First Snow - 1
"Then, Master Yu — I need only write letters of introduction for these ladies, yes?"
"That's right."
"Understood. Well, I'm glad you came when you did. Old Man Mun Ha-gong wants nothing to do with martial artists, you see... if the introduction didn't come from someone he trusted, he wouldn't have granted you an audience at all."
Hong Ryeon looked at me with open curiosity. At that silent how did you know? glance, I simply smiled.
"Ha-no told me."
"Um... but why would such a kind person avoid martial artists? And we're from an orthodox sect, too..."
Sa Yun tilted her head. From where she stood, it must have been impossible to understand. After all, nearly every martial artist she had ever met had been someone who helped those in need and lived by chivalry.
At her innocent remark, Cheon Il-hwa's lips curved into a smile.
"I don't mind much myself, but I won't pretend there aren't plenty of officials and soldiers who distrust the murim."
"Oh? Really?"
"Indeed. To them, martial artists are dangerous people — the kind who might trample law and order whenever it suits them."
"But martial artists help the people too. They help the Empire."
"True enough. There are fine sects that cooperate with the Empire, Hongseong Gate chief among them. Moon Lotus Pavilion as well — the Blade Emperor swore his loyalty to His Majesty and promised to lend his strength should the Empire ever fall into crisis. But not every martial artist is cut from that cloth."
Like the New Four Black Lotus Alliance Sama Gun had led, or bastards like the Iron Blood Dan, for instance.
The Green Forest bandits were no better, and even among the orthodox sects, one didn't have to look far to find those who played petty tyrant and treated imperial officials with contempt.
"I see..."
"Honestly, for people like us, the more sects like Hongseong Gate or Moon Lotus Pavilion there are, the better... but the world isn't built so kindly."
"Hmm. Then I suppose we'll simply have to work all the harder."
When Sa Yun's eyes lit up, Cheon Il-hwa finally burst out laughing.
"A remarkable young heroine, indeed."
He certainly knows how to read people.
Thanks to Sa Yun, the conversation wound down on a warm and cheerful note. When martial artists declared their intent to work for the Empire and its people, any proper official was bound to be pleased.
Perhaps that was why — as I accepted the letters of introduction and turned to leave — Cheon Il-hwa drew a small tablet from his drawer.
"What's this?"
"Should you ever find yourself in Gaebong, stop by the Military Bureau. Experiencing the Bureau's martial arts firsthand will do much to sharpen your skills."
That was the tablet I was originally meant to earn around the end of Part 3, upon forging ties with the Imperial Military Bureau.
With it, I could acquire equipment from the Bureau, and as my deeds accumulated, qualify as a military officer — gaining access to Bureau facilities, or even the right to borrow soldiers.
"Thank you."
"Heh heh. A master of Hongseong Gate is welcome at any hour. And Sun-Falling Sword, Moonlight Blade — Lady Hyeon Hwi, if the Military Bureau interests any of you, my door is always open."
"Hehe. I'll think about it."
"Moon Lotus Pavilion is already on good terms with the Empire. I've no particular desire to go out of my way for the Bureau."
Hyeon Hwi, for her part, answered only with a slight bow of her head.
At their reactions, Cheon Il-hwa merely shrugged.
"Now then. Will you be heading straight back? Or would you care to rest before taking the road?"
I glanced at Sa Yun. We had come all this way to Yangwi Fortress — better to look around a while longer, no?
"If you'd like to rest first, I'll have rooms prepared at Cheonghoeru."
"Thank you."
Leaving Cheon Il-hwa's office, we followed Wi Yeol's guidance up to the fourth floor. Perhaps because it was a floor no one could enter uninvited, it was quiet — and both the rooms and the banquet hall were lavish.
"Wow. Are we really allowed to stay somewhere like this?"
"Of course."
We were assigned three rooms. Two seemed meant for the four of them to share, and one for me alone...
"Shall we go out and see the sights, then?"
"Yes!"
"Hyeon Hwi, what about you?"
"I'll come along as well."
"And you, Mr. Innkeeper?"
"Let's all go. Will you be joining us, Lady Chae?"
"Of course!"
And so it was settled — everyone would go. We unpacked just enough and headed straight out the door.
The dazzling, bustling night streets of Yangwi Fortress truly had no shortage of things to see.
Sa Yun's eyes had gone round as saucers, darting every which way, so I pressed a sweet pastry into her hand. She fumbled over it for a moment, unsure what to do, then broke into a radiant smile.
"Thank you!"
"Don't mention it. More to the point — if there's anything you want, buy it. You won't so much as take an escort fee, so at the very least let me give you gifts. Hong Ryeon, Chae Jin, Hyeon Hwi — you too. If something catches your eye, pick it out."
"I'm fine, really."
"Then you'd be spurning my sincerity."
The ones who had been demurring eventually accepted my goodwill after all.
That said, I'd half hoped they'd choose something extravagant. What they picked were all utterly practical things — daggers, armor, packets of herb seeds.
"...You're truly content with that?"
"Isn't this more than enough?"
"Hmm. I see. Then later, when we visit the Murim Alliance..."
"I'll buy you something then!"
When Sa Yun chirped her promise, I laughed.
Then I'd better look forward to it.
After touring the market, we returned to Cheonghoeru, had a simple supper, and headed straight for our rooms.
"Shall we have a drink before turning in?"
"Haha. Tempting, but Yangwi Fortress has a dawn market worth seeing too. There's still more to buy, and if we mean to go there tomorrow, we'd best sleep early tonight."
"Well, then. Nothing for it."
"A drink when we're home, then?"
"Agreed."
Hong Ryeon and Chae Jin looked a little wistful, but there was nothing to be done. Among Yohwan's requests had been ingredients that could only be found at Yangwi Fortress's dawn market.
"By the way — you two are sharing a room?"
Watching Hong Ryeon and Chae Jin disappear into the same room, I asked, half in wonder. The two exchanged a glance and smiled sweetly.
"Hehe. What of it?"
"That's right. What about it?"
Fair enough. What of it, indeed.
Leaving them to it, I bid Hyeon Hwi and Sa Yun good night as well.
"Sleep well."
"Yes! Good night!"
Once Hyeon Hwi, who had dipped her head in a small bow, slipped inside as well, I entered my own room and lay down on the bed.
"......"
And now that I was actually lying down, sleep refused to come.
After tossing and turning a while, I simply got up.
Might as well get some training in.
When I made for Cheonghoeru's back courtyard, a few servants and soldiers who recognized me offered their greetings. I returned them in passing, ran through the Chae Family Tai Chi Chuan once, then the Five Animal Frolics, and finally gave the King's Steps — which I had learned some time ago — a try.
Perhaps because I had kept up my practice, unfolding the King's Steps was not especially difficult.
"Haha. Training in the dead of night? Don't tell me you mean to walk the warrior's path."
A voice rich with amusement rang out just then. I looked over — it was Cheon Il-hwa.
"Haha. I only couldn't sleep, so I'm moving about a bit. And I'm nothing but a country innkeeper learning to guard his own hide — hardly the warrior's path."
"A man like you, Master Yu, is hard to mistake for a mere countryman. Speaking of which... wasn't that the King's Steps just now?"
"You know the King's Steps?"
"How could I not? Every general in the Imperial Military Bureau has learned it. Subduing the enemy without a fight is, after all, the finest form of warfare there is."
"Oh... I see."
"...Though between us, most of us learn it and then never train it again."
Laughing a touch awkwardly, he scratched his cheek. Somehow, that figured.
"Well, I do know my way around the King's Steps, such as it is... care to train together for a spell?"
Training together, of course, was his way of saying he would instruct me.
In any case, a man who had learned the martial arts systematically was bound to outclass me — what reason was there to refuse? Besides, hadn't the Sword Saint said so herself? That the King's Steps suited me well?
Then I ought to master it as thoroughly as I could, whenever the chance arose.
"Now then, I'll demonstrate first. Don't be alarmed."
Cheon Il-hwa smiled and took a single step toward me.
I held his gaze. He cocked his head, then took another step.
And another. And one more.
After a full seven steps, he smiled awkwardly.
"Er. Hmm. Has it really been that long since I last used it? Ahem! The King's Steps is a martial art that projects your will upon your opponent. When one who possesses a powerful will unfolds it properly, those caught in its pressure are startled into collapse — briefly, mind you. It works especially well on magic beasts and savage beasts, creatures of strong instinct... And you, Master Yu, are plainly a man of extraordinary will, so it's little wonder my King's Steps failed to move you. Hahaha. Truly remarkable."
It seemed rather embarrassing for a master to have failed to overawe a rank amateur like me.
He rattled it all off with a faintly reddened face, and I shook my head, smiling.
"You give me too much credit."
"Then we'll try someone else... Maeng Seo! Over here!!"
Cheon Il-hwa called over a few more soldiers and unleashed the King's Steps, freezing them up in short order. Then, looking thoroughly pleased with himself, he set about teaching me the technique.
And so I learned from him, and by the time the session drew to a close, I too had managed to strike a Cheonghoeru soldier named Maeng Seo with that same stunned paralysis.
Though I'll admit it took quite a few attempts before I scraped through by the skin of my teeth.
"Still, you learn quickly — that's a relief. Keep training at this pace, and greatness will surely find you."
"Thank you for your guidance. And..."
"Haha. The honor is mine, if I could be of service to you, Master Yu."
The man who had stood briefly dazed by my King's Steps came back to himself before long.
Feeling guilty toward him, I tried to press a few silver coins from my purse into his hand, but Maeng Seo shook his head, smiling.
"I was among those dispatched to support Seomhwa Village, sir. I received a generous reward from you back then. How could I possibly expect payment for so small a favor?"
"Oh — is that so? Thank you for that, truly."
"Think nothing of it. Should you ever need help down the road, I hope you'll come find me."
After he bowed and took his leave, Cheon Il-hwa spoke with a smile.
"The same goes for me. Thanks to you, I've gained a good man."
"Ah — you mean Magistrate Hyeonryeong?"
"Heh heh. I do. He's more capable than I'd expected, and he's proven a great help. You've introduced me to a fine man. It seems all I ever do is thank you, Master Yu."
Oh, come now.
I'm the grateful one. Thanks to him, my own work keeps getting easier.
Then the next dawn arrived.
Hong Ryeon and Chae Jin looked a little worn, as though they had slept fitfully, but Hyeon Hwi and Sa Yun appeared well rested.
After browsing the dawn market with them, buying the goods we needed, and returning, we found the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild had already loaded my cart.
All that remained was to collect this and head home.
"Climb in the back, all of you. I'll take the reins for the road."
The cart was laden with goods, but there was still room — enough for four to ride seated, at least. A small mercy.
With the ladies aboard, I bade farewell to Cheon Il-hwa, who had come out to see us off, and drove off.
"There'll be plenty to do once we're back."
"No, not a little."
Winter was a season of rest — and a season of hardship. Thanks to Mount Hongseong, magic beast attacks would be few, but refugees and wanderers ground down by the cold and hunger, by beast attacks and bandit raids, might well come seeking Seomhwa Village.
If we drove off the beasts and took those people in, then perhaps, by this time next year, the village would have grown a little larger.
"Hongseong Gate will have its hands full too, I imagine."
"Hehe. You'll help us, won't you?"
"Of course."
Perhaps because no ambush found us, the journey home was an easy one.
We traveled on and on, and around the time the sun began to sink, familiar shapes started coming into view.
A little farther now, and we'd be in Seomhwa Village.
"Ah — snow. The first snow has come early this year."
Just then, Sa Yun remarked, eyes lifted to the sky. And just as she said, snowflakes were drifting down from the darkened heavens, one by one.
A first snow, far earlier than any of us had expected.
"...Far too early."
I spoke the words gravely, and a calm fighting spirit kindled in Hong Ryeon and Chae Jin. Startled by the shift in them, Hyeon Hwi and Sa Yun were raising their own spirit in answer —
when mist began to bloom at the far end of the road.
Cold. Biting.
Snow mist.
Faint, within that mist — magic beasts, frozen solid.
And then, gaping its enormous maw to swallow them down, smacking its lips, crimson eyes flashing with something like delight at the discovery of fresh prey — a colossal serpent, white as bone.
The Sanbeom.
The beast we had come to hunt grinned wickedly, tongue flickering, summoning an early winter.
Before that towering monster, Hong Ryeon, Chae Jin, Hyeon Hwi, and Sa Yun leapt from the cart as though they had been waiting all their lives for this moment.
Unexpected —
but the battle we had long been hoping for had begun.