The main story of Part 3 in Heavenly Bright Moon revolves around the North.
It was a pretty large-scale update that included new enemies, new bosses, new regions, and new equipment, all related to the North.
And of course, to solve the incidents happening in the North, we had to head that way, but looking at the situation now, I wondered if it was really necessary.
We figured there wouldn’t be any reason to go to the North in our assumed scenario.
So far, the Iron Blood Clan has been gathering strength by rampaging through the places where the spiritual energy gathers in the North. They probably used the chaos there to awaken Dool.
Once awakened from his seal, Dool would have devoured or recruited evil monsters to gather strength.
So where would they head after wrapping up their business in the North?
Ultimately, it would be to the place where the spiritual energy gathers. And the first target out of those spots would definitely be Hongseong Mountain.
In short, my task was to quietly protect this area.
This time, I had to face two enemies.
Dool and the Iron Blood Clan.
“Why do you have that expression?”
“I’ve got things to think about.”
“Is it because of protecting Hongseong Mountain?”
I nodded at Hongryeon’s question. She now understood the importance of Hongseong Mountain, and also why the Iron Blood Clan had their sights set on it.
Given that, it was impossible not to have a serious expression, knowing they would likely be attacked again.
“Of course, it’s not just Hongseong Mountain that’s in danger. There are plenty of places where spiritual energy gathers within the Empire. There’s also Cheong-ho right now.”
“That’s true.”
“And they won’t attack right away. They may try to gather more strength by lurking around.”
Especially if they were cooperating with Dool, this seemed likely.
Evil monsters could gain strength by devouring other evil monsters. Considering that, Dool, having devoured all the monsters in the North, would probably come down and start munching on the other monsters.
“This is a headache… Maybe it’d be better if we didn’t lift the restrictions…”
“Dool is a cunning monster, and the Iron Blood Clan isn’t filled with fools. They’ll likely stay hidden until the restrictions are lifted.”
“If the palace investigates and finds the danger, won’t they keep the restrictions in place?”
I wished that were the case, but just like in Heavenly Bright Moon, Dool and the Iron Blood Clan would minimize their traces and hide as quietly as possible until the restrictions were lifted.
Add to that the long-standing requests from the merchants and the strong demands from officials hoping for the North’s restrictions to be lifted. Even if the scholars conduct investigations, the restrictions in the North will ultimately be lifted.
And even if they weren’t, if the Iron Blood Clan and Dool deemed there was nothing more to gain in the North, they would find a route used by smugglers to come down.
“Well, what needs to be done hasn’t changed. I already knew the Iron Blood Clan was going to attack anyway.”
“Nothing has really changed regarding what we need to do. After all, we were already aware that the Iron Blood Clan would attack.”
“Shouldn’t we inform Hyeonryeong?”
“She probably already knows.”
Since Hyeonryeong had been sailing with Cheonilhwa since the last incident, it was likely they were sharing information.
Still, just in case, I should check in later.
“I found out this morning through a letter. Plus, I have a friend in the northern defense, and they mentioned something strange happening there as well. I was just about to tell Hongseong and the innkeeper Yu.”
It seemed Hyeonryeong had her own network of information.
She checked the letter I showed her and then revealed one she had received. With that rough handwriting, it definitely looked like it was sent from someone active in the northern region.
After comparing it to a similar letter sent by Cheonilhwa, I nodded.
“Does our task remain unchanged?”
“That’s right. Be it the Iron Blood Clan or whoever, if they target this place, we must fight.”
She was calm, and I laughed. I was relieved that Hyeonryeong was doing her job well.
“Haha. Even if I may look unremarkable, I’ve been through the wringer before.”
“I can’t underestimate how much help it is to have Hyeonryeong on our side.”
If she were just a silver spooned bureaucrat…
Oh man, just the thought of it is terrifying. Hyeonryeong grinned, while Hongryeon, who was beside me, stood up with a bright smile.
“Thank you for your help.”
“Ah, this is nothing. Just don’t forget me when I do well in the future, alright?”
“Hehe. Yes.”
The higher you climb, the more you value connections with prestigious sects. If Hyeonryeong rises even higher later on and Hongseong supports her, her future would be bright.
“I won’t forget Moonjeong either.”
“That would be even better. Now I have to head out for training.”
Once Hyeonryeong left, we didn’t need to stick around the government office. Upon stepping outside, we noticed a good number of soldiers training.
“The soldiers seem stronger now.”
“They probably received some advanced techniques from General Cheon. It’s important to make the soldiers elite…”
Of course, unlike typical sects that focus on enlightenment, they were more combat-oriented… but it would still elevate the soldiers’ overall martial capabilities significantly.
“Seeing this makes me worry less.”
Hongryeon said softly as we walked side by side. I smiled at her.
“No need to worry.”
Everything was still rolling according to our script.
Once we returned to the inn, we found Chaeran had come down. But she didn’t seem like she was just here to relax; she was carrying some luggage.
“Hey? Where are you going?”
“Hmm? Where are you going?”
“Yeah. I feel like I should slowly head back to Moonjeong.”
I looked at Chaejin, and she tilted her head. It seemed she was planning to leave without telling her.
“Isn’t that a bit sudden?”
“Ahaha. That’s true. But I’ve been here for a while. I’ll go do some work at Moonjeong and come back.”
“Uh…”
“Oh? Are you not okay with that?”
“Of course not! You’re always welcome.”
Chaeran smiled brightly. She then took a step closer to Hongryeon and said with a beaming smile,
“Is Yoon busy right now?”
“Well… want to go check? She’s been training hard lately, but if you go, she should at least come out to see you.”
“Hehe. Then I should stop by before I leave. I’ll be back.”
Chaeran set her bag down and headed outside. Watching her walk away, Chaejin let out a low sigh.
“Are you sad because your sister is leaving?”
“Oh, not sad at all.”
Surprised, she spoke with a slightly flushed face, then fell silent. Only after seeing Hongryeon head to the backyard did she gently take my hand.
Our fingers intertwined. Leaning slightly against me, she said in a sweet tone,
“…Actually, I am a bit sad. But it’s okay because you’re here.”
“Haha. That’s a relief.”
“Exactly.”
Chaeran returned from meeting Sayoon and left. It just so happened that a few martial artists were heading to the Murim Alliance, so she left with them, causing Chaejin to look a bit down.
She looked like a puppy with droopy ears and tail, making my stomach ache unnecessarily.
Seeing her like that, Hongryeon seemed to feel pity and came over to poke her.
“Want to have a drink later?”
“…Sure. What about the Innkeeper?”
“Today is a consultation day.”
Even though the name of the Hongseong clan was hanging over the inn, my job didn’t change much. With more people coming into the village lately, I needed to gather information through that.
Sometimes martial artists would drop by saying they were bored and wanted to chat, and surprisingly, I gathered quite useful information from them.
“Consultation… You’re trying to help others again.”
“It’s not just that.”
This was also one of the strategies to thwart the Iron Blood Clan and Dool.
Once the evening business ended and only the drinking customers remained, I sat down as usual.
Maybe due to recent events? Quite a few people wanted to have a drink and chat with me.
I chatted with some of them and also spoke with a martial artist who came from afar and gathered some information.
I chatted with a martial artist who came from far away and got some info.
“Evil monsters are on the move…”
“Yeah. We’ve been having quite a tough time because of that.”
Sometimes, evil monsters are found in places they don’t normally inhabit, and sometimes, those that should be around just vanish.
Because of that, many monster hunters ended up coming back empty-handed.
“That’s why we’re coming down here.”
“Sounds rough. Let me buy you a drink for all your efforts.”
“Hehe. Thank you!”
The monster hunter, who had suffered a lot since his youth, grinned as he took the drink I offered. He mentioned he’d be staying in Seomhwa Village for a while to gather news about the monsters before heading out to hunt. I decided to share what I had heard from others.
“Do you know about the Chalhoochung?”
“The Chalhoochung? The fast-moving bug monster, right?”
“I heard there’s been a sighting in Chuwon Gorge, about two days south of Yangweseong. The Chalhoochung is pretty quick, but if you burn purified mugwort, it slows down. How about trying to catch one?”
“Oh… that sounds good. Thank you!”
The man promptly got up. As I watched him leave with a group of three people sitting near the entrance,
“It sounds like you have quite the extensive knowledge. Could you lend me your ear for a moment?”
A woman with half her face covered by a black veil approached and sat down, and I smiled in reply.
“Of course. But I’d appreciate it if you’d take off the veil.”
“That’s a bit difficult. Is it that you can’t consult someone in a veil?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Then I’ll ask of you.”
I nodded and handed her a drink. She fiddled with the glass for a moment before speaking.
“In the past… someone betrayed our family and ran away.”
I see.
She thoughtfully sipped her drink while continuing.
“That person caused a great deal of harm.”
“You must have been quite heartbroken.”
“I was just a child then, and I didn’t care for that person much, but…”
As she continued calmly, her black eyes glinted.
“Do you know of any way to find that person?”
I smiled and said, “There are many methods, but this place is for soothing heartaches, not for sharing information.”
I took a sip of my drink and said to the woman in the black veil, “Lady Cheonryu-Young.”
The woman in the veil, Cheonryu-Young of Cheonhwa Palace, slightly twitched her eyebrows.
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