“First, let’s unload the luggage.”
Seeing Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, and Sayoon clinging to the Sword Saint, I said this to Yohwan.
As she shouted, people started coming out from inside to organize and remove the luggage from the cart. I had told them to handle the Hongseong stuff separately.
“But what brings you all the way here?”
“I was on patrol in place of my disciples.”
“Oh, I see. You must have had a tough time. How about we have a cup of tea before you go? Everyone must be tired, so let’s indulge in something sweet.”
I ushered everyone inside, including those who tried to decline. Entering from the chilly winter weather into the warm interior felt like my body was melting a bit.
Yohwan placed herbal tea and some recently made snacks on the table, and Sayoon widened her eyes and asked,
“What’s this?”
“It’s one of the snacks eaten by the royal family in winter. Give it a try.”
It’s a snack made with ice.
After Sayoon took a tentative taste of the shimmering, jewel-like red ice, her eyes bulged while the Sword Saint puffed up with pride.
“Isn’t it delicious?”
“You’ve tried it?”
“Well, just a sample.”
At Sayoon’s question, the Sword Saint flinched and diverted her gaze.
Well, considering how much the Sword Saint loves sweet things like candies and snacks, she wouldn’t pass up a chance to taste it.
“The Sword Saint has excellent taste, so I usually consult you when creating something new. And as gratitude, I’ll send back a box of goodies. Oh, this is from my own funds, so no need to worry.”
“Why wouldn’t I care if it’s something sold at the inn? If you do that, I’ll make sure it’s shared with the Hongseong folks too.”
The Sword Saint looked pleased. I guess it felt good to benefit Hongseong in ways other than martial arts.
“Anyway, this is something that can only be made in winter. Some people wait all year for it. There’s no luxury like enjoying cold ice snacks in a warm place.”
“Oh… then if a master skilled in Ice Arts is around, can we have it in the summer too?”
“True, but most masters who wield Ice Arts are pretty prideful and wouldn’t use their abilities for such things. It usually takes someone high-ranking to order it.”
Then again, most Ice Arts masters do tend to be particularly arrogant.
While everyone munched on the ice snacks, I stood up.
Since we made it here safely, shouldn’t I stretch a bit?
“Please, enjoy yourselves.”
I headed to the backyard. The spot I usually relaxed in was tidy, not a speck of dust in sight. I sat down, lit a smoke, and just then, I heard footsteps approaching.
“Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, Sayoon—all have improved significantly. Chaejin has too.”
It was the Sword Saint’s voice. As she walked into the backyard, I tried to stand up, but she shook her head.
Then she squatted before me, looking up.
“You’ve had a tough time.”
“I didn’t do anything worthy of that… But do you have something to say?”
“Did you give the letter I entrusted to the Doje?”
Ah. That thing? Yes, I did.
As I nodded, the Sword Saint stared at me with an expressionless face.
“First of all, thank you. For thinking of me like that.”
“…Ahem. It’s not an incorrect statement. But what did he say?”
“He didn’t say anything particular.”
Of course, he sometimes mentioned opening a branch of the inn in Cheongho or wondered if I was thinking of starting a store.
But right now, Cheongho has no time to do anything, so I politely declined. I said I’d consider it if an opportunity arises later, so there shouldn’t be any problems.
“I’m currently working with Hongseong. Under such circumstances, I can’t focus on anything else.”
Considering all the other things I have to think about.
At my words, the Sword Saint slowly rose.
The gaze that was looking up just moments ago changed, but the faint smile hanging on her face didn’t waver.
“Thank you.”
“I’m just doing what I should. By the way, I heard you were on patrol. Is it alright if you don’t go?”
“I should head out now. Anyway, you’ve worked hard during your journey…”
“…..”
“And thank you for not falling for the Doje’s coaxing.”
“Hahaha.”
The Sword Saint gave me a slight nod and quickly left. After she exited, Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, and Sayoon also came out of the inn.
It seems they were planning to head back after patrolling with her.
“Innkeeper! You’ve worked hard!”
Sayoon, upon spotting me, waved her hands enthusiastically and bowed. After her, Hongryeon and Hyunhwi greeted me as well, and as I returned their greetings, I inhaled the scent of the association.
“Okay. Let’s get to work.”
“Before that, shouldn’t we train? We only did a bit while traveling, so how about we warm up?”
I smiled broadly while looking at Chaejin, who had walked up beside me, and set down the association.
“Sounds good.”
Was it because of the travel fatigue? Chaejin’s training wasn’t as intense as before. It was just enough to loosen up our bodies and perform Tai Chi once.
After finishing a round of training, Chaejin nodded in satisfaction.
“I think my Tai Chi has gotten a bit stronger. Do you think it helped to watch my father and Hyunhwi duel?”
“It seems so.”
They say that just observing the movements of masters is a learning experience. Maybe it was because I watched Hyunhwi and Doje’s duel last time that her movements became more natural.
“Well, both of them are excellent martial artists.”
“And the Master is also very impressive.”
“…Ah, ahaha.”
Patter, patter.
Still, looking pleased, Chaejin beamed and lightly patted my chest. It didn’t hurt at all since she wasn’t putting any strength into it.
“Then I’ll get to work.”
“Sure!”
I went upstairs to check on the backlog of tasks.
Thanks to Yohwan’s organizing, there wasn’t much for me to deal with, but some things were only for me to handle.
For instance, organizing accounts or tasks related to financial documents are things I need to take care of.
Just as I finished processing them, I heard a knock on my door.
“Oh, Yu Seonsaeng. Is that you?”
It was Gi Noya, who had been staying at the inn while I was away. I thought they had gone out for a moment since I didn’t see them earlier.
It was then. I thought maybe they had gone out for a drink since they were missing earlier.
He was all set to leave.
“Are you leaving already? There’s a banquet today…”
“Yeah, I should head out.”
“Oh, and here.”
I took out the gift I had prepared. It was a medicinal wine I bought in Cheongho. Gi Noya, who received it, looked happy, so I bent my waist to him.
“I’ll ask for your help again next time.”
“Hehe. Just don’t refuse if the general asks for help later.”
With that, Gi Noya quickly departed. Watching him leave, I stuffed the disorganized papers into the safe.
As I rummaged through the receipts and documents inside the safe, I spotted a box at the very bottom.
When I pulled out the box, it contained the letters and fragrance pouches Sayoon had sent me until now.
“…Heh.”
Just looking at them eased my heart.
Alright, shall we continue?
After finishing some work at the inn, I headed directly to the government office. It was winter, so there wasn’t much to do, but the office seemed quite busy, likely preparing for next year and for making Seomhwa Village a district due to the increasing population.
“Welcome.”
The local leader smiled and greeted me amid a pile of documents, and I placed a box containing a bottle of alcohol on the table.
It was the medicinal wine I had given to Gi Noya.
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Haha. Yes. I brought a gift from Cheongho since they had good medicinal wine there.”
“Why, what’s this?”
“I heard you’ve been busy lately… Well, I’ll be on my way then.”
“No. You came all this way, so have a cup of tea before you go.”
Thus, I got some time to talk with the local leader. He told me about everything that happened in Seomhwa Village while I was gone, as well as the recent movements in the military. He then asked with a smile.
“So, did anything happen in Cheongho?”
There were things, but they were quite personal.
I’ll stick to official matters.
“I did hear an interesting story. It seems there was an attack on Hongseong and the new Sahuklyeon, with them clashing in the domain of the evil sect.”
“…That’s quite an interesting story.”
I shared what I had heard from Chaeran, and the local leader listened seriously, nodding his head.
“If things go well, it might turn into a ‘Two Birds with One Stone’ situation. Can I report this to General Cheon? By the way, where did you hear it from?”
“It’s from Gaebang.”
“Well, that makes it more reliable. Got it. I’ll look into it.”
See? Having connections with bureaucrats makes things easier.
“By the way, it seems the population in Seomhwa Village has been increasing.”
“Hmm. Yes. Recently, with the rise of evil monsters, more people have been fleeing here, where they aren’t coming out. But, there shouldn’t be any worries for the innkeeper.”
Sure.
He’s capable enough to handle things well.
After finishing my meeting with the local leader, when I returned to the inn, it was already time for the sun to set.
I looked around the bustling inn, which was still doing great business, and headed upstairs.
I then sat down at the organized desk and picked up my brush.
Alright. Now that the work is done, we must move according to our script.
Currently, Sayoon has accumulated enough inner strength for further growth.
Now all that’s left is enlightenment and training.
They’ll handle the training in Hongseong… My role will be to assist in her enlightenment.
I’ll handle everything from here… My role is to assist her enlightenment.
I quickly moved the brush, recalling the events from Heavenly Bright Moon.
*
This journey became a significant stepping stone for Sayoon.
It was only natural.
She gained real-world experience by battling seekers and trained in Moonjeong to experience other advanced martial arts.
And there were also fights against the evil monsters and thugs encountered during the trip.
All those experiences laid the foundation for Sayoon’s skills.
“Wow. I can’t underestimate you as the youngest anymore, huh?”
“Hehe. But the senior sisters will probably win quickly.”
Although she had grown stronger, Sayoon didn’t boast.
She knew her strength was thanks to the support of the sect and the sacrifices of her senior sisters.
“From now on, I’ll protect the senior sisters!”
Yoohee smiled at Sayoon’s lively declaration. On her left wrist, the jewel accessory that Sayoon had gifted to everyone in Hongseong days ago swayed.
“Alright. Then I have to come back even stronger next time in the martial arts world. Morning dishwashing is more fun when we do it together.”
“Hehehe. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Even if Sayoon defeated a senior sister, there would be no change in hierarchy in Hongseong.
In this place, where everyone supported and uplifted one another, who would want to disrupt that?
Thus, they could purely celebrate and genuinely feel joy for each other.
Hongryeon watched the scene with satisfaction, and at that moment, she noticed Ryuhyun walking over with a box.
“What is it?”
“It came from the post office. There’s quite a lot.”
There must be letters from other sects and requests for support as well.
“Huh?”
Inside the box was a familiar small box.
Seeing that it had no sender name, Hongryeon chuckled lightly.
“Sayoon! The ‘Mister’ sent something!”
Sayoon dashed over to Hongryeon. She pulled out the box and beamed with delight.
“Is it that good?”
“Hehe. Yes! It’s been a long time since I received something!”
Hastily opening the box, she found one silver coin and one gold coin along with a somewhat thin letter.
Gold coin?
Why a gold coin this time, unlike usual?
But it didn’t matter. What mattered more to Sayoon was what kind of letter the Mister sent.
Without touching the silver and gold coins, she quickly unfolded the letter.
[It’s nice to see your continuous efforts. It seems like you’re doing well, so I feel relieved.]
“Hehehe…”
She received praise!
She was praised by the Mister!
Overjoyed, Sayoon couldn’t help but smile broadly, while Hongryeon gently patted her head.
[There’s an herbalist old woman named Gwiyeo in a mountain village not far from Chilhonsan. If you go to her and give her the gold coin, saying you’ve come to repay your debt to Chilaek, you should be able to obtain something good. How to use it is up to you to decide.]
That was the end of the letter.
No explanations whatsoever.
As Sayoon and Hongryeon stared blankly at the letter, they looked at each other.
“Chilhonsan isn’t that far from here… Should we go take a look?”
At Hongryeon’s suggestion, Sayoon nodded vigorously.
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