Chapter 8

This is no small matter; it involves finding the child of the illustrious Namgung family. Even if the gender was announced differently to create confusion, the number of people lured by the Namgung name and the substantial reward is overwhelming. Some even pretend to be mad or bring their own children, making it a chaotic situation.

However, could the Namgung family really have announced this without anticipating such a situation?

'It's unlikely.'

Unless they were fools, the Namgung family must have anticipated this chaos. The fact that they offered a substantial reward means they have a reliable method to distinguish the genuine from the fake.

"I thought there would be a way to prove my identity when I came to Namgung. Isn't that right?"

At Il-hwa's words, Namgung Mucheon's eyes grew even more menacing, sending chills down her spine. After a moment of meeting his fierce gaze, his lips curled slightly, and he burst into a hearty laugh.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

His laughter echoed throughout the Cheonho Hall. The Chief Steward and Seobmugwang also smiled.

"You are right! The method to prove the child of Namgung lies within this Namgung family."

Namgung Mucheon, still smiling, rested his chin on his hand and looked at her.

"However, it is not available now. The person who can verify your identity is on the way, but it will take a few days. Will you wait?"

There was no problem with that.

"Yes, I will."

"Good."

Namgung Mucheon raised his hand and gave instructions to the Chief Steward.

"Give the child a room in the inner quarters."

The Chief Steward stepped forward in shock.

"Lord, the inner quarters are too much."

The inner quarters are reserved for the direct lineage of the Namgung family. Bringing in someone not yet recognized as a Namgung could cause issues with other blood relatives.

However, as the Lord's command, the Chief Steward reluctantly suggested an alternative.

"Wouldn't it be better to give one of the guest rooms in the outer quarters, specifically the VIP guest room?"

The VIP guest room is for distinguished guests. He suggested this, sensing that Namgung Mucheon wanted to treat the child with respect.

"Hmm."

Namgung Mucheon was not pleased. While the Chief Steward was at a loss, Il-hwa stepped in to support him.

"I like the guest rooms."

Namgung Mucheon's eyes narrowed.

"The guest rooms are for visitors to Namgung. You want to stay there?"

Il-hwa understood the meaning behind his question.

'Are you a guest of Namgung?'

He must be displeased that she, who claims to be a Namgung, would retreat to a guest room.

Given his high regard for the pride of Namgung, it made sense.

However, staying in the inner quarters without being fully recognized would be burdensome.

'Causing a commotion right away won't be good.'

Considering the future, it would be better to avoid problems and be recognized as a member of the Namgung family.

"The inner quarters are where I will eventually go, so I want to stay in the guest rooms first. I've heard that Namgung's guest rooms are excellent, and I'm curious to see how good they are."

Her confident words made Namgung Mucheon's lips curl again.

"If you say so. Then, let it be the Cheon-gak guest room."

"…!"

The Chief Steward was shocked again.

"Cheon-gak guest room? Lord, the Cheon-gak guest room is…."

It is only opened for the most distinguished guests!

For just this child?

"Is anyone staying in the Cheon-gak guest room now?"

"No, but…."

The news of the Cheon-gak guest room opening would cause a significant stir within the family.

"Give the Cheon-gak guest room to her."

Despite the Chief Steward's hesitation, Namgung Mucheon did not change his mind.

In fact, Il-hwa didn't care where she stayed as long as it wasn't the inner quarters. To her, the Cheon-gak guest room was just a guest room with a slightly better bed.

"Thank you for your consideration, Lord."

"Dismissed."

Il-hwa bowed and turned to leave the Cheonho Hall. The Chief Steward watched her go, then gestured in surprise. Realizing his mistake, he hurried after her.

"Isn't it too much? We're not even sure yet."

Watching the two of them leave, Seobmugwang asked, and Namgung Mucheon's lips curled deeply.

"Sharing a cup of water can make a lifelong friend. How could I not recognize my own blood?"

Seobmugwang looked at Namgung Mucheon in surprise. In the past eight years, Namgung Mucheon has met hundreds of children, but he has never been this confident.

"Then…."

"The Cheon-gak guest room is not too much."

Namgung Mucheon fidgeted with his hands, his gaze distant, as if recalling a long-forgotten sensation.

"It's far from enough."

* * *

"What did you say?"

Namgung Yeom, the head of the outer quarters, who was handling paperwork, asked the Chief Steward in a daze.

"Open the Cheon-gak guest room."

"The Cheon-gak guest room? Did Lord really give that order?"

"Yes."

"Or, is it related to the hurried end of the morning meeting?"

"Yes."

'I suspected something urgent had come up, but….'

A distinguished guest visiting Namgung to the point of opening the Cheon-gak guest room?

The last guest stayed in the Cheon-gak guest room almost a year ago. It's surprising, but guests can visit unexpectedly.

The outer quarters of Namgung are always prepared to welcome such sudden visits.

"Understood. I will prepare immediately. Where is the distinguished guest now?"

"Before that, there are some instructions to give."

"Instructions…?"

* * *

Namgung Yeom, the head of the outer quarters, was momentarily stunned as he looked at the young child standing before him.

'Do not ask who the distinguished guest is or why they are visiting Namgung. Do not try to pry into their affairs. Just ensure they are comfortable. Inform the attendants as well.'

He thought it was a special guest, but he was surprised to see a child.

'Child?'

Namgung Yeom quickly composed himself and bowed.

It seemed like nothing out of the ordinary.

The martial world is a place where extraordinary things happen.

"Greetings, distinguished guest. I am Namgung Yeom, the head of the outer quarters of Namgung."

Il-hwa returned the bow.

'Keep your name hidden as much as possible. If you don't want to get involved in troublesome matters….'

That's what the Chief Steward told her. Since her identity as a Namgung child was not yet confirmed, Il-hwa understood it as a caution and readily agreed.

Being cautious couldn't hurt.

"Please come in. I will show you to the Cheon-gak guest room."

Fortunately, the head of the outer quarters did not ask for her name or identity.

Il-hwa followed him.

"The Cheon-gak guest room is our family's pride. Even when it's not in use, it is cleaned five times a day, and the bedding is changed daily."

It was a way of saying it was very clean.

"If you need anything, the attendants are always on standby. The Cheon-gak guest room is especially guarded by trained inner quarters warriors…."

"Excuse me…."

"Yes, do you need something?"

"Can I look around on my own?"

"Ah."

The head of the outer quarters was perceptive.

His main job is to welcome guests, so he had to be quick.

"I apologize for disturbing your rest. I will take my leave now. If you need anything, please call an attendant."

The head of the outer quarters bowed politely and left the Cheon-gak guest room.

In the vast Cheon-gak guest room, Il-hwa was left alone, except for the attendants waiting in the shadows.

She knew the layout from her previous life but deliberately walked around the Cheon-gak guest room.

The small pond with the golden carp, the pavilion where warm tea is always prepared, and the hot spring where one can enjoy without disturbance.

After exploring the layout, Il-hwa finally headed to her room.

She walked around the Cheon-gak guest room to deceive the attendants.

'Everything I do, everything I eat, will be reported to the Lord.'

As long as she stayed in the Namgung family, she couldn't avoid the eyes of Namgung.

She had been prepared for this from the moment she crossed the threshold of Namgung.

After walking around the Cheon-gak guest room and reaching her room, Il-hwa closed the door and lay down on the bed.

"Ah…."

It was still early morning, with the sun not yet high in the sky.

So much had happened in less than half a day.

'Finally, Namgung.'

She had expected it to some extent, but the feeling of returning to the Namgung family, which she had once considered an enemy, was more peculiar than she thought.

The most bizarre feeling was facing those she had killed in her previous life.

Lord Namgung Mucheon and Seobmugwang were not killed by her in her previous life. They were masters of such high caliber that she couldn't defeat them, and they were killed by the Blood Demon and the Six Blood Beasts. However,

'Namgung Moon. Namgung Yeom.'

The Chief Steward and the head of the outer quarters.

Especially Namgung Moon, the Chief Steward, was someone she had personally tortured to obtain the secret techniques of Namgung.

Closing her eyes, the vivid memories of that time came back.

The futile roar of the weak, spewing venomous words and glares even as they died.