The mountain ginseng, Jeokseongcheong, and Hohwan-tang.
I picked up the ginseng first.
“Sayoon, I’ll eat well.”
“Yes!”
I chewed on the mountain ginseng that Sayoon discovered and Ryuhyun dug up.
Watching me chew it without leaving any roots behind, she finally smiled brightly.
“Thank you. Eating this makes me feel revitalized.”
It’s true that mountain ginseng really does boost your energy; I felt strength returning to my somewhat weak body.
Just when I was about to get up after eating that, a bowl approached me.
Red honey, Jeokseongcheong.
Hongryeon, grinning widely, handed it over.
“Eat this right away, too.”
“…Thank you.”
With Hongryeon’s gaze on me, I downed a whole bowl of honey. Since Jeokseongcheong is also used as a vitality booster, though sweet, it wasn’t too hard to clear a bowl.
“I ate well. I always feel like I owe you.”
“Not at all. Don’t say that. You should also take care of your health from now on. I gave some to Yohwan, so make sure to eat it regularly.”
“Haha, understood. Thanks as always.”
“Anytime.”
Only after looking at the empty bowl did Hongryeon seem satisfied.
“Have this too.”
Seeing that, the Sword Saint presented Hohwan-tang.
Just as it was said that the Sword Saint put her energy into making it, the Hohwan-tang was cooked thoroughly. You could eat it with a spoon.
There was no trace of any foul smell, proving that Yohwan made it. As soon as it hit my mouth, it melted away, bringing a rich taste.
While eating quietly, I looked up. The Sword Saint was staring at me intently.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Uh, never mind.”
Surprised, she quickly turned her head. In that time, I finished the Hohwan-tang without leaving a single drop of broth.
Mountain ginseng, Jeokseongcheong, and Hohwan-tang.
Truly extravagant luxuries!
In Heavenly Bright Moon, you usually didn’t get to consume things like this—most just sold them.
“I ate well, Sword Saint. I really feel like I have tiger-like energy now.”
“I hope you take care of your health.”
The Sword Saint said flatly and stepped back. Then, a moment later…
“I’ll get you something even better when we go to Cheongho!”
“Haha, there’s no need for that.”
“No! I can’t let you go without it! This is Moonjeong’s pride!”
“But you’ve already agreed to give me the nourishing tonic.”
“That’s one thing, and this is another.”
With Chaejin’s firm tone, I simply nodded. It seemed saying it was okay would only make her more insistent, so I decided to just accept it graciously.
“My body has improved a lot, and my stamina has gone up, so it’s time to slowly…”
“…Innkeeper… can’t we rest today?”
Sayoon looked like she was about to cry.
It tugged at my heartstrings.
“Alright, let’s take it easy today. No matter how good the tonic is, we shouldn’t move around just like that right away.”
“Take a break today. No matter how good the tonic is, you shouldn’t be moving around so much right away.”
Hongryeon said as she gently pressed down on my shoulder. The strength in that slender arm was quite significant, making it impossible for me to get up.
“But I still have things to do.”
“Think about what’s truly important.”
Sword Saint Na Yerin gazed at me as she spoke. Her expression was flat, but the weight behind her gaze made me awkwardly smile.
“If you’re really that bored lying down, how about a quick walk?”
Chaejin said with a bright laugh, and I shook my head.
“It’s not that I’m bored.”
“Exactly! Just rest!”
“You’ve been through so much!”
I heard voices from outside the door. I looked over to see the disciples of Hongseong standing there, holding fruits and herbs, their faces filled with concern.
With this much worry being shown, it wouldn’t be right to push myself to work.
Let’s accept their kindness purely.
“I’ll rest today.”
“Wow! Great decision!”
Hearing Sayoon cheer enthusiastically, I just decided to fully relax today.
Even though I had decided to rest, I didn’t know what to do.
Maybe it’s because I’m always on the move to complete the scenario?
Now that I was supposed to relax, all I could think of was zoning out while puffing on some smoke.
Thinking it over, I headed to the backyard.
“Where are you going?”
I was startled. A voice called from above. Looking up, I saw Chaejin leaning against the window frame, gazing down at me.
“Today, I’m also taking a break from training. No matter how much you say that skipping a day of martial arts will cause three days of hardship, pushing through it while exhausted isn’t good either.”
“I plan to. I only came down for a brief moment to think.”
I held a cigarette in my mouth. I was almost fully recovered from my cold, and having a good sleep with the tonic helped relieve the fatigue, so I thought it was about time to relax a bit.
“Why do you push yourself so hard?”
Chaejin jumped down and approached me. I pondered her question for a moment before smiling.
What should I say when she asks why I’m working hard?
“It’s not my style to ignore what I have to do for other things.”
“Um… that’s complicated.”
“Haha, if there are a hundred people, there are a hundred preferences, right?”
“Ah, I don’t mean it badly.”
“Thanks for thinking that way.”
I took another drag from my cigarette. As the hazy smoke spilled out once again, I heard voices coming from the entrance of the backyard.
“Are you feeling okay?”
Sayoon and Hongryeon were back. I was surprised to see them again and snapped my fingers.
“On patrol, I see?”
“Yes! We have to do what we must.”
“Excellent. By the way, Hongryeon. Weren’t you supposed to visit yesterday?”
“Did you not come to find me?”
“Yes. Actually, I had something to ask.”
“What is it?”
“I was going to order some medicinal herbs. But then you collapsed.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“Don’t say that. Making elixirs is important, but it’s not as important as you.”
“That’s right! The Innkeeper has done so much for us at Hongseong!”
Honestly, I didn’t feel bad at all. Their reactions were proof that what we had done until now was not wrong.
“Let’s take a good rest today and look into it tomorrow. If you need any items, let me know.”
“We’re not doing it today, right?”
“I can’t do it.”
I pointed at Chaejin. If I tried to head to my office, she would just drag me back.
Seeing Chaejin’s proud face, Hongryeon smiled.
“I think I should trust you this time.”
“Hehe, don’t worry.”
“Chaejin, please take care!”
“Don’t worry! Don’t worry!”
It looks like I definitely won’t get into the office today.
I smiled wryly at their reactions, and only then did Hongryeon give me the order form.
Let’s see. There are quite a few things in the warehouse, and these aren’t rare materials, so I should be able to get them as requested right away.
“If that’s the case, you should be able to wait a few days.”
“That’s a relief. Still, take a good rest today. It won’t be a problem even if it’s a little delayed.”
I nodded at Hongryeon’s words.
The day after my collapse.
Completely recovered, I placed an order with the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild through the mail, and a few days later, Gi Noya personally came to deliver the items.
“I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
“Hahaha. What’s it matter?”
She probably wants to have a drink and eat some medicinal dishes now that she’s here, right? I called Yohwan with a smile.
Gi Noya, although saying it wasn’t necessary, didn’t refuse, and that was enough to make me laugh.
“Gi Noya, I need to go to Cheongho this winter. It might take some time…”
“Are you asking me to come along?”
“Would you be able to?”
Of course, there’s a Sword Master at Hongseong, so there shouldn’t be any problems even if something major happens.
But still, it would be nice to have a skilled person stay at the inn, wouldn’t it?
“Well, I’ll ask. If there isn’t anything special, I think I could get permission.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed to him and began to gather the ingredients Gi Noya had brought along with those I had been storing.
It’s cold outside. Just as I was about to put on my thick clothes, Chaejin approached me.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to Hongseong. The items they requested have arrived, so I need to deliver them.”
“Can’t you just send it with the patrol?”
“Haha. I’ll wait for them. Plus, I have some free time now. I thought I’d take a walk, would you like to come along?”
“Yeah. And now I’ve got some free time. I’m thinking of taking a walk, care to join?”
“Sure!”
And so, I walked alongside Chaejin. The cold wind brushed against my cheeks, making it clear that winter was fast approaching.
“It was warm the first time I came here.”
“Come to think of it, you must have been here for a while too.”
That’s right, Chaejin stayed at my inn back when I first arrived in this world. It’s definitely been a while.
“Hehe, right? How has the innkeeper been all this time?”
How have I been, you ask…
Such a simple question.
“Everything has been good.”
Although it was tough, to be honest.
Chaejin stared at me with a glimmer in her eyes before breaking into a grin.
“Surely my presence was included in that goodness?”
“That goes without saying.”
“….Ahahaha!”
Seeing her laugh heartily made me smile back.
As we chatted, we climbed up Hongseong Mountain, and when we reached near the mountain gate, I spotted a disciple guarding it.
“Delivery!”
“We could go pick it up! Please wait a moment!”
Now I could approach the once-restricted Hongseong Gate as if it were nothing. Of course, to enter the inner sanctum, I still had to deploy the Guardian Spirit.
How long did we wait after the disciple left?
Coming down our way were none other than the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, Yoohee, and Sayoon.
“Is it really necessary for the Sword Saint to come down just for a simple delivery?”
“I thought I should come in person since it’s something important.”
The Sword Saint smiled brightly as she received the box I handed over. After checking inside, she nodded seriously.
“Thank you as always.”
“Not at all.”
I often say it, but I’m the one who’s really thankful.
I nodded toward the Sword Saint and then turned to Hongryeon.
“When do you think you’ll head to Cheongho?”
“Well, it seems like I’ll be going in a few days. With winter approaching, we need to get things ready in Hongseong.”
Things like firewood, clothing, and of course, food.
“But I think this winter will be warm.”
Sayoon chimed in, and Yoohee nodded in agreement.
“Thanks to you, innkeeper.”
I smiled at her words.
“Oh!”
Just then, a single snowflake began to fall slowly from the sky.
It wasn’t the unnatural kind from the mountain tiger I had seen before; this was the soft, natural first snow.
It was a sign that it was time for us to head to the Murim Alliance.
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