The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 112

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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 112
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I never expected to find him so quickly.
But then again, why should only the Jegal Family Head get to use me? Baek Li-myeong initially pretended to object, but the moment I said, “Well, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll go alone,” he hurried after me without hesitation.
Mak-chu startled at my approach and slipped inside the chamber. I watched the approaching glow of light beyond the doorway and pressed my lips together slightly.
Why is he even running? He should take better care of himself.
The door swung open.
“Yeon…! Miss. Who is this person beside you…?”
Miss Yeon? What’s that about?
I smiled as though I had no memory of our last parting.
“Good morning.”
“Oh? Ah… yes, of course.”
“You may have heard that members of the Baek Li Family arrived this morning. This is my cousin brother.”
“I am Baek Li-myeong. It is an honor to meet you.”
The Jegal Family Head regarded us both with an enigmatic expression before breaking into a smile.
“If he is the cousin brother of Miss Baek Li, then he is also a friend of mine. Please, come in.”
Baek Li-myeong’s expression showed clear surprise at the sight of the Jegal Family Head. Even having heard he was young, he clearly hadn’t expected someone so youthful. His skepticism lingered even as he took his seat.
I observed the figure in black robes standing behind the Jegal Family Head.
I don’t think I’ve seen him before.
Perhaps sensing my gaze, the Jegal Family Head offered an explanation.
“That is Mu-yeong, my personal guard. He had business elsewhere and only returned at dawn yesterday.”
Mu-yeong bowed with practiced grace.
His cultivation appears formidable.
The inner strength radiating from him was more than sufficient for a Jegal Family Head’s personal guard.
While I was momentarily distracted, the Jegal Family Head naturally placed teacups before us and poured from the kettle. Only then did he ask, as though suddenly remembering.
“But what brings you here?”
Isn’t it customary to ask before pouring the tea…?
Was this some deliberate tactic to keep us here? Or was I simply being overly suspicious of the Jegal Family Head?
I produced the White Cat from my robes and spoke.
“Your White Cat has been bringing me small animals all morning long.”
“Hmm?”
The Jegal Family Head, who appeared ignorant of the matter, gazed at the cat and burst into laughter.
“Ha, it seems this one has felt quite sorry toward you. I suppose we cannot simply… accept them.”
When our eyes met, the Jegal Family Head quickly corrected himself and apologized, continuing that he would manage the cat better going forward to prevent such incidents.
“Since you’ve come all this way, please have at least a cup of tea before you leave. I was growing bored anyway.”
Baek Li-myeong responded promptly.
“Of course!”
And with that, I heard the Jegal Family Head’s voice at the edge of my hearing.
[I’m sorry.]
It was a whispered transmission. The Jegal Family Head concealed his mouth adroitly behind his teacup.
Without realizing it, I furrowed my brow slightly.
[If you’re sorry to me, don’t use martial arts and just rest quietly. Your body isn’t even well, so what are you doing?]
Just like when he leaped up earlier, this person with a weakened body was pushing himself recklessly. The eyes that had blinked at me gradually curved into a smile.
But he couldn’t continue looking at me.
Baek Li-myeong opened his mouth with an excited tone.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you this way. The Jegal Family Head is….”
Before Baek Li-myeong, the Jegal Family Head appeared remarkably refined and dignified. Despite his young age, he seemed entirely worthy of inheriting the position of Family Head.
I could feel Baek Li-myeong’s admiration in real time. But I grew increasingly suspicious.
‘No matter how much martial arts can sharpen one’s mind, how is this possible?’
I had felt it then too, but he didn’t seem eleven years old at all.
And it was infuriating.
‘What is this? If he can act so reasonably, why does he treat me that way?’
Just as resentment began to build.
“I heard that Miss Baek Li asked the Great Master Baek to help me. Miss is my life’s benefactor. I hardly know how to repay such kindness.”
“Ah… Yeon saved the Jegal Family Head’s life….”
I could almost hear the gears turning in Baek Li-myeong’s head. The Jegal Family Head drove the nail home perfectly.
“It’s fortunate that the young master and my benefactor are on good terms.”
Touch him and you’ll be at odds with me.
There was no way Baek Li-myeong, who had a brain, wouldn’t understand this. He laughed heartily and spoke.
“There’s nothing to worry about! Yeon is the younger sister I cherish most.”
I nearly let out a scoff, but I bit my lip and lowered my head instead, hiding it. To Baek Li-myeong, it would likely appear as if I were embarrassed.
The sound of a teacup being lifted reached my ears, and I quickly struck first.
[Don’t use spirit transmission.]
[…Tsk.]
Tsk? What does that mean? Surely it doesn’t mean what I think it does?
While I was caught in confusion, Mak-chu approached and spoke.
“The Great Master Baek has arrived.”
Baek Li-myeong asked in surprise.
“Uncle has come?”
I too was startled and snapped out of my confusion.
Why did Father suddenly come? Has his conversation with Grandfather ended?
The Jegal Family Head tilted his head slightly and spoke.
“Let him in.”
Father strode in and exchanged greetings with the Jegal Family Head. He seemed to have come knowing that Baek Li-myeong was already here.
The Jegal Family Head asked.
“What brings you here?”
“Nothing special. I’ve come to take the children.”
“Ah….”
The Jegal Family Head’s expression showed his disappointment.
“Yeon, Myeong, come here.”
I immediately got to my feet and moved toward Father. But Baek Li-myeong glanced back and forth between Father and the Jegal Family Head before speaking.
“Uncle, I think I’ll stay a bit longer.”
“…Very well.”
Father said nothing more, simply scooped me into his arms, and left the chamber.
‘Wait, so Baek Li-myeong and Jeggal Hwa-mu are staying alone together?’
Over Father’s shoulder, I caught sight of the Jegal Family Head’s bewildered expression.
Which meant….
‘He’s leaving me here with him and slipping away?’
Unlike the Jegal Family Head, I was a perfectly virtuous person, so I mouthed the words silently.
‘G-o-o-d l-u-c-k.’
The Jegal Family Head let out an incredulous laugh. After Father left the chamber and had walked some distance, he spoke to me.
“Why were you with the Jegal Family Head?”
“Oh, I came to return the white cat to him.”
“The white cat?”
“Yes. It brought another bird back this time! Fortunately, it didn’t kill this one, but if this keeps happening, it won’t do. I wanted to make that clear to him.”
As I answered, I reached up and cupped Father’s face, tilting my head curiously.
“What’s wrong?”
“Father, you look absolutely… exhausted.”
“…Sigh.”
Father exhaled a deep breath.
“Did something happen with Grandfather?”
“Nothing serious.”
I stared at him expectantly, and Father reluctantly continued.
“I simply heard Father expressing his anger, and it left me quite drained.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to suppress the laughter threatening to burst forth. Even an iron-willed man like Father would grow weary facing a fire-breathing dragon.
As Father carried me down to the first floor of the inn, the aroma of food wafted through the air. Multiple tables had been pushed together to form one large surface, laden with an abundance of dishes.
And there sat Grandfather alongside warriors bearing sharp, formidable auras.
‘…These are members of the Baek Geom Unit, aren’t they?’
Grandfather glanced at me and nodded.
“You’ve arrived. Where is Myeong?”
“He said he would stay with the Jegal Family Head a while longer, so I left him there.”
“Myeong is with the Jegal Family Head?”
“Yes.”
Father carried me to the empty seat beside Grandfather. Grandfather’s face darkened visibly as he looked at me.
“Surely… Yeon, you didn’t introduce Myeong to the Jegal Family Head, did you?”
“Yes, I did.”
At my answer, Grandfather’s displeasure became unmistakably apparent. He spoke in a slightly angry tone.
“How can you be so hopelessly kind!”
“…?”
“I heard you had a conflict with the Jegal Family Head—do you really want to meet him again?”
I turned my gaze toward Father beside me.
When did you tell Grandfather? It was quite good for me. I laughed awkwardly, as if I had no choice.
“Still… my older brother wanted to meet.”
“….”
Pretending to be close, feigning a good relationship—it wasn’t something only Baek Li-myeong could do.
Grandfather fixed me with a stern gaze. Yet I could read the pity contained within it. And that pitying look in his eyes was mirrored in the members of the Baek Geom Unit who watched me.
Grandfather spoke.
“Sit. I called you here because I will be traveling with you for several days, and I thought we might share a meal to become acquainted with your face.”
Grandfather gestured with his eyes toward the man seated directly beside him. He appeared to be of a similar age to Grandfather. His thick beard framed a face where one eye bore an eye patch. Beneath the patch ran a long scar that stretched across his cheek and reached his lip.
The man gazed at me intently with his uncovered eye, then spoke carefully.
“I am Baek Li Jae-cheon, Commander of the Baek Geom Unit. It is my first time seeing you in person. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
I had heard the name before. A branch member of the Baek Family. As Grandfather’s right hand and Commander of the Baek Geom Unit—the sword of the Baek Li Family—his skill was beyond question.
In my past life, we had barely exchanged greetings in passing, let alone developed any relationship. I never expected to meet him like this.
“It is my first time meeting you as well. I am Baek Li-yeon.”
“…Ah.”
Baek Li Jae-cheon let out a slight sigh, half a beat late.
“Did I not tell you? In terms of courage alone, she is just like her father.”
“She is truly impressive.”
At those words, Baek Li Jae-cheon smiled—a grin that twisted the scar running across his cheek into something quite fearsome.

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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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