The unrelenting skirmish continued without respite.
Whenever the masked man wielding the dagger seemed to fall back, a flying blade would unfailingly come in his stead.
Namgoong Seolhwa was strong, but she could not deflect every attack.
One by one, cuts began to appear on her body.
[Use your internal energy! You will die like this!]
Yet Namgoong Seolhwa did not use her internal energy.
The only fortunate and simultaneously astonishing fact was her speed of combat adaptation.
She had responded as though she already knew their fighting style from the start, and now, she was gradually accelerating her response time.
To face Peak Realm experts without internal energy was astounding, but from my perspective, those two were not fighting at full strength either.
In that moment—
Clang—! Tatat!
Having deflected the dagger, Namgoong Seolhwa suddenly turned and began to run.
The masked man with the dagger rushed after her in haste, and the one throwing blades relentlessly hurled them as he gave chase.
However, since Namgoong Seolhwa had darted into the forest, most of the flying blades embedded themselves into the trees instead.
The attacker ceased his blade-throwing and began pursuing her at speed.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The battle shifted into the woods.
The fight, executed while using body lightening techniques, became tense and swift—but it now favored Namgoong Seolhwa more than the earlier exchange.
Using the trees, she could slip out of their line of sight and evade their strikes.
And more importantly—
Fwoooosh—
[That is right.]
Now that no one was watching, she could go wild.
KWAGAGAGAK—!
As Namgoong Seolhwa swung the sword imbued with my internal energy, the surrounding trees were cleaved in an instant, sliced clean through.
The two masked pursuers barely evaded the sword strike and used the airborne tree fragments as stepping stones to land.
They exchanged glances.
Then, as if prearranged, they bit down on something with a crunch.
[Be careful. Something is off.]
Their energy began to change.
Perhaps they had taken some sort of pill that amplified their internal power, because their strength surged rapidly.
The battle once again intensified.
Having revealed my power, there was no longer any reason to let them live.
But it seemed they thought the same, as they charged with lethal intent.
As the balanced battle dragged on—
[Dodge!]
Shwishwishwishwish—!
Clang! Clang! Clang—!
From somewhere, dozens of arrows and flying blades rained toward Namgoong Seolhwa.
[Those bastards...!]
It was a group led by the lookouts who had not been dealt with earlier, now keeping their distance as they launched arrows and flying blades.
[They are poisoned arrows!]
While fending off the two masked men, Namgoong Seolhwa dodged the constant stream of arrows and flying blades.
At the same time, she maintained her Toxic-Repelling Internal Energy to neutralize the poison.
Whatever she failed to evade or deflect, I personally took care of.
The area was laid to waste, and the chaotic battle raged on for some time.
“You damn bastards!”
With a crisp shout, three beggars appeared like heroes.
The two weaker ones charged toward the enemies launching the arrows and blades, while the stronger one joined Namgoong Seolhwa’s combat.
The situation was swiftly resolved.
Since Namgoong Seolhwa had been holding them off alone, the tide turned instantly when one top-tier expert joined the fray.
Together, Namgoong Seolhwa and the Beggars’ Union Elder slew the two masked men, while the other two beggars took care of the rest.
“Finally, we meet face to face. I am an Elder of the Beggars’ Union, Nameless.”
The Elder of the Beggars’ Union extended his hand to Namgoong Seolhwa.
Namgoong Seolhwa looked at it for a moment before taking it.
“I am Jang Cheong.”
“Surely a false identity? That human-skin mask as well?”
“...”
“Do not worry. I am curious, yes, but I have received something from you, so I will not pry.”
“Thank you.”
“Thanks to you, we were able to find our boys. I do not know how to properly express my gratitude.”
“If you could pretend you never saw me, that would be more than enough.”
“How forthright.”
The Beggars’ Union Elder did not appear to believe that Namgoong Seolhwa was young.
Well, after seeing her fight at such close range, who would think her a mere child?
He likely assumed she was disguised as someone young.
“I heard you were looking for a child.”
“I found him. He was here.”
“You just need to take him to the place I mentioned? I heard it was a courtesan house?”
“Yes. I have made arrangements so he can meet his mother.”
“In a courtesan house, no /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ less.”
The idea of leaving a child in a courtesan house seemed distasteful; the elder clicked his tongue and rubbed his chin.
But soon enough, he nodded in understanding.
“Very well.”
Nameless took something from within his robes and held it out.
It was a long stone, shaped like a finger.
Namgoong Seolhwa took it and rolled it in her hand. The character 舞 (dance) was engraved upon it.
“A token. Proof that I will keep your secret. And if you bring it to the Beggars’ Union to find me, I will help you anytime.”
“Thank you.”
Namgoong Seolhwa likewise retrieved something from her robes and handed it to Nameless.
A small pouch.
“What is this?”
“Please read it when you are alone. It will be of help.”
Nameless looked faintly displeased, but accepted the pouch and tucked it away.
“My thanks.”
Namgoong Seolhwa told them who the daughter of the Hao Clan Leader was, then departed ahead of them.
She sat perched on her own shoulder, watching the mountain scenery rush past.
As expected, the mountains were nice.
So much to see. So refreshing.
Do I regret coming down from the mountains?
Not really.
[Namgoong Seolhwa.]
“...”
[Is it not your wish to live peacefully with your family?]
Namgoong Seolhwa’s desire was simple.
To live happily with her family.
That was all.
[Then why do you fight so desperately? Are you not a child of the Namgoong Clan? You could live the life you want without going this far.]
“...”
[Yes. Very well. Do not answer, then. I find I am no longer curious.]
“...If I do not live like this, then I cannot survive.”
[Hmm?]
“If I do not live like this...”
Namgoong Seolhwa stopped walking.
Swaaa—
Only the sound of wind brushing through leaves flowed around her.
Rustle.
Namgoong Seolhwa pulled something wrapped in paper from her sleeve and held it out to me.
A sweet scent...
[Could it be! Is that danggwa?!]
“You have not had any in a long while.”
[Unwrap it! Quickly!]
Namgoong Seolhwa peeled the paper and held it out to me.
While I hastily devoured the danggwa, Namgoong Seolhwa walked to a sunlit spot.
We sat upon a rock and took in the scenery.
“Have you ever heard of someone who was reborn?”
[Wha eh ooo ooan ahyah? (What are you talking about?)]
“A person who already lived one life, died, and returned to their childhood.”
For a moment, I thought she was jesting. But the Namgoong Seolhwa I knew was not one for such frivolity.
[I have never heard such a tale. Nor have I met such a person.]
“I am that person.”
[What did you say?]
“You are meeting me for the first time.”
Namgoong Seolhwa looked back at me.
She smiled faintly and brushed the crumbs from my lips.
Though I have lived for countless years—
That a mere human child would—
That a mere human would dare...
“I killed my own family with my own hands. Destroyed my clan. Made those who loved me miserable.”
[...]
“Only at the moment of my death did I realize I was a child of Namgoong. That the master and lord I had served and revered had merely used me all along.”
The wounds on Namgoong Seolhwa’s face looked painful.
I have seen far too many humans wounded. Human death has never meant anything to me.
So why does this child...
Why does she look so pained?
“You once asked how I knew things others could not possibly know.”
[I am no longer curious—]
“That is why.”
[...]
“Because I turned back time, and now I live again.”
Swaaaa—
A breeze carrying the scent of grass passed between us.
A bitter smile spread across Namgoong Seolhwa’s lips.
Could it be true?
Are this child’s words spoken from the heart?
The Namgoong Seolhwa I know does not lie.
Then, it must be true.
“I am sorry. For not trusting you sooner. My emotions are dulled. I cannot easily grasp others’ feelings.”
For a long time, I had lived with the door to my heart closed.
There is a restriction upon me, so I cannot tell you everything just yet—but when the time comes, I will reveal it all.
Because you will remain by my side always.
The life she had lived, the weight of this second chance, and what she must do to protect her family—
Her words continued with quiet composure.
Namgoong Seolhwa’s voice was calm, steady.
I simply listened to the child’s story.
I only listened.
The tale, drawn out from a long and long silence, continued for quite some time.
****
The grand gate of the main hall opened, and the Leader of the Hao Clan entered.
The heads of the Four Demon Alliance could not conceal their astonishment upon seeing her.
For the appearance of the Hao Clan Leader was nothing like what they had seen before.
“Teacher Okmyeon, is that truly the Hao Clan Leader? Last I saw her, she was clearly an old woman.”
“The figure I saw was a young servant girl. I suspected she was concealing her identity, but that appearance...”
“You seem the most shocked out of anyone, for someone who supposedly expected it.”
Amid the murmuring crowd, the Hao Clan Leader approached the throne and knelt on one knee.
“I pay my respects to the Alliance Lord.”
Upon the throne sat Ryeong, in the form of the Lord of the Four Demon Alliance.
“It has been a while, Hao Clan Leader. Have you seen your daughter?”
“Thanks to your care, my lord, I was able to reunite with her safely. I can only express my gratitude for your magnanimity.”
“Your greeting is rather excessive.”
“No words can suffice for the one who saved me and my daughter.”
The Hao Clan Leader drew a short breath.
Her voice trembled faintly.
“When you first came to me, I could not believe the things you said. But in the end, you kept your promise to me.”
The Hao Clan Leader took a box from her robes and placed it on the floor, then opened it herself.
Inside was a dagger as thick as Namgoong Seolhwa’s forearm.
At a glance, it was clearly a rare treasure.
“It is a dagger forged from black iron. I offer it as a token of loyalty to the Alliance Lord.”
The silent hall stirred in a ripple of whispers.
A weapon made of such rare black iron—
Even if it was merely a dagger, its value was beyond estimation.
As excitement spread among the crowd, the Hao Clan Leader bowed her head beneath the throne.
“From this day forth, this Hao Clan Leader and the Hao Clan shall belong to the Alliance Lord. I wish to serve as your loyal subject, so I beg you to accept me.”
Gone was the proud and dignified manner she once held. What remained was complete submission.
One of the sect leaders cried out in an emotional voice.
“Congratulations on achieving your long-sought goal, Alliance Lord!”
“Having secured one of such quality, the Four Demon Alliance has only strength to gain henceforth!”
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations, Alliance Lord!”
Cheers and sighs burst forth.
The Hao Clan—
This moment marked the acquisition of a foundation that would become the Four Demon Alliance’s greatest strength.
[Congratulations, Namgoong Seolhwa. You have taken one step closer to the vision you seek.]
<The Return of the Namgoong Clan’s Granddaughter – Side Story Part 1: End>
