The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 52

“Heh... wow. Heh, this is really... wow...!”

Seop Mugwang kept looking at Seolhwa. Again and again and again.

But it still didn’t feel real.

The Peak Realm. At just thirteen years old, she had reached the Peak Realm.

“Heh! Incredible!”

“Seolhwa...”

Namgoong Cheongun’s eyes reddened.

Before he could shed tears again, Seolhwa spoke first.

“I was lucky. It was only possible because Grandfather cleared all my meridians. Though he did overexert himself a little.”

“I see. So that’s what happened.”

Cheongun nodded.

He was overjoyed that his daughter had become a Peak Realm master, but worried at the thought that his father’s health might have been affected.

“He said it’s nothing serious, so I think he’ll be alright.”

“Good. That’s a relief. Truly.”

Cheongun pulled Seolhwa into a hug.

Her embrace was as warm as ever, no matter when she entered it.

Watching the two of them, Seop Mugwang just kept muttering, “Heh, wow... seriously...”

“Oh right, you have visitors.”

“Visitors?”

“From Mount Hua.”

“Ah.”

Seolhwa immediately thought of Yu Gang, whom she’d encountered a few days ago.

She had expected Mount Hua to make its way to the Namgoong Clan ever since she ran into him on that mountain near Hefei.

No—she’d actually known it would happen.

She was the one who had arranged for rumors about herself to spread through Mount Hua.

So the Black Cloud Branch Master followed my instructions properly.

She had tucked a note into the pouch she gave him, telling him to spread rumors.

Her goal was to redirect the attention of Mount Hua and Shaolin—who were watching the Black Cloud Group—onto herself, and lead Mount Hua to the Namgoong Clan.

The fact that they were now here at the Celestial Guest Courtyard was proof it had worked. The only problem was—

I didn’t factor in being under the influence of the Suggestion Curse.

She should have been ready for their arrival, but the curse had prevented her from preparing.

What should I do? I suppose I should meet them first.

“I told them you might take five days before you’d be able to meet. Just in case. But if you don’t want to see them...”

“Five days?”

“Yes. Five. That’s what we were told it would take, right?”

Seolhwa’s eyes sparkled.

It was supposed to take five days. But she had emerged from the cave after only three. That meant she was two days ahead of what Mount Hua had been told.

Two days is more than enough.

She turned to Seop Mugwang.

“Does anyone else know I’ve left the cave?”

“Obviously just me, your father, and my men.”

Though they weren’t visible, a few members of the Wind Sword Guard were nearby.

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

Seolhwa, now in the Peak Realm, could already sense their energy.

Before, she had relied on subtle shifts and intuition to detect them. Now, she could feel them clearly—even those hiding their presence.

Two of them.

“Could I ask you to keep my exit a secret?”

Seop Mugwang raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“I need to go somewhere.”

He opened his mouth as if to object—but shut it again.

He stared at her for a moment with narrowed eyes, then abruptly turned his head and answered curtly.

“Fine. Whatever.”

“I’m going to find something to replace the Great Return Pill.”

“...What?”

He turned back to her.

That raised eyebrow of his twitched.

“What did you just say?”

“The Great Return Pill I took from the Black Cloud Branch... it originally belonged to Mount Hua. They know I took it. That’s why they’re here—to retrieve it.”

“And why are you telling me all this? I don’t care.”

“As you know, I already used it. So I need to find something to give them in return. That’s why I—”

“I said I don’t care! I’ll keep your little escape a secret, alright?!”

“You’re upset, though.”

Seop Mugwang froze.

That crooked brow of his slowly lowered.

“What did you say?”

“You’re upset with me.”

“...”

He looked... a little angry.

Even if he didn’t show it, Seop Mugwang was upset. Not just a little. A lot.

He felt pathetic for having so confidently said, “Yes, I trust her,” when asked if he believed in the child. And he couldn’t deny the sting of betrayal when the girl he thought he’d grown closer to had so thoroughly deceived him.

“Upset? Yeah, right.”

He was absolutely upset.

He had trusted her, given her his sword, even shared his favorite food spots.

“Whatever. You’re short on time, right? Just go. Now.”

Seolhwa looked straight at him, then brought her hands together and gave him a deep, respectful bow.

“I’m sorry. For sneaking out like that. And for making you drink the sleeping tea.”

When she straightened back up, Seop Mugwang stood frozen in surprise.

“I wanted to apologize properly.”

“...Hmph.”

Maybe it was the sincerity of the apology, but Seop Mugwang quickly turned away with a jerk of his head.

“...I said I wasn’t upset. What, do you think I’m the kind of petty man who’d sulk over something like that?”

His muttered words were barely audible as he rubbed his nose.

Still facing away, Seop Mugwang waved a hand.

“Go. You’re in a hurry, aren’t you? Just make sure you’re back within two days.”

It seemed his anger had melted away.

“Yes. I’ll be back soon.”

Seolhwa took Namgoong Cheongun’s hand.

“Let’s go, Father.”

And just like that, the two of them disappeared down the path from the cave.

Watching them leave, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of Seop Mugwang’s lips—one no one else could see.

****

Clink. Clink.

Only the sound of the teacup being lifted, sipped from, and gently set down echoed through the stillness.

Namgoong Cheonghae sat upright, facing the man before him.

“This is a fine tea.”

“Well, I couldn’t possibly serve cheap leaves to such an esteemed guest.”

He chuckled softly, and Nomon set his teacup down.

“So. I heard your son made an unfortunate remark to one of our disciples.”

“I apologize again for his rudeness.”

Namgoong Cheonghae bowed with his fists clasped. His posture was perfectly upright.

Just as one would expect from the Namgoong heir, Nomon thought. Dignified and unwavering.

“Is that why you came to see me? To offer that apology?”

He asked it knowing full well the answer. It was also a signal—the conversation was about to begin in earnest.

Namgoong Cheonghae smiled faintly and met Nomon’s gaze directly.

“I heard a very interesting rumor.”

“Oh? And what might that be?”

“I heard the girl who used to be the Junior Mistress of the Flower Mist Pavilion stole the Great Return Pill from a Black Path sect and fled... here, to Namgoong.”

On the day Mount Hua’s delegation arrived at Namgoong, Cheonghae had dispatched subordinates from the Shaanxi branch to investigate why Mount Hua had moved in the first place.

The report came in just today, during the clan council meeting.

“You haven’t heard this, I take it?”

Nomon’s expression didn’t twitch.

But the slight pause in his breath during the silence said enough.

“...That’s quite a strange rumor. Are you telling me a demonic sect had Shaolin’s artifact in their possession?”

“That sect is based in Shaanxi, is it not?”

“What are you implying?”

“I’m saying I believe that is why the Plum Blossom Divine Sword came all the way to Namgoong.”

At the sharpness of Cheonghae’s words, Nomon’s gaze turned icy.

He let out a silent sigh.

He’s not ordinary.

It wasn’t just that he had accurately pierced through the heart of the matter from mere rumors—it was the entire setup that was so impressively calculated.

He’d proposed the sparring match [N O V E L I G H T] between children to buy time while investigating their real purpose. And the moment his son lost and caused a stir, he used Yu Gang to draw the Mount Hua delegation into this meeting.

From the very moment he’d suggested dinner, everything had been like interlocked chains leading to this inevitable point.

Men like this were dangerous for one reason:

They don’t move unless they’re already certain.

In other words, even if they seem to be asking questions, they already know the answers.

They were right. He’s not only a martial artist, but a strategist.

Agreeing to this dinner out of momentary impatience had been a mistake. He’d handed the initiative right to the Namgoong heir.

Now that things had reached this point, it was time to let go of what needed letting go—and secure what could still be gained.

Nomon opened his eyes slowly, having finished his calculations.

The look in his eyes was entirely different from before—sharper, more dangerous.

“...You’re right.”

“...!”

“In that case, allow me to speak plainly. Do you know where the Great Return Pill is?”

“I do not.”

“But the girl who came back from the Black Path sect—she’s your niece, isn’t she? It was she who took it.”

“I’ve heard no mention of it. If it were something that valuable, it wouldn’t be so easy to hide. The fact that no one’s brought it up makes me wonder if she actually has it at all.”

“Hmph...”

So he’s claiming to know nothing.

Disappointed, Nomon stroked his chin.

“May I ask why the Great Return Pill is so important to you?”

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.”

“Then... does it absolutely have to be the Great Return Pill?”

“What are you saying?”

“What if I offered you something equivalent?”

Nomon’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“You have something like that?”

“I may be able to find something. After all... this is Namgoong.”

“And what would you ask in return?”

“...!”

Namgoong Cheonghae’s expression brightened.

Give and take—that was the essence of diplomacy.

“I want formal relations between Mount Hua and the Namgoong Clan.”

“Relations, huh.”

Exactly what he’d expected.

The great clans had long desired ties with the martial sects.

It’s not unreasonable.

The clans didn’t need actual cooperation—they just wanted the appearance of it. As long as the surface was polished, the rest could fade away with time.

Nomon gave a slow nod.

“Very well. Will that be enough?”

“There’s one thing missing.”

Missing?

Namgoong Cheonghae’s smile deepened.

“Isn’t who those relations go through the most important part of all?”