The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 133

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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 133
That was when it happened.
“Hahahaha!”
A laugh that sounded almost like a roar echoed through the air. Everyone jumped in surprise and turned around, then gasped even louder.
“It’s… the Unit Master!”
“Goodness, when did Baek Geom Danju arrive!”
He was quite remarkable—concealing his small frame without a trace, preventing those around him from noticing. After laughing for a long while, Baek Geom Danju approached with a soft cough.
For my part, I had already known. That radiance, that formidable spiritual energy—such things cannot be hidden.
“Ahem, well. It’s been quite some time since I’ve laughed so heartily.”
I scurried over to greet him.
“Unit Master! Welcome! It’s wonderful to see you!”
My enthusiastic welcome drew puzzled expressions from everyone present.
“I didn’t expect such a warm reception.”
Of course! Baek Geom Danju was precisely the sort of weighty presence I had been hoping for. He examined me with lingering amusement, his lips still curved in a smile.
“Hmm. I hear you’ve been training diligently…”
Baek Geom Danju tilted his head slightly with a puzzled expression, then changed the subject.
“In any case, I’ve heard the details. Something amusing is happening?”
“Yes! We’re going to have a sparring match!”
Baek Geom Danju’s expression hardened. Though only slightly, his face became quite frightening in an instant.
“However, private sparring matches are forbidden. Emotions can run high, leading to serious injuries between participants.”
This was why Young Master Park had stiffened the moment he saw Baek Geom Danju. Such a thing would normally never be permitted.
I smiled brightly and spoke.
“But you’re here, Unit Master!”
“Me?”
“Yes! If it looks like someone might get hurt, couldn’t you stop it?”
“You’re asking me to serve as judge?”
“Well… I suppose that’s what it amounts to!”
Besides, to be honest, this prohibition on private sparring was an exception for direct bloodline members of the Baek Family. You could see it clearly from how the Twin Cousins constantly brought Baek Geom disciples to spar with them as they pleased. Who would dare allow injury to befall the direct line of the Baek Family?
But if I mentioned this outright, I’d come across as an arrogant child relying on bloodline. So I subtly redirected the conversation, suggesting it would be fine with Baek Geom Danju present.
Sure enough, Baek Geom Danju’s expression softened.
“Unit Master, would that be acceptable?”
“Ahahaha, of course! There’s nothing wrong with it!”
What was this? I hadn’t said anything particularly clever, yet his expression had become oddly… excessively soft and indulgent. It was slightly suspicious.
“Unit Master! What are you saying?”
An unexpected voice came from behind. It was Baek Li-myeong.
‘Why did he come?’
I had assumed he would naturally hear the commotion, but I thought the distance would take him quite some time to cover…
“Ahem, of course not! Rather than stopping a fight, are you encouraging it, Unit Master? What will you do if Yeon gets hurt…!”
Baek Geom Danju regarded Baek Li-myeong with a hardened expression.
“Young Master, you need not worry about such trivial matters. As long as I am here, there will be no injuries.”
“….”
I had needlessly provoked Baek Geom Danju. Originally, Baek Li-myeong and Baek Geom Danju had never been on good terms. The reason was simple: Baek Geom Danju was purely merit-based and not part of Baek Family Grandmother’s faction.
Even after my uncle became So Ga-ju, Baek Geom Danju maintained neutrality and preserved his position. He must have wanted to drive him out, but couldn’t.
‘If only I could bring him to Father’s side….’
And as Baek Li-myeong turned away from Baek Geom Danju’s menacing gaze, Young Master Park caught his attention. Baek Li-myeong seized the opportunity and lashed out at him.
“And you! No matter how young Yeon is, she’s still a member of the Baek Family. How dare you disrespect her?”
Young Master Park seemed flustered by Baek Li-myeong’s words.
“Young Master? If I may explain….”
“Silence!”
Baek Li-myeong cut off Young Master Park’s words and turned to me instead. This time his tone was more soothing.
“Yeon, why are you dealing with all of this yourself?”
“….”
“I’ll have words with you later, so let’s drop this for now.”
I knew this would happen.
Baek Li-myeong was always like this. Always. But if I had intended to back down now, I wouldn’t have continued the dispute all this time.
“No, older brother. I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.”
I clenched my fists as if filled with resolve and looked at Baek Li-myeong.
“Father said so! That these matters must be settled through skill.”
“Haha! I’ve always admired that spirit of Ui-gang’s!”
As expected, Baek Geom Danju stepped forward to support me.
“Well then, the discussion is concluded. Young Master, will you continue to object?”
“….”
At Baek Geom Danju’s words, Baek Li-myeong’s face contorted before he brushed off his robes and turned away.
“It seems the Young Master has also given his consent. Even so, that wager Yeon mentioned earlier is absurd.”
At the mention of a wager, I saw Baek Li-myeong call over one of his disciples to ask what it was about.
“Expelling a disciple in such a manner is unacceptable. Instead, let’s do this: if you win, Yeon, I will accept one child of your choosing as my disciple later.”
“Danju?”
“Baek Geom Danju!”
Everyone—from Baek Li-myeong to the Baek Geom Disciples and the other young men and women around us—gasped in surprise.
I gasped too. Baek Geom Danju winked at me. With his fierce expression, it probably looked to others like he was threatening me, didn’t it?
* * *
A space was prepared in an instant. The Training Ground was already crowded with people coming and going, and this was an unprecedented spectacle for the quiet Baek Li Estate recently. Everyone gathered to witness this exciting development. Baek Li-myeong sat in the seat of honor, where chairs had been brought, his displeasure evident. Somehow, close associates who were almost like subordinates had gathered around him.
And my opponent, Young Master Park, wore an expression of increasing regret as the crowd grew. But it was too late to back out now.
Young Master Park performed a sword salute and spoke.
“My name is….”
“Not interested. Come.”
I maintained a cold expression.
But inside, I was anything but cold. Me! Speaking the very lines that Namgung Ryu-cheong would say!
‘Ah, this is so thrilling!’
“Oh, this is so thrilling!”
The key point of this remark was how indifferently I tossed it out.
‘Truth be told, he looked a bit impressive back then….’
For a brat to say such things. And as expected, this comment was remarkably effective at irritating my opponent.
Young Master Park, seething with anger, kicked off the ground and charged at me. It meant he would strike first, propriety be damned.
I evaded his first sword strike and felt something.
‘Hmm? It’s nothing special.’
Honestly, I had expected it to be easy. Through my golden eyes, I could see that Young Master Park was inferior not just to Namgung Ryu-cheong, but even to Seo Ha-ryeong.
Still, I was somewhat tense at first.
But the moment I saw his first strike….
Compared to when I sparred with Namgung Ryu-cheong, this was pathetically predictable—nothing but textbook basic forms that bored me.
Clang! Whoosh. Each time my opponent’s attacks came down, they met my blade, lost their force, and slid down along the flat of my sword.
This was the fundamental application of the Mubaek Divine Art—deflecting attacks. At Father’s level of mastery, one could now evade by the slimmest margin.
Gradually, Young Master Park’s face hardened. And as I continued to exchange blades, I realized something. His level wasn’t low at all. If anything, it was above average.
But my own strength had grown. Before I could even consciously direct it, the natural qi flowed naturally through the meridians of my arm and down my wrist into my blade.
Boom! The wooden swords collided with a heavy sound that seemed far too powerful, and both our garments fluttered in the shockwave.
Young Master Park’s sword flew skyward and fell to the ground. He couldn’t withstand the force behind my strike.
My wooden sword pointed at Young Master Park’s throat.
“Do you yield?”
“….”
The dazed young man seemed unable to comprehend the situation.
“How…?”
That was when a loud voice cut across the Training Ground.
“Mubaek Divine Art, Second Stage…!”
It was Baek Geom Danju. The Baek Geom Disciple beside him also wore a rigid expression.
“Congratulations! Hahahaha! Second Stage at your age—the Family Head will be absolutely delighted!”
I bowed my head slightly and offered a humble response.
“I’m still at an embarrassing level, I’m afraid.”
That was when Baek Li-myeong suddenly stood up and cried out.
“Danju! What do you mean? Yeon at Second Stage?”
Baek Geom Danju’s brow furrowed. I could feel several weak-willed people averting their gazes in fear.
“Are you questioning my judgment right now?”
“…That’s not what I meant…!”
Baek Geom Danju clicked his tongue, turned away from Baek Li-myeong, and approached me.
“Congratulations. Ah, this time I mean congratulations on winning the sparring match.”
“Thank you.”
And as the sparring ended, the people who had been silent suddenly burst into chatter, each speaking over one another.
“Young Miss Yeon won!”
“Mubaek Divine Art, Second Stage!”
“How? Wasn’t she supposed to be a dantian cripple?”
“But Baek Geom Danju couldn’t possibly be mistaken….”
The Training Ground had become as noisy as a marketplace floor with all the chatter.
I smiled wryly to myself.

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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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