“There is word that the Iron-Blood Hall has recently come under the Sado Union. The only one remaining in the north is the Ten-Thousand Demon Pavilion, but they too are said to be on the verge of falling in line. At this point, the Sado Union can effectively be considered the Central Plains’ black-path alliance.”

At the words of the Chief Administrator of the Namgoong Clan, a ripple passed through Cheonhojeon.

The name of the Sado Union had begun to reach even the Namgoong Clan roughly three years prior.

Those well-versed in intelligence claimed it began four years ago, but it was only three years back that even children on [N O V E L I G H T] the streets began to recognize the name “Sado Union.”

Before that, it had been dismissed as yet another minor black-path group that would soon vanish.

But now, the Sado Union was becoming the undisputed overlord of the Central Plains’ underworld.

“They may speak of establishing order and whatnot, but in the end, black-path remains black-path. We must break their momentum before something larger occurs.”

“Still, has it not become evident that indiscriminate evil has decreased since the Sado Union’s appearance? Since the black path cannot be fully eradicated, their efforts to enforce discipline are not entirely unwelcome.”

“Besides, we lack justification. To strike the Sado Union, a proper pretext is needed. And they walk the tightrope with remarkable skill...”

“Even with mere bandits or highway robbers, we only conduct subjugation once their actions go too far. If we move against a major faction that has caused no serious trouble, the whole world will denounce us.”

In the end, there was no clear solution.

Truthfully, the Namgoong Clan was not the only one troubled by the Sado Union’s growing size and engaged in fruitless debate.

The Nine Great Sects, the Five Great Noble Houses—

Any faction of reasonable renown was abuzz almost daily with talk of the Sado Union.

Yet despite seeing water leak through a crack, no one knew how to plug the hole, and so no resolution could be reached.

At last, all eyes turned to the head seat.

Namgoong Mucheon, seated at the highest point of Cheonhojeon, observing the verbal clash among elders and house lords, let out a low hum.

Even that small sound sent a hush through the chamber.

“What do you think, Young Patriarch?”

Namgoong Mucheon turned his gaze to his right.

At the foremost position among the elders, Namgoong Cheongun lifted his head.

After a brief moment of thought, Cheongun opened his mouth in a calm tone.

“They say: ‘To pull at seedlings to make them grow faster is to harm them.’ Must we needlessly provoke something better left untouched?”

“You suggest we leave it alone?”

Cheongun nodded.

“If the orthodox factions are the dragon, then the Sado Union is a tiger. The tiger is watching the dragon’s movements. There is no need to provoke its nature and start a fight.”

“Continue.”

“They are regulating the black-path factions to avoid giving the orthodox sects a reason to strike. If that is not caution, what is?”

Namgoong Mucheon’s lips curled upward slightly.

Cheongun continued.

“If, later, that foolish tiger grows arrogant and rages out of control, we can simply seize it then. And if it never forgets its place, that too is favorable.”

Because then, it would restrain the chaos of the black path in their stead.

“If we were to attempt a subjugation now, the Sado Union would only grow more unified. Thus, I believe the best course is to watch and wait.”

In essence, it was the same conclusion the elders had come to—that no solution existed at the moment.

However, Cheongun’s metaphor of the Sado Union as a tiger and the orthodox factions as a dragon swiftly altered the mood in Cheonhojeon.

The fear and unfounded dread toward the Sado Union began to shift into confidence.

In the end, the quality of a clan head came down to whether one could lead those who followed.

That Cheonhojeon’s mood had changed in response to Cheongun’s words was proof that he had solidified his position as Young Patriarch.

With a satisfied smile, Namgoong Mucheon spoke.

“The Young Patriarch’s words are sound. However, we cannot sit idly by while the Sado Union’s influence grows unchecked. At the upcoming Great Clan Conference, we shall convene to discuss the matter. Compile all relevant information on the Sado Union.”

“Understood, Clan Head.”

“The Sado Union...”

Namgoong Mucheon tapped lightly at the armrest of his jade throne.

Ever since the appearance of the Sado Union, the chaotic cruelty of the black-path factions had subsided, and certain corners of the Central Plains had even found peace. Among the common folk, the Sado Union’s reputation could only continue to rise.

The black mask said to be worn by the Union Leader was now sold in nearly every market, and children wore them in play.

Rumors about the Union Leader varied widely:

“One of the Ten Grandmasters.”

“An ancient master who reversed aging.”

“One of the people who trained a Grandmaster.” 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Such tales were endless.

Namgoong Mucheon believed none of them—but the need to keep a watchful eye on the Sado Union remained.

Just as those thoughts weighed on him—

“Clan Head.”

Someone hurriedly entered the chamber.

It was Namgoong Hyeok, Head of the Black Dragon Division.

“What is it?”

“Young Lady Seolhwa requests an audience.”

“!”

Namgoong Mucheon instinctively clenched his fist.

Cheongun’s composed expression shifted with a flash of surprise.

“Did you say Seolhwa?”

“Yes. The young lady has just completed her closed-door cultivation and returned to the household.”

“Quickly—bring her in!”

“Yes, Clan Head.”

In an instant, excitement and murmurs spread through Cheonhojeon.

The elders and house lords vividly remembered the exceptional display of Namgoong swordsmanship she had shown before them four years ago.

Her prolonged seclusion had sparked curiosity.

“How strong must she be now? Was she not already called a prodigy even then?”

“No matter how long four years might seem, how much could truly have changed? Perhaps her cultivation has increased slightly.”

“Did not the Clan Head personally oversee our training these past years? Perhaps we are the ones who have grown stronger.”

“Still... I have a feeling. We will be shocked—greatly so.”

Among the murmuring crowd, two people remained silent, their eyes fixed solely on the entrance to Cheonhojeon.

Namgoong Mucheon and Namgoong Cheongun.

Namgoong Mucheon had extended his senses, tracking her as she steadily ascended the steps.

At last...

Seolhwa had returned.

She had promised to attain the Pinnacle Realm before coming back.

But even if she had not reached it, it did not matter.

So long as she had returned safely, without injury—that alone was enough.

Cheongun felt the same.

He stared with intense focus at the entrance to Cheonhojeon, his fist clenched so tightly the blood had drained from it.

Tap, tap.

The sound of footsteps grew nearer.

The excited chatter among the elders and house lords quieted as they turned their gaze toward the one ascending the steps.

Tap, tap.

And then, amidst their mounting anticipation, Seolhwa’s figure began to appear.

Hair pulled tight, her forehead revealed, her brows neat—her sharp eyes resembled both her grandfather and her father.

A high nose, a small mouth.

Her neck, her chest, and then her upper body.

As her mature figure came into view, many in the chamber unconsciously drew in a breath.

Why was it?

It felt as if tears might come.

By the time she had ascended the final step and stepped into Cheonhojeon, a few were already discreetly wiping their eyes.

She has grown so splendidly...!

That spirit... It is exactly as she was during the Heavenly Martial Rite four years ago.

Ah, our young lady... She will leave countless men in tears...!

Standing inside Cheonhojeon, Seolhwa gave a respectful fist-and-palm salute to the elders and house lords lined to either side.

Then, with unwavering steps, she walked toward Namgoong Mucheon.

Seated at the head seat, he received her with equally steady eyes.

Her cultivation, clearly sensed from the moment she entered, had far surpassed what it had been four years ago.

To her left stood her father, Namgoong Cheongun.

His face, briefly shocked, softened into a smile as their eyes met.

It was a smile steeped in emotion, as if saying, You did well.

Seolhwa returned the smile, then turned toward the head seat and offered a formal salute.

Even her bow overflowed with spirit.

“Namgoong Seolhwa, having completed closed-door cultivation, has returned to the household.”

She lifted her gaze and met Namgoong Mucheon’s eyes.

“It has been a long time, Grandfather.”

Namgoong Mucheon, unable to hide his smile, gave a firm nod.

“You have done well. Was it a fruitful time?”

“It was a meaningful experience. As I had been away from the clan for so long, I did my utmost to understand and learn its ideals.”

“That much is evident.”

From the moment she entered, Namgoong Mucheon had sensed it—she had reached the Pinnacle Realm.

Pride and wonder filled him, and he could not stop smiling.

“Excellent.”

“Thank you.”

Seolhwa bowed again.

He wished to speak more, but with so many watching, it was not possible.

Swallowing that regret, Namgoong Mucheon concluded the exchange.

“You must be tired. Return to your quarters and rest. I shall summon you again in a few days.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

After one more bow, Seolhwa briefly met Cheongun’s eyes, then turned around.

When she looked back, the elders of the clan were all smiling warmly.

Her earlier words—that she had done her utmost for the clan—had already softened their hearts.

Seolhwa bowed again to them and stepped out of Cheonhojeon.

****

On the path from Cheonhojeon to her residence.

A small head poked out from within her sleeve—the Imoogi.

[So, among all of them, which one was your master? I sensed no one with the power of thunder.]

—There was no one.