The saying goes that a master doesn’t discriminate against equipment, but it’s definitely easier to showcase talent with good gear.
So naturally, I wanted to gift the Sword Saint something nice.
However, the sword she’s currently using is the Changseong Sword, a great sword infused with the essence of cloud and wind.
In other words, it’s already a pretty top-notch weapon.
“Master, you have the Changseong Sword already.”
Hongryeon mentioned this knowing full well.
“Y-Yeah, but still…”
“I have something in mind that would suit you well.”
“Really? What is it?”
The Sword Saint seems eager to hand over the position of clan leader to Hongryeon.
If that happens, it would be tough for her to wear things like the Seongun Armor or the Hongseong Clan leader’s outfit.
So, I need to find something to support her that doesn’t involve swords.
In other words… clothes.
I know where to find valuable materials to make a beautiful outfit that would suit the Sword Saint perfectly, and who can craft it, so it’s not a problem at all.
After explaining the situation, the Sword Saint’s earlier demeanor vanished, and she broke into a cheerful smile.
“Heh, heh… Thank you. But isn’t it hard to obtain that?”
“It won’t be easy.”
“I’m prepared for it! We can go together later…”
“Actually, we need to go with five people.”
“Ah.”
The Sword Saint, looking a bit disappointed, nodded quietly. Alright, preparations are all set…
“Why?”
When Sayoon stared at me intently, I tilted my head in confusion. She seemed startled by my reaction.
“Uh, um, no.”
“Sayoon, I have equipment I want to give you too. I’ll give it to you later, so look forward to it.”
“Uh? That’s not why I was looking at you?! And I’m fine! I have this sword…”
While that sword is pretty, it’s more of a pretty decoration than an actual weapon. It’s better to obtain a proper weapon.
Coincidentally, we can get those materials from the Dragon Shrine, and other materials aren’t too far from Seomhwa Castle either, so I should make a trip there later.
“So, how do we get into the Dragon Shrine?”
Chaeran seemed quite interested in the fact that we can actually enter a place she only heard of in legends. She asked eagerly, and I pointed to the map of Cheongho hanging on the wall.
“You need to pass through all the shrines established in Cheongho by the Dragon’s followers. That’s how we open the way…”
“And then?”
“We should move at night.”
“Why at night?”
“To activate those shrines, we need moonlight. According to records, there are a total of five shrines…”
“There are quite a few shrines honoring the dragon in Cheongho…”
“We need to select only the true ones in order.”
Chaeran seemed fascinated, noting down everything I said as I explained to the best of my knowledge.
“Wow, that’s amazing… I didn’t know there were such secrets in Cheongho. They aren’t passed down in Moonjeong…”
“Sometimes the darkest places are right under the lamp.”
“Sometimes, the areas right under the lamp are the darkest.”
*
I wanted to talk more, but Doje whisked Yu Wol away for a drink.
It’s rare for someone to drink with their father, Doje.
Nevertheless, Doje is a boisterous yet intimidating person, not someone you can easily call kind.
Some were trembling in fear, worried they would make a mistake while drunk, and many outright avoided drinking with him.
So, Doje always ended up drinking alone.
However, someone appeared who not only matched him in drinking prowess but also wasn’t afraid of him, was willing to speak their mind, and was well-informed.
Naturally, it makes sense that Doje treasures Yu Wol as a drinking buddy.
“Your father probably likes the innkeeper for that reason.”
“Is that so…?”
“No matter who he faces, his attitude never changes.”
At Chaeran’s words, Sword Saint Na Yerin looked up at the ceiling. It’s true.
Despite slight variations in tone, Yu Wol has always been like this.
Excluding enemies.
For allies, he treats them politely, yet without feeling distant or submissive.
As far as she knew, his attitude had never changed even once.
“Definitely impressive. It’s strength as a person, not just martial arts.”
If someone like that had honed their martial arts since childhood, reaching the realm of the superhuman wouldn’t be impossible.
That was quite regrettable.
But what can be done? No matter how superhuman, one cannot turn back time.
In that case, it would be enough to fill the gaps he has.
Isn’t that what being a couple is all about?
‘Thinking that way…’
Hongryeon looked at Sword Saint Na Yerin and Chaejin. Superhuman. Those who stepped just beyond the realm of humanity.
Even though there were three such individuals, Yu Wol didn’t seem burdened by it and rather wanted to embrace them all.
It even made her wonder if that alone would be insufficient to match his strength.
“But when is the wedding?”
As Chaeran asked, the three fell silent. They had made promises about marriage but hadn’t mentioned when.
“S-sometime soon? I’m not worried at all. I can wait!”
“Since I received the ring… I trust him! I’ll just behave! So, little sister, don’t worry.”
“Um. There’s no problem, so don’t worry.”
… Is this dangerous?
The gleam in their eyes briefly flashed like ravenous beasts in front of their prey, but Chaeran couldn’t bring herself to say it and swallowed hard.
Yu Wol emerged from Doje’s grasp deep into the night, with the moon hanging high. Receiving the piercingly cold moonlight, Yu Wol entered the room and saw those meditating in a cross-legged position.
“Let’s go.”
“Are you okay?”
Yu Wol had already been with Doje, drinking for several hours.
After that much, it would be hard, but Yu Wol only had a slight flush on her cheeks and seemed unfazed.
“And what about father?”
“He’s passed out drunk.”
Chaeran was amazed. “Wow. Defeating my father with alcohol, huh?”
“Hehe. Well done.”
The Sword Saint was quite proud. After giving Yu Wol a pat on the shoulder, she smiled and pointed to the map.
“The first place we need to go is the Gwiwol Shrine in southern Cheongho, so let’s head there first.”
“Got it, Mister. Is there anything we need to prepare?”
“Prepare, huh.”
He accepted the looks directed at him with indifference and nodded.
“There will be a fight, so just prepare for that.”
Despite it being inside Cheongho, which didn’t seem too dangerous, they were meticulous about preparations given that people concerned about Yu Wol’s safety were gathered.
In reality, Yu Wol wanted to leave her behind and just take Chaeran, but what could she do when he insisted that he had to go?
After putting the armor she received from Moonjeong on him, the Sword Saint spoke seriously.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
As they exited Moonjeong and moved towards southern Cheongho, there wasn’t much conversation.
They merely maintained a slight tension, moving while considering when an attack might come.
Upon arriving at their destination, Chaeran opened her mouth.
“So this is it? Wow.”
The place they arrived at was quite well-known in Cheongho. It was a shrine dedicated to a dragon, a stop for travelers in Cheongho.
Who would have thought this would be the place to head to the Dragon’s Sanctuary?
Until now, no one, not even herself who was keen on hidden realms, noticed it, and Chaeran felt rather embarrassed.
“There’s no need to be ashamed of not knowing.”
“Hehe. You know a lot, Mister.”
Standing next to Yu Wol, Sayoon was proud, and Chaeran poked her side.
“Aren’t you enjoying it a bit too much?”
“Ouch, ouch…”
“Alright, alright. Enough joking. We’re starting now.”
Yu Wol pulled out the Taegukbu from his robe. Holding it carefully, he walked solemnly to the shrine and lit a candle.
As the gentle light spread around, he touched various parts of the shrine and infused the Taegukbu with his internal energy.
Once all preparations were complete, Yu Wol placed the Taegukbu in front of the spot illuminated by the candle.
“Now we begin.”
The air changed.
The women around Yu Wol sensed it simultaneously.
The moment the Taegukbu was set down, the atmosphere around the shrine shifted completely.
The chilly but refreshing night air disappeared, replaced by thick and unpleasant energy.
– Kiyahhh!!
Along with that, a terrifying wail echoed.
As Chaeran flinched, the Sword Saint and Hongryeon, along with Sayoon, raised the Hongseong Divine Art.
“In the past, the dragon ascended countless ears, imparting that power to those who followed. Those who followed the dragon sacrificed ears for the dragon’s rest, using the gained power as a qualification to head to the dragon’s sanctuary.”
Ignoring the wailing sounds echoing from all around, Yu Wol pointed towards the air.
“The essence from there has gathered, becoming a guardian.”
Something hazy was descending from the sky.
It was descending.
A dreadful aura of death that any living being would surely shy away from.
“…Argh.”
Even Chaeran was overwhelmed by it. Seeing her face turn pale, Yu Wol calmly said.
“It’s not easy to deal with the ears using Moonjeong’s martial arts. So, Chaeran. You should step back. The rest will handle it from Hongseong…”
“Hey! You can’t just do that?!”
Chaejin, a master of Moonjeong, was not afraid. She simply concentrated her energy.
– Gwaaaaaah!!
Perhaps it thought they were resisting?
The enormous ears charged at Yu Wol once more, roaring, while the Sword Saint snorted.
“How dare you attack someone!!”
With her shout, the first trial to enter the Dragon’s Shrine began.
The trial itself didn’t take long. Hongseong Divine Art was quite suitable for dealing with ears.
There were two superhumans and one master.
Add a superhuman who could manipulate their energy, and catching just one enormous ear was child’s play.
“Hah. Is it over now?”
“It’s done on this side. Now, let’s move on.”
There were four remaining trials in total. They planned to tackle all of them today and head straight to the Dragon’s Shrine.
As the ear disintegrated, Yu Wol picked up a small token that had fallen and tucked it away.
“Where to next?”
“North of Cheongho.”
“That’s a bit far. We’ll need to use our lightness skills…”
As Chaeran mumbled, the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Chaejin’s eyes lit up.
They might manage, but what about Yu Wol?
His only weakness was that his martial arts were weak.
There’s no way he could use lightness skills to keep up with them.
Which meant someone would have to carry him.
“Rock, paper, scissors!!”
“Rock, paper, scissors!!”
“Rock, paper, scissors!!”
“Oh my!”
Chaeran marveled. While playing rock, paper, scissors, she quickly adjusted her hands based on what her opponent threw.
Thus, a conclusion wasn’t easily reached.
“Is this how rock, paper, scissors is supposed to go…?”
Chaeran muttered in shock, while Sayoon raised her hand high.
“Why don’t we just do it in order!”
“O-Order?”
There were four remaining trials.
Even if they took turns, one would still remain.
Who would take that one?
“Then the rest will be handled by either me or Chaeran, right?”
Sayoon’s fair suggestion made the three look at each other.
At this rate, it might go on indefinitely.
Maybe it was for the best after all.
“With that settled, come now. Yu Wol, hold onto my neck.”
With a beaming smile overflowing with joy, the Sword Saint lifted Yu Wol into her arms.
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