The day begins early at the Amipha. Long before the morning sun rises, everyone gathers in the temple to recite sutras and calm their minds before the sun breaks the horizon.
This routine also applies to the disciples of the Hongseong clan and Chaeran, who are visiting Amipha for交流 (exchange).
Welcome to Amipha.
By adhering to Amipha’s rules, they show respect for their presence.
Thus, Hyunhwi, Yoohee, Sayoon, and Chaeran quietly took their places and began chanting the sutras.
Both Hongseong and Moonjeong belong to the Daoist sects. Reciting sutras might feel odd, but it’s not difficult since it doesn’t outright deny Buddhism.
“Whoo…”
Once the sutra chanting ended, the prayers commenced.
At this moment, Sayoon didn’t feel the awkwardness of being in a Buddhist sect.
Since joining Hongseong, she had always prayed.
Praying for the stability of Hongseong, for her Master’s comfort, for the strength of the Senior Sisters. Also, for the other Senior Sisters to become stronger, and for Hongseong to grow even bigger.
What has changed from the past is that two people were included in her prayers.
Since last year, when she started praying for the ‘Mister’ who sent her letters, Sayoon poured a little extra heart into those prayers.
Thanks to the Mister, who always offered much help and support, she had escaped crises and felt joy many times.
Yet, that person had never asked for anything from her; he was like a star in Sayoon’s heart.
And another one is Yu Wol.
The innkeeper of Seomhwa Village, a person she built connections with by chance.
He treated everyone maturely and made cool-headed judgments in all matters.
Despite his weak martial arts skills, he stepped forward without hesitation when duty called, resembling the very path Sayoon yearned to follow.
Maybe it was because she prayed a bit more for those two? When Sayoon stood up, Hyunhwi, Yoohee, and Chaeran were already waiting outside after finishing their prayers.
“What’s with all that desire?”
With a smile, Chaeran teased, and Sayoon offered a sheepish grin.
“Prayers are acts to fulfill wishes. Having many wishes simply means there are many things you desire.”
At that moment, Yujeong, who was with Hyunhwi, spoke softly with a gentle smile.
A lot of desires.
Is it because she’s greedy?
Having heard that from nothing, desire is like a shortcut to Simma, Sayoon felt a bit nervous.
“But desires can also be the driving force that moves a person. Moreover, if those desires are not merely for oneself, but for others, that embodies the spirit of Hongseong and its teachings.”
“The teachings of Hongseong are about saving others.
With that immense destructive power, it helps many people.
So, is that desire truly a bad thing?
At Hyunhwi’s rebuttal, Sayoon felt a slight sense of relief.
‘Let’s discuss the non-arts later. I’m hungry.’
Chaeran raised her hand with a bright smile. The two nodded at her.
‘Alright. Let’s go.’
Just then, as the five were heading towards the Amipa dining hall, an icicle hanging from the eaves fell with a sharp ‘thud.’ Staring at it, Sayoon noticed the coldness in the wind blowing from Amisan had lessened significantly.
‘It seems your time to return is drawing near.’
The period for exchanging martial arts at Amipa lasts until spring.
Feeling the cold winter passing and the warm spring approaching, Yujeong muttered with a hint of sadness.
‘It was truly enjoyable having you all here.’
Once the training was over and free time began, Sayoon headed to the entrance of Amipa with Chaeran. Near the mountain gate was a place providing items for those who had made achievements at Amipa.
As they entered, a waiting nun greeted them with a smile.
‘Nanmu Amitabha. Welcome.’
‘Hello, Suhyeong nun.’
The middle-aged nun gave a gentle smile. While Sayoon stared at her smile for a moment, Chaeran poked her in the side and asked.
‘What are you going to get? Haven’t you accumulated a lot of points?’
‘Umm…’
She already had something in mind. As Sayoon approached, Suhyeong smiled and handed over a box.
‘Would this be alright?’
It was a rosary for the senior sisters and the master of Hongseong Clan. The rosary contained the energy of the Buddha and served as armor to resist the magic emitted by demons during battles.
Such items were only available at a select few places among Buddhist sects like Amipa or Shaolin, so it would make a good gift.
‘And I’ll take the commercial prosperity token, as well.’
Sayoon moved her hand to one side. What was there was a small medicinal pill the size of a walnut.
‘What’s that?’
‘It’s called Amihwan; it’s a tonic given to those who lack stamina among those offering prayers. It also has the power to drive away illnesses…’
She couldn’t describe how shocked she was when Yu Wol collapsed last time.
No matter how much help he provided, he wasn’t a martial artist with mighty arts, so he could fall ill or collapse when his stamina ran out.
She picked it hoping that at least this would help boost his stamina.
‘And this is for Yohwan grandmother and Chaejin sister…’
A secret recipe for Buddhist cuisine for Yohwan, and a non-arts manual for Chaejin.
After receiving all of those, Sayoon had spent all her accrued points at Amipa.”
Sayoon had used up all the achievements she obtained from Amifa.
Chaeran looked at her in admiration.
“I thought you would receive the Amiseon Sword.”
“Uh-huh. This sword is enough for me.”
“Really? Then I…”
Chaeran also picked a few things. Among what she chose were secret techniques of the fire element and some elixirs.
“I should give this to my sister.”
As Sayoon mentioned the martial arts book she chose, Chaeran laughed and searched through her options.
“By the way, aren’t you supposed to fight with Chaejin unnie?”
“Huh? Right.”
“But is it okay to just give it away like that?”
“Unnie is the target I need to overcome. If I aim too low, I won’t get stronger.”
Sayoon stared blankly at Chaeran. Her overflowing confidence was dazzling every time.
“Alright. Shall we go then?”
At that moment, Hyunhwi and Yoohee also came in, and Sayoon waited with a smile.
“Definitely an elixir.”
Hyunhwi and Yoohee had used all their achievements to pick elixirs. Even if they didn’t consume them right away, there would be a time when other disciples would, so they prepared for that.
Watching the Hongseong disciples, Chaeran couldn’t help but smirk.
Time passed. They trained daily, dealt with evil monsters, wrote letters for Mister, and received replies.
As days flowed on, the snow piled on Amisan began to melt, and the frozen stream started to flow. It was time for the last day of the exchange between Hongseong and Amifa.
Winter’s chill passed, and with the warm spring breeze, Sayoon searched for Hyomyung.
“Hello! Hyomyung monk!”
Basking in the warm sunlight, Hyomyung had her eyes closed. Seeing her serene expression, Sayoon smiled broadly, and she slowly opened her eyes and joined her palms.
“Namu Amitabul. Say, benefactor. You have come.”
“Yes. I heard everything is ready.”
When she returned from training, there was a letter waiting for her.
The Buddha statue was completed. She had only focused on making it throughout the winter, and she was already excited to see how impressive it turned out.
“Here it is.”
With an even more tranquil expression than before, Hyomyung presented a white statue. Although it had the pure white of the snow that had fallen during winter, it also radiated warmth like the gentle spring breeze, making Sayoon tilt her head.
“This isn’t… a Buddha statue, is it?”
It was different from the conventional images of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas.
Even though she wore a robe, it resembled a beautiful woman with a charming smile.
“To be precise, it’s a statue of Kwanseum Bodhisattva. We cannot measure the value of the Buddha by external appearances. Moreover, since you, the benefactor, have imbued it with heart and smile, what I did was merely reveal that.”
“What I did was just reveal it.”
As Hyomyung looked at the beautifully whitened small lips of the Avalokiteshvara statue, he nodded.
“That heart is beautiful, so this must have come about.”
“I see… Thank you so much, Hyomyung.”
“Namu Amitabha. It’s nothing. I, too, gained a small realization while carving this statue.”
“Huh? Really? Congratulations!”
Somehow, he looked even more peaceful than before. As Sayoon smiled, Hyomyung grinned back.
“It’s all thanks to the Buddha and the virtues of Lord Shijoo. Speaking of which… I heard you’re leaving tomorrow.”
Just as she said, the exchange was over, and it was time to return to the Hongseong clan.
“I pray that there will be another day to meet with Lord Shijoo.”
“I’ll be looking forward to meeting you again, Hyomyung.”
With a gentle smile, Sayoon finished her greetings and returned to her room, carrying the statue. Hyunhwi, Yoohee, and Chaeran, who were waiting in the room, looked puzzled at the statue in her hands.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a Buddha statue.”
“…A Buddha statue? That? It’s a bit different from an ordinary statue, isn’t it?”
Hyunhwi and Yoohee looked on in wonder. But upon hearing Hyomyung’s words that the bodhisattva’s form wasn’t fixed, they nodded.
“In reality, nothing is set in stone, and Hongseong is not limited to one form.”
If this is also a form of realization, then it can indeed be called a Buddha statue.
While they were coming to terms with that, Chaeran’s eyes sparkled.
“By the way, this is amazing.”
“Huh? Why?”
“It’s made of Yangsuk, right? It seems like there’s energy from the Buddhist realm within it… I can’t tell about its appearance, but from the robes, it looks like Avalokiteshvara. It seems to have protective powers.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Yep.”
Having a keen interest in such artifacts, she investigated the Avalokiteshvara statue diligently and was able to identify a few abilities.
First, just possessing it grants anti-demon energy.
Second, just having it nearby increases concentration.
Third, it likely contains protective power.
“Moreover, the stamina and healing abilities that Yangsuk has seem to be enhanced compared to ordinary Yangsuk. With that much, it deserves to be treated as a treasure!”
With her analysis complete, Chaeran confidently stated, and Sayoon smiled brightly.
Thinking that the Mister who received this would be even happier made her heart flutter.
“Now we’ve finished everything we needed to do in Amifa.”
In response to Chaeran’s mumble, Sayoon nodded.
It was now time to return to Seomhwa Village.
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