Lately, an eerie current had been flowing through the Central Plains, particularly in Shaanxi, Henan, and Hubei. Entire villages vanished overnight, and the influence of unorthodox factions grew—all signs pointing to looming danger. Even the Namgung family’s escort bureau had suffered losses when they were ambushed by the Black Cloud Gang while passing through Henan.
Namgung Mucheon ordered the Secret Wind Sword Unit to investigate, and in the process, they uncovered information about a secret deal between Shaolin and the Mount Hua Sect.
"We couldn’t figure out why Shaolin and Mount Hua would make such a deal…"
Seop Mugwang scratched the bridge of his nose and let out a pained groan.
"The Black Cloud Gang turned out to be less impressive than expected. A mere child managed to overturn them. There must have been outside interference in how they took down Mount Hua’s elites and stole the goods…"
Seop Mugwang suddenly stopped mid-report. Something was off. Even though this was a critical matter, Namgung Mucheon’s reaction was indifferent.
"Family Head?"
Seop Mugwang waved his hand in front of Namgung Mucheon’s face.
"Are you listening?"
Namgung Mucheon stood with his arms crossed, his expression grave as he stared ahead.
"Hmm…"
He stroked his rough chin with a thick hand. A chilling sharpness radiated from his stern face—like the look of a man about to cut down an enemy. Seop Mugwang and the Chief Steward swallowed dryly.
‘He must be cautious since this involves major factions in Shaanxi and Henan.’
‘Has he already noticed something from the report?!’
Just as they clenched their sweaty fists— "That kid’s always been said to take after me since birth." Namgung Mucheon’s words had nothing to do with Seop Mugwang’s report.
"Back then, I couldn’t see how a tiny thing like that resembled me. But now that I see him grown up, I get it."
Seop Mugwang and the Chief Steward exchanged glances. They didn’t need to say anything—they knew exactly who Namgung Mucheon was talking about. The Chief Steward chuckled awkwardly.
"Family Head, to be honest, she’s not exactly grown up yet…"
Who would call a thirteen-year-old "grown up"? And he wasn’t even particularly big for his age.
"True. She’s smaller than Cheonmyeong."
Cheonmyeong was the name of Namgung Mucheon’s sword. It was said that the heavens cried out whenever he swung it.
"I’ll have to feed her well. She should at least grow taller than Cheonmyeong."
"Of course she should be taller than Cheonmyeong."
Though Cheonmyeong was long, it was only about two hand spans longer than the girl.
"It’d be a disaster if she stayed shorter than Cheonmyeong. Speaking of which—" "Speaking of which?"
Namgung Mucheon raised an eyebrow and turned to the Chief Steward.
‘She doesn’t look like you.’
That’s what he wanted to say, but the Family Head’s piercing glare made him clamp his mouth shut. Just then, Seop Mugwang smoothly changed the subject.
"Right. What if we ask the kid about this?"
‘Thank you, Secret Wind Sword.’
‘I agree—she doesn’t resemble you.’
Namgung Mucheon looked at Seop Mugwang.
"Ask what?"
"He took the Great Rebirth Pill, didn’t he? Since she was the Young Pavilion Master of the Fire Crow Pavilion, she might know something about this situation."
"Have you looked into the Fire Crow Pavilion?"
"After dealing with the assassins chasing him, I immediately sent men to Yunnan. We should hear back soon."
The assassins pursuing the girl were from the Fire Crow Pavilion. Five days had passed since Seop Mugwang dispatched a few Secret Wind Sword members to Yunnan.
"Do you trust what that kid says?"
At Namgung Mucheon’s question, Seop Mugwang fell silent for a moment. Trust wasn’t something to be given or taken lightly—especially not to a child who had been the young master of an unknown faction. Though the girl had come to Namgung claiming he wanted to return to his homeland, who knew what schemes lay hidden in her heart?
Even if he was the Family Head’s granddaughter. So Seop Mugwang couldn’t recklessly place his faith in her. But— "Giving up the inner energy she’s built up until now isn’t an easy decision.
Honestly, even if I were in her shoes, I wouldn’t have been able to do it." Peak-level inner energy wasn’t built in a day. Where in the Central Plains could one find power strong enough to dominate an entire region?
And how easy was it to abandon that?
"If she chose Namgung even after giving up that power, what other motive could she have?"
Seop Mugwang’s voice held no hesitation. His certainty also meant he would take responsibility if the girl ever betrayed the family. The Chief Steward looked surprised.
"Secret Wind Sword, have you grown fond of the kid after spending time with her?"
"Fond? She’s unexpectedly cute for how she acts, considering how she looks."
"Hah…"
Seop Mugwang was famously aloof in Namgung. In terms of skill, he could rival the Ten Great Masters of the martial world. The only reason he stayed with Namgung was out of loyalty to Namgung Mucheon.
In other words, he was an independent force, unaffiliated with any faction within Namgung—someone everyone wanted on their side. For him to speak so highly of one of the many "granddaughter candidates" was a first.
"Guess I’ll live to see anything."
"Heh heh…"
The Chief Steward backed him up.
"I also agree with asking the girl about Mount Hua’s affairs. Since it’s customary for the Family Head to host a meal for guests of the Heavenly Guest Room, this would be a good opportunity. Whether we trust her or not can come later."
Namgung Mucheon nodded at their words.
"A meal, huh?"
The corners of his lips curled slightly.
Ilhwa looked down coldly at the kneeling Red Dragon Squad Leader. In her past life, she had killed without purpose. The more she killed, the more enemies she gained.
Some sent assassins, while others tried to kill her themselves. She had survived countless ambushes—why would she fear the wooden sword of a second-rate warrior with no inner energy?
"You can keep going if you want. But this time, don’t underestimate me—give it your all."
Ilhwa kicked the wooden sword lying on the ground, sliding it toward him. The Red Dragon Squad Leader stared blankly at the sword pushed toward him.
‘What…’
What in the world was happening? Why was he, a grown man, kneeling before this child? He hadn’t even seen her swing her sword properly.
Worse, he hadn’t even realized he’d lost his grip on his own weapon. All in just two seconds. From a distance, the murmurs of onlookers reached his ears.
The squad members reacted with shock, but the young trainees and servants, still unfamiliar with martial arts, simply laughed at the absurd scene. To them, seeing a grown man kneel before a child was nothing short of hilarious. The Red Dragon Squad Leader’s face twisted as he picked up the wooden sword.
"Fine."
If he hadn’t seen it, he couldn’t believe it. If he couldn’t believe it, he had to confirm it properly. His pride wouldn’t let this end like this.
Rising to his feet, he took a proper stance against Ilhwa.
"Let’s do this properly, you arrogant brat."
His gaze was completely different from before. He no longer underestimated her as just a child. Only a fool wouldn’t realize it now.
‘She’s strong.’
This child was strong. Her aura was faint, but her martial prowess surpassed it. Perhaps even more than his own.
This was not an opponent to take lightly. Facing his seriousness, Ilhwa also gripped her sword and took a proper stance. If he was going all out, so would she.
‘Well, since it’s come to this…’
Should I humor him a little? Truthfully, she was curious. Could she really change Namgung?
Namgung was strong. Because they were strong, few dared to challenge them. But the truly strong ones were only the Family Head and a few absolute masters—not every warrior in Namgung.
In other words, Namgung’s warriors were protected under the family’s name.
‘No enemies mean no battles.’
No battles mean complacency. Long complacency dulls the sword. But what truly dulls isn’t the blade—it’s their mindset.
‘Can I really sharpen their spirits?’
Can I heat and hammer those grown soft in peace, honing them sharp again? Do they even have the will to change? That’s what she wondered.
That’s why Ilhwa accepted the Red Dragon Squad Leader’s challenge.
"Tah!"
The Squad Leader charged first. This was the child who had forced him to his knees twice in an instant. He was in no position to hold back.
Thwack! Crack! Thud!
Ilhwa swiftly deflected his rapid strikes, not meeting them head-on but redirecting their force.
‘What…?!’
Amid the flurry of blows, the Squad Leader panicked. He had swung with all his strength, holding nothing back, treating her as a serious opponent. Yet the child was deflecting his strikes with terrifying ease.
How was this possible? How could a child this young handle his sword so effortlessly?
Whack—!
"Ghk!"
As the Squad Leader reeled in shock, Ilhwa’s sword struck his wrist. Nearly dropping his weapon again, he tightened his grip.
"Focus."
Beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead.