It was well after lunch service when the Amifa monks and Yohwan emerged.
Chaejin approached Yohwan, worried that they might have done something strict to her.
But just like when they entered, Yohwan wore a nonchalant expression.
“Hmm? Why is that old geezer here?”
“I came to work.”
Maybe it was because they were of similar age, but Yohwan spoke gruffly to Gi Noya, who replied just as bluntly.
“By the way, sorry for missing the lunch service.”
“No, I told you it was fine.”
“Just whip up something simple. Yujeong, you eat too.”
“Yes.”
Yohwan entered the kitchen, and Chaejin watched her with concern. I patted Chaejin’s shoulder to reassure her before approaching Yujeong.
“Yohwan is someone I hired.”
“I’ve heard the story. You helped Yohwan, Master Yu… I’ll extend my gratitude for that.”
Yujeong nodded politely, lowering her head. I stared at her and sighed.
“Is there something happening to Yohwan?”
As far as I knew, there were no events related to Hyewhan’s death and Yohwan. But not knowing the internal affairs of Amifa, I had no choice but to ask, and after a moment’s thought, Yujeong shook her head.
“We need to bring Hyewhan’s remains back to Amifa. And at that time… even if just for a moment, I think we can allow Yohwan to return to Amifa.”
It wasn’t an easy decision to bring someone who had already been expelled back into the sect.
Still, calling her back means that Amifa holds Yohwan in pretty high regard.
Yujeong paused for a moment and then said to me, contemplating.
“If it’s alright, can we go somewhere quiet to talk?”
“Follow me.”
I led Yujeong to the backyard. Once we sat on the chairs there, Yujeong slowly opened her mouth.
“Master Yu might not know, but Yohwan was an excellent swordswoman of Amifa in the past.”
“I was aware of that.”
“And she was expelled due to some issues. However, Yohwan only had her cultivation sealed.”
I knew about that too.
Nodding, Yujeong spoke seriously.
“Since Hyewhan has passed away, perhaps Amifa will try to call Yohwan back.”
“I might end up singing a poem.”
“I am aware of that.”
Heading to Amipa with Yohwan and then returning after transferring the martial arts Yohwan possesses is the event outline for Yohwan and Amipa.
“If things turn out that way… I may need to temporarily escort Yohwan to Amipa. At that time, it may cause trouble for Master Yu. Of course, I will pay for that inconvenience.”
“Putting aside the matter of payment, is it true that Yohwan has consented?”
“Yes. That was decided from the very beginning.”
The martial arts Yohwan possesses includes one of Amipa’s sacred techniques, the Avalokiteshvara Golden Essence Technique, along with Amipa’s powerful art of stealth known as Amisi Twelve Stealth Techniques.
Lastly, there was the Immovable King Protector, a Sinbeop considered top-tier even in the Heavenly Bright Moon.
Especially, the Immovable King Protector was a Sinbeop that only Yohwan learned in Amipa, and when she fell from grace, there was no one who could inherit the Immovable King Protector.
Consequently, it was not that her martial arts were completely abolished, it was simply sealed away.
It was just put under restraint until a capable person appeared to inherit it.
So, the condition was such that the martial arts were not abolished, just placed under restrictions.
In Heavenly Bright Moon, it was Yujeong who received the Immovable King Protector. I nodded as I recalled that memory.
Time didn’t take long; let’s think of it as a vacation and send them off.
“If you can send them back in good health, I will grant you a vacation in return.”
“I promise.”
Yujeong smiled as if relieved.
As she lightly twirled her prayer beads, a moment of silence settled in.
It felt like something needed to be brought up…
Ah, perfect timing.
“Amipa is also a temple, so many people come to offer prayers, right?”
“Yes? Yes, that’s right.”
Yujeong tilted her head in confusion but answered without hesitation.
“And among those who visit the temple, are there not people with troubled hearts?”
“Yes, indeed, there are quite a few. As Amipa’s next leader, I try to soothe the hearts of those who are in pain.”
Good.
“I somehow end up encountering many people at the inn and providing consultations for them as well.”
“You are doing a wonderful job. By accumulating such virtue, you will undoubtedly be rewarded in the afterlife.”
I’ve already received my blessings; that’s enough.
“But… It’s not easy to counsel and soothe them with just my life experiences and knowledge from books. There’s a limit to comforting them with drinks and food as well. So, I’m asking, how does Amipa soothe people’s hearts?”
“It’s not easy to appease them. Alcohol and food can only go so far. So, I must ask… how does your Ami Federation soothe people’s hearts?”
“Um…”
After thinking for a moment, she awkwardly smiled.
“Well… first, perhaps… thirty thousand times?”
“…….”
So you’re saying, let’s make their bodies suffer to forget the pain of their hearts?
As I looked at her, she smiled even more awkwardly.
“Of course, that would be difficult for you, esteemed donor. The best way is to entrust your body to the mercy of the Buddha. But we need to address the fundamental issues, right? I believe it’s important to gradually uncover and empty the burdens from one’s heart.”
I know that much too.
Who doesn’t realize that if you can’t eliminate the anxieties inside, you can’t heal the wounds in your heart?
“But… who are you trying so hard for?”
“Hahaha… A counselor must keep their secrets.”
I wonder who it could be. The Sword Master, right?
Hongryeon mentioned that the Sword Master seems to be doing better lately, but surely she’s not overcoming her inner demons completely.
Not long ago, Hongryeon and Chaejin nearly knelt to their inner fears in the Mirror Realm, right?
And even the Doje failed.
That means the Sword Master’s inner burden must be even bigger and more terrifying.
In order to help her overcome it, at the very least, we have to clear away some of the causes.
The greatest weight on the Sword Master is undoubtedly what happened ‘that day.’
But that’s something I can’t handle.
As for what I can do,
Well, I was trying to get rid of the guilt I felt for being unable to hand over the divine artifact of the Hongseong Clan, the Hyeonun Armor, by asking the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild for help.
Still, that alone wouldn’t suffice, so I was thinking of seeking advice from a specialist…
I saw Yujeong, and she had a serious expression before snapping her fingers.
“What about copying the Heart Sutra?”
Looks like I’ll have to figure this out on my own somehow.
While Yujeong didn’t offer too much help, she did give me a few pointers before leaving with the Ami Federation monks. Afterward, after enjoying the dishes and drinks Yohwan prepared, Gi Noya and Wiyeol also departed, leaving the inn quite tranquil.
It grew quiet.
“Chae-soje. Since Yohwan might be struggling a bit, please stay with her.”
“Got it.”
Though they pretended otherwise, their minds were probably tangled with thoughts of whether Hyewhan might be dead and the fact that they had to head to Amifa soon.
Chaejin had a bright personality and was good at taking care of others, so it would likely ease Yohwan’s mind a bit to be with her.
At least more than being with me, the employer.
Chaejin seemed to know this too, as she smiled and approached Yohwan.
I watched them go inside for a drink and headed to the backyard, puffing on a cigarette while continuing my thoughts.
Alright. Let’s sort out what needs to be done this year.
First, if the demonic cult and Iron Blood Clan are fighting and I have some time, I need to use that time to prepare a lot.
I should breach some of the hidden passages a bit away from Hongseongsan, and also take part in events that are definitely advantageous.
As I was calculating the routes for those plans, I heard footsteps from the backyard.
“What are you thinking so deeply about?”
It was Hongryeon. Has it really been this long? With winter here, the sun began to set early, painting the sky with red hues.
“You’ve had a tough time in this cold. Go inside and warm up a bit.”
“You seem pretty chilly yourself.”
“I was in front of the brazier, so I’m fine.”
I led Yoohee and Hongryeon, who had just come out from writing a journal, inside. I served some snacks and tea, and while they ate and drank, I kept my thoughts flowing.
“Do you have any worries?”
“I’m trying to figure out how to make this year a memorable one.”
“Aha! What does that even mean?”
It’s the truth, though.
“Speaking of which, the Sword Saint came down earlier.”
Yoohee smiled brightly upon hearing that she had bought snacks for the disciples along with Sayoon. Hongryeon, smiling at her joy, subtly gestured at me.
As she brought her face close, she whispered softly in my ear.
“Master, how did they seem?”
“They didn’t seem bad, but…”
After a moment of silence, Hongryeon shook her head.
“Should we just watch for a bit longer before we decide?”
“Wouldn’t that be better?”
Even though the Doje appears fine on the surface, they don’t think they can overcome the Simma inside them and thus haven’t challenged themselves yet.
So…
Let’s prepare as much as we can and encourage the Sword Saint.
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.
