Finding the child of the Namgung family was no small matter. Even though they had announced the wrong gender to sow confusion, countless people still flocked to them, lured by the Namgung name and the enormous reward. Some even pretended to be insane, pushing forward their own daughters or unrelated children as candidates.
It was utter chaos. But did the Namgung family really announce this without anticipating such a situation?
‘No way.’
Unless they were fools, they must have foreseen this confusion. Yet, they still offered a massive reward—meaning they had a surefire way to distinguish the real child from the fakes.
"I thought that once I came to Namgung, there would be a way to prove my identity. Isn’t that right?"
At Ilhwa’s words, Namgung Mucheon’s gaze grew even more intense. His piercing stare sent chills down the spine. After a brief moment of facing that sharp gaze, the corner of his lips curled slightly before he suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
His laughter echoed loudly through the Celestial Tiger Hall. The Chief Steward and Seop Mugwang also wore faint smiles.
"You’re right! The method to prove you’re Namgung’s child lies within Namgung itself."
Namgung Mucheon rested his chin on his hand, still smiling as he looked at her.
"However, it’s not available right now. The person who can verify your identity is on their way, but you’ll have to wait a few days. Can you do that?"
There was no reason to refuse.
"Yes, I can."
"Good."
Namgung Mucheon raised his hand and gave an order to the Chief Steward.
"Prepare a room in the Inner Hall for the child."
The Chief Steward paled and stepped forward in shock.
"Family Head, the Inner Hall is too much."
The Inner Hall was reserved only for direct descendants of Namgung. Allowing someone not yet officially recognized to stay there could provoke objections from other bloodline members. But since it was the Family Head’s order, the Chief Steward reluctantly suggested an alternative.
"Wouldn’t it be better to assign one of the high-tier guest rooms in the Outer Hall instead?"
The high-tier guest rooms were meant for distinguished visitors. It was a compromise, considering Namgung Mucheon’s clear intention to treat the child with importance.
"Hmm."
Namgung Mucheon didn’t seem pleased. As the Chief Steward hesitated, Ilhwa stepped in to support him.
"I’d be fine with a guest room too."
Namgung Mucheon’s gaze darkened.
"The guest rooms are for outsiders visiting Namgung. You’d stay there?"
Ilhwa understood the implication behind his question—‘Are you a guest of Namgung?’ It must have displeased him that she, who claimed to be Namgung’s child, would willingly retreat to a guest room. After all, no one valued Namgung’s pride more than him.
But staying in the Inner Hall when her identity wasn’t fully confirmed would be too burdensome.
‘Causing trouble right after arriving won’t do any good.’
For the sake of future plans, it was better to avoid unnecessary conflict and gain recognition as a member of Namgung smoothly.
"The Inner Hall will be mine eventually anyway. I’d like to stay in a guest room for now. I’ve heard so much about Namgung’s guest rooms—I’m curious to see how nice they really are."
Her words carried confidence that she would soon be acknowledged as Namgung’s own. Namgung Mucheon’s lips curled again.
"If that’s what you wish, then so be it. Let it be the Heavenly Guest Room."
"…!"
The Chief Steward was stunned once more.
"T-The Heavenly Guest Room? Family Head, the Heavenly Guest Room is…"
It was a place reserved only for the most esteemed guests—rarely opened unless a truly distinguished visitor arrived. And now, for this mere child?
"Is there anyone staying there now?"
"No, but…"
The news of the Heavenly Guest Room being opened would cause quite a stir within the family…
"Prepare the Heavenly Guest Room."
Ignoring the flustered Chief Steward, Namgung Mucheon remained firm. Truthfully, Ilhwa didn’t care where she stayed as long as it wasn’t the Inner Hall. To her, the Heavenly Guest Room was just a slightly fancier guest chamber with a better bed.
"Thank you for your consideration, Family Head."
"You may leave now."
After bowing, Ilhwa turned and exited the Celestial Tiger Hall. Unaware of the storm her arrival would stir within Namgung, she walked away with light steps. The Chief Steward made a flustered gesture before belatedly chasing after her.
"Isn’t this excessive? We don’t even have confirmation yet."
Seop Mugwang, who had been watching the two depart, cautiously spoke up. Namgung Mucheon’s lips curved deeply.
"Sharing a single cup of water can forge a bond lasting a hundred years. How could I not recognize someone who shares my blood?"
Seop Mugwang looked at him in surprise. Over the past eight years, Namgung Mucheon had met hundreds of children claiming to be Namgung’s lost heir. Never before had he spoken with such certainty.
"Then…"
"Saying the Heavenly Guest Room is excessive is incorrect."
Namgung Mucheon clenched and unclenched his hand, as if recalling an unforgettable sensation from long ago. His gaze grew distant.
"If anything, it’s still far from enough." --- "What did you say?"
Namgung Yeom, the Outer Hall Master, who had been handling paperwork, stared blankly at the Chief Steward.
"He ordered the Heavenly Guest Room to be opened."
"The Heavenly Guest Room…? Did the Family Head truly give such an order?"
"Yes."
"Is this related to why the morning meeting was abruptly concluded?"
"Indeed."
‘I expected something urgent had come up when the meeting was cut short, but…’
A guest worthy of the Heavenly Guest Room had arrived at Namgung? It had been nearly a year since the last time someone stayed there. While surprising, distinguished guests often arrived unannounced.
Namgung’s Outer Hall was always prepared to receive such unexpected visitors with the utmost hospitality.
"Understood. I’ll make the arrangements immediately. Where is the esteemed guest now?"
"Before that, there’s something you must know."
"And that would be…?" --- Outer Hall Master Namgung Yeom stared at the child before him, momentarily dumbfounded.
‘Do not ask who the guest is or why they’ve come to Namgung. Never pry into their identity. Simply ensure they are comfortable. And pass this instruction to the servants as well.’
He had assumed it must be someone extraordinary.
‘A child?’
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect the esteemed guest to be a child. Quickly composing himself, Namgung Yeom bowed respectfully. Outwardly, he showed no sign of surprise.
The martial world was a place where the unimaginable often happened.
"Greetings, esteemed guest. I am Namgung Yeom, Master of the Outer Hall."
Ilhwa returned the bow.
‘Keep your name hidden as much as possible. If you don’t want to be entangled in troublesome matters…’
That was what the Chief Steward had advised her before escorting her to the Heavenly Guest Room. Since her identity as Namgung’s child wasn’t yet confirmed, it was better to be cautious. Ilhwa had readily agreed—there was no harm in being careful.
Fortunately, the Outer Hall Master didn’t ask for her name or background.
"Please, come this way. I’ll guide you to the Heavenly Guest Room."
She followed him.
"The Heavenly Guest Room is one of our family’s prides. Even when unoccupied, it is cleaned five times a day, and the bedding is changed daily."
In short, it was immaculate.
"If you need anything, the servants are always on standby. Just let them know. The Heavenly Guest Room is also guarded by Namgung’s elite Inner Hall martial artists, so…"
"Um…"
"Yes? Is there something you require?"
"Can I look around by myself?"
"Ah."
The Outer Hall Master was quick to take the hint. Welcoming guests was his primary duty, so he was naturally perceptive.
"My apologies for disturbing your rest. I’ll take my leave now. Should you need anything, simply call for the servants."
After a polite bow, he exited the Heavenly Guest Room. Now, only Ilhwa remained in the vast chamber, aside from the servants silently waiting like shadows. She had been here in her past life and knew the layout well.
Yet, she deliberately wandered around, exploring every corner—the small pond with its rare golden koi, the pavilion where warm tea was always ready, even the private hot springs where one could relax undisturbed. Only after familiarizing herself with the place did she finally head to her room. Her aimless stroll had been to deceive the servants’ watchful eyes.
‘Everything I do, everything I eat—it’ll all be reported to the Family Head.’
Once within Namgung’s walls, there was no escaping their scrutiny. She had prepared for this the moment she stepped past their gates. After closing the door behind her, Ilhwa collapsed onto the bed.
"Haah…"
The sun hadn’t even reached its zenith yet. So much had happened in less than half a day.
‘Finally… Namgung.’
She had expected it to some degree, but the feeling of returning to Namgung—her enemy in her past life—was stranger than she’d imagined. The oddest part was facing those she had killed with her own hands before. Namgung Mucheon and Seop Mugwang hadn’t died by her hand in her past life.
They had been masters far beyond her level, ultimately slain by the Blood Demon and the Six Blood Lords.
But.
‘Namgung Mun. Namgung Yeom.’
The Chief Steward and the Outer Hall Master. Especially Namgung Mun—she had personally tortured him to extract Namgung’s secret techniques. Closing her eyes, the memories surfaced vividly.
The dying man’s venomous glare and futile roars of defiance.