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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Granddaughter's Return Announced
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After finishing her dawn training, Seolhwa immediately got ready and headed to Cheonhojeon with Namgung Cheongun.
Standing before the stairs leading up to Cheonhojeon, Seolhwa recalled her first day at the Namgung.
That day, she had followed a warrior, but now Namgung Cheongun was by her side.
"Shall I carry you?"
"I'm fine."
"Then, let's hold hands."
Seolhwa didn't refuse.
No, she thought it was slightly better than being carried.
The two of them held hands and slowly ascended the stairs of Cheonhojeon.
Cheongun's hand was soft and warm.
She had realized it when he was ready to sacrifice his life for her, but her father was a tender-hearted man.
Just last night, she had to comfort him as he clutched his injured hand, tearfully blaming himself.
'Come to think of it, the Namgung people seem a bit overly dramatic.'
She wondered how many times she had to break a sweat over a slightly injured hand.
Namgung Cheongun, seemingly more nervous than she was, kept a firm grip on Seolhwa's hand throughout their ascent of the stairs.
Seolhwa found it a little amusing and held his hand tightly.
They ascended the stairs and entered Cheonhojeon.
Seolhwa quickly scanned the assembled people.
Most were familiar faces.
Some were those she had killed, and others were those who had died at the hands of the Blood Masters or the Twelve Moons.
Among them, some watched her with pleased expressions, while others awkwardly cleared their throats and averted their gaze.
Those who avoided her gaze were likely the ones displeased by her return.
'Not everyone would welcome me back, of course.'
The Namgung was a massive sect, so various interests would be intertwined, and among them, there would surely be those who benefited from her not returning.
It was an expected outcome, so she wasn't particularly surprised.
Receiving everyone's gazes, Seolhwa walked with Namgung Cheongun towards Namgung Mucheon.
Namgung Mucheon, just as on the first day, looked down at her from the highest seat in Cheonhojeon.
"I greet the Family Head."
"Hello, Grandfather."
Namgung Mucheon's eyebrows subtly arched at Seolhwa's greeting.
He stared at Seolhwa intently, then burst into laughter.
"I finally hear you call me Grandfather. Last time, you wouldn't, even when I asked."
"I heard that a handful of affection is scarier than a mountain of debt. If by chance I wasn't a Namgung child, I'd have to leave this place, but I was afraid to call you Grandfather because I thought if I grew fond of you, I wouldn't want to leave."
Gasps erupted from various corners.
A mix of pity and admiration filled the eyes of the adults watching Seolhwa.
Namgung Mucheon also wore a bitter expression.
"But now that I've been formally recognized as Grandfather's granddaughter, there's no reason not to call you that."
Namgung Mucheon smiled contentedly and nodded.
"Indeed. Call me that often. It's pleasant to hear."
"Yes, Grandfather."
As Namgung Mucheon nodded again, Namgung Cheongun stepped forward and spoke.
"Father. I wish to introduce Seolhwa to the family elders."
"Very well."
Namgung Cheongun led Seolhwa to where the people were seated.
First, they went to the right side of Cheonhojeon, where the elderly individuals were gathered.
"Greet them. These are the elder masters of our family."
Seolhwa bowed deeply to them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Seolhwa."
Most of the Supreme Elders of the Elder Council greeted Seolhwa with benevolent smiles.
"You've been through a lot. You returned on your own, didn't you?"
"I used to see you often when you were a baby. It brings me immense joy to see you return like this."
"For you to grow into such a bright child and return to us, it is a great blessing for our family."
Each of them added a word and stroked Seolhwa's head.
Some even wiped away tears.
Their genuine welcome suggested that none of them were unhappy about Seolhwa's return.
However, what is seen is not always the whole truth.
'The term 'old monster' isn't just for show.'
As one ages, hiding emotions becomes easy. In a good sense, it's becoming seasoned; in a bad sense, it's becoming cunning.
Of course, not everyone was like that.
Next were the current elders of the family.
"I am Namgung Gibae, the Head of the Enforcement Hall. It's a relief you've returned safely. Do drop by the Enforcement Hall sometime."
"I am Namgung So, the Head of the Treasury Hall. Thanks to the young lady returning on her own, the Namgung saved 100 gold ingots... Ow! Why did you hit me?!"
"Because you're spouting nonsense!"
Ignoring the squabbling Namgung Gibae and Namgung So, the person next to them offered a greeting.
"I am Namgung Yeom, the Head of the Outer Hall. We've met before, haven't we? If I had known you were Young Lady Seolhwa, I would have taken even greater care of you during your stay at the Guest Pavilion."
"I'm Choryeon, the Head of the Medicine Hall. We've already had a thorough introduction, so I'll keep it short, shall I?"
She winked, closing one eye then opening it again.
Namgung Mugang, the Head of the Martial Arts Hall and known as the Namgung's second-in-command, was nowhere to be seen.
Following that, she exchanged greetings individually with the elders who did not hold key positions.
None openly expressed displeasure, but some showed signs of discomfort around Seolhwa.
Introductions to immediate family members were omitted, as they had already shared a meal.
After exchanging brief greetings with the leaders of the Namgung's five martial divisions, Seolhwa concluded her introductions and stood once more before Namgung Mucheon.
Namgung Mucheon slowly surveyed Seolhwa and the people in Cheonhojeon, then his lips curved into a smile as he began to speak.
His low voice resonated grandly through Cheonhojeon.
"After a long eight years, our Namgung has found its lost child. This is nothing short of immense joy for the Namgung."
His expression seemed utterly delighted.
Seeing the Family Head's joy, the elders and family seniors also wore pleasant smiles.
"Since we announced to the world that we were searching for the child, the news of her return must also be known throughout the world."
Namgung Mucheon raised a hand.
"Post notices announcing the child's return throughout Jungwon, and open the granaries of the main family and branch families to distribute grain to those who come to offer congratulations! Give double the grain to those who spread the news, so that the child's return is widely known!"
The family elders all rose and performed a Pokwon.
"Understood!"
"Make it clear to those who oppose the Namgung! Let them know that the Namgung stands behind this child they covet!"
Namgung Mucheon gripped the Cheonmyeong and rose from his seat.
"Never again shall we lose a child of the Namgung!"
The Cheonmyeong thumped! against the floor.
A magnificent aura, emanating from the tip of the Cheonmyeong, momentarily shook Cheonhojeon.
"We must never forget the pain of the past eight years, when we lost this child, nor the joy of today!"
"We obey the Family Head's will!"
"We obey the Family Head's will!"
At Namgung Mucheon's declaration, everyone in Cheonhojeon rose and collectively performed a Pokwon, responding to the Family Head's will.
That resounding sound once again shook Cheonhojeon.
The Namgung officially declared the child's return.
The child's name was Namgung Seolhwa (南宮雪花).
It was the return of the child who would later become a monster produced by the great Namgung Sega, and the very sky of the Murim Alliance.
