Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: How to Accumulate Internal Energy as Easily as Eating Candy - 4
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Wild animals often lose their lives in a single moment of carelessness.
That's why they stay vigilant in everything they do, constantly sharpening their wariness.
In the wild, where mistakes and complacency invite death—a brutal survival of the fittest—the martial world was no different.
To climb higher, to survive, one had to put in endless effort, yet a single mistake could strip everything away.
That was why Hongryeon had no choice but to teach Sayoon the latter stages of the Crimson Star Divine Art, even if it was a bit early.
She didn't know who had sent that letter, but if they were connected to the martial world, Sayoon needed a way to protect herself.
Of course, she hadn't taught the most powerful, difficult, and core great sword forms. Transmitting those required the master's permission, and Sayoon lacked the internal energy to handle them anyway.
No matter how exceptional Sayoon's talent was, she hadn't been a Crimson Star Sect disciple for long.
Unlike the other disciples, she hadn't started building her internal energy from childhood either, so it was inevitable.
To raise Sayoon faster, boosting her internal energy was essential.
But internal energy didn't grow that easily. Even with the peerless Crimson Star Divine Art, unless it was a demonic art, early progress was bound to be slow.
"Haa..."
Her thoughts began to rampage like wild horses.
To sort them out, Hongryeon tended to her master's meal before heading to the training grounds, silently swinging her sword.
Yet her worries clung thickly, like the sunset dyeing the sky red.
Normally, sword swings cleared her mind, but today, banishing those thoughts was strangely difficult.
Finally stopping her great sword, Hongryeon squeezed her eyes shut and recalled the past.
The bittersweet yet sweet memories that steadied her whenever she wavered.
Focusing her mind on them, Hongryeon concentrated.
It had been after the mysterious letter and silver arrived for Sayoon.
The many martial factions still scheming to exploit the Crimson Star Sect persisted, and those trying to wield the Sword Saint's power through fake info or threats were plentiful.
Look—shadowy forces, the Martial Alliance in peril, the Demonic Cult stirring again. Letters claiming she needed to help stop them poured in, every kind imaginable.
With even the youngest facing such approaches, it was no wonder her head throbbed.
"Hoo..."
So, preparing for the worst, she'd taught Star-Breaking Palm a bit early. Thankfully, with Sayoon's talent, she'd picked it up quickly.
No—beyond quick learning, she'd made it fully her own.
Now she had one blade to protect herself.
But the unease lingered, turning unpleasantly real far too soon.
When the disciples back from Island Flower Village reported the day's events, she'd smiled outwardly but felt her heart lurch.
The story of the youngest fighting Cunning Wolf Kajun—and winning.
An astonishing tale.
Even if Kajun was just a mercenary assassin from an evil sect, he was a seasoned master known even in the Martial Alliance.
Such an expert defeated by Sayoon?
Even with help, it was shocking.
Sayoon's talent was undoubtedly exceptional. If born to a prestigious family and trained from childhood, she might rival or surpass Hongryeon.
But reality differed.
She'd been a beggar orphan, her potential untapped.
It was such a waste.
If only she had more internal energy.
If she'd grown in a good family, trained from youth.
Her growth would have been swifter.
"Ah."
Regret, pressure. Hatred for the world's unfairness.
Were these negative emotions stirring? The ferocity of the Crimson Star Divine Art in her dantian surged, trying to drag her lost in the past back.
Hongryeon gritted her teeth, calming it. The savage power was immense and merciless; one slip, and it could devour her.
It had to be controlled with cold reason.
As the dormant ferocity flowed through her meridians, her great sword brimmed with immense energy.
Falling Sun.
The moniker earned from a momentum that could fell even the sun in the sky.
But even with such power.
Even after long serving as senior disciple, managing the Crimson Star Sect.
She was still just a woman in her twenties—young, as some might say.
Thus, on matters beyond her experience and knowledge, she had to agonize.
-Bwoooong...!!!
The great sword form from the Crimson Star Divine Art's latter half.
Gale Force.
Fierce red internal energy enveloped the great sword, becoming a wind of utter destruction.
Hongryeon, who had nearly perfected the great sword forms, flashed her eyes and swung wide.
-Kwaaaang!!
Once, twice—swift as wind, each swing scattered stone dust around the training grounds. Her great sword caused it; her sword alone blocked it.
She drew up more internal energy, leaped into the air, and slammed her great sword down.
-Kuuuung!!
Meteor Fall.
A decisive technique essential for mastering Meteor Shower, the final pinnacle of the Crimson Star Divine Art's great sword forms.
Even Hongryeon hadn't perfected it yet. As it unfolded, immense energy radiated from the training ground's center.
Like destructive ferocity from the heavens ravaging the earth, a single strike carved a massive crater in the ground. Hongryeon gasped for breath.
Feeling her raised internal energy settle and return to her dantian, she bit her lip hard.
Internal energy.
This was the problem.
She and the other disciples had trained from childhood, building energy steadily, so mastering the Crimson Star Divine Art posed no issue.
But Sayoon?
The Sword Saint had taken in this orphan beggar as a disciple, so she'd missed peak-effectiveness childhood training like Bee Tail Needles or spirit medicine ingestion.
Thus, steady accumulation was her only path—but too slow.
And she knew the solution.
Info from her Martial Alliance days: a hidden secret realm nearby. Clearing such realms usually yielded spirit medicine.
Quality unknown, but even weak ones would hugely help Sayoon now.
But if she went?
Secret realms weren't day trips.
Reliable junior sisters and the master kept the sect safe, but management was the issue.
Expenses everywhere; the recent Alliance payout gone to repairs and upkeep.
To cover it: take commissions, hunt beasts, fight bandits...
No time for the realm.
Two rabbits.
Swift ones fleeing opposite ways—she needed both now.
"Kuh..."
Groaning, Hongryeon squeezed her eyes shut.
There was a way to catch both.
Not without cost, though.
As senior disciple, eldest sister leading all.
Her pride could bend.
Recalling that decision, Hongryeon unwittingly curled her lips.
To catch both rabbits, steeling to discard pride, she'd gone to Island Flower Village's inn-cum-merchant.
In many ways, owner Yuwol was favorable to the Crimson Star Sect.
Leaning on that goodwill for an excessive request felt petty.
But this shame was hers alone.
The sect's burden—not hers to bear.
Thought and action differ, though.
She hesitated long, finally voicing it with effort. He smiled.
"We're not strangers. I can do that much."
Not strangers.
Why not?
Even if she'd helped last time, her actual contribution was minimal.
He'd paid for Sayoon's aid.
Yet not strangers?
Hongryeon eyed the man.
The emotions in the curt-faced man's eyes.
Too pure for greed.
Too bright for lust.
Only fierce will to achieve his goals.
And in that will: pure concern and worry.
Under that gaze, Hongryeon swallowed unwittingly.
As senior disciple leading many junior sisters.
Replacing their rock-bottom-life-skills master to run the sect, she'd matured faster than most.
No whining as Sword Saint's disciple.
Must be the pillar for her sisters.
Being the adult, the support—it was natural, right.
Such a massive, reliable wall.
A gaze of pure worry, unlike others' greed—naturally refreshing.
Thus, she thought.
Thank goodness.
Truly fortunate.
This man views the Crimson Star Sect kindly.
Yes.
That alone.
The weight of long unease in her chest lightened a bit because...
"Senior Sister. We're back."
A voice brimming with joy yanked her from the sweet sea of the past.
From carefree child before an adult to eldest sister for many—it was but an instant.
Yet just basking in that past eased her burden slightly. Hongryeon smiled softly.
This—she could do more.
Bitter to discard pride, but recalling the sweetness of a reliable adult...
I can be a better sister.
Thus.
Absolutely.
"Hahaha!! Come in! Did you eat well?!"
No reason to waver.
After the junior sisters returned to quarters and she to her room, Ryuhyeon entered, a large bundle in hand.
Unwrapping it brought laughter. Cold dishes still tasty cold, plus mains heatable in the sect kitchen.
"What's this?"
"We saved these without eating, asked them to pack for Senior Sister."
Commendable or brazen?
Hongryeon chuckled at the food before her. Ryuhyeon offered a plate.
"Innkeeper Yuwol asked about you too. Crab porridge—you love it, right? The jerky trio... well, everyone likes it. And the braised meat... it's so-so, but you'd eat it fine."
Laughter escaped. Needless consideration. But it didn't annoy.
Because that goodwill felt pure?
Yes, surely.
"...That guy's thoughtful in useless ways. I eat rough anyway."
"You didn't come 'cause you're tending Master, right? So..."
"Yeah. Guess I owe separate thanks there."
Hongryeon replied curtly to hide her ticklish heart.
The past's sweetness tapped her chest corner.
To her complex feelings, Ryuhyeon smiled wryly, pondered, then spoke seriously.
"But... that Yuwol innkeeper."
"Hm? What?"
"His gaze felt off."
"Hmmm...?"
No way. To her, Yuwol wasn't bad.
No, not the type to harbor dark designs on girls far younger.
Dubious, Hongryeon watched Ryuhyeon hesitate, then explain.
"Not pedo or lecher vibes. Like... how to put it."
Ryuhyeon pondered. The glance before leaving the inn.
Yuwol's gaze at Sayoon was...
Yes.
"On rest days home?"
"Yeah."
"After meals... Father's gaze at me."
"Father's gaze..."
"No lust, just worry, relief? Kinda embarrassing."
"Why?"
"Dunno... Oh, Sayoon saved him before, right? Maybe that."
"Hm..."
Just that?
Hongryeon's thoughts deepened.
Then.
"Senior Sister. Postal Gate letter."
"Come in."
Speak of the tiger. Sayoon, with Yuhee, entered carrying a basket with letter and box.
Eyeing Ryuhyeon to continue later, Hongryeon glanced at the basket.
And spotted a familiar box shape.
"Another one."
"Eep? Ehehe..."
Third time already. Sayoon's bright face made Hongryeon pat her head.
As expected, no sender's name.
"I'll open it."
Seal broken, box revealed the usual: one nyang silver, one letter.
Sayoon stared, then unfolded it.
Unlike before, she just tilted her head.
"Uh... this is."
"What?"
Hongryeon and Ryuhyeon turned to the proffered letter. Both froze stiff.
For good reason.
It was a map.
Of all things.
"...Crimson Star Mountain map?"