The Protagonist’s Daddy Long Legs – Chapter 49

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Ever since getting to know Hano, the branch head of the Haomun Yangwiseong branch, I met with him whenever I went to Yangwiseong.

Whether I visited him, or he came to visit me.

While sharing drinks with him, we talked about many things, and in the process, I obtained quite a bit of interesting information, some of which I already knew, and some I didn’t.

Among the information he told me, one piece that I already knew was about the expelled monk of Amipa.

The expelled monk who became the imperial palace’s chef after being excommunicated from Amipa.

A story you learn when doing Amipa-related events.

“…..”

I saw Yohwan, the protagonist of that story.

She was subtly avoiding my gaze by turning one of her eyes away.

“That must be why she couldn’t easily find work in Cheongho. Isn’t that right? And the reason why those who aren’t murim people know about things that only murim people should know is… because you told them.”

Chae Jeokyeo’s eyes narrowed. Facing her cold expression, I shook my head.

“Even without your story, they couldn’t have ignored Amipa’s influence. There are many murim people who visit Cheongho, and among them, quite a few need to be mindful of Amipa. So I already know that Cheongho’s establishments were hesitant to hire Yohwan because they were wary of them.”

“…Is the innkeeper of the prestigious Seomhwa Village saying they have nothing to fear?”

What was there to fear?

Among the people who came to Seomhwa Village, there weren’t many murim people.

Besides, Hongseongmun had no connection to Amipa.

Of course, while Hong-ryeon held a position as a Murim Alliance inspector, it wouldn’t be a problem since she had no significant relationship with Amipa.

Also, doing Yohwan’s event didn’t automatically make you an enemy of Amipa anyway.

There were plenty of ways around it.

“What about Hongseongmun? They’re affiliated with the Murim Alliance, so they can’t ignore Amipa either, can they?”

“I’m the one hiring Yohwan. It has nothing to do with Hongseongmun. My inn isn’t even a murim faction, so what does it matter?”

“…So. Will you stop Munwal Jeong’s event?”

“When someone says they don’t want to go, it doesn’t seem right for a righteous faction to force them.”

“Ugh…!!”

Chae Jeokyeo groaned while grinding her teeth. Although she tried bringing up various other things afterward, how could that work?

The fact remained unchanged that she was trying to forcefully take Yohwan away.

“Aren’t you trying to take her away because you want something other than her abilities as a chef from Yohwan?”

Flinch.

Chae Jeokyeo, who had been glaring at me with vicious eyes, trembled at her shoulders.

I was right.

It’s not like Munwal Jeong didn’t have any chefs.

Of course, they might accept Yohwan because of her medicinal cuisine, but that wasn’t what Chae Jeokyeowanted.

She probably wanted to somehow obtain Amipa’s martial arts that Yohwan knew but couldn’t speak of due to the restriction.

Maybe she even had a way to break the restriction.

But the Master was a person with strong pride.

Besides, when she believed that the Moonlight Sword Technique was the strongest martial art, would she even look at Amipa’s martial arts?

In other words, what Chae Jeokyeowas doing now was solely for her own benefit.

Just analyzing martial arts from a sect like Amipa could make one stronger.

I wasn’t sure how she planned to deal with the consequences later. This wasn’t something that came up in Cheongsong Myeongwol either…

Was she just relying on Mun Woljeong’s reputation and the Master?

If not that, then Byeokroemun who supported her?

Even so, this was too reckless and thoughtless…

But come to think of it, even in Cheongsong Myeongwol, there were people who acted rashly just relying on their family or sect’s power, so I couldn’t completely dismiss that possibility.

Anyway, what’s important was this.

I stared at her as she gritted her teeth and asked.

“Is taking Yohwan really Mun Woljeong’s event? Choose your words carefully. There are many eyes and ears watching here.”

If this was something you alone planned, not Mun Woljeong, then you would have to bear that responsibility yourself.

When I mentioned this, the sound of teeth grinding could be heard from where I was, and finally, Chae Jeokyeo whirled around.

However, when she slightly turned back, her glaring eyes told me that this was far from over.

I headed to Chamo’s inn with Yohwan.

Chamo seemed quite flustered seeing the awkward Yohwan but didn’t say anything particular. She just quietly served tea.

“…Is this okay?”

There was no strength in her clear, sharp voice.

Yohwan, who was fiddling with her teacup, was forcing a smile.

Seeing her expression filled with an old person’s regret, pain, and apologetic feelings, I put away the tobacco case I was about to take out.

“I told you already. I just needed someone who could make medicinal cuisine.”

“That…”

“Stay here for a while. I have somewhere I need to go briefly.”

Now that I had brought Yohwan, I needed to fulfill the magistrate’s request.

I recalled the name of the talisman master the magistrate had mentioned – Chang-ju.

This was someone I had heard of even in Cheongsong Myeongwol.

I remembered that when buying talismans, several talisman masters had said that Dokgakgwi Chang-ju was quite skilled at writing talismans.

Of course, in our scenario, bringing Chang-ju wasn’t part of it. We just needed to have someone good at talismans stay in Seomhwa Village. That was all.

Still, Chang-ju would be plenty helpful.

Since the magistrate had invited her, her salary would come from the government office, so there was no burden.

“…Where are you going?”

“There’s someone I need to bring. A person called Chang-ju. I hear they’re a skilled talisman master.”

“..Chang-ju? Do you mean Dokgakgwi Chang-ju?”

“Oh? You know them?”

“I do know.”

The elderly woman smiled confidently, just like when she first met me.

“They’re my next-door neighbor.”

Like all places where people live, Cheongho, with its beautiful lake, clearly had wealth disparities.

As we moved quite far from the bustling area centered around Mun Woljeong, the buildings started to look quite shabby.

While walking on the muddy, squelching path, Yohwan kept glancing this way. No, more precisely, at Chaejin who was walking beside me.

“Why do you keep looking?”

“…It’s nothing.”

From the first time I saw her, Yohwan had been subtly trying to keep her distance from Chaejin. If I hadn’t been paying close attention, I might not have noticed, but I had already caught on.

We would be together for a while anyway, so it would be uncomfortable for everyone if things stayed like this. Even Chaejin would surely notice someone obviously trying to avoid her.

No, maybe she already knew.

“Miss Chae.”

“….Hmm?”

“She’s not the kind of person you think she is.”

For example, not like Chae Jeokyeo, a murim person who would try to forcefully take it away for her own benefit.

As far as I knew, Chaejin wasn’t that type of person.

“If it’s hard to trust Miss Chae, then trust me, your employer.”

“Ha. When you haven’t even paid me yet?”

She burst into laughter, speaking again in her characteristic clear, sharp voice. Still, it felt better than before.

As she started walking ahead with more relaxed steps, Chaejin lightly grabbed the hem of my clothes.

“Um. Thanks. For trusting me.”

“I already told you before. That I trust you.”

“…I just wanted to hear it one more time.”

She flicked her tongue and smiled, then walked quickly with hurried steps.

Probably because she noticed Yohwan stopping in front of a shabby house up ahead.

Following after them, I arrived just as Yohwan was knocking on the house’s door.

“Hey! It’s me! Are you in?!”

“Ugh… what is it.”

What we heard from inside was a voice heavy with sleep. What appeared beyond the opened door was a woman with a sturdy build and ordinary features.

Perhaps around the same age as Hong-ryeon or Chaejin?

The woman with a scar near her eye was still frowning, probably not fully awake, and grumbled.

“What are you calling for at the crack of dawn?”

“…Crack of dawn?”

The sun was high in the sky, wasn’t it? As I looked dumbfounded, she looked me up and down and tilted her head.

“Are you… a guest?”

“I came with a recommendation from Seomhwa Village’s magistrate. I’m Yu-wol, the innkeeper of Seomhwa Village.”

“Seomhwa Village’s magistrate…? Ah! That person? I should have already told them? I’m not into working tied down to one place.”

“Still, I hope you would hear me out.”

I had thought quite a bit about ways to persuade Changju on our way here.

Good. This was when my persuasiveness would shine.

Master Seo Hui, who reclaimed the Six Provinces of Guangdong with just your tongue!

Please give me strength!

“Hehe. If you want to hire me, why don’t you try convincing that old lady first? Though it won’t be easy. You know who that old lady is, right? Someone who worked as the imperial palace’s chef, no less. Wouldn’t she be more useful than a wanderer like me? If you hire that old lady, I’ll come too!”

Was she trying to redirect the attention being given to her towards Yohwan? Changju snickered, and Chaejin beside me smiled brightly.

“Then you should come! This chef has already agreed to join us.”

“…What?”

Changju’s eyes widened, and what I had prepared became unnecessary.

.

.

.

Still, thank you! Master Seo Hui!

Though she grumbled, Changju kept her promise, saying she couldn’t go back on her word.

When she came out with her belongings and saw Yohwan actually packing her things, she was quite dumbfounded.

By the time we returned to Chamo’s inn with her, who was confused as if betrayed by her own trusted ax, the sun was beginning to set.

Now. It was time to make a decision.

If we stayed here, Chae Jeokyeo would surely attack.

That’s how it was in Celestial Bright Moon, and after leaving like that earlier, she wouldn’t just stay quiet.

Therefore, quickly running away was one option.

If we took the official road, Chae Jeokyeo wouldn’t be able to chase easily, so escaping wouldn’t be a problem.

But considering Chaejin, it might be better to settle things here before leaving.

Chaejin wanted to maintain her position as the chief disciple and hoped to succeed the master as Munwoljeong’s leader in the future. And the same went for other inner disciples.

Therefore, all of Mun Woljeong’s current inner disciples could be considered rivals.

Among them, Chae Jeokyeo was quite a troublesome enemy who tried to slowly eat away at her position through political methods and using her influence insidiously, so using this opportunity could prevent her from attacking Chaejin.

If we pushed a bit more, we might even be able to remove her completely.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

I looked at Chaejin. Watching her optimistic smile, I asked directly.

“Do you want to become Mun Woljeong’s leader?”

“Huh? Of course.”

“Then you choose.”

I told her my thoughts, and Chaejin groaned with her eyes closed before asking.

“What do you think, Innkeeper?”

“Both have pros and cons, but I’d prefer the latter. The problem is, Miss Chae, you’ll have to fight Chae Jeokyeo…”

The other aspects weren’t problems.

I heard on our way here that Changju grew up in the military since childhood and could fight to some extent.

Yohwan also said she could protect herself.

If things seemed dangerous, we could use the official warning flare I received from the magistrate to call Chungho’s government troops.

No matter what, they wouldn’t cause trouble in front of government troops.

The only other concern was that I might be in danger for being weaker than them… but I was willing to accept that risk.

“You don’t think I’ll lose to Chae Jeokyeo?”

“Not at all.”

Even before obtaining Moonlight Flash, Chaejin could have won against Chae Jeokyeo, so now that she was stronger, it shouldn’t be a problem.

That’s why I spoke definitively, and she burst into her characteristic confident laughter.

“Ahaha! Then I can’t betray that trust. Let’s rest for a day before going. I’m fine with it. Should we go out and look around? Chungho has lots to see here and there even at night.”

Her decision was quick, and in that case, there was no need to hesitate.

“That sounds good. I needed to buy some gifts anyway. Then today’s training…”

“Of course we have to do it before going!”

Finally, only after training behind the inn could I go out with Chaejin.

The central area developed around Chungho had many things to see.

I was particularly interested in the fabric for making clothes, as there were quite a few things that would be hard to find in Seomhwa Village or Yang Weicheng.

This fabric. It might be better to use it when making sachets later?

When doing limited edition special sales on special days…?

“What are you looking at so intently?”

“Nothing. Ah. And I’d like to buy some gifts, is there a good place?”

“For that, there’s Taehwa Shop over there. They sell Chungho’s specialties too, so that’s the best place.”

Saying that, Chaejin led me.

As she was confident about it, Taehwa Shop indeed sold quite a lot of things.

And with many goods came many people.

Among them were quite a few martial artists carrying weapons. Among them, I knew the face of a girl carrying a large sword on her back.

Looking at Chaejin and me alternately with round eyes, she started tilting her head.

When she kept glancing this way until leaving with her companions, she hurriedly pretended not to when our eyes met, but she was already caught anyway.

“…That’s Peng Huiseo. She’s close with Ryeon.”

I knew that too.

Chae Ryeon, Sa Yun, and Yu Na were girls who frequently appeared in another protagonist’s main story.

“If that child is here… that means Ryeon must be at Mun Woljeong too.”

“Is that so? Then shouldn’t we go see her? It must have been a while since you met.”

“Well. She’ll handle it well! Now then, let’s hurry and buy what we need!”

She seemed slightly depressed somewhere but forced herself to speak cheerfully as she picked out gifts with me.

Something for the magistrate, something for the village chief. Something for the kids working at the inn.

And something for Hong Seongmun.

Though Chaejin seemed a bit disgruntled when buying gifts for the Hong Seongmun people, she still couldn’t stop me.

By the time we returned to the inn with an armful of gifts, night had already fallen with the setting sun.

“Before we leave tomorrow morning, I think I need to stop by Mun Woljeong briefly. There’s something I need to bring.”

“Is that so?”

While we were sipping alcohol with Yohwan and Changju after putting our luggage in the room prepared at Chamo’s inn, Chaejin spoke up.

Despite Yohwan saying it would be better to go now if that was the case, she only said she would go in and come right back out.

As we were sipping alcohol in the quiet inn like that.

Perhaps because I had told her before we went out earlier, Changju spoke with an apparently unimpressed attitude.

“I sense some messy killing intent.”

“For someone from the military, you’re quite sensitive? Do you have any idea who it might be?”

Chaejin seemed to have already noticed. As she moved her hand to the sword handle beside her, I lowered my hand holding the wine cup.

“Who else could it be?”

Looking over the black-clothed people barging into the inn, Chaejin sighed.

“Fortunately, they’re not Munwoljeong’s warriors. Did she hire them separately? Or…”

They might be warriors separately prepared by Byeokroemun. Anyway, their skills didn’t seem particularly impressive.

That meant there was a high chance that this time, just like in Celestial Bright Moon, Chae Jeokyeo had decided and acted alone…

I put down my wine cup and stood up.

“Miss Chae. I’ll try to protect myself somehow…”

“Ah. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you, Innkeeper. I’m your guard after all, right?”

Chaejin smiled her usual confident, arrogant smile, and I nodded.

“Then I’ll be counting on you. Now. Let’s begin.”

As soon as my signal dropped, Chaejin drew her sword, and with that as the start, the black-clothed people charged in.

However, despite their numbers being far greater than ours, I wasn’t particularly afraid.

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