Chapter 90
Namgoong Cheonghae sat in silence as morning broke, the eastern sky blooming with the first light of dawn.
He hadn’t stayed long at the banquet following the Heavenly Martial Festival. Cheonghae disliked crowds and noise, and once the event reached its peak, he quietly slipped away.
Under normal circumstances, he would have remained until the end. After all, this had been a major family celebration. But yesterday, he had not been the one in the spotlight.
The true star of the evening had been his elder brother—Cheongun.
Or more accurately... Cheongun’s daughter, Seolhwa.
Cheonghae had poured his all into preparing for the Heavenly Martial Festival. With talk of appointing the next Head of House beginning to circulate, this was his moment—a rare chance to earn recognition before the clan’s elders, all gathered in one place.
He had done his utmost.
But in the end, he had lost.
While he had showcased the peace of the Namgoong Clan, his brother had displayed its glory.
And no matter how long they’d been retired from the frontlines, the elders of Namgoong were still martial artists at heart. Of course they would be drawn to glory over peace.
Cheonghae accepted the outcome.
Learning that his elder brother had reached the Transcendent Peak Realm brought him genuine joy.