Late into the night, a festival was held to celebrate Sara’s recovery, but the next morning was just like any other day.
The practitioners of Podalap Palace weren’t primarily monks devoted to Buddhism, but they still tried to uphold the things they could, as Buddhist disciples.
Having not drunk any alcohol, staying up late didn’t affect the next day.
I headed to the Palace early in the morning.
The reason for coming all the way to this distant western region was to conclude the arrangements for leveraging the experts of Podalap Palace to escalate the tension between Yunnan and Sacheon.
“How is Sara doing?”
“She’s fast asleep.”
Rano Jingbu beamed a broad smile just at the mention of Sara. Well, for a while, Sara would be a sleepyhead—despite receiving the effects of the well-designed Ku Ryung Yeok Cheon Yang Mil Yeom Geuk Dan, it was still true that she had experienced rapid growth.
And even disregarding all the environmental factors surrounding Gu Eum Ji Che, kids at a growing age naturally sleep a lot. In that sense, one could say Sara has recovered.
“Of course, the reason you came early this morning is for compensation, right?”
“You knew?”
“I’ve truly received so much from you all. So isn’t it time to return the favor?”
Rano Jingbu wiped the smile from his face and transformed into the face of a lord rather than a father. Seeing Rano Jingbu’s changed expression, I also hardened my resolve.
It was true that I owed a great debt to Podalap Palace for healing Sara’s Nine Yin Absolute Pulse.
But that was all.
What I wanted from Podalap Palace was to serve as a balance amid the conflict between the Sacheon Righteous Faction and the Outcast Faction… but Podalap Palace wasn’t obligated to grant my request.
Podalap Palace had the capacity to repay me by other means even if they refused my requests.
So now it was another decisive point.
“I hope you lend me your strength.”
*
Sara stretched and sat up. As she turned her head this way and that in a dreamy haze, someone patted her head.
“Mmm…”
“Hurhur, have you woken up?”
“Mom~”
Sara nestled into Chai-rang’s embrace, recalling the events of yesterday. After a brief nap, nearly ten days had passed, and her perspective on the world, or rather, her very body, had changed.
“Yesterday was fun…”
A smile emerged on Sara’s face as she thought of Ho Cheon-an and his friends’ extraordinary magic performance. While yesterday’s magic show was special, what made last night even more exceptional was her boundless energy despite laughing, talking, and running late into the night.
So, last night…
“Ah!”
Sara shot up. Chai-rang looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“From today, I’m learning martial arts from Black Cat Sister!”
“Oh dear.”
Chai-rang wore an awkward expression. To think that Sara had decided to learn martial arts from Black Cat! Chai-rang recalled Rano Jingbu excitedly sharing plans to teach martial arts to Sara starting today.
“Um, Sara…”
“I’ll be right back!”
“Wait…!”
Before Chai-rang could hold her back, Sara dashed out. Chai-rang smiled, helpless. Rano Jingbu would probably be somewhat disappointed, but it was a consequence of his own doing. He should’ve made plans with Sara instead of just concocting plans in his head.
“Sister~”
Sara sprinted into the training hall and leapt into the arms of Black Cat. Yes, indeed. The tummy was soft and warm, but the chest was the best. Thinking this, Sara rubbed her face against Black Cat.
In a fluster, Black Cat gently pushed Sara away and patted her head.
“Are you here to learn martial arts from Black Cat?”
“Hello, Sisters!”
“Sure.”
Sara greeted Tang Do-yeon, Yeo Il-ye, and Tang So-yeol, who were stretching with Black Cat. Having clung to Black Cat for a while, Sara had already become quite familiar with Ho Cheon-an and his group.
As a disciple of the Jeomchang Faction, Yeo Il-ye loved children and raised her hand to pat Sara’s head, hesitating for a moment. Over the course of ten days, Sara had grown by years physically, radiating a lovely girl’s aura, making Yeo Il-ye wonder if it was appropriate to pat her head like a child.
Understanding Yeo Il-ye’s dilemma, Sara leaned in, offering her head.
“Hehe, thanks! Sara is still Sara!”
“Ehehe.”
Sara smiled brightly while receiving Yeo Il-ye’s affection.
“Well then, shall we start training?”
“Yes!”
Black Cat began teaching Sara the Tai Chi, which was closer to gymnastics than martial arts. Just as Black Cat completed her demonstration, Ho Cheon-an arrived at the training hall.
Tang So-yeol let out a puff of smoke from his pipe and asked,
“Did things go smoothly?”
“They say they will discuss it.”
“I see.”
Seeing Ho Cheon-an’s nonchalant expression, Tang So-yeol nodded.
Mobilizing the representative faction of the western region, Podalap Palace, wasn’t a trivial task. Although they had treated the incurable Nine Yin Absolute Pulse, it wasn’t something Podalap Palace could easily decide to become a restraining force against giant factions according to Ho Cheon-an’s desires.
It was a battleground where the world’s top sects stood opposed. Regardless of the outlook or role, stepping into this battleground itself was a dangerous endeavor.
However, Tang So-yeol didn’t fret about whether the task would materialize.
“But, my disciple?”
“Yes?”
“Are you planning to quit blacksmithing classes?”
If Podalap Palace thought its debt was low compared to the risks, Ho Cheon-an would continue to offload more tasks onto Podalap Palace until that balance was achieved.
To Tang So-yeol, Ho Cheon-an was like an onion that kept revealing layers.
“Worrying about such a fellow is truly a waste of time.”
“Um… I still feel like I haven’t completely mastered sword energy…”
“I won’t pressure you to learn every day. But do stop by for class when you have the time.”
“Haha, thank you.”
“Your skills are quite remarkable, and since you’re learning Hidden Weapons, it’s advisable to train enough that you can create your own rain protection or shelter. I know your goals are lofty, but considering your recent antics, it seems you might often find yourself in life-threatening situations, so thoroughly mastering Hidden Weapons using emergency herbs wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
It was indeed the right judgment to contemplate what to convey instead.
“Um… I’ll think about it.”
“Good.”
Ho Cheon-an also considered Tang So-yeol’s suggestion to not be bad and kept it in mind as one option. For now, mastering sword energy took priority.
“Thank you for your guidance today.”
“Hurhur. The same goes for me.”
Now nearly becoming Ho Cheon-an’s swordsmanship master, Yeo Il-ye faced Ho Cheon-an, drawing their swords. Ho Cheon-an’s sword energy ascended slowly, possibly due to his inexperience with its use. As Ho Cheon-an’s sword energy rose, Yeo Il-ye, too, ignited her sword energy, closing the distance.
“Unbelievable!”
At a sudden anguished cry, both Ho Cheon-an and Yeo Il-ye’s movements halted.
“…Father?”
Sara’s words echoed everyone’s thoughts. Rano Jingbu sat down, stunned, his face resembling a world crumbling.
“Daughter’s first martial arts training…!”
Silence enveloped the training hall for a moment.
“Um, well, Lord/Lady of the Palace? She has only just learned Tai Chi, right? It can’t really be considered true martial arts yet…”
“My memories with my daughter…!”
“….”
“Father.”
Sara called out to Rano Jingbu.
“Child, really. How could you decide that on your own? I already made a promise to train with Black Cat Sister.”
“T-That’s…”
“And now that I can finally go outside, I have a schedule to stick to, right? It would be hard to spare time just for you, Father.”
Rano Jingbu’s eyes twitched intensely. His daughter, who used to be overjoyed just to see him, had…!
Changed!
“Since I promised to learn martial arts from Black Cat Sister today, I’ll train with you tomorrow, Father.”
“But, Sara… you’re a person of Podalap Palace and should learn Podalap’s martial arts…”
“Right. Sara, it’s best to build your foundation with Podalap Palace’s martial arts.”
Black Cat subtly sided with Rano Jingbu, and Rano Jingbu nodded vigorously at Black Cat’s statement.
Sara crossed her arms, seeming displeased with the current situation. After briefly glancing at Black Cat and Rano Jingbu, Sara finally nodded with resignation.
“Goodness, it would only put Sister in a difficult position. I’ll specially train with Father today.”
“Thanks, Sara!”
“Father, from now on, please be sure to make plans!”
“Of course! I absolutely will!”
“And I want to learn the internal cultivation method today!”
“Huh? Sara, let’s start with basic physical training or fundamental martial arts first…”
“Sister! I want to train with you!”
“Let’s do it! Let’s do internal cultivation!”
Amidst Sara continuously stating her demands and Rano Jingbu being at a loss, Tang So-yeol let out a puff of smoke while observing the two’s retreating figures towards Rano Jingbu’s personal training hall.
“The future is vividly foreseeable.”
*
After completing the morning training with Rano Jingbu and taking a lengthy nap, Sara dashed toward the temporary lodging where Ho Cheon-an and his companions were staying.
“Sister!”
While practicing, Black Cat effortlessly caught the charging Sara.
“Want some rice crackers?”
“Yes!”
Sara beamed with excitement and received the rice crackers from Black Cat.
Sara really liked Black Cat. Of course, she liked everyone from Ho Cheon-an’s group. However, there were levels of favorability…
“Hmph.”
Sara’s gaze shifted to Tang So-yeol, who was puffing out smoke. Noticing her stare, Tang So-yeol smirked, rubbing his fingers together.
Before overcoming the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse, there was a time when Sara wandered around Podalap Palace with Black Cat. For a while, she had been left in front of Tang So-yeol, because Black Cat had momentarily left.
At that time, she had fond memories of Tang So-yeol teasing her by pinching her cheeks! No matter how much she complained it hurt, he would just murmur that it was cute and keep her detained until Black Cat arrived, making Sara instinctively turn away.
“Hmph!”
After that, Sara’s attention turned to Okryong and Tang Do-yeon. Both were nice people. Their eagerness to show her magic whenever they met left a good impression on Sara.
Next in her line of sight was Yeo Il-ye.
“A cool sister.”
On the surface, she was the embodiment of a remarkable martial artist, and there was something mature about her, naturally drawing Sara in.
Finally, Sara’s gaze fell on Ho Cheon-an. While it wasn’t the same instinctive familiarity she felt with Black Cat, he was still one of the closest people aside from the family she could call Podalap Palace.
A mysterious magician who continuously showcased marvelous spells and even healed her ailments.
How could she not think of him as special?
Sara watched as Black Cat offered her rice crackers while keeping an eye on Ho Cheon-an and Yeo Il-ye’s training. While Sara really liked Ho Cheon-an, there was one disappointing point.
He was just too busy.
Training martial arts, learning blacksmithing techniques, plotting various things, meeting with the lord…
Despite having seen countless performances by Ho Cheon-an, Sara realized she had never really spent personal leisure time with him.
“Hmm…”
Suddenly, Sara felt a twinge of dissatisfaction. Thinking back, she had held Black Cat’s hand and searched for Ho Cheon-an’s group to hang out together, but excluding the magic shows, she had never played with Ho Cheon-an.
“Why so pouty?”
Black Cat questioned while looking at Sara, who had puffed her cheeks. Seeing Black Cat, Sara let her imagination take flight.
How much fun would it be if she could play with Black Cat on the left and Ho Cheon-an on the right!
Sara’s eyes sparkled.
“Sister, Sister.”
“Hm?”
“Let’s play with our magician, Ho Cheon-an!”
Black Cat smiled wryly at Sara’s starry-eyed enthusiasm. For Black Cat, understanding Sara, who was still a child, was challenging. Why had she jumped to such a conclusion all of a sudden?
“Hurhur, we can ask him after training is over.”
“Yes!”
