It was a happy time for Sayoon, knowing that only joyful things were happening in Hongseong.
Especially since their efforts to help Senior Sister, who always worked hard, had resulted in great success.
“Hehe.”
Maybe that’s why? Recently, a nonsensical smile had appeared more often on Sayoon’s face.
That happened because while walking through Hongseong, the buildings were looking so clean!
Every time she saw the worn-out buildings and facilities, she often caught sight of Hongryeon or Ryuhyun looking a bit bitter.
Seeing Hongryeon force a smile while patching walls that looked like they could fall at any moment or plastering them with dirt made the sight of clean, sturdy walls all the more delightful.
“What are you doing?”
“Oh. I’ll be right there.”
As Sayoon, carrying a basket of fruit, paused, Yoohee playfully poked her back.
It had been a few days since they invited Yu Wol and Chaejin to celebrate the completion of renovations at Hongseong.
Now, the only important events left for Hongseong this year were the ritual for the former sect master and the celebrations for their Master, the Sword Saint’s birthday.
Of course, considering the day, they couldn’t just be completely happy or completely sad about it.
Still, the silver lining was that, unlike last year, the Sword Saint didn’t look as unwell.
So, Sayoon walked with light steps.
When she arrived at the kitchen with the ingredients and fruits, she spotted Hongryeon and Ryuhyun busily cooking.
Having learned cooking from Yohwan at the inn in Seomhwa Village, Hongryeon was skillfully shaking a large pot. And squatting beside her was the Sword Saint.
Seeing that, Sayoon couldn’t help but smile.
How was it last year?
She remembered sitting in front of the ritual altar, staring blankly at it all day without saying a word.
Now, seeing her come to the kitchen and squat down to watch was somehow cute and also reassuring.
“Master, please taste this.”
As Hongryeon handed over a small plate of food, the Sword Saint immediately grabbed her chopsticks and fed Sayoon and Yoohee.
And then she tasted it herself and beamed.
Sayoon and Yoohee also sparkled with joy as the flavor spread in their mouths.
“Your cooking skills have improved!”
“Yes! It’s really delicious!”
“That’s amazing! Senior Sister can do anything!”
“Hehe. Flattery won’t get you anywhere. Master, could you bring me a tray?”
“Sure thing.”
As the Sword Saint scampered to grab a tray, Hongryeon placed the finished dish on it.
“Master, shouldn’t you start getting ready soon?”
Looking out the kitchen window, Ryuhyun chimed in, and the Sword Saint nodded in agreement.
After she fed her a small slice of jeon, the Sword Saint headed out, and Hongryeon chuckled.
“At least she’s not looking all gloomy.”
“True! Senior Sister, where should we move these fruits?”
“To the altar. Come on, let’s take these too.”
“Okay.”
They moved the prepared dishes and fruits toward the altar.
Arriving at the altar that housed the plaques of the previous sect leaders, preparations for the ritual were already well underway. They arranged the ritual dishes and set up the seating.
Setting the scene, we get everything ready.
Later, once all the disciples gathered, fresh in their clean attire, it was time to kick things off.
“Let’s begin!”
The Sword Saint, donned in the attire of the Hongseong Clan’s leader, stepped out gracefully.
Gone was her usual shabby look; this well-dressed Sword Saint showcased a sharpness akin to a sword.
With each step she took, though light, there was undeniable weight.
Approaching the shrine with calm composure, she held up incense.
Despite having much more sacrificial food and better incense this year, the Sword Saint’s expression remained unchanged—just respectful and solemn.
“The leader of the Hongseong Clan, Na Yerin, pays her respects to the leaders of Hongseong.”
Bowing her head and extending the incense, she stepped back. The great disciple, Hongryeon, handed her the longsword, and the Sword Saint slowly performed the ceremonial sword dance.
By demonstrating the final sword ceremony of the Hongseong Divine Art, a must for any clan leader, she proved her qualifications and swore to help Hongseong grow further.
Watching this, Sayoon clenched her fist.
‘Wait, what?’
The Sword Saint’s sword moved. It was so fast and controlled that not even a whisper of wind escaped as she wielded it.
The same sword dance as last year, yet it felt different.
Each movement elicited an echo of sadness and regret, but this time, that feeling diminished.
It seemed Sayoon wasn’t the only one to notice; other disciples stared in astonishment too.
Despite their gaze, the Sword Saint remained unfazed, simply swinging her longsword in silence.
After the dance concluded, she planted the great sword into the ground, and Hongryeon stepped forward.
“The great disciple of Hongseong, future clan leader Hongryeon, pays her respects to the leaders of Hongseong.”
Just like her sword master did earlier, she burned incense and began her dance.
It was a powerful and beautiful sword performance fitting for her.
Watching the ritual unfold, Sayoon couldn’t help but smile.
It felt like this year, things were notably different.
“Master, are you okay?”
As the rituals continued and the sacrificial offerings flowed, a slight shadow fell over the Sword Saint’s expression.
Approaching the solitary Sword Saint squatting down, Sayoon asked with a smile, and when the Sword Saint looked up, she smiled back brightly.
“Our little one, I’m fine. Really, it’s nothing.”
Though she appeared less burdened than last year, there was still a hint of struggle, but she addressed the worried Sayoon like a true clan leader.
She was always like that, swallowing her pain while reminding herself of her duties.
“Still, you seem a bit better this year.”
“Hehe, do you really think so?”
The Sword Saint nodded while patting Sayoon’s head. Though her tightly shut lips didn’t say more, Sayoon sensed she looked more at ease.
“Maybe it’s thanks to your ‘Mister’ and also the innkeeper Yu.”
“Ah… that’s true.”
It was clear that the differences between last year and this year were largely due to their support.
Realizing that the revitalization of the struggling Hongseong Clan stemmed from this, Sayoon beamed.
“I hope it stays this way…”
“Hehe, me too.”
Just then, the sound of ringing bells from the gate announced that Hyunhwi, who had stepped out, was rushing back. In her hands was a box.
The disciple who had gone out in response to the sound, Hyunhwi, was running back. In her hands was a box.
While everyone was puzzled by it, Hyunhwi handed the box to Sayoon.
“It’s from ‘Mister.'”
“Huh? Really?”
I was worried because I hadn’t received a response since I sent the letter last time. But now, here was a reply again.
Filled with joy, Sayoon took the box and opened it, and, as always, there was a letter and a silver ingot inside.
The thick letter had two pieces of paper.
One was a map. A map of Hongseong Mountain, just like last time.
From this location, it seems to be somewhere in the middle of a cliff not too far from the peak of Hongseong Mountain.
As others examined the map and discussed the location, Sayoon looked at the other letter.
There weren’t many words written on it.
In fact, considering how unusually long it was last time, it wasn’t surprising.
Sayoon stared blankly at the words written on the letter.
“A piece of Seonguncheol, two special protective seals, two pieces of Cheolwigang, a bundle of Cheonjamsa, the skull of a two-headed tiger, the tail of a mountain leopard…?”
What sort of writing is this?
While bewildered, as she read the listed items, Sayoon was taken aback when she read the final words of the letter.
“Materials for Hyunwungap…? Then, could it be…?”
Sayoon turned her gaze to the map. No, not just her—everyone did.
Sword Saint Na Yerin looked at the map she held with trembling hands and spoke weakly.
“Once the ritual is over, let’s go here.”
Na Yerin felt her heart racing.
Perhaps she was beginning to understand what that ‘Mister,’ who knows so many secrets of the Hongseong Sect, wanted.
The ritual was finished around sunset.
Normally, they should have at least briefly celebrated the Sword Saint’s birthday, but she had no time for that now.
Armored and ready, they made their way to the peak of Hongseong Mountain. Standing at the dangerous cliff ahead, Na Yerin grabbed the rope.
“I’ll go down and check.”
“Yes.”
Speaking calmly, Na Yerin leaped down without a second thought. Despite the dizzying height, she didn’t care about the fall as she surveyed the cliff below and discovered a cave hidden behind the jagged rocks and shrubs, plunging her sword into it.
Stepping on the sword embedded like tofu, she tied a rope around the hilt and moved into the cave.
How long had it been?
At the end of the cave, a huge stone gate came into view.
Just as she thought.
It was a hidden realm.
“…Who on earth are you…”
This place was one that only someone with knowledge would ever be able to find. Who would suspect that such a small cave in a steep cliff could be a passage to a hidden realm?
While she was astonished, her disciples arrived one by one at the entrance, all staring at the hidden realm in silence.
Moments later, the red light that erupted from the hidden realm enveloped the bodies of the Hongseong disciples. As always, the hidden realm opened its entrance after confirming them, and Na Yerin said earnestly,
“It might be dangerous, so I’ll go in first. Everyone, follow closely and be careful.”
The hidden realm itself wasn’t much different from the previous one.
It was a test of the mastery of Hongseong Divine Art and whether one could properly connect it.
And whether one could truly control the inner strength of Hongseong Divine Art.
Just like before, once Na Yerin led the way and they all arrived at the last room.
What appeared in this room was a massive tiger.
In the room was a massive tiger.
But what set it apart from other tigers was that it had two heads.
As the Sword Saint watched the tiger, which breathed out cold air from one mouth and fiery breath from the other, she turned to Sayoon.
“A two-headed tiger will be tough for you right now. So go with Ryuhyun.”
“Yes.”
As Hongryeon stepped forward with her great sword, Sayoon nodded and followed behind her.
Did it think they were just prey? The two-headed tiger exhaled fire and ice, revealing its murderous intent towards the duo.
Hongryeon tightened her grip on her sword and said,
“Match my rhythm.”
“Understood, Senior Sister.”
-ROAAAAAR!!
With the roar of the two-headed tiger, the Hongseong disciples’ attack commenced.
The battle was fierce, but in the end, victory belonged to Hongseong. After all, Hongryeon was a master, and Sayoon had steadily built up her skills as well.
Eventually, the two-headed tiger fell, reduced to ashes, leaving only the two skulls behind.
As Hongryeon gazed at the skulls, she lifted the one that had been engulfed in flames and said to Sayoon,
“Go fetch the reward.”
Tension lined Hongryeon’s voice. She was also bracing herself for what might happen next.
With everyone’s eyes on her, Sayoon entered the chamber, and after a moment, she emerged with a box in her hands.
-CREEEAAK…
In the pin-drop silence, the sound of the box opening echoed.
Inside was a blueprint.
The Sword Saint clenched her eyes shut.
“…This is.”
Slowly lifting the blueprint, the words “Hyunwoongap Manufacturing Method” were inscribed on it.
Though various events had been chaotic, it turned out to be no problem at all.
They had discovered the materials needed for Hongseong’s divine artifact, Hyunwoongap, and even got their hands on the manufacturing method.
In other words, they could remake the broken divine artifact of Hongseong.
Was that the reason?
Typically, the whole of Hongseong would be drenched in gloom, but due to today’s events, it seemed that the gloom was significantly less.
As if “Mister” had sent a gift to lighten the mood.
“I feel like we received too much help from Mister.”
Could it be because they could remake Hyunwoongap?
Hongryeon smiled brightly, recalling how the Sword Saint’s expression had softened.
If it were last year, the Sword Saint would have been sulking in front of the castle all night, but today, after receiving the disciples’ birthday wishes, the Sword Saint decided to stay with the disciples and was snuggled up next to Ryuhyun.
Seeing the Sword Saint whispering with Ryuhyun from the corner, Hongryeon beamed.
“Now let’s sleep.”
As she softly spoke, Sayoon nodded and leaned against the moonlight to re-read the letter from Mister.
Always the same high-quality paper, with neat and tidy handwriting inside.
It felt as if she could sense Mister’s heart, making her unknowingly smile and close her eyes.
With the inexplicably comfortable and familiar scent emanating from the letter, she thought she could sleep deeply tonight.
Mister had truly given her a significant gift.
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