The return of the granddaughter of the Namgoong family

“This is the training ground of the inner court, which can only be used by direct family members. Inside the building, there are also private training rooms, so feel free to use them.”

“Thank you, Grandfather Guard.”

After giving a polite bow, Seolhwa immediately ran into the training ground.

She was eager to try out the sword.

“Hehe… She looks so happy.”

The child, who had been indifferent even when showered with treasures, was now flying around at the sight of a sword.

If she were an ordinary child, she would have preferred sparkling treasures or jewelry.

Yet, the one who had brought the treasures was him, but somehow, the real reward seemed to be the sword from the Bipyung Sword.

“No, wait. That was the head of the family’s gift. I still haven’t given my own yet.”

What should he give her?

Though his pride was slightly hurt, Seom Mugwang had gained some insight from the Bipyung Sword’s gift and walked away deep in thought.

***

Swish—shock! Swish!

The sharp blade cut through the air with a streak of blue.

Seolhwa swung the sword without pause.

Around her, blue flowers bloomed, and soon the petals filled the sword’s trail, forming a circle.

At the center of that circle stood Seolhwa.

As she made the final deep thrust with the sword—

Boom—!

A small burst of energy spread outward, settling around her like snow falling under the blazing sun.

“Hah… hah…”

She straightened her posture and stared at the sword.

‘…Incredible.’

The sword’s elegance, the sharpness that seemed capable of slicing through the very air, and the just-right weight of the blade.

The handle was neither too thick nor too thin, fitting perfectly into her hand as if the sword had been made just for her from the start.

Thanks to this, there was no resistance in her fingers as she swung it.

Each swing sent a thrilling sensation deep into her chest.

Even though her breath was running short, she couldn’t stop.

‘Has the sword ever been this satisfying?’

She stopped only when she reached her physical limit, but there was still a lingering desire.

She wanted to swing it more, to play with it more.

This was a feeling she had never experienced in her past life, even after having wielded a sword.

She had always thought of a sword simply as a tool for cutting and killing enemies, but now, it was enjoyable.

Seolhwa swallowed dryly.

‘The phrase “famous sword” isn’t just for show.’

What if she practiced her swordsmanship with this sword? It would be even cleaner, right?

With her newfound ability to handle the sword with such precision, the sword’s movement would surely be smooth and flexible, without any unnecessary movements.

‘Just a bit more.’

Just as she was about to get back into position, still unsatisfied—

“Do you like it?”

Without any warning, Seom Mugwang’s voice came from right behind her.

Seolhwa relaxed her stance and turned around.

Seom Mugwang was approaching with his arms crossed, looking quite pleased.

“Ha, isn’t it an amazing sword? Who gave it to you?”

He clapped his hands enthusiastically.

The applause was directed toward himself.

“So, how does it feel? How does it feel to swing it?”

His eyes sparkled.

Seom Mugwang had given gifts only a few times in his life.

Naturally, when giving a gift, the giver looks forward to the recipient’s reaction.

He had come to the training ground to confirm Seolhwa’s response after she had used the sword.

“Isn’t it amazing? Huh?”

Though his voice was confident, there was a hint of anxiety beneath it.

Without hesitation, Seolhwa nodded.

“It’s the best.”

“!”

“There’s never been a sword this good that I’ve used. It fits my hand perfectly as if it’s always been mine.”

Seom Mugwang blinked at her immediate response. Then, feeling awkward, he cleared his throat.

“Yeah. The sword is quite special, that’s true. Hmph!”

“By the way, does this sword have a name?”

“It does. But now that it’s yours, you can call it whatever you want.”

“Please tell me.”

Seom Mugwang raised an eyebrow.

The sword he had given Seolhwa was one he had used until he was in his twenties.

It was made from Hancheol, a rare metal he had obtained when he nearly died as a child, chased by a tiger in the mountains. It was something he held dear to him.

The problem was that it was made to fit his smaller body, and now that he had grown, it felt somewhat small.

He couldn’t bring himself to throw it away or give it to someone else, so he had kept it, sharpening the blade and re-wrapping the handle leather for the first time in years.

All of this effort was for the child before him.

While Seom Mugwang had hoped that the child would handle his sword with care, he hadn’t expected her to ask for its name.

After a long time, Seom Mugwang finally spoke the name of the sword.

“…It’s called Manjeon.”

It was as if he were calling an old friend’s name, filled with nostalgia.

“What does it mean?”

“It means ‘ten thousand thunderbolts.’”

Seom Mugwang’s alias was Pungroe Shin (Wind Thunder God), a name that reflected his swordsmanship, which was said to resemble lightning striking through a violent wind.

Seolhwa’s face lit up with satisfaction.

“That’s a great name.”

Manjeon—it was a perfect name for a sword that sliced through the air so smoothly and without resistance.

“I’d like to call it Manjeon too. But instead of the character for ‘ten thousand’, I’d like to use the character for ‘full’.”

“Chal Man? Does that mean you want to fill it up completely?”

“Yes. I want it to be able to cover the entire world.”

Though it might sound arrogant, Seom Mugwang couldn’t help but smile with pride. Not only was she willing to use the same name for the sword, but she also expressed an ambitious desire to conquer the world with it.

“Alright.”

With a thick hand, Seom Mugwang patted Seolhwa’s head.

“Live up to that name and go wild.”

“Thank you.”

Seolhwa expressed her gratitude from the bottom of her heart.

Seom Mugwang’s face broke into a proud smile.

Just then,

“Seolhwa!”

Both of them turned around at the urgent voice.

Namgung Cheongun was hurrying toward them from the entrance of the training ground.

“Father?”

What could be the matter?

Namgung Cheongun reached them, quickly greeting Seom Mugwang and then grabbing Seolhwa’s shoulder.

“The head of the family has called for you urgently. We must go to the main hall immediately.”

“Grandfather?”

Seolhwa and Seom Mugwang exchanged puzzled glances.

Since they had not gone to the main hall after leaving with the Grand Guardian, Seom Mugwang also had no idea what was happening.

However, it was very rare for Namgung Mucheon to call for someone in such a hurry.

“It seems urgent, so go quickly.”

Seom Mugwang gave Seolhwa a gentle push on her back.

Seolhwa, with a sense of reluctance, looked down at the sword in her hand.

‘It looks like training with the sword will have to wait.’

But the enjoyment of looking forward to something is always greater than the moment of having it.

“Yes. I understand.”

Seolhwa took the sheathed sword and followed Namgung Cheongun.

***

Clink—!

With a sharp sound, shards of glass scattered across the floor.

In a fit of anger, a slender hand trembled as it threw a precious perfume bottle.

The hand, adorned with two thick rings, eventually clenched into a fist, and then, as if nothing had happened, calmly picked up a teacup.

“After the Beolmo Se-su and now the gold and treasures… Truly, just like Father.”

The one sipping tea with an unruffled demeanor was Namgung Cheonghae’s wife, Yeon Soran.

She was the woman who managed the affairs of the inner court in place of the absent mistress and the firstborn daughter-in-law of Namgung.

“Father must be quite pleased with the return of his granddaughter. Isn’t that so?”

She turned her sharp gaze toward where the perfume bottle had been thrown, glancing at the man who stood beside the broken shards.

The man, dressed in a splendid uniform, wore a red belt and feathers, symbols of the Red Dragon Corps of the inner court’s martial forces.

“It seems that after eight years, the young lady is indeed precious to the head of the family. Eight years ago, the head of the family was particularly fond of Seolhwa, wasn’t he…”

A sharp tap! Interrupted his words.

Namgung Jangyang, the leader of the Red Dragon Corps, flinched slightly and nervously glanced at Yeon Soran, trying to change the subject.

“Still, the head of the family has gone a bit overboard this time… Beolmo Se-su… If only it had gone to young So-ryong, he would have become an unparalleled genius in the world.”

“So-ryong is already a genius. No one in Namgung can rival him, is there?”

“Haha… You are right. No one can match So-ryong, which is why the warriors in the Red Dragon Corps are training him themselves.”

Namgung Jangyang, who was in charge of teaching martial arts to the top martial artists of the Namgung family, couldn’t deny that So-ryong was exceptional, surpassing others in martial arts at such a young age.

Of course, it wasn’t to the extent that the entire corps had to intervene.

“If our So-ryong had received Beolmo Se-su, it would have been perfect, but even without it, he’s more than enough. Receiving Beolmo Se-su wouldn’t turn a worm into a dragon, would it?”

“You’re right.”

“That’s something that should be shown directly.”

“…What?”

Namgung Jangyang looked at her blankly, confused by her words. Yeon Soran narrowed her eyes slightly.

She raised her teacup, pretending to be uninterested.

“Cheonmu Je is just half a month away.”

“…!”

The Cheonmu Je was a major event held twice a year in the Namgung family, where the martial abilities of those belonging to the family were evaluated.

It included external martial artists’ promotions, internal martial artists’ sparring tournaments, and a chance to assess the martial achievements of the direct descendants.

Namgung was a martial arts-based family in the world of martial arts.

It was one of the family events personally overseen by the head of the family, Namgung Mucheon, to remind everyone not to neglect their martial arts training and to constantly strive for improvement.

“The time left, just half a month, is too short, so a worm won’t turn into a dragon…”

Yeon Soran brought the teacup to her lips, her smile evident as she spoke softly.

“However, I advise you not to raise any worms.”