episode_0127

***

“Master.”

It was late at night when the feast at Seomhwachon was somewhat over and we returned to Hongseongmun.

Last night of the year.

Normally I should have slept comfortably, but I couldn’t.

That’s because someone came from Amipah.

White jade beads, left behind by Hye-hwan, a high priest of Amipa who obtained them by following what ‘Uncle’ told him.

He and Hongryeon must remain to greet those who came to check it out.

So, when she was about to send the guests to the guesthouse and leave, Ryu Hyeon caught her.

“Why are you doing this?”

“It looks like it came from the post office while we were down there.”

What she held out was a small box. A box with no sender written on it. Geomseong saw that and slightly twitched his eyebrows.

“What about Sayoon?”

“I’m in the ambassador’s room right now.”

“Ryu Hyun. Serve guests with Hongryeon.”

After speaking calmly, Geomseong took the man’s box and headed to Hongryeon’s room.

When I went in, I saw Sayoon fidgeting with Hyeonhwi with a worried expression on his face.

“Master. What should I do if they try to find ‘Uncle’?”

What if you get in trouble because of that?

Sayoon also knew. What a great person you are.

Information is very important.

I have also heard that a piece of information can be traded for hundreds of gold coins.

And, he would casually tell me information that I didn’t even know at Hongseongmun.

What if you try to find the man in Amipa and even threaten him?

Geomseong grinned as he faced Sayun’s worried expression.

“It’s okay.”

That single word had weight.

Sayun felt relieved when her teacher, not someone else, said that.

Geomseong held out a box to her, and Sayoon swallowed hard and opened the box.

In the box, as always, a hermit.

There was a complaint of headache.

One message was sent to Sayun.

[I will always treasure what you sent me. I don’t know if this letter will arrive this year. I hope next year will be a good year. Happy New Year.]

Although it was short, it was a message full of sincerity. Sayun was happy and hugged Seochal.

“Is this… a letter sent to your teacher?”

Last time, Geomsung asked if he could send a letter, and he readily agreed.

But I never thought I would receive a reply like this.

Geomseong gently opened the library.

I could understand why Sayun was happy every time she received a letter from her uncle.

The anticipation that felt like when she was a child and her teacher gave her a small package of gifts on her birthday was patting her heart.

[Monk Hyehwan has already attained Buddhahood. His remains are located in the northwest of the continent, inside the Changwan Gorge, in a cave in the barrier created by perm and illegal acts.]

Changwan Gorge in the northwest of the continent.

It was a place where we had to go for a couple of months, and Geomseong also knew about the dangers of that place.

One of the four evils. A place where the palace sleeps.

It’s a place where there are a lot of evil and strong monsters, so it’s a place you can’t enter without permission, so why did Hye-hwan go there?

As if to resolve the question, the answer was kindly written on the letter.

[You might be wondering why he went there. If you go there, you will know, but he achieved Buddhahood after pouring everything he had into preventing the awakening of the palace. So, if possible, I would like you to deliver his remains to Amipah.]

How on earth did this person figure this out?

A deep question began to swirl in the Sword Saint’s head.

However, regardless of the question, what is written in the record is purely a provision of information.

It was pure goodwill without expecting anything in return.

And, for no reason, this good intention brought to mind the face of a man.

Like an ‘uncle’, a person who gives pure kindness without receiving anything in return.

When ‘Uncle’ helped Hong Seong-moon make his new item, Hyeonwoon-gap.

The person who helped me obtain the precious ingredients for Hyunwoon Gap, as if to help me fill in the rest.

A person who always thought ‘what if’.

However, that was just his opinion and there was no physical evidence whatsoever, and when he realized that Yuwol was a good person that day, he decided not to try to find out any more.

Therefore, Geomseong tried to suppress the corners of his mouth that were about to flinch.

I tried to erase from my mind the innocent smile of that person that suddenly came to mind.

“Wow… what on earth does ‘Mister’ know and how much does he know?”

Hyeonhwi, who checked the book he held out, muttered hesitantly, and Geomseong grinned.

“Well. But that’s not what’s important.”

“…Of course.”

The important thing is that the ‘uncle’ is clearly helping them with good intentions, and if so, they just have to repay that goodwill.

Moreover, the request is to collect the remains of the person who sacrificed himself to prevent the awakening of Gung-gi.

Clearly, the intention could never be considered malicious.

“If he doesn’t want to reveal himself, we can only help him.”

Geomseong got up from his seat and went out.

As we entered the guest hall, the waiting monks of Yujeong and Amipa stood up.

What is placed in front of them is Hyehwan’s white jade beads that Hongryeon brought.

To those who wanted an explanation as to where and how he obtained it, Geomseong spoke calmly.

“Monk Hye-hwan’s remains are located in a cave in the boundary between Perm and Illegality, inside the Changwan Gorge in the northwest of the continent.”

“…How did you know that?”

It was a question that Yujeong naturally had to ask.

Why did Hyehwan, who had not been heard from for a long time, go to that dangerous place?

And how did Hong Seong-moon know that?

And how did you find out what Hyehwan left behind?

It was natural to be curious about all that.

But Geomsung just spoke calmly.

“I heard it from someone I trust.”

“No, he is someone the Sword Saint can trust… Who on earth is he…? Can I meet him?”

“No one can touch him until he reveals himself. If you try to violate this.”

Geomseong spoke firmly.

“You will have to deal with me.”

Yujeong, the next Jangmunin of Amipa, looked at Geomseong silently, and the monks standing behind her were also calmly rolling prayer beads.

“Don’t you know how much our Amipah is looking for Monk Hyehwan?”

“I’m telling you this because I know. The place where Monk Hyehwan is.”

“But…”

As Yujeong spoke urgently, Geomseong smiled.

“It is a favor from Hongseongmun to Amipah to inform you of the location of Monk Hyehwan.”

Only after hearing those words did Yujeong realize that she was excited and that she was being rude.

Also, the fact that Geomseong said that meant that he thought that he was very important.

Still, forcing it was a huge disrespect.

Even though Hongseongmun had already shown favor.

“…That’s right. I’m sorry.”

When Yujeong bowed her head and expressed her apology, Geomseong shook his head.

“I also experienced something similar. And… there was someone who smiled and told me that it was okay for a human to make my mistakes.”

Geomseong smiled bitterly.

How could he blame Yoo-jeong for his mistake when he himself made the same mistake?

Yujeong felt even deeper shame at her gentle tone.

“…I’m sorry. I have nothing to say. And, although it’s late, thank you.”

Geomseong slightly nodded at Yujeong’s honest apology and gratitude.

“Then let’s talk. What I want from Hongseongmun is…”

The story didn’t last long.

In any case, it was Hong Seong-moon who was holding the sword hilt.

Also, since Amipa also wanted to see the records of the non-geom, they decided to come to Hongseongmun with the records in the near future. Of course, Geomseong also decided to show the records kept at Hongseongmun.

And in return for finding the white jade beads, Amipa decided to provide the elixir, Ami Star Cluster.

Ami Seongdan is a precious elixir comparable to the Shaman’s Shaman’s Summoning Dan or the Shaolin Temple’s Summoning Dan.

Providing it could be said to be a repayment for Hongseongmun’s knowledge of where Hyehwan’s remains were located, as well as an example of Yujeong himself and gratitude to Geomseong for not blaming him for it.

“It’s late today, so why don’t you take a rest and then go?”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Yujeong nods and leaves with other monks. Hongryeon, who was watching Ryu Hyeon guide the girls, smiled at Geomseong.

“You are also a teacher.”

“Hehe. Well, with this much.”

Most of the negotiations were done by Hongryeon.

There is a sword star behind her.

And the fact that Geomseong smiled and understood Yujeong’s mistake earlier was the background to the great benefit in this negotiation.

“But what does it mean that you also experienced something similar?”

“Hehe.”

“Please answer without smiling.”

But Geomseong did not answer.

What happened at that time.

The moment I found out he was a good man was always a thrilling memory.

And the moment of peace I enjoyed while sharing a drink with him.

Because it was a precious and enjoyable memory that made her forget her anxiety for a moment.

“It’s a secret.”

Hongryeon silently stared at the smile on her lips. When Geomseong tilted his head at that gaze, Hongryeon sighed slightly.

“Over there. Master.”

“Huh?”

“These days… are you okay?”

Are you okay? She did not know that what Hongryeon was asking was referring to a wound that had remained in her heart for a long time.

Geomseong placed his hand on his chest.

surely.

I haven’t had any nightmares lately.

But even so, the hurt inside him did not disappear.

“It’s okay.”

That’s why Geomseong smiled and said.

Because I know that this wound is something I must carry with me.