People have always lived with challenges. To confront darkness, they created fire, and to fight the cold, they made clothes.
To brave the harsh outside, they built their own homes, and since fighting alone was tough, they formed parties to battle the world together.
Thus, people have always dared and seized what they wished.
And in the process, the inevitable death that followed was an unwanted reward.
For those who dare, a strong ally is a sought-after companion, and if that ally is a master as capable as Hongryeon, they couldn’t help but welcome them with open arms.
Even if that meant competing with Moonjeong, the rival of Hongseong.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Once again, Hongryeon proved herself. The blood-soaked Sonachals and Nachals, as well as the Yacha that dwelled in the deepest parts of the secret realm, all fell before her sword.
A girl with striking black hair and a fabulous figure revealed in her fitted attire wiped away the crimson fluids with her red-haired partner.
She bowed to Hongryeon, the grand disciple of Hongseong and renowned within the martial world as the Falling Sun Sword.
“Nothing much to say.”
Hongryeon’s response was indifferent. But her reaction was not strange. After all, it was Moonjeong, her eternal rival, leading the charge to breach this secret realm.
And it was none other than Chaeran, the daughter of the sword master who stood against her teacher, the Sword Saint.
Even though she had received an invitation to join under the promise of rewards from Moonjeong, feeling weird about it was unavoidable.
“Weren’t there any people in Moonjeong?”
“It just didn’t seem right to call for my sister.”
With a shrug, Chaeran flicked her red tongue. At her words, Hongryeon thought of Chaeran’s sister, Chaekin, the grand disciple of Moonjeong.
“…Tsk.”
And she soon shook her head. It was only natural for her. Whenever issues arose in the Murim Alliance, Chaekin would come unannounced and stir up chaos, challenging them.
Yet, it wouldn’t exactly be fun to spar with her since her usual conduct was so unsportsmanlike, making one doubt if she was the true grand disciple of Moonjeong. But once she got serious, she transformed into a warrior who would grasp any chance to battle.
Every time they clashed, she would exhaust her energy, leaving no desire for meaningless fights.
“Haha… Your sister can be a handful, huh?”
“If one is a martial artist, they should revere martial discipline and possess a fighting spirit… but she is somewhat different.”
“I understand.”
With a bright smile, Chaeran took measured steps. Then, she brought forth the box containing the rewards from the secret realm and opened it, revealing three items inside.
One was a bizarrely shaped root. It emitted a pleasant scent, a blend of blue and red hues.
Hongryeon knew well that this was the Qinghong Herb, which upon consumption would slightly enhance inner strength and significantly help in eliminating internal blockages.
The second was a fist-sized orb. It emitted its own light.
It was a Night Shadow Pearl. Given its size, it could easily fetch at least ten gold coins.
The last was an ore. It reflected the light of the Night Shadow Pearl, giving off a dazzling glow.
This was referred to as the Steel of Heaven, or Uncheol.
If forged into a weapon, this Uncheol could produce a weapon equivalent to that of an elite knight.
All were precious items that could be sold for at least ten gold coins each.
With a smile, Chaeran presented the box.
“I’ll give you one as promised.”
Having investigated the location of this secret realm and prepared the qualifications to challenge it…
Investigate the location of the secret realm and prepare the qualifications to challenge it.
After sending several advance teams, it was Chaeran who completed the investigation on the traps and trials of the secret realm.
Hongryeon knew that by her merely giving up one of these rewards, she was paying a hefty price.
“Oh? I thought you would choose the Nightshade.”
Hongryeon let out a little snort at her smiling face. Sure, compared to Moonjeong, Hongseong was indeed poor.
But that wasn’t a reason to choose money.
“We need to take care of our youngest.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Chaeran’s lovely brows twitched slightly.
Taking care of the youngest sibling.
That was something unimaginable in Moonjeong.
Of course, the inner disciples of Moonjeong weren’t so hostile to each other that they would stab one another with swords.
However, they were all competing to become the successor of Moonjeong’s master, the Doje.
So who would take care of whom?
Everyone was busy looking after themselves.
But Hongseong was different.
Though they didn’t share blood, they thought of each other as real sisters and always looked out for each other.
From the perspective of Moonjeong, which valued competition highly, it seemed like child’s play, but still, there were times when they were envious of such scenes.
“If only Chaejin was as calm as Hong Soja. Thinking about how she’s been bumping into strong opponents ever since she decided to complete that half-baked Cheonma Divine Art from a few months ago, who knows when Dad will get attacked… I wish she would just stay quietly in Moonjeong during times like this… Ugh.”
It seemed she had a lot pent up. Seeing emotion seep into her grumblings, Hongryeon smirked, and Chaeran even flashed a dazzling smile that could make anyone swoon.
“I can’t even imagine a Moonlight Sword that’s confined to being so well-behaved.”
“Hahaha. Right?”
Chuckling and nodding, Chaeran closed the box. Now that they were finished, it was time to part ways.
“Are you going back right away?”
“Of course.”
Hongryeon stuffed the Blue Crimson Grass wrapped in paper into her bag.
“My kids are waiting for me.”
“Yes, yes. Thank you for your hard work. And here, take this. I added a bit more.”
She liked the jingling sound. Hongryeon opened the pouch that Chaeran handed over. Inside was two yang of silver.
It was an additional reward she received for handing over the Yaksha’s horn and claws she had collected.
Honestly, it felt a bit like a loss, but she didn’t have the skills or funds to process that back at Hongseong anyway.
What a shame. If she could use that, she could have gotten better equipment than what the sisters were currently using.
Swallowing the bitter taste in her mouth, Hongryeon shook her head.
She shouldn’t lament about what she didn’t have.
One must know how to utilize what they possess and live on.
“Well then, let’s meet again next time.”
“Hoho. Sure.”
With that, after exchanging farewells with Chaeran, Hongryeon set off towards Seomhwa Village.
Facing a Yaksha was unexpected, but it wasn’t a bad thing for Hongryeon.
After all, she would be able to gain unexpected income like this.
With this, she could pay off her debts and even buy a new sword for her sisters.
Thus, she stopped by the city not far from Seomhwa Village, where she shopped at the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
She visited a city not far from the falling leaves and bought all sorts of things at the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
A new sword, some memory herbs, and sweets that Ryuhyun would read well if bought for her despite her screaming “no!”
And then.
“…Did I buy too much?”
Hongryeon shook her head. It couldn’t be too much.
Anyway, the reason she was able to go to the secret place this time was largely thanks to Yu Wol’s help. Since he covered her expenses, she didn’t have to work extra hours.
Thinking of him made a little corner of Hongryeon’s heart tingle again. Enjoying that strangely delightful sensation, she peeked inside her bag.
Inside her bag was a “yeon-gwan” (燃管).
A kind of pipe for those who smoke rolling tobacco.
It was a design by the Deity, claiming it would be less harmful to smoke rolling tobacco through this.
Hongryeon recalled the faint scent of tobacco she picked up from Yu Wol when they met before.
Bitter and tickling her nose.
The smell of an adult who knows the world.
Just thinking about it got that little corner of her heart tingling again.
“…I should visit the Murim Alliance soon.”
Considering the characteristics of Hongseong Divine Art being influenced by emotions, she should prepare for such oddities.
Even though to receive that treatment and obtain medicine, she would have to fulfill a request from the Murim Alliance.
Still, the Deity’s medicine or examination would be worth it, so it should be fine.
Thinking this, Hongryeon dashed toward Seomhwa Village and discovered something strange outside the town.
What the heck is that?
It was hard to tell they were villagers from Seomhwa Village; they reeked of the battlefield.
Seeing them giggling as they sat by the street, Hongryeon found herself moving toward them in a daze.
Then she heard a voice drifting in on the wind from the gathering of these people.
“Who are we supposed to catch this time?”
“The requester said the most important ones are the local leader in Seomhwa Village and that old village chief. And… a guy named Yu Wol. If there’s time left, we should turn Seomhwa Village upside-down.”
“What do they want with those guys?”
“I don’t know the details, but… it shouldn’t be bad. Especially that Yu Wol guy, they say he’s quite wealthy? Maybe we can grab him for some pocket change…”
“Ugh. They say that guy is pretty rich. How about we catch him and rob the inn too? Hehehe. Anyway, if we mess that place up enough, the Hongseong Clan will fall into chaos…”
Hearing dozens of black-clad figures giggling, she grasped her great sword without hesitation.
They were enemies.
Then there was no need to show mercy.
The dormant ferocity in her lower abdomen felt like a wild horse charging through her veins. As the boiling power of destruction settled into her body,
-KWADDUK!!
One of the black-clad figures’ heads exploded. The surprised men turned at the sudden arrival of the great sword, but
the red ferocity had already taken root here, ready to destroy everything.
In the wake of the star of destruction, nothing remained intact.
Everyone was either dead or on the brink of death.
Hongryeon approached a man whose arm was completely gone.
“Hhaak… Eek… M-monster… Monst…”
“What are you? You said request, right? Who’s pulling the strings to mess with Seomhwa Village and the Hongseong Clan?”
“Ugh… Ahh… A…”
Placing a hand above his trembling lower abdomen, she let her Hongseong Divine Art’s energy seep into him. As the horrific pain coursed through him, causing him to froth at the mouth, he eventually managed to spit out a word.
I placed my hand above my dantian. The flowing energy of the Hongseong Divine Art penetrated deep into my core. Amidst the excruciating pain that caused me to spit up blood, I finally managed to utter a word.
“Ma, Ma…Gyo…”
Ma Gyo.
A formidable foe that throws the Empire into chaos.
Why did their name come up here, and why have they appeared in Seomhwa Village?
After swiftly cutting off his head with my large sword, I dashed away.
Like a star plummeting to the earth for judgment, I became a star.
As I burst through everything in my path and entered Seomhwa Village in a straight line, I found the village already in a pretty chaotic state.
At least it was fortunate that I met someone who could explain the situation as soon as I stepped through the entrance.
Upon seeing her crouched down, gasping for breath next to the two fallen black-robed figures, I called out urgently.
“Lee Seojeong!!”
“Senior Sister…!! You’ve arrived!! Quick, quick, go to the village chief’s house!! There’s been an attack there as well…!”
“…Got it. But are you okay?”
“This much is fine!”
“…Alright. Just be careful.”
I patted her head affectionately and continued to run. But on my way to the chief’s house, my feet came to a stop unexpectedly.
“Ah?! Isn’t that Nakil Sword?!”
It was in front of the inn. The only inn in Seomhwa Village, located in a building like the store.
Was it just a coincidence that that face popped into my mind?
Just as I was about to urgently ask, Jeomsoi shouted out.
“The owner went with Sa Soje and is headed to the village chief’s house!”
“…Thanks for that.”
I nodded and tossed the bag to him. As soon as Jeomsoi received the bag filled with gifts for my sisters, he used his lightness skill.
Quickly. Even faster.
Along the way, I spotted a few corpses, but thankfully, they were just the bodies of the black-robed figures I saw earlier.
There were no bodies of the villagers or my sisters in sight.
Yet the pounding in my chest wouldn’t stop.
The rage of a beast began to swell within me.
As the terrible emotions born from anxiety and anger sought to call forth the evil being, I saw it.
Dressed in black.
The master of wicked spirits.
The master was glaring at someone.
And there, a stoic-faced man stepped forward to protect my sisters, Sayoon and Yoohee.
Despite having no inner strength compared to the two who trained, he was stepping up simply because he was an adult.
The moment I saw that, I immediately swung my large sword.
As the master of wicked spirits was sent sprawling by my strike, I couldn’t help but smile.
“What’s with these crazy guys loitering around Seomhwa Village? Just as well I came and took care of them quickly.”
I genuinely meant it. If I had been even a moment late, my sisters could have been seriously hurt.
…And then.
Ignoring the tickling sensation to follow, I smiled satisfactorily.
Afterward, I casually brushed back my sticky hair, as if wiping away the blood of those I had killed.
“Yoo, Innkeeper. I hope I’m not too late?”
The adult with a distinctly bitter scent of tobacco chuckled leisurely at me.
“Right on time.”
Well, that’s a relief.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
