The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 129

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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 129
* * *
I returned to the Residence Quarter with my father.
I found the White Cat—my original objective—in Jegal Family Head’s Room. The moment it saw me, it meowed incessantly, so much so that I wondered what kind of cat could be so talkative. Only after I fed it did it finally quiet down.
After observing the White Cat for a moment, I cautiously made my way toward my father’s room.
I opened the door and peeked my head inside.
Before I could even speak, my father addressed me first.
“Sit. Let us talk for a moment.”
“….”
What was this about? Had I done something wrong? Why did I feel this way? Whenever someone asked to talk, I suddenly felt as though I’d committed some transgression….
Even as I approached, my mind raced anxiously.
‘No, that’s not it… not recently….’
Two teacups sat on the table as if my father had anticipated my arrival.
My father picked up the teapot and spoke.
“That cat seems quite fond of you.”
“Does it?”
“When I came to see Jegal Family Head, it wouldn’t even acknowledge me.”
I furrowed my brow.
“That’s problematic.”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll train it properly!”
“…I look forward to it.”
I thought I detected a hint of amusement, but his expression remained as stoic as always. My father took a sip of tea before continuing.
“Jegal Family Head’s condition appears worse than I expected.”
I nodded. I had come to discuss this very matter.
My father continued.
“What are your thoughts?”
“In my estimation, he has roughly two years remaining.”
“My assessment aligns with yours.”
My father exhaled heavily and nodded with grave solemnity.
“If the poison Jegal Family Head mentioned is truly the cause of my condition… then I have received considerable aid.”
The Baek Li Estate had uncovered no information regarding the annihilation of the Moshan Sect.
Ultimately, my grandfather went to investigate personally whether such a poison had existed within the Moshan Sect. We could not rely solely on Jegal Family Head’s word.
For reference, my father had initially wished to investigate himself, but since he could not leave my side, it would have to wait.
Wait? Both my grandfather and I clutched the backs of our necks in exasperation. He showed no urgency in discovering the cause and seeking treatment!
Unable to tolerate my father’s composure, my grandfather flew into a rage and departed, declaring he would go himself. Officially, it was announced that he had embarked on a brief journey.
In any case, had it not been for Jegal Family Head, we might never have considered the possibility of poison.
I touched my teacup and spoke.
“Just as I helped Jegal Family Head, he has helped me—helped us, rather.”
I gazed at the flickering candlelight, took a sip of tea, and sighed softly.
“Father, just say it. You want to give the Profound Clarity Stone Essence to the Jegal Family Head.”
“….”
My father’s expression remained unchanged. Yet because I stood so close, I caught the briefest flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
“That’s what you wanted to say, isn’t it?”
“…Did you know?”
“Yes. I was already considering it myself. An enormous quantity of qi seemed capable of significantly slowing the progression of the meridian collapse.”
And we possessed the Profound Clarity Stone Essence—a supreme spiritual elixir brimming with vast qi that leaned toward neither yin-yang nor the five elements. Could anything in this world be more perfectly suited?
My father nodded slowly.
“You are right.”
“Besides, I examined your entire meridian system today. That gave me even greater clarity on the matter.”
As I spoke, realization struck me.
‘Wait… could it be…!’
Had my father allowed me to observe his meridians today precisely because of the Jegal Family Head?
To show me the way?
‘That’s why he agreed so readily all of a sudden.’
I felt somewhat played.
I hesitated before speaking.
“But… you cannot consume the elixir right now, can you?”
My father nodded slowly. If he consumed the Profound Clarity Stone Essence and then encountered a situation where his true qi circulation became obstructed while refining its power, that instant would mark the threshold of demonic possession.
A sigh tinged with regret escaped me unbidden.
‘His reaction back then was so subtle.’
So this was the reason. I hadn’t wanted my intuition proven correct in such a way, yet I could only feel regret.
Of course, there existed the option of preserving the Profound Clarity Stone Essence and having him consume it after resolving his condition. But would my father truly hold back the elixir while watching the Jegal Family Head die before his eyes?
‘Absolutely not.’
He was the sort to yield even what he could consume himself.
And now that he couldn’t even consume it, there was nothing more to say.
‘Sigh… truly, there are limits to being too kind-hearted.’
Of course… I loved my father for it.
And in any case, it was better to preserve the Jegal Family Head as much as possible. He knew the secret of my golden eyes, and he would prove invaluable in the coming war against the Demonic Cult. There had to be a reason the Demonic Cult sought to exterminate the Jegal Clan.
‘I wish the novel had covered that too.’
Namgung Ryu-cheong, what were you doing without investigating that?
Most importantly, the Jegal Family Head was the only one who had provided even a remotely plausible hypothesis regarding my father’s condition.
‘He cannot die here.’
In any case, even if my father cured his condition through heavenly fortune and consumed the Profound Clarity Stone Essence to make its power his own, what good would the elixir be if we lost or suffered grievous casualties in the war against the Demonic Cult?
I gazed at my father intently.
“Doesn’t it pain you, Father?”
Even I, who knew the future, felt compelled to list so many reasons—it pained me so. Yet my father seemed far more at ease than I was. Judging by his demeanor alone, the countless martial artists who staked their lives on spiritual elixirs seemed like mere fiction.
“If it did not pain me, how could I call myself a martial artist?”
My father spoke in a measured tone.
“Only… it would not have been this way had it been you or Yeon.”
“….”
“Then let us proceed at once.”
I opened my eyes wide.
“Right now?”
“Yes. The Jegal Family Head’s condition is not favorable.”
Father paused for a moment before asking.
“Are you fatigued?”
“Not particularly….”
My mind was still remarkably clear, and honestly, sleep seemed unlikely to come.
Yet I gazed through the open window at the sky. Stars gleamed like pinpricks scattered across the pitch-black darkness. Turning to glance at the water clock, it was nearly midnight.
“Shouldn’t you inform Mu-yeong as well?”
“I have already done so.”
“You have?”
* * *
I took Father’s hand and made my way toward the Jegal Family Head’s residence. Just then, one of the Baek Family’s patrolling warriors approached us.
“Fourth Young Master, Young Miss. Is there some trouble?”
“Nothing at all. You work hard.”
The patrolling warrior bowed to Father and withdrew. It seemed he had inquired because we kept coming and going at this late hour. Observing this exchange, I too found myself at a loss for words.
‘He had already informed Mu-yeong beforehand….’
So Father had already made his decision in his heart!
“What would you have done if I had refused?”
Father looked down at me with a puzzled expression.
“I know you.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“No matter how precious a spiritual elixir may be, it cannot compare to saving a human life. Therefore, it is only right to do so.”
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Father spoke with a somewhat urgent tone.
“That is to say, ‘right’ does not mean you must do it…rather, it means…I believed you would think as I do. Because you are my daughter, after all.”
I stared at Father blankly.
In that moment, I recalled when I had suggested capturing Cheon Gwi-jo first, even if it meant finding Man Shin-ui slightly later. Father had been delighted by my choice then, for I had thought as he did.
And now he assumed I would naturally think the same way.
“So Yeon, if you find it disagreeable or dislike it, tell me even now.”
“….”
“What is it?”
“…I actually do dislike it.”
“What?”
“I’ve grown tired of walking!”
With a bright smile, I reached out my arms toward Father as if asking to be held. Father, startled, let out an incredulous chuckle.
“…Are you teasing your father?”
“Hehe.”
Since I had begun properly learning the Mubaek Divine Art, Father rarely held me. The reason was quite simple: he wanted me to practice my footwork while walking about!
Isn’t that going too far?
My father sighed and pulled me into his arms, pinching my nose firmly.
“Ow, that hurts!”
“Of course it does. That was the whole point.”

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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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