The Sword Saint’s heart was racing. And no wonder—she was hiding something in her arms.
Of course, there was nothing strange about it.
“Aewoldam Giyeon” wasn’t a romance, just a pure and beautiful story about a sect’s leader and scholar, after all.
Sure, there were some scenes like that here and there.
But it wasn’t like she had done anything wrong, so even if it got discovered, there would be no problem whatsoever.
Just one thing—it was a bit embarrassing.
The Sword Saint had always thought she lacked dignity and qualifications as a leader. Though those thoughts had diminished since leaving Simma, she still didn’t want her disciples to see her in such a disheveled state when she aspired to be a cool master and leader.
“I’m glad to see you looking well lately, Master.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. You seem to be in a good mood. It looks like you’ve found some leisure time.”
It didn’t feel that way to her at all. But since Hongryeon said it, it must be true. The Sword Saint nodded slightly. Hongryeon, smiling brightly, then walked calmly.
“But, Master, what have you been up to lately?”
Before she escaped from Simma, the Sword Saint had always been meditating to calm her mind.
But she had heard that with Yu Wol’s help, she had lightened her emotional burdens, so she had reduced her meditation sessions.
There were also stories that she was often missing from the garden where she used to sit.
As Hongryeon asked cheerfully, the Sword Saint thought for a moment before smiling back at her.
“I’ve been reading some books lately.”
Hongryeon was impressed by her master’s words. Truly, the Master was amazing! Even after overcoming the limits of a transcendent, she was reading Non-knowledge texts to teach her disciples.
“Aren’t you reading too many Non-knowledge texts? You did say that, right? We must always pursue the non, but if we become too obsessed with it, it’ll just create distance.”
“…Did I…?”
“How about reading some other books sometimes?”
As Hongryeon waved the book in her hands, the Sword Saint’s eyes flickered. She was about to respond when—
“Master! Senior Sister!”
It was Sayoon. With a face full of innocence, she ran over, panting.
“There you are!”
“Yes. What’s up?”
“I was just about to have tea with the other Senior Sisters. If you’re not busy, why don’t you join us?”
Come to think of it, there was some Cheonil Maehwa tea left over from last year. Plus, there were those spring pastries that Yohwan had made. Hongryeon looked at the Sword Saint.
“Master, you’ll go, right?”
The two disciples were looking at her with eager eyes. The Sword Saint couldn’t bear to turn away from their gaze.
The Sword Saint couldn’t help but look away.
Both of them were precious disciples to her, after all.
That’s why, even while feeling the book in her arms, the Sword Saint could only nod her head.
Hyunhwi and Whiho were waiting at the table for tea.
“What about the others?”
“They’re resting separately… No, Senior Sister. How can you bring that with you…”
Hyunhwi, who was always stoic, sighed at the sight of the book in Hongryeon’s hands. Although she respected Hongryeon like a real sister, she always found herself speechless at moments like these.
Especially with younger kids like Whiho and Sayoon around.
At her scolding, Hongryeon shrugged her shoulders.
“Is this really a big deal? Whiho, are you okay with it?”
“Uh… Uh… Yes, yes…”
The shy Whiho turned as red as her blue hair. Seeing that, Hongryeon set the book aside.
“Next time, don’t do that.”
“Right, right. But they should know about these things eventually.”
“Well, maybe try dating before you advise others.”
At Hyunhwi’s comment, Hongryeon fell silent. She had someone she liked and had even confessed, but it couldn’t be called dating yet.
So she couldn’t really argue against Hyunhwi’s words.
“… You don’t necessarily need to have that experience to say something like this, do you?”
At that moment, the Sword Saint chimed in, and Hyunhwi looked at her with wide eyes.
Uncharacteristically, Hongryeon stared with a trembling gaze at the book she’d been ignoring, and the Sword Saint cautiously spoke.
“Truth can be found anywhere. In the small hand motions of kids walking down the street, or even in the flutter of a butterfly’s wings. So, Whi, please don’t always think there’s a problem with such books.”
At the Sword Saint’s calm words, Hyunhwi momentarily closed her eyes in thought.
Of course, she didn’t believe there was any truth in that romantic fiction, but still, it was the Master’s words.
That meant it might be worth reading herself.
“Sure, I understand. Hmm… then, Senior Sister, can I take a look at that too?”
“Huh? No problem!”
She had never cared or looked into it before, but recently the romance novels she’d secretly brought out to read were surprisingly entertaining.
Sure, there were some risqué parts, but she thought, ‘I’m not a kid, what’s the problem?’
Each time she read, her heart raced, but she didn’t think it was a bad thing.
And sometimes, imagining herself and Yu Wol in those scenarios was quite enjoyable.
In that context, when Hyunhwi condemned the book, she couldn’t help but retort a bit.
And she wasn’t entirely wrong either.
“What about Master?”
“Well, let’s put it this way. The strength of a person’s spirit and will is what truly matters.”
“Absolutely, I agree with that. But Senior Sister…”
“I admit it. But Senior Sister.”
Hyunhwi smiled brightly at Hongryeon.
“Senior Sister seems to hold the Innkeeper in quite high regard.”
“Well, I’ve met them often. Gotta give credit where it’s due, right?”
“I think so too.”
The Sword Saint nodded. It was pretty gratifying that her cherished disciple recognized and thought positively of her.
“What about you, Master?”
“Ah! I also think highly of the Innkeeper!”
“Me too…”
Everyone seems to love them. Hongryeon chuckled softly.
“Anyway, let’s put aside thoughts of what enlightenment is important and focus on becoming stronger.”
“Understood.”
“Alright then, shall we get up?”
The snacks were all gone, and the tea was empty. As Hongryeon spoke, the Sword Saint immediately stood up.
“Ah, Master.”
“Uh, yes?”
“I had a question from earlier during training. Can we have a quick spar?”
The Sword Saint pondered for a moment at Hyunhwi’s question, then smiled.
“Of course.”
Eventually, the Sword Saint got her hands on the Aewoldam Giyeon Hweon just as the night training was finishing up.
For some reason, there had been a lot going on, and she couldn’t read.
But now that night training was over, she’d have some free time to read, right?
Or maybe just peek at his face for a moment?
Lost in happy thoughts about how to spend the night, the Sword Saint spotted Hongryeon heading into her room.
With a book tucked under her arm, the Sword Saint proceeded towards Hongryeon’s room.
“Ren, may I come in for a bit?”
“Ah, yes.”
The Sword Saint opened the door, and what caught her eye was the clothing being made on the desk.
“Are you making clothes again?”
“Ah, yes. Hehe.”
Hongryeon flashed a charming smile. So talented, so kind. And…
“…Men’s clothing?”
“Ah, yes. I’m making a spring outfit for Innkeeper Yu. I’ve received quite a few things, you see.”
As Hongryeon held the clothing being made, a gentle smile crept onto her face. The Sword Saint tilted her head, looking at her expression.
“Um? Why the curiosity?”
“U-Um, it’s nothing. But… is that the only outfit you’re making?”
“No. I’m planning to make outfits for my fellow disciples and the Master too…”
“I see… hehe. Alright then, work hard.”
“Yes. But what brings you here?”
“Nothing. Just, checking in on what you’re up to.”
With a bright smile, the Sword Saint left Hongryeon’s room.
And after a brief moment of thought, she shook her head.
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