As I stepped into the inn, Chaeran was coming down the stairs. Maybe she was still half-asleep, as she staggered down with her eyes half-closed before plopping herself down at a table.
“Ugh…”
“If you’re sleepy, do you want to eat later?”
“No, no…”
Straightening her wobbly head, she gave herself a few gentle slaps on the face to wake up. Just like that, she transformed back into her sly fox smile and began to survey her surroundings.
“Oh! The Sword Saint has arrived too?”
“Mm. It’s been a while.”
“Yes! Hehe. If it’s okay with you, could we maybe have a little sparring session later?”
“Let’s do that. I’ve heard you’ve been helping my disciples a lot at the Amipa. I should repay you for that. I’m a person who makes sure to pay back a favor.”
As she said that, the Sword Saint shot a glance my way. I responded with a smile, and she quickly turned her gaze away.
“Anyway, you must be hungry, so how about we eat something simple first? And make sure to bring all the disciples of Hongseong down for dinner later.”
“Yes! Oh! Right!”
Sayoon rummaged through her bag and pulled it out. What’s this? A gift for me?
I accepted it, puzzled, and found two boxes inside.
“Open it!!”
I opened the first box and found a small Buddha statue.
Uh… This is the token of commercial prosperity, isn’t it?
Even in Heavenly Bright Moon, giving this to merchants earns you great favor.
For her to give me something this valuable that only someone with significant merit could obtain at Amipa, wow.
“This… must have been hard to get.”
“Well, I always receive help from the Innkeeper.”
Sayoon beamed with pride. The Sword Saint gently patted her head, sharing in her joy.
“Oh… I’m really grateful.”
“And there’s something else!”
I opened the other box. Inside were ten Amihwan pills.
This is…
“It’s Amihwan.”
Amihwan. You can take it once a day, up to ten times total, and it prevents illness while boosting stamina.
I looked at the Amihwan and shook my head.
“Uh? Are you, um, not pleased…? To be honest, I was really worried after you collapsed, Innkeeper…”
“No, this is quite precious. The token of commercial prosperity is enough.”
“No, it’s not enough. I was so scared when you collapsed. I never want to see that again.”
Sayoon’s face was firm, filled with determination. Seeing her puffing her cheeks like that, I glanced over to the Sword Saint, who was nodding seriously.
“Accept it. Are you planning to disregard our youngest’s goodwill?”
“Goodness…”
This could fetch a pretty penny if I sold it. After a moment of contemplation, I smiled. Anyway, since Sayoon went through the trouble of preparing this, I couldn’t keep refusing.
“That’s just how it is.”
“Really, thank you!”
“Hehe. No problem!”
Only then did Sayoon smile happily. Seeing her like that made me think that I had done really well until now.
Alright. I need to repay this by feeding her well and sending other things her way.
“I also have gifts for Grandmother Yoohee and Sister Chaejin.”
Sayoon handed over gifts for Yoohee and Chaejin as well. When those two received them happily, Sayoon beamed even brighter.
“But what about yours?”
“I’m okay. I’ve already received a lot, you know?”
She had spent all the merits she gained from Amipa on others instead of herself, yet there was not a hint of regret on Sayoon’s face.
With a bright smile towards her, Chaejin patted her head enthusiastically.
“Oh wow. So cute!”
“Hahaha~!”
“Mm. Truly my friend.”
Chaejin silently watched Chae-ran, who had her arms crossed and nodded.
“Why?”
“I just think she’s too good of a person to be your friend…”
“Only someone as great as me can be friends with Sayoon.”
“…If she ever bothers you, feel free to tell me, okay?”
“Hahaha~!”
Chae-ran frowned at Chaejin, while Sayoon laughed. Just when the cheerful atmosphere was building up…
“We’re here!”
A bright voice rang out. It was Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, and Yoohee.
“Have you come?”
“Hehe. Yes. The patrol ended a bit early.”
Thanks to the Murim Alliance branch, we could now divide the patrols. Of course, it doesn’t mean skipping patrols at Hongseong, but it’s a fact that we have gained some leisure time.
I could use that time to train more and become stronger.
“Senior Sister!”
“Wow! Sayoon! You’ve grown so much?!”
Sayoon jumped up from her seat and ran to Hongryeon, who embraced her tightly while smiling brightly. Sayoon beamed as she enjoyed their reunion.
“It’s been a while. Innkeeper.”
“It’s been a while~!”
“You’ve all worked hard. Senior Sister Hyunhwi, Senior Disciple Yoohee.”
“Hehe. Have you all been well? Oh, and here’s a gift.”
It seems Hyunhwi and Yoohee prepared gifts as well. They presented me, Yoohee, and Chaejin with some rare equipment and medicinal herbs that could be obtained from Amipa. After they took their seats, I asked Yoohee.
“Yoohee, is all the food ready?”
“Mm. It’ll be out soon.”
She headed straight to the kitchen, and after a short while, she came back with the dishes. On the table were mouth-watering roast duck, braised beef, and noodles piled high with meat and vegetables, making Sayoon’s eyes sparkle.
Her eyes sparkled.
“Wow! I really wanted to taste Grandma Yohwan’s cooking! I’m excited to eat!”
“Hehe. Eat a lot. Hyunhwi, Yoohee, Chaeran. You all should eat well too.”
Just as Yohwan spoke confidently, the door to the guest room opened. Ah, looks like their meal is finished too.
It took longer than expected, but since it was a meal with conversation, there’s nothing particularly strange about it. Plus, all the dishes ordered are expensive…
“…Hongseong Clan?”
A woman with striking red silk, Joo Yeryeong, the princess of Cheonhwa Palace, gasped and spoke as she noticed the people at one table.
All eyes turned towards her voice, and among them, Hongryeon said with a displeased look.
“Joo Yeryeong. It’s been a while.”
Joo Yeryeong’s gaze was sharp. But only for a moment; she slightly nodded at Hongryeon and looked at the Sword Saint.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Yeah. It’s been a while.”
Did the Sword Saint ever meet Joo Yeryeong? Well, thinking about it, it’s not unusual. The Hongseong Clan and Cheonhwa Palace have had exchanges in the past.
A moment of silence followed. Feeling the weight of it, I stood up.
“It seems you all have something to discuss, but I…”
“Please remain seated.”
The Sword Saint said calmly, and interest sparkled in Joo Yeryeong’s eyes.
“As I said before, Yu Wol, you are not a man of the Hongseong Clan. Therefore, you don’t need to excuse yourself from this matter.”
With that declaration, Hongryeon nodded seriously. Chaejin also didn’t say anything, and Joo Yeryeong glanced at me.
“Well… it shouldn’t matter. Moreover, Yu Wol, the innkeeper, is recognized by the Murim Alliance and has made a name as a conciliatory figure in the orthodox martial world.”
She said lightly as she let down her silk veil. Revealed was her refined nose, slender chin, full lips, and a beauty mark beside her lip.
Overall, it was a beautiful face, but…
I looked back and forth at the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Chaejin.
They say everything in the world is relative.
Compared to those three, she isn’t even pretty.
Unbothered by my stare, she pulled out a red silk scroll from her bosom.
“It’s a letter from the princess.”
Taking the scroll, the Sword Saint unfolded it and read before handing it to Hongryeon.
“…Is it suggesting a duel event?”
A duel event.
This was also a way for sects to interact. They send their disciples to take advantage of each other’s strengths and to battle the skills of their disciples.
By doing so, they aim to discern which sect is superior.
“That’s right. Until now, Hongseong Clan’s situation has made it difficult for exchanges, but I heard the Amifa recently started communicating. Thus, the princess said, how about we once again hold a duel event with the Cheonhwa Palace, which has long been in a competitive relationship with Hongseong?”
The winner of the tournament will naturally see their clan’s reputation rise. After all, strength is a virtue in the martial world.
“Hmm…”
The Sword Saint tilted her head in thought for a moment before looking at me.
Why am I being looked at?
“What do you think?”
“I don’t believe this is something for me to decide. However… isn’t the tournament something we bet on?”
“We don’t really have anything to offer…”
At that, Joo Yeryeong’s face flushed with embarrassment.
In the past, when Hongseong and Cheonhwa Palace had a tournament, it was the Sword Saint who stepped up, and I believe Hongseong won back then. I heard they received one of Cheonhwa Palace’s treasures…
But that was when the Sword Saint, who was exceptionally talented in martial arts, was involved. Now the situation seems different, so it seems they’re here to challenge.
“So, what do you want to bet?”
The Sword Saint asked with a smile, and Joo Yeryeong cleared her throat before speaking seriously.
“Right now, it’s not about what we want to gain. It’s merely to hold a tournament for fellowship.”
A tournament just for friendly relations…
While that may be what they’re saying, perhaps for them it’s a matter of seeking vengeance from the past.
Not a bad idea. Cheonhwa Palace is a well-known clan in the righteous faction.
If we win the tournament against them, it could further enhance Hongseong’s reputation.
“Well, that doesn’t sound bad. Then let’s hold the tournament here.”
“Thank you. I’ll let you know the exact date, but I was thinking about scheduling it in about two months…”
“Go ahead.”
As the Sword Saint readily agreed, she lightly nodded and then looked at me.
Huh? Why am I being looked at?
“This is an inn, right? Where is the best room?”
“Currently, the third floor is the best, but a separate building will be completed soon.”
With the Murim Alliance branch being set up, and Seomhwa Village slowly growing, we were preparing a separate building for wealthy guests.
The construction is expected to be completed in about a month…
“That’s nice. Let’s reserve it now.”
“Hmm. Are you sure about a place that isn’t finished yet?”
“Of course. It’s not just anyone; your name is known in the righteous martial world, right? I, and our warriors from Cheonhwa Palace, appreciate trustworthy partnerships. So, you can leave it to us. Besides, staying at a place like Cheonhwa Palace will surely elevate your name among the righteous factions, so it won’t be bad for you, Innkeeper.”
That’s not incorrect. An inn’s fame spreads through the words of its guests.
Those coming for the tournament with Hongseong are sure to be key figures of Cheonhwa Palace, and the better their reviews, the more well-known my inn will become.
“Ah, is it possible to make a reservation?”
Of course, it is!
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