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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The sky always has its masters. During the day, the sun, emitting powerful heat and light.
At night, the moon, embracing coolness and illuminating the world. But there was a time when the power of these masters weakened, and that was dawn.
When the morning star rose and took care of the world while the sun and moon were absent, it was the time for diligent people to start their day’s work.
Even in the seemingly quiet Seomhwa Village, compared to other places, people woke up and started their work at that time.
The farmers’ mornings were early, and although small, the villagers enjoyed the morning market, so the merchants heading there were just as diligent as the farmers.
The blacksmith’s forge, utilizing the cool dawn air to escape the heat of the furnace, gradually grew hotter with the blacksmith’s busy movements.
And, when that time came, Seomhwa Village’s only inn opened its doors for morning business. Even though the innkeeper was briefly away, the inn itself didn’t cease its operations.
The loyal servants swept the yard, and in the kitchen, a cook who had recently been hired went inside to prepare for the morning rush.
Normally, the innkeeper would have come down to help with the business, but since he had announced his absence for a few days, he was nowhere to be seen.
Because of this, Chae-Jin couldn’t erase her sullen expression.
“Sigh.”
Not seeing the person she saw every day made her feel strangely out of sorts. Even though she was completely accustomed to the inn.
To feel this strange just because he wasn’t there… Her heart must be malfunctioning.
Chae-Jin took a sip of tea to suppress her uneasy feelings.
“Why the long face?”
The one who spoke to her was YoHan, who had recently become the inn’s cook.
YoHan, who brought over the Seomhwa Wraps and vegetable soup that Yu-Wol created and she had improved, chuckled at Chae-Jin, who was sullenly munching on the wraps.
“Doing that in the morning will scare away your good luck.”
“I know. By the way, how were the ingredients I brought yesterday?”
Chae-Jin remembered that YoHan had gone to gather ingredients at her and Chang-Ju’s request and returned late last night.
Thinking of those ingredients, YoHan nodded.
“That should be enough to make plenty of medicinal dishes.”
“That’s good.”
Both Chae-Jin and YoHan were startled by the voice from the stairs. That was because it was an unexpected person.
The one coming down the stairs, step by step, was the innkeeper dressed in black, Yu-Wol.
“Oh? When did you get back?”
“I arrived around dawn.”
“You could have told me…”
“I didn’t want to disturb you since you seemed to be sleeping. YoHan, would you mind getting me a serving as well?”
“Oh, sure.”
Yu-Wol naturally sat down in front of Chae-Jin and placed something he took out from his pocket onto the table.
A palm-sized fan. Staring intently at it, Chae-Jin asked with a serious expression,
“This is the Changun Temple’s treasure, right?”
“Yes. It’s called the Pachoseon.”
“I see. So when are we installing it?”
A smile spread across her previously sullen face. Feeling the awkwardness of the inn transform into familiarity and comfort, she asked brightly, and Yu-Wol replied very calmly,
“Tonight.”
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Driving the cart late into the night made me tired, but I couldn’t delay the work. I sighed, looking at the Pachoseon placed on the table.
“…Why the long face?”
At Chae-Jin’s worried voice, I shook my head.
“It’s nothing.”
“Hmm. So? Where do we need to install this?”
“There’s a spot in the inn’s basement. We can install it there.”
“Got it. Call me whenever you’re ready.”
Chae-Jin spoke leisurely, and I nodded.
If I install the flag and the Pachoseon, which I obtained from my recent visit to Changun Temple, at the same time, the quality of the items we can make here will improve.
That means I should also tell Chang-Ju, who is currently working on production.
“By the way, did you manage to get all the ingredients?”
“Oh? Yes. I got everything you needed…”
“Good work.”
Truly good work. Both Chang-Ju and Yo-Hwan are important personnel in Island Blossom Village.
As long as I can provide them with the necessary ingredients, responding to the first scenario shouldn’t be difficult.
Equipment and supplies are essential for a proper comprehensive defense.
“Then enjoy your meal.”
“Oh? Is that all?”
“…Hmm? Oh, right. Since you worked hard, your payment…”
“No, that’s not it.”
Chae-Jin smiled brightly.
“Can we go out together later?”
“Hmm… Alright.”
I needed to visit Chang-Ju, and I also heard that Geom-Bang would finish making something while I was at Changun Temple, so I needed to stop by there as well.
I was planning on going out around lunchtime anyway, so it would work out well to go together then.
After the morning rush ended, I finished my Five Animal Frolics, Chae had her Taekwondo forcibly instilled, and I finished my backlog of work, I went down to the inn.
There never seems to be a relaxing day.
“Hey, Innkeeper. You said you were going out? Take this to Chang-Ju.”
YoHan handed me a tiered lunchbox. Was he trying to make sure she had a separate lunch?
Hopefully, it wasn’t empty. I slightly opened the lunchbox and confirmed that it was fully packed.
“…Why are you looking at it like that?”
“Oh, just checking if you packed anything.”
YoHan chuckled as if he had seen the most absurd thing. And a moment later, footsteps echoed from the stairs.
“Let’s go!”
Chae-Jin came down, wearing her usual Moonlit Garden attire. Glancing at her, YoHan laughed once more before going back inside.
What was that about? Why was he laughing?
“Did you do something to YoHan?”
“No? I didn’t do anything.”
Shrugging her shoulders, she lightly tapped my back.
“Where are we going first?”
“Since I received the food, I’m thinking of meeting with Chang-Ju first.”
“I see. Let’s go!”
The strangely energetic Chae-Jin spoke casually, and we immediately went outside.
“I guess because I’ve only been to crowded places lately… it feels a little unfamiliar.”
“Isn’t it just your imagination?”
“Is it? Hehe.”
The conversation ended there. But it wasn’t awkward or strange not to talk.
We walked leisurely and arrived at the talisman room provided by the government office, where we found Chang-Ju with a troubled expression.
“Greetings.”
“Oh? Welcome.”
“YoHan asked me to deliver your lunch. Here.”
I placed the cloth-wrapped lunchbox on the wide table. Delighted, Chang-Ju quickly opened the tiered containers.
“Wow! He packed it with all my favorites!”
“That’s good.”
“There’s a lot, so why don’t we eat together?”
I looked at Chae-Jin, and she naturally sat down. It seemed they had become quite close during the few days I was away.
“I should make YoHan a talisman later.”
“Speaking of talismans, there’s something I’d like to ask…”
I placed the Moonstone on the table. It was the one I received from Oh-Chil previously.
Staring intently at it, Chang-Ju let out a short sigh and then her eyes sparkled.
“This is a good one. Where did you get it?”
There was no particular need to hide it, and it wasn’t a story worth hiding. I explained the circumstances of meeting Oh-Chil, and after listening for a while, she stopped eating and exhaled deeply.
“He must have been really grateful. This is quite high quality. And with the Blood Flower Brush… I can make two talismans with this.”
“Oh, then I’ll leave it to you. As for the payment…”
“Hey, what payment? Don’t worry about it.”
Chang-Ju chuckled, tapping the lunchbox. Was she implying she’d take the meal as payment? I didn’t mind.
I knew how much it cost to make a proper talisman.
“By the way, have you been to the blacksmith’s?”
“I was planning to go now. Is there a problem?”
“Oh? Not really. I thought you might be curious since it’s being built on your land.”
“I am curious.”
“Then we can go after we eat. It’s not far from here.”
After finishing our conversation and the meal, Chang-Ju brewed tea and offered us cups. Pointing at Chae-Jin, she asked,
“So, what are you planning to do with Moonlight Sword?”
“Well, yes. Are you familiar with the Changun Temple’s treasure?”
“Of course I am. Wait, are you planning to install that here? That won’t be easy.”
“Oh? You know about it?”
“Well, of course… if the Innkeeper brought it… it must be the Pachoseon.”
“That’s right.”
“Installing that won’t be easy. Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
Chang-Ju’s gaze was fixed on Chae-Jin. Perhaps because of this, Chae-Jin simply wore a confident smile.
“What do you take me for? I can handle anything.”
“No, but… what’s important when installing a treasure is how well you can synchronize with each other.”
“We’ve already done it before, remember?”
“Hmm. Will that be enough? Well, if you’ve decided, it should be fine. Good luck.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Anyway, it seems like I’ll also benefit if it’s installed… I feel like I should do something. Do you need anything?”
Chang-Ju grinned. She briefly mentioned the materials needed for making talismans, but I shook my head.
“I would prefer if you focused on your own work.”
That’s what I wanted most.
After meeting with Chang-Ju, Chae-Jin and I headed straight for the blacksmith’s. The building that was being built on previously empty land was already completed, with government officials coming and going.
“It’s quite large.”
“The government seems to be taking it seriously. By the way, I heard the ore is a problem…”
Indeed, good iron is necessary to make good equipment.
Listening to Chae-Jin’s hesitant voice, we entered the blacksmith’s workshop, where quite a few blacksmiths were hammering away at iron.
And then.
“Hmm? Ohhh. You must be the landowner!!”
A rather large, elderly man approached me with a smile, and I couldn’t help but be amazed.
Wow. So this is how it connects.
“I’m Mak-Sa, formerly of the Iron Horse Workshop.”
Mak-Sa.
The old man from Part 4 who gained the ability to create treasured swords after hearing the sound of iron.
And.
The one who pitied Sayun from Part 2 and made her weapons.
I couldn’t help but smile at him.
To think it would connect like this.
Old Man Mak was brought here by the magistrate, right?
…I should bring a lot of medicinal dishes and medicinal alcohol to the magistrate’s house today.
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