Chapter Index

    ***

    “Do you know what is needed to make Hong Seong-moon stronger?”

    I heard a familiar, missed voice.

    Geomsung slowly raised his head and looked at the opponent in front of him.

    A middle-aged woman much taller than herself was swinging a great sword, wrapped in the smell of tobacco.

    He is swinging a huge sword so fast that it is invisible to the eye, but there is not even a sound of the sword moving.

    It was proof that it was in perfect control.

    Therefore, the voice of her teacher, who was like a mother to Na Yerin, was heard clearly in Na Yerin’s ears.

    “You guys will definitely make Hongseongmoon stronger than it is now. While following Hongseong’s spirit.”

    That’s what she always said.

    Making Hongseongmun the best martial arts sect.

    He hoped to gain not only fame but also great influence in the martial arts world.

    Of course, since they were still young, there was nothing they could do now.

    Like the ambassador, all he knew was how to swing a sword.

    Nevertheless, Master always pictured the future with a sparkle in his eyes for himself and the Great Residence.

    Suddenly, the large sword that was moving freely crashed into the ground.

    Geomseong closed his eyes tightly as he watched her looking down at him without tidying up her disheveled hair.

    iced coffee.

    It’s a nostalgic memory.

    It was a happy memory.

    “If you all join forces, Hongseongmun will definitely become stronger.”

    Me at that time.

    her.

    At Master’s request.

    “…Of course! Master!”

    I answered as if it was obvious.

    And, of course, I knew it would come true.

    Definitely with the Ambassador.

    I thought I could do it.

    .

    .

    .

    It was a different dream than the nightmares I always have.

    Geomseong slowly got up and looked around blankly, unable to even clear his hair.

    A shabby, small room with a lot of old things.

    It was an awkward room for Hong Seong-moon’s Jang Moon-in to use, but Na Ye-rin only felt that she was very familiar with it.

    What was out of place in that familiar sight was a small box. Geomseong brought a bamboo leaf box slightly larger than the palm of his hand, opened it, and remembered the fist-sized snack inside.

    What was this…?

    The sleepy head gradually returns to its original state.

    okay. Obviously, I received it yesterday.

    Yesterday, I received an invitation from Yuwol, the guest of Seomhwachon.

    He said it was a reward for helping him watch Bimu’s judgment last time.

    If it was something like that, I couldn’t refuse it.

    Because I was expressing my gratitude not to Hong Seong-moon as a scholar, but to Geomseong. Therefore, I accepted the invitation and tried to select two people from among the struggling disciples, but they all recommended Hongryeon and Sayun.

    The reason is… Well, I guess it’s because Hongryeon, the eldest, wants to eat more delicious food and I want to feed Sayoon, the youngest, at least once.

    Nice and cute guys.

    Geomseong chuckled.

    As the thoughts reached that point, the Sword Saint’s expression slowly began to harden. It was because I remembered the story I shared with Yuwol that night.

    He hopes to develop Island Village.

    He set up a sword room, brought in an amuletist, and hired someone who knew how to make medicinal dishes.

    Also, as I heard from Hongryeon, there was a story that they were trying to supply good iron to Geombang by making a deal with Cheonghoe Sangdan, and supplying the weapons and armor made there to Hongseongmun at a low price.

    And maybe that’s not the end.

    The Yuwol that Geomseong knew was a capable person.

    Not only that, he knew that he should give and use when needed, but he also freely connected with the government.

    If he wanted to, it might have been easy for Island Village to grow several times its current size.

    Geomseong sighed.

    Because it reminded me of someone who had said something similar to what he was doing.

    It was always like that.

    When I came back from meeting my teacher and talked with the ambassador, I talked a lot about ways to strengthen and grow Hongseongmun.

    To be honest, I didn’t even understand half of what was being said.

    Still, it was good.

    The ambassador’s eyes shine.

    The teacher looks at me with satisfaction.

    Looking at Hong Seong-moon’s future.

    Telling someone who only knows how to swing a sword a huge dream.

    and.

    Reaching out to join in that dream.

    “Ha…”

    It was a deep sigh.

    No, is it a sigh? Perhaps it is the regret and longing that remains within oneself.

    She sighed and reached out her hand. What was in the bamboo box I received yesterday was a sweet snack. She stared at the snack made by mixing soybean powder, nuts, sugar, and starch syrup, and took a quick bite.

    Sweetness and savory flavor spread in your mouth with a crunching sound.

    She chewed the cookie with her eyes closed and recalled the past.

    The clan was quite busy since morning.

    Geomseong, who approached with puzzlement, tilted his head as he saw his disciples making happy expressions. They all have good-looking faces.

    “What’s going on?”

    “Oh! Master! Did you cough?!”

    It’s time for morning training now, but what are you doing without forming a line? As Geomseong looked at Ryu Hyeon, he smiled brightly.

    “Look at this!!”

    It was a box. Contained within it are twenty swords. Geomseong gently grasped the handle and slowly pulled it out.

    It’s a good sword.

    The iron itself is not that special, but it is probably a sword smelted by a skilled blacksmith.

    Geomseong had doubts about the sword, which, despite its rugged appearance, was made to be extremely practical and did not cost much.

    It was a good sword, but could you afford to buy 20 of these right now? Of course, I’ve had some free time lately…

    Ryu Hyeon smiled brightly at Geomseong’s gaze.

    “A search room was opened in Seomhwachon, right? They talked about it there. If you bring me an unusable sword, I will make you a new sword.”

    “There must have been a fee or something like that?”

    Of course, it was not impossible to melt down an old sword and make a new sword, but the cost could not be ignored. When Geomseong asked based on what he knew, Ryu Hyeon nodded.

    “Hyeonryeong added it. Instead, they asked for the patrol time to be slightly longer. A few days ago, we came across a bandit while patrolling, and after seeing that we killed it, the county commander asked us to do it.”

    Currently, Hong Seong-moon was in charge of patrolling Seomhwa Village.

    This was to enable the government troops to deal with cases such as monsters that were difficult to stop, thieves, warlords, and martial people.

    Obviously, it was Yuwol, the owner of the house, who made that suggestion.

    Each of his actions is strengthening Hong Seong-moon.

    “Okay. There’s nothing I can do about it if I got it from a coffin. And I’m sorry. Since I’m not good at being a teacher… I’ll let you use better equipment soon.”

    “Ahahaha! I’ll be looking forward to it!”

    Geomseong trembled at the energetic shouts of his disciples. And I laughed hard.

    Every year, as my birthday got closer, anxiety consumed my body.

    But why? Strangely enough, I feel calm today even though the day is not far away.

    “Master.”

    While she was sitting on a rock and staring blankly at the sky, Hongryeon, Ryuhyeon, and Sayoon approached her. Looking at the large basket in her hand, it looks like she is about to do some sewing.

    “Hehe. Are you trying to make a pouch for a sachet?”

    This is also related to June. Collecting wild plums from Mt. Hongseong, making them into sachets and selling them.

    Surprisingly, Geomseong, who had heard that this would be of great help to Hongseongmun’s finances, approached with a smile.

    “Uh… Yes.”

    Ryu Hyun looked at the basket and nodded. That’s why Geomseong smiled kindly.

    “Can I help you?”

    “Hmm. It’s okay. Master, there is no need to…”

    “No. ah. If I am a hindrance…”

    “No. Master Yoo said that what you made would also be sold at a high price.”

    “Oh my? Really?”

    I am somehow happy about Hongryeon’s words.

    It’s been like that since ancient times. If you’re a martial arts person, this kind of thing is something you’re not good at, so I used to get scolded a lot in the past.

    Could it be that his skills have improved? Geomseong grinned without realizing it, and while glancing at her, Ryu Hyeon asked Hongryeon.

    “Really?”

    “Yes. Really.”

    “That’s just my taste…”

    “That guy?!”

    Geomseong, who had fed honey chestnuts to Ryu Hyeon’s head, took the basket from Sayun’s hand and walked lightly.

    “This teacher is also growing. So you too must always grow. Got it?”

    The three of them laughed at the voice full of pride. Still, it’s better to be that bright compared to when it gets infinitely dark as your birthday approaches.

    “I guess you were happy to be invited to the guesthouse.”

    “Next time, should I force you to attend?”

    “Ahaha… It won’t be that easy.”

    Just like that, the three disciples watched Geomsung heading towards the room.

    It was only when Geomseong had finished embroidering the unidentifiable pattern of a bear or a dog that he got up from his seat.

    Geomseong came out, smiling at the three disciples who were looking at him with serious expressions, and turned his eyes to the bottom of the mountain. Is it because the sun is already setting?

    It is dark, and you can see the starlight settling down in Seomhwachon under Hongseong Mountain, which is turning black.

    This is a town that I would normally just pass by.

    But still, she couldn’t say anything while standing there.

    A fire that brightens the darkness.

    There are a bit more than before.

    At that moment, the eyes of the Sword Saint looked into the past.

    Standing here was Na Ye-rin, Hong Seong-mun’s disciple, not Geomsung, and next to her was the woman she had always trusted and followed.

    – As Master said, I will become Hong Seong-mun’s master and raise Seomhwachon. Then the light they created will soon become the light of the stars. We must protect it and grow it further. Only then can Hong Seong-moon grow stronger. Just like Master said. And Yerin. You be the sword for it. A sword that I wield and protect everyone.

    Smiling magnificently, she greeted the whipping wind.

    Yes, maybe I admired that image.

    He may have followed because she confidently said that she would do what she could not do.

    But in the end, she couldn’t keep what she said, and the Sword Saint himself, who should have replaced her, lacked the ability.

    Geomseong bit his lip tightly without realizing it.

    So, in the end, things couldn’t be accomplished.

    It was taking place in Seomhwachon.

    Geomseong, who was watching this, stood up without saying a word.

    again.

    I think you should meet him.

    “Master? What are you doing there?”

    Geomseong turned his head at the voice heard from behind. Standing there was a girl with gray hair. The last disciple he received. It was Sayoon.

    “I was just looking at the village.”

    “Island Village… Hehe. It’s a nice place. Really.”

    Geomseong smiled gently at her smiling brightly. And stroking her head.

    “Tomorrow’s patrol… who is going?”

    “Hmm. Sister Yuhee and I are going. Why are you doing that?”

    “If it’s okay, can I go with you?”

    “Of course!”

    There was no reason for Sayun to reject Geomseong’s offer.

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