The Wei-Pum Ice Snow Sword has limited uses and its power is significantly weaker than the real deal.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad sword.
Especially for martial artists who use ice-based techniques, it’s a huge help. Even if you don’t use ice techniques, it can freeze enemies upon attack, making it quite effective for catching certain evil monsters.
Of course, only skilled swordsmiths can craft it, and since it’s a bit of a hassle to make and requires a lot of effort, you need to be quite close to them, or they won’t bother doing it for you. So even as a Wei-Pum, it’s still treated quite preciously.
That should be enough for a prize in the inn’s martial arts tournament.
“But what do you plan to use it for?”
Now that Noya said he’d make it as long as he had the materials, I could relax a bit. As I casually returned to the inn, the Sword Saint asked.
“What do I plan to use it for…”
“I’m thinking of holding a martial arts tournament at the inn.”
“At the inn? Why?”
“Well… there are various reasons, but the biggest one is to give the disciples of Hongseong experience.”
Needless to say, Sayoon isn’t the only one who needs experience.
I want to improve the overall skill level of the Hongseong disciples, so it’s better to keep holding these tournaments and gather experience.
Of course, the stronger ones like Hongryeon, Ryuhyun, and Hyunhwi probably won’t participate, but we can decide based on the participants’ levels. We’ll leave that for later.
“Can I also participate? Even if it’s a Wei-Pum, making the Ice Snow Sword would still cost quite a bit…”
“Haha. Then who would participate?”
It’s like an adult trying to join in on the kids’ games. I tried to dissuade the eager Sword Saint, and calmed her as she looked disappointed.
“Please tell your disciples when you go back. I’ll make a Wei-Pum Ice Snow Sword separately and send it to Hongseong later.”
“Hmm… I understand.”
The next day arrived. The disappointed Sword Saint returned while Chaejin came down.
When I told her about the martial arts tournament, her eyes sparkled.
“A Wei-Pum Ice Snow Sword… they might not be top-tier experts, but for sure, a good number of competent fighters will show up. But what about that Seven Star Dagger from last time?”
“Using that would create more trouble than the martial arts tournament itself. It’s already been taken by the Doje.”
People would definitely come from all over for that. No thanks. Chaejin chuckled softly.
“By the way, I never expected my father to just leave like that.”
“He came quickly too, so he’s probably left just as swiftly.”
I turned my head slightly. Ryuhyun, who came down with Chaejin, seemed to pretend she wasn’t listening while actually leaning in to eavesdrop.
“Do you perhaps want to participate in the tournament?”
“Ahem. Well, I can’t say I don’t. But if a fighter of that level participates, it might go against the innkeeper’s intentions… and we’ll need to discuss it within Hongseong.”
“Why don’t we decide whether to participate or not once we see the situation?”
After all, it’s an opportunity to improve the skills of the other disciples. Ryuhyun, who had no intention of stealing that chance, nodded slightly.
“Understood.”
I requested the materials needed for the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild, and time passed. In the meantime, there were those who tried to assassinate me and those who attempted to kidnap me, but they were just minor thugs, easily handled by Chaejin and the guards.
However, the Iron Blood Clan wasn’t the only one behind such scum. There were also those from the Mad Sword Sect and other groups looking to capture me, hoping to extract my knowledge for their benefit.
Of course, I couldn’t just let them be.
I reported the attempts on my life to the Murim Alliance, and a few days later, they came back holding the head of the Mad Sword Sect leader.
Honestly, it wouldn’t have been a bad thing for the Murim Alliance to deal with them. I was currently building my reputation, and if they let the wandering martial artists and sects know I had their protection, it could solidify the Murim Alliance’s position while also allowing them to strike against the Iron Blood Clan.
Naturally, the Iron Blood Clan expressed regret about the attack on me, positioning themselves as not being aligned with those from the Mad Sword Sect. This time, they even sent gifts claiming it was an unintended act of moral responsibility.
It wasn’t some miraculous elixir, just some health supplements, but I was grateful for them since I had a lot on my plate and needed the stamina.
Anyway, time passed, and the items ordered from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild finally arrived.
“Wow, that’s a lot!” I exclaimed.
“You ordered quite a bit, didn’t you?” replied the ever cheerful Gi Noya.
As they brought the items, I noticed there was something larger than what I had ordered…
“Oh.”
A large, square iron chunk! It was the safe I had ordered earlier. Wow, it’s finally here.
Perfect timing. Once the Ice Snow Sword is made, I’ll need this to store it safely.
“Did you buy a new safe?” Chaejin and Hyunhwi asked as they poked at it. I nodded. With my workload increasing, I had more items to manage and store, so this was just right.
“Can you help me move this?”
“Sure!”
Chaejin casually lifted the safe. That thing is heavy, yet even looking delicate, she’s definitely one of the masters.
While she moved the safe to my office, I inspected the cart. Let’s see… All the ordered items have arrived, and those for the store are here as well.
“Oh, and this!”
Gi Noya pulled out a booklet from their pocket. What’s this?
As I took it, Gi Noya smiled.
“The gold mine development is complete, and the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild decided to accept new items. Since we’ve increased our new products, feel free to place any orders you need.”
“Oh, I see.”
New products, huh? Each time a new main event arose in Heavenly Bright Moon, new items would be added to the shop, so I guess it’s something like that?
I reviewed the new product list from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild, and before I knew it, Chaejin, who had come down beside me, was eyeing it with sparkling eyes.
“Wow! There are so many interesting things!”
“Wow, there’s a lot here, huh?”
“These must be the items we received ahead of time before the North fully opened up.”
“Generally, you wouldn’t sell these, right?”
“That’s right.”
After all, the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild is a higher-tier guild.
They sell things of a bit better quality faster than the regular merchants or stores.
Ordinarily, the prices would be higher, but since there’s a connection, maybe they just want to supply at cost, so the prices aren’t that high either.
Indeed, connections are the best!
“As more people come to Seomhwa Village, I guess they’re giving this as a thought.”
“Isn’t this why people aren’t heading to Yangwiseong?”
As Chaejin said this with a smirk, Gi Noya laughed heartily.
“Hahaha. That’s not quite right. The amount sold at the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild in Yangwiseong will be much more than what they supply to Seomhwa Village.”
“That’s true enough.”
I guess my store is considered a retailer, so wholesale is taken care of by them.
Well, it isn’t a bad thing.
I can kind of play the role of an antenna shop here.
From the perspective of the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild, it will be easier to calculate the production items needed.
“But I heard there’s going to be a martial arts tournament here?”
“Haha. Yes. Has the rumor reached Yangwiseong as well?”
“Well, since there are quite a few martial artists traveling to and from Seomhwa Village, the word spread around. What was the item again…”
“It’s the Legendary Ice Sword.”
“Oh. Right. I heard there are quite a few who want that… The items I ordered this time were materials for making the Legendary Ice Sword, right?”
“Haha. Yes.”
“Well, wow. You make all sorts of things. I’d like to have a Legendary Ice Sword myself…”
“I’ll make one for you later.”
“Hahaha! If I just took it, the guild master would be mad at me, so I’ll make sure to pay properly. By the way, are there any entry restrictions?”
“I don’t plan to put any restrictions.”
“Hehe. Then maybe I’ll join as well?”
“Huh? If Gi Noya joins, then I’ll join too.”
Chaejin’s eyes sparkled. It seems strong contenders are signing up from the get-go.
“Haha. We’ll talk about that later… Let’s go, Chae Soja.”
“Yes!”
As the innkeepers took the items for the inn and store, all that was left in the cart were the materials for making the Legendary Ice Sword.
I collected those and headed to the government office where Changju immediately started making talismans upon receiving the materials.
Since it would take some time, I went straight to find Hyeonryeong.
“Wow. The news about the martial arts tournament is spreading everywhere. Is it really okay? The costs can’t be trivial.”
“Well, among those who participate when the tournament is held, there could be those unaffiliated, and appointing them could be good for you, right, Hyeonryeong?”
“That’s true, but still… it feels like I’m indebted…”
To formally become a military officer, you have to take the Empire’s exam, but sometimes, capable martial artists are directly invited by officials.
Thus, among those without clear affiliation, or those tired of the martial arts world, some intentionally participate in tournaments in front of officials to showcase their skills.
With the officials’ support for this martial arts tournament, Hyeonryeong would likely watch and might find a worthy martial artist to appoint as a military officer in the process.
“I’ll be watching the event, and along the way, I might find a martial artist to appoint as an officer.”
“If the soldiers of Seomhwa Village become stronger, then from my perspective, that’s not a bad thing at all.”
“Therefore, the term ‘favor’ as the local leader mentioned doesn’t really fit.”
“What sort of hurtful words are those between us?”
“Hahaha. Is that so? By the way, is there anything unusual happening lately?”
“Yes. The authorities have been patrolling frequently, so there are no particular issues.”
The local leader mentioned the incident where someone from the faction tried to kidnap me last time and gritted their teeth.
“I should have just completely smashed them!”
“Exactly!!”
Chaejin, who was next to me, strongly agreed.
“If that sect was burned down and their leader was beheaded, then it’s true they were smashed to bits. Hahaha.”
As we chatted and passed the time, I heard that Changju had finished making the talismans, and I greeted the local leader.
“Then we will take our leave now.”
“Um. Anyway, don’t worry; I will increase the patrols.”
“Haha. I always appreciate it.”
“That’s what I should be saying.”
With that, Chaejin and I headed straight for the blacksmith’s workshop.
The waiting Maki smiled brightly.
“How long do you think it will take?”
“It should be done in a day, so I will bring it over as soon as it’s finished.”
I nodded at his leisurely smile.
Just in case, I had asked the local leader to assign soldiers to the blacksmith’s workshop, and with Chaejin, I returned to the inn.
And then the next day.
Hongryeon came to visit me in the morning for my escort. Shouldn’t the Sword Saint be here instead?
As I looked at Hyunhwi going, Hongryeon smiled softly.
“Ah, Ryuhyun gained enlightenment yesterday. The Master needs to see her, so I came instead.”
“I see.”
“Is that a problem for you?”
“Not at all, how could it be?”
“Woohoohoo~.”
“Hey, hey. Let go.”
If the Sword Saint came, we would have to go to Hongseong, but since she didn’t, Chaejin remained. While Chaejin frowned at Hongryeon clinging to my arm, Hongryeon acted like she didn’t hear.
“This is…!”
The flustered Chaejin grabbed my other arm tightly as well.
As I pulled out the connection with both of them stuck between me, they reluctantly separated.
“By the way, today…”
“Innkeeper! We’ve come from the blacksmith’s workshop!”
From the blacksmith’s workshop? Did it finish quicker than expected?
“The prized Bingseol Sword has been completed.”
The craftsman from the blacksmith’s workshop presented a luxurious box. I took the box and opened it.
“Wow…”
“It’s beautiful. This.”
Both Hongryeon and Chaejin admired the pure white sword inside the box.
“And is that the prize for this martial arts competition?”
At the voice coming from the entrance at the back yard, I turned my head.
There stood a young woman wearing a veil, along with others dressed similarly in different colored veils.
“…Cheonhwa Palace?”
The sub-lord of Cheonhwa Palace, Joo Yeryeong, was looking this way, her eyes crescent-shaped beneath the veil.
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