NOVEL NEXT WORLD It wasn’t that I had never imagined it before.
I still vividly remember the first time I held the Sword Saint’s hand and entered Hongseong Clan.
Who would have thought that this renowned and prestigious sect would look so shabby?
But I was not disappointed. The reason Hongryeon came to the Hongseong Clan wasn’t because of its size or prestige.
The Sword Saint.
A martial arts genius who reached the realm of superhumans at a young age.
Her incredible martial arts and her determination to uphold justice were so inspiring that I wished to become a disciple of the Sword Saint and a member of Hongseong Clan.
That’s why Hongryeon respected her.
I knew that the cold and aloof swordswoman she showed outside was just a facade, and in reality, she was a bit of a goofball.
Yet my respect for her never waned.
Sure, there were times when I thought about giving her a good slap, but that’s understandable. We weren’t that far apart in age, so she sometimes felt more like a silly big sister.
Then, as time passed, when the Sword Saint brought her last disciple, Sayoon, I started to think of the Sword Saint less as a strict master and more like a caring older sister.
She lacked life skills and was a bit unpredictable, but she was a sister I could trust.
That’s why the image of her as the leader of a sect was not very clear to me.
In the first place, the Sword Saint often said she shouldn’t be followed as a sect leader, only as a master or martial artist.
As a result, while practicing Hongseong Divine Art and managing the affairs of the Hongseong Clan, Hongryeon always envisioned her ideal self.
Someone who could lead a powerful faction.
“Sigh…”
Hongryeon let out a low sigh as she looked into the mirror.
The attire of the Hongseong Clan Leader.
Now, standing before the clothes she had to wear, Hongryeon reached out toward the pure white attire of the clan leader.
Calmly, she infused her inner power into the outfit, which changed size with the infusion.
By adding her inner power to the garments that still carried the strength of past clan leaders, she etched her name into the history of Hongseong Clan.
The weight of that responsibility pressed down on Hongryeon’s shoulders.
It was terrifying.
From now on, it was her who must lead the Hongseong Clan.
It was daunting.
From now on, she alone would make decisions for everyone.
She hesitated.
Could I really do this?
With trembling hands, Hongryeon slowly lowered them as she gazed at the Hongseong Clan Leader’s attire.
Ahh, Master.
You always carried this kind of weight on your shoulders.
With a soft sigh, she slowly threw off the long robe draped over her shoulders.
Then she began to embrace that burden and fear, wearing them like a second skin.
“…Are you okay?”
Dressed in a long robe revealing her chest, waist, and one leg, Hongryeon examined herself in the mirror.
And then she chuckled.
Hmm. I definitely have a better figure than my Master.
While watching herself in the mirror, Hongryeon tried different poses, transforming her reflection.
What would he say if he saw me like this?
I hope he likes it.
Hongryeon smirked, raising both arms above her head. She struck a seductive pose from the books, winking with one eye and pouting her lips. She slightly pushed her ample backside back and accentuated the curve of her well-endowed chest.
This should definitely seduce him…
“Senior Sister! What are you doing? It’s about time to…”
“……”
“…Ahem.”
As the door opened, Hyunhwi walked in with an awkward expression. Just as Hongryeon thought of Sword Saint Na Yerin as an older sister, the other disciples of Hongseong viewed Hongryeon similarly.
That’s why they couldn’t help but sigh at her occasional antics.
Trying to maintain her composure, Hyunhwi calmly said to the flustered Hongryeon.
“It’s time to get started.”
“R-really?”
“And while I know what you’re thinking, maybe tone it down in front of people…”
“Hahaha. Don’t worry.”
With a sly smile, Hongryeon ruffled Hyunhwi’s hair and grabbed the Yonghwan Sword.
As the Clan Leader of Hongseong, she should show the dignity befitting her position, right?
She could leave the sloppiness behind…
The murmuring crowd was heard.
Had there ever been this many people at Hongseong before?
Hongryeon recalled her first visit to Hongseong.
The decaying buildings, the ominous energies rising here and there.
The ominous feeling presenting itself, almost as if it were a dying sect, was nowhere to be found now.
At her initial visit to the Murim Alliance, some had mocked Hongseong’s declining prestige and others had treated it with subtle disdain.
But now, there was no such sight.
No one could deny the current state of Hongseong.
And because of that, Hongryeon walked confidently.
Today’s succession ceremony was also to prove that Hongseong still stood as a pillar of the Murim, making her even more dignified.
As she surveyed the attendees of the succession ceremony, her gaze naturally fell on one person.
Yu Wol.
The one she acknowledged and leaned on.
The person who helped her understand what it meant to be an adult and greatly eased her burdens.
And now, let me introduce the person who’ll be joining us.
She smiled unknowingly as she stepped onto the platform, where she saw the Sword Saint smiling just like her.
She, too, looked like a woman in love.
The Sword Saint, who had been wearing ill-fitting clothes for a long time, struggling.
The Master, who had been under pressure for so long.
Na Yerin, who had been sad for a long time.
Now, it was time to cast off that burden and hardship.
“Master.”
“You look good in that.”
The Sword Saint gave a faint smile to Hongryeon, who wore the clothes she had donned just yesterday.
Memories of their first meeting flooded back.
Who would have thought that the girl who was once just a child would grow up to face her like this?
The Sword Saint held back the urge to tear up and spoke to Hongryeon.
“You look good in that.”
“Right? I think I pull it off better than you, Master.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
The moment of touching sentimentality evaporated like a popped balloon.
It was true that Hongryeon’s figure surpassed her own.
She was taller, bustier, and curvier.
Long, slender legs stretched out beautifully.
Overall, she possessed the physique of a stunning woman.
“Just, you know. In various ways.”
The Sword Saint couldn’t help but snicker at Hongryeon’s sly smile.
Yeah.
Given how boldly she could speak even in situations like this, it was clear Hongryeon was suited for the position of Clan Leader.
Someone who leads everyone, must show composure while shouldering immense responsibility.
“It’s going to be tough.”
“It probably will be.”
“There will be painful moments too.”
“There will be.”
“Please do well, Bi-ma. You can handle it. And remember, if it ever gets hard, just tell me.”
The Sword Saint spoke gently, and Hongryeon responded kindly.
“Yes, Master. But don’t worry too much, my husband will be right there beside me.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Unlike her own lonely path with no one to lean on, Hongryeon had the Master and a future husband by her side.
And there were also junior disciples who looked up to her.
Things will be different for her.
Hongryeon wouldn’t experience the pain, despair, and suffering that the Sword Saint had gone through.
Just thinking about that eased the burden on the Sword Saint’s heart.
“Let the succession ceremony begin.”
Therefore, the Sword Saint declared to everyone gathered.
Today,
One of the long-awaited events will finally take place.
*
Following the procedures, we declare it to the heavens and inscribe it on the earth.
Offerings to the spirits residing in Hongseong Mountain and to the past Clan Leaders of the Hongseong Clan are made.
The new Clan Leader of Hongseong reveals her power.
Showcasing his power.
After successfully demonstrating the celestial spectacle, the new leader of Hongseong showed his strength to the guests from the martial world, followed by the disciples of Hongseong displaying their martial skills.
The succession ceremony of Hongseong concluded with the Sword Saint performing a sword dance alongside Hongryeon.
Sitting at the top seat, I casually scanned the crowd around me.
Among the invitees, some came purely to congratulate, but there were certainly others eyeing Hongseong with suspicion.
It was only natural since with Hongryeon as the new leader, she would soon take on disciples of her own, and other strong members of Hongseong would also start welcoming their own students, causing the sect to grow.
Not just Hongryeon, but Ryuhyun and Hyunhwi were also strong enough to take on disciples, so other martial artists and sects couldn’t help but feel tense.
Once the prestigious Hongseong publicly announced its recruitment of disciples, talented children from around would undoubtedly flock here.
Issues of lineage, along with the facilities and financial matters of Hongseong.
All those issues have been resolved, so Hongseong is bound to become even more formidable.
“We can’t just sit back and relax.”
The doje sitting next to me muttered briefly.
Moonjeong has had a long-standing rivalry with Hongseong.
So if Hongseong expands, Moonjeong must bolster and grow as well.
Not to mention, Hongryeon has led the struggling Hongseong to this point with her exceptional talent. We should be even more on our toes.
“When will your father step down?”
Chaejin looked on with anticipation, and the doje smiled widely as he ruffled her hair.
“You still have a long way to go.”
“Ugh.”
“The leader of a sect can’t just be someone who is strong in martial arts. They must be able to lead and protect everyone.”
“Phew. That’s tough.”
“Did you think it would be easy? Excluding martial arts, you’re still far behind Hongryeon, let alone Chaeran.”
Wow, he sure is being cold.
I patted the sulking Chaejin’s back.
“I’ll do well from now on.”
“Well, as long as you take care of things, there’s nothing to worry about.”
The doje responded nonchalantly before getting up.
It seems the Sword Saint and Hongryeon are approaching to greet the guests.
“So what now? You’re not the leader, so are you going to go on a world tour?”
“Um? No. Would I even have the leisure for that?”
Shinsung, who approached, was also curious about the Sword Saint’s plans. They weren’t the only ones, though.
Many around were pretending not to listen while keenly aware of our conversation.
But regardless, the Sword Saint fixed his gaze on me, disinterested in what anyone else thought.
“There’s still a lot to be done here.”