I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 77

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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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What in the world are you talking about!
It seemed I wasn’t the only one taken aback by his response.
“Well, I’m not sure what you mean….”
Gui-heon and Dang Lim murmured uncertainly.
Father’s eyes narrowed at this vague answer.
“Ah, now that you mention it.”
Dang Mu-seon exclaimed as if something had come to mind.
He rubbed his chin, appearing to sift through his memories.
Soon enough, he opened his mouth.
“An old friend of mine once said he was sending his grandson over.”
Dang Mu-seon began examining Jin Hwa with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Let’s see… yes.”
He suddenly grabbed Jin Hwa’s chin.
“Those elongated eyes, and those ears that look absolutely stubborn and disobedient….”
“Ugh!”
Jin Hwa twisted his chin in resistance, but Dang Mu-seon’s grip didn’t budge an inch.
“And those canines sharp as daggers, yes!”
Dang Mu-seon kneaded Jin Hwa’s face like dough as he spoke cheerfully.
“So you’re that grandson after all!”
“Pardon…?”
My older brothers all stared at Dang Mu-seon with bewildered expressions.
“Forgive me, but might I ask the name of this friend of yours?”
When Gui-heon asked carefully, Dang Mu-seon answered casually.
“That fellow whose fists are absurdly strong.”
No one could even begin to guess who “that fellow whose fists are absurdly strong” was.
Only Father seemed to catch on, his eyes narrowing.
“Surely not….”
“Yes. Kwon Wang.”
Kwon Wang. At those words, my older brothers’ eyes widened in shock.
“Kwon Wang…!”
I had heard the epithet “Kwon Wang” before.
Seong-ya and Kwon Wang—the two of them always stood shoulder to shoulder, or so the stories went.
Since Seong-ya was Dang Mu-seon, that meant Kwon Wang had been his close friend.
‘But that Kwon Wang person—there’s nothing known about him, only strange rumors.’
A traitor to the Blood Sect, he killed his own son with his own hands and drank his blood, and so on.
Because of that, I understood he had only been cursed and poorly treated in his later years before dying in a foreign land….
“Yes, yes. Now I remember. So you’re that grandson.”
Jin Hwa was the grandson of that Kwon Wang?
‘That’s absolutely a lie!’
I had never heard such a thing about Jin Hwa being Kwon Wang’s grandson before my regression.
But I could certainly understand why Dang Mu-seon had told such an absurd lie.
“Well….”
“Kwon Wang…?”
Only Dang Mu-seon knew the details about Kwon Wang.
So there was no way to verify whatever falsehood he might spin.
In other words, if he insisted on it, that was the end of it. Brilliant!
“I made a promise with that man. If his disciple ever came looking for me, I swore I would take them in without question.”
At his words, I gazed at Dang Mu-seon with eyes full of admiration.
‘Grandfather, so you were protecting him all along!’
How could I have failed to recognize Grandfather’s noble intentions, even for a moment?
I was truly lacking as a grandson!
“Yes. He came seeking instruction, didn’t he?”
Dang Mu-seon leaned his head closer to Jin Hwa as he asked.
The answer was already predetermined.
‘I have no choice but to agree.’
Why Dang Mu-seon invoked the name of an obscure old friend and used an unverifiable promise as an excuse was obvious.
The reason was transparent.
If Jin Hwa was Kwon Wang’s direct disciple, his status would be guaranteed, and he would become Grandfather’s immediate junior.
To be forgiven for sneaking into the Clan Residence, Jin Hwa needed this kind of cover placed upon his shoulders.
“….”
Jin Hwa’s mouth opened and closed.
His gaze moved rapidly.
He observed everyone’s expressions, the earrings jingling in our ears—everything—before swallowing hard, his throat dry.
Finally, he gave an awkward nod.
Dang Mu-seon released his hand without concern.
“So that’s how it is. Are you satisfied now, Household Head?”
Dang Mu-seon asked with a mocking tone.
Father sighed and nodded.
“If you vouch for him, Elder, then whatever punishment befalls the boy is of no concern to me. However….”
He paused and turned a sharp gaze toward me.
“What I’m curious about is why my child was hiding this boy in the first place.”
I avoided Father’s piercing eyes and looked toward Dang Mu-seon.
‘Please, explain this for me too.’
That desperate plea was all I could convey.
But Dang Mu-seon merely raised his eyebrows as he looked at me.
“Yes. Why did you? You don’t even know him.”
“Ugh….”
So he was going to feign ignorance here.
‘This is clear. This is revenge.’
He was cruelly returning karma upon me for neglecting him while I was preoccupied with Jin Hwa.
There was no way I could coldly abandon him otherwise.
“Father, I….”
I steadied myself and looked up at Father.
“That… is….”
But my throat tightened before I could continue.
It was the first time I had ever seen Father wear such an angry expression.
And the fact that his anger was directed at me terrified me.
With tears brimming at the edges of my eyes, I barely managed to speak.
“I’m… I’m sorry….”
“It’s because of me.”
Jin Hwa suddenly opened his mouth.
Everyone’s gaze shifted back to Jin Hwa.
Only Jin Hwa’s eyes remained fixed on me. Our gazes met.
With an endlessly composed expression, Jin Hwa continued.
“I was gravely injured. Miss saved me when I was dying. Even a stranger couldn’t have overlooked it.”
I was startled by how Jin Hwa addressed me as “Miss.”
His softened tone, and the fact that it was Jin Hwa who was offering a false explanation on my behalf—both astonished me.
“So… it’s my fault, sir.”
Jin Hwa finished speaking while looking at Father.
Even though Father’s gaze must have been terrifying, he didn’t avert his eyes.
“Sigh.”
Father pressed his wrinkled brow and exhaled a weary breath.
“…Who am I to blame?”
In that lament-tinged murmur, I felt his anger subside, at least somewhat.
Soon after, Father lifted his head and spoke dryly to Dang Mu-seon.
“As you understand, that child is now your responsibility.”
“Yes. Yes. I’m well aware. There will be no leakage of Dang Family martial arts.”
Dang Mu-seon answered perfunctorily, as if he already knew how to handle Jin Hwa’s body.
Dang Mu-seon untied Jin Hwa from the chair and helped him to his feet.
My older brothers seemed to have much to say, but they reluctantly let it pass.
It was all thanks to Dang Mu-seon.
‘So… is it over now…?’
I watched quietly as Dang Mu-seon led Jin Hwa away.
The moment our eyes met as Jin Hwa glanced back, the door closed.
As Jin Hwa disappeared from the room, all the tension drained from my body.
‘He’s alive, Jin Hwa!’
Everyone’s gritted teeth relaxed.
Did he even realize how fortunate this was?
He nearly died….
“You. Stay there.”
I was quietly trying to rise from my chair when Father’s words immediately pinned me back down.
“I still have much to discuss with you.”
“…Yes, Father.”
I answered in a thin voice and sat back down.
‘…So it’s me who’s going to die.’
***
“…”
For a long moment.
For a long while, they stared at me in silence.
As if to say: go ahead and speak if you have anything to say.
I swallowed dryly, keeping my hands folded respectfully in my lap.
‘…Yes. Now I can speak.’
Still, the intervention of Dang Mu-seon and Jin Hwa had eased my tension considerably.
Though I hadn’t been able to say anything just moments ago, I had actually prepared an excuse.
I’d even already prepared contingencies for if I was discovered.
‘But nothing went according to plan.’
Now it seemed I might be able to escape this situation with what I had.
“Father, if I may…”
I opened my mouth carefully.
“That child has nowhere to go and has lost all family.”
Father nodded slowly.
“I see. So you felt compassion for him.”
“That too, but… he’s similar to Seong-ya, isn’t he?”
“Hmm?”
Father’s eyes narrowed.
I continued, glancing at the chair where Jin Hwa had been sitting moments before.
“Besides, he infiltrated this place secretly. He has talent for stealth.”
“…”
“I thought if we raised him, we could use him as a spy. That’s why I took care of him.”
The more I spoke, the more everyone’s expressions hardened.
Wasn’t this the right approach?
I’d made a choice that benefited the Family. Even if it was somewhat reckless.
I thought this much would serve as an excuse…
“We have to stand against the Murim Great Families anyway. It’s good to have more options at our disposal!”
My mouth moved of its own accord, contrary to my tangled thoughts.
Of course, these words weren’t sincere. It was too cruel to raise someone as a chess piece.
Father must have sensed my true feelings. His voice came out low.
“Don’t speak words you don’t mean, child.”
“…That is…”
I was caught after all. Now I’d be punished twice over for lying.
I hung my head low and squeezed my eyes shut.
“I’m sorry…”
That was when I heard the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor.
Somewhere along the way, Father had closed the distance between us.
As I cautiously lifted my gaze, I could see Father’s expression.
From afar, his face had seemed merely angry, but now it appeared different.
It seemed… wounded.
“When have I ever asked you to be useful to me?”

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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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