The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 91

After finishing her training session with Woong, Seolhwa returned to find an unexpected guest speaking with her father in the main hall.

“Good morning, Aunt.”

“Oh my, Seolhwa. You’re back.”

The one who warmly greeted her was Moyong Yeonhwa, wife of Namgoong Cheongsan.

“Have you been training since early morning? The Heavenly Martial Festival was only yesterday—how diligent you are.”

“I woke up early.”

“I see.”

Moyong Yeonhwa gently patted Seolhwa’s head with affection.

The light, ticklish touch of her small hand was a sensation distinct from the way Namgoong Mucheon or Cheongun interacted with her.

“Your aunt suggested we take a short trip to Soho.”

It was Cheongun who spoke, lowering himself slightly to meet Seolhwa at eye level.

“I thought it was a good idea. What do you think?”

Soho was one of the great lakes of Zhongyuan, located south of Hefei. Its name came from its nest-like shape, and the lake’s vastness, paired with its surrounding scenery of water and mountains, made it a popular destination for leisure and retreat.

Moyong Yeonhwa also bent down to Seolhwa’s eye level.

“If we go to Soho, there are warm hot springs, and the clan owns a pavilion there. You can rest in peace without interruption. You must be tired after preparing for the Heavenly Martial Festival. Just take a full day to rest. How does that sound?”

“Is everyone going?”

“Unfortunately, only our family and yours. Your second uncle said he wasn’t feeling well and will be staying behind to rest.”

Seolhwa cast a quick glance toward Cheongun.

His energy was visibly unstable. Although he had reached the Transcendent Peak Realm, he had left closed-door training too abruptly to properly stabilize his internal flow for the festival.

Though he did not show it outwardly, it was likely he would soon enter closed cultivation again.

“All right.”

It would be nice to take a short break before then.

Moyong Yeonhwa smiled brightly and stood up.

“Then shall we gather what we need and depart right away? Everything is already prepared, so you and your father can just come comfortably—”

“Going somewhere?”

A coarse, unwelcome voice interrupted from behind. The three turned to see Seop Mugwang sauntering toward them.

“Ah, Lord Storm Thunder.”

Cheongun straightened up to greet him with respect.

“What brings you all the way here?”

“Came to pick up the brat.”

Seop Mugwang pointed directly at Seolhwa, tapping the air just above her head with his finger.

Seolhwa tilted her head up to follow his finger.

“The Clan Lord’s looking for you, brat.”

“What for?”

“Technically, it’s the Martial Academy Hall Chief who wants to see you. Says he needs to witness your Counter-Destroying Sword for himself.”

It was as expected.

Namgoong Mugang had been obsessed with the Counter-Destroying Sword ever since the Heavenly Martial Festival. Though he’d withdrawn at Namgoong Mucheon’s command back then, Seolhwa had anticipated that a summons would come soon.

She nodded.

“All right.”

She turned back to Moyong Yeonhwa.

“Aunt.”

“Yes, I’ll wait for you.”

“No, you don’t have to. I’m not sure how long it’ll take. Since it’s a clan-owned site, Father should know the way. We’ll meet you there after seeing Grandfather. You go ahead.”

Cheongun added his support.

“I’ll escort Seolhwa. Hwarin is likely waiting as well—please go on ahead.”

“Then... very well. We’ll wait for you there. Be safe, Seolhwa. We’ll see you at Soho.”

After stroking Seolhwa’s head once more, Moyong Yeonhwa returned to her quarters.

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Yes. Let’s. I’ll be back, Father.”

“Good. I’ll be waiting.”

****

Namgoong Mucheon and Martial Academy Hall Chief Namgoong Mugang were already waiting for Seolhwa inside the private training hall reserved for the Clan Lord.

Located beneath the Clan Lord’s quarters, the underground arena was equipped with formations that supported internal energy circulation, as well as seals that prevented any sound or impact from leaking outside.

True to its prestige, the walls of the training hall were adorned with intricate carvings of dragons, and even the ceiling bore a golden dragon motif.

The floor was laid with pristine Cheonggangseok, a rare and high-quality stone known for its durability and purity.

Though not quite on par with the main cultivation chamber, the formation here was still of top-tier grade, aiding greatly in energy flow and control.

It amazed me in my previous life, and it still amazes me now.

Back then, she’d simply thought the Namgoong Clan had far too much wealth for its own good.

Now, the sight of such a well-equipped arena gave her a sense of reassurance. If that wasn’t a sign she’d become a true Namgoong, what else was?

“Come in.”

Namgoong Mucheon had sensed her presence the moment she entered.

Namgoong Mugang was already watching the doorway.

“Greetings, Clan Lord. Hall Chief.”

“Come up here.”

Seop Mugwang and Seolhwa approached.

Mugwang moved to the side, while Seolhwa stepped into the center of the training hall.

“Just do as you did in the cultivation chamber.”

Namgoong Mucheon offered those words before moving to stand beside Mugwang, hands clasped behind his back.

Seolhwa now found herself facing Namgoong Mugang.

He looked down at her with a crooked grin.

Perhaps he had honored his agreement with Mucheon and abstained from drinking today, for his nose was clear and his usual stench of alcohol was absent.

“I saw your skills clearly yesterday. You're small like a broomstick, but you’ve got quite the bite, don’t you?”

“I think I’m a bit taller than a broomstick, at least.”

“Hahaha! The broom I used was at least one cheok taller than you!”

That sounded about right.

Given his massive frame, the image of him sweeping with a tiny broomstick was comically absurd.

“You cleaned with a broom yourself?”

Namgoong Mugang suddenly froze, the laughter dying on his face.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

“I don’t like people sneaking into my home like rats. I prefer to clean it myself...”

“What are you saying? Everyone ran away because you kept throwing drunken tantrums.”

“Can’t you keep that mouth of yours shut, Seop Mugwang?!”

Seop Mugwang shrugged with a pout.

Namgoong Mugang, after letting out a short huff, cleared his throat and turned to Seolhwa.

“Well, whatever this Counter-Destroying Sword is—show it to me.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Mugang grinned and assumed a ready stance. It was the first form of the Grand Vast Sword Art.

“I won’t use internal energy. Try your best to counter it.”

Seolhwa mirrored him, adopting the stance of the Counter-Destroying Sword—a technique she’d used far more often in her previous life than the Namgoong Clan’s sword arts.

“Let’s see what you’ve got!”

The moment Seolhwa settled into her form, Namgoong Mugang struck.

During the martial exhibitions at the Heavenly Martial Festival, there had been no chance to display the Counter-Destroying Sword against the Grand Vast Sword Art.

That was because none of her opponents had used the Grand Vast Sword.

Thus, this was Namgoong Mugang’s first time seeing its counter technique.

Seolhwa’s gaze sharpened.

Fwoosh—

“!”

With a subtle deflection, Seolhwa guided Mugang’s incoming sword path to the side and instantly slipped in toward his exposed flank.

Then—

Poke.

“Argh.”

With the tip of her wooden sword, Seolhwa jabbed Mugang in the ribs and calmly looked up at him.

Namgoong Mugang felt a sudden, inexplicable drop in his chest as he stared down into her wide, unblinking eyes.

...?

“How does it feel to be struck by a little broomstick?”

His brow twitched.

Watching from the sidelines, Seop Mugwang’s jaw practically hit the floor.

She actually got him on the first move? Really?

“Hah.”

“It’s not because Mugang is weak. The Counter-Destroying Sword precisely targets the blind spots in our style.”

The first form of the Grand Vast Sword may appear simple, and so too the counter. But when combined with footwork that exploits the wide openings of its sweeping arcs, it was anything but simple.

This applied not only to the Grand Vast Sword, but to all other sword styles the Counter-Destroying Sword was crafted to dismantle.

Of course, Mugang’s complacency—believing he couldn’t possibly lose—was the biggest reason he’d let her take the first exchange.

“...It’s been a while since you’ve had that look in your eyes, Brother Mugang.”

“Hmph.”

As Seolhwa calmly returned to her place, Mugang replayed her movements in his mind.

He seemed to be pondering something quite seriously—then raised his sword upright.

“Again.”

Namgoong Mugang returned to his stance. There was a strange excitement on his face now.

“Come on then, let’s have another go.”

****

“A request?”

Namgoong Cheonghae looked mildly surprised.

Had it been Soryong, he wouldn’t have thought twice, but his second son, Woong, was a child who rarely asked for anything.

Perhaps from watching his older brother act so willfully, Woong had always seemed to go out of his way not to demand or raise his voice.

That he had come to make a personal request now was certainly unexpected.

“Speak freely.”

“I’d like to receive sword instruction separately from my brother from now on.”

“From Soryong...? Why is that? Did he hit you?”

“It’s not that. I just... want to focus more on my own development. Training with my brother is helpful, but I find myself constantly comparing myself to him, and that makes it hard to stay centered.”

“Hmm...”

Though he spoke as if it were his own fault, Namgoong Cheonghae could see the truth.

If there was a problem in the brothers’ training, it likely lay with Soryong—not Woong.

But Cheonghae also knew that Woong was not the kind of child to criticize his brother outright.

“Very well. I’ll speak to the Martial Academy Hall Chief before training resumes.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Namgoong Woong bowed respectfully and exited the room.

Perhaps it was because he had achieved what he wanted, but his footsteps felt unusually light.

If only Soryong had even half the consideration his younger brother showed...

They shared ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) the same blood, yet were so different.

Namgoong Cheonghae let out a deep, weary sigh.

It was shaping up to be a frustrating morning indeed.