The treasured divine artifact passed down through generations to the officials of Hongseongmun was none other than the Hyeonun Gap.
The Hyeonun Gap was made of Seongun Steel, which provided significant defensive capabilities, but its true usefulness was not in that.
The most vital function of the Hyeonun Gap was to enhance the Hongseong Divine Art by harnessing the power of the stars contained in the Seongun Steel.
With the power of the stars bolstering the Hongseong Divine Art and helping it maintain its integrity, that armor existed within Hongseongmun and had long been a great strength to it.
However, the Hyeonun Gap no longer resided within Hongseongmun now.
This was because the Senior Sister embodied in Simma had destroyed it while attacking her Master.
The Sword Saint silently looked at the Seongun Steel, the material needed to recreate the shattered Hyeonun Gap, and shook her head.
“Isn’t Hyeonun Gap… that thing, right?”
Hongryeon, having heard the story already, asked in surprise.
Seongun Steel, which could only be obtained from stars that fell from the sky to the earth, held significant value on its own.
Moreover, it was so rare that it was said to be hard to find nowadays, yet here it was.
Surprised Hongryeon and even more surprised Sayoon gazed at the Seongun Steel, and the Sword Saint spoke in a cheerful tone.
“Anyway.”
Perhaps to lighten the heavy mood? The Sword Saint raised her head and smiled.
“That was excellent. Now then, as I said, you can keep this Seongun Steel.”
“Huh? But…”
“Seongun Steel is also an important material used to forge renowned weapons. So, it would be good for you to make a weapon out of it. Right now, there’s no one who can handle it, but…”
The Sword Saint thought of Seomhwa Village.
The superb blacksmith Maksa, and also the exceptional talismancer Changju.
If Hyeonryeong and Yu Wol collaborated to develop Seomhwa Village?
Soon, a way to utilize Seongun Steel within Seomhwa Village would emerge.
At that time, that Seongun Steel would greatly empower Sayoon.
With a gentle smile, the Sword Saint patted her shoulder.
“Alright. Let’s head back now!!”
After the late-night challenge in the mystic realm and a bit more training with the Senior Sisters, Sayoon returned to her room, feeling exhausted as she lay on her bed.
As she brought her face to the blanket, which had been dried in the warm sunlight after washing it earlier that day, she felt her tired body relaxation wash over her.
Feeling her eyelids gradually getting heavy, she suddenly sat up.
“Ah, no.”
“Hmm? Not sleeping?”
“Yeah. I’m going to write a letter to Mister before bed.”
“Tell him I also thank him…”
Yoohee spoke softly with a sleepy voice.
Today, she had gained insight in the mystic realm, and her footwork had become a bit more graceful.
Remembering how she had been pleased that some awkward parts of her internal energy had been fixed, Sayoon nodded.
Thus, holding a brush, ink, and paper, Sayoon went outside, sitting in a spot bathed in moonlight to start writing.
With a brush, ink, and paper in hand, Sayoon stepped outside and sat under the moonlight, holding up her brush.
“Hmm…”
What should I say?
It felt like I needed to organize the countless words swirling in my head.
That’s why Sayoon couldn’t move her brush.
“What are you doing up so late?”
It was Hongryeon who approached.
The senior sister of the Hongseong Clan and a woman whom Sayoon respected as an elder sister.
As she walked towards her, her red hair flowing in the night breeze, Sayoon smiled brightly.
“I’m trying to write a letter to Mister.”
“Oh? Then please tell him I’m grateful too.”
“Aha, sure!”
With that, Sayoon took hold of her brush again. But no letters came out. After staring at her for a moment, Hongryeon chuckled and took Sayoon to her room.
“Let’s have a cup of tea. You seem to be struggling with what to write.”
“Y-yeah…”
Hongryeon slowly brewed some tea. As Sayoon blankly watched her, she let out a small sigh.
“About the Star Cloud Iron I got today…”
“Huh? That? Don’t worry. If it can’t be handled in Seomhwa Village, I’ll find someone through the Murim Alliance.”
“Uh, no. That’s not it.”
Hesitating, Sayoon glanced at Hongryeon and cautiously spoke.
“Is it possible to make the Hyunwoon Armor with this? Do you know anyone among your acquaintances who might have the recipe?”
Startled, Hongryeon’s hands froze mid-tea pouring. Slowly turning her head, she gazed at Sayoon and said calmly.
“But that’s still yours. The ‘Mister’ gave that to you for a reason.”
“That may be true… but you said deciding how to use it is up to me… and I do have my sword, the one Mister gave me. I don’t think I’m deserving of such a precious weapon like the Star Cloud Iron.”
“That’s not something you can know. As you know, every technique in the Hongseong Divine Art can be seen as a stepping stone towards a great sword technique. In other words, someday you’ll have to prepare a great sword just for you.”
And perhaps, no, the Star Cloud Iron would definitely be useful then.
Though Hongryeon’s words were meant to reassure her, Sayoon slowly shook her head.
“But I know that everything has its proper use. And, in my view, the Star Cloud Iron…”
She stared directly at Hongryeon.
“I think it should be used for the Hongseong Clan…”
Even though Sayoon’s voice trembled, there was no hesitation. Was that why? Hongryeon’s hands remained still.
And when her hands moved, a smile had appeared on her lips.
“As written in the letter, it’s ultimately your decision. I can’t dictate that. But your worry is probably… that Mister might be disappointed?”
“Well, I can’t really say anything. But your concern… is probably because you’re worried that Mister might be disappointed, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Then why not just ask him? From what I see, your ‘Mister’ doesn’t seem like the type to get mad over something like that.”
“I think so too, but…”
Seeing Sayoon sulking, Hongryeon offered her a cup of tea.
“No matter what choice you make, we’ll respect it. So, please don’t feel too burdened.”
“…Yes. Senior Sister.”
A determined smile formed on Sayoon’s lips.
*
I’ve heard that living in this world means you always have to make choices.
Choices. Yes. An important matter.
What if I had chosen not to hold my Master’s hand?
What if I had chosen not to train properly after coming to Hongseong?
But sometimes, I think there are destinies given to me, instead of choices.
Like Mister.
The day he suddenly approached me, I can’t help but think it was a destiny I couldn’t avoid or refuse.
Of course, I’m not saying I don’t want it! Please don’t misunderstand!!
If Mister was my destiny, that would be such a joyful thing for me!
The other day, I visited the secret place mentioned in the letter he sent. And there, I obtained Starry Iron.
Knowing Mister is aware of the secrets of Hongseong, I figured he must know what Starry Iron is and what it can be used for.
That’s why he must have mentioned it to me.
To let me decide how to use it.
Honestly, when I first heard about Starry Iron, I was really surprised. I never imagined the value of this metal would be so great.
Who would have thought a piece of Starry Iron could be the material for such a precious sword?
And that it could be used to recreate the divine artifacts of our Hongseong!
I decided to use the Starry Iron to recreate the divine artifact of Hongseong after all.
Maybe this is also a choice Mister is giving me.
Since I have to pay the price for this choice, will I regret this decision someday in the distant future?
I think not. The happiness of our Hongseong, my Master’s happiness, and the happiness of the other Senior Sisters are just as important as my own.
And I hope that my choice brings happiness to Mister as well.
P.S.
I’m sending another jar of Thousand Days Plum Blossom Tea while missing you, Mister. I wonder if you’ve finished the one I sent last time. If you have, please let me know anytime. This is all I can do for you.
I’m not sure if you’ve eaten yet. If you have, just let me know anytime. This is all I can do for you, Mister.
I pulled out a small container wrapped in a box. I had nearly finished the thousand-day plum blossom tea that Sayoon sent me, so this was perfect.
I took a sip of the new thousand-day plum blossom tea and reread her letter.
By the way, using star cloud iron to create the Hyunwoon armor… Not a bad choice.
Hyunwoon armor is one of the well-known pieces in Heavenly Bright Moon, after all.
It wouldn’t hurt to have one in the Hongseong sect.
And I could always make Sayoon a better sword later on…
She mentioned it was a test, but it didn’t really seem like it.
After all, it’s not like that mystical place is the only place to get star cloud iron, she just intended to let me know when the time came.
I chuckled as I read the letter.
Honestly, what I liked the most was Sayoon’s attitude.
She could easily keep what she received for herself, and the sect would have allowed it, yet she had the character to return what she was given.
Despite having gone through tough situations, I was satisfied because she resembled the person we had seen together.
You really don’t change, do you?
I lightly tapped the letter again and stood up. Reading such an uplifting letter in the morning feels great.
Looks like today will be a fulfilling day.
After finishing the thousand-day plum blossom tea and lighting some incense, I was working a bit when I casually looked out the window and spotted familiar faces in the backyard. Sayoon and Ryuhyun.
Are they the ones on patrol this time?
I leaned against the window and waved at them.
“Oh! Hello!”
“Hey. Out on patrol?”
“Yes!! Today I’m with Ryuhyun!”
“Greetings, Innkeeper.”
I returned the smile to Ryuhyun and, before they left, I dashed down and tossed them two fresh apples I had just bought.
When Sayoon quickly caught them, she tilted her head, leaving the pair curious, so I smiled at them.
“Eat these on the way.”
“Eh?! You didn’t have to give us these!”
“It’s fine. Since you’ll be working hard on patrol, at least eat these. And when you’re done later, let me know, and I’ll have some mooncakes ready for you.”
Eventually, after hesitating, Sayoon smiled wryly, and when Ryuhyun accepted the two apples as well, she bowed politely.
“Hehe. I’ll enjoy them!”
“Thank you!”
The two replied cheerfully as they headed out for patrol.
Well then. Time for me to get to work.
I need to go to Yangwi Star with Hongryeon and Chaejin in a few days.
I should finish all my pending tasks by then.
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