No one in this world is free from loneliness. That’s why people form groups to live together.
To soothe their weakness, to escape loneliness, they look to others, seeking warmth.
Just as fire is made to fend off darkness, humans instinctively try to avoid solitude.
And like leaning against fire, the weak hope to find stability by relying on the strong.
This story also applied to Hongryeon, the greatest disciple of the Hongseong Clan.
However, before she could lean on someone, Hongryeon had to become a pillar that others could rely on, and in the end, she had no choice but to grow up a little faster.
Of course, she didn’t blame her master, the Sword Saint. Knowing from the start that there was no one she could lean on outside of martial arts, Hongryeon still wished to become her disciple.
Sword Saint Na Yerin was a clumsy person.
With innate talent, she had a strong desire for martial arts.
But perhaps as a reaction to that, she was utterly unskilled in other areas.
Of course, she didn’t neglect her duties.
It’s just that whenever she was assigned tasks unrelated to martial arts, they typically ended in chaos, making it impossible to delegate.
Thus, Hongryeon had to grow up faster.
What her master couldn’t do, she had to do herself.
Everyone was watching her.
So, she had to become an adult.
Naturally, that was quite a burden for Hongryeon.
After all, she was a person too, and it was only natural for her to want to lean on someone.
But on whom?
Contrary to her desperate instincts, there was no pillar she could lean on.
Murim Alliance?
Unfortunately, the Murim Alliance, a coalition of righteous factions, only wanted to use the strength of the Hongseong Clan.
No, they’d already used it once and faced the wrath of the Sword Saint when they got punished for it.
Then what about her clan?
But her clan also desired only to expand their influence, leveraging her name as the greatest disciple of Hongseong and her connection to her master.
The Sword Saint’s rival, Doje? Shinsung from the Shaolin Temple?
Or…
Or…
From Hongryeon’s perspective, their gazes were simply unsettling.
They all had the eyes of those who sought to take something from her rather than being dependable adults she could lean on.
Thus, it fell to Hongryeon to protect the Hongseong Clan and her sisters.
She had to be perfect.
She had to care for her sisters instead of her master and uphold the Hongseong Clan in her master’s stead.
She couldn’t forget the teachings of a prestigious faction, and to do so, she had to show perfection.
But people can’t always be perfect.
If the weight of the iron continues, it will inevitably bend.
How could a person maintain a will of steel all the time?
Thus, the cheap jokes Hongryeon cracks to her sisters might just be a silent scream of anguish beneath the burden.
She isn’t perfect.
So, even if just once in a while, she wishes someone would take this burden off her shoulders.
Hongryeon denies it.
But it’s a long-held thought within her.
That’s why she always had to remain an adult, and she couldn’t ignore those who treated her like a girl, despite how many saw her as an adult.
The richest person in Seomhwa Village.
While she struggles to merely protect the Hongseong Clan and silently screams while caring for her sisters, there are adults out there managing not only two big businesses but also other properties with ease, developing them.
An adult who’s been developing things.
“Of course, I just did what I had to do.”
It’s only natural that she would be shaken by his words.
Why is it considered natural?
Holding a sword means being prepared to get stabbed.
Even if they’re still young like Sayoon and Yoohee, as martial artists, they were all aware that they could get hurt or even die.
And yet, you say protecting them is merely doing what you ought to do?
Hongryeon stared blankly at Yu Wol.
His eyes were as earnest as when they first met.
Just like it’s natural for someone skilled to protect those who aren’t.
Is it that adults should protect children?
There was so much she wanted to say.
How can you be like that?
Why aren’t you afraid?
Why are you so steadfast?
Yet, those questions never came out of Hongryeon’s mouth.
His eyes, filled with resolute will, were already providing answers.
In the end, Hongryeon could only twitch her lips a few times before suddenly realizing her internal conflict and lowering her head.
So then…
Can I rely on you just a little bit?
The burden on my back is just too heavy.
Just for a moment, when I’m really struggling and exhausted, can I lean on the pillar of an adult I’ve never seen before?
Hongryeon couldn’t express the words boiling within her.
She’s not bold enough to lean on others without hesitation.
Besides, the man in front of her wasn’t even part of the Hongseong Clan.
And he too might be shouldering a heavy burden without showing it.
No, perhaps even more so.
The inn and the store.
I’ve heard that the lands in Seomhwa Village and buildings in other cities also belong to him.
Stealing is difficult, but keeping and maintaining is even harder. Hongryeon knew that all too well.
And look, just like the last time, there are those targeting him again, aren’t there?
And here I am thinking of unloading my burdens on him?
Now that would truly be shameless, an act unbecoming of someone from the righteous sect.
So, while trying to smile and feigning composure, he casually threw out harsh words, as if he thought the attacks from the demonic cultivators were nothing.
“Tired?”
Stop it.
“If that’s the case, then it’d be good if you came here to rest occasionally.”
Stop it.
“I know that leading the Hongseong Clan in place of the Sword Saint and maintaining its honor and existence isn’t easy. So, come and rest with your sisters sometimes. I won’t ask anything more from you.”
…Stop it.
“If that’s a burden, how about what we did this time? Let the disciples of Hongseong take turns patrolling Seomhwa Village. Though not everyone can, a couple of them could manage, right?”
“……”
“I’ll pay you back in medicine or something. I won’t give you money.”
“…Why go to such lengths?”
Her voice was already trembling. Hongryeon had lost all composure to hide it.
The thought that she had to hold on and hide was already frayed.
She was shaking from the warmth and thoughtfulness she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Tightening her grip on the hem of her garment.
Yet, instead of answering, he gazed at her with soft eyes, as if he understood her innermost feelings.
Yet, instead of answering, he gazed at her with soft eyes as if he understood her innermost thoughts.
What did that gaze convey? Hongryeon found the answer in the words he had spoken before.
– You’re a girl too, aren’t you?
You’re still a child, so lean on me, an adult.
With that unspoken sentence, the fluttering in her chest grew a little more intense.
And with the warmth it brought, Hongryeon finally squeezed her eyes shut.
*
Without any rebuttal to my suggestion, Hongryeon simply said she would think about it and left.
As she departed, I returned to smoking my cigarette.
The reason I proposed supplying medicine in exchange for her patrols was simple.
It was because of the state of the Hongseong Mun disciples who had entered the inn earlier.
Although they were small in number, they were injured. Yet they had let it go without treatment until now.
Of course, some of them might have the inner strength of the Hongseong Divine Art and have learned some healing techniques, so I could understand why they would let it slide.
But if they could receive treatment with the help of medicine, it was better to do so.
In Heavenly Bright Moon, if you didn’t treat injuries, there were usually penalties involved.
Although Hongseong Mun was an illustrious sect, it wasn’t wealthy.
Thus, it was unlikely they had many effective medicines like the gold-infused healing ointment in their sect.
Just looking at the disciples’ conditions and the reactions of Sayoon earlier confirmed that.
Of course, Hongryeon might be able to obtain effective medicine by handling matters for the Murim Alliance.
Yet, despite that, the fact that they were brushing aside their injuries suggested an effort to conserve the medicine they brought for their Senior Sister.
Then, why would they let this situation continue, not knowing when another incident might occur?
In the worst case, the penalties from the injuries could hold them back during an attack from the Iron Blood Clan.
From my perspective, it was something that absolutely needed to be prevented.
But if I just offered it, they’d definitely refuse, citing the Hongseong Mun policies.
That’s why I put the condition of having them patrol in exchange.
I exhaled the smoke I had inhaled. The hazy smoke hung in the black sky, bringing back the image of Hongryeon’s face.
Just like this thick smoke, her face had felt infinitely blurred.
Surely, she must have been struggling as well.
Then I could only hope that this proposal would lighten her burden, even just a little.
We are the Sayoon Corps.
We are connected by fate.
“Hmm…”
By the way, who would come for the patrol?
I hope it’s Sayoon.
The wounds created by the demonic cult’s raid settled down, and the daily life in Seomhwa Village returned quickly.
As usual, I practiced with Ogumhee in the morning and finished up morning business. While avoiding Chaejin, who was calling for members, a disciple from the messenger door visited.
What he brought was a letter regarding a headache.
It was a work-related letter from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
And…
“Oh, oh… it’s arrived!”
It was a letter from Sayoon.
I smiled and immediately unfolded the letter.
A person’s heart is weak, and when in darkness, one can see their true essence.
That was something the Master had said after coming down from the training hall after a long time.
It didn’t seem incorrect. Thinking back to my childhood experiences, I had directly faced my own weakness and ugliness back then.
Ever since holding the Master’s hand and coming to Hongseong Mun, I had learned the Hongseong Divine Art and received much help from my Senior Sisters, but
I still felt like I was stuck in that mire.
I felt like something was inside me.
Right? After all, my essence itself hasn’t changed.
And this time, I felt that once again.
It was a few days ago. Seomhwa Village was attacked by the Dark Cult, and while fighting to stop them, I came face to face with the darkness within me.
The fact that Yoohee Senior Sister was attacked by a foe.
That someone who cared for me was hurt.
That the people behind me were in danger.
Just with that, I realized that the darkness within me was just lurking around.
And I ended up swayed by its whispers.
I almost forgot what my Master, Senior Sister, and the other Senior Disciples had said about the meaning of Hongseong.
But you know?
In that darkness, there was something very precious that shone a light for me.
Heh heh heh. What could that be?
It was Mister.
Every single word Mister sent became a star in the darkness, illuminating my path.
With his concern, care, and kindness towards me, I was able to remember the meaning of Hongseong.
And I could take another step forward in the part I was struggling with.
The value of that word was truly worth more than gold to me.
Thank you so much.
I really feel like I’m always receiving from Mister, and I don’t know how to repay it.
Mister.
What can I do for you?
P.S.
When we returned to the sect after fighting the Dark Cult, it was absolute chaos.
The training hall where the Master stayed was half-destroyed, and the sect was swarming with monsters.
While we were battling the Dark Cult, it seems a threat sent by them also appeared to the Master.
Of course, the details about that part seem to be known only to the Master and Senior Sister…
Still, the Senior Sister looked more than just a little gloomy, perhaps because the training hall was half-destroyed and the warehouse nearby was sullied by monsters.
At least it was fortunate that there were no casualties, but… she said we need to train harder in the future.
Heh heh. Looks like I’ll have to work even harder from now on.
But I need to hang in there, right?
Haha. A Dark Cult that aims for the Sword Saint has come.
Speaking of which, Ryuhyun mentioned something about ordering supplies two days ago.
Those Dark Cult bastards came aiming for the Sword Saint, smashed the training hall and warehouse, and tainted everything inside with their monsters.
Because of that, she said she spent all the reward money for capturing the Evil Monster on repairs and sighed as if the world was ending, burning with resentment towards the Dark Cult.
Recalling that incident, I tapped my letter lightly and opened the safe.
And while gently placing a very luxurious box inside, I closed the safe and thought.
Anyway, what can Sayoon do for me…
There are many things I want her to do.
First, I need to explore other hidden realms and acquire some magic steeds.
Also, I’d like to get some more elixirs, learn other martial arts that could supplement Hongseong Divine Art, wear nice clothes, eat delicious food, and make some friends…
I burst into a smile, thinking about all the things I have to do in the future.
“You’re not ready yet.”
To get as strong and as happy as we wish.
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