The Protagonist’s Guardian Angel

As Sayoon and Hyunhwi went on patrol, I sat in the backyard chair pondering.

Hold on a second.

Since I was going to the Murim Alliance anyway, it would be better to take something back with me, right?

There were definitely things I could acquire there.

Hidden treasures, or rewarding events, for example.

Among those, even if I couldn’t participate in the treasures, I could definitely handle some of the events.

Of course, I needed some preparation for that, but I had plenty of time, so I could get ready now.

“Chae Jin!!”

I immediately looked for Chaejin.

At that moment, she was happily sipping tea with Yohwan inside the inn and turned her head towards me with a big smile.

“I was hoping you could accompany me to Yangwi-seong in a few days. Would you like to come?”

“Sure! But what’s the occasion?”

“I need to head over to the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.”

One of the decent events I could do in the city where the Murim Alliance is located was helping the former officials living there.

The reward includes ingredients for elixirs, along with some consumable items like the hundred-year-old ginseng and the Taegeuk talisman.

Ginseng is a no-brainer, and even the Taegeuk talisman can come in handy here and there, so it wouldn’t hurt to stock up.

Plus, since it was related to helping officials, Sayoon’s reputation in the empire could rise.

However, I needed a letter of introduction for that. A letter from someone quite high up.

Naturally, the only person I knew who held such a position was Cheonilhwa, so I’d have to ask him for that letter.

“I was also thinking of asking around the Hongseong side.”

For that event, all participants needed a letter of introduction.

Of course, I could ask him to write it even if he didn’t take me along, but I wanted to bring Sayoon this time and let her explore Yangwi-seong too.

“I see. So when are we going?”

“I’ll finish my work first… and we’ll go in a few days. Ah, of course, if it’s too troublesome, you don’t have to come…”

“I’m going!”

Chaejin expressed a strong will, and I couldn’t help but smile.

If she goes, that’s good for me.

Just before the evening service started, Hongryeon arrived.

Perfect timing! I was just about to call her.

She greeted me with a smile even though she seemed surprised by my warm welcome, claiming she came to learn cooking from Yohwan.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. Hehe. What’s going on?”

“I need to make a trip to Yangwi-seong in a few days. But… isn’t there someone in Hongseong who hasn’t been to Yangwi-seong?”

“Hmm… I don’t think Sayoon has been there yet. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, nothing. I have some business to attend to over there, and since it’s not that far, I wanted to invite her to come along. Besides, I need to buy quite a few items for the winter, so it’ll be good for some escort experience, right?”

“Oh, is it a request for an escort?”

“Indeed. Previously, when I brought things, the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild supported me… but it feels a bit awkward to ask every time. Of course, I’ll pay the fee.”

“If that’s the case, I have to help you out. And let’s just share the fee among us. We are friends, after all. Shall I also bring Sayoon… Oh, and what about Hyunhwi? She looks worn out from all the training under the Master lately; a little fresh air could do her good.”

“That works for me. But…”

“Yes?”

“Sayoon mentioned earlier that she’s going to Moonjeong.”

“Oh, that? Hehe. It’s nothing special. It’s something I do once or twice a year. I’ll go, stay for about ten days, learn from the Doje, and have a sparring session with the disciples at Moonjeong before coming back.”

“A spar with the disciples of Moonjeong…”

Hongryeon smiled widely.

“Anyway, as I’m the grand disciple, I’ll definitely have another spar with Chaejin. Besides… we made a promise, right?”
“Are we going to have another spar with Chaejin? After all… we promised, right?”

She blinked one eye and licked her tongue.

“I won’t hit you hard enough to hurt.”

“Thanks.”

“What for? Oh, and I’m thankful too.”

“For what?”

“For the Cheongsa-hwan. I should have mentioned it sooner. Hehe.”

“Well, it’s true that you struggled with the Hongseong.”

“But still. An elixir is a precious thing; I didn’t expect to get it like that. Are you sure you don’t need to take it?”

“I’m fine. Plus, you also helped clear my stagnant energy.”

“Aha! That’s right. Speaking of which, should we check it out now?”

Hongryeon led me to the backyard.

And then she casually grabbed the hem of her clothes.

“Strip.”

At her playful smile, I shrugged my shoulders. I took off my top and sat cross-legged, and Hongryeon calmly said,

“Alright, let’s get started.”

Hongryeon’s hand touched my back. Just like before, her inner energy flowed through me. How long had it been? Hongryeon slowly stroked my back.

“Does it hurt?”

“No.”

“Good. Since your meridians seem okay, let me draw out a bit more.”

She said it calmly as her hand roamed my back.

The ticklish sensation felt quite nice. How long had it been?

I was able to spit out even more gray lumps than before.

“How much stagnant energy is left inside me?”

“A lot. I told you, it’ll take decades of consistent work.”

“I’ll be dependent on you for a long time.”

“Hehe. I’ll also be relying on you. Plus, you’ve helped me a lot. Anyway, make sure to let me know when it’s time to go. I’m always ready.”

Great. With Hongryeon’s permission, all that was left was to leave.

Days passed. After the harvest was done and the farmers began preparing for the winter, I finished my preparations to head to the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.

“Will this be enough?”

It wasn’t winter yet, but it was chilly, so I put a tarp on the cart.

Since it was thick fabric, it should keep out at least the wind. Even with high martial arts skills, catching a cold isn’t pleasant.

I wore a thick fur coat. Then I spoke to Yohwan, who came to greet me.

“I won’t be gone long. I’ll leave the inn in your care.”

“Don’t worry and go. And don’t forget what I asked you.”

There was something she wanted to make for this winter.

A treat that could only be made in winter, which tastes divine when eaten in a warm place.

She had given me a list of ingredients to buy, and as I chuckled at it, people waiting in front of the inn came into view.

Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, and Sayoon.

They were wearing long, thick clothes instead of their usual Hongseong uniforms, evidently prepared for the cold weather.

“Hello!”

“Yeah. You look warm.”

“Hehe, yes.”

The white fur wrapping around her neck matched nicely with her gray hair.

I smiled at Sayoon, and she beamed back, pointing at the cart.

“Are we riding that?”

“Yeah. No need to walk. Plus, we need to bring back some things when we return, so the cart’s better.”

“It reminds me of the time we went to Changun-kwan! And don’t worry! If any evil monsters or bandits appear, I’ll protect you for sure!!”
“Hey! If any evil monsters or bandits show up, I’ll definitely protect you all!!”

Sayoon clenched her fist confidently.

I turned my gaze to Hyunhwi, who always seemed so stoic. As she subtly bowed to me, Chaejin also stepped out of the inn just as she was getting on the cart.

Dressed in her usual Moonjeong attire with a fur cloak thrown over it, Chaejin smirked upon seeing Hongryeon.

“Looks like you’re not busy?”

“Aw~ Even if I am, I have to go.”

That was all there was to it. They both hopped onto the cart, and I headed for the driver’s seat.

“Alright. Then let’s get going.”

Sure enough, the wind was quite chilly. Even though we weren’t moving fast, I could feel the cold as I sat on the driver’s seat.

But thanks to that, there were no ambushes on the way to Yangwiseong. Of course, with Hongryeon, Chaejin, Hyunhwi, and Sayoon around, even if there were ambushes, it probably wouldn’t have been a big deal.

“Come on in. I’ll take over.”

“No, I…”

“Please relax, you three. Sayoon, can you make some room there?”

“Yes, Hyunhwi.”

It seemed like they didn’t like seeing me feeling cold. As Hongryeon and Chaejin stepped up to help, Hyunhwi instead moved to the driver’s seat, and I politely excused myself to go inside.

I had something to discuss anyway, so this was a good opportunity.

“Hongryeon, I have something I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I heard that Hongseongmun also deals with hunting evil monsters.”

“Yes? Yes, we do. Hongseong Divine Art is particularly effective against evil monsters and spirits. But why do you ask?”

“I overheard something while talking to Hano before. Do you happen to know of a monster named Mack?”

“Um… Yes. It’s the monster that lives in people’s dreams and slowly drains their vitality over decades, right?”

“In the city where the Murim Alliance is located, there’s a gentleman named Munsahgong, a former royal scholar. I heard that his wife has been suffering from nightmares for the past few months. It seems like Mack has taken residence in her dreams.”

Hongryeon’s expression turned serious.

“Does the Murim Alliance know about this?”

“I’m not sure, but the problem is that he has a dislike of martial artists, and to meet him, one needs permission from the authorities or military. That’s why I was thinking of asking General Cheon for a letter of introduction when I meet him.”

It’s an interconnected event that he dislikes martial artists, but we’ll find out about that later, so let’s just move on.

“Do you want to help him? Then we should help.”

I didn’t ask why we should help him.

If one has the strength to help and should help, then they just do it.

I smiled at Hongryeon, who was trying to practice the teachings of Hongseongmun, and glanced to the side where Sayoon was also clenching her fist.

“I’ll help too. But what kind of person is this Munsahgong?”

Chaejin was the one who responded to Sayoon’s question.

“He’s a good person. He treats people and spends his own money to help during disasters. Even when he held a high position as a royal scholar, he was famous for being kind. But I’m surprised to hear that something like this happened to him.”

“He was keeping it a secret. He didn’t want to cause a fuss over such matters… still, I guess everyone who matters knows about it.”

Sayoon’s determination only grew at Chaejin’s explanation and my additional comments.

“I see the Yangwiseong!”

Just then, it was Hyunhwi, who was driving the cart, that spoke up.

“Whoa…”

Sayoon peeked her head out from the cart in astonishment. It seemed to be her first time arriving at Yangwiseong, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“The city walls are really high!”

“You’ll be even more surprised once we get inside. It’s cold, so please stay inside.”
“Once you go in, you’ll be even more surprised. It’s cold, so stay inside.”

“Hehe. It’s fine! I’m also a martial artist from Hongseong! This level of cold is nothing!”

Despite her slightly reddened nose from the wind, Sayoon was just watching Yangwisung with a look of wonder.

Even as the sun was setting, she admired the bright lights inside, her eyes widening as the cart passed through the city gate.

“Wow…”

Seeing Sayoon amazed by Yangwisung, known as ‘the City of Light’, made me chuckle.

When Sayoon first arrived at Yangwisung in Heavenly Bright Moon, she couldn’t take her eyes off its splendor.

It was understandable.

After all, she had lost everything when Hongseong was devastated, and Seomhwa Village burned down—she had truly been alone.

But now, it was different.

“Senior Sister! Senior Sister! Look over there!!”

With a bright smile, Sayoon was delightedly gazing at Yangwisung, and there was no trace of the despair and sadness from before.

Ah.

I feel proud.

The joy of having led her here swelled in my heart.

Even in the cold, the warmth within me grew as the cart moved, and before long, we arrived in front of Cheonghoeru.

Could it be the large and flamboyant building that got her surprised?

Sayoon was staring up at Cheonghoeru, her eyes wide.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

As we got off the cart, Hyunhwi patted her head. Seeing Sayoon nod shyly, Hongryeon calmly asked,

“Shall we go straight to the fifth floor?”

“Of course. Alright, let’s go.”

While the innkeeper of Cheonghoeru took care of the cart, I led everyone toward the stairs.

Hyunhwi seemed a bit surprised to see me heading up the stairs, indicating that she might have known about Cheonghoeru.

But she was so stoic that she didn’t say much, and just like before, we made our way up to the fifth floor without incident.

“Oh wow, look who it is!”

Upon arriving at the fifth floor, a familiar face was waiting for us. Gi Noya greeted us with a broad smile.

“Yu Seonsaeng, what brings you here again?”

“Haha. I came to ask General Cheon for a favor. And this is…”

“I know. If you fought together on the battlefield, you’d be comrades, so why would I not know? Nakil Sword, Wolgwang Sword. How have you been? And you must be… Hyunhwi, right? And this little one is Sayoon, the youngest of Hongseong.”

“Yes! It’s been a while! Gi Noya!”

“Hehe. Let’s see… Oh, it looks like your skills have improved again in such a short time? The youngest of Hongseong is growing so fast! The future of Hongseong is promising.”

While Gi Noya was fussing with a grin, Wiyeol opened the door.

“Please, come in.”

Once inside, Cheonilhwa was waiting.

This was the first time he was seeing Sayoon and Hyunhwi, and he stood up in surprise.

“Welcome. And who might that be…”

“This is Hyunhwi from Hongseong.”

“And this is Sayoon from Hongseong.”

“Oh, so you’re disciples of Hongseong. Nice to meet you. I am Cheonilhwa.”

He politely greeted them before looking at me. When he asked about my business, I smiled and said I wanted an introduction to help Munsahgong, to which he nodded.

“If that’s the case, I’d actually like to request something in return. I owe that person quite a bit too.”

Great. It’s the completion of a society where nobody gets hurt, and everyone helps each other.

…Come to think of it, Mack might get hurt, but that’s not my problem.

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