I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Haah… haah!”
I reached the stone staircase leading to the Back Mountain.
I was already exhausted from having to go all the way to the Outer Wall.
With each breath, a metallic sound echoed from my chest, but I held my breath and adjusted my grip on the bundle.
Just as I was about to climb the stairs, Dang Dam grabbed my wrist.
“Miss. Then, at the very least, allow me to carry you.”
His expression was serious.
I could see right through his thoughts.
It seemed he was determined to take responsibility, insisting he had brought me here.
“In your current condition, climbing such a steep mountain will cause you to collapse.”
“No. I’m fine.”
I appreciated his concern, but I declined.
In truth, I desperately wanted to be carried by Dang Dam.
My small legs were already trembling uncontrollably.
But seeking out Dang Mu-seon was entirely my own will.
‘If I don’t show at least that much sincerity, would he even agree to meet me?’
Fearing he might try to stop me again, I quickly moved forward.
Dang Dam followed behind me, his eyes cautiously surveying the surroundings.
“At least let me carry the bundle.”
“No. No. It’s a gift for the Elder.”
I hugged the bundle tightly to my chest and began climbing the stairs.
“I must deliver it myself.”
I would meet him today, no matter what.
Burning with resolve, I walked deeper into the dark mountain.
“Huff… huff!”
Sweat poured down like rain.
I was still climbing through the dark mountain. The stairs seemed endless.
As I drew closer to the summit, not a single ray of light appeared.
‘But… aside from the path being too long, everything else is fine.’
I wiped the sweat dripping from my chin and caught my breath.
The path to Jeungsan Peak was entirely different from the warnings Gong Myo had hurled at me like curses as she chased after me.
“They say scorpions rain down like a deluge if you take even one step there!”
“My friend fell there and they still haven’t found him!”
“If you misstep on the stairs, you plummet straight down and get trapped in a snake’s den!”
From what she described, this mountain seemed overflowing with venomous creatures.
On top of that, mechanical traps were scattered everywhere to easily eliminate intruders.
So I had come prepared…
‘But I haven’t seen a single one yet?’
Even Dang Dam, who had been tense at first, couldn’t hide his bewilderment as we climbed higher.
Not a single mechanical trap or venomous creature—not even an insect was visible.
When the occasional breeze swept through and dried the sweat from my skin, the path almost felt like a pleasant mountain walk.
‘Did we get lucky and avoid everything?’
I glanced around nervously as I carefully climbed the stone steps, when something caught my eye.
“Hm?”
A rope hung from a tree branch. Seeing identical rope scattered across the ground below, it appeared the rope had once been whole before snapping.
A broken trap, perhaps.
Since the Elder wasn’t here often, maintenance seemed lax.
That’s why we were able to climb up so easily.
It was curious, but I absolutely shouldn’t touch it. Messing with things like this could get me hurt….
Crack!
‘This can’t be happening.’
The tree branch holding the rope snapped, and the mechanisms below began to activate.
Thud. Thud-thud-thud-thud.
The ground began to rumble ominously.
‘This is impossible!’
I didn’t touch anything?!
“Miss!”
I saw Dang Dam rushing toward me.
But only for a moment.
“Wha—?”
The ground beneath my feet gave way, and I plummeted downward.
My vision went black.
The sensation of my organs lurching upward made me feel like I might lose consciousness.
“Kyaaaaa!”
I screamed and reached upward with my hands. Dang Dam was no longer visible.
The entrance I’d fallen through had already sealed shut.
Then where was I falling to?
Could it be….
Gong Myo’s words echoed through my mind once more.
Looking down, I saw hundreds of snakes writhing together in a tangled mass.
I drew closer and closer to the sea of glistening scales.
“Aaaaaaaagh!”
I squeezed my eyes shut and braced for impact.
I felt something against my back.
Slick scales and sharp fangs….
‘…or so I thought.’
I cracked my eyes open, my body still curled tight.
Had I somehow landed safely on something suspended above?
“You brat!”
No. A sharp rebuke rang out right in front of my face, making my ears ring.
White strands of hair appeared first, like threads of light weaving through the cascade of his long, flowing locks.
I jerked my head up abruptly.
“Where is your mind wandering off to!”
Dang Mu-seon, his face deeply furrowed with displeasure, was scolding me.
He had caught me.
As if entranced, I swept my gaze across the floor.
The snakes had vanished without a trace.
From the rustling sounds I could hear, it seemed they had hidden their bodies through the holes in the wall.
“Did your father teach you to carelessly set foot in a place like this!”
I stared blankly up at Dang Mu-seon, uncertain whether he was angry or shocked, his voice raised.
“You… saved me?”
I clasped my hands tightly together and blinked.
At that, the corners of Dang Mu-seon’s eyes twitched.
Undeterred, I gazed up at him with the reverence one might show a savior.
“Then you really are my grandfather, aren’t you?”
“What…?”
Dang Mu-seon raised one eyebrow sharply, as if exasperated.
“Grandfather!”
He looked far too young to be called grandfather, which felt somewhat awkward, but I didn’t let it show.
It was likely due to the martial arts accumulated within his body over a lifetime. His actual age must have been far greater.
“You saved me from what Gyo did before, and you called yourself my grandfather. You really are my grandfather… aren’t you?”
I asked with a bright smile, my face brimming with anticipation.
At that, Dang Mu-seon’s frown deepened further.
“Is that why you crawled all the way here—to confirm it?”
I pressed my lips shut and nodded, making sure to open my eyes wide as saucers.
“Sigh…”
Dang Mu-seon set me down as if deflated and exhaled heavily.
“What are children these days…”
He muttered while brushing his hair back.
I wanted to say, ‘But you don’t look like an old-fashioned person just by looking at your face either.’
But I held my tongue.
Dang Mu-seon pressed against one section of the empty wall as if tired.
“Do you understand what you’ve done?”
“Um… I don’t know-”
Before I could finish my answer to his loaded question, the wall he had pressed against caved inward.
“Huh?”
The wall cracked open, revealing a space, and a narrow corridor stretched before us. Dang Mu-seon stepped inside silently.
“Wait! I’m coming with you!”
I hurried after him into the passage.
‘I never knew a place like this existed…’
I cautiously surveyed the desolate corridor, where even footsteps seemed to be swallowed by the oppressive silence.
Thanks to the night-luminous pearl, I could see ahead clearly.
The surfaces of the walls and floor were immaculate—evidence of having been carefully maintained through countless passages.
I cast a subtle glance at Dang Mu-seon’s back.
‘Truly remarkable,’ I thought.
Not just his face, but his straight posture and shoulders bore no resemblance to those of an elderly man.
“You’ve triggered twenty-three mechanical traps since entering the mountain.”
Dang Mu-seon’s voice resonated through the corridor—a timbre like that of a deep stringed instrument.
“As for the venomous creatures you nearly succumbed to, there are well over a hundred.”
“N-no?! I had no idea such things existed….”
I clamped my mouth shut despite knowing full well, feigning surprise.
At that, Dang Mu-seon’s eyes narrowed.
“You wouldn’t have known. I dismantled them all.”
Only then did the various ropes and metal fragments I’d glimpsed along the way make sense.
He’d disassembled everything for my sake.
‘Could he truly be my grandfather? He cares for me so much…’
Harboring a faint hope, I silently followed Dang Mu-seon.
When he pressed against the dead-end wall again, a door opened once more.
Beyond lay a spacious chamber whose walls were completely filled with stones of vibrant, varied hues.
The presence of stairs leading upward and the absence of any windows indicated this was an underground chamber.
Upon seeing something within my field of vision, I swallowed hard without thinking.
A broad wooden plank bore four iron rings.
…It was a torture device.
“Now confess.”
I flinched at his words and lifted my head.
Dang Mu-seon stood with his hands clasped behind his back, regarding me with an oppressive gaze.
“Confess what…?”
My throat parched, I managed to ask in return, and his eyes narrowed to slits.
“The true reason you came here.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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