Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Value of a Word - 5
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Anyway, I couldn't skip out on morning business. Chaejin seemed pretty dissatisfied that I wasn't practicing the Subtle Taiji Fist, but I couldn't just abandon my livelihood, could I?
"Oh? This is tasty."
She kept staring, which was getting annoying, so I gave her some island flower rice balls.
Her face had still been sullen, but after one bite, her eyes went wide.
"You've got some real skill with food."
"It's nothing special."
"Innkeeper! Island flower rice balls sold out!"
"Got it? Now go rest."
The errand boys who'd been helping with morning sales headed back to the dorms for more sleep. Watching them go, I sat down in front of Chaejin.
"To your liking?"
"Ahem. It's low-class fare unworthy of a senior disciple from Full Moon Pavilion like me. But why does it stick to my mouth so deliciously?"
Full Moon Pavilion was one of the massive sects, different from Crimson Star Sect. They divided into outer and inner courtyards, accepted disciples from outside, and didn't mind taking donations.
They were orthodox like Crimson Star Sect on paper, but polar opposites in nature.
So Chaejin, as Full Moon Pavilion's senior disciple, naturally had refined tastes. It was no wonder she found it odd that cheap island flower rice balls suited her palate so well.
"Sometimes you just crave something like this. Especially since these are meals for laborers to hold out until lunch."
"So?"
"It's natural to have no appetite in the morning when you're heading out for hard labor. That's why I made the flavors bold."
Of course, some people might hate eating this stuff first thing. But they'd fend for themselves, so no need for me to worry.
"Hmm. Maybe Full Moon Pavilion should serve breakfast like this too. Nom."
She took another big bite. Holding the rice ball with both hands, she chewed away, then chased it with a spoonful of steaming green veggie soup.
She quietly munched until she'd polished off two big island flower rice balls and drained the soup for a finish. I cleared the empty plates in front of her.
"Well, I'll finish the dishes and get to work."
"Yeah, thanks for the meal... Wait, no! Hey! Innkeeper Yoo! No Subtle Taiji Fist practice?"
"I've got my own life too."
"Hmph. I've got my pride too. You're learning from me—you should master the basics in a month, right?"
"Does that mean I shouldn't work?"
"Well, no, but..."
"I'm not even a martial artist, so don't push too hard. More importantly, what's with that outfit?"
"Huh? What's wrong with my clothes?"
Chaejin looked puzzled as she glanced at her top and baggy skirt. Yeah, nothing weird about them.
The problem was Chaejin wearing them.
"Where's Full Moon Pavilion's proud uniform?"
A woman with a killer figure in just tights had been easy on the eyes, honestly.
"I washed it. Can't wear the same thing every day."
This was reality, and in reality, you couldn't wear the same outfit forever. She said it like it was the most obvious thing, leaving me with nothing to say.
"I see. Got it. So, planning to stick around here all day?"
"Ah, that's the thing. I've actually been looking for work."
I headed to the kitchen with the plates, and Chaejin followed. Must've been bored.
Standing behind me as I washed dishes, she chattered away energetically.
"I didn't expect to stay this long, so I didn't bring much money."
"......"
"...Why aren't you saying anything? You don't think I was reckless coming here empty-handed, do you?"
Was she reading my mind?
"Tch. I didn't come without a plan. I figured if provoking Hongryeon failed, I'd stay and snag all the local requests."
She unwrapped the thick blanket from her shoulders and sat on a kitchen chair, draping it over her legs for cover before pulling her knees up and hugging them with both arms.
Her slightly slumped shoulders made her look downright dejected.
"But this place... doesn't hand requests to martial artists... What kind of peaceful village is this?"
"Island Flower Village is near Sacred Mountain Crimson Star Mountain, so beasts rarely appear. Crimson Star Sect's reputation keeps the evil sects away too. And folks handle their own work."
"Tell me about it... If I'd known it'd be like this, I'd have brought more travel funds."
She'd planned to steal Crimson Star Sect's jobs, solve them herself, and use that to taunt Hongryeon—but it had all fallen through.
Chaejin sulked again over the result.
"You should've scouted first."
"Yeah, in hindsight. Who knew it'd drag on? Now my funds are dwindling. If you hadn't accepted my offer, I might've had to camp out."
"Hm..."
"Oh, right—Innkeeper Yoo. You're the local magnate here, aren't you? They say you're the richest in the village."
"That's right."
"Any interest in hiring a bodyguard short-term? A superb, strong, beautiful protector for your wealth and life. Just one gold piece a day!"
"That's ridiculously expensive."
If Chaejin stuck around and fought the Iron Blood Clan for me, one gold piece was fine.
But what she wanted was a duel with Hongryeon.
Once that was done, she'd leave without a second thought, so her pitch wasn't appealing.
"Hey! I'm the Moonlight Sword Chaejin! For my skills, one gold is a steal!"
"Still not interested."
"Th-then fifty silver?"
Hiring her for fifty silver a day? I'd rather stay home myself.
I finished the dishes and dried my hands with a towel. Time to go tally the books and check goods for the trading house.
"Ten silver! Ah! Rock-bottom price! Deal of a lifetime!"
So noisy.
I turned to Chaejin, who grinned expectantly.
"The deluxe room you're in is three silver a night. How about we call it even if I waive that? I'll cover laundry separately..."
"What?! Hiring Full Moon Pavilion's senior disciple, the martial world's beauty Moonlight Sword Chaejin, for a measly three silver?!"
"Pass if you don't like it."
I turned away. Truth was, I didn't really need a bodyguard.
As I'd told Chaejin earlier, Island Flower Village was near Sacred Mountain Crimson Star Mountain, so beasts were rare.
Even when they showed, they popped up sporadically on the outskirts, and they weren't strong ones.
Crimson Star Sect's fame kept evil sects at bay too.
The Iron Chain Sect had come once, but hadn't shown their face since.
Waiving room costs was already a big concession on my part.
I walked off without regret, but her pale hand gripped my shoulder tight.
"Who said no? I'm just grateful. Heh heh."
What kind of instant flip was this? Like Udyr-level stance switch.
"Uh... since we're at it, meals too...?"
Face red, Chaejin mumbled. She'd compromised too, so... better shake on it here.
"As long as it's not extravagant."
"Great! Deal! Looking forward to working with you, boss!"
Problem solved, she beamed and offered her hand. Shaking it would seal our verbal contract.
"No backing out later?"
"Of course not."
I took her hand.
And then.
"Master! Master!"
"What's the commotion?"
"You need to see the fields!"
"Hm?"
I tilted my head, and the servant who'd run up reported breathlessly.
"Earth Dogs have appeared!"
Earth Dog.
A beast resembling a dog with blue fur and wolf-like ferocity that devoured humans.
One of the common beasts in Celestial Moon—while Evil Yaks showed up often in secret realms, Earth Dogs were frequent outside.
Of course, they weren't hard to kill if you had any skill.
Just mountain goblin or low-level bandit threat level—you'd run into them hiking.
Still, the fuss made sense for one reason.
Earth Dogs almost always moved under a mid-tier beast, the Demon Tiger.
The fields already had a bunch of constables out.
"Innkeeper Yoo, come on over."
As the local magnate, the constables greeted me. I returned it and eyed the three hideous blue-furred beasts sprawled in the field.
"Lucky the patrol spotted them. Otherwise, it could've been bad."
Even weak beasts like Earth Dogs could easily take out one or two farmers in a trio.
Especially on the outskirts where few people were—it really could've been dangerous.
"Strange. Earth Dogs here of all places."
"Even stranger—Demon Tiger tracks too. But it seems the Demon Tiger raided without attacking and retreated."
One constable led me to a spot away from the field, where huge paw prints dotted the ground.
Tiger prints.
I looked down and nodded.
"What will the yamen do?"
"Hm. Beasts appearing near Crimson Star Mountain is worrisome... We'll ramp up patrols for now. But the Demon Tiger bothers me."
The man-faced tiger beast Demon Tiger was too much for one or two constables.
Without proper martial arts, they'd be the ones in danger.
"We've requested Crimson Star Sect."
"Good call. I'll prepare a separate bounty for the Demon Tiger then."
"Hm? Why you, Innkeeper?"
Chaejin, who'd followed me, asked puzzled. I shrugged.
"This is my land."
"Oh... How much...?"
"Look around from there."
Chaejin spun in place.
"All the rice paddies and fields in sight are mine."
"You're filthy rich?!"
Local magnate. Not just anyone.
Honestly, even I was shocked when I possessed Yuwol and saw the wealth.
But that wasn't the point.
"Anyway, looking forward to it."
"...Huh? Why?"
"Why? This land's mine—my property."
"...Eek."
Chaejin's puzzled face stiffened, and I smiled.
"Ha. Haha. R-right. As Full Moon Pavilion's senior disciple from a famed orthodox sect, I must keep my word... Y-yeah, gotta honor it. Ahaha... Ahahahaha..."
Her voice trembled.
Someone once said life was all about timing. What was I supposed to do when this blew up right after the deal?
Just chalk it up to a life lesson.
Still, seeing her tremble like she might burst into tears any second tugged at my heart. Guess I had a soft spot too.
"Catch the Demon Tiger, and I'll pay two gold as bounty."
That lit up her face.
"Ooh! What a great boss!"
Of course, since she was hired as my bodyguard, it wasn't just the Demon Tiger—she had to protect my assets, meaning everyone working this land.
But Chaejin just struck a lofty pose.
"Heh heh heh! Naturally. I'm Full Moon Pavilion's senior disciple, daughter of the master! Protecting the weak is a given!!"
After nearly bawling from injustice moments ago. So shameless.
And if you're gonna play shameless, at least hide the blush.
But pointing it out would just cause trouble, so I kept quiet.
"Earth Dogs appeared for real?"
That's when a familiar voice came from behind.
Three girls in similar sect uniforms stood there.
All faces I knew.
Ryuhyeon, Yuhee.
And Sayoon.
...Wait, why are you here?
"Huh? Isn't that Innkeeper Yoo? And next to him..."
Sayoon didn't seem to know, but Ryuhyeon recognized Chaejin.
Maybe that's why. She narrowed her eyes at Chaejin and asked.
"What brings someone from Full Moon Pavilion here?"
Sharp tone.
Considering Crimson Star Sect and Full Moon Pavilion's relationship, this was actually pretty mild.
Knowing that, Chaejin brushed off Ryuhyeon's attitude casually.
"Oh? As Full Moon Pavilion's senior disciple, helping the common folk is a must, right? And... Innkeeper Yoo and I aren't strangers. Right?"
Well, not wrong.
Hard to call employer and employee strangers.