Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Prelude to the Beginning – 1

Red StarRed StarRed Star

A few days had passed since I returned from Yangweseong, but I still didn’t feel particularly comfortable. After all, work had to be done every day, and I had to train daily as well.

Honestly, I thought Chaejin’s declaration back then was just a joke, but the training had actually gotten much more challenging. It seemed like she was determined, to the point where it looked like she was desperate to wear me out.

Still, perhaps because of that, my stamina had significantly improved.

Though my body was tired.

“Ugh.”

“Are you okay?”

Sayoon, who had come on patrol today, looked at me sympathetically as I struggled and offered words of comfort.

I glanced over to the backyard, where Chaejin was sitting with a bright smile, but all she did was raise her finger as if asking, “One more time?”

“At least Lady Chae seems to be teaching you properly. Haha.”

Sayoon forced a dry laugh, glancing around nervously. The other junior disciples who had come for patrol seemed to be preparing to move along.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

“Yes, see you later.”

As Sayoon walked away, Chaejin quietly approached me. She began fiddling with a nearby chair or broom, speaking casually.

“You seem to get along well with the disciples of Red Star Sect.”

“Well, I suppose.”

“Then…”

“If you’re going to ask me to arrange a sparring match with Nakil Sword, don’t. He’s been pretty busy lately.”

“Huh? That’s not what I was going to say?”

Huh? Wasn’t it?

I thought the most important thing to Chaejin was having a duel with Hongryeon?

I looked at her, but she met my gaze with steady, unshaken eyes.

“I heard Nakil Sword has been learning from the Sword Saint recently. If you want to spar with her, shouldn’t you also return to Moonlight Port to properly train under your master?”

“I can train here just fine.”

She really didn’t seem to want to go back.

Did I smear honey all over this inn or something? I just shrugged my shoulders as I looked at her.

If she didn’t want to go, I wouldn’t force her. Honestly, having Chaejin stay was also a relief for me. After all, she was here as my bodyguard.

When the time came to face the Iron Blood Clan, she could at the very least protect me.

If things got tough, she might even step in to help.

“Well, do as you wish.”

“Yep, I’ll do as I please. I should train too since Hongryeon is training so hard.”

She spoke leisurely, drawing her sword and raising it above her head before standing still.

I wasn’t sure what she was trying to do, but it felt wrong to interrupt her training.

So, I headed straight back to my room. Work still needed to be done, after all.

Upon returning to my room, I started working on the various tasks at hand: calculating the harvest and storage of barley and other crops, figuring out payments for tenant farmers, taxes, and other financial matters.

There were also plans to meet officials through General Chon Il-hwa’s introduction and convince them to buy goods from us.

As I was contemplating all these things, I heard a noise from the window.

“Oh, come on in.”

“There are three today.”

As usual, the messenger disciple from the Wudang Sect handed me two letters and a box.

One of them… Oh! It’s from Sayoon!

My tired mind was immediately rejuvenated. I carefully set it aside for later…

The other letter was from the Blue Lotus Trading Company.

They had a new product and wanted me to test it and report on its effectiveness. They assured me there was plenty of it, so I didn’t need to worry about running out. After checking the letter’s contents, I neatly folded it and set it aside, turning my attention to the box.

The box was from Jin Gwon-dang. I had planned to visit them soon to collect my reward, but it seemed they couldn’t wait and sent something instead.

I opened the box and was surprised by its contents.

“This is…”

Inside the box was a fist-sized stone, a Moonstone.

It was one of the materials introduced in the second chapter used to create a Moonlight Talisman.

“What was the effect of the Moonlight Talisman again…?”

I tapped the Moonstone, trying to remember.

Aside from the basic enhancement of physical abilities, it had a minor effect of absorbing moonlight at night, which allowed for a slight boost in internal energy. The fuller the moon, the stronger the effect.

I picked up a small piece of paper inside the box. It was a letter from Oh Chil confirming that the Moonstone had indeed been sent as a reward for the recent incident.

It mentioned that they had planned to send it with someone who could create the talisman, but that person was currently unavailable. He had heard from the Blue Lotus Trading Company that Scholar Yu had extensive knowledge, so he thought I might know how to handle the Moonstone, which was why they sent it.

Of course, I knew the formula, but just knowing it didn’t mean I could make the talisman myself…

“Hmm… Should I just sell it?”

Or should I find someone to make it and send it to Sayoon?

I tapped the Moonstone again, shaking my head.

I’ll read Sayoon’s letter first.

Her handwriting was still round and pretty, and the content was enough to warm my heart.

But a name for a sword, huh?

In Red Star Heavenly Light and the Red Star Bright Moon, that sword didn’t have a name.

The more you used the sword, the more proficient you became with it, and it emitted a radiant glow. People often called it the “pretty sword” because of how beautiful it looked, but…

Other than that, it was just an excellent sword, and there wasn’t any particular name that came to mind.

I thought about it for a moment before putting down the brush. I’d think a little more before sending a reply.

Anyway, thanks to Sayoon’s letter, my tired mind was invigorated.

Now, it was time to finish the remaining tasks.

After tidying up the documents and checking on the condition of the barley fields, I returned to the inn as the sun was setting.

With the red glow of the evening sky behind me, I headed to the backyard, where Chaejin was still standing.

In almost the exact same position as before.

There was only one difference. When I first saw her, the sword was above her head, but now it had lowered to about chest level.

She started this at lunchtime, and the sword had only moved that much?

A dull sword (둔검), no, a dull blade (둔도).

Chaejin had always pursued extreme speed.

She moved so fast that it was as if moonlight descended upon her, instantly cutting down her enemies.

Because of this, she would one day lose to her younger sister, Chae Ryeon.

Chae Ryeon, while progressing through the main storyline, would realize not only the importance of speed but also the value of slowness. In the fourth chapter of the main storyline, she would eventually defeat Chaejin, who had only ever pursued speed.

It would be a beautiful moment of surpassing one’s own limits, but for Chaejin, losing to her younger sister would probably be a frustrating experience.

But now, Chaejin, who had previously only seen speed as the truth, was training in slowness.

Wow.

Chae Ryeon’s going to have a tough time later.

Anyway, it seemed she was really focused. Could this mean I could skip today’s training?

“It’s time.”

Of course not.

As soon as it was time for my training, Chaejin brought her sword back into its sheath.

“Well then, shall we begin?”

I looked at her as she winked playfully and smiled.

This… is obsession!

Just as she said, it was a more advanced and intense training that made my body scream in pain. By the time the disciples of Red Star Sect returned from their patrol and saw me panting after my training, Sayoon smiled warmly and approached.

“Training is tough, isn’t it?”

“It’s not easy.”

“Hehe. Would you like me to massage your shoulders, if you don’t mind?”

What?! Such a reward?!

Sayoon, you’re truly an angel…

I had no intention of declining.

There are things you can refuse and things you absolutely can’t! How could I pass this up?!

I immediately sat on the long backyard bench, and Sayoon started pressing on my shoulders.

“Oh…”

I had expected it to be just a light pat, not really expecting much. The fact that Sayoon was giving me a massage was enough, but it was far more effective than I thought. What was this?

“Have you heard of the striking the acupoints? Sometimes, Master does it for me and the other senior sisters. I’m just imitating it. But since it involves stimulating certain acupoints, I thought it might help… How is it?”

“It’s good. This is really good.”

It wasn’t just my imagination. The stiffness in my shoulders, neck, and back was gradually loosening.

“Red Star Martial Arts may be a fierce form of martial arts, but it’s also designed to care for and protect others. So, it’s not just destructive; it also has healing applications.”

“That’s impressive.”

“I learned about this while studying the later stages.”

“I see. Ah, could you press a little more there?”

“Here?”

When she pressed down on my shoulder blades, I couldn’t help but let out a groan. After thoroughly massaging my back, Sayoon stepped back, wiping away beads of sweat.

“Whew. I think that should be enough. Would you like to try getting up?”

I stood up and moved my body around. I could definitely feel that my body had loosened up significantly.

“I’ll learn more from Master so I can do it for you again later. Hehe.”

I was close to tears. While I was feeling overwhelmed with gratitude, Yoohee, who had come on patrol with Sayoon, called out to her.

It seemed it was time for them to head back.

“Well, I’ll see you next time. Ah, by the way, we won’t be able to come down tomorrow. Master said we’ll be doing some intensive training.”

“Yes, I heard that Senior Sister Hongryeon will be taking over patrol duties after her training session ends…”

I see. Well, that couldn’t be helped.

“Alright. I’ll make sure to inform the authorities. And since you worked so hard on the massage, why don’t you take something with you?”

I hurriedly went to the storehouse. I thought about packing some sweets, but I decided on something else since I had already given them some recently.

“I made some rice cakes yesterday. Share them with the others.”

“Oh no, I feel like I’m always receiving something…”

“Thanks to your massage, I’ll be able to work more efficiently, so if you think about it, this is a very fair trade. Honestly, it feels like I’m not giving enough in return.”

“N-no! You’ve given more than enough! Right, Senior Sister Yoohee?!”

“Oh, yes, that’s true. Next time, I’ll give you a massage too. Whenever I return home, I give massages to my father and uncle. They always said it felt great, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too, Innkeeper.”

“Well, I appreciate that. Anyway, take the rice cakes.”

Despite their repeated refusals, they couldn’t resist my persistence and persuasion. Ultimately, they took the rice cakes and left, and I watched them go with a satisfied smile.

“You seem to really like them. You’re surprisingly close.”

A voice called out from the direction of the stairs. Chaejin was leisurely descending and sat in her usual spot near the backyard, which had practically become her designated seat. When she asked, I started to give a nonchalant reply but then stopped.

Wait a minute.

Could this be a business opportunity?

“Why? Do you dislike them, Lady Chae?”

“It’s not a matter of liking or disliking. I just haven’t had much interaction with children.”

“Then why not take this opportunity to get closer to them?”

When I suggested this with a smile, Chaejin thought for a moment before shaking her head.

“That’s not easy.”

“Isn’t that something you, of all people, should be able to handle? You’re not one to shy away from new challenges.”

“Me? Who?”

“You. Aren’t you currently training with a dull blade, not just pursuing speed? It’s said that extremes meet, but achieving harmony between them isn’t easy. If you’re challenging yourself to become stronger, it doesn’t seem like you’re someone who avoids new experiences.”

I asked, recalling her earlier training session, and for a moment, she seemed lost for words. Then, after downing a drink, she spoke.

“That’s just… I’ve been thinking of a few things while teaching you, Innkeeper. So, I thought I’d give them a try.”

“Well then, why not give this a try as well? I’ll set something up later. After all, they’re from the same righteous sect. It wouldn’t hurt to build a good relationship with them. Plus, the disciples of Red Star Sect are all good kids, especially Sayoon. Not because I’m close to her, but she’s really kind…”

“Ugh, fine, fine. If I leave you be, you’ll keep talking endlessly. But, for the record, the disciples of Moonlight Port are all kind, too, okay? Sure, Ryeon’s a bit rough around the edges, but she’s still a good kid. So, when you meet them, don’t talk like this.”

Chaejin responded, taking another sip of her drink.

Great. Did I just successfully close the deal?

I think I did.

Alright then, time to get back to work.

I returned to my room, lit the lamp, and began reviewing the documents when I heard a knock at the window.

That was the second time today.

As usual, the messenger from the Wudang Sect stood there with a letter.

“…Jin Gwon-dang?”

It was stamped with the seal of urgent delivery. Why did they send this in such a hurry?

I opened the letter and clicked my tongue.

– The Gaohwa Clan and the Jukyeong Squad, currently hired to fight in the war between Hobang Sect and the Yulgi Clan, have been acting suspiciously. It seems they plan to move once the battle is over, possibly under someone’s orders to launch an attack… The likely targets are either Seomhwa Village or Red Star Sect.

We were also offered a chance to join them, but considering the favor we owe to you, we could never accept such an offer.

Please take care of yourself, and if things don’t look good, consider liquidating your assets and coming to Yangweseong.

No matter what happens, I will protect you.

It seemed the letter was written in quite a rush; the handwriting was a mess. But because of that, I could feel the sincerity behind Oh Chil’s words.

“The Gaohwa Clan and the Jukyeong Squad…”

These were all groups that had been bought by the Iron Blood Clan, and they were the ones who made moves outside when Red Star Sect was attacked.

Later on, they would be absorbed into the Iron Blood Clan.

In other words…

Their movement signaled that it was about time for the beginning.

I had considered requesting surveillance on them from the Haowu Gate after hearing that they were involved in a battle between two sects, but… to learn about it this way? I just saved myself some money.

In any case, although the prelude to the beginning had appeared, I didn’t feel particularly afraid.

No, perhaps I had been waiting for this moment.

I recalled all my thoughts up to this point and the countless discussions that the veterans of Red Star Heavenly Light and the Bright MoonRed Star had shared, debating how to help Red Star Sect survive the beginning.

Now was the time to harness the power of collective intelligence.

Without hesitation, I picked up the brush and began writing.