“How about you just surrender already?”
It was the voice of the one who had created this silence that broke the stillness.
Is that why? The black-clad fighters flinched in surprise and hesitated.
There was no way they didn’t understand what it meant to be strong in a fight like this.
Moreover, their opponent was Chaejin, who had effortlessly toyed with Chaejeokyo.
Given that, surrendering would have been wise, but they ultimately chose to lift their weapons.
“Uh?”
“I figured you must have used up a lot of your energy fighting Chaejeokyo, so you chose a wheel formation. If you can take me down using your numerical superiority, you might be able to turn the tide.”
“How foolish. You might as well run away. Of course, even if you did, I wouldn’t let you go.”
“Well, if I could think like that, I wouldn’t have come here. Anyway, can you still fight?”
“Of course.”
Click. She pushed her energy into the Doje before extending her fist.
Having caught Chaejeokyo wasn’t exactly tiring for her.
Still, the only reason she wanted to show off her Taijiquan was for Yu Wol.
After all, there’s no better training than real-life experience, but seeing properly executed martial arts was also a great learning opportunity, so she hoped to take advantage of this.
“Hmph.”
With a low shout, she grabbed the arm of the advancing black-clad fighter and gently twisted it before pushing him away. Just as she was about to face the next opponent, Yu Wol approached.
“I’ll help.”
She wanted to give him a moment to recover since he had taken a few hits earlier.
But still, seeing him stepping up made her happy.
Of course, it still hurt to see him getting hit, but if she was with him, that wouldn’t happen.
Chaejin smiled and leaned against him, and he leaned against her too.
That sense of stability warmed her heart absurdly.
Before she could shake off that feeling, Chaejin turned slightly to Changju and said, “Could I ask you to handle that chef?”
“Sure.”
The culinary skills user stepped back while throwing a talisman.
The five talismans created a small barrier.
She had mentioned earlier that during her time in the army, she could withstand places crawling with evil monsters using just a few talismans.
Sure, there was probably a bit of exaggeration in her words, but still, it felt like they’d be safe until this battle ended.
“Uaaa!!”
Even while thinking, her body moved.
As a piercing sword tried to target Yu Wol, Chaejin casually stretched out her left leg.
Then, using her right foot as a pivot, she spun her body. When the flying sword barely brushed past her face, Yu Wol, who had been moving according to her strength, lightly tapped his wrist, and the misdirected sword plunged into another black-clad fighter’s shoulder.
“Ugh!”
Despite being back-to-back, she could still see movement.
Seeing him steadily grow as he practiced what she taught him made her chuckle.
With her back against his, Chaejin grinned and simultaneously lifted her leg toward the three attackers.
She kicked one’s fist aside, then elbowed the second thrust.
At that moment, Yu Wol, fighting an enemy on the opposite side, pushed against her, allowing her to redirect the swinging cudgel’s trajectory.
-Whoosh!!
When the returning cudgel struck one of the enemy’s shoulders, Chaejin inadvertently hummed a tune.
“Ah.”
Suddenly, memories flooded back to when she first learned martial arts.
Led by Doje, she would move her arms and legs according to his teachings, feeling the energy of nature as she practiced her Taijiquan.
Maybe from that moment, she had fallen for martial arts.
But after becoming the Grandmaster of Moonjeong, she had forgotten the joy of martial arts.
To maintain her position as Grandmaster.
To show her competence.
But to feel that again here…
Isn’t it amazing that something as familiar as Tai Chi can feel so new and enjoyable?
I want him to feel this joy too.
So, Chaejin lowered her strength.
Because she was much stronger than Yu Wol.
Balance is important.
Just like how the harmony of yin and yang creates unity and gives birth to the Taiji.
If she acted like she was strong all alone, it would only create chaos.
So, she lowered her strength.
The one who once relied on her own power to tackle hidden realms,
Did it for him.
As she matched their movements and took down the black-clad enemies,
It was unmistakably reminiscent of a dance between a man and a woman.
*
Was it because Chaejin, who looked oddly happy, was with her?
Taking down all the black-clad foes was not difficult at all.
As she looked around at the scattered and broken black-clad figures, Chaejin spoke to Chamo.
“Could you run to Moonjeong for me? Explain the situation to Father.”
“Yes. Got it.”
“Are you okay to go alone?”
“I’ve trained in martial arts at Moonjeong, so I can handle myself. Plus, just a little further out is the main road, and there should be guards, so don’t worry.”
“Still, just in case, take this.”
After receiving the talisman from Changju, she confidently raised her strong arm and dashed out.
Even after experiencing one of the worst incidents that could happen at an inn, her unfazed demeanor was impressive.
So, she left the inn, and as Changju’s barrier was released, Yohwan sighed, his voice full of reluctance.
“…I’m sorry. This happened because of me…”
“It’s not your fault, so don’t worry about it.”
What crime could Yohwan have committed?
It’s those who tried to capture her that were at fault.
“Should we head to Moonjeong?”
“Probably. The decision will be made in the Moonjeong meeting, so I need to participate…”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Of course. What she did is a serious crime. And after going through something like this, shouldn’t we get some compensation? I’ll work hard to bring back a lot!”
She said cheerfully, winking one eye.
“So, when do you think the Moonjeong meeting will take place?”
“Given the circumstances… once Chamo brings someone, it will probably begin. They might conduct an investigation and questioning alongside it. With Ryen around, Chamo might even start the investigation as soon as they enter Moonjeong.”
“I see. Well, let’s tidy up for now. Yohwan, even if you can’t use martial arts, you can manage to restrain them, right?”
“Ah, of course.”
Chaejin headed towards the inn’s storage and came back with thick ropes. After tying up all the black-clad figures and putting them in one place, Yohwan chuckled.
“You must be hungry from all that work. Wouldn’t it be better to eat something? Can I use some ingredients…”
Saying this relaxing, she entered the kitchen. Changju brought a bottle of alcohol and started sipping in the corner.
It was quiet, as if the earlier commotion was a lie.
I took a cigarette pouch from my pocket and sat at the inn’s entrance steps, placing a cigarette in my mouth.
Let’s see… a broken pot.
“Oh dear.”
That broken pot, which had fallen during the fight, lay over there on the floor, with broth spilled all over it. When I picked it up, I saw the end was cracked, and the broth had soaked in, extinguishing the flame inside.
-Hwaruk.
Suddenly, a flame appeared before me.
It was Chaejin. It looked like she used her inner power to conjure fire.
With Moonlight Island and adjusting to me, Chaejin was performing Tai Chi while surely drained from taking down most of the black-clad foes.
“You must be tired from climbing trees.”
“This much is fine.”
With a carefree expression, Chaejin casually extended her finger. As she brought the tip of the cigarette closer to the flame, it ignited with a crackling sound.
A hazy smoke began to waft out. Enjoying it, I returned to sit on the stairs by the entrance, and Chaejin naturally squatted down beside me.
It was quiet. In a slightly awkward atmosphere, Chaejin gently opened her mouth.
“…I’m sorry. Were you disappointed…?”
“Um?”
“…About what happened.”
Unlike her earlier confident tone, Chaejin’s voice was now timid.
It seemed that the fact that the inner disciple of Moonjeong caused such a scene was quite hurtful to her.
As she glanced at me nervously, I shook my head.
“I’m not particularly disappointed. This incident was initiated by Chaejeokyo herself, right? Is this Moonjeong’s intention?”
“Of course not.”
“Then it’s all good. I know that Chae Sojeok values righteousness and harmony as a swordswoman. And I also know that the Doje won’t let this slide. So, what is there to be disappointed about?”
I exhaled smoke. The hazy fluff mingled with the night air and spread around us.
I casually looked away and noticed that Chaejin’s gaze was fixed on the pack of cigarettes I was holding.
“Do you want to smoke again after what happened last time?”
The memory was still fresh in my mind.
I smiled and offered the cigarette pack, but she gently shook her head.
“No, I’m fine. I’ve started to want to try something different now.”
With a bright smile, Chaejin beamed beside me without saying anything further.
It was quiet.
But it wasn’t as awkward as before.
A moment later, Yohwan appeared carrying two dishes. As a master chef who worked in the royal palace, she was able to whip up impressive dishes in such a short time with ordinary ingredients.
“This is delicious. Hmm. Can I keep having this kind of food?”
Changju sipped her drink, using Yohwan’s dish as a snack. Yohwan smiled at her.
“Pay up and come to the restaurant. I’m now part of the inn’s kitchen staff.”
“Tch.”
“By the way, old man. What kind of martial arts did you learn from Amifa that Chaejeokyo is so stuck on you?”
At Changju’s question, Yohwan made a perplexed expression and subtly glanced at me.
“It’s best not to pry into others’ affairs until they decide to reveal them.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
That was the end of that. Changju didn’t ask any further, and Yohwan smiled bitterly while munching on her food. How many rounds did we go through like that?
When we had finished eating and drank all the liquor, Yohwan muttered.
“Moonjeong is slower than I expected.”
“Isn’t it because, as Chae Sojeok said, they’re also investigating? If they think evidence might disappear, they’ll put more focus on that.”
At that moment, there was a commotion at the entrance of the inn.
The four of us turned to look, and there stood a beautiful girl, dressed similarly to Chaejin, slightly more mature than Sayoon, accompanied by white-clad warriors from Moonjeong’s elite, the Wolgwangdae.
Chaeran.
Impressively long hair like a night sky, she was another protagonist of Heavenly Bright Moon and Chaejin’s sister, frowning at the scene unfolding in the inn.
She walked straight towards us and bowed politely.
“I am Chaeran, the inner disciple of Moonjeong. I am the younger sister of the Grandmaster Chaejin here.”
“I am Yu Wol, the innkeeper of Seomhwa Village.”
“Nice to meet you. Let’s get straight to the point. After receiving Chamo’s report, I immediately investigated Chaejeokyo’s room and some of the Wall Thunder doors. I found several pieces of evidence related to your planned ambush, as well as accounts of others claiming they were coerced into dragging Yohwan into this.”
“Oh?”
That was some speedy investigating.
As I expressed my admiration, she detailed everything without me even asking.
As soon as he received Chamo’s report, Doje personally took the elders and Moonlight members to thoroughly investigate Chaejeokyo’s room within Moonjeong and the Wall Thunder doors next to it. In the process, they uncovered evidence that Chaejeokyo had prepared for an ambush and actions taken to corner Yohwan. They also found reports regarding the pressure applied to her through the use of the Wall Thunder doors and even captured someone who tried to flee with some evidence. Additional materials are still being searched for.
At the same time, they captured and interrogated those related to the incident, gaining their testimonies as well.
Combining that with the testimonies we can gather from the people here, Chaejeokyo’s wrongdoing will become clear, so there shouldn’t be any issues. After saying this, she bowed slightly.
“I apologize for the trouble caused by actions involving our Moonjeong. I have no words to express. Our Moonjeong will take responsibility for all damages incurred due to this incident.”
“Hmm.”
“Furthermore, we will ensure proper compensation. So, may I ask you to leave the aftermath of this incident to us?”
Changju and Yohwan both turned to me. Are they banking on me?
I nodded while looking at Chaeran.
“I believe you won’t twist my arm on this. However, may I join that meeting? After all, I am one of the parties involved.”
Knowing Chaeran, she wouldn’t simply let this matter slip away.
No, given that Chaeran has had issues with both Chaejeokyo and the subordinate sect, Wall Thunder, she might actually want to finish this off completely.
And I trust that she will handle compensation cleanly and eliminate any potential future troubles.
She smiled and nodded in agreement.
“In fact, I was hoping to ask you that. I would like to invite all of you as guests of Moonjeong. Please don’t decline.”
“I accept the invitation.”
“Thank you. I won’t disappoint you.”
After bowing to me, she turned to the others. The Moonlight members waiting nearby started to move busily.
Seeing this, Chaeran engaged me in conversation, perhaps to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
“I heard you are my sister’s employer.”
“That’s right.”
“I’m a bit worried that she might cause trouble. Until when is that employment? I feel like I should repay you for the trouble my sister has put you through…”
“There’s no trouble at all. In fact, I owe her more.”
“Oh. Is that so?”
“And as for that issue… wouldn’t it be until Cha Soja decides it’s over?”
Given that we made the contract at an unbelievably low price.
Perhaps I’ve gained some insights this time, and I might even get to duel Hongryeon… Chaenin might also leave soon.
If Chaenin goes, I’ll have to revise my plans, so I should ask now.
“Cha Soja. Until when will it be?”
Chaenin replied very seriously.
“Until the innkeeper sees me worthy enough…”
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