The news that the northern region’s controls were lifted was enough to excite people.
After all, we’re heading to a place we’ve never been before.
The merchants were especially thrilled.
What once had to be smuggled from the north could now be obtained officially!
As a result, many merchant groups started making moves to head north, sending bodyguards and warriors from their sects to protect themselves.
“Is Moonjeong showing interest in the north?”
I asked Chaerin while observing a group of martial artists finishing their meals.
The Doje might be indifferent, but I thought Chaeran would be quite intrigued by the northern region.
She chuckled at my question.
“Why wouldn’t we? It’s just that right now doesn’t seem like the right time.”
“You can’t ignore the advantage of being first.”
“True, but we have quite a few allied merchant groups. Of course, I think Ryeon is already planning on heading north.”
Until now, they couldn’t go recklessly due to the restrictions, but it seemed that the books stored in Moonjeong held quite a bit of info on the hidden treasures in the north.
How could a sparrow pass by a grain mill unbothered?
She smiled as she told me that she had already sent someone to the north for scouting.
“By the way… now that the controls are lifted, they will probably start moving.”
Chaeran’s voice, as she sipped her tea, was slightly subdued. Perhaps knowing that the Iron Blood Clan was more trash than expected made her pretty tense.
“Yeah, that’s likely. But they won’t reveal their strength right away.”
The fact that many people were heading north meant there would be more opponents to face.
The Iron Blood Mage could gain strength through death, but the Iron Blood Wood Mage and Dool wouldn’t be so reckless as to waste their power in needless fights. They’d probably hold back until there were fewer travelers moving around.
And they certainly wouldn’t reveal themselves until the military force controlling the north pulled back.
If they were to keep hidden, I thought they likely wouldn’t make their move until they got close to Seomhwa Village.
Ultimately, everything would depend on whether they could take down Hongseong and unleash the spirit of Hongseong Mountain.
They’d try to move stealthily, gather and unleash a small-scale spirit at once, absorbing the evil monsters for power.
In other words, the decisive battle would have to take place in Seomhwa Village again.
“What worries me is those who’ve learned the Sleep Fog Technique spread by the Iron Blood Mage…”
“They are those who have mastered the Sleepy Soul Technique…”
If it’s a large-scale merchant group with martial artists forming a guard, it’s fine. But smaller or medium-sized groups, like traveling merchants with little money, become prime targets for bandits.
So far, the Green Forest Eighteen Clan has greeted them on the road, taking a toll, and tried to minimize bloodshed as much as possible.
It’s only natural.
Even if peace is supposed to reign, if taxes on merchant groups or the citizens start impacting them heavily, the government won’t just sit tight.
However, if the Sleepy Soul Technique is seeking the death of those without martial arts, then the story changes.
They too could become victims of the Sleepy Soul Technique.
“I’m worried about the potential damage.”
“Indeed. Well, there’s nothing to do but trust others with this part.”
Although an official order had just come down, they would move, and they had informed the Murim Alliance as well as requested Hano to reach out to the Four Black Shadows.
So, there was nothing to do but hope that those in charge would handle the bandits well.
“Um…”
As I sat and chatted with Chaejin, I heard a voice from behind. It was a woman dressed in white clothing, her face covered in a thick veil, revealing only her eyes.
She was one of the handmaidens and guards from the Wonju Jeogga, named Yu-an, who had been staying at the shrine for a while.
“Oh, what’s the matter?”
Jang Yang had told me to prevent any men from approaching the precious lady of the Wonju Jeogga, but hadn’t mentioned avoiding the handmaidens.
However, I’d refrained from even glancing towards the shrine because I didn’t want to stir unnecessary trouble after hearing that the lady had quite the fiery temperament.
At first, she was somewhat reserved, but after a few days, her true colors showed, and her arrogance became no joke.
Of course, she never picked fights with the inn’s handmaidens or Yohwan, but the way she treated those who came with her from the Wonju Jeogga was practically like they were slaves.
Moreover, her demands were so fussy that the handmaidens from the Wonju Jeogga often had to go out and fetch various things.
Yu-an, the youngest of the maiden guards, would almost always be sent on errands, so we had chatted a few times, but only when Chaejin or Hongryeon were present.
“What do you think of the blacksmith in Seomhwa Village?”
“The blacksmith? Why do you ask?”
When Chaejin questioned me, Yu-an sighed heavily.
“The lady isn’t satisfied with the spearhead she’s using right now…”
“Well, if you say it’s from the Norya family, it’s decent enough. If you go to the Sword Workshop and say I referred you, they should give you something good.”
“Thank you.”
Now that the lunch rush was winding down, she had already gone back and forth four times today and walked with her shoulders slumped.
She walked while dragging her feet.
Chaejin and I looked at her with pity as her sorrowful appearance was only visible from behind.
“I’ve always thought this, but I really like how straightforward Chaejin is.”
“Hoho. Don’t you like anything else?”
“Of course, there are other things I like.”
“Hehehe~.”
Scratching her head, she smiled brightly. Just then, Ryuhyun and Sayoon entered the inn.
“Oh? Why are you two the only ones here? Where’s Hyunhwi?”
Ryuhyun, who was out for today’s patrol, surveyed the inn and asked, while I pointed toward the backyard. Ryuhyun let out a heavy sigh as she spotted Hyunhwi practicing martial arts back there.
“Shouldn’t she be guarding instead of training…?”
“I said it’s fine. With Chaejin here, what’s there to worry about?”
Hyunhwi had been pushing herself in training recently because she had taken the Heavenly Flower Divine Pill and reached a higher level than before.
Since her achievements were increasing and she was focused on training, I had told her it was okay to practice in the backyard when there was no urgency for a guard duty.
“That’s fine then… But we’ll be off on patrol.”
“Swing by after you’re done. Let’s have some tea. Sayoon, be sure to come.”
“Yes!”
Sayoon nodded happily, and the two of them left.
Chaejin, who had been watching them, spoke with a serious expression.
“By the way, it seems there hasn’t been any contact from the Hongseong Clan?”
“What kind of contact?”
“I got a message from the messenger yesterday. The Murim Alliance asked for additional personnel for Moonjeong.”
“Is it related to the North?”
“Well… I guess it’s similar.”
To deal with the bandits in various regions as requested by the government, and to establish a branch of the Murim Alliance in the North and gain influence, martial artists were needed.
Although the recent martial arts tournament in Seomhwa Village had increased the number of personnel, having more is always better.
Especially since dealing with bandits and evil monsters was something the Inspection Department frequently did, I wondered if there had been a request for Hongryeon or other disciples of the Hongseong Clan to resume their activities.
“It doesn’t seem like it.”
“I see…”
But knowing the importance of guarding Hongseongsan, they probably won’t make a request to the Hongseong Clan.
Chaejin nodded slightly and let out a small sigh.
“Really, it’s tough because of all these bizarre folks.”
Tell me about it.
At that moment, I saw Yu-an walking into the inn carrying a couple of spears.
A little later, I watched as she walked out of the inn again with her shoulders drooped, and I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Looks like that young lady is also having a hard time because of some odd people.
So it turns out being a commoner is quite the ordeal.
I watched Yu-an running back and forth, grabbing something before the evening business started.
Isn’t this just torture? If she needs something, she could just say it once.
“Are you okay?”
It seems Hyunhwi and Chaejin were just as worried.
Even Yohwan, feeling sorry for her, went as far as making her a health drink.
“Thank you…”
Yu-an, with a droopy voice, replied while drinking the beverage, and Yohwan commented with disbelief.
“Not to meddle in other people’s affairs, but this seems a bit too much.”
Of course, Yu-an has trained in martial arts, so it shouldn’t be too taxing. However, the mental fatigue must be significant.
“Isn’t anyone else going?”
“Ahahaha… Everyone else is swamped with work…”
She chuckled dryly and shook her head. Hyunhwi gave a wry smile as she looked at Chaejin.
“Why?”
Seeing Chaejin, who is from the same distinguished family, seemed to make her curious about the other girl’s abilities. Hyunhwi slowly shook her head and said to Chaejin.
“Would you be able to spar with me later?”
“Of course. Let’s do it when the innkeeper is taking a break.”
Chaejin and Hyunhwi are supposed to be my guards, so they can’t stray too far from me. If I’m alone in my office and an ambush happens, it’d be tough to defend!
So, Chaejin suggested sparring while I rest in the backyard.
“By the way, it seems like the relationship between Hongseong and Moonjeong is better than expected. Contrary to rumors.”
As Yu-an asked while drinking, Chaejin smiled and looked at me.
“Things have changed a lot from before.”
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Hehe.”
Chaejin simply laughed, and I shrugged.
Her opinion isn’t wrong. After all, the reason Hongseong and Moonjeong aren’t at each other’s throats may partly be due to my power.
Yu-an looked at me for a moment before asking.
“I didn’t realize you were so good at harmonizing with people.”
“It just turned out that way.”
“Haha… I hope you’ll visit the Jeong clan sometime. Oh, and thanks for the drink.”
After saying goodbye to Yohwan, Yu-an headed to the courtyard.
As she walked in, Hyunhwi tilted her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, that girl. She seems pretty capable.”
Can she really gauge someone just by watching them walk? I glanced at Chaejin, and she confidently said.
“I will win.”
Now that’s reassuring.
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