The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 134

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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 134
“Well, since Yeon has won, we must now reach a conclusion.”
Baek Geom Danju’s gaze swept across Young Master Park, whose head hung low.
“I said I would accept one disciple. Do you have someone in mind?”
“Hmm….”
If I were to push forward someone close to me now….
I looked toward where the trainees had gathered. I could see the children I had been looking after all this time.
“Truthfully, I would wish to seek your instruction myself….”
Baek Geom Danju laughed heartily and spoke.
“That won’t do, it won’t do. The Family Head is watching with eyes wide open, you see.”
Moreover, the direct bloodline of the Baek Family and ordinary disciples learned entirely different cultivation methods and sword techniques.
‘Though the cultivation method isn’t really my concern anyway.’
I smiled and spoke.
“Didn’t you say so yourself? That a master-disciple bond formed merely through a wager cannot be severed.”
“I did say that.”
“But how could I possibly forge a master-disciple bond with you based solely on this victory? Let’s pretend it never happened!”
Baek Geom Danju paused for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. To catch his eye, one had to seize his attention through skill.
‘If fortune smiles… someone might yet catch his attention. Because of this matter, Baek Geom Danju will surely observe those children.’
Among those present, anyone with a sharp mind would have grasped this fact. And Baek Li-myeong’s expression….
‘Well, quite the sight.’
He seemed to have no mind left for composure. It was clear that nothing about Baek Geom Danju’s discipleship or anything else was registering in his head. His contorted face laid bare every thought within.
Baek Li-myeong approached me with hurried steps.
“You…! You…! How are you at the second stage of the Mubaek Divine Art? Does that even make sense? You deceived me….”
“What do you mean?”
“When I checked before, it was clearly…!”
I tilted my head and smiled brightly.
“More importantly, older brother, won’t you offer me congratulations?”
In that instant, Baek Li-myeong drew in a sharp breath.
Many people had gathered around. Though it was noisy, my voice was certainly audible to them. They were already blinking at Baek Li-myeong’s reaction.
The sound of Baek Li-myeong grinding his teeth could be heard from where I stood.
“…Con…grat…ulations.”
“Thank you.”
And among the bustling crowd, I noticed Bangsi Eomeom, who had been watching from somewhere, quietly turning away.
* * *
Baek Li-myeong seemed to want to say something to me, but apparently thought other matters more urgent and left first. Baek Geom Danju also left after saying I should visit him again sometime.
I stood before the children, whose flushed faces beamed with fervent congratulations, boasting a little about how they should have trusted me, asking if they would trust me from now on, then fled like a coward from the other formal disciples who suddenly began hovering around me, returning to the Residence Quarter.
There I encountered my father, whose expression had grown stern as if he had heard the commotion.
“Let us speak for a moment.”
Behind my father, I could see Eon-du and Geum-swe with worried expressions. The news had apparently already spread even to this Residence Quarter.
Thus, fifteen minutes after entering the hall.
“….”
“….”
Baek Li-ui-gang said nothing for a long while, simply observing me.
Say something, anything! I squirmed beneath the table, my hands and feet fidgeting uncontrollably until I could bear it no longer and cautiously broke the silence.
“Are you angry with me?”
“Ah, I was merely lost in thought.”
What?
I looked up at him in bewilderment.
After a moment, he spoke again.
“Do you believe you acted wrongly?”
“….”
This was no roller coaster of emotions—it was a dagger thrust straight into my heart.
‘What should I say here…?’
As if reading my thoughts, Baek Li-ui-gang continued.
“I would prefer you speak truthfully.”
“…No, Father.”
I hesitated briefly before answering.
“I do not believe you acted wrongly either.”
“…Pardon?”
My head snapped up. I had fully expected a thorough scolding, my head already bowed as if ready to strike the table!
“I heard that child provoked you first. Is that not so?”
“Oh, no—yes! I mean, he was hitting the other children, so I told him to stop…!”
“Your explanation suffices. I have already heard the account.”
“Ah, yes, Father.”
Baek Li-ui-gang spoke calmly.
“You did well.”
I blinked in disbelief, then giggled and reached for my teacup when he continued.
“However, the notion of expelling a Baek Family disciple over a wager is utterly absurd. Do you take such matters so lightly?”
“I… I apologize, Father.”
I received a thorough scolding regarding the wager. I was grateful that if I had recommended expelling even the Baek Geom Danju’s disciple, I would likely still be receiving one tomorrow.
“Father… why don’t you tell anyone about the Mubaek Divine Art’s second stage?”
“Why would I?”
Baek Li-ui-gang set down his teacup.
“Did you not say yourself that you kept it secret because you feared others’ hopeful gazes?”
“Yes! That’s right.”
“Now that you are comfortable with it, you revealed it.”
Baek Li-ui-gang reached out and stroked my head. From him, I could sense only relief that I had not been hurt.
“It would have been difficult to conceal anyway. But next time, inform your father beforehand.”
I grasped his hand as he moved to withdraw it from my head, meeting his puzzled gaze with a firm grip.
Baek Li-ui-gang, who had been observing me, suddenly spoke as if remembering something.
“Now that I think about it, I nearly forgot. Someone has come from the Jegal Family Head.”
“Ah, so it’s finished?”
Baek Li-ui-gang nodded and spoke.
“It seems he finally has the leisure to converse.”
The Jegal Family Head had entered deep meditation to assimilate the inner energy of the Gongcheong Stone Oil I had given him into his own cultivation.
He was so focused that he ate only once every four days, so even when he awakened, there had been no time to meet after that brief moment our eyes crossed. And now, at last, the Jegal Family Head had reached a state where he could hold a conversation.
“Will you go see him now?”
“Yes.”
There were so many things I needed to ask.
Just as I was about to rise from my chair.
“Yeon, did you perhaps once….”
Baek Li-ui-gang trailed off into silence.
“Father?”
I looked at him as if urging him to speak. Yet his eyes held the expression of someone with something left unsaid.
Soon Baek Li-ui-gang exhaled a sigh and spoke.
“Never mind. Go on.”
* * *
“You may simply enter.”
I regarded Mu-yeong with puzzlement.
Mu-yeong spoke without expression.
“The Family Head has instructed that Miss Seo So-jeo is to be admitted at any time.”
“…I see.”
I turned to Mak-chu beside Mu-yeong and said.
“Then please prepare tea for that.”
Mak-chu bowed respectfully and withdrew.
I announced my presence at the entrance to the Jegal Family Head’s chamber and entered. The Jegal Family Head sat by the window on his sleeping quarters, his eyes half-closed as he basked in the sunlight.
‘Isn’t it too warm?’
It had been nearly half a month since we last met. His complexion had certainly improved. The energy of the Gongcheong Stone Oil I had transferred to him now appeared to have settled quite stably.
Despite having announced my presence, he seemed unaware, so I had no choice but to clear my throat awkwardly. Only then, as if he had been deeply absorbed in something, did the Jegal Family Head turn to look at me.
“Ah, you’ve come? Sit.”
I sat down and asked.
“How is your body?”
“Hmm… not bad.”
Indeed. After lying in bed for three months, it was remarkable that he was this sound.
But that was not what I had meant to ask.
The Jegal Family Head smiled faintly.
“I suspect I might live another ten years or so.”
“…Is that so?”
Even after receiving the inner energy of the Gongcheong Stone Oil, his extended lifespan was merely ten years.
‘Isn’t the efficiency rather poor?’
Of course, such thoughts could never be voiced aloud.
Ten years. That would make him barely into his mid-twenties—the prime of life. Wait. Now that I think about it, I never even reached my mid-twenties before I died.
‘I shouldn’t be worrying about others.’
I touched the back of my neck. In this life, I doubted Yalyu would ever sever my head… but in my previous life, all my desperate struggles had ended precisely that way.
I exhaled a long, weary sigh and spoke.
“Sigh… living is truly exhausting.”
Mak-chu, who had just entered carrying a teapot and refreshments, heard my words and couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“If you’re already finding it difficult at that age, what shall we do?”
“Indeed, what shall we do?”
The Jegal Family Head listened to our exchange in silence, merely offering a faint smile.
After Mak-chu withdrew and the Jegal Family Head poured the tea, a delicate peach blossom fragrance drifted through the chamber, weaving between the thick medicinal scents.
The Jegal Family Head tilted his head curiously.
“Peach blossom tea?”
Pink peach buds unfurled within the steaming water. It was an uncommon choice, so his reaction was hardly surprising.
“I had them bring it.”
“You enjoyed peach blossom tea?”
“No. You do.”
“…I do?”
The Jegal Family Head’s pale eyes blinked.
“Yes.”
I nodded calmly.
“You don’t remember?”
“…I’m not certain.”
‘It seems the White Cat’s experiences aren’t shared when he’s unconscious—only my perspective carries over.’
Had he remembered, he surely would have known about the peach blossoms.
The Jegal Family Head smiled softly and spoke.
“If you say so, then that’s how it shall be.”
Something about him seemed different from before.
‘Something feels… changed.’

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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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