The martial arts tournament has ended, and the Ice-Snow Sword, which had been quietly stored in my vault, was handed over to Hongseong.
While I congratulated Hongryeon on her victory, I noticed her joy was tempered by the bandages wrapped around her body, and the fact that she had sustained internal injuries that would require a few days of recovery. I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Of course, Chaejin wasn’t in great shape either. She had suffered a broken rib and internal injuries, also needing a few days of rest.
But what can you do? They said they had gained some insights from the competition.
All I could do was offer my congratulations.
As I sighed remembering the events from a few days ago, Sword Saint Na Yerin seemed to catch on to my feelings and smiled playfully.
“Truly reckless individuals.”
“Hahaha…”
Both Hongryeon and Chaejin seemed to need a good long rest, which is why Na Yerin continued to guard me at the inn.
“But if they recover at Hongseong, they’ll be well again soon… That’s at least a little reassuring.”
As she sipped the tea I provided, Na Yerin nodded slightly.
After spending a day at the inn following the martial arts tournament, Hongryeon and Chaejin moved to Hongseong.
They aimed to speed up their recovery using the energy of Hongseongsan.
Moreover, with the effect of the Bodhisattva statue that Sayoon currently possessed, recovery rates would indeed increase while they stayed at Hongseong, making it definitely better to remain there until they fully healed.
Although the two of them looked a bit teary during the move, it couldn’t be helped.
“You must be having a tough time, Sword Saint.”
“What hardship could I possibly have? You’re the one with it tougher.”
Hardships…
Since the martial arts tournament, more martial artists had been coming to Seomhwa Village.
It wasn’t just because Seomhwa Village was now known for hosting that tournament.
“Shinsan Seonja. A truly fitting title.”
A few days after the tournament, a letter arrived from the government office.
It stated that they had officially decided to confer upon me the title of ‘Shinsan Seonja.’
Once word spread that a respected scholar from the imperial palace, who was close with Munsahgong, had personally acknowledged the title, martial artists began to visit my inn more frequently.
Recently, the positions of evil monsters had shifted, and stronger or altered monsters had been appearing.
While some monsters may have been devouring each other, others were likely growing stronger and adapting to the new terrain.
As such, monster hunters seeking safe information to catch the monsters sought out my inn, and thanks to the reports of a few notably easy catches, the number of visitors continued to increase.
“Because it’s known that you’ve easily defeated evil monsters a few times in the process, more people are coming.”
“Having a nickname really does attract people.”
“The results of what you’ve done manifest as a nickname, so don’t dislike it too much.”
The Sword Saint nodded slightly.
Well, it’s true that having a nickname brought many benefits in Heavenly Bright Moon. Like getting better rewards during events, or easily chatting with higher-ups when visiting other regions.
But it’s really a bit of a burden, isn’t it?
Shinsan Seonja? If I mess up even a little, it could go south real quick, right?
“Heh heh. Feeling the pressure?”
“I can’t say I’m not.”
“Well…”
The Sword Saint looked around. She spotted Sayoon practicing in the backyard.
While the Sword Saint stayed at the inn to guard me, her disciples were supposed to come down to practice, and today it was Sayoon’s turn.
Looking at her with warm eyes, the Sword Saint confirmed that there were no people in the inn, then came over to sit beside me and gave me a light kiss on the cheek.
The warm and soft sensation against my cheek.
When I looked at her, the Sword Saint blushed and gently held my hand.
“Don’t worry. I’m right here with you.”
“Hahaha…”
“Just like the fact that even if I lose, you’re still beside me…”
“Thank you.”
The warmth in the Sword Saint’s eyes intensified. Just as her body leaned closer.
“Master!”
“U-uh?!”
In an instant, the Sword Saint sprang up from her seat. Sayoon, who was practicing in the backyard, said with a bright smile.
“Can you watch me for a bit?!”
“O-oh, sure.”
The Sword Saint licked her lips slightly, as if a bit disappointed at Sayoon’s call, and then gave me a shy smile.
“So don’t worry at all.”
“Haha… okay.”
Sayoon, who came down to practice, had decided to train with the Sword Saint today.
The Sword Saint seemed a bit flustered, but considering the youngest disciple wanted to be with her, what could she say?
She wanted to learn more closely and find peace of mind by being together, so she ultimately agreed.
I could roughly understand why Sayoon felt that way.
What she displayed in the recent martial arts competition wasn’t simple. From the spectators, and the Murim Alliance.
She might have come under disguise from the Saapa faction.
Sayoon’s skills had been revealed to the world.
As the reputation of Hongseong Clan rose day by day, the Murim Alliance would surely give her a nickname, and that must have made her want to lean on the Sword Saint for support.
It must be that you wanted to lean on the Sword Saint.
Not only that, but maybe Soon, Sayoon will receive some invitations for martial arts competitions. It’s in the nature of martial artists to either elevate their names by facing newly named masters or to assess their own skills.
I casually peeked into the room where people from Hongseong were staying. I could hear Sayoon and the Sword Saint having a conversation behind a curtain made of silk.
While I was watching that, I heard a knock on the window.
“You’re doing a great job, Shinsan Seonja.”
“Haha… that’s a bit much.”
“You’ll get used to it soon enough.”
It was the courier’s messenger.
He handed me a box filled with nearly dozens of letters.
“Oh, and there’s also a letter sent by our sect leader.”
The sect leader of the courier’s sect?
I rummaged through the box and found a letter with a somewhat special shape.
“What’s this?”
“It’s something like a business proposal. Our courier sect travels to many regions. We keep track of the locations of evil monsters. In that process, we’ll let you know about the forms and locations of the evil monsters we discover. If you could share some avoidance methods with Shinsan Seonja, it would help ensure the safety of those traveling the roads.”
“Haha. That sounds good. Please let the sect leader know I’ll consider it positively.”
“Yes. Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
After the courier’s messenger left, I placed the box on the desk.
Now, let’s see… Most of them were congratulatory letters for receiving the alias of Shinsan Seonja, and they were asking me to visit their sect soon.
Some even asked if I’d introduce them to my daughter or sister, claiming they were quite beautiful.
It’s not particularly unusual for someone to accept a person of high renown through marriage to elevate the family or sect’s power, so I just laughed and set it aside.
As I was going through the letters, I noticed a familiar handwriting on a box.
It was from Sayoon.
The weather has been clear without a cloud in sight. It’s always a peaceful moment, but right now, Seomhwa Village isn’t like that.
I’m not sure if you’ve heard about it, Mister, but there’s been a lot of talk about Seomhwa Village in the martial arts world lately.
Thanks to the recent martial arts competition, many people have been coming to Seomhwa Village.
You must have heard about it, right?
Hehe. To be honest, when I first entered the competition, I was quite worried. I thought, what if too many people came and I tarnished Hongseong’s name in the competition?
But since there were many people who had high hopes for me, I couldn’t give up.
I couldn’t give up, you know.
Surely you cheered me on too, Mister?
I hope so.
I’m not sure if you will know the results, but I did quite well in this martial arts competition.
Hehe. I managed to beat Myojae, who is known as the Dokanryong in the Murim!
Of course, that victory was possible thanks to Myojae’s generosity and consideration.
Still, winning is winning, and it made me feel a little relieved when my Master and Senior Sisters said that.
And in the end, I lost to Hongryeon, the Senior Sister.
Well, it was an expected outcome.
But still, maybe because I showcased what I’ve gained in front of so many people, I felt a bit lighter.
Oh! I heard that I will soon be given a title. Although it will go through an evaluation at the Murim Alliance… I’m looking forward to what title it will be.
But getting a title means I have to achieve even more, right? I’ll have to work harder!
Next time, I want to beat Myojae without any favours!
If I get strong enough, I should be able to confidently say I can protect you, Mister!
Speaking of titles, I just remembered.
Innkeeper Yu Wol from Seomhwa Village has gained the title of Shinsan Seonja. Since then, many people have been coming to meet the Innkeeper, and maybe you should meet them too?
Not just because they helped our Hongseong, but that person really knows a lot and generously shares their knowledge.
I’m sure you two would get along well.
And if you have time, I hope you can drop by our Hongseong too.
Anyway! The martial arts exchange with Cheonhwa Palace is starting soon.
I really hope for good results then as well.
Enough to not feel embarrassed when I tell you, Mister!
P.S.
The herb included is called Cheonji Herb. Dried Cheonji Herb is said to help with stamina, even if it tastes a bit bitter, so please chew it well because it’s good for your health!
I looked at the herb packed in the box. It was one of the herbs I received from the store not long ago.
I had thought about keeping it separately since Sayoon grew it herself, but here it is.
I carefully packed the grayish herb, reminiscent of her hair color, and opened the safe.
I placed Sayoon’s letter in a smaller box inside the safe that was bigger than before and also had a sealing effect.
Then, I turned my head slightly to look at Sayoon and the Sword Saint’s room and smiled.
I’ll eat this well!
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