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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The sight of her trying so earnestly to build a fire and prepare her bedding, despite her confident demeanor, tugged at my heartstrings. Once again, I offered to have a room prepared for them.
However, Sayoon and Yoohee, as if further apologetic for causing me trouble, politely declined.
These kids were stubborn as mules.
It was admirable that they didn’t take others’ kindness for granted, but their resoluteness saddened this old man’s heart a little.
“So, how is Oh Geum-hui doing?”
Still, I couldn’t let this golden opportunity to chat with Sayoon slip away. I lit a few torches in the backyard to ward off the chill and prepared some tea.
Perhaps sensing that accepting this much wouldn’t be overstepping, Sayoon sat by the bonfire, wrapping herself in a worn blanket that seemed to be from Hongseongmun, and accepted the tea I offered. Yoohee, declining with a smile, began her meditation.
“Are you finding the training difficult?”
“Not particularly.”
“That’s good. I’m finding it hard to grasp the Hongseong Style.”
Sayoon chuckled awkwardly, sticking her tongue out slightly, before turning her gaze to the bonfire. As she watched the crackling flames, she sighed softly.
“I’m worried… that someone as lacking as me is receiving such high expectations. Unlike them, I didn’t grow up eating rare herbs and training from a young age.”
“That’s true.”
“Senior Sister Hongryeon said she left because of me.”
I knew. But I also knew that Sayoon was seeking silence, so I simply nodded, keeping my lips sealed.
Was that the right call?
Sayoon cradled the teacup in her hands, taking small sips.
“Do you think… I can live up to their expectations?”
It seemed mastering the Meteor Palm technique was proving to be a significant challenge for her.
Glancing at the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes as she stared into the fire, I rose from my spot.
“Well, Sunset Sword believes in you. She left to help you improve. Perhaps instead of believing in yourself, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you should try believing in Sunset Sword, who believes in you?”
I stirred the fire with a poker. Sparks flew, and the potatoes and chestnuts we had buried in the ashes rolled out, perfectly roasted.
Setting them aside to cool, I rearranged the logs.
“And besides, you told me yourself, ‘Constant dripping wears away a stone.’ Just keep at it.”
“That’s… true.”
As her gaze shifted from me back to the fire, I skewered a potato with a twig and offered it to her.
“Here, have a late-night snack.”
“Oh, but…”
“It’s not like potatoes are expensive. I roasted plenty, more than enough for myself.”
“Th-thank you…”
“You too, Miss Yoo, stop pretending to meditate.”
“Huh? Ehe… How did you know?”
Yoohee, startled, opened her eyes and rose from her meditative posture with an awkward laugh. I handed her a potato as she approached and began peeling a roasted chestnut with a small knife.
“Your eyebrows were twitching, and your legs were fidgeting. What kind of meditation is that?”
“Ehehe…”
Yoohee chuckled, scratching the back of her head. As she started munching on the roasted potato with a sheepish grin…
…a voice rang out from above.
“Looks like you have time to spare in the middle of the night. Perhaps we should’ve sparred one more time.”
And with a leap, she landed gracefully beside us.
This time, she was properly dressed in pants. They weren’t her Moon Reflection Sect uniform, just regular clothes, but they suited her incredibly well, likely thanks to her amazing figure.
Strolling over with her long legs, she eyed the peeled chestnuts I had set aside.
“One chestnut for one silver coin…”
“Oh, come now. Just trying to be a good host and offering you some snacks.”
“Ehehe.”
Grinning mischievously, she popped a chestnut into her mouth. After polishing off the ones I had peeled, she helped herself to the unpeeled potatoes and chestnuts, then nonchalantly addressed Sayoon.
“Always be suspicious. Always be vigilant. Always think.”
“Yes?”
“Only when you see the essence will your hesitation disappear.”
“…Thank you.”
“Although Moon Reflection Sect and Hongseongmun might be rivals, we are united under the banner of the righteous factions.”
She puffed out her chest, her demeanor a mix of pride and arrogance.
“Therefore, I can’t help but offer guidance to a hardworking junior.”
“Oh…”
“Oh…”
“Oh…”
Sayoon, Yoohee, and I all exclaimed in unison.
Seeing our reactions, her smugness only intensified.
In moments like this, she truly resembled a formidable master of the righteous factions.
Well, she would, if it weren’t for the smudges of soot all over her face from the roasted potatoes and chestnuts.
“Perhaps you should clean up first before imparting wisdom, Miss Chae.”
I offered her a handkerchief from my pocket.
As if just noticing her state, Chaejin flushed with embarrassment and began wiping her face. Once she regained her composure, looking every bit the haughty master again, Yoohee spoke up, her gaze darting between us.
“You two seem rather close, Miss Chae, Innkeeper Yoo.”
Chaejin and I exchanged glances before replying in unison.
“Not at all.”
We were simply bound by a contract, nothing more.
I glanced at Chaejin indifferently before turning my attention to Sayoon.
Perhaps lost in contemplation of Chaejin’s words, she sat silently, her gaze fixed on the dancing flames.
“Impressive concentration… Excellent. Say, you’re from Hongseongmun, correct, Miss Yoo?”
“Yes?”
“I heard Hongryeon went to search for rare herbs for you.”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… Perhaps I should get some for my little sister as well… But she’s such a brat…”
It seemed witnessing Sayoon’s focus had sparked a competitive spirit in her.
Chaejin set down the remaining chestnuts and moved to a corner, settling into a meditative posture with her eyes closed.
Seriously? Can a bodyguard really just… do that?
I sighed inwardly, glancing between her and Sayoon before turning to Yoohee, who, equally unsure of how to react, simply closed her eyes as well.
Oh well.
I couldn’t exactly interrupt Sayoon’s concentration.
After observing her for a while longer, I retreated to my room.
Hopefully, she’d gain some insight from this.
Considerable time had passed since the first demonic dog incident.
Aside from the discovery of a few more dogs and minor injuries sustained by a couple of patrolmen, there had been no major incidents.
Thanks to the increased patrols, which now included disciples from Hongseongmun, the damage had been minimal, and there hadn’t been any sightings of the demonic dogs in days.
Perhaps that was why…
…the initial sense of alarm that had gripped Seonhwachon Village was gradually dissipating.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
That didn’t mean the security detail had been lifted, of course.
Though we rotated shifts, there were days when Sayoon was assigned to protect me, and I couldn’t help but wish for the demonic dog incidents to cease entirely.
Not that I wanted them to stay away permanently, of course.
I had asked Sayoon, who was part of my protection detail for this rotation, to spar with me as part of Oh Geum-hui’s training regimen. I could feel a surge of energy coursing through my body, a testament to the efficacy of cultivating internal energy.
Combined with the daily Tai Chi lessons I received from the self-proclaimed ‘Tai Chi Master’ Chaejin, I felt more physically fit than ever before.
Chaejin had mentioned a few days ago that if I kept training at this rate, I might even manage to form a dantian…
Well, that wasn’t important.
What was important was the increasingly troubled look on Sayoon’s face with each passing day.
“You seem troubled, Sayoon.”
“Haha… I can’t hide anything from you, Innkeeper Yoo. Yes… I haven’t been able to grasp the true essence of the Meteor Palm technique…”
I had been sending her letters containing koans, hoping to guide her towards enlightenment… but was it not enough?
Tsk, if only Hongryeon were here, she could have guided her properly.
This was why self-study was so difficult.
“I think I’m almost there… but there’s this one last piece…”
That was when it happened.
BOOOOM!! CRASH!! BOOOOM!! CRASH!! BOOOOM!! CRASH!!
A series of thunderous explosions ripped through the air, originating from different directions.
Sayoon and I turned towards the sound, and Ryuhyn, who had been browsing goods inside the trading company, rushed out.
“What was that?!”
At that moment, Chaejin descended gracefully from the rooftop. Gone was the airheaded girl from earlier. Clad in her form-fitting Moon Reflection Sect uniform, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, she exuded an aura of lethal focus.
Her eyes were sharp, a glint of ferocity within their depths. Her honed muscles spoke of power, a power capable of cutting through anything.
And beneath it all, a steadfast spirit kept that power in check.
A true warrior stood before me.
“Explosions like that… It means there’s more than one demonic dog…”
“Then you know what you have to do. Go, obliterate them.”
The constant patrols were tiring out the guards, and the disciples from Hongseongmun couldn’t train properly while stationed here.
My goal was to prevent the destruction of Hongseongmun.
And to do that, I needed this situation resolved quickly. I needed those demonic dogs captured.
It was a shame I wouldn’t be able to see Sayoon for a while… but it couldn’t be helped.
“As you command!!”
The moment I gave my consent, Chaejin vanished in a blur, her lightness skill carrying her swiftly into the distance. Ryuhyn, drawing her own weapon, followed suit.
“Sayoon, stay here with the Innkeeper, just in case.”
“Yes!!”
As Ryuhyn, too, disappeared with a burst of speed, Sayoon glanced at me, her expression a mixture of concern and determination.
“You seem troubled, Innkeeper. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Senior Sister Ryuhyn and Miss Chae are both very strong…”
It was then that we noticed him.
A figure clad in black, face concealed behind a mask, was slowly approaching from the back entrance leading into the courtyard.
“What the…”
Sayoon instinctively stepped forward, shielding me slightly.
A chilling killing intent emanated from the figure in black.
Perhaps he had been waiting for Chaejin and Ryuhyn to leave.
“You are Yoo Yuwol, the Innkeeper, correct?”
His voice was cold, devoid of emotion. His icy gaze bore into me as he slowly drew the sword sheathed behind his back.
“Come with me, and I’ll spare your life.”
“Who are you to threaten Innkeeper Yoo?!”
The figure didn’t respond, but I already knew his affiliation.
The bone emblem emblazoned on his chest was a dead giveaway.
In “Heaven and Moon,” those who bore that mark were members of the Demonic Bone Group, a sect of sword-wielding antagonists. Defeating them yielded bone emblems, which could be exchanged for rewards at the Murim Alliance.
Judging by the emblem’s placement on his chest, he was most likely the lowest rank…
…but even so, he was not to be underestimated.
“Be careful, Sayoon. He’s stronger than Gakjun.”
Even the lowest-ranking member of the Demonic Bone Group was a cut above Gakjun.
“As expected of the wealthiest man in Seonhwachon. A keen eye for talent. Gakjun is nothing but trash compared to me.”
A flicker of amusement crossed his eyes. It wasn’t particularly surprising. Still, if this arrogance made him underestimate us, it played in our favor.
“Haaa…”
Sayoon inhaled slowly, her breath steady and controlled. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword, drawn at some point. The Demonic Bone member remained unfazed, casually leveling his dagger at her.
“Let’s see what this famed Hongseong Style is all about.”
Seriously? To say that to Sayoon, the youngest of Hongseongmun, instead of Hongryeon? What a disrespectful punk.
I’d like to have a word with his parents.
“Stay back, Innkeeper.”
Sayoon shot forward like an arrow. Aiming for a swift victory, her strike was blindingly fast.
However…
CLANG!!
A sharp, metallic clang echoed as Sayoon’s sword was deflected upwards. Before she could react to the sudden shift in momentum, the masked man kicked her back with brutal force.
Thud.
With a sickening thud and a gasp of pain, Sayoon crashed to the ground. The moment she did, the masked man flung his dagger at me.
I dodged.
If I hadn’t been training with Chaejin, Sayoon, and the Hongseongmun disciples, it would have embedded itself in my shoulder.
But I had dodged.
Sure, I might not be able to count properly, but I had learned from the best (self-proclaimed or not). This much was child’s play.
The masked man stared at me, flabbergasted, his lips moving soundlessly before he finally sputtered out,
“…The reports stated you couldn’t use martial arts.”
“Time for an update. Now’s your chance!!”
“What?!”
I shouted, my gaze fixed on a point behind him. The masked man whipped around, searching for the source of my distraction.
Behind him stood the inn’s handyman, looking utterly bewildered, a broom clutched awkwardly in his hand.
“You…!”
THUD!!
Seizing the opportunity, Sayoon, who had been lying on the ground, sprang to her feet and thrust her sword forward with lightning speed.
Caught off guard, the masked man, who had assumed her down for the count, couldn’t react in time. Sayoon’s sword pierced his chest with a sickening squelch.
“Gah…!”
Blood splattered. His face drained of color.
His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. A wave of relief washed over me as I watched him struggle to breathe.
He wouldn’t be getting up anytime soon.
As the shock and disbelief in the Demonic Bone member’s eyes slowly faded, I drawled,
“Never let your guard down in a fight.”
“How… how…?”
His gaze shifted to Sayoon, the question evident in his eyes. How could she have recovered so quickly after taking such a blow?
Truth be told, I was surprised as well.
But then I remembered the look in her eyes as she had met my gaze while falling. A spark of defiance, fueled by something… else.
As I watched, curious, Sayoon winced slightly, rubbing her chest where she had been kicked, before mustering a weak smile.
“Well… someone gave me some advice…”
Someone?
Me?
It had to be me, right?
“I had a feeling this might happen, so I asked Senior Sister Ryuhyn to teach me some of the Hongseong Style’s defensive techniques.”
Good thinking!
I resisted the urge to pat her head, my self-control stretched to its limit.
“In any case, it seems I wasn’t their only target… and the villagers could be in danger.”
Sayoon’s expression turned grim, mirroring my own thoughts.
We both knew what she was thinking.
Should she stay put and wait for the others to return? Or should she venture out and help those in danger?
Ryuhyn had ordered her to stay by my side.
Sensing her internal conflict, I decided to intervene.
“I’m going to see if there’s anyone I can help. How about… you join me?”
“If you permit it, Innkeeper.”
Her eyes sparkled with a mix of determination and gratitude.
Though she was but the youngest member of Hongseongmun, she didn’t hesitate for a moment when presented with the opportunity to help others, to live up to the ideals of a martial artist.
Ah…
This was what we, what all fifty million members of the Sayoon fan club, loved about her.
Even in the face of hardship and adversity…
Even when faced with unreasonable suffering…
She never gave up. It was this unwavering spirit that had captivated us all.
And so…
“Then let’s go.”
…how could I possibly refuse?
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