It was too late to leave, so I decided to stay at the Murim Alliance for the day.
Since I was here, I thought to take a stroll around the Murim Alliance while also picking up a gift when Sayoon approached me.
“Where are you going?”
“I have something I need to check on. What about you?”
“I was thinking of taking a short walk too.”
“Really? Then let’s go together.”
As we casually chatted and started to walk, we heard footsteps coming from the garden area we were in.
“Hehe. Yoo Shiju, where are you off to?”
The relaxed voice belonged to Shinsung. I wondered if the Murim Alliance Leader could roam around like that, but he just chuckled merrily.
“I’m heading to Gwi Bojeon.”
“Hmm. If you’re talking about Gwi Bojeon, you mean the place that sells souvenirs. Are you planning to buy something?”
“Haha. Yes, there are things available only at the Murim Alliance…”
That was the same in Heavenly Bright Moon. There were outfits and items that could only be obtained at the Murim Alliance. Generally, the items sold there had decent performance, and everyone used them well.
“Then let’s go. I’ll guide you.”
“You must be busy…”
“Haha. The others in the alliance are working hard, so what could I possibly have to do? If I just take good care of our guests, everyone will be happy.”
He said that while rolling a bead. Well then, let’s accept his kindness.
“Would Shisoo be joining us too?”
“Yes. Thank you, Leader.”
Maybe it was because of his position as the Murim Alliance Leader? Sayoon walked stiffly, seeming a bit nervous. Shinsung looked at her with a bright smile and continued calmly.
“By the way, it seems you have some concerns, Shisoo.”
“Um… yes.”
“Is it about martial arts?”
Sayoon nodded slightly, and Shinsung raised his white eyebrows in surprise.
“With so many superhumans around you, it’s impressive that you’re contemplating martial arts by yourself.”
“Ahaha… I could ask my master, Senior Hongryeon, or Sister Chaejin… but still, I want to try and figure it out on my own.”
“That determination to move forward by yourself is admirable.”
“Thank you, Mister.”
A smile spread across Sayoon’s face. Shinsung, alternating his gaze between us, responded with a softer expression.
“Walking alone is like wandering in darkness; if there’s a light to illuminate the path, there’s nothing to fear.”
“Um…”
“There are many around you who can light your way. Even the Shiju right next to you can do that.”
“What can I, who knows almost nothing about martial arts, possibly help with? Haha.”
“They say even a five-year-old on the street has something to teach, so how can you dismiss the words of Shinsan Seonja, who is offering a path?”
“Is it not foolish to dismiss the words of someone who knows nothing of martial arts when Shinsan Seonja is suggesting a path?”
“Right. Mister’s teachings have truly been a great help to me.”
As Sayoon smiled brightly, a sense of pride swelled in my chest. It was proof that what I, and we, had done until now was not in vain.
I gently stroked Sayoon’s head, and she beamed with joy.
“This is the Guibojun.”
At the Guibojun, where people come to purchase items in the Murim Alliance, a few martial artists were already present.
As I surveyed their faces, I tilted my head in confusion.
“Hmm? Is that you…”
“What? Yu Wol. Is that you? And… Oh! You’re the junior who defeated the Dokanryong.”
Myojae, the one who had defeated the Dokanryong, stood there. Recognizing me and Sayoon, she approached, only to wince upon seeing Shinsung standing behind us.
“Cough.”
“Ahaha, Myojae. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Ugh.”
“I heard that the Law Enforcement Department has been very busy… Is it alright for the deputy chief to be wandering around like this?”
“Oh, no, I’m just here to buy a gift. A gift.”
Myojae hurriedly lifted what was in her hands. A few well-wrapped decorations and daggers. As Shinsung chuckled again at the sight, Myojae scratched her cheek sheepishly.
“The deputy chief instructed me. I’m supposed to go to the Murim Alliance branch in Seomhwasung soon, and I can’t go empty-handed.”
“What brings you to Seomhwasung?”
“To congratulate them. Besides, I’ve known Hongryeon and Chaejin for quite a while; I can’t ignore them… And the deputy chief said she would send a gift separately too. Oh, and I heard the Namgoong Clan is sending something as well?”
“Is that so?”
“Why not ask the deputy chief for the details? Anyway, I’ll take my leave for now!!”
After glancing at Shinsung carefully, she said what she had to and dashed off. Watching her, Shinsung, who had been mumbling prayers and rolling the prayer beads, sighed as she observed the others stealthily slipping away.
“Being powerful, climbing to the top can be a lonely affair, you know.”
“Hmm… It didn’t seem lonely for Master or Senior Sister Hongryeon or Sister Chaejin…”
“Well, that’s probably because of the special person called Yu Seonja.”
“Is that so?”
Sayoon’s eyes were warm. I felt an itch at the back of my neck for no reason and approached the middle-aged woman who owned the Guibojun.
“Hello.”
“Welcome. I never expected to meet the esteemed Shinsan Seonja.”
I returned her polite greeting and glanced at the items hanging on the wall.
To purchase items from the Guibojun of the Murim Alliance, one had to undergo a special event and raise a certain level of reputation and intimacy regarding the Murim Alliance.
You had to be able to enter, raise your reputation to a certain degree, and build a good rapport with the Murim Alliance to purchase items from their treasure hall.
Buying items from the Murim Alliance’s treasure hall in Heavenly Bright Moon was not easy, but I felt that I was now sufficiently capable.
“Are you planning to buy a gift?”
“Yes. Can I take a look?”
“Of course.”
She calmly revealed the items. From designs of outfits and manufacturing methods of weapons to recovery potions and accessories like bracelets and anklets.
I was picking out suitable items for gifts when I turned my gaze to Sayoon.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh. That…”
What she was staring at was a set of clothes hanging on the wall. I sighed as I looked at it.
It was one of the attires from the Murim Alliance, the ‘Hyupsa,’ which suited Sayoon perfectly in Heavenly Bright Moon.
A beautiful outfit that looked somewhat like a Chinese dress.
You could specify various colors during production, and it was quite pretty, making it popular even in Heavenly Bright Moon.
“Do you want it? Hongryeon could make it for you. Although gathering materials is a bit complicated…”
“Um…”
It wasn’t that revealing, but since it followed the worldview of Heavenly Bright Moon, other outfits were generally revealing too, and people didn’t think it was strange.
In fact, some outfits from other sects were much more revealing, so what’s the big deal?
I smiled and suggested it, but Sayoon shook her head as she continued to gaze at the outfit.
“No.”
Then she smiled brightly.
“Mister, this isn’t a place that just anyone can enter, right?”
“Well… that’s true?”
Although Sayoon had gained some recognition after beating Myojae, she didn’t have enough reputation to enter the Murim Alliance’s inner circle yet.
Plus, she hadn’t formed enough of a bond with the Murim Alliance to buy items from the treasure hall.
“I want to earn that myself.”
“Oh. Are you worried that I would be burdensome in helping?”
“Not at all. It’s just… um. I just want it that way.”
If that’s what she wanted, what could I say? I just nodded slightly, and Sayoon was once again gazing at the sample of the Hyupsa.
Shinsung, who was alternating glances between me and Sayoon, chuckled softly and said casually, “If you’ve purchased everything you need, would you like to have a cup of tea? If you’re okay with it, we can invite the others, too.”
“Oh. Yes, let’s do that.”
I had bought everything suitable as a gift. I carried the items in the box and headed to the room, where I met Chaejin, who was waiting inside.
I headed towards the room and came face to face with Chaejin, who was waiting inside.
“Where have you been?”
“I just dropped by to get some gifts for the Murim Alliance. It would be rude to go empty-handed after coming all this way.”
“Aha. Then now…”
“The leader suggested we have a cup of tea. Would you like to join? No, let’s go together. Hyunhwi and Sayoon should come along too.”
“Hehe. Sure.”
After having tea with Shinsung, we talked about the wedding and what we would do after marriage. We even discussed some things that the Sword Saint had done recently.
Shinsung listened intently, and as it was finally time for us to leave the next day, he came out to see us off and said seriously,
“I hope that Yu Seonsaeng will continue to maintain the negotiations. We are also aware of virtue and cooperation, so we will ensure that nothing goes wrong.”
“Haha. Understood. Please don’t worry too much. And I always appreciate it.”
“Namu Amitabul. The way back could be a bit dangerous, so… we’ve decided to provide some escorts for you.”
“There’s no need for that.”
“Please don’t decline. It’s the Hoebeobbu that’s directly taking action here.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than armed warriors from the Murim Alliance appeared. Leading them was a face I recognized.
“Long time no see.”
“Indeed, long time no see.”
Namgoongseongyul.
He was the deputy of the Murim Alliance’s Hoebeobbu and the leader of an organization that had regained its power after joining forces with the Inspection Department.
And, while affiliated with the Namgoong Clan, he was also a renowned figure.
“I’ve heard about the Great Lord’s matters.”
“Is that so?”
“Well, thanks to that, the Namgoong Clan is likely to grow even larger.”
“Haha. I certainly hope so.”
“Anyway, we will escort you to Seonhwaseong, so Yu Seonsaeng and the others can ride comfortably in the carriage.”
“We need to hurry a bit, so perhaps we should…”
To make it in time for the wedding date, we would have to ride fast on horseback. When I hesitated, he chuckled and shook his head.
“Haha. This carriage is from the Hoebeobbu, and it won’t lag at all compared to traveling by horse, so don’t worry.”
Did the Hoebeobbu have something like that? I looked at Chaejin, and she slightly nodded.
“If that’s the case.”
We hopped into the carriage right away. Was it a new model? There was enough space inside for four people without feeling cramped, and it was quite comfortable.
“And…”
Before closing the door, he paused for a moment, then smiled at me.
“Congratulations on your wedding. The Namgoong Clan will be sending a separate gift, so please don’t refuse it.”
If they offer, I should graciously accept. It seems there will be a lot stacked up for what’s supposed to be just one event.
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