Most living beings crave safety. They hope for the stable survival of themselves and their families, wishing for comfort in eating and sleeping.
In that sense, Seomhwa Village was quite a nice place.
Mount Yeongsan, a towering figure, meant that evil monsters were rarely seen.
After the previous raid by the Black Lotus, defensive structures were built, and rumors spread that the local leader was either really capable or had some connections in the central government, with talks of expanding to construct a castle soon.
Also, there was plenty of land that could be cultivated, making it natural for more people to flock to Seomhwa Village.
As the new year rolled in and the days warmed a little, more people began to seek me out in Seomhwa Village.
“Is it true that if we help with land cultivation, you’ll reduce the rent significantly?”
A man who looked like a migrant stood in front of me, seated by the inn. Beside him were two children, looking scared but clinging to their father. I calmly handed them each a small mooncake.
“That’s correct.”
Currently, I owned the most land in Seomhwa Village.
And since some anxious landlords had already sold their barren land and left, there was plenty of land up for cultivation.
While they had migrated in search of safety, it was only natural for those needing to eat to participate in cultivation.
“The government is also offering similar rent and tax reductions, so check that out too.”
After he bowed and signed the rent and land cultivation contracts, Chaejin, who was standing beside me, smiled brightly.
“You’ll be quite busy this year too.”
“What would I be busy with?”
I had no direct involvement in land cultivation. I would need to rely on the help of several farmers I worked with to guide them properly.
Anyway, as I thought about the people who had come to me for survival leaving, I planned to head into the inn to get to work.
“Wow. There are so many more people in Seomhwa Village!”
The bright voice belonged to Chaeran. Dressed similarly to Chaejin, she walked over cheerfully, beaming.
“It’s been a while! How have you been?”
“Yes, and you, Innkeeper? Hmm… You seem to be doing well, too.”
“Not too bad. But why are you here?”
“Oh! I was talking to the Innkeeper and something came to mind, so I need to confirm a few things.”
At Chaedin’s question, Chaeran shrugged and turned to look at me.
“…What did you talk about with the Innkeeper? When was this?”
“Weren’t you aware? We’re in secret correspondence.”
Chaeran winked at me, and it seemed like Chaejin was quite shocked. Staring wide-eyed at me, I smiled and replied.
I said with a smile.
“It’s an information exchange. Chaeran has connections with the Open side and can obtain information from there. I, on the other hand, have links with Hao-mun. I came here because I had information about a hidden treasure near Seomhwa Village that I wanted to investigate.”
“Aha. I see.”
Chaekin exhaled a small sigh, as if relieved. Chaeran chuckled softly at her.
“But are you going to keep us standing here?”
“Of course not. Come on, let’s go inside.”
I led Chaeran inside. The lunch hour had passed, and there were hardly any customers in the inn. I took her to a spot in the backyard where Yohwan, who had just come out of the kitchen, caught sight of her and smiled.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes! It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Same as always. Is there anything you want to eat?”
“Just something simple, please.”
“Wait a moment.”
Yohwan went inside. Watching Chaeran beam with joy, I poured her some tea.
“When are we going for the investigation?”
“After I meet Sayoon. Since we’re going, I was thinking of asking Hongseong to join us… Oh! And I heard some interesting news. Want to hear it?”
Looking around cautiously, Chaeran fixed her gaze on me and opened her mouth.
“The demon cult and that unidentified force… Let’s just call them the Iron Blood Clan. They won against the demon cult. And…”
“…And?”
“After the Iron Blood Clan seized the demon cult’s territory, they destroyed it.”
“…Oh.”
So, the demon cult lost, and it seems the area with their amassed energy was destroyed.
We had managed to fend off the Iron Blood Clan twice, but they were no pushovers.
That’s why I came all prepared to barely hold them back.
What’s more, the demon cult members are strong individually, but without a leader, the five families are currently keeping each other in check.
With that in mind, stopping the Iron Blood Clan won’t be easy.
“And when they destroyed that place, they said there was a sudden clap of thunder in a clear sky, and the ground shook.”
Energy must have run rampant, and the Iron Blood Clan probably absorbed the chaos.
Moreover, as the energy surged, the confusion would have caused an increase in evil monsters. It’s no surprise the world is descending into chaos.
No wonder there are so many newcomers lately.
“So, were they just going to sit back and do nothing about it?”
If left unattended, the Iron Blood Clan would continue attacking the demon cult, using that power to make surrounding areas of energy go berserk!
“Not exactly. The Murim Alliance has reportedly pushed them back. Of course, they couldn’t capture their leader.”
“Ah, well, I couldn’t catch their leader.”
“Oh, the Murim Alliance. They’re no ordinary folks.”
As I marveled, Chaeran casually replied.
“Not long ago, there was a young martial artist who joined the Murim Alliance. She fought alongside their combat unit against the Iron Blood Clan’s leader and forced them to retreat.”
“A talent like that? Who is she?”
“Her name is… oh, Yura, that’s right. They say she wields a spear like a ghost.”
Yura. One of the other protagonists of Heavenly Bright Moon. If she fought alongside the Murim Alliance’s combat unit, it wouldn’t be impossible for them to push back the opponents.
“So, she didn’t defeat their leader?”
“Yeah, it seems so. So now, Yura is chasing them with the Murim Alliance’s combat unit.”
Can I get my hopes up a bit? Since we’ve managed to catch two here, shouldn’t we leave one to the others…
Anyway, that’s a good thing.
“The Demonic Sect won’t just sit back either. Where exactly did this happen?”
“I’m not sure, but it seems it’s Hahyun.”
Hahyun. One of the five clans of the Demonic Sect. If those who use bugs and animals for their dark powers got defeated and retreated… the balance of power in the Demonic Sect might just crumble.
“Because of that, it seems the Open Faction is also keeping an eye on the Demonic Sect.”
Maybe, we might see a real fight breaking out among the Demonic Sect as they try to devour each other.
If Hahyun, weakened by the defeat against the Iron Blood Clan, is attacked by another clan, and if they can’t hold out, they’ll be devoured, and another clan will grow stronger. Or they might stage a counterattack and end up devouring them instead.
“This could lead to chaos in the Murim.”
“Right?”
As Chaejin muttered seriously, Chaeran nodded as if in agreement.
“Why is the atmosphere like this when we came back…?”
It was Hongryeon and Hyunhwi. Seeing them on patrol, Chaeran smiled and greeted them.
“Oh my! Long time no see!”
“What’s going on here?”
After receiving their greetings, Chaeran casually let us know what she had been told, as if there was nothing to hide.
Listening quietly, Hongryeon let out a sigh that seemed to swallow the earth.
“Uh… I thought this year might be a bit quiet.”
“The world isn’t that easy. But where’s Sayoon?”
“She’s training. Want to check in later? We can have her stay at the Hongseong Inn if you want.”
“Hmm. I was thinking of chatting a bit with the Innkeeper tonight… what should I do?”
Just as she cheerfully replied, a voice came from outside the inn.
“Is anyone there?”
That voice sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
I stood up in surprise and faced the direction of the voice. Monks in gray robes stood in front of the inn.
The leading female monk was someone I knew.
“Is that you, Yujeong?”
Yujeong saw me and greeted me, but then she looked at Hongryeon and was taken aback.
“You’ve arrived earlier than expected.”
Hongryeon smiled and replied. It had been almost twenty days since Yujeong last visited. Surely, that was enough time to resolve everything without any interruptions.
While I nodded in understanding, Yujeong looked around the inn before glancing at me with a puzzled expression.
“Is this a gathering place for martial artists?”
“Not really.”
It made sense to ask such a question, considering the key disciples of Hongseong and Moonjeong were here drinking tea. I shook my head with a smile, and Yujeong nodded in confusion.
“I’m thinking of picking up something simple before heading to Hongseong.”
“Sounds good. There are plenty of snacks for gifts.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
Although Hongryeon tried to dissuade her, Yujeong shook her head. She ended up buying various treats as gifts and offered them to the other monks, while Hongryeon said to them,
“In that case, let’s head up together. We should be on our way as well. Yu Wol, did you enjoy the tea?”
“Be careful going in.”
“Chaeran, shall we go?”
“Hehe, yes. I need to meet Sayoon first.”
“Chaejin, you too.”
“I’m not going.”
With a touch of disappointment, Hongryeon took the monks and Chaeran with her. As Yujeong watched them leave, she placed a small bundle she had brought before me.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a sutra good for calming the mind. Please give it to those in need.”
Yujeong was quite serious.
“No.”
“According to Buddha’s teachings, when you empty your mind, you can build your own world, eliminating worries and thoughts, thereby achieving peace. If you read the Heart Sutra like this…”
Yujeong rambled on for quite a while.
With such strong persuasion to believe in Buddha and attain enlightenment, I simply accepted the sutra.
…Am I seriously being preached to right now?
“Uh. Hm. I’ll read it carefully.”
Satisfied with my response, she bowed and hurried out.
Once she left, Chaejin looked puzzled.
“Innkeeper, aren’t you good at calming your mind? You seem like the person I know who’s best at doing that. You don’t get shaken easily.”
“Hahaha.”
I also have moments of confusion. But there’s no need to express that…
“It’s because I have things to study.”
Because I need to write something to soothe the troubled Sword Saint.
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