I was looking out the window at the girls when I turned my gaze to the documents.
It was the paperwork Hano sent about the current movements of the Sapa.
Previously, I had exchanged letters with Hano, the branch chief of Hao-mun, discussing the current situation and a few ways to break through it.
Of course, it was up to them to decide which of our discussions to write about or if they would write about anything at all.
In the end, it seems they wrote something.
The inviolability of the government applies to both the government and the martial world.
Yet, there are indeed cases where this inviolability doesn’t hold.
The first is the issue of rebellion.
As soon as this topic comes up, whether righteous or demonic, a blood storm brews.
Once a discussion related to rebellion enters the center, it’s better to just keep your mouth shut.
If you pick a wrong fight, it could lead to utter destruction.
The second is gunpowder.
While not as severe as rebellion, if there’s information and evidence that someone possesses unauthorized levels of gunpowder, the government will swoop in for an investigation.
There are also several taboo matters like assassination or kidnapping of royals, but Hao-mun chose the gunpowder route to attack the new Sasaekryeonju faction.
Rebellion would just be too big of a mess.
Of course, amongst the sects that have truly allied with the new Sasaekryeonju, there were some that were hiding this fact. Not many, though.
But does it even matter?
From Wanghui’s perspective, if war breaks out, he’s bound to lose. He must act in a way that protects himself as much as possible.
“Haha.”
Of course, during this process, Wanghui’s reputation within the Sapa would likely drop quite a bit. After all, as a martial artist and the head of the Sapa, he used the government.
Still, it wouldn’t be a major issue.
Wanghui used the shield of Hao-mun, after all.
“According to the investigation by Hao-mun, there’s a report that the sects of Sahakryeon possess prohibited items from the Empire! Even though it’s the Sapa, we are still loyal subjects of the Empire! Moreover, Hao-mun has long been the ears and eyes of the Sapa! How could a Sasaekryeonju ignore the life-risking information they’ve gathered! I simply trust them!”
Reading Wanghui’s speech written in the letter made me chuckle.
After all, claiming that he’s just putting his trust in the Hao-mun and his followers is kind of funny.
He must have been secretly overjoyed.
Of course, from Hao-mun’s point of view, they might feel like they’re just being used, but the important thing is that this matter is related to the government.
In other words, Hao-mun, which couldn’t possibly have a good relationship with the government, reached out to them through the Empire’s conscription department.
The Hao-mun, which had never existed before, reached out to the empire’s conscription department.
From the perspective of the officials who owe a debt to the Hao-mun due to past events, they would support Hao-mun even more to erase the past, ensuring that those affected wouldn’t dare to seek revenge.
And didn’t they have justification?
The Hao-mun had merely worked for the empire.
Yet they want to take revenge on the Hao-mun?
Hao-mun diligently played their role for the empire, and that displeases them enough to seek vengeance?
Well then, this is the card the officials can play.
You’re a rebel.
So now other factions have no choice but to toe the line.
In the end, nothing bad came of it.
Whether the majority of the forces of the sects I wanted were significantly diminished or decided to seal themselves away.
The hot-blooded individuals might struggle in the battlefield for a few years.
The crucial point is that the number of people who will stir up war alongside the Iron Blood Clan in Heavenly Bright Moon has decreased, and Hao-mun will be protected by the officials, becoming more stable than before, while Wanghui will find some stability for the time being.
Of course, the new Saheukryeonju and the affected factions, along with the Iron Blood Clan looking to exploit them, might find it a bit heartbreaking… but that’s precisely what I hope for.
Anyway, while it’s said that the position has shrunk a bit, considering that quite a bit of gunpowder has come from many places and places that didn’t see any have now been released, Wanghui should be able to find some footing again.
With that, he might delay the onset of war against the new Saheukryeonju.
At least for a few months.
That should be enough.
Alright, now I need to prepare the next card…
I tapped the desk and ignited the fuse.
As I inhaled the thick smoke to clear my mind, I set down the fuse. Then, a cup of Cheonilmaehwa tea given by Sayoon.
My nervous heart began to calm, and my head started to turn.
Now there’s only one thing to do.
Get the Sword Saint, who rarely goes out, to step into the light.
Of course, even in Heavenly Bright Moon, a master like the Sword Saint generally avoided external activities.
Even Doje, the leader of Moonjeong, only moved within when there wasn’t a special event.
Still, considering that Doje at least made occasional appearances outside of Moonjeong, it felt rather excessive for the Sword Saint.
The last time they invited the Hongseong clan for a meal, and when Yohwan came to serve medicinal cuisine, she didn’t even let her disciples go out by themselves.
A Sword Saint level master from Heavenly Bright Moon, known for avoiding interaction with others. ‘Namhae Noong’ was not even this extreme.
So there seems to be some reason behind it…
The Sword Saint is set to die in the storyline, and there’s only limited information available about her that comes out occasionally, so I can’t really piece together much from this alone.
Information is only limited to what occasionally pops up, so I can’t really chat with just this.
I can’t exactly ask disciples like Hongryeon or Sayoon either.
Still, when Hongryeon and Chaejin asked for help during their sparring last time, they willingly showed up, so it doesn’t seem like they completely loathe me.
“Hmm…”
“Is there a problem?”
Just then, the door opened, and Yohwan walked in, holding a green juice.
Normally, it would be Chaejin bringing it—why is Yohwan carrying it instead?
“I was called by Changju for a moment. She said a new talisman was finished.”
“Oh. Is that so?”
“But what’s going on?”
I looked at Yohwan. Now that I think about it, she’s of age and also a disciple of Amipa.
Given that she worked in the Imperial Palace, she probably knows a lot of bits and bobs.
Maybe she even knows why the Sword Saint isn’t coming out much.
“Do you happen to know why the Sword Saint isn’t coming outside?”
Yohwan’s expression became serious. The weight of the name “Sword Saint” is clearly not something she can just casually toss around.
If she doesn’t know, I guess I’ll have to crash into it…
“Well… as far as I know, the Sword Saint stopped her activities in the martial world after she brought back her last disciple.”
After Sayoon came back?
“Since becoming the head of Hongseong Clan, she had quite a lot of activity. Her achievements were well-known even in the Imperial Palace. But as soon as she gathered all her disciples, she locked herself up in Hongseong. There was talk about the reason for that in the palace, but… I’m not sure if this is right.”
“Even if it’s just speculation, please share. If it’s about the Imperial Palace, there might be some answer.”
“Long ago, during the Sword Saint’s collaboration, the Grand Scholar of the Imperial Palace invited her. I vaguely heard during that time… it seems she feels quite burdened by becoming the head… that’s what the Grand Scholar said.”
.
.
.
The story I heard from Yohwan lingered in my mind.
Even until the sun dipped down and it became evening.
The Sword Saint feeling pressured about being the head… it’s not exactly weird when I think about it. After all, she wasn’t supposed to be the head in the first place.
I sat in the backyard, puffing on a cigarette, letting my thoughts flow. And then, I heard a bright voice.
“Ah! Innkeeper!”
“Huh?”
Looking over, I saw familiar faces.
Hongryeon and Sayoon.
Unlike earlier in the day, now Hongryeon, dressed in Hongseong attire, smiled and slightly bowed her head.
“I brought the herbs we promised.”
“Oh. That’s good. Please wait a moment.”
“Don’t just stand there.”
These herbs work better when processed properly rather than just used as is.
I took out the neatly packed herbs from the cart, laid them out in the backyard to dry, and started preparing for processing.
While the servants were busily moving around, Sayoon beamed and slid some silver across the counter.
“Hmm? What’s up?”
“I’m hoping to buy some sweets.”
“Oh? You could just take them. The quality of the herbs is surprisingly good.”
No kidding, it really is. The servants were all praising the quality, impressed from various corners.
But Sayoon shook her head slowly.
“That’s great and all, but… you know, for the Senior Sisters…”
“Senior Sisters?”
“…I want to give them to the Master.”
“How kind of you.”
Hongryeon seemed to think similarly. She patted Sayoon’s head, and Sayoon smiled brightly at the gesture.
“Oh! And when are you going to Yangwiseong?”
“I’ll send someone as soon as I’m ready. But are you really sure about this?”
“Yeah. If you’re busy, you don’t have to go. The Hongseong clan’s Grand Disciple has a lot on her plate, right?”
A voice called from outside. It was Chaejin, who had just come back from Changju. She smiled as she spoke, and Hongryeon replied with a grin.
“It’s fine. This is also an important task, you know?”
And she gave Sayoon another pat on the head.
“My junior sisters are doing well in their own tasks, so there’s nothing to worry about. Oh, are you feeling overwhelmed?”
Overwhelmed? Not at all. I shook my head, and Hongryeon smugly pointed it out while Chaejin let out a long sigh before coming closer to me.
“But what’s this?”
“Herbs we ordered from Hongseong.”
“Hmm… The quality is good.”
Right?
After saying that briefly, she looked at Sayoon and squatted down, grinning.
“If you ever have a tough time, feel free to tell me. Your Senior Sister is a tough cookie.”
“Yes! I think so too! But wouldn’t it be better if we could help Senior Sister? You used to be so busy all the time. Nowadays, you smile more and seem more relaxed, so we want to work even harder for you.”
“Hmm… I see. That’s nice.”
“Are you jealous?”
“…I can’t say I’m not. Sigh. Looks like I’ll have to hang out with the innkeeper instead.”
As Chaejin approached with a laugh, I pointed at the herbs.
“We don’t have time to play, so let’s clean this up together.”
“Whoohoo~. Okay~!”
“…I’ll help too.”
“Ah! Me too!”
If you help, that’s great for me.
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