This winter, there are many things I need to do, and my desk is always piled up with documents and letters sent by the postman.
And today, another one arrived.
“Today, it’s five letters,” he said.
The postman’s underling handed me the letters and left. That guy really must work hard until night.
I closed the window and examined the letter he delivered.
One was sent from Moonjeong. Did the Doje send this?
I opened the letter right away, and inside was a not-so-long note.
“I will visit soon.”
But when is “soon”? Anyway, if the Doje comes, I should prepare a lot of alcohol.
By the way, is it okay that Yura isn’t here?
Since he’s coming anyway, it’d be better to tell him to come after Yura arrives.
[As the battle between the Magic Sect and the Iron Blood Clan intensifies, the Saheukryeon also decided to provide support. The next battle may lead to a resolution.]
Next was a letter from Hano. It seems the fight between the Magic Sect and the Iron Blood Clan is being observed even from afar.
It’s always our side in crisis, but it’s kind of fascinating to see it as a distant spectacle.
I flicked the letter and read what came next.
The Murim Alliance and Saheukryeon are teaming up to act together this time. After all, both the Magic Sect and Iron Blood Clan must be a thorn in their side.
And the one making a name for herself over there is Yura, who earned the nickname of Seonyul Sinchang.
She’s quickly making a name among the rising stars. Of course, Chaeran is still ahead…
At this rate, I might meet her later?
Well, anyway, it doesn’t really concern me, so let’s set that aside…
The next letter was from the Murim Alliance. I checked the letter with Namgoongseongyul’s name on it…
They finally found it.
It said the Murim Alliance secured the traces of Cheonma in the Magic Sect. By having that, they might be able to negotiate with or rein in the Magic Sect.
It was Namgoongseongyul who found the secret arts, and thanks to that, the traces of Cheonma would be owned by the Law Enforcement Department.
As a result, the power of the Law Enforcement Department, which had been diminishing within the Murim Alliance, has grown, so it was a token of gratitude.
They mentioned visiting the Namgoong Clan someday… Do I have time for that?
The next letter was from the manager of my land and buildings in another city.
There was nothing special; just a note saying things would go on as they did last year, so I skimmed through it.
And finally.
It was Sayoon’s letter.
I heard that the essence of the way is to understand the sorrows of others.
It’s something a monk from Hongseong said while staying here recently.
Buddha’s teachings express that those who cannot understand and accept the sorrow of others cannot ascend to a higher place.
I heard it’s the Buddha’s teaching that you can’t climb any higher.
I don’t really know yet, but when Master or the Senior Sisters are having a tough time or feeling sad, my heart aches too, so maybe I’m accepting that teaching just a little bit?
I mentioned it to Mister before, but our Master has gone through a lot of hardships.
The deep memories that linger in Master’s heart make her sad, and I’ve heard that those wounds never truly heal.
That’s what Simma is, they say.
To overcome that Simma, Master went through a difficult experience not long ago.
Honestly, it was scary.
Master saved me and nurtured me, after all.
To me, Master is like family since my parents aren’t around.
I wanted to share even a little of that sadness, but all I could do was watch as Master suffered.
The reason Master is struggling must surely be because of something that happened in the past.
I thought the guilt of not being able to protect someone was what was making Master suffer.
That’s why. I want to become stronger.
To do that, I decided to go to Amipa soon.
If I train there this time, won’t my heart become a bit stronger?
If I become strong enough to protect Master, the other Senior Sisters, and Mister, that would be great.
Hehe. It’s a long way off, though.
Still, I often imagine that one day I too will become a great warrior like Master or Senior Sister Hongryeon, able to protect many people and become an amazing female hero.
And there’s Mister behind me. Just like how you watched over me and always helped me, I think of how I’ll watch over you and help you, and it gives me strength.
What can I learn when I go to Amipa this time?
Senior Sister Ryuhyun said what I’m lacking right now is enlightenment… If I train there, will I achieve that enlightenment?
I’m really looking forward to it.
Oh, and I hear there are a lot of cool things related to Buddhism near Amipa.
Of course, since I’m going there to train, tourism is out of the question… But it seems like there are quite a few things I can get at Amipa.
Mister, I hope you don’t dislike Buddhism or anything, right? I heard from Monk Yujeong that there’s a gift among the things I can get that I’d like to send to you from Amipa.
Please look forward to it!
…But, um, please don’t set your expectations too high.
I don’t want to disappoint you…
P.S.
It’s been really cold lately. Please stay warm… Oh, and it seems you can send letters through the post at Amipa.
And I heard that Amifa can exchange letters through the post office.
I’ll make sure to send a letter once I get there.
Exchanging letters with Mister gives me great strength.
You feel the same way, right, Mister?
I hope so.
Of course, it’s a given.
It definitely gives me strength.
By the way, the things that can be found in Amifa…
They are probably items that can be obtained by defeating evil monsters.
Even though Hongseong is a place where evil monsters don’t appear much, there are surprisingly many around Amisan where Amifa is located.
It seems like we might have to deal with some evil monsters as part of our training, and through that, we could get items from Amifa.
With Sayoon’s current skills, it shouldn’t be a big problem, and Amifa wouldn’t just send her to a dangerous place right away.
Let’s not worry too much.
After carefully folding the letter and putting it in the safe, I was tidying up and wrapping up today’s work.
Then, I heard a light tapping sound as something hit the window.
If someone is here at this hour…
I leaned slightly towards the window. There, a beautiful woman with red hair was looking up at me with a smile.
“Busy?”
“I was just about to finish up and get some rest.”
“Hehe. Then, can I have a cup of tea?”
Hongryeon looked somehow cheerful. I nodded and, after tidying up my office, said,
“Come on up.”
Hongryeon lightly jumped over and entered the room. Once she settled down, I boiled some water in the brazier.
“What brings you here?”
“Well, I wanted to express my gratitude.”
“Gratitude? I haven’t done anything special.”
“It’s about my Master…”
As Hongryeon fiddled with the teacup I handed her, a smile crept onto her face.
“I visited the sword shop earlier today.”
“Oh, I see.”
Looks like Noya mentioned something, huh? I nodded as I sat down.
“I just used what I happened to obtain.”
“But isn’t that something precious?”
“No matter how precious it is, it’s meant to be used where it’s needed, right?”
At my answer, Hongryeon sighed heavily.
“I feel like I’m always the one receiving help from you…”
“Don’t think like that. I’ll need help, too.”
“What kind? Just say it.”
“I have some places to go soon. I’d appreciate your help then.”
There were a few things I needed to take care of while Sayoon was at Amifa.
There was something they needed to purify near Seomhwa Village, a place called the Haunted Grove.
“During our consultation, I heard this. If you go about half a day’s journey south from Seomhwa Village, there’s a village deep in the forest where ominous energy gathers.”
“Huh? The Haunted Grove? Is it near Seomhwa Village?”
“I see you know about it. The villagers living around there told me strange things have been happening for a few months.”
“Oh… I didn’t know that.”
“I understand. That area is remote from Seomhwa Village, and people rarely go there. Up until now, it hasn’t caused any major damage. But if issues arise and spread, it could affect Seomhwa Village too…”
“We need to purify it then.”
“Exactly. And according to a book I read and Hano’s story, the ominous energy is strongest on the night of the new moon. Purifying it then supposedly yields some benefits.”
“Oh really?”
“So I hope you’ll help out.”
The Hongseong Divine Art has the ability to drive away ominous energy, so if Hongryeon goes, she’ll be a huge help.
There are also materials necessary for Sayoon’s weapon among the things we can obtain there, so I should gather some when I get the chance.
And there’s something that would go perfectly with Hongryeon among the items we can acquire during the purification, so it’ll be great for her too.
“Alright. Then who should I bring…”
“Just the two of you will do. Once Amipa leaves, there won’t be anyone in the Hongseong sect anyway. There’s no need for a big group.”
“…Just the two of us?”
Hongryeon’s face turns slightly red. Come to think of it, they had never been somewhere just the two of them.
“If it’s too difficult, you don’t have to go…”
“Not at all!”
“….”
“It won’t be hard.”
With Hongryeon’s confident response, I felt satisfied.
“Then let’s make arrangements for that time.”
Since it was late at night, they couldn’t stay long, but it was a fruitful meeting.
I was just going to express my gratitude, and I ended up getting a proposal to travel together.
Of course, it wasn’t too far from Seomhwa Village, and considering the journey, it would only take a day or two, plus it was practically a work trip.
But going with someone you’re drawn to is undeniably exciting for Hongryeon.
And it’s just the two of them!
Just the two!
She was so envious when she heard about Chaejin going out alone with him before.
That’s why Hongryeon returned to the Hongseong sect with a big smile on her face.
She couldn’t help but imagine what would happen this time, her heart racing with excitement and joy.
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