The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 25

We’re doomed.

She struck both the Numbing Point and the Mute Point before forcing something down his throat—there was no way it was anything ordinary.

What the hell did she feed us?

“If I so much as twitch a finger, you’ll all die.”

No way...!

Sambong’s face drained of color.

Could it be... Godok?

Godok.

A parasitic pair of insects, male and female. When one is harmed, the other feels the same pain.

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When fed to a human, the male burrows into the brain or heart. Inflict pain on the female, and the male thrashes violently—causing the host to suffer agony so intense it could kill them.

If the female dies, the male explodes inside the host, taking their head or heart with it. It’s a vile creature, notorious for being a method of execution without ever laying a hand on the victim.

Feeding someone Godok was no different than handing the person with the female bug full control over your life.

She’s insane...

Sambong’s entire body began to tremble.

If it really was Godok, they were now nothing more than puppets in that attacker’s hands.

They couldn’t leave without permission. Couldn’t disobey. Couldn’t eat, sleep, or even shit—without her say-so.

Wait. Hold on.

Wasn’t Godok supposed to be extremely rare?

Raising them was nearly impossible, which made them absurdly expensive.

Could it really be Godok...?

But the doubt didn’t last long.

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you. I could kill one of you to prove it.”

She’s insane! No! Absolutely not!

If it really was Godok, one of them would die right now. She said "one of you," but there was no guarantee it wouldn’t be him.

“It’s going to hurt a bit.”

It’s Godok! It’s definitely Godok!

Even if it wasn’t, it was now.

The three men’s energy surged chaotically, flaring like a cornered beast.

Pure, desperate resistance.

Ilhwa gently patted each of their shoulders, watching their spasming energy.

“All right. I’ll stop here for today. Like I said, I don’t have much time either.”

The three let out shuddering breaths, as if they’d run miles without taking a step.

“You’ll be seeing me again soon. Until then, stay quiet, will you? The pressure point seals will dissolve on their own with time, so don’t worry.”

With that, her presence vanished.

Their eyes darted around the area.

She’s gone?

Did she really leave?

She’s gone. She’s finally gone!

The moment they confirmed she was truly gone, tension drained from their bodies and their limbs went slack.

“If you try to run... you know what’ll happen.”

A chilling voice whispered from nowhere, followed by a crunching sound like something snapping right beside their ears.

Hair stood on end. Cold sweat broke out instantly.

Sambong couldn’t hold it in and pissed himself on the spot.

****

Meanwhile...

Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, Namgoong Hyuk, commander of the Black Dragon Guard, observed the inn quietly.

Things are about to get noisy in the clan.

They’d found the daughter of the First Young Lord—something everyone had thought impossible.

That meant the First Young Lord would return to the clan, and the real battle for the position of heir would begin.

Though the clan head had never declared it outright, everyone knew he wished to pass the title to his eldest son.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left the heir position vacant for eight whole years.

He’s been waiting for the First Young Lord to return.

But the absence had been too long.

Some of the clan elders and senior council members were beginning to doubt the First Young Lord’s loyalty.

They weren’t convinced he would put the clan above all else.

No one wanted a clan leader who didn't prioritize the clan’s needs above all.

Followers needed someone who would, no matter what, place their safety first—even if it meant sacrificing his own flesh and blood.

Given all that, the clan head can’t just name him successor outright.

And knowing the clan head, he would want the First Young Lord to earn that title through merit. Not just him—he would expect anyone who sought the position to prove themselves worthy.

A storm’s coming.

Namgoong Hyuk let out a long, weary sigh.

That’s when it happened.

“...!”

He sensed something—a faint presence hurtling toward them at high speed.

Danger...!

Instinctively, Namgoong Hyuk prepared to intercept whatever was coming. But—

“...!”

The energy veered off at the last moment and darted straight into the inn. Into the very room Namgoong Cheongun had rented.

Damn it!

Namgoong Hyuk swore and bolted into the inn.

He moved so fast the guests on the first floor didn’t even notice him as he flew up to the second floor and threw the door open.

And then he froze.

“...?”

Inside, Seolhwa stared back at him wide-eyed.

Next to her, Namgoong Cheongun—who had been adjusting her clothes—looked equally surprised.

“What’s the matter?”

Namgoong Cheongun’s ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) voice held a trace of irritation.

He had been adjusting the child’s clothing, which only deepened his discomfort.

“...Did something happen?”

“You say that like something should have.”

“That’s not what I meant...”

He was sure of it—a small but swift burst of energy had entered this room.

And then—

“Father, who is that?”

At the sound of the girl’s voice, Namgoong Hyuk flinched in surprise.

Ah, of course...

She didn’t know he had been assigned to guard her. To her, this was just a peaceful outing with her father!

Realizing his mistake too late, Namgoong Hyuk’s stiff gaze met another equally frozen face.

“T-That man is... well, uh...”

Namgoong Cheongun faltered, clearly unsure how to explain.

Behind him, Namgoong Hyuk quietly closed the door to the inn room.

****

Mount Hua, Western Peak – Summit of Lotus Blossom Peak, Huayin County, Shaanxi Province

A Taoist ascended the mountain in haste, as if something were chasing him.

He was Elder Nobaek, known as the Dancing Flower Sword, and master of the Martial Study Pavilion of the Mount Hua Sect.

The lightness technique he used was the sect’s finest: Hidden Fragrance Drift. Named for the way his movement resembled an invisible, fluttering fragrance—gone in a blink, like a breeze through blooming flowers.

In a single breath, he reached the summit and paused to catch his breath, gazing up at the plaque that bore the name of Mount Hua.

The plaque stood tall and proud atop the high peak, as if defying the heavens—but to his eyes, even that bold symbol now looked unstable.

There’s still...

There’s still hope.

He’d nearly dropped everything when he heard the rumor circulating in the streets that morning. But if it was true—now wasn’t the time to despair.

Without hesitation, he pushed open the main gate.

“I greet the Master of the Martial Study Pavilion!”

The third-generation disciples training in the sparring grounds immediately stopped and saluted as he entered.

Nobaek gave them a quick nod and hurried on.

“Master! You’re back?”

A cheerful voice called out, halting his steps.

He turned to see who it was.

“Ah. Yugang.”

Yugang, youngest of the first-generation disciples, a prodigy whose talent had earned him the title of Plum Blossom Sword Adept at the youngest age in sect history.

He was known throughout Mount Hua as a rising star.

“Is this not your training time? Why are you wandering about?”

At Nobaek’s words, Yugang flinched and scratched the back of his head.

“Ahaha... I was just taking a short break.”

“Neglecting your training again, I see.”

“No! Not at all! I was really, really focused, and just started resting! Barely a quarter of an hour ago. I swear!”

“A long rest, then. Get back to it.”

Yugang pouted slightly.

“Ahem! Off with you now!”

“...Yes, sir.”

Drooping his shoulders, Yugang turned and trudged back toward the training ground.

He dragged his feet dramatically, as if carrying a mountain—until suddenly, he spun around with a bright grin.

“Good luck today, Master!”

It was the kind of cheer that made you wonder if he’d ever been tired in the first place.

Yugang jogged back to the sparring grounds.

His skill wasn’t his only strength; his brightness and energy had made him immensely popular among the disciples.

Just seeing him smile brought strength to those around him. Watching him go, Nobaek pressed on once more.

****

“I’m serious. Everyone in the streets was saying it.”

Nobaek’s frustration showed as he repeated the same rumor he’d heard that morning.

“They said the girl who used to be the young mistress of Huaoru Pavilion stole the Great Return Pill and fled toward the Namgoong Clan. The ones who lost the pill were members of the Black Cloud Gang, a dark faction operating near the border of Shaanxi and Henan. The very group that attacked us.”

“Hm...”

“Master...!”

Even after all that, Sect Leader Noun’s reaction was lukewarm at best.

Nobaek slapped his own chest, flustered.

“If she hasn’t taken the pill yet, there’s still a chance! We can’t waste time like this! We need to recover it immediately!”

“Wait a moment. There’s something about this that bothers me.”

“What could possibly be bothering you?”

People were dying by the day—what was there to hesitate about?

“Doesn’t something about this strike you as odd, Nobaek?”

“What do you mean?”

Noun’s gaze grew still, quietly thoughtful.

“That rumor. Doesn’t it seem... oddly specific? And conveniently timed?”

“...!”

“And of all places, it just happens to spread through this little town in Huayin.”