As soon as we returned to Seomhwa Fortress, Chaeran welcomed us with open arms. With a big smile, she grabbed Chaejin and immediately asked Sayoon.
“How was the capital?”
“It was amazing!”
“Hehe, right? Let’s go together next time.”
Saying that, she tugged at the back of Chaejin’s neck.
“Hey! Let go!”
“Let go? There’s so much paperwork sister has to see. You’re the head of the Moonjeong Seomhwa Fortress branch, remember? If you want to properly take on that role, you need to handle this stuff…”
“But no, I’m not the owner of Moonjeong…”
“Even if you want to be, you must know how to do the paperwork! And you, brother-in-law, don’t step in! This is why this keeps happening!”
“Haha, I guess there’s no choice. Have a good trip.”
For Chaejin, the Celestial Martial Artist, paperwork was probably the last thing she wanted to deal with. But sometimes, people must endure things they dislike. I watched Chaeran leading Chaejin away until they disappeared from sight and then spoke to the Sword Saint and Hongryeon.
“Well, you should get back first…”
“Yeah, Ryun, take Yuwol back with you.”
“…What about you, Master?”
Was it because the Sword Saint mentioned her intention to step down from her position earlier? There was concern in Hongryeon’s eyes.
Or was it concern? It seemed there was a hint of jealousy too…
“I have some things to discuss with Yuwol. Hehe. If you’re really worried, leave Sayoon behind. I won’t do anything inappropriate.”
“Okay!”
“Eh?!”
The Sword Saint’s relaxed expression slightly faltered. But no matter, Hongryeon confidently lifted her gift.
“Then see you later!”
With a bright smile, as Hongryeon walked away, the Sword Saint sighed.
I gave her a light tap on the back and entered the inn.
“Hmm. Did you arrive? But why the long face?”
“Nothing. I’m just sad about the unfortunate reality that my disciple does not trust her master…”
“I trust you, Master!”
Gazing at her with sparkling eyes, Sayoon watched as the Sword Saint turned her face away, slightly stiffened.
I guess she was having some heavy thoughts.
The flustered Sword Saint couldn’t handle Sayoon’s sparkling gaze while Sayoon continued to keep her eyes on her no matter what.
Yohwan, observing the close relationship between the two, shrugged her shoulders and said to me.
“I got a message from Cheonhwa Palace while you were in the capital. They said they would come visiting soon. It seemed to be related to the Hongseong Sect.”
They wouldn’t be suggesting a tournament now, would they? Or maybe proposing a joint training session?
“Hmm… I should let Ryun know.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that? Isn’t that decision made by the branch head?”
To Yohwan’s confusion, the Sword Saint answered confidently.
That she’d soon be stepping down from her position.
Yohwan looked at me in disbelief upon hearing this.
“Are you okay with that too?”
“That’s a matter for the Hongseong Sect; it’s not for me to say.”
No matter how close we are to get married, that’s the business of the sect. I can’t interfere, nor should I.
My words made Sayoon smile brightly.
“That sounds just like you, Mister.”
“This is nothing. By the way, Yohwan, could you please serve us something simple to eat?”
“Sure, I can put some food on the table.”
“Got it. Oh, and I’ve made an agreement with Daru. They will send tea and snacks to the inn, and we’ll recommend that Daru to our guests and give them discount vouchers. I did what you said; I hope it’s okay?”
“That should be enough.”
I have no intention of swallowing that Daru whole. People should live doing what they want to do to excel at it.
After all, isn’t there a saying that no one can beat the one who enjoys what they do?
The owner of that Daru wanted their own establishment, so they set this up here. If I were to snatch it away arbitrarily, I wouldn’t get what I want anyway.
It would be better to just cooperate like this for now than for me to wait until he comes under me and says he wants to join.
I nodded and went upstairs, where the Sword Saint and Sayoon were staring at me intently as they took their seats.
“Do you have something to say?”
“I have one question. Aren’t you interested in power?”
“I’m curious about that too. Master, Senior Sister Hongryeon, and Sister Chaejin. They’re all superhuman, right?”
“That’s right.”
“And it seems you’re close with Thunderbolt Sword King as well. Plus, you’re quite friendly with Doje, aren’t you?”
“Indeed.”
“But Mister, you don’t flaunt that power, nor do you try to use it.”
“True. I think similarly. If someone like you were to use that power, there would be nothing you couldn’t do, right? Or do you not seem to want to utilize the power you possess? If you wanted that Daru, couldn’t you have it come under you right now? And you wouldn’t stop other stores from opening in Seomha-seong…”
“That’s true.”
“But why don’t you do it?”
“Why should I?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
The Sword Saint and Sayoon tilted their heads in confusion at my answer. Just then, Jeomsoi came up with some snacks, and I brewed tea and placed it in front of them.
“Power is a means, not an end. Those who wield it blindly only end up creating enemies for themselves.”
“Oh. That…”
“Of course, it’s not bad to think that the Sword Saint was a bit… like that in the past. Considering the situation back then, it must have been unavoidable. How could someone tormented by their own pain care about the gazes of others?”
“Umm… Thank you for understanding.”
“I’m currently living a satisfying life. Therefore, there’s no need to use power. Of course, I’m not saying I’ll completely disregard it.”
“Then?”
“It should be used when it’s time to protect something.”
The Sword Saint and Sayoon’s eyes widened in surprise, and I chuckled while tapping the table.
The teaching of Hongseongmun.
Hongseong Divine Art is the martial arts of those who protect, so one must never forget that mindset.
They seemed to be contemplating that. So, I took a sip of my tea and waited for them to speak.
“…There have been many who spoke like that until now, but when they possessed power, they would reveal their true nature and wield it. However… you are different.”
“You really are different.”
The Sword Saint smiled lightly and took my hand.
“That’s why I might like you.”
“Thank you. Well, if there’s nothing else to discuss, I should get back to my remaining tasks.”
“Hmm. No, actually. I want to talk about passing on the position of the sect leader…”
“We should determine an auspicious day for that. I can’t do it, so let’s consult Changju and Seongju.”
Only someone who knows how to read the stars can decide on an auspicious day. I know a few common ones, but the rest is beyond me.
Upon my words, the Sword Saint slightly nodded.
“And can you come then?”
“Of course.”
As evening came, the Sword Saint headed to the backyard, saying she had something to discuss with Namgoong Cheon. I wondered if it was about a sword fight, but it didn’t seem like that at all.
I also had work left to do, so I headed to my office, and Sayoon naturally trailed behind me.
“Why? Do you have something to say?”
“Um… I wanted to discuss what we talked about earlier a bit more. Is that okay?”
Of course, it is okay.
I watched them through the window, and Sayoon, carefully gathering her words, spoke.
“What’s the reason you’re choosing a difficult path?”
“Difficult, huh…”
It’s actually easy.
I, and we, were very satisfied with the current situation.
If I assume I could command Hongseong under me, what might happen?
They would decide I’m a threat and band together to exclude me from Murim, or the royal family would take notice and try to corner me.
“Aren’t you aware of how to obtain the remaining half of Cheonma Divine Art?”
Sayoon let out a small sigh and looked down at the Sword Saint.
“Actually, I think Master and Senior Sister were thinking along the same lines. They know all the secrets of Hongseong, as well as the hidden truths of Murim, the evil monsters, and even the secret realms… So I thought perhaps you might know something. After all, you know a lot, right?”
“Are you interested in Cheonma Divine Art? Do you want to learn it?”
“No?! I’m not interested in any martial arts other than Hongseong Divine Art.”
She answered decisively, and her stubbornness made me chuckle.
“Right. Honestly, I have a rough idea of how to obtain the remaining half of Cheonma Divine Art.”
“But why…”
“However, acquiring it would require a lot of effort, and many people would have to die in the process.”
“Ah…”
“And we would need to leave Seomhwa City and travel the world for a long time.”
Of course, if the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Chaejin join in, that time would shorten and sacrifices would be fewer. But still, a good number of people would die.
And according to the calculations, even with three superhumans, quite a few of those casualties would include members of Hongseong.
In that case, the Sword Saint, Hongryeon, and Sayoon would surely be saddened.
That didn’t align with my, our goals.
“With superhumans protecting me, a powerful sect like Hongseong guarding my inn, and a city like Seomhwa alongside me… is there really a need to forcefully gain more power? Furthermore, with the cult of Gi Won Yuga gone into disarray, and the Murim Alliance and military taking advantage of that to attack, we’ll need to lay low for quite a while. Do we really need more power?”
“Is there really a need for that? Moreover, since the origin of the demonic sect has vanished, it’s quite chaotic, and they’re attacking the Murim Alliance and military, so we should probably lay low for a while. But do we really need more power?”
“Well… no, but…”
“There’s nothing more dangerous than being obsessed with power. Of course, if the Cheonma Divine Art truly becomes necessary, we’ll have to acquire it. But if that’s not the case… it’s better to just leave it be. Surely you wouldn’t want treasures to storm outside, spilling blood across the world, right?”
“Yes, that would be too sad.”
In the world of Murim, even a single coin could lead to numerous deaths.
There was no need to stir up needless chaos in such a place.
What I wanted was not to grasp the world, but for the people close to me to be happy.
What we desired was Sayoon’s happiness.
Then we should not ignore that.
“Make sure you accurately set your goals. It’ll help with your growth.”
“Um… Yes. Thank you, Mister.”
“No need for thanks.”
I gently patted Sayoon’s head, and feeling that touch, she smiled brightly.
The next day, I sought out Changju with the Sword Saint and Hongryeon.
Upon discussing the Sword Saint’s retirement, she was taken aback.
“Oh my goodness. Then are you leaving Seonhwa Castle?”
“Ah, that’s not it. I’m just… as a martial artist and… um, as a woman. That’s, uh…”
Hongryeon let out a big sigh at the Sword Saint, who was fidgeting with her fingers.
“Well, it is what it is. Anyway, when would be good?”
“Let’s see… um… the earliest would be tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is too soon.”
“Then how about a week later? That would be best. The position of the stars would be favorable then…”
“I see. Got it.”
Hongryeon lightly nodded and looked at the Sword Saint.
After having been shy for a while, her expression gradually changed at that gaze.
She wore a tired face, with her unique light smile.
This was not the silly demeanor she usually had; she was becoming both a martial artist and a transcendent.
“Of course, I said I’d pass on the position of leader, but I’m not so cold-hearted as to hand it over to someone unprepared.”
In other words, it meant she planned to accurately test the skills. This time, rather than just teaching, it would be a battle of martial artists against one another.
Hongryeon slightly nodded at the Sword Saint’s response and looked at me.
“Would you serve as a observer?”
“I’ll do that. So? When will it be?”
Hongryeon grinned.
“They say you should seize the opportunity while it’s hot… Master, are you confident?”
At that remark, the Sword Saint laughed.
“Hahahahahaha!!!”
As if she couldn’t hold back, she burst into uproarious laughter, then suddenly stopped and bared her teeth, growling.
“Do you even know who stands before you? My disciple.”
The current leader and the next leader.
Master and disciple.
Women who both have the same man as their lover.
There were many words that could describe Na Yerin and Hongryeon.
But in this moment, there was only one phrase that could adequately define them.
Transcendent and.
Transcendent.
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