The two who had been bickering stopped talking and turned their heads when they sensed the presence of Namgung Cheongun and Seolhwa. Seeing Seolhwa holding her father’s hand, their lips curved into wide smiles. Seop Mugwang, who was about to rush forward, was held back by the Chief Steward.
For a moment, the two glared at each other sharply before Seop Mugwang snorted and stepped back. With a faint smile, the Chief Steward stepped forward to greet Seolhwa.
“I greet you again, Young Lady. I am Namgung Mun, the Chief Steward of the family.”
His greeting was polite, but the gaze he cast upon her dripped with affection like honey.
“Hello, Chief Steward Elder. I am Namgung Seolhwa.”
“Please call me Chief Steward Grandfather. You used to call me that before.”
“Yes. Chief Steward Grandfather.”
A trace of regret passed across Namgung Mun’s face.
“It saddens me that I could not be by your side to watch you grow. Time is truly merciless.”
He let out a bitter laugh, straightened his back, and stepped aside.
“I have brought a few gifts for you, Young Lady. I hope they please your heart.”
Naturally, Seolhwa’s gaze followed behind him, and she froze at the sight of what filled the courtyard. In front of the pavilion, towering piles of goods stacked higher than a man’s height filled the yard.
“What… is all this?”
“These are jewels, silks, gold bars, and elixirs bestowed upon you by the Family Head.”
“Why would he give me all this…?”
“He ordered that the things you were not able to receive for the past eight years be given to you now. These are all things you would have rightfully received had you been here in Namgung, so you need not feel burdened.”
The mountain of gifts the Chief Steward had brought was, at a glance, at least twice the wealth Seolhwa had possessed in her previous life.
“Would you like to take a look?”
The Chief Steward guided Seolhwa. There were chests overflowing with gold bars, silks and fabrics of the finest quality, and ornaments that looked like they came from foreign lands. The jewelry alone numbered more than fifty types, and there were over a hundred sets of clothing and flower shoes to match them.
And that was not all. Even without opening them, she could sense the precious energy radiating from the many elixirs. It would take months to consume them all.
“Please look at this.”
Namgung Mun opened a small, luxurious box. For a moment, the sunlight reflected off its contents, forcing her to blink. Inside was a finely crafted ornament made of a clear, glass-like material that shone with a pure light.
The earrings, bracelet, and ring were shaped like snowflakes—true to her name, Seolhwa (Snow Flower). A soft blue glow shimmered within Seolhwa’s dark eyes.
“The Family Head has kept this for you since before your return. He purchased it during one of his journeys abroad. Is it not beautiful?”
Seolhwa quietly nodded. It was a treasure from a foreign land, something she had never seen even in her previous life.
“Shall I order the servants to arrange these in your quarters?”
Seolhwa tore her gaze away from the treasure and nodded.
“Bring all the gifts to the Young Lady’s quarters! If even one thing goes missing, you will be punished severely, so do not entertain foolish thoughts! Move quickly!”
At his command, the servants he had brought, along with those of the residence, hurriedly moved. Because of the sheer volume, it took a long time to carry everything into the pavilion. Watching the busy servants, Namgung Cheongun spoke quietly.
“This seems like more than what the Finance Hall Master would easily allow.”
“He was wailing and making a fuss, so I knocked him out and came. What could I do? It was the Family Head’s order.”
Seop Mugwang snorted as he cut in. He looked down at Seolhwa with a crooked smile.
“You don’t look particularly happy, little brat.”
The Chief Steward jumped in protest.
“What nonsense! Are your eyes blind? Can’t you see how pleased she is? And I told you to call her Young Lady!”
“Once a brat, always a brat. Isn’t that right?”
“You—how dare you…!”
Seolhwa tugged lightly at the Chief Steward’s sleeve.
“It’s alright. I prefer it that way too.”
In truth, though Seop Mugwang held an important position in the family, he was not a Namgung by blood. He was Namgung Mucheon’s man. The Family Head, Namgung Mucheon, had created a position for him just to keep him close.
The Secret Wind Sword Unit was essentially Namgung Mucheon’s personal martial force. So Seolhwa found it more comfortable that he did not treat her formally as a Young Lady. Seop Mugwang chuckled and nudged the Chief Steward with his shoulder.
“See? I told you I’m close with her. Jealous?”
“Not at all!”
“Then you’ve lost again.”
He laughed and looked down at Seolhwa, his eyes full of fondness.
“You’ve finally returned to the home you longed for. How does it feel? To gain so much wealth overnight?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
Wealth didn’t matter. What mattered was how much she could change and revive Namgung. She hadn’t returned for riches or glory, so Namgung Mucheon’s unexpected gifts only left her a little dazed.
“I’m glad to be back in the family.”
“As I thought, the Chief Steward’s gifts are too plain. Honestly, you don’t even appreciate the heart behind them.”
Shaking his head in mock lament, Seop Mugwang pulled something from within his robe. It was wrapped in white cloth, about half Seolhwa’s height. He must have had it from the start, but it had been hidden as he stood with his arms crossed.
“Here, brat. I brought you a gift you’ll like. A welcome-back present from me.”
He tossed it casually. Seolhwa caught it in surprise. It was heavier than she expected.
“I knew it. The Secret Wind Sword Unit is sly, but this is too much.”
“You’re one to talk, hauling mountains of gold and jewels.”
“That was from the Family Head!”
Ignoring the Chief Steward’s outburst, Seop Mugwang looked at Seolhwa.
“Open it.”
When Seolhwa untied the knot, the cloth unraveled on its own.
“…!”
Her eyes sparkled as she saw what lay within. It was a sword. A sword perfectly sized for her.
The gleaming white scabbard was decorated with gold, both splendid and elegant. The hilt was tightly wrapped with leather for a firm grip, and a red tassel hung from its end.
“Draw it.”
Shhhk— As the blade slid free, Seolhwa’s eyes trembled.
‘So smooth.’
The sensation of drawing the sword was unbelievably smooth, yet it carried a chilling sharpness. She didn’t need to swing it to know.
‘A true sword of renown.’
And an extraordinary one at that.
“Is this… Cold Iron?”
Seolhwa looked at Seop Mugwang in disbelief. As if expecting her reaction, he puffed out his chest and laughed.
“Indeed. You recognized it.”
“…!”
Cold Iron was both strong and light, the most sought-after material for forging weapons among masters. But it was rare, and few smiths could refine it. Weapons made of Cold Iron were exceedingly scarce.
‘I never had one in my past life.’
She had seen them, of course. Four of the Six Blood Lords of the Blood Sect had wielded them. But she had never owned one herself.
“You’re… really giving this to me?”
“Yes. Do you like it?”
Seolhwa nodded blankly. Seop Mugwang burst into a satisfied laugh, his shoulders rising proudly.
“See that? That’s the reaction you get when you give a real gift! This is what true joy looks like!”
He slapped the Chief Steward’s back with excitement.
“Three losses in a row! Hopeless! Hahaha!”
Though frustrated, the Chief Steward could not deny it. A moment ago she had been curious, but now her eyes were shining unmistakably. Seop Mugwang grinned and ruffled Seolhwa’s hair.
“It makes me happy to see you so delighted. By the way, this was my own sword.”
“…!”
At those words, Namgung Cheongun and the Chief Steward turned to him in shock. Only then did Seolhwa notice the character engraved on the blade—雷 (Thunder). Namgung Cheongun called out to him with a dark expression.
“Leader of the Secret Wind Sword Unit.”
“Hm?”
“May I have a word with you?”
“Hmm.”
Seop Mugwang raised an eyebrow. He knew well enough why Namgung Cheongun reacted this way.
“Very well, then.”
He shrugged carelessly, as if it were nothing. The Chief Steward sighed and shook his head. Namgung Cheongun placed a hand on Seolhwa’s shoulder, who still could not take her eyes off the sword.
“Seolhwa. Don’t you want to try using it?”
She looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
“Go to the Training Ground. I’ll follow shortly.”
“Then allow me to escort the Young Lady to the Training Ground. I was heading back anyway.”
“Thank you, Chief Steward Elder.”
“I hope your conversation proves fruitful. Let us go, Youn—hm?”
But by then, Seolhwa had already skipped far ahead.
“Young Lady, wait for me…!”
The Chief Steward hurried after her, watching her light steps that seemed almost to float.