The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 100

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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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Chapter 100
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A moment later, Wi Ji-baek spoke again.
“He has no intention of explaining what Byeok Seong-yul did.”
Namgung Wan laughed softly, as if stating the obvious.
Wi Ji-baek’s expression hardened once more.
Byeok Seong-yul.
When Yong Bong Ji-hoe and Namgung Wan suddenly encountered Cheon Gwi-jo, he abandoned his comrades and fled alone.
Ak Jung-hae was gravely wounded trying to protect the fleeing Byeok Seong-yul.
Had it not been for the physician Baek Li-yeon brought, he would have died on the spot from such severe injuries.
“However, Byeok Seong-yul has reflected on his crimes and agreed to serve as a regular member of the Alliance rather than as a disciple of the Hyungsan sect.”
“A regular member? Has he been expelled?”
“Not quite. However, all parties—the Hyungsan sect, the Dang Clan, and the Ak Family—have agreed on Byeok Seong-yul’s punishment. Since everyone has decided to let the matter pass peacefully, I hope the Family Head will understand as well.”
Namgung Wan frowned but refrained from sneering further.
Those who suffered from the Cheon Gwi-jo incident were the junior members of Yong Bong Ji-hoe who failed their mission, and among them, Ak Jung-hae bore the greatest loss. He barely survived after brushing against death’s door.
It would be awkward for Namgung Wan to press the issue when Ak Jung-hae’s own family had decided to let it go.
Though his heart twisted with displeasure, he had no choice but to swallow it and move on.
“I understand.”
Wi Ji-baek exhaled deeply.
“If we simply cast out and kill anyone who displeases us, what difference is there between us and the Demonic Cult or other heretical sects?”
“I brought him here hoping he would apologize directly to you all. How you accept this is your choice. I have no intention of interfering further.”
Namgung Wan wore the expression of one who had bitten into an astringent persimmon, while Baek Li-ui-gang remained composed.
“But I digress. I did not come here because of Young Master Byeok.”
Wi Ji-baek’s gaze turned toward the Namgung Family Head.
“I heard that Man Shin-ui’s Alchemy Chamber has been discovered.”
The Namgung Family Head nodded slowly.
“The eyes of the world have turned toward it. Rumors spread that the chamber contains Gongcheong Stone Jade. Be cautious.”
Elixirs and divine techniques.
In this world, there were countless who would stake their very lives for such treasures.
And how many tombs of immortal sages had been desecrated for their sake?
Even as recently as thirteen years ago, the tomb of an absolute master from a century past, known as the Medicine Sage, was discovered and sparked a great bloodbath.
Those blinded by greed existed everywhere.
Even the Orthodox Martial Arts Sects, united in pursuit of justice, could not escape this reality.
They spread hollow claims that the Namgung Clan must have some special connection to Man Shin-ui to possess all his legacy.
The words sounded plausible, but beneath them lay only depravity.
Man Shin-ui’s relatives and disciples were all long dead, their line extinguished—so to whom should the legacy be given?
They merely stirred up needless commotion to line their own pockets.
Had the Namgung Family Head still been the Murim Alliance Leader, this would surely have been far more troublesome.
And now, the Murim Alliance Leader was Wi Ji-baek himself….
“I am grateful, Alliance Leader Wi. Thank you for taking the trouble to visit and share this warning.”
Wi Ji-baek simply smiled faintly.
The Namgung Family Head lifted his teacup and spoke with composure.
“And don’t worry. I’ve already obtained it.”
Wi Ji-baek’s eyes widened. Genuine surprise crossed his face.
“You mean the Gongjung Stone Jade wasn’t merely a rumor?”
“That’s right. Baek Li-yeon found Man Shin-ui’s Alchemy Chamber and obtained the Gongjung Stone Jade, then handed it over to us.”
“Extraordinary.”
The Namgung Family Head calmly explained everything to the astonished Wi Ji-baek.
The reason the Namgung Family Head was telling Wi Ji-baek all of this was simple.
He wanted the news spread in a way that prevented baseless rumors from circulating.
He hoped that with the Gongjung Stone Jade already in the hands of the Namgung Clan, no one short of madness would covet it. Bloodshed in the Jianghu would be avoided.
Wi Ji-baek immediately understood the Namgung Family Head’s intention.
“Understood. I’ll ensure everything remains quiet.”
“Wi Ji-baek, you’ve taken on quite the burden.”
“Ha, this is hardly worth calling a burden.”
The real problem was martial artists flocking at the mere whisper of rumors.
“Then let’s leave the matter at that.”
He then looked toward Baek Li-ui-gang and Namgung Wan.
“So Ga-ju and the Sect Leader may have heard the news as well. That Cheon Gwi-jo broke through the Heaven’s Net and fled toward Gwi-ju Fortress.”
Namgung Wan sighed, and Baek Li-ui-gang’s expression darkened.
There had been several close calls to capture Cheon Gwi-jo after his escape.
But Cheon Gwi-jo’s elusive nature proved invaluable here.
Cheon Gwi-jo broke through the Heaven’s Net as if mocking those who pursued him, fleeing leisurely toward Gwi-ju Fortress.
Gwi-ju Fortress was originally where Cheon Gwi-jo had hidden while conducting his child abductions. No matter how much time had passed, he would know that region better than anyone.
“So, Sect Leader, I hear you have a survivor from that Cheon Gwi-jo incident in your care?”
“Yes.”
“Would it be possible to see them?”
“May I ask what this is for?”
“Nothing major. They may have heard something while held captive by Cheon Gwi-jo.”
Baek Li-ui-gang felt inwardly relieved.
“I don’t have them with me at the moment.”
* * *
By the time we descended from Cheon-am Temple and entered the Capital City, the sun had already set.
So Bu-in didn’t take me back to the Baek Family Residence, but instead to an inn called Hyang Ha-ru.
The food there was extraordinary.
Especially the braised pork wrapped in lotus leaves—it was exquisite. The meat was tender and succulent, truly a genuine gem of a restaurant that So Bu-in had selected.
My appetite, which had been dulled during the carriage ride from eating honeyed jujubes and sweet confections, suddenly returned in full force.
Namgung Ryu-cheong also seemed displeased when we stopped at a restaurant instead of going home, but once he tasted the braised pork, he fell silent.
I emptied two bowls of rice, while Namgung Ryu-cheong emptied three.
After eating the dumplings recommended by Seo Ha-ryeong and the braised pork from Hyang Ha-ru in succession, I made a new life goal for myself.
I need to hunt down more delicious restaurants.
To think I’d died without ever tasting food like this—what a tragedy.
Missing my father, I had them wrap up some boiled pork as well.
Patting my pleasantly full belly as I headed toward the Residence Quarter, I froze at the sight of a familiar figure.
“Yalyu!”
Yalyu, who had been sitting at the entrance of the Residence Quarter with his chin propped in his hand, gazing at the ground, lifted his head.
Upon seeing Yalyu’s bright smile, I gasped in horror.
“You! What happened to your face!”
I rushed forward and seized Yalyu’s cheek, which bore a wound as if scraped against something, and let out a cry of anguish.
Yalyu’s lips parted slightly as if to speak, then closed again, and his gaze shifted behind me.
A voice came with a gentle breeze.
“…I thought some disaster had struck.”
I turned around at the sound of the voice.
“Father?”
“Your scream carried all the way over the Residence Quarter walls.”
It seemed he’d been startled enough to use his lightness technique to come rushing over.
I laughed sheepishly and examined Yalyu’s wound again. On that fair cheek was an angry red wound with a scab already forming.
I thought in horror: ‘What if it leaves a scar? That absolutely cannot happen!’
Father glanced at Yalyu and spoke.
“Did Cheonsan Yeom-je tell you this?”
Yalyu nodded, then answered with a slight delay, “Yes.”
“When a boy learns martial arts, he’s bound to get a few scrapes. Don’t worry about it too much.”
Yalyu nodded as if hearing something obvious.
I pouted.
I thought: ‘If it were my arms or legs, I wouldn’t have made such a fuss.’
“But it’s his face. How could such a beautiful face get wounded like this… *sniff*.”
As I made crying sounds, Father spoke with a tone of mild disapproval.
“Don’t obsess over appearances. You should look at what’s inside.”
“What’s inside?”
Yalyu’s inner nature… didn’t seem particularly impressive.
I thought honestly: ‘Isn’t Yalyu’s personality rather lacking?’
When our eyes met, Yalyu tilted his head slightly, looking at me as if asking why.
I shook my head as if it were nothing.
I decided: ‘As long as he’s good to me, that’s all that matters.’
“Don’t stand here. Let’s go inside.”
“Yes. Oh right, So Bu-in took me to an inn and we had dinner there—it was so delicious I brought some back. Have you eaten dinner, Father?”
“What hour do you think it is? Of course I’ve eaten.”
Seeing my dejected expression, Father smiled faintly and continued.
“But since I ate lightly, I have room for more.”
“Perfect!”
I clapped my hands and turned to look at Yalyu.
“What about you, Yalyu?”
Yalyu shook his head.
“Is that so? Then let’s eat together!”
This time, he nodded.
“And I have some salve that’s good for wounds. I received it long ago when I injured my palm….”
I opened the door to the chamber we’d just arrived at and widened my eyes in surprise.
“Oh….”
Everything was organized with meticulous care.
Who had tidied it up?
The answer came immediately.
Yalyu smiled softly as he looked at me.
Baek Li-ui-gang sighed and spoke.
“Yalyu, there’s no need for you to tidy Yeon’s chamber from now on.”

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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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