While I was blankly watching Sayoon and Chaeran playing in the water near Cheongho, chewing on a snack, the Sword Saint quietly squatted down beside me.
“Feeling tired?”
“Haha, would I really be tired from just this?”
I’m just enjoying the view. The Sword Saint glanced at me and then gently leaned closer.
“This isn’t too bad. It would have been better if it was just the two of us, though.”
“For that, you seem to be having a lot of fun…”
I recalled how the Sword Saint had been playing with Sayoon and Chaeran earlier. When she splashed her hands in the water at Cheongho, enormous waves were created. Sayoon and Chaeran got swept up in it, and when they laughed and asked for more, the Sword Saint joyfully made another wave.
“Ugh. That…”
With her flushed face, the Sword Saint wiggled her index fingers.
“Kids like it…”
“Do you like kids?”
“I like them a lot.”
“You’ll make a good mother.”
The Sword Saint, who had been tilting her head, looked surprised at me and gradually turned redder. Just as her breath was getting heavy, she tried to speak.
“Ah?!”
A shout came from behind us. I turned to look and was also surprised. It was a pair of men and women with an old martial artist.
“Aren’t you Namgoonghwa? And Gak Hwijun?”
Namgoonghwa, who loved her nickname “Shin Jusami,” and Gak Hwijun appeared, along with the old martial artist behind them… I couldn’t recognize him.
They also seemed quite surprised to see me.
“Long time no see! Innkeeper!”
“It’s been a while. Have you all been well?”
“Yes. You seem to be doing well too. You’re looking radiant.”
“Hehe. But what brings you here?”
“I came for a quick visit. But I’m more curious about you being here.”
“We have an appointment. We’re going to have lunch with the head of the Chogam Merchant Association, the owner of Cheonggajang. And this is the elder, Gyu Jang-ho, head of Cheonggajang.”
The well-dressed old martial artist bowed politely and calmly said.
“I am Gyu Jang-ho from the Cheonggajang Merchant Association.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yu Wol. Embarrassingly, I carry the nickname Shinsan Seonja.”
“And… uh.”
Namgoonghwa, who was happily looking at me, froze. It seemed she had just realized who was sitting next to me.
“W-w-w-whaaaat?!”
“Why… huh!!”
Their eyes almost popped out. Upon seeing the Sword Saint beside me, both Namgoonghwa and Gak Hwijun quickly bowed low.
“We, we meet the Sword Saint!”
“We meet the Sword Saint!”
The Sword Saint casually returned their greetings, unfazed by the tension of the two newcomers. And Gyu Jang-ho, who seemed even more shocked than those two, had his mouth completely agape.
“Meet the… meet the Sword Saint.”
“Don’t be too tense now.”
“Ah… yes.”
I’m used to this, so it’s fine for me, but for most martial artists, being in the presence of the Sword Saint is like standing on the clouds—it’s a total fantasy!
Even if they say not to be nervous, how can you not be?
“Um, by the way, if you haven’t had lunch yet, would you like to join us?”
Namgoonghwa said while glancing at the Sword Saint, and Gak Hwijun quickly nodded in agreement.
“I’m sure the leader will be pleased as well. Please, don’t feel uncomfortable.”
“Leader?”
“Oh, today we have a lunch appointment with the leader of the Choe Mi-seong’s Cheongajang, so we will be eating at Hongcheonru.”
Hongcheonru.
They say that around sunset, the Cheongho Lake looks just like the red sky, and that view is something to behold. I heard it got its name because it’s the perfect spot to see that scene.
“Hmm…”
“I truly hope you won’t decline.”
I need to eat anyway, and there’s nothing wrong with being invited like this. I thought for a moment and nodded.
“I have my companions with me, so I’d like to hear a bit of a conversation.”
Namgoonghwa, Gak Hwijun, and Gyu Jang-ho politely bowed and stepped back. I turned to the Sword Saint sitting next to me and asked.
“What do you think?”
“Hmm… If it were just the two of us, I’d say not to disturb, but…”
Since it wasn’t just the two of us and lunchtime was approaching, the Sword Saint nodded as if it was rather okay to join in for a meal.
“The Cheongajang is a well-known family in Choe Mi-seong and belongs to the righteous faction, so they won’t do anything unnecessary.”
“I see. Then let’s go.”
I waved at Sayoon and Chaeran, who were looking this way. The two of them, who had been playing in the water, came out.
As they approached with their now-dry faces, thanks to use of their inner power to blow the water off, I relayed the earlier conversation.
“It’s not like it’s a reckless invitation, so it should be fine. It’s pretty common to meet notable figures in this manner.”
“Are they bad people?”
“The leader is someone I know as well, so there’s really no problem there.”
“I see…”
“Then let’s head out.”
It seemed like a popular place since many people were hoping to get into Hongcheonru.
Particularly on the fourth floor, it looked like there were many trying to head up, but the person who seemed to be the owner of Hongcheonru kept bowing and apologizing.
“Why is the fourth floor closed?!”
“The entire fourth floor is fully reserved. I’m so sorry.”
“Seriously! You guys have money! Ugh! Go find another place!”
“Looks like Cheongajang has a lot of money.”
To rent out an entire floor like that must cost quite a bit.
“Our Cheongajang owns high-quality copper and iron mines and also operates the Cheongmi trading company.”
I could feel pride in Gyu Jang-ho’s words. They must have enough funds if they owned two mines and operated a trading company.
As I climbed up to the fourth floor, there was only one person seated in the spacious area. A woman with squinting eyes, resembling Hongryeon and smiling brightly while admiring the picturesque scenery, noticed the presence and stood up.
“Welcome! Hwa, Hwijun… Huh? Who’s that…?”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yu Wol.”
“Yu Wol… Shinsan Seonja?! Wow. I didn’t expect to meet the person from the rumors like this! Nice to meet you! I’m Cheonghuiyeon, the clan leader of Cheonggajang. It’s an honor to meet you. And… Ryun, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah. It’s been a while, unni.”
“And this person is…”
“I’m Sayoon from Hongseong! Nice to meet you.”
“From Hongseong! I’ve heard a lot about you. They say your skills are improving rapidly lately, even taking down the Dokanryong.”
“Hehe… It was all thanks to my senior Myojae watching over me.”
“And…”
Cheonghuiyeon tilted her head. After a moment of thought, she closed her mouth but then flinched, beads of cold sweat streaming down her face.
“Uh. W-wait. Could it be…”
“It seems you recognize me. Well, I did visit Cheonggajang a few times before. How’s the clan leader doing?”
Quickly straightening up, Cheonghuiyeon bowed and introduced herself formally.
“I am Cheonghuiyeon, the clan leader of Cheonggajang… meeting the Sword Saint.”
“Mm. Nice to meet you.”
As an awkward silence settled in the fourth floor, I lightly clapped my hands to ease the atmosphere.
“Anyway, thank you for inviting me. To be honest, I was wondering where to grab lunch, and this turned out perfectly.”
“Ah, no! I’m the one who should be grateful for having the Sword Saint, Shinsan Seonja, and Lady Sayoon here.”
She’s got the vibe! Cheonghuiyeon quickly picked up on my attempt to lighten the mood, responding right away.
“I’m feeling a bit hungry from the excitement earlier. Huiyeon unni, what are you going to buy us?”
With a bright smile, Chaeran casually chimed in. Cheonghuiyeon let out a sigh of relief in response.
“Just eat whatever you want.”
“Hehe. Yun-A, then let’s…”
As Chaeran naturally brought Sayoon over to sit with her, starting to list off things to recommend, I gently grabbed the Sword Saint’s arm.
“Let’s sit, too.”
“Mm.”
At the wide table, it was me, the Sword Saint, Chaeran, and Sayoon.
And on the opposite side sat Cheonghuiyeon, Namgoonghwa, and Gak Hwijun.
While Chaeran beamed and chose dishes with Sayoon and the Sword Saint, I turned to Namgoonghwa and Gak Hwijun.
“So, where are the other two?”
“Oh. They said they’re getting married.”
“Married…?”
“Yeah. They used to bicker all the time, and suddenly this happened…”
“I never thought Ma Cheolpi would just run away like that…”
You’d think he went to the afterlife, the way it sounded.
Gak Hwijun sighed deeply, and Namgoonghwa shook her head.
“They did something they absolutely can’t take responsibility for…”
“Sounds like someone’s pregnant?”
“Ahaha. Yes, Heemi suddenly got pregnant. She’s off to Maga for the wedding right now.”
“Does that mean the Shinjusa-gul is disbanded?”
Well, if a woman is pregnant and they love each other, it’s better to just get married, right?
It’s not weird for everyone to go their separate ways like this.
“Still, I’m glad to see someone who knows how to take responsibility.”
“Cheolpi may be a bit simple, but he’s not a bad guy. Speaking of which, Innkeeper… I mean, Shinsan Seonja…”
“Just call me casually.”
“Haha. Thank you. Word about the Innkeeper has reached the West too. I was quite surprised.”
Even among the clans and sects in the West, there were those who sent me letters.
Of course, nearly half of them were about dealing with the evil monsters that are abundant in the West, but occasionally I’d receive letters asking me to come find their clan when I was in the area.
“Our clan has sent one too.”
“Ah, yes. The clan leader of Cheonggajang sent it directly. It was definitely about dealing with Doljine, right?”
“Yes. It was a dangerous monster appearing in the mine owned by our clan. We almost had a big problem.”
“Haha. That’s a relief.”
“By the way, I never expected Shinsan Seonja to leave Seomhwa Village and come to Cheongho. And…”
She turned to the Sword Saint and smiled brightly.
“I never imagined I’d get to meet such a lovely couple here. Thank you for coming…”
“…What?”
“Hik, yes? Yes…?”
She flinched and trembled at the Sword Saint’s voice.
“You, you two… look… good together…”
“Ha ha ha ha… The clan leader of Cheonggajang has a good eye.”
Cheonghuiyeon stiffly smiled at the Sword Saint, who was quite proud.
“But why did Shinjusa-gul go to the West?”
“Oh. That’s because…”
I asked Namgoonghwa, who was gazing at the pleased Sword Saint as if she couldn’t remain quiet forever, after all.
Namgoonghwa pondered for a moment before answering.
“Well, it shouldn’t matter. It was because of news about traces of the Cheonma.”
“And? Did you find something?”
“No. Just got one interesting item.”
“Interesting?”
“Yes. A piece of paper that doesn’t tear, doesn’t burn, and doesn’t change even when water is poured on it. I was going to visit the Innkeeper to find out what this is.”
Gak Hwijun produced a small piece of paper from his pocket, and I read it, giving a wry smile.
“What’s that?”
The paper contained a sort of design. The Sword Saint looked puzzled, and Chaeran and Sayoon were curious too, while I set the design down.
“Nothing much. Just a curious material. Can I take it to study?”
“Of course.”
I tucked the paper they gave me into my pocket and thought.
This.
It’s the starting item for an event to find the remaining half of the Cheonma Divine Art.
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