The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 114

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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 114
Perhaps noticing my stiffness, Grandfather spoke with a puzzled expression.
“Why are you— no, ahem.”
Grandfather raised his eyebrows and hastily retrieved the handkerchief. Then he produced another one and handed it to me.
“Wipe your hands with this.”
I dried my hands with what he offered, stealing glances at Grandfather.
“Why do you keep peeking at me like that? If you have something to say, speak up.”
“I have nothing to say.”
I shook my head with a nervous laugh.
“Hand it over once you’re done.”
I offered the handkerchief with an awkward smile. Grandfather reached for it but suddenly stopped, pulling my wrist toward him.
“Tsk, careless. You missed a spot here.”
He meticulously wiped the hollow between my middle and ring fingers, then released my hand.
“Thank you.”
“So what brings you here?”
….
The moment he asked, the reason for my visit crystallized in my mind. I tensed slightly, clasping my hands together. I had agonized over how to broach this subject the entire way here. And as I’d concluded….
‘Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.’
I swallowed hard and focused my concentration for a moment.
The instant I unfurled my qi.
Clatter! The round chair was suddenly shoved backward and crashed to the floor. Grandfather stared at me with wide eyes.
“What in the—”
Half-rising from his seat, Grandfather looked around in disbelief. Watching him, I felt this was enough. I moistened my dry lips and opened my mouth.
“Grand—father!”
But before I could finish speaking, I was suddenly lifted into the air. I gasped in surprise and grabbed Grandfather’s arm.
“Ha, ha, hahahaha!”
Grandfather, gripping my waist, laughed like a madman as he spun me around.
“Yes! Yes!”
What—what is happening?! I cried out in alarm.
“G-Grandfather, p-put me down!”
Grandfather seemed deaf to my voice, laughing wildly.
“Put me down!”
As I spun up and down, my stomach churned. After calling out several times, I finally let out a shriek.
“Put me down, please!”
* * *
I gripped the table with one hand clamped over my mouth.
“Are you alright?”
Fortunately, enough time had passed that everything had settled.
‘I feel like I’m going to be sick….’
Grandfather gently patted my back and handed me a teacup.
“Here, drink some of this.”
I was gasping for breath when Grandfather handed me a cup of tea. I took a sip and immediately spat it back out.
‘This is alcohol!’
I coughed frantically.
Grandfather was startled and examined the teacup.
“What? Who poured alcohol into the teacup!”
Grandfather hurriedly flipped over a fresh teacup and grabbed the teapot.
I rinsed my mouth several times urgently and tried to regain my senses. Just from holding it briefly, my head was spinning.
‘Or maybe… I’m spinning in circles in the air, which is why my head feels like it’s spinning.’
After resting for a while, my mind finally cleared.
‘What is this commotion…’
Grandfather removed his hand from my forehead and asked.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes.”
As I exhaled, I could still smell the alcohol.
“I’ve driven out the alcohol toxin, so don’t worry.”
“Thank you…”
I reflexively began to thank him, then stopped. Was this something to be grateful for? If he hadn’t given me alcohol in the first place, I wouldn’t have needed to expel the toxin at all.
“…I don’t think I should be.”
“Yes, yes! It’s all my fault!”
Grandfather seemed delighted despite saying this, grinning widely.
“You’ve already begun to unfold your technique!”
Grandfather reached for the sword he had leaned against the side of the table, then hesitated.
“You won’t be able to lift this one. Well then, how about this…”
I understood what he was trying to say from his expression. I had already studied this beforehand.
I struck first.
“I can’t create that sword energy.”
Grandfather tilted his head slightly as he observed me.
“…I had a suspicion, but yes. Your dantian remains unchanged. Then… this must be related to Man Shin-ui.”
Grandfather’s eyes gleamed. Just as expected of Grandfather—he grasped the situation immediately.
I displayed my golden eyes and explained everything from my encounter with Man Shin-ui. I added that I hadn’t told Grandfather because I lacked confidence in my abilities.
And I told Grandfather that, while I was informing him, I wanted to reveal this to others gradually.
After hearing everything I said, Grandfather nodded and spoke.
“That’s right. There’s no easier way to silence the loose-tongued than proving it through skill.”
“…Pardon?”
It was somehow… slightly different from my concern about being disrespected by others again.
Grandfather grasped my shoulder and spoke with great seriousness.
“Become stronger.”
“…”
“If you become as strong as this old man, who would dare question the nature of your abilities before you?”
“As… as much as Grandfather?”
Just how far ahead are you thinking? No, wait—if it’s as much as Grandfather, that means keeping it secret until death, doesn’t it?
My true feelings must have shown on my face, for Grandfather spoke as if he were being lenient with me.
“…Well, it would be fine if you reached even half your father’s level.”
“…”
It didn’t feel particularly realistic. After all, what motivation is there to strive toward a goal that seems impossible to achieve?
“I… yes. I’ll work hard.”
“Hmm. That answer lacks conviction. Is that truly all you can muster?”
What more could he possibly want? I blinked in confusion, unsure what he expected, until a thought struck me and I cried out with renewed vigor.
“I’ll work hard!”
Only then did Grandfather nod with satisfaction.
“We shouldn’t dawdle like this. You must return to the Baek Family Estate the moment you wake tomorrow.”
“Ha, haha…”
I silently offered a prayer of condolence toward Seok Tae-ui.
But Grandfather’s next words swept away any sympathy I felt for him.
“And once you reach the second stage of the Mubaek Divine Art, you shall enter closed-door cultivation.”
“…Pardon?”
“I would like you to achieve the second stage before the year ends. After seeing in the new year, entering closed-door cultivation would be perfectly timed.”
“Y-you want me to reach the second stage before the year ends?”
“Yes. Why? Can you not do it?”
No… even Father took about a year to reach the second stage.
‘There’s only a little over half a year left until next year…’
My mind grew hazy.
‘Setting aside whether I can even achieve the second stage of the Mubaek Divine Art by year’s end…’
I spoke carefully.
“That… Grandfather. Everyone believes I’m a cripple with a sealed dantian. Won’t people find it strange if I enter closed-door cultivation?”
“That old man will handle all such matters. You needn’t concern yourself with such trivial things!”
Grandfather waved his hand dismissively. Then, as if displeased, he raised his voice sharply.
“You lack enough time to focus on cultivation as it is—why waste thought on such matters!”
“No, I… I still need to attend the Academy.”
“The Academy? You can attend that slowly!”
Grandfather’s eyes widened as he tapped the table.
“Didn’t you say before that entering the Changung Pavilion was worthwhile? That mere Changung Pavilion! The Baek Family’s closed-door cultivation chamber is no inferior to it!”
“…”
“Wouldn’t it be better to achieve it quickly? You started late, so this old man is simply paying you extra attention. It’s all for you, for your own good.”
No, he’s right that I should make the effort. But still… no matter what…
“Once you reach the second stage before year’s end, I shall personally guide you through the third stage of the Mubaek Divine Art.”
“You’ll teach me personally, Grandfather?”
It was instruction I had never received in my previous life. For a moment, I found myself tempted before doubt crept in.
‘Wait… something’s odd?’
As I racked my memory, I couldn’t help but cry out in exasperation.
“Wait, Grandfather. The third stage of the Mubaek Divine Art is something you’re supposed to teach me anyway!”
“…You certainly know a lot.”
Grandfather’s expression hardened as he clicked his tongue in displeasure. How dare he try to pass off something obvious as a reward? I’d nearly fallen for it completely.
“Yeon, just work hard at it.”
Suddenly, Grandfather’s voice became tender.
“I believe you’re more than capable of it.”
“….”
“Come to think of it, I heard you like confections. What do you say? If you accept my proposal, I’ll buy you plenty tomorrow.”
But no matter how much I loved confections, I wasn’t about to be swayed by something so simple!
“Well… I’d like to discuss it with Father first.”
“I’ll handle talking to Ui-gang myself, so you just focus on working hard!”
‘Father… please save me. Sob.’
After bickering with Grandfather for quite some time, my throat grew parched. I took a moment to rest while sipping some tea.
Grandfather glanced out the window and spoke.
“My, how late it’s gotten. Go rest now.”
Even as he spoke, a smile never left his lips.
‘…I’m glad I said that.’
My mind was scattered and I still feared disappointing him, but seeing him so pleased like this made my heart swell unexpectedly. Before my regression, I had never seen him look so happy, not once in all my memories combined.
And I felt ashamed. My calculating thoughts deserved ridicule. I gazed quietly at Grandfather, whose face was radiant with smiles, before opening my mouth.
“Before I leave, there’s one last thing I’d like to ask you, Grandfather.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
I swallowed hard and clenched my fists beneath the table.
“Father. What’s wrong with him?”
The strange energy fluctuations I’d sensed from Father. It was one of the reasons I’d decided to reveal my abilities to Grandfather. If there truly was something wrong with Father, I believed Grandfather would surely know.
And if by chance Grandfather didn’t know, I had planned to tell him what I’d observed and ask him to examine Father once more….
“…What do you mean by that?”
A flash of bewilderment crossed his eyes in an instant. A very brief silence.
From that reaction, I could read the answer. My heart dropped to the floor.

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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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