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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Wild animals often lose their lives due to a single moment of carelessness.
Therefore, they are cautious in all things and sharpen their vigilance.
The survival of the fittest in the wild, where mistakes and complacency lead to death.
The world of martial arts was not much different.
To climb to the top, to survive, one had to make countless efforts, but a single mistake could lead to losing everything.
That’s why Hongryeon had no choice but to teach Sayoon the latter half of the Hongseong Divine Art, even though it was a bit early.
She didn’t know who had sent those letters to her, but if he was involved in the martial world, Sayoon needed a way to protect herself.
Of course, she didn’t teach her the Greatsword Style, the most powerful, difficult, and core part of the Hongseong Divine Art. To pass it down, she needed her master’s permission, and Sayoon didn’t have enough internal energy to handle it anyway.
No matter how talented Sayoon was, it hadn’t been long since she became a disciple of the Hongseong Sect.
Moreover, she hadn’t been accumulating internal energy from a young age like the other disciples.
Therefore, increasing Sayoon’s internal energy was essential to accelerating her growth.
But would internal energy increase so easily? Even if the Hongseong Divine Art was a supreme martial art, its growth in the early stages was bound to be slow unless it was a demonic art.
“Haa…”
Thoughts galloped like wild horses in her mind.
To calm her thoughts, Hongryeon prepared her master’s meal and headed to the training ground, silently swinging her sword.
Despite her efforts, her thoughts remained as heavy as the sunset that painted the sky red.
Usually, she would become thoughtless when she practiced her swordsmanship, but strangely, it was proving difficult to clear her mind today.
Finally, she stopped swinging her greatsword, closed her eyes tightly, and reminisced about the past.
The bittersweet memories that helped to ground her whenever she felt lost.
Recalling those memories, Hongryeon focused her mind.
It was after Sayoon received that mysterious letter and silver coin.
There were still countless factions in the martial world who wanted to use the Hongseong Sect, and there were plenty of people who tried to use the Sword Saint’s power through false information and threats.
See, there were all sorts of letters claiming danger to the hidden forces of the martial world, to the Martial Alliance, to the Demonic Sect, and demanding help to stop them.
And amidst all that, the youngest had been approached as well, so it was only natural for her to be troubled.
“Sigh…”
So, she taught Sayoon the Star Shattering Palm, a little earlier than usual, just in case. Fortunately, she was talented and learned it quickly.
No, it was more than just learning it quickly. She completely mastered it.
Now, she had a blade to protect herself with.
However, the unease remained and quickly manifested into a disturbing reality.
When the disciples who went to Seomhwa Village reported what happened that day, she laughed outwardly, but her heart skipped a beat.
The story of how the youngest fought Gak-jun of the Sly Wolves and emerged victorious.
It was an incredible story.
Even though Gak-jun was just a mercenary from the evil faction, he was a skilled master, known even in the Martial Alliance.
And such a master was defeated by Sayoon?
Even with help, it was a remarkable feat.
Sayoon’s talent was undeniable. If she had been born into a prestigious family and trained from a young age, she might have been as strong as her, or even stronger.
But reality was different.
She was a beggar orphan, and her potential hadn’t been nurtured properly.
It was such a waste.
If only she had more internal energy.
If she had been raised in a good family and trained from a young age…
Then her growth would have been much faster.
“Ah.”
Regret, burden, and hatred for the unfairness of the world.
Perhaps due to those negative emotions, the Hongseong Divine Art within her dantian stirred, its ferocity attempting to pull her back into the past.
Hongryeon clenched her teeth and calmed it down. The Ominous Star was powerful, but it was also ruthless. If she wasn’t careful, she could be consumed by it.
She had to control it with cold rationality.
As the dormant Ominous Star coursed through her meridians, immense power gathered in her greatsword.
Sunset.
A nickname she earned because she possessed the power to bring down even the sun in the sky.
However, even with such power,
Even after leading the Hongseong Sect as the senior disciple for so long,
She was still only in her twenties, a young woman by any standard.
That’s why she couldn’t help but agonize over things that were beyond her experience and knowledge.
-Rumble…!!!
Greatsword Style, latter half of the Hongseong Divine Art.
Gale.
Fierce, red internal energy enveloped her greatsword, becoming a wind that could destroy everything.
Hongryeon, who had nearly perfected most of the Greatsword Style of the Hongseong Divine Art, swung her sword powerfully with a glint in her eye.
-Clang!!
Each swing of her greatsword, as swift as the wind, sent dust flying across the training ground. And what blocked those attacks was none other than Hongryeon’s own sword.
She gathered even more internal energy, leaped into the air, and brought her greatsword crashing down onto the ground.
-Boom!!
Meteor Fall.
A technique she had to master to learn Meteor Blossom, the final ultimate technique of the Greatsword Style of the Hongseong Divine Art.
As the incomplete technique, one even Hongryeon hadn’t fully mastered, was unleashed, powerful energy radiated from the center of the training ground.
Like a destructive ominous star descending from the heavens and ravaging the earth, a single strike created a large crater in the ground. Hongryeon gasped for breath.
She gritted her teeth as she felt her heightened internal energy calm down and return to her dantian.
Internal energy.
That was the problem.
She and the other disciples had been training and accumulating internal energy since they were young, so mastering the Hongseong Divine Art wasn’t a big issue for them.
But what about Sayoon?
Unlike them, the Sword Saint had brought her in as a disciple after finding her as an orphan. As a result, she missed out on the crucial training and elixir consumption that were most effective during childhood.
So, she had to accumulate internal energy steadily, but that method was too slow.
And she knew the solution.
According to the information she had gathered while working with the Martial Alliance, there was a hidden secret realm not far from here, and most secret realms contained elixirs that could be obtained by clearing them.
Although she didn’t know the quality of the elixir, even a weak elixir would be of great help to Sayoon in her current state.
But what if she went there herself?
Secret realms weren’t places you could just visit for a day trip.
Of course, she had trustworthy junior disciples and her master, so the Hongseong Sect wouldn’t be in any immediate danger, but the problem was the management.
They had expenses everywhere, and the money she received from the Martial Alliance had already been spent on repairs and maintenance.
To make up for it, she had to take on missions, hunt monsters, or fight bandits…
But then she wouldn’t have time to visit the secret realm.
Two rabbits.
Two swift rabbits running in opposite directions, and she had to catch them both at the same time.
“Ugh…”
Hongryeon groaned and closed her eyes tightly.
There was a way to catch both rabbits.
Of course, it wouldn’t be without a price.
She was the senior disciple of the Hongseong Sect, the eldest sister who led everyone.
So,
She was willing to swallow her pride.
Recalling the memory of the decision she made back then, Hongryeon couldn’t help but smile slightly.
To catch both rabbits, she steeled herself to set aside her pride and headed to the inn and store in Seomhwa Village.
From various perspectives, Yu Wol, the owner of the inn, seemed quite favorable towards the Hongseong Sect.
It felt rather demeaning to take advantage of his kindness and ask for an unreasonable favor, but…
This shame was hers alone.
It was her burden to bear, not the Hongseong Sect’s.
However, thought and action were two different things.
In the end, she hesitated for a long time, and when she finally managed to voice her request, he smiled and said,
“We’re not strangers. I can do that much for you.”
Not strangers.
Why weren’t they strangers?
Even though she had helped him before, she hadn’t actually done much.
Even though he had received help from her youngest, he had already paid for it.
And yet they weren’t strangers?
Hongryeon looked at the man.
The emotions in his stoic eyes were…
Too pure to be greed,
Too bright to be lust.
The light in his eyes held only a strong will to achieve his goals.
And that will was filled with nothing but concern and worry.
Under his gaze, Hongryeon couldn’t help but swallow nervously.
As the senior disciple of the Hongseong Sect, she had to lead many junior disciples.
She had to lead the Hongseong Sect in place of her master, who was practically useless in everyday matters, so she had to grow up faster than others.
She couldn’t afford to be weak because she was the Sword Saint’s disciple.
She had to be strong because she was the pillar of support for many junior disciples.
It was only natural for her to be an adult, to be a pillar of strength.
So, this massive wall that she could lean on…
His gaze, filled with genuine concern and worry, not greed like the others she had met, was refreshing.
That’s why she thought,
I’m lucky.
This is truly fortunate.
That someone like him views the Hongseong Sect favorably.
Yes.
That’s all.
The weight of the anxiety that had been lingering in Hongryeon’s heart lessened, if only slightly, because…
“Senior Sister, we’re back.”
A cheerful voice pulled her out of the sea of sweet memories.
The child who stood comfortably before an adult became an elder sister to many younger siblings in an instant.
But even just indulging in those memories for a moment eased the burden on her mind, and Hongryeon smiled.
With this, I can do more.
It was bittersweet to swallow her pride, but if she remembered the sweetness of having an adult she could rely on…
I can be a better elder sister.
So,
There’s no reason
“Hahaha!! Welcome back! Did you all enjoy your meal?!”
To waver.
After her junior disciples returned to their quarters, and she returned to her own room, Ryuhyeon entered, carrying a large bundle in her hand.
As she unwrapped it, a smile naturally appeared on her face. There were cold dishes that were still delicious even when cold, and several dishes that just needed to be reheated in the sect’s kitchen.
“What’s this?”
“We asked them to pack the dishes we didn’t eat, to give to you, Senior Sister.”
Should I call them thoughtful or shameless?
Hongryeon chuckled, looking at the dishes before her. Ryuhyeon held out a plate.
“Innkeeper Yu was looking for you too. And you especially love crab porridge, right? And everyone loves dried meat and ginseng. The braised beef… well, it’s not bad, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
She laughed at their unnecessary concern. But it wasn’t a bad feeling.
Perhaps it was because she knew their intentions were pure?
Yes, it must be that.
“…He sure is worried about unnecessary things. I can eat anything.”
“You didn’t come with us because you were looking after Master. So…”
“Right. Well, I’ll have to thank him personally.”
Hongryeon replied curtly, trying to hide the fluttering in her chest.
The sweetness of the past was tickling her heart.
Ryuhyeon, smiling wryly at her complex emotions, thought for a moment and then spoke seriously.
“By the way… that innkeeper Yu Wol…”
“Hmm? What about him?”
“His gaze was a bit strange.”
“Hmm…?”
That couldn’t be. From her perspective, Yu Wol wasn’t a bad person.
No, at least, he wasn’t the type to harbor ill intentions towards young girls who were much younger than him.
As Hongryeon looked at her questioningly, Ryuhyeon frowned and thought for a moment.
“No, it wasn’t a pedophilic or lecherous look. It was… how should I describe it?”
Ryuhyeon struggled to find the right words. The gaze she saw briefly before leaving the inn…
Yu Wol’s gaze towards Sayoon was…
Yes.
That was it.
“You know how we go home when we get a day off?”
“Yes.”
“It… was similar to how my father looked at me after I finished eating.”
“Like your father’s gaze…”
“There was no lust, just… concern and relief? You know, that embarrassing kind of look?”
“Why?”
“Well… I wouldn’t know, would I? Oh, come to think of it, Sayoon saved that innkeeper Yu Wol before, right? Maybe that’s why?”
“Hmm…”
Was that all there was to it?
Hongryeon’s thoughts deepened.
And then,
“Senior Sister, a letter arrived from the Courier’s Guild.”
“Okay, come in.”
Speak of the devil. Sayoon, whom they were just talking about, entered the room with Yoohee, carrying a basket filled with letters and boxes.
Hongryeon gestured to Ryuhyeon, signaling that they would continue their conversation later, and then her gaze fell on the basket.
There, she found a familiar-looking box.
“He sent another one.”
“Oh, wow…”
This was the third time. As Sayoon’s face brightened, Hongryeon patted her head.
As expected, the sender’s name was missing again.
“Let’s open it.”
Sayoon broke the seal and opened the box. As usual, there was a silver coin and a letter inside.
Sayoon stared at them for a moment and then unfolded the letter.
Unlike before, she just tilted her head in puzzlement.
“Huh… this is…”
“What is it?”
Hongryeon and Ryuhyeon both turned their gaze towards the letter in Sayoon’s hand. And both froze.
Because,
The letter contained a map.
And it was…
“…A map of Mount Hongseong?”
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