Hongryeon glanced sidelong at the Sword Saint, who was intently gazing at the white jade prayer beads.
She couldn’t help but worry if this was making her uneasy in some way.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uh? No.”
“Ha ha. I’m fine.”
The Sword Saint smiled gently at the concerned gazes of her three disciples: Hongryeon, Sayoon, and Yoohee. After a moment of contemplation, she placed the white jade prayer beads atop Sayoon’s palm.
“Uh? What’s this?”
“The white jade prayer beads are weak against herbivores merely by possessing them, but they contain the power of the celestial. They will surely be of help.”
“I see.”
For those who have mastered other martial arts, that would be the greatest value. After all, the celestial power of these martial arts can’t be overlooked.
But for those who practiced Hongseong Divine Art, it was something to tilt their heads at.
Since Hongseong Divine Art already possesses celestial power, after all.
“If that’s not the case… I could just return it to Amipa.”
If she took the white jade prayer beads back to Amipa, she could demand something in return.
The Sword Saint continued, recalling the rules she had heard about Amipa.
“It was ‘Mister’ who helped you obtain this, so it’s only right that you decide the usage. Among the things you could get from Amipa, I’ll tell you what you might need… when we return.”
Speaking calmly, the Sword Saint glanced at the sky before turning her head away.
“Now, shall we go buy some charcoals?”
Carrying the weighed-down charcoal on their backs, the Sword Saint’s group returned to Seomhwa Village around sunset.
They headed straight to the inn, where Yoohee, currently drinking with Yohwan and Chaejin, welcomed them with a smile.
“You bought quite a lot.”
“I picked out only the best.”
“Good work. You should warm your bodies a bit in this cold.”
As Yoohee opened the door, they stepped inside. Thanks to the brazier, the warm interior made them feel at ease. Once seated, Yoohee asked the Sword Saint.
“Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Then it’s better to eat something, even if it’s simple. Yohwan.”
“Got it.”
Yohwan checked the charcoal they brought and went inside. Shortly after, when she returned with a lavish spread, Hongryeon exclaimed in surprise.
“But you said it would be simple?”
“It’s simple, isn’t it?”
Looking at the lavish feast laid out, Hongryeon felt a bit guilty.
Seeing this, Yoohee shook her head.
“I feel like I’m always in your debt, so please don’t decline. Come on, eat without any burden.”
After Yoohee casually returned to her seat, the Sword Saint pondered for a moment before asking.
“Yohwan.”
“Yes?”
“You were from Amipa, right?”
“That’s right. Is there a problem?”
“This time I discovered the white jade prayer beads from High Monk Hyewhan.”
“I found Master Hyewhan’s white jade prayer beads.”
At Sword Saint Na Yerin’s calm remark, Yohwan’s eyebrows twitched.
“How did you find the beads of someone who went missing long ago? Did you meet that person? Or are you perhaps their successor? If not…”
“We stumbled upon it… or maybe it was fate. Hard to say, really. We just ended up learning about it.”
“Is Master Hyewhan not at Amipa?”
Being somewhat aware of Amipa’s situation, Yohwan nodded and explained to Sayoon.
She was once a high monk of Amipa, wandering freely across the world and teaching both men and women.
Then, after the events at Hongseong Clan, she vanished from the martial world.
No one even knew if she was alive or dead, and now here we are, discovering the beads she once possessed.
After Yohwan briefly explained, Chaejin nodded slightly, while the Sword Saint merely shrugged.
“Well, we can figure out what’s important later. Now, allow me to ask.”
The Sword Saint spoke calmly to Yohwan.
“Is there a record of Master Hyewhan’s martial arts discussions at Amipa?”
Yohwan sealed her lips. After a long moment of contemplation, she nodded, and the Sword Saint seemed satisfied, dropping the subject.
“You mean the record of Master Hyewhan’s martial arts discussions?”
“Master Hyewhan came to meet my master alone, and my master also visited Amipa alone to meet her. They had martial discussions each time. We possess the record from the discussions at Hongseong Clan, but for those at Amipa…”
The martial arts discussion records between the former clan leader and Amipa’s high monk could be regarded as a manual of martial wisdom.
It might even be the key to boosting the disciples’ skills.
Especially for those seeking enlightenment.
“I think you might need that. Anyway, it also has records on Hongseong Divine Art, and Master Hyewhan was an excellent swordswoman.”
Thanks to the elixirs consumed, there were no issues with internal energy for the time being, and now enlightenment and training were more crucial for Sayoon. Thus, the records could be a great help.
The Sword Saint smiled and shared other things Sayoon could gain at Amipa, and after a moment’s thought, Sayoon nodded.
*
Just as expected from the Sword Saint.
She knows exactly where to use Hyewhan’s white jade prayer beads.
Actually, what Sayoon did this time is one of the events for attaining understanding in Hongseong Divine Art, which could typically only happen towards the end of Part 2.
Originally, Sayoon would randomly learn about the relationship between the former clan leader and Hyewhan, discovering that they had martial discussions recorded.
Then, while searching for traces of Hyewhan, she would find her remains, having entered Nirvana.
Afterward, she would follow the instructions Hyewhan carved into the wall to locate the white jade prayer beads and go to Amipa to acquire the records related to the latter part of Hongseong Divine Art that she still didn’t know about. That’s the rough outline of the event but…
The main story is twisting through such a process, so I’ve intervened.
Of course, the Hongseong Clan is still standing strong, and with the Sword Saint around, it won’t be too difficult for Sayoon to gain enlightenment.
But wouldn’t it be better to collect everything we can get our hands on?
And considering how Sayoon’s skills rapidly improved after acquiring those records, our scenario has concluded that it would be best to act while the Demon Cult and Iron Blood Clan are busy brawling with each other.
“So, do we need to head to Amipa?”
“Not exactly. Since there are monks from Amipa in the Murim Alliance, if we inform them, they’ll likely come this way to verify the truth. Then, we can have them bring back the records from Amipa.”
Just as Hongryeon said. After all, they are the ones who will end up feeling disappointed, and we hold the reins here.
Also, they would probably want to take a look at the records in the Hongseong Clan through this opportunity.
So, getting them to personally bring those records and receive compensation for it seems beneficial.
“Hmmm. Amipa…”
Yohwan, a former monk who was expelled from Amipa, let out a short groan. Seeing this, the Sword Saint calmly said,
“There won’t be anything harmful for you.”
“Of course not. I’ll make sure of it, even if there’s chaos in Amipa.”
Once things seemed roughly sorted, the Sword Saint shifted his chopsticks to the food.
“Anyway, I’ll enjoy this.”
“Please eat well.”
After the meal, the Sword Saint left with Sayoon and Yoohee. Left behind was Hongryeon.
She took me to the backyard, saying she had something to discuss, and as we sat on a chair together, she said,
“Is it okay?”
“Is there a problem?”
“It’s about my Master.”
For the Sword Saint, her Master represented a deep wound. Hongryeon worried that bringing those records related to that Master might burden her.
“Your Master… surely has a Simma too, right?”
“Yes, there must be.”
“That’s why I’m even more worried.”
Hongryeon closed her eyes, and I gently held her shoulder.
“But the Sword Saint is doing well, isn’t he? And nowadays, he’s quite active.”
“That’s true, but…”
“If it comes down to it, why not casually ask the Sword Saint if he could use the Simhon Technique, just to see?”
Of course, even if she uses the Simhon Technique, it doesn’t guarantee she can overcome the Simma.
But isn’t it worth trying what we can?
“…That’s true. Sayoon has the Simhon Technique, so I’ll ask her.”
“That sounds good. And Hongryeon.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t suffer alone too much. If you have difficulties, your Master, your fellow disciples, and I are here for you.”
“Ugh…”
Hongryeon looked at me and sighed. After hesitating, she spoke in a small voice.
“I’m always relying on you.”
“Of course.”
“Should I expect more?”
“…Really? You won’t regret it? Because I’m going to lean on you a lot.”
Hongryeon got up from her seat with a much better expression than before and smiled, and I nodded.
Once Hongryeon left, I took a drag from the cigarette.
Using the Divine Art to help the Sword Saint overcome Simma, huh…
Is that really going to be simple?
Even Doje ultimately failed and had his wife save him.
Of course, Sayoon still has some chances with the Divine Art, so even if she fails, she could get help from her disciples.
Still, it’s undeniable that I’m worried.
“What are you thinking about?”
“I was just thinking about one thing or another. But weren’t you going to sleep?”
I thought it was late, and she’d gone to bed. I looked up, and Chaejin was grinning down at me.
The long hair brushing my face made me giggle.
As I brushed it aside, Chaejin smiled brightly and hopped down next to me.
“I just couldn’t sleep.”
“Do you have something on your mind?”
“I have plenty of worries. Like how to train for the next technique, and…”
“And?”
“…There are things.”
She pouted her lips and spoke playfully.
I had an inkling of what that worry was, but I couldn’t let it show or who knows what might happen, so I’d better just play along.
“If there’s anything difficult, just tell me. We’re on the same side, after all.”
“…Thank you for saying that. Hehe.”
“Don’t mention it. Well then, I guess I should head in soon.”
I shook off the ash from the cigarette and stood up, while Chaejin also stood and stretched lightly.
“Are you going to sleep right away?”
“No, I have some documents to look over.”
The plan to strengthen Sayoon is in motion, so I need to check the information sent from the Hao-mun in the meantime.
I heard that the Murim Alliance, the Black Heavenly Alliance, and the military are sending troops to the area where the Blood Iron Sect and the Demonic Sect are duking it out.
If everything goes well, I might be able to eliminate the Iron-headed Doje without lifting a finger and skip straight to Part Two, so I have to keep a close watch on this.
If it goes down that way, I need to push Sayoon as much as possible.
“You’re always busy. When will you have some free time?”
I smiled at Chaejin’s pitiful gaze.
When will I be free?
At least not until our scenario is over.
But still.
“Don’t worry, I have some time to spare.”
“Hmm. Does that time include being with me?”
In Chaejin’s eyes, I saw a hint of hope mixed with quite a bit of fear.
There was no need to turn away from that. I had no intention of doing so.
“Of course I do.”
“…Huh? R-really?”
I’ve been considering and planning for that much.
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