Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Thunderous applause echoed through the martial arena.

But the applause didn’t come from the Head of the Tang Clan, nor the Head of the Zhuge Clan, nor from Namgoong Woong’s side either.

Everyone present in the arena turned their eyes toward the entrance.

There stood a man whose sheer size resembled a towering mountain.

“Ku-hahaha! That was splendid! Truly splendid!”

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Seolhwa recognized him at a glance.

‘Peng Yeomyeong, Head of the Hebei Peng Clan.’

One only had to see that enormous frame to be sure.

And more than that—the even larger great blade strapped across his back left no room for doubt.

That man was Peng Yeomyeong.

“A prodigy’s emerged from the Namgoong Clan! A fine, fine prodigy indeed! Ku-hahaha!”

With each step Peng Yeomyeong took, it truly sounded as though the earth trembled beneath him.

Striding forward with heavy steps, he approached the two clan heads who were already present and greeted them warmly.

“It’s {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} been a while, Saemun! And you too, Head of the Tang Clan! How have you both been?”

“When did you arrive, Head Peng?”

“Just moments ago! My attendants wanted to announce my arrival, but I waved them off! Decided to come greet you myself instead!”

Peng Yeomyeong then looked toward Seolhwa and Tang Gajin.

“I witnessed quite the entertaining spectacle! Ku-hahaha! As expected, the young ones brim with spirit! It’s delightful to see!”

Seolhwa lowered the sword she held.

Tang Gajin, still unable to accept his defeat, kept his head hung low.

“That young lady must be the eldest granddaughter of the Namgoong Clan, yes? To bring a Tang brat to his knees with hidden blade techniques—impressive!”

Peng Yeomyeong waved his hand toward Seolhwa.

As Seolhwa turned to greet him properly and walked toward the gathered clan heads—

“Well done. Your martial skill is impressive.”

Suddenly, Tang Munryong approached her from behind, patting her shoulder as he guided her forward.

‘?’

Something felt strange—and that’s when the Fat Imugi’s voice echoed in her mind.

[That Tang brat tried to hit you with a concealed weapon. The Tang Clan Head stopped him, or else he would’ve launched it.]

Seolhwa glanced subtly behind her at Tang Gajin. His face flushed red as he glared daggers at her.

Clearly, it wasn’t just the defeat itself that infuriated him—but the fact that he hadn’t even managed a proper fight and had been thoroughly toyed with.

But even so, to wait for his opponent’s back to be turned just to launch a concealed weapon...

So typical of the Tang Clan—disgraceful, despite calling themselves orthodox.

‘Shall I provoke him a little more?’

Seolhwa turned her head slightly, meeting Tang Gajin’s eyes as she curved her lips into a smirk.

“!”

Her provocation made Tang Gajin leap to his feet, eyes blazing.

“Gajin.”

Tang Munryong turned, calling his son.

“Come here and greet the clan heads properly.”

Tang Gajin’s clenched fists trembled with rage.

But even as the Tang Clan’s heir, he couldn’t cause a scene before the other clan heads. He swallowed his anger, forcing himself to stay composed.

Basking in Tang Gajin’s heated glare, Seolhwa stepped forward to greet the newly arrived clan heads.

“I greet the Head of the Zhuge Clan and the Head of the Hebei Peng Clan.”

“Ku-hahaha! Good, good! Let’s have a look at this clever face of yours... Huh?”

The moment Seolhwa lifted her head to face Peng Yeomyeong, he abruptly fell silent.

Blinking, he stared at her intently.

‘?’

What’s with him?

Did I... run into Head Peng back when I was with the Blood Demon Cult?

A flicker of unease crept into her mind, when—

“Adorable.”

“...Pardon?”

“Truly adorable. Hrrrm...”

The massive Head Peng grabbed his chin, thoroughly scrutinizing Seolhwa’s features.

His huge, fierce face loomed closer, making Seolhwa unconsciously retreat a step.

“Your brows are neat, your eyes are clear, sharp corners to your eyes, your nose, and even your small mouth—everything is tightly cute.”

Seolhwa blinked rapidly.

Was that... a compliment? It... must’ve been a compliment?

Should I thank him?

She hesitated, when Peng Yeomyeong suddenly blurted out—

“Do you have someone you fancy?”

“...Excuse me?”

“If not, would you like to meet my grandson? He’s my grandson, but the kid’s got good size, solid martial arts, and a strong sense of chivalry...”

“Head Peng.”

As Seolhwa could only blink in bewilderment, Zhuge Clan’s Head, Zhuge Saemun, stepped between them.

“That’s enough. You’ll startle the child.”

“Oh-ho, so you’re interested in her too, Saemun?”

“That’s not what I meant...”

“Then step aside! I’ve never seen such an adorable youngster before! Young lady Namgoong, my grandson is truly—”

The Zhuge Clan Head shoved at Peng Yeomyeong’s broad back.

“Hahaha! You have no idea how long the Namgoong Clan Head has been waiting for you, Head Peng! Why don’t you go meet him now? Hahaha!”

“Oh, come now! Just wait a moment, will you? Young lady Namgoong! What’s your name? You’ll attend the banquet tonight, won’t you? I must introduce my grandson to you!”

“The food will grow cold, Head Peng! Head Tang, I’ll go ahead!”

“You must come tonight! Promise me! Oh-ho, stop pushing, will you!”

Zhuge Saemun winked at Seolhwa as he forcibly led Peng Yeomyeong away.

It was quite the amusing sight—Zhuge Saemun, the smallest-built among the clan heads, pushing along Peng Yeomyeong, by far the largest.

As the two disappeared from the martial arena, Tang Munryong, who had quietly observed the commotion, spoke to Seolhwa.

“You’re skilled with hidden blades. Have you trained before?”

“While I was away from my clan, I happened upon a reclusive master and had the opportunity to learn.”

“You had an excellent teacher. Do you know who they were?”

“No. I was too young then to remember.”

Tang Munryong hummed lowly, nodding.

Her hidden blade techniques weren’t inferior to those of the Tang Clan. Naturally, he would be curious about who taught her.

But truthfully, Seolhwa couldn’t recall who it had been.

‘I’m certain I learned during my previous life as an assassin...’

But the memory was vague.

“Not just your hidden blades—the way you handled the duel was clever as well. I’ve heard much about the Namgoong Clan’s movement arts. I saw them clearly today.”

Tang Munryong didn’t hold back his praise.

Behind him, Tang Gajin still wore a sour expression.

“With such a remarkable granddaughter, I’m sure the Namgoong Clan Head is proud. Thank you for showing us your skills.”

“Think nothing of it.”

“Well then, I’ll see you this evening.”

“Yes.”

After complimenting Seolhwa, Tang Munryong lightly patted her shoulder before walking away.

As Tang Gajin passed by, a tch escaped his lips.

Seolhwa watched the Tang Clan group leave the arena, then returned to her quarters with Woong.

****

“You met the Heads of the Peng and Tang Clans?”

During dinner with Cheongun, who had been busy since arriving at the Zhuge Clan, Seolhwa recounted the events at the martial arena.

“Haha, what did you think? In your opinion, Seolhwa?”

“The Head of the Peng Clan was even larger than Uncle, and the Head of the Tang Clan seemed sharp as a blade.”

“Haha, exactly. They say martial artists come to resemble their weapons, and those two prove it.”

The Peng Clan is known for their blades—particularly, the great blade wielded by Head Peng is famous.

As massive as that weapon is, Peng Yeomyeong himself is known for being the largest among his clan members.

The same applied to the Tang Clan.

Concealed weapons are subtle, unpredictable, and deadly.

Tang Clan Head Tang Munryong, like the weapons he wields, is known for his unreadable and razor-sharp nature.

“Both of them love their clans and lead them admirably. I hope to become a Clan Head who can stand proudly among them.”

As Seolhwa finished her meal, Cheongun set down his utensils and rang a bell. The servants swiftly entered to clear the table.

Even amidst the bustling servants, Cheongun’s words continued.

“If my ambition began because of you, it’s grown even stronger now. I want to make the Namgoong Clan truly great.”

“What made you think that way?”

“If I had to name a reason... it was when Father taught me the clan’s secret arts.”

The martial arts passed down only to the Clan Head.

The Boundless Firmament Swordsmanship and The Imperial Sword Form .

\ 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Just hearing those names conjured the image of a king’s sword—supreme techniques that built the Namgoong Clan’s legacy.

“Exceptional swordsmanship holds exceptional truths. You may simply practice martial arts, but your worldview broadens, your insight deepens.”

Namgoong Cheongun looked down at his hands.

Four years ago, he had only just reached the threshold of Peak Mastery. Now, his cultivation had fully matured within that realm.

“I’ve gained a newfound respect for our ancestors who created such techniques. To see the world they envisioned, to share in their thoughts—it’s invaluable.”

“I’m curious too.”

In her previous life, she had researched the Namgoong Clan’s martial arts countless times, yet never found the secret manuals reserved for Clan Heads.

She had tortured and slaughtered countless survivors of the Namgoong Clan in pursuit of those manuals, but no one ever revealed their whereabouts.

Cheongun smiled gently, brushing Seolhwa’s hair aside.

“You’ll understand one day too.”

Instead of replying, Seolhwa returned a faint smile.