[Please investigate the whereabouts of Shinuie.]

As soon as they descended from the mountain and arrived in Hanam, Seolhwa sent a message to the Hao Gate Leader.

The Black Dragon Unit, dispatched from the Namgoong Clan, had already arrived at the Hanam branch.

Upon hearing the news, Namgoong Mucheon had immediately sent Namgoong Hyeok at the head of the clan's elite forces.

“We barely managed to stop the Clan Leader from coming in person.”

“I’ve caused Grandfather to worry again. Thank you for coming all this way, Black Dragon Unit Leader.”

“It’s only natural.”

Namgoong Hyeok chuckled heartily and turned to greet Seop Mugwang with familiarity.

“It’s been a long time, Bipung (Flying Wind) Division Commander.”

“Division Commander? I quit that job ages ago, and you’re still calling me that?”

“Didn’t the Clan Leader say it himself? That your position as Division Commander would remain vacant until you decide to return.”

“You mean they’ve still left that seat open?”

“Do you think there’s anyone in the clan who could override the Clan Leader’s will? Not that anyone’s tried.”

“Sentimental as always....”

Namgoong Hyeok laughed again, then turned to Choryeon this time.

“The position of Medical Hall Leader is still vacant as well.”

“If I return, would they accept me?”

“They’d welcome you with open arms.”

“Oh my, how delightful.”

Choryeon burst out laughing along with Namgoong Hyeok.

Standing nearby, Seop Mugwang clicked his tongue and grumbled.

“Didn’t you say you liked the peace and quiet of the mountains? What a lie that turned out to be.”

But despite his tone, Seop Mugwang knew very well how hard it had been for Choryeon to leave the mountains.

She, with her soft heart, had treated every injured villager, then handed out all their herbs before leaving, still worried about them.

And when they parted ways, she clung to them and wept.

It was only at their farewell that Seop Mugwang realized how close Choryeon had grown to the villagers.

‘It’s not like they’ll never see each other again.’

They’d lived there for several years.

They could visit once in a while.

If Choryeon wanted to.

Just once.

****

The group returned to the main Namgoong Clan estate safely under the protection of the Black Dragon Unit.

Namgoong Mucheon and the others welcomed Seop Mugwang and Choryeon back warmly.

That evening, the Namgoong Clan held a banquet to welcome them.

It also served as a celebration for Seolhwa, who had returned after completing her secluded training.

For the first time in a long while, Seolhwa dressed in splendid formal attire.

Her palace robe, adorned with lustrous white fur, deepened into a rich pink toward the hem, embroidered with blooming flowers so abundant it looked like a heap of petals.

Her long, flowing hair was decorated with ornaments draped in crimson threads, while golden accessories on her ears and neck accentuated her pale, flawless skin.

“Unni!”

“Noona!”

As soon as she entered the banquet hall, two familiar faces rushed toward her.

It was Namgoong Woong and Namgoong Hwarin.

Seeing them, Seolhwa’s eyes softened slightly.

In the past four years, both had grown significantly.

At just fourteen, Namgoong Woong was already taller than Seolhwa, and Hwarin, too, had blossomed from a child into a young girl.

“Noona, have you been well? I wanted to visit you as soon as I heard you completed your secluded training, but my greetings are late.”

Woong greeted her, his young face now showing signs of maturity.

His bright, clear eyes suggested that he had overcome the dark days following his brother and mother’s passing four years ago.

“It’s been a while. Have you been alright?”

“Yes, thanks to you, Noona.”

Seolhwa exchanged warm greetings with Woong.

Seeing him again after so long stirred an even deeper sense of fondness and joy.

Just facing them and talking like this filled her with happiness.

“Unni!”

Hwarin, now ten years old, had been adorable four years ago, and she remained just as cute.

Though she had grown a little taller, her cheeks were still round and rosy, her expression shy and endearing.

Perhaps it was because she had been kidnapped during the Surochae incident, but she was the kind of child who made you want to protect her.

Fwump—

“!”

Hwarin suddenly hugged Seolhwa tightly.

The child who used to shyly hide behind her mother now clung to her without hesitation, catching Seolhwa off guard.

“I missed you.”

Hwarin buried her face in Seolhwa’s embrace.

The soft, giggling sound that escaped her made Seolhwa smile faintly.

Though awkward at first, Seolhwa gently hugged her back.

“Have you been well?”

“Mm! I have something to show you, Unni.”

“What is it?”

“It’s probably a mechanical device. Hwarin’s really taken an interest in them lately. She talks to my father about them more than she talks to me these days.”

“I see.”

It was good news.

In her previous life, Hwarin had shown talent for machinery and engineering.

Working alongside Namgoong Cheonghae would surely help her talents blossom even faster and brighter.

‘So erasing Yeonso-ran from this life came back to me like this.’

The effort to cut out the rot had returned as a blessing, filling her with satisfaction.

“I’m curious. Show me later.”

“Okay! I’ve already got it all ready just to show you, Unni!”

“Um... Noona.”

“?”

“If you have time... would you have a sparring match with me?”

“A sparring match?”

Woong nodded quickly.

Come to think of it, they had sparred four years ago.

‘Didn’t I beat him up pretty badly back then...?’

She remembered mercilessly pummeling him to awaken his trampled pride after his crushing defeat to Soryong.

After that, Woong had been terrified at the mere mention of sparring.

It had been amusing, so she’d teased him a few times.

“Are you sure you can handle it?”

Woong’s eyes sparkled.

“I’ve been waiting for you to return from your secluded training, Noona.”

His confident expression suited him.

His aura had grown much stronger, supporting his newfound boldness.

“Alright. I’ll look forward to it.”

“Yes!”

As they chatted, the elders led by Namgoong Mucheon entered the hall.

Before the meal, they had gathered at the Cheonho Hall for greetings and a meeting about the incident on the mountain, then moved together to the banquet.

“When will you spar? This old man would love to watch his grandchildren compete.”

Seolhwa, Woong, and Hwarin bowed politely to the elders.

At the front, Namgoong Mucheon laughed heartily and patted Seolhwa’s shoulder.

“Your younger siblings really °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° adore you, Seolhwa.”

“They were worried I’d feel awkward coming back after so long, so they welcomed me first. They’re sweet children.”

“It’s always said that good people naturally attract others. You set an example as the eldest, so they trust and follow you.”

“You flatter me.”

Trust and follow? She wasn’t worthy of that.

These were Namgoong’s children.

Even in her previous life, when she wasn’t with the clan, Woong and Hwarin had been remarkable.

Children who knew how to protect their family and people with their lives.

“I’m just grateful to live alongside these children.”

Namgoong Mucheon’s lips curled into a pleased smile.

The other elders wore faint, somewhat bittersweet expressions.

Though Seolhwa had now firmly established herself as a child of the Namgoong Clan, the pain of losing her for eight years didn’t fade so easily.

They could only hope to grow numb to that lingering sadness.

The only thing they could do to ease the regret and guilt was love the child even more.

“You wouldn’t believe how much Hwarin talked about you, Seolhwa. She kept asking when you’d be back.”

At Moyeong Yeonhwa’s words, laughter filled the hall.

Namgoong Cheonghae stepped forward next.

“Woong also talked about you constantly. He couldn’t wait to spar with you.”

“Kehaha! Do you know how hard your uncle practiced making tanghulu just to give you some? Why did you come back so late, you greedy girl!”

Namgoong Cheongsan smacked Seolhwa on the back with a hearty laugh. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

“Why would you hit her?! That must’ve hurt!”

Moyeong Yeonhwa shoved Cheongsan aside and checked on Seolhwa anxiously.

“Are you alright, Seolhwa?”

“I’m fine.”

“I... I was just testing if my niece was sturdy.”

Cheongsan scratched the back of his head and looked away awkwardly, but flinched when his eyes met Namgoong Cheongun’s sharp gaze.

“S-Sorry....”

“I really am fine, Uncle.”

More laughter erupted.

In the commotion, Moyeong Yeonhwa whispered to Seolhwa, “The tanghulu part’s true, by the way.”

“Let’s eat and talk. Everyone, take your seats.”

Namgoong Mucheon calmed the bustling atmosphere.

“Come sit, Seolhwa.”

Cheongun guided Seolhwa to her seat.

Soon, the lively banquet began.

For the first time in ages, the entire Namgoong Clan had gathered together for a warm, joyful evening.

****

“Choryeon’s name has been confirmed on Kill Veil’s registry.”

Namgoong Mucheon’s words darkened Seop Mugwang’s expression.

“It seems the order came from Empress Cheol.”

“Damn it... Why now...?”

The Chief Administrator, Namgoong Mun, answered.

“It’s not ‘now.’ Her name’s probably been there for quite some time. Kill Veil simply hasn’t acted until now.”

Seop Mugwang furrowed his brow.

“You’re saying Kill Veil has been shielding her from Empress Cheol’s wrath? Why?”

“We don’t know the reason. But seeing them move now, it couldn’t have been out of goodwill. Another faction might have interfered. Didn’t someone stop the assassins that day?”

Seop Mugwang nodded.

When they were all on the brink of death, a stranger had appeared out of nowhere, cutting down the assassins before vanishing.

“They wore a black mask. It was decorated with gold. Judging by how they moved with lightness beyond ordinary footwork, they’re at least at the Flower Realm.”

The Chief Administrator looked to Namgoong Mucheon with curiosity.

“A black mask adorned with gold... Isn’t that the so-called Shadowless Demon?”

“Who is that?”

The Chief Administrator turned to Seop Mugwang.

“Have you heard of Sa Doryeon?”