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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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In any case, skipping the morning business was not an option. Caijin seemed quite dissatisfied with my lack of dedication to the Cai family’s Taekkyeon, but I couldn’t simply abandon my livelihood.
“Oh? This is quite delicious?”
Still, her lingering stare was starting to get on my nerves, so I offered her some of the steamed buns.
Her expression remained sulky, but her eyes widened as she took a bite.
“Your cooking skills are quite commendable.”
“It’s nothing special.”
“Innkeeper, we’ve sold out of steamed buns!”
“Is that so? Go get some rest.”
The servers, relieved of their morning shift duties, headed towards their quarters. Watching them go, I took a seat across from Caijin.
“To your liking?”
“Hmm. Though it’s a rather humble dish, unbefitting of the palate of Moonlit Pavilion’s esteemed disciple… But why can’t I stop myself from devouring it?”
Moonlit Pavilion was another prominent sect, distinct from Hongseongmun. Divided into outer and inner circles, they readily accepted disciples from outside and held no reservations about receiving donations.
In other words, while they were of the same righteous faction, their approach was the complete opposite of Hongseongmun’s.
As such, Caijin, being Moonlit Pavilion’s most distinguished disciple, naturally possessed refined tastes. It was only natural that she found it strange to enjoy such a simple, inexpensive dish as steamed buns.
“Sometimes, simpler fare hits the spot. Especially steamed buns, which are meant to sustain our workers until lunchtime.”
“And…?”
“It’s only natural for appetites to be low in the morning, knowing a long day of work lies ahead. So, I season them a bit more generously.”
Of course, some might find such strong flavors unpleasant so early in the morning, but those people were free to make their own arrangements. It wasn’t my concern.
“Hmm. Perhaps we should consider serving breakfast this way at Moonlit Pavilion. Yum.”
She took another large bite, her cheeks puffed out as she chewed. After quickly finishing two large buns and downing her bowl of hot, clear napa cabbage soup, I gathered the empty dishes.
“Well then, I must attend to some matters now that the dishes are done.”
“Yes, it was delicious… Wait a minute! Hey, Innkeeper Yoo! Cai hasn’t had her Taekkyeon lesson yet!”
“I have my own life to lead, you know.”
“Hmph. And I have my pride. If I’m going to be the one teaching you, shouldn’t you at least master the basics within a month?”
“Does that mean I shouldn’t work?”
“Well… No, but…”
“I’m not a martial artist, so don’t push me too hard. More importantly, what are you wearing?”
“What? What’s wrong with my outfit?”
Confused, Caijin looked down at her top and loose-fitting skirt. Right, there was nothing inherently wrong with it.
The problem was that it was Caijin who was wearing it.
“What happened to the proud attire of Moonlit Pavilion?”
Honestly, seeing a woman with such a stunning figure clad only in tights was a feast for the eyes, but…
“It’s being washed. I can’t wear the same thing every day, can I?”
This was reality, and one couldn’t realistically wear the same clothes day in and day out. Since she spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, I had no retort.
“I suppose that’s true. Very well. Are you planning to stay here all day today?”
“Ah, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. I was actually looking for work.”
I headed to the kitchen with the dishes, Caijin trailing behind me. She must have been bored.
She chattered away incessantly as I washed up.
“I hadn’t planned on staying this long. So, I haven’t brought much money with me.”
“……”
“…Why aren’t you saying anything? You don’t think I came here intending to freeload, do you?”
As if she could read my mind…
“Hmph. Of course not. I had it all planned out. If provoking Hongryeon failed, I’d monopolize all the requests here while I waited.”
She shrugged off the thick blanket draped over her shoulders and settled into a chair in the kitchen. Pulling the blanket over her legs, she crossed them gracefully, her slightly slumped shoulders betraying her dejection.
“But this town… They don’t hire martial artists for anything… What kind of peaceful town is this?”
“Seonhwachon is near Mount Hongseong, a sacred mountain, so monster appearances are rare. And with Hongseongmun’s reputation, no self-respecting rogue would dare to set foot here. Besides, people here tend to handle matters themselves.”
“You’re right… If I had known this was the kind of place it was, I would have brought more travel funds.”
Her plan to steal Hongseongmun’s work to provoke Hongryeon had completely fallen apart.
Caijin slumped further in her chair.
“You should have done your research.”
“You’re telling me. Who knew I’d be stuck here for so long? I’m running low on funds. If you hadn’t accepted my proposal, Innkeeper Yoo, I might have been sleeping out on the streets.”
“Hmm…”
“Ah, that reminds me. Innkeeper Yoo, you’re the wealthiest man in town, aren’t you? A prominent figure in Seonhwachon.”
“That’s right.”
“By any chance, are you considering hiring a bodyguard? A skilled, strong, and beautiful bodyguard to protect your life and assets. For the low, low price of one gold coin a day!”
“That’s outrageously expensive.”
If Caijin were to stay and fight the Iron Blood Group, I’d gladly pay her one gold coin.
However, all she cared about was facing Hongryeon.
Once that was done, she’d leave without a second thought, so her offer held no appeal.
“What?! I am Caijin, the Moonlight Blade! For someone of my caliber, one gold coin is a bargain!”
“I’m not interested.”
“W-well, then… How about fifty silver?”
I’d rather stay indoors forever than pay someone fifty silver a day for protection.
Finishing up the dishes, I dried my hands with a towel. Time to head upstairs, organize the ledgers, and check the inventory for the trading company.
“Ten silver! Now that’s a steal! A bargain you can’t miss!”
She was relentless.
I turned to face Caijin, who was grinning mischievously, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“The VIP room you’re currently occupying costs three silver coins a night. How about I waive the accommodation fee? I’ll even cover your meals…”
“What?! You’re saying you’ll hire Caijin, the Moonlight Blade, esteemed disciple of Moonlit Pavilion and renowned master of the martial world, for a measly three silver coins?!”
“You don’t have to accept.”
I turned away. Truthfully, I didn’t really need a bodyguard.
As I had explained to Caijin, Seonhwachon was situated near Mount Hongseong, a sacred mountain, making monster appearances scarce.
Even if they did appear, it was usually on the outskirts of the village, and they were rarely powerful.
And with Hongseongmun’s reputation preceding it, no rogue in their right mind would target the village.
The Iron Wire Gang had made an appearance before, but they hadn’t shown their faces since.
Waiving the accommodation fee was already a generous concession on my part.
I turned away without a second thought, but her hand shot out, gripping my shoulder tightly.
“Who said I wouldn’t accept? Thank you for your generosity! Uhuhu.”
What kind of Udyr-level attitude change was this?
“S-so… While we’re at it, about the food…?”
Caijin stammered, her face flushing red. Well, she had made concessions as well… It wouldn’t hurt to meet her halfway.
“As long as it’s not too extravagant.”
“Excellent! It’s a deal! I look forward to working with you, Employer!”
Relieved that her concerns were addressed, Caijin beamed brightly, offering me her hand. Clasping it would serve as a verbal agreement, a contract of sorts.
“No taking it back, okay?”
“Let’s shake on it.”
I shook her hand.
And then…
“Master! Master!”
“What’s all the commotion?”
“You need to come to the fields, right now!”
“Hm?”
As I tilted my head in confusion, the servant who had rushed in reported urgently,
“A Blue Hound has appeared!”
A Blue Hound.
A monstrous canine with blue fur, as ferocious as a wolf, known to prey on humans.
A common sight in “Heaven’s Mandate”, they were to the outside world what Poison Toads were to hidden dungeons.
Of course, for anyone with even a modicum of skill, a Blue Hound wasn’t a significant threat.
They were on par with Wolf Ghosts encountered on mountain trails or low-ranking bandits.
The reason for the current uproar was simple:
Blue Hounds almost always served as underlings to a more formidable monster—the Mabok.
When I arrived at the fields, a group of constables had already gathered.
“Innkeeper Yoo, you’ve arrived.”
Perhaps because I was a prominent figure in Seonhwachon, the constables greeted me familiarly. I returned their greetings and turned my attention to the three grotesque, blue-furred carcasses sprawled across the field.
“It’s fortunate the patrol was nearby. Otherwise, it could have been much worse.”
While Blue Hounds were considered weak, three of them could easily overpower a farmer or two.
Especially in this area, on the outskirts of the village where people rarely ventured. It could have been a disaster.
“This is strange. Blue Hounds appearing here…”
“Stranger still is that there were signs of a Mabok, but it seems to have retreated without attacking.”
I followed one of the constables to a spot some distance from the field. There, we found a set of large footprints.
Tiger tracks.
I examined them and nodded slowly.
“What will the authorities do?”
“Hmm… The appearance of monsters so close to Mount Hongseong is concerning… We’ll increase patrols, of course. But… the Mabok is what troubles me.”
A Mabok, a monster with the body of a tiger and the face of a man, was beyond the capabilities of a few constables.
Those without proper martial arts training would be hard-pressed to defeat one.
“We’ve already sent word to Hongseongmun.”
“Good. Then I’ll prepare a separate reward for the Mabok’s subjugation.”
“What? Why would you do that, Innkeeper?”
Caijin, who had followed me, questioned me with a perplexed expression. I shrugged.
“This is my land.”
“Oh… And just how much land do you own…?”
“Look around you.”
Caijin slowly surveyed her surroundings.
“All the fields and rice paddies you see are mine.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said you were wealthy!”
Being a local magnate wasn’t just a figure of speech.
To be honest, I had been surprised by the extent of Yuwol’s assets myself after merging with him.
But that wasn’t important right now.
“I’ll leave this matter in your capable hands.”
“…What? Why me?”
Caijin looked up at me, her brow furrowed in confusion. I chuckled.
“Because this is my land, my property.”
“…Eh?”
Her bewilderment gave way to a look of horror, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Ha. Haha. Y-yes, of course. As a distinguished disciple of Moonlit Pavilion, upholding one’s word is paramount… I-indeed… Ahahaha… Ahahahahahaha…”
Her voice trembled.
Whoever said life was all about timing was spot on. Who would have thought that such a situation would arise immediately after we made our agreement?
She simply had to consider this another valuable life experience and move on.
However, seeing her trembling, on the verge of tears with indignation, tugged at my heartstrings. I wasn’t completely heartless, after all.
“I’ll offer a reward of two gold coins for the Mabok’s capture.”
Instantly, Caijin’s expression brightened.
“Oh! As expected of my generous employer!”
Of course, since she was technically hired as my bodyguard, I added a condition: she wasn’t just capturing the Mabok; she was also protecting my assets, including the people who worked this land.
However, Caijin remained oblivious to my underlying intentions, her demeanor as haughty as ever.
“Hmph! It’s only natural. I am Caijin, a disciple of the esteemed Moonlit Pavilion and the daughter of a renowned elder! Protecting the weak is my sworn duty!”
The audacity of this woman, acting all high and mighty after almost bursting into tears a moment ago.
And if she was going to lie so blatantly, the least she could do was hide her blush.
But arguing would be pointless, so I decided to let it slide.
“Is it true about the Blue Hound?”
Just then, a familiar voice spoke up from behind us.
Turning around, I saw three young women clad in similar training attire.
I recognized all of them.
Ryuhyeon, Yoohee…
And Sayoon.
…Wait, what was she doing here?
“Oh? Innkeeper Yoo? And next to you…”
Sayoon seemed unaware of the situation, while Ryuhyeon’s gaze was fixed on Caijin.
Her eyes narrowed as she addressed her.
“What brings Moonlit Pavilion to our humble town?”
Her tone was sharp.
Considering the relationship between Hongseongmun and Moonlit Pavilion, this was a remarkably civil response.
Perhaps aware of this, Caijin remained unfazed by Ryuhyeon’s demeanor, replying nonchalantly,
“Why, it’s only natural for a distinguished disciple of Moonlit Pavilion to lend a hand to those in need. Besides… Innkeeper Yoo and I are practically family, wouldn’t you say?”
Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong.
It was hard to view an employer and their employee as anything but close.
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