As I returned to Cheonghwa Building, Cheonilhwa called out to me. When I went up, I was told that preparations to send troops were complete.
If we could add more equipment that was just as elite as the ones prepared to confront the demonic cult, it would certainly be a great help to the local leader who would lead them.
…Right? I guess I just have to trust our dependable leader!
“I’m sorry to use Seomhwa Village as a shield. Still, I’ve given almost everything I can…”
“I’m worried about General Cheon’s escort.”
“Haha. It’s me, a master of Cheon Ga Spear Arts. Plus, there are still elite troops remaining, so don’t worry.”
The Cheon Ga Spear Arts is one of the Imperial Martial Arts. As a master of destructive spear techniques, I can at least protect myself.
Moreover, aside from Gi Noya and Wiyeol, there are also those secretly protecting me, so there’s no need to worry anymore.
“I hope we can get through this crisis successfully.”
“I hope so too.”
If Seomhwa Village falls, I’d have a headache too.
After finishing my talk with Cheonilhwa, I stepped out and noticed four people at the door having a serious conversation. I approached them with curiosity.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, Innkeeper. I heard from Gi Noya. They say the movements of the bandits are unusual right now?”
With what I had heard from Hano earlier, it seems they were worried after hearing the detailed circumstances from Gi Noya.
When Hongryeon spoke with a serious expression, I shrugged my shoulders.
It must be serious enough for her to worry.
But it isn’t.
“We can definitely fend them off.”
Isn’t that why we’ve been rushing here all this time?
“But still…”
“We don’t have to worry about everything and solve it from Hongseong.”
Right. We can’t leave everything to just Hongseong. We can’t, and we shouldn’t.
Of course, the power possessed by Hongseong is very strong, but their number is just about twenty.
Also, if the Sword Saint has to face both the Iron Blood Master and the new Black Line Lord at the same time, that’s a lot on her plate.
Though they may not be on the Sword Saint’s level, they are still strong opponents. Just taking care of those two would cover everything the Sword Saint can handle.
Then what about the remaining bandits? What about the Iron Blood members they’ll bring with them? The mercenaries hired by them?
No matter how strong Hongryeon is, known as the Falling Sun Blade, can she really hold off solely with the forces of Hongseong?
It’s tough for one hand to handle ten. Thus, the support needs to come from us.
Isn’t that what we’ve agonized over in crafting this scenario?
I patted Hongryeon’s shoulder.
“I assure you Seomhwa Village will not crumble, and there will be no significant damage.”
“…You’re always so confident.”
“With Hongseong by our side, the Moonlight Sword is beside us, and Gi Noya and Wiyeol are with us as well. On top of that, General Cheon has sent us soldiers, and our local leader and the troops of Seomhwa Village are working hard right now. Considering all of that…”
“The Moonlight Sword is beside us, and Gi Noya and Wiyeol will be with us as well. Plus, we have soldiers sent by General Cheon, along with the Local Leader of Seomhwa Village and their troops who are currently working hard. Considering all of that…”
I spoke without a hint of doubt.
“We will overcome this crisis spectacularly.”
Yeah. We have to overcome at least this much.
How many hills are ahead, and would we really fall here?
I smiled at Hongryeon, who was staring at me blankly without saying a word.
“Anyway, it seems we’ve finished what we needed to do here. It might be tiring, but we should head back quickly. I promise to repay this debt next time.”
I bowed to Hongryeon and Chaejin, and both accepted my proposal.
Thank goodness they understood me.
“Gi Noya, Wiyeol. Let’s go together on the way.”
“Sure.”
“Let’s do that.”
We stepped out of Cheonghoeru, packed what Yohwan and Changju needed, along with some good iron for the swordsmith, and immediately set off for Seomhwa Village.
Is it because people and goods are lined up?
Our speed decreased, and on the way, a bandit group ambushed us.
In addition, I could hear strange screams and tremors from behind.
A simultaneous attack from bandits and evil monsters?
“Heeheehee! Everything you have…”
– Crack!
Of course, they stood no chance. How many martial artists do we have in this cart?
Gi Noya just flicked his hand lightly, and his special weapon gleamed, causing the bandit leader in the back to lose his head instantly.
At the same time, Wiyeol darted out with his spear while Hongryeon jumped off the back seat to face the incoming monsters.
“Is that the legendary special weapon I’ve heard about? The Cheonra (Heavenly Net)?”
Gi Noya’s unique weapon, the Cheonra, becomes as sharp as a sword when infused with internal energy, excellent for both cutting and setting traps.
The reason I tried so hard to get Gi Noya involved this time was because of his special weapon.
Honestly, I wanted to get my hands on one too, but they only sell them in the North…
“That’s right. This is the Cheonra made from Heavenly Silk, which can only be harvested from the Cheonjambo in the North. It’s known there, though not so much here.”
I guess that makes sense. Due to the onslaught of evil monsters, only those with high martial arts skills, troops, or officials can safely travel to and from the North.
“Gi Noya, why did you come down from the North?”
Chaejin asked curiously, and Gi Noya chuckled softly. Perhaps being a drink enthusiast and a chatterbox, he had no intention of hiding anything.
He took a sip from the booze he brought from Cheonghoeru and began to speak.
“I’ve been a hunter in the North. Hehe. My lord saved me. Then he said, ‘Let’s go together.'”
“Your lord must be General Cheon?”
“That’s right. Back in my youth, it was quite something. Together with General Cheon and that little brat, we defeated all sorts of foes.”
“With that little rascal, we went around knocking down all sorts of guys.”
Chaejin joyfully listened to the legendary warrior recounting his tale.
Meanwhile, Wiyeol, who returned after taking care of the thugs, frowned.
“Don’t pay attention to that old man’s words; more than half of it is just bragging.”
“You little punk?”
Once again, the two started bickering. In the meantime, Hongryeon, who had dealt with the Evil Monster, Biduman, and the other one, Jo Yoryeong, naturally sat down beside me.
“Didn’t Changju want this?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. It’s called the Jo Yogeum.”
This jewel embedded in the two horns of the bull-like Evil Monster, Jo Yo, is used to enhance talismans. I had asked them to get it if they could since it’s an essential ingredient to create a higher-level talisman. Now, I could add another one besides the ones we bought from Yangweseong and the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
“Will you give it to me?”
“I think it’s better that way. Thank you.”
“Hehe, just saying, huh?”
“Come down next time. Let’s have a meal together. If you’d like to bring someone else, feel free to do so.”
“Okay, got it.”
Satisfied, Hongryeon leaned back as Wiyeol approached, having finished his argument with Gi Noya.
I hope he isn’t asking for payment for his hard work.
“By the way, teacher. Earlier, this is what that bandit had.”
“What? The Crow Clan?”
As Chaejin stuck close to me and asked, I shrugged my shoulders.
“It doesn’t seem like the Green Forest Bandit’s emblem… probably a new organization’s emblem, right?”
As Wiyeol suggested, Gi Noya furrowed his brow while looking at the emblem.
“Anyway, they do all sorts of strange things.”
“Let me see as well.”
Hongryon naturally came closer and sat next to me. She examined the emblem laying on my hand back and forth.
“I don’t know either. There hasn’t been any talk about this emblem even in the Murim Alliance.”
“Then it could be seen as something newly established. Right now, this newly formed organization could be…”
“It could be called the New Black FlameClan. Let’s look into it.”
While Gi Noya spoke seriously, I slipped the emblem into my pocket.
If this is really the New Black FlameClan’s emblem… just like in Heavenly Bright Moon, if I collect these emblems and hand them over to the Black FlameClan to oppose the New Black FlameClan, will they give me a reward?
I hope so.
The rewards I can get by handing over things to the Black FlameClan are quite decent.
However, knowing Wanghui’s personality, who hates pointless friction, I don’t think he’d give them to me…
If not, I’ll just figure out a way to take them. There are always methods.
Other than encountering a few bandits and monsters in between, we returned to Seomhwa Village without any special incidents.
I offered my old room to Wiyeol and Gi Noya and said to Chaejin.
“I need to run some errands to the sword shop and the government office. Will you be resting?”
“I should go take care of something. You rest, okay?”
“Uh-huh. Let’s go together.”
“Alright then, Hongryeon. I’ll give you a ride on the way back after I take care of my business. Do you want to come with me, or would you prefer to go alone?”
“Hehehe. Thank you.”
As she leisurely sat in the cart, I rummaged through my belongings. What I pulled out was the envelope I received from Cheonilhwa.
“And here. Take this.”
I handed over the envelope that contained the payment slip, excluding my share, from the sale of herbs and scented pouches.
“It’s a government payment slip, so use it when necessary. I can exchange it for you, too.”
“W-What?! This much?!”
“I’m just dividing it exactly as per our agreement. A middleman can’t take too much for themselves.”
And I certainly had no intention of taking any. Plus, I wasn’t at a loss either.
“Then… um. Can I leave it with you?”
“I don’t mind, but wouldn’t it be better to hold onto it yourself?”
“Since we mostly buy our goods from your shop anyway…”
Well, how convenient! I should secretly sneak her a bit more.
“Then let’s do that. If you need something in the future, feel free to take it, and don’t hesitate to ask. Just in case.”
I pressed half of it into her hands firmly.
“Keep a portion for yourself. It’s said that generosity comes from the granary, and it’s uneasy when pockets are empty. I’ve always felt sad seeing the Hongseong clan overly focused on money, so now, don’t hold back when following Hongseong’s teachings.”
“…Wow. Really… Thank you.”
“No need to mention it. It’s just what I had to do.”
Seriously.
We were just exchanging what we needed from each other.
After clearly stating this, I drove the cart.
When I stopped by the blacksmith, Chilo was overjoyed when I handed over the steel. Upon talking to General Cheon at the government office, Hyeonryeong was pleased as well.
Though there was a noticeable shadow on Hyeonryeong’s face, hinting at the almost certain raid, it was far better to be prepared and endure than to be surprised. He promised himself he would overcome this trial no matter what.
Seeing Hyeonryeong, filled with determination, taking charge of the soldiers’ training, we headed back to the inn. Midway, Hongryeon got off and said with a smile.
“I’ll come visit this evening.”
“Why? Aren’t you tired?”
“Not at all. And today is the day to manage your vital energy, right?”
“Vital energy?”
As Chaejin, who was behind me, looked puzzled, I gave her a rough explanation of the situation.
A smile appeared on Hongryeon’s lips, and an even brighter smile graced Chaejin’s face.
“Then let’s meet in the evening. It worked out well since I had something to discuss anyway.”
“Hehe. Sure.”
With that, Hongryeon left, and we moved the cart to arrive at the inn.
There, I spotted a group of people.
“Elder Sister~!”
Chae-Ryeon, who had gone to the hidden place of the jar, was back.
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