In front of the blazing hall of the Namgung clan’s patriarch residence.

Even with his blood points sealed and forced to kneel, Namgung Mun, who had lost an arm, did not let go of his murderous intent.

‘Even if my limbs are torn apart, I will never betray Namgung! Just kill me! I will seek revenge even from the depths of hell!’

Flames flickered in his eyes.

They were both the flames that burned Namgung and the blade of revenge aimed at Ilhwa.

Facing that gaze, Ilhwa found Namgung Mun’s final defiance a futile waste.

Everything had burned. Everything was over.

Yet he burned with the flames of vengeance until the very end.

That day, Ilhwa severed Namgung Mun’s limbs.

Even so, he never revealed the location of Namgung’s secret manuals.

And he never withdrew his murderous intent toward Ilhwa.

Even when his blood points were sealed, and his limbs severed, leaving him utterly helpless.

Even as he bled out and withered away, dying moment by moment.

“…”

Ilhwa opened her eyes.

Namgung Mun’s face, glaring at her until his last breath, vividly resurfaced.

And it wasn’t just him.

The external patriarch, Namgung Yeom, whose head she severed in one swift strike, also died without closing his eyes.

In his wide-open eyes, fury and frustration toward his enemy remained vividly etched.

Could the oppressive feeling in her chest and the sensation of a boulder weighing her down since entering Namgung’s domain stem from that?

Because she had to face them and engage in casual conversations as if nothing had happened?

Ilhwa stretched her hand toward the ceiling.

It had become her habit to gaze at her hand whenever the reality of being reborn as a child felt surreal.

This habit arose because looking at her small hands made her past life’s experiences feel like nothing more than a distant dream.

Clenching and unclenching her hands, too small to even grip a sword, Ilhwa murmured to herself.

‘It never happened.’

She whispered softly, as if chanting a spell for her own sake.

‘Nothing, none of it, ever happened.’

---

After lying down to rest for a while, the maids came to inform her that it was time for a meal.

The prepared lunch was filled with luxurious dishes.

From lamb stew to stir-fried duck cooked with spices and nuts…

Most of the dishes were rare delicacies that Ilhwa had never seen in her previous life.

As she scanned the dishes on the table, Ilhwa tilted her head at one.

‘How do you eat this?’

Sitting atop a wide dish was something tightly wrapped in long, green leaves, its contents hidden from view.

It seemed like she had to unwrap the leaves, but they were intricately wrapped, making it difficult to start.

Ilhwa, poking the leaves with her chopsticks, caught the attention of a young maid carrying dishes nearby.

Noticing her actions, the maid hesitated momentarily before cautiously stepping closer.

“May I assist you for a moment?”

When Ilhwa lowered her chopsticks and nodded, the maid smiled brightly and picked up the chopsticks.

Without hesitation, she peeled away the leaves wrapping the dish.

“This is a dish made by steaming assorted seafood together. It’s especially delicious when eaten with the blanched bamboo shoots served on the side.”

“Why is it wrapped in leaves?”

“These are bamboo leaves. They help infuse the dish with a bamboo aroma and preserve its flavor.”

“I see.”

It looked delicious.

She felt that it would have a fresh taste.

As the bamboo leaves were peeled away, a tantalizing aroma wafted up, making her mouth water.

“At Namgung, we always prepare the finest meals for the distinguished guests of Cheongyeongwon. We prioritize Cheongyeongwon’s guests even more than those in other guest residences…”

“Mm.”

Although the maid continued speaking, Ilhwa’s attention was already fixed on the dish.

Seeing this, the young maid couldn’t help but giggle softly.

“…?”

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

The maid quickly bowed in apology.

“It’s just… you’re so, so adorable, honored guest, that I couldn’t help myself…!”

Ilhwa’s eyebrows arched in surprise.

Adorable? Me?

Was there a word less suited to an assassin like herself than “adorable”?

‘I never imagined I’d hear such a thing from a Namgung maid of all people.’

It was a ridiculous excuse, though she wasn’t sure what exactly the maid found amusing.

“It’s fine. You may leave now.”

The young maid bowed deeply and scurried out of the room. Ilhwa, unbothered, resumed her meal.

Namgung’s food was, without exaggeration, flawless.

---

Once the meal was over, the maids swiftly cleared the table, taking the dishes away in no time.

Their movements were efficient, and not even the sound of their footsteps could be heard, indicating that they, too, were trained in martial arts.

After everyone had left, Ilhwa sat cross-legged on the bed and began circulating her inner energy.

As she had felt in the cave before, her pure inner energy cleared her meridians and left her body feeling refreshed with each circulation.

Unlike the blood energy she had once possessed, which surged violently and craved the scent of blood, this energy was steady and calm.

While its quantity grew slowly, it was far easier to control, promising greater utility in combat.

‘I’m at the level of a second-rate warrior now.’

In her previous life, just before her death, Ilhwa’s martial prowess had reached the pinnacle of mastery.

It was a level akin to that of Namgung Mucheon.

No, perhaps her inner energy had even surpassed his in sheer volume.

‘Though it wasn’t particularly powerful, as it was obtained through unnatural means.’

Still, the mindset of one who had reached the peak and one who had not was bound to differ.

Naturally, as Ilhwa had decided to follow the righteous path this time, it would inevitably take longer to ascend to higher levels. However, enlightenment wasn’t something that disappeared simply because one had died and come back to life.

“At the very least, I can reach the level of Hwagyeong faster than in my previous life.”

No, it must be so. Follow the right path—swiftly.

“…”

As she naturally circulated her internal energy, Ilhwa suddenly stopped. The energy that had gathered in her danjeon dissipated like smoke, unable to fully settle.

“If my internal energy increases, it would seem suspicious.”

She hadn’t yet formally learned Namgung’s internal energy cultivation technique. Though she was already familiar with it, she couldn’t freely use a method she hadn’t officially been taught.

“At least those three people I met in Cheonhojeon earlier today would notice if my energy increased.”

No matter how impatient she was, she couldn’t risk breaking their trust before gaining it. Until she formally learned Namgung’s martial arts, she needed to keep the fact that she had mastered them hidden.

“But I can’t neglect training either.”

Scratching her cheek thoughtfully, Ilhwa rose from her seat. If internal energy cultivation was off the table, she intended to focus on physical training instead.

When she stepped outside her room, a servant stationed a jang (approximately 3 meters) away immediately noticed her gaze and approached.

“Do you need something?”

“Is there a training hall I can use?”

“There is a private training hall within Cheongagwon prepared for our honored guests. Shall I guide you there?”

Training alone would inevitably draw attention. Even if it was just physical training, she didn’t want others to see her.

“Not the private training hall. What about other options?”

“Honored guests of Cheongagwon are free to use any of the training halls in the outer court. Shall I guide you to the nearest one?”

The training halls in the outer court were likely bustling with the training of outer court martial artists. While it was customary for family martial arts to be kept from outsiders, exceptions were made for the honored guests of Cheongagwon.

Honored guests were typically royalty or high-ranking elders from other sects or clans. Allowing them to witness some of the family’s training was a sign of respect.

Additionally, the outer court martial artists only practiced basic swordsmanship rather than the family’s secret techniques, which made this permissible.

Few honored guests actually sought out the busier training halls, preferring privacy. However, for Ilhwa, blending in among trainees made it the perfect setting.

“That’s fine. I’ll go alone.”

Dismissing the servant, Ilhwa left Cheongagwon alone.

As expected, she felt the presence of someone trailing behind her. Pretending to explore, she wandered around the outer court before turning toward the direction of the training hall.

When she showed her entry token at the gate, the gatekeeper, startled, looked back and forth between her and the token before hurriedly granting her passage.

The sun had already begun to pass its zenith.

---

“She went to the training hall?”

Outer Court Master Namgung Yeom furrowed his brows at the servant’s report.

“Not to the private training hall but to the sword unit’s training hall?”

“Yes. When I informed her of the private training hall, she declined.”

“Hmm…”

Ordinarily, people didn’t want others to see them while training. This was especially true for honored guests of Cheongagwon, whose martial prowess was often exceptional.

Although the guest didn’t seem to possess profound inner strength when they met earlier, levels of mastery couldn’t always be judged at a glance.

Given that the honored guest of Cheongagwon could potentially surpass him, it was possible he had failed to discern their true capabilities.

Still, it was unusual.

“She specifically sought out a crowded training hall?”

“Did anyone find the guest’s actions suspicious?”

“Her attire was modest, and she appeared to be a child, so no one thought it unusual.”

“That’s a relief.”

With the announcement of Cheongagwon’s opening, people had continuously inquired about the guest’s identity. Even the second and third sons of the Namgung family, as well as the elder council and household heads, had persistently sent messengers.

Naturally, no answers had been provided.

“No one would ever guess that the honored guest of Cheongagwon is wandering the outer court alone without an escort.”

As his thoughts drifted toward the honored guest, Namgung Yeom recalled her composed expression and let out a quiet chuckle.

He was as curious as anyone about the guest’s true identity. However, he wasn’t foolish enough to pry.

“That…”

Suddenly, the servant hesitated, fumbling over her words.

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