the barflies, as evening fell, I ended the day with Ogumhee as usual.
While I was puffing on a cigarette, watching the sunset turn red, Ryuhyun arrived from Hongseong.
She had quite a bright expression.
“The Master has given permission.”
“That’s great news.”
It truly was good news.
In a situation where we had to gather everything we could in preparation for the Iron Blood Clan’s attack, the military’s strength would be a big help.
Besides, if Hongseong had declined the proposal, maybe the government would have left them hanging if they were attacked.
“However, you cannot enter the restricted areas…”
“What are the restricted areas?”
“Places where our disciples stay. Or where the Master lives. Areas where records of Hongseong are kept. Those kinds of places. Aside from those areas, you can go anywhere.”
“Oh. I can accept that.”
“And one of the disciples has to stay with you the whole time. They have to accompany you for guidance anyway. Also, only you, the innkeeper, are permitted.”
“I can accept that as well.”
“Great! So when will you come?”
I thought for a moment and nodded.
“I’ll go tomorrow.”
The next morning, as I was packing for the trip, Chaejin nagged me.
The reason was simple. She wanted to go, too.
No way.
Just in case, I asked if she wouldn’t cause trouble for Hongryeon, and she averted her gaze like a puppy that had done something wrong.
So I ditched the whiny girl and headed towards Hongseong Mountain.
“Welcome!”
Standing at the gate with a bright smile was Sayoon, the kind gray-haired girl.
Looks like today’s going to be a good day.
“I didn’t expect you to greet me.”
“Oh? Would you have preferred someone else?”
No way. I’d be really grateful if it were Sayoon welcoming me.
As I shook my head, she flashed a big smile. Then she naturally stood next to me and calmly started her explanation.
“Actually, this is supposed to be done by Senior Sister, but she has a training schedule today…”
“There’s nothing more important for a martial artist than practicing martial arts. I understand. I’ve heard she’s receiving focused training from the Sword Saint. You should tell her not to worry about me.”
“Haha. Yes. Apparently, after fighting that Demon Cult guy, Senior Sister has realized something.”
That’s great to hear.
Considering I have to face the Iron Blood Clan, it’s definitely not a bad thing if Hongryeon gets stronger.
“You must be having a tough time.”
“Haha. I guess so, right? Come on in.”
I could see the gate dividing the outside from the inside of Hongseong Sect.
In Heavenly Bright Moon, no man had ever crossed this threshold. And here I was, about to do just that.
Before I knew it, I nervously swallowed. Inside the gate, Sayoon was smiling gently.
Yeah. Let’s go!
“Whoo…”
“Why are you so nervous?”
“It’s Hongseong Sect, why wouldn’t I be nervous?”
Is it just my imagination?
The moment I crossed the threshold, my body suddenly felt cold, and an eerie feeling crept over me.
To comfort my nerves, Sayoon smiled brightly.
“Don’t worry. We’ll all protect the Innkeeper.”
She seemed to be in a surprisingly good mood. With a slightly bouncy step, she glanced at what I was holding and cocked her head.
“By the way, what’s that? It looks heavy, can I carry it…”
“I brought a little gift because I didn’t want to come empty-handed. It’s not heavy, so don’t worry.”
“Ah… you could have just come.”
“It’s not expensive, so don’t feel burdened. Hongseong Sect helped me save face, and I should return the favor.”
“Is that the right thing to do?”
“It’s the basics of social etiquette.”
As we made pointless small talk and climbed the rugged stone stairs, dilapidated buildings slowly came into view.
That’s when I spotted women standing with swords.
There were about a dozen of them.
Except for those who went on patrol, it seemed like everyone else was out.
They stared at me without blinking, and they were completely different from the cheerful girls I had seen at the inn.
They displayed the pride and spirit that martial artists from renowned sects possess.
Leading them was Ryuhyun.
As Sayoon joined them, Ryuhyun, who had her hand resting on the hilt by her waist, looked down at me and slowly drew her sword.
Swoosh.
The piercing sound was sharp enough to make my skin crawl.
“Out.”
With that short command, the gathered disciples drew their swords in unison.
And in sync with Ryuhyun’s movement, the blades pointed toward me.
Is this a warning?
No, it didn’t feel like that.
“Welcome to Hongseong Sect. Now that you’re here…”
Ryuhyun wiped the usual smile off her face and spoke in a cold tone.
“Hongseong will protect its guests, no matter what happens.”
The moment her solemn pledge left her lips, I felt a wave of coolness surrounding me.
A high-level expert can harm a person merely with their sword aura.
Similarly, they can protect a person with just their sword aura.
As proof of that, the energy radiating from Hongseong disciples began to surround me, preparing to keep me safe.
I was starting to settle into my surroundings.
“Do not be afraid. Do not hesitate. If there is something to be done, do it.”
As her voice grew stronger, the energy around me intensified as well.
Consciously or not, the expressions of the other disciples were quite serious, and their vigor was palpable.
“The Red Guardian will protect you.”
In that moment, the refreshing energy surged, and the cold and unpleasant stickiness I felt after crossing the mountain pass began to fade away.
For a moment, Ryuhyun, who had been pointing her sword at me, nodded and put her sword away.
Clank.
As if we were all one, the other disciples sheathed their swords at the same time. Only then did Ryuhyun offer me her signature warm smile.
“Welcome, Innkeeper Yu.”
“…Should I thank you for your hospitality? What did you do?”
“I deployed the Guardian Art, one of our Hongseong Sword Techniques. You know that Hongseong Mountain is the Sacred Mountain, right?”
“I know.”
“Then do you know what role the Hongseong Clan plays on Hongseong Mountain? The Hongseong Clan also serves as a restraint against peculiar occurrences that can happen under the influence of the Sacred Mountain’s spirit.”
“Hmm…”
“The Hongseong Clan itself is a stone that suppresses the overflowing spirit of Hongseong Mountain. We disciples can prepare for the weird occurrences that happen around us by mastering the Hongseong Divine Art, but that might be impossible for you, Innkeeper.”
“I see.”
“Especially since you, the Innkeeper, are imbued with Yang Qi, strange occurrences may happen in response to you. That’s why I activated the Guardian Art.”
So, the Hongseong Clan did this to protect me in their own way?
“Is that why Hongseong Clan is a forbidden zone?”
“Pretty much. Hehe. We can’t let a guest get hurt, can we? But we also can’t deploy the Guardian Art every time.”
Their consideration made me chuckle.
Well then, let’s make them smile too.
“I couldn’t come empty-handed; I brought a gift. Please don’t refuse it.”
I unwrapped the cloth, and as soon as they saw the bamboo box inside, the martial artists from the esteemed sect, who had been so serious just a moment ago, turned into familiar girls.
Indeed, girls are definitely made up of sweets, spices, and all things nice.
If that weren’t the case, they wouldn’t have changed so quickly at the sight of the treats.
I handed out the sweets I had prepared, not the usual ones, but a rather luxurious kind made by the cook on my special orders.
Seeing them happily receive it with both hands filled my heart with pride. Especially when Sayoon received hers, she couldn’t hide her blush, which made me smile unconsciously.
As they went one by one, the last girl gently extended her hands.
With dark navy hair tied only at the ends, it swayed gently around her waist.
She wore a short and tattered uniform that revealed her thighs, leaving traces of wear and tear and exuded an enchanting aura at my shoulder height.
Even barefoot, her white feet left not a speck of dirt or dust. She gazed at me with infinitely deep eyes, unblinking.
I quietly placed the sweets on the outstretched hands of the girl before me.
Neither I nor the disciples of the Hongseong Clan noticed the arrival of this girl, who hadn’t been there just moments before.
So, I respectfully bowed to her, who had received the sweets.
“I am Yu Wol, the Innkeeper of Seomhwa Village, here to meet the master of the Hongseong Clan.”
The girl who was staring at me intently was none other than…
Sword Saint Na Yerin.
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