The harvest, which brings the fruits of a year’s labor, could be called a blessing—especially if it’s a bountiful year.
And, as a landowner reaping those fruits, I couldn’t be happier.
Part 1 has ended, the threats to Seomhwa Village have passed, and the village’s defenses were still intact.
Plus, with everything we’ve set up so far, it should develop just fine on its own.
So, any future threats would surely be handled well by Hyeonryeong.
But even so, my own work has not decreased significantly.
Right now, I had to look into the food to be harvested and investigate the land that needed to be cultivated.
And that’s not all.
Having successfully passed the first chapter, I had to keep an eye on how the next scenario would unfold.
That’s why I was in my room today, wrestling with paperwork.
-Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
When I spoke without taking my eyes off the papers, the door opened, and light footsteps approached. I looked up to see Chaeran.
“Oh, what’s going on?”
“Ah, I think I should be heading back soon.”
Unlike Chaejin, Chaeran had simply stayed here to help us.
And since she must have seen the strengths of Hongseong and Seomhwa Village during the last battle, it was time for her to leave.
Even though we had gotten somewhat close, it was still a bit disappointing to hear she would be going.
“If you had told me before leaving, I could have held a banquet or something.”
“Haha, I appreciate it just by your words. And I’ll be back soon anyway.”
“…Huh?”
As I looked at her, Chaeran tilted her head.
“Is that okay?”
“It’s not that it can’t be… but isn’t there a lot to do at Moonjeong?”
Unlike Chaejin, Chaeran was responsible for the major affairs of Moonjeong. I thought she’d be busy, especially after the incident in Cheongho.
When I looked at her, Chaeran shrugged her shoulders.
“Well, since that incident happened, my father has to take charge, so I don’t have much to do.”
“Oh, I see.”
“And during winter, there’s usually nothing important to handle at Moonjeong. So, I was thinking of just relaxing and staying here.”
If that’s what she said, there’s no arguing about it.
“By the way, I heard there’s a festival here during winter?”
“Ah, yes. But it’s not a big festival. It’s just the villagers enjoying themselves.”
And I have a feeling there might be a New Year’s event from Heavenly Bright Moon.
Surely the first New Year’s event involved defeating the frozen Evil Monster called Donggui.
As winter deepens and the New Year approaches, the Empire issues an edict.
The spirit energy running rampant across the continent causes more Evil Monsters to appear, with the Donggui, which gains power in winter, showing up in droves.
Once they’re dealt with, you report to the local government and collect rewards based on how many you’ve taken care of. That was the gist of it…
The problem is that, in Heavenly Bright Moon, the spirit energy around Hongseong Mountain hasn’t gone wild, and as a result, Evil Monsters don’t show up around Hongseong very often.
It means that the spirit of Hongseongsan, which should have surged, did not, and that’s why evil monsters don’t usually appear around Hongseongsan.
In other words, it’s possible we might skip the New Year’s event here, so it seems like we’ll have to wait a bit.
“That’s true. Still, a festival happening in such a small town is worth enjoying, right?”
“Oh? Well, if that’s what you’re going to do, I can’t stop you.”
“Hehe, I knew you’d say that. Then we’ll be leaving today.”
“Why the rush?”
“Strike while the iron is hot, right?”
Once I made up my mind, I was ready to go. I stood up and went outside with her.
As Chaeran said, the Moonlight members were already waiting outside.
“You’ve all worked hard. Oh, if you need anything, take it with you. Yohwan!! The lunchboxes…”
“I’ve already packed them.”
It seemed like Yohwan had already filled me in. I was satisfied with her relaxed demeanor.
“I really appreciate all your help. Oh, I should give my regards to Sayoon…”
I waved at the Moonlight members. As they smiled at my greeting and mounted their horses, Chaeran followed suit.
“I’ll be back soon. See you next time! Bye!”
And thus, the Moonlight members departed. Leaning against the inn’s wall, I asked Chaejin, who was watching them leave.
“Chae, aren’t you going?”
“I’ll go later. Isn’t it time to train instead?”
“…I see.”
Has it already come to that?
Those who are leaving have left, and those who remain need to wrap up what’s left.
I was led by Chaejin to the backyard.
Today’s patrol was with Ryu Gang, the disciple from Hongseong, and Sayoon.
Naturally, I charmed both of them with my brilliant words before patrol and handed them each a mooncake.
I had made them differently this time and asked them to give it a taste.
Since I wasn’t just giving them but asking for their help, they hesitated for a bit before taking them, and when they returned, they were given another mooncake and tea.
After firmly insisting they try it, I made them take a break.
Ah, another fulfilling day.
After seeing them off with my greetings, I entered the inn with light steps and noticed some people there for an early evening meal. One person caught my eye.
Huh?
That person…
It was an old man, looking flustered as he nibbled on somyeon and dumplings.
That look, it’s familiar.
“Excuse me. Are you…?”
“Ah, hahaha… aren’t you the innkeeper? This is…”
He was the old man who had given me the Ogumhee secret technique before.
Is this an old man event?
I can’t let this slip by.
I laughed as I saw him, dressed in rags and at a loss for what to do.
“Haha. Looks like you’ve lost money again.”
“Yes. I’m truly sorry. I could have sworn my pouch was here… It must be the work of a ghost.”
The Taoist looked very embarrassed, and as Jeomsoi seemed ready to get angry, I sent him away and said,
“But isn’t it a bit lacking to only have noodles and dumplings?”
“How can one who practices the Way eat their fill?”
“How can someone who does not know fullness reach enlightenment? You’re lacking, so please eat more.”
The Taoist looked troubled as he saw that there wasn’t a drop of broth left in the noodle bowl.
“Well, you see, the money…”
“Thanks to the Ogumhee gifted by the immortal, I’ve been able to work a bit more. And our inn has flourished, so wouldn’t it be common sense that we received some help from the immortal’s talisman?”
“Uh… well.”
“So please, don’t refuse. If you’ve received help, it’s only common sense to remember it, right?”
“Uh, then… I’ll gratefully accept just a bowl of noodles…”
“That won’t be enough.”
I said with a smile to Jeomsoi, who brought out a bowl of noodles and a special roast duck from Yohwan. Considering that there was meat in the noodles, he must be a meat eater.
“Ah, do you drink?”
“Yes? No, receiving alcohol too…”
“It’s alright. I just wanted to treat you, really. If there’s anything else, please recite a talisman before you leave.”
With that, I ordered food and drinks, and the Taoist stared at me for a while before breaking into a smile.
Not wanting to overwhelm him, I stepped aside.
As I was busy working, the Taoist approached me after finishing his meal.
“May I recite a talisman for you now?”
“Oh. Of course!”
So we went outside. While he burned the talisman and prayed, I waited patiently. Once he finished, the Taoist picked up a large bag and said,
“I feel like I’m receiving too much for just giving you an Ogumhee technique. I can’t just repay a good deed to a hungry person with a simple prayer. Let’s see… I have a thing I got while traveling. If it’s alright with you, please accept it?”
The Taoist rustled through his bag and pulled out an old book.
“This is the military king technique. It is said that a king carries weight in his steps and that those steps hold meaning. I hope the innkeeper, who does not hesitate to help many, masters it.”
“Oh… Thank you very much.”
The military king technique is one of the techniques I know. It falls into the decent category in Heavenly Bright Moon, and its special effect is that unfolding the military king technique has a certain chance to instill fear in the enemy.
For someone like me, whose physical strength isn’t that strong, it’s a handy technique as it gives me a moment to create an opening.
“It’s quite a useful technique that allows me to do this.”
“Thank you. Such a precious thing…”
“Haha, no need for thanks. Now, let me teach you a bit.”
“Yes.”
I headed to the backyard with the innkeeper. He taught me while following the steps of the military technique, and since I had already mastered the Tai Chi and Ogumhee forms, it didn’t take long for me to memorize his techniques.
“You’ve been training consistently. Well done!”
“I just served a meal, and now I receive so much… Ah, and here.”
I handed him the prepared pouch. Like before, he hesitated and refused, but eventually, my pouch was successfully tucked into his bag.
“If you ever run low on travel money or get hungry while passing through, please feel free to visit me.”
“Wow… Amitabha Buddha. I pray that the blessings of the Heavenly Origin Deity be upon you, innkeeper. Ah, and… do you happen to know anything about the evil monster called the ‘Mountain Leopard’?”
Of course, I know.
If you catch it, you get a reward.
Plus, its tail is a crafting material for the Hyunwoon Armor.
But it appears at random locations, so you need luck on your side to catch it. Why the sudden interest?
I asked, confused, and the innkeeper smiled.
“Wasn’t there a big battle around here recently?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Many deaths and bloodshed attract monsters. That’s why I was worried about you, innkeeper, and I consulted the heavens a few days ago.”
“Wow…”
“The energies of fate, heaven, and wind are lingering around here. It seems that a special evil monster will soon show itself near this village.”
Sure enough, one of the reasons monsters appear in Heavenly Bright Moon is because of that…
“But still, Mount Yeongsan is a spiritual mountain, so monsters shouldn’t appear too easily…”
“Yes, of course, with the spirit energy of Mount Yeongsan, they won’t show up directly nearby. So, the effects will manifest a bit farther away… like outside Seomhwa Village.”
He nodded and spoke quite seriously.
“In my view, it’s highly likely that the ‘Mountain Leopard,’ the most representative monster with the powers of heaven and wind, will appear around here. So if the snow falls earlier than usual, please refrain from going out and take care of yourself.”
Wow… this is lucky, isn’t it?
There are a few rare monsters we need to catch if we encounter them in our story, and one of them is the Mountain Leopard.
But will I really catch it like this?
“Of course, it could be a different monster, or it may not appear at all—just the ramblings of a fraud. But still, please be cautious.”
I shook my head at the awkwardly smiling innkeeper.
As he mentioned, the advice he gives during the events in Heavenly Bright Moon isn’t always spot on.
But still, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious and prepared.
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