episode_0144

As soon as I entered the room, the first thing I felt was the bitter scent of tobacco. What follows is the scent of ink.

The scent of wild plum blossoms mixed with the smell of paper.

Various other scents tickled Hongryeon’s nose one after another, making her heart flutter.

“Now. Please sit down.”

Yuwol sat Hongryeon down on the bench and calmly began preparing tea. Hongryeon stared blankly at his concise and neat, skillful workmanship.

What do we do?

What should I say?

My head is confused and the scent in this room is so sweet that I can’t put it together.

Meanwhile, he finished preparing the tea and put the tea cup down in front of Hongryeon.

“Now. Have a drink and calm your mind.”

Only then did Hongryeon sigh. But I couldn’t open my mouth.

I can’t open my mouth due to fear and excitement.

It was my first time. Why was it so uncomfortable to be in front of him?

Looking at Hongryeon shrugging her shoulders, Yuwol smiled.

“I have something to say, but you seem to be hesitating. If so, you can tell me later.”

“Uh…”

“I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll wait for your words at any time.”

At those words, Hongryeon felt her tension melt away.

ah. also.

I feel so comfortable being around you.

It was a fun time.

Of course, I couldn’t ask what I wanted to ask.

Still, it was quite a joy for Hongryeon to drink tea with him and talk about various things, to see his smile, and to be able to hear his voice up close.

As the meeting ended and she returned to Hongseongmun, Hongryeon recalled memories from earlier.

He was as calm as always, and he…

I think you were a little embarrassed.

I also hugged him there.

Reliable arms, broad chest.

Even though it was covered by clothes, I could feel his strong muscles.

Ah… it was really good…

“…what am I thinking?”

Hongryeon sat down, touching her flushed face.

If things continue like this, both the sisters and the teacher will be worried.

He raised his cold eyes and brought them to his face. As the snow that fell a few days ago cooled my hot face, my head turned and I remembered the stories I had told you earlier.

For sure…

okay. On the last day of the year, we talked about purifying the ghost land.

I told them to come prepared as it would likely take about two days…

wait for a sec. But if it’s a two-day trip, you two will be spending the night together, right?

Suddenly, I remembered the contents of the spring book ‘Traves of the Four Gatekeepers’ that I had been reading from time to time.

A trip just the two of you.

At night, a man and a woman look at each other at a crackling bonfire…

“…ugh.”

My cooled face heats up again. Hongryeon hurriedly raised her eyes and brought them to her face.

As I left him, I began to feel anxious and a little excited again.

What should I do if he knows how I feel?

And, if this trip is for that purpose, what should I do?

Hongryeon placed her hand on her heart, which was pounding like a mad horse. I could feel my heart beating over my ample chest.

Hongryeon counted the remaining days. There is still time until New Year’s Day.

What preparations do I need to make until then?

okay. The first priority is to contact the Murim Alliance.

According to Yoo-jeong’s words, since the Murim Alliance’s research department is conducting research on objects, it is necessary to check whether it is possible to enter the real opponent’s mirror secret using the Heart Sutra.

But considering Yuwol’s appearance earlier, it didn’t seem like he knew. If he knew, wouldn’t he have been a little shaken when he was hugged or when he was facing him?

No, if you think about it, isn’t that true too?

June was always calm. Since he is that kind of person, even if he knows how he feels, he will be able to appear no different from his usual self.

Even at times like this, all I could think was that he was a trustworthy person.

And, a little dissatisfaction with him broke out.

No, I still want you to look a little embarrassed. Even when you were in his arms earlier, you didn’t seem to mind at all.

Hongryeon returned to Hongseongmun, muttering to herself in regret.

“Did you go?”

“Oh. Yes.”

I encountered a swordsman who was teaching his students. She tilted her head, looking Hongryeon up and down.

“What happened?”

What happened.

There was. A very big deal.

But I’m embarrassed to say it. That’s why Hongryeon smiled and shook her head.

“Oh, no.”

“Really? And… me. What do you want to talk to guest host Yoo…?”

“Ah. Yes.”

Looking back on my memory, I think I said it before I left.

“They asked me to tell them that they would invite me separately later.”

“Ah. okay. Hehehe. Thank you.”

“No. And… that teacher.”

“Huh?”

Hongryeon thought for a moment about asking the Sword Saint. But he immediately shook his head.

Hongryeon knew how much pain the demon that Geomseong possessed caused her.

Asking her whether she received help from others in overcoming her mental illness could have been an example of ignoring her efforts and will.

Hongryeon stared at Geomseong in silence. She didn’t seem much different from when I first met her.

This is probably because she is so young and her enormous internal strength prevents her from aging.

Hongryeon, who was staring at Geomseong without much difference except that the depth in her slightly closed eyes became deeper, smiled when she also looked at herself.

“What do you have to say?”

Hongryeon smiled brightly at her as she tilted her head.

“It’s nothing.”

Hongryeon, who returned to her room, finished her work and wrote a letter to send to the Murim Alliance.

About the heart sutra, and whether it is possible to enter another person’s image through the heart sutra.

After putting them away, she stood up and looked in the mirror.

What was reflected in the mirror was a red-haired beauty.

The voluptuous breasts, narrow waist, and buttocks that do not match the charm of a woman.

His long, straight legs were strong and his body was well-proportioned.

Hongryeon bit her lip slightly as she looked around at her body, which resembled the description of an attractive beauty from the Book of Spring.

Of course, I knew that Yuwol was not a man who was easily charmed by women.

That was good too.

But still, I wish I could shake it up just a little bit, at least for myself.

Hongryeon looked in the mirror and tried various postures.

The red-haired beauty has a seductive expression, highlighting her body.

” Ambassador’s residence. This…”

At that time, the door opened, and I made eye contact with Ryu Hyeon, who was coming in with documents. Hongryeon smiled awkwardly as she looked at her in bewilderment through the mirror.

“…What are you doing?”

“Well, just. But why?”

When Hongryeon quickly straightened her posture and asked, Ryu Hyeon held out a document.

“This is something I have to do this winter. And the same goes for making sachets…”

“Hmm. okay. Okay.”

“By the way, what’s going on? The expression is a bit strange.”

Hongryeon smiled at Ryu Hyeon’s question.

I knew it would be like this.

Hong Seong-moon’s sisters and master are worried about his changes.

Hongryeon shook her head because she knew she shouldn’t do that.

“Nothing happened. ah. And I have to go out for a day or two and then come back. Is it okay?”

“When?”

“Around the New Year’s Day.”

“Hmm… I guess it’ll be okay. Because the teacher is there too.”

Ryu Hyun answered casually, and Hongryeon slightly clenched her fist.

***

Since Yohwan was away for a while, I was worried about whether I should run the guest house or not.

However, the existing master who became Yohwan’s disciple confidently said that he could do it, so he decided to just run the guesthouse.

Well, he’s pretty good at cooking now, so there shouldn’t be a problem.

Yohwan also said it would be okay.

I took charge of the dinner business, and the customers didn’t seem to have any major complaints.

“Was the cooking okay?”

“Yes. Your skills have improved considerably?”

I had dinner with Chaejin, and my skills definitely improved. Should I open a store in Yangwiseong in the future?

While talking about various things with Chaejin, I went out to the backyard. I guess I’ll have to smoke one at the beginning of the year and do the rest.

“Ah. And I think I’ll have to leave some time around New Year’s Eve.”

“Yes. I’ll save some time.”

“No. There is no need for that. Hongryeon will go with you.”

“Eh…?”

I hope you don’t look like the whole world has collapsed like that.

I smiled at her who looked at me pitifully like an abandoned puppy.

“I’ll just go out for a day or two and then come back.”

“Well, then, can’t we go together?”

“Yes, but. There is no one to leave the guest cup to.”

It was okay up until now because I had the condition.

Of course, even when Yohwan was not around, he left it to his subordinates and went on trips, but the situation was very different between now and then.

As Seomhwachon grew, the number of customers increased.

We need someone who can lead appropriately, but that’s difficult with the ones we have now.

“Chae Sojeo can do it.”

“…What if it were me?”

“That’s right. If you really want to, you can close the guest room door, but…”

If you think about how well he did when you gave him work before. Even if a problem arises there, you can respond quickly.

She bit her lip and thought for a while before finally nodding.

“I understand. If you trust me and leave it to me… I will do it. I will do it.”

“Thank you always.”

“What? But where are you going?”

“I have to go to a place called ghost land. There is something I need to get from there.”

“Gwireungji? It’s a place where ghosts gather. Isn’t it dangerous there?”

“Of course, I can’t say it’s safe, but it still affects only the weak-hearted…”

“Ah. Then the guest owner won’t have to worry.”

Only then did Chaejin smile, as if relieved. Anyway, there won’t be any problems while I’m there.

After giving Chaejin a few precautions, I told her that I would buy her a gift when I came.

“The gift is done, so please come back without getting hurt.”

“Don’t worry.”

After the story was over and it was time to close the guest room, she returned to the room.

ruler. Then I guess I’ll have to do some work too.

There are a lot of things to take care of before you go.

Also, if Yura, the Murim Alliance, and the Four Black Dragons capture the Iron Blood Emperor, they must calculate how the next enemy will move.

Since we had some expectations in our scenario, we didn’t worry too much about the next move.

If Yura captures the Iron Bloods.

Then, the remaining enemies are Iron Blood Wood and Iron Blood Fire.

Among them, the one that moves first will be the iron blood tree.

I filled out the document, recalling my research on the direction in which he would move.

A few days passed and it was time to leave for the ghost destination.

As I got into the cart with some amulets and luggage from Changju, Chaejin looked at me with concern.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Don’t worry.”

“…Ugh. Please tell Hongryeon. If even one hair of the guest gets hurt, then really…”

I smiled at her and Chaejin, her cheeks puffed out, took a step back.

“Don’t worry. Nothing much will happen. Then I will go.”

I drove the cart while seeing Chaejin off. So, when I arrived at the meeting place.

I could see Hongryeon holding only a large sword and a bag. She was waiting wearing Hong Seong-moon’s uniform, and when she ran into me, she cleared her throat awkwardly and said hello.

“Ah, hello? The weather is nice, right?”

“Hello. But… isn’t it cold?”

“Not really.”

Of course, it suits me well, but it’s still a bit weird to come in this weather wearing only a gi that exposes my legs like that.

It’s chilly there at night.

I looked at her and got off the cart. And then I placed my thick long cloth, which I had brought with me just in case, on her shoulder.

“Still, the night breeze will be chilly while you go, so wear your clothes.”

It’s unlikely, but if I catch a cold, I’ll be in trouble.

As I put the clothes on her, she looked at me for a moment and nodded slightly.

“…Thank you.”

“Special words.”

I’ll be thankful when I get to the ghost town.