My eyes got a bit misty, but as long as there are no issues, that’s a relief. I pointed to the wall fruit pills piled in the cart.
“Be careful when taking the wall fruit pills; you must practice your inner energy and do your breathing exercises every day afterward.”
“Hmm… that’s not too hard.”
“And you must not consume any other food.”
Hongryeon widened her eyes and tilted her head. However, this was non-negotiable, so I remained indifferent.
“These wall fruit pills are also set to be sold to other sects later. For instance, there are those in the Mungdang sect who refrain from eating spicy food.”
“Is that so…”
“This check is also intended to see if one can live solely on wall fruit pills. You know that the martial arts of the Tao sect accumulate pure inner energy only when they refrain from spicy food, right?”
Nodding. It seemed she was aware of that part, as she didn’t oppose it much.
“Of course, the Hongseong Divine Art doesn’t have that issue… but still, if you continue to consume the food, you understand that blood and inner energy will become pure, right? And since it’s about a month, I’d appreciate it if you could make an exception here. If that’s too much to ask, feel free to refuse.”
“Ahh. No, I won’t refuse. Got it. Since it’s the kids’ focused training period, I’ll make sure to talk about it.”
“I hope there aren’t any complaints. I’ll say it again: once everything’s done, I’ll treat you to a feast, so I’d appreciate your cooperation.”
As I smiled and said that, Hongryeon momentarily froze. Then she sighed deeply and subtly avoided my gaze.
“W-well, I’ll go on patrol now. Let’s talk about the rest later.”
She sprang up from her seat and left. As she vanished from the inn in an instant, I chuckled.
Good. With this, I can somewhat ease my concerns about dependency. Of course, I can’t be completely assured, but at least I can prepare.
“Hmm. Is that figure the Nakil Sword? I’ve heard stories… quite impressive skill. The aura is strong; it truly lives up to its reputation.”
At that moment, Gi Noya emerged from inside. Walking over while leisurely stroking his beard, he grimaced at the jar placed before me.
“Tsk. In the end, this dreadful thing has come to the world.”
“Haha. So you know about it, Noya?”
“I do. Only those filthy malcons can eat such disgusting stuff while smiling. By the way… I feel bad just hanging around here aimlessly. If it’s alright, could you give me something to occupy my time?”
“You can just take a complete rest.”
“I’m a bit bored just being here with that silent fellow… so yeah.”
Snapping his fingers, he grinned.
“I heard from Jeomsoi that Yu Seonsaeng is training in martial arts. Would you like me to teach you a Han Soo?”
It’s already tough enough to learn Taijiquan; how can I manage that?
Shaking my head, he looked quite disappointed but then nodded.
“If you don’t want to, then it can’t be helped. Then…”
“Would you mind joining in on the patrol? There have been alarming rumors lately, and many people are worried.”
“Oh, a patrol, huh? That sounds good. If I go with that stuffy guy, we could move quickly around Hongseong Mountain. Plus, Yu Seonsaeng should be next to Moongwang Sword, so safety wouldn’t be an issue.”
Feeling pleased, Gi Noya smiled and then strolled outside with Wiyeol. As soon as they stepped out, their bodies vanished like the wind. Did they use some sort of lightness skill?
Anyway.
Pieces are being put in place to prepare for the Iron Blood Clan.
I just hope everything falls into place…
Even if I twist a chicken’s neck, the sun will rise, and even with the Iron Blood Clan approaching, my workload doesn’t lessen. No, it actually increases.
Some other merchants quickly sensed the movement of the Go-Hwa Dan and Jukyeong-dae and are now scheming to buy not only the barley I harvested but also my properties in Seomhwa Village.
The merchants are the first to detect a crisis. For them, a crisis itself is an opportunity to make money.
It’s because of opportunity.
If bandits attack the village, they plunder anything valuable or just burn it down. When that happens, it’s a big loss, so there must be those who sell their stuff cheap and flee just in case.
Of course, if nothing happens, they take a hit, but if it really does happen, they can save their wealth and lives quickly with a fast escape.
It was sort of like gambling.
But I wasn’t about to let that nonsense slide, so I had no choice but to scoff at their antics.
Naturally, they brought up some threats in response to my reaction, but the club had the answer.
Anyway, starting from those random chores to gathering things to give to the local leader, designing patrol routes for the three masters staying at the inn, sensing the uneasy atmosphere, and planning a festival to calm the confused villagers along with the village chief…
There was a lot to do.
As I dealt with the increased workload among a pile of documents, I heard someone knock on the door around sunset.
“Come in.”
I said without taking my eyes off the papers. A moment later, footsteps approached, but no words followed. What was it?
Had a merchant dropped by again? Or was it from the Hongseong clan? Or maybe an official? Or could it be the village chief?
I remained focused on my work, saying as I always did,
“Report.”
I blurted that out and returned my attention to the documents.
A few villagers sensing the danger were trying to sort out their possessions and were asking if they could sell their land to me. It was land not bad in yield, so buying it wouldn’t pose a problem.
Sure, there was a bit of wasteland mixed in, but with a stream nearby and wells on the property… Well, it wouldn’t be too tough to cultivate.
As I handled that document and pondered a solution for a request among the tenant farmers about how to use water, I suddenly realized I hadn’t heard anything from the innkeeper who came in.
Feeling something was off, I looked up and found Hongryeon staring blankly at me.
“Uh. I just got back from my patrol.”
“Oh.”
Perhaps due to the sunset casting its glow through the window? Her face was flushed.
“I made a mistake.”
I got up from my seat and pointed to the chair. I was about to ask for tea when she quickly stopped me.
“No, I just want to rest a bit before I go.”
“If you’re going to rest, I’ll tell them downstairs. You should eat something…”
“I, I was planning to just sit here for a bit… Oh! Um, is it okay if I drink this water?”
“Of course.”
“…You must be busy. Is it okay if I work?”
“Hmm… then I’ll just finish this document.”
I received a request from the officials asking if I wouldn’t consider establishing a sword forge for me.
While there was a forge in Seomhwa Village, it wasn’t particularly skilled. Well, that makes sense since it’s an early-region that disappears after Chapter 1, so it’s only natural that they can’t produce good equipment.
The local leader mentioned he had a talented craftsman from his military days whom he could invite, but he was wondering if I could lend support since there’s no proper place to set up…
A forge like this needed to be somewhat distanced from the busy streets, and fortunately, I had decent land among my holdings. It seemed like the local leader had his eyes on it, and since I had no reason to refuse, I stamped the documents.
“All done.”
“Uh… uh. Yeah. You must have been focused, huh? What was it about?”
“Nothing much. The local leader wanted to create a sword forge and asked for a bit of land to cooperate.”
“Oh! Then we can finally get some decent weapons… right?”
“Well… it wouldn’t be impossible.”
But that was only a story for after surviving the Iron Blood Sect’s attack. If that fails…
Just thinking about it is horrifying.
Just the thought of it makes me burn with anxiety, and without realizing it, I reached for the connection.
“Oh. That thing.”
“It’s the one you gave me. But, Hong Sojeo, you engraved this yourself, right?”
Nodding. Still blushing in the sunset light, Hongryeon slightly nodded her head. The expectation in her eyes was palpable. Come to think of it, I accepted this but never said anything to her. I lightly shook the connection within her line of sight and brought it to my mouth.
“Ah.”
“I’m using it carefully. Thank you. Your handiwork is better than I expected.”
Should I just let her be responsible for the design of the pattern to engrave on the scent pouch later? She seems like she could do well with that.
“…T-thank you…”
“What for?”
Staring blankly, Hongryeon watched me bite the connection, then suddenly jumped to her feet.
Is it already time to go?
As I tried to stand up to see her off, Hongryeon hurriedly waved her hand.
“No! You don’t have to get up!”
“But still, I need to see you off…”
“It’s really okay. You’re busy, right?”
If she insists that much, I guess I can’t argue. I sat back down and spoke to the fidgeting Hongryeon.
“Then at least take some candy with you.”
“…Yeah. I’ll eat well.”
She really doesn’t look well. Could she already be addicted? But judging by her expression, it doesn’t seem like it…
Normally, she would have turned it down immediately, but she hurriedly responded and dashed down. I glanced out the window and noticed she was going empty-handed, probably pretending she didn’t hear my offer.
Then she stopped, looked this way, and as our eyes met, I waved my hand.
Is she bothered that she didn’t take the candy I offered?
Stuck in her position while gazing at me dumbfounded, she hesitated for a moment before waving back and using lightness to distance herself.
Tsk. I need to send some later.
I lit a cigarette and refocused on my work. After finishing a few tasks, it was about time to go see Ogumhee, and as I was heading down to see her…
“I’m back~!”
Chaejin, who had been on patrol, approached with a beaming smile. It seems she didn’t meet Gi Noya, Wiyeol, or Hongryeon on her patrol.
Well, the place I asked Chaejin to check was the outskirts, and Hongryeon was patrolling inside the village and by the roads. Gi Noya was on the Hongseong Mountain side.
Turns out, it worked out well. If they had met, there would’ve only been bickering. Both Hongryeon and Chaejin are masters who can’t just ignore each other, so fighting would only lead to wasted effort.
Anyway, with this, I’ve succeeded in meeting all the conditions for the happy ending route discovered by the collective intelligence of those who had nothing to do!
We can now fight against the Heretic Cultists, armed with new gear from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild and the Empire’s elite troops!
Two renowned masters from the military!
Plus, Moonlight Sword Chaejin!
The disciples of Hongseong, now significantly stronger than before!
And we’ve also ruled out the possibility of addiction spreading through Hongseong. If we can do a few more things in Hongseong…
According to the research results, achieving this much means we can fend off the Iron Blood Clan’s attacks without significant damage, and perhaps capture Cheolhyeol Master, the leader and executive of the Iron Blood Clan, this time.
Alright.
Let’s do this. Let’s do this.
I’ll chew you down to the bone.
*
When did I start thinking my heart was broken?
Maybe it was this morning. Or perhaps yesterday.
No.
Perhaps it was when my Master said they would be teaching other disciples.
Yeah. Maybe that was when my heart broke.
It was when I realized I would have to do what other disciples did while receiving teachings from my Master.
Recently, I was assigned the task of patrolling Seomhwa Village from Hongseong.
Of course, as a member of the righteous faction, supporting the village patrol from Hongseong, which I had been connected to for a long time, wasn’t such a difficult task.
Supporting the village patrol from the intertwined Hongseong clan wasn’t exactly difficult.
The way is everywhere, after all. Gaining wisdom while patrolling the village was always a possibility, so it wasn’t burdensome for Hongryeon.
Yet, her heart began to race.
It could be because the place she had to go for the patrol was none other than that spot.
She shouldn’t acknowledge it.
She shouldn’t pay attention to it.
But how could she not?
As she barely calmed her heart and shuffled to the inn, the moment she saw the innkeeper issuing swift and skilled orders with his trademark stoic face—
Her heart broke down again.
She had to stay calm. Even though he was an adult she could acknowledge, she still had to keep her cool.
Somehow stifling the tumult of her heart, she managed to talk to him, and while she quickly patrol around to calm her frantically beating heart, it just wouldn’t settle down like a crazy lady on a seesaw.
Ah, what should I do?
Honestly, she already knew the answer.
That night.
The night she began to notice him, the night the demon cultist attacked—her heart had been speaking all along; she had just been ignoring it.
Consciously turning her head away from that voice, she couldn’t help but seek him out after the patrol ended.
If you broke this heart, shouldn’t you be the one to fix it?
And she was left speechless.
No, she forgot how to breathe.
He had managed to stop her wildly racing heart in one fell swoop, just like he wanted.
The thick, bitter scent of tobacco drifted in the room, mingled with the fragrance of the typical scent men wore to mask it.
Along with it, the man’s unique scent.
The smell of food and paper, often found among those focused on work.
Various other scents blended perfectly, creating an intoxicating and deadly aroma for her.
And at the center of it all stood a man.
His face, dimmed by the sunset, bore the shadow of adulthood.
His slightly muscled arms held several sheets of paper.
His fiery eyes were solely focused on those papers, not even bothering to notice her entering the room.
Ah. Would you please look over this way?
Would you stare at me with those eyes?
Chills ran down her spine at the whispered murmur of her still-stopped heart.
What’s this guy saying? We’re not that close, so please be quiet.
As she silently pleaded with her heart, perhaps hearing that silent conversation, he lifted his gaze.
He looked over here, just as her heart desperately yearned.
In that moment, her halted heart began to race again.
Faster than before.
So wildly that her rationality could no longer keep it in check.
After that, she lost track of what they talked about. All she thought was that she needed to hurry back and compose herself.
So when Hongryeon came rushing back to the sect, out of breath, her lovely sisters approached her.
“Hmm. Did you train well today?”
Forcing a smile to her sisters, Hongryeon sensed something was off.
Ryuhyun’s expression was bad.
When she wondered why, their Master approached and calmly spoke.
“Sayoon’s Mister sent a letter.”
Isn’t that a good thing? Then why is the atmosphere like this?
Feeling the odd tension, Hongryeon headed with Ryuhyun and Sayoon to a room.
Upon entering the room, she anxiously read the extended letter handed to her and bit her lip.
The letter from the Mister who had greatly aided Hongseong contained a warning about a looming threat:
“…Hongseong may be attacked, prepare according to the following measures…”
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