I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 31

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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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“Things unfolded exactly as you wished.”
Dang Mu-seon tilted his cup as he spoke.
I swallowed the noodles I’d been eating with a gulp, my eyes brightening.
“Really? Is that true?”
“Yes. Your father sharpened his blade quite thoroughly.”
Dang Mu-seon smiled crookedly, as if recalling Father.
These days, wandering through the Market District with Grandfather Dok-jon had become my daily routine.
He bought me delicious food, and showed me magnificent natural landscapes that I could never have witnessed without cultivation techniques—it was quite enjoyable.
‘And on top of that, he occasionally shares news that satisfies my curiosity.’
It seemed Grandfather had turned everything upside down, for Dang Seo-o’s forces no longer rampaged.
They remained perfectly still.
Meanwhile, Father moved with swift efficiency.
He mobilized the Elder Brother Faction to uncover the corruption within the Collateral Faction, and appropriate punishments were executed.
All those who had conspired with them were brought to light.
‘I never thought the positions of the Central Plains Branch Master and the Medicinal Properties Hall Master would become vacant overnight.’
In any case, the transformation occurred with remarkable speed.
Father was able to safely remain within the Family Clan.
‘Yet something feels odd.’
Even after thoroughly investigating the Collateral Faction, I found no trace of any connection to the Demonic Cult.
I had assumed Dang Seo-o fell into corruption after seizing power and brought ruin upon the clan, but…
‘And the matter of the poison as well.’
There were no people loyal to Dang Seo-o in the Elder Brother Faction.
Even though the time for me to receive the poison was drawing near.
Which meant…
“Could it be…”
Was there another faction at work?
“Hmm?”
Dang Mu-seon paused mid-sip and looked at me.
“What now? What troubles you so?”
My expression must have appeared grave.
“Uncle, there are no other factions within the Dang Family seeking to harm us, are there?”
“Besides that wretch Dang Seo-o?”
“Yes.”
He seemed to ponder for a moment before answering firmly.
“No.”
“Are you certain?”
“I am. Our clan has always had many enemies throughout the generations, so if we fought amongst ourselves internally, nothing would remain of the Family Clan.”
Dang Mu-seon’s words rang true.
We were originally a clan renowned for our unity.
This situation was exceptional; we rarely fractured from within.
“That’s why those outsiders won’t leave us alone.”
He continued speaking casually, gazing out at Market Street as though observing a distant landscape.
“There are plenty of people who’d be delighted if we dropped dead this very moment.”
Why did this old man speak such terrifying words in such a leisurely tone?
‘But he’s not wrong.’
Our family hardly possessed a reputation for righteousness or harmlessness.
It was possible that external forces had framed us.
‘If that’s the case….’
Then external forces would likely intensify their attacks against us.
We needed to prepare more thoroughly.
I clenched my fists with renewed determination.
‘Come at me then. Just try. I’ll beat you senseless!’
***
“Ugh….”
A young, anguished groan erupted from within the pile of corpses.
Ripples disturbed the pool of blood that had begun to cool.
A small hand emerged from between the limp bodies.
The blood-stained hand clawed desperately at the earth, leaving long furrows of fingernail marks before crawling forward inch by inch.
Again and again—dozens of times—the hand scraped through the sodden soil until the nails tore away.
This agonized struggle continued until the sun had set.
“Gasp!”
The Young Boy didn’t breathe the outside air until deep night had fallen.
Drenched in blood from head to toe, he steadied his breathing.
Waiting for the stench of corpses and the metallic reek of blood to fade.
But it never did.
As though the deaths of these people had become one with him.
A torn proclamation lay soaked in the pool of blood.
“The Maeng eliminate a vicious criminal organization.”
Though he couldn’t read, he understood what that proclamation meant.
Ever since that notice was posted, faction members had been dying.
Moonlight illuminated the surrounding area with harsh clarity.
Every inch of ground nearby was drenched in blood, stained crimson.
An entire faction had been annihilated, and death had descended upon every village within their sphere of influence.
Only this boy—bearing criminal tattoos on both arms—had barely survived.
“….”
He could not speak.
Vengeance and hatred consumed his entire being. The blood soaked into his flesh surged with fury.
In that instant, his eyes ignited with crimson flame.
***
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Dang Seo-o disappeared under the pretense of recuperation, and Father seized complete control of power.
Shortly after, Father dispatched troops to the ‘true’ headquarters of the Demon Cult Remnants.
Today was the day the Dang Family’s army returned bearing news of their victory.
The Dang Family had decided to hold a grand welcoming ceremony to coincide with their return.
….
Or so it should have been.
“Grandfather, we’ll be late at this rate!”
On the morning of the welcoming ceremony, I found myself on Jeungsan Peak.
The plaza visible in the distance below was filling with people.
I should have been down there…!
“Yeon-a, go fetch the elder for me.”
“Me? Really?!”
“The elder only listens to you. Please.”
Because Gwiheon had personally asked me to bring Dang Mu-seon, everything had gone awry.
‘I never expected he’d find the welcoming ceremony such a bother!’
A yawn echoed out.
From within his modest quarters, a yawn sounded.
“You’re not sleeping, are you?”
I poked my head through the door crack to ask.
Fortunately, he was preparing himself.
In truth, there was little to prepare—he always kept his hair neatly groomed and wore crisp green robes.
He simply found ceremonial affairs like welcoming ceremonies incredibly tedious.
“How could I possibly do such a thing? There’s a newborn puppy outside whimpering incessantly.”
Dang Mu-seon glanced down at me and stepped outside with a long stride.
“Whimpering…?”
I looked around, but there was no puppy here.
Surely he wasn’t referring to me.
“Are you finished now? Let’s go. We’re late. No, we’re already late!”
Regardless, I grabbed Dang Mu-seon’s hand and pulled him along.
“My, you’re quite strong.”
He let himself be dragged along, uttering words of admiration.
“Don’t rush. You’ll fall.”
“How can I not rush? We’re late!”
“We’re not late.”
“We are too. Already— Whoa!”
Before I could finish speaking, Dang Mu-seon lifted me up from behind.
In an instant, I soared into the sky. My heart plummeted.
‘No matter how many times I experience this, I can never get used to it!’
With one arm supporting my waist, he raised his eyebrows with amusement.
“Look. It’s not too late yet, is it?”
At his playful tone, I glanced back.
Beneath us, the Main Plaza where the welcoming ceremony was being held came into view.
Incredibly fast. Faster than any time he’d carried me around the surrounding areas.
‘If he could run this fast, why didn’t he say anything?’
The answer was obvious.
“…You were teasing me, weren’t you?”
I narrowed my eyes and pouted.
“Guilty.”
Dang Mu-seon didn’t deny it. Which made it all the more infuriating.
“Do you know how adorable you looked with your face turning pale from worry, your little feet shuffling anxiously?”
If I let myself be called cute one more time, my heart would shatter into pieces.
“Go on now.”
He set me down in front of the plaza with a mischievous grin.
“Hmph!”
Without looking back, I dashed inside.
“Wow…”
Blue tents stretched across the spacious grounds.
Green flags embroidered with golden thread fluttered in the breeze.
I passed by ornate dancers and musicians carrying pipa instruments, making my way to the highest seat.
“Ah, you’ve arrived.”
Father, who had been gazing down at the center with a stern expression, smiled warmly when he saw me.
“Father!”
I hurried over, and Father lifted me onto his lap.
Sitting on Father’s knee, I looked around.
‘Now that I think about it, this is my first time here.’
The main road leading into the Outer Wall from the center.
The plaza at the junction of several buildings along that path.
‘Perfect for a welcoming ceremony. It’s the first place guests encounter.’
People bustled about preparing for the banquet to begin.
“You’re being extra childish today.”
Gui-heon, sitting in front, turned around and grinned at me.
Dang Lim, seated beside Gui-heon, rested his chin on the backrest and chuckled.
“Did you oversleep? Your cheeks are bright red. Ha ha!”
“I woke up early. It’s because of the wind!”
I answered with a pout.
The corners of Dang Lim’s and Gui-heon’s mouths showed no sign of dropping.
They seemed excited about the welcoming ceremony too.
‘I’m excited too, honestly.’
After all this time of only tragedy befalling the Dang Family, finally there was something to celebrate.
Not long after, the sound of cheering voices drifted from afar, growing steadily louder.
As I turned my head about, searching for the source, Father pointed decisively toward one direction.
It was beyond the City Gate.
The cheers swelled, and a herald’s voice rang out across the plaza.
“The warriors of the Dang Family return victorious!”

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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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