After the battle ended, Sayoon plopped down on the ground. She had no idea how many evil creatures she had taken down.
Chaeran approached her, extending a hand, even though Sayoon was gasping for air, too exhausted to fix her disheveled hair.
Taking the outstretched hand, Sayoon got back on her feet. While she glanced around, Hyunhwi lightly grabbed Sayoon’s shoulder.
“You’ll need some time to catch your breath.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“I’ll fill you in on the details when we get back.”
They could handle the cleanup themselves. Hyunhwi allowed Sayoon to focus on her breathing exercises. By the time she completed them and stood up, the area was already tidy.
“I’d like to thank Hongseong and Moonjeong.”
“If we hadn’t dealt with these monsters, it could have turned into quite a disaster.”
Sayoon felt a slight flutter in her heart at the monks’ gratitude from Amifa.
She was happy to have helped others.
“Why are you so happy?”
“Hehe…”
When Chaeran asked curiously, Sayoon scratched her cheek.
As soon as they returned to Amifa, Sayoon unfolded Mister’s letter. As always, it was written in neat and tidy handwriting.
[Actually, I sent you the Yangseok because I wanted you to use it.]
Oh. Such a precious thing…
Sayoon took out the Yangseok she had kept in her drawer and stroked it. Was it because it was such a warm and valuable material just to touch?
Or was it because it was sent by Mister?
Her heart, nestled deep in her chest, was racing.
[But if you really want to process the Yangseok into something for me, please make a statue.]
“Yes.”
Though she knew Mister couldn’t hear her, Sayoon quietly replied.
[I pray that you learn a lot from Amifa and return with many insights.]
I will also pray that Mister remains safe and happy.
Muttering this softly to herself, Sayoon neatly folded the letter. Just as she finished tidying up, the door opened and Hyunhwi and Yoohee entered.
“Is the cleanup done?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Alright. Let’s hear about it. How did you come to master the Paseongyeon?”
Hyunhwi’s face was filled with curiosity.
“You know that heart, energy, and body are important in martial arts, right?”
“Yes.”
“Yep.”
As Sayoon and Yoohee nodded, Hyunhwi continued seriously.
“Paseongyeon is primarily focused on the heart. It’s a martial technique that uses the power of the mind. Therefore, significant enlightenment is necessary to use it.”
Yoohee looked at Sayoon in wonder. The power wasn’t determined by the level of martial arts but by the depth of understanding and strength of the heart.
The power is said to be determined by the depth of enlightenment and the strength of the heart.
And Sayoon could demonstrate such powerful strength that it could eradicate that strong negative energy in one go.
“I can use it too, but that kind of power is tough for me. If you have any tips, would you share them?”
“Um… actually, I…”
Sayoon didn’t hide anything; she revealed everything. The letter sent by Mister and its contents.
As she calmly explained the topic of “Ipcheogaejin” and her conversation with the Master, Hyunhwi closed her eyes.
“Ipcheogaejin…”
“Wherever one is, that place becomes their own. Quite arrogant, isn’t it?”
“But it can’t be helped. The Hongseong Divine Art belongs to those who wish to protect everything. If one isn’t arrogant, they can’t carry it out. Hmm. Ipcheogaejin. Ipcheogaejin…”
Hyunhwi continued pondering. Seeing her in concentration, Sayoon and Yoohee quietly stepped outside.
“Not bad, huh?”
Stepping out into the chilly air of Amisan, Yoohee smiled brightly. Rather than feeling jealous that her junior had gained enlightenment, she chose to celebrate it.
And so, Sayoon smiled back.
“Thank you, Yoohee Senior Sister.”
“Alright then, is the summary done? Shall we have a spar, our Sayoon? Just you and me?”
“Hehe. Yes!”
Sayoon felt her heart warm at Yoohee’s smile.
Having such wonderful senior disciples allowed her to solidify her resolve as a disciple of Hongseongmun.
The pride of being a member of Hongseongmun, a place she could boast about anywhere, became the foundation that allowed her to succeed in her endeavor.
Even after finishing the spar, Hyunhwi remained lost in concentration. Perhaps she had entered a state of enlightenment.
Thus, Sayoon and Yoohee skipped meals and waited for Hyunhwi, and it wasn’t until dawn, as the sun rose over Amisan, that Hyunhwi slowly opened her eyes.
“Hm? Why are you all like this? Huh? Has the sun already set?”
It had only taken a moment of deep thought, but quite a bit of time had passed. Hyunhwi smiled brightly at her two worried junior sisters.
“Senior Sister, have you gained enlightenment?”
“Well…”
Standing up and stepping outside, Hyunhwi lightly loosened her body. And then,
She lightly stepped on the True Awakening.
– Koo-oong!!
In that instant, she felt the energy around her change. The energy of the Hongseong Divine Art.
A strong force that could destroy everything and protect everything began to engulf the surroundings.
“Hmm. Is this it?”
“Wow! Hyunhwi Senior Sister!”
“Congratulations!”
Earlier, both of them sincerely rejoiced at the activation of the wave of power equivalent to what Sayoon had done.
At that shout, Hyunhwi blushed slightly, perhaps out of embarrassment.
“If it weren’t for that topic, I might still be lost. Goodness. I’m always getting help from ‘Mister.’ And Sayoon, thank you.”
“Hehe…”
Sayoon nodded. She had always thought the same way.
“As soon as we return, let’s report to the Master and have the other younger disciples practice too. Yoohee, make sure you remember it always.”
“Yes!”
Yoohee still seemed clueless, but it was different from when she had nothing. Now that there was a clear topic, if she could grasp it and move forward, enlightenment would come in no time.
She gained enlightenment and improved her skills. Of course, she had no intention of stopping her training here, but Sayoon had things to do at Amifa.
She quietly picked up some sweets and looked for a monk at Amifa.
It was an old monk residing in a small hermitage. When she saw Sayoon, she smiled gently.
“Welcome. Revered donor.”
“Hehe. Hello, Monk Hyo-myeong. Have you been well?”
“What do you mean by well or not? I’m always living within the teachings of Buddha.”
Monk Hyo-myeong, who loved making sculptures at Amifa, said with a bright smile. When Sayoon started to fidget, Hyo-myeong calmly asked,
“Did you come because of what you mentioned before?”
“Yes…”
When she had become closer while talking to Hyo-myeong, she had said that if Sayoon brought materials, she could make a Buddha statue, prayer beads, or even accessories.
“Um, I didn’t want to come empty-handed, so I brought this!”
It was something she learned from Yu Wol. When going to ask someone for a favor, it’s rude to arrive empty-handed, no matter how much the other person has granted permission.
So before visiting Hyo-myeong, she had gone down to the village and purchased some sweets.
“Oh my. Such sweetness for a monk.”
“Wha?! Can you not eat them?!”
Seeing Sayoon fidgeting, Hyo-myeong chuckled.
“I really love it.”
Once Sayoon realized that she was just joking, she sighed in relief and smiled as Hyo-myeong took a bite of the sweets.
Soft and sweet.
As she chewed, Hyo-myeong offered some to Sayoon, who declined a few times before finally accepting.
And so, the two sat together, chewing on their sweets.
“You must have had a lot of these, Revered donor?”
“Yes. There’s someone named Yu Wol in Seomhwa Village. She often shares these with me…”
“There’s someone I know who often helps us…”
“Oh, I’ve heard about that person. They say he’s like a living Buddha, right?”
“Hehe, yes! He’s truly a wonderful person.”
Sayoon smiled broadly in agreement with Hyomyung’s praise of Yu Wol.
Thanks to his help, Hongseong Clan’s situation has improved. He’s been developing the village of Seomhwa for the villagers without expecting anything in return.
And whenever the villagers have tough or strenuous tasks, they find comfort chatting with Yu Wol at the inn.
Chaejin from Moonjeong and Yohwan also work under him.
As Sayoon laughed while talking about these things, Hyomyung nodded.
“Hehe, it’s said that fish tend to gather in clear waters.”
“Seems like that’s the case!”
“Anyway, the reason you came today is…”
“Oh! I’d like to make a Buddha statue with this.”
Sayoon pulled out a stone. Hyomyung took it and scrunched his eyebrows in thought.
“Is this something you’re planning to give to that Yu Wol person?”
“Uhm…”
Of course, she wanted to give Yu Wol a present, but this was meant for someone else.
Someone who always encouraged her and supported her from behind.
Thinking of Mister made Hyomyung chuckle softly.
“Ah, someone else then. That’s great! But it’s better if we work together rather than just me doing all the work… It would be good for you, Sayoon, to join me. Making a Buddha statue is like offering a prayer; it’s about pouring your heart into it.”
“Umm…”
“It’s not hard at all. It just takes one try.”
She handed a chisel and hammer to Sayoon. After receiving them, Sayoon pondered deeply.
About the feelings towards Mister.
“…I just hope that Mister is always happy.”
“Then you can pour that feeling into your work. Take your time, as if you’re offering a prayer.”
Listening to her explanation, Sayoon began to chip away at the stone. As it began to resemble a human form, Hyomyung smiled brightly.
“I’ll finish the rest and deliver it to him before you leave.”
“I appreciate it!”
Worried about making a mistake, Sayoon even broke out in a sweat. Hyomyung smiled gently at her.
“I’m sure something wonderful will come out of this. Your heartfelt wishes will certainly be infused within.”
Sayoon felt a swell of hope.
Please, she thought, I really hope so.
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