The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 139

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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 139
‘Then who would be responsible for Namgung Ryu-cheong’s character development?’
At that moment, the person who had brought up the topic of the Gwangmu Sect and Namgung Ryu-cheong fixed their gaze directly on me.
“Come to think of it, I heard that you stayed at the Namgung Clan for about a year before. Is that true?”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
I affirmed a beat late to the sudden question. In truth, it was closer to half a year rather than a full year, but I didn’t bother correcting it and simply glossed over the detail.
“Then you must have seen Lord Ju as well.”
“Of course.”
“What was he like? Was he really as strong as the rumors suggested?”
They asked as if they’d been waiting for this moment. Their excitement was evident in the very act of questioning—perhaps they’d been angling for this from the start.
The young man beside them let out a dry cough and called out to the excited one as if to restrain them.
“Lord Ju.”
“What? You’re curious too. They say Namgung’s young master is a heaven-sent prodigy. That he’ll become a master no less formidable than the Baek Li and Namgung patriarchs in the future.”
I scratched my face. Curiosity and competitive spirit were written all over Lord Ju’s expression.
I chose my words carefully.
“Well, it’s been quite some time since I met him, so…”
That’s when Seok Ga-yak interjected.
“Why not? Go ahead and tell us.”
I looked at Seok Ga-yak with confusion.
“Tell you what?”
“Didn’t you spar with Namgung’s young master before?”
I stared at Seok Ga-yak with wide eyes.
“Really?”
“Aha, just as I thought!”
Why was he bringing that up now?
Seok Ga-yak laughed mischievously. That’s when Han So-jeo interjected.
“Oh, that’s right! I heard about it too. And they say you won!”
I nearly jumped out of my seat.
“Who said that!”
“Jin-jin mentioned it?”
“…”
I pursed my lips.
Jin-jin was the child my father had brought back, and he’d caught the eye of Baek Geom Danju and become his disciple. As a disciple of Baek Geom Danju, he would naturally have considerable contact with other martial arts children… and I did tell him something like that back then. Wait, I didn’t even know who Namgung Ryu-cheong was at that time!
‘Karma, it seems.’
I wanted to bury my head in my hands. Just then, a commotion erupted outside the tent. Looking toward the source of the noise, I caught sight of a familiar figure.
‘It’s Li-ri. And the people with her are…?’
They were lightly boarding our pleasure boat from a smaller vessel.
I scrutinized those who had come with her. The golden eyes’ martial techniques had improved considerably during this time. And the two people beside Li-ri seemed to have cultivated the Baek Family’s inner methods.
Then someone beside me asked again.
“Miss, miss. So how did you win?”
“It’s been such a long time….”
“Still, you must remember something, don’t you?”
“Is Lord Namgung Ryu-cheong handsome? There’s been quite the rumor about him.”
U So-jeo interjected as well, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
It was a moment when my guard had slipped.
“Oh! Who is this!”
“What, you’re back?”
“Yeah. I’m here.”
“How have you all been?”
Their voices carried a playful lilt, and aside from slight differences in tone, the two voices were so identical they were nearly indistinguishable.
‘Ah, I had a feeling….’
When I turned around, I saw Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak with Li-ri leading them, along with my twin cousins. Just as I recognized them, they recognized me.
“….”
“….”
Those with sharp instincts would have sensed the subtle tension flowing between us.
‘Word has already spread that our relationship isn’t good.’
The spiritual education from Gogye Hermitage hadn’t been in vain—they didn’t immediately rush at me and cause a commotion.
‘What a shame.’
If they had, I could have made sure they never lifted their heads again.
This was the first time I’d seen Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak since before going to the Namgung Clan.
The twin cousins had returned to the Baek Li Family last year. But there had been no opportunity for me to encounter them. When they stayed at the Baek Li Estate, I had entered closed-door training.
And after the twin cousins stayed at the Baek Li Estate, they also visited Sogajang, their own family home. It was only after that when I emerged from my closed-door training.
‘It seems they’ve returned today.’
I had anticipated that I would see Grandfather Baek Li Pae-hyuk again. And there was another who didn’t welcome the twin cousins’ arrival as little as I did.
Baek Li-myeong. He looked flustered, as if he hadn’t expected the twins to come at all.
“Pyo, U-ak. It’s been a while. You’ve returned today?”
“Yeah, hyung. It’s been a while?”
“Wow, there’s an occasion like this and you didn’t invite us?”
“We didn’t know you were coming.”
“If we had known, you would have invited us?”
“Of course.”
“Sure, sure.”
I hadn’t witnessed it directly since I was in closed-door training, but according to what So Nok had told me, the relationship between the twin cousins and Baek Li-myeong seemed different from before.
Li-ri, who had belatedly noticed me, frowned. Then she approached me with light, graceful steps.
“Why are you here, sister?”
“….”
True to form as Baek Li-myeong’s younger sister, her opening words were remarkably similar. I ignored Li-ri and called out to Baek Li-myeong instead.
“Brother.”
Baek Li-myeong, who had been watching with anxious eyes, gestured toward Li-ri.
“Li-ri, come here.”
Li-ri was a nickname for Baek Li-ri. Ignoring this, Baek Li-ri looked at me and spoke.
“Sister, you were never interested in these kinds of gatherings anyway, were you?”
“Baek Li-ri, come here.”
“Ugh, why do you keep calling me! If you have something to say, why don’t you come over here, brother!”
Baek Li-ri burst out in irritation.
“You really….”
My mood had soured. I could see the other children around us pretending not to notice while watching our exchange with keen interest.
I spoke while looking at Baek Li-myeong.
“Li-ri really does resemble your aunt.”
Baek Li-myeong’s expression hardened instantly.
“Li-ri is my younger sister. If you insult her….”
“Is resembling your aunt an insult?”
I couldn’t believe he’d fallen for it so easily.
The Twin Cousins glared at Baek Li-myeong. Though he tried to explain that wasn’t what he meant, it was already too late to salvage the situation.
I watched the scene unfold before slipping out of the tent and onto the deck.
“Miss, where are you going?”
U So-jeo called out to me as if to hold me back, but I didn’t turn around. The wind blowing across the river now carried the unmistakable essence of spring. The small boat that had brought Baek Li-ri and the Twin Cousins had already drifted far away.
I took in the width of the river and the riverbank with my eyes.
‘This should be enough.’
I gauged the distance and stepped back about ten paces. Then I pushed off the deck and leaped into the air.
“Eek, what?”
“Oh my!”
Those on the deck cried out in surprise. But their exclamations quickly turned to admiration.
“Wow, incredible!”
“Did you see that? She crossed that entire distance in one jump! Her lightness technique….”
Multiple voices faded quickly along with the sound of the wind,
and I landed gracefully on the riverbank.
‘Huff, huff. Thank goodness. That was too close.’
I’d never attempt something so reckless again. I’d nearly plunged into the river if I’d miscalculated even slightly. While my heart raced within, I had to maintain an air of composure as I stepped away.
“Baek Li-yeon, wait!”
Seok Ga-yak, who remained on the boat, shouted after me.
* * *
“How could you abandon me like that!”
“But I came back for you.”
“The fact that you abandoned me is the problem.”
“I already apologized.”
“You think a few words will make this go away?”
I let out a deep sigh. He’d caught me in a weak spot. I had a feeling this would be troublesome for a while.
I tried to change the subject by asking.
“San Su-yeon, are you coming too?”
“No.”
Seok Ga-yak shrugged his shoulders.
“You know how I hate crowded places. Besides, the Patriarch will be going anyway.”
“Right. I understand.”
Having one’s name inscribed among the Top Eleven Masters of the World meant being a peerless expert one might see only once in a lifetime.
Even those indifferent to dominion over the Jianghu would naturally stand in line, desperate for even a glimpse of such a figure.
Yet it was strange that Seok Ga-yak showed no such interest. The Baek Li Family held dominion over this region, and even bureaucrats sought to make an appearance at the Mountain Banquet to gain the Patriarch’s recognition—
But Seok Ga-yak acted as though my grandfather were nothing but a nuisance.
Then Seok Ga-yak smiled with a hint of regret.
“Then I won’t see you for a while again.”
“I suppose not.”
“Will you be alright?”
“About what?”
“Your twin cousins… This is the first time you’ve seen them since going to Gogye Hermitage, isn’t it?”
“Well, yes. But it’s nothing you need to worry about.”
“You know how I am. I worry about you.”
Without thinking, I turned to look at Seok Ga-yak sharply.
His voice was irritatingly tender. Seok Ga-yak merely blinked his gentle, doe-like eyes.
‘…Surely not.’
Seok Ga-yak continued.
“I still don’t quite understand why you feel compelled to remain tied to that family, but if you ever want to escape, come to my house.”
“I appreciate the sentiment.”
“No, I’m serious.”
I had been smiling faintly, but suddenly my expression hardened as I spoke to Seok Ga-yak.
“Wait.”
I felt a powerful aura rapidly approaching from behind, moving in my direction.
From the presence, it appeared to be a group of martial artists.
We were on the main road, and continuing straight ahead would lead to the Baek Li Estate. With my grandfather’s Mountain Banquet drawing near, it was easy to predict these were visitors heading to the Baek Li Family.
“Ga-yak.”
Seok Ga-yak and I immediately dismounted and, grasping the reins, moved toward the edge of the road. Without needing explanation, a single glance conveyed our understanding.
If I were recognized, I would inevitably exchange pleasantries on the street, drawing all eyes upon me. In other words—it would be troublesome.
As we walked along, Seok Ga-yak pointed to a vendor stall.
“Want some candied fruit?”
“Sure!”
I took the candied fruit Seok Ga-yak offered and placed it in my mouth. Then the rapidly approaching presence suddenly halted.
And it turned toward where I stood.
What? Did they notice me?
‘My face shouldn’t be widely known…’
As I turned around in confusion, I froze.
The figure on horseback looking down at me had a face that was both familiar and utterly unfamiliar.

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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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