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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Chapter 75
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Seolhwa immediately followed the Black Dragon Commander towards the Family Head's manor.
However, there was one mountain she had to cross before meeting Namgung Mucheon.
Standing at the entrance of the Family Head's manor, eyes blazing with fierce intent, arms crossed, and practically radiating fire, was none other than Seop Mugwang.
"You little brat, you..."
The moment he saw Seolhwa, he flared up, burning with rage.
"Why didn't you say anything, why?! Wouldn't it have been better if you'd told me when something like that happened? Huh? I went yesterday! When I personally went to check if you were okay, why didn't you just tell me then and there?!"
Watching him rage, Seolhwa thought he might just burn up and disappear. Or perhaps, explode.
With such thoughts, she replied,
"But it wasn't a big enough deal to report."
"If that's not a big deal, then what exactly *is* a big deal to you, you rascal?"
"Well, poisoning my food or setting my bedroom on fire would qualify as a big deal."
"What...?"
"I was in a tavern. It was a place where much dirtier slanders and schemes ran rampant than here. There were always people around who wanted to kill me."
Seop Mugwang's mouth dropped open.
"Compared to that, it was nothing."
At that moment, the Family Head's manor rumbled.
Seolhwa looked up at the manor, which trembled for a moment before settling, then began to walk.
"Grandfather is calling. I'll go!"
Seolhwa slipped past the frozen Seop Mugwang and entered the Family Head's manor.
Ryeon hesitantly stood beside Seop Mugwang, who still had his mouth agape. She was waiting for Seolhwa to come out.
'So this is what Commander Bipung is like.'
As she glanced at him with a slightly curious gaze, someone sharply smacked her on the back of the head.
"Aargh!"
Ryeon clutched the back of her head, her skull throbbing with pain. Tears welling in her eyes, she glared at the one who hit her.
"Hey, what was that for!"
Standing there, fist clenched, was the Black Dragon Commander, Namgung Hyeok.
"You, a guard, just let the Young Lady be ridiculed by vile rumors? Can you even call yourself a guard after that?"
Ryeon rubbed the back of her head, tears in her eyes, and replied,
"Then what was I supposed to do? The Young Lady told me to leave it alone."
"And you really just stood by and watched because the Young Lady told you to leave it alone? Want another hit?"
At Namgung Hyeok's gesture of raising his hand, Ryeon defensively cried out,
"Then should I disobey the orders of the one I serve?"
"Do you know how distressed the Family Head was when he heard the rumors belatedly? You should have reported it quickly!"
"That too was the Young Lady's order!"
"Even so, you rascal...!"
Ryeon clutched her head and shrieked,
"My liege is the Young Lady! I merely did as my liege commanded!"
"Hmph."
Namgung Hyeok sighed, unable to lower his raised hand.
It was baffling to see her, who had once sworn she'd rather die than be a guard, now ready to die for that young lady.
Namgung Hyeok sighed again and lowered his hand.
As he dusted off and tidied his disheveled sleeves, the smile on his lips lingered for a long time.
* * *
When she knocked on the door, an immediate reply told her to enter.
Inside the room were Namgung Mucheon and the Head Steward, Namgung Mun.
Seolhwa offered a respectful cupped-fist salute to both of them.
"I greet the Family Head."
"Come closer."
Seolhwa stepped forward to the desk.
"I heard what happened. Why didn't you tell me? Didn't I tell you to ask for help whenever you faced difficulties?"
"It wasn't difficult."
Namgung Mucheon, recalling the conversation between his granddaughter and Seop Mugwang just moments ago, closed his eyes tightly, then opened them.
He knew the child hadn't lived an easy life, but confronting that raw truth was still not simple.
"Alright. What would you like me to do? If it were up to me, I'd punish everyone who spread the rumors and find their source to rip out their tongues."
As the Family Head, Namgung Mucheon had already considered all the solutions and processes. However, there was only one reason he called Seolhwa to ask her intentions before proceeding.
"Did you intend for this to happen?"
It was to ascertain if this incident was perhaps Seolhwa's scheme. After all, Seolhwa had done 'nothing' since the rumors spread.
Seolhwa shook her head.
"I didn't intend for it. But I hope you'll just let the rumors continue."
Namgung Mucheon raised an eyebrow.
"So you intend to escalate this."
"I didn't intend for it, but I can certainly use the situation to my advantage."
"Do you have a solution?"
"I plan to show them."
"Show them what?"
"Power. Overwhelming power that trivial rumors like these cannot possibly ignore."
Namgung Mucheon's eyes sparkled.
'She intends to display the Breaking Sword at the Cheonmuje.'
The Breaking Sword technique, which nullifies Namgung's sword arts.
For the family members who took such pride in Namgung's swordsmanship, it would certainly be a shock significant enough to quell the current rumors.
"Not bad."
The Cheonmuje was indeed a suitable time to showcase the Breaking Sword.
"Then on that day, it would also be good to announce that you possess the Cheonmujiche."
If she presented two astonishing things instead of just one, the impact of the shock would double.
A shock of that magnitude would not only suppress the rumors about Seolhwa but also ensure that no one would dare disregard her after that day.
It would be tantamount to revealing the potential for this child to grow into someone greater than even the current top ten masters.
"I'll postpone the punishment for those who spread the rumors until then. Will that suffice?"
As expected of Namgung Mucheon.
With just a few words of conversation, he had accurately determined what was needed right now.
"It's perfect."
"Good."
Namgung Mucheon looked at Seolhwa.
When he had heard the rumors, his stomach had churned with anger.
'I expected her to be calm since she's not easily swayed.'
He had hoped she wouldn't suffer, but this, in its own way, left a bitter taste.
Would it have been better if she had cried and thrown a tantrum like a normal child, asking for comfort?
'Once the Cheonmuje is over.'
Once the child achieved her desired outcome, he would seek out those who spread the rumors and surely rip out their tongues.
Namgung Mucheon let out a long sigh.
"Seolhwa."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Never forget who stands behind you. You are my cherished granddaughter. Do you understand?"
His words conveyed absolute trust.
Seolhwa's eyes, which had answered his questions with such composure, trembled slightly.
"...Yes, Grandfather."
"Good. Is there anything else you need?"
Seolhwa suddenly lifted her head.
"There is."
"…?"
"I have a favor to ask of you, Grandfather."
At her words, which seemed somewhat urgent, Namgung Mucheon's expression, which had been blank for a moment, instantly brightened.
"Alright. What do you need?"
* * *
On the way back to her residence after leaving the Family Head's manor.
Seolhwa, who had been walking silently, suddenly stopped and looked to her side.
Seop Mugwang, who had been walking beside her, flinched when he felt her gaze and feigned ignorance, turning his head away.
"If you have something to say, please say it."
"Hmm? Me?"
"Is there anyone else here besides Commander Bipung?"
"Her."
Seop Mugwang pointed a finger at Ryeon.
Then, under Seolhwa's steady gaze, he cleared his throat and feigned ignorance again, shrugging his shoulders.
Seolhwa subtly frowned.
He had been following Seolhwa ever since they left the Family Head's manor. And he was doing so while exuding a fierce aura and glaring at their surroundings.
Because of this, every servant they encountered hurried to avoid him, reading his mood. Thanks to him, they were drawing even more attention.
"Didn't you come out because you had something to say?"
"Oh, come on, I told you I don't! I just came out to get some fresh air, so don't mind me and go on your way."
Since it seemed he wouldn't state his reason for following, Seolhwa sighed and resumed walking.
And so, Seop Mugwang remained by the child's side until they reached her residence.
* * *
"Young—La—dyyy!"
Returning to the residence, a cheerful voice greeted Seolhwa and Ryeon.
Both of them unconsciously let out a laugh.
"You're back? You must be hungry, right? I've prepared breakfast! Oh! And bathwater too! Please come in!"
Yeoyul was truly a bright child. So much so that one wondered how she could always be so cheerful.
Yeoyul chattered incessantly until Seolhwa entered her room. Most of it was about the food prepared for the meal.
As unpleasant rumors about Seolhwa spread within the family, Yeoyul was trying her best to lift Seolhwa's spirits in this way.
"Oh, right, the Medicinal Hall Master visited!"
Seolhwa paused her hands, which were untying the knot of her martial robes, and looked back at Yeoyul.
"The Medicinal Hall Master?"
Why Choryeon?
"She left a medicinal decoction. She said it's a tonic to boost your energy. Oh, and she also left this."
Yeoyul pulled something from a pouch at her waist and offered it to Seolhwa.
It was a scented sachet.
"It looks like a scented sachet, but it only seems to smell of medicinal herbs? She said the Young Lady would like it... are there herbs that have an effect just from their scent?"
Seolhwa's eyes, as she took the sachet, subtly trembled.
'Medicinal herb scent.'
Whenever she went to the Medicinal Hall, she would browse the herbs and savor their scents because their aroma made her feel calm.
But she hadn't shown that side of herself many times. Did Choryeon remember that and prepare this for her?
She smelled the sachet. Just as Yeoyul said, a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs wafted from it.
Unlike other sachets, the scent wasn't strong, but if she inhaled deeply, it was a fragrance that calmed her mind.
"It's nice."
The Medicinal Hall Master must have heard the rumors too.
Both the medicinal decoction and this sachet. They must be her way of offering comfort.
'When I was in the Blood Cult, I found it strange how she would kill people with a smiling face at the drop of a hat.'
Was the original Choryeon such a thoughtful person?
After gazing at the sachet for a moment, Seolhwa securely fastened it to her waist, ensuring it wouldn't sway.
The subtle scent of the medicinal herbs drifted up.
"I'm hungry. Let's eat."
At Seolhwa's expression, which was brighter than a moment ago, Yeoyul beamed with a bright smile.
"Yes!"
