The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 17

“Haa... Haah....”

Read lat𝙚st chapters at fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓ Only.

Namgoong Jipyeong, Squad Leader of the 11th Red Dragon Battalion, couldn’t sleep.

Every time he closed his eyes, he recalled the humiliating defeat in the sparring match with the child. The frustration weighed on his chest, making it impossible to fall asleep.

In the end, Namgoong Jipyeong threw off his bedding, grabbed his sword, and headed for the training grounds.

He thought swinging his sword might clear his mind. But—

Whoosh— Whooom—

‘I saw the attack. But I couldn’t block it. Why?’

Before he knew it, he was repeating yesterday’s duel on his own.

The child’s movements, the sword paths, and even his own weaknesses surfaced vividly in his mind. Again and again, he reenacted the match from the day before.

Crack! Thud!

The wooden sword shattered, and Namgoong Jipyeong collapsed to the ground with a heavy thump.

“Haa... Haah....”

Only after the wooden sword he had swung all night broke did Namgoong Jipyeong stop his blade.

It was only then that he accepted it.

‘I will never be able to defeat that child.’

Judging by the energy he sensed, he might have had the upper hand in terms of inner strength, but he would never be able to win against her.

Even in a sparring match where both sides used internal energy.

Because he had realized—the gap between them didn’t come from inner strength.

‘Experience. It’s the difference in experience.’

Namgoong Jipyeong looked down at his hand, blistered and torn from swinging the sword all night.

A distant collateral line of the Namgoong Clan, he had been born in a remote countryside village far from the main family.

Relying on the Namgoong surname alone, he came to Hefei, learned Namgoong swordsmanship, and barely crossed the threshold into becoming a martial artist.

But just bearing the Namgoong name didn’t make them all equal.

As someone without backing, a distant collateral branch, no matter how hard he worked, he could never escape the rank of a mere squad member.

Even when he was a step ahead in swordsmanship, it was always someone else who was promoted to an Inner Hall warrior.

It took a very long time for him to realize why—and even longer to accept it.

Thus, the dream of rising to a high position within Namgoong slowly withered with each passing day.

Maybe that was why.

‘The child was right about everything.’

He had gradually grown complacent in his training, and that led to yesterday’s defeat.

A crushing loss where he was forced to kneel multiple times, unable to defeat even a single child.

Yes, the child was impressive—but more than that, it was his own weakness that led to the result.

“I really have become pathetic.”

At some point, he had become content with his position as an Outer Hall warrior.

He thought it was enough to be better at swordsmanship than the others in the Outer Hall.

That mindset had ultimately turned him into a loser.

“Ugh.”

Namgoong Jipyeong stood up.

Dawn was about to break.

It was already too late to go back to sleep. He decided to swing his sword a little longer until morning roll call.

It was then—when he was leaving the dueling platform to fetch a new wooden sword, having discarded the broken one—

“...Huh?”

Namgoong Jipyeong froze in place.

At the foot of the stairs to the dueling platform stood the child he had exchanged swords with the day before.

He hadn’t sensed her presence at all—had no idea when she had arrived.

Stunned by the sudden appearance of such an unexpected person, Namgoong Jipyeong stood blankly for a moment before hurriedly performing a martial salute.

“Greetings, young master.”

Ilhwa widened her eyes at the overly formal and respectful greeting.

“There’s no need to be so formal. Please treat me as casually as you did yesterday.”

“About yesterday... I must apologize. I mistook you for a newly arrived servant and committed a discourtesy.”

“I think I was the one who crossed the line.”

Instead of clearing up the misunderstanding, she had exchanged blades with him.

And it was he who had been forced to his knees in front of an audience. If anything, he was the one who’d been wronged.

“My name is Ilhwa. May I ask yours, Namgoong warrior?”

“I am Namgoong Jipyeong.”

“Were you training?”

Ilhwa glanced up at the dueling platform as she asked.

“Yes. The match with you has been lingering in my mind. I couldn’t help but pick up my sword.”

“It’s lingering in your mind?”

Namgoong Jipyeong scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Out of frustration. I mean no disrespect, but losing so completely to a child—it stings more than I expected.”

Ilhwa was quietly surprised by his words.

He was smiling awkwardly as he spoke, but acknowledging one’s defeat in front of the very opponent who crushed you—that was no easy thing.

Especially when that opponent was a mere thirteen-year-old girl.

Yet here he was, a warrior of the Namgoong Clan, openly admitting he had been defeated by a child.

“So I’ve been swinging my sword to clear my thoughts. What brings you here so early in the morning, young master? Were you planning to train?”

“Just out for a walk. I was passing by the training ground when I heard something and came to take a look. I ended up watching your training by accident. My apologies for the intrusion.”

“Not at all. If someone more skilled than me watches, it would only be an honor. So... was there anything you noticed I’ve improved since yesterday?”

“Yesterday, your sword felt like it was being swung just for the sake of swinging. Today, it felt like you were facing an enemy. Were you thinking of someone specific?”

At the pointed remark, Namgoong Jipyeong flinched visibly.

Ilhwa didn’t miss the small reaction.

“Was it me?”

“Th-that’s... I’m ashamed.”

Namgoong Jipyeong lowered his head deeply.

Not only had he lost—he had admitted his frustration and even imagined her as his opponent while training.

If there were a hole in the ground, he’d have wanted to crawl into ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ it.

“What’s so wrong with that? It’s better than swinging a dead sword.”

“...!”

"From now on, train your sword with an enemy in mind. Whether that enemy is me or someone else. Unless you learned the sword just to look cool, the sword is a tool meant to face someone."

The sword Namgoong Jipyeong had wielded yesterday wasn’t one meant for an opponent. He had merely practiced the Namgoong sword forms as motions.

In contrast, the sword he used today was meant to cut down an enemy.

There were still issues—his movements were a bit rushed, and he put too much strength into them—but it was far better than yesterday.

“Since we’ve run into each other like this, would it be too bold of me to request a sparring match?”

“I’d like that too, but... my arm is like this.”

Ilhwa rolled up her sleeve to show the bandages wrapped around her arm.

It was her left arm—the one she didn’t use to wield her sword—so technically, a sparring match was still possible. But the image of the Medicine Hall Master throwing a fit made her decide it was better to refrain.

Namgoong Jipyeong’s eyes widened in alarm.

“You’re injured?”

“Just a mishap.”

“Are you alright? Did you get it treated?”

“The Medicine Hall Master of Namgoong took care of it.”

“Ah...”

Namgoong Jipyeong nodded, as if something had just clicked.

‘She really isn’t an ordinary child after all.’

If it wasn’t just an apothecary from the Medicine Hall, but the Hall Master herself who treated her, then she must be someone important to the clan.

“That’s unfortunate.”

He had sincerely hoped to cross swords with her again, but he had to swallow that regret.

“Your guidance has helped me greatly. Thank you once again.”

“I’m glad it helped. Once my arm heals, we’ll have another chance to face each other.”

“Will you be... staying in Namgoong for long?”

“Well... if possible, yes.”

If she were acknowledged as a child of Namgoong and the mental suggestion was resolved, she would stay.

But if neither was settled, she might very well leave today.

Namgoong Jipyeong’s expression brightened.

Even if she was just a child, it wasn’t often one had the chance to learn the sword from someone more skilled than oneself.

In a place where everyone received the same training, it was natural to treasure guidance that could place you a step ahead.

“Then... while you are here, may I ask for your guidance?”

Just exchanging swords with her once had changed the very texture of the energy flowing through his blade.

If he learned from this child, he could surely aim for a higher level.

Namgoong Jipyeong felt it instinctively.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a martial artist.

“Just watching over my training would be more than enough! If you’d allow it while you’re here...”

“Yes. I don’t mind.”

At her cheerful reply, Namgoong Jipyeong’s face loosened in a dazed expression.

“R-really?”

“Yes. I’m happy to watch. But... would it be alright if I chose the training location?”

Namgoong Jipyeong hurriedly nodded.

“Of course! Then... where should I...?”

“Come to the Celestial Guest Training Ground tomorrow at sunrise.”

“C-Celestial Guest...!”

Namgoong Jipyeong sucked in a sharp breath.

He had known she wasn’t ordinary—but the Celestial Guest Courtyard?

Then that meant—this child was that distinguished guest of the Celestial Guest Courtyard, the one causing such a stir in the clan!

The very person the elders were so desperate to identify!

He had thought he might gain help in his growth as a martial artist—but this child might change the course of his entire life.

Realizing the identity of the golden rope that had suddenly descended before him, Namgoong Jipyeong’s mouth fell open.

The child smiled sweetly at him.

“I’ll be counting on you from now on.”