The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 44

Early morning.

After finishing dawn training with the Red Dragon Squad members, Seolhwa climbed the mountain behind the Namgoong estate, holding Namgoong Cheongun’s hand.

The Cave of Divine Insight, the Namgoong Clan’s sealed training ground, was built into the mountainside at the back of the estate in the form of a cavern.

The path leading to the cave was rich with greenery, a mix of bamboo and pine, and the air was fresh and clean.

Through the tall canopy of leaves, the blue sky shone brightly, welcoming her with clarity and calm.

Following the trail that curved behind the estate, they soon spotted several figures standing at the distant mouth of the cave.

It was Namgoong Mucheon, the Chief Steward Namgoong Mun, Seop Mugwang—Commander of the Secret Wind Sword Corps—and two members of the corps.

When Seolhwa met Seop Mugwang’s eyes, he scoffed and sharply turned his head away.

Clearly, he still hadn’t gotten over what happened last night.

“You’re here.”

“I greet the Clan Head.”

“Good morning, Grandfather.”

“Are you fully prepared?”

Truthfully, there wasn’t much to prepare.

Once inside the training cave, the only thing that truly mattered was the mindset for cultivation.

All essential provisions—drinking water and grain-avoidance pills—were already stocked inside the cave in ample supply, enough to survive for over ten years if necessary.

“Are you sure this is alright?”

Namgoong Mun asked, concern in his voice.

“We’re not walking into death, so why all the fuss? I’m more worried about Seolhwa’s strength.”

“I was actually going to ask the young lady the same. Are you alright with this, Lady Seolhwa? Bone Cleansing and Marrow Washing is known to be extremely painful.”

“I’ll be fine. My grandfather will be with me, won’t he?”

“Haha... Seems I’m the only one my granddaughter still trusts.”

He laughed it off lightly, but Bone Cleansing and Marrow Washing was by no means an easy ritual.

One wrong move in guiding inner energy could lead to Qi Deviation. The ritual forcibly opened energy channels and altered the body’s musculature and bones—an ordeal that would be incredibly difficult for a child to endure.

Everyone knew Seolhwa didn’t feel pain. Still, that didn’t stop them from worrying.

“Be sure to explain things to the Hall Masters and the Council of Elders. I already informed them of the Bone Cleansing, so they should be expecting it.”

“There will still be strong opposition.”

Though he’d mentioned it, he hadn’t exactly won their support.

When Namgoong Mucheon first brought it up, the elders had naturally risen in protest, and the meeting had ended only because Mucheon forcefully shut it down.

They were likely just waiting for a chance to bring it up again.

Who could have guessed?

That the Clan Head would enter the sealed training cave with his granddaughter without so much as a word.

“Is there a reason you’re rushing this?”

“What’s the point in wasting time? All it’ll do is lead to pointless arguments. Pass along the message that if anyone dares step foot into the cave without permission, I’ll cut them in two.”

“...Understood.”

The Council’s going to lose their minds over this.

Still, none of them would actually barge into the cave to oppose him.

What issue could there be with someone using their own strength as they wished?

The Clan Head’s well-being is tied to the clan’s well-being...

But who would dare go against the will of the Sword Emperor?

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Especially when the Secret Wind Sword Corps was standing guard at the entrance. There wasn’t a soul in the estate who would dare set foot in that cave.

“How long do you expect to be inside?”

“Five days at the least. Even if it takes longer, I’ll come out when it’s done. That’s all you need to know.”

“Yes, Clan Head.”

“Let’s go, Seolhwa.”

Namgoong Mucheon turned to lead the way.

Seolhwa stepped forward and slipped her fingers into his.

A soft smile appeared at the corner of Namgoong Mucheon’s lips as he looked down at his granddaughter.

“We’ll be back.”

“Wishing you success, Clan Head, Lady Seolhwa.”

“Please take good care of Seolhwa, Father. Be safe, Seolhwa.”

Namgoong Mun bowed deeply in farewell, and Namgoong Cheongun watched them go, his face full of worry to the very end.

Seop Mugwang and the two Secret Wind guards who had followed behind them stopped at the entrance to the training cave and saw them off.

Clang—

The massive iron gate creaked as it slowly closed in the hands of the Wind Sword members.

As the light gradually faded from the closing gap, Seolhwa looked back and met eyes with Seop Mugwang, who stood with arms crossed, glancing her way.

With that, the gate to the Cave of Divine Insight sealed shut.

Step, step.

Their footsteps echoed in the quiet cave.

Even with the door closed, the cave was not dark.

Glowstones...

Set into the cave walls at regular intervals of about three meters were glowstones, lighting the way.

They walked along that path for a while until they reached a point where they passed through a transparent, invisible barrier.

“This is a formation that promotes smooth energy circulation. Don’t be surprised.”

Seolhwa nodded at Namgoong Mucheon’s explanation.

She remembered being startled by this in her past life as well.

The glowstones were impressive enough, but for them to install an energy formation in a naturally energy-rich mountain cave while keeping the natural flow of qi intact...

To install such a formation without disturbing nature’s energy would require a master of formation arts, and maintaining it over time must have required immense effort and resources.

After seeing this training ground, she’d come to view the less accomplished direct descendants of the clan with nothing but disappointment.

Even now, the place amazed her.

Just sitting here feels like it would build inner energy...

Feeling the pure spiritual energy flowing through the air, Seolhwa looked down at her hands.

It felt as if she were walking across the surface of still water, not causing even the faintest ripple.

“We’ve arrived.”

Inside the training cavern were several chambers.

Each chamber had its own formation that cut off sound and energy. Once a person entered, the door would close behind them.

Namgoong Mucheon led her to the innermost chamber—located deepest in the cave.

It was the largest and most spacious chamber of all.

The floor was lined with radiant blue Clearsteel Stone.

“Do you need to rest?”

When Seolhwa shook her head, Namgoong Mucheon gestured toward the wide, open space covered in radiant blue Clearsteel Stone.

“Stand there.”

Seolhwa walked to the center of the cavern and stood still.

Namgoong Mucheon moved behind her and placed his hand on her back. Because of how small she was, his fingers curled naturally downward as he rested his palm across her spine.

“I’m going to forcibly trigger the suggestion curse placed on you. Don’t resist—just let the flow carry you.”

“...I might attack you.”

“Hoho! Is that what you’re worried about?”

“No.”

The truth was, she was worried about something else entirely.

When I enter a trance, I don’t know what martial arts I might end up using.

It was one of the reasons she hadn’t asked him for help from the very beginning.

Under the influence of the suggestion, she would lose her rationality and move purely by instinct. And if her instincts chose a ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) technique, it would likely be one she used the most in her past life.

There’s a chance he might see... “that.”

Anyone else might not realize—but Namgoong Mucheon would.

He had lived more years alongside the Namgoong Clan’s martial arts than Seolhwa had lived across both lifetimes combined.

Will this be okay?

What if she ended up destroying the trust she had painstakingly built?

Should she tell him ahead of time?

No. If I tried to explain it now, it would only sound like an excuse. If I was going to tell him, I should’ve done it the day I returned to the clan.

It was too late to say anything now.

There was no turning back.

Resolving herself, Seolhwa straightened her back and stared straight ahead.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes?”

“No matter what you see... please believe in me.”

The request was unexpected. Namgoong Mucheon’s brows lifted in a subtle, curious expression.

He was silent for a moment before replying briefly.

“I will.”

It was a short answer, but his voice held steady, filled with unwavering trust.

Seolhwa nodded slightly, a faint smile on her lips.

“I’m ready.”

Then she gently closed her eyes.

Moments later, she felt that familiar sensation—Namgoong Mucheon’s powerful, clear energy entering her body.

His inner energy traveled through her meridians, seeking out the traces of the suggestion curse.

It felt like a massive tidal wave sweeping through her.

At times like a stormy sea, at others like a dragon soaring into the sky—Namgoong Mucheon’s energy moved swiftly, scouring every part of her system.

When that energy reached the center of her crown—her Hundred Convergences Point, located at the top of her head—

...!

It struck her mind like a great drum being pounded from within.

Seolhwa’s eyes flew open.

There it is.

He had only brushed against the foreign energy gathered at her Hundred Convergences Point, and she had already responded.

Namgoong Mucheon drove his energy in again—this time with precision—piercing into the source as if to split it apart.

And at that very moment—

Whoosh—!

Seolhwa’s upper body twisted violently, and a qi-infused strike burst forward, surging toward Namgoong Mucheon’s chest.

Bang—!

Without flinching, Mucheon moved the hand resting on her back and effortlessly caught her palm strike.

Her eyes were vacant. No emotion, no recognition—only the raw, mechanical intent to kill.

Crack!

While Namgoong Mucheon was assessing her condition, Seolhwa used the rebound from his counter to instantly launch herself backward, widening the distance between them.

A flicker of surprise crossed Mucheon’s face.

“Well now... You made that judgment in the blink of an eye?”

The place Seolhwa had retreated to was a weapon rack stationed at one end of the cavern.

As expected of a training cave, it was fully stocked with weapons of every kind.

Shiiing—

She picked up a sword without hesitation, drawing it cleanly and aiming its edge at Namgoong Mucheon.

A blood-red aura slowly began to rise around her, thick with killing intent.