NOVEL NEXT The Sword Saint returned with Ryuhyun, who had gone training with her.
Looking quite exhausted, Ryuhyun sighed heavily as soon as she saw me and shook her head.
“Ugh…”
“You look like you’ve been through something tough. Didn’t you go to find the Gui-gok-pil?”
I figured finding the Gui-gok-pil wouldn’t be that hard. Just in case, I had also summarized how to obtain it for the Sword Saint.
Ryuhyun had much better skills than her peers, so I thought it wouldn’t be difficult for her either, and then I glanced at the Sword Saint.
She was averting her gaze.
“What happened?”
“Well, there were quite a few bandits on the way back.”
“Huh? I heard the number of bandits decreased after the fall of the Green Forest.”
“But it turns out those bandits were actually from the Unorthodox Faction. The Pae-jeok-mun, to be precise.”
“I see. And then?”
“After obtaining the Gui-gok-pil, there was a small righteous sect in Jeongwi Village, and instead of them, the Pae-jeok-mun disguised themselves as bandits and attacked that place.”
“I see. So, did you have a conflict with them?”
“Yes.”
Ryuhyun let out a deep sigh and recounted what happened. While she was staying in Jeongwi Village, the bandits came in. They attacked the village, so she took matters into her own hands and wiped them all out.
Usually, it would have been best to leave it at that.
After all, there was a sect that was supposed to protect Jeongwi Village.
If she acted rashly, rumors might spread about the Hongseong Clan trying to expand their influence, and the villagers might lose trust in that sect.
“But I know you, Sword Saint. You wouldn’t have just let that slide. So, did you completely wipe them out?”
“Yes.”
“Good job, Ryuhyun. You’re worried because of the relationship between the Murim Alliance and the Dark Shadow League, right? But if any problems arise, I’ll handle it, so don’t worry too much. You did what you should as a pillar of the righteous sect. How could I blame you for that?”
“Right?!”
The Sword Saint flaunted proudly, and Ryuhyun forced a smile while looking at me.
Her gaze asked if everything would really be okay, and I nodded.
I would have to visit the Murim Alliance soon anyway, so I should talk about this incident with them.
“Anyway, you’ve worked hard. Go back and rest. Oh, and Ryuhyun, there are some things I prepared for you, so take them when you go up.”
“What did you pack for me this time?”
“Just some simple snacks. Yohwan said she made something new, so at least try it.”
“I really just keep receiving things.”
“This is nothing at all.”
Ryuhyun left with a smile, and the Sword Saint remained behind. Grinning, she came over and sat in front of me.
“Oh, you’re sitting down.”
“Were you lonely while I was gone?”
“I can’t say I had fun.”
“Haha. Not very honest, are we?”
She poked my cheek playfully and then gently stroked it.
“I was lonely. So today, I’ll be by your side. I heard the other kids were supposed to come down, right?”
I guess she heard that on the way here. I nodded, and finally, the Sword Saint smiled contentedly.
-Knock, knock.
She started talking about the time she joyfully sat on my lap to look for the Gi-gok-pil, sipping the tea I made, and rubbing her face against me, she let out a small sigh.
No one should be coming now; who could it be?
“Mister, are you free for a moment?”
It was Sayoon’s voice. Did she come to ask something? The Sword Saint hurriedly got off my lap and sat in her spot dutifully.
Even though she’s treated as a goofball, I guess she still wants to be a cool master to the youngest.
“Come in.”
With a creaking sound, the door opened. Sayoon entered and brightened up when she saw the Sword Saint.
“Master! I heard you might come today. Liu-Hyun Senior Sister just returned and said you were here.”
“Hmm? You came to find me?”
“Yes, I wanted to ask you something.”
Sayoon, sitting down, placed two mirrors on the table.
The previously acquired Heart-Conscious Mirror and Space Mirror.
The Sword Saint, recognizing the items, widened her eyes slightly and watched closely.
“What’s this for?”
“Um… I want to try using the Heart-Conscious Mirror.”
She wishes to discover and overcome any Simma within herself.
Hearing Sayoon’s serious tone, the Sword Saint crossed her arms, thought for a moment, and nodded.
“A martial artist needs that kind of fighting spirit. If you want to do it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea. Just remember, if any issues arise, you have this master by your side.”
“Hehe. Yes! Um… Mister, what do you think?”
“I’m not sure if there’s a Simma or not, but if you want to challenge yourself, I think it wouldn’t be bad to try. As the Sword Saint said, you have many people by you.”
I nodded with a smile, and her face turned serious.
“Then I’ll do it after the wedding.”
“Hmm? You could do it now, though?”
“You’re busy, and Master, Hongryeon Senior Sister, and Chaejin Unni are all in a flurry, right? If something goes wrong, it might cause trouble. Hehe.”
Sayoon scratched her head and laughed. Considering others while using means to strengthen as a martial artist.
I smiled and nodded at her.
“Excellent. If that’s the case, let’s do it when you have some time. And during that time, you might get stronger without the Heart-Conscious Mirror.”
“Let’s try it when the time comes. And in the meantime, you could train and become even stronger without the Heart Demon Technique.”
“Yes.”
“Overcoming the Heart Demon is very difficult. It’s better to prepare your mind firmly.”
“That makes sense. Ah, by the way, Master, you also struggled a lot because of the Heart Demon… how did you overcome it?”
The Sword Saint stayed silent for a moment, pondering, then awkwardly smiled.
“Ah, um. I just… worked hard? And I had some people help me.”
“Ah.”
As the warm gaze of the Sword Saint turned toward me, Sayoon nodded.
“I see…”
“But don’t feel too pressured; the Sword Saint didn’t just rely on others’ help.”
“Yes. Um… it seems overcoming the Heart Demon won’t be easy.”
“You have to get past the fear that is within yourself. It’s definitely not easy. So, Sayoon.”
The Sword Saint gently placed a hand on Sayoon’s shoulder.
“Try to imagine what fears are inside you.”
Sayoon, who had been seriously thinking about those words, nodded and left. As I watched Sayoon return to the Hongseong Clan from the window, the Sword Saint approached me and smiled.
“Do you think Sayoon will be able to face and overcome her fears?”
“Well, I’m not sure.”
I really didn’t know.
So, I shook my head, and the Sword Saint playfully poked my cheek. It seemed like she had found joy in pinching my cheeks.
“Hehe. So, there are things you don’t know. Ah, didn’t you say you only know what you know?”
“That’s right.”
“Then here’s a question. When do you think Chaejin, who went to Amipa, will come back?”
Chaejin? I thought about the date she left before answering.
“She’ll probably come back today.”
“Oh, really?”
“By the way, you said Hongryeon would leave as soon as Chaejin returns, right? I heard that you, Na Yerin, will accompany her to help.”
“Uh, that’s true.”
The Sword Saint nodded seriously.
“Then you should stay close until she leaves today.”
After a while of dinner service, Chaejin returned. She came back alongside two members of the Moonlight Brigade and a familiar face was with her.
“Namua Amitabh.”
“Isn’t that Yujeong? Welcome.”
“Hehe. I heard some good news about you, Yujeong. I couldn’t just sit back at Amipa. Since we have a close relationship with the Hongseong Clan, and you are taking care of our disciple Yohwan, it’s only natural.”
Even though she was expelled, are they counting her as a disciple?
I saw Yohwan leaning against the kitchen wall with a nonchalant expression, nodding her head.
I nodded with a sense of propriety.
Well, that’s their situation, so I can’t really concern myself with it.
“It’s not that marriage is strictly forbidden. Rather, there are plenty of loving figures taking care of children, you know? By the way, do you know about the Great Goddess of Fertility?”
“Yes, I do. She’s known for her abundance and nurturing, right?”
“Exactly. So here’s what I’m giving you…”
“…what is this?”
What she handed me resembled a decorative pomegranate. When I received it with a puzzled look, Yujeong smiled and rolled the prayer beads in her hands.
“There are many who wish for children and come to worship at Amita. This is given out at Amita for them. If you have it, it will bless you with fertility…”
“Oh my.”
Chaejin blushed while the Sword Saint gazed in fascination at the pomegranate figurine.
This is something even in Heavenly Bright Moon, it doesn’t come up, so I’m curious too.
“Hmm… fertility, huh.”
“I’ll do my best…”
Just then, while the two were blushing, a red-haired beauty entered the inn. It was Hongryeon. She looked puzzled at the gathering and then approached me.
“Oh? Yujeong? Long time no see. And this is…”
“Namu Amitabul…”
“Ahem. Do you want many things, too?”
Blushing slightly, Hongryeon said with a smile, and I paused to think.
Well, having a lot of kids would be nice. It would be lively, after all.
“…If that’s the case, I’ll work hard.”
Three beauties flushed with color.
They exchanged glances and fanned themselves before stepping back a bit.
“More importantly, Master. It’s time for you to go, isn’t it?”
“Ugh… Yeah. Let’s go.”
The Sword Saint gathered her weapons, and Hongryeon spoke leisurely.
“I was considering taking Sayoon with me, but it seems she’s deep in thought right now.”
“She came by to talk earlier. Anyway, have a safe trip. Don’t overdo it.”
“Don’t worry. As soon as I come back, I’ll start making clothes. It should take about two days, right?”
Hongryeon smiled like melting butter towards me before flicking her head away.
“Master, I’d like to leave a bit faster…”
“Hehe. You want to get going too? Let’s hurry back.”
Saying this, the two bid me farewell and swiftly departed, using light-footed techniques to disappear. Watching them fade away…
“A few days should do.”
“Then for those days, I’ll have you all to myself.”
With a broad smile, Chaejin pulled me into a hug.