ISS-Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Two days after Seohwa and I returned from Heuksi.

I was tapping the desk in my office.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“Mmm.”

Hearing my groans, Seowoo, who had been browsing through books on the bookshelf, blinked
and spoke.

“Sect Master Uncle. Are you that worried?”

“……Honestly, I am a bit worried.”

“If you’re that worried, you could just go and watch!”

“Watching would be burdensome, and what if she makes a mistake?”

Two thousand nyang.

She’s making clothes using silk worth a full two thousand nyang. Of course, even if she makes a mistake,
she can just take apart the fabric and remake it, but isn’t the first finished product the most important?

What if Seohwa makes a mistake and the quality of the finished product drops? The reward for the
commission was said to be determined by the quality of the finished product.

“Don’t worry. My older sister is really good at making clothes!”

“Right.”

I patted Seowoo’s head and stood up from my seat. There’s nothing to do just staying in the office
anyway.

I should probably go out and swing my sword to calm down…….

[Production completed.]

“Mm?”

The moment I was about to go outside, I blinked at the window that suddenly appeared and turned my
gaze. Before long, a presence rapidly approaching from the distance.

“Munjunim! It’s finished!”

Seohwa, who came running while catching her breath, carefully presented the clothes draped over her
arm to me. And at that moment, a window appeared before me.

[Checking information.]

『Righteous Heaven Robe

This is the exclusive garment for the sect master created by Seohwa, Uicheonmun’s eldest disciple and a
skilled-level seamstress.

The exterior is outstanding, bringing out quality fabric with refined skill. Additionally, it possesses sturdy
durability, not easily torn or worn, and has excellent comfort.

Has the effect of enhancing the wearer’s dignity.
Has the effect of correcting the wearer’s charm.
When necessary, conversing individuals receive a subtle sense of pressure.
The energy of Righteous Heaven dwells within, making the wearer’s actions more easily
imprinted in people’s minds.』

“This is…….”

“H-How is it?”

I was at a loss for words looking at Seohwa asking cautiously. How is it? How is it, you ask?

When I said that making martial robes for new disciples with Hwangryongjangju’s silk wouldn’t do, so we
should make sect master robes with that silk, I understood too. However.

I never expected she’d come out with such an incredible result.

“……I like it very much.”

Even though it’s called clothing, it’s not meant to be worn directly. If I had to compare, it’s more like a
traditional overcoat worn over the original martial robe.

Even so, it doesn’t mean little effort went into it. You can tell just by looking at the dragon-shaped
embroidery engraved in silver on the sleeves of the black robe.

“Right? Hehe. It’s a relief. Honestly, this was my first time handling such high-quality silk too…….”

Seohwa, who smiled bashfully, twisted her hair with her fingers and poked Seowoo with her finger.

“Seowoo. Can you go get the bronze mirror?”

“Huh? Okay!”

“Come here. Munjunim. I’ll help you put it on.”

Seohwa glanced at Seowoo running off to fetch the bronze mirror, then approached me and took the
Righteous Heaven Robe. Soon, she went behind me, stood on her tiptoes, and draped the robe over my
shoulders.

[Dignity increased.]

[Charm corrected.]

“Is it alright?”

“……Yes? Ah, yes. It’s fine. Very much…….”

When I finished putting it on and turned around to ask Seohwa, she seemed flustered and then deeply
bowed her head.

……Is it that dignified?

“Thank you.”

“Not at all…….”

As she bowed her head, then suddenly realized that wasn’t like her, Seohwa tapped both her cheeks with
her hands and changed the subject.

“Anyway, then…… now that the martial robe problem is solved, we need to solve other things!”

“That’s right.”

We’ve solved the martial robes the disciples need to wear. And what remains now is the sect
establishment ceremony.

“We should set the date first. When do you think would be good?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to set it as soon as possible if we can?”

“Still, since you’re the eldest disciple, you need to learn martial arts to some extent, so we’ll need a bit of
time. Then, with about two weeks…….”

Thump thump thump!

“Is anyone there?”

While talking with Seohwa, I turned my head at the familiar voice heard from outside the manor.

“It seems to be Merchant Leader Lee. Should I bring him in?”

“No, let’s go out together.”

I smiled broadly, patted Seohwa’s shoulder, and went out the door to open it. As the door opened, Iryang
came inside.

“Haha. I came to return the black pass…… Oh.”

For a moment, Iryang’s eyes swept over Seohwa and then settled on me. And immediately after, Iryang
let out an exclamation.

“Remarkable. Is that the rumored silk? I thought you might make clothes with it.”

“Has the rumor already spread this far?”

“Isn’t it quite a famous topic? The rumors are rampant everywhere. Actually, I came here to see if I could
purchase that silk…….”

Iryang, who had been looking at the robe with sparkling eyes for a moment, wore a bitter smile.

“It seems I’m already too late.”

“There is some remaining. We’ve only used one bolt so far, so if you want it, I’m willing to hand it over at
a reasonable price.”

“Is that so?!”

“However, I’d like you to help with the sect establishment ceremony preparations.”

If there’s a capable merchant, we’ll be able to receive a lot of help with the sect establishment ceremony
preparations.

Hearing my words, Iryang nodded nonchalantly.

“If it’s that much, it won’t be difficult. When are you doing it? Three months? Or six months from now?”

“I’m thinking two weeks from now.”

“……What?”

“Two weeks from now.”

After repeating my words, Iryang blinked and then closed his eyes. And shortly after.

“……Are you planning to ruin your sect?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

On Iryang’s forehead when he opened his eyes, a vein was bulging.

One shichen later.

“Do you understand now why you can’t hold the sect establishment ceremony in just two weeks?”

“……I understand.”

“I understand…….”

“Whew.”

Iryang, who let out a deep sigh, pressed his forehead.

‘That was close.’

Baek Riyun may not know, but currently, Iryang is in a position of investing in Uicheonmun.

For Iryang’s future plans, Uicheonmun needs to grow to a considerable level. That’s why Iryang was also
proceeding with various investments from the shadows for Uicheonmun’s growth.

But in this situation, if Uicheonmun were to fail?

That investment would all become losses and stab Iryang, wouldn’t it?

‘I’m really fortunate to have discovered this beforehand.’

Iryang, who sighed again, continued speaking.

“Those who establish a foundation and open a sect within a short period are mostly those with many
connections in the martial world who don’t need to build additional sect reputation. Each
person who comes to the sect establishment ceremony becomes the sect’s reputation. However,
Uicheonmun doesn’t have such a foundation, do you?”

“……That’s true.”

Of course, it’s not that Baek Riyun has no one to call. From what Iryang knows, if Baek Riyun just sends
one letter to the Murim Alliance, nearly a hundred people would come running. However.

The Changcheon Corps members aren’t people with much reputation. The Changcheon Corps
members including Baek Riyun have skills that are disproportionate to their reputation. Even if they
come, they won’t be of much help.

“Ultimately, you have no choice but to take the frontal approach. You need to build reputation in this
area, expand your influence, and then establish the sect.”

“……Ugh, reputation isn’t something you get just by having skill.”

Baek Riyun briefly rubbed the back of his neck while pondering, then looked at Iryang.

“By any chance, is there a good method? A way to build reputation in a short time.”

“……It’s not that there isn’t one.”

After agonizing briefly, Iryang maintained silence before presenting one plan.

“Hold an exchange tournament.”

“……Exchange tournament?”

Seeing Baek Riyun’s puzzled expression looking at him, Iryang wore a bitter smile and continued his
explanation.

“Reputation is ultimately relative. If you apply for a sparring match with a sect that has already built
reputation in this area and win, that could also become a form of reputation.”

“Hmm. Certainly.”

“However, the problem is that there’s no sect that would readily agree to a sparring match. Who would
agree to a fight where winning is breaking even and losing is a loss?”

In this area, the sects with any reputation are at best Sahyeoljang, Baekgeommun, or Woohyeonpa.

However, among those three sects, none would readily accept Uicheonmun’s sparring application.

“Ultimately, it’s an impossible method, so you don’t need to worry about it. The problem is also that you
can’t personally participate in the sparring match, Munjunim. Rather than that, building reputation by
taking down horse bandits or mountain bandits around here would be…….”

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.”

“……What?”

“There’s a way for everything, so you don’t need to worry about that part. Anyway, that aside.”

Baek Riyun, who paused briefly, opened his mouth.

“How about Baekgeommun? As a sparring opponent.”

“Baekgeommun? Of course Baekgeommun would be good, but…… do you have a connection with the
Baekgeommun Master?”

“Well, a bit. Anyway, I have a favor to ask.”

Baek Riyun, who exchanged glances with Seohwa and let out a snicker, took out a sheet of paper from
the side, scribbled with a brush, then folded it neatly and sealed it.

“Could you deliver this letter to the Baekgeommun Master?”

“Understood. Do you have anything else to convey?”

“No separate message, but please deliver this as well.”

Along with his words, Baek Riyun took out a small piece of silk from the desk.

Soon, Baek Riyun, who handed the silk piece to Iryang, drew a thick arc on his lips.

“Without fail.”

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

“Travel safely.”

Creeeak!

“Ahem.”

After seeing off the departing Iryang and clearing my throat, Seohwa’s gaze turned to me.

“Shouldn’t we have dinner soon?”

“Ah, that’s right. Should I prepare the dinner table?”

I shook my head at Seohwa’s question as she slowly rubbed her cold hands.

“No. You’ve had a hard time for two days, so rest well today.”

“Then what about the meal…….”

“Let’s have Seowoo buy food from outside. Since there’s a lot of money left to spend, this much should
be fine.”

“Ah. Yes. I’ll do that.”

“And.”

“Yes?”

Confirming that Seohwa, who was about to enter the inner quarters to send Seowoo on an errand,
stopped walking at my continued words, I quietly continued.

“……Wear it well.”

Then Seohwa, who made a bewildered expression before smiling brightly.

“Not at all.”

“Ahem ahem. Go on inside.”

“Yes.”

I let out a sigh watching Seohwa enter inside while humming.

It’s hard to get a sense of how to treat a girl of that age.

“It’s difficult.”

Of course, it’s not like there were no female members in the Changcheon Corps. But that was about the
Changcheon Corps.

In the Changcheon Corps, I could work them to death because they were subordinates, but I’m now the
master of a sect, aren’t I? I shouldn’t treat disciples like I treated the corps members.

‘I should start teaching martial arts in earnest from tomorrow.’

I shook my head, cleared my throat, and placed my hand on the Righteous Heaven Sword.

[There is an unresolved commission remaining.]

[Heavenly Garment Without Seams]

[Will you receive the reward?]

Looking at the window that appeared briefly, I glanced around, cleared my throat, and muttered
carefully.

“Come out with something good. Something good.”

This is silk I obtained after going through hardships all the way to Heuksi. The result itself is satisfying,
but if possible, it’s human psychology to wish for one more thing.

“I’m not asking for much, just give me a spirit pill to feed Seohwa…….”

I cleared my throat while clasping my hands reverently. And.

“It’s now!”

The moment my hand struck the window like lightning.

[Produced clothes with very excellent completion.]

[Select a reward.]

[1. Superior Grade Curse-Breaking Manual]

[2. Superior Grade Talent Elixir]

[3. Unlock Inherent Characteristics]

At the window that appeared in a stream, I blinked.

“……What is this.”