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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The letter delivered earlier by the postal service messenger contained welcome news. Of course, a letter from Sayun would have been even better.
The sender was Cheon Il-hwa of the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild. It informed me that the mine development was complete. In other words, my investment would be returning several times over.
The letter stated that the profits were being held at the government treasury in Yangwi Castle and could be collected at my convenience. This was satisfactory.
I anticipated needing considerable funds in the future, so the timing was perfect. As expected, mining investments were the best way to make money.
Ideally, I would develop a gold mine single-handedly, but that was beyond my capabilities and required collaboration. Mine development wasn’t a cheap endeavor.
Still, there was a gold mine among those appearing in Part 2, located not far from Yangwi Castle, so I made a mental note to entice the Cheonghae Merchant Guild into developing it later.
With both good iron and funds secured, I decided to tackle a task I’d been postponing.
Developing facilities like the sword and shield unit and the talisman workshop was essential for strengthening my base, but agricultural development was equally crucial, particularly in a rural area like this.
In Heavenly Moonlight, developing a base also yielded profits from local products. Developing Seomhwa Village as a base for Hong Seong-mun would undoubtedly strengthen them as well.
I tapped my fingers on the table as I smoked, then nodded and stood.
“Oh? Where are you going?”
“I’m thinking of going to the government office.”
In Heavenly Bright Moon, investing funds in the local government office allowed for base development and protection.
After all, bandit and monster attacks couldn’t be ignored. While Seomhwa Village, being near Mount Hongseong, had fewer monster appearances, it wasn’t entirely free from bandits.
Although the magistrate was diligent, it didn’t guarantee complete safety.
The elite demonic cult troops that attacked previously had already withdrawn, but a reasonably strong guard force was still necessary, if not quite on their level.
And for that, investment was the only way. After all, it was the budget that ruled the world.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Let’s.”
Chae-jin, seemingly with nothing else to do, followed me outside. As we strolled through Seomhwa Village, Chae-jin remarked,
“Seomhwa Village seems more lively than before.”
“I can’t deny that.”
The improved quality of goods alone had visibly boosted people’s spirits. Human life, seemingly complex, was also simple; access to better goods significantly improved its quality.
Chae-jin, glancing at the smiling faces in the marketplace, moved slightly closer to me.
“Is it because of that?”
“The dharma treasures? Likely. Plus, with the establishment of the sword and shield unit, the improved weaponry of the soldiers, and Hong Seong-mun’s increased patrols, public order has improved.”
Safety and better quality necessities. These alone could make people happier.
Chae-jin nodded slightly, then chuckled wryly.
“It reminds me of the times I attended classes at Moonlight Pavilion.”
“You attended classes at Moonlight Pavilion?”
“Moonlight Pavilion isn’t just a simple martial arts sect. They care for the area around Cheongho, manage various businesses, and provide a foundation for the livelihoods of its people.”
That was certainly beyond the scope of a typical sect.
Come to think of it, the Sword Lord, though an honorary position, also held a government post. The government office wouldn’t dare to interfere with him.
“So, we receive education on the tasks we’ll have to handle if we become the head of Moonlight Pavilion in the future. Management is one part of that training,”
Chae-jin explained calmly as we walked.
Managing a sect, especially one as large as Moonlight Pavilion, was certainly no easy task. It involved not only businesses and land but also human resources.
“I’m not good at that, so I was often scolded.”
“Is that so?”
“Heehee. Yes. That’s why I hope to have someone reliable by my side, someone I can trust, in the future.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, from that perspective, Seomhwa Village seems to be doing quite well. Everything seems to be falling into place, doesn’t it?”
“The magistrate here is quite competent.”
I wasn’t joking. If Hong Seong-mun hadn’t been destroyed in the prologue, I suspected the magistrate would have collaborated with them to defend the village in Part 1.
He was truly efficient.
This was an unexpected but welcome development.
If this magistrate had been the corrupt sort often seen in Heavenly Moonlight, more interested in lining his pockets, my workload would have been multiplied several times over.
“You two work well together,”
Chae-jin observed.
“I can’t deny that.”
My investments and development efforts, coupled with the magistrate’s management, had created a synergy that brought them this far.
It wasn’t solely my accomplishment or the magistrate’s.
I smiled in agreement with Chae-jin and continued walking until we arrived at the government office.
“Hmm? Welcome.”
Everyone at the office knew me, so we entered without any formalities. The magistrate, working as usual, greeted us with a smile and led us to his office.
“What brings such a busy person here?”
As I sipped the tea he poured, I handed him the prepared documents. He read them carefully, then his eyes widened.
“So, you’re saying I don’t have to pay for the new equipment?”
“Yes.”
I had profited considerably from the successful mine development by the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild. Hoarding it wouldn’t do anyone any good.
Better to use it for Seomhwa Village’s development.
“Aren’t you implementing austerity measures everywhere due to the cost? I heard you were cutting the budget for reinforcing the village’s palisade.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“I’ve received a lot of help from you, Magistrate…”
The recent duel was a prime example.
“And I’ll likely need to ask the office for help again in the future. So, consider this a token of gratitude… I won’t charge you for the equipment.”
“Huh… I feel like I’m constantly indebted to you.”
“We should help each other out, shouldn’t we? And when I have some more to spare, I’ll contribute to the magistrate’s… upkeep.”
“Upkeep? What upkeep do I need? Haha. Anyway, thank you very much. Hmm… I’d like to build a gate named after you, Innkeeper.”
Large investments often resulted in bridges or gates bearing the investor’s name, but I’d rather that money be used for training soldiers and improving defenses.
“Actually, there’s something I’d like to request. You mentioned the recent suspicious activity of the demonic sects.”
“Demonic sects…ah, yes. The Saheukryeon incident, right? Those damned bastards were caught illegally possessing gunpowder. Some sects were destroyed, and to atone, they went to the battlefield,”
the magistrate explained, clicking his tongue in disgust. I nodded in agreement and continued.
“But the atmosphere among the demonic sects is still unsettling. We don’t know when something might happen.”
“So?”
“As I mentioned, I recently invested in a mine and made a profit. And thanks to that investment, I’ve secured a supply of high-quality iron.”
“Oh…”
“So, what I’m suggesting is, could we further bolster the defenses? Things like protective barriers, reinforcing the palisade, or even watchtowers…”
“That’s certainly not a bad suggestion. Defensive structures would definitely be helpful…”
Of course, such defenses might not be very effective against high-level martial artists. But doing nothing wasn’t an option. Not everyone attacking would be a master.
“Even low-level martial artists can be dangerous to villagers.”
“That’s also true…hmm. Alright. I’ll look into that favorably.”
“I’ll contribute to the costs.”
“Oh, you don’t have to.”
Though he said that, he didn’t refuse, which amused me. He cleared his throat and pulled out a ledger.
“Actually, I’ve been wanting to improve the quality of the weapons our soldiers use ever since the elite demonic cult troops attacked. The imperial catalog has some weapons we can purchase immediately. Let’s see about procuring those.”
“Thank you.”
“What for? I should be thanking you. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”
The magistrate smiled generously, as if willing to grant any request. I shook my head.
Nothing.
Not at the moment.
After meeting with the magistrate, Chae-jin and I headed to the sword and shield unit’s headquarters. There, we encountered some unexpected individuals.
“Huh? What are you two doing here?”
“Oh, Innkeeper! Hello!”
Sayun and Yu-hee greeted us with bright smiles. While Chae-jin and I were surprised to see the inseparable pair at the unit’s headquarters, Mak No-ya emerged with a grin.
“Oh, Landlord, you’ve arrived? I was just examining Lady Yu’s hand.”
Sayun simply stepped back, smiling cheerfully, while Mak No-ya pointed at Yu-hee’s outstretched hand.
“Why are you looking at her hand?”
“A sword must fit the hand properly. That young lady insists her own sword is sufficient, which is fine, but if we’re making swords for Hong Seong-mun in the future, we need to get the measurements right, don’t we?”
There had been a similar event in Heavenly Moonlight – showing one’s hand to have a suitable weapon crafted.
I looked at Sayun.
“Why don’t you get yours measured, too?”
“My sword is enough for me.”
“Is that so?”
I couldn’t argue with Sayun, clutching her sword protectively. If she said so, then so be it. I’d encourage her to get measured by Mak No-ya later when she needed a truly good sword.
“Ah, and some good iron will be arriving soon.”
“Haha. Is that so? That’s good news. I just received some old swords from Hong Seong-mun and finished forging new ones yesterday.”
“Well done.”
“Hmm. It’s nothing. It’s customary for blacksmiths to maintain weapons for martial arts sects. In return, they assist us if anything happens. And I heard Hong Seong-mun is patrolling and helping the village.”
“That’s right.”
“I’ve heard of Hong Seong-mun’s reputation. Helping them out isn’t a bad thing. Oh, and the Sword Saint came by earlier.”
“…Yes?”
What was this now?
I looked at Chae-jin, who also tilted her head in confusion.
Sayun and Yu-hee each offered an explanation.
“Master said she was going to the inn.”
“She said she wanted to see you after taking a walk around the village.”
Me?
Why me?
She surely wasn’t coming for more sweets.
I couldn’t think of any reason. I pondered, but nothing came to mind. In the end, I returned to the inn empty-handed. And there, I began to understand.
“…Greetings.”
“I trust you’ve been well.”
In the inn’s backyard, sitting alone on the long bench where I usually smoked, was the Sword Saint.
“What brings you here?”
I ushered Chae-jin inside first. After she entered, looking slightly perplexed, the Sword Saint rose and said, “I came to ask you a few things.”
Perfect.
I had a few questions for her as well.
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