I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 32

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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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As the door swung open, brilliant sunlight poured through the gap in a dazzling flood.
Golden light rippled across the plaza as warriors mounted on horseback rode in one after another.
Though all their banners were green, the characters inscribed on each differed, allowing their affiliations to be distinguished.
“The Commander’s Guard and the Yunmu Force enter!”
The banners of the Commander’s Guard, directly under the main line, and the Yunmu Force, the military force of the collateral factions, came into view.
“The Wee-shin Guard enters!”
Following that, the banner of the Wee-shin Guard, commanded by Dok-jon, appeared.
“The Assassination Squad enters!”
Last to enter the plaza was the elite Assassination Squad.
At the center of their formation, arranged in a circle facing Father, stood a familiar figure.
It was Dang Eum.
He dismounted and walked before Father, then knelt.
His jet-black hair fluttered in the wind.
“I report the subjugation of Dark Blood Demon Yang Jeok’s Blood Shadow Force and our triumphant return, Clan Lord.”
His monotone voice rang out across the plaza.
Dang Eum raised a sword devoid of luster in both hands.
It was surely a trophy to be presented to Father.
‘Accepting it would make the return official,’ I thought.
I wondered what would happen if he refused, but such a thing never occurred.
“I accept.”
Father took the sword and rose from his seat.
His voice, infused with qi, resonated powerfully throughout the plaza.
“Today is a day of unparalleled joy. We have slain the seed of the Demonic Cult and achieved vengeance besides. Henceforth, none shall dare to slight the Sacheon Tang Clan, and I, Dang Cheon-mu, welcome our glorious army with pride!”
Before his words had even finished, stringed instruments vibrated melodiously.
The drums that followed thundered with the intensity of a heartbeat.
Dancers swayed with joy, while maids hurried past carrying wine and rich delicacies.
I sat upon Father’s lap, crunching on pastries.
“It ended faster than expected.”
“There was supposedly a remnant who escaped from the Old Blood Sect faction. It could have become troublesome.”
“We were fortunate.”
The elders’ conversation drifted to my ears over my shoulder.
Their words were certainly true—it was a remarkable achievement.
Success in subjugation within six months.
Did Grandfather’s decision to send the Wee-shin Guard have a significant impact?
“…Ah.”
Lost in thought while eating, I had already emptied an entire plate of pastries.
‘Is there more somewhere?’
As I glanced around, I felt an ominous presence emanating from somewhere.
“…?”
Turning my head cautiously, I spotted a tall man standing alone, towering above the crowd.
It was Dang Eum.
I had seen him once before, so he should have felt familiar, yet meeting his gaze felt strangely uncomfortable.
‘No. It wasn’t discomfort, it was…’
Unease. But why?
He had been away from the family clan for the past two years, so there was no reason for the hallucinogenic flowers to cause any misunderstanding.
Could it be those eyes—devoid of light and vitality?
I gazed deeply into his two eyes.
They were unfathomably deep and dark.
“…”
Just as I found myself falling into those black pupils, the maids rushed past him.
Where they had passed, Dang Eum was no longer visible.
‘Ugh! Suddenly I got chills…’
As I rubbed my arms and trembled, Father handed me a warm cup of tea.
I accepted it quietly and drank, trying to erase the lingering afterimage of Dang Eum from my mind.
“Master of the household. A messenger from the Sega Society has arrived.”
Just then, the Chief Steward approached Father and spoke.
“Let him in.”
With that reply, Father gently set me down.
“Go sit with your grandfather.”
“Yes.”
I nodded obediently and walked toward Dang Mu-seon’s seat, not far away.
“…”
As I stood before him and stared silently, Grandfather, who had been gazing into the distance, finally looked at me.
“What? Did you come to complain because you think it’s unfair?”
He asked with a slight smirk.
I withdrew my sharp gaze and let out a deep sigh.
“No. A more mature person should endure such things.”
“Ha ha. Thank you for your patience.”
Dang Mu-seon brazenly accepted my words and pulled me into his arms, settling me on his lap.
“Isn’t Grandfather’s lap more comfortable?”
Dang Mu-seon asked, gently patting my back.
“I don’t know.”
I answered curtly, but he seemed unbothered.
As our brief exchange continued, a man in white robes approached Father.
The man bowed respectfully and spoke.
“Master of the household. I bring greetings from the Sega Society. I hope you have been in good health all this time.”
“I’m sure you didn’t come simply out of curiosity about my wellbeing.”
Father replied bluntly.
Was his mood not good?
The Sega Messenger lowered his head as if he had anticipated this.
“The Society Leader wishes to express his gratitude for your tremendous contributions to the peace of Murim.”
The servant standing behind the Sega Messenger handed a large silk box to the Chief Steward.
Father merely nodded without even examining the gift.
“Very well. I understand. We shall provide accommodations in the Guest Hall for as long as you wish to stay.”
The Sega Messenger cupped his fists once more and turned to leave.
Despite the cold reception, the man seemed entirely unbothered.
As if he had anticipated Father’s response all along.
“Filthy. Dispose of it at once.”
Dang Cheon-mu, who had been observing quietly, instructed the Chief Steward.
I looked up at Grandfather with a puzzled expression and asked.
“Do you dislike the Sega Society?”
“Dislike? I find them utterly contemptible.”
Grandfather’s hand, which had been gently stroking my back, quickened its pace.
“When our family was nearly destroyed, they turned a blind eye. Now that we seem to be recovering, they come sniffing around like dogs. Does that look pleasant to you?”
Dang Cheon-mu’s sharp gaze fixed on the back of the Sega Messenger’s head.
“Why didn’t you help us? Aren’t we friends?”
At my question, Grandfather shook his head with a tsk-tsk sound.
“They treat us like heretics. Calling us treacherous and all manner of slander… Bah! Infuriating!”
Mid-sentence, Grandfather called over a passing Maid and ordered her to bring him a wine bottle.
Dang Cheon-mu tilted the white bottle to his lips and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
‘…He’s not even drunk, yet he drinks so much.’
“If it weren’t for our secret techniques, would Murim have survived the war? They should be grateful, yet instead they obstruct us!”
As memories of the war surfaced, Grandfather’s indignation toward the Murim clans’ attitude grew evident.
‘Hm?’
My head tilted involuntarily.
I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.
Being generous, I could understand them ignoring us. Murim values strength above all else, after all.
But…
‘They obstructed us?’
Had they been doing this all along?
Long before the rumors of the Dang Family’s corruption by the Demonic Cult began to spread?
An inexplicable unease crept slowly through my mind.
“…”
Until the welcome ceremony ended, I couldn’t shake off that strange feeling.
***
“Brother.”
Gui-heon and Dang Lim called out to Dang Eum, who stood with his back against the wall.
Dang Eum, who had been picking mung beans one by one from a handful resting in his palm, turned his head toward them.
“Have you been well all this time?”
They offered their greetings.
Dang Eum gazed at Gui-heon and Dang Lim in turn with hollow eyes.
“…Your training?”
At his question, Dang Lim let out a soft laugh.
“Not a single day missed. Everything you asked for!”
“Good… well done.”
He nodded and offered the mung beans to them.
Gui-heon and Dang Lim awkwardly smiled as they each took one and ate it.
They were bland and tasteless, with no flavor at all.
“…But, have you seen Yeon-ah? You’ve been asking about her from time to time. Whether she’s doing well.”
When Gui-heon asked gently, Dang Eum silently turned his gaze away.
Pulling the face mask that had slipped down to his neck back up above his nose, Dang Eum looked at Hee-yeon sitting on Dang Mu-seon’s lap.
“…I’ve only seen her from a distance.”
“She’s improved greatly. She even smiles brightly now.”
“She plays and runs around with me too!”
Dang Lim added with an excited expression.
“…So you play together.”
Dang Eum murmured.
Gui-heon, noticing a shadow fall across his eyes, smiled and spoke.
“When she sees you, she even runs over and hugs you.”
“…Hugs?”
“Yes, brother.”
“Really?”
“Truly.”
“…”
He lowered his gaze and leaned his back against the wall.
“She doesn’t do that with me.”
Noticing Dang Lim’s regret at his dejected tone, he quickly spoke up.
“It’s probably because it feels awkward! You haven’t seen each other in so long.”
Gui-heon also nodded and added his words.
“If Yeon-ah understood your heart, you could become much closer. Though you never expressed it, you’ve always cherished her dearly.”
“…Then if I express it, will that work.”
Dang Eum murmured, stirring the mung beans.
“Of course. Yeon-ah will surely open her heart. She’s a good and lovely child.”
Gui-heon chimed in agreement.
Dang Eum nodded as if he had made a decision.

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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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