Moonjeong is a huge sect, bustling with many residents.
That means there’s a lot to do from the break of dawn.
The maids and innkeepers were up and frantically moving before the sun even rose.
Especially in winter, their busyness skyrocketed.
As the gray sky above the rushing people began to sprinkle fluffy white snow, I too quickly moved my hands.
Of course, not for work like them, but for training.
The snowflake I reached for floated into the air in tune with my hand’s motion. Just when it seemed poised to drop from the air, I spun around.
-Whoooosh…!!
With the low sound of wind, the falling snowflake soared into the air. But since it wasn’t packed with strength, the fragile snowflake retained its form.
The snowflake, eager to reach my outstretched hand, was gently pushed away by the internal energy of Ogumhee and Chaeran practicing Tai Chi.
Then, I pulled it back and rotated my body.
Spin, spin, spin.
Tai Chi students, including Chaeran, place great emphasis on rotation, foundational to soft martial arts. Thus, I focused on tracing the circle generated by my spin as I moved my hands and legs.
And as it was time to complete the final gesture, I lowered both my hands.
-Whooooom…!!
With a soft vibrating sound, the energy I had spun around me spread out.
I was drawing the Taiji.
While the snow that Chaeran had been training in piled up around us, my area was different.
On the ground, snow and dirt painted a single Taiji diagram.
-Clap, clap, clap.
At the sound of applause, I turned my head. There stood none other than Chaeran.
“You could’ve said something if you came,” I quipped.
“I thought you looked focused. But honestly, you’re doing better than I expected?”
“I’m just using what I learned.”
“There are plenty who can’t even apply what they’ve learned properly, you know?”
With a bright smile, Chaeran extended her hand, assuming a training stance with Chaejin.
“Don’t you need to train this morning?”
“There’s still time left. So, shall we give it a try?”
“Sounds good.”
The moment my right hand touched Chaeran’s right hand, we moved quickly.
Unlike Chaejin, Chaeran operated more like we were sparring than training; she masked her strength and tried to throw me off balance with her close moves.
How long did I manage to defend and retaliate with everything I knew?
Despite the chilly weather with falling snow, beads of sweat trickled down my forehead when Chaeran stepped back.
“Hmmm. Considering this, you could be great among the outer disciples. Though it’s just Tai Chi you’ve learned.”
“Haha. It’s the only thing I’ve picked up.”
“Ogumhee seems to have learned properly. It looks like your elder sister teaches well, huh?”
“A splendid teacher, indeed. Your elder sister.”
“Is that so?”
With a sly grin, she took a step back and raised her finger, and Chaeran smiled brightly.
“Today, my sister is on a break. How about asking her to show you Cheongho?”
“We were going out together anyway.”
“Oh? Is that so? Then that’s perfect.”
Chaeran pulled something from her pocket and tossed it.
Two pieces of paper flew through the air and landed perfectly on my hand.
“There’s a theater in the southern part of Cheongho. They’re having a play this afternoon, so how about we go see it together?”
“That sounds good. This gratitude, however…”
“Don’t worry about it. My sister has taken care of that.”
“Chae Soyeon?”
“The scale of the mountain tiger. And the innkeeper mentioned the appearance of that mountain tiger. That should be sufficient as a reward, right? Well then, see you later~!”
With a bright smile, Chaeran darted off. I fidgeted with the paper in my hand before stuffing it into my pocket.
After breakfast, I stayed alone in my room. I had quite a bit to think about.
While I was deep in thought, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“It’s me.”
It was Chaejin, looking shy in casual clothes instead of the attire of Moonjeong.
“Uh… You didn’t forget the promise from yesterday, right?”
“Of course not. Shall we head out around lunchtime?”
I showed her the ticket Chaeran had given me. Chaejin tilted her head at it, and I smiled.
“It was given by Chae Ran.”
“Ah, that kid…”
“But if you don’t enjoy plays…”
“Oh no! I’m fine with it!”
“But you look a bit tired. Can you still go out?”
Chaejin’s eyes were slightly red. When I asked her curiously, she shook her head vigorously.
“This is nothing! I stayed up late practicing last night because I couldn’t sleep!”
“Is that so? Then let’s head out around lunchtime, do some errands, watch the performance, and then have dinner before coming back.”
“Sounds great! See you later then!!”
Chaejin nodded brightly and quickly left the room. Watching her retreating figure, I settled into a cross-legged position to continue my thoughts.
By lunchtime, I changed my clothes and went outside. As I waited at the place where I had met Hongryeon yesterday, a beauty with black hair styled up approached.
“Have you been waiting long?”
Her attire was quite neat. A ceremonial dress that covered her neck and a long skirt that reached her ankles. Perhaps because the whole outfit was tight, her toned and stunning figure was perfectly accentuated. However, due to the fur outer garment draped over it, it felt more beautiful than vulgar.
“That outfit suits you well.”
“Really? Hehe. Thank you. You look good too.”
“Thanks. Now, let’s go.”
So, I walked alongside Chaejin. After exploring the fabric store we didn’t check yesterday and verifying some things, we headed towards the southern street of Cheongho.
I headed towards it.
“Wow… there are a lot of people. So, what’s the title of the play we’re going to see?”
“It’s called ‘The Tale of the Phoenix and the Storm.’ It’s kind of like an epic hero story.”
It’s a play that can also be seen in Heavenly Bright Moon, and through this, we could have an event.
The ancient hero, the Phoenix, descended to the world to defeat one of the two suns, sacrificing his divinity to bring it down.
Then, he fell into humanity and traveled the world, meeting a lover and living a human life until he died.
After watching this play, I would be able to search for traces of the Phoenix. If I find all the traces, I would obtain the ‘Mirror of the Phoenix.’
That was a necessary material for crafting a good weapon in Part 3.
“Wow… I see.”
“It might not be very fun.”
“Hehe. I don’t think so. Come on, let’s go.”
The theater was packed, perhaps because the troupe was quite skilled, or maybe it was the fame of the story itself.
Thankfully, the ticket that Chaeran gave us was for a premium seat, so it looked pretty spacious for me and Chaejin.
“How about we snack while watching?”
She smiled, showing the snacks she bought at the entrance, and I nodded.
After a moment, the lanterns went out, and the stage lights brightened.
Oh… this is better than I expected.
The troupe was performing the story of the Phoenix fighting the evil monsters on the command of the heavens, and how he was revered by humans, quite well.
While I was watching intently, the important moment finally arrived.
“When the Phoenix descended from the heavens and shot down the black sun!”
The storyteller, playing the narrator role, spoke loudly.
In sync, the actor playing the Phoenix swung his sword, and the black sun hanging from the ceiling dropped down.
“The place where that black sun fell is Mount Pungwol…”
Mount Pungwol.
The location of the Phoenix’s first trace. The place where the Phoenix had used his power, and the hilt melted by the black sun lay.
I took that into my mind and focused on the performance.
“…Hmmm…”
A soft moan escaped, and the rich scent of forget-me-nots tickled my nose from my shoulder. When I slightly turned my head, I found something black resting against my shoulder.
“…Haha.”
It was Chaejin.
With her eyes closed, she gently rested her head on my shoulder, breathing comfortably.
She looked a bit tired earlier…
The long eyelashes peeking from her closed eyes were calm, and she seemed to have firmly grasped my arm, indicating she was deep asleep.
I gently tensed my shoulder. Just to make it easier for her to lean and sleep comfortably.
“…I’m so sorry…”
Chaejin woke up just as the performance was nearing its end.
Looking pale and flustered, she immediately apologized as soon as we stepped outside.
“It’s okay. You must have been tired, and I should actually be the one apologizing for dragging you along.”
“No, that’s not it! I leaned against you without permission, and I didn’t sleep a wink last night… and, and it’s just that being next to the Innkeeper feels so comfortable, and there’s such a nice scent.”
“Anyway, as long as I could rest comfortably, I’m satisfied. Now, let’s go eat dinner.”
“Ugh…”
I laughed at the utterly deflated Chaerin. I lightly tapped her back, and only then did Chaerin lift her head slightly with a wry smile.
“I’ll tell you a story about the Hwa-joong-do while we eat. You have to be ready with an answer if Chaeran Soja asks later, right?”
“Aha… That sounds great! I love listening to the innkeeper’s stories. It might even be better than watching a performance.”
The dinner table was quite cheerful.
I had felt it during our occasional drinks at the inn, but Chaerin was a fantastic listener. Great reactions and expressions of interest.
Because of that, I could also enjoy telling my story.
“What a pity. I wish I could stay longer.”
It was already quite late, thanks to the wine during dinner.
When Chaerin spoke in a small tone, I laughed.
“There will always be another opportunity. Don’t be too hasty.”
“That’s right… There will always be.”
She sparkled with her black eyes and lightly jumped next to me. And then it happened.
“Oh! It’s snowing!”
The snow that had fallen earlier this morning was starting to come down again, but a bit heavier this time.
“Wait a moment!”
Chaerin quickly ran over to a nearby shop. When she returned, she was holding an umbrella.
“Why did you only buy one?”
“They said they only had one left.”
Looking at the shop, I saw that the umbrella stand outside was empty.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Give it to me. I’ll carry it.”
“Hehe. Thank you.”
As she opened the oil-paper and bamboo umbrella, Chaerin naturally snuggled up next to me.
So, under the bright lanterns and falling snow, we walked calmly through the night streets of Cheongho.
There was no particular conversation. Was it because we had walked in silence many times in Seomhwa Village? It wasn’t awkward at all.
By the time we arrived in front of Moonjeong, the snow had stopped. I folded the umbrella, and Chaerin stepped inside.
“I really had fun today. Ugh… it would have been even better if I hadn’t fallen asleep back then.”
“But that just means we could have a more fun conversation, right?”
At my words, Chaerin briefly widened her eyes and looked at me. Then, with a playful smile, she took a small step back.
“You’re always like this, Innkeeper. You’re not afraid of anything and always turn failures into successes.”
I stared directly at Chaerin.
“I don’t think there was any failure in what happened today. Wasn’t it enjoyable?”
“…Ahaha. I really can’t stand you. You’re right. It was fun… Ugh. Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams!”
With a bright smile, she turned to leave. As I was about to head back to my room, I ran into Chaeran, who was sitting in the garden.
“How was your day?”
She asked with a bright smile, and I immediately answered.
“It was enjoyable.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
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