episode_0244

When we arrived at Seomhwachon, or rather what should now be called Seomhwaseong, the festival was well underway.

We haven’t even arrived at the castle yet, but drinks and simple snacks for travelers are being offered at low prices along the roadside.

Of course, the taste wasn’t that great, but for those who didn’t have money, it was enough to appease their hunger and quench their thirst.

“Is it because it’s a festival? There are many people entering the castle.”

As I sat in the coach seat and said something, I felt eyes on me from the side.

It was Sayun’s gaze.

Even if she doesn’t say anything, I think I know what she’s thinking. He must be thinking about the promise he made before leaving, asking if he could walk around with him during the festival.

“After returning and meeting the Lord of the castle, shall we walk around for a bit?”

“Really?!”

Perhaps hearing Sayun’s voice, which was visibly happy and at a loss, the window connecting the carriage and coach seat flew open.

“Oh my. It reminds me of the old days. Come to think of it, we walked around Palseonchon together, right? How about going together this time while reminiscing about those times?”

It was Hongryeon.

She stretched out her hand and patted Sayun’s head, then looked at me with a coy look and said.

Well, you don’t mind? When I nodded, the swordsman in the carriage spoke seriously.

“Hmm. okay. Ryeon. You go together.”

“Huh? Master? Why suddenly…”

“I will go out with you separately tomorrow. Hahaha!”

Hongryeon bit her lip slightly as she saw Geomseong laughing cheerfully.

The two get along really well.

“Chaejin. Why are you quiet?”

“Well… I’ll have to laugh at that and get over it. Because I’m with you every day.”

The carriage became quiet.

Check and check. After seeing them staring at each other and smiling, Sayun gently closed the window.

“Are you okay?”

“Well, it’s cute like that.”

“Ahahaha…”

I patted Sayoon’s head once. I drove the carriage like that, and when I arrived in front of the large castle gate, a soldier who recognized me smiled and opened the gate.

“Case Sentence Elder!! Welcome back! The wise spirit is waiting!”

“I see. Anyway, how is it these days?”

“It’s good for us! haha! I never thought I would become a castle soldier! This is all thanks to you!”

“Did I do something? It’s thanks to your hard work. By the way, if the guest house was in good condition, I would invite you and have a banquet… but this is a shame. I’ll have someone bring alcohol and meat to the barracks, so you can have some fun. It’s a festival in Seomhwaseong, but what’s the use of it if the soldiers of Seomhwaseong can’t enjoy it?”

“Thank you!”

After receiving the soldier’s greeting, I swung the horse’s reins. A rattling carriage moves slowly down the road.

Although there were many people, there was no one on the side of the road where the carriage was passing.

In the old days, there would have been no such distinction, but as it turned into a castle, the roads for carriages, carts, and horses were separated from the roads for pedestrians.

“It’s changed a lot…”

It’s not just long. Buildings, people. Many other things were also changing.

Sayoon, who was sitting next to me and looking around, gently raised her head, looked at me, and spoke in a trembling voice as if she was moved.

“I don’t think it is inferior to Cheongho.”

“No, it’s not enough compared to Cheongho.”

Seomhwaseong Fortress has just become a castle.

It could be seen as lacking compared to Cheongho, which had been confident in the castle’s location for a long time and had developed by accumulating a lot of wealth.

“But you are there, right? I’m sure Island Hwaseong will develop further. So much so that it even surpasses Yang Wi-seong. And it will surpass Cheongho too.”

Sayoon’s voice contained power. It was when she gently looked up at me and smiled.

“Hmm? what. Are you here now?”

A familiar old man spoke to me. It was Yohwan.

She told the servants who followed her to carry the luggage.

“I’ve been there. But is it okay to walk around like this?”

“What can’t be done? ah. And the guest house construction will be finished tomorrow. So I was wandering around the market.”

“Huh. You built it quickly too. ah. Would you like to ride?”

“I will not refuse.”

Yohwan got on the carriage and was silent for a moment as if he was saying hello to the people inside.

And the window burst open.

“And yesterday, monks from Changwoongwan came… They said that if you just infuse your energy, you can immediately start the hot spring.”

“That’s good.”

It seems like things have progressed while I was away. When I admired him, Yohwan said indifferently.

“Say thank you to Seongju. Seongju came to visit us several times and told us that we needed to do a good job on the guesthouse construction, so we paid more attention to it.”

“Hahaha…”

“There was also support from engineers from the government.”

In other words, I received a lot of help from all over in rebuilding the guesthouse.

Hong Seong-moon, the Murim Alliance, and even a coffin.

When I was satisfied, she chuckled.

“That is also benevolence, right? Anyway, I’ll be busy starting tomorrow.”

Because I am opening a new guesthouse. Also, if a new hot spring is built, people who come to the festival will stay in the guesthouse, saying they will stay for a few more days.

I’m going to be really busy for a while.

“So, then we can’t go together tomorrow?”

“Ah. That’s not it.”

You have to keep your promises.

Upon arriving at Huwon, Geomseong returned to Hongseongmun Gate. And Chae-jin decided to help Yo-hwan check the guesthouse that will resume operation tomorrow.

I took Hongryeon and Sayun and headed straight to the government office.

“Case Sentence Elder!”

The coffin has not changed much compared to when it was a village. Of course, the number of soldiers increased and the barracks grew, but the overall atmosphere was not much different from then.

When the military officer there smiled and greeted me, I greeted him face to face and asked.

“Is the Lord of Seong present?”

“Yes! You are inside!”

Following his guidance, I headed to the office. Since I came here so often, I didn’t really need any guidance, but they say it’s convenient, so what can I do?

“Welcome!”

“How have you been? And congratulations on Seongju’s inauguration.”

“Hahaha! what. ruler. Please sit down. And Hong Seong-moon’s women’s association also sat down.”

Seongju himself moved and gave us a ride. While sipping it, Seongju spoke calmly.

“There are quite a few people who are sad about your absence.”

“Hahaha…”

“People who can stay a little longer say they will stay. People who weren’t there left books and gifts behind. And I heard from Yohwan that they will start operating the inn again tomorrow? I’ll send it all to you then.”

“I heard that Lord Seong paid a lot of attention to the reconstruction of the guesthouse. Thank you.”

“What. Aren’t we in the same boat? Hahaha!!”

“Hahahaha!!”

It started out as a collusion between the public and private sectors, but now it has become just a collusion between officials. While Seongju and I were smiling at each other, Hongryeon and Sayun were sipping tea and putting sweetmeats in their mouths.

“This is delicious.”

“I was able to receive many things while being promoted to last name. what is it. Just like the ones installed in the guesthouse.”

By becoming a higher level zone, the quality of products has improved. He pointed to a flagpole visible from the government office.

“It is a flag given to the castle by the imperial family. They say that if that flag exists, the quality of goods produced within the castle will increase.”

“Wow… That’s amazing.”

“Because there are many outstanding Taoists in the imperial family. Sa Women’s Association. If you have time, please visit later.”

“Hehe. yes Thank you!”

“What is gratitude? Anyway… you’re going to be a lot busier from now on.”

Seongju, who was sipping tea, spoke seriously.

“This is news I recently heard. I heard that the movements of the Demonic Cult have been unusual these days.”

“It is the movement of the Demonic Cult…”

From the empire’s point of view, the Demonic Cult is trash that needs to be eradicated, so they have no choice but to keep an eye on their movements.

Now, an official letter has been sent to each government office, ordering them to thoroughly inspect those entering the castle.

“Hmmmm…”

“Is there something stuck?”

“There are a few things… but they are not accurate yet, so I will tell you after seeing the situation.”

“Thank you for that. I think meeting Case Tongsa was the second luck in my life.”

“Huh? What about the first one?”

Seongju smiled at Hongryeon, who was curious.

“That’s how I met my wife.”

Hearing his words, Hongryeon slowly turned her head.

I just smiled awkwardly as he stared at me without blinking.

Now that we’ve finished meeting Seongju, all that’s left is to have fun.

As the festival commemorating the promotion to castle was still going on, Sayun seemed quite excited.

“Wow! mister! Let’s go there!”

Sayoon smiled broadly and pulled my arm. Her lively smile looked a little different from the time I saw her at Palseon Village.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

“Hehe. I’ll buy it for you this time!”

“Where is your money?”

“I have money saved up!”

Sayoon showed the whole story. It looks like it has quite a bit of heavy stuff in it.

It looks like he saved up the allowance he received from selling sachets and herbs last time.

“I worked hard to save it. Can I use it like that?”

“I collected it for use in times like this. I also have a lot of things I want to give to you as a gift…”

Sayoon looked at me earnestly. How can I ignore the gaze that begs me not to refuse?

“I will accept it gratefully.”

“Hehe! Then let’s go! And the ambassador is going too!”

“Hehe. Don’t run. I’m hurt.”

There were a lot of people, but Sayun just smiled and walked.

It reminds me of the old days.

At that time, Sayun practiced moving without bumping into people.

and.

Sayun arrived at the place selling mooncakes without colliding even once, with a triumphant look on her face.

Compared to what was shown in Palseonchon, it is truly a huge improvement.

“…You’ve grown a lot.”

Hongryeon’s voice was wet. It seems that Sayoon was proud of his rapid growth.

I patted her on the back.

“Thanks to you.”

Hongryeon held my arm as if she were inserting it between her cleavages. She gently clasped my hand and whispered softly.

“Sure.”

Then, after holding his breath for a moment, he looked up at me and smiled full of desperation.

” Walking around together like this… doesn’t it remind you of the old days?”

Hongryeon, who had treated me with respect ever since she returned from Palseonchon, slightly raised her tiptoes and spoke softly in my ear.

I saw Hongryeon at the change that started with a sweet breath, and she giggled happily.

That’s right.

I heard you always surprise people like this.