“So that is why you look so grim.”

“I had hoped they would at least be able to stand as equals. All three of them.”

“How is that your fault, Brother? It is the fault of the fool who chose the wrong woman.”

“If it had not been for the main house, that boy might have found a wife he truly wanted.”

One not chosen for gain or status—but someone he loved. He could have lived a simple, happy life.

“So now you are saying you regret having him born into the Namgoong Clan? Is that it?”

Seop Mugwang let out an incredulous sigh.

This was Namgoong Mucheon—respected by all without hesitation.

The Heavenly Dragon Sword Emperor who ruled the martial world—

And here he was, wallowing in self-pity?

“Brother, have you lost your mind?”

“What did you say?”

Namgoong Mucheon’s eyes flashed dangerously.

But Seop Mugwang took comfort in that flash of fury—unyielding, solid as ever. That was the Sword Emperor he knew.

“If we are going to split hairs over guilt and innocence, there is not a single man under heaven who could claim righteousness. Being born a son of Namgoong was not your fault. Why are you acting so pathetic? This is not like you.”

“....”

“And besides, is it not a good thing this all came to light now? Thanks to that little one, we caught it before things got worse.”

Namgoong Mucheon exhaled a long breath.

“That is true.”

It was thanks to that child that the rot within the martial corps had been exposed and the vermin gnawing at the Namgoong Clan had been rooted out.

They had managed to blind his eyes and deafen his ears, but they had failed to silence the mouth of a child.

Had Seolhwa not returned, had she not come back to the clan—he might not have known until the roots of the family had fully decayed.

‘Did she see through it all from the beginning?’

He recalled the moment the girl had first returned, declaring she would set the roots of the clan straight.

That bold child had vowed to protect the Namgoong Clan and restore its foundation.

And to that child, he had made a promise.

That he would become the greatest sky she could rely on.

And now, that moment had come.

“Seolhwa asked me to go with her to Mount Hua.”

She had always claimed she would manage things on her own, but this time, she had come to him first—asking not just for help, but specifically for her grandfather’s strength.

Seop Mugwang chuckled.

“I knew a day like this would come.”

That was why he had stayed by his brother’s side—he had ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) a feeling something interesting was bound to happen.

“I plan to bring the Black Dragon Division and the White Dragon Division.”

“...If someone sees that, they might think we are going to war. What if Mount Hua misunderstands and sees it as a threat?”

“The White Dragon Division will be stationed at the branch house in Shanxi.”

He meant to send them to the branch in Xinjiang, on the southern edge of Shanxi, close to Shaanxi, so they could be called upon at any moment.

He was effectively putting an entire sword corps on standby—despite not knowing what might happen. It was a show of complete preparedness.

“As expected of the Patriarch.”

Who else but the head of the Namgoong Clan could deploy an entire sword division like that?

If nothing happened, it would be a complete waste of manpower.

“What about you? What will you do?”

“This time... it may be difficult.”

Seop Mugwang’s tone shifted.

Until now, he had spoken to lighten Namgoong Mucheon’s mood—but now, he returned to his duty as the Commander of the Bipung Division.

He pulled a tightly rolled slip of paper—no thicker than a finger—from his robes and handed it over.

“There is news from Yunnan. They say they have found a lead that may uncover the truth of Hwaoru.”

“A lead, you say.”

Namgoong Mucheon scanned the contents of the letter.

Through gamblers connected to the operations in Hwaoru, they had begun approaching the hidden forces the place was trying to conceal.

“It took longer than I expected.”

“Still, they uncovered something even the Beggars’ Union could not. Should that not be praised?”

“Then... you mean to go there yourself?”

“They said they would contact me once they confirm something more concrete. When that happens, yes—I intend to go myself.”

“I see.”

If Seop Mugwang, who already knew of the Blood Demon Cult’s existence, went in person, he would uncover more than any Bipung Division operative who knew nothing.

Now that they had learned this tied into Seolhwa and the events from eight years ago, their investigation had to become even more meticulous—ruthless, if necessary.

“Hwaoru is a far more dangerous force than we expected. Tell those stationed there to be on their guard.”

“Yes, Patriarch.”

****

“You have already memorized the incantation for Thunder and Wind Divine Art?”

“Yes.”

Seop Mugwang looked down at Seolhwa with an expression of disbelief.

This monstrous little brat had mastered not only the footwork and movement techniques in a single day—but now she had absorbed the cultivation method itself within that same span?

Sure, his martial arts were inherently suited to her—arts that prized speed and transformation—but still...

“She really is something else.”

At this point, she was beyond monstrous. She was a god.

A god of martial arts.

“Sit. We will begin energy circulation right away.”

Seolhwa folded her legs and sat in meditation posture on the floor.

Seop Mugwang swept his robe aside as he seated himself behind her and placed a hand gently on her back.

“Ordinarily, inner energies of two distinct natures do not blend easily. However, lightning qi originates from the heavens. It can be harmonized. I have tested this myself—you can trust me.”

“Yes.”

With those reassuring words, Seop Mugwang began to move his internal energy.

“I will guide your circulation. Recite the incantation and follow along.”

“Yes.”

Soon, his inner force flowed into her meridians.

“!”

It was a tingling sensation.

Unlike the Namgoong Clan’s inner force, this one felt rough—dangerous.

But she could feel it clearly: if she could learn to control this energy, she would gain devastating destructive power.

Crackle. Snap.

Fortunately, both the Namgoong technique and Seop Mugwang’s technique were orthodox, righteous martial paths—so their inner energies did not reject one another or clash. There was no danger of energy deviation.

However, the difference in their base nature caused them to circle each other warily, probing, rather than merging from the start.

—Do not try to force them together. Let them meet naturally. Think of it this way: lightning is the wrath of heaven. What you are doing is giving your internal energy a weapon.

Giving your energy a weapon.

It was an intriguing thought. That her inner force could wield a weapon.

But since Seop Mugwang’s energy itself was thunder and lightning, it was not hard to understand what he meant.

Dark clouds gathered in the blue sky. No—not even black clouds were necessary.

A veil of thin, silvery mist unfurled across the heavens, as if draping a curtain over the blue expanse.

Rumble—

The sky howled, and that howl soon took on form.

A flash of blinding light.

A thunderclap that shook the earth and sky.

A single bolt of wrath.

Rumble...

It was the sky’s cry.

A lament echoing those who screamed up toward the heavens—a gesture of solace for their suffering, a reply to their tears.

Zzzzt...

“....”

Seop Mugwang could only gape in stunned silence, feeling the seamless blend of his inner energy with Seolhwa’s.

He had meant to guide her through the circulation once—just to assist her lightly, to show her the process. His earlier words—about not forcing the energies to merge—had simply been meant to tell her it would take time.

But the child was astonishing. She was accepting the energy of thunder and lightning without a hint of resistance.

No—more than that.

The power of thunder was already harmonizing within her with the natural energies of the heavens.

A process that should have taken at least a month—or longer—was unfolding before his very eyes in an instant. Seop Mugwang felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck, his body shivering with awe.

Is she truly a God of Martial Arts?

Surely, his brother had seen this talent as well.

What must it feel like to look upon a granddaughter whose strength and potential could not be measured?

How precious... how proud must he have been?

And to entrust such a child to him, so readily—

This is... no small burden.

Tch. Damn that overly noble Namgoong bloodline.

Why did he look up at the sky?

Why had he let himself be blinded by that clear light, only to end up here?

Seop Mugwang let out a soft chuckle.

Watching the energies swirl and merge inside the girl’s body, something swelled in his chest. The laughter rose unbidden.

What a truly beautiful sky it was.

When the energy circulation finally ended and Seolhwa opened her eyes, a faint flicker of light shimmered across her gaze—zzzzt, like static rippling over water.

She immediately sensed the shift within her own energy.

She had not meant to change the nature of her internal force. But as she had focused on thunder, thinking of Seop Mugwang’s words, something had naturally shifted.

She summoned her power. The crimson energy remained—but now, encircling it, was the unmistakable pulse of thunder.

White lightning wrapped around red flame.

Just as Seop Mugwang had said—it felt as if her inner energy had taken up a weapon.

“Ha...!”

A laugh slipped from her lips before she realized it. Startled by the sound, Seolhwa touched her own mouth, momentarily dazed.

“Bwahahahaha!”

Seop Mugwang’s laughter burst out like a lightning strike.

Startled, Seolhwa turned toward him, only to see him laughing with genuine delight, chest shaking with joy.

He placed a hand lightly on her head.

“You damn rascal.”

The hand that tousled her hair gently at first grew rougher, more vigorous—rubbing and ruffling without restraint.

“Ah—! You precious little brat!”

He looked like he could not have been more proud if he tried.

Still grinning like a fool, he kept scrubbing her head until Seolhwa finally reached up and grabbed his wrist.

She glared at him from beneath the mess of disheveled hair.

But Seop Mugwang just laughed harder—Bwahahaha!—completely undeterred by her sharp eyes.

****

When training was over and she returned to the clan estate, someone was waiting for her in front of the hall.

The Third Wife, Muryong Yeonhwa, stood there with Hwarin.

“Big sis...!”

Hwarin’s face lit up the moment she saw Seolhwa, and she almost called out loudly—but then her voice shrank back down.

“Good evening, Aunt. Hello, Hwarin.”

“Hello...”

Hwarin, just like before the trip to Suro Stronghold, had returned to being shy. The way her arms used to wave wildly had become a timid little greeting.

Back at Suro Stronghold, she had been running around freely with Jin Soyak. But now, perhaps being beside her mother made her feel like acting her age again.

Returning her greeting with a gentle smile, Seolhwa turned to Muryong Yeonhwa and asked,

“What brings you all the way out here? Father is still in seclusion at Cheonodong.”

“I know. I came to see you.”

“To see me?”

Muryong Yeonhwa smiled softly and gave a nod.

“I heard the Little Dojang Lord of Mount Hua has regained consciousness.”

Since waking, Yu Gang had recovered steadily—and in just a few days, he was even able to run around again.

“If you are free, would you join us for dinner at our residence? We invited Woong as well.”