What Was Gained from the Third Trial - 4
The sacred relic handed down through the generations to the leaders of Hongseong Sect was none other than the Hyeon-ungap — the Black Cloud Armor.
Forged from Astral Cloud Iron, it possessed considerable defensive power, but that was never its true worth. The armor's most vital property lay in strengthening the Hongseong Divine Art, drawing upon the power of the stars sealed within the Astral Cloud Iron itself. Borrowing the might of the stars to empower the divine art, and keeping its wearer from ever losing their footing on the righteous path, the armor had stood within Hongseong Sect for generations, serving as one of its greatest pillars of strength.
But the Hyeon-ungap existed in Hongseong Sect no longer. It had been destroyed when the eldest disciple, with an Inner Demon nesting in her heart, turned upon the master.
Geomseong gazed in silence at the Astral Cloud Iron — the very material from which that shattered armor had been forged — then slowly shook her head.
"The Hyeon-ungap... that's the one, isn't it?"
Hong Ryeon had heard the story before, and it was disbelief that pulled the question from her. Astral Cloud Iron could be found only within stars that had fallen from the heavens to the earth, and it carried tremendous value in and of itself. She had been told it was so rare that even obtaining a piece nowadays was next to impossible — never had she dreamed it would be sitting right here.
Hong Ryeon stared at the iron in astonishment, and Sayun, more astonished still, looked on beside her. Geomseong forced brightness into her voice.
"In any case."
Perhaps to lift the weight that had settled over them, she raised her head and smiled.
"You did well. Now, as I promised — this Astral Cloud Iron is yours to keep."
"Oh! But—"
"Astral Cloud Iron is a treasured material, one used in the forging of famed blades. It would be no bad thing to have a weapon made from it for you. Though at present, I doubt anyone alive could work it..."
Geomseong's thoughts turned to Seomhwachon. Master Mak, the brilliant blacksmith, and Chang Ju, a talisman artisan every bit as accomplished. And if Magistrate Hyeonryeong and Yuwol joined hands to develop the village further? Before long, a way would surely be found to put Astral Cloud Iron to use within Seomhwachon. And when that day came, this iron would become a great wellspring of power for Sayun.
Geomseong smiled gently and patted her shoulder.
"Now then! Let us head back!!"
With the midnight challenge of the secret realm behind them, Sayun trained on alongside the disciples who wished to push themselves further, and only when it was over did she return to her room, sinking onto her bed with a bone-deep weariness. When she pressed her face into the blanket — washed and dried under the day's sun, still warm with its scent — her tired body seemed to melt into drowsy comfort.
Her eyes were just beginning to drift shut when she jolted upright.
"N-no. Not yet."
"Mmm? Not sleeping?"
"Not yet. I want to write my letter to Uncle first."
"Tell Uncle I said thank you, too..."
Yu Hui murmured in a voice heavy with sleep. She had gained an insight in today's secret realm, and her footwork had grown all the more fluid for it. Sayun nodded, recalling how delighted Yu Hui had been — there had always been an awkward hitch in her breathing and footwork, and now that flaw had finally been mended.
Taking up brush, inkstone, and paper, Sayun went outside, sat where the moonlight poured down, and raised her brush.
"Hmm..."
What should she say? So many words were circling in her head, threatening to spill over all at once; she would have to sort them out first. And so her brush refused to move.
"Not sleeping? What are you doing up?"
It was Hong Ryeon who came striding over — the daesajeo of Hongseong Sect, the woman Sayun followed like an elder sister. Her red hair streaming on the night wind, Sayun greeted her with a bright smile.
"I'm writing a letter to Uncle."
"Is that so? Then pass along a word about me too. Tell him I'm always grateful."
"Ahaha. Yes, I will."
Saying so, Sayun took up her brush again — but still no words would come. Hong Ryeon studied her for a moment, chuckled under her breath, and led her off to her own room.
"Have some tea. You look like you're agonizing over what to write."
"Yes..."
Hong Ryeon brewed the tea slowly. Watching her through distant eyes, Sayun let out a small sigh.
"It's about the Astral Cloud Iron we obtained today."
"Hm? That? Don't worry. If Seomhwachon can't manage it, I'll find someone who can, even if I have to go through the Murim Alliance."
"No — that's not it."
Faltering, Sayun stole a glance at Hong Ryeon's face, then opened her mouth with care.
"Could we... remake the Hyeon-ungap with this? Is there anyone you know, Daesajeo, who might know the crafting method?"
Hong Ryeon's hand, reaching to prepare the tea, stopped mid-motion. She turned her head slowly, held Sayun's gaze for a long moment, and then spoke in a level voice.
"Even so, that iron is yours. 'Uncle' gave it for 'you.'"
"That's true... but he also said it would be up to me to decide how it's used. And I already have a sword, you know — the one Uncle passed down to me. Besides, a weapon fine enough to warrant Astral Cloud Iron is far beyond someone like me."
"That, no one can say. As you well know, every form of the Hongseong Divine Art is but a stepping stone toward the Great Sword Form. Which means that someday, you too will need a greatsword prepared for you and you alone."
And perhaps — no, without question — the Astral Cloud Iron would prove its worth then.
Hong Ryeon spoke as though gently counseling her, but Sayun slowly shook her head.
"But I know that everything has the use that befits it. And the way I see it, the Astral Cloud Iron..."
She looked Hong Ryeon dead in the eye.
"...I can't help feeling it ought to be used for Hongseong Sect."
Sayun's voice trembled — but there was no hesitation in it. Perhaps that was why Hong Ryeon's hand stayed frozen a moment longer. And when at last it moved again, a smile had come to rest on her lips.
"It was written in the letter, after all — the decision is yours. I have no right to say otherwise. But I'd wager your real worry is... that Uncle might be disappointed?"
"...Yes."
"Then why not simply ask him? From where I stand, that 'Uncle' of yours doesn't look the type to rage over so small a thing."
"I do think so too, but..."
To the sulking girl, Hong Ryeon held out a steaming cup.
"Whatever choice you make, we will honor it. So don't let it weigh on you so heavily."
"...Yes, Daesajeo."
A smile, firm with resolve, settled on Sayun's lips.
They say that to live in this world, one must always be making choices.
Choice. Yes. It is an important matter.
What would have happened, I wonder, had I chosen not to take Master's hand?
What would have happened had I chosen not to train in earnest after coming to Hongseong Sect?
And yet sometimes, I believe there is something that comes to us not as a choice, but as a destiny we are given.
Like you, Uncle.
You, who came to me so suddenly one day — were you not, perhaps, never a choice at all, but a destiny I could neither avoid nor refuse?
Of course, that isn't to say I dislike it! Please don't misunderstand!!
If you are my destiny, Uncle — then it would be a joy too great for words!
I have returned from the secret realm written of in the letter you sent me. And there, I obtained the Astral Cloud Iron.
You know of Hongseong Sect's secret realm, Uncle, so I imagine you already understood what Astral Cloud Iron is — and where it is used.
Which must be why you entrusted it to me as you did.
Leaving it to me to judge how this should be used.
Honestly, when I first heard of the Astral Cloud Iron, I was truly astonished. I could never even have imagined that this iron held such value.
That a single lump of it could serve as material for those treasured swords.
And that it was the very substance needed to remake our Hongseong Sect's sacred relic.
I have decided to use the Astral Cloud Iron to remake the sacred relic of Hongseong Sect.
Perhaps this, too, is a choice you have placed in my hands.
Since you told me the price of my choices is mine to pay — will the day come, far in the future, when I regret this decision?
I don't believe so. Because I hold the happiness of Hongseong Sect, of my master, of my fellow disciples, to be every bit as precious as my own.
And I hope, with all my heart, that my choice becomes a happiness for you as well, Uncle.
P.S.
Thinking of you, I am sending one more tin of the Cheon-il Plum Blossom Tea I prepared this time. I wonder whether you finished the one I sent before? If you have, please tell me anytime — for this is all I have to offer you.
I drew the little tin from its box. I had nearly finished the Cheon-il Plum Blossom Tea Sayun sent before, so the timing could hardly have been better.
Brewing the new batch, I sipped it slowly and read her letter through once more.
Using the Astral Cloud Iron to remake the Hyeon-ungap, of all things... it was no bad choice. The Hyeon-ungap was, after all, one of the most storied pieces of equipment even in Cheonsang Myeongwol. There was nothing to lose in Hongseong Sect possessing one.
And as for Sayun's greatsword — I could always have one forged for her later from finer materials, so...
She had taken it as yet another trial set for her, but I hadn't sent it meaning anything of the sort. It wasn't as if that secret realm was the only place Astral Cloud Iron could be found, and I had meant to point her toward other sources when the time was right.
Reading on, I let out a quiet laugh.
The truth was, more than anything else, I liked her heart. She could have used it entirely for herself, and the sect would surely have allowed it — yet she had the character to give back what she had been given. After everything she had endured, she was still the very girl I — we — had watched her become, and that resemblance alone was enough to leave me satisfied.
No matter what the world throws at you, you never change, do you.
I gave the letter a fond pat and rose from my seat. A letter this delightful, first thing in the morning — today, too, would be a rewarding day.
By the time I had drained the last of the Cheon-il Plum Blossom Tea, lit my pipe, and put a stretch of work behind me, I happened to glance out the window — and there in the backyard were two familiar faces. Sayun, and Ryu Hyeon. So it was their turn on patrol this time?
Leaning against the windowsill, I waved to them.
"Oh! Hello!"
"Hey there. Out on patrol?"
"Yes!! With Senior Sister Ryu Hyeon today!"
"Greetings, Innkeeper."
I returned Ryu Hyeon's greeting with a smile of my own, then ducked downstairs before the two could move on and hurled a couple of fresh apples — just purchased that morning — their way.
Sayun snatched hers out of the air and tilted her head, and I grinned at the two bewildered faces.
"Eat them on your way."
"Oh?! You really didn't have to!"
"It's fine. You'll be wearing yourselves out on patrol — think of it as trail rations. Come by when you're done; I'll set aside some mooncakes, one for each of you."
In the end, Sayun gave a wry smile of surrender, and once Ryu Hyeon had accepted her two apples as well, she bowed deeply at the waist.
"Hehe. We'll enjoy them!"
"Thank you very much!"
The two answered with bright energy and headed off on their rounds.
Right, then. Time to get back to my own work. Work — in a few days, I would be bound for Yangwi Fortress with Hong Ryeon and Chae Jin. Everything piling up on my desk had to be dealt with before then.