Time passed and it became the end of the year.
In every corner of the village, people were bustling around busy preparing for the feast.
A large tent was being set up in the wide open space at the center of Seomhwa Village, and even the merchants from the market brought their stalls to join in the preparations for the celebration.
As the scale grew closer to a festival than a mere feast, I decided to take a break from running the inn today.
“Go and help out.”
“Yes!”
Of course, while Hyeonryeong had soldiers working on preparations, it was always better to have extra hands with so much to do.
While Jeomsoi and the innkeeper were helping with the feast preparations, Mak Noya came over with a smile.
“Ha ha. Look at this. As the village grows, so does the feast.”
“How have you been lately?”
“Good. It seems like we’re catching the vibe of Mount Yeongsan… I believe we’ll hear the sound of iron soon.”
Once the sound of iron is heard, artisans will be able to forge great swords. Since Mak Noya is quite capable, I’ll have to make sure to support him until then.
“The iron you sent last time was of excellent quality.”
“Is that so?”
“If the innkeeper has any needs…”
“Oh, I don’t really need anything. If you could, maybe forge some armor for me.”
“Haha. Understood.”
Mak Noya waved me off casually and headed toward the artisans in the smithy. As I watched them, a commotion began to rise from one side.
“It’s the Sword Saint…”
The Sword Saint, who had recently been frequenting Seomhwa Village, was walking toward us.
With her blue hair flowing and dressed in the attire of the Hongseong clan, and followed by well-dressed Hongseong disciples, I hurried over.
“Thank you for joining us. But you really didn’t need to come this early…”
“Our Hongseong clan is part of Seomhwa Village. We wish to help prepare for the feast. Ryun Ah.”
“Yes!”
Hongryeon, Ryuhyun, and Hyunhwi stepped forward. The three chefs from Hongseong volunteered to help Yohwan with the cooking for this feast, leaving everyone in awe.
“Wait, the warriors from Hongseong…?”
“You all should help too.”
“Yes!”
Warriors who have trained their chi where strength is needed are incredibly valuable. Thus, the disciples of Hongseong moved about busily and were assigned to the places that required their strength.
Preparations were picking up speed.
“Ha ha. This is quite a sight to behold.”
Hyeonryeong marveled at the scene of martial artists mingling with the villagers as they worked to prepare for the feast. He approached the Sword Saint.
“This was an invitation to thank you for your help the other day…”
“I’m just doing what needs to be done. Now, I shall join in the efforts.”
Despite the Sword Saint’s blunt reply, Hyeonryeong seemed satisfied.
So, Chaejin and I joined in the preparations, and as evening fell and everything was ready, Hyeonryeong stepped onto the podium.
“This year has brought many events to our Seomhwa Village! But we have overcome everything and shall continue to grow! Now! Everyone, raise your cups!”
At Hyeonryeong’s shout, people in the wide open space, as well as those gathered just outside, raised their drinking vessels.
“Let us drink away all the hard memories of this year in this cup and joyfully welcome the new year!!”
“Let’s welcome joyfully!!”
“Wow!!”
The cheers filled with the joy of the villagers resonated. Hearing that, I took a sip of my drink.
“Are you enjoying it?”
At that moment, Chaejin approached. She had been helping Yoohee with the inn staff, and I smiled as I extended my cup to her.
“Thanks for your hard work.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. By the way, it’s unfortunate about Hongryeon. She wanted to participate in the Seomhwa Village festival.”
“What festival? It’s not much of a festival, really.”
“Well, it’s more like a festival than usual.”
It was a bright voice. Hongryeon joined me at the table after finishing her cooking, and I poured her some drink.
“This is the biggest feast ever in Seomhwa Village.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yeah. Before, we just had a small celebration on New Year’s Eve. This year is different. There’s been quite a lot going on.”
Hongryeon took a sip of the drink I poured and glanced at me. As our eyes met, she quickly looked away.
“…There really has been a lot going on.”
“That’s right. A lot has happened.”
“What? Are you two just chatting together?”
Chaejin puffed her cheeks, grumbling a bit. As we continued eating, chatting, and sharing drinks, Yoohee shouted.
“If you’re not busy, come help me!! I need to cook more!”
“Got it! I’ll be there! Hehe. See you later?”
“I’ll be back soon.”
Hongryeon and Chaejin went to help Yoohee.
Watching them, I saw Sayoon, smiling brightly as she carried food along with the Hongseong sect disciples, receiving thanks from the villagers.
She looked quite happy.
“My Master…”
I was startled.
I quickly turned my head. The Sword Saint Na Yerin was suddenly standing next to me.
“Yes.”
“She hoped Seomhwa Village would grow like this. She wished for a good relationship to develop as they helped Hongseong, and Hongseong protected them.”
I poured her some drink as she fidgeted with her empty cup.
She was looking towards where Noya and Changju were.
The sword masters and talismancers, along with various artisans, were mingling, singing, and drinking together.
Then, when the Hongseong disciples approached, Changju laughed and reached out, and the Hongseong disciple caught his hand, singing, laughing, and chatting together.
“But I couldn’t do it.”
“Well, you’re doing it now.”
I took a sip of my drink. Watching the people laugh and have fun, I spoke up.
“Regardless of the process, you ultimately succeeded.”
“I didn’t do much.”
“You did everything you could.”
A small sigh could be heard.
There were no more words. The Sword Saint remained silent, and I, too, didn’t say anything further.
“Master!!”
Yoohee and Sayoon rushed over. In their hands, they held a platter filled with sweets that the Sword Saint loved.
“Eat this!”
“This is delicious too! Ah! Innkeeper, you should try some too!”
“Where did you get this?”
“I got it from those people who helped me out!”
She was a middle-aged woman selling sweets at the market. As she waved her hand, Sayoon, waving back, offered the plate again.
“…Thank you.”
“No need to thank us! Well, we’re off now!”
The Sword Saint smiled as she watched the two rush away. I sipped my drink, and the Sword Saint took a bite of the sweets.
“…It’s delicious…”
When I looked her way, she blushed slightly and muttered quietly.
Her voice was trembling.
“…I owe you an apology. I wanted to tell you this for a while but…”
She paused for a moment and turned her body toward me. Her posture was upright. She met my gaze respectfully and finally spoke up.
“Honestly… I had my doubts about you. Remember when I asked to meet you alone? At that time, I had a few things I wanted to confirm with you. I had many questions about you.”
The Sword Saint doubted me?
I stared at her and snapped my fingers.
“Is it because I’m supporting Hongseong?”
Nodding slightly, the Sword Saint looked a bit embarrassed and remorseful.
“You’ve always had good intentions. But I had my doubts that there might be other intentions behind those good intentions.”
“Is that so?”
“…I always wanted to apologize. You have achieved for me what I could not. You are a good person, and there was nothing but good in your actions…”
The Sword Saint, speaking in a sulky tone, couldn’t even look at me.
So, I said,
“That could be true. I understand.”
It’s only natural.
It’s not like it’s someone else. The Sword Saint is the leader of Hongseong.
Moreover, she’s someone who had lost those who were like family to her.
So, she had to have her doubts to protect them.
“…Is that the end? If you demand I kneel, I will kneel; if you tell me to bow my head, I will. I will pay any price if that is what you desire…”
“I’m not actually harmed, and you were only trying to protect Hongseong, weren’t you? Did you think I wouldn’t understand that? Besides, you’ve been a great help to me.”
I smiled at the Sword Saint and raised my glass.
“If you’re really uncomfortable, could you keep me company with drinks until Hongryeon and Chaejin arrive? It feels a bit lonely drinking alone.”
They had just gone to help Yohwan and would be back soon, but if my request could make the Sword Saint feel better, then asking for this was the right thing to do.
After all, she’s already had a rough time.
The Sword Saint’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at me, then she smiled brightly.
“If that’s the case… I’d be happy to!”
The banquet continued until late at night. Everyone was filling their bellies, singing songs, and those confident in their instrument-playing skills joined in the music.
The people had eaten enough that no more cooking was necessary. Thus, Yohwan, who had been in charge of the cooking, headed towards the artisans, and Hongryeon and Chaejin returned to where I was.
While the other members of Hongseong’s sect were finishing their helping and enjoying the banquet…
As the festivities continued, having wrapped up our assistance,
“Eh?”
I heard a commotion. Turning my head at the sounds of awe and questions from the crowd, I noticed some figures approaching from the outskirts.
They were female monks.
Clad in gray robes, these monks approached with a sword at their waist, prompting Hongryeon to slowly rise from her seat.
“What’s going on?”
Chaejin walked over to me. She naturally took a protective stance, and I smiled, giving her a pat on the shoulder.
“They’re monks from the Amifa. I don’t think they’ll cause any trouble, so no need to worry too much.”
“But they are strong.”
“That’s true.”
Amifa is a sect comprised of female monks of the Buddhist order. But given the martial tendencies of the martial world, Chaejin seemed vigilant in case something happened.
Plus, we even had Yohwan, a fallen monk from Amifa, in our inn, which may have heightened Chaejin’s concern.
However, knowing why they had come, I wasn’t particularly worried.
As if to confirm this, the foremost young monk among the three approached, bowing respectfully.
“Namu Amitabul. I am Yujeong of Amifa. It’s a bit embarrassing, but the martial world refers to me by the moniker ‘The Blade of Despair.'”
The Blade of Despair, Yujeong.
I recognized the name.
She was the immediate disciple of the current head of Amifa and was identified as the next head of the sect.
One of the few who competes with another protagonist, Yura, in Heavenly Bright Moon.
She had no special ties with Sayoon.
In response, Hongryeon lightly acknowledged her.
“I am Hongryeon, the grand disciple of Hongseong.”
The renowned ‘Blade of Despair’ met the equally famous ‘Falling Sun Blade.’
When the two swordswomen faced each other, it was Yujeong who spoke first.
“I heard you discovered the trace of Master Hyewhan.”
So that’s what this is about.
I glanced sideways at Yohwan. She seemed somewhat sullen at the sight of the female monks but didn’t show any notable reaction beyond that.
“This doesn’t seem like the kind of conversation to have here.”
Quietly, a woman with immense internal power stepped forward.
It was Na Yerin, the Sword Saint and head of Hongseong.
“Right now, the village is in celebration, so I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t disrupt it. The mere fact that you’ve appeared…”
The Sword Saint glanced back at me.
“The villagers are on edge.”
I looked towards the side where the celebration was taking place.
It seemed the arrival of the Amifa monks surprised them slightly, but everyone was still largely carefree and enjoying the festivities.
Noticing the villagers’ indifference, Yujeong seemed uneasy, and I glared at them to keep watch, helping the Sword Saint.
Only then did Yujeong nod, clasp her hands together, and take a step back.
“Then, we shall step back for a moment.”
The Sword Saint exchanged glances between Yujeong and me, seemingly satisfied as she nodded slightly.
“Very well. I’ll guide you to Hongseong shortly.”
As Yujeong and the monks retreated, the Sword Saint smiled at me.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing much.”
This was easy enough.
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