The sacred grounds were purified and nothing special happened.
I trained and worked as usual.
Sometimes, Hongryeon would come down and have tea with me.
I spent time together with Chaekin, who was complaining a bit.
Days passed like this.
Then Yohwan returned.
“Oh my, I’m back!”
“Yo, Uncle!”
He came back earlier than expected. I thought he’d take a few more days. After exchanging casual greetings with Jeomsoi, who was helping with his luggage, he handed me a bundle.
“What’s this?”
“They said to give this to you from Amipa.”
I opened the bundle. The Diamond Sutra, Heart Sutra, Avalokiteshvara Sutra, Guanyin Sutra…
They were all scriptures.
“What do they want me to do with this?”
“They said to use it when you study.”
Well, scriptures are good to read to calm the mind, but I still haven’t finished the last ones I received, and now they’re giving me more?
“Word has spread about you in Amipa.”
“My rumors?”
Upon hearing that Yohwan had arrived, Chaekin, who was in the backyard, came in. Yohwan smiled at her and pulled out a letter.
“Chaeran asked me to give this to you.”
“Why is she…?”
Receiving the letter, Chaekin frowned.
“What does it say?”
“It says to have a match as soon as you return.”
“Haha… Then you better train hard.”
How very Chaeran of her. Sending a challenge like this. I patted Chaekin on the back and turned to Yohwan.
“Finish the story we were talking about earlier. Why has my reputation spread?”
“Right now in Amipa, you’re almost at the level of a living buddha.”
“…Me?”
“Yeah, you. Helping others without expecting anything in return, spending your own resources to save others, and not bragging about it. The disciples from Hongseong and Yujeong are praising you a lot.”
“That’s not wrong, I suppose?”
“That’s wrong. I want things too, and I’m trying to get them. It’d be a problem if someone thought I was just a simple nice guy.”
“Well, it’s not just that. They also mentioned what you did in the Murim Alliance.”
What did I do in the Murim Alliance?
I looked at Chaekin and she tilted her head.
“They said you mediated between the Law Enforcement and Inspection Departments and helped find the secret of the demonic sect?”
“Ah.”
“Anyway, because of that, your name has risen quite a bit in the righteous faction.”
“Hmm…”
I crossed my arms and thought. My name had risen in the righteous faction.
Thinking it over, it wasn’t necessarily a problem.
If I moved according to the script, it was already predicted that my fame would increase. My name being known in the righteous faction wasn’t a big deal.
And since it wasn’t because of martial arts, there wouldn’t be anyone coming to pick a fight with me.
Since it’s not something to be worried about, there probably won’t be anyone coming to pick a fight.
Actually, thinking about it, isn’t it a bit of a gain? With my name being more renowned, there should be fewer crazy folks trying to fight in my inn.
“Sounds like a good thing.”
I nodded, and Yohwan chuckled.
“By the way, did you do well during your trip to Amifa?”
“Well, something like that.”
Looks like I successfully passed on the Immovable Demon King’s teachings to Yujeong. I glanced at Yohwan, and she met my gaze calmly.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Nope. I was just wondering if the martial arts restrictions were lifted.”
“Haha. What martial arts at my age? By the way, was there anything special that happened while I was away?”
Chaejin smiled, and Yohwan whistled. It seemed the two communicated something with just their eyes.
“Nothing special. You must be tired from your journey, so take a break today and start working from tomorrow.”
“How could that be? Ugh. The Amifa was a disaster; all I had were some leaves while the spices were limited, so I didn’t even feel like cooking. But starting today, I’m on it.”
Maybe it was because she had served as a royal chef, but she was quite serious about cooking. After tapping Chaejin’s back, she suggested having a drink tonight and headed straight to the kitchen.
“Looks like things are going to get busy starting today.”
“That’s right.”
After all, Yohwan’s cooking is practically a specialty of Seomhwa Village.
Hearing about her return, quite a few people would probably come by.
As expected, there were quite a few guests today. Thanks to that, the sales increased significantly.
I finished sorting today’s accounts and pulled out some documents to do other work.
-Knock, knock.
Then, I heard a tap on the window. I immediately opened the door, and the courier handed me a letter.
“Well, you’re busy even at night.”
“Haha. What can I say? Well then, I’ll be off.”
The regular courier handed me the letter and departed. Once he was far away, I checked the four letters in my hand.
The first letter was from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
Let’s see…
There wasn’t anything special; just an invitation to meet soon. Since I had been thinking of visiting, I set that letter aside and picked up the next one.
Hmm?
What’s this…?
It was a letter from Sayoon.
I immediately unfolded the letter.
Bohyeon Bodhisattva is said to be the Bodhisattva who embodies the truth and the virtue of practice in Buddhism.
Moreover, Amifa is a Buddhist sect that worships the Buddha, but it is particularly centered around Bohyeon Bodhisattva, making it a place where many young monks seek truth.
Done.
Is that so? The first feeling I had when I arrived at Amipa was more like stepping into an academy than a martial sect.
The last time I visited a temple was a long time ago, before I met my Master. The temple I went to back then wasn’t as quiet or calm as this one.
Rather than showing compassion and caring for the poor, they seemed more focused on their own cultivation in a rather selfish manner.
But Amipa was different. This place is a prestigious sect, but it’s quiet, calm, and not flashy at all.
I guess it can’t be extravagant since it’s a temple. Because of that, the first feeling I had upon seeing Amipa was almost the same as when I first came to Hongseong.
Maybe that’s why the training at Amipa felt similar as well.
Mornings at Hongseong involve greetings with my junior disciples and physical training, but mornings at Amipa begin with prayer.
Could it be because it’s a place that emphasizes stillness over dynamism in its Buddhist martial arts?
But that wasn’t a bad thing. My Master always said that one must refine their heart.
Of course, I don’t think just praying to Buddha will solve everything.
However, praying means making a wish, and making a wish implies wanting to fulfill a desire.
In a way, it doesn’t seem too different from Hongseong’s teachings of hoping to protect everyone, so I didn’t mind it.
Ah. At this rate, I feel like I’ll just talk about training. Actually, I had a lot to say to Mister.
Have you ever visited Amisan, Mister? Amisan has quite beautiful scenery and plenty to see.
Moreover, not only the martial monks, but the scholarly monks have shared many interesting stories.
Like the tale of a lumberjack who passed through Amisan and gained enlightenment after chatting with a monk…
Ugh. It doesn’t sound as fun when explained in writing.
When I heard it from that monk, Yoohee and I were doubled over with laughter.
People must also learn how to talk, they say. Since I’m at Amipa, I should learn some speech lessons from that monk.
And while I’m at it, I hope to gain various wisdom too. With more wisdom, my vocabulary will grow, and I’ll be able to write better letters to Mister.
Oh, it’s already time for training. Mister, I’ll write again! Until then, stay healthy!
P.S.
While the scenery of Amisan is beautiful, the scenery of Hongseong Mountain is even more stunning. If you want to see a mountain, please come to Hongseong Mountain!
Reading Sayoon’s letter, I couldn’t help but smile. Even while training at Amipa, she promotes Hongseong Mountain.
I looked out the window at Hongseong Mountain. Bathed in moonlight, its red hue shimmered softly; it was truly beautiful, to say the least.
Well… that aside.
Is my letter not arriving? Judging from the lack of related stories, I guess the timing wasn’t right.
It seems the timing wasn’t right since nothing has happened yet.
But knowing Hongryeon’s personality, I bet she’ll send it to Sayoon instead of keeping it to herself… So I should prepare for the next letter.
I carefully folded Sayoon’s letter and placed it in the safe.
Sayoon said she’d return around spring, right?
I’m curious to see how much Sayoon, who experienced the static training of the Amifa, has grown compared to the dynamic training of Hongseongmun.
I bit my lip and lit a fire.
Anyway, it seems Sayoon is training without any issues at Amifa…
Now, all that’s left is my part to play.
Alright, shall we take a look at the next letter?
The last letter was sent from the Murim Alliance.
It was sent by a man named Jeongmal Jungmo from the Military Department of the Murim Alliance. Jeongmal Jungmo, the one who used to issue summons whenever there was an event related to the Murim Alliance.
I unfolded the letter.
To begin with, I apologize for sending my greetings through a letter.
I am Jeongmal Jungmo from the Military Department of the Murim Alliance.
I intend to send you a gift as a token of gratitude for mediating between the Inspection Department and the Law Enforcement Department last time. I hope you won’t refuse it.
Although it’s called a gift, it can’t be anything too extravagant, right?
And to be precise, it’s more accurate to say they’re coming to visit Hongseongmun rather than coming to see me.
I tapped the letter pensively.
Looking for Hongseongmun in the Murim Alliance is likely due to the fight between the Demon Cult and the Iron Blood Clan.
Having realized their danger, they probably hope that the powerful Hongseongmun will lend them a hand.
They’ll also want to hear about the Iron Blood Clan being repelled by Hongseongmun.
Now, who will be coming…
I can predict two individuals.
First, there’s the Deputy Head of the Inspection Department, Chuyoung. Considering her connection with Hongryeon, she might want to have a chat with Hongseongmun…
Second, it would most likely be Namgoongseongyul. With the traces of Cheonma, he would likely leverage that to talk with Hongseongmun.
– Knock, knock.
Just then, I heard a knock on the window. I got up from my seat and opened the window, only to find a woman looking up at me from the backyard.
Holding a letter in her hand.
Seeing a beauty with beautiful navy hair standing awkwardly, I smiled and said, “Long time no see.”
“Uh… I-it’s been a while.”
It was the Sword Saint.
She beamed at me when she saw me, then jumped over to the front of my window and showed me the letter she was holding.
“…The Murim Alliance is supposed to visit soon. I have something I’d like to discuss regarding that. Uh… Is now a good time?”
Watching her hesitate as she asked, I nodded.
It’s perfect since I had something I wanted to talk about too.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
