“I plan to announce Seol-Hwa’s return at the elders’ meeting tomorrow. Before that, I called you here to introduce her. From now on, make sure to cherish Seol-Hwa.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Of course! Naturally! Whose niece is she? This uncle will give her piggyback rides as much as she wants! Even if she plucks all my hair…! Ugh…!”

Namgung Cheong-San once again clutched his side.
Murong Yeon-Hwa continued to smile serenely.

The returned eldest granddaughter of the Namgung family was warmly welcomed by everyone. Thanks to this, lighthearted conversations flowed in a cheerful atmosphere.

It was during this smooth meal that Namgung Mu-Cheon suddenly spoke.

“I intend to perform the ‘Beolmo Seisu’ for my Seol-Hwa.”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold, as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over the gathering.

Only Namgung Hwa-Rin, unaware of the term “Beolmo Seisu,” whined to her mother, asking for some food.

After a moment of silence, Namgung Cheong-Un calmly set down his utensils and asked, “Are you referring to the Beolmo Seisu that I’m thinking of?”

“Is there another kind of Beolmo Seisu?”

“Then I didn’t mishear?”

“Unless your ears are blocked, you heard me correctly.”

Namgung Cheong-Un was at a loss for words.

‘The medical practitioner said Seol-Hwa’s blood channels were problematic.’

That must be the reason.

The fact that Father intended to perform the Beolmo Seisu for Seol-Hwa.

He knew that performing it was a challenging and dangerous task, even for Namgung Mu-Cheon.

As a son, he wanted to dissuade his father. Yet, knowing it was for his daughter’s sake, the words stuck in his throat.

Hesitating, Cheong-Un was replaced by Cheong-Hae.

“Beolmo Seisu, Father? Isn’t that too dangerous?”

Namgung Mu-Cheon furrowed his brow and slammed his chopsticks down onto the table with a sharp sound.

“Dangerous? Are you doubting my skills?”

“No, it’s not that….”

Namgung Cheong-Hae glanced nervously at Cheong-Un.

“Father, you are the pillar of this Namgung family. What if something goes wrong and your health suffers? That’s what I’m worried about.”

“If that’s not doubting my skills, then what is?”

“Father….”

“Enough! Say no more! The decision has already been made, so there’s nothing more to discuss!”

Namgung Mu-Cheon’s resolute tone left Cheong-Hae no room to persuade him further.

When Namgung Mu-Cheon made a decision, he always carried it out without fail. The Beolmo Seisu was no exception—it was not a matter for discussion but a decree he had already issued.

‘In that case….’

Namgung Cheong-Hae turned to his son, So-Ryong.

From the moment the topic of Beolmo Seisu arose, So-Ryong had kept his head down, clenching his fists tightly.

A boy who had inherited his grandfather’s stubbornness, So-Ryong had an intense ambition for martial arts. His achievements far surpassed those of his peers, but this also meant he couldn’t stand losing.

Since childhood, he had always bragged about being the future head of the family.

The sudden appearance of a cousin—one he had never considered—who was now being referred to as his sister, receiving something he never had, must have been unbearable for him.

‘Even so, he must learn to control his anger.’

Namgung Woong, the second son, anxiously watched his older brother’s trembling fists.

Despite being siblings, they were completely different children.

‘Does this mean Father has decided to make her the heir apparent?’

If Father was willing to strengthen Seol-Hwa through Beolmo Seisu, that was practically an announcement.

Namgung Cheong-Hae couldn’t help but feel bitter.

“Isn’t this a bit much for a welcome gift after eight years? What if she doesn’t even want it?”

With Cheong-Hae silenced, it was now Cheong-San’s turn.

Namgung Mu-Cheon’s expression grew darker as his other son also voiced opposition.

“Much? Eight years! Eight years of suffering! You begrudge a little care for your niece who endured that? A big guy like you with such a small heart!”

“That’s not what I meant…!”

Faced with his father’s fierce gaze, Namgung Cheong-San faltered. But faltering didn’t mean he would give up.

“Beolmo Seisu is hardly insignificant! It’s called a divine opportunity for a reason!”

“Why? Are you jealous? Jealous of your niece at your age?”

“No, that’s not it…!”

Namgung Cheong-San’s face turned red.

His father had hit the nail on the head.

Now that his thoughts were exposed, he no longer had any reason to hide them. Namgung Cheong-San shouted defiantly.

“Yes! I’m jealous! Can’t I be jealous? Huh?”

“What?”

“Father knows exactly what Beolmo Seisu means to a martial artist! If you’re willing to do it, do it for me! Or at least for Hwa-Rin…!”

“Tch!”

That last statement was his real intent.

“You foolish boy! Do I mean nothing to you?”

“No, it’s not that…!”

Namgung Mu-Cheon, tired of his grown son’s antics, clicked his tongue and rubbed his forehead.

“Don’t even dream about it!”

“Father!”

“If I say no, then it’s no! If you’ve finished eating, all of you leave! I need rest!”

It was a clear dismissal.

It also made it obvious that he had no intention of entertaining further discussion from his sons.

Namgung Mu-Cheon stood up from his seat even before his sons could rise.

“Raising children is pointless! They’re all useless!”

“Father!”

“Seol-Hwa, come with me!”

Namgung Cheong-San hastily called out to him, but Namgung Mu-Cheon didn’t even glance in his direction, instead calling for Seol-Hwa.

Seol-Hwa, who had remained silent amidst the commotion caused by her presence, quickly jumped down from her chair.

“You’re not coming!”

Namgung Cheong-Un, who had started to rise, froze in place at Namgung Mu-Cheon’s stern words.

Without sparing another look, Namgung Mu-Cheon turned and stormed out of the room. Seol-Hwa bowed briefly to everyone before following him.

“Fatherrrr!”

Namgung Cheong-San’s wail echoed as the door slammed shut behind them.

---

“One of them doesn’t even care about their father! Another is busy scheming! And yet another spouts nonsense like a child! All of them are completely useless!”

Even after returning to his room, Namgung Mu-Cheon continued to vent his frustration for quite some time.

Even Seol-Hwa, who was not adept at recognizing emotions, could clearly tell that he was furious.

What struck her as odd, however, was that despite being next to the enraged Heavenly Dragon Sword Sovereign, she didn’t feel afraid.

Not long ago, she might have feared that his anger would lead to her death, but now, such thoughts didn’t even cross her mind.

‘That must mean we’ve grown closer.’

She understood that Namgung Mu-Cheon’s decision to perform the Beolmo Facial Cleansing was a testament to how much he cherished her.

In her previous life, she wouldn’t have even dreamed of speaking to the Heavenly Dragon Sword Sovereign, much less being doted on by him.

‘Though it’s because I’m his granddaughter.’

Standing quietly in one corner of the room, Seol-Hwa waited patiently for Namgung Mu-Cheon’s anger to subside.

But a raging fire inevitably sends sparks flying, and she wasn’t spared from the fallout.

“You’re always getting yourself hurt!”

The reprimand, now directed at her, made Seol-Hwa blink in surprise.

“Do you think so little of your body? Why are you so reckless with it?”

She thought of offering an excuse but quickly recalled her conversation with Seop Mu-Gwang.

No matter what she said, she’d still end up getting scolded.

“I didn’t realize I was hurt.”

In such cases, honesty seemed the best policy.

“What? You didn’t realize?”

“My senses are dull. I only noticed when I felt something wet and saw that I was already injured.”

By the time she came to her senses, the injury was already there.

Though she didn’t know how it happened, at least she wasn’t lying.

“Then shouldn’t you avoid touching shards in the first place? You knew they were dangerous!”

‘Well….’

Her initial claim about clearing broken shards had been a lie from the start. Even so, admitting it wouldn’t make it any less false.

Determined to stay as truthful as possible, she replied:

“I was afraid I’d be punished.”

That was the most plausible answer she could think of if she had truly broken something belonging to the Blood Demon.

“I wanted to clean it up before you came.”

That must have been the right answer.

Namgung Mu-Cheon’s expression remained stern, but he didn’t raise his voice again.

Instead, he let out a long sigh and rubbed his temples.

“Fine. Let’s leave it at that.”

It seemed her honest answers had worked.

“But even so, avoid dangerous things next time. Not noticing an injury isn’t a trivial matter.”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now, to the main point.”

Namgung Mu-Cheon’s tone grew serious.

“Before I announce your return to the elders’ council tomorrow morning, I wanted to ask your opinion.”

Seol-Hwa tilted her head.

“My opinion?”

Did her acknowledgment as a Namgung family member require her consent?

“The moment it’s officially recognized that you are a member of the Namgung family, many things will change.”

“What will change?”

“You will gain many things but also lose just as much. Given how long the Namgung family has been searching for you, the attention on the child who has returned will be immense.”

“….”

“Every action you take will be scrutinized, and every word you say may turn into arrows of criticism. However…”

Namgung Mu-Cheon’s voice grew lower.

“You will also gain the strength and honor to trample over all of it.”

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