The return of the granddaughter of the Namgoong family

***

After completing the Small Heaven Circulation (Sojucheon) that links the Conception and Governing Vessels through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, the energy flows through the Twelve Regular Meridians, circulating throughout the body.

The pure energy moved slowly, unlike the powerful, unrestrained energy of Namgung Mucheon. It flowed into Seolhwa’s body, gently and gradually, as Namgung Cheongun meticulously guided it.

It was a deliberate effort to help Seolhwa understand the flow of internal energy more deeply.

‘It’s still insufficient.’

As Cheongun neared the end of his guidance, Seolhwa began to move the energy on her own.

The formula for the Changung Daeyan Shingong, the first Namgung martial art she had learned in her previous life, was already mastered by her.

What mattered now was unlocking the flow.

‘Since I’ve learned it from just one viewing, I can let loose now.’

Fwoooooom….

“…!”

Cheongun, who had been guiding her energy, widened his eyes in surprise.

As he was about to finish the guidance and collect the energy, Seolhwa’s energy began to squirm and suddenly surged wildly.

‘No…!’

If internal energy is moved without fully understanding the path and formula, one risks falling into a state of Juhwa Ipma (a mental collapse).

“Seolhwa, no…!”

Whooooosh—

Cheongun’s face turned pale as he rushed to stop her, but the shock and horror was evident.

“…!”

Her energy started to move as rapidly and violently as an enraged bull.

But then.

‘This is… the path I just guided her through…!’

Seolhwa’s energy was moving precisely along the route he had just shown her.

It was as if she had already known this path, without a hint of hesitation in directing her internal energy.

‘Ugh…!’

Cheongun felt as though his energy was being pulled into Seolhwa’s. He quickly withdrew his hand from her body.

However, Seolhwa’s energy did not stop.

It surged even more violently, moving faster.

Her energy was running wild without restraint.

***

Fwoooooo….

Gradually, the energy began to subside, and Seolhwa opened her eyes.

She felt light and refreshed, as though she had released all the tension in her body after a long time of circulating her internal energy.

‘As expected, it’s Namgung’s heart method.’

She had known that Namgung’s heart method was excellent in her previous life as well.

It was the martial art that produced the Sword King.

Namgung’s martial arts were among the highest levels, and once the foundation was solid, one could become the greatest in the world. Furthermore, as long as one continued training, the power would rise endlessly.

Though the growth was slow, it was solid and limitless, which was the essence of Namgung’s martial arts.

‘In my previous life, if I hadn’t caused Namgung’s downfall, I would have wanted to learn Namgung’s martial arts.’

She understood it in her mind but couldn’t learn it due to the influence of blood energy.

She had already mastered blood techniques, which were the opposite of Namgung’s pure martial arts. Practicing both would have led to a clash of energies.

But the more she studied Namgung’s martial arts, the more she couldn’t help but acknowledge its brilliance.

‘I’ve finally learned it for real now.’

She had known it in her head, but experiencing it in practice was another thing—and now she could feel the effect. It was a relief.

“It’s over.”

Seolhwa turned her head and looked at Namgung Cheongun, who was sitting in a chair.

He was trying to maintain a calm expression, but his astonishment was clear.

“Did you already know the Namgung heart method?”

“You taught it to me, Father.”

“You followed what I showed you just once?”

Seolhwa nodded.

Although she already knew all of Namgung’s martial arts, she couldn’t tell him the truth.

But she didn’t plan to pretend she didn’t know, either.

‘If I have to act, it’s better to be a genius.’

Since she had the memories of her past life, it was inevitable that she would be superior to her peers.

“Do you realize how far you’ve raised the heart method, which I showed you only once?”

“Third stage.”

Martial arts have achievement levels from the first to the twelfth stage.

Reaching the tenth stage meant completing the martial arts, and the twelfth stage signified mastering it and becoming a Grand Master.

“Most people would spend at least one or two years to reach the third stage. Even then, they’d be considered a genius.”

“Is that so?”

“You did it in just two hours.”

“Is that so…”

“Hah…”

Namgung Cheongun’s expression turned utterly astonished.

Even though he was told she had accomplished the impossible, her calm reaction left him speechless.

It was an achievement that should have had her jumping in excitement, but she showed no change in her expression.

‘It must be because her emotions are dulled.’

Along with the astonishment, he felt a sense of bitterness.

However, what parent would dislike having a child who is not just a genius, but a prodigy beyond measure?

“You were such a remarkable martial talent. To be honest, I want to run out right now and tell the whole world about it.”

“Please hold back.”

“I will. I know you’d hate it.”

Namgung Cheongun smiled calmly as he faced Seolhwa.

The look of excitement and the tone of his voice showed just how astonished and deeply moved he was.
Even thought she was not a genius but rather had the memories of her past life, seeing Cheongun so pleased with her talent made Seolhwa’s heart flutter once again.

A gentle smile curved on Seolhwa’s lips as well.

***

As the soft glow of the setting sun gradually disappeared behind the mountains, and the darkness of early evening began to settle, Namgung Mucheon stood with Namgung Hyuk, the Black Dragon Duke, atop the highest tower in Hwaeomhyun, gazing down at the bustling streets of Hwaeom.

“Oh, here they come.”

At the edge of their gaze, a luxurious carriage raced down the street, heading toward the city gates.

People stepped aside as the carriage passed, staring curiously at the procession of guards and the carriage itself.

“Isn’t that Namgung’s carriage?”

“You know, the one with the young lady they say they found?”

“Then, the person in that carriage must be the Namgung young lady who was found after eight years.”

Through the veiled curtain, the outline of a young girl could be seen. Though her face was hidden, it was clear from her silhouette that she was indeed a young girl.

“Look! It’s Namgung Il Gongja!”

“Ha, it seems the rumors about Namgung’s lost child returning are true!”

Recently, the rumor that Namgung had found their lost child had caused a stir throughout Central Plains. As the subject of the rumor appeared, the street became even more lively.

At the front of the carriage, Namgung Cheongun’s presence confirmed the truth of the rumors.

Soon, the carriage passed through the gates of Heabi and continued toward the outskirts of the city, where few people were around.

***

Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard of the Namgung family, in Unhyugak.

In Seolhwa’s room, three people sat around a round table, leisurely enjoying tea and snacks.

The one sipping tea was Choryeon, the head of the Medical Department. The one glaring at Seolhwa with a grumpy expression was Sebmugwang, the head of the Bifeng Clan. And the one munching loudly on Tanghuru, a crunchy snack, was Seolhwa.

“Do you think they’ll come out just because you’re disguised like that? Aren’t you worried that the head and your father will waste their time?”

Seolhwa blinked, chewing on her snack with wide eyes.

Sebmugwang let out a chuckle.

“Do that innocent act all you want, but it’s not going to work on me, kid.”

His eyes narrowed.

He quickly downed the tea in front of him and began questioning in earnest.

“Tell me honestly, you have some signal that only you and they know, right? That’s why you’re so certain that they’ll appear when you leave the city, right?”

Seolhwa, having swallowed a piece of Tanghuru, shook her head.

“No, it’s just a guess.”

“A guess? After getting the head involved?”

“Yes.”

Seolhwa bit into another Tanghuru.

The sweetness of the fruit filling her mouth was quick and refreshing.

“Hah…”

Sebmugwang raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

It was truly astounding. The head had been moved by the words of this child, who was calmly sitting there despite having orchestrated such a thing.

Even more astonishing was the fact that the child had acted so nonchalantly after moving the head of Namgung with just a few words…

“Alright. You moved the head…”

At that moment.

“…!”

The room spun around her.

Without realizing it, Sebmugwang jolted upright, hurriedly trying to channel his energy to stop the poison from spreading.

But it was already too late. He realized that too late.

In an instant, an overwhelming force of demonic energy struck him down.

“Ugh…”

Sebmugwang staggered, using the table to steady himself.

His vision swirled as he caught sight of the empty teacup he had just finished drinking from.

‘The tea…!’

Someone had poisoned the tea.

But who?

Across from him, Choryeon, the head of the Medical Department, was slumped over the table, possibly having ingested the same poison.

However, there was one person.

Seolhwa remained sitting calmly with a composed expression.

She neatly placed the half-eaten stick of Tanghuru on the table.

“Kid… you…!”

“I’m sorry.”

Sebmugwang’s eyes widened.

In his gaze, there was a shock, a sense of betrayal, and a desperate will to oppose her.

Although he didn’t know what Seolhwa was trying to do, he instinctively felt that it was something dangerous, and that was reflected in his emotions.

Sebmugwang opened his mouth to say something to Seolhwa, but he couldn’t finish his sentence before collapsing onto the table.

Seolhwa made sure that he wouldn’t fall to the floor by nudging the misaligned chair to prop him up.

She then approached him to check if he had truly lost consciousness.

Just as she was checking his pulse, a voice flowed into her ears.

“Oh my, you don’t trust me?”

The sultry voice belonged to Choryeon, who was sitting with her chin resting on her hand, looking perfectly fine.

“I told you, I’m certain about the poison,” she said with a smile, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Seolhwa.