‘That… cunning brat…!’
For a moment, unable to hide his emotions, Namgung Jangyang's expression twisted viciously. It was then.
"Red Dragon Unit Leader. Control your expression."
"!"
The cool voice in the mental transmission was Yeon Soran's. "Unless you want to advertise that you're the one who created this situation, you'd better control your expression." He glanced furtively towards Yeon Soran. She was smiling and tending to the child as if she knew nothing.
Her sharp gaze swept past Namgung Jangyang for a brief moment.
"Let's handle this matter at the level of the Outer Hall Squad Leaders."
"!"
"Haven't the Squad Leaders been acting excessively for some time? If the tail is too long, it's bound to be stepped on. This incident happened because of their foolishness, so this is a suitable line."
"But, Lady Yeon. Do you think they'll just die amongst themselves? What if our names come up..."
"There's no need to worry about that. They all have families, don't they?"
"!"
It was good news that he could safely evade responsibility in this situation, but Namgung Jangyang couldn't be entirely pleased. Namgung Jangyang also had a family. And Yeon Soran had been sending a certain amount of grain to his family every month.
He realized that what he had thought was Yeon Soran's kindness was actually shackles binding his feet.
"Don't worry too much. Act nonchalantly."
"I... understand."
‘Right. Even if I'm destined to be discarded someday, it's not now. At least, not now...’
Namgung Mucheon's heavy gaze turned to the five Squad Leaders of the Outer Hall. Since the promotion tests had been conducted under their leadership, they would not be able to escape punishment. Their faces were already pale.
If he had his way, he would stop the Heavenly Martial Tournament right now, arrest those involved, and uncover every detail of the matter. However, the reason he couldn't was entirely because of his granddaughter, Seolhwa.
‘Hoho. The Young Lady has set up an interesting stage.’
The Chief Steward said so while the sparring match was ongoing. Seop Mugwang, who heard this beside him, asked.
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘Look over there.’
At Namgung Mun's nod, Namgung Mucheon and Seop Mugwang turned their gazes. At the end of their line of sight, they saw Namgung Seolhwa.
‘Her eyes are moving busily, and her throat is also moving quite busily, isn't it.’
It was just as Chief Steward Namgung Mun had said.
‘It means she is leading this stage.’
The young child, whom no one paid attention to, was the busiest while the sparring matches were taking place.
‘It seems the Young Lady has something she wants to say through this Heavenly Martial Tournament.’
From the Outer Hall warriors to the Inner Hall warriors. What the child wanted to say became clearer and clearer as the sparring matches continued.
‘It seems the Young Lady intends to shake the very roots of Namgung.’
‘Mm.’
The Chief Steward, having realized her intention, sighed, and Seop Mugwang too groaned, speechless in his surprise. Namgung Mucheon paid close attention to the child.
‘How much time has passed since Seolhwa returned to Namgung?’
The root of a martial family is its martial force. Despite it not being a long time, the child was truly shaking the roots of Namgung. Wasn't she not only exposing the corruption and injustice of the martial force that had been hidden from sight but also warning everyone?
Through the bizarre structure of Inner Hall warriors falling to Outer Hall warriors.
‘The picture Seolhwa has painted won't end here.’
At this point, Namgung Mucheon began to feel a sense of anticipation. At the end of the Heavenly Martial Tournament, during the showcase of the direct line's martial arts, what would the child show? What kind of picture would she complete?
‘It won't be the Counter-Sword Technique.’
The assumption that she would naturally showcase the Counter-Sword Technique had been shattered long ago. However, he had no idea what she would show in its place. That's why he was even more expectant.
Of the story the child would finally complete.
‘Therefore, now is not the time to stop.’
The necessary investigation could be done after the Heavenly Martial Tournament was over; it wouldn't be too late.
"Black Dragon Unit Leader."
Namgung Mucheon commanded the Black Dragon Unit Leader.
"Conclude the sparring matches."
"Yes, Family Head."
The Black Dragon Unit Leader, Namgung Hyuk, concluded the sparring matches. Those who had expected the Heavenly Martial Tournament to be halted glanced at the Family Head with surprised eyes, but Namgung Mucheon had no intention of stopping.
By the time the sparring matches between the Inner and Outer Halls ended, the sun was already setting. Having fought sparring matches without a break after lunch, they must be tired and hungry. Namgung Mucheon expressed his gratitude to the warriors of the Inner and Outer Halls and sent them to the grand banquet hall prepared in the Outer Hall.
Only the figures from the five central powers of Namgung remained in the sparring ground. The martial arts of the direct line were performed only in front of those who could enter the Celestial Tiger Hall.
The atmosphere became much more relaxed, as it was perceived more as a place to lightly showcase skills rather than to be evaluated like the Outer Hall's promotion tests or the Inner Hall's sparring matches.
"We will begin watching the martial arts of the direct line from seven to nine in the evening. Bring in the food."
Following Namgung Mucheon's command, waiting maidservants brought in rows of food settings. Before showcasing the martial arts of the direct line, a small banquet began along with a meal.
"Eat a lot, Seolhwa."
While Cheong-un was serving food onto Seolhwa's plate, Seolhwa was already munching with her mouth full.
"You eat a lot too, Father. It's delicious."
"Haha, yes. I will."
Thanks to the meal continuing with light conversation, the tense atmosphere from the sparring matches naturally eased. No one brought up the recent sparring matches, and the overall atmosphere was amicable.
"Alright. Who will demonstrate their martial arts first?"
Namgung Mucheon, who was eating and talking with the Hall Masters, asked his children. Namgung Cheongsan shot up and shouted.
"Wouldn't it be me first, of course! This Namgung Cheongsan will properly show you the fists of Namgung that I have trained in!"
At his hearty voice, everyone in the sparring ground burst into laughter. Namgung Mucheon's expression was not bad either.
"Yes. Go ahead."
"May I go next?"
The next one to step forward was the second son, Namgung Cheonghae.
"I have prepared something for this day. My apologies to my elder brother, but if I wait any longer, I feel I'll expire from my own impatience. If you permit, may I present next?"
Cheonghae, unlike Cheongsan, was cautious. He showed his respect by asking his elder brother, Cheong-un, for his opinion, and unlike Cheongsan, he built anticipation by concealing what he would show. Cheong-un smiled and nodded.
"It is a matter for Father to decide."
With Cheong-un's words, the decision fell to Namgung Mucheon. Namgung Mucheon readily nodded his head.
"Go ahead. Then, the last one will be Cheong-un."
Namgung Mucheon's gaze lingered on Seolhwa for a moment. As it turned out, Seolhwa's turn became the very last. The third son, Cheongsan, and his child, Hwarin, were first, followed by the second son, Cheonghae, and his children, Soryong and Ung.
And last were the first son, Cheong-un, and Seolhwa. The gazes of the family members towards Seolhwa had not changed at all. No, as the time to demonstrate martial arts approached, their gazes grew sharper.
‘What can a child who was in a tavern show?’
‘At most, it will just be the basic moves of swordsmanship she learned for a few days.’
‘If she's bold enough to lie about creating the Counter-Sword Technique, she'll have to show something.’
In the short time since she returned to Namgung, many things had happened surrounding Seolhwa. Dozens of people watched Seolhwa, all with different thoughts and intentions. Amidst those countless gazes, Seolhwa tore off a piece of well-cooked duck, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed.
‘Delicious.’
Before the demonstration of the direct line's martial arts began, Seolhwa went to the latrine. As she returned to the sparring ground, shaking the water from her hands, a shadow blocked her path.
"Are you on your way back from the latrine?"
It was Namgung Cheonghae's wife, Yeon Soran. Seolhwa smiled brightly and nodded her head.
"Hello, Aunt."
What made her so impatient as to come out and meet her like this? To Seolhwa's eyes, Yeon Soran's relaxed appearance only looked anxious.
"So. Did you prepare well for the Heavenly Martial Tournament?"
Yeon Soran tried to stroke Seolhwa's hair. But Seolhwa took a step back and avoided her hand.
"Yes."
A small crack appeared in Yeon Soran's smile.
"... I'm looking forward to it. To see what kind of martial art you will demonstrate."
"Thank you."
"Be careful not to get hurt."
Leaving the insincere greeting behind, Seolhwa bowed and was about to walk past her.
"Sometimes, people make a fuss even over a rolling stone."
Seolhwa turned only her head to look at her. Yeon Soran's smile deepened.
"That's how adults are sometimes. Don't they say even a hedgehog finds its own child cute?"
Seolhwa turned her body and stood facing Yeon Soran again.
"If everyone is making a fuss, it must not be an ordinary stone."
"... What?"
"Rather, isn't the problem with the judgment of the one who fails to recognize it and dismisses it as a fuss?"
Yeon Soran's smile vanished.
"Are you... saying that to me?"
"That depends on where Aunt's words are directed."
Just then, Cheong-un's voice was heard from inside the sparring ground, calling for Seolhwa.
"I should get going now. I hear my father calling for me."
Seolhwa turned her steps without any lingering hesitation.
"Ah."
Just before entering the sparring ground, Seolhwa looked back at her. An innocent smile had already spread across the child's lips.
"Baby hedgehogs are cute to begin with."
Watching the child run to Cheong-un with light steps, Yeon Soran clenched her fists. At the same moment she, who had been suppressing her anger in the darkness for a long while, entered the sparring ground, the sound of drums announcing the final event of the Heavenly Martial Tournament rang out.