The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 43

As Namgoong Mucheon stepped out of Seolhwa’s pavilion, he suddenly stopped and turned his gaze toward a distant point.

Moments later, someone came running in that direction in a hurry.

It was Namgoong Cheongun—Seolhwa’s father—who had been searching desperately for her all through the night, even beyond the city of Hefei.

Pale and breathless, Cheongun came to a halt in front of Namgoong Mucheon.

He must have used light footwork, but he had still exerted himself so much that his breathing was ragged.

“Father.”

“Seolhwa is inside. I’ve told her to rest, so make sure she doesn’t leave her residence today.”

Cheongun lowered his head.

The guilt of once again failing to prevent his child from disappearing crushed down on him.

“Seolhwa said this: that if you tell her to starve, she’ll starve; if you tell her to take a beating, she’ll take it.”

“...What?”

“She said it like it was nothing. It’s hard to even imagine how she survived the past eight years.”

Cheongun clenched his fists.

Namgoong Mucheon placed a hand on Cheongun’s shoulder.

“But how long will you keep living in regret over the past? Seolhwa has returned. She’s with us now. So from here on out, we must look forward.”

Eight years was a long time—but the time ahead was even longer, more than enough to overwrite those years.

Even if the past couldn’t be erased completely, it could at least be buried under better memories.

“Seolhwa is already ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ looking ahead.”

The fortunate thing was that the child wasn’t shackled to her past.

In fact, she seemed impatient, as if frustrated that she couldn’t move forward faster.

Her gaze was always set on a far-off future—and that was why Namgoong Mucheon believed in her.

“It’s time you took on the role of Clan Head.”

“...Father!”

“You’ll only be able to support the path Seolhwa is walking if you become the head of the clan.”

Cheongun was taken aback.

This was the first time in the past eight years—since Seolhwa had vanished—that Namgoong Mucheon had brought up the succession of the clan.

There had been rumors that he was waiting to pass the position to the First Young Master, but he had never spoken of it until now.

“Why me?”

Cheongun had never once coveted the position of clan head. That’s why he asked.

“You know Cheonghae’s grudge.”

Why, then, was it him—and not the second son, who had always desired the title?

“Ha has too much ambition.”

“...Sorry?”

“Excessive ambition clouds judgment. And clouded judgment can never grasp the bigger picture.”

“Then there’s Cheongsan. He cares deeply for his family, so surely—”

Namgoong Mucheon raised an eyebrow as if to ask if he was serious.

Under that look, Cheongun cut himself off mid-sentence and changed his tone.

“Cheongsan... can be a bit impulsive.”

“Impulsive? The problem is his temper. If that boy can’t even control his anger, what do you think would happen if he were made clan head? He’d ruin the clan.”

“...But if we go by your reasoning, Father, then I lack the decisiveness needed to lead.”

“Yes. Your weakness is that soft heart of yours.”

Even now. He was being offered the position of successor, and yet he was worrying about his brothers first.

“But a soft heart can grow strong. You, at least, are someone who would do anything for your family.”

“But... I...”

Cheongun lowered his head, expression shadowed.

“If you had the strength, you could have stopped today’s rumors too.”

“....”

On the way here, Cheongun had already heard the rumors spreading through the clan.

They twisted Seolhwa’s actions, making them seem more malicious than they were.

He knew those rumors were designed to use the girl’s situation to tarnish his own reputation. But after being absent from the clan for eight years, Cheongun had no way to suppress them.

“Just from today’s events, you must’ve realized your current position.”

“...Yes.”

“I’ll give you six months.”

“...!”

“In six months, I’ll hold a formal ceremony to establish the new clan head. Earn everyone’s recognition by then. If your position remains unchanged, I’ll pass the title to Ha.”

“Why six months?”

At Cheongun’s question, Namgoong Mucheon let out a dry chuckle.

But the feeling beneath that laugh was anything but lighthearted.

“While I’m still vigorous, I should pass down the clan’s martial arts.”

Within the Namgoong Clan, there was a secret martial art passed down only to the clan head. The Namgoong Clan’s ultimate technique—its profound essence—was contained in that art.

By tradition, the successor should have already been chosen and taught this technique years ago.

Though Namgoong Mucheon was still healthy and his sons still young, dragging things out any further wouldn’t be wise.

“Remember this. Six months from now, the one who earns everyone’s recognition will lead the clan.”

“...I will keep that in mind.”

Cheongun cupped his fists and bowed toward Namgoong Mucheon.

“Tomorrow morning, you’ll be entering the Cave of Divine Insight with Seolhwa. Make preparations.”

“The Cave of Divine Insight...?”

That cave, whose name meant “comprehending the will of Heaven,” was the Namgoong Clan’s closed training ground.

“Wait... Could it be...”

Was he truly going to perform Bone Cleansing and Marrow Washing?

Cheongun’s face lit up—but the expression quickly faded.

“...Forgive me, Father. I’ve been unfilial, and I don’t have the right to stop you.”

“Enough. That’s better than some flowery words. You’re not going to die just from going through it once, so don’t worry.”

Namgoong Mucheon waved his hand dismissively.

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“Go on in. Take good care of Seolhwa. I’ll be off now.”

With those final words, Namgoong Mucheon walked away from the pavilion with indifferent steps.

Namgoong Cheongun stood in place, watching his father’s retreating figure until it disappeared from view.

****

Not long after Namgoong Mucheon left, Namgoong Cheongun returned.

He said nothing.

He personally applied the golden healing ointment brought by the servant Si-bi, and gently infused a trace of inner energy into Seolhwa’s body to help her fall asleep more easily.

Thanks to that, Seolhwa drifted into slumber more comfortably than she had in a very long time. As she lay there, her thoughts wandered.

She had expected punishment—she’d braced herself to go without food for several days for what she had done. But the result was unexpected.

Was this how soft the so-called righteous martial world truly was?

She had deceived none other than the Sword Emperor—one of the Ten Great Masters under Heaven—and snuck over the estate walls in the middle of the night. Yet she hadn’t been punished at all.

And so, that night, returning to the clan felt just a little bit more bearable.

****

Even though night had fallen at the lake by the Clan Head’s Pavilion, the lakeside was far from dark.

The radiant moon in the sky, and its reflection on the water, lit up the surroundings, creating a night that was strikingly clear and bright.

Under the long, drooping branches of a willow tree, Namgoong Mucheon stood, gazing at the moon mirrored on the lake. A breeze from somewhere stirred his robes.

Without changing his calm expression, Namgoong Mucheon spoke.

“The report must have arrived.”

Behind him, in the shadow of the willow, stood Seop Mugwang—Commander of the Secret Wind Sword Corps.

He gave Namgoong Mucheon a small nod and answered.

“I met with the Branch Leader of the Beggar’s Union in Yunnan, but they said they didn’t get any useful intel. On the surface, it just looks like a shady tavern at best... seems they’re not leaking anything at all.”

“What about the Beggar’s Union’s movements?”

“Those sneaky bastards aren’t saying anything either. Seems like even they don’t know much this time.”

Seop Mugwang stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Could the kid have been mistaken?”

Maybe she was chasing ghosts, digging around in something insignificant and wasting her efforts.

“If the Beggar’s Union is hiding something, then it means something is there.”

“Well, true enough. But still—tsk. How could there be no trace at all? Is that even possible?”

“It is. If someone erased all the traces, then that’s that.”

“...!”

Namgoong Mucheon’s gaze grew heavier.

He recalled the look in the girl’s eyes as she held his hand and asked for help.

“I’m under a suggestion curse. I don’t know when it’ll go out of control. Please... help me.”

It was the first time he had ever seen vulnerability in that child who always appeared so composed.

The moment he heard those words, Namgoong Mucheon felt like his blood had reversed course in rage—but in front of her, he had kept his composure.

That was also why he had decided to carry out the Bone Cleansing and Marrow Washing ritual for her, starting the very next day.

“We’ll need to summon Mugang.”

“...Mugang... you mean your brother?”

Seop Mugwang’s voice betrayed his shock.

Namgoong Mugang.

Younger brother to Namgoong Mucheon. The only one whose martial prowess came close to Mucheon’s.

He commanded the Namgoong Clan’s martial forces and was the head of the Martial Studies Hall, dedicated to the clan’s martial research. But right now, he was away from the clan.

“You think he’ll come?”

“He’ll come if I call. What right would that bastard have to refuse?”

“Well... true enough.”

Hot-tempered and unruly as he was, he wouldn’t go against the will of the clan.

Still...

“Summoning Mugang... does that mean you’re preparing for war?”

At Seop Mugwang’s question, Namgoong Mucheon’s expression darkened. His eyes turned cold as he stared at the slanted reflection of the moon on the lake.

“If war is what it takes... then so be it.”