The next morning, as soon as it dawned, we headed straight to the Murim Alliance. We met Chuyoung at the Inspection Department to explain the situation.
As she listened to our story, she nodded thoughtfully.
“Sure. Building up some favor with the Law Enforcement Department wouldn’t be a bad idea. But are you sure you don’t mind stepping back when it comes to the end?”
“Yes. I don’t mind.”
Chuyoung nodded at Hongryeon’s refreshing answer.
“In that case, we need to call a meeting right away. Hongryeon, you should join too.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Of course. And Chaerin, you too.”
“Ugh. Why me?”
“We need perspectives from other departments. We have to report on how we’re handling this after all.”
Even though she wasn’t directly under her, Chaerin felt a bit overwhelmed but couldn’t refuse Chuyoung, who was a senior and held a high position within the Murim Alliance.
Once the two were set to join the meeting, Chuyoung smiled and looked at me, Hyunhwi, Sayoon, and Chaeran.
“You don’t have to attend, so take your time. If you want, you can take a look around the Murim Alliance a bit more…”
“I wanted to check out the Murim Market, so this is perfect! While you sisters are in the meeting, I can wander around, right?”
Chaeran beamed and grabbed my arm.
“Are you coming along, Innkeeper?”
“I think it’d be better to go together. But today, maybe just taking a break is…”
“Ahaha! Don’t worry about us.”
“Yeah. Just go ahead. It’s just one meeting, and we can come back tomorrow anyway.”
“Well, then I won’t hold back.”
I decided to accept their kindness. Once Chuyoung left with the two, I turned to Hyunhwi.
“What do you plan to do, Hyunhwi?”
“Well, I don’t really have anything in particular to do, so I’ll join you.”
“Then I’ll take the lead.”
Chaeran smiled and raised her hand, and Sayoon clapped lightly towards her.
“Can we expect great things?”
“Of course! Now, shall we go?”
We didn’t visit the Murim Alliance’s interior like we did yesterday. Chaeran guided us toward the Murim Market.
“If you’re in the Murim Market, you must check out the Weapons Forge.”
A weapons forge! In Heavenly Bright Moon, this place sold equipment that was a tier higher than other regions, so most people came here to buy weapons from the market.
Of course, after some time, they would either seek out a craftsman to make their desired gear or wander around dungeons to find special items.
“Ooh… this sword is nice. What do you think?”
Chaeran picked out a sword. It balanced well and had lovely decorations, perfect for female warriors. As Sayoon examined it from different angles, she smiled brightly.
It was a sword. Well-balanced and adorned, it was definitely suitable for female warriors. While Sayoon was examining it here and there, she smiled brightly.
“I’m fine. There’s no sword as good and precious to me as this one.”
“Wow. I’m jealous. Who gave it to you?”
“Hehe… I received it from someone really precious to me.”
Seeing Sayoon happily hugging the sword, Chaeran turned her gaze towards me and Hyunhwi. I simply shrugged my shoulders, while Hyunhwi lightly shook her head.
“I see. Then, how about this one?”
Chaeran picked up a dagger. Good for throwing and practical for travel, it looked quite good quality.
“As a souvenir, I’ll buy this for you.”
“Oh! You really don’t have to.”
“I hope you won’t refuse.”
Smiling, she paid for the dagger. She placed one from the pair in her hand and set the other on Sayoon’s palm, grinning happily.
“Alright. Shall we go check out another place?”
Chatting cheerfully, Chaeran continued to guide us.
As we strolled through the market, Sayoon suddenly stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
“Um… that over there.”
She was pointing at a decoration that looked like it was made of jade with red threads. Sayoon gazed at it intently, then slightly looked my way.
“Doesn’t that seem perfect for the Innkeeper?”
“Hmm. It does look nice.”
With Chaeran’s response, Sayoon walked over to it.
“Excuse me.”
“Ah! Welcome!”
As the middle-aged woman who seemed to be the owner greeted her with a smile, Sayoon pointed at the decoration.
“Oh, you’re referring to the Hyunhong decoration. Hehe. The lady warrior has a good eye.”
Taking the decoration down from the wall, the owner showed it to Sayoon. I wandered over for a peek, and it certainly looked quite gorgeous, crafted by a skilled artisan, with intricate patterns carved into the jade and vibrant red threads.
“Is this meant to wear on a waist string?”
“Yes, it’s meant to hang there. This jade is called Cheonsan Jade, and they say it attracts good fortune in business. And this thread is made of Wangjin yarn, which wishes for health…”
Well, she speaks well. Hearing the owner’s explanation after Sayoon had already liked it made her decide to buy it as she asked about the price.
“How much is it?”
“Just twenty silver coins, please.”
Twenty silver coins—considering what Sayoon had, that was quite an expensive price, but without hesitation, she rummaged through her belongings and pulled out her pouch. She handed the twenty coins to the owner, who smiled and said,
“Shall I wrap it for you?”
“No, thank you.”
With the Hyunhong decoration in hand, she approached me. Looking up at me, she extended both hands with the decoration.
“Hey, Innkeeper. Would you accept this?”
“Isn’t it too expensive?”
“Isn’t it?”
“It’s okay! I’ve always just received from the Innkeeper!”
Receiving pocket money from Hongryeon, and even earning silver coins by fighting against adventurers, she mustn’t have that much money. Yet, she’s giving me a whole twenty silver coins as a gift.
I thought about refusing, but Sayoon’s eyes were shining with hope that I would accept it.
There’s no way I can say no.
So, I smiled at her and accepted the accessory.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
“Hehe… Yes!”
Seeing me willingly accept it, Sayoon looked quite pleased. After watching me attach the accessory to my belt, she seemed to relax considerably and walked away with a smile.
“Chaeran, let’s go somewhere else!”
“Alright.”
There were plenty of places to explore in Woo-gak-seong. Even places we had just passed in Heavenly Bright Moon.
While wandering around the bustling streets, Chaeran suddenly stopped. She seemed to be gazing intently at something of interest, causing Sayoon to tilt her head in confusion.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh? No, it’s nothing.”
Startled, Chaeran quickly turned her head away.
“Come on. Let’s go.”
As she rushed ahead, I glanced at the spot Chaeran was staring at.
“A Friendship Token.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a token shared between friends.”
In Heavenly Bright Moon, you can receive it once you register as friends. It doesn’t have any special effects; it’s just a jade token cut in half, with both of their names engraved on it.
Sayoon stared at it for a moment before saying to me, “Innkeeper, wait a moment…”
Then she dashed over there. After chatting with the owner, she returned holding a small envelope, and I smiled and asked, “Is that for Chaeran?”
“…Ehehe…”
She seemed flustered.
Instead of answering, Sayoon scratched her head, blushing.
Friends. Friends are nice.
I smiled at her.
“But, didn’t you spend a lot? On my gift, the Friendship Token… You need to save some for lunch, right?”
“Uh. It’s okay!”
Well, according to my calculations, it didn’t look okay at all, but Sayoon was quite firm.
Well, if it really gets tight, I can secretly chip in through Hongryeon or Hyunhwi.
After finishing our street tour, we returned to the inn. It seemed that Hongryeon and Chaejin hadn’t arrived yet.
“Let’s have a simple meal.”
Maybe it was a bit past lunchtime? The inn wasn’t crowded at all. Sitting in a corner of the quiet inn, I said with a smile, “Lunch is on me. If you have anything you want, just order it.”
“I’ll pay for it!”
Sayoon shouted, but I shook my head.
“I can’t just keep receiving after getting this. You can treat me next time. Now, order whatever you want.”
“Jureum. Now, order whatever you want to eat.”
“Um… then I’ll have somyeon.”
“I’ll have that too.”
“I’ll have somyeon as well.”
“Bring us four bowls of somyeon, along with dumplings and grilled meat.”
It seems Sayoon ordered only somyeon thinking about me, but since we’re here, we might as well eat properly.
Awkwardly smiling at a flustered Sayoon, I added more dishes.
“Let’s have something even more delicious for dinner.”
“Uh… I was planning to pay for everything this time…”
“I’ll ask you later.”
“…Okay.”
Smiling awkwardly, Sayoon chuckled. I thought as I looked at her.
Right now, Sayoon must be too busy calculating the cost of the remaining silver coins and presents.
So it’s better for me to subtly help her in this situation.
“By the way, are you planning to take the Murim Alliance’s rank exam? Since we’re here, why not challenge it?”
“Um…”
Chaeran laughed and added to my comment.
“I don’t think you’re lacking in skill, but since you’re receiving so much anyway, it might be good to at least try the challenge.”
She’s right. Taking the Murim Alliance’s rank exam earns you rewards according to your rank.
“Oh, I know that. They said they’d give a sword worth fifty nyang for the A rank, right?”
“Fifty nyang?!”
“If you can get B rank, it’s thirty nyang… and C rank was ten nyang, right?”
As I continued, Hyunhwi chimed in, causing Sayoon to be surprised.
Seeing her astonishment, Chaeran nodded with her usual fox-like smile.
“They say that if you already have a good sword, you can just get the money instead. I didn’t need it, so I took the money.”
Sayoon lowered her head. I barely suppressed a laugh as I caught her mumbling “fifty nyang” under her breath.
Well, considering Sayoon’s personality, she probably wants to buy gifts for Hongseong, culinary skills, and others, plus something for ‘Mister,’ so having enough money would be nice.
“…When can I challenge that?”
“You can challenge it anytime. So how about we finish lunch and then head over?”
Sayoon nodded vigorously at Hyunhwi’s suggestion.
Relieved, she began to slurp her somyeon, and I glanced at Hyunhwi. She tilted her head slightly in disapproval as she ate her somyeon with her usual deadpan expression.
Turning my attention back, I saw Chaeran sitting next to Sayoon.
Unlike Hyunhwi, she blinked and smiled when our eyes met.
So they both noticed that Sayoon’s financial situation isn’t great after all?
I smiled at her, and Chaeran returned the smile, bringing a finger to her lips.
Nodding in agreement with her request for silence, I settled back into the meal.
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