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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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As expected, or perhaps it was only natural…
I already knew from the previous incident that Hongryeon was a fellow member of the Sayoon Fan Club.
Blood is thicker than water, as they say. In that case, my role was clear: to side with Hongryeon.
“So, you’re here because of that matter?”
A hesitant nod. The moment Hongryeon dipped her head, Chaejin’s sharp gaze snapped towards me.
“What’s with this man? Don’t tell me Hongseongmun is starting to recruit men. Surely not?”
“W-well…”
Hongryeon stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly. She hesitated, stealing glances at Chaejin.
“It’s… a little difficult to discuss here…”
I understood the situation well enough. I gestured for Hongryeon to come closer, then whispered in her ear, low enough for Chaejin to be none the wiser.
“Are you here to ask for a loan?”
“Ugh.”
She winced, her usually straight shoulders slumping slightly. Haha, I knew it.
Maintaining Hongseongmun was largely reliant on Hongryeon’s efforts.
If she were to embark on a quest for rare herbs within a hidden realm, someone would need to fill the void in her absence.
But what if there were no immediate missions for the other disciples?
With many mouths to feed and limited resources, it was only natural for Hongryeon, in her desperation, to approach the closest source of help: me.
It was out of the question for Hongseongmun to seek assistance from the disciples’ families or other sects, after all.
“…This is incredibly embarrassing…”
Hongryeon mumbled, her face burning as she averted her gaze. I patted her shoulder reassuringly.
“We’re practically family. It’s the least I can do.”
“What?!”
We are the Sayoon Fan Club!
Bound together by a single, glorious purpose!
How could I possibly refuse a measly loan?!
Honestly, I would have given her the money outright, but that would go against both Hongseongmun’s principles and potentially damage Hongryeon’s pride.
A loan it was, then.
After all, we’re practically family!
“As I said before, you’re like a daughter to me.”
“…R-right…”
“There’s no shame in relying on your elders from time to time. Especially when that elder is someone you trust.”
“Since when did I… trust you?”
Did she forget?
I shrugged, a little amused by her genuine confusion.
“You called me a good person, did you not?”
Her eyes widened, her gaze locking with mine.
As I always said, I lived a life free of shame, my conscience clear.
Her scrutiny wouldn’t change that.
“…Right. You are… a good person. I acknowledge that.”
Another moment of silence, followed by a deep sigh.
“In that case… may I rely on your goodwill just this once?”
“Of course. But this is a loan. Be sure to repay it.”
“Hold on! Hold on! What’s going on? What are you two whispering about?! Are you two actually…?”
Ignoring Chaejin’s shrill outburst from the sidelines, I met Hongryeon’s gaze. Her eyes, wide with a mix of hope and apprehension, were fixed on me.
“…Are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely!”
If this was for Sayoon’s sake, if this was to help her grow stronger, there was nothing I wouldn’t do!
Reassured by my unwavering resolve, Hongryeon finally released a sigh of relief.
Her face, previously tense, relaxed into a more at-ease expression. Looking up at me, she winked playfully.
“Well… I won’t forget this kindness. And of course, I’ll make sure everything is properly accounted for. However, while I appreciate your personal assistance…”
“I wouldn’t dream of involving Hongseongmun, the Sword Saint, or your fellow disciples. You have my word.”
As if I, a devoted member of the Sayoon Fan Club, would ever consider such a thing!
“As expected, my judgment wasn’t wrong. You truly are a good person.”
It was simply a statement of fact.
There were no bad people in the Sayoon Fan Club.
I smiled back at Hongryeon, and after a moment, she returned it.
“Ah, and about that… the meal we discussed before… would tomorrow be alright? I was planning on taking the disciples out for a hearty lunch…”
“Consider it done.”
“Aaaagh! Why are you two ignoring me?!”
Because there’s no need to listen to someone who’s being difficult!
With our business concluded, Hongryeon departed without hesitation. Chaejin, after pacing back and forth indignantly, finally stormed off towards the stairs.
However, there was only one inn in Seonhwachon Village.
Leaving would mean spending the night outdoors. With a final grumble, she resigned herself to her fate and stomped back inside.
“One room.”
“That’ll be three silver coins, ma’am.”
She slapped the coins onto my outstretched palm without a word. As she turned to head upstairs, she paused.
“You. What’s your connection to Hongseongmun?”
Our connection…
That was a difficult question to answer.
While I was personally invested in protecting and supporting Hongseongmun, their stance on the matter remained unknown.
So, I chose silence. Chaejin glared at me, her expression thunderous, before finally continuing up the stairs.
“Is everything alright, sir?”
Chaejin was a renowned martial artist. Perhaps sensing the tension, several of the employees approached me, their faces etched with concern. However, I wasn’t worried in the slightest.
What could she possibly do? Kill me?
As a member of the righteous faction, she wouldn’t resort to such extreme measures, especially over a personal grudge.
Returning to my room, I found one of the mail couriers waiting for me. He bowed deeply, presenting me with a letter.
Oh… Another one already?
I smiled, unfolding the letter with anticipation.
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I think I’m beginning to understand what it means to grow stronger each day.
Every morning at Hongseongmun, we do physical training and run up Hongseongsan. Today, I managed to beat my previous record. Of course, I still came in last…
Looking back, it seems that a person’s growth is much like bamboo shoots after the rain—sudden and unexpected.
I received the letter you sent, Mister. The benefactor instructed me to address you as such, so… Mister it is.
Senior Sister Yoohee, upon seeing the letter, suggested “Older Brother” might be more appropriate, but… I couldn’t bring myself to disregard the title you personally chose.
Anyway… After treating the sisters to sweets with the silver you sent, I think I had a small epiphany.
The Hongseong Style practiced at Hongseongmun represents the “흉성 (凶星),” the Red Star.
It is grand, powerful, and fierce.
But even a Red Star is said to possess a self-sacrificing spirit, burning brightly to protect others.
Relinquishing something of my own and sharing it with others felt like a significant realization.
Perhaps it was thanks to this newfound understanding… Senior Sister Hongryeon decided to teach me a new technique.
Of course, she said it was because I needed to be able to defend myself…
She also intensified the training regimen for all the other disciples.
Maybe that’s why… my hand is shaking so much as I write this letter. Though, I’m not the only one suffering…
I was planning on buying more sweets with the silver you sent to cheer up the other sisters, who are all utterly exhausted…
But Senior Sister Hongryeon told me to save it.
She explained that the reason I’m struggling with this new technique is my lack of internal energy, and that to increase it, I need rare herbs—something that cannot be acquired with a mere silver or two.
However… I can’t help but wonder if it’s right for me to use your generous gift solely for my own benefit…
But I suppose I must.
I need to become stronger.
I’ve heard that things are quite chaotic outside these days. May the Red Star’s protection be with you, Mister.
Thinking of you under the moonlight,
From Sayoon, Disciple of Hongseongmun.
P.S.
Senior Sister Hongryeon’s smiles have seemed a little strained lately… I wonder if something is troubling her, strong and dependable as she is… I can’t imagine what it could be…
I hope she, too, finds someone she can confide in… Just like you, Mister, who reached out to a nobody like me!
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So that was why her normally round, adorable handwriting was a little shaky… Well, it made sense. Even if it was one of the easier techniques from the latter half of the Hongseong Style, forcing it upon someone with insufficient internal energy was bound to have repercussions.
Especially considering Sayoon’s current level…
It was clear that what she needed most urgently was a way to boost her internal energy.
I tapped the letter thoughtfully, nodding to myself before reaching for a brush and quickly jotting down a response.
It was nearly lunchtime the following day.
Normally, the inn would be bustling with laborers seeking a quick and filling meal of noodles and ale. But today, our first guest was a little different.
An elegant young woman, clad in worn yet impeccably clean Hongseongmun robes, entered the inn.
“H-hello…”
She hesitated, her cheeks flushed as she took in her surroundings. One of the servers approached her.
“Greetings, and welcome to the Heavenly Abode. Please, right this way. We have a table reserved for you.”
I had informed the staff about Hongryeon’s visit yesterday. Perhaps sensing this, the young woman’s expression brightened slightly.
“Are you… sure it’s alright?”
“Certainly.”
“Ah, are you the owner?”
She offered me a slightly awkward bow.
“I am Ryuhyun, a disciple of Hongseongmun. Senior Sister Hongryeon sends her apologies, but she was unable to make it today… So…”
She let out a small sigh and glanced nervously at the group of disciples entering the inn behind her. They were a lively bunch, their chatter and laughter filling the air. Lowering her voice to a near whisper, she mumbled, her cheeks turning crimson.
“We’ll… take it on credit…”
“Ah, please don’t concern yourself with that.”
“Thank you so much! We are eternally grateful for your generosity…”
“That matter has already been settled between Lady Hongryeon and myself. There’s no need for you to worry, Miss Ryuhyun.”
My firm tone seemed to put her at ease, though she continued to express her gratitude.
Meanwhile, the other disciples, each as lovely as a flower in bloom, were being ushered into the private dining room. Once they were settled, Ryuhyun followed, and I barked out an order to the kitchen.
“Serve up the feast I prepared!”
“Yes, sir!”
An enthusiastic response echoed from within, and moments later, the servers began filing into the dining room, their arms laden with platters of food.
They began with a light porridge, followed by “Dish of Heaven and Earth,” a savory stir-fry of eggplant, potatoes, and peppers, renowned at the Heavenly Abode for its energy-boosting properties.
Each new dish was met with gasps of delight and enthusiastic exclamations from the disciples.
Knowing that one of those plates was meant for Sayoon filled me with a sense of satisfaction.
The meal continued, a symphony of happy chatter, boisterous laughter, and contented sighs.
Finally, as the last morsels were consumed, the doors to the dining room creaked open, and the disciples emerged, their faces flushed with satisfaction.
And among them, her eyes sparkling with joy, hand in hand with the girl I recognized as Yoohee, was Sayoon.
She looked happy.
Untroubled, carefree, radiating pure joy.
Our eyes met for a fleeting moment. Her eyes widened in recognition, and she tilted her head slightly, as if puzzled.
But my gaze didn’t waver, and a moment later, she offered me a shy yet genuine smile, dipping her head in a small bow.
Ah…
My heart…
It’s overflowing…
Yes… This… This is what we yearned for…
Now, I can finally ascend, content with my life’s work…
…Wait a minute.
This isn’t enough.
More! I need to see more of her happy smiles!
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