episode_0122

***

“Let’s unpack first.”

When I saw Hongryeon, Hyeonhwi, and Sayun getting off the cart and being hugged by Geomseong, I said to Yohwan.

As she shouts, people come out from inside and start unpacking the cart. Among them, I told Geomseong to organize Hong Seong-moon separately.

“But what brought you here?”

“I was in charge of patrolling on behalf of my disciples.”

“Ah. I see. Thank you for your hard work. Then would you like to have some tea? Everyone must be tired, so let’s eat at least something sweet.”

I took even those who refused and went inside. After traveling in chilly winter weather, I feel like my body is warming up as I come inside the warm weather.

The medicinal tea that Yohwan had brought and the snacks that he had made some time ago were placed on the table, and Sayun asked with wide eyes.

“What is this?”

“It’s one of the snacks eaten in winter by the imperial family. Try it.”

It’s a snack made using ice.

Sayoon, who had a taste of the sparkling red ice like a jewel, opened her eyes wide while Geomseong was flattered.

“That’s really delicious.”

“Have you tried it?”

“Yes, let me taste it.”

At Hongryeon’s question, Geomseong flinched and averted his gaze.

Well, there’s no way a Geomseong who likes sweet confections or snacks wouldn’t taste them.

“The Sword Saint has excellent taste, so he tends to ask for help when creating something new. And in return, they give us a box of sugar and sugar when we return. ah. It’s paid out of my monthly salary, so don’t worry about it.”

“Why wouldn’t you bother researching what to sell at the guest house? If something like that happens, I will tell the superiors, so just give it generously. I’m giving this to you, so please share it with Hong Seong-moon people.”

Geomseong looked proud. I think it was worthwhile to benefit Hong Seong-moon in areas other than martial arts.

“Anyway. This can only be made in winter. Because of this, some people only wait for winter. There is nothing more luxurious than eating a cold ice snack in a warm place.”

“Oh… Then, if there is cilantro with cooked ice balls, I can eat it even in the summer?”

“That’s true, but most experts who use ice balls have a lot of pride and don’t use their strength for things like this. It’s to the point where high-ranking people have to give orders.”

Well, most ice ball experts were particularly arrogant.

While everyone was resting and eating ice cream, I got up.

Anyway, since we arrived safely, shouldn’t we open one?

“Eat and stay.”

So I went out to the backyard. The place where I always rest wasn’t even a speck of dust, as if it had been cleaned up. About the time I sit there and smoke a cigarette in my mouth.

The sound of footsteps was heard.

“Hongnyeondo, Hyeonhwido, Sayundo. My skills have improved a lot. The same goes for Chaejin.”

It was the voice of the Sword Saint. When she walked into the backyard and came in front of me, I tried to get up, but she shook her head.

Then he squatted down in front of me and looked up at me.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“I didn’t do anything… But do you have something to say?”

“Did you give the letter I gave you to your apprentice?”

ah. that? I gave it to you.

When I nodded, Geomseong stared at me with expressionless eyes.

“First of all, thank you. For thinking of me that way.”

“…Keuhum. That’s not wrong. But what did he say?”

“You didn’t say anything special.”

Of course, sometimes while drinking, I asked if I wanted to open a branch in Cheongho, or if I wanted to open a business.

But right now, Cheongho couldn’t afford to do anything, so they just politely declined. I said I would do it later when I get the chance, so there shouldn’t be any problem.

“I am currently working with Seongmoon Hong. In such a situation, you can’t focus anywhere else.”

There are so many other things to think about.

Hearing my words, Geomseong slowly stood up.

The way she looked up just a moment ago changed, but the faint smile on her face did not change.

“Thank you.”

“I just did what I had to do. But I heard you came out on patrol. Is it okay if you don’t go?”

“I have to go now. Anyway, you had a lot of trouble during your journey…”

“……”

“Thank you for not giving in to the apprentice’s trick.”

“Hahaha.”

Geomseong gave me a quick glance and walked out quickly. Shortly after she left, Hongryeon, Hyeonhwi, and Sayun also came out of the guest room.

It looks like he is returning from patrol with her.

“Guest guest! Thank you for your hard work!”

Sayoon, who spotted me, waved her hand loudly and then bowed. After her, Hongryeon and Hyeonhwi also greeted me, and after receiving their greetings, I inhaled the smoke and thought.

“Now. Let’s work. Work.”

“I need to practice first before that, right? Because I kept it simple while traveling. How about warming up your body?”

I looked at Chaejin walking next to me with a grin and put the pipe down.

“Let’s do that.”

Still, did they take travel travel into account? Chaejin’s training was not as extreme as before. It’s just a matter of warming up and Chae doing Tai Chi once.

Once the training was over, Chaejin nodded with satisfaction.

“Chae seems to have gotten stronger in Tai Chi. Was Hyeonhwi’s sparring with his father helpful?”

“I think so.”

They say you can study a master’s movements just by looking at them. Maybe it was because I saw Hyeonhwi and Doje sparring the other day, but the movements just became a little more natural.

“Well, they are both great martial artists.”

“And the teacher is also very good.”

“…Ah, ahaha.”

Pat pat.

Still, Chaejin seemed happy and gave me a small pat on the chest with a smile on her face. It didn’t hurt because there wasn’t any force involved.

“Then I will do some work.”

“Yes!”

I went upstairs and checked the backlog of work.

Maybe it’s because Yohwan has organized it in his own way, but there’s nothing much to touch, but it’s something only I can do.

For example, I have to handle things like organizing the books or things related to vouchers.

By the time I finished processing them.

I heard a knock on my room.

“Oh. Teacher Yu. Are you here?”

It was Ki Noya who stayed in the guest house while I was away. Since he wasn’t there earlier, I thought he went out for a quick drink.

He was ready to leave.

“Are you leaving already? Even if it’s a banquet today…”

“I should go soon.”

“Ah. And this.”

I took out the gift I had prepared. It is a medicinal drink bought at Cheongho. While Ki Noya, who received it, liked it, I bowed to him.

“Please ask again next time.”

“Clcle. If the general asks you for help later, don’t refuse.”

After saying that, Kinoya quickly leaves. When I saw him go, I put the roughly organized documents into the safe.

While looking at the slips and documents in the safe, I saw a box at the bottom.

When I took out the box, I found that inside was the letter and sachet that Sayun had sent me.

“…huh.”

Just looking at it makes me feel at ease.

ruler. Then shall we continue?

After completing some of the guest work, I headed straight to the government office. Since it was winter, there was nothing special to do, but the government office seemed quite busy, perhaps because of preparations for next year and preparing to turn the island village, where the population was starting to increase, into a prefecture.

“Welcome.”

When the wise man smiled and greeted me from a pile of documents, I placed a box containing a bottle of alcohol on the table.

It was a medicine given to Kinoya.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“Haha. yes. Cheongho has good medicinal herbs, so I bought it as a gift.”

“No, everything like this.”

“You said you’re busy these days… Then I’ll just leave.”

“No. Since you came this far, please have a cup of tea.”

So I had time to talk to the mayor for a while. Things like what happened in Seomhwachon while I was away. He asked with a smile after telling me about recent military movements.

“So. What happened in Cheongho?”

There was work, but it was a bit personal.

I guess I should talk about it publicly.

“I heard an interesting story. It seems that the people who attacked Hongseongmun in the past and were manipulating them from behind the new Four Black Realms clashed in the territory of the Demonic Cult.”

“…A really interesting story.”

I shared the story I heard with Chae-ryeon, and Hyeon-ryeong listened seriously and nodded.

“If you do well, you could become EJ. Can I report this to General Cheon? But where is the source?”

“It’s open.”

“Then it would be more certain. I understand. Let me find out.”

I heard that this is easier if you are close to a public official.

“But it seems like the number of people in Seomhwachon has increased.”

“Hmm. exactly. Recently, as the number of monsters has increased, the number of people taking refuge in this place where monsters do not appear has increased. Well, the owner has nothing to worry about.”

okay.

Since you are so talented, you will be able to handle it well.

When I returned to my guesthouse after meeting with the wise man, the sun had already set.

After looking around the inside of the guesthouse, which was still doing good business, I went straight upstairs.

Then, I sat down at the organized desk and picked up a brush.

ruler. Now the work is done and we have to move on according to our scenario.

Currently, Sayoon has accumulated enough skills to grow further.

Then all that remains is enlightenment and training.

As for training, Hongseongmun will take care of it… What I will help with is her enlightenment.

I quickly stroked my brush, recalling the event at Heavenly Moon.

***

This trip became a stepping stone for Sayoon’s great growth.

It was natural.

I gained practical experience by competing with seekers, and was able to experience other advanced martial arts while training at Munwoljeong.

And even fights with monsters and thieves encountered during the trip.

All of those experiences served as the foundation for Sayun’s skills.

“Wow. Now you can’t look down on me because you’re the youngest, right?”

“Hehehe. Still, the sisters will win quickly.”

Although she became stronger, Sayun did not show off.

He knows that the reason he has become this strong is because of the support of the monk and the concessions of his sisters.

“Now I will protect my sisters!”

Yuhee grinned at Sayoon, who spoke energetically. Shaking on her left wrist was a piece of jewelry that Sayoon, who had returned from a trip a few days ago, had given everyone at Hongseongmun as a gift.

“Okay. Then, the next time I go to Murim, I will come back stronger. Washing dishes in the morning is more fun if I do it with you.”

“Hehehe. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Even if you beat your sister-in-law, there is no such thing as a change in rank in Hongseongmun.

Who would do such a thing in a situation where it is not enough to lead and push each other as one?

That’s why we can genuinely celebrate and be genuinely happy.

Hongryeon watched with satisfaction, and then she saw Ryu Hyun walking towards her holding a box.

“What is it?”

“It came from the post office. It’s a bit much.”

There will be letters sent from other clans, and there will also be places asking for support.

“Huh?”

Inside the box was a familiar small box.

Hongryeon chuckled when she saw that there was no sender written on it.

“Sa-yun! I received something from ‘Uncle’!”

Sayun immediately ran to Hongryeon. Then he took out the box and smiled brightly.

“Is it that good?”

“Hehe. yes. It’s been a while since I came here!”

I hurriedly opened the box and this time, I found Eunja Hannyang and Geumja Hannyang. And there was a rather thin book in it.

Geumja?

Why is Geumja different from usual?

But it doesn’t matter. What made Sayoon happier was what kind of letter the uncle had sent her.

Sayun quickly opened the script without even touching the silver and gold letters.

[It’s nice to see you always working hard. I feel relieved that I always seem to be doing well.]

“Ehehe…”

I was praised!

I got a compliment from my uncle!

Sayoon smiled brightly at the joy, not knowing what to do, and Hongryeon stroked her head.

[In the mountain village of Chilhonsan Mountain, not far from Hongseongsan Mountain, there is an old woman who is a herbalist named Gwiyo. Go to the old woman, give her a piece of gold, and tell her that you came to pay off her seven evil debts, and you will get something good. You decide how to use it.]

That was the end.

Without any explanation or anything.

Sayun and Hongryeon looked at the book blankly and then stared at each other.

“Mt. Chilhonsan is not that far from here… Would you like to go there?”

Sayun nodded loudly at Hongryeon’s words.