Hongryeon watched Sayoon as she faced the Sonachal alone, pondering.
Although she hadn’t fully mastered the latter part of the Hongseong Divine Art, her movements were nimble, and her outstretched punches were light yet contained power.
When still, she resembled a mountain; when moving, she was like the wind. When it was time to silently draw in the enemy, she became like a forest, and when raising her momentum, she could be likened to fire.
That demeanor was completely different from what Hongryeon had seen just yesterday.
She was growing stronger through real combat.
“When I heard you defeated the hallway, I couldn’t believe it…”
All the disciples of the Hongseong Sect possessed remarkable qualities.
Even Hongryeon herself had never thought her qualities were lacking compared to others.
However, Sayoon was on a different level altogether.
How long had it been since she started practicing the Hongseong Divine Art?
No, how long had it been since she began to practice martial arts earnestly?
People feel jealousy towards what they don’t have.
Jealousy turns into hatred, and hatred becomes a raging fire that can burn oneself.
But Hongryeon was far too competent to get caught up in the jealousy that entices one to covet what belongs to others, and her sense of self was incredibly strong.
Thus, she was merely curious about how far Sayoon could grow.
Perhaps she might even succeed the Master and become a new Sword Saint.
As Hongryeon maintained her curiosity and pride while watching Sayoon, she burst into laughter without hesitation when Sayoon’s sword struck down the Sonachal.
“Hahahahaha!! Good job, little sister!!”
“Ah! Yes! Thanks to the teachings of Senior Sister and the other Senior Disciples!”
“Of course! But don’t overlook what you’ve built up! Also, don’t turn away from what you possess!!”
“Yes! Understood!”
– Kuuuuuunnn…!!
With Sayoon’s vigorous response, the deeply shut door opened with a low rumble. Everyone in the room knew this was the final chamber.
“Alright! Shall we go get the reward for breaking through the hidden realm?!”
Striding confidently, Hongryeon walked up to the altar where the reward for the hidden realm awaited.
On it sat a small box.
Hongryeon lifted it lightly and came down to show it to her two Junior Sisters.
“This is…”
Inside was a large root plant of a clean form. Both were puzzled to see such a hefty thing resembling a giant herb, and Hongryeon casually tapped it before speaking nonchalantly.
“This is Baeksujo, looks to be at least thirty years old.”
“Thirty-year-old Baeksujo…”
This too fell under the category of potent elixirs. Although the boost to internal energy was minimal.
Still, selling this could easily net them two gold coins.
“That’s great! Senior Sister!”
Recently, Hongryeon had heard that she was racking her brains over operating funds. Sayoon beamed brightly, and so did Hongryeon.
“Yes! That’s right! Now!! Eat up!”
“B-but this is!”
“Oh? Ryuhyun. Did I say something wrong?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Right.”
Hongryon spoke as though it were obvious to an astonished Sayoon, akin to the expectation of having breakfast upon waking up.
“First, you caught the Sonachal in the hidden realm. Second, you received no help when breaking through. Third, discovering this hidden realm was thanks to the map your Mister provided.”
“It’s all thanks to the map you sent.”
“But if we sell this, the Senior Sister will be a bit more comfortable…”
“Macnae, the Hongseong clan is a martial arts sect, and a warrior’s goal is to become stronger.”
“But…”
“Why do you think your uncle sent you that map? Was it simply to support you? Or to help Hongseong retrieve a lost secret technique?”
“That’s…”
“If that were the case, simple kindness would have sufficed. If it were to help Hongseong recover its lost techniques, he could’ve shared it under a different name. In that case, Hongseong would have rewarded him. Yet he sent the map under your name. What does that mean?”
“……”
“I believe it means he wants you to overcome this secret technique.”
“Is that… possible?”
“Are you rejecting his consideration and grace?”
“That’s not it!”
“Then, this is entirely yours. And isn’t taking it what ‘your uncle’ wishes for?”
My head was saying to sell this and add to Hongseong’s operating funds.
But her heart…
That faint tickling sensation inside her chest was saying she should take the Baeksuu to enhance her inner strength.
If that is what her uncle wishes.
After contemplating for a while, Sayoon looked at Ryuhyun as if asking for help. But she was in a similar position to Hongryeon.
“Don’t worry if you feel sorry that only you took the elixir,” she gently petted Sayoon’s hair.
“There are no ones to blame our proud macnae for taking what she earned on her own beneath the light of Hongseong.”
With the gentle words of the two Senior Sisters, Sayoon couldn’t help but shed tears.
*
After finishing the morning business, I returned to my room to organize the accounts and handle the inn and store operations.
And along with managing the tenant farmers, I started other tasks.
I can’t just play around just because I’ve entered this world.
To achieve my goal, I have to utilize the wealth I possess.
So while I focused on my work, a messenger from the postal service came.
Though he arrived during the day, it wasn’t a problem. The postal messengers don’t only operate at night.
“We have three letters today.”
One was a work-related letter.
One was a letter asking for support.
And the last one was…
“Oh.”
It was from Sayoon.
But unlike usual, it wasn’t a letter; it was a box, which made me curious.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
After he left, I opened the box. Inside was another small box along with a letter.
What is it?
I immediately unfolded the letter.
“Senior Sister Ryuhyun said this.
Spring is a good thing.
Honestly, I didn’t quite understand what that meant. After all, to a poor orphan like me, the changing of the seasons had no real significance. The only silver lining was that I managed to survive through the harsh winter, that’s all?
But when the winter forces retreated, many dangerous things came forth, and as the days warmed, those dangers threatened me even more, so in the end, it wasn’t much different.
But now it’s different.
I now know that spring is indeed a good thing.
I was an uneducated child.
I never went to a school like other kids, and my literacy level is just what I learned from entering Hongseong and studying under the Senior Sisters.”
I learned about things like this level of understanding from the Hongseong Clan’s senior sisters.
So, I didn’t know the literary meaning of the word “spring.”
But now, I feel like I somewhat understand it.
Do you know, Mister?
“Spring” refers to birth. And it signifies new beginnings.
The senior sister Hongryeon also said, “Hmm~! Spring (春) is a wonderful thing!” with a hearty laugh.
However, every time she says that, senior sister Ryuhyun hits Hongryeon on the back hard, turning red. I don’t really understand why.
Anyway, spring is truly nice.
New things always bring me joy.
Just like the new herb I learned this time.
Of course, it would be great if I could grasp new things all at once, but maybe because I’m a bit lacking, I’m still a bit slow.
…Actually, it’s quite slow, to be honest.
But if I keep trying and trying, even I, who seemed useless, might be reborn and be able to help Hongseong, even if just a little!
Hehe. Spring really is a wonderful thing.
Every time I write to you, Mister, I find myself thinking of spring.
Maybe it’s because the new letters you send feel just like spring?
I always look forward to a joyful spring.
My dear Mister.
Do you like spring?
P.S.
At Hongseong, every spring, we pick the new buds of the thousand-day plum tree to make flower tea. The tea made from the thousand-day plum in Mount Yeongsan is said to be very good for restoring energy when the unexpectedly warm weather drains you or if you catch a cold.
The thousand-day plum tea I sent you, though it’s embarrassing, is made from the buds I picked and dried myself last year. It’s my first attempt at making tea.
I was lucky that it could be sent right after being aged before sending this letter. It’s quite a relief.
It might not be as good as what other senior sisters made, but I hope you enjoy this thousand-day plum tea and end up liking spring too.
I just want to feel connected to you even a little!
If you finish it, please let me know. I can always make more for you, Mister!
I folded the letter and opened a small box.
Inside, there was a rough, handcrafted little clay pot that was carefully sealed.
I expected Sayoon to send the letter, but I never thought she would send something like this along with it.
I unsealed the pot. As I opened it, which was sealed with wax, oiled paper, and a wooden piece, I found flower tea that looked like it was preserved in honey.
Taking a light dip with my finger and tasting it, the sweetness coated my mouth, and the fragrance of the plum blossoms tickled my nose.
It definitely felt like it was made with dedication.
Honestly, it’s hard to eat because it feels precious.
But no matter how it’s made from the thousand-day plum of Yeongsan, it could spoil, so I have to eat it quickly.
I placed a kettle on the room’s hot stove. How long did I wait? Steam started rising from the kettle.
Watching that, I prepared a cup and added a spoonful of thousand-day plum tea. One spoon of love, one spoon of sunlight, one spoon of gratitude.
After that, as the hot water poured down and mixed in, a pleasant aroma began to waft, making me smile uncontrollably.
Ah… it’s sweet…
Drinking the tea sent by my favorite person while reading the letter they sent!
I sipped the tea and reread the letters Sayoon sent.
And with a proud heart, I neatly stored the letter I had finished reading in the safe.
“Um, Innkeeper. Someone has come from Hongseong.”
I thought someone would show up today. It was about time the items I bought last time were running low.
I stood up immediately after hearing the report from the store staff who had come up.
Who could it be?
I hoped it was Sayoon, but since she was struggling to learn new martial arts, I doubted it.
With a slight sense of anticipation, I headed to the store and saw a familiar face.
As expected, it wasn’t Sayoon.
“Ah, um, hello.”
It was Ryuhyun and Yoohee.
To be honest, I almost felt disappointed. But what kind of etiquette is it to sulk as soon as I see someone? I greeted them with a smile after bowing.
“So, you came to pick up the items as promised?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Take as much as you need.”
“Yes!”
Yoohee quickly entered the store. Since Hongseong is a sect that only has women, it seems they have a lot of needs compared to places that are only for men.
To deal with her, the store staff went away, leaving me glancing awkwardly at Ryuhyun, who was left alone.
“Don’t just stand there, would you like some tea?”
“Ah… no, it’s alright.”
“Even if you’re a credit customer, you’re still a customer, so I have to treat you.”
I nodded, and a moment later, the staff brought tea and placed it on the table. Once I sat down, Ryuhyun reluctantly sat down and took a sip of her tea.
…..
Awkward. I feel like I need to start a conversation.
“Um, how’s Sayoon doing these days?”
“Sayoon? Well… but why do you ask?”
“Because she saved me. The Shattered Sword went out for the sake of the youngest in the sect. Plus, there’s nothing else worth bringing up in a conversation between me and Hongseong other than Sayoon.”
That’s a lie, really. I’m just curious about how she’s doing and what she’s learning after taking the elixir.
But who cares? It’s not a wrong statement.
Ryuhyun seemed to agree with me, slightly nodding her head.
“She’s busy with some work. The Senior Sister has given the youngest homework.”
“Homework?”
“Yes. A new martial technique… By the way, I heard that the Innkeeper knows a thing or two about martial arts. You even identified Gak-jun’s technique.”
“Haha, well, that’s nothing much.”
I shrugged, and Ryuhyun smiled brightly.
“This time, the technique Sayoon is learning is called the Meteor Fist. You saw it last time, right? The Shattered Sword… It’s a technique that comes after that.”
“That’s right. It’s a powerful technique that could take down Gak-jun in one blow.”
“Hehe. This time, what she’s learning will be a bit more challenging.”
I could believe that.
As Ryuhyun said, the Meteor Fist is a martial skill that can only be learned after mastering the Shattered Sword, and to master it, she’ll have to go through a realization event.
Realization.
Realization, huh…
This one might be tough.
I took a sip of my tea, the bitter taste stimulating the inside of my tongue.
But I have to do it.
I came here to learn this.
And…
I recalled the heavenly plum blossom tea I had drunk earlier, raising the corners of my mouth.
I mustn’t forget the sweet taste of that tea either.
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