It was the night before the Amifa monks were set to leave Hongseong.
As usual, Hongryeon was helping her junior disciples with their training, correcting Sayoon’s sword techniques.
“You need to unfold the Seven Star Sword faster.”
“Yes!”
Sayoon had really improved. At this level, she wouldn’t be looked down upon at Amifa. After telling her to practice the forms a few more times, Hongryeon called over Sayoon when the training was finished.
“What is it?”
Despite having a tough day of training, Hongryeon smiled brightly at the energetic girl. She pulled out a box from under the drawer, one she had received from the sword dojo earlier that day.
“Actually, I was going to give this to you before you left. But I think giving it now is better.”
“Uh… what is this?”
When Sayoon opened the box, there was silver chain armor inside.
It was a type of protective gear worn underneath clothing, meant to safeguard the body.
“Martial artists don’t usually wear armor, but it’s common to wear lightweight defense gear like this. Everyone has at least one, but you didn’t have one, did you?”
“Senior Sister…”
Sayoon’s eyes widened. Was it because she was receiving something she never expected? Seeing her excitement, Hongryeon smiled even brighter.
That’s why it’s always fun to give something to junior disciples.
“And, the Innkeeper Yoo helped a lot in making this. Make sure to thank him later.”
“The Innkeeper?”
“Yeah.”
Hongryeon explained to the wide-eyed Sayoon how the precious material called ancient bronze was included, giving it increased defense while also reducing the weight.
With this, it would be roughly half the weight of similar defense gear, so it wouldn’t be too strenuous when performing martial arts techniques.
“Of course, it wouldn’t have come out this well if not for Master Noya’s skills. But without ancient bronze, it would have been tough to achieve this.”
Sayoon hugged the armor tightly. Although it was cold metal, perhaps because of the kindness it represented, she felt warmth emanating from it.
“Ugh… I feel like I’m always just receiving from the Innkeeper.”
“I think so too. So, train hard and come back.”
The next day, as planned, the Amifa group was set to leave. Since Hyunhwi, Yoohee, and Sayoon were going together, Hongryeon couldn’t just sit back and relax.
“Have you packed everything?”
“Yes. Don’t worry!”
Sayoon had a sturdy bag slung over her shoulders. It wasn’t the first time she was going with them, but this time, it was a journey on foot.
Unlike Hyunhwi and Yoohee, Sayoon didn’t have that kind of experience.
Of course, since Sayoon had learned martial arts, she wouldn’t just collapse from walking, but from what Yujeong had told her, they would also be training in light movement techniques along the way, so she couldn’t feel completely at ease.
“Armor?”
“I’m wearing it.”
“Isn’t it uncomfortable?”
“Not at all!”
“Good. Then…”
“Are you all ready?”
At that moment, the Sword Saint walked out with a thud. Since overcoming Simma, she had been doing a lot of thinking alone and hadn’t really left the garden except to teach her disciples. Seeing her, Sayoon smiled brightly.
“Yes! Master!”
“Come learn a lot from the Amifa.”
“Yes!”
Sayoon and Yoohee responded cheerfully, while Hyunhwi gave a slight nod. As the Sword Saint watched them walk away, she turned to Hongryeon and asked,
“By the way, Yohwan is going with you from the inn, right?”
“Yes.”
“I see…”
The Sword Saint paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, then broke into a beaming smile.
“I should thank Innkeeper Yoo separately for this, so please let him know I’ll visit later after seeing you off. He gave something good when making Sayoon’s armor, right?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, I’ll ask you for that.”
The Sword Saint’s characteristic gentle smile was even brighter than usual.
Seeing her much improved demeanor, Hongryeon nodded with ease.
In the meantime, monks from Amifa, including Yujeong, approached the Sword Saint to greet her.
The Sword Saint lightly accepted their farewells, promising to visit again later, then walked over to her departing disciples.
The other disciples also went down the mountain to see them off, and as Hongryeon descended with the monks from Amifa, she slightly bowed her head to the Sword Saint who was seeing them off.
“Then, we will be off.”
The group headed down from Hongseong Mountain straight towards Seomhwa Village.
The sight of Amifa’s monks and Hongseong’s disciples moving together seemed quite intriguing to the residents of Seomhwa Village.
Some clasped their hands in greeting to the Amifa monks, while others offered their greetings to Hongryeon, Hyunhwi, Yoohee, and Sayoon.
“It seems Hongseong has a deep connection with Seomhwa Village.”
“Yes. That’s about right.”
“I heard the Hongseong clan stopped a band from the Sa faction that was trying to attack Seomhwa Village before…”
“That wasn’t something solely done by the Hongseong clan. We received a lot of help from the many people of Seomhwa Village, especially Innkeeper Yoo, who helped greatly.”
If it weren’t for him, they wouldn’t have been able to stop the attack from Sahookryeon.
No, that wasn’t all. He had been a great help in many ways.
Especially to her heart.
Thinking of his face brought an immediate sense of calm to Hongryeon, and she smiled.
“Oh, Innkeeper Yoo… Truly an outstanding person.”
“Yes. I think so too.”
As Yujeong spoke seriously, Hongryeon couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride in her chest.
“There’s a saying in the scriptures that we should give without even thinking of giving. I’ve heard about you from your stay in Hongseong, and you seem like a truly admirable person.”
That’s definitely the case. He doesn’t brag about what he’s done. He simply steps up as if it’s just business as usual.
Just look at this time.
He generously provided the rare material known as ancient bronze for Sayoon, yet he downplays it as if it’s no big deal.
Thinking about that makes me believe he’s not an ordinary person.
It’s like a great tree that provides shade in the heat, bears sweet fruits in autumn, and shields from the cold wind with its leaves.
That’s why I’m even more drawn to him.
“Since he’s such a person, he probably helped the Sword Saint without mentioning it, right?”
“…He… helped my master?”
“Yes. Actually, at that moment, Simma had taken temporary control of the Sword Saint’s consciousness. And it seems that you, Sir Yu, prevented that.”
“…How?”
Uncertain, Hongryeon listened as Yujeong casually explained.
“I’m not exactly sure how it worked, but when the Sword Saint was entrapped by Simma, just shining the Simhon Mirror was enough to stabilize the Sword Saint.”
“Is that… even possible?”
“I don’t know much about the vessels myself. However, you could probably find out more by contacting the Murim Alliance. The research department investigates and studies these things…”
“…Thank you for the guidance.”
Hongryeon’s mind began to whirl.
Would shining the Simhon Mirror again on someone who had fallen into a meditative state really help?
But if it were that simple, they could have done it themselves. Why did Yu Wol take it upon herself?
As they moved on to the inn, Hongryeon continued her thoughts.
By the time they arrived at the inn, she noticed Yohwan and Yu Wol waiting out front.
“Welcome back.”
“Don’t worry. It won’t take long. We’ll be riding the official carriage on the way back.”
Yohwan, having arranged the official carriage through Amipa, joined the group.
“Miss Soje, safe travels. Yoohee, you too. And Sayoon.”
“Yes! Innkeeper!”
“Make sure to learn a lot.”
“Yes!!”
As Sayoon replied brightly, Yu Wol waved at her with the same calm demeanor as always.
With Amipa’s disciples and those from Hongseong departing, Yu Wol turned to Hongryeon.
“Would you like to have a cup of tea?”
“Uh… Yes.”
“Uh… Yes.”
“It seems like you’re deep in thought. Got any worries?”
“I do. You are my worry.”
“If you can help someone overcome Simma with the Soul Art, why didn’t you just do it yourself?”
Countless hypotheses and questions swirl in my mind. And if I assume the answer that aligns best with Yu Wol’s tendencies, only one thing comes to mind.
If it’s possible to enter someone else’s mirror world using the Soul Art?
Then why didn’t he mention it and leave it to them?
The answer came quickly.
To consider their feelings.
Among Hongseong’s disciples, no one would be clueless about the Sword Saint Simma’s mental world. And if they were to see it firsthand, the disciples of Hongseong would surely experience a great shock.
Perhaps witnessing the Sword Saint getting injured or killed countless times within it. Or maybe they would have to see other Hongseong disciples getting hurt or killed as well.
That would undoubtedly leave a deep scar on the disciples.
So that kind-hearted person must have intended to do it himself.
To not inform them and to resolve it on his own.
Weaker than anyone in Hongseong, yet.
“…Uh. Yu Wol.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“…Nothing.”
What’s certain is to ask him. Hongryeon, who was about to speak, flinched at a sudden thought.
Wait a minute.
If that’s true?
If it’s possible to enter someone else’s mirror world using the Soul Art?
“Oops. Be careful.”
Suddenly, my legs went weak, and I stumbled. Yu Wol quickly caught me, and as I naturally fell into his arms, I felt my face heat up.
Could it be?
Did he help me back then too?
Then… I…
Feeling the warmth of his body and the solid chest in his embrace, along with the hypothesis swirling in my mind, I felt like I might lose my mind.
“…Hah, haah…”
“You look really tired. Want to rest before heading out?”
“Re-rested… where?”
Filled with confusion, Hongryeon asked with a reddened face, and Yu Wol casually replied.
“Where else? At the inn. Just rest in my office for a bit.”
“Hah…”
His office.
A place filled with his scent.
Where he always spends his time.
Like now, it feels exhilarating being in his embrace.
Is it because of the thought of entering that place?
Hongryeon couldn’t hold back the soft moans that escaped once again.
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.
