The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 142

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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 142
‘I can’t let my guard down.’
Had I been even a moment slower, a blade mark would have scarred my face.
‘When my only redeeming quality is my appearance….’
Jeggal Hwa-mu still wore that smiling expression, but I could sense he was slightly startled by Namgung Ryu-cheong’s strike and that his pride had been wounded.
After exchanging blows several times like this, I watching from the sidelines furrowed my brow.
‘Something feels off.’
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s movements seemed slightly strange.
On the surface, there was nothing different. But that was only because his inner energy was compensating to make it appear that way. Despite executing the same movements, he was consuming twice as much inner power as before. It meant something was wrong.
I examined more carefully and looked at Jeggal Hwa-mu.
‘Could it be…?’
As I continued to observe, it became certain.
‘Is this madman serious?’
Soon after, Seo Ha-ryeong was the first to sense something amiss.
“Huh?”
And gradually his movements became noticeably slower. By the time even those untrained in martial arts could feel the abnormality, Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had been blocking Jeggal Hwa-mu’s attacks, was pushed back considerably.
Namgung Ryu-cheong coughed and planted his sword into the ground like a stake.
Jeggal Hwa-mu spoke leisurely.
“For one so young, your experience is still lacking.”
“You….”
Namgung Ryu-cheong glared at Jeggal Hwa-mu with a grinding expression.
“What is this… in the world….”
Seo Ha-ryeong murmured as if this result was shocking.
That was when it happened. Suddenly a wind blew from beside me, and a powerful energy wave approached.
My father, who had appeared without warning, stood in the center of the Inner Courtyard. With an expressionless face, he simply lifted his foot and brought it down with a resounding crash. A fierce gust of wind erupted from where he stood as its center. Hair whipped backward violently.
“Ryu-cheong, are you alright?”
He had called him by name.
When I had entered closed-door training, my father had visited the Namgung Clan. It seemed they had grown close then. Despite my father’s sudden appearance, Seo Ha-ryeong remained so shocked by Namgung Ryu-cheong’s defeat that she repeated herself several times.
“Did he really lose? Ryu-cheong? He lost? Really? Did he really lose?”
“…Ha-ryeong.”
Stop talking… How many times are you going to say he lost? I spoke to restore Namgung Ryu-cheong’s battered pride.
“It was because of the Numbing Powder.”
“What? Numbing Powder?”
Seo Ha-ryeong quickly scanned the surroundings and spoke as if it were absurd.
“Numbing Powder? When? The hidden weapon he threw earlier? Ryu-cheong blocked that?”
“That fan.”
Jeggal Hwa-mu gestured with his eyes toward the folding fan he held.
A fan capable of blocking the precious sword Namgung Ryu-cheong wielded could be no ordinary object. It was a secret weapon of the Jegal Family that could contain hidden projectiles and poison within it.
Seo Ha-ryeong clenched her fists as if she had been wronged and cried out.
“No, Numbing Powder! That’s so unfair!”
Jeggal Hwa-mu chuckled as he spoke.
“Before defeat, nothing holds meaning. Tell the sword at your neck that it’s unfair. It won’t miss.”
“But this is a martial contest!”
“Did it look like one?”
Seo Ha-ryeong flinched in surprise as she spoke.
“…Isn’t it?”
“It is a martial contest.”
“…”
Seo Ha-ryeong pressed her lips tightly together, then turned her gaze from Jeggal Hwa-mu to me.
“Then, how would you counter such a paralytic powder?”
Why are you asking me that?
Though somewhat flustered, I explained.
“In truth, you rarely encounter someone who uses paralytic powder in such a manner.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s impossible unless money flows like an endless fountain. Given that Ryu-cheong didn’t notice it, it must be nearly colorless and odorless. And if it’s potent enough to affect an open space like this, I can’t even imagine how expensive such a poison must be.”
Only someone of the Jegal Family Head’s stature could afford such extravagance.
I clicked my tongue and spoke.
“You certainly have money to spare, don’t you?”
“Want some?”
I exhaled and continued toward Seo Ha-ryeong.
“Still, you need to be careful. If you’d kept fighting in my chamber, you would have been poisoned much faster with a smaller amount.”
“I see…”
Seo Ha-ryeong’s mouth fell open blankly.
Coming outside could be seen as Jeggal Hwa-mu showing mercy.
‘In exchange, I didn’t show that bastard any.’
I looked at Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“See? It’s already wearing off.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong slowly rose from his kneeling position. Baek Li-ui-gang grasped his arm and helped him to his feet.
“So, could everyone here explain why you fought so fiercely?”
Baek Li-ui-gang regarded Jeggal Hwa-mu coldly.
At that moment, Jeggal Hwa-mu’s eyes drooped as he spoke.
“I attacked first. I’ve heard so much about Yeon from others. I was genuinely curious. I simply couldn’t overcome my competitive spirit—my apologies.”
Then he performed a respectful fist salute toward Baek Li-ui-gang and Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“I’ve also been discourteous to the Young Master of Namgung. Truly, the Namgung Clan. Your skill is most admirable.”
It was absurd. Suddenly feigning politeness like this. The way he spoke made it sound like he was actually provoking us. As expected, Namgung Ryu-cheong’s grip tightened on his sword hilt.
“Ryu-cheong.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong gritted his teeth, then drew his sword and sheathed it. Watching this, Baek Li-ui-gang spoke in a voice utterly devoid of warmth.
“Both of you, follow me.”
I called out toward Baek Li-ui-gang as he led the way.
“Father! Please stop by my chamber on your way out!”
* * *
The celebration for Grandfather’s eightieth birthday stretched across several days, a testament to the Baek Li Family’s influence and prestige.
‘They said the seventieth was modest….’
Since I’d never witnessed it firsthand, I couldn’t truly judge whether it was modest or not, but in any case, the eightieth birthday celebration had apparently become quite grand in comparison.
Fortunately, children like me weren’t required to make an appearance at every banquet. Some gatherings were meant to showcase the younger generation, while others were reserved for adults alone. Typically, the adult-only gatherings were far more numerous and lengthy.
Today’s banquet was one where only the direct line of the Baek Family and the elders of the Orthodox Sect’s renowned families gathered.
“I’m not going.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong stated this with firm resolve.
I tilted my head curiously and asked.
“Why? You said you were fine attending even when it’s just the elders.”
It was a privilege he’d gained as the sole heir of the Namgung Clan.
“The Jegal Family Head is coming.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Jeggal Hwa-mu, as the Family Head of the renowned Jegal Family, was counted among the elders. Namgung Ryu-cheong adjusted his sword hilt with an irritated expression.
On the table inside the chamber, there were traces of something written—I suspected it was a reflection essay. I’d heard from Seo Ha-ryeong that his father had ordered him to write one.
“Well, if you two end up fighting again, at least avoid the face.”
“Why?”
“It would be a waste.”
“Get out.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong gave me a stern look. I turned away with a suppressed smile.
For reference, Seo Ha-ryeong had already left with her escort to sightsee the nearby areas.
Having returned empty-handed, I headed to the Banquet Hall with Father. The hall was extraordinarily luxurious. Long tables were arranged in rows, and from one corner came the sound of a guqin being played. Delicate embroidered curtains hung from the ceiling, swaying gently in the breeze.
I gazed around the Banquet Hall with wonder. This was my first time attending such a grand gathering. Which meant I hadn’t attended in my previous life.
‘I claimed to be ill and stayed in bed….’
It was an absurd excuse.
It was well-known that I had consumed the Heavenly Life Golden Soul Pill back then. Once my dantian healed and I recovered my health, not showing my face at Grandfather’s eightieth birthday celebration was inexcusable!
It was a grave act of filial impiety. There must have been countless rumors circulating about me, and I had certainly contributed significantly to the spread of my notorious reputation.
‘Well, if I had attended, they would have called me shameless anyway….’
Regardless, when even my pregnant aunt was sitting here with her swollen belly on display, my absence would have been the worst possible choice.
Grandfather and Grandmother sat in the places of honor, with many renowned figures from the Jianghu whose names I’d heard before seated beside them.
I noticed that the gazes of the invited guests kept drifting toward the Jegal Family Head.
As representatives of their respective sects, most of them kept their expressions unreadable. But their thoughts were likely the same.
‘So the rumors about the Baek Li Family and the Jegal Clan being on intimate terms were true,’ and ‘Is the Jegal Family Head making an appearance to resume his activities?’ Something along those lines.
The man seated beside Jeggal Hwa-mu leaned in and said something to him.
Jeggal Hwa-mu lowered his gaze slightly, gave a subtle nod, and picked up his teacup. His bearing exuded an elegant refinement.
As if sensing my stare, Jeggal Hwa-mu looked directly at me. He tilted his head slightly and smiled, then formed the question “Why?” with his lips.
I shook my head gently.
“Sister.”
At the sudden voice, I turned my attention.
“If you’re not going to eat that, give it to me.”
Li-ri pointed at the plate on my table. Honey cakes filled with azalea petals and pine nuts sat arranged before me.
‘She could have simply asked the servant for more. Why take what I’m eating?’
Too weary to argue, I reached for the edge of the plate.
“Here, take this….”
At that moment, So U-ak’s arm swept across in front of me, and he set down a plate of honey cakes on the table before Li-ri.
“Have mine instead.”
By seating order, Li-ri sat to my left, while So U-ak, Baek Li Pyo, and Baek Li-myeong stretched along my right in succession.
As So U-ak withdrew his arm, our eyes met, and he let out a quiet chuckle.

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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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