The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 85

Namgoong Cheongun’s sword was powerful.

Though he had only just stepped into the Transcendent Peak Realm and his technique had yet to be refined, the sheer force of his aura did not fall short of those who had long mastered it.

Within the Namgoong Clan, there were only three who had reached the Transcendent Peak Realm.

Clan Lord Namgoong Mucheon, who had gone beyond and attained the Flowing Realm; Namgoong Mugang, head of the Martial Academy Hall, who stood at the height of the Transcendent Peak Realm; and Seop Mugwang, Commander of the Storm Division.

The difference between the Peak Realm and the Transcendent Peak was like the divide between heaven and earth.

So vast was that gap that the martial world often spoke of dividing warriors by whether they had broken through the wall of the Transcendent Peak or not.

Even across the whole of the martial world, only those ranked among the Hundred Masters of the World could be counted as Transcendent Peak-level warriors.

Surrounding his blade with sword force and unleashing his sword art, Cheongun’s martial display alone was enough to astonish every member of the clan.

“To reach the Transcendent Peak at that age...”

“We knew First Young Master had talent, but not like this...”

“He barely had time to train, and yet he’s already Transcendent Peak. If he devotes himself from now on, then in the future...”

Unconsciously, members of the clan swallowed dryly.

They had chosen Cheonghae over Cheongun as successor, believing he would dedicate himself to the family.

But they had already learned through Namgoong Mucheon—

That the name of the clan rose higher in the world not with a lord who simply served the family, but with one who ruled the Central Plains through unmatched martial prowess.

The Namgoong Clan was now honored wherever they went.

Just being a Namgoong elder brought the highest courtesies; many bowed their heads in respect.

And all because the Namgoong Clan was the House of the Sword Emperor.

“If First Young Master rises to the same level as the Clan Lord and becomes known across all of the Central Plains...”

“Then today’s glory may not end with the Sword Emperor’s name, but continue through his son...”

“Namgoong Cheonghae may strengthen the clan from within and without if he becomes lord...”

“But if Namgoong Cheongun ascends to the head, the clan will rise to even greater heights!”

The elders, who had long supported Cheonghae, glanced furtively at the Head of the Elder Council.

Their hearts, which they had thought immovable, were now greatly shaken by the sight of Cheongun’s martial might.

Shhhk—

“Haa... haah... ha...”

Cheongun steadied his rough breathing.

After manifesting his sword force and executing all seven forms of the Skybound Swallow Sword, he felt completely drained.

During his sword demonstration, the atmosphere within the martial arena had changed.

Adjusting his posture, Cheongun turned and bowed with a warrior’s salute to Namgoong Mucheon.

Namgoong Mucheon gave a slight nod.

“You’ve done well. Such great achievement in so little time—our clan is truly blessed.”

Namgoong Mucheon did not withhold his praise.

“Let all of you follow Cheongun’s example. Do not neglect your training. The strength of the clan is the strength of its members.”

At the Clan Lord’s words, the family responded in unison.

With that praise, Cheongun descended from the martial stage.

But the air in the arena he left behind had grown subtly tense. Clan members began glancing at each other, searching for signs.

It was because of the final child of the direct line who was yet to appear.

“It’s Seolhwa’s turn.”

Namgoong Mucheon slowly scanned the now quiet martial arena.

Though many pretended otherwise, even the elders and the heads of the Council were visibly swallowing hard.

They likely had much they wanted to say.

From the rumors of her being a courtesan in Zhu Lu to the revelation of her Counter-Destroying Sword, and perhaps some had even noticed her moves during the Inner Courtyard duels.

She truly is the girl shaking the entire clan.

And now—right after Cheongun had displayed such remarkable martial power.

Whether Namgoong Seolhwa, Cheongun’s daughter, would be an asset or a burden to him—everyone was eager to weigh the outcome. That included Namgoong Mucheon himself.

Clack.

Mucheon set down his cup and looked toward the stairs leading up to the martial stage.

Beneath the shadows, he felt the presence of a child.

“Now then... What will you show me, # Nоvеlight # Seolhwa?”

Just as Cheongun stepped down from the stage, a fluttering hem blocked his path.

“Father.”

Raising his gaze along the fabric’s edge, Cheongun froze in place. His eyes trembled faintly.

“Seolhwa.”

His mouth opened, filled with things he wanted to say. But in the end, not a word came out. He simply closed it again.

Instead, he placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder and gave a faint nod.

“Go and show them.”

Seolhwa nodded in return, her gaze unwavering, not the least bit intimidated.

“I’m proud of you, Father.”

“...”

“And I’ll become a daughter you can be proud of, too.”

With that, Seolhwa walked past him and stepped onto the martial stage.

Cheongun watched his daughter ascend the very platform he had just stood upon.

Now, she would face the judgment of the entire clan.

The eyes of the family, which had been generous toward other children, had already shifted. They would assess her with unmatched scrutiny.

As if her return after eight years was a crime in itself.

As if leaving the clan had been her own fault.

Cruel...

Though it was his own family, Cheongun felt a shiver of loathing rise within him.

Those who had cornered her with filthy rumors, and those now using those very rumors to demand even more from her.

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Even himself—who had never been any help to her.

Seolhwa. I believe in you.

If what she had said to him was true, then today, here and now, the clan would finally understand.

What it meant to be a true Namgoong.

So show them.

The path that Namgoong must walk—just as you said.

****

As Namgoong Seolhwa ascended the steps to the martial stage, a murmur swept through the arena.

“Is that... is she...?”

Though she wore trousers, they were veiled in a flowing, translucent fabric that gave the illusion of a skirt—her outfit ornate and elaborate.

Her hair was tied high and adorned with jeweled pins, and a sheer white veil draped from her ears, covering the lower half of her face.

“Isn’t that... a courtesan’s attire...?”

Indeed, Seolhwa’s clothing was the garb of an eigi—a woman of the pleasure halls.

The moment her appearance became clear, a wave of shock passed over the faces of the clan. Even the Clan Lord and Council Heads were no exception.

“Heh... what a damn piece of work that girl is.”

Seop Mugwang let out a disbelieving laugh.

He had witnessed all of Seolhwa’s feats throughout the day at the Heavenly Martial Festival.

He had expected—perhaps even hoped—that she would make a statement here on the direct line’s martial showcase.

To wear the very outfit of a courtesan, ascending the martial stage with the entire clan watching, all while enduring the slander that she’d been raised as one in Zhu Lu...

Wouldn’t this only serve to provoke the clan’s resistance even further?

What in the world is she thinking?

And yet, the most striking part of it all was not her outfit, but her gaze—bold, calm, unshaken.

Her expression remained as composed as ever, filled with confidence, and that alone sent a thrilling jolt of anticipation through Seop Mugwang.

He had found the Heavenly Martial Festival tiresome—until now. At last, something interesting.

Elsewhere, another hand rose to cover a curling smile.

Yun Solran, wife of Namgoong Cheonghae, watched the scene unfold.

“Surely... she’s not mocking us all?”

“To appear on the sacred martial stage dressed as a courtesan... what next? Will she perform a sword dance?”

“She was raised outside, true, but not even basic etiquette? Are you telling me the First Young Master didn’t bother to teach her even that much?”

The comments grew sharper, no longer murmurs but open criticism, their tone escalating fast.

Yun Solran could not suppress her smirk.

Is she clueless, or just plain foolish?

So clever, and yet—still just a child.

Yun Solran herself had spread those rumors to create this very situation, but to see Seolhwa respond with such reckless defiance, digging her own grave...

Should she be grateful?

The anger she had carried over Soryong’s ruined performance now gave way to something close to delight.

The reputation her father raised, torn down by his daughter.

Amid the growing wave of scorn, Seolhwa’s gaze fixed squarely ahead—on the center of the elevated platform where Namgoong Mucheon sat.

Namgoong Mucheon returned her stare with a hardened expression. His eyes asked a silent question.

Why go this far?

Why sharpen the blade of disdain already aimed at her?

Without flinching, Seolhwa raised her sword. She lifted it toward Namgoong itself.

A wind stirred, and energy rippled across the stage. Crimson aura gathered around her.

It was red, yet clear—a celestial energy that shimmered like heat haze around her blade.

In that moment, the air turned cold.

As though on cue, the entire clan fell silent. All eyes turned to the girl on the martial stage.

****

Beneath the darkened sky, the arena lights cast their glow upon the martial platform. The light gleamed along her silver blade.

Seolhwa lowered her gaze.

What is it that I must show them?

She had pondered deeply—what she needed to show Namgoong today.

This Namgoong, obsessed with idle power struggles and destructive gossip, who trampled true martial artists beneath its heel.

The Counter-Destroying Sword. It’s perfect.

With it, she could silence all the rumors, captivate the hearts of the clan, and dispel all doubts.

But—how many chances did one get to speak through the sword, with the whole clan assembled?

Would it be right to waste such a rare moment just to stamp out rumors?

Seolhwa could not.

Because to her, something far more important than slander lay ahead.

I have seen Namgoong.

And from this moment forward—

I will speak of the Namgoong I saw.