The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 113

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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 113
I felt the members of the Baek Geom Unit sitting down beside Baek Li Jae-cheon watching me with concern. Baek Li Jae-cheon was famous for his sword skills befitting his position as commander of the Baek Geom Unit, but what was even more famous than that was his extremely… extremely… intimidating appearance.
With an eye patch like that… it’s perhaps excessive to say this, but honestly, his appearance seemed far more suited to a bandit leader than a swordsman of the Orthodox Sect.
Baek Li Jae-cheon looked at me with puzzlement.
“Am I not frightening to you?”
“No.”
“Not frightening?”
What were scars on a face? The truly terrifying ones were those who wielded blades with a smile on their lips.
‘I wonder how Yalyu is doing…’
This wasn’t to say Yalyu was a bad person. I had merely thought of him for a moment. Really. Yet the thought of Yalyu brought an involuntary smile to my lips.
I could look at Baek Li Jae-cheon with genuine warmth.
“Yes! You’re not scary at all. I’ve heard a lot about you, Danju.”
“You’ve heard about me?”
I nodded and made my eyes shine as brightly as I could.
“I heard you injured your eyes protecting Grandfather! How could I be afraid of someone who protected Grandfather!”
Honestly, it wasn’t just the scars and eye patch that were the issue, but I attributed Baek Geom Danju’s ferocity entirely to his wounds.
Grandfather clicked his tongue and spoke.
“Danju, get a hold of yourself. How unsightly.”
Baek Geom Danju, who had been staring at me with wide eyes, turned to look at Grandfather.
“I… my heart aches so much. When was the last time I heard something so adorable?”
Grandfather let out a scoff as if exasperated.
“The Family Head wouldn’t know. My own grandchildren cried the moment they first saw me.”
“…”
Grandfather shook his head and turned away from Baek Geom Danju.
“Enough of this nonsense. Let’s just eat.”
At those words, I looked ahead with a very serious expression.
“Grandfather, there’s a major problem.”
Grandfather furrowed his brow deeply and lowered his voice.
“What problem are you talking about?”
The table before me was laden with rice and what appeared to be every dish available to order at this inn.
“I’ve already eaten!”
“What!”
* * *
We parted ways with the Changhung Piao Bureau. However, the research texts of Man Shin-ui and the children Father had rescued were to be escorted all the way to the Baek Li Estate. The children, having grown somewhat familiar with us in the meantime, seemed afraid of parting with me.
And the Jegal Family Head traveled with us. It seemed he and Grandfather had come to some sort of understanding. Baek Li-myeong was absolutely delighted.
The journey that had taken four days when Grandfather came to meet me took nearly ten days on the return.
There was no accident. In regions where the Baek Li Family’s influence reached, with the Baek Li Family Head present, who would dare obstruct us? We simply traveled slowly.
A comfortable journey. It felt as though we were on a leisurely excursion. Seok Tae-ui was particularly satisfied with this unhurried pace.
On the night when only about a day’s distance remained to the Baek Li Estate, I headed to the chamber where Father was staying.
The moment I stood before the door, I heard Father’s voice.
“Come in.”
He had sensed my presence.
When I entered the guest room, Father was dressed comfortably.
“You’re still awake, Father.”
“And what of you? Why are you still up? Can’t you sleep?”
I nodded.
“Will you have nightmares again tonight?”
“No, it’s not that tonight.”
On nights when I felt an ominous sensation creeping in, I would sleep beside Father, and miraculously, the nightmares would never come. But now… that was no longer possible.
‘I’m so sorry, Father.’
Ever since I discovered my sleep habits, I’d been too embarrassed to share his bed. How Father had managed not to show any sign of discomfort despite my condition, I couldn’t fathom. And besides… I barely had nightmares anymore. After I injured my hand, Yalyu had been keeping watch through the nights, and they had noticeably diminished.
“Father…”
Father tilted his head, inviting me to continue.
“I’m thinking of telling Grandfather.”
Without needing to specify whom, Father understood immediately. The power I had received from Man Shin-ui. After much deliberation, I had decided to tell Grandfather.
Father studied my face and nodded.
“If that is your decision… very well.”
A faint smile tinged with joy crossed Father’s face. He had been hoping all this time that I would tell Grandfather.
Father then asked me:
“What made you suddenly think of this?”
“I’ve just been wrestling with it ever since seeing Grandfather. Whether to tell him or not.”
I paused and fidgeted with my hands.
Father waited patiently for me to speak again.
“Grandfather will probably continue to worry… and he’ll find it strange that I keep learning the sword from you… and to learn the Mubaek Divine Art beyond the third tier, I need Grandfather’s permission anyway.”
Father nodded slowly.
The third tier and beyond of the Mubaek Divine Art required the Family Head’s—Grandfather’s—approval. For reference, the fifth tier and beyond could only be learned by direct descendants bearing the Baek Li name.
“But I could surpass the third tier, couldn’t I?”
“Of course.”
I had spoken half in jest, laced with arrogance, but Father nodded so earnestly that I was taken aback.
“And… and…”
What was I trying to say?
“And?”
“Ah, I’ve thought about it so much. Then at some point, I realized it.”
I took a deep breath.
“I’ve been looking for excuses because I want to tell Grandfather.”
“…”
Father silently stroked my head and then pulled me into a gentle embrace. He asked in a somewhat worried tone:
“Are you truly all right with this? Didn’t you say it frightened you before?”
“I’m fine. Now… well, probably?”
I laughed a bit foolishly. Honestly, I wasn’t entirely certain.
‘And besides, surely you won’t be disappointed?’
What choice did I have but to believe? And even if my abilities fell short of expectations and Grandfather became disillusioned with me… it would be fine. For some reason, I felt certain of that now.
As we spoke, I observed Father’s meridians. Since that incident, I had never witnessed such a phenomenon again.
“Father, is there nothing you wish to say to me?”
Father tilted his head slightly.
“Me? Have I done something wrong to you?”
“No. I was just asking.”
“That’s a rather suspicious question.”
“Then you must have done something wrong to me, haven’t you?”
“Me?”
“Yes!”
“I’ve done many things wrong.”
His unexpected answer made me blink in surprise.
Father asked gently.
“And what of you? Have you done nothing wrong to me?”
“…Let’s just forget about all of this.”
Father chuckled softly and reached for his outer robe. I waved both hands to stop him.
“It’s fine. Father, I’ll go to Grandfather alone.”
“Why don’t we go together?”
I shook my head. Seeing Father’s puzzlement, I offered an explanation.
“If I go with Father… it will seem like Father is making me go.”
“As if it’s not sincere?”
“Exactly!”
Father’s expression suggested he found this absurd. Yet he nodded and spoke.
“If that’s your wish, I understand.”
Leaving behind Father’s gaze—a mixture of concern and pride—I departed the room.
‘Father truly has no intention of telling me, after all.’
I was lost in thought as I walked down the Inn corridor when a small shadow approached without a sound.
“You’re here again?”
That cat had become so attached that anyone would think it was mine now. Whenever I tried to go anywhere, it would appear and follow me about. Even the Baek Geom Unit members now treated it as half mine rather than truly belonging to Jegal’s White Cat.
I crouched down before the cat.
“What flower is this one?”
The cat spat out a yellow flower—the kind commonly seen in the fields. Ever since I had admired flowers once, it had been bringing them to me continuously.
“Thank you. But you really don’t need to bring them anymore.”
The cat simply rubbed its head against my hand.
Well, at least it wasn’t bringing me mice, birds, or insects.
I stroked the cat a few times before standing.
“I’m going to see Grandfather now. Don’t follow me.”
But the cat was not one to listen to my words. It trailed behind me, and just as I seemed to be heading toward the Guest Room where Grandfather was staying, it went elsewhere. The only place the cat consistently avoided was Grandfather’s side.
I laughed watching the cat disappear into the distance.
“So I’m telling you not to come.”
The Baek Geom Unit warrior standing guard before the guest room where Grandfather was staying laughed upon seeing me.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“I brought a gift.”
I handed over the yellow flowers.
“Finally, it’s my turn.”
“Finally?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
“Ah, have you come to see the Family Head?”
“Yes. Is he sleeping, perhaps?”
“It’s not quite time for sleep yet, but…”
His expression seemed oddly subtle. What was that about? As I peered inside, I could see two people in the guest room.
“Come in.”
“Ah, how fortunate. Please, go ahead.”
The warrior opened the door for me.
Passing through the folding screen into the inner chamber, I found Baek Geom Danju and Grandfather sitting together at a round table with a dark sheen, drinking.
Baek Geom Danju threw both hands up.
“If it isn’t Yeon!”
“Ah, hello.”
Having spent time together recently, Baek Geom Danju had grown comfortable speaking casually with me. The smell of alcohol from him as he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me close was overwhelming. His eyes seemed slightly unfocused.
Is it really okay to drink that much?
I asked with a hint of concern.
“Can’t you use your inner energy to avoid getting drunk?”
By expelling drunkenness through inner energy, one could drink endlessly without intoxication.
“Where’s the fun in that! Each household has its own unique taste, so I need to take this chance and drink my fill! Ha ha ha!”
His laughter was loud enough to make my head ring. True to a drunk man, his voice was tremendous.
Grandfather offered a rebuke.
“What are you saying in front of the child?”
After laughing heartily, Baek Geom Danju fingered my palm.
“You’ve built up quite a bit of callus. You’ve been working hard every morning.”
Compared to my schedule during the Pyo Bureau travels, my current routine was far more leisurely—I studied the sword with Father every morning from dawn until sunrise.
“That’s right, that’s right. This is how it should be. The eldest young master is just following Jegal Family Head around…”
“Jae-cheon!”
“Ouch.”
At Grandfather’s stern rebuke, Baek Geom Danju stopped speaking and scratched his head vigorously.
Baek Li-myeong had been currying favor with Jegal Family Head so much lately that it was frankly unsightly. Even within the Baek Geom Unit, I could hear whispers of discontent—questioning whether the direct line of the Baek Li Family really needed to grovel so much to Jegal Family Head.
Of course, Baek Li-myeong never heard such voices. He had no interest in the Baek Geom Unit. To him, the Unit was merely his retinue, subordinates who served him. They were fish he had caught, people who naturally owed him obedience.
Baek Geom Danju pushed himself up from the table.
“Since Yeon has come to see Grandfather, I shall take my leave as an uninvited guest.”
“Go and sleep instead of drinking more.”
Baek Geom Danju left the room with a smile, tapping my shoulder two or three times as he went. Grandfather watched him depart, then withdrew something from his robes and handed it to me.
“Here, wipe your hands with this.”
“Thank you…”
As I accepted the handkerchief, I froze. The cloth bore an embroidered white cloud of indeterminate form, yet something about it felt strangely familiar.

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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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