Sometimes, when a person lives their life, their thoughts end up being different from what comes out of their mouth.
In such cases, there’s no need to point it out or tease. The individual must be quite embarrassed too.
So, it’s better to just roll with it.
I smiled at the Sword Saint, who was pale and at a loss for words.
Is it really that wrong to say you want to see the person who confessed they liked you?
Thus, I told her with a grin, and her once-white face gradually started turning red.
“…..”
There was no answer. Shoulders slouched, head bowed.
Only the white hand peeking out between the old robes held a letter, gently swaying on her lap.
I offered her tea. As the steam from the teacup touched her face, the Sword Saint subtly lifted her eyes to sneak a look at me.
“Is, is it… really true?”
“Yes.”
“…Ah, I see. That’s a relief…”
She was simultaneously feeling relieved and embarrassed. Truly not your average gal.
She kept fidgeting and glancing my way, so I decided to stop talking. She probably needed some time to process everything.
I don’t know how long passed.
When she finished her cup, the Sword Saint let out a heavy sigh.
“Sorry for showing such a pitiful side of myself.”
“It’s all good. I have my fair share of pitiful moments too.”
“Never!”
“…..?”
“That has never happened!”
“Thank you.”
It’s all about effort, really. I nodded at her, and she huffed, then downed her now-cold tea in one go.
“Should I pour you another cup?”
“…Thank you.”
I refilled her cup. And just like that, the silence returned. I felt like things were settling down, so it was time to get to the point.
“So, you came down here because of the Murim Alliance, right?”
“How did you know?”
I pulled out the letter sent by the Murim Alliance. After she took it and read it calmly, she tilted her head.
“What did you do for the Murim Alliance?”
“Didn’t you hear from Hongryeon?”
“Details like that… well…”
Then I suppose I should spill the beans. I explained what happened with the Murim Alliance, and she quietly nodded.
“You mediated between the Inspection Division and the Legal Enforcement Hall… and empowered the Legal Enforcement Hall’s influence. It makes sense they’d respond this way from their perspective.”
“From the Murim Alliance’s standpoint, they probably weren’t happy with the internal power imbalances.”
“…Huh? Is that so?”
“Imbalances within an organization disrupt harmony and can lead to discord and collapse.”
“Well, it’s causing a collapse, you see.”
“Isn’t that something we can easily overlook? If factions and connections start forming like this, it’s going to be a headache.”
“Since the Murim Alliance is entangled with the interests of various sects and clans, they’d want to patch these issues up even more.”
“That’s definitely true, but… I can’t help but worry you might get caught up in the Murim’s interests.”
The Sword Saint’s gaze was filled with concern. But I didn’t feel burdened by it.
I had already prepared myself for such resolve since I entered this world.
And I was already quite entangled with many forces in Murim.
I looked at the Sword Saint with a smile, and she flinched in surprise, scratching her cheek awkwardly.
“Well, right. We’ve already formed a deep relationship with Hongseong…”
“That’s correct.”
A smile broke out on the Sword Saint’s face that she couldn’t quite hide.
Anyway, the important thing isn’t me.
“But what is the Murim Alliance coming to demand from Hongseong?”
“Well, I think they want to check how Hongseong will move forward and propose a direction for future actions.”
Indeed, that sounds like something worth considering for the Murim Alliance.
So far, Hongseong has been lacking funds, so Hongryeon and other disciples completing missions through the Murim Alliance have been their main source of income.
But now, with my intervention, they’ve secured a stable income, so if Hongseong decides they won’t assist the Murim Alliance anymore, it would leave them in a tight spot.
After all, the Sword Saint’s power is strong, and Hongryeon and other disciples shouldn’t be underestimated either.
“Of course, it doesn’t mean we’ll distance ourselves from the Murim Alliance. Hongseong pursues righteousness. If the Murim Alliance has the spirit of justice as a proper faction, we’re more than willing to assist them.”
“But that means you won’t allow yourselves to be used, right?”
“That’s right.”
The Sword Saint looked at me seriously and said.
“So, what do you think Hongseong should do moving forward?”
Is she asking for advice from me?
Hongseong’s future…
If it’s for our simple plot, then Hongseong shouldn’t change in any special way.
After all, the Iron Blood Clan, our foes, is still very much alive, and the Demonic Cult could intervene in the main story, along with various other events that could begin.
In that light, the Murim Alliance will greatly assist in unfolding the scenario.
So far, they seemed quite indifferent to the Iron Blood Clan, but after the recent incident with the new Black Lotus and this situation, they’ll probably start taking things seriously, making dealing with the Iron Blood Clan easier.
“What do you think, Sword Saint?”
But that’s just my thought. At Hongseong, if the Sword Saint disagrees, I can’t force my opinions on them.
“…Well, there are pros and cons to each option…”
“Well then, how about we do it this way? I heard this is how some other factions operate. We could choose their requests while being part of the Murim Alliance.”
Until now, I had no choice but to carry out the tasks assigned by the Murim Alliance, but I proposed a shift in strategy.
Both Moonjeong and other sects occasionally assisted the Murim Alliance this way.
“Of course, if we do that, the income from the tasks will decrease, and our influence within the Murim Alliance might diminish. But isn’t it alright now?”
“That’s true.”
“Also, it wouldn’t contradict the teachings of Hongseongmun, which are about pursuing righteousness. You know, the tasks given by the Murim Alliance could be tainted with profit and political reasoning. If we can choose from Hongseongmun regardless, wouldn’t that be better?”
“Would the Murim Alliance accept that?”
“And if they don’t?”
Of course, the Sword Saint wouldn’t just stroll in and say, ‘Wanna taste some tough love?’ But they would surely recognize that the sword now rests with Hongseongmun.
“I’m not sure how helpful it will be, but I could lend my strength during negotiations with them.”
“Really?”
The Sword Saint perked up, her eyes sparkling, then shook her head vigorously.
“Ha, but this is a matter for Hongseongmun…”
“We’re not strangers anymore.”
Right now, even dealing with selling pouches and medicinal herbs, I was already too involved with the folks of Hongseongmun.
As I smiled, the Sword Saint looked at me with gleaming eyes, a slight shiver running through her.
“…Ugh. I’m relying on you again…”
“Well, aren’t we supposed to help each other out? I hope you’ll help me when I ask later.”
The conversations that followed were quite ordinary. We talked about the skills of my disciples, and the upcoming rites that would take place in Hongseongmun when spring arrives.
“Ah, I’m really looking forward to spring.”
Spring means it’s time to sell pouches. From what I heard about the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild and Hano, there are quite a few noblewomen interested in Hongseongmun’s pouches.
“I also heard many people are looking for Hongseongmun’s medicinal herbs.”
“Really? I need to work hard on that.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard…”
“But… is the innkeeper Yu using a pouch?”
She is. I pointed to one side of the office where a pouch from Hongseongmun sat.
“It’s been really helpful since I smoke while working.”
“I see. Well, the last one I made was quite insufficient… So this time, I’ll make sure to make it properly.”
“Right. Well… last time I made something, it was quite lacking… so this time, I’ll make it properly.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Hoho. Talking to you makes me lose track of time. By the way… may I come back for advice when I face difficult times?”
“Of course.”
I can listen to the villagers’ troubles, so why not the Sword Saint’s?
“…Hahaha. Thank you. Then, I will come again next time.”
A few days passed since the Sword Saint left. Days went by peacefully without anything special happening.
While I was preparing for the evening business as usual, I heard murmurs from outside.
What’s going on? Is there some kind of commotion?
I checked the date.
It’s about time they showed up.
“Yohwan, how much food do we have today?”
“We have plenty. Why?”
“It seems like many customers are coming. Please make some preparations.”
“Got it.”
While Yohwan went to the food storage with the servants, I also stepped outside. There were people gathered outside, and I could see a flag being waved as they moved through the crowd.
The flag represented the Murim Alliance.
And those carrying it were clad in the attire of the Murim Alliance’s warriors.
They stopped right in front of my inn, and I recognized some of them.
“Oh?”
“Ah! Innkeeper! Hello!”
A bright smile came from a woman.
Namgoonghwa from the Namgoong Clan, along with the martial artists I met last time at Changwun Hall.
“Surely…”
“It’s Gak Hwijun from the Tower of Darkness.”
“I am Yo Heemi from Jinhagung.”
“I go by Ma Cheolpi from the Yangju Magic Guild. It’s an honor to see you again.”
Unlike before, they seemed to have gained a fair amount of experience, and as they greeted me with smiles, I responded in kind.
“It’s been a while. How have you all been?”
“Haha. Since joining the Murim Alliance, we’ve been traveling quite a bit. Did you know that?”
Ma Cheolpi, now sporting a long scar on his forehead, proudly said, “We helped out in battles against the Ma Guild and Iron Blood Clan. This scar is from the fight with the Iron Blood Clan’s leader. Hahahaha!! Thanks to our hard work back then, we even earned the nickname ‘Gods of the New Era’. Hahahaha!!”
He looked quite proud to have a nickname acknowledged by the Murim Alliance, and Yo Heemi, Gak Hwijun, and even Namgoonghwa looked pleased as well.
Seeing their reactions, I awkwardly laughed.
Let’s not mention I’ve never heard of that nickname. No need to dampen their spirits.
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