As night fell and confirmed that all the sisters were asleep, Hongryeon quietly stepped out of the room.
They had decided to visit Yu Wol in the morning, but worries still lingered.
So…
Isn’t it okay to just sneak out for a bit?
Thinking that she would just catch a glimpse of his face, Hongryeon slowly made her way down the mountain path under the night sky.
Was it because the bright moon was out?
The red leaves of the perennial camellia were illuminated by the moonlight, making it easy to find her way.
Of course, for a skilled practitioner like Hongryeon, this level of darkness was nothing.
With each step on the hardened dirt path as winter approached, her pace quickened.
Perhaps it was the eagerness to see him sooner; she found the solid ground beneath her sturdy feet quite delightful.
Just last winter, the biting cold made her dread stepping on such hardened ground.
With a smile at how her feelings had changed in less than a year, Hongryeon sprinted.
Arriving at Seomhwa Village, it was quiet.
Strolling down the peaceful, tranquil streets, she slipped into the inn and quietly made her way to the backyard.
Looking up, she noticed that his office wasn’t lit.
It was quite heartbreaking that the window she used to see him was now empty.
Unconsciously, Hongryeon placed her hand on her heart.
Then, she quietly entered the inn. Treading lightly so as not to be noticed, she reached the door of the room where he was resting and felt her heart race slightly.
She hadn’t thought about this kind of thing on the way here, but now it felt a bit like sneaking off for a rendezvous.
Feeling her breath becoming a bit ragged, she took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.
The room felt warm.
The fresh air filtering in through the slightly opened window couldn’t quite cool off the heat of the room, making her cheeks flush.
Certainly, it wasn’t embarrassment for meeting him at such an odd hour, she reasoned, as she quietly moved towards the bed.
Lying there, he seemed far more relaxed than earlier.
There was medicine on the table beside the bed, and the signs of it being consumed were evident.
Thank goodness. It looks like he took his medicine after all.
The physician had said it wasn’t a big deal, and she knew that the symptoms she had confirmed were just exhaustion and a cold, but Hongryeon, holding a hint of anxiety, finally felt relief.
She knelt down quietly beside the bed, allowing her to gaze upon his face from the side.
It was nice to see his chest rising and falling rhythmically under the blanket. His slightly rough skin and the large hand that peeked out from the covers were also captivating.
As she stared at him, Hongryeon found herself smiling without realizing it. Gently, she placed her hand on the back of his hand.
Large and warm.
Slowly pulling his hand towards her, she naturally let a soft smile spread across her face.
With such big hands, you’ve always been helping us, haven’t you?
That’s why these big, rough hands mean so much to Hongryeon.
Gently toying with his hand, she eventually pulled away.
Honestly, she wanted to savor the moment longer, but he needed to rest more.
“Good night. And. Let’s meet tomorrow with smiles.”
Leaving behind the scent of blooming plum blossoms, Hongryeon quietly slipped out of his room.
.
.
.
It was around dawn when Chaejin jolted upright in her bed. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.
She couldn’t shake off the sudden wave of anxiety.
The person who had trusted her and cheered her on had collapsed.
Though it was just due to exhaustion and a cold, Chaejin couldn’t help but feel uneasy about it.
She rubbed her face.
The dream from just moments ago flashed in her mind.
Chaejin realized she couldn’t trust it.
A terrifying chain had risen through her nightmares.
The chains that had been invisible when he was there now revealed themselves because he was gone. Because he had collapsed, Chaejin could only tremble in pain from the nightmares.
It was only natural that she sought out Yu Wol.
Now, accustomed to walking through the inn’s corridors with her eyes closed, Chaejin gently opened the door to his room.
There, on a bed near the window connecting to Hongseong Mountain, lay a man.
His face, illuminated by the moonlight, was full of vitality.
The fatigue accumulated over time was being healed by medicine and rest, returning life to him as he slept, seemingly unaware of the world.
Seeing him like that, the chains that had bound her until a moment ago dissipated as easily as morning mist in the sunlight.
Ah, what a relief. What a relief.
Chaejin approached him with a smile.
How exhausted must he be to sleep so soundly without stirring?
She had heard from the innkeeper that he had briefly woken up to take his medicine before falling back asleep again.
She couldn’t express how much she regretted not being able to talk to him then.
But what could she do?
With a heavy heart, Chaejin squatted in front of him. Leaning on the bed, she brought her face closer and quietly examined him.
Why was it?
Just looking at him made all her anxiety fade away.
The mere fact that he was recovering brought her so much comfort.
He truly was an amazing person.
Chaejin poked his cheek with her finger.
As his thick eyebrows twitch slightly in response, she silently chuckled.
Then, slowly rising, she muttered as she exited the room.
“Honestly, I want to stay longer, but I shouldn’t disrupt his rest any more.”
“See you tomorrow.”
With that, Chaejin flashed a gentle smile and closed the door.
“…As always.”
.
.
.
Though the Sword Saint had reached a level of superhuman prowess, allowing him to function well without sleep for several days, he still needed rest.
However, he didn’t sleep much, so the Sword Saint would retire to bed later than anyone else in Hongseong Clan and wake up earlier than anyone.
Yet today, he woke up even earlier than usual.
Before the dawn stars tucked themselves away. As the moon prepared to give way to the sun, the Sword Saint gradually rose from his bed and stepped out of his room.
As she walked through the chilly air towards the still-dark Hongseong, she arrived at the guesthouse.
From here, she could see the landscape of Seomhwa Village.
Standing there, she gazed towards a spot in Seomhwa Village.
As she looked, her heart began to race little by little.
Why was that?
Why was the unease swelling within her?
Why did memories of losing everything come flooding back?
She slightly closed her eyes.
Before she knew it, the Sword Saint was darting down the mountain like the wind.
For a superhuman like the Sword Saint to quietly enter such an inn was no big deal.
Casually standing in front of the room where Yu Wol stayed, she reached for the door, but then stopped without realizing it.
Is this… the right thing to do?
But her hesitation quickly vanished. She was just checking the situation; what could possibly be wrong?
So, opening the door, the Sword Saint smiled faintly.
Because she could see the man lying there, half-pulling off the blanket.
Seeing him asleep peacefully, unlike earlier, made her unease melt away like winter snow in the warm spring air.
The Sword Saint stood silently at the door, gazing at him.
Watching him sleeping so contentedly, the one who had made her heart race felt annoyingly delightful.
But more than that, a bigger thought emerged—thankfulness.
“….That’s good enough.”
Muttering softly, the Sword Saint grasped the door. Now that she had confirmed, it was time to go back.
Yet for some reason, her feet wouldn’t budge.
Her eyes were still locked on him.
For a moment, the Sword Saint stared at him before gently approaching.
She took hold of the blanket and slowly pulled it to properly cover him, then looked down at his face.
Why did looking at his face ease her heart?
Why did seeing him safe make her feel so peaceful?
Just then…
-Creeeak…
There was a sound coming from outside the door. Was it the innkeeper checking on Yu Wol?
The Sword Saint quickly slipped out the window. Though it was a two-story building, it didn’t seem high to her.
She climbed out and, just in case, climbed up a nearby tree to peek into his room. Indeed, it seemed to be the innkeeper checking if he had a fever before leaving.
Seeing that, she finally came down from the tree and placed a hand on her chest.
Even though she knew he was okay,
her heart was still racing.
*
“…….”
Sitting up, I wiped my face with the sunlight streaming through the window.
How can this be?
I collapsed from just a cold.
Honestly, I’m so embarrassed I can’t even lift my head.
“Oh? You’re awake?”
Just then, the door opened.
It was Chaejin. Holding a bowl of medicinal porridge, she smiled at me and reached out.
Was it because her cool hand wrapped around my forehead?
Despite the embarrassment, I felt good.
“Your fever has come down a lot. Here, eat this.”
What she offered was herbal porridge.
“Honestly, I want to take care of you properly, but the doctor said suddenly eating can be bad. Let’s eat properly starting from lunch. Yohwan said she’ll show off her skills… So, it’s a relief. Do you know how shocked I was yesterday?”
“I’m really sorry about this.”
I said while eating my meal.
Seriously, I feel bad.
“Hehe. It’s alright. By the way, you really should take care of yourself. I’ve asked Moonjeong to send some health tonic, so make sure to eat it when it arrives. It’s a precious thing, fit only for your father.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Please don’t refuse…”
And then it happened.
I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and in walked none other than the Sword Saint, along with Hongryeon and Sayoon. There seemed to be a crowd of people outside the open door, making it look like all the Hongseong members had arrived.
“Innkeeper!!”
Sayoon rushed over, her face filled with worry. She looked as if she was about to cry and grabbed my hand tightly.
“Are you alright? Huh?”
“Haha. I’ve caused you to worry. I’m sorry.”
“Ugh! No! You’re all better now, right?”
“I think so. I feel great.”
“That’s such a relief…”
With a face still slightly teary, Sayoon smiled brightly and handed me a box. “What’s this?”
“I found this wild ginseng yesterday by chance! They say it’s good for your health, so make sure to chew on it!”
It’s just a cold I had, why wild ginseng too?
“Right. After finishing that, eat this too.”
Hongryeon smiled as she approached with another box. Inside was beautiful, shimmering honey of a deep red color.
This is Jeoksokcheong.
One of the stamina boosters that can be found in nature, known to increase vitality when consumed.
“This precious thing…”
“It’s not worth more than you.”
As Hongryeon smiled and said that, the Sword Saint stepped in.
In her hand was a small jar. Upon opening it in front of me, I saw it contained steamed meat.
With the medicinal herbs cooked together, it seemed like Yohwan’s handiwork…
“…What is that?”
“Hohwan-tang. A dish infused with tiger energy.”
“It’s one of the royal health dishes, and I made it. It’s literally made from a tiger. And since the bones are soaked in alcohol, once it’s matured, you should drink a cup every day.”
Brought over by the Sword Saint in the early morning, it was made by Yohwan.
And the Sword Saint told me that using her internal energy, she could quickly make the royal health dish.
But more importantly, when did they even catch a tiger?
I was flustered at the pile of precious health tonics in front of me.
At that moment, the doctor walked in holding a pill bottle and chuckled upon seeing what was laid out before me.
“Eat them all. They’re all good for your health.”
At the doctor’s words, everyone nodded, and I decided to eat without any complaints.
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