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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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“I’m so relieved. Ah, but… as you know, the government office is currently facing financial difficulties…”
“Haha, I understand.”
They couldn’t even pay for the goods they ordered, let alone offer travel expenses. I just chuckled and shook my head.
“A letter of introduction, and permission to use the official roads would be sufficient…”
The official roads were the pride of the empire. In Thousand Heaven Myriad Moon, you could only use them after completing certain events related to the empire.
Using them drastically reduced travel time, which is why I requested them. The magistrate seemed pleased with my proposal.
“Of course. Using the official roads, you can reach Cheong ho in two days, even if there are delays. They’re well-maintained, and you won’t have to navigate through mountains or dangerous areas.”
“That sounds great! Please, allow me to handle this for you.”
“Hahaha! Thank you. I’m indebted to you once again, Innkeeper.”
“What are friends for? Hahahaha!”
“Hahaha! You’re right! Hahahaha!”
“Hahahaha!”
We laughed heartily, the sound echoing through his office.
It was moments like these that solidified the bond between us, the mutual support and camaraderie.
Returning to the inn after meeting with the magistrate, I started working on the tasks I had been putting off, knowing I would be away for a while.
I had competent staff I could rely on, and I could always ask the magistrate for help if needed.
I could delay tasks like organizing the inn’s ledger.
A few discrepancies wouldn’t cause major problems. And the servants and waiters could handle things in my absence.
None of them were likely to cause trouble while I was away.
They had all proven to be trustworthy, diligently performing their duties even when I had to leave the inn for extended periods, traveling to Yangwiseong or other cities.
After finishing my work and my evening training, I heard a commotion in the distance.
As scheduled, the Hongseongmun disciples were arriving.
Let’s see… it seemed like everyone except for Geomseong was here.
“Welcome.”
I went out to greet them. As expected, Geomseong wasn’t present. Hongryeon, the senior disciple, was leading the group.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
“Thank you, Innkeeper!”
I returned their greetings and led them inside.
They were seated in the banquet hall, the same one we had used previously.
“Here.”
Hongryeon handed me a stack of papers as they entered the hall. It was a report on their evaluation of the food pills.
It was a detailed report, filled with meticulous notes on their taste, effects on internal energy circulation, and changes in martial arts proficiency over a three-day period.
“This should satisfy the Cheongho Merchant Group. They’ll be able to use this to refine their product.”
“I don’t see anything that needs to be improved…”
“We’ll have to consider the taste, though. Anyway, you’ve all worked hard. Please, eat and drink to your heart’s content.”
“Thank you!”
After acknowledging their thanks, I turned to leave. But Hongryeon stopped me.
“Why don’t you join us?”
“I’d love to, but I have some errands to run. I need to finish everything today.”
She looked at me, her eyes searching mine.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“Yes. Actually… could you spare a moment later? I need to speak with you.”
That wouldn’t be a problem.
I could hear the Hongseongmun disciples chattering and laughing as they started their meal.
A few of the other guests frowned at the noise, glancing at the boisterous group. But when they realized who they were, they just chuckled and wished them well.
Everyone seemed to love Sayun’s Hongseongmun.
I smiled, feeling a sense of pride.
As the crowd thinned out, I went upstairs.
I needed to pack for my trip. I was leaving early tomorrow morning.
As I was gathering my belongings, I heard a tapping sound on the window.
I went over to the window and saw Hongryeon sitting in the backyard.
There was a small pebble on the windowsill. She must have thrown it.
I opened the window, and she waved at me. I went downstairs.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Ahaha… no, not really.”
“You should have eaten more.”
“I had plenty,” she replied, her voice stiff.
She seemed tense, which wasn’t like her at all. Something was wrong.
“What’s with the nervous act?”
“Ahaha…”
She gave a dry chuckle and swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on me. She let out a sigh,
And then, taking a deep breath, she spoke, her voice firm and resolute,
“Can I hold your hand?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
I extended my hand, and she took it gently. Her hands were surprisingly soft for a warrior.
“Hmm…”
She examined my hand, checking my pulse, then nodded as if confirming something. And then, in a tone that left no room for argument, she said,
“Now take off your clothes.”
A breeze swept through the backyard, sending a chill down my spine.
“W-wait! That’s not what I…”
She must have realized what she had just said. Flustered, she started to explain.
“I was just… thinking about… what I could do for you. After the Demonic Cult incident. I thought about teaching you some martial arts. We have some techniques that might be suitable, even though the Hongseong Divine Arts are only for women.”
“And?”
“My Master… she said that there’s no other martial art as suited to you as the Chaega Taekgyeon.”
“So I can’t learn any other style?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. You’re already learning the Ogeumhui, right? But when it comes to martial arts, my Master’s judgment is absolute. Whether you can learn anything else… well, you’ll have to be evaluated by someone at her level first. It doesn’t seem like the techniques we have here are good enough for you.”
She was serious.
Learning a new martial art was a dangerous endeavor.
Cultivating internal energy involved harnessing the power of nature, transforming it and absorbing it into your own body.
That was why unorthodox techniques were so risky. They forced the body to absorb overwhelming power, potentially causing irreparable harm.
The Ogeumhui and the Chaega Taekgyeon, both rooted in Taoist philosophy, emphasized harmony with nature.
Their progress might be slow, but they were relatively safe, and their final forms were magnificent, unlike the chaotic, destructive power of unorthodox techniques.
But even those styles weren’t completely without risk.
There was always the possibility of Qi Deviation, of one’s internal energy going astray, potentially causing serious harm.
Just like you should go to a bakery for bread and a pharmacy for medicine, it was best to learn martial arts from a master.
I nodded, absorbing her words.
“Didn’t Chaejin explain any of this to you?”
“She gave me a similar explanation.”
“That’s good to hear. I thought she was just recklessly teaching you whatever she felt like.”
I avoided her gaze, and she chuckled.
“That’s why I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to teach you anything else.”
“You trust your Master.”
“I do.”
She smiled, then pointed at my chest.
“It’s best to start learning martial arts at a young age. But you only started recently, right? The Chaega Taekgyeon might be a good fit for you, so your progress is fast, but… isn’t it difficult? That’s because of the impurities that have accumulated in your meridians.”
“I see. So what are you…”
“I’m going to help you expel those impurities, little by little. This has nothing to do with martial arts. It’s just… a way to improve your physical health. And to completely remove the impurities… well, that would take decades of consistent treatment, but let’s not worry about that for now.”
“That’s… impressive. Is that all it does?”
“It’ll improve your stamina, make it easier to cultivate internal energy, and it’s… very beneficial for men… ahem. Anyway, I struggled quite a bit to learn this from my Master. So please don’t refuse. I’ve given this a lot of thought, trying to figure out what I could do for you.”
“I’ll respectfully decline if it’s too much trouble.”
“It’s not a problem for someone at my level. Who do you think is standing before you?”
She stood tall, bathed in the warm glow of the inn’s lanterns, her white teeth flashing in a confident smile.
“It’s Hongryeon, the Sunset Blade.”
I nodded, unable to refuse her offer.
It was a way to improve my physical health and protect myself.
She slowly released my hand and gazed at me expectantly.
“What are you waiting for? Take off your clothes.”
“So… how much do I need to take off?”
I had a feeling this involved full nudity.
But this was uncharted territory, something that didn’t exist in Thousand Heaven Myriad Moon. I had no idea what the protocol was.
She seemed to hesitate, her face turning crimson.
“J-just… your top! Take off your top and sit over there.”
I nodded. I removed my top and sat cross-legged on the ground as instructed.
“You have a… broad back,” she said, her voice soft and low.
“Well, I’m a big guy.”
“Hehe. It’s not just because of your size.”
I could feel her warm breath on my back as her hands gently touched my skin.
“Don’t open your mouth. Just… accept the flow of energy I send you. Naturally. Remember that I’m here with you.”
I closed my eyes and nodded. A tingling warmth spread through my body, starting from my back.
I don’t know how much time passed, but eventually, a wave of nausea overwhelmed me.
“Ugh…”
I threw up, a grey, viscous mass splattering on the ground.
“Alright, that’s enough for today. Let’s do this again next month,” Hongryeon said calmly.
“Next month?”
“Doing this too frequently can damage your meridians. It’s not a problem for someone at my level, but it would put a strain on you. And it would be… painful.”
“I’ll just have to endure the wait, then.”
“Haha. Well, I’ll be entering secluded meditation tomorrow. For a week.”
“Suddenly? Did you gain some kind of insight?”
“You could say that.”
She smiled, her eyes shining.
“I saw… what I need to aim for.”
She looked up at the night sky, her gaze clear and bright. It was no longer the weary, burdened gaze I had seen before. This was the gaze of someone who had found their path.
“That’s great.”
“It is. And I’ve asked Ryuhyeon and Hyun Hwi to handle the incense pouch production and the medicinal herb garden, so don’t worry about those.”
“Why would I worry? It’s the Sunset Blade we’re talking about.”
Hongryeon had never disappointed me when it came to handling things.
And we were the Sayun Squad.
She chuckled, pleased with my answer.
“Oh, and I’ll be coming here to patrol in my sisters’ place while I’m in secluded meditation… That’s… okay with you, right?”
She looked at me, her fingers fidgeting nervously.
“Of course it’s okay.”
“Hehe. Thank you.”
Our conversation was over. As I was getting dressed, she started to head back inside, then stopped abruptly.
“Oh, and… who are you going to Cheongho with? If you need an escort, I can ask my sisters to…”
“Miss Chae will be accompanying me.”
“Miss… who?”
“Miss Chae.”
She knew about my trip to Yangwiseong with Chaejin.
Was there something wrong with that?
Her expression seemed… complicated.
I snapped my fingers. I had almost forgotten to mention it.
“Your secluded meditation ends next week, right? If you have time after that, I’d like you to join us. There’s somewhere I need to go.”
“I’d rather… wait, what?”
“I need something, and I can only obtain it in person. It would be a great help if you could accompany me. And I’d like to bring one of your disciples as well. It would be even better if they haven’t traveled outside the Murim before.”
“Well… Sayun hasn’t left the Murim yet…”
“Then let’s go together. It’ll take a few days, so let me know if you can’t make it.”
“…Next week?”
“If possible.”
“You, me, and Sayun? The three of us?”
“Yes.”
“…Three. Traveling.… but where are we going?”
“There’s a Taoist temple called Changwoon Temple, not too far from here. They say it’s a must-visit for those embarking on their first journey outside the Murim. There’s a special artifact that they only give to those who visit in person. I need that…”
I wasn’t sure if I really needed the artifact.
In Thousand Heaven Myriad Moon, it increased a blacksmith’s skill level, allowing them to craft higher-quality equipment. Whether it would have the same effect in this world… well, I would have to see.
But if I had the time, it wouldn’t hurt to visit.
And more importantly, Sayun had always wanted to go to Changwoon Temple.
It was a common destination for young disciples embarking on their first journey outside their sects. The scenery was beautiful, and there were many things to see and experience.
But Sayun, who had lost her family and her home, hadn’t had the luxury of embarking on such carefree journeys.
By the time she had recovered enough to even consider traveling, Changwoon Temple had been destroyed in a fire.
There was a scene in Part 4 of Thousand Heaven Myriad Moon where the other characters talked about their first journey to Changwoon Temple, and Sayun had quietly confessed that she had always wanted to go.
The fans had been furious.
“How could you do this to her? She’s already been through so much! You monsters! Denying her even the simple joy of visiting a temple? What kind of people are you?!”
I couldn’t miss this opportunity. I had to take her there.
“Changwoon Temple… The other disciples have been there, and Sayun always said she wanted to go, too.”
“That’s even better. She’ll be delighted to go with you.”
It was true. Sayun had always wanted to go on a trip with her senior disciple, hoping she would finally get some rest.
And I wanted to repay her for all her help.
“I’ll cover all the expenses and provide an escort, so please, come with us, Miss Hong. Think of it as a vacation.”
“…Yes. Please. I want to go.”
“Perfect. Why don’t you go back inside and have some more food? You’ll need your strength for your secluded meditation. And don’t forget our promise.”
“Y-yes! Of course! And you, too…!”
She rushed back inside, flustered.
I went back to my room. I still had some things to do before leaving.
I had to pack and get some sleep.
I was leaving before dawn.
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Sweet. Open world hijinks, here we go.