“Is there an issue?”

“What should we do if something dangerous happens? If we intervene, someone will surely figure out the guest’s identity.”

“Hmm…”

Namgung Yeom stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Although the guest wished to move alone, and even though this was the Namgung clan’s territory, any problem arising would be tantamount to tarnishing the clan’s reputation.

“Perhaps we should assign a guard after all…”

Namgung Yeom nodded.

“Assign people who are as inconspicuous as possible. Tell them to refrain from acting unless absolutely necessary.”

“Understood.”

“Good.”

The guest from Cheon Gaekwon had visited the Namgung clan for the first time in a year.

There must be no shortcomings during their stay.

“Prepare fresh tea and food for when the guest returns. Have bathwater and clean clothes ready just in case. Be prepared to serve a meal immediately if the guest asks.”

“Yes, I’ll make sure everything is ready.”

Namgung Yeom emphasized again.

“Ensure the guest feels no inconvenience. Be cautious—extremely cautious.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

---

The Namgung clan has six combat divisions.

The Bi-Phoong Sword Unit, which directly serves the clan head, and five dragon divisions based on colors: Hwang-Ryong (Yellow Dragon), Cheong-Ryong (Blue Dragon), Jeok-Ryong (Red Dragon), Baek-Ryong (White Dragon), and Heuk-Ryong (Black Dragon).

Among them, only the top ten squads from each division can qualify as inner-house warriors, while the rest are outer-house warriors referred to as “Sword Units.”

Ilhwa found herself in the training grounds of the Jeok-Ryong Unit, marked by red uniforms and plain red sashes.

Inside the training grounds, even young children clad in red uniforms could be seen. At the center of the grounds, on the sparring stage, Jeok-Ryong members were engrossed in practicing their sword techniques.

“Dae-Yeon Sword Technique, First Form!”

“Ha!”

As someone with a single gold stripe on their red sash called out, the warriors with plain sashes performed the techniques in unison.

Despite the group of over ten people moving simultaneously, their movements were sharp and disciplined, without a hint of disorder.

Ilhwa observed their forms for a while.

In her past life, these people were of little interest, falling with just one swing of her sword. But now, her perspective was different.

These individuals were the roots supporting the Namgung clan. A tree with firm roots would not topple easily.

These outer-house warriors would serve as the starting point to strengthen the Namgung clan’s might.

As she seriously watched the Jeok-Ryong warriors’ training, Ilhwa quietly remarked to herself.

“They aren’t wielding swords.”

The countless repetitions and honed movements were smooth, disciplined, and full of spirit.

It was a flawless display of swordsmanship, befitting the foundational techniques of the Namgung clan.

However, there was a glaring issue with their swords.

“Have they never fought in real battles?”

Their technique was perfect, but their swords lacked soul.

In essence, they weren’t wielding swords—they were merely going through motions.

To untrained eyes, there might not be any issue. But to Ilhwa, who had spent her entire life battling the Namgung clan’s swords, the flaw was evident.

“If they were to fight, they’d likely die before even using their sword techniques.”

Though this training was meant to demonstrate basic techniques to outsiders, the Namgung clan’s swordsmanship was far from weak.

Yet these warriors were feeble—extremely so.

“There’s a long way to go.”

After letting out a brief sigh, Ilhwa turned toward the weapons rack on the side of the training grounds.

While aware of the issues, there wasn’t anything she could do immediately. Instead, she decided to focus on her own training and set aside her thoughts on the Jeok-Ryong Unit’s swordsmanship for now.

However, just as she was about to pick up a wooden sword, a loud voice called out to her.

“Hey, you over there!”

Ilhwa turned her head in the direction of the voice.

As expected, it was the squad leader with a single gold stripe who had been leading the group earlier.

He approached her, drenched in sweat, without even bothering to wipe it off. Glancing at the wooden sword she was about to grab, he spoke brusquely.

“You can’t just touch things however you like. Those aren’t toys for kids to play with. Leave them be.”

Ilhwa glanced toward another part of the training grounds.

There, children around her age were diligently practicing swordsmanship.

Following her gaze, the squad leader snorted.

“They’re not like you, kid. They’re properly learning swordsmanship. You, on the other hand…”

He scrutinized Ilhwa’s attire.

She wasn’t wearing a member’s uniform, nor did her clothing appear particularly high-quality.

“…are probably just a random servant brat.”

Perhaps someone who had failed the martial arts test?

It wasn’t uncommon for such children to sneak into the Namgung clan, hoping to learn swordsmanship by becoming servants.

Considering how she had been closely observing their practice earlier and wandering freely in the training grounds, it seemed to fit.

“Hey, kid.”

The squad leader walked closer, his tall shadow looming over Ilhwa.

“Swords aren’t something you can learn just by copying. Go back to cleaning or whatever it is you do before you get hit by a stray splinter.”

With that, he snatched the wooden sword from Ilhwa.

She stared at the confiscated sword for a moment before silently turning back toward the weapon rack.

“What the—?”

Despite his intimidating tone, the child remained unfazed and returned to the rack. The squad leader looked dumbfounded.

“This little rascal…”

Stomping loudly, he marched over and snatched away the wooden sword she had just picked up.

Frowning slightly, Ilhwa’s brow furrowed.

“When an adult speaks to you, you don’t ignore them! Where are your manners? Who raised you to be so rude?!”

“….”

“Where’s your assigned servant? I’ll make sure they teach you a proper lesson!”

“Haah…”

Ilhwa let out a sigh.

She had come to the training grounds intending to avoid drawing attention, but somehow she had ended up attracting more.

“Should I just leave?”

Perhaps she should have gone to the training grounds at Cheon Gaekwon from the start.

As she pondered her next move, a vein began to bulge on the squad leader’s forehead.

Ilhwa’s expression of contemplation seemed to reflect dissatisfaction in his eyes.

“You…”

His grip tightened on the wooden sword he held, producing a faint creaking sound.

“You insolent brat…!”

The Red Dragon squad leader swung the wooden sword toward Ilhwa’s calves.

However, just as the sword was about to make contact—

Tap. Tap.

Ilhwa lightly leaped into the air, stepped effortlessly on the swinging wooden sword, and landed gracefully back on the ground.

She didn’t even spare a glance at the weapon.

“Huh?”

The power imbued in the swing seemed to evaporate in an instant.

A strange stillness followed briefly.

Thud!

The Red Dragon squad leader lost his balance and fell flat on his face, completely ungraceful.

“…?”

What just happened?

Why am I…?

The squad leader remained sprawled on the ground, blinking in confusion as he tried to understand the situation.

Meanwhile, Ilhwa, who had caused the entire scene, calmly picked up the fallen wooden sword and began walking away as though nothing had happened.

“Hahaha! Squad Leader! What are you doing, lying there like that after saying you’d deal with a kid?”

“Did you trip over your own feet? Trying to catch the kid and getting caught yourself! Pfft!”

From a short distance away, his comrades burst into laughter at his undignified predicament.

‘…!’

The squad leader’s face turned crimson with embarrassment.

There couldn’t be a more humiliating moment than this.

To think he couldn’t even handle a mere child and ended up making a fool of himself!

The only saving grace was that none of the squad members seemed to think he had been bested by the child.

Unfortunately, the squad leader shared that belief.

“Stop right there!”

The Red Dragon squad leader pushed himself up from the ground with a jolt.

The fact that no one else realized the child had done something meant that no one had clearly witnessed what had occurred.

But his judgment had already been clouded by rage, leaving no room for deeper reflection.

‘I don’t know what trick you pulled….’

It must’ve been some fluke on my part.

“Stop, I said!”

On his second shout, the child halted and turned to face him.

Her expression was oddly nonchalant, even slightly annoyed.

The squad leader’s eyes blazed with fury.

“You brat!”

Maybe the first time was sheer luck, but not this time!

“I’ll break your legs if I have to, and teach you some manners!”

Whoosh—

The wooden sword sliced through the air, producing a sharp sound.

The force was powerful enough to send a rush of wind.

The weapon once again swung fiercely toward Ilhwa’s legs.

Thwack!

A crisp sound echoed as one of the wooden swords spun through the air in an elegant arc.

The spectators’ gazes unconsciously followed the flying sword.

It wasn’t Ilhwa’s—it was the Red Dragon squad leader’s wooden sword.

‘Huh?’

The squad leader blinked in confusion again.

Before he could grasp what had just transpired, the child moved her arm.

Thud—!

“Ugh!”

A dull ache shot through the back of his knee.

The sensation was heavy and forceful, as if struck by a thick club.

Plop!

By the time he realized the source of the pain, he was already kneeling before the child.

Simultaneously, his sword landed far away with a soft thud, and the spectators’ gazes shifted back to the two.

“Gasp!”

“…!”

The bystanders’ eyes widened in shock.

The Red Dragon squad leader was now kneeling before the child, a sight none of them had expected.

The entire sequence had happened so quickly, leaving everyone stunned.

While the dazed squad leader remained frozen, a shadow loomed over his head.

“Do you want to keep going?”

Her voice was shockingly youthful.

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