“Haah…”
Hongryeon slowly swung her great sword down, exhaling as she gazed at the marks she’d created.
A massive pit was carved into Moonjeong’s training ground.
Not only had she smashed the rocks that were there earlier, but the destruction she left was indeed something that could be called ‘destruction.’
However, Doje, who was watching, wore a rather displeased expression.
“Your sword hesitates.”
“…Is that so?”
“It seems you haven’t properly mastered your heart yet. Do you have something bottled up inside?”
At Doje’s question, Hongryeon closed her eyes. Did she have something bottled up, huh?
Oh, plenty.
After meeting Yu Wol, the burden that had accumulated in Hongryeon had lessened significantly.
But even so, she wasn’t completely free.
The lingering things within her were always sweetly whispering inside her, just like sticky honey.
She knew what she needed to do to resolve this, yet she couldn’t bring herself to act.
There was something she wanted.
Yet she couldn’t reach out for it.
That might just be the biggest Simma that had risen within Hongryeon at the moment.
“It’s hard to fill yourself with good things, so how can you fill up with bad ones?”
“…Thank you for your guidance.”
Her skills had improved since realizing her feelings for Yu Wol. But even so, the reason she couldn’t use Meteor Slash perfectly was probably because she hadn’t resolved that feeling.
Hongryeon tightly shut her eyes.
If only she could face this frustrating feeling inside and release it.
If only she could let go of her greed and obsession and simply love him purely.
Surely, in all the countless books she had read, the feeling of love was described so beautifully.
Why was it so heavy and terrifying instead?
Hongryon chuckled softly to herself, thinking that everything she read until now was just a pack of lies.
…
…
…
“What are you so afraid of?”
Doje, who had returned after watching Hongryeon, said coldly, sending chills down Chaejin’s spine.
Afraid.
Yes.
Doje had seen correctly.
Chaejin was afraid.
Since realizing her feelings for Yu Wol, there was always a corner of her heart filled with fear about getting closer to him and confessing her feelings.
Of course, her love for him was immensely vast.
But would he really like her back?
Someone who is so lacking and insufficient like her.
Was that the reason?
She was approaching him, yet she feared taking that one step forward.
Thus, until he completely needed her, she hid her heart and tried to help him.
Chaejin aimed her sword at Doje, who was staring at her. In response to her, Doje snorted derisively and aimed his dagger at her.
The gleaming blue blade of the sword clashed with the dagger.
However, the result was a victory for the dagger.
Chaejin found herself on one knee, gasping for breath.
“Even if you gain enlightenment by sheer luck, as long as you can’t erase the fear inside you, you won’t be able to go any further.”
“…I thought the Sword Saint said it only took one book.”
“Well, even if you claim to have the knowledge of martial arts, do you really think you can accept it right now?”
The Doje’s words pierced through her heart like a sharp awl.
As Chaejin bit her lip, the Doje twirled his staff and aimed it at her.
“As long as you can’t nurture the feelings inside you, using the techniques beyond the Moonlight Island will be a far-off dream.”
Chaejin sighed at his painfully honest statement.
After the training ended and as they left the training ground, Hongryeon ran into Chaejin.
They exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
“I heard you went out with the Innkeeper yesterday?”
“Yeah. We went out to eat, watched a performance, and drank together.”
“Sounds nice. I also went out, bought some stuff, ate some food, and had tea together.”
“……”
“…..”
Hongryeon thought to herself as she looked at Chaejin.
Perhaps Chaejin occupied more than half of her heart in terms of her feelings.
After all, this person was someone she could acknowledge as a woman.
How could she not care that this person was fond of someone she also liked?
Did she not realize that it touched upon her desires and ambitions?
But she couldn’t show this.
So, Hongryeon forced a smile and turned away.
Chaejin looked at Hongryeon and thought.
Indeed, it was Hongryeon who provoked her fears and created unease within them.
What if the woman she couldn’t overcome once again won over her?
No, she honestly didn’t care about that anymore.
What scared her was that the incredibly charming woman before her might completely color him with her red hue.
She feared that she might be left behind, tied up in chains while he drifted away with her.
It terrified her.
Still lacking in courage, resentment towards her hesitance to be acknowledged by him swelled up inside her.
Yet, she couldn’t show it.
Thus, Chaejin smiled and turned away.
“Today, I went out with Yu Wol and got this.”
During their stay at Munwoljeong, they gathered for dinner to share their martial arts methods gained through training.
So during the dinner gathering, Sayoon pulled out a small mirror.
It looked quite valuable. The round mirror was adorned with bronze, and on the back, the pattern of the Big Dipper was etched, with expensive-looking gems representing each star.
“That… is the Heart and Soul Mirror.”
The Doje, who was curiously looking at the mirror Sayoon had pulled out, spoke up.
Heart and Soul Mirror?
Both Hongryeon and Chaejin were hearing about it for the first time.
Was it because of that? They naturally turned their gazes from the Doje to Yu Wol.
He always knew things they didn’t.
“Haha. Jin and Ryeon said that Yu Seonsaeng’s knowledge is impressive.”
“Not that much.”
“Do you know anything about the Heart and Soul Mirror?”
“I know a bit. The Heart and Soul Mirror was once prepared by Master Beopha, the head monk of Baekunsa, for his disciples before reaching enlightenment. It symbolizes desires and emotions, and I believe twelve of them were crafted.”
“You know it well. Do you also know how to use it?”
“The Heart Mirror can be used a total of seven times. Based on the target’s heart, it creates a hidden realm where one can confront their heart spirit. Once used seven times, it shatters and returns to nature, waiting to find a new master. What Sayoon possesses is the fact that seven uses are still left.”
“Haha, you really know your stuff. The Heart Mirror is something only a few people interested in vessels or hidden realms are aware of. How did you find out?”
As Chaeran asked in curiosity, Yu Wol replied nonchalantly.
“I read about it in a book a while ago.”
“Ah.”
Chaeran was impressed, while Hongryeon stared at him in awe.
He really is impressively reliable. How does he know so much? And how can one not be enchanted by the way he shares his knowledge without flaunting it?
“…Ah.”
Feeling even more captivated by him, Hongryeon snapped back to reality. Meanwhile, Chaejin had subconsciously reached out toward him.
You truly are amazing. It’s thanks to your exceptional knowledge that you can always guide us down the right path, isn’t it? Yet, the way you bring it up only when necessary, rather than boasting, is really something…
“Why are you like that?”
“…Ah. It’s nothing.”
Flustered, Hongryeon and Chaejin turned to talk to Hyunhwi and Chaeran. As they chatted about their training from earlier, Sayoon, sitting beside Yu Wol, gently tugged at his sleeve.
“But isn’t challenging the Mirror Realm dangerous?”
Sayoon’s eyes were filled with concern for the two.
However, it seemed she was worried about hurting their pride if she voiced it out loud. That’s why she asked quietly enough for Yu Wol to hear, and he nodded.
In an instant, Sayoon’s face darkened. But he responded quietly enough only for her to hear.
“If anything happens, there are ways to help.”
“Ah… yes.”
Only after hearing that did Sayoon feel a bit relieved. While she was putting her mind at ease, Doje lightly clapped to grab their attention and calmly asked.
“Then, Sayoon, is it alright to use the mirror?”
“Huh? Of course. Both Elder Sister Hongryeon and Sister Chaejin are precious to me.”
“Then let’s have you take a look first.”
Sayoon held up the mirror slightly. However, her reflection did not appear in it.
“I guess I don’t have a heart spirit.”
Yu Wol burst into laughter at Sayoon’s puzzled expression.
“Hahaha! A person never loses their heart spirit. It’s just hiding right now. Someday, when your heart spirit decides to show itself, you’ll be able to see it in the Heart Mirror. Until then, don’t stop nurturing your heart.”
“Yes!”
Energetically replying, Sayoon held out the mirror, which was received by Chaeran.
“Um. I don’t see anything yet either.”
With a bright smile, Chaeran closed the mirror, and Hyunhwi did the same.
Now it was down to Hongryeon and Chaejin.
Doje slid the mirror between the two of them.
“I can see that both of you have your heart spirits peeking out. If you use this, you could confront your spirits. But if you think you need more preparation, it’s perfectly fine to wait until later. It won’t be easy, after all.”
As I looked on, Simma had her head held high, and I thought, if I could use this to face her, it might work. But if I felt I needed more preparation, it wouldn’t hurt to wait until later. After all, it wouldn’t be easy.
As soon as the Doje finished speaking, Hongryeon and Chaegin quickly reached out for Yu Wol after sharing a glance.
Among them, Hongryeon was the first to grab the mirror, and her face was clearly reflected in it.
When she bit her lip facing it, a gem on the back of the mirror shattered.
“The mirror realm can only be entered when you fall asleep. Until then, keep your mind calm and prepare.”
“Oh. I see… Got it.”
As Yu Wol explained, Hongryeon nodded her head, and Chaegin also reflected her own face in the mirror.
– Clink!!
Chaegin too was reflected in the mirror, and just like Hongryeon, one of the gems shattered. Seeing this, the Doje smirked.
“Lady Sayoon, I’ll make sure to repay this.”
“What? No way! You two are precious to me! As long as you can overcome Simma, I’m good!”
The Doje burst into hearty laughter at Sayoon’s bright smile. Then he glanced at Chaeran and said, “Isn’t your friend a bit too good a person?”
“…I’m a good person too, you know?”
With Chaeran puffing up in protest, dinner came to an end.
*
That night, it was decided that Hongryeon and Chaegin would enter the mirror realm.
As I was lost in thought, I tried to leave the room.
“What?”
I ran into the Doje standing by the door.
He stared at me for a moment before breaking into a bitter smile.
“Where are you off to?”
“I’m preparing for the worst.”
According to the explanation of the Heart Soul Scripture, if one fails to overcome Simma in the mindscape, they could be trapped there forever, falling into eternal slumber.
Of course, such a thing wouldn’t happen in Heavenly Bright Moon, and I didn’t think they would fail either.
But still, there’s always a possibility, isn’t there?
It’s better to be fully prepared than to whine after a disaster strikes.
One of the facts I learned through various events related to the Heart Soul Scripture was that I could expend its usage to enter the mirror realm of my opponent and rescue someone trapped there.
Of course, I was aware of that, and that’s why I intended to borrow the Heart Soul Scripture from Sayoon.
Once I explained my situation, the Doje chuckled.
“Haha. You truly are Yu Seonsaeng. That’s right. In case of such a situation, a strong-minded person needs to go into the mirror realm and bring back the one who has failed.”
“You knew about this, Doje?”
“Haha. Indeed. In fact, I deliberately didn’t mention there was a way to help them. Their pride is one matter, but sometimes, overcoming Simma happens through desperation. If they know there’s a lifeline, that desperation might fade away, don’t you think?”
“Well, that’s true.”
Anyway, this was a good opportunity.
Even if I was preparing for the worst, wouldn’t it be better if they could overcome Simma through their own strength if possible?
“Therefore, if any unfortunate situation arises, I hope you will assist them, Seonsaeng. I believe you can do it.”
With certainty in his voice, the Doje pulled out a small mirror from his pocket.
It was the Heart Soul Scripture.
But it was much older than the one Sayoon had, with two gems already shattered.
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