-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Namgung Soryong.
Seolhwa didn't have many memories of him.
*There was one who abandoned the Namgung and hid with his maternal relatives when the Namgung was annihilated.*
He had hidden so pathetically that when she personally went to kill him, what did he say?
That he had long since discarded the Namgung surname?
Of course, even so, she had no intention of sparing anyone with Namgung blood, and she remembered finishing him with a single stroke.
That was Seolhwa's memory of Namgung Soryong.
"You… you crazy bastard!"
Namgung Soryong, his face flushed, roared.
"You crawl back here after living like a beggar somewhere! I bothered to deal with you, and you don't even show gratitude?!"
"B-Brother!"
Namgung Ung tried to stop Namgung Soryong, who had suddenly flared up and was shouting, looking flustered.
But Namgung Soryong violently shook off his brother's arm.
"Let go! You know how much I've put up with from her!"
Seolhwa tilted her head.
*Did I ever meet him separately?*
*No.*
So, it's possible to have a lot of pent-up feelings even without ever having a conversation.
"Didn't Father tell you to treat Sister Seolhwa well?"
"Are you insane?! Why would I get along with her? This filthy beggar woman!"
"Brother!"
Namgung Soryong pointed a finger at Seolhwa.
"You! You seem to think you're something because Grandfather gave you a Beolmo-sesu! You've got another thing coming! I'm the one who will carry the future of the family!"
*Ah, so that's why he dislikes me.*
He must have felt wronged, seeing her receive a Beolmo-sesu, which he hadn't, and be recognized as the eldest granddaughter overnight.
But to Seolhwa, it was merely laughable.
"From what I see, you look like someone who'll abandon the family."
"You, you filthy beggar! What do you know to spout such nonsense! Do you want to die?"
"Try to kill me. If you can."
"Ugh…!"
Namgung Soryong's face turned red and then pale.
He seemed furious at losing a verbal spat in front of the children who worshipped him.
"I'll kill you!"
In the end, Namgung Soryong drew his sword.
Just as Seolhwa was about to grip her sword hilt.
"Stop!"
Seolhwa frowned at the voice, imbued with internal energy, that pierced her ears, while the other children covered theirs.
"Aargh!"
"Ugh…"
Seolhwa relaxed her posture from reaching for her sword and looked at the person entering the training ground.
It was Namgung Jangyang, the commander of the Jeokryongdan.
"What in the world is going on here! As direct descendants, you should be setting an example, not brawling!"
The Jeokryongdan commander strode forward, separating Seolhwa and Soryong and standing between them.
"Young lady, you shouldn't display such an uncooperative attitude from your very first day! You haven't even started your training, so what will happen if you act like this already?!"
The Jeokryongdan commander openly rebuked Seolhwa.
Though Soryong was the one who initiated the quarrel and drew his sword, the commander had somehow positioned himself to protect Soryong.
*I understand now.*
The Jeokryongdan commander must be Namgung Soryong's man.
She had no intention of complaining about it. Soryong must have been the leading candidate for the next young master before she arrived.
Seolhwa dutifully performed a Pokwon.
"I apologize for causing a disturbance."
Namgung Jangyang looked down at her, who readily admitted her fault, with a triumphant expression.
*I was worried she'd be insolent, but she's nothing special, is she?*
He expected her to argue back fiercely. But to admit her fault so readily.
It was clear, even without needing to investigate, that the recent incident was caused by Namgung Soryong.
Ninety-nine out of a hundred incidents in the training ground happened because of Namgung Soryong.
Rebuking her, even though he knew, was a way of asserting dominance. He intended to scare the untamed colt so she wouldn't even think of running wild.
*I thought she'd act arrogant now that she's a Namgung lady, but it seems not.*
Acting so submissive must mean she knows where the power in this place lies.
"Please be more careful in the future."
"Yes."
Namgung Jangyang let out a scoff, then said to the children.
"Hurry and prepare for training!"
At his words, the children, including Namgung Soryong, swarmed towards the weapon rack.
Seolhwa was about to move, watching them pick up wooden swords and stand in their places.
"Wait."
Namgung Jangyang blocked Seolhwa's path.
"Young lady, you should go that way."
Namgung Jangyang pointed behind him.
It was a secluded corner of the training ground, where only a lone striking dummy stood.
"Young lady, haven't you just arrived today? It's too much for you to learn swordplay already."
"I've already cultivated martial arts. Haven't you heard?"
"No matter where or what martial arts you've cultivated, the Namgung's martial arts are fundamentally different. So, you must build your foundation from scratch."
Something felt off, but his words weren't entirely wrong.
"So, what exactly is that foundation?"
"First, let's start with the most basic of all martial arts, the Samjaegeombeop (Three Talents Swordplay)."
Seolhwa's expression tightened slightly.
The Samjaegeombeop consisted of only three moves: a horizontal cut, a vertical cut, and a thrust. It was, quite literally, the most fundamental sword form.
No, it was more like basic movements than a sword form.
The problem was that it was a basic form for those first learning the sword, rather than a specific Namgung foundation.
"Didn't you say I was to build the Namgung's foundation?"
"Hmph. Are you disrespecting the Samjaegeombeop? The Namgung's fundamental art, the Daeyeongeombeop, was also created based on the Samjaegeombeop."
Again, his words were technically correct. The first three forms of the Daeyeongeombeop were indeed martial arts created by incorporating the Namgung's secrets based on basic sword movements.
"Even in simple-looking movements, the principles of the world are embedded. If you take even such basic things lightly, you are not worthy of holding a sword. Don't you agree?"
He was speaking plausibly, but the gist was this:
*Go hit the striking dummy.*
From the start, Namgung Jangyang had no intention of teaching Seolhwa swordplay.
Namgung Jangyang recalled the words of the Second Master's wife, Yeon Soran.
*You must not, by any chance, raise a worm.*
He remembered the chilling gaze she had when she said that.
*At least until the Cheonmuje, nothing should be taught to this child.*
Rumors were already openly circulating within the Namgung that the eldest granddaughter was astute and excellent in martial arts.
With the news of her victory in the martial arts contest against the Hwasan Sect spreading, her previously somewhat negative reputation was turning positive.
Because of this, Lady Yeon's mood was also severely troubled.
*If this child shows anything at the Cheonmuje, my head will be on the chopping block!*
So, he shouldn't even let a bud sprout from the beginning.
Just for nine days.
"Now. Go on and practice your swordplay."
He heard snickering.
He also heard whispers of "beggar brat."
Seolhwa no longer argued, picked up a wooden sword from the weapon rack, and headed for the striking dummy.
While she swung her sword at the dummy, the vigorous shouts of the children practicing swordplay echoed loudly in the training ground.
* * *
"How was your training? Was it manageable?"
Namgung Cheongun asked during dinner.
Seolhwa, silently picking at her food, nodded.
"Yes. It was good. Although the kids were a bit bothersome."
"Bothersome? Surely, they didn't harass you?"
At Cheongun's question, Seolhwa pondered for a moment.
*Can you call that harassment? It didn't feel like I was victimized. Hmm.*
"It wasn't harassment."
Seolhwa shrugged.
"Just a little teasing? Oh, and the commander who taught the training was an interesting person."
"Haha. The Jeokryongdan commander is a talented individual excellent in nurturing the next generation. I heard he once taught children at an academy."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Not in Anhui Province, but in a small town."
Though the number of direct descendants was small, those with the Namgung surname were spread throughout Jungwon.
If one counted to distant relatives, the number was enormous.
So, it wasn't unusual for someone with the Namgung surname to work as an instructor at a local academy.
No, perhaps one could become an academy instructor simply by having the 'Namgung' surname.
"How did such a person become the Namgung's martial commander?"
"Cheonghae met him by chance, recognized his talent, and offered him to become a Namgung warrior. He started as an outer-hall warrior, was selected as an inner-hall warrior at that year's Cheonmuje, and then rose to his current position. He's an impressive individual."
Seolhwa nodded.
*I wonder why such an impressive person acts so petty.*
After dinner, Seolhwa leisurely drank tea with Cheongun.
But Cheongun's state was a little strange.
He had shown signs during dinner, and now he was staring blankly at the teacup, lost in thought.
"Did the Hwasan Sect leave?"
"Hm? Oh, yes. They departed from the guest house early this morning."
"I see."
Cheongun only gave brief answers whenever Seolhwa asked something, remaining distant. Seolhwa, watching him, let out a soft sigh.
She then got up from her chair and slowly walked towards the drawer. She took something out of the drawer and returned to the table set with refreshments.
*Thud!*
Seolhwa placed something in front of Cheongun.
"…?"
Cheongun's eyes, narrowed slightly, scrutinizing what Seolhwa had brought with a puzzled gaze.
"Why did you bring this?"
What Seolhwa had brought was the spiritual medicine the Hwasan Sect had so desperately wanted, the Geumryongokyeolbo.
"Use this."
At her blunt words, Cheongun asked again.
"Use this? What do you mean…?"
"If you use this, you can reach the peak of mastery."
Cheongun's gaze trembled slightly. Astonishment at how she knew was mixed in.
Facing the conflict within that trembling, Seolhwa readily set the direction for his choice.
"Reach the peak of mastery, Father."
