The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 83

– But, Lady Yun... would those men really try to kill each other? What if, in the worst-case scenario, our names are brought up...

– That’s not something you need to worry about. All of them have families, do they not?

“!”

It was good news—that he could safely avoid responsibility in this incident—but Namgoong Jangyang couldn’t simply rejoice.

He too had a family. And Yun Solran had been sending a set amount of grain to his family every month.

What he once considered a gesture of goodwill from Yun Solran—he now realized had been the very shackle binding his ankles.

– There’s no need to worry too much. Just act calm.

– Understood...

‘Right. I may be discarded at any time, but not yet. At least not yet...’

Namgoong Mucheon’s heavy gaze turned toward the five squad leaders of the Outer Courtyard.

The recent promotion trials had been carried out under their supervision, so they could not possibly avoid punishment.

Their faces had already turned pale.

If he followed his heart, he would stop the Heavenly Martial Festival immediately and round up all those involved to uncover the truth from beginning to end.

But he couldn’t do that—for one reason alone: his granddaughter, Seolhwa.

‘Hah. The young lady has set up quite the amusing game.’

As the martial matches continued, the chief steward said that.

Standing nearby, Seop Mugwang asked,

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘Look over there.’

At Namgoong Mun’s tilt of the chin, Namgoong Mucheon and Seop Mugwang turned their gazes. At the end of their line of sight, Namgoong Seolhwa came into view.

‘Her eyes are darting about, and her throat is moving just as restlessly, is it not?’

It was exactly as Chief Steward Namgoong Mun had said.

‘It means she’s the one orchestrating this whole match.’

While no one paid her any attention, the little girl was the busiest of all throughout the martial competition.

‘It seems the young lady has something she wishes to convey through this Heavenly Martial Festival.’

From the Outer Courtyard warriors to even the Inner Courtyard ones.

What the child was trying to express became more and more clear the longer the matches continued.

‘It appears the young lady intends to shake the very roots of Namgoong.’

‘Hmm.’

Having understood her intentions, the chief steward sighed, and Seop Mugwang let out a low hum, unable to hide his surprise.

Namgoong Mucheon focused on that child.

‘How much time has passed since Seolhwa returned to Namgoong?’

The roots of a martial noble clan lie in its military force.

And despite it not having been that long, the child was truly shaking the very foundation of Namgoong.

Not only was she exposing the corruption and misconduct within their martial ranks that had been hidden behind blind eyes—she was issuing a warning to them all.

By orchestrating a structure in which Inner Courtyard warriors collapsed before Outer Courtyard ones, warped and unnatural as it was.

‘Surely this picture Seolhwa’s painting isn’t finished yet.’

By this point, Namgoong Mucheon was starting to feel anticipation.

At the final stage of the Heavenly Martial Festival, where the direct bloodline’s martial arts would be showcased—what would the child display? What final picture would she complete?

‘It won’t be the Counter-Destroying Sword.’

The thought that she would obviously display the Counter-Destroying Sword had already long been shattered.

But what she would show in its place—he had no idea.

And that made it all the more thrilling. The story the child was about to complete.

‘Which means now is not the time to stop.’

The investigation could wait until the entire Heavenly Martial Festival had come to an end.

“Captain of the Black Dragon Corps.”

Namgoong Mucheon gave an order to the Black Dragon Captain.

“Conclude the martial competition.”

“Yes, Clan Lord.”

Namgoong Hyuk, Captain of the Black Dragon Corps, concluded the martial competition.

Those who had been convinced the festival would be halted cast surprised glances at the Clan Lord, but Namgoong Mucheon had no intention of stopping.

****

Once the matches between the Outer and Inner Courtyards ended, the sun had already begun to set.

Since they had held the matches without a break following the midday meal, it was no wonder everyone was tired and starting to feel hungry.

Namgoong Mucheon thanked the warriors of both the Inner and Outer Courtyards for their efforts and sent them to the grand banquet prepared at the Outer Courtyard.

Only the members of Namgoong’s five core powers remained within the martial arena.

The direct lineage’s martial arts were performed only in front of those who had access to the Celestial Tiger Pavilion.

Unlike the promotion trials of the Outer Courtyard or the evaluation matches of the Inner Courtyard, this was not meant to assess performance—it was more of a lighthearted showcase.

Because of that, the atmosphere became noticeably more relaxed.

“We shall begin the direct line’s demonstration of martial arts at the hour of the dog. Begin the meal.”

At Namgoong Mucheon’s command, the servants who had been waiting began bringing in the dishes one after another.

Before showcasing the direct line’s martial arts, a light banquet commenced alongside the meal.

“Eat plenty, Seolhwa.”

As Cheongun was setting food down in front of Seolhwa, she was already stuffing her cheeks full and chewing.

“You eat a lot too, Daddy. It’s delicious.”

“Haha, I will. I’ll eat.”

With casual conversation flowing during the meal, the stiff atmosphere from earlier began to melt away naturally.

Though no one brought up the previous matches, the overall mood was warm and cheerful.

“Well then, who will be the first to demonstrate their martial arts?”

Namgoong Mucheon, speaking with the division leaders over a shared meal, turned to his children and asked.

Namgoong Cheongsan shot up and shouted,

“Of course it should be me first! I, Namgoong Cheongsan, shall properly show you the Namgoong Fist I’ve been training all this time!”

At his hearty voice, everyone in the martial arena burst into laughter.

Namgoong Mucheon’s expression was not displeased.

“Very well. Go ahead.”

“May I go next, if I may?”

The next to step forward was the second son, Namgoong Cheonghae.

“I’ve been preparing something for this very day. I do feel sorry for my elder brother, but if I delay any longer, I might just collapse from the anticipation myself. If you permit it, may I go before him?”

Unlike Cheongsan, Cheonghae was measured and cautious.

He first asked his elder brother Cheongun for permission, showing proper etiquette, and unlike Cheongsan, he kept what he would display a secret—only increasing the sense of anticipation.

Cheongun smiled and nodded.

“It’s our father who will make the decision.”

With Cheongun’s words, the right to decide passed to Namgoong Mucheon. Namgoong Mucheon nodded readily.

“Very well. Then that means Cheongun will go last.”

Namgoong Mucheon’s gaze lingered for a moment on Seolhwa.

By coincidence, Seolhwa’s turn ended up being the very last.

First came the third son, Cheongsan, and his child, Hwarin; then the second son, Cheonghae, and his children, Soryong and Woong; and finally the first son, Cheongun, and Seolhwa.

The gazes of the family members directed at Seolhwa had not changed one bit from earlier.

No—if anything, the closer it got to her turn to demonstrate martial arts, the sharper those gazes became.

What could a girl who lived in a brothel possibly show?

At best, she’ll perform a few basic sword forms she picked up over a few days.

If she had the nerve to lie about creating the Counter-Destroying Sword, then she’d better have something to show for it.

In the short time since Seolhwa’s return to Namgoong, countless events had unfolded around her.

Dozens of people now looked upon her, each with their own thoughts and intentions.

Surrounded by that sea of gazes, Seolhwa tore off a piece of well-roasted duck meat and stuffed her mouth full, chewing contentedly.

Delicious.

Before the direct line's martial demonstrations began, Seolhwa visited the restroom.

Shaking the moisture from her hands as ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) she returned to the martial arena, a figure stepped into her path.

“Just coming back from the restroom?”

It was Yun Solran, wife of Namgoong Cheonghae.

Seolhwa smiled softly and gave a small nod.

“Hello, Aunt.”

Why had she come out here to meet her—was she feeling anxious?

Despite Yun Solran’s calm appearance, to Seolhwa’s eyes she seemed on edge.

“So. Are you well prepared for the Heavenly Martial Festival?”

Yun Solran reached out to pat Seolhwa’s head.

But Seolhwa stepped back a pace and avoided her hand.

“Yes.”

A faint crack appeared in Yun Solran’s smile.

“...I’m looking forward to it. To what kind of martial arts you’ll show.”

“Thank you.”

“Be careful not to get hurt.”

Leaving behind that hollow concern, Seolhwa gave a polite bow and began to walk past her—when—

“There are times when people make a fuss over a rolling stone, you know.”

Seolhwa turned only her head to glance at her.

Yun Solran’s smile deepened.

“Grown-ups can be like that sometimes. Even a hedgehog sees its own baby as adorable, you know.”

Seolhwa turned fully to face her again.

“If everyone’s making a fuss, then maybe it’s not an ordinary stone.”

“...What?”

“Wouldn’t the real problem be the insight of the one who dismisses it as fuss over nothing—because they fail to recognize it for what it is?”

Yun Solran’s smile vanished.

“Are you saying that to me?”

“That would depend on where Aunt’s words were aimed, wouldn’t it?”

Just then, from inside the martial arena, came Cheongun’s voice calling for Seolhwa after spotting her.

“I’d better get going. Sounds like Father’s calling for me.”

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Without hesitation, Seolhwa turned and walked away.

“Ah.”

Just before entering the martial arena, Seolhwa looked back at her. A pure, innocent smile had quietly bloomed on the girl’s lips.

“Baby hedgehogs are always cute.”

As she watched the child trot lightly over to Cheongun, Yun Solran clenched her fist tightly.

After standing under the darkness for quite some time, suppressing her rage, Yun Solran finally entered the martial arena—just as the drumbeats sounded, announcing the final event of the Heavenly Martial Festival.