Namgoong Mucheon pressed firmly between his brows.

“You always give me difficult tasks.”

Just thinking of trying to gain the cooperation of sects that looked down on the noble families already gave him a throbbing headache.

“Even so, if the Mount Hua Sect steps forward, it will be possible.”

With this incident as a turning point, the Mount Hua Sect would actively cooperate with the main house.

“Certainly, the Jongnam Sect interacts closely with Mount Hua, so it would be best to entrust that matter to Mount Hua. The Cheongseong Sect in Sichuan has been struggling due to the recent decline of the noble families, so if we provide discreet support, they will not be able to ignore the main house.”

“The Hyeongsan Sect in Honam and the Haenam Sect in Haenam will surely follow your reputation, Grandfather.”

Though both sects were considered powerful—having excellent martial arts and solid forces, each holding sway over their regions—they did not have any masters among them ranked within the top ten of Murim like Namgoong Mucheon.

If Namgoong Mucheon extended a hand of friendship, they would likely consider it an opportunity to build a connection and gladly join him.

“The problem is the Shaolin Temple in Henan, the Wudang Sect in Hubei, the Emei Sect in Sichuan, and the Kunlun Sect in Qinghai.”

Among the Nine Sects, these were the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) ones that, along with Mount Hua, were referred to as the Five Grand Sects, possessing deep power and consistently producing strong masters.

Seolhwa’s expression turned cold at the thought of the five grand sects.

“The deeper the prestige, the more deeply Hwaoru’s influence will have infiltrated. So, we must absolutely not reveal anything about Hwaoru’s existence or what happened at Mount Hua to them.”

“In fact, it has already been decided that what happened at Mount Hua will not be spoken of outside the main house and the Mount Hua Sect.”

The infiltrators likely had already caught wind of the news from Mount Hua, but they would not know what happened afterward.

They must not be allowed to learn that the intent is to unite forces against the Blood Demon Cult.

“First, gather the strength of the sects outside the grand ones. If the noble families, Mount Hua, and the remaining sects unite their power, the other four grand sects will not be able to ignore the trend.”

The Justice Alliance's intent, its influence, whether to go with the flow or resist it.

Once it has started moving, how much influence could they exert within it?

They would want to know something about the alliance in any way possible.

“It will not be too late to unite them then.”

“Yes. That is true.”

In that case, the conversation becomes a little easier.

As Namgoong Mucheon silently considered the remaining factions, he suddenly fixed his gaze on Seolhwa.

Seolhwa blinked her round eyes and tilted her head.

“What is it, Grandfather?”

“It is nothing.”

Namgoong Mucheon’s lips curved softly.

“It is just... strange and wondrous to be having this kind of conversation with you.”

When talking with his granddaughter, he would forget her age.

No—perhaps it was more accurate to say that every time he suddenly met her childlike, innocent gaze during such discussions, he was left speechless.

“Are you planning to be away for long?”

“At least three years.”

At most, four.

Within five years, the Blood Demon Cult would reveal itself to the Central Plains. She would have to return before then to prepare.

“You will grow even more.”

“...”

Seolhwa did not deny it.

Three to four years from now—by then, her growth period would surely be over.

“What saddens me most is that I will not be able to witness your growth. Before you leave, may this grandfather embrace you?”

As he opened his arms with a gentle smile, Seolhwa stepped down from the chair, walked around the table, and approached him.

Namgoong Mucheon once again extended his arms toward her.

And now, quite naturally, Seolhwa leaned into his embrace.

The strength with which he held her was stronger than usual.

“There is something I am curious about, Grandfather.”

“What is it?”

“From the very beginning, you recognized me as your granddaughter, did you not?”

From the moment she had first stepped into the Thousand Tiger Hall, Namgoong Mucheon had acted as if he were certain she was Namgoong Seolhwa.

“Yes.”

“How did you know? You must have seen many children before me.”

A low chuckle rumbled pleasantly through his large frame.

“You were the very first granddaughter I held with my own hands. How could I possibly forget you?”

He gently stroked her cheek, looking at her with affectionate eyes.

“I never once doubted that you were my granddaughter. I am sure your father felt the same.”

Just then, someone’s presence crossed the central door and entered.

“We have been longing for you all this time. Of course we recognized you at a glance.”

Those words stirred Seolhwa’s heart.

‘They waited for me.’

Grandfather, Father, and many others in the clan.

‘They were searching for me with all their hearts.’

How wonderful it would have been to know that sooner.

Even in her past life, if she had known that she had such a family—

Knock, knock—a sound came from the door.

Soon the door opened, and the Chief Steward and Namgoong Cheongun entered.

“Father, you called for me—Seolhwa...?”

Namgoong Cheongun’s gaze trembled as their eyes met.

Having just emerged from closed-door training to refine his internal energy, he had heard all that had transpired at Mount Hua in the meantime.

“Wh... When did you...?”

“As soon as he emerged from closed-door training, he ignored his father and tried to go looking for you. I barely managed to stop him from going to Mount Hua.”

Cheongun hastily approached and knelt on one knee before Seolhwa.

Sitting on Namgoong Mucheon’s knee, Seolhwa’s face was cupped in his hands.

“When did you arrive? Why did you come without sending word? If you had returned, it would have been better to visit your quarters first. This father did not even know you were back.”

His voice, urgent, was filled with joy and surprise. Seolhwa, with a troubled expression, gently lowered Cheongun’s hands from her cheeks.

“I only stopped by briefly. I will be leaving again.”

The Chief Steward, who stood nearby, asked in shock,

“You are leaving again, Young Lady? Is there still something left undone?”

Cheongun’s face also paled as he asked,

“What are you saying? Leaving again—to where? You just returned, and now you are saying you will go off again?”

Seolhwa briefly explained her decision.

That her presence placed the clan in danger, that there was something she must do away from the clan, and that she would return within four years at most.

Though she tried to speak as calmly as possible, Namgoong Cheongun wore a face as if thunder had struck.

“Then I will go with you. I cannot let a child go to such a dangerous place alone. I will...”

“And where do you think you, the soon-to-be Young Lord, are going?”

Namgoong Mucheon spoke in a deliberately stern voice.

With Cheonghae having relinquished her claim to the position of Young Lord, Cheongun had been firmly established as the next in line within the clan.

The plan was to appoint him as Young Lord as soon as he emerged from his training and gradually entrust him with clan affairs.

“Do you not care at all for the affairs of the clan? When will you learn the martial arts handed down to the Clan Head?”

“But...”

“Grandfather is right.”

Namgoong Cheongun looked at Seolhwa with a wounded expression—he had not expected her to side with Namgoong Mucheon.

But Seolhwa fully agreed with Namgoong Mucheon’s position.

“Father must become Clan Head. You must gain strength as Clan Head and protect me with that strength, as you promised.”

“But I cannot send you off alone...”

“It will not be dangerous.”

Seolhwa held Cheongun’s hands tightly.

She too did not want to part from him, whom she had just barely reunited with.

Her father, Namgoong Cheongun—who lived solely for her, willing to even give his life for her.

She wanted to stay a little longer within that warm devotion.

“But you must prepare for the time when something truly dangerous occurs. If you do not have enough strength by then, you will come to resent yourself.”

These words were not just for Cheongun—they were for herself as well.

“To live a long, happy life with you, we must part for a little while.”

Yes, for longer happiness.

“...Haa.”

Namgoong Cheongun lowered his gaze.

It was not that he did not understand what she was saying.

He understood—but still...

“When will the day come when I can live with you in peace... Just when...”

He had only just found his daughter. How was it that not even a few days could pass without having to send her off again?

“But it is different this time... Yes.”

Unlike their previous separation, they could now promise to meet again—and that alone was something to be thankful for.

Cheongun raised his head with a faint smile.

Knowing he had to let her go, he wanted to send her off with a heart that was as light as possible.

“Then gain your strength. Become the good Clan Head you spoke of. I will wait with all my heart for the day you return. So...”

“...”

“Send word from time to time...”

Seolhwa stepped down from Namgoong Mucheon’s knee and embraced Cheongun tightly.

And with that, many words of parting were conveyed.

****

For urgent communications, letters would be exchanged through the branch family located in Henan.

Only after hearing Seolhwa's promise to send news at least once every three months did Namgoong Cheongun’s expression brighten a little.

She had wanted to meet Seop Mugwang, but he had entered Cheonodong to recuperate and could not be seen.

Seolhwa left word requesting to be contacted once Seop Mugwang emerged from the training quarters, then exchanged her final farewells and departed from the clan.

When she returned to the hill where she had promised to meet Ryeong, Ryeong had already arrived and was waiting for her.

Three individuals stood beside her.

“We greet the Young Lady.”

At the greeting, proper and befitting of Namgoong retainers, Seolhwa let out a faint laugh.

“Why are you being so formal? It does not suit you.”