A few days passed since I returned to Seomhwa Village, and I had almost finished the backlog of work.
There was the payment for the items received from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild, as well as investigating how much we could sell the imported goods linked to the Cheongho side.
Then there was sending those items back to Yangwiseong for sale, and checking up on the gold mine.
Finally, after days of struggling, I wrapped up the organization of the taxes I had to pay every year, and stepped outside.
“Oh. It’s snowing.”
Although my backlog was cleared, delicate snowflakes fell as if to remind me that winter was not yet over.
The innkeeper’s Jeomsois and servants grumbled about white poop falling from the sky, but the scene of the snow piling up still looked rather picturesque.
I headed to the backyard and sat on a long bench covered by a large roof.
Thanks to the brazier in front of me? I felt a warm vibe.
“Yap.”
At that moment, I heard a sound behind me. I turned my head to see Chaejin in comfy clothes. With a bright smile, she poked my shoulder with her finger, hopped into the seat next to me, and asked.
“Yohwan gave me some chestnuts to roast. Want some?”
“Sure. By the way, it should be time for the patrol…”
“Who’s on patrol today?”
“Not sure?”
While we were away and after returning, the Sword Saint continued the patrol for several days.
Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, and Sayoon returned to share their experiences and insights gained during their training with the disciples.
“They said they’ll bring the patrol schedule soon, so let’s just wait,” I said.
“Okay. Sounds good.”
With a beaming smile, Chaejin tossed some chestnuts into the brazier. As I watched the chestnuts roasting, Chaejin spoke in a low voice.
“This year is almost over. It’s been quite eventful, hasn’t it?”
I nodded in agreement. I glanced at the woman next to me, who seemed to have strong feelings for me. Her words about confessing when she felt ready flashed in my mind, but I didn’t show it; still, I was treating her as well as I could.
Of course, the same goes for Hongryeon.
“I think things are really good these days.”
“In what way?”
“Um. In various ways? It’s hard to explain in words. The innkeeper seems to be treating us better too. Hehe. Or is it just my imagination?”
With her head tilted, Chaejin poked at the brazier with a stick. As the chestnut shells began to pop open, I reached out.
Was it because I used Ogumhee’s flame? Even when I grabbed the roasting chestnuts, they didn’t feel that hot.
When I handed her a peeled chestnut, Chaejin, who was munching on it, smiled brightly.
“Has your martial arts improved quite a bit?”
“Well, it’s all thanks to my wonderful Master.”
“Aw~! Such flattery. It feels so nice! Keep it coming~!”
Clap clap. Chaejin playfully patted my shoulder, but her beaming smile showed she didn’t mind.
“We’ve arrived!”
Avoiding the rain with an umbrella, two figures appeared. One was Sayoon, a girl with grey hair that blended perfectly with the white snow. Next to her walked Hongryeon, a beauty with fiery red hair.
Upon their entry, Chaejin tilted her head.
“Is it all normalized from now on?”
“Yep!”
“Goodnight.”
Hongryeon handed over the updated patrol schedule. I accepted it, read it, and tucked it away. Looks like I’ll have to send it to the authorities later.
“You came at the right time. It’s cold, and I was roasting chestnuts and yams, so eat before you go.”
After several refusals, both girls took a seat. As the four of us huddled around the brazier munching on roasted chestnuts and yams, Sayoon suddenly thought of something.
“Oh, by the way, we’re planning to go to Seokseon Village at Chilhon Mountain tomorrow. Do you need us to pick up anything?”
Seokseon Village, located near Chilhon Mountain, is famous for herbs and charcoal. So, Sayoon offered to buy charcoal if we needed it for cooking at the inn.
“Chilhon Mountain, right? It’s just half a day’s travel from here? What do you need to go there for?”
“I’m just going to meet someone.”
In response to Chaejin’s question, Hongryeon answered instead of Sayoon.
Meeting someone, huh? It must be to see Gwiyeo.
Last time, I confirmed through Hao-mun that an old woman named Gwiyeo is in Seokseon Village at Chilhon Mountain, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
“Then bring back some charcoal.”
Yohwan chimed in from the back. Since she was in charge of the kitchen, that made sense. I pulled out a voucher from my pocket and placed it in Hongryeon’s hand.
“Ah, I have enough money for charcoal.”
“Even so, since it’s something we need here, I should pay for it.”
“Okay, I understand.”
“Well, are you going together?”
“Ha ha ha. It’s a place you can reach in less than a day. It’s just Sayoon, Yoohee, and me going. Don’t worry too much.”
“Hongseong Mountain is fine, but other places are affected by Donggui. It’s best to stay cautious.”
“I understand. Well then, we’ll just head out for patrol~.”
*
It’s half a day’s journey from Hongseong Clan to Seokseon Village at Chilhon Mountain.
So there wasn’t much to prepare.
As the sun rose, Hongryeon, who had come out first, paused while waiting for Sayoon and Yoohee, who were gathering their weapons.
“…Master?”
“Mm.”
“Where are you going?”
As the Sword Saint walked out, Hongryon looked puzzled. Seeing Sayoon and Yoohee come out behind her with the same questioning look, she spoke in a small voice.
“Would you like me to help…?”
“Aha ha… you can just rest, you know.”
“That’s fine. Now, let’s go. I’ll guide you while you train as we walk.”
In the end, Hongryeon couldn’t refuse the Sword Saint’s offer. So, along with her, the group climbed Hongseongsan. If they went down past Hongseongsan, they could reach Seoksun Village on Chilhonsan in half a day.
“The snowy mountain path can be dangerous. Use the Cheohang and Hwiseng techniques to move.”
When the Sword Saint spoke from the back, Sayoon and Yoohee immediately activated their movement techniques.
Footsteps softly brushed against the thick snow. As their movements quickened, the following Sword Saint said,
“You need to build your inner strength. Avoid the ice hidden under the snow and find exactly where to step. If you do that, you can conserve your energy.”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
Upon hearing Sayoon and Yoohee’s responses, Hongryeon couldn’t help but smile.
The Sword Saint loved teaching her disciples. Perhaps she had followed along out of concern that they might get hurt on the snowy mountain path.
Glancing at her, Hongryeon quickened her pace. After quickly reaching the top of Hongseongsan, they slid down, traversing the mountain range until they came close to another mountain.
Hongryeon raised her hand lightly.
Something was ahead.
-Clang. Clang.
Monsters made of ice were moving.
The Dong-gwi, an evil monster that appears in winter.
As soon as they stepped out of Hongseongsan, Hongryeon looked back at her companions. This was a good opportunity. As Sayoon and Yoohee quickly grabbed their weapons and sprang into action, Hongryeon surveyed the surroundings.
There were seven Dong-gwi nearby. Sayoon and Yoohee should be able to handle them easily.
And that judgment proved to be right. Watching Sayoon and Yoohee effortlessly take down the Dong-gwi, the Sword Saint smiled widely.
“You’ve grown a lot.”
“There’s been a lot going on.”
The speed at which Sayoon had grown in less than a year was impressive. Therefore, Hongryeon felt satisfied, and the Sword Saint slightly nodded.
After encountering and defeating several more Dong-gwi, they arrived at a village that was unusually filled with fires even in broad daylight.
The place made charcoal, so there was a lot of heat coming from the kilns, but it seemed like they were preparing for the Dong-gwi.
When the four of them entered the village, an old man, who looked like the village chief, asked curiously,
“Hmm? You look like you’re from the martial world with those weapons… what’s so special that you came all the way here?”
“Hello, I’m Sayoon from Hongseong Clan.”
“Oh, Hongseong Clan. You esteemed individuals have come!”
Perhaps it was thanks to the reputation Hongseong Clan had built over the years?
The chief was friendly. Feeling proud about this, Sayoon smiled broadly.
“I heard there’s a person named Gwi-yo here. Where should I go?”
“Gwi-yo halmeoni? She lives in the house to the right of the abandoned kiln inside. Why do you ask about that old lady?”
“There’s a house to the right of the abandoned furnace inside. Why is that old person there?”
“Excuse me, I have something to ask you. Thank you!”
The village chief smiled mischievously at Sayoon, who bowed in greeting. As Sayoon headed toward the house mentioned by the chief, she was taken aback.
“What? Grandma?!”
An old woman with a hunched back was sweeping the snow off the roof. It looked dangerous at first glance, so Sayoon jumped up onto the roof. The old woman, startled, exclaimed.
“Oh dear. It’s dangerous. Get down. Get down!”
“No! I’ve trained in martial arts… I’ll help you out! You’re clearing the snow, right?!”
“Oh my… Living alone, there’s no one to help me with these things…”
“I’ll take care of it quickly!”
Sayoon helped the old woman down and brandished her sword. With just a few strokes of her technique, the snow was sent flying to one side, and the old woman seemed satisfied as she laughed.
“Well, that’s impressive!”
“This is nothing, really.”
As Sayoon jumped down with a grin, the old woman smiled, her wrinkled eyes squinting.
“But who are you…?”
“Oh, we come from the Hongseong clan.”
“Oh dear. From Hongseong? What brings martial artists like you here…?”
“Ah, that is… well.”
What could she say? Sayoon pulled some coins from her pocket and handed them over.
“Huh?”
“I came to repay the debt of the Seven Evils.”
“Oh.”
The old woman tilted her head and chuckled, then went inside. Moments later, she came back out and handed Sayoon a small box, taking the coins from her hand.
“I didn’t expect to receive this after such a long time.”
Sayoon opened the box, revealing prayer beads made of white jade—quite a precious item.
And what was written on it was…
“…Ami.”
Hongryeon knew what it was.
After all, it was a white jade bead given only to the high monks of the Ami sect, which stabilized one’s inner energy and granted the wearer the power of the unworldly.
“Why is this here?”
To the puzzled Hongryeon, the old woman casually replied,
“Oh, a monk stayed at my house a long time ago and left this behind. Anyone who comes to repay the debt of the Seven Evils with a hundred coins was meant to receive this.”
“Do you know who that monk was?”
“Well… I don’t remember well…”
At that moment, the Sword Saint spoke up.
“Hyewhan…”
“Oh, right! The person went by the name Hyewhan. But how do you know?”
The Sword Saint gazed at the prayer beads with a bittersweet expression.
“…They were friends with my master, always discussing sword techniques with him, and this was their bead.”
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