Recently, strange rumors have been circulating.
There was talk that people were becoming more aggressive.
Especially in the regions where control has loosened, especially near the past borders, it seems that people are getting more violent.
In the past, they would have followed the government’s control without much fuss, but recently, not only the government’s commands but also the cries of martial artists are being met with strong resistance.
“What was it? ‘We are not slaves,’ was it?”
“That’s interesting.”
“With the northern controls lifted, people have been moving more frequently. Because of that, there have been more conflicts, especially with the stations being set up in that area… it’s getting a bit out of hand.”
There wasn’t anything particularly odd about it. Be it the merchants or even martial artists, they’d think they were having their things taken away.
“Even if they offer a price above what’s fair and provide a place to move, they still refuse. It’s like they resist just for the sake of resisting.”
“How about the government events?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Even when the government stepped in to mediate, they just ignored it and acted violently.”
Not long ago, I poured drinks for a martial artist who had just come down from the north.
He had spent his life hunting evil monsters up north, but since there were fewer monsters there, he came down to the south and shared what he had seen while sipping his drink.
“Oh, this is delicious.”
“Have more. It’s on me.”
“Hehe, people said to definitely check out Seomhwa Village. It really is quite nice.”
“Is that so?”
“If you’re going to hunt monsters, they said you should definitely meet Yu Seonsaeng.”
He had a rugged face but wore a content smile as he took the paper I handed him.
He asked about dealing with a large evil monster called Ugui that had the head of a cow.
He had heard that there was an Ugui in a village he passed on his way down from the north. He said several monster hunters had already fallen victim, so he came down after hearing the rumors and was already quite tipsy when he stood up.
“Hehe, I’ll be going then.”
“Thanks for the info. If you need anything else, just drop by.”
He grabbed the bottle of alcohol off the table and stood up. He seemed to be quite skilled, staggering a bit as he walked out, but he left the inn without bumping into anything.
As I watched him go, the Sword Saint approached me.
“Seems like the people from the North are quite fierce, huh?”
“That’s probably not the case.”
“Oh really?”
As Sayoon, who was slowly learning the theory and the great sword techniques from the Sword Saint, asked me this on the day the Sword Saint was escorting me, I thought for a moment before responding.
“It must be influenced by Dool.”
Dool is known for being arrogant, prideful, and stubborn, with a notably ferocious nature, even earning the nickname ‘Nanhoon’ for never listening to others’ opinions or words.
If people are influenced by someone like Dool, they’re likely to disregard others’ mediation or opinions and become violent.
“Can a person really be influenced by an evil monster?”
“That’s not why Sahyung got their name.”
In the Heavenly Bright Moon Gallery, Sahyung might be treated as a punching bag, but technically, they could be considered a great evil monster.
Unlike simple evil monsters, Sahyung’s intellect is stronger than their instincts, making them cunning, and once they go on a rampage, the damage is no joke.
“If people influenced by Dool are starting to appear, doesn’t that mean the Iron Blood Clan has begun to move?”
“Well… it’s similar, I guess.”
Even though it was said that the Iron Blood Clan and Dool teamed up, there was no guarantee they’d act together.
“But if they don’t listen to anyone else, why would they follow the Iron Blood Clan’s orders?”
“There could be various reasons, but Sahyung generally tends to get along well with evil folks. If they broke free from their seal through them and gained power… Dool might actually consider them as his subordinates.”
From the perspective of the Iron Blood Clan, they probably wouldn’t care if they were treated as subordinates. Their goal is to make the energy of Hongseong Mountain run rampant, and accepting that energy could make them far stronger than Dool.
It’s likely both capturing Dool and making him one of his subordinates is part of their plan.
“Good heavens.”
Hearing my thoughts, the Sword Saint smirked. Then slowly wiping the smile off her face, she murmured quietly.
“Do I really come off as that ridiculous?”
“Well, while your jokes are entertaining, it’s not like you seem ridiculous or anything.”
Maybe because she received praise for her joke, the Sword Saint beamed, while Sayoon offered an awkward smile.
Hmm, even if she’s a dear Master, Sayoon doesn’t seem to have the emotional range to accept the Sword Saint’s humor just yet.
It’s not the content of the joke that’s funny, but her reaction.
“Speaking of which, have you finished everything?”
I looked at the bowls in front of the Sword Saint and Sayoon.
The bowls of somyeon and the plate that held the dongseoyuk were both empty.
“Ah. Um. I ate well. The payment is…”
“It’s alright. For dessert, wouldn’t some aengsogwa be nice?”
“Uh. Um. Sure.”
I brought out a type of pound cake loaded with fruit juice that had just started selling at the store.
As the fragrance of green apples and the nuts from the aengsogwa were placed in front of them, they quietly gobbled it up.
“Um… Innkeeper.”
At that moment, a woman in white came out from inside. She was a maid from the Jeokga family staying in the back area. Though her face was covered by a veil, if you didn’t look closely, you wouldn’t know it was Yang Juhui, the eldest maid serving the Jeokga lady.
“I’m sorry to order when the store is closed… but is there any aengsogwa left?”
“There is.”
As she said, the store had closed, but with me, the owner, around, what did it matter?
I brought the aengsogwa, and Yang Juhui sighed as she received it.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
The reason she was fidgeting was because of an incident a few days ago.
The snacks from the store seemed to have delighted the lady so much that she requested them at all hours.
Even after the inn business ended at night, no less.
Fortunately, I was awake; if not, I might have been troubled all night.
“You’ve worked hard.”
When the Sword Saint said that, Yang Juhui bowed her head, unable to know what to do. But what could be done?
As she took it away, the Sword Saint looked at me.
“What’s wrong?”
“No. Is it normal for distinguished guests to behave like that?”
It wasn’t quite rude enough to be considered a nuisance, so I nodded, and the Sword Saint clicked her tongue lightly.
“If they are to act rudely, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
Whether it be precious gems or whatnot…
I chuckled at her muttering quietly.
“By the way, I heard that lady is about the same age as Sayoon…”
“You have heard such things?”
“I heard it from that young lady earlier. Tsk.”
The Sword Saint glanced at Sayoon. As Sayoon was happily munching on a small piece of aengsogwa with a tilt of her head, the Sword Saint gently patted her head.
“Why are you like that?”
“Yeah. This is much better.”
Ha ha. Was she a bit sad that Sayoon was keeping her from getting closer to me?
There was a slight bitterness in the Sword Saint’s voice.
It was filled with bitterness.
After finishing my duties at the inn, I returned to my office and organized the letters that had arrived earlier in the evening.
The letters sent by Hao-mun and Cheonilhwa contained stories similar to what that martial artist had mentioned earlier.
I unfolded the map, thinking of the places they referred to.
Starting from the area where people initially became savage, I slowly connected the other regions with lines and confirmed that the changes were gradually heading south.
“…..”
“What are you staring at?”
“It’s because of the story I heard earlier.”
Between the regions, although few, there were places where spiritual energy gathered.
The Blood Iron Wood Monster was surely drawing energy from those places before descending.
“When the spiritual energy fluctuates, chaos ensues, and through that chaos, evil monsters gather, making it an easy target for Dool… Truly, it’s a comfortable strategy for them, isn’t it?”
The Blood Iron Wood Monster and Dool had yet to reveal themselves properly. In other words, it meant they were secretly moving without using their powers.
“Are you worried?”
“I can’t say I’m not.”
I thought this attack would likely be on a completely different level from the last one.
That’s why I was serious, and the Sword Saint gently wrapped her arm around mine.
“Don’t forget that the Sword Saint is by your side.”
“Haha… Yes. Thank you.”
“And… well, it’s a bit clumsy, but there’s also Ryen. And Chaejin too. Plus, everyone from Hongseong is trusting and following you… so you shouldn’t worry about anything.”
The Sword Saint slowly extended her hand and pulled me into an embrace.
Usually, as the leader of Hongseong and with the weight of being a Sword Master, she held herself together, but when it was just the two of us, she behaved oddly spoiled and clung to me.
She rubbed her face against my chest like a little pet before looking up at me.
“Do what you have to do.”
“Haha. That’s…”
“Master…”
At the sound of that voice, the Sword Saint hurriedly stepped back from my side. As she awkwardly smiled and took her seat, Sayoon came out, rubbing her eyes, alternating her gaze between me and the Sword Saint.
“Are you not sleeping…?”
“I-I should be going to bed. Ahaha…”
With a slightly sulky face, the Sword Saint spoke to Sayoon, casting a brief glance at me before heading into the room with her.
I watched them go and continued my thoughts.
What I have to do…
Yeah. I have a lot to do, so I can’t just keep sitting around.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
