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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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It was about time I went to Yangwi Castle. The Cheonghoe Merchant Guild had summoned me, and I needed to collect the new iron shipment.
While I could have sent someone in my place, I wanted to meet with Cheon Il-hwa personally and, if possible, secure the services of either Gi No-ya or Wi-yeol as a precaution.
Surely, considering my recent contributions, they could spare at least one of them, even if not both like last time.
Gi No-ya seemed like the more likely candidate. Chae-jin had met him previously and mentioned Yohan.
Given his fondness for food and drink, I was confident he would accept an invitation.
“So, when are we going?”
As previously agreed, both Chae-jin and Hong-ryeon would accompany me. I raised the topic during dinner, and Chae-jin nodded casually.
“I plan to leave tomorrow. I sent a messenger to Hong Seong-mun yesterday, and Hong-ryeon said she was available for the next few days.”
“I see. They must be busy, but he’s oddly diligent, isn’t he?”
“It’s not odd diligence, it’s just being responsible. Doing what one must do.”
“Hmm. Then I should also do what I must do. Training after lunch, right? I plan to properly practice the Golden Snake technique today, so you can look forward to it.”
“Please, go easy on me.”
“I always go easy on you!”
Chae-jin exclaimed with a cheerful laugh just as Yohan emerged from the kitchen, carrying a plate.
“What’s this?”
“Something I whipped up. Give it a taste.”
Yohan offered us a dish of Bulhokjam, a medicinal cuisine that provided a slight stamina boost.
Made with bamboo shoots, lotus root, and other vegetables, it was a Buddhist dish that Chae-jin seemed to find unappetizing. Nevertheless, it was quite effective in Heavenly Moonlight.
“Bulhokjam, I see.”
“Oh, you know it. Right. This is quite good for the body…”
I sampled the Bulhokjam. The texture of the bamboo shoots and lotus root was quite agreeable. After I’d finished, Chae-jin asked expectantly,
“How is it?”
“Yohan’s skills are always dependable.”
“Heheh. It supplements Qi and Blood and increases stamina, so eat it often while you can. And… you mentioned going to Yangwi Castle? I’d like you to bring back some ingredients.”
“Ingredients we can’t find around here?”
“Yes, they’re local specialties of that region. I need Palhongcho and Giugak. Get a good supply. I believe the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild carries them. They’re frequently used in medicinal cuisine, so please get plenty.”
Perhaps I should set up a regular supply route? I’d add those items to the list of goods Cheon Il-hwa provided.
“Let me know if there’s anything else you need regularly. I’ll arrange for scheduled deliveries.”
“Oh, even things not found near Yangwi Castle? I’ll write you a list then.”
Easier access to ingredients would simplify Yohan’s medicinal cuisine preparations.
Speaking of which, perhaps I should handle Chang-ju’s ingredient supply as well. I pondered this while sipping tea, and Chae-jin, tilting her head, stood up.
“Alright, I’m feeling full. Time to work it off.”
“Agreed.”
After training with Chae-jin, I met with Chang-ju. She, too, seemed to have a list of ingredients she’d like delivered regularly.
Since the magistrate had mentioned outsourcing procurement to me, I paid him a visit and established a contract for iron and other materials.
“Is this because Seomhwa Village is flourishing? The work keeps piling up,”
Chae-jin commented.
“Indeed.”
“Then wouldn’t it be better to establish a proper trading company?”
“I haven’t considered that yet.”
“Why not?”
“If I were to establish a trading company, I’d prefer to bring the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild here.”
If the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild were a regular trading company or a martial arts sect, I would have hesitated. But their true identity was the Imperial Army.
They weren’t interested in expanding their influence in Seomhwa Village. On the contrary, collaborating with them would further my objectives and the progression of our scenario.
There was no need to burden myself with managing a trading company when I already had so much on my plate. If I were to do it, I’d wait and see how things developed next year.
“That’s true. They are the government…”
“Exactly.”
Chae-jin seemed to agree with my explanation. Nodding slightly, she stretched her long legs as she walked.
“Then you’ll be going to Yangwi Castle frequently?”
“It seems so, for the time being. It’ll be troublesome for you, Lady Chae.”
“Heehee. That’s what I’m here for.”
The next morning, as I was preparing the cart, I felt a poke on my shoulder. Turning my head, I felt something brush against my cheek – a long finger.
“Good morning.”
A beautiful woman with vibrant red hair and a radiant smile greeted me. It was Hong-ryeon, dressed in her Hong Seong-mun uniform.
She gave a little wave with the small bundle in her hand, and I nodded.
“Welcome. Thank you for joining me despite your busy schedule.”
“Don’t mention it. This is Hong Seong-mun business, too, isn’t it? But… someone’s missing. Aren’t they coming?”
“Who said they weren’t?”
A voice called out from within the inn, and Hong-ryeon turned. Chae-jin emerged, loading supplies onto the cart.
“I heard you were busy, so I thought you wouldn’t be able to make it.”
“Heeheehee. Of course I came. It’s our business, after all.”
“Our?”
“Yes, ours. Hong Seong-mun’s and the innkeeper’s. Naturally, the representatives should be present. Besides, Master seems to be in a better mood lately, so it’s a good opportunity to visit.”
The Sword Saint’s mood had improved? I glanced at Hong-ryeon, and she shrugged.
“She returned from a short trip a few days ago and seems much better. It seems the nightmares have subsided.”
That was a relief. It would have been problematic if our strongest asset was unstable. Still, I couldn’t afford to be complacent. I needed to continue finding ways to help her.
“We have a lot to do at the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild this time. I wish you could rest, but it’ll be difficult. Of course, I’ll cover your expenses. Any objections?”
“None at all.”
Hong-ryeon and Chae-jin, looking at each other, replied in unison.
Good. I climbed onto the driver’s seat and took the reins.
“Then let’s depart.”
The road from Seomhwa Village to Yangwi Castle wasn’t particularly complicated, but it wasn’t entirely safe either.
Encounters with monsters or bandits during travels were common in Heavenly Moonlight.
“Haa…”
Chae-jin exhaled softly and swung her sword. Black blood splattered on the ground as a pack of Corpse Wolves, lurking by the roadside, fell.
She dispatched the five wolves swiftly, then strolled over to the cart and hopped onto the back.
“I didn’t expect to encounter monsters right after leaving Seomhwa Village’s territory. It wasn’t like this last time.”
Come to think of it, we hadn’t encountered any monsters during my previous trip with Chae-jin. I nodded and pulled out my dagger, harvesting the teeth and claws from the Corpse Wolves.
Chang-ju had requested them as ingredients for talismans, saving us some unnecessary expenses.
“Fortunately, we’ve acquired some good materials for Chang-ju.”
“You didn’t encounter any monsters last time, right? Heehee. Are we lucky this time?”
Hong-ryeon followed suit, helping me collect the materials. We were indeed lucky. I hadn’t expected Corpse Wolves to appear here.
After collecting the materials and tossing the carcasses to the side of the road, we climbed back onto the cart.
“It seems the number of monsters has been increasing lately. A letter from the Murim Alliance mentioned it.”
The reason was simple. The Iron Blood Group’s activities were causing unrest throughout the region.
Although they hadn’t made any overt moves since the Hong Seong-mun incident, their covert operations, sowing chaos, couldn’t be ignored.
“And it seems the Murim Alliance is investigating the Iron Blood Group…”
“What did they say?”
Chae-jin, apparently unaware of this, asked curiously, and Hong-ryeon nodded gravely, relaying the contents of the recent letter from the Murim Alliance.
“Aside from Mount Hongseong, there are other places where spiritual energy gathers, right? There have been attacks on those locations. Most were repelled, but some…”
“Tsk. What are those bastards doing? If they have that much strength, they should join the army.”
“Haha. General Cheon would be pleased to hear that. So? Which locations were attacked?”
“The Earth God Shrine in Toyang County and the Rock Hermitage in Cheongse County. They were apparently destroyed since they lacked proper defenses.”
“I see.”
“So the Murim Alliance is dispatching martial artists to protect those places where spiritual energy gathers.”
“Aren’t you going?”
Chae-jin asked, and Hong-ryeon grinned.
“Mount Hongseong is one of the places with abundant spiritual energy. Where would I go? The Murim Alliance instructed me to stay here for the time being. What about you? Isn’t Cheongho also a place where spiritual energy gathers?”
“Moonlight Pavilion is there. Nothing will happen just because I’m gone. Besides, I have to protect the innkeeper.”
“Oh my. You can leave that to me.”
“Oh, come on~. You’re busy too. Leave the innkeeper to me, and you protect Mount Hongseong. Our esteemed Senior Disciple of Hong Seong-mun.”
As I listened to their banter, I flicked the reins. The attacks on places with concentrated spiritual energy meant the Iron Blood Group hadn’t given up on Mount Hongseong and other similar locations.
Tsk. If they stayed in one place, I could gather some powerful allies and launch a surprise attack. But the Iron Blood Group operated without a fixed base…
“It’s a game of whack-a-mole, then.”
“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it,” Hong-ryeon replied dryly, and I shrugged. If it was whack-a-mole… then I’d just have to whack them diligently.
By the time we arrived at Yangwi Castle, the sun was beginning to set.
We passed through the castle gates, bathed in the reddish glow of the setting sun, and followed the familiar path to Cheonghoeru. There, standing in front of the building, was a man.
“Oh~! How have you been?”
It was Ha-no.
He approached with a grin, a bottle of alcohol in hand, then tilted his head as he saw the two women in the cart.
“Moonlight Blade Chae-jin, Senior Disciple of Moonlight Pavilion, and Sunset Sword Hong-ryeon, Senior Disciple of Hong Seong-mun. Why have you brought two masters all the way here? Are you planning a takeover of Yangwi Castle?”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Keheh. Just a joke. This works out perfectly. I was just about to send you a letter.”
“Do you have news?”
He nodded.
“The New Black Lotus Society will be making a move soon. And…”
“…”
“Seomhwa Village is on their route, one of their targets. It’s best to be prepared.”
His unusually serious tone made me nod.
The final stage of Act 1 was approaching.
“I’d like to hear the details.”
“Then let’s meet at our usual spot.”
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