—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
There were many things to do to prevent the Iron Blood Gate’s attack and to ensure no casualties from the Red Castle Gate.
Both Hong Seong-mun and I were busy preparing.
Of course, I wasn’t worried about Hong Seong-mun messing things up.
Unlike the time when Hong-ryeon had to scramble due to lack of funds, Hong Seong-mun had ample resources and was less likely to make mistakes.
I reread the letter, double-checking Hong Seong-mun’s tasks, and then called for a messenger from the Mail Gate.
I handed him the purchase order for the Blue Guild Merchant Group, along with the letter and silver for Sayun, and then headed straight for the government office.
Despite the late hour, with the moon high in the sky, the office was bustling with soldiers.
“Ah, welcome!”
One of the military officers, his face now familiar, greeted me with a smile. Perhaps it was because of my previous request?
The magistrate had been personally leading the soldiers in training more frequently.
And that wasn’t all.
“There are more soldiers now.”
“Haha, yes. You did a great job investigating the Demonic Cult last time, innkeeper. The central government dispatched reinforcements in case of another attack.”
The number of soldiers had tripled, and the new recruits seemed to be elite troops specifically trained to combat the Demonic Cult. Their equipment, morale, and skills were impressive.
“You’re all working hard. Is the magistrate inside?”
“Yes? Ah, yes. Shall I escort you?”
“No, it’s alright. I’ll just go in myself. And tell everyone that I’ll send over a few of my pigs to show my appreciation for your hard work.”
“Oh, you’re too kind. You’ve already done so much for us…”
“Haha, it’s nothing. Keep up the good work.”
I patted the embarrassed officer on the shoulder and headed inside. Perhaps because of my recent frequent visits, some of the officials greeted me with smiles and nods.
“Welcome.”
The magistrate was fully equipped in armor, even his helmet. It seemed he was participating in the training himself. He had boasted endlessly during our drinking sessions about his time in the military, fighting Demonic Cult members and monsters before being appointed as the magistrate here.
He looked quite impressive in his armor.
I greeted him with a smile as he removed his helmet.
“I apologize for interrupting you during your busy schedule.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Come, have a seat.”
He poured me a cup of tea himself. I took a sip, exchanging pleasantries, then carefully broached the subject I had come to discuss.
“Are you aware of the new equipment that the Blue Guild Merchant Group is offering?”
“Hmm? Ah, yes, I am.”
“I’m planning on placing an order… and I was wondering if I could supply some of it to the government office.”
“Oh, that would be great. What about the price?”
“Here…”
I showed him the price list. He considered it for a moment, then nodded. It was a reasonable price, and he was already familiar with the Blue Guild Merchant Group, so he didn’t have any objections.
If there had been another merchant association in the village, or if I had been approached by a different merchant group, it might have been a different story…
But as they say, charity begins at home.
All those meals I had treated him to had paid off.
“You’ve been so helpful to us, innkeeper. And there shouldn’t be any issues with this… shall I stamp my seal of approval?”
“I would be most grateful.”
He chuckled and stamped the document with his official seal.
“By the way, innkeeper, are you aware that there’s been some unusual activity from the Demonic Sects lately?”
“Unusual, you say…”
“I heard that Sword Demons are moving nearby. We don’t know their target, but… in the worst case scenario, they might attack this place. But don’t worry. With these reinforcements, I won’t stand idly by.”
Of course, the reinforcements were meant to fight the Demonic Cult. But the magistrate was the one who ultimately decided how to utilize them.
“That reminds me. Would it be alright if I pay for the supplies a bit later? After the fall harvest, perhaps?”
“Ah, of course. We have some funds available from the recent barley harvest.”
“That’s wonderful to hear!”
An army costs money, even just to maintain its existence. These soldiers were elite troops unexpectedly dispatched to handle the Demonic Cult threat.
They were strong and skilled warriors, which meant they ate and drank more than the average soldier, putting a strain on the government office’s finances.
The central government would likely say that they had already provided funds and troops, so what more could they possibly want.
But even if the magistrate delayed payment for the supplies due to the extra expenses, it was a minor issue.
“And one more thing… could you ask Hong Seong-mun for a favor?”
It was not uncommon for Sword Demons to turn into bandits. As a result, government officials often sought assistance from martial artists to fight their enemies.
The magistrate knew about my connection to Hong Seong-mun, so he wanted to ask me to relay his request.
To send reinforcements, skilled martial artists, if the situation called for it.
“I’ll inquire about it. But if they’re targeting Hong Seong-mun…”
I trailed off, and the magistrate laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! Hong Seong-mun has been patrolling the area to maintain peace and security in Seomhwa Village recently. They can’t exactly refuse a request like that. If they’re truly in danger, I’ll do everything I can to help.”
“Thank you.”
“No, I should be thanking you.”
What was he talking about?
I should be the one thanking him.
One of the key pieces in my plan to protect Hong Seong-mun and counter the Iron Blood Gate had just fallen into place.
All that effort I had put into building a relationship with the magistrate had paid off.
A few days had passed since I sent the purchase order for the new products to the Blue Guild Merchant Group.
Just in case, I had sent out scouts to patrol the area outside the village daily, and I had also sent Chaejin to investigate the surrounding areas. She had grumbled about needing to be by my side as my bodyguard, but she eventually agreed after I pleaded with her.
Today, after sending her off, I was working as usual when one of the servers called me.
Downstairs, several carts adorned with a familiar flag were parked in front of the inn.
“Ah, Innkeeper Yoo.”
“Greetings.”
They were carts from the Blue Guild Merchant Group, carrying the goods I had ordered.
And the ones escorting the carts were none other than Gi Chajo, the renowned martial artist known as the “Thousand Mile Poison Hand,” and Wi Yeol, the taciturn but reliable master of the Sword of Seomhwa.
I was surprised to see two of Cheon Il-hwa’s subordinates here.
“What brings the two of you here personally?”
“Haha, we’re just following orders. The Guild Leader told us to deliver this and assess the situation ourselves. Who am I to question her?”
He grinned, his expression mischievous. I gestured to one of the servers.
“We’re honored to have you here. Please, have some refreshments.”
The server hurried inside and returned with a pitcher of cold water.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Ah, refreshing! Here, Wi Yeol, have some. You must be thirsty after keeping your mouth shut all this time.” Gi Chajo took a long drink, then turned back to me. “So, innkeeper, would it be alright if we imposed on your hospitality for a few days?”
Of course. I smiled and nodded. He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
“I heard there’s been some trouble in this area recently. Last time, it was the Demonic Cult targeting Seomhwa Village and the Red Castle Gate, right?”
“Yes.”
“If it’s serious…”
“I heard Sword Demons are operating nearby. We’re not sure what they’re after, but… they might attack us. Don’t worry, though. With the extra troops, I won’t sit back and do nothing.”
The reinforcements were meant to fight the Demonic Cult, but it was the magistrate who decided how to deploy them.
“That reminds me. Would it be alright if I paid for the supplies a bit later? Say, after the fall harvest?”
“Ah, of course. We have some funds available from the recent barley harvest.”
“That’s good to hear!”
An army is expensive to maintain, especially these elite troops, unexpectedly dispatched to deal with the Demonic Cult.
They were strong and well-trained, which meant they ate and drank more than the average soldier, putting a strain on the government office’s budget.
The central government would likely argue that they had provided funds and troops, so what more could the magistrate ask for?
But even if he delayed payment for the supplies due to those extra expenses, it was a minor issue for me.
“One more thing… Could you ask Hong Seong-mun for a favor?”
Sword Demons often turned to banditry, leading to government officials seeking help from martial artists.
The magistrate knew about my connection with Hong Seong-mun and wanted to use me as a conduit for his request.
He wanted me to ask them to send reinforcements, skilled martial artists, in case of an attack.
“I’ll certainly inquire. But if they’re targeting Hong Seong-mun itself…”
My voice trailed off, and the magistrate laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! Hong Seong-mun has been patrolling to keep the peace in Seomhwa Village lately. They can’t exactly refuse to help us in return. If they’re in danger, I’ll do everything I can to protect them.”
“Thank you.”
“No, I should be thanking you.”
What was he talking about?
I should be the one thanking him.
One of the key elements of my plan to protect Hong Seong-mun and counter the Iron Blood Gate was now in place.
All my efforts to befriend the magistrate had paid off.
A few days had passed since I sent the purchase order for the new products to the Blue Guild Merchant Group.
Just in case, I had sent people out daily to scout the areas outside the village. I had also sent Chaejin to investigate the surrounding areas. She had grumbled about needing to be by my side as my bodyguard, but she had eventually agreed after I pleaded with her.
Today, after seeing her off, I was working as usual when one of the servers called me.
Downstairs, I saw several carts parked in front of the inn. They bore the familiar flag of the Blue Guild Merchant Group.
“Ah, Innkeeper Yoo.”
“Greetings.”
It was the delivery of the goods I had ordered.
The ones escorting them were none other than Gi Chajo, the renowned martial artist nicknamed “Thousand Mile Poison Hand,” and Wi Yeol, the taciturn but reliable master of the Sword of Seomhwa.
I was surprised to see two of Cheon Il-hwa’s top subordinates here in person.
“What brings the two of you here personally?”
“Haha, we’re just following orders. The Guild Leader told us to deliver this and assess the situation ourselves. Who am I to disobey?”
He grinned mischievously. I gestured to one of the servers.
“Welcome. Please, have some refreshments.”
He hurried inside and returned with a pitcher of cold water.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Ah, this hits the spot! Here, Wi Yeol, have some. You must be parched after keeping your mouth shut for so long.” Gi Chajo took a long gulp and turned to me. “So, innkeeper, would you mind if we imposed on your hospitality for a few days?”
It was more than welcome. I smiled and nodded. He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
“I heard there’s been some trouble in this area. Last time, the Demonic Cult targeted Seomhwa Village and the Red Castle Gate, right?”
“Yes.”
“Those stubborn Demonic Cult bastards never give up, even after a defeat. The Guild Leader told us to stay here for a while, just in case. And also as thanks for your help last time. I hope things stay calm, but if they don’t… well, I’ll lend a hand.”
Ah… the seeds I had planted with the Blue Guild Merchant Group were finally bearing fruit.
Gi Chajo and Wi Yeol were both formidable martial artists. They would be valuable assets if a fight broke out.
I had been planning to ask Cheon Il-hwa to send one of them as reinforcement, but she had sent both.
“I’ll have rooms prepared for you right away. Everyone, we have honored guests!”
“Hahaha, we appreciate your hospitality.”
Gi Chajo beamed, while Wi Yeol simply nodded in acknowledgement. They entered the inn.
As they disappeared inside, the merchants finally emerged from the back of the carts. They quickly began unloading the goods and transporting them to the warehouse.
A bright voice came from behind me.
“Need a hand?”
“Hmm?”
I turned to see a beautiful woman with striking red hair. She was wearing the familiar uniform of Hong Seong-mun: a long robe that reached her wrists and short pants that revealed her toned thighs.
It was Hong-ryeon.
She was in charge of the patrols, wasn’t she?
I had noticed that the patrol teams for the past few days had only consisted of soldiers, so I had assumed she wasn’t coming. I stared at her, and she quickly averted her gaze.
“Ahem. I needed some time to organize my thoughts after my recent breakthrough. I’ve already informed the government office.”
“I see.”
“I’ve finished organizing my thoughts, so I’ll be handling the patrols from now on…”
“That’s good to hear. Is something wrong? You seem a bit uneasy.”
She had been fidgeting since she arrived. Was there something bothering her? As I stepped closer, she took a step back, flustered.
“No! Nothing’s wrong! Everything’s fine!”
Her cheeks flushed as she blurted out her denial. She avoided my gaze, clearly embarrassed.
It was best to pretend I didn’t notice her odd behavior.
“You said you wanted to help? Don’t you have patrol duty?”
“I came early…”
She was right. The patrol wasn’t scheduled to start for a while. She rolled up her sleeves and effortlessly lifted several boxes at once.
As expected of a martial artist. Those slender arms possessed surprising strength.
“Where do these go?”
“Follow me.”
I picked up a box as well, though I could only manage one.
We entered the dim warehouse, and she placed the boxes where I indicated.
“What are these?”
“It’s nothing. Ah, but there’s something I’d like to discuss with you. Would you mind waiting for a bit? I need to go somewhere. I’ll explain everything when I get back.”
“Where are you going?”
She looked a bit nervous, gulping as she waited for my answer. I said casually,
“The government office.”
She insisted on coming with me, even though I told her she could wait at the inn.
It wasn’t a problem, so we headed toward the office together, pulling a cart filled with the Blue Guild Merchant Group’s new products.
The magistrate inspected the goods with a satisfied nod.
“Excellent. I’ll pay for them later, as promised.”
“Thank you.”
The soldiers unloaded the boxes from the cart.
Once the cart was empty, I turned to Hong-ryeon.
“Would you like a ride?”
There was no need to walk back. I climbed onto the driver’s seat. She hesitated for a moment, then jumped lightly onto the cart.
And sat right next to me.
There was plenty of space in the back, why?
“What? You don’t like it?”
“No, it’s fine.”
As she sat beside me, a pleasant fragrance drifted into my nostrils. Was she wearing perfume? I glanced at her, and our eyes met.
“…What?”
“You smell nice.”
“Ah, I was making incense earlier.”
She explained that she had been drying flowers and condensing their fragrance for incense, and the scent had lingered on her.
But it was much richer and more pleasant than the Thousand Plum Blossom scent I remembered…
“C-could you stop sniffing me? It’s embarrassing.”
“My apologies.”
We fell silent. Neither of us had anything to say.
When we arrived back at the inn, I led her inside. She still had time before her patrol duty.
“You said you had a proposal?”
“I’d like Hong Seong-mun to use this.”
I pulled out one of the new products from the Blue Guild Merchant Group. Inside the box was a small jar, which I handed to her.
She tilted her head, her expression curious, and unsealed the jar.
Inside, she found small, brown pills.
“These are辟穀丹 (bigokdan), sustenance pills,” I explained.
Sustenance pills! One pill was enough to satisfy your hunger for a whole day!
“They’re a new product from the Blue Guild Merchant Group. They asked me to try them out and give them feedback. So…”
I handed her the jar.
“I’d like Hong Seong-mun to try them and let me know what you think. The taste… might be a bit unpleasant, but please bear with it.”
One of the main reasons Hong Seong-mun was defeated by the Iron Blood Gate was because their food supply had been contaminated with a tasteless and odorless poison that took time to take effect.
The culprit was a woman named Go Yumi, nicknamed the “Elegant Gentleman,” one of the Iron Blood Gate’s executives.
While her martial arts skills were weak, she possessed a stealth technique called the “Shadowless Steps,” allowing her to infiltrate even the most heavily guarded areas. Contaminating the food storage wouldn’t have been difficult for her.
It was only a matter of time before the disciples, unaware of the contamination, consumed the poisoned food and fell ill.
Many disciples of Hong Seong-mun had been poisoned, and the Sword Saint herself, while fighting, had absorbed their poison in an attempt to neutralize it. The effort had depleted her internal energy, and she eventually succumbed to the poison.
It was a simple, yet cunning strategy.
But with me around, it was a strategy ripe for a counterattack.
Anyway, to prevent that scenario, it would be best for Hong Seong-mun to rely solely on sustenance pills for their meals for a while.
According to the collective wisdom of gamers back when I was a player, it was one of the most effective countermeasures against the poisoning.
If you have no bread, eat cake! If rice makes you sick, eat sustenance pills!
Hahaha!
“These are amazing. One of these keeps you full for a day?”
“They’re made with a blend of medicinal herbs, grains, honey, and other ingredients. They’re surprisingly filling.”
I had actually been planning on making sustenance pills myself, but I hadn’t realized the Blue Guild Merchant Group had already developed them.
But it didn’t matter who made them. What mattered was that they were available.
“How long do we have to eat them?” she asked, sniffing the pills curiously. I chuckled.
“At least a month. I apologize in advance for the taste, but… I’ll treat you to a proper meal once this is all over.”
She stared at the pills, picked one up, popped it into her mouth, and chewed thoughtfully.
“This tastes fine.”
“No way.”
I took a bite, and my taste buds were assaulted by an… indescribable flavor. It wasn’t inedible, but… was it really necessary to eat this?
A sourness hit my tongue first.
Then, a bitter, pungent taste.
A subtle spiciness added to the discord.
A faint sweetness lingered at the end, overshadowed by a greasy aftertaste.
And then, the final note… a fishy, metallic flavor that coated my tongue… What was that?!
How could sustenance pills taste like this?
It was truly indescribable, the kind of taste that defied words.
And she thought it was fine?
“The other disciples will love these.”
“Really?”
She enjoyed sweets, had devoured the food I bought her before, and seemed to have a normal palate based on her reactions to my cooking…
Her nonchalant response to my surprise was,
“We’ve had to eat much worse than this on missions.”
Ah. I see…
Her taste buds were simply dead.
I would have to treat her to something delicious after this was all over.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Poor girls. Adop whole sect and sect master as daughters already