Just yesterday, the gray sky, which had been gently shedding snow, unveiled a clear and bright demeanor that seemed to contradict its gloomy expression from the previous day.
Perhaps that’s why today, contrary to winter’s usual demeanor, the sun was high in the sky, and as it began to set, a calm red twilight started to settle into the blue sky.
It was at that moment when both blue and red coexisted in the sky.
The patrols from Hongseong Clan were walking back, stepping on the freshly fallen snow accumulated overnight.
“Are you not cold?”
It was Sayoon. Dressed in what looked like rabbit fur, I shook my head with a smile toward her.
“It’s not that cold.”
“But your nose and ears are red!”
“I’ve been taking the tonics, and the one that Moonjeong sent me too. If I were cold with all that, it would be pointless!”
A few days after I took the tonic from Hongseong Clan, a real tonic arrived. When I asked what was in it, Chaejin only said it was particularly good for men.
Anyway, maybe because of those tonics, I definitely felt more energetic and wasn’t affected by the cold as much.
As I was talking with a smile, Hongryeon, who had come out on patrol with Sayoon, reached out her hand. Perhaps because she was a master, her hand, even without gloves, remained just a normal color despite the cold.
Naturally bringing her hands to my face, the warmth from her hands began to melt away the chill on my face, tormented by the winter wind.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all.”
With a gentle smile, Hongryeon slowly withdrew her hands. Just as Sayoon grinned while watching this, a joyful shout from inside the inn sounded out, making the innkeepers, busy sweeping the street to welcome guests, cheer.
“Everyone come in and have a warm bowl of soup!”
It was Yohwan. It seemed she had prepared soup for those who had been struggling to clear the snow.
I suggested to the two standing in front of me, “If it’s okay, have a bowl before you go.”
“Oh my. We didn’t even clear the snow.”
“But you worked hard for Seomhwa Village. Don’t be modest.”
“Then… thank you very much.”
With a soft smile, Hongryeon stepped inside with Sayoon. Moments later, something suddenly plopped down from the roof of the inn.
It was Chaejin, stubbornly sticking to her Moonlight Sword attire despite the snow being piled up.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“For a master like me, this is nothing. Hehe. But if you think it’s really cold, could you warm me up a bit?”
I shrugged my shoulders. Then, I wrapped the scarf I was wearing around her neck, and Chaejin looked at me for a moment before breaking into a bright smile.
“…This is nice. Oh, and I cleared all the snow on the roof. There was quite a lot piled up!”
There was a chance the heavy snow could collapse the roof, and it could also hurt someone passing by when it fell. So, I asked Chaejin to do it, and it seemed she had done well.
I nodded at her and went inside with her. Inside the inn, the innkeepers and Jeomsoi were already warming up by eating soup.
They nodded and went inside together. Inside the inn, the innkeeper and Jeomsoi were already warming up their bodies with some soup.
“Huh? When did you all arrive?”
“Just now! What about you, Chaejin?”
“I was shoveling snow upstairs.”
“I see. Here, eat too. It’s made by Chef Yohwan.”
Saying this, Sayoon laughed as she handed the soup bowl to Yohwan, and Chaejin smiled back at her. Then she glanced at Hongryeon and asked.
“Looking at the weather, it seems like it won’t snow for a while. Shouldn’t we start considering leaving soon?”
“True. I was actually about to mention that. I’m thinking of leaving tomorrow… is that okay?”
Traveling during snowfall isn’t convenient, of course, unless you’re a master martial artist from the Murim. But since I was joining this trip, they had to consider my situation.
It’s thoughtful of them, and wanting more would be greedy.
“I’m fine with whenever.”
“That’s good then.”
“But what about the elixir?”
“It was completed yesterday, and I plan to take it this evening.”
“That’s great. Sayoon, how about trying to show your skills in the Murim Alliance this time?”
When Chaejin said this with a smile, Sayoon tilted her head in confusion.
If martial artists join the Murim Alliance, their skills are assessed. Depending on how well they perform, their future position within the alliance could change.
“Me and Hongryeon were in grade A.”
“Is grade A high?”
“Yeah, it’s the highest. But it’s not that important. Some who start at grade A don’t improve, while others start at grade D and rise to high positions in the Murim Alliance.”
It just means it’s a starting point, and I agreed.
In “Heavenly Bright Moon,” Sayoon and Yura started from grade C, unlike the other protagonists.
There were events throughout that process, but since they’re not that significant, let’s skip them.
“Chae-ryun was…”
“Her? She was in grade A, nearly the top of that!”
As Chaejin explained, Sayoon nodded. Hongryeon smiled at her as if she was thinking of something.
“You at least want to reach a similar grade, right?”
“Yes.”
Sayoon replied shyly, and Hongryeon patted her shoulder.
“Honestly, with your current skills, you’d be about grade E. But if you take the elixir and keep training, grade A won’t be too difficult.”
“So I need to keep training.”
“That’s one way to look at it. Didn’t I always say? Those who are unprepared cannot see tomorrow.”
As Hongryeon spoke calmly, Chaejin gently patted Sayoon’s head, revealing a hint of guilt for wanting to go to Cheongho first while still being considerate.
I patted her head. Although she probably wanted to go to Cheongho first, she seemed to be apologizing for holding things up.
“I’m sorry… I think I’m delaying the schedule because of me…”
“Strictly speaking, it’s my fault, so don’t worry too much.”
It was just that the travel had been difficult because it had snowed continuously for several days since the first snowfall.
As I tried to soothe her, Sayoon was startled and shook her head vigorously.
“N-no. That’s not it. I’m the one who is lacking…”
“No, well. The schedule isn’t a problem, so let’s head to the Murim Alliance first.”
“Yes. Thank you, Innkeeper. Is that okay?”
Chaejin nodded, and I smiled.
Of course, that would be fine. Do whatever you want.
I had always been prepared to leave at any moment. After contacting Gi Noya through the post office, I headed to the government office.
Just in case, I asked the local leader to keep an eye on the inn if anything happened and returned.
At the front of the inn stood the Sword Saint.
“What brings you here at this late hour?”
“I heard from Yerin. You’re leaving tomorrow.”
“Oh. Yes.”
“…Please take good care of the children. And…”
The Sword Saint hesitated for a moment and then reached out her hand. A small, white hand grasped mine while I watched her dark blue hair fluttering in the moonlight.
In a calm tone, she said, “I wish you a safe return.”
In her deep, transparent eyes, I could see my reflection. As I nodded in response, the Sword Saint seemed satisfied and took out a small letter from her robe.
“Could you deliver this to the Doje?”
“Uh… What is it?”
“It’s nothing much. I just wanted to ask the Doje a few things.”
“Uh. Alright.”
But can’t I just leave this to Hongryeon? Is there a reason she specifically gave it to me?
While I was puzzled, the Sword Saint smiled and stepped back.
“And I’ll show you something good. Oh, speaking of which…”
Unlike her usual self, the Sword Saint seemed a bit awkward.
“By the way, have you ever seen the Doje’s martial arts?”
I’ve seen it in Heavenly Bright Moon, but not here. So I shook my head, and she smiled softly.
“Really? Then…”
Her calm voice enveloped the surroundings.
“Please, watch me.”
“….”
“Look at me.”
– Boom!!
A light tremor.
At the same time, the snow surrounding us soared into the air.
And in that moment.
For just a brief moment, the world stopped, and the snow suspended in midair began to scatter like light.
As if it had been struck by thousands, tens of thousands of attacks.
“I wield a sword of will. The power of will is incredibly strong, so please remember that.”
“Ha-oh. The power of will is extremely strong. Please remember that.”
I have never seen anything like this in Heavenly Bright Moon…
Well, considering I’ve only seen the Sword Saint move outside of the main story, it’s no wonder I don’t know her level of skill.
“Thank you for the teachings.”
But honestly, her level is so high that I don’t understand a word. Still, saying ‘I don’t understand’ seems worse, so I bowed my head and thanked her, while the Sword Saint spoke more seriously than ever.
“You must remember.”
“Uh… Yes?”
“That I am stronger than the Doje.”
I awkwardly smiled at her being so puffed up with pride.
I mean, what do you say when someone claims to be strong?
The next morning arrived. The sky was clear, so it seemed like the weather would be nice for a while.
Perfect day for a journey.
While sitting in the cart and moving the luggage, Chaejin came out with her bag in hand.
“Doesn’t the luggage seem a bit light?”
“Well, I’m coming back, so why? Is it not allowed?”
“What could possibly be wrong with that?”
“Hehe, right? But what about the others… Ah, they’re coming over there.”
She pointed to one side, and just as she said, I saw women coming over with various things in their arms—three members of Hongseong wearing thick fur coats.
Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, and Sayoon.
“Have you been waiting long?!”
I shook my head at Sayoon, who ran over with a bright smile. Hyunhwi bowed her head politely, and Hongryeon examined me closely before beaming a smile.
“Your clothes are a bit worn out.”
“Huh? No, they’re not worn…”
“I think it would be better if you wore this.”
Then she pulled out a robe from her bundle. This robe… it was the one I had seen before.
The one embroidered with the symbols of Hwisungsa. As Hongryeon smiled brightly handing it to me, I put it on.
“Let me see your arm. I’ll help you wear it.”
“Thank you.”
The black and gray robe had a calm feeling about it. Maybe it was the embroidery from Hwisungsa? I felt less cold wearing it compared to thicker clothes.
“How does it look?”
“…It suits you well.”
Chaejin, who was staring at me, said a word, and Hongryeon started to look proud. Sayoon and Hyunhwi also said it looked good on me.
“I feel bad for always receiving like this.”
“Oh, what?! We actually receive more, don’t we?”
“Haha. Is that so? Anyway, let me express my gratitude once again. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing much. Come on now, let’s get going!”
With her face slightly flushed, Hongryeon climbed onto the cart. Then Chaejin fiddled with my clothes before clenching her fist tightly.
“Make sure to look forward to it when we reach Cheongho.”
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