Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Value of a Word - 1
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Hongryeon watched Sayoon take on the Evil Yak alone, her thoughts drifting.
She hadn't even properly mastered the latter half of the Crimson Star Divine Art yet, but Sayoon's movements were nimble, and her punches, though light, carried real power.
She was like a mountain when she needed to stand still, and like the wind when it was time to move. Serene as a forest when drawing the enemy in, and blazing like fire when building up her momentum.
It was a far cry from the Sayoon she'd seen just yesterday.
She was growing stronger through real combat, forging herself step by step.
'When I heard she'd beaten the Cunning Wolf, I could hardly believe it...'
All the disciples of the Crimson Star Sect possessed exceptional talent.
Hongryeon herself had never once felt her own gifts were lacking compared to others.
But Sayoon was on another level entirely.
How long had it even been since she'd started learning the Crimson Star Divine Art?
No, how long had she been seriously training in martial arts at all?
People feel jealousy toward what they lack.
Jealousy turns to hatred, and hatred becomes a fierce blaze that consumes even oneself.
But Hongryeon was too capable to get swept up in envy that covets others' possessions, and her sense of self was far too strong.
So all she felt was curiosity—how far could Sayoon grow?
Could she one day succeed their master and become a new Sword Saint?
Watching Sayoon with a mix of curiosity and pride, Hongryeon burst into loud laughter the moment her sword felled the Evil Yak, without a second's hesitation.
"Hahaha! Well done, little junior!"
"Ah. Yes! It's all thanks to Senior Sister and the other seniors' guidance!"
"Of course! But you can't dismiss what you've built yourself! Nor can you ignore what you already possess!"
"Yes! I understand!"
- Thud...!!
As Sayoon gave her spirited reply, a low rumble echoed, and the firmly shut door creaked open. Everyone there knew that room was the final chamber.
"Alright! Time to claim our reward for conquering the Secret Realm and head out!"
Hongryeon strode boldly to the altar in the last room, the one holding the Secret Realm's prize.
There sat a small box.
She picked it up lightly, hopped down, and showed it to her two junior sisters.
"This is..."
Inside was a large, cleanly shaped root vegetable, thick as a radish. As both girls puzzled over it, Hongryeon tapped it and said casually,
"White Atractylodes root. At least thirty years old, by the look of it."
"A thirty-year White Atractylodes..."
It counted as a spiritual herb, at least. The inner energy boost might be modest.
Still, selling it would fetch at least two gold nyang.
"This is great! Senior Sister!"
Sayoon beamed. She'd heard from Yuhee lately that Hongryeon had been stressing over operating funds. Hongryeon grinned back just as wide.
"Mm! It really is! Here, eat it!"
"B-but this is!"
"Hm? Ryuhyeon, did I say something wrong?"
"No, you didn't."
"Right?"
Hongryeon spoke to the flustered Sayoon as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Her attitude was like saying you had to eat breakfast after waking up in the morning. Sayoon couldn't help but be stunned.
"First, you took down the Evil Yak in the Secret Realm. Second, you cleared it without anyone's help. Third, 'your uncle' sent the map that led us here."
"But selling it would make things a bit easier for Senior Sister..."
"Little junior. The Crimson Star Sect is a martial sect, and a warrior's goal is to grow stronger."
"But..."
"Why do you think your uncle sent that map? Just to sponsor you? To help the Crimson Star Sect reclaim a lost Secret Realm?"
"Well..."
"If that was all, silver alone would have sufficed. If it was just about returning our Secret Realm, he could've tipped off the sect under any other name. We'd have rewarded him for it. But he sent it in your name. What do you think that means?"
"......"
"I think he wanted you to conquer this Secret Realm."
"You think... so?"
"Planning to refuse his consideration and grace?"
"No, I'm not!"
"Then this belongs to you, fair and square. And claiming it must be what 'your uncle' intended, don't you think?"
Her head was telling her to sell it and bolster the sect's funds.
But her heart...
It fluttered teasingly inside, insisting she consume the White Atractylodes to boost her inner energy.
If that was Uncle's wish, after all.
After agonizing over it, Sayoon glanced at Ryuhyeon as if pleading for help. But she was in much the same boat as Hongryeon.
"If you're feeling guilty about taking a spiritual herb just for yourself, don't worry."
She gently stroked Sayoon's head.
"No one under the light of the Crimson Star would blame our proud little junior for claiming what she earned on her own."
At her seniors' kind words, Sayoon burst into tears.
After finishing the morning trade at the inn, he returned to his room to tally the books and handle business for the inn and the merchant guild.
Then he moved on to managing the tenant farmers and other tasks.
He couldn't just slack off now that he was in this world.
He had to make use of his assets to achieve his—and their—goals.
As he focused on his work, a Postal Gate courier arrived.
It was daytime, but that was no issue. They didn't only operate at night.
"Three letters today."
One was business correspondence.
One requested sponsorship.
And the last...
"Oh."
It was from Sayoon.
But unlike usual, it wasn't a letter—it was a box—which left him puzzled.
"I'll be off, then."
Once the courier left, he opened the box. Inside was another small box alongside a letter.
What could it be?
He unfolded the letter right away.
Ryuhyeon senior sister told me.
Spring is a wonderful thing.
I didn't really get what she meant at first. Makes sense, right? For a beggar orphan like me, the changing seasons didn't mean much. The only upside was surviving another brutal winter.
But spring brought dangers too—once the harsh cold retreated, all sorts of threats emerged, and with the thaw, they came prowling right for me. So it wasn't much different in the end.
But now it's different.
I've learned that spring is wonderful.
I never got much schooling.
Never went to a village school like other kids, and the only letters I know are what the seniors taught me after joining the Crimson Star Sect.
So I didn't know the poetic meaning of 'spring.'
But now I think I get it, just a little.
Do you know, Uncle?
'Spring' means birth. New beginnings.
Hongryeon senior sister said it boldly too: 'Mm~! Spring is a fine thing!'
Though Ryuhyeon senior sister always blushes and smacks her back hard. No idea why.
Anyway, spring is truly wonderful.
New things always make me so happy.
Like the new technique I just learned.
Of course, it'd be great if I could master new things right away, but I'm too lacking—it still comes slowly.
...Very slowly, honestly.
But if I keep trying, keep striving, even a useless girl like me could be reborn and help the Crimson Star Sect, even if just a little?
Hee hee. Spring really is wonderful.
Every time I write to you, Uncle, I think of spring.
Maybe because your new letters feel like spring?
I always look forward to spring with joy.
My dear Uncle.
Do you like spring?
P.S.
Every spring, the Crimson Star Sect picks the fresh shoots of Thousand-Day Plum Blossoms from Sacred Mountain Crimson Star Mountain to brew flower tea. They say the tea made from those plum blossoms is perfect for when the sudden warm weather saps your energy or you catch a cold.
The Thousand-Day Plum Blossom tea I'm sending this time is my very first batch—I picked and dried the buds myself last year. It just finished maturing in time to send with this letter. Such a relief.
It might not be as good as what the other seniors make, but please try it and like spring too, Uncle.
I just want to share even a little of what you feel!!
If you finish it, let me know. I'd make as much as you want for you, Uncle!
He folded the letter and opened the small box.
Inside was a crudely handmade clay jar, carefully sealed.
He'd expected a letter from Sayoon, but not something like this too.
He broke the seal—wax paper, oil cloth, and wooden plugs—and peered inside. It held flower tea pickled in what looked like honey.
He dabbed a finger in for a taste: sweet on the tongue, with the plum blossom fragrance blooming and tickling his nose.
You could feel the care poured into it.
Honestly, it felt too precious to eat.
But even Thousand-Day Plum Blossoms from a sacred mountain could spoil, so better drink it soon.
He set a kettle over the room's brazier. How long did he wait? Steam soon billowed from the spout.
He prepared a cup. One scoop of Thousand-Day Plum Blossom tea. A scoop of affection, a scoop of sunlight, a scoop of gratitude.
The hot water poured over it released a heavenly aroma that tickled his nose, drawing out a smile.
Ah... sweet...
Drinking tea from his favorite, reading letters from his favorite!
Sipping the tea, he reread all of Sayoon's letters.
With a swell of pride, he carefully stowed the read letter in his safe.
"Um, master. Someone from the Crimson Star Sect is here."
Right on time—he'd figured they'd come around now. The goods from last time were probably running low.
He got the report from the merchant guild staffer who'd come up, and rose from his seat.
Wonder who it was.
Would be nice if it was Sayoon, but she was busy training in new techniques, so probably not.
With a flicker of anticipation, he headed to the guild—and saw a familiar face.
Not Sayoon, as expected.
"Ah. H-hello."
It was Ryuhyeon and Yuhee.
He nearly felt disappointed, but sulking at the sight of guests would be rude. He clasped his hands in greeting and smiled.
"Came for the goods as promised?"
"Ah, yes."
"Take as much as you need."
"Yes!"
Yuhee darted inside. The Crimson Star Sect, being all women, seemed to need all sorts of sundries—unlike male-only sects.
As a clerk went to assist her, he glanced at Ryuhyeon, who stood there awkwardly smiling.
"Don't just stand there—have some tea?"
"Ah... N-no, it's fine."
"Credit customer or not, a customer's a customer. Can't neglect hospitality."
He nodded, and soon a clerk brought tea and set it on the table. He sat, and Ryuhyeon reluctantly followed, sipping hers.
.....
Awkward. Felt like he should say something.
"Mm. How's Sayoon doing these days?"
"Sayoon? She's... Wait, why do you ask?"
"The girl saved my life. Even the Falling Sun Sword ventured out for the sect's little junior. And when it comes to chatting about the Crimson Star Sect, she's the only topic that comes to mind."
It was a white lie, really. He just wondered how she was faring, what she'd learned after the spiritual herb.
Whatever. It wasn't wrong.
Ryuhyeon nodded slightly in agreement.
"She's busy with all sorts. Senior Sister gave the little one homework."
"Homework?"
"Yes. A new technique... Come to think of it, you seem to know martial arts yourself, innkeeper. You recognized Kajun's moves."
"Haha. A bit."
He shrugged, and Ryuhyeon smiled faintly.
"The technique Sayoon's learning now is Meteor Fist. You saw the prerequisite—Star-Breaking Palm."
"Indeed. Fierce enough to drop the Cunning Wolf Kajun in one blow."
"Hee hee. This one's even tougher."
Probably.
As Ryuhyeon said, Meteor Fist came after Star-Breaking Palm, and required an enlightenment event to master.
Enlightenment.
Enlightenment, huh...
This one's tricky.
He sipped his tea, the bitter tang stimulating his tongue.
Still, he'd do it.
That's why he was here.
And...
Recalling the sweet Thousand-Day Plum Blossom tea from earlier, he curled his lips upward.
Couldn't forget to pay that sweetness back.