불야성, the city that never sleeps!
There’s no better word to depict this city where night doesn’t exist.
In the first chapter of Heavenly Bright Moon, the residents of Seomhwa Village are slaughtered, and the village is burnt to the ground. And where does Sayoon set foot for the first time? That’s right, the illustrious City of Eternal Light.
When she first described it, her expression was simply “sea of people.”
It was the literal truth. As the main backdrop of the first chapter of Sayoon’s story, this place is filled with facilities that can help her systemically.
With so many people around, there are countless shops catering to them, making the city resemble a gigantic market – not surprising at all!
As Frank Sinatra once said, “Humanity’s greatest enemy is alcohol, yet Jesus said to love your enemies.” People are always in search of drinks, after all.
In such crowded places, alcohol is a must-have for entertainment, and to prove this, the City of Eternal Light is crammed with pubs.
Among these, the most famous is the Cheonghoeru.
It’s not just any pub; it’s a gigantic establishment that always keeps its lanterns lit.
Whether it’s day or night.
With red and blue lanterns hanging, Jeomsoi always greets customers politely, and on the upper floors, elegantly dressed beauties charm customers with their smiles.
And let’s not forget about the fire-breathing man and the woman who can chew iron.
Cheonghoeru is always packed, showcasing its status as the finest pub in the City of Eternal Light, adorned with intriguing people and curious items.
In Heavenly Bright Moon, it’s merely a place one stops by during an event, but experiencing it in reality reveals that Cheonghoeru is anything but trivial.
And it was at Cheonghoeru that I found myself stepping in.
“Cheonghoeru, huh. I’ve been here before. It’s pretty expensive, isn’t it?”
“Very expensive.”
“But why would someone arrange a meeting here? That’s quite something!”
Even though I brought Chaejin along as my escort to the City of Eternal Light, she didn’t have anything particular to do at the moment.
That’s only natural. There were a lot of people, but that didn’t mean security was bad.
In fact, aside from a few places, the security was quite good.
More people means more money, and more money attracts the wolves looking to pounce.
If such rascals couldn’t be properly managed, the City of Eternal Light would instantaneously turn into a marketplace of calamity.
Naturally, the lord of the city ensures strict control, preventing such troublemakers from causing chaos, so good security was a given.
Yet I had brought Chaejin along for one simple reason.
Because of an errand I might receive from the person I was supposed to meet today.
That person wouldn’t just invite me over for a meal, after all.
“After all, it’s an invitation. What power do I even have to arrange a meeting here?”
“That’s true, but, uh, which floor are we heading to?”
“Fifth floor.”
Chaejin’s eyes widened in surprise. She looked quite taken aback, but I waved it off nonchalantly.
“Don’t read too much into it; it’s an invite.”
“Uh… but you need to prove yourself to go up to the second floor and beyond.”
“Well, you know you need to prove yourself to go up from the second floor of Cheonghoe House.”
The reason the Cheonghoe House is famous in Yangweseong isn’t just because it’s a rare tall building with delicious food and drinks, and it’s not just because of the talented individuals and beautiful courtesans that are abundant there.
To go up from the second floor of Cheonghoe House, you must prove your qualifications. Whether it’s martial arts, knowledge, music, or other skills.
Sayoon also meets the Cheonghoe Master and the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild Master only after going through quite a few events.
That process can take up almost the entirety of the first chapter, and since so many events need to be accomplished, it’s certainly not easy to go beyond the fourth floor.
So, Chaejin’s reaction wasn’t all that surprising.
“I managed to get up to the third floor, that’s all.”
“Well then, how about passing the test to go to the fourth floor this time? I think you can do it.”
“Is that really necessary? I think the food at our place… or rather, I meant the inn, is tastier. Plus, the innkeeper’s dishes are way better.”
“That’s just a delusion. I just make the flavors stronger.”
Strong flavors simply stimulate the tongue and make things taste better. Of course, it’s not that I can’t cook, but I’m nowhere near the level of professional chefs.
“Welcome, Yu Seonsaeng.”
As we arrived at the stairs to the fifth floor, a large man approached me. However, his sharp gaze was locked onto Chaejin.
Feeling that, a combative smile crept onto Chaejin’s lips.
“I am her companion.”
“I didn’t expect you to bring the Moonlight Sword of Moonjeong with you. Please, come inside. The guild master is waiting for you.”
He lightly stepped aside. As we climbed the stairs, Chaejin looked at me in amazement.
“What are you staring at?”
“Nothing. That guy from earlier seemed pretty skilled. He looked to be at a similar level as my brother…”
“I can’t say for sure, but he must be skilled.”
The Cheonghoe Merchant Guild functions as a cover for the Empire’s conscription department. As such, those who play a role here are likely high-ranking members of the military, so you certainly can’t underestimate them.
“…I guess I should be a bit nervous.”
Chaejin took a light breath. At the same time, strength began to flow into her resilient body.
Seeing her subtly place her hand on her sword hilt, I couldn’t help but chuckle and shake my head.
“There’s no need to be that tense. Are you perhaps… unsure of yourself?”
“Of course not.”
Full of confidence. With the same arrogant smile as always, she patted my shoulder.
“I am the great disciple of the prestigious Moonjeong, and my Moonlight Sword, Chaejin, is more renowned than the Falling Sun Sword in the martial world, you know?”
With a wink and a playful flick of her tongue, she made me smirk.
As we reached the fifth floor, the atmosphere was strikingly different from what we had passed through before.
Calmness.
We had entered a completely different realm, far removed from the sounds of drinks, songs, the laughter of courtesans, and the cheers of drunken patrons.
He had entered a different realm entirely, far removed from the place where songs, the laughter of courtesans, and the shouts of drunkards echoed.
As soon as he ascended to the fifth floor, all the sounds that had previously assaulted his ears vanished completely.
Perhaps it was the formation that had been set up.
In Heavenly Bright Moon, the BGM had changed upon reaching the fifth floor.
Could it be because of this change? A rich smile graced Chaejin’s lips.
Maybe it was because of the two people standing before the large door, a middle-aged man and an old man, that she smiled.
“…Seomhwa Spear Wiyeol. Heavenly Path of the Earth Gichajo.”
Both were masters who had vanished from the martial world in the past.
Recognizing that she had met not just another master but also Wiyeol and Gichajo, I placed my hand on her shoulder.
The fabric of the clothes, worn only by Moonjeong’s disciples, clung tightly to my palm.
“You don’t need to be tense. They are not enemies.”
“Why are those who disappeared a few years ago here?”
“They have always belonged to the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild. They haven’t disappeared; they have merely returned to where they should be.”
I strode towards them, and the two masters, staring at me with icy gazes, slightly lowered their heads.
Of course, I too bowed my head in respect.
To me, the middle-aged man, Seomhwa Spear Wiyeol, spoke solemnly and politely.
“The guild master is awaiting you.”
“I apologize for being late.”
“You are not late.”
“It is only regrettable that you couldn’t come sooner, as General Cheonilhwa of the Imperial Conscription Bureau, who tirelessly works for the Empire, is waiting.”
“Heh. As expected, Yu Seonsaeng has a way with words.”
Heavenly Path of the Earth Gichajo, an elderly master with hair as white as snow, chuckled, and I found myself laughing along.
“How can one speak carelessly to those who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the peace and safety of the Empire?”
“Haha. At least I can speak.”
He smiled and opened the door for me.
It was a fairly large room, but there were hardly any expensive items inside.
At the end of the room, a middle-aged man was struggling with a pile of documents at a large desk.
Upon seeing me, he smiled and rose from his seat to approach.
“Welcome, Yu Seonsaeng.”
“It has been a while since we last met.”
“Come, come. Please have a seat.”
With a leisurely smile, the middle-aged man, General Cheonilhwa, the guild master of the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild and a high-ranking official in the Imperial Conscription Bureau, personally served me tea.
Chaejin looked on in surprise, but having not anticipated this reaction, she decided simply to accept it.
“Thank you for your help last time.”
“It was nothing. It’s the duty of an Imperial citizen to help the Empire, isn’t it?”
“Still, thanks to you, I was able to find the Conscription Bureau.”
The Conscription Bureau.
The badge used to issue orders within the bureau.
It serves as the basis for recruiting soldiers for the Empire on behalf of the Emperor, and it’s necessary to have it in order to issue proper commands.
Honestly, I wondered how they couldn’t issue orders without such a badge, but if that’s how it is, what can you do?
Anyway, because of that matter, Cheonilhwa was quite stressed.
Cheonilhwa was quite stressed due to work.
And while coming to collect items from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild, I helped find them.
It wasn’t particularly difficult.
It was one of the side events in the first part of Heavenly Bright Moon that increases trust.
As trust with the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild increases, you can receive elixirs or cavalry from the Empire, or even hire masters for protection, so there was no reason not to help thinking of that.
The event itself wasn’t hard, and unlike some other events that change randomly, there was no reason not to participate.
The only worry was that I might get suspected of stealing and causing a ruckus, but gathering people’s consciousness based on a set answer wasn’t hard.
Considering my experience in promoting the Sayoon Corps based on the fact that Sayoon is the main character, of course.
I hadn’t completely avoided suspicion, but having worked with the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild on various tasks while consulting with them through letters, it seemed like I had earned their trust by now.
If that weren’t the case, they wouldn’t be calling me.
I calmed my racing thoughts and bowed my head to him.
“It’s nothing much.”
“Haha. Always so humble. Ah, have you eaten yet?”
“Yes, I had a simple meal. But what is the matter for calling me…?”
“Well… actually, I wanted to seek your wisdom on a matter…”
He trailed off, glancing at Chaejin.
“Ah, it’s Lady Chae of Moonjeong. My subordinates are outside, so why not share a drink with them? I’ll prepare a nice setting.”
He hinted for Chaejin to leave, but I shook my head.
After all, Chaejin is my bodyguard, and while she’s not part of the Sayoon Corps, she’s someone I can trust.
I didn’t know what kind of job Cheonilhwa was going to assign, but I’d need Chaejin’s help, so it was better for her to hear as well.
“Uh… Innkeeper, is it okay?”
“I wouldn’t think Lady Chae, the grand disciples of the venerable sect Moonjeong, would carelessly disclose our conversation.”
Even if she might not be able to count properly.
“…Y-yes. Haha. I won’t disclose anything about this conversation concerning the sect and my martial arts.”
“Phew. If you say so, Yu Seonsaeng, I must accept that. Alright, Yu Seonsaeng. The matter I wish to request of you is this.”
Finally, Cheonilhwa handed me a document.
On it was written: ‘Yangwiseong Disappearance Incident.’
This was also a point-earning event just like before, and I was well aware of it.
Then,
“May I lend a hand, even if it’s little?”
If it’s something that can raise trust, I should do it.
If I resolve this issue as well as the ones I’ve helped Cheonilhwa with before, I might even gain cooperation from a master in the military. How can I resist?
Hehehe.
I’ll suck up all I can to get support when fighting the Iron Blood Clan.
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