The last time I went to the hidden realm, it lost its red energy after I overcame the trials.
Even if I walked through the opened stone gate, I couldn’t enter the hidden realm, the other side of the world.
Later, when I visited the Sword Saint for investigation, she said it was just a waiting period for the realm to be reconstructed. If nature’s energies accumulate again, the hidden realm will reveal its power once more.
Sayoon glanced slightly at the Sword Saint. In her eyes was the wonder she had when she first saw that hidden realm, mixed with a touch of sadness.
‘Master…’
I could see her eyes shimmering with moisture.
In martial arts, I trusted endlessly, but in other aspects, there was an awkwardness and clumsiness to her.
And that’s why I liked my Master even more as she gazed at the hidden realm, drawing memories of the past.
The pain she had to endure, the blood that should have remained on her hands.
Ryuhyun, noticing this as well, remained silent, not saying a word to her Master.
How long did that silence last?
The Sword Saint, with a slightly subdued voice, pointed at the hidden realm and spoke.
“It doesn’t seem to be dangerous.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. It feels quite familiar.”
I couldn’t sense that at all. But since it was the Master speaking, I couldn’t ignore it. So, Ryuhyun gently tapped Sayoon on the back.
“Do you want to try? Or…”
“Ah. I’ll give it a go.”
As Sayoon walked gracefully to stand before the hidden realm, the same phenomenon occurred as last time. It was the red energy. The moment it enveloped her body, the hidden realm spoke just like before.
– Who are you?
“I am Sayoon, disciple of Hongseong.”
At the same time, the flowing red energy bound itself to Ryuhyun.
– Who are you?
“I am Ryuhyun, disciple of Hongseong.”
And finally, when the red energy wrapped around the Sword Saint’s body.
– Who are you?
The Sword Saint remained silent for a moment.
Seemingly at a loss for words, her lips merely quivered as she struggled to speak, finally bursting out with words directed at Sayoon and Ryuhyun.
“…I am Na Yerin, the Sword Saint of the Hongseong Clan.”
Unlike usual, the Sword Saint spoke in a slightly subdued tone.
At her reaction, Ryuhyun and Sayoon exchanged puzzled looks. Why is she acting like this? But the Sword Saint just stared at the hidden realm, remaining stoic.
Tension, or maybe it was fear.
As the two were taken aback by the sight they had never seen before.
– Khuhwoooom…!!
The door to the hidden realm opened, revealing the world behind it. As the space for challenges was set, Ryuhyun asked the Sword Saint.
“Shall we go in?”
“I want to give the other disciples a chance to experience it too. Considering the last hidden realm went dormant after passing once…”
If this was a hidden realm left in Hongseong, it was only natural for the disciples of Hongseong to experience it. After all, it was one thing to say the last time was just an exception.
But the Sword Saint didn’t finish her sentence. She merely gazed softly at Sayoon.
“Of course, I’m okay with it!”
The existence of this hidden realm was something even the Clan Leader, the Sword Saint, was unaware of. The one who revealed it was the mysterious ‘Mister,’ who sent a letter to Sayoon.
If the ‘Mister’ revealed the location of this hidden realm for the sake of Hongseong?
Then he could have simply sent a letter to the Hongseong Clan.
Yet, the fact that he specifically addressed Sayoon in the letter clearly indicated that he wanted her to experience this hidden realm.
I guess that’s what you hope for.
In that case, even if this secret realm was created by the ancestors of the Hongseong Clan, it was clear that the ultimate decision power lay with Sayoon.
“Thank you.”
The Sword Saint smiled brightly at Sayoon, who showed no signs of wavering. And then came the petting. As her white hand gently stroked Sayoon’s gray hair, Sayoon couldn’t help but break into a wide smile.
No disciple was absent even during the midnight gathering.
After hearing the situation, everyone expressed their desire to experience the Hongseong Clan’s secret realm, and they were all deemed qualified.
“But, Senior Sister, is it really okay for so many people to enter the secret realm? It seems like that would make the challenge too easy.”
“Actually, when there are more people entering the secret realm, the difficulty of the challenge often increases. And if there are formations involved, the larger the number, the greater the damage incurred.”
Ryuhyun explained instead of Hongryeon, as she had experience in the secret realm. While the new disciples marveled, the Sword Saint added another point.
“Also, we must consider the issue of rewards. In the worst-case scenario, when a reward is obtained, there’s often a case where people end up fighting each other in the last chamber. Therefore, it’s common to bring only a suitable number of reliable people.”
“Huh? Really? Then wouldn’t it be dangerous to go in together…?”
“But if Hongryeon and Ryuhyun are going in together, plus the Hongseong Clan’s secret realm… even if many enter, I don’t think there would be a problem. However, I would like to ask for your agreement before we enter.”
The sword saint again explained the circumstances that led to the discovery of this secret realm, with Sayoon at the forefront. Those who knew it accepted it nonchalantly, but the others looked at Sayoon with surprise as it was their first time hearing it.
With the gazes of her senior sisters focused on her, Sayoon’s face quickly flushed red.
“So, whatever the reward in this secret realm is, I hope Sayoon gets it. If you think there might be a problem, please let me know.”
There was silence. Hongryeon smiled and nodded, while Ryuhyun glanced at Sayoon, recalling what she had said earlier.
There were no envious hearts towards the youngest’s growth within the Hongseong Clan.
Moreover, informing Sayoon of the location here meant it was for her benefit, and they likely sent her in with the hope that she would receive the reward.
To covet another’s belongings would be to stray from the path of righteousness.
And if this could make Sayoon stronger, wouldn’t that be a joyful occasion as well?
Thus, all the disciples accepted the Sword Saint’s proposal with smiles.
Seeing this, Sayoon felt a lump form in her chest. Her eyes felt warm, and her hands trembled. When she lowered her head in embarrassment, the Sword Saint gently patted her head.
“Alright. Then let’s go in.”
“Um… Aren’t you coming in, Master?”
“Someone has to stay behind… That’s the job of the clan leader.”
Hongryeon, worried, observed the Sword Saint’s expression.
In response, the Sword Saint simply offered a faint smile.
From her perspective, Hongryeon felt that the Sword Saint’s smile seemed forced to hide sadness.
Upon entering, it was a secret realm that exuded a similar atmosphere to the last one they visited. However, the energy emanating from the secret realm this time was a bit stronger than before.
“Be careful.”
Leading everyone, Hongryeon heightened her vigilance.
Even though this was a secret realm for the Hongseong Clan, it was not without danger.
As they proceeded and arrived at the first chamber, Hongryeon couldn’t help but give a wry smile.
In the first room they reached, Hongryeon couldn’t help but smirk.
Unlike last time, it was a long, corridor-like room. However, the holes in the walls seemed suspicious, and she really needed to pay attention to the patterns engraved on the floor and ceiling.
“Hmm…”
Just by looking at it, Hongryeon understood what this room was for.
“The movements of Seongryubo, and the patterns on the ceiling indicate that I need to incorporate Seongchul-gak as well.”
With just that statement, all the disciples seemed to grasp how to pass through here. Seongchul-gak. It was a martial art focused on offense found in the first half of Hongseong Divine Art.
While last time tested their proficiency in Seongryubo itself, this time, it was about whether they could apply it.
Seongryubo and Seongchul-gak complemented each other well and were often utilized together.
“Go first, Gama.”
Hongryeon lightly warmed up and took the first step of Seongryubo. At that moment, a long iron rod shot out from the hole in the wall.
Aiming to hit, the iron rod was fired with such speed that getting hit would really hurt, but she dodged it through the movement of Seongryubo, only to have another iron rod come flying out.
Anyone who hadn’t mastered Seongryubo would surely be knocked out by that rod.
“Yikes!”
But for Hongryeon, master of Seongryubo, it was as easy as pie. She effortlessly dodged the rods and kicked away a huge club dropping from above through Seongchul-gak, making her way through with style.
Standing at the end of the room, she waved at the remaining disciples.
“Come on! Did you see that?”
And thus, the midnight training began.
As expected, the secret passage was similar to the previous one.
It felt like a test of how well they had learned Hongseong Divine Art.
A trial, and a challenge.
Even though they were just repeating what they already knew, the disciples of Hongseong Clan weren’t dissatisfied.
And why should they be? A few had gained minor insights during the re-evaluation phase.
Though the realization was just about reconstructing and utilizing techniques from the first half, everyone, including Hongryeon, understood that such accumulation leads to growth.
Even though it was an abrupt night training in the hidden passage, they gained a lot from it.
When they finally reached the last room, everyone was feeling good.
– Gruuurr…!!
Without fail, Sonachal, the master of the secret passage, was present.
But this time, it was different. The previous Sonachal was covered in wounds, but this one had none.
Watching the perfectly healthy monster of the secret passage, Hongryeon subtly cast a glance at Sayoon.
I wonder if she can do it?
“Do you think you can handle it?”
“Yes.”
Sayoon nodded, and Hongryeon couldn’t help but smirk.
“Everyone else, stand by… Sayoon, is the sword okay?”
At Hongryeon’s words, Sayoon briefly looked at her old sword. It was ancient, on the verge of falling apart since she had fought Huaho last time and it was in terrible shape.
Though Hongryeon had intended to offer her a new sword, Sayoon had given it up for Yoohee, who had fought with her against Huaho.
Hongryon mentioned the sword as a form of apology.
“Haha… Yoohee’s sword is even older. I don’t know when it will break… of course, the old lady should take it. Then I’ll be off.”
There was no fear in her steps.
“Will she be alright?”
“She’ll be fine.”
As soon as she faced Sonachal, Sayoon’s sword moved. Fast, sharp strikes.
A sharp sword strike.
It wasn’t that difficult to harmonize the harmony of different martial arts styles while freely managing one’s inner energy to face the Sonachal.
“A child has found their path at the threshold of demon transformation. Then, this should be no problem.”
And didn’t they also take an elixir to boost their inner energy?
So, all that’s left to do is watch.
‘While smiling, of course.’
The Sonachal was strong. But that didn’t mean it was unbeatable.
After all, a starlight had already appeared before Sayoon.
In one step, the consideration of starlight was embedded.
In two steps, the starlight presented itself.
In three steps, the starlight urged her to grow stronger.
In four steps, the starlight showed her the way.
As long as the clear starlight was there to guide her, the Sonachal was not a fearsome opponent for Sayoon.
-Kyaaaak!!
With a horrific roar, the Sonachal lunged with a kick, having its arm severed.
But Seongryubo smoothly avoided that attack, and the Meteor Fist shattered the Sonachal’s thick hide.
The sword strike that ensued cut off another arm of the Sonachal.
-Kiik… Kiik…!!
Even against the hatred belched forth by the Sonachal, the Hongseong Divine Art did not yield. It was too bright for her to lose herself in the hatred of others.
So she wielded her sword.
-Swack!!
The final blow.
With the sharpness of a lightning strike, the sword, imbued with a faint but subtle red aura, sliced through even the Sonachal’s thick hide.
“Phew…”
Although she relied on the power of nature, manifesting her sword qi was no easy task. Feeling the emptiness of her dantian draining away, Sayoon stepped back, and Hongryeon smiled at her.
“The enlightenment gained from escaping the demon transformation last time has been a great help. Already sword qi, huh?”
“It’s all thanks to Master and the Senior Sisters.”
And thanks to Mister.
Sayoon chewed on the words that nearly slipped out.
“Good job. You did well.”
Hongryeon patted her shoulder and led her toward the rewards room.
It was a large box. Gazing at it, Sayoon gently opened the box and carefully grasped what lay inside.
A single sword.
A longsword wrapped in a jet-black wooden scabbard.
Sayoon delicately held the hilt. The sensation of leather hugging the palm felt great.
And when the sword, resting in the black wooden scabbard, finally revealed itself…
“This is quite curious. Is it possible for a weapon from a secret realm not to be a cavalry weapon?”
It wasn’t a special sword.
Just an ordinary sword, perhaps somewhat clunky.
It didn’t even have a sword name, which was typically inscribed on precious weapons.
Looking at the sword, which felt like a disappointment compared to the elixir obtained last time, Hongryeon was intrigued and handed it back, while Sayoon hugged the sword tightly.
“Still, to me, it’s a treasure.”
Because he.
Mister wanted her to have it.
And so today, another treasure was added to Sayoon’s collection, and the inner light she possessed grew a little stronger.
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