The weather was good for travel, with clear skies and no rain. Ha Hyun and I paid our final respects to our master before fully stepping out of the temple.

“Master, we will be on our way.”

“We will be on our way.”

In fact, we had said our farewells to our master the evening before. But perhaps he was still worried; he had come to the front gate earlier than Ha Hyun and me, conversing with the temple guards.

So this was effectively our second goodbye.

Lifting my bowed head, I noticed a hint of unease on our master’s face. He sighed softly and began to repeat almost the same cautionary words as the day before.

“Ha Hyun, listen, if you run into any issues, inform your temple guards immediately. Even if it seems like a small problem, don’t hesitate. Stay close to the temple guards or the temple, be cautious in both speech and action, and if a conflict arises…”

“That’s enough, Master…”

Yu Baek, the temple guard who had left earlier, returned and forcefully pulled Ha Hyun and me by our shoulders.

“Master.”

“It’s only at times like this that you become long-winded. I’m still not used to it.”

Yu Baek, standing behind us, chuckled lightly.

“Anyway, I’ll take good care of your students. So stop worrying and go back inside.”

“……Thank you.”

Only then did our master seem genuinely at ease. He reached out to caress my cheek and lightly patted Ha Hyun’s shoulder before finally stepping back.

Since I’ve never raised disciples or children, I can’t fully comprehend how our master is feeling right now. But I do know that all his actions come from a place of love.

“Be safe.”

Worry is inherently born from affection for the one you’re concerned about.

“Yes, don’t worry too much.”

“I’m not doing this because I don’t trust you.”

“We understand, Master.”

At that point, Ha Hyun, who had been quiet the whole time, softly smiled, bowed his head in farewell, and was the first to leave the temple grounds. I followed suit after giving our master one final bow.

Yu Baek, the last to leave, let out a chuckle and lightly patted Ha Hyun and my shoulders.

“I was thinking of giving you some advice before you left, but it seems unnecessary. You probably heard plenty since yesterday, so I won’t repeat it. Let’s get going.”

“Yes.”
“Yuseong, I’ll take care of the servants from the back, so you lead the way.”

“Understood!”

It was truly time to depart.

The journey was peaceful throughout.

Ha Hyun might have a different opinion since he had to share a room with four hundred and two people at the inn, but since I shared a room with my servants, there was no room for discomfort.

Crossing from Seoan to Sangrak required passing through mountain roads, but no particularly dangerous events occurred even in the mountains.

Since it was a mountain path near Seoan where Jongnampa resides, it seemed there were no mountain thieves, and there were no instances of wild animals jumping out either.

It was just as I had thought before leaving.

So, on the third evening after leaving Hwasan, our party was able to arrive at the meadow at the top of the fortress, our destination.

The lord of the upper level came out to the gate himself to greet us. He was a middle-aged man with neatly slicked-back hair and a modest crown, without any particularly sharp features.

“Thank you so much for coming. I am Seonghongmin. Following in the footsteps of my grandfather and father, I am currently serving as the short-term lord.”

He had a fairly ordinary and harmless expression. Given that his children were all lying sick for unknown reasons, his complexion wasn’t great either.

But upon closer inspection, his manners were still impeccable despite severe emotional distress. His speech was neither servile nor disrespectful, maintaining an appropriate balance.

‘Appearances aren’t everything.’

Leading a large upper level isn’t something just anyone can do. Just because his first impression is ordinary doesn’t mean he’s truly ordinary.

As I was inwardly admiring, Yubaek, the person responsible for this trip, stepped forward to receive the lord’s greeting.

“I am Yubaek of Hwasan. No need for thanks, the connection between the upper fortress and Hwasan is deep. Next to me is my disciple Yuseong, and the three behind me are my servants.”

As Yubaek was greeting, the servants, who were standing like a folding screen behind him, slightly put their hands together to greet when they were mentioned. The lord responded with a faint smile.

“I am very pleased to meet such esteemed people from Hwasan. It’s late, so please come inside first.”

He stepped aside, extending his arm to guide us. Yubaek lightly greeted and then took the lead.

The meadow we entered upon crossing the gate was quite expansive at first glance.
Despite lights brightening up various places, only the inside of the walls was free from shadows while the sky remained dark. Nevertheless, the overall atmosphere was noticeably subdued.

“It must have been a tough journey. I’ll show you where you’ll be staying so you can rest and recover.”