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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The Cloudwalker Armor was a sacred treasure passed down through generations of Hong Seong-mun sect leaders.
Crafted from Nebula Iron, it boasted exceptional defensive properties, but its true value lay elsewhere.
The armor’s primary function was to amplify the Hong Seong Divine Art, drawing upon the stellar energy within the Nebula Iron.
It bolstered the divine art and helped maintain its equilibrium, serving as a source of strength for Hong Seong-mun for generations.
However, the Cloudwalker Armor was no more, destroyed by the Senior Disciple when she’d succumbed to her inner demons and attacked their master.
The Sword Saint stared silently at the Nebula Iron, the material needed to recreate the lost armor, then shook her head.
“Nebula Iron… for the Cloudwalker Armor, right?”
Hong-ryeon, already familiar with the tale, asked in surprise. Nebula Iron, found only in meteorites, was incredibly valuable on its own.
It was also incredibly rare, almost impossible to obtain, so finding it here was astonishing.
As Hong-ryeon and the even more surprised Sayun stared at the Nebula Iron, the Sword Saint forced a cheerful tone.
“Anyway…”
Perhaps to lighten the mood, she looked up and smiled.
“Excellent work. Now, as promised, this Nebula Iron is yours.”
“But…!”
“Nebula Iron is a crucial material for crafting exceptional swords. You can use it to forge a weapon for yourself. Although there’s no one who can handle it right now…”
The Sword Saint thought of Seomhwa Village.
The skilled blacksmith, Mak Sa, and the equally skilled talisman maker, Chang-ju.
With the magistrate and Yuwol collaborating to develop the village, they might soon have the means to utilize Nebula Iron within Seomhwa Village.
Then, it would become a source of great strength for Sayun. The Sword Saint smiled gently and patted Sayun’s shoulder.
“Now, let’s head back!”
After their late-night adventure in the hidden area and some additional training with her enthusiastic senior disciples, Sayun returned to her room, exhausted, and collapsed onto her bed.
She buried her face in the freshly laundered blankets, still warm and carrying the scent of sunshine, and felt her weary body relax.
As her eyes began to drift closed, she abruptly sat up.
“Oh, wait.”
“Hmm? Not sleeping?”
“No. I’m going to write a letter to Mister.”
“Tell Mister I’m grateful, too…”
Yu-hee mumbled sleepily. She had gained enlightenment in the hidden area, making her movements more fluid.
Sayun recalled Yu-hee’s joy at finally overcoming her awkwardness in controlling the flow of internal energy and nodded.
Sayun gathered her brush, ink, and paper and stepped outside, settling down in a spot bathed in moonlight.
“Hmm…”
What should she write? A torrent of thoughts flooded her mind, demanding to be organized. Sayun hesitated, unable to move her brush.
“What are you doing, still awake?”
It was Hong-ryeon, the Senior Disciple of Hong Seong-mun, a figure like an older sister to Sayun. Her red hair flowed in the night breeze as she approached. Sayun smiled.
“I’m writing a letter to Mister.”
“Really? Then tell him I’m grateful, too. Always.”
“Ahaha. Okay.”
Sayun picked up her brush again, but the words wouldn’t come. Hong-ryeon watched her for a moment, then chuckled and led her to her own room.
“Have some tea. You seem to be struggling with what to write.”
“Okay…”
Hong-ryeon prepared the tea. Sayun watched her, then sighed softly.
“About the Nebula Iron we found today…”
“Hmm? That? Don’t worry. If we can’t find someone in Seomhwa Village to work with it, we’ll find someone through the Murim Alliance.”
“Oh, no. That’s not it.”
Sayun hesitated, gauging Hong-ryeon’s reaction, then spoke cautiously.
“Couldn’t we… use it to recreate the Cloudwalker Armor? Do you know anyone who knows how to craft it?”
Hong-ryeon’s hand, reaching for the teacup, froze. She slowly turned to Sayun and said calmly,
“But that’s yours. ‘Mister’ gave it to you.”
“I know, but… he said I should decide how to use it… and I have my sword, the one Mister gave me. And I’m not worthy of a weapon made from something as precious as Nebula Iron.”
“You never know. As you know, all the Hong Seong Divine Art techniques are a foundation for greatsword techniques. Meaning, you’ll eventually need a greatsword of your own.”
And perhaps, no, certainly, the Nebula Iron would be useful then.
Despite Hong-ryeon’s admonishment, Sayun slowly shook her head.
“But everything has its proper use. And to me, the Nebula Iron…”
She looked directly at Hong-ryeon.
“…should be used for Hong Seong-mun.”
Sayun’s voice trembled, but her resolve was firm. Perhaps that was why Hong-ryeon remained silent. And when she finally spoke, a smile graced her lips.
“As the letter said, it’s your decision. I can’t tell you what to do. But your concern… is that Mister might be disappointed, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Then why not ask him? I doubt your ‘Mister’ would be upset over something like this.”
“I don’t think so either, but…”
Hong-ryeon handed a cup of tea to the dejected Sayun.
“Whatever you decide, we’ll respect it. Don’t feel pressured.”
“…Thank you, Senior Disciple.”
A determined smile appeared on Sayun’s face.
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They say we always face choices in life. Choices. Yes, they’re important.
What if I hadn’t chosen to take Master’s hand? What if I hadn’t chosen to train diligently at Hong Seong-mun? But sometimes, I think there are things that aren’t choices, but destinies. Like Mister.
Mister, who suddenly appeared in my life one day, feels less like a choice and more like an unavoidable, undeniable destiny. Of course, I’m not complaining! Don’t misunderstand! If Mister is my destiny, then I couldn’t be happier!
I visited the hidden area you told me about in your last letter. And there, I found Nebula Iron.
Knowing you’re aware of Hong Seong-mun’s secrets, I’m sure you knew what Nebula Iron was and what it was used for. That’s why you told me to decide how to use it.
Honestly, I was shocked when I first heard about Nebula Iron. I never imagined it was so valuable.
A single piece of Nebula Iron is enough to craft a precious sword. And it’s the material needed to recreate our sect’s sacred treasure.
I’ve decided to use the Nebula Iron to recreate Hong Seong-mun’s sacred treasure. Perhaps this, too, is a choice you’ve given me.
Since I have to bear the consequences of my choices, will I regret this decision someday? I don’t think so.
The happiness of Hong Seong-mun, Master’s happiness, and the happiness of the other senior disciples are just as important as my own.
And I hope my choice brings you happiness, too.
P.S. I’m sending you another batch of Thousand-Day Plum Blossom tea, thinking of you. I don’t know if you’ve finished the last batch. Let me know if you have. This is all I can offer you.
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I took the small container from the box. I had almost finished the Thousand-Day Plum Blossom tea Sayun sent earlier, so this was perfect.
I brewed a cup of the new tea and reread her letter.
Using Nebula Iron to recreate the Cloudwalker Armor… not a bad choice. The Cloudwalker Armor was a renowned piece of equipment in Heavenly Moonlight.
Having one at Hong Seong-mun wouldn’t hurt.
And as for Sayun’s greatsword, I could always provide better materials later. She’d framed it as a test, but I hadn’t intended it as such.
There were other ways to obtain Nebula Iron, and I planned to tell her about them eventually.
I chuckled, reading the letter. More than anything, I was pleased with Sayun’s character. She could have easily kept the Nebula Iron for herself, and the sect would have likely allowed it.
Yet, she chose to give it back. Despite her hardships, she remained true to the kind and selfless girl I, we, knew. She hadn’t changed.
I tapped the letter again and stood up. Reading such a pleasant letter first thing in the morning…
Today was going to be a good day.
After finishing the tea and smoking my pipe while working, I glanced out the window and saw two familiar faces heading towards the backyard: Sayun and Ryu-hyeon.
Were they on patrol today? I leaned against the window and waved.
“Oh! Hello!”
“Hey. Out on patrol?”
“Yes! I’m with Senior Disciple Ryu-hyeon today!”
“Greetings, Innkeeper,”
Ryu-hyeon greeted with a smile, and I returned it. Before they left, I went downstairs and tossed them two fresh apples I’d just purchased.
Sayun caught them deftly and tilted her head in confusion. I smiled at the puzzled pair.
“Eat them on your way.”
“Oh, you don’t have to!”
“It’s fine. It’s for your patrol. Tell me when you’re finished later, and I’ll give you some mooncakes.”
Sayun hesitated, then smiled wryly as Ryu-hyeon also received two apples. They bowed.
“Hehe. We’ll enjoy them!”
“Thank you!” The two replied cheerfully and set off on their patrol.
Now then. Back to work. Work.
I had to go to Yangwi Castle with Hong-ryeon and Chae-jin in a few days, so I needed to finish my pending tasks before then.
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