Winter is the season of stockpiling among the four seasons. It’s also a time to use up what has been gathered during spring, summer, and autumn while preparing for the next year.
Thus, winter has often been called the season of rest.
But that rest isn’t always pleasant for everyone.
Especially for those who have come to Seomhwa Village.
Naturally. There must be many people grappling with how to survive next year and what to eat.
Among the physically healthy, some choose to become soldiers for the government, but even that has its limits.
That’s why the large-scale civil works organized by the government couldn’t be better news for them.
So most of the guests gathered in the inn were discussing it.
“I hear they’re building a castle wall this time?”
“And I heard they’re also creating new living areas?”
The local leader’s choice of project was the castle wall. Until now, they had relied on wooden fences, but having actual walls means better defense.
Moreover, once these facilities are built, the Empire acknowledges their stability, granting the local leader a higher rank and more authority.
The funds I invested are being used not for personal gain, but to properly develop Seomhwa Village.
“Innkeeper, if Seomhwa Village grows bigger, shouldn’t we expand the inn?”
At that moment, one guest said with a smile, and I nodded. I had already been considering expanding the inn and store to offer better items.
“I was thinking of expanding the inn since there’s open land next to it.”
“Really? When will the construction start?”
“Well, I’m thinking around spring.”
“Do you have enough funds?”
Chaejin, who was sipping drinks with Yohwan, asked, and I nodded.
It seems the gold mine development will be finished soon, and funds will be rolling in then.
“Then I’ll head out first.”
I said my goodbyes to Yohwan and Chaejin and headed to my office.
There wasn’t a pile of work waiting, but there was no need to procrastinate.
As I was working, I heard a knocking at the window.
It was the postman.
This guy is really dedicated.
“You’re always working hard.”
“Thank you for your continued use of our services.”
At this rate, he deserves to be a VIP postman. He grinned and leaped, while I examined the letters.
One of the letters was from Cheonilhwa about the gold mine development we had previously undertaken.
There were various details, but the main point was that a vein of gold had been discovered in the abandoned mine under development.
The Cheonghoe Merchant Guild and I had jointly purchased the abandoned mine cheaply, and they were in charge of the development. It seems they found quite a substantial vein of gold during their work, so good news should be coming soon.
That gold mine in Heavenly Bright Moon is quite significant, so for the time being, I shouldn’t have to worry about funds.
I recalled the mines that were currently unknown and those everyone knew in Heavenly Bright Moon.
There are still quite a few undeveloped places, so I should consider investing in that direction next time.
And finally…
“Oh.”
It was Sayoon’s letter.
I immediately unfolded the letter.
It hadn’t even been a few days since she sent the last letter, but here we go again with the brush.
Please forgive me for hastily sending another letter.
But I have so much to say to you, Mister, it feels like it’s overflowing.
It was yesterday that I received the letter you sent.
I was supposed to get it at Hongseong, but I ended up going to Amifa, so I didn’t receive your letter.
So, Senior Sister Hongryeon sent it back to Amifa for me, but I was worried it might be too late to reply to the letter.
Still, I feel like you would understand, so I’m not too scared about it. You’ll understand… right? Hehe.
I read the letter you sent very well.
Thank you so much for congratulating me on my determination to become stronger.
I can’t even express how much your praise and positivity mean to me.
Honestly, I was so happy at that moment I almost burst out shouting.
But Amifa is a temple, so I had to keep it down.
Senior Disciple Yoohee looked quite displeased with that, but maybe she knows that staying quiet is also helpful for training, so she’s managing.
As for the ever-quiet Senior Sister Hyunhwi, she really seems to enjoy the calm atmosphere of Amifa.
As for me…
Hmm. I do feel a bit lonely.
Since leaving Hongseong and training in Amifa, I have constantly missed Hongseong.
Master, Senior Sister, and the other senior sisters. The people of Seomhwa Village. And Innkeeper Yu Wol and Sister Chaejin… I can’t say there hasn’t been a moment I haven’t thought about wanting to go back to that place where so many people are waiting.
But after reading the part in your letter that said,
“Don’t forget the saying ‘Lipseogaejin.'”
I felt a bit calmer.
Lipseogaejin.
The idea that wherever you stand, it is the place of truth.
No matter where I go, I shouldn’t forget what I have to do and I should do my best there, right?
Master always said that too.
The place where a disciple of Hongseong is located is Hongseong itself.
If my heart carries Hongseong, then the place where I am is Hongseong.
It’s amazing how a single phrase can remind me of something I had forgotten. I always seem to get help from you, Mister.
Come to think of it, you once offered me a similar topic to ponder, didn’t you?
Gyeonwolmangji.
Your words that I shouldn’t forget where I need to see.
Through that topic, I stepped out of Simma and grew a level further. Is this also your teaching?
Hehe. Whether it’s true or not, all the things you’ve said to me are always etched in my heart.
Oh, and a few days ago, I dealt with an evil monster called Yo-gi along with the monks of Amifa.
I took care of the evil monster.
It was a terrifying and fearsome creature that ate people.
But I couldn’t just ignore it knowing that the monster was tormenting people.
When I defeated the monster and rescued those who had been captured, they shed tears of gratitude and spoke to me.
With this, I guess I’m learning more about Hongseong’s teachings of helping people and upholding justice?
I hope to become a proud female warrior to share with Mister.
Oh! I think I need to step out now. Maybe because the number of evil monsters has increased recently, there seem to be many monks from Amipa heading out to deal with them.
I’m tired from training and monster hunting, but I still have time to send another letter to Mister.
I’ll send a letter soon, so please wait for it!
P.S.
Do you prefer prayer beads or a Buddha statue?
I plan to make prayer beads or a Buddha statue for you using the yangseok you sent.
If there’s anything else you want, I’ll ask and make it for you, so I can send it along with my next letter!
“…Why are you making something for me when I gave it to you to use?”
I burst into laughter while reading the letter.
The yangseok would be more useful for Sayoon than for me.
Even if Amipa processes the yangseok into prayer beads or a statue, it’s not for free and should go through a few events of Amipa, but I felt happy knowing they prioritized me over themselves.
Alright then. I’ll take that, and let’s plan to send something even better next time.
I immediately wrote a letter in reply to Sayoon.
*
The beautifully piled snow is lovely, but it poses a danger to those climbing the mountain.
Especially Amisan, which is as beautiful as it is rugged, making it difficult for people coming to offer their prayers in winter.
Moreover…
– Grraaarrr…!!
Even though Amipa is a mountain dedicated to Bodhisattva Bohyoun, it didn’t mean there were no evil monsters.
In particular, strong and cunning monsters often come into Amisan to eat or kill those who come to offer prayers, laughing in the face of the power of Buddha and ignoring it completely.
One such monster was Cheosoo, a creature with the head of a tiger and the body of an ox.
A strong monster that ridiculed the power of Buddha, it bared its sharp teeth while mocking the people climbing in winter.
It had finally spotted its first prey after coming to Amisan.
A small girl was slowly climbing up the mountain.
Cheosoo, watching her, licked its lips as she headed towards a secluded area.
It was almost time. It would sink its fangs into the nape of that small girl and tear her apart.
Thinking this, Cheosoo quickly leaped out from the shadow it was hiding in.
– Pwahh!!
It was knocked away by the delicate punch of the girl.
It was a mess.
I couldn’t understand it.
What is it? What is it? What is it?
Slowly throwing off the old, thick cloth that was covering her head, the girl with gray hair drew her sword.
Just a moment ago, she had seemed frail, but the moment she wielded the sword, the air crackled with a sharp intensity that could raise the fur on a dog’s back.
– Grrrr…
The dog’s eyes sharpened. The opponent was small but strong.
So, it was time to be careful.
As the huge foot, with sharp claws revealed, stomped through the white snow, the girl also moved her feet slowly, aiming her sword.
Guarding, and guarding again.
Then.
“Oops.”
As the girl slipped on the ice, the dog pounced quickly. Its mouth open, revealing sharp teeth.
If that were to bite her slender, white neck…
– Thump!!
But the dog’s thoughts stopped there. The staggering girl quickly regained her stance and thrust her sword upward.
The sword, imbued with a red aura, pierced through the dog’s neck.
The destructive power of Hongseong’s aura pierced right through the dog’s thick hide without hesitation.
– Fwoosh!!
What followed was a powerful strike. The girl’s fist, filled with the light of stars, struck the dog’s chest precisely. At the same time, the force that erupted from her palm was enough to destroy the dog’s heart.
– Grrrr…
With a gurgling sound, the dog’s massive body collapsed to the ground.
The gray-haired girl, slowly retreating, watched with eyes colder than ice as the dog’s body turned to ashes and vanished.
“Phew…”
Though she had single-handedly taken down a strong evil monster named Cheho-su, Sayoon was not satisfied.
There was still a long way to go.
Even if she was not as powerful as the undefeated warriors of the Amifa, she wanted to grow strong enough to match her friend Chaeran during her training there.
“Sayoon!!”
At that moment, a girl came running across the snowy field without a care.
It was Yoohee, her senior disciple. As Sayoon’s eyes lit up at Yoohee’s shout, Yoohee waved her hand, saying,
“Oh! You caught it?”
“Yes! Fortunately, it fell for my bait!”
“Hehe. Good job. Oh, and you got a letter.”
“…Huh? For me?”
If it was sent from Hongseongmun, they wouldn’t have specified her. Then…
“…Did Mister send it?”
“Yep.”
Upon that answer, her previously cold expression directed at Cheho-su transformed into a bright smile as if it were all a lie.
“Hehe.”
Having become strong enough to take down a powerful monster on her own, the youngest of Hongseong Clan, Sayoon, could still flash an innocent grin.
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