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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: 116
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“So that’s why you’re so troubled.”
“I had hoped they could at least contend equally. All three of them.”
“How is that your fault, brother? It’s that fellow’s fault for picking the wrong wife.”
“If it weren’t for the main family, he would have met a good wife of his own choosing.”
He would have met the woman he loved, without considering conditions or benefits, and built a happy family.
“So, you’re saying you regret him being born a child of Namgung? Is that it?”
Seop Mugwang sighed, a sound of disbelief.
Namgung Mucheon, whom everyone revered without question.
The Cheonryonggeomhwang, said to command the martial world.
To think he’s showing such a pathetic side?
“Brother, are you going senile?”
“What did you say?”
Namgung Mucheon’s eyes blazed with a fierce light.
Seop Mugwang felt relieved by that steadfast anger, knowing the Sword Emperor's true nature hadn't gone anywhere.
“If we were to assign blame, not a single one of us could stand proudly before heaven and earth. It’s not your fault he was born the second young master of Namgung, so why this uncharacteristic lamenting? Stop your whining.”
“…”
“And besides, isn’t it fortunate that it’s come to light now? Thanks to the little one, we discovered it before things got even worse.”
Namgung Mucheon let out a long sigh.
“That’s true.”
Exposing the rotten parts of the martial forces and catching the parasites that gnawed at Namgung—it was all thanks to that child.
They had blinded his eyes and deafened his ears, his as the Head, but they couldn’t silence a child’s mouth.
It was a good thing Seolhwa returned to the family; if it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t have known until the family’s very roots had completely rotted away.
‘Had Seolhwa seen through all of this from the very beginning?’
He remembered when the child first returned to the family and declared she would set its roots straight.
The child who boldly declared she would strengthen Namgung’s roots and protect the family.
To such a child, he had made a promise.
To become the greatest sky she could lean on, more than anyone else.
And that time had come.
“Seolhwa asked me to go with her to Hwasan.”
He had told her to lean on him, but the child, who always tried to solve things on her own, had come to him first this time, asking for help.
Saying she needed her grandfather’s strength, and no one else’s.
Seop Mugwang let out a laugh.
“I knew a day like this would come.”
That’s why I stayed by your side, brother. I thought something interesting would happen.
“I plan to take the Black Dragon Unit and the White Dragon Unit.”
“…Anyone would think you’re going to war. What if Hwasan misunderstands and thinks you see them as a threat?”
“I will send the White Dragon Unit to the branch family in Shanxi.”
To the branch family in Xinjiang County, in the southern part of Shanxi Province, close to Shaanxi, so they can join when needed.
It meant putting an entire Sword Unit on standby. A thorough preparation, even without knowing what might happen.
“As expected, it’s the Head.”
Who but the Head could afford to keep an entire Sword Unit of the family idle?
If nothing happened, it would be a complete waste of manpower.
“What about you?”
“It seems I’ll have some difficulty this time.”
Seop Mugwang’s tone changed.
A moment ago, he had been trying to lighten Namgung Mucheon’s mood, but now he had returned to his duty as the Bipung Unit Commander.
Seop Mugwang pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper, about the size of a little finger, from his robes and handed it to Namgung Mucheon.
“News has arrived from Yunnan. They say they’ve found a clue to uncover the truth about Hwaoru.”
“A clue, you say.”
Namgung Mucheon scanned the words written on the letter.
It was news that they were approaching the forces Hwaoru was trying to conceal, through the gamblers involved in Hwaoru’s gambling dens.
“Later than I expected.”
“Isn’t it worth praising them for finding out what even the Beggars’ Sect couldn’t?”
“So, you intend to go there?”
“They said they’d contact me once they found more precise clues, so I think I’ll have to go in person then.”
“Very well.”
If Seop Mugwang, who knew about the Hyeolgyo’s existence, went, he would surely discover more than the ignorant Bipung Unit members stumbling around.
Knowing it was related to Seolhwa and that incident from eight years ago, he intended to investigate them even more thoroughly and persistently.
“Hwaoru is a more dangerous force than anticipated. Tell those who are there to be careful.”
“Yes, Head.”
* * *
“You’ve already memorized all the incantations of the Pungnoesingong?”
“Yes.”
Seop Mugwang looked down at Seolhwa with an astonished expression.
This formidable little one had mastered movement techniques and body techniques in just one day, and now she was trying to absorb an internal cultivation method in a single day as well.
Even if his martial arts naturally suited the little one, who pursued quickness and transformation in her techniques.
“This is truly something else.”
At this rate, she’s not even a monster. She’s a god, a god.
A Martial God.
“Sit down. Let’s begin Ungi immediately.”
Seolhwa sat cross-legged on the floor.
Seop Mugwang sat behind her, his long robe fluttering, and placed a hand on the child’s back.
“Normally, internal energies of two different natures are not easy to blend. However, the energy of lightning and thunder originates from the heavens, so it is entirely possible. I have personally experienced it, so you can trust me.”
“Yes.”
After reassuring Seolhwa that it would be fine, Seop Mugwang began to circulate his internal energy.
“I will guide your Ungi, so recite the incantations and follow along carefully.”
“Yes.”
Soon, Seop Mugwang’s internal energy began to flow into Seolhwa through her acupoints.
“!”
It was a tingling, somewhat painful sensation.
A rough, dangerous energy, different from Namgung’s internal energy.
But she could feel that if she learned to control this internal energy, she would gain formidable destructive power.
*Crackle, crackle.*
Neither Namgung’s internal cultivation method nor Seop Mugwang’s internal cultivation method involved the risk of Juhwaimma, as they both cultivated the internal energy of orthodox sects, following proper paths, thus not repelling or clashing with each other.
However, the two internal energies, with their fundamentally different natures, circled each other as if exploring, rather than trying to blend from the start.
- *Don’t force them to mix; accept them naturally. Lightning and thunder are the wrath of the heavens. Think of it as your internal energy gaining a weapon.*
Internal energy gaining a weapon.
It was an interesting expression. Internal energy gaining a weapon.
However, since Seop Mugwang’s internal energy was of lightning and thunder, it wasn’t difficult to understand his words.
Dark clouds gather in the blue sky. No, they don’t have to be dark clouds.
Instead of thick clouds, thin, silvery clouds cover the blue sky like a curtain.
*Rumble—*
The sky roars, and that roar begins to manifest in another form.
As a flash of light.
As a deafening roar that blankets heaven and earth.
As a streak of wrath.
*Rumble…*
It is the sky’s anguish.
A comfort for those who cry out to the heavens in pity, and a response to their tears.
*Crackle, crackle, crackle…*
“…”
Seop Mugwang couldn’t help but wear a dumbfounded expression as he felt his internal energy naturally blending within Seolhwa’s body.
He had merely intended to lightly assist her Ungi once and show her how. His words about not forcing them to mix were meant to convey that it would be difficult at first, so she should take her time.
Yet, the child was astonishingly accepting the energy of lightning and thunder without any obstruction.
And not just accepting it?
The energy of lightning and thunder was already harmonizing with the energy of the heavens within the child’s body.
Seeing the child accomplish in an instant what he thought would take at least a month, or even several months, Seop Mugwang felt a shiver run down his spine, making his fine hairs stand on end.
‘Is she truly a Martial God?’
His brother must have seen this child’s talent too.
What must it have felt like to watch a granddaughter whose growth and strength were immeasurable?
How precious and admirable must she have seemed?
To entrust such a child to him so readily.
‘This really… weighs heavily on my shoulders.’
Bah, that needlessly pure Namgung.
Why did I have to look at the sky?
Blinded by that clear light, how did I end up in this state?
Seop Mugwang let out a soft chuckle.
Seeing the energies blending within the child’s body, something welled up in his chest, making him continue to chuckle.
It was truly a beautiful sky.
When the Ungi concluded and she opened her eyes, a small light *crackle-flickered* in Seolhwa’s pupils.
Seolhwa realized the change in her internal energy.
She hadn’t intended to change the nature of her internal energy, but listening to Seop Mugwang’s words and picturing lightning and thunder had made it so.
She drew upon her internal power. The red energy was still there, but she could feel the energy of lightning and thunder coiling around it.
A pure white energy wielding the red.
Just as Seop Mugwang had said, it truly felt as if her internal energy had gained a weapon.
“Ha…!”
Laughter burst forth from her involuntarily. And surprised by her own laughter, Seolhwa dazedly touched her lips.
“Hahahaha!”
Seop Mugwang’s laughter erupted like thunder.
When Seolhwa turned to him in surprise, he was roaring with laughter, clearly enjoying himself immensely.
He gently placed a hand on Seolhwa’s head.
“You impudent little one.”
The hand that had gently ruffled her hair grew rougher, rubbing it vigorously.
“Oh, my! You clever little thing!”
As if he adored her to death.
Because he kept chuckling and rubbing her head, Seolhwa finally grabbed his wrist firmly.
She glared at him through her thoroughly disheveled hair.
But Seop Mugwang merely burst into more laughter, “Hahahaha!”, despite her sharp glare.
* * *
After finishing her training, when she returned to the family compound, someone was waiting for her in front of the pavilion.
It was the Third Madam, Moyong Yeonhwa, and Hwarin.
“Sis…! ter….”
Hwarin, upon seeing Seolhwa, suddenly started to greet her loudly with joy, but then became timid again.
“Hello, Aunt. Hello, Hwarin.”
“Hello…”
Hwarin was as shy as she had been before visiting Surochae. Her wildly swinging arms had turned into a small wave.
She had been running around just fine with Jin Soyak at Surochae. Was she acting spoiled because her mother was beside her?
Seolhwa, who responded to Hwarin’s greeting with a smile, asked Moyong Yeonhwa.
“What brings you here? Father hasn’t come out of Cheono-dong yet.”
“I know. I came to see you.”
“Me?”
Moyong Yeonhwa smiled sweetly and nodded.
“I heard that the young Daoist of Hwasan has woken up.”
Yugang had steadily recovered since waking up, and in just a few days, he was even running around.
“If you don’t mind, would you like to have dinner together at our residence? I’ve invited Ung as well.”
