Having read all the records brought from Amipa, the next step was to implement them.
“Hongryeon.”
“Yes.”
As Hongryeon stepped forward, Yujeong from Amipa emerged with a sword. While Chaeran watched them greet each other and take their stances, her eyes sparkled.
“Is it okay if I watch from Moonjeong?”
At that moment, a monk pointed it out, and Chaeran slightly shifted behind the Sword Saint. Looking down at her, the Sword Saint continued in a calm tone.
“That’s fine.”
“If that’s the case…”
At the Sword Saint’s signal, the duel began. Swords clashed against great swords, the martial arts of the impermanence collided with destructive techniques.
The mesmerizing spectacle unfolding in the process captivated both the monks of Amipa and the disciples of Hongseong.
How long had they exchanged techniques? As they slowly lowered their weapons, the Sword Saint calmly spoke.
“When you unleash the Heaven’s Fortune of Hongseong Divine Art, your sword is lowered.”
“I will be mindful.”
“And in Amipa… even in the recorded fights, it was noted that when avoiding the Hongseong Divine Art’s Heavenly Day Glance, you use the two-part Sinbeop. Doesn’t that feel a bit awkward?”
Yujeong nodded. That part should have been avoided in one go using the Immutable King’s Step.
But both she and Hyewhan hadn’t mastered the Immutable King’s Step yet.
“I am being cautious.”
“Also, Chaeran.”
“Yes?”
“When you used Moonjeong’s Moonlight Art, how would you have blocked Amipa’s Robber Sword?”
“Uh… that would be a martial arts exchange, right?”
With that, she initiated the Moonlight Art. As some monks carefully nodded while comparing it with Amipa’s sword styles, the Sword Saint glanced at Ryuhyun.
She was quickly documenting everything.
Such research was essential for developing martial arts, so it must be done.
“Alright. Then let’s start again.”
The research continued until late at night, and it was only after a day that they could finally wrap things up somewhat.
What made this possible was undoubtedly the presence of the Sword Saint. With unmatched talent in martial arts, she freely pointed out the mistakes and areas that needed improvement.
Calmly, she explained to Chaeran about the counter points to the Moonlight Art and the variations needed when fighting other martial arts or evil monsters.
The teachings of a master like the Sword Saint were vital for the warriors; everyone was satisfied with her guidance.
While they were supposed to stay longer than planned, it seemed the research would conclude quickly.
As Yujeong smiled and commented, the Sword Saint nodded.
“I’m also busy with my own tasks, so don’t worry about it.”
“What kind of tasks…?”
“I need to acquire something.”
“Is there something I can assist with?”
Having gained significantly from the exchanges, if they shared what they obtained with Amipa, the skills of the Amipa martial artists would surely improve a level.
Thus, she asked, and the Sword Saint replied with an awkward expression.
“Well… I need some materials.”
“Materials…?”
“I need to make a special protective talisman…”
“Oh. I have that.”
The Sword Saint’s eyes widened in surprise. Toward the astonished warrior, Yujeong beamed as she pulled out three talismans from her robes.
It was three special protective talismans.
“Actually, when you mentioned the location of Hyewhan’s remains last time, I had packed these for use there. Luckily, I didn’t need them, and I was pondering where to use them…”
In the end, they found their way to someone in need, and Yujeong didn’t seem disappointed at all.
Yujeong didn’t seem disappointed that she had to leave.
The Sword Saint sighed as she stared at it intently.
In the end, thanks to his help again, she ended up getting it.
After all, it was him who pointed out where Hyewhan’s remains were.
“…I’ll gratefully accept it.”
The next day arrived. Finishing her research earlier than planned, the Sword Saint left behind the Hongseong disciples who were sparring or discussing martial arts and sought out Chaeran.
She was chatting with Sayoon when she flashed a bright smile.
“What’s the matter?”
“Can we talk for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Waving goodbye to the curious Sayoon, the Sword Saint quietly asked Chaeran.
“I heard from Hongryeon that you, Cha Soja, know a lot about secret arts.”
“Well, I suppose I do.”
“And I understand you sometimes hire strong fighters for secret arts hunts.”
“That’s true.”
“And coming to Seomhwa Village is also because of investigating secret arts.”
“Yes.”
“…Then, could you hire me?”
“Eh?”
For someone like the Sword Saint to ask to be hired. No matter how much she might care for him, that kind of cost was a stretch.
As she looked shocked, the Sword Saint couldn’t hide his embarrassed expression and spoke in a small voice.
“I only need about thirty nyang.”
“If it’s about thirty nyang, I can just give that to you. Joining this research means I’ll level up too. You could consider it the cost for that, couldn’t you?”
As Chaeran reached to pull out a voucher, the Sword Saint shook his head. Since Moonjeong’s input helped in this research as well, it wouldn’t sit right to accept that.
“Then… originally, I was planning to take Hongryeon and Chaejin later, but if you’re going, it should be fine.”
“Is that so? If it’s a far place…”
“It’s not far at all. It’s just about a day’s round trip.”
“There’s a secret art in such a place?”
As the Sword Saint looked surprised, Chaeran nodded.
“Yes. I found the place while talking with Innkeeper Yu about a letter.”
“…Is that so?”
Your traces linger even this time.
It was the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Chaeran who were going to the secret art location.
Hongryeon was quite surprised to hear that the Sword Saint was going herself. She knew it was extremely rare for her to leave Hongseong.
“I could just go alone…”
“It’s fine. I can be of help too.”
Would it really just be help? At the Sword Saint’s level, she could probably crush every trap and evil monster in the secret art alone.
Still, Hongryeon felt worried that Chaeran might strain herself for no reason.
“I’m fine.”
“Alright. If it’s decided, let’s go quickly. First, let’s…”
“It’s faster if I carry you both and jump.”
The Sword Saint wrapped her arms around Hongryeon and Chaeran’s waists and jumped. In that instant, the surroundings began to change.
While Chaeran stared wide-eyed in shock at the incredibly fast movement, the Sword Saint spoke.
“Just tell me the direction.”
“R-right!”
As she shouted urgently, they had already left Seomhwa Village, and as they reached their destination, Chaeran was out of breath.
“You really are fast…”
“Muyeonghyeolja is faster than me. Now then…”
It was a canyon a bit west of Seomhwa Village. Finding the exact location of the secret art was no easy task.
Neither the Sword Saint nor Hongryeon were confident in that area, so they stepped back, while Chaeran took out a Night Light Brew to illuminate the surroundings and began searching for the secret art.
“Here it is.”
Chaeran shouted as she investigated one side of the canyon. When the two approached, she pointed to a drawing of a centipede on the wall.
“This is a secret left by the hero Biolrang, who defeated the evil monster Hongduo-ogong in the past. If you find this and go a bit further…”
As she mentioned historical knowledge, she strolled leisurely.
And when she swiftly worked on burning charms or moving the positions of strange stones, one side of the canyon wall vanished like snow melting away.
“…If you didn’t know, you would never have made it this far.”
“Every hidden secret has a way to be found, and if you know the way, there is nowhere that cannot be breached,” she said.
“Who said that?”
“Yu the Innkeeper mentioned it. He seems to know a lot, you know.”
Hongryeon felt a sense of pride.
“…Well then. Let’s go.”
Anyway, if they had discovered the secret, they just had to go in. The Sword Saint gripped her sword, and Hongryeon followed her.
“This secret belongs to Hongduo-ogong. Be careful, as the centipede poison is strong here.”
Hearing Chaeran’s voice, the Sword Saint and Hongryeon nodded.
The secret itself wasn’t hard. No, even if it were hard, with the Sword Saint and Hongryeon around, what would traps or the secret’s owner matter?
When the giant centipede monster, Hongduo-ogong, was defeated, Chaeran immediately headed to the reward room.
What she brought back was quite a large and valuable bottle of nightshade liquor and a dagger.
“This is quite impressive.”
“Congratulations.”
“So, shall we head back? By the way, I didn’t expect to breach the secret this easily. How about doing it again later?”
Chanran asked with a smile, and the Sword Saint thought for a moment before nodding.
Later on.
If her mental baggage were lifted.
She might go with her disciples.
Yesterday morning had been a bit chilly, and it was already snowing lightly from the morning.
But that wouldn’t stop the Sword Saint. As soon as the morning came, she confidently made her way to the inn to find Yu Wol.
“Is anyone here?”
She peeked into the inn as usual. But no one was there. Was she working on something upstairs?
Jeomsoi, who spotted her, pointed toward the backyard.
Upon heading there, the Sword Saint kept her mouth shut.
Caught in the falling snow, Chaeran was practicing Taijiquan.
A person with tremendous will was mastering their will.
The Sword Saint could only gaze at that scene in silence.
By the time he finished his training to wipe away the dripping sweat, when he locked eyes with Yu Wol, the Sword Saint unconsciously looked away.
“What brings you here so early?”
“W-well, I need to buy something…”
“I see. Then let’s go to the store.”
Guided by Yu Wol, the Sword Saint entered the store and looked around. There it was. The thing he had seen last time.
She confidently mentioned the Iron Fortress and Heavenly Silk.
“Please calculate the total.”
“Hm…”
“…Uh, if you’re short on funds…”
“No, I have enough. I’ll need to give you change.”
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
He calmly returned the change. The Sword Saint smiled brightly at that.
“Have you thought about what you’ll do with that?”
He had already been thinking and always envisioned it.
“I plan to restore the past of Hongseongmun.”
“I wish you the best of luck.”
“I’ve already received a lot of help in various ways. So, it will definitely work out.”
The Sword Saint, who had been gazing at Yu Wol as she smiled and sent him off, quickly returned to Hongseong.
“…Was that why you went to the secret realm yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
Seeing the Sword Saint puff up with pride, Hongryeon burst into laughter. Truly, she was an amazing Master.
“I could have done it if you had waited a bit.”
“No, hurry up and create the Hyeonun Armor.”
The Sword Saint patted Hongryeon’s head.
“…I’m planning to overcome the Simma within me.”
At that, Hongryeon stiffened a little. But the Sword Saint seemed unyielding in her thoughts.
“I can’t keep worrying everyone forever. I am…”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
“The head of the Hongseong clan and your Master.”
All preparations were done.
Mak Noya, being an excellent blacksmith, said he could make the Hyeonun Armor in just a few days. Also, Hongryeon was perfecting the Yuseongrak through research, and her disciples’ skills were improving as well.
Now, only one thing remained.
As night fell, the Sword Saint sneakily left Hongseong.
This was something her disciples must not know.
“May I come in?”
“Hmm? What brings you here at this hour?”
As always, Yu Wol was working late. When he smiled and invited her inside, the Sword Saint shook her head. Eventually, towards the descended Yu Wol, the Sword Saint spoke seriously.
“In a few days…”
“Yes?”
“I will begin the challenge to overcome the Simma.”
“Hmm… Is that so? Wouldn’t it be better to take it slow?”
“I can’t keep putting it off like this. I can’t keep causing concern for my disciples… or for you. And… it might be my weakness.”
“I see.”
“I’m fully prepared. I’ve also prepared chains in the abandoned room beneath the Hongseong clan.”
Silence settled in the inn’s backyard. The Sword Saint, who had hesitated for a long time, finally pulled out a dagger from her robe.
The dagger, looking sharp at first glance, also signified the head of the Hongseong clan.
“In the process of overcoming the Simma, it’s not impossible to be overtaken by it.”
“…..”
“When entering the mirror secret realm, I plan to bind myself with chains. And if something happens… I’ll find a way, no matter what.”
With a desperate tone, she pleaded with Yu Wol.
“At that time… can I entrust my life to you? …It feels pitiful to depend on you again, and I might cry. But you are my only hope.”
She spoke with her head bowed, struggling.
“If you allow it, when I overcome the Simma… No, if there’s anything you want now, I’ll grant it.”
It was an outrageous condition.
Being able to command one of the ten best fighters in the world, even if just once.
Thus, the Sword Saint’s desperation was palpable, and Yu Wol gazed at her intently before reaching out and taking the dagger she offered.
“…Thank you.”
“But, Sword Saint. Do you know?”
“What do you mean?”
Facing her with curiosity, Yu Wol stated firmly.
“There won’t be any problems.”
It was a statement without evidence.
But perhaps it was because of the enormous, powerful heart he displayed?
The Sword Saint somehow felt a surge of strength.
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