Recently, a peculiar atmosphere had begun to flow through the central regions of the continent, particularly around Shaanxi, Henan, and Hubei.

Villages disappeared overnight, and the influence of the underworld grew, all signs pointing to imminent danger.

Even the escort agency operated by the Namgung family was attacked and suffered losses while passing through Henan at the hands of an underworld gang.

Namgung Mucheon tasked the Swift Wind Sword Division with investigating the matter, during which they uncovered information about a secret deal between Shaolin and Huashan.

“We couldn’t determine why Huashan and Shaolin would engage in such a deal, but…”

Seop Mugwang scratched the bridge of his nose, letting out a groan.

“The organization called Heukwoonbang wasn’t much, as it turns out. A mere brat was enough to overturn them. However, for them to defeat Huashan’s elites and steal the goods… it seems there was undoubtedly another force involved…”

Seop Mugwang abruptly stopped mid-report.

Something felt off.

Despite the gravity of the report, Namgung Mucheon’s reaction was oddly indifferent.

“Master?”

Seop Mugwang waved a hand in front of Namgung Mucheon’s face.

“Are you listening?”

Namgung Mucheon, arms crossed, stared ahead with an intensely serious expression.

“Hmm…”

He stroked his coarse chin with a thick hand, the sharpness in his expression resembling the moments before he struck down an enemy.

Seop Mugwang and the chief steward swallowed hard.

‘This must involve the major powers in Shaanxi and Henan, hence his caution.’

‘Did he already figure something out from the report?’

Just as such thoughts tightened their sweaty fists—

“I’ve heard it said that child resembled me since the day she were born.”

Namgung Mucheon’s words had nothing to do with Seop Mugwang’s report.

“At the time, I couldn’t see the resemblance in that tiny palm-sized thing. But seeing her grown up, I understand.”

Seop Mugwang and the steward exchanged glances.

They didn’t need to say it aloud to know what Namgung Mucheon was referring to.

The steward awkwardly smiled and said, “Master, if I may be honest, she’s not exactly grown up…”

Who would call a thirteen-year-old a grown-up?

Especially when the child wasn’t even bigger than most kids their age.

“Well, she is smaller than Cheonmyeong.”

Cheonmyeong was the name of Namgung Mucheon’s sword, so named because the heavens seemed to cry whenever it was wielded.

“I’ll have to ensure she’s well-fed. she must grow bigger than Cheonmyeong.”

“she’ll surely grow bigger than Cheonmyeong, Master.”

While Cheonmyeong was a large sword, it wasn’t much more than two handspans taller than the child.

“If she doesn’t, it would indeed be a problem. But more importantly…”

“More importantly?”

Namgung Mucheon raised an eyebrow and looked at the steward.

‘she doesn’t resemble you at all.’

…was what he wanted to say, but the intimidating glare from Namgung Mucheon made him feel like he’d be devoured if he spoke.

The steward smiled stiffly and kept his mouth shut.

At that moment, Seop Mugwang changed the subject.

“That’s right. How about asking the brat?”

‘Thank you, Swift Wind Sword.’

‘I wholeheartedly agree that she doesn’t resemble him.’

Namgung Mucheon looked at Seop Mugwang.

“Ask her what?”

“she took the Great Return Pill, didn’t they? Since the brat was the Young lord of Hwaoru, she might know something about this situation.”

“Have you looked into Hwaoru?”

“After dealing with those chasing the brat, I immediately sent men to Yunnan. We should hear news soon.”

The pursuers of the child were assassins from Hwaoru.

After handling them, Seop Mugwang had sent members of the Swift Wind Sword Division to Yunnan five days ago.

“Can the child’s words be trusted?”

Namgung Mucheon’s question left Seop Mugwang momentarily silent.

Trust wasn’t something to be given or received lightly.

Especially not from a child who had been part of an unknown organization’s upper echelon.

Though the child claimed their reason for coming to Namgung was simply to return home, there was no telling what intentions they truly harbored.

Even if she were the master’s granddaughter.

Thus, it wasn’t a matter to take lightly.

“Giving up one’s accumulated inner power isn’t an easy decision. Honestly, I wouldn’t have even considered it if I were that brat.”

The pinnacle of inner power wasn’t achieved overnight.

Abandoning strength sufficient to dominate a region in Zhongyuan wasn’t a simple matter.

“For a child to abandon such power and choose Namgung… could there be another motive?”

There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation in Seop Mugwang’s voice.

That certainty also carried the implication that he was willing to take responsibility should the child betray the family.

The steward asked in astonishment, “Swift Wind Sword, have you grown attached to the child already?”

“Attached? Hardly. she’s just unexpectedly endearing, considering how she acts compared to how she looks.”

“Hah…”

Seop Mugwang was known throughout Namgung for rarely opening his heart to anyone.

In terms of skill, he could challenge the top ten masters in the martial world. The only reason he stayed in Namgung was his loyalty to Namgung Mucheon.

This meant that, independent of any faction within Namgung, he was a uniquely powerful presence everyone wanted on their side.

Such a change in tone from someone who had previously kept his thoughts guarded.

“Living long enough lets you see all kinds of things.”

“Ha, ha, ha…”

The general manager supported Seop Mugwang’s suggestion.

“I also agree with asking the child about the matter involving Mount Hua. As it happens, the custom of entertaining guests at Cheon Gaekwon includes the family head hosting a meal. It seems like the perfect opportunity, don’t you think? Trust or doubt can come after.”

Nangong Mucheon nodded in agreement with their words.

“A meal, then.”

A faint smile spread across his lips.

---

Ilhwa coldly gazed down at the kneeling leader of the Red Dragon squad.

In her previous life, she had taken lives without purpose. The more she killed, the more enemies she made.

Some of those enemies had sent assassins or attempted to kill her directly.

She had survived countless ambushes, so why would she fear a second-rate martial artist’s wooden sword devoid of inner strength?

“Feel free to continue. But this time, don’t underestimate me—come at me with everything you’ve got.”

Ilhwa nudged the wooden sword lying on the ground toward him with her foot.

The Red Dragon leader blankly stared at the sword that slid toward him.

‘What is this…?’

What on earth is happening?

Why is he kneeling before this young child?

He hadn’t even seen her swing her sword properly. What stung more was realizing he didn’t even notice when he lost grip of his own weapon.

And all of it happened within two seconds.

He could hear the murmurs of onlookers from afar.

Among the crowd, the astonished responses of trained members contrasted sharply with the giggling laughter of the younger recruits and idle bystanders unfamiliar with martial arts.

To them, the sight of a grown man kneeling before a child was simply amusing.

The Red Dragon leader grimaced, grabbing the wooden sword.

“Fine.”

He couldn’t believe it because he hadn’t seen it.

If he couldn’t believe it, he had to confirm it properly.

And his pride wouldn’t allow him to leave things as they were.

Rising from his knees, the Red Dragon leader took a proper stance, facing Ilhwa.

“Let’s see how this plays out, you arrogant brat.”

His gaze had changed drastically.

He no longer saw her as a mere child.

Anyone with sense could realize it now.

‘She’s strong.’

This child was powerful.

Though her aura seemed small, her martial prowess far surpassed it.

Perhaps she was even stronger than him.

She was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

Ilhwa, seeing his renewed seriousness, gripped her sword and mirrored his stance.

If her opponent was going all out, there was no reason for her not to do the same.

‘Since it’s come to this.’

Maybe she’d test things out a little.

Honestly, she was curious. Could she truly transform Nangong?

Nangong was strong.

So strong that no one dared to provoke them recklessly.

But the true strength lay with the family head and a handful of top experts, not with all Nangong warriors.

In truth, the warriors of Nangong were shielded under the prestige of the Nangong name.

‘Because there are no enemies, they have no fights.’

And without fights, they grow complacent.

Prolonged complacency dulls a blade. But what truly dulls is not the blade itself, but their resolve.

‘Can I really temper their resolve?’

Could she heat and hammer those who have grown soft in peace into something sharp and unyielding?

Did they even have the will to change?

That curiosity drove Ilhwa to accept the Red Dragon leader’s challenge.

“Take this!”

The Red Dragon leader charged first.

This was a child who had already brought him to his knees twice in an instant. There was no room for holding back or underestimating her.

Clack! Tap-tap! Clack!

Ilhwa deftly deflected his swift, forceful strikes. Rather than meeting them head-on, she redirected the attacks, using his own momentum against him.

‘What the…!’

Amid the flurry of exchanged blows, the Red Dragon leader grew increasingly bewildered.

He had poured all his strength into his swings. He had no intention of holding back or treating her as a child.

Yet, the child easily parried his attacks, one after another.

How could this be?

How could someone so young deflect his strikes with such ease?

Smack!

“Hup!”

Caught in his growing confusion, the Red Dragon leader felt Ilhwa’s sword strike his wrist.

He almost dropped his weapon again in a humiliating display but tightened his grip just in time.

“Focus.”

Beads of sweat now dotted his forehead.

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