episode_0168

The main story of Part 3 of Heavenly Moon is a story related to the North.

It was a fairly large update that included new enemies, new bosses, new areas and new equipment, all related to the North.

And of course, I had to go to the North to solve the incident that was happening in the North, but considering the current situation, I wondered if there was any need to go.

Even in the scenario we assumed, we judged that there would be no need to go north.

The Iron Blood Tree, which had been active in the north until now, would have gathered its strength by storming the places in the north where spirit energy gathered. And, he would have used the confusion that occurred there to wake Dool up.

Dool, who woke up from the seal, must have eaten monsters or taken them under his command in order to gather his power.

So where will they head after finishing their work in the North?

Ultimately, it is a place where spiritual energy gathers. And, among the places where the spiritual energy gathered, the first place to be targeted was Hongseongsan Mountain.

In other words, I could say that what I had to do was to quietly protect this place.

This time there are two enemies to deal with.

Dool and the Iron Bloods.

“Why are you looking like that?”

“Because I have something to think about.”

“Is it because of the protection of Hongseong Mountain?”

I nodded to Hongryeon’s question. Now she also knew the importance of Hongseong Mountain and the reason why the Iron Blood Order was targeting it.

As they could expect that they would be attacked again, they had no choice but to put on a serious expression.

“Of course, Hongseong Mountain is not the only dangerous one. There are many places in the empire where spiritual energy gathers. Cheongho is there right now.”

“That’s true too.”

“And they won’t attack right away either. Maybe he’ll try to gather more power by circling around.”

This may be especially true if you are collaborating with Dool.

Monsters can increase their strength by eating other monsters. If we think about that, Dool, who has grown stronger by eating all the monsters in the north, will come down from the north and go around eating monsters.

“It’s a pain in the ass… It might be better not to let go of control…”

“Dool is a cunning monster, and the Sangvis are not stupid, so they will remain calm until they are out of control.”

“If the imperial palace investigates and knows the danger, wouldn’t they not relax control?”

I wish that was the case, but just like they did in Heavenly Moon, Dool and the Iron Bloods will reduce their traces and hide as quietly as possible until control is lifted.

In addition, the requests from merchants and the northern side have been around for a long time, and officials who want to loosen the control of the north will also make strong claims, so even if there is an investigation by scholars, the control of the north will eventually be lifted.

And even if it is not resolved, if Sangvis and Dool decide that there is nothing to be gained from the north, they will find the route used by smugglers and come down.

“Well, the work itself hasn’t changed. Anyway, I already knew that the Iron Bloods would attack.”

“Shouldn’t you tell the governor?”

“You probably already know.”

Since the last incident, the Hyeonryeong had been on the same boat as Cheon Il-hwa, so they must have been sharing information at least.

But just in case, I’ll have to go see it later.

“I also found out through the letter that came this morning. And I have a friend in the northern garrison, and he told me that there was something strange there too. I was already going to tell Hong Seong-moon and Yu guest host.”

As expected, the county government must have had its own information network.

He checked the certificate I showed him and showed him the certificate he had received. Looking at the rough handwriting, it certainly seemed like a letter from someone active in the north.

And after comparing the letter Cheon Il-hwa sent, which was similar to the one I received, I nodded.

“Isn’t what we do particularly going to change?”

“That’s right. No matter if it’s the Iron Blood Order or something else, if you’re targeting this place, you have to fight.”

He was calm, and I laughed. I’m glad that Hyeonryeong did a really good job.

“Haha. Even if you look like this, you are a person who has experienced all kinds of hardships before birth.”

“I don’t know how helpful it is to join hands with the mayor.”

If only it were a really stereotypical Tomgwan Duck…

Ugh. It’s scary to even imagine. The Hyeonryeong grinned, and Hongryeon, who was next to me, smiled and stood up.

“Thank you for your help.”

“Well, with this much. If things go well later on, please don’t forget me at Hongseongmun.”

“Hehe. Yes.”

The higher you go, the more important it is to have relationships with prestigious political factions. Later, when the Hyeonryeong ascends to a higher position, if Hongseongmun supports him, the Hyeonryeong’s future will be bright.

“I will not forget Moonwoljeong.”

“Then it would be better. Well then, I have to go out for training.”

When the prefectural order went out, there was no need for us to be at the government office. When we went outside, we saw quite a few soldiers training.

“It seems like the soldiers have become a little stronger.”

“He must have received special pay from General Cheon. It is also important to make soldiers elite…”

Of course, unlike the general sect, they focused on combat rather than enlightenment… but since it is a higher level of martial arts, the soldiers’ power will also greatly increase.

“Looking at things like this, I’m not too worried.”

Hongryeon said quietly as she walked next to me. I smiled at her.

“No need to worry.”

Because all situations are already within our scenario.

When I returned to the guesthouse, Chaeryeon had come down. However, it doesn’t seem like he just came down to rest, he was carrying luggage.

“Hmm? Where are you going?”

“Yes. I think I need to go back to Munwoljeong soon.”

I looked at Chaejin, and she tilted her head. It looks like he tried to leave without telling Chaejin.

“Isn’t this too sudden?”

“Ahaha. That’s right. Still, I’ve been here for a long time. I’ll go to Munwoljeong, do some work, and then come back.”

“Huh…”

“Huh? Do you dislike it?”

“Is that possible? Welcome anytime.”

Chae-ryeon smiled. Then he took a step towards Hongryeon and said with a bright smile.

“Is Yuni busy right now?”

“Well… would you like to go? I’m accelerating my training these days. Still, if you say you’re going, I’ll be able to at least see you off.”

“Hehe. Well, I guess I should take a look before I go. I’ll be back.”

Chae-ryeon puts down her bag and goes outside. Chaejin watched her walk away and sighed softly.

“Are you sad that your younger brother is leaving?”

“Oh, it’s a shame.”

She spoke in surprise with a slightly red expression and then closed her mouth. And only after seeing Hongryeon go to the backyard did she gently take my hand.

Fingers and fingers intertwined. Then she gently leaned against me and spoke in a sweet tone.

“…actually, it’s a shame. But it’s okay because I have you.”

“Haha. That’s a good thing.”

“That’s right.”

Chae-ryeon, who came after meeting Sayun, left. They heard that there were some warriors who had to go to the Murim League, so when Chae-ryeon left with them, Chae-jin seemed a little glum.

It’s like looking at a puppy with droopy ears and tail, and it makes me feel sick.

Hongryeon must have felt sorry to see her like that, so she went over and patted her for no reason.

“Would you like to have a drink later?”

“…Okay. What about the guest?”

“Today is the day I receive counseling.”

Even though Hong Seong-moon’s name was on the guest house, what I do didn’t change much. Also, there are a lot of people coming to the village these days, so I had to get information through this.

Occasionally, martial artists would come to me and say they were bored and just want to talk, but the information I got from them was surprisingly a lot of useful information.

“It’s counseling… and I’m trying to help others.”

“Not exactly like that.”

This is also one of the ways to stop the Iron Blood Order and Dool.

When the dinner business was over and only the drinking customers were left, I sat down as usual.

Is it because I have a lot of work to do recently? There were quite a few people who wanted to have a drink and chat with me.

I talked to some of them, and also talked to a martial artist who came from afar, and got some information.

“Monsters are moving…”

“Yes. Anyway, I had a hard time because of that.”

There are cases where monsters are found in places other than their usual habitat, and there are also cases where monsters that should be in their habitat disappear.

It is said that because of this, many monster hunters were wasting their time.

“That’s why we’re coming down.”

“It must be a lot of trouble. I will buy you a drink.”

“Hehe. Thank you.”

The monster hunter, who said he had suffered a lot since he was young, grinned and accepted the drink I gave him. When I heard that they were going to stay in Seomhwachon for a while and go to catch the monsters after hearing about them, I told them the story I had heard from others.

“Do you know anything about Chalho bugs?”

” When you say a scratch bug, don’t you mean a fast-moving bug monster?”

“There is a story that Chalhochung appeared in Chuwon Gorge, about two days south of Yangwiseong. Chalho bugs are fast monsters, but if you smell purified mugwort, their movements slow down. How about catching it?”

“Oh… that would be okay. Thank you.”

The man stood up immediately. As I watched him leave the store with a group of three men and women sitting near the entrance.

“As I continue to listen, I see that your knowledge is truly amazing. Then, could you listen to my story?”

A woman with her face half covered with black cotton came over and sat down and spoke, and I answered with a smile.

“Of course. However, I would like you to take off the cotton thread.”

“That’s a little bit difficult. Does that mean I can’t get counseling if I get my hair cut?”

“Not really, but.”

“Then I will ask you a favor.”

I nodded and held out my drink. After receiving it, she fiddled with the glass and cried.

“In the past… there was someone who betrayed his family and ran away.”

I guess so.

She sipped her drink, tactfully wearing a cotton hat, and spoke calmly.

“I suffered quite a lot of damage because of that person.”

“You must have been very heartbroken.”

“It happened when I was young, and I didn’t really like him, but…”

As she continued speaking calmly, her black eyes flashed.

“Do you know how to find that person?”

I said with a smile.

“There are many ways… This is a place for counseling to soothe emotional wounds, not a place to provide information.”

I took a sip of my drink and spoke to the woman in black cotton.

“Lord Cheonhwagung.”

A woman in cotton yarn.

Cheon Ryu-yeong, the lord of Cheonhwa Palace, slightly twitched his eyebrows.