It had been a few days since I visited Yangwi Castle, but I still didn’t feel comfortable. After all, I had to work every day, and I had training to do daily too.
To be honest, I thought Chaejin’s declaration back then was just a joke, but the training actually got tougher. She looked like she was ready to eat me alive!
But thanks to that, my stamina seems to have improved quite a bit.
Though my body was tired, of course.
“Ugh.”
“Are you alright?”
Today, Sayoon, who was out on patrol, looked at me with concern as she saw me struggling.
I glanced at Chaejin, who was sitting in the backyard, grinning ear to ear, but all she did was raise a finger as if to say “One more time?”
“Well, it’s good that Chaejin is teaching you properly, ahaha.”
A dry laugh. Sayoon, who had been fumbling around, glanced around. The other female disciples who had come for patrol seemed to be getting ready to leave.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
“Alright. See you later.”
As Sayoon walked away, Chaejin slid closer to me. She started fiddling with nearby chairs and a broom, casually saying,
“The Innkeeper seems to be pretty close with the Hongseong folks.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Then…”
“If you’re going to ask me to arrange a duel with Nakil Sword, please don’t. Nakil Sword seems quite busy these days.”
“Huh? That’s not what I was going to talk about!”
Oh? Really?
I thought Chaejin’s top priority was dueling with Hongryeon.
I looked at her, and she met my gaze with unwavering eyes.
“I heard Nakil Sword is learning from the Sword Saint these days. If you want to duel with her, shouldn’t you be going back to Moonjeong soon to learn from the Doje properly?”
“I can train here too, you know?”
She really looked like she didn’t want to leave. Did I smear honey all over the inn? I shrugged while looking at her.
If she didn’t want to go, that was fine. Honestly, I was grateful for Chaejin staying here. After all, she was here as my escort.
When it eventually came time to fight the Iron Blood Clan, at least she could look out for me.
In case things went sideways, she might jump in to help.
“Well, do as you please then.”
“Yes, I will do as I please. Then I suppose I should start training too. If Hongryeon is training like that.”
Chillingly casual, she easily drew her sword. Raising it above her head, she just stood there.
I had no idea what she was trying to do, but it felt wrong to interrupt her training.
So, I headed straight to my room. After all, work needed to get done.
Once back in my room, I began working. Harvesting and storage issues for barley and other crops, calculating payments for the tenants, taxes, and various other calculations.
Also, planning how to meet with the officials introduced by Cheonghoe Merchant Guild and persuade them to sell goods.
While I was pondering over these matters, I heard a sound from the window.
“Oh, welcome.”
“Today, there are three items.”
The usual courier, Mundok, handed over a painful letter and a box.
One was… oh! A letter from Sayoon?!
My weary mind suddenly got a burst of energy. I gathered it up carefully…
The other was a letter from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild. They mentioned that a new product had come out and asked me to use it and report back on its effectiveness.
After confirming that the contents told me not to worry about the quantity, I neatly folded the letter and set it aside before grabbing the other box.
It was a box sent by the Jeongwon Party. I was planning to visit soon to collect my rewards, but did they send it over because they couldn’t wait?
“Did they just send this because they couldn’t hold back?”
I opened the box and was surprised by what I found inside.
“This is…”
Inside the box was a fist-sized stone, the Moonstone.
It’s one of the ingredients that appears in Part 2, and with this, you can make a talisman called the Moonlight Charm.
“What was the effect of the Moonlight Charm again…”
I tapped the Moonstone and racked my brain.
Aside from basic physical ability enhancement, it had a minor effect of gathering energy by receiving moonlight on nights when the moon was out. The effect grew stronger during a full moon.
I picked up the small paper inside the box. It was a letter from Ochil, confirming it was indeed sent as compensation from the Jingeon Guild for the previous incident.
I wanted to send it to someone who could make the talisman, but that person wasn’t around right now.
I heard from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild that Yu Seonsaeng might know about it since he’s knowledgeable, so they sent the most crucial ingredient, the Moonstone.
Of course, I know the combination method, but knowing it doesn’t mean I can make it…
“Hmm… Should I just sell it?”
Or should I find someone who knows how to make talismans and send it to Sayoon?
I shook my head while tapping the Moonstone.
For now, let’s read Sayoon’s letter first.
Sayoon’s handwriting was still round and beautiful. The content was enough to fill my heart with warmth.
By the way, the sword’s name…
Even in Heavenly Bright Moon, that sword didn’t have a name.
The more you used it, the more proficiency it gained, and it shone, leading to it being whimsically called the Pretty Sword.
But aside from that, it was just a good ordinary sword, so I had no name to give it.
Thinking about what to call it, I just set down the brush. I’ll think more and send it later.
Thanks to Sayoon’s letter, my weary mind felt revitalized.
Now, it’s time to wrap up the other tasks too.
I organized what needed organizing and handled what needed handling.
After checking the barley in the fields, when I returned, the sun was setting.
On returning to the inn while bathed in the red glow of the sunset, I went to the backyard where Chaejin was still standing.
In almost the same posture as before.
The only difference was that the sword that had been above her head was now about chest height.
Since lunchtime, the sword had moved that much?
Dull sword, or should I say, dull blade?
Chaejin was still pursuing sheer speed as before.
With a speed almost invisible to the eye, she annihilated her opponents as if the moonlight descended upon them.
Thus, she would later be defeated by her younger sister, Chaeran.
While progressing through the main story, Chaeran would gain insights not just into speed but also dullness and would ultimately defeat Chaejin, who had been solely pursuing sheer speed in Part 4 of the main story.
An enchanting scene would unfold as she broke through her limits, but for Chaejin, it would be infuriating to lose to her sister.
But, by the time that happens, Chaejin, who believed in speed as the only truth, was training in slowness.
Wow.
Chaeran is going to have some tough times ahead.
Anyway, she seemed pretty focused. If that’s the case, can I skip today’s training?
“It’s time, isn’t it?”
As expected.
Just when it was precisely my training time, Chaejin took the sword back inside the house.
“Alright, shall we begin?”
Seeing her wink and smile brightly, I thought,
This is obsession…!
As she said, a more sophisticated training that made my body scream would end when the patrolling Hongseong Clan members returned. When Sayoon saw me panting after the training, she smiled and took a step closer, saying.
After finishing my training, I was panting, and Sayoon smiled as she stepped closer and said,
“Is your training tough?”
“Not exactly easy.”
“Hehe. If it’s okay with you, can I give your shoulders a massage?”
What?! Such a reward?!
Sayoon is really an angel…
Declining was not an option.
There are things you can turn down and things you can’t—how in the world could I resist this?!
I immediately lay down on the long bench in the back yard, and Sayoon pressed on my shoulders.
“Uh…”
I thought it would just be a light pat, so I didn’t have high expectations. Just having Sayoon giving me a massage was nice, but it turned out to be much more relieving than I thought. What is this?
“Do you know Chugung Gwahyeol? Sometimes, our Master does it for me or the other senior sisters. This is just me mimicking that. But since it does touch the pressure points, I thought it would be okay… what do you think?”
“It feels good. This.”
And it really did. Not just a feeling—my shoulders, neck, and back were loosening up gradually.
“Hongseong Divine Art is a martial art of protection and healing for others, not just destruction. So it helps with healing too.”
“That’s cool.”
“I learned it while studying the later parts recently.”
“I see. Oh, could you do a little more over there?”
“Here?”
When the pressure hit that spot between my shoulder blades, an involuntary moan slipped out. After massaging my back, Sayoon stepped back, dripping with sweat.
“Well, I think that’s enough. Could you try to get up?”
I got up and moved around a bit. My body definitely felt much more relaxed.
“I’ll learn more from the Master and do this for you again later. Hehe.”
I felt like crying. Just as I was feeling touched, Yoohee, who had come out for patrol with Sayoon, called her.
Looks like it’s almost time to head back.
“Then see you later. Oh, by the way, we won’t be able to come down starting tomorrow. The Master said he’s going to give us concentrated training.”
“Yeah. Hongryeon said the training is done, so for a while, we’ll be patrolling.”
Is that so? Then it can’t be helped.
“Okay. I’ll let the officials know separately. And since you worked hard giving me a massage, how about taking something with you?”
I hurriedly went into the store. I thought about wrapping some sweets, but I figured the last batch I sent would still be around, so I packed something else.
“I made some rice cakes yesterday. Go and share them.”
“No, um. I feel like I’m always just taking…”
“Thanks to the massage you gave me, I’ll be able to work even better. Considering that, it’s a fair trade. Though I wonder if it’s a bit lacking.”
“Lacking?! It’s more than enough! Right, Yoohee?”
“Uh. That’s right. Next time, I’ll do one for you too. Actually, when I go home, I usually massage my dad and uncle. They all said it felt great, so I’m sure the Innkeeper would love it too.”
That’s a nice thing to say. Anyway, take it with you.
I insisted a few times, but I couldn’t overcome their tenacity. In the end, they took the rice cakes and left, while I watched them happily.
“Looks like you get along well with the kids? They seem closer than I expected.”
A voice came from the stairs. As she leisurely descended and sat down in her usual spot near the backyard, I was about to respond in a nonchalant way when I paused.
Huh?
Wait a minute.
Could this be a business opportunity?
Is this some kind of business pitch?
“Why? Is Lady Chae not fond of it?”
“Well, it’s just that I hardly ever get involved with the kids.”
“Then how about using this opportunity to get to know them?”
As I said this with a smile, Chaejin thought for a moment before shaking her head.
“It’s not easy.”
“That doesn’t sound like something someone who isn’t afraid to try new things should say.”
“Who are you talking about? Me?”
“Aren’t you training with the Dune Blade to master the Dune Arts, not just for kicks? No matter how much opposites attract, it’s never easy. From your intention to challenge yourself to get stronger, you don’t seem like someone who dislikes trying new things.”
I recalled the training from earlier and asked, and she seemed momentarily at a loss for words, closing her mouth for a bit before finally taking a swig of her drink and saying,
“Well, that’s just because I remembered a few things while teaching the Innkeeper.”
“Then why not just give this a shot? I’ll set up a gathering later. Forget about us being from rival sects for now; forming good relationships at times like these isn’t a bad idea. And the disciples of Hongseong are all good kids, and Sayoon isn’t just someone I’m friendly with; she’s genuinely nice…”
“Okay, okay. I get it. If I leave you alone, you’ll talk endlessly. But you know our Moonjeong kids are all nice too, right? Sure, Lyeon can be a bit rough around the edges, but she’s nice at heart. Don’t go saying something else when you meet the Moonjeong kids later on, okay?”
Chaejin took another sip of her drink and replied.
Alright then. Does this mean the pitch was successful?
I suppose I can view it as successful?
Okay. Now it’s time to get to work.
As I returned to the room, lit a lantern, and started reviewing documents,
I heard a knock on the window.
That’s the second time today.
The courier, as always, stood there holding a letter.
“…Jingwon-dang?”
It bore the seal of an express delivery. Why send it urgently?
I unfolded the letter and clicked my tongue softly.
– The movements of the Guanghua Alliance and the Zhujiung Sect, currently engaged in the war against the Hobang Sect, are unsettling. It seems they plan to engage in some kind of ambush once that battle ends… They might be targeting either Seomhwa Village or Hongseong.
There was a suggestion for us to join them, but considering the grace I received from the Master, that was a proposal I absolutely could not accept.
Please take care of yourself, and if things become dire, please arrange your affairs and come to Yangwi-sung.
No matter what happens, I will protect you, Master.
The handwriting was messy, perhaps written in haste. But that just made it clear how heartfelt Ochil’s words were.
“The Guanghua and Zhujiung, huh…”
All of them had been hired by the Iron Blood Clan to attack Hongseong, acting as mercenaries from the outside during that time.
They were also places destined to be absorbed by the Iron Blood Clan in the future.
So, the fact that they were on the move implies it might be the time for the prologue to begin. Also, since I heard they were participating in battles between other sects, I was thinking of hiring Hao-mun to keep an eye on them once that was wrapped up, but I never expected to learn about it like this. That saves me the cost.
Anyway, although the signs of the prologue starting were showing up, I wasn’t particularly afraid.
In fact, perhaps I had been waiting for this very moment.
Thoughts and discussions I’d had before with the seasoned souls who resided in Heavenly Bright Moon, talking about ways Hongseong could endure through the prologue, flashed in my mind.
Now’s the time to harness the power of collective intelligence.
Without hesitation, I took up the brush.
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