Seolhwa immediately followed the Black Dragon Unit Leader toward the Family Head's Hall. However, there was one mountain she had to climb before meeting Namgung Mucheon. The one with a menacing gaze, arms crossed, and spewing flames at the entrance of the Family Head's Hall was none other than Seop Mugwang.
“You little brat…”
The moment he saw Seolhwa, he flared up.
“Why didn't you say anything, why! If something like that happened, wouldn't it have been better to tell me? Huh? I went to see you yesterday! When I personally went to check if you were okay, you should have taken the chance to tell me!”
Watching him shout, Seolhwa thought he might burn up and disappear. If not that, then he might just explode. With that thought, she answered.
“But it wasn't a big enough deal to report.”
“If that's not a big deal, then what in the world is a big deal to you?”
“Poisoning my food, or setting fire to my bedroom. Something of that level would be a big deal.”
“What…?”
“I was in a tavern. That place was full of far dirtier slander and schemes than here. There were always people around me who wanted to kill me.”
Seop Mugwang's jaw dropped.
“Compared to that, this is nothing.”
At that moment, the Family Head's Hall rumbled. Looking up at the Family Head's Hall that had shaken for a moment before settling, Seolhwa started walking.
“Grandfather is calling. I'll be going now!”
Seolhwa passed the frozen Seop Mugwang and slipped inside the Family Head's Hall. Ryeong stood hesitantly beside Seop Mugwang, who still had his jaw hanging open. She was to wait until Seolhwa came out.
‘So this is what the Leader of the Secret Wind Sword Unit is like.’
As she glanced at him with some curiosity, someone smacked her hard on the back of the head.
“Aack!”
With her head ringing in pain, Ryeong clutched the back of it. Holding back tears, she glared at the one who hit her.
“Hey, what was that for!”
The one standing there with a clenched fist was the Black Dragon Unit Leader, Namgung Hyuk.
“An escort who just stands by and watches while the Young Lady is being mocked by vile rumors? Can you even call yourself an escort after that?”
Ryeong rubbed the back of her head and answered with tears in her eyes.
“Then what was I supposed to do? The Young Lady told me to just leave it be.”
“Just because the Young Lady told you to leave it be, you really just stood by and watched? You want another one?”
As Namgung Hyuk raised his hand, Ryeong defensively shouted.
“So I should disobey the orders of the one I serve?”
“Do you know how heartbroken the Family Head was when he heard the rumors late? You should have at least reported it quickly!”
“That too was the Young Lady's order!”
“Still, you brat…!”
Ryeong clutched her head and shrieked.
“My master is the Young Lady! I only did as my master commanded!”
“Hah.”
Namgung Hyuk sighed, unable to even lower his raised hand. She had said she'd rather die than be an escort, but now her willingness to die for that young lady was astounding. Namgung Hyuk sighed again and lowered his hand.
As he brushed and straightened his disheveled sleeve, the smile on his lips did not fade for a long while.
When she knocked on the door, a reply to enter came immediately. Upon entering the room, she found Namgung Mucheon and Chief Steward Namgung Mun. Seolhwa politely clasped her fists to them.
“I greet the Family Head.”
“Come closer.”
Seolhwa approached the desk.
“I heard what happened. Why did you not tell me? Did I not say to ask for help anytime if you were having a hard time?”
“It wasn't hard.”
Recalling the conversation between his granddaughter and Seop Mugwang just a moment ago, Namgung Mucheon gently closed his eyes and then opened them. He knew the child had not had an easy life, but facing the bare truth of it was still not an easy thing.
“Alright. What would you have me do? If it were up to me, I would punish everyone spreading the rumors and find the source to tear out their tongue.”
As the Family Head, Namgung Mucheon had already thought of a solution and the entire process. But there was one reason he called Seolhwa to ask for her intentions before acting.
“Did you intend for this to happen?”
It was in case this incident was part of Seolhwa's plan. After all, since the rumors spread, Seolhwa had done absolutely ‘nothing’. Seolhwa shook her head.
“I did not intend for it to happen. But I'd like you to just watch the rumors for now.”
Namgung Mucheon's eyebrows twitched.
“So you intend to raise the stakes.”
“It wasn't my intention, but I can still use the situation.”
“Do you have a solution?”
“I plan to show them.”
“Show them what?”
“Power. An overwhelming power that cannot be ignored by such petty rumors.”
Namgung Mucheon's eyes sparkled.
‘She plans to reveal the Counter-Sword at the Heavenly Martial Tournament.’
The Counter-Sword Technique that neutralizes the Namgung's sword techniques. For the family members who take pride in the sword of Namgung, it would certainly be a shock great enough to quell the current rumors.
“Not bad.”
The Heavenly Martial Tournament is also the right time to unveil the Counter-Sword.
“Then, on that day, it would also be good to announce that you were born with a Heavenly Martial Body.”
Revealing two astonishing things instead of just one would double the impact of the shock. A shock of that magnitude would not only quell the rumors about Seolhwa, but it would also make it so no one could ever ignore her again from that day forward.
It would be tantamount to showing the possibility that this child would grow up to become even greater than the current ten great masters.
“I will postpone the punishment for those who spread the rumors until then. Will this be acceptable?”
‘As expected of Namgung Mucheon.’
With just a few words, he accurately judged what she needed right now.
“It's more than enough.”
“Good.”
Namgung Mucheon looked at Seolhwa. When he heard the rumors, his stomach had churned.
‘I expected her to be calm since she's a child who isn't easily swayed.’
I hoped she wouldn't be having a hard time, but this brings its own kind of bitterness. Would it have been better if she had cried and thrown a tantrum like an ordinary child, asking me to scold them?
‘When the Heavenly Martial Tournament is over.’
After the child achieves what she desires, I will find the one who spread the rumors and will surely tear out their tongue. Namgung Mucheon let out a long sigh.
“Seolhwa.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Do not forget who stands behind you. You are my cherished granddaughter. Do you understand?”
His words were filled with absolute trust. Seolhwa, who had been answering calmly, felt her eyes tremble slightly.
“…Yes, Grandfather.”
“Good. Is there anything else you need?”
Seolhwa suddenly lifted her head.
“There is.”
“…?”
“There is something I must ask of you, Grandfather.”
At her words, which even sounded somewhat urgent, Namgung Mucheon, who had been staring blankly for a moment, suddenly brightened.
“Yes. What is it that you need?”
On the way back to her pavilion after leaving the Family Head's Hall. Seolhwa, who had been walking silently, stopped at one point and looked to her side. Seop Mugwang, who was walking beside her, felt her gaze, flinched, and pretended not to notice, turning his head away.
“If you have something to say, please say it.”
“Hmm? Me?”
“Is there anyone here other than the Leader of the Secret Wind Sword Unit?”
“Her.”
Seop Mugwang pointed at Ryeong. But under Seolhwa's steady gaze, he cleared his throat, again feigned ignorance, and shrugged. Seolhwa frowned slightly.
He had been following Seolhwa ever since they left the Family Head's Hall. Not only that, he was exuding a menacing aura and glaring at their surroundings. Because of that, every servant they came across was busy trying to avoid him.
Thanks to him, they were drawing even more attention.
“Didn't you come out because you had something to say?”
“I told you, I have nothing to say. I just came out to get some fresh air, so don't mind me and be on your way.”
It seemed unlikely that he would tell her why he was following, so Seolhwa sighed and started walking again. And so, Seop Mugwang stayed by the child's side until they reached her pavilion.
“Young—La—dy—!”
Upon returning to the pavilion, a bright voice greeted Seolhwa and Ryeong. The two of them couldn't help but smile.
“You're back? You must be hungry, right? I've prepared breakfast! Oh! And your bathwater! Please, come in!”
Yeoyul was a truly bright child. So bright it made one wonder how she could always be this cheerful. Yeoyul chattered on and on until Seolhwa entered her room.
It was mostly about the food prepared for the meal. With the bad rumors about Seolhwa spreading within the family, Yeoyul was trying her best to lift Seolhwa's spirits like this.
“Oh, right, the Medicine Hall Master stopped by!”
Seolhwa stopped her hands that were untying the knot of her martial arts uniform and looked back at Yeoyul.
“The Medicine Hall Master?”
‘Why Choryeon?’
“She left some medicinal tonic. She said it's to boost your energy. Oh, and she left this too.”
Yeoyul took something out of a pouch at her waist and held it out to Seolhwa. It was a fragrant pouch.
“It looks like a fragrant pouch, but it only seems to smell of medicinal herbs. She said the Young Lady would like it... Are there medicinal herbs that are effective just by their scent?”
As Seolhwa took the fragrant pouch, her pupils trembled slightly.
‘The scent of medicinal herbs.’
The reason she would look at the medicinal herbs and savor their fragrance whenever she went to the Medicine Hall was because their scent felt calming to her mind. But I must have only shown that side of me a few times. Did she remember and prepare this for me?
She sniffed the pouch. Just as Yeoyul had said, the gentle fragrance of medicinal herbs drifted out. The scent wasn't as strong as other fragrant pouches, but when inhaled deeply, it was a scent that calmed the mind.
“It's nice.”
‘The Medicine Hall Master must have heard the rumors too.’
Bringing the tonic and this fragrant pouch. This must be her own way of comforting me.
‘When I was in the Blood Sect, she would kill people with a smiling face at the drop of a hat, so I only thought she was strange.’
Was the original Choryeon always such a thoughtful person? Seolhwa gazed at the pouch for a moment, then fastened it securely to her waist so it wouldn't sway. The gentle scent of the medicinal herbs wafted up.
“I'm hungry. Let's eat.”
Seeing Seolhwa's expression, which was brighter than a moment ago, Yeoyul beamed with a radiant smile.
“Yes!”