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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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“Do you know what’s needed to make Hong Seong-mun stronger?”
A familiar, nostalgic voice echoed.
The Sword Saint slowly raised her head to look at the figure before her. A middle-aged woman, much taller than herself, was wielding a greatsword, enveloped in the scent of tobacco.
Despite the speed of her swings, blurring the massive blade, not even the sound of its movement could be heard—a testament to perfect control.
And so, Na Ye-rin clearly heard the voice of her master, a figure who had been like a mother to her.
“You will surely make Hong Seong-mun stronger than it is now. While upholding Hong Seong’s ideals.”
It was what she always said. Making Hong Seong-mun the strongest sect in Murim, not just in name, but also in influence.
Of course, they were still young and couldn’t do much at the time. Just like Senior Disciple, all she knew was how to wield a sword.
Yet, their master always looked at them with shining eyes, painting a picture of the future.
The freely spinning greatsword was plunged into the ground. The Sword Saint, watching her master look down, unkempt hair and all, squeezed her eyes shut.
Ah…
A nostalgic memory.
A happy memory.
“If you join forces, Hong Seong-mun will undoubtedly become stronger.”
Back then, she…
At her master’s request…
“…Of course! Master!”
she had replied as if it were a matter of course.
And she had thought it would naturally come to pass.
With Senior Disciple, surely… they would succeed.
.
.
.
It was a different dream, not the usual nightmare.
Slowly rising, the Sword Saint, still disoriented, looked around without even brushing back her hair. A small, shabby room filled with old belongings.
Though unbefitting for the sect leader of Hong Seong-mun, the room felt intimately familiar to Na Ye-rin.
The small box was the only thing out of place in the familiar scene.
The Sword Saint picked up the palm-sized bamboo leaf box, opened it, and stared at the fist-sized confection inside, her mind slowly piecing together the memory.
What was this…? Her sleep-addled mind gradually cleared.
Right. She had received it yesterday.
She had been invited to the Seomhwa Village inn by its owner, Yuwol, as a thank you for assisting with the duel’s judging.
She couldn’t refuse such a gesture.
It was a personal expression of gratitude to her, the Sword Saint, not to the sect leader of Hong Seong-mun.
So, she accepted and attempted to select two of her hardworking disciples, but they all recommended Hong-ryeon and Sayun.
The reasoning was obvious – the eldest, Hong-ryeon, deserved a delicious meal, and they wanted the youngest, Sayun, to have the extra nourishment.
Such kind and sweet children.
The Sword Saint chuckled softly.
But as her thoughts reached this point, her expression slowly hardened. She recalled the conversation she’d had with Yu-wol that night.
He wanted to develop Seomhwa Village.
He had established a sword and shield unit, brought in a talisman maker, and employed someone skilled in medicinal cuisine.
And from what she heard from Hong-ryeon, he was also dealing with the Cheonghoe Merchant Guild to supply good iron to the unit, and then provide the resulting weapons and armor to Hong Seong-mun at a low price.
And perhaps that wasn’t the end of it. The Yuwol she knew was a capable man.
Not only that, he knew when to give and when to take, and he was also adept at dealing with officials.
If he set his mind to it, growing Seomhwa Village several times its current size might be an easy task.
The Sword Saint sighed. It reminded her of someone who had spoken of similar things in the past.
It was always like this. Whenever she returned from seeing her master and talked with Senior Disciple, they would enthusiastically discuss plans to strengthen and grow Hong Seong-mun.
Honestly, she hadn’t understood half of what they said.
But she liked it.
She liked the way Senior Disciple’s eyes would shine.
She liked the way her master would watch them with a satisfied look.
She liked the way they looked towards Hong Seong-mun’s future.
She liked the way they shared their grand dreams with her, someone who only knew how to wield a sword.
And…
She liked the way they extended a hand, inviting her to join their dream.
“Ha…”
A deep sigh escaped her lips. Or was it a sigh? Perhaps it was the lingering regret and longing within her.
After her heavy sigh, she reached out and took a small bite of the sweet confection from the bamboo box.
It was made of bean flour, nuts, sugar, and syrup.
As the crisp sound filled the air, sweetness and nuttiness spread through her mouth. With her eyes closed, she savored the taste, lost in memories of the past.
The sect had been unusually bustling since morning. Approaching with curiosity, the Sword Saint tilted her head, observing her disciples’ joyful expressions.
They all seemed happy.
“What’s going on?”
“Ah! Master! Did you just cough?!”
It was time for morning training, but what were they doing without even forming ranks? Ryu-hyeon beamed at the Sword Saint.
“Look at this!!”
It was a box containing twenty swords.
The Sword Saint gently grasped a hilt and slowly drew a blade. A good sword. The iron itself wasn’t special, but it was clearly forged by a skilled blacksmith.
Despite the rough appearance, the sword was made for practicality, likely keeping the cost down.
The Sword Saint was puzzled. It was a good sword, but did they have the funds to buy twenty of them? Their finances had improved recently, but still…
Catching her gaze, Ryu-hyeon smiled brightly.
“A blacksmith opened in Seomhwa Village, you know? They said they’d make new swords if we brought them our old ones.”
“There must have been a fee, right?”
It wasn’t impossible to melt down old swords and forge new ones, but the cost couldn’t be ignored. Ryu-hyeon nodded at the Sword Saint’s question.
“The magistrate helped us. He asked us to increase our patrol hours in exchange. We encountered some bandits on patrol a few days ago and defeated them. After seeing that, the magistrate made the request.”
Hong Seong-mun was currently in charge of patrolling Seomhwa Village, dealing with monsters, bandits, thugs, and martial artists that the regular guards couldn’t handle.
It was Yuwol, the innkeeper, who had proposed this arrangement.
Each of his actions was strengthening Hong Seong-mun.
“Well, if it came from the magistrate, then there’s nothing we can do. And I’m sorry. My failings as your master… I’ll make sure you have better equipment soon.”
“Ahahaha! We’ll be looking forward to it!”
The disciples’ cheerful cries made the Sword Saint shudder slightly. She forced a smile.
Every year, as her birthday approached, anxiety would consume her. But strangely, even though the day was fast approaching, she felt unusually calm today.
“Master.”
As she sat on a rock, gazing blankly at the sky, Hong-ryeon, Ryu-hyeon, and Sayun approached her. Judging by the large basket in their hands, they seemed to be preparing for some sewing.
“Heehee. Are you making pouches for the fragrance sachets?”
This, too, was related to Yuwol. Gathering the thousand-day plum blossoms from Mount Hongseong and making them into fragrance sachets to sell.
Having heard that this was contributing significantly to Hong Seong-mun’s finances, the Sword Saint approached them with a smile.
“Uh… yes,”
Ryu-hyeon replied, nodding at the basket. The Sword Saint smiled gently.
“May I help?”
“Um. It’s okay. Master doesn’t need to…”
“No, it’s fine. But, if I’m just going to be in the way…”
“No, Innkeeper Yu said that even the ones Master makes will sell for a high price.”
“Oh my? Really?”
Hong-ryeon’s words pleased her for some reason. It had always been like this. She was skilled in martial arts, but she was clumsy with such tasks and was often scolded for it in the past.
Had her skills improved? The Sword Saint grinned unconsciously. Ryu-hyeon glanced at her and asked Hong-ryeon,
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“What a peculiar taste…”
“That brat?!”
The Sword Saint flicked Ryu-hyeon on the forehead and snatched the basket from Sayun, walking off gracefully.
“This master is also improving. So you must always strive to improve as well. Understood?”
The three disciples chuckled at her smug tone. Still, it was better than her usual gloom as her birthday drew near.
“She seems pleased about being invited to the inn.”
“Maybe we should drag her there next time, even if she resists.”
“Ahaha… that won’t be so easy.”
The three disciples watched as the Sword Saint headed towards her room.
The Sword Saint finally got up after completing the embroidery of a bear or a dog—it was hard to tell.
She smiled at her three disciples, who were studying her handiwork with serious expressions, and stepped outside, turning her gaze towards the foot of the mountain.
Perhaps because the sun was setting, the Seomhwa Village below Mount Hongseong, gradually darkening, began to twinkle with scattered lights.
Normally, it was a village she would have simply glanced over. Yet, she stood there, unable to speak.
The lights illuminating the darkness…
There were more than before.
In that moment, the Sword Saint’s eyes saw the past.
Standing there wasn’t the Sword Saint, but Na Ye-rin, a disciple of Hong Seong-mun, and beside her stood the woman she always trusted and followed.
I’ll become the sect leader of Hong Seong-mun as Master wished, and I’ll develop Seomhwa Village.
Then the lights they create will become like the stars. We must protect them and nurture them further.
Only then can Hong Seong-mun grow stronger, just as Master said. And Ye-rin, you will be the sword for that purpose.
The sword I wield to protect everyone.
She had faced the blowing wind with a dazzling smile.
Perhaps she had admired that image. Perhaps she had followed her because she confidently declared she would do what she herself couldn’t.
But in the end, she couldn’t keep her promise, and the Sword Saint, who should have taken her place, lacked the ability.
The Sword Saint unconsciously bit her lip.
And now, the things they couldn’t achieve…
were being realized in Seomhwa Village.
The Sword Saint watched, then silently rose.
She felt she needed to see him again.
“Master? What are you doing there?”
The Sword Saint turned at the voice behind her. Standing there was a girl with gray hair, her last disciple, Sayun.
“I was just looking at the village.”
“Seomhwa Village… heehee. It’s a good place. Truly.”
The Sword Saint returned the girl’s bright smile with a gentle one of her own. Stroking her hair, she asked,
“Who’s going on patrol tomorrow?”
“Um. Me and Senior Disciple Yu-hee. Why?”
“If you don’t mind, could I go with you?”
“Of course!”
There was no reason for Sayun to refuse the Sword Saint’s request.
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