“Hmm…”
As Zhang Liang left, Hongryeon walked over without a thought of hiding and smiled faintly next to me.
“What’s up?”
“No, it’s just that person has a really good eye for people, right?”
“True.”
Well, it’s moments like these that we click perfectly. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head.
“I have no intention of causing unnecessary trouble.”
“If there’s a need, I might stir up some trouble, but just how precious a person are we talking about here?”
At Hongryeon’s words, Chaejin pondered for a moment before responding indifferently.
“As far as I know, the Wonju Jeokga clan is quite respected in that region… Do you know anything?”
“Not a clue.”
I genuinely didn’t know. That clan had never really stood out in Heavenly Bright Moon either.
Pleasantly surprised by my answer, the two of them broke into cheerful smiles.
“Anyway, it seems they were raised pretty well. It doesn’t seem worth it to approach them for no reason.”
“Yohwan is said to be handling that side.”
“Oh? She’s going to have a tough time.”
“Well, if she wants, I can step in instead. She’s a valuable guest after all.”
Chaejin gave a bright smile, and Hongryeon smiled too.
“Since the name of Hongseong is attached to this inn, it’s only right that I take care of it, right?”
“Busy people shouldn’t have to worry about such things.”
Both Hongryeon and Chaejin were diligently training these days. There was no need to let them expend energy on guest hospitality.
“This is my responsibility, you know. Of course, since the guest has a request, I won’t jump in directly. But since we can go through Yohwan, there’s no need to stress about it. More importantly, how’s the training these days?”
I recalled what I heard from the Sword Saint before. About how Simma could trip us up as we climbed higher.
Naturally, I’d worry about them focusing on their training lately.
“Don’t worry about us.”
“This is nothing at all.”
Really? Well, that’s a relief.
It seems it was quite a fascinating event for people that the first guest had entered the inn’s courtyard.
While going around during the evening business, I noticed guests showing considerable interest in that area.
“Looks like they’ve got money. Staying in the courtyard.”
“I heard she’s an incredible beauty?”
“I’ve heard the dowry for her marriage is no joke. And look at the carriage they brought!”
“Look at that carriage being pulled over here.”
“Huh? I heard it’s a candidate for the princess consort?”
The aura of mystery surrounding her is quite remarkable. Despite not having shown her face until now, rumors have spread widely.
“I’m a bit worried that unnecessary issues might arise.”
It’s human nature to want to do more when told not to.
Unlike other visitors coming to Seomhwa Village, I don’t head to Hongseong Mountain or stop by the Murim Alliance branch.
Of course, every now and then, some maids or guards resembling attendants come to the inn and request various things, but that’s about it.
The woman referred to as the “precious gem of the Jeok family” hasn’t shown herself even once.
Maybe it’s because she locked herself away in the courtyard as soon as she arrived that rumors are spreading even more.
Worried that this might cause problems for the inn, Hongryeon muttered anxiously, and I chuckled as I replied.
“If it’s not a rumor made on purpose, then it’s better to just let it be.”
Prodding it for no reason would only make it grow. After wiping the table with a cloth, I grabbed a dish and headed to the kitchen.
Yohwan, who was resting after finishing the orders, gave me a disgruntled look when he saw the empty plate I brought over and sent a rather nicely decorated dish to the maid.
“The guests from the courtyard are exceptionally finicky.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yeah. Especially that lady who’s the owner; she’s quite particular, you know? The maids must be exhausted. Although they don’t pick fights with our side.”
As Jang Yang said, she was someone with many restrictions…
As long as they don’t cause trouble for us, that’s all that matters.
“What do you think about the guards?”
“The maids they brought seem pretty strong. You could compare them to the unarmed fighters of the Amipa.”
With such people providing close protection, there’s no need to assign additional patrols or guards to the courtyard.
That’s a relief.
“Ah, take this with you. We need to have our dinner too.”
While tapping on the leftover ingredients, Yohwan said. As we stepped out with the dishes, Hongryeon and Chaejin were facing each other with their eyes closed.
Were they meditating or something?
It’s nearing the end of dinner time, so while there aren’t many guests, there are still some customers drinking, and it’s likely to be noisy, yet they’re so focused.
As Yohwan and I set the dishes down on the table, they slowly opened their eyes.
“Looks delicious.”
“Make sure to eat a lot.”
After the dinner, and as the remaining drinkers headed home, I closed the door of the inn and went up to the office.
As I was checking the documents for today’s sales and inventory, I heard a knock at the window.
“Hello there.”
It was the postal master. Busy days, indeed.
“You sure are working hard every time.”
“Haha, what can I do?”
He handed over a box full of letters again today. Considering that most of these are invitations or proposals I’ll be rejecting, I couldn’t help but think, “Sorry, tree.”
But what can you do? You just have to accept them.
“So, how have things been lately?”
“If it’s about avoiding evil monsters, things are great! Following your advice has allowed me to move without any combat.”
Just because they’re called evil monsters doesn’t mean they attack any person indiscriminately. In fact, there are times when you can prevent their approach using certain methods.
For example, there are instances with a creature called Torong that lurks underground in certain areas, waiting to pop out and swallow people whole when they hear footsteps.
To avoid such Torongs, you can apply a powder called Tohwasan onto yourself, which has a unique scent that keeps the Torong at bay.
Feeling relieved that there are ways to avoid combat, I asked, “But you know there have been a lot of bandits recently…”
“Yeah, I’ve heard. They’re not making gigantic hideouts like before; instead, they’re moving in smaller groups. Fortunately, they haven’t touched the postal service. We do report them if we encounter them…”
“I see. Well, thank you anyway.”
“Yes, see you next time.”
Nodding in farewell, he left, and I opened the box.
As I took out the gift box and the letters, examining who sent what and why, I spotted a letter from Cheonilhwa.
“The control over the North will be lifted this month. Additionally, the forces that were controlling the North will not be returning but will instead move to eradicate bandits across the Empire as per the imperial decree. Requests will be sent down to the regional offices alongside the military.
I hope you are aware that the name Yu Seonsaeng is listed as the proponent of this proposal.
Also, both the military and Taehakbu are looking to recruit Yu Seonsaeng, so keep that in mind.”
Though it was a short letter, it packed a punch.
The control of the North would be lifted, and the forces stationed there wouldn’t simply return but would be mobilized for bandit eradication.
This meant that the eradication of bandits could happen sooner than expected.
What worried me most were the evil monsters that Dool might be eyeing for a snack during their journey down from the North.
It was a watery mess.
The Iron Blood Clan didn’t have the best relationships between their factions. However, in the end, they would still help the Iron Blood Tree.
And right now, the ones stirring up the monsters were likely orchestrating things through the Green Forest, thugs, and the Safa to further empower Dool.
“Hmm…”
If the troops from the North were to descend and wipe them out, it would not only eliminate one of the Iron Blood Hwa’s plans but also keep the Iron Blood Tree in check.
I chuckled, lightly tapping the letter.
They’re going to be grinding their teeth over this one.
But I didn’t really care. That was what I initially intended, after all.
Speaking of which, I wondered why the military wanted to pull me into the Taehak department… It must be because of what I’ve done so far.
I had shared information about the evil monsters and sometimes provided solutions to martial artists or those seeking wisdom.
They were paying close attention to that and were likely trying to draw me in to seize that knowledge for the Taehak.
Especially since the academicians had a huge hand in creating my alias, Shinsan Seonja; they were probably even more eager to bring me in.
The reason Cheonilhwa brought it up was to suggest I not join the Taehak now.
I had no intention of doing that anyway.
We had been doing well together until now; only fools and idiots would stab someone in the back after getting this far.
A few days after receiving Cheonilhwa’s letter, while I was working at the inn, a man dressed in Murim Alliance attire walked in.
He was Ilseong, a martial artist working for the Murim Alliance branch.
“Hello.”
“Welcome. Did you come for a meal?”
It was past lunchtime, but I might whip up something simple. I watched as the Sword Saint and Yohwan sipped tea together.
When she noticed my gaze, the Sword Saint tried to get up, but Ilseong shook his head.
“That’s not necessary. Um… I have a message from Yu Seonsaeng in the Murim Alliance.”
“A message? What kind of message?”
As I looked at him, he spoke seriously.
“They say that in two days, the restrictions in the North will be lifted. In connection to that, the Murim Alliance is planning to establish a branch in the North…”
“If they’re asking me to go with them to the North, I’ll have to decline.”
My head felt like it was about to explode. Just as I was about to flat out refuse, Ilseong nodded, unable to hide his disappointment, and left.
Two days, huh…
Looks like I need to start preparing.
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