After the tasting was over, when Hongryeon took the Sword Saint aside, saying she had realized something and wanted her to check, Sayoon looked at me.
“Why?”
“Um… It seems a bit strange with the Master and the Senior Sister.”
I could roughly guess why. Perhaps it was because they realized they had feelings for me.
Unlike before, the Sword Saint was strangely clingy, and Hongryeon had been more physically touchy.
Thinking about it, I understood why they were acting this way.
So, I smiled at the worried Sayoon and said, “It’s nothing to worry about.”
“Really? It’s the first time the Master and the Senior Sister are acting like this…”
“It’ll be fine.”
If both of them were still struggling with Simma, something might have blown up.
But since both Hongryeon and the Sword Saint had overcome Simma at least once, I didn’t think it would cause any problems.
Even if problems did arise, I could always mediate somehow.
I was prepared for that much.
“More importantly, how’s your training going? I heard you’ve been working hard… Is it tough?”
“Um. It’s quite hard.”
“Really?”
Though she claimed to have gained enlightenment through the topic of the Broken Reality and got stronger, the Hongseong Divine Art was profound.
Thinking about the enlightenment and training Sayoon had gone through to use the Meteor Falling Technique in Heavenly Bright Moon, she still had a long way to go.
Of course, her growth was faster now compared to back then. However, that didn’t mean I could relax.
This was something I couldn’t solve for her.
“If you find anything difficult, make sure to ask the Senior Sisters and the Sword Saint anytime.”
“Hehe. Okay. Ah, and um…”
Sayoon, who was hesitating, scratched her cheek. Seeing her reluctant to speak, I snapped my fingers.
“Oh. The Sealing Ward?”
“Yes…”
“I’ve heard about it. You need to send a treasure, right?”
“Yes…”
“I was trying to look for it separately, but it wasn’t easy. I could get it if I really tried, but the price is quite high.”
“How much is it?”
“About three gold coins per piece? And that’s if you can even find it; it’s in high demand…”
“What?! Is it really that much?!”
“Yeah. I thought the price would drop with the deal with the North, but since there’s a lot of demand in the capital, they’re buying it up, so it seems like there’s more demand than I expected.”
“I see…”
“But you’ll be able to get the Sealing Ward if you win at the Heavenly Hua Palace’s tournament. Just focus on your training.”
“Just focus on your training,” I told her.
“Yeah, I guess so. Hehe, I’m feeling motivated now.”
Sayoon clenched her fist. When I noticed the determination in her eyes, Yohwan, who was sipping tea, spoke up.
“How about sparring with others to prepare for the competition?”
“Um…”
“A lot of martial artists have been coming here lately, right? Try to ask for sparring sessions whenever you can.”
Yohwan wasn’t wrong. In Heavenly Bright Moon, Sayoon had gained experience through countless battles and duels to improve her skills. Considering that, participating in sparring would be beneficial.
“Even just sparring with the martial artists in Seomhwa Village would be quite a bit.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Um… What if we hold a sparring tournament?”
It was already well-known that many martial artists came to my inn.
If we offered a suitable prize and held a tournament, there would be many participants, and if Sayoon joined too, her skills would improve even more.
Plus, for our scenario, we needed to gather martial artists in Seomhwa Village.
By sharing information about the evil monsters, I had raised my reputation among martial artists, and if I advertised the tournament, even more would come to my place. It didn’t seem like a bad idea at all.
“Honestly, participating in a tournament wouldn’t be bad.”
“Um. Is that so?”
“The best way to improve would be to join the larger tournaments held by big organizations like the Murim Alliance or Sahukryeon, but there are many warriors who also participate in smaller tournaments to hone their skills. Of course, since it would be a tournament held in Seomhwa Village and a first-time event, strong fighters might not participate, but…”
“Hmm… Is it going to be tough for the Innkeeper?”
“Not really. After all, it’s also a way to promote the place.”
“Then I’ll definitely participate if the tournament happens!”
Right… But what should the prize be?
For me, a scented pouch made by Sayoon or a cup of Cheonilmaehwa tea would be enough to entice me, but other warriors might not feel the same.
What martial artists really wanted were elixirs. But if I had elixirs to give away, I’d rather feed them to Sayoon again.
So the only option left would be cavalry.
I thought for a moment and nodded.
I had something good in mind.
—
After Hongryeon and Sayoon left, Sword Saint Na Yerin trailed behind me again. I didn’t see any problem with it, so I let it be. While I was working, she quietly sat next to me.
“What’s wrong?”
“…..”
There was no answer. She just pouted slightly and carefully moved closer to sit in a chair next to me.
“What kind of food do you like?”
“I don’t really have any preferences. But if I had to choose, I like meat.”
“I’m not picky. But if I had to choose, I’d prefer meat.”
“Really? What colors do you like?”
“I like red, white, and black.”
“…Do you prefer long hair or short hair?”
“I definitely like long hair.”
“I prefer long hair myself.”
“I see.”
“…How much do you drink?”
“I’ve never really gotten drunk while drinking.”
While I was working on this and that, the Sword Saint was glancing at me. I set down my brush, and she flinched and averted her gaze.
“I-I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Yes. You weren’t a bother. But why are you asking those kinds of questions?”
“Just… I feel like I don’t know much about you.”
The Sword Saint, fidgeting with her fingers, let out a small sigh.
“I know you’re a good person. I also know you’re an attractive person. But that’s about it.”
“I’m not hiding anything, so feel free to ask anything you’re curious about.”
“Huh? R-Really?”
Although there was a mat laid out, the Sword Saint couldn’t seem to come up with anything else to say. After hesitating for a while, she looked at me and cautiously asked.
“What kind of person do you think would be a good marriage partner…?”
“I don’t have any specific criteria. Deciding based on conditions isn’t really my style.”
“Huh? Is that so?”
“In the end, you should choose where your heart leads you. Everyone has their own charm, and saying one is superior isn’t really fair, is it?”
The Sword Saint’s eyes widened. Then she started fidgeting with her fingers.
“What… what if they’re not good at cooking?”
“That’s fine; I can cook.”
“…Even if they’re not good at household chores…”
“I can handle that.”
The Sword Saint’s expression noticeably brightened. She happily mentioned a few more things, and I smiled and agreed.
“Hahaha!”
She really does like this. Seeing her bright face made me get up from my seat.
“I need to step out for a moment; would you like to come with me?”
“Sure! Let’s go together!”
As she got up, she said in a small voice, “…Anywhere is fine.”
Did anything special happen when I went out with the Sword Saint? There wasn’t any extraordinary ambush. A bit disappointing, but what can you do?
Well, with the Sword Saint by my side, no insane person would dare approach.
So, without much hassle, I headed towards the government office.
I was there to meet Changju, who had moved the workshop inside.
“Huh? What brings you all the way here? Aren’t you really busy lately?”
“I am busy, but I still have to get work done.”
“It’s long, but I still have to work.”
“Ah, I see. By the way, isn’t that you, Jangmunin? It’s been a while!”
“It has been a while.”
Even when meeting one of the Ten Greats, Changju’s carefree spirit remained unchanged. I ordered her a few talismans.
“I can make the Ice Breaking Talismans, but I don’t have the materials.”
“I’ll fetch the materials for you. Just some low-grade ice crystals, right?”
“Oh, I see. You seem to know everything! Where do you plan to get ice crystals?”
“I heard the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild has been stockpiling quite a bit of ice crystals this winter.”
It seemed they processed what they obtained during the winter event. Seomhwa Village couldn’t find any because no evil monsters showed up. In a way, it was somewhat disappointing that evil monsters weren’t appearing.
“I’ll make five Ice Breaking Talismans and two Iron Flower Talismans. Just give me the materials, and I’ll get right on it.”
“Sure.”
Now that was settled, what about the swordsmith?
As I left the government office and arrived at the swordsmith, I could see everyone busy at work.
“Oh! Look who’s visiting—some esteemed guests!”
Mocking me as he was about to say something, Mak Noya flinched when he saw the Sword Saint standing behind me. I chuckled as I watched him bow respectfully.
“Why so stiff? Anyway, that’s not the important part.”
Having gotten familiar enough to speak casually, Mak Noya grinned at me.
“So what brings you here looking so serious?”
“Five Ice Breaking Talismans, two Iron Flower Talismans, a lump of Hyunwoo Steel, a piece of Yuseok, and two low-grade ice crystals. Besides that…”
As I listed the materials, curiosity sparked in Mak Noya’s face.
“I didn’t expect you to know all that. Are you some kind of walking encyclopedia?”
The Sword Saint tilted her head in confusion.
“What’s that about?”
“Oh! Well, the materials that Yu Seonsaeng just mentioned are for creating the ‘Ice Crystal Sword,’ a replica of a treasure from the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“A replica of the Ice Crystal Sword…?”
“Yes, it’s fairly well-known among blacksmiths. After the original Ice Crystal Sword was destroyed in the North Sea Ice Palace, they tried to recreate it. But they couldn’t make a complete version, and thus, only the replicas could be made. The most famous method for crafting one requires the materials that Yu Seonsaeng just mentioned.”
“To be able to craft a replica of the Ice Crystal Sword means you should be able to make a great sword, right? I figured Mak Noya would know.”
“Hehe. You know your stuff.”
Mak Noya laughed, and I nodded in agreement.
The Sword Saint, gazing at me in wonder, asked, “You seem to know the original crafting methods as well.”
I do know, but obtaining the materials would be tough, so I had no plans to make it.
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