In the Heavenly Bright Moon, the realm of Hwagwang was notorious for newcomers typically getting lost and stumbling out – a daily occurrence in this extraordinary land.
The level of difficulty posed by the monsters and traps in the realm was one thing, but the puzzles and trials that appeared sporadically were often a real headache.
Especially if one didn’t know some specific events to gather information, they would waste hours going around in circles, unable to find the hidden paths.
It goes without saying; no one wanted to end up like that.
I began jotting down the trials one might encounter in the realm and how to solve them.
With several books laid out beside me for reference, Hongryeon, sitting next to me, remarked with curiosity.
“It’s amazing! Do you remember everything from the books you’ve seen so far?”
“Not everything. Just bits that stand out. Hmm… I’m lacking some resources.”
“What do you need more of?”
“If you could head to the office and retrieve a book called ‘Yugigigoksa,’ that would be great. If you tell them I sent you, they’ll lend it to you.”
“I’ll be on my way~.”
Humming a tune, Chaeran got up from her seat. Once she left, Chaejin turned to me and asked.
“Do you know what we can obtain from that realm?”
“Well, according to the records, it’s said we can find the Hwa Sinbu.”
An amulet infused with the power of the fire god.
It was disposable, but allowed for a powerful attack, and most who participated in Heavenly Bright Moon typically had one or two stashed away.
Yet, hardly anyone ever used it.
It was rare to obtain, and people just kept it because it looked cool.
Truth be told, I had one too, but had never used it.
However, the situation was different now; I might need some protection for myself.
“What’s the Hwa Sinbu?”
“Hwagwang was a hero who followed the fire god Yeomje. To protect him, Yeomje gave him an amulet, which was the Hwa Sinbu.”
“Oh…”
“He later created his divine weapon called the Hwa Cheomchang and used the Hwa Sinbu to honor Yeomje.”
“Is there really a Hwa Sinbu in that realm?”
“Well, it’d be nice if there is, but if not, then it’s just tough luck, right?”
The likelihood of it being there seemed high.
I responded casually before setting down my brush.
“By the way, who will guard us while we go?”
“For now, Gi Noya will stay behind…”
Gi Noya, who had been here last time, was still around. With his skills, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
Plus, since I had known Hongryeon and Chaejin for quite a while, I could trust them too.
“And for the rest, we have no choice but to rely on Hongseong.”
“…Master?”
Hongryeon made a face like she’d just bitten into a sour lemon.
“Besides the Sword Saint, there are other disciples, you know.”
It’s truly beautiful to see a disciple worrying about their Master.
Still, this kind of level is acceptable, so let’s just laugh it off.
“How long will it take?”
“Well, the secret realm itself shouldn’t be that long. If you pick the right path, you could probably get through in less than a day. Plus, Chaeran is an experienced and skilled conqueror of secret realms, so she might finish it even quicker.”
And didn’t I also give them a strategy?
Subtracting the travel time, the actual conquest might take less than a day.
“By the time you return, it should be the registration day for the martial arts competition. So don’t worry too much and go have fun.”
As I said this with a smile, Hongryeon and Chaejin looked at me in silence.
“Why do you look at me like that?”
“I feel like I must work hard to repay your trust.”
“Since you’ve done this much, I should give it my all.”
“Haha. Do your best, then.”
While we were chatting, Chaeran returned.
I completed the strategy book she had given me and handed it to her; she smiled when she saw it.
“This secret realm… You must have researched it for a long time, right? Seems like the Innkeeper wants to visit it too.”
Just like last time, huh?
Not that I really want to go.
The Hwachamchang is a good piece of equipment, but there’s no one around me who uses a spear.
“I’d just be a hindrance if I went. And unlike last time, this secret realm is something you should be able to conquer just fine, so I trust you.”
“Wow. Thanks for trusting me.”
“Repaying that trust means coming back safe and sound.”
“Hehe. Got it.”
Chaeran smiled at me.
The next day, Ryuhyun and Sayoon came by. Ryuhyun was here to switch places with Hongryeon, and Sayoon was heading to the secret realm.
“I’ll be practicing even on the way.”
“Yes!”
“I’m bringing along the Moonlight Knights, so let’s spar together.”
“Hehe. Sure!”
They must have been excited to finally go outside after a long time. Sayoon was grinning, while I helped her load the prepared bags onto their carriage.
“Please be careful, really careful.”
“That should be my line…”
Hongryeon looked at me with a wry smile. Well, who’s really worried about whom here?
“See you next time. Chaejin, have a good trip.”
“Yes…”
Chaejin looked a bit gloomy, probably because she was parting ways after such a long time. I patted her head, and only then did her eyes brighten as she gathered her spirits.
“I believe you’ll do well.”
“Hehe. Thank you. I’ll definitely come back safe.”
As Chaejin climbed onto the carriage, I looked at Sayoon.
As I mounted up, I looked at Sayoon.
“Hope you have a good trip too. I hope you can gain a lot from this hidden realm expedition.”
Just receiving the blessings of the Radiant Light will increase your internal energy, and fighting the evil monsters there will help you gain experience and grow stronger.
You gotta seize the opportunity when you can.
“Hehe. Yes. Thank you. Then, Innkeeper, take care of yourself too.”
If someone saw this, they would think she was gone for years. It’s just about a week, after all.
I waved with a smile as the carriage moved with the Moonlight Warriors.
“Oh boy. Now that they’ve left, looks like I’ve drank all the booze.”
I chuckled at Gi Noya’s grumbling.
“You can have a little.”
“Tsk. Still, I need to be on guard. Drinking isn’t good for that. Instead, make sure to cook something decent.”
“Of course. By the way… Ryuhyun.”
“Yes?”
“Is the Sword Saint busy?”
Honestly, I thought the Sword Saint would come down today.
At my question, Ryuhyun put on a bitter smile.
“She’s teaching her disciples right now. Preparing for the tournament.”
“Isn’t Sayoon participating as well?”
Ryuhyun nodded.
“That’s true, but she thought going to the hidden realm would benefit Sayoon more. Anyway, the Master will come tomorrow.”
“I see… got it.”
The Sword Saint seems to know well how Sayoon can grow stronger.
In that case, leaving Sayoon’s training to the Sword Saint is probably the best option.
That means I just need to take care of my own business.
Since the number of martial artists coming into Seomhwa Village has increased, the accidents have decreased. Of course, it’s not like martial artists never recognized each other and got into sword fights.
However, with the patrols from the government office, the Murim Alliance, and the Hongseong clan, even if conflicts arose among the martial artists, the residents of Seomhwa Village rarely suffered any harm.
More travelers mean more guests.
Is that why? Seomhwa Village was experiencing an unprecedented boom.
“The prize for the martial arts competition isn’t even the genuine Ice-and-Snow Sword. There sure are a lot coming.”
Thus, even though it had been several days since Hongryeon, Chaejin, Chaeran, and Sayoon left, Gi Noya hadn’t drunk a single drop of alcohol.
Having many martial artists around means you never know when an ambush might occur.
Being cautious can’t hurt, but staring longingly at the wine glass makes me feel like I’m up to no good.
“You can drink a little.”
“Haha. How could I? Anyway, seeing the inn thriving, the Innkeeper must be making a good profit?”
“Well, I actually earn more from other ventures.”
In reality, my investment income from elsewhere is higher. I said it nonchalantly and looked at the Sword Saint seated beside me.
After speaking, I looked at the Sword Saint sitting next to me.
I should probably be thankful that I didn’t leave all my protection to Ryuhyun and Hyunhwi, despite being busy teaching my disciples…
“Do you dislike me coming down?”
“How could that be?”
It was just when the Sword Saint smiled brightly.
A group of Murim people came in, and I could hear them placing an order.
“Oh, man. The locations of those evil monsters keep changing, it’s a headache.”
They were probably monster hunters who aren’t participating in the martial arts tournament, just wandering around this area.
I brought them a bottle of alcohol.
“Huh? We didn’t order this?”
“It’s a gift from me for those working hard.”
Seeing them carry spears, swords, and nets, they looked like seasoned professionals. The middle-aged man, scarred and looking like their leader, grinned at me.
“They say Yu Seonsaeng, the innkeeper of Seomhwa Village, not only teaches how to catch monsters but also helps a great deal in hunting them. This is quite the assistance you’re providing. Cheers! Oh, I’m Gachung from the Seong family.”
I had heard the name before. A strong martial artist associated with the Murim Alliance, who has dedicated everything to monster hunting. I heard he’s been gaining quite a reputation while running an inn and chatting with other martial artists.
“By the way, those monsters changing locations… didn’t that happen before?”
“True, but it seems to be especially bad these days. Ah, feel free to speak casually. It’s kind of awkward to be treated like a sage when I’m just a mere monster hunter.”
“Haha, calling me a sage is an exaggeration. But if that’s what you prefer, I’ll stick with that. Hmm, still, I believe there hasn’t been any change around Seomhwa Village.”
“Well, here it hasn’t, but there’s a rumor that someone is leading the monsters.”
What does that even mean?
I poured more alcohol into his and his companions’ glasses and asked Jeomsoi to bring another bottle of liquor.
“You could just tell me directly.”
“Still, since I’m getting information, I can’t just get it for free.”
“Hehe. But there’s nothing special, it’s pretty much common knowledge among monster hunters around here.”
On a moonless night, if you go to a secluded place, you can see the monsters moving. And the one leading those monsters is supposedly a person.
“Could you tell me more about that?”
“Well, I haven’t seen it myself… but if I do, I’ll definitely come back and let you know.”
I looked at the other martial artists sitting around, but they seemed to know nothing either.
“What’s wrong?”
They asked, and I shook my head.
No… a person leads the monsters.
It could possibly be the Iron Blood Clan’s movements…
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