The food was delicious, and the drink that Yu Wol personally brought was sweet.
However, Hongryeon couldn’t simply enjoy it.
Recently, she heard that Seomhwa Village had grown, and with spring arrived an increase in work. There were also stories that he was involved in the village’s growth and development.
And it didn’t stop there! He was preparing for the cultivation and sale of herbs alongside Hongseong, as well as the sale of scented pouches.
In the meantime, he had to build an annex and solve the problems arising from an increasing number of martial artists.
On top of that, an overwhelming amount of tasks was piling up for one person.
So, it must be tough, right? Distressing, even.
Yet, he didn’t show it.
Well, he probably couldn’t.
He always embraced everyone like a mighty tree, hoping everyone would lean on him.
Wasn’t everyone even leaning on him, including himself?
In that sense, even though such matters were happening in the inn he cherished, Yu Wol had no choice but to remain impassive.
“Senior Sister. Is something wrong?”
Caught up in her thoughts, Hongryeon seemed momentarily shaken and smiled at Ryuhyun, who was questioning her.
“It’s nothing at all.”
“But what about Sayoon?”
“She stepped out for a bit to catch some fresh air.”
“I see…?”
Just then, she saw him coming down the stairs through the slightly open door. After spotting him heading toward the backyard, Hongryeon looked around at her fellow disciples.
She would meet him soon.
It’s rare for things to get as chaotic as today with fighting breaking out, but it’s not unheard of.
However, it wasn’t exactly a significant problem.
After all, most of those who fight recklessly are living for the day, so even if one were to kill them, there wouldn’t be any fallout.
In any case, these kinds of matters are generally resolved over time. If the inn continues to operate well and build its reputation, such troublemakers would decrease.
I jotted down the order forms for new tables and chairs to be placed in the workshop and stood up from my seat.
It was about time I finished my meal at Hongseong.
As I exited the office, I spotted Sayoon in the backyard. I approached her with a smile as she sat alone, staring absentmindedly at the night sky.
“Why are you out here instead of eating more?”
“Ah, Innkeeper! I’ve eaten quite a bit.”
Still, it seemed like she could eat more. I looked at her and sat down beside her.
“Is something bothering you?”
“Ah, it’s not that. It’s just that Seomhwa Village seems to have grown much larger than before we left.”
“Are you feeling uneasy about it?”
“Um… not really. It’s just that… an increase in people means there are more things to protect, right?”
As a disciple of Hongseong, it could be said that protecting the village’s people was a duty.
Of course, unlike other sects, Hongseong doesn’t receive protective fees. Nonetheless, they took it as a given.
“It seems that responsibility is becoming quite heavy.”
“Haha. It’s the attitude a righteous martial artist should possess.”
“Is that so?”
With a bright smile, Sayoon stood up and took a step forward.
Sayoon smiled brightly as she stood up and took a step forward.
“There’s going to be a duel competition soon, right?”
“With Cheonhwa Palace?”
“Yes. Actually, I’ve gained some enlightenment from Amipa.”
“Oh…”
Did she gain this enlightenment from the topic I sent? Sayoon’s soft smile suggested that she had grown more than before.
“The place where I am is Hongseongmun, and wherever there’s a disciple of Hongseongmun, that place is Hongseongmun. Strengthening that mindset is what carries on the will of Hongseong…”
She glanced up at the sky. Looking at the sparkling stars in the night sky, she let out a bitter smile.
“Master probably said that there could be a youngest disciple from that side, so I should prepare… I’m a bit worried if I can handle the weight of that name.”
“But even so, you don’t plan on giving up, right?”
“Of course.”
With a sly grin, there wasn’t a hint of darkness on her face. Unlike what I, or we, had seen before.
So I nodded in satisfaction.
“There’s also a Sword Saint beside you, and Hongryeon too. Plus other disciples of Hongseongmun…”
“And the Innkeeper too.”
“Haha. I appreciate you thinking of me like that.”
Lightly replying, Sayoon chuckled before her expression turned worried.
“But it seems like there are a lot of fights among the martial artists at the inn.”
“Well, it’s not like it’s been a day or two. This much is manageable.”
“Having many guests isn’t entirely a good thing, is it…”
“Every situation has its pros and cons.”
“Is that so…?”
At that moment, a voice was heard.
“Sayoon? Yohwan decided to present the confectionery she made this time, so you should go in.”
“Ah. Okay!”
It was Hongryeon. At her words, Sayoon greeted me and dashed inside. As she went in, Hongryeon glanced my way.
“Are you okay?”
“Hmm? I’m always okay.”
Lately, I had been a bit busy, but there was nothing wrong. Even if the martial artists caused a ruckus, it wasn’t enough to distract me.
“But what about Chaejin?”
“She’s with Chaeran. She said she has something to discuss regarding the martial arts she learned from Amipa.”
“…Is that so?”
Hongryeon gently sat next to me, close enough for our thighs to touch.
“…I told you before. Just like I lean on you when I have a hard time, you can lean on me when you’re having a tough time.”
“I remember.”
That was during our time at Gwiryeongji. Remembering that moment, Hongryeon looked at me seriously.
“When you’re struggling, I want to be a source of strength for you. So… just tell me anytime.”
“I will.”
Although I didn’t think there would really be anything difficult, I figured I could ask for the strength of Hongseongmun when needed, so she didn’t need to worry about that.
“…You promise?”
“I promise.”
“Sure thing.”
A moment of silence settled in. Hongryeon seemed to have something to say, her lips twitching as she looked at me.
“If you have something to say, go ahead.”
“Uh… I heard that fights have been pretty frequent at the inn lately.”
It’s not that frequent. And the things that do happen are usually handled by Chaejin.
“It’s not something to worry about, so you don’t need to mind it.”
“How can I not mind it? Anyway, here.”
Hongryeon stood up and handed me a voucher. When I looked at her, she gave an awkward smile.
“This is for tonight’s dinner.”
“No, you don’t need to do that.”
I’m only trying to treat her for the gifts I received from Sayoon, Yoohee, and Hyunhwi, after all.
I declined, but Hongryeon placed the voucher on my hand. She handed me a voucher worth fifty silver coins and smiled brightly.
“I can’t always just be the one receiving favors from you, can I?”
“I’m not particularly thinking that way…”
“But still. It’s a burden for me, so please accept it.”
It didn’t seem like it would do any good to keep refusing. I’ll pay her back with something later. I tucked the voucher into my pocket, and only then did Hongryeon nod in satisfaction.
“And if you ever feel stressed, let me know. I can’t stand seeing you struggle.”
With her hands on her hips, Hongryeon leaned slightly forward.
“Got it?”
A lovely scent tickled my nose. Looking at her with a pouty face, I nodded.
“Got it.”
“Hehe.”
Only then did she smile gently.
I fed the Hongseong clan’s disciples to their hearts’ content.
They all looked satisfied, and I felt a swell of pride myself.
After sending them off, I returned to my room to get some work done.
– Knock, knock.
I heard a sound coming from the window. Is it a courier?
I opened the door and found someone standing there, tilting my head in surprise.
“Sword Saint?”
“Um… Is it okay if I take a moment?”
Without even meeting my gaze, the Sword Saint spoke in a small voice.
Does she have something to say?
Since she didn’t bring it up when the disciples were here, it might be something related to Cheonhwagung.
“Please come in.”
I opened the window, and she naturally stepped inside, looking a little shy.
She seemed unsure about how to start, so I guided her to a seat.
“Ugh…”
She sighed deeply and gazed at me intently. Her usual semi-drowsy expression was present, but this time, worry was all over her eyes.
“Have you been… having a tough time lately?”
I’ve already received some things from before, and with the boost I got from Sayoon and the Heavenly Harmony, my stamina isn’t an issue at all.
The energy itself isn’t the problem.
Of course, with more and more martial artists and guests lately, spring has brought a lot of tasks and worries, but this is nothing at all.
However, the Sword Saint’s gaze didn’t change.
“…Do you know? People break easily.”
The Sword Saint wiped her face once. She shook off her sleepy expression and continued quite seriously.
“…Many martial artists fail to overcome the small walls and end up in despair, you know?”
“Yes. I’ve heard about it.”
I’ve heard many tales of martial artists go insane or fall into despair, unable to pass that wall, especially when facing superhumans. There have even been events related to this.
As I nodded, the Sword Saint reached out seriously.
Her small, white hand gently took mine.
“Their common problem is that they can’t express what’s inside them to others.”
“Oh…”
“It’s not just Simma. No matter how strong a person is, when they support many others, they inevitably get hurt in the process.”
“Yes. Well…”
I knew that even psychiatrists often struggle with mental issues themselves. After all, the closer you are to something depressing, the more it affects you.
But why bring this up all of a sudden?
“I always see you as an equal. So…”
“……”
“If you’re having a tough time, I hope you’ll tell me anytime. Though I may not be able to help in many ways. After all, I am the Sword Saint. Those who torment you…”
Her eyes were serious.
“I’ll crush them, even if it costs me everything.”
“Um… yes.”
What is this out of the blue…
Hongryeon was acting like this too, now the Sword Saint? Am I overdoing it lately?
But I don’t think so…
“And this.”
The Sword Saint quietly pulled out a pouch. I saw it, and she gave a shy smile.
“Here’s for the meal.”
“Hongryeon paid for it earlier.”
“Uh… what? Did Ryen?”
“Yes.”
The Sword Saint thought for a moment and smiled widely. Instead of taking back the pouch, she placed it on my palm.
“Even so, please accept it. And if Ryen comes by to buy something later, I’d appreciate it if you could give her a discount.”
I was already planning on doing that. I’ll need to add the amount she gave me to what I was already going to give.
“And about that. I was worried you might have gotten hurt from what happened earlier. The inn got involved, right? So I came to check on you…”
Oh, that? Ah, they’re worried about the fight at the inn.
I shook my head and smiled at the Sword Saint.
“No way I’d despair over something like that.”
With all the tough things in the world, how could I be brought down by something so trivial?
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