I had just finished chewing on my thoughts after the Sword Saint left.
Considering the importance of the Sword Saint in our scenario, this new task must succeed at all costs.
Moreover, beyond the scenario, if something goes wrong with her, Sayoon and Hongryeon will surely be upset.
And let’s not forget…
Haven’t I already said it?
There shouldn’t be any issues.
A man shouldn’t change his words so easily.
Anyway, it seems the Sword Saint is trying to minimize her anxiety as best as she can.
I suppose creating the Hyunwoon Armor is the first step.
And the second step…
Completing Hongryeon’s Meteor Drop, which is almost finished now.
When I talked to Hongryeon before, she mentioned she was close to completing the Meteor Drop.
Perhaps the records from Amifa will help her finish it this time.
Hmm… So what should I do now?
That she’s decided to take on the challenge means the Sword Saint is feeling uneasy, but I can’t just make her quit cold turkey.
“What are you doing awake?”
Peeking out with sleepy eyes, Chaejin popped her head in. I looked up at her and smiled.
“I had some thoughts to chew on.”
Right.
Let’s think this through.
Like I always do.
The next day, I casually visited Mak Noya. Just as expected, due to a big request that came from Hongseong, they wouldn’t be taking any jobs for about three days.
With the current skill level of Mak Noya, and having the materials and crafting methods, I’m sure they won’t fail in making the Hyunwoon Armor.
After meeting with him and returning to the inn, I found Hongryeon sitting alone on a long bench in the backyard.
She looked quite tired.
“Were you not able to sleep well last night?”
“Yeah, a little.”
She seemed down and hesitated before speaking.
“The Master said she would use the Heart Soul Technique. Since there’s something given by Amifa… It’s probably to avoid causing any burden to Sayoon if something goes wrong.”
“I see.”
“Aren’t you surprised?”
“I am surprised.”
I couldn’t tell Hongryeon what happened yesterday. It would only increase the Sword Saint’s burden.
It’s not like the Sword Saint is guaranteed to fail, so there’s no need to unnecessarily disturb her peace of mind.
“Before Amifa arrived, the Master worked really hard.”
She’d read the possessions and diaries of the previous Clan Leader, and looked through the notes of the disciples and Junior Sisters.
And even the records of the Senior Sister she had killed.
Despite all that, everything seemed fine, so she thought it should be okay.
Yet, Hongryeon covered her face with her hands.
“What if the Master… messes up?”
“I’m sure she’ll do well. Don’t worry too much.”
I patted Hongryeon’s shoulder, and she spoke in a weary voice.
“Is it okay to have some expectations?”
“Of course.”
Suddenly, something red touched my shoulder. Long, fragrant, and soft hair.
I know Hongryeon has feelings for me. But at this moment, her leaning on me is more about needing support out of real fear and exhaustion than expressing her feelings.
So, I’ll accept it.
Three days passed, and as usual, I was in the backyard smoking some incense.
A disheveled Sword Saint approached me.
“Today, Hongryeon succeeded tremendously with the Meteor Drop.”
“Is that so?”
She came closer, crouched down, and looked at me with her half-closed eyes, just like usual.
“What do you think of my suggestion?”
“Other disciples are feeling anxious.”
“Got it. But… with my weakness so clear, it’d be reckless to let the enemies exploit it.”
We had already been attacked by the Iron Blood Clan twice; they wouldn’t just give up on Hongseong Mountain.
But what if the enemies know about this?
What if they use it to strike?
The Sword Saint was making assumptions, and I too believed it wasn’t impossible.
In other words, overcoming her Simma was something the Sword Saint had to achieve sooner or later.
And the sooner, the better.
“I asked Amifa for help. They say using the Forbidden Law array can stabilize the mind and body.”
Wait, that exists?!
Thirty-thousand times, pondering the Heart Sutra… and that’s all they told me…
“Tomorrow, after performing a ritual to announce that the Hyun-Woon Armor has returned to Hongseongmun, I plan to attempt it that night.”
The Sword Saint looked up at me seriously.
“In other words, if you have any instructions for me, today is the last day to say them.”
“Isn’t that just your opinion?”
I smiled at her, and the Sword Saint, who had been gazing at me intently, gave a faint smile back.
“Since you say so, it seems reasonable. Yes, it can wait until I overcome my Simma.”
Rising from her seat, she turned to leave, but I held her back.
“Before you go, why not have some sweets?”
Pausing, the Sword Saint slowly turned her head.
“The ones from before?”
The ones from before.
The snacks I had given her when we first met.
She liked those the most, more than any other treat.
I shrugged.
“Yes.”
“Then… would it be alright to take some for the guests too?”
I accepted the silver coins she offered, saying, “Next time you come, I’ll have other snacks ready as well.”
“…Haha.”
She chuckled softly, nodding.
“I will definitely count on that.”
As the sun began to set the next day, I put on my clothes.
Then, I tucked the Simhon Gyeong and the dagger of the General Bureau into my pocket.
“Innkeeper, are you ready?”
Chaejin also gathered her gear. Though I doubted it would come to that, it seemed she wanted to be prepared to protect people if anything happened.
Of course, the weakest one here was me, so her intention was probably to protect me.
“Let’s go.”
With Hongryeon, who looked visibly tense, I made my way to Hongseongmun.
Standing at the entrance was none other than Sayoon.
Her expression was pretty gloomy compared to usual.
“Don’t worry too much.”
“I wish I could…”
Seeing her sulky face made my heart ache. Chaejin must have felt the same, as she gently patted Sayoon’s head.
“Innkeeper. You’ll be okay, right?”
Chaejin quickly asked me, and I answered right away.
It will be fine.
I clenched the Simhon Gyeong in my pocket.
If it’s not fine…
I’ll somehow have to make it work, even if I have to go in myself.
I actually thought about leaving it to the disciples of Hongseongmun, but since I had a rough idea of what was inside, I couldn’t entrust it to anyone else.
As we climbed up to Hongseongmun, the protective formations were set up, just like last time. Guided by the disciples, we moved toward the sacred hall I had seen before.
“Welcome.”
The Sword Saint greeted me and Chaejin with a bright smile. In front of her lay a shimmering silver set of armor.
Hyun-Woon Armor.
The armor that was once the sacred item of Hongseongmun was attempting to return to its rightful place.
As she stared at it, the Sword Saint picked up her sword. Delicate body, delicate arms.
The Sword Saint, gazing intently, grasped her sword. A frail body, with slender arms.
Yet, she wielded the large greatsword as if it were a mere piece of paper, gracefully performing her mesmerizing sword dance.
“Is that the ritual of the Hongseong Sect?”
“Seems like it.”
The sword dance unfolded in silence.
Next, Hongryeon, the future leader of the sect, followed with her own sword dance.
The two sword dances alternated, offering prayers to honor the Hongseong Sect.
As the prayers concluded, the Sword Saint personally secured the Hyeonwoon Armor within the sanctum.
– Vroom…!!
At that moment, light erupted from the sanctum. A barrier created using the Hyeonwoon Armor.
It was a barrier that prevented anyone from approaching the sacred item carelessly.
Records say only those skilled in Hongseong Divine Art can enter that space.
Whether that’s true or not, I have no idea; I’ve never seen it before.
“Thank you all.”
With a gentle turn, the Sword Saint bowed her head to those participating in the ceremony.
Just Ami-pa, Yujeong and I, and Chaejin, but still…
In orthodox practices, one must start and end with decorum.
Politely, she finished her greetings and announced the end of the ceremony.
“Everyone, please eat.”
As we heard Ryuhyun’s calm voice, we headed to the Hongseong Sect’s dining hall.
“Don’t act like we’re going to die or something.”
“But Master…”
The meal finished in an atmosphere that felt like it might lead to choking. It was time for training, yet no one could leave the Sword Saint’s side.
Everyone was anxious.
“Those who learn martial arts are like walking on the edge of a blade. Fear of that won’t bring you growth.”
“…But…”
“It’ll be fine. I will definitely succeed.”
With the Sword Saint’s confident voice, the expressions of her disciples lightened up a bit, including Hongryeon.
Of course, her anxiety wasn’t gone, but her bright expression was likely for her fellow disciples.
“Shall we start soon?”
When Yujeong said this seriously, the Sword Saint nodded. As she changed into more comfortable clothes and began to walk out, Sayoon approached me.
“Master… you’ll be okay, right?”
“I believe so.”
I slipped my hands into my pockets.
Then, I tightened my grip on the two objects in my hands.
The underground training hall of the Hongseong Sect was spacious. It seemed not to be used often, as quite a bit of dust was present, but it didn’t appear completely stagnant.
The materials looked sturdy enough.
Had Ami-pa already prepared? Various candles, sacred tools, and scriptures were placed around the training hall.
“Namu Amita Bul…”
The monks moved to their spots and began chanting scriptures. To calm their minds and restrain Simma’s movements, while they were engaged, the Sword Saint bound herself with chains.
And with a glance, she turned to me.
“Then, I shall begin.”
– Click.
Using the last opportunity, the Simhon Spell that Yujeong had given me.
At that instant, the Simhon Spell transformed into light and disappeared, and the Sword Saint looked around at her disciples with a stoic expression.
“Well then, let’s meet again with smiles later. And if anything happens, please follow the instructions of Guesthouse Owner Yu.”
With a smile towards her disciples, the Sword Saint took a lotus position.
She closed her eyes and comfortably exhaled.
“…Ugh.”
In an instant, she fell into a deep sleep. How much time passed after that?
A groan broke the chant that had been resonating throughout the training hall.
A sound was heard.
It flowed out from the Sword Saint.
Hongryeon and Chaejin had been in a similar situation before.
But that was only for a brief moment.
As her face returned to tranquility, the chant continued.
“…Ugh…!!”
This time, it was stronger.
In response, the chant intensified, and her moans and expressions of pain followed as if trying to block it out.
The disciples of Hongseongmun were also suffering from it.
No wonder. The Sword Saint always claimed she was unworthy, but to the disciples of Hongseongmun, she was a mother, an elder sister, and an idol guiding them.
It must have been hard for them to witness her in such agony.
I noticed tears welling up in Sayoon’s eyes and said,
“How about stepping outside?”
“…I want to watch over the Master… Is that not allowed?”
I shook my head and pointed to the other disciples.
Everyone was struggling to see the Sword Saint in pain. There’s nothing harder than watching family suffer.
I lightly tapped Hongryeon, who was also struggling, and she sighed before sending the disciples out. As she closed the door, I told her as well,
“You should step outside too.”
“But!”
“There are also monks from Amipa here.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Chaejin. I’m asking you. If something happens, I’ll call, so please come back in.”
“…Understood. You’ll call right away?”
Eventually, Hongryeon, who was hesitating, left with Chaejin, sighing in resignation.
So, it was just the monks of Amipa and me left.
“Ugh… Ugh… Agh… Kugh….!”
The Sword Saint’s cries of pain were growing stronger.
Should I go in soon?
Just then, I was holding onto the Heart-Soul Mirror.
The pained whimper suddenly stopped.
Huh?
Could it be over??
“…Ha, haha…. Hahahaha…. Ahahaha!”
The Sword Saint laughed.
She said she would see me again, but this was not how I wanted to see her again.
“Ugh!!”
A powerful red aura erupted from the Sword Saint strong enough to stop some of the monks from chanting, and the iron chains binding her tightened.
“Hahahaha!”
With a face full of a crazed grin, she spoke. Madness.
Another side of Hongseong Divine Art was being revealed.
Alright. Shall we start?
I remembered what I heard while drinking with the Doje.
When Simma takes over the body, the original mind falls asleep.
In other words, if I use the Heart-Soul Mirror during the chaos, I could enter her.
I walked toward her.
“Ahh… Ugh…!!”
In an instant, the Sword Saint’s expression changed. The visage of a demon, intent on destroying everything, was replaced with the familiar face of the Sword Saint.
She looked at me desperately.
Did she awaken her consciousness in the Mirror Realm on her own? Wouldn’t that mean she’s overcoming it?
Her black eyes were looking up at me longingly, and I took out the Heart-Soul Mirror.
I smiled at the Sword Saint’s shocked face.
Too many people would be sad if you went astray.
That’s not my taste, and it doesn’t fit our scenario either.
The astonished faces of the Sword Saint and me reflected in the Heart-Soul Mirror, and just as she was getting pulled back into the Mirror Realm to reveal Simma within her,
the surroundings turned completely white.
And.
The place I found myself in was.
Hongseongmun.
And it was brutally destroyed.
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