The family members' shock turned to sheer astonishment at the sword energy rising from the child. Though they were seeing it with their own eyes, none of them could believe it.
‘The Supreme Realm…!’
‘The… the Supreme Realm…?!’
The Supreme Realm was the level where most of the family's pillars—the Elders and Hall Masters—resided. It was a realm they had struggled tooth and nail to reach in their bid for power within the family. And yet, a child of thirteen… was at the Supreme Realm…?
All the family members, save for Namgung Mucheon, Seop Mugwang, and Cheong-un who already knew, watched with their jaws hanging open. They watched the child, wreathed in sword energy, as she raised her sword. She took her opening stance.
At the sight, the family members were once again struck with astonishment.
‘The… the Heavenly Wind Sword Technique…!’
It was a sword technique that expressed the spirit of Namgung, born from the energy and ascent of the heavens, a technique that truly showed what kind of family Namgung was. Though not the highest-tier sword technique of the family, it was one that could only be learned after mastering the Great Flame Sword Technique. - Red Dragon Unit Leader.
What is the meaning of this? How does that child know Namgung's sword technique? Yeon Soran, recognizing the opening stance, turned to the Red Dragon Unit Leader and sent a mental transmission.
However, the Red Dragon Unit Leader was just as bewildered. - I did not teach her. - Then how does she know it! - I… do not know either…. More than that, the Supreme Realm. Namgung Seolhwa's level… was the Supreme Realm.
‘What… what have I done….’
The Red Dragon Unit Leader realized that something had gone terribly wrong. But by the time he did, it was already too late. Amidst the crimson energy, Seolhwa opened her eyes.
Her sword began to move with a tranquil grace. Her sword, imbued with the energy of the heavens, was as noble as a dragon emerging from the depths of the water. Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, First Form Emergence of the Hidden Dragon Within the red energy, Seolhwa recalled the memories of her past life.
That day, beneath a red sky, when the Blood Sect and Namgung shed the most blood.
‘That day, when a blood-colored sky enveloped Hefei and a rain of blood fell.’
The Elders of Namgung stepped forward and rushed to the battlefield, the grand elders dragged their old bodies and raised their swords. The Hall Masters laid down their lives to protect the family. Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Second Form Chaotic Dragons from Four Sides The people of Namgung took up their swords to protect one another.
They fought against a merciless death.
‘This is how I saw you.’
The Namgung of her past life was like that. Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Third Form Azure Dragon of Wind and Clouds The Outer Hall warriors willingly became shields for those who had even a little strength to fight back. The Inner Hall warriors leaped into the fiery pit to ensure their sacrifices were not in vain.
Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Fourth Form Leaping Flying Dragon The powerless maidservants brought out pellet bows and fought against the storm of blood. The elderly drew the attention of the charging Blood Sect followers to save the young children hidden beneath the straw.
Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Fifth Form Flowing Flying Dragon In the war against the Blood Sect that raged day and night, not a single person was shameful. You fought with desperation and never once retreated easily. Neither wounds, nor pain, nor even death could make you tremble in fear.
Even as screams filled the air and blood stained the world.
‘That day, I did not see Namgung retreat.’
Like a sword dance, gentle yet not light. Seolhwa’s sword continued, tracing the energy of a Heavenly Dragon. Before the ceaseless flow of the sword technique, no one could look away.
The desperate righteousness felt in the child's sword captivated their gazes and rang a warning bell in their minds. Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Sixth Form Red Dragon's Fierce Lance The child's aura grew even stronger. The dragon's leap she depicted was ascending toward its peak.
The story the child wished to tell stained the sparring stage with an unparalleled poignancy. Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Seventh Form Yellow Dragon's Guard!
‘You do not know it. You have merely forgotten.’
The sword you pursue.
The spirit. Namgung!
Namgung was never broken. Just as the sky is still the sky even when dark clouds cover it, and just as it is still the sky even when stained red with tears of blood.
‘Ah, the heavens….’
O, heavens!
Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Eighth Form Heaven and Earth Riding Dragon! The heavens that so many Namgung people sought were tragic. In her past life, she thought it was a futile cry.
She had scoffed at the heavens that did not answer no matter how much they cried out. Only after turning back her life did she realize that was not the case. Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Ninth Form Roar of the Ancient Dragon!
The heavens they cried out to in their final moments was the spirit of Namgung, which was not broken even by death. It was a song of pride, a triumphant cry that they had protected it to the end, never letting it be taken.
O, heavens!
Namgung was, in the end, proud before the heavens.
And righteous. O, heavens!
In the end, it was pure of name.
‘This is the Namgung that you sought to protect.’
And this is the path we must walk. Seolhwa's sword finally began to draw the final form of the Heavenly Wind Sword Technique. Her energy split the sky, shook the surroundings, and roared mightily toward the people of Namgung.
With the Red Dragon at the forefront and the Yellow Dragon as its guard, the Heavenly Dragon finally soared. Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, Tenth Form Heaven-Defying Mad Dragon! A violent wind swept through the entire sparring ground as if to turn it upside down.
It truly was like the ascension of a dragon. The red energy, so intense it was hard to open one's eyes, swirled around the sparring ground before shooting up toward the sky.
Whoooosh….
The red energy slowly subsided, and the surroundings were enveloped in a dark silence. No one could easily open their mouths. No, no one could easily close them.
Within that silence flowed an unconcealable sense of elation. For those who had learned the sword of Namgung, they could not fail to recognize the spirit of Namgung contained within the sword Seolhwa brandished. It was not mockery, nor was it a game.
It was the unarrived desperation shown by one who knew the future to those who remained in the past. It was the spirit of Namgung they had long forgotten. Seolhwa's sword was more than enough to stir the hearts of those who watched.
It reminded them of the vows they made when they first held a sword, when they first learned the sword techniques of Namgung. Some shed tears watching her sword.
‘Ah… the heavens… it is the heavens.’
The child showed everyone the heavens. A sky so bright that it brought tears to their eyes.
“Hah….”
At the sword the child had shown, Seop Mugwang could only let out a sigh. He had expected it. The child's sword.
He had certainly anticipated she would show something incredible. And the child’s sword was more than that. Seop Mugwang looked down at his own hands.
His fingertips were trembling from the thrilling chill.
‘To think the day would come when I feel this again.’
The sword of the Heavenly Dragon that had bound him to this Namgung. Was it not similar to the feeling he had when he saw the sword of Namgung that Namgung Mucheon had displayed? To think he would feel this thrilling sensation again from the sword of a mere thirteen-year-old.
‘Damn little brat….’
The corners of his lips curved into an empty smile. Amidst the silence where not even a breath could be heard, Seolhwa let out a ragged breath and stared forward once more.
“…”
Namgung Mucheon, who had been gripping the armrest of his chair so tightly it seemed it would crumble, met her gaze.
‘Grandfather.’
As if he had heard her silent call, Namgung Mucheon rose from his seat. The gazes of everyone in the sparring ground naturally turned toward the Family Head.
“I ask Namgung Seolhwa.”
Namgung Mucheon's low voice echoed throughout the sparring ground.
“Why did you come to the sparring stage wearing those clothes?”
Seolhwa looked down at her clothes. The fabric her fingertips touched was soft.
“I wanted to show you.”
The child's voice was calm. Like the quiet after a storm has passed, it was an utterly tranquil voice.
“That no matter what clothes I wear, where I was raised, or what kind of life I've lived. I am a child of Namgung.”
Just as she said, Seolhwa’s attire had, at some point, become unimportant to everyone. No one criticized the clothes she wore. She had clearly shown them that what clothes one wore was not important.
Watching the child who had so brilliantly achieved her intention, Namgung Mucheon did not spare his smile.
“I am aware that an absurd rumor has been circulating about my granddaughter recently. The reason I have remained silent until now was because Seolhwa said she would prove it herself.”
Namgung Mucheon looked around at the family members. His gaze was now heavy with anger.
“If you have eyes in your heads, you must have seen it. The energy of the Azure Sky contained within Seolhwa's sword.”
He rebuked the family members who had been busy chattering without even properly investigating the truth of the rumor.
“From this day forward, if word of any more absurd rumors about Seolhwa reaches my ears. I will punish that crime severely!”
The family members answered in unison. Namgung Mucheon was opening his mouth to say more when.
“But that's impossible!”
A voice like a scream erupted from one side of the stands. Those waiting for Namgung Mucheon's next words looked at the person who had shouted, showing their displeasure at the interruption of the atmosphere. It was Namgung Soryong.
The eldest son of Namgung Cheonghae.
“Soryong…!”
Namgung Cheonghae tried to stop his son in surprise, but Soryong pointed at Seolhwa and shouted first.
“She’s never learned any sword techniques! I saw it clearly! The Red Dragon Unit Leader definitely only made her practice the Three Talents Sword Technique!”