LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 96
After finishing the meeting with Yu Wol, the expression on Sword Saint Na Yerin’s face as she returned to the inn with the Cheongsa-hwan was noticeably brighter than before. Perhaps that’s why? Hongryeon, who had been waiting after finishing her patrol, couldn’t contain her curiosity.
“Looks like you’re curious about what happened?”
“Hahaha…”
As Hongryeon chuckled awkwardly, Sayoon, who was sitting next to her, also flashed a smile. She had been quite intrigued during the patrol.
“Let’s go back and talk about it.”
As dinner time arrived and everyone gathered, Na Yerin took a deep breath. It seemed she needed to start by discussing what she had received first.
“You remember the fight against the Snake Pasture, right?”
“Yes.”
After finishing their meal and all gathering around to nibble on mooncakes, Na Yerin took a sip of tea and began to speak.
With everyone’s attention focused on her, she presented a box.
“I received three Cheongsa-hwan.”
“That’s great!”
Cheongsa-hwan was an elixir that even Hongryeon recognized. Often used in the dark arts, it wasn’t taboo in the righteous sect.
However, since consuming it even once would drastically weaken its effects upon later use, it was common sense to only take it once in a while, and everyone in the Hongseong Clan knew this well.
“Who among us hasn’t taken the Cheongsa-hwan yet?”
“Hyunhwi, Yoohee, Ryu Gang, and Sayoon.”
“Right. Since I received three Cheongsa-hwan from him… who should take them?”
At that moment, Hyunhwi slowly raised her hand.
“Right now, I think enlightenment and training are more important than elixirs.”
“True. You’ve been stuck in the later stages of the Hongseong Divine Art’s Yu Gang form, haven’t you?”
It’s not just about having a high inner strength; appropriate enlightenment and training are crucial together. Hyunhwi believed her situation required enlightenment and training rather than boosting her inner strength with an elixir.
Despite being blunt, Hyunhwi naturally decided to relinquish the elixir.
“But Hyunhwi, what about…”
“Yes. I can take it later.”
“I’m fine too. So far in the secret arts…”
“I took an elixir last time. Everything has its time and place, and the elixir is better suited for those who are young and have less inner strength.”
Ryu Gang, Yoohee, and Sayoon were flustered, but Hyunhwi remained firm. She looked at Na Yerin, who nodded approvingly.
“Then Hyunhwi will focus on my guidance for a while. And Ryu Gang, Yoohee, Sayoon. I can sense from the last battle that you three lack inner strength.”
As Na Yerin spoke in a gentle tone, the three of them nodded. If it was about martial arts, her words were absolute.
Ultimately, when the Cheongsa-hwan was given to them, Na Yerin had Sayoon take the elixir first.
“Alright. I’ll draw out your energy. Sayoon, you go first.”
“Yes, Master.”
After swallowing the Cheongsa-hwan, Na Yerin placed a hand on Sayoon’s head and spoke calmly.
At that moment, a storm of energy from the elixir spread throughout her body and concentrated in her Dantian.
Completing the absorption of the elixir’s effects, which would have taken quite a while alone, Na Yerin then spoke to the other two.
“Let’s go, you too.”
Ryu Gang and Yoohee also took Cheongsa-hwan with the help of the Sword Saint.
It was definitely an elixir, and they could feel their inner power increasing just from taking it.
Seeing the calm expressions of the three, the Sword Saint sipped tea.
“The increase in your inner power means you need more training and enlightenment. Make sure to devote yourself to training from now on.”
“Yes! Master!”
“And I heard from Innkeeper Yoo that… a mountain leopard might appear here soon.”
When he relayed the story he heard from the old Taoist, Hongryeon was taken aback. The mountain leopard was a very rare evil monster that even Hongryeon had only encountered once.
They hadn’t even managed to catch it, and now it was said to be appearing nearby.
“The tail of the mountain leopard is surely…”
“Right. It’s a material for making Hyunwungap. Of course, he said it’s a possibility, but we can’t let that slip by.”
The Sword Saint was serious, and the other disciples took it earnestly as well.
“There will be many who are targeting the mountain leopard.”
“Well, then we must be more cautious in our movements. From now on, let the disciples focus more on searching around Seomhwa Village. Also, carry talismans with you at all times.”
“Uh… but Master, did you discuss that with Innkeeper Yoo?”
At Hongryeon’s question, the Sword Saint smiled slightly.
“Yes. I heard a few more things as well. I’ve talked to various people while wandering the village.”
“I see… hehehe. He’s a good person, right?”
Thinking for a moment at Hongryeon’s words, the Sword Saint nodded with a slight smile and said very earnestly:
“Yes. A very good person indeed.”
—
After dinner at Hongseong, training continued.
Especially today, the three who had taken the elixir had no choice but to work harder. With their inner power increased, they could grasp techniques they hadn’t been able to before.
“Haap!”
Sayoon kicked into the air, twisting her body. As she struck down with her fist, she spun the sword she had caught backward and sliced through the air.
The shimmering red sword energy blooming from the shaking tip of the sword mixed with the light emitted by the sword, brightly illuminating the dark training ground of Hongseong.
“Not bad.”
Before long, the Sword Saint had approached. Only then did they relax their focus and look around; Ryu Gang and Yoohee were already resting, sweating, as they had received guidance from the Sword Saint.
“Thank you!”
“You’re a bit clumsy with the backflow twist. Your grip on the sword is too tense. I know you feel powerful from the increase in inner power.”
Lightly gripping a wooden sword, the Sword Saint demonstrated the technique Sayoon had last performed, slicing through the darkness with a beautiful clarity that Sayoon found incredibly graceful.
“Try it again.”
“Yes!”
Sayoon gripped the sword and focused, executing the technique. Compared to the Sword Saint, it was clumsy, but it was a sufficiently beautiful and strong technique.
“Excellent. You’ve grown since the last battle.”
“Thanks to Master and the guidance of my Senior Sisters.”
“Yes. So, I’m saying this: Can you accompany Hongryeon and Hyunhwi to Cheongho for a short while this winter?”
“Eh? Cheongho, you mean…”
“I heard you’re off to Moonjeong.”
Moonjeong.
The sect of Doje, the nemesis of Hongseong.
When the Sword Saint mentioned it, Sayoon tilted her head.
“I’m fine with going, but…”
“Hongseong Divine Art is a strong martial art. But to grow stronger, you need to try other martial arts as well.”
That’s not wrong. Just like she had done, Doje would gladly share their teachings with the disciple they send, without any burdens.
Just as she had dealt with Hongryeon, Ryuhyun, and the other disciples she’d sent before.
“It’ll be a good experience for you. Plus, you’ve gotten closer to Chaeran from Moonjeong, right?”
“Uh… Yes.”
“Think of it as visiting a friend’s house. Just go. I’m sure it’ll help you.”
At the Sword Saint’s suggestion, Sayoon thought for a moment and nodded.
“Yes!”
*
A few days had passed since meeting the Sword Saint.
As usual, the doorbell rang, and the postman arrived with a few letters and a couple of boxes. They were from the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild.
“Oh?”
It was from Sayoon. Hadn’t she just sent one without a reply?
I opened the box joyfully and took out a letter sitting next to a smaller box.
“Please understand that I’m sending this before I receive your reply, Mister.
There’s something I really want to tell you!
I remember mentioning a big fight in Seomhwa Village a while ago in my previous letter.
You remember too, right?
It was really tough and scary, but it was a fight to protect Seomhwa Village, and we won.
I thought it was only natural for me to do what I did. But surprisingly, I received rewards for it!
Apparently, it was sent by Lord Yeonju of the notorious Sahakryeon, who is like the leader of the bandits.
Honestly, I was a bit surprised. I assumed that the Sahakryeon lord, known for being as fearsome as the deity we fought last time, would be unyielding…
But realizing that he can show gratitude even while being from Sahakryeon, does that mean they know a thing or two about justice and loyalty?
Anyway, our Hongseong received the Cheongsa-hwan elixir as a reward.
And, I’m really grateful and shy because I was given that Cheongsa-hwan.
Thanks to that, my inner strength has increased, and so has my martial arts skill.
Wouldn’t that make you happy, Mister, who’s always helping me?
I hope that when I become stronger and meet you someday, I’ll have the power to protect you.
This winter, I’m going to Moonjeong with Senior Disciple Hongryeon and Senior Disciple Hyunhwi. You know Moonjeong, right? It’s the sect that competes with our Hongseong… and it’s where Chaeran, whom I mentioned before, is staying.
The reason for going is to seek teachings from Doje, a martial artist as strong as our Master.
Honestly, I’m looking forward to that, but I’m also excited to see Cheongho, as I’ve never been there.
I heard from Senior Disciple Yoohee that Cheongho is so large and blue that it’s said dragons once lived there. Is it really that much?
Have you ever been to Cheongho, Mister?
Hehe. I’ll go this time and surely tell you my impressions of Cheongho.
And I’ll send you a gift. They say Cheongho is famous for its fabrics, so how about I make a perfume pouch out of it to send you? Oh, or maybe a scarf or some gloves would be nice too.”
“How about making a pouch and sending it to you? Oh, or perhaps a scarf or gloves would be nice too.
I learned it from Senior Sister Hongryeon a little while ago! If there’s anything you’d like, please let me know in the next letter!
The days are getting colder. My internal energy is gradually increasing, so I can withstand the cold a bit, but I’m worried about whether you’ll be okay, Mister.
P.S.
I’ll send you a little more Chunilmaehwa tea so you can stay healthy and avoid catching a cold.
They say drinking Chunilmaehwa tea warms the body and helps prevent colds. Next time, I’ll learn how to make a different tea and send that as well.
I closed the letter and put it in the safe, then took out the jar of Chunilmaehwa tea from the box.
I still had some left from the last batch they sent, but they’re sending more? Guess I’ll have to drink it diligently.
By the way, heading to Moonjeong…
Should I consider it similar to what Chaejin learned from the Sword Saint?
“…Huh?”
Wait a second.
If I’m going to Cheongho for personal reasons from Hongseong, I won’t be taking the official path…
“Then if I take a slight detour on the way there, isn’t the Murim Alliance along the route?”
If Hongryeon joins, we’ll definitely stop by the Murim Alliance on the way.
It’s only a little detour, and visiting the Murim Alliance would be a good experience, so I’m sure Sayoon wouldn’t mind tagging along…
I leaned against the window holding my smoke stick.
While I was lost in thought, I saw silhouettes coming in from the backyard.
It was Sayoon and Hyunhwi, who had come for their patrol.
I put the smoke stick down and went downstairs immediately.
“Hello.”
“Ah! Hello!”
“Greetings.”
The stoic Hyunhwi politely greeted me and then went inside to prepare the journal.
Sayoon, left alone, seemed to have something to say, hesitating before approaching me and softly asking.
“Um… Innkeeper, are you… busy this winter?”
“Busy in winter?”
It’s not like I’m farming or doing land reclamation, so there wouldn’t be anything particularly busy.
Besides, I don’t need to be involved in the development of Seomhwa Village anymore, so I should have quite a bit of free time…
“U-um, yes. You see.”
Sayoon smiled awkwardly.
“This winter, I’m going to Cheongho. Senior Sister Hongryeon mentioned it this morning…”
“What about it?”
“She said there’s the Murim Alliance on the way there, and we could stop by… But you see, I mentioned before that I wanted to bring you along when we visited the Murim Alliance.”
“Right.”
“…If it’s okay with you, could you join us? This time, I’ll cover the travel expenses! The leftover money from selling the pouch and medicinal herbs was given to us as pocket money by Senior Sister, so I’ve saved it up instead of spending it!”
Sayoon, flailing her arms and legs in excitement, looked at me with hopeful eyes.
Ah. How do I resist this?
“Thanks for the invitation. I’ll go along too.”
Sayoon smiled brightly.
And I smiled internally as well.