Should I say “as expected” or “of course”?
I already knew that Hongryeon was a member of the Sayoon Corps, thanks to our last encounter.
It’s only natural to side with Hongryeon then.
“So, is that why you came to find me?”
Nod. As soon as Hongryeon hesitated and nodded, Chaejin’s sharp gaze was pinning me down.
“What does this guy have that’s so special? Are you really trying to bring a man into Hongseong? That can’t be the case, right?”
“Uhh…”
Hongryeon couldn’t find the words. Her face turned slightly red, and she began to fidget.
“Um… it’s kind of embarrassing to say here…”
And she started glancing nervously at Chaejin.
Hmm… I roughly understood the reason. After calling out to Hongryeon, I whispered softly into her ear, low enough that Chaejin couldn’t hear.
“Did you come here to ask for a loan?”
“Ugh.”
Whoa, her shoulders, usually so proud, shivered. Hahaha. I suppose that’s understandable.
The maintenance costs of Hongseong are covered by Hongryeon’s efforts.
If she has to find elixirs and break through secret realms, then someone needs to fill that gap.
But what if there are no tasks assigned to the other disciples at the moment?
With a lot of mouths to feed but no food to give, it’s completely logical for Hongryeon to seek out someone like me who is nearby.
Given Hongseong’s policies, the disciples wouldn’t be seeking help from their families or other sects anyway.
“…This is really embarrassing to say.”
With her flushed face, Hongryeon lowered her head, and I patted her shoulder.
“We’re not strangers. I can help with that.”
“Eh?!”
We are the Sayoon Corps!
People running towards a common goal!
So what’s a little loan compared to that?
In reality, I’d just want to give it without thinking twice, but that would go against Hongseong’s rules and would downright crush Hongryeon’s pride.
So it’s better to frame it as a loan.
We’re not just anyone!
“As I said before, you’re also like family to me.”
“…Uh. Um.”
“It’s not bad to lean on an adult every now and then. Especially if that person is someone you acknowledge.”
“Did I… acknowledge you?”
Did I forget?
I shrugged at her bewildered reaction.
“You called me a good person, didn’t you?”
Huh, Hongryeon’s confident gaze shifted towards me.
As I always say, I live without a hint of shame, looking up at the sky.
Even if it seems that way, nothing would change.
“…That’s right. You were a good person. I acknowledged that.”
And then silence fell again, followed by a deep sigh.
“Then… can I lean on you just a little?”
“Of course. But this is a loan, so you must pay it back.”
“Make sure to repay it.”
“What! What! What’s going on? What’s with the whispering?! Are you two actually dating?!”
The local broadcast is so noisy. Ignoring Chaejin, who is glaring at me with a fierce expression, I stared wide-eyed at Hongryeon looking up at me.
“…Is it really okay?”
“Of course!”
If your goal in bursting through is to make Sayoon stronger, what can’t I do for you!
At my firm response, Hongryeon finally let out a sigh of relief.
Then, with a much more relaxed expression compared to earlier, she looked up at me and blinked one eye slightly.
“Um… I won’t forget this favor. And of course, I’ll be thorough in my calculations. However, if it’s a personal request, I might consider it…”
“Don’t worry, I have no intention of using the Hongseong or Sword Saint, nor your sisters.”
If that kind of person exists, I’ll be the first to kick them out.
“As expected, my eyes don’t deceive me. You’re a good person.”
Well, that’s a given.
There’s no bad person among the Sayoon Corps.
I smiled at Hongryeon, and she smiled back at me.
“Oh, and about that meal I mentioned before, can we have it tomorrow? I plan to fill the kids up and then come back…”
“That’s fine.”
“AAAH! Why are you both ignoring my words?!”
Well, there’s no need to listen to the bad kid’s words!!
After finishing her business, Hongryeon left without hesitation, while Chaejin was just stomping her feet, ready to leave her spot.
But there’s only one inn in Seomhwa Village.
If she goes out now, she’ll have to sleep outside, so in the end, she grumbled and came back into the inn.
“One room, please.”
“That’ll be one silver.”
She placed a silver coin on my hand without another word. Just as she was about to go up the stairs, she stopped in her tracks.
“You. What’s your relationship with Hongseong?”
What’s our relationship, huh…
That’s a tricky question.
Personally, I want to cherish and maintain Hongseong, but how she feels about me is uncertain.
So, I didn’t answer, and she glared at me with a pouty face before climbing harshly up the stairs.
“Are you alright?”
Chaejin is also a well-known master in the martial world. Perhaps because things seem awkward between her and such a master, some Jeomsoi approached me with worried expressions, but there’s really no problem.
What could her anger do besides try to kill me?
Let alone, she’s part of the righteous faction, so she won’t reckless provoke me.
Returning to my room, I found the innkeeper waiting by the door. As always, he bowed slightly and handed me a letter.
Oh… Another one sent?
I smiled and opened the letter.
I think I’m starting to understand what it feels like to grow day by day.
In Hongseong, they do basic physical training every morning, along with running up Hongseong Mountain. That’s when I broke my record for the first time. Of course, I’m still in last place, but…
It’s the same for things that are stuck.
Looking back, human growth is like bamboo after rain; it often suddenly shoots up.
Mister, ah. I received the letter you sent. The benefactor told me to call you ‘Mister’, so I’ve decided to use that title.
Senior Sister Yoohee looked at the letter you sent and said, “Isn’t ‘Elder Brother’ better if it’s a man?” But, I couldn’t disregard the title chosen by the benefactor.
Anyway, after you treated the senior sisters with the money you sent, I think I realized something.
The Hongseong Divine Art of the Hongseong Sect means ‘Fierce Star’, that is, Red Star.
It’s big, powerful, and ferocious.
Yet, the ‘Fierce Star’ has the meaning of sacrificing itself to protect others.
Thus, getting rid of one’s own things and sharing them with others was like gaining a realization.
Could it be thanks to that realization? The Senior Sister taught me one technique, even though she said I still had a long way to go.
Of course, she mentioned I had to be able to protect myself first.
Meanwhile, the training of the other senior sisters has been intensified.
Is that why? Even now, as I write this letter, my hands are shaking. Of course, it’s not just me; the other senior sisters are the same.
To help the struggling senior sisters, I tried to buy more sweets with the money you sent.
But Senior Sister Hongryeon told me to save that money.
The reason I’m struggling to learn the new technique is due to my lack of inner strength, and to increase my inner strength, I need to obtain elixirs, which cannot be bought with just a few coins.
However, I’m left wondering if I can use the grace you’ve given me just for myself.
But, I guess I have to.
I need to get stronger.
I’ve heard that things outside are quite chaotic these days. I sincerely wish that the Red Star’s blessing is with you, Mister.
Basking in the moonlight, I think of you.
From Sayoon, disciple of Hongseong Sect.
P.S. Lately, there seems to be a shadow over the laughter of Senior Sister. Is she going through something tough despite being strong and a pillar of support for everyone? What on earth could it be?
I hope she finds someone to confide in, just like you, Mister, who extended a hand to me when I was nothing!
So that’s why the cute, round handwriting is slightly shaky. After all, even if it’s the easiest technique of the Hongseong Divine Art’s later stages, forcing it upon someone can only lead to difficulties.
Especially if her inner strength is lacking.
Indeed, what Sayoon urgently needs right now is inner strength.
I tapped the letter thoughtfully, nodded, then picked up the brush and quickly wrote down the contents.
It was around lunchtime when I was preparing for the midday business.
Normally, workers would come in early, demanding drinks and noodles, but today’s first guest was different.
She asked for wine and noodles, but today’s first customer was different.
The one who entered was a beautiful woman wearing the worn but clean attire of the Hongseong clan.
“Um… hello…”
As she hesitated with a shy expression, Jeomsoi approached her.
“You must be from Hongseong. This way, please. A reserved seat has been prepared for you.”
After hearing Hongryeon’s story yesterday, I had informed Jeomsoi. Perhaps that was why the hesitant woman’s expression brightened a bit.
“But… will it really be okay?”
“It’s fine.”
“Oh. Are you the innkeeper?”
With a somewhat awkward smile, the woman assumed a respectful posture.
“I am Ryuhyun, a disciple of Hongseong. I’ve brought my fellow disciples in place of Senior Sister Hongryeon.”
“Hmm? What about Nak-il-Geom?”
“Senior Sister said she can’t come today because she has work to do… Um, and…”
She let out a small sigh. Then, as her fellow disciples entered behind her, she shot a glance at her energetic sisters and mumbled in a very shy voice,
“Our tab…”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.”
“Thank you so much! How can I repay this kindness…”
“That matter has been resolved between Nak-il-Geom and me. There’s no need for you to worry, Ryuhyun.”
When I cut her off, she blushed but thanked me again.
In the meantime, the beautiful girls entered the reserved room like blooming flowers. After they went in, Ryuhyun followed them, and I shouted toward the kitchen.
“Bring out the prepared dishes!!”
“Yes!!”
A spirited shout responded from the back, and a moment later, Jeomsoi and others entered the reserved room with trays of food. First, simple porridge, followed by Ji-samseon, a dish made with eggplant and vegetables that boosts energy at Heavenly Bright Moon.
With every dish that entered the reserved room, cheers and whispers of admiration filled the air.
Just thinking that one of those dishes was for Sayoon made my heart swell with pride!
When the noisy, grand, and joy-filled meal had reached a certain point in its conclusion, the door creaked open, and the disciples of Hongseong emerged with satisfied expressions.
Among them, I noticed Sayoon holding hands with Yoohee, the girl I had seen last time, her eyes crinkling into a happy, melting smile.
She looked so happy.
With no worries, no shadows, just shining like a light.
At that moment, my eyes met Sayoon’s. Recognizing me, she widened her eyes slightly and tilted her head.
But my gaze didn’t waver, and she offered me another gentle smile, shyly lowering her head.
Ah.
So sweet…
So blissfully sweet…
Yes, this is what I wanted to see…
Now I am satisfied and experiencing enlightenment…
……
Wait, I just realized that I need more.
Give me more!!
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