When I finally arrived at Seomhwa Village, or now known as Seomhwa Castle, the festival was in full swing.
Even before entering the castle, cheap drinks and snacks for travelers were being offered along the street.
Of course, the taste wasn’t anything to write home about, but it was enough to satisfy the hunger and quench the thirst of those without money.
“Is it because of the festival? There are a lot of people heading into the castle.”
As I casually remarked while sitting on the carriage bench, I felt a gaze from the side.
It was Sayoon’s gaze.
I could tell what she was thinking without her saying a word. She was probably reminiscing about the promise we made before leaving—whether we could stroll around together during the festival.
“Should we wander around a bit after we meet Seongju?”
“Really?!”
Sayoon’s voice was full of joy, and just then, the window connecting the carriage to the driver’s seat suddenly swung open.
“Oh my, this brings back memories. Speaking of which, we roamed around together in Palseon Village, didn’t we? How about we do it again this time while reminiscing?”
It was Hongryeon.
She reached out and ruffled Sayoon’s hair, then gave me a subtle look.
Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt? When I nodded, the Sword Saint inside the carriage spoke seriously.
“Hmm. Yeah, Reyeon. You should go with them.”
“Huh? Master? Why suddenly…”
“I’ll be off on my own tomorrow. Hahaha!”
Seeing the Sword Saint laugh heartily made Hongryeon slightly bite her lip.
Those two really get along well.
“Chaejin, why are you so quiet?”
“Well… you’ve got to laugh it off with that much. I’m with you every day, after all.”
The atmosphere in the carriage went quiet.
With mutual tension and smiles exchanged between them, Sayoon quietly closed the window.
“Are you okay?”
“Well, that much is quite cute.”
“Hahaha…”
I gave Sayoon’s head a gentle rub. We drove on, and upon reaching the grand castle gates, a soldier recognized me and smiled while opening the gates.
“Elder Seonghwa! Welcome back! Hyeonryeong is waiting for you!”
“Is that so? By the way, how have things been lately?”
“We’re great! Haha! Who would’ve thought I’d become a soldier of the castle? All thanks to you, Master!”
“Did I really do anything? It’s all because you’ve worked hard. By the way, if the inn is in decent shape, I’d invite you all for a feast… What a shame. I’ll have someone bring drinks and meat to the barracks, so you can all enjoy. If the soldiers of Seomhwa Castle can’t join in the festival, what’s the point?”
“Thank you!”
After receiving the soldier’s greeting, I flicked the reins of the horse. The clattering carriage slowly moved along the path.
There were a lot of people, but no one was coming into the path the carriage was traveling.
There were no people on the road where the carriage passed.
In the past, there wouldn’t have been such distinctions, but as the city transformed into a castle, the roads for carriages and horses were separated from the paths for pedestrians.
“Things have changed a lot, huh?”
It wasn’t just the roads that changed; buildings, people, and many other things were also different.
Saying this, Sayoon, sitting next to me and looking around, subtly raised her head to look at me and spoke with a trembling voice filled with emotion.
“It seems like it’s not inferior to Cheongho.”
“No, compared to Cheongho, it’s lacking.”
Seonghwa Castle was just beginning to become a proper castle. Compared to Cheongho, which had long established itself as a prominent location and gathered immense wealth for development, it could be seen as lacking.
“But you’re here, Mister! Surely, Seonghwa Castle will develop even more. It might even surpass Yangwi Castle! And then Cheongho too.”
Sayoon’s voice was filled with determination. Just as she looked up at me with a bright smile, I said:
“Huh? What’s that? Are we finally here?”
An old man I was familiar with spoke to me. It was Yohwan.
She instructed the innkeeper following her to move luggage around.
“I’m back. But can I wander around like this?”
“Why not? Oh, and the inn construction will finish tomorrow. So, I was just checking out the market.”
“Wow, you built it quickly. Ah, hopping in?”
“I won’t refuse.”
Yohwan hopped into the carriage and was momentarily silent, probably greeting the people inside. Then, the window swung open.
“Oh, and yesterday, the Taoists from Changun Pavilion came, and they said they can activate the hot springs as soon as they infuse their energy.”
“That’s great.”
It seemed a lot had happened while I was away. When I expressed my admiration, Yohwan casually replied.
“Just thank the lord. He came by several times stressing that the inn construction needed special attention, so he made sure to oversee it closely.”
“Hahaha…”
“Also, there were supports from technicians sent by the government.”
Basically, this meant that they received a lot of help from various places to reconstruct the inn.
The Hongseong clan, the Murim Alliance, and even the government.
As I expressed my satisfaction, she let out a small chuckle.
“That’s also a blessing, right? Anyway, it’s going to get busy from tomorrow.”
Since we were about to open a newly renovated inn. If a new hot spring is established, all the people coming for the festival would likely stay for a few more days.
Looks like I’ll be quite busy for a while.
“So, does that mean we can’t hang out tomorrow?”
“Oh, not at all.”
I have to keep my promises.
Upon arrival at the patron’s residence, the Sword Saint returned to the Hongseong clan first. Chaejin decided to assist Yohwan in preparing for the reopening of the inn starting tomorrow.
I took Hongryeon and Sayoon and headed straight to the government office.
I headed towards the government office.
“Elder Sarye Tongsa!”
The government office hadn’t changed much compared to when it was a small town. Sure, the number of soldiers had increased and the barracks had grown, but the overall vibe remained pretty much the same.
When the military officer there greeted me with a smile, I returned the greeting and asked, “Is Seongju here?”
“Yes! He’s inside!”
Following his guidance, I headed towards the office. I had come here so often that I didn’t really need a guide, but if it made things easier, what could I say?
“Welcome!”
“How have you been? And congratulations on your appointment as Seongju.”
“Hahaha! Oh, please. Have a seat! And the ladies from Hongseongmun, please sit as well.”
The Seongju personally poured us tea. While sipping, he casually said, “There are quite a few people missing you.”
“Hahaha…”
“Those who can stay longer are staying, and those who can’t have left letters and gifts. And I hear from Yohwan that you’re starting to operate the inn again from tomorrow? I’ll make sure to send everything then.”
“I’ve heard that you’ve put a lot of effort into the inn’s reconstruction, Seongju. Thank you.”
“Oh, don’t mention it. We’re all in the same boat, aren’t we? Uhahaha!!”
“Hahahaha!!”
What began as a collusion between civilians and officials had now simply turned into collusion among officials. While Seongju and I laughed at each other, Hongryeon and Sayoon were sipping tea and nibbling on pastries.
“This is delicious.”
“With the upgrade to the territory, we were able to get a lot of things. You know, like those things set up in the inn.”
By moving up a level, the quality of the products had improved. He pointed to a flagpole visible from the government office.
“That’s a flag that the royal family gives to the territory. Apparently, with that flag, the quality of goods produced within the territory improves.”
“Wow… that’s fascinating.”
“The royal family has many talented mages. Sayoon, when you get the chance, you should go visit them.”
“Hehe. Yes! Thank you!”
“No need to thank me. Anyway… you’ll be quite busy from now on.”
Seongju, who was sipping tea, said seriously, “I’ve received recent news. It seems the movements of the Dark Cult are quite troubling lately.”
“Movements of the Dark Cult, huh…”
From the Empire’s perspective, the Dark Cult was the trash that needed to be eradicated, so we had no choice but to keep an eye on their activities.
A notice had been dispatched to all government offices to thoroughly inspect everyone entering the territory.
“Hmmm…”
“Is there something on your mind?”
“There are a few things, but… it’s still uncertain, so I’ll let you know after assessing the situation.”
“I appreciate that. Meeting Sarye Tongsa seems to be my second stroke of luck in life.”
“It feels like this is my second stroke of luck in life.”
“Huh? What about the first one?”
With a curious look, Hongryeon smiled at Seongju.
“Well, it was meeting my wife.”
At his words, Hongryeon slowly turned her head. I could only awkwardly smile back at her unblinking gaze.
Now that my meeting with Seongju was done, all that was left was to have some fun. The festival celebrating the promotion to a castle was still going on, and Sayoon seemed quite excited.
“Wow! Mister! Let’s go over there!”
With a bright smile, Sayoon tugged at my arm. Her lively laughter was different from what I remembered back in the Eight Immortals Village.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
“Hehe. This time, I’m treating you!”
“And where did you get the money from?”
“I’ve saved up some money!”
Sayoon showed me her coin pouch. It looked quite heavy, so it must have quite a bit inside.
It seems she had been saving up her pocket money from selling incense and herbs.
“Did you save it up so hard just to spend it like this?”
“That’s exactly why I saved it! I want to gift you a lot of things…”
Sayoon looked at me with earnest eyes. How could I possibly turn down that gaze?
“I will gratefully accept.”
“Hehe! Then let’s go! And let’s bring Senior Sister along too!”
“Hehe. Don’t run, or you’ll get hurt.”
Even though there were many people, Sayoon just walked with a bright smile.
It brings back old memories. Back then, Sayoon practiced moving without bumping into anyone.
And then, without colliding even once, she arrived at the mooncake vendor, her face full of pride.
Compared to what I saw back in the Eight Immortals Village, her progress is truly remarkable.
“…You’ve really grown up.”
Hongryeon’s voice was filled with emotion. She seemed proud of Sayoon’s rapid growth.
I gently tapped her back.
“It’s all thanks to you.”
Hongryeon pulled my arm close to her chest, softly holding my hand and whispering.
“That’s true.”
Then, after holding her breath for a moment, she looked up at me with a mischievous smile.
“Walking around like this… doesn’t it remind you of the old days?”
Ever since our trip to the Eight Immortals Village, Hongryeon had been addressing me formally. She slightly stood on her tiptoes and quietly whispered in my ear.
With that sweet breath, I looked at Hongryeon and she giggled playfully.
Goodness. You always know how to surprise people like this.
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