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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Chapter 79
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The day before the Cheonmuje passed quietly, without major incident.
The maids, warriors, and elders of the family were all busy preparing for the Cheonmuje.
Swish— Swish— Swish!
Seolhwa trained alone in the training ground of her pavilion.
No one came to visit today, allowing her to devote a long time to sword training.
She swung her sword until her martial robes were soaked with sweat, only returning to her room when the sun began to set.
After washing thoroughly and changing her clothes, she returned to her room to find a welcome person waiting for her.
"Seolhwa."
"...Father?"
Namgung Cheongun's expression brightened. He opened his arms to Seolhwa.
His expression seemed a little sad for some reason.
"Let me hold you, my daughter."
Namgung Cheongun embraced Seolhwa tightly.
He still carried a refreshing scent.
Cheongun held Seolhwa close. As if he never wanted to let go again, he held her tight.
"I'm sorry."
His voice, thick with emotion, was filled with apology and longing.
'He must have heard the rumors.'
There was no way he hadn't. The rumors about her were now constantly on the lips of everyone in the family.
Namgung Mucheon, the family head, letting the rumors spread only encouraged those who loved to gossip.
What started as a rumor about her being in a tavern had gradually been twisted, now portraying her as a child even the family head had abandoned.
"I shouldn't have gone into secluded training and left you alone. I should have been by your side. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Seolhwa."
After emerging from his training, Cheongun heard the rumors and immediately went to the family head's hall.
Overwhelmed by uncontrollable fury, he wanted to find those who had slandered his child and dismember them, forgetting all about the Cheonmuje. But Namgung Mucheon stopped him.
'He seems to intend to amplify the rumors and use them to his advantage. I understand your anger, but do not let it blind you and make you lose sight of the forest.'
That implied that the child was looking at the forest, not just the trees.
'Seolhwa always looked at the forest.'
She was a clever child, so she surely had a purpose. But even if that were true, it didn't erase the pain the child was feeling.
"Seolhwa."
Cheongun hugged his daughter even tighter.
"Your father will do anything to protect you. If only you can smile, I am prepared to give up everything, so tell me if things get too hard."
Cheongun pulled back slightly and smiled.
"Then, let's go live somewhere no one knows us. Farming peacefully would be nice, or traveling beyond the borders."
His calm smile conveyed genuine sincerity.
"Let's do whatever makes you happy."
That proved his words were not a light jest.
Seolhwa pulled back a little from Cheongun and stared at him intently.
A powerful aura flowed from Namgung Cheongun, one she hadn't felt before he entered secluded training.
"You succeeded."
"It's all thanks to you. When I went into seclusion, I missed you, whom I'd left behind. So, I pushed myself to reach the Peak Realm as quickly as possible."
Even with the use of Geumryongokyeolbo, it had been uncertain whether he could reach the Peak Realm within the given timeframe.
Yet, he had succeeded.
"And I have something to give you, Seolhwa."
Namgung Cheongun took something from his pocket and offered it to Seolhwa.
Seolhwa's expression was filled with surprise as she recognized it.
"This is..."
What Cheongun offered was the Geumryongokyeolbo.
"You... didn't use it?"
He reached the Peak Realm without using this?
Cheongun smiled gently and stroked Seolhwa's head.
"Didn't I promise to be a father who could be a source of strength for you? A father who takes away precious things from his daughter cannot be a good father."
"But how..."
Was this the time Namgung Cheongun reached the Peak Realm?
Her memories were hazy, but she thought it wasn't yet.
"I wanted to be a father you could be proud of. I focused solely on that while training."
Reaching a new realm wasn't just about willpower. That's why it was even more astonishing.
It was nothing short of a miracle.
"Isn't this enough for a proud father?"
He had kept his promise. His words that he would do anything for her, for his daughter.
Cheongun's smile was astonishingly pure.
His smile was so clear and refreshing that Seolhwa couldn't meet his gaze and lowered her eyes.
In her previous life, he was the person who sacrificed his life for her. In this life, he was the person who would do anything for her.
She had known it, but facing that reality, which now resonated deep within her, made her throat feel tight.
"Yes. I'm truly proud of you."
As if responding to Cheongun's efforts, Seolhwa nodded softly.
"You're truly... amazing, Dad."
At the word 'Dad,' the first time she'd called him that instead of 'Father,' Namgung Cheongun froze.
His trembling gaze was fixed solely on Seolhwa.
'...My child has opened her heart to me.'
That fact alone filled his heart with such joy that he couldn't hide his laughter.
"...Hahaha."
Cheongun pressed his forehead against his daughter's and burst out laughing. He saw Seolhwa awkwardly avert her gaze, but even that sight was adorable to Cheongun.
"Then, Seolhwa. Can you tell your Dad what you're thinking now?"
"…?"
"Let me hear what thoughts are swirling in that little head of yours this time."
The hand stroking her head was as gentle as his smile.
The touch, filled with boundless affection, held a warmth she had never experienced in her previous life.
After a moment of hesitation, Seolhwa nodded and began to speak.
As Seolhwa's story continued, Cheongun met her eyes and nodded quietly, steadily.
* * *
"Let the Cheonmuje begin!"
At Namgung Mucheon's cry, those gathered in the largest central training ground of the Inner Hall cheered in unison.
Ten Inner Hall sword brigades and ten Outer Hall sword battalions followed behind them.
Standing before them, five standard-bearers waved flags dyed in their respective colors.
As the flags fluttered towards the sky, the warriors' cheers grew louder.
They shouted themselves hoarse, as if to prove that their martial units were stronger.
On the grand platform of the large, magnificent two-story pavilion surrounding the central training ground, the core figures of the Namgung occupied seats on both sides, with Namgung Mucheon and the direct lineage at the center.
The Hall Masters, Elders, and even the Council of Elders.
It was truly a grand event where the immense power of the Namgung gathered in one place.
Hoo— Hoo-hoo—
Boom— Boom—
The sound of large horns and heart-thumping drums announced the start of the Cheonmuje.
The warriors' cheers echoed through the sky.
"The Inner Hall warrior selection duels begin!"
Namgung Hyeok, the Black Dragon Commander, overseeing the duels, announced the start from the dueling platform.
The first event was the Inner Hall warrior selection.
Ten warriors from each martial unit who passed the first round, a total of fifty, drew lots for their turns and engaged in one-on-one duels.
Clang—! Clang!
What was different was the increased audience.
"Black Dragon, win!"
"Azure Dragon is the best!"
And a very large one at that.
"Black Dragon 13th Unit's Gireung wins!"
"Whoa!"
"Gireung! Gireung! Gireung!"
The Namgung warriors cheered for the duels of the unit members.
They reacted passionately to their swords, duels, and outcomes, as if their victory was the victory of their entire sword brigade.
It wasn't just the warriors who enjoyed the duels.
"Don't you think there are many excellent individuals among this year's participants?"
"I heard the Outer Hall increased their training intensity. It seems its true value is being revealed."
"Haha, even though there are no battles, they could have become complacent, yet the unit leaders' minds are sharp. The future of the Namgung is very bright."
The central figures of the Namgung also watched the duels, each adding their own comments.
On the second-story grand platform of the central pavilion overlooking the dueling ground.
As she watched the duels, Seolhwa thought.
'This selection was based purely on skill, so it's bound to be superior to previous ones.'
With Namgung Mucheon watching from behind, where would the unit leaders have had room to pull any tricks?
Thanks to that, skilled unit members were rising and displaying their abilities to the fullest in this Cheonmuje.
"Namgung Jipyeong of Red Dragon 11th Unit, step onto the dueling platform!"
Finally, a familiar name was called.
Seolhwa smiled as she watched Jipyeong step onto the dueling platform.
Even from a distance, Jipyeong's tension was palpable.
"Begin the duel!"
With the Black Dragon Commander's cry, the drum boomed.
Namgung Jipyeong's opponent was a member of the Yellow Dragon 11th Unit.
The two bowed respectfully to each other, then took their stances.
'One uses Daeyeon, the other Cheonpung.'
Namgung Jipyeong chose the basic sword art of the Namgung, while the Yellow Dragon unit member chose the higher-level Cheonpung Sword Art.
In terms of sword arts alone, the higher-level Cheonpung Sword Art could be considered superior.
'But a higher-level sword art isn't necessarily stronger.'
Its power varies greatly depending on how well one understands and masters it.
CRASH—!
'Yes. Like that.'
As if in response to Seolhwa's thoughts, Namgung Jipyeong's sword pressed down on the Yellow Dragon unit member's sword.
Namgung Jipyeong's Daeyeon Sword Art was at 8-star mastery. This was the result of him training only the Daeyeon Sword Art day and night after Seolhwa had demonstrated it.
It was not a bad choice.
Boom! CRASH! Boom!
With the 8-star mastery of the Daeyeon Sword Art combined with Jipyeong's Herculean strength, a series of roars echoed, as if shattering the dueling ground itself.
The unit members watched the duel with their mouths agape, even forgetting to cheer, and the elders were also surprised by Jipyeong's martial prowess.
"Is he truly a first-rate warrior? How can he possess such strength?"
"What's even more surprising is that those attacks are without infusing internal energy."
"Haha... a monster has emerged from the Outer Hall."
