The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 32

The two who had been bickering stopped talking and turned their heads as they sensed the presence of Namgoong Cheongun and Seolhwa.

At the sight of Seolhwa holding her father’s hand, their smiles stretched so wide it looked like they might split their faces.

Seop Mugwang, who looked ready to bolt forward, was held back by the Chief Steward.

After glaring fiercely at each other for a moment, Seop Mugwang snorted and took a step back.

The Chief Steward gave a faint smile and stepped forward to stand before Seolhwa.

“I pay my respects once more, Lady Seolhwa. I am Namgoong Mun, Chief Steward of the clan.”

Though he greeted her with formality, his gaze—looking down at her—dripped with honey.

“Hello, Chief Steward Elder. I’m Namgoong Seolhwa.”

“Please call me Chief Steward Grandfather. That’s what you used to call me.”

“Yes. Chief Steward Grandfather.”

A flicker of regret crossed Namgoong Mun’s face.

“I regret not being able to watch you grow up by your side. Time can be so cruel.”

Letting out a bitter laugh, he straightened his back and stepped aside.

“I’ve brought a small gift for you. I hope it pleases you.”

Naturally turning her gaze behind him, Seolhwa blinked in surprise at what she saw.

In the courtyard stood a mountainous pile of goods towering higher than a grown man.

“What... is all this?”

“These are jewelry, silk, gold bars, and spiritual medicines bestowed upon you by the Clan Head.”

“Why would he give this to me...?”

“The Clan Head instructed us to calculate all that you’ve been unable to receive over the past eight years. These are the things you would have rightfully received had you been here. There’s no need to feel burdened.”

The sheer volume of gifts brought by the Chief Steward—just a glance told Seolhwa that it exceeded the wealth she had once possessed in her previous life by far.

“Would you like to take a look?”

The Chief Steward guided her forward.

There were chests overflowing with gold bars, top-grade silk and fabrics easily recognizable even at a glance, and ornate trinkets likely imported from foreign lands.

The jewelry alone numbered over fifty types, along with matching garments and embroidered shoes—at least a hundred in total.

And that wasn’t all.

Even without examining them closely, she could sense the rich aura of high-grade spiritual medicines. It would take several months to consume them all.

“Please look at this one.”

Namgoong Mun opened a small, elegant box.

The sudden flash of sunlight off its contents made her momentarily close and reopen her eyes.

Inside was an intricately crafted ornament, made of clear, glass-like material that shimmered with a pure light.

The earrings, bracelet, and ring all resembled snowflakes—Seolhwa in the truest sense.

A soft blue gleam danced in Seolhwa’s dark eyes.

“The Clan Head acquired this long before your return, thinking of you. It’s a rare item he picked up while traveling abroad. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Seolhwa quietly nodded.

It was her first time seeing such a treasure from beyond the seas—even to her, it felt wondrous.

“Shall I have the attendants take everything to your residence?”

Seolhwa tore her eyes away from the treasures and gave a nod.

“Bring the goods to the Lady’s residence! If even a single item goes missing, there will be consequences, so keep your hands clean and don’t get any foolish ideas! Move quickly!”

At the Chief Steward’s command, both the attendants he had brought and those from Seolhwa’s quarters sprang into action.

Due to the sheer quantity, it took a considerable amount of time to move everything inside the residence.

Watching the attendants bustle about, Namgoong Cheongun spoke in a low voice.

“I doubt the Head of the Finance Hall let this go easily.”

“He was sobbing and throwing a tantrum, so I beat him up on the way here. What could I do? It was the Clan Head’s order.”

Seop Mugwang cut in with a snort.

He looked down at Seolhwa with a slightly sulky expression.

“You don’t seem all that pleased, little brat.”

The Chief Steward jumped in with a start.

“What nonsense! Are you blind? Look how delighted she is! And I told you—call her Lady, not little brat!”

“Once a brat, always a brat. Isn’t that right?”

“I mean, still—!”

Seolhwa gently tugged at the Chief Steward’s sleeve.

“It’s all right. I prefer it that way too.”

In truth, though Seop Mugwang held an important position in the clan, he wasn’t truly a member of the Namgoong bloodline.

He belonged to Namgoong Mucheon.

The Clan Head had created that high-ranking post just to keep Seop Mugwang close. The Secret Wind Sword Corps was essentially Mucheon’s personal combat unit.

So it was more comfortable for Seolhwa not to be treated formally by him.

Seop Mugwang gave the Chief Steward a light bump with his shoulder, chuckling.

“See that? I told you the lady and I were close. Jealous?”

“Even if you say that—!”

“Defeated again, eh?”

He laughed, eyes looking down fondly at Seolhwa.

That gaze was filled with pride.

“You’ve finally come back to the hometown you so dearly longed for. How does it feel? To return and suddenly gain so much wealth in a single day.”

“I’m not sure yet.”

Things like wealth didn’t matter to her—whether she had them or not.

What mattered was how much she could change and save Namgoong.

She hadn’t returned for riches or glory. So the unexpected gift from Namgoong Mucheon only left her a little dazed.

“I’m glad I came back to the clan.”

“So the Chief Steward’s gifts weren’t good enough, huh. Honestly, you really don’t appreciate the heart that went into this.”

Shaking his head with a dramatic sigh, Seop Mugwang pulled something from inside his long robe.

It was a wrapped object, roughly half the height of Seolhwa, bundled in white cloth.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

He’d had it with him the whole time, but it had gone unnoticed since his arms were crossed.

“Here you go, little brat. I brought you something you’ll actually like. It’s my personal gift to celebrate your return.”

Seop Mugwang casually tossed it toward her.

Seolhwa caught it reflexively.

It was heavier than she’d expected.

“I knew it. I always said the Wind Thunder Sword Corps was shady, but really, this?”

“And you’re the one to talk, lugging around treasure like a pack mule?”

“That was the Clan Head’s order!”

Seop Mugwang snorted at the indignant Chief Steward and looked down at Seolhwa.

“Go on, unwrap it.”

As Seolhwa undid the knot of the cloth, the white fabric unwrapped itself with a whispering rustle.

“...!”

Seolhwa’s eyes lit up the moment she saw what had been hidden inside.

Seop Mugwang’s gift was a sword.

And not just any sword—it was the perfect size for Seolhwa to wield.

The shining white scabbard was adorned with gold, both splendid and elegant. The hilt was tightly wrapped with leather cords that fit neatly in the hand, and at the pommel hung a red tassel ornament.

“Draw it.”

Shing—

The moment the blade left its sheath, Seolhwa’s pupils trembled.

So smooth.

The sensation of drawing the sword sent shivers down her spine. It was smooth, yet carried a crisp, chilling edge.

She didn’t even need to swing it to know.

It’s a masterwork.

An extraordinary one at that.

“Is it... meteoric steel?”

Seolhwa turned to Seop Mugwang in disbelief.

Apparently expecting this reaction, he let out a low chuckle and puffed out his chest.

“That’s right. So you recognized it.”

“...!”

Meteoric steel was highly durable and light—one of the most coveted materials for weapon forging among masters.

But it was extremely rare, and even rarer to find a blacksmith skilled enough to forge it properly. As such, there were very few who actually owned a blade made of meteoric steel.

In my past life, I never had one.

She’d seen them.

Four of the Six Blood Lords of the Blood Demon Cult had owned weapons made from meteoric steel.

But she herself had never possessed one.

“You’re really giving this... to me?”

“Of course. Do you like it?”

Seolhwa dumbly nodded.

Seop Mugwang laughed, deeply pleased.

His shoulders were practically rising with pride.

“See that? That’s the kind of reaction a real gift gets! This is what genuine happiness looks like!”

Excited, he gave the Chief Steward a series of hearty slaps on the back.

“Three losses in a row! There’s no coming back from that! Hah!”

The Chief Steward was frustrated, but couldn’t deny his loss.

Just earlier she’d seemed impressed—but now, her eyes were unmistakably gleaming with wonder.

Seop Mugwang grinned and mussed Seolhwa’s hair.

“It makes me happy too, seeing how much you like it. Just so you know—that was my own sword.”

“...!”

At those words, both Namgoong Cheongun and the Chief Steward turned toward him in shock.

Only then did Seolhwa notice the engraved character 雷—“Thunder”—on the flat of the blade.

Namgoong Cheongun’s expression darkened as he addressed Seop Mugwang.

“Commander of the Wind Thunder Sword Corps.”

“Hm?”

“Might we have a word in private?”

“Hm...”

Seop Mugwang raised an eyebrow.

He clearly understood the reason for Namgoong Cheongun’s reaction.

“All right, let’s.”

With a casual shrug, Seop Mugwang agreed. The Chief Steward let out a sigh and shook his head at the sight.

Namgoong Cheongun gently touched Seolhwa’s shoulder, ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) his gaze still lingering on the sword.

“Seolhwa. Don’t you want to try it out?”

Seolhwa looked up at him, eyes sparkling.

“Go to the Main Training Ground. I’ll be along shortly.”

“Then I shall escort the Lady there myself. I was just about to return anyway.”

“Thank you, Chief Steward Elder.”

“I do hope your conversation is...productive. Well then, Lady—hm?”

Before he could finish, Seolhwa was already far ahead of them.

“Lady, please wait for me...!”

The Chief Steward hurried to catch up with her, chasing after the girl whose steps now seemed lighter than ever.