The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 143

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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 143
What followed was rather amusing.
The two of them began conversing with me positioned between them, as if I were invisible.
I maintained an air of indifference about it all. In truth, I preferred it this way—spared from unnecessary pleasantries. That was when it happened.
“Yeon, come here for a moment.”
It was Father. Beside him stood a middle-aged woman I’d never met before. Her clear complexion was framed by white robes embroidered with red plum blossoms—unmistakably a member of the Huashan Sect, recognizable even from ten leagues away.
The woman set down her cup and regarded me with a solemn gaze.
I greeted her with a bright smile.
“How do you do?”
“So you’re Yeon?”
Since Grandfather had introduced me at the very start of the banquet, there was no need for further introductions.
“I simply wished to see you for myself. I am Myeong-jin of Huashan.”
Myeong-jin the Immortal—the Huashan Sword Saint?
I blinked in surprise. The Huashan Sword Saint was the premier swordmaster of Huashan.
Father’s brow furrowed slightly, as if something displeased him.
“What have you gotten smeared on your face?”
“Pardon?”
Father reflexively stopped my hand as I reached to wipe my lips, producing a handkerchief to clean my mouth himself. Myeong-jin watched this display with wide, astonished eyes.
“…So Ui-gang is quite the affectionate father after all.”
“Unexpected, you say?”
“Well, when I heard you had a daughter, I confess I was rather concerned.”
Myeong-jin paused briefly before continuing.
“Your demeanor tends to invite misunderstanding, you see.”
“You’re too kind to worry.”
Too kind? Hardly—her insight was remarkably sharp!
As I continued our conversation, I felt a burning gaze upon my back and turned to glance at where I’d been sitting.
Baek Li-myeong and Baek Li-ri had already departed, leaving only the Twin Cousins sitting there awkwardly. So U-ak wore an expression of deep displeasure, while Baek Li Pyo glared at me without bothering to hide his envy.
The honey cakes suddenly came to mind. The one on Baek Li-ri’s table remained exactly as Baek Li Pyo had given it. I turned toward him with a radiant smile and shifted my attention back.
“Myeong-jin, would you care for a honey cake? They’re delicious.”
Myeong-jin looked momentarily taken aback. She soon smiled warmly and replied.
“Yes, give me one.”
After offering one to Myeong-jin, I popped two into my mouth at once. The sweetness of honey was delicately tempered by the subtle tartness of azalea, creating a harmonious blend on my tongue.
‘Mm, delicious.’
Father stared at me intently.
“What is it?”
“…”
“Ah, do I have something on my face?”
My mouth was so full of honey cake that my words came out garbled.
I chewed and swallowed before speaking.
“You’ve never cared for sweets, Father.”
“Delicious, isn’t it? Would you like another?”
“Here!”
Myeong-jin accepted the sweet rice cake and gazed up at Father, her expression struggling to suppress a smile.
“I’m grateful you don’t resemble me at all.”
“….”
Father fell silent. After spending so much time with him, I could sense his mood growing slightly dejected even in that silence.
‘Goodness, really?’
I chuckled and spoke up.
“I actually wish I resembled Father!”
Myeong-jin burst into hearty laughter.
In that moment, I caught a glimpse of Baek Li Pyo’s expression twisting grotesquely. So U-ak beside him suddenly shot to his feet and headed toward my aunt. My gaze followed absently, and our eyes met in an instant.
It seemed he had been watching me all along, pretending otherwise.
I flashed a radiant smile for all to see. At that, my aunt’s lips pressed into a thin line as she glared at me as though she could kill me with her eyes.
“What story are you telling so amusingly?”
This time, a man in a blue martial robe approached Father’s side. He appeared to be around Father’s age. With more people continuing to approach, I found myself unable to return to my seat.
Seeing Baek Li-ri glancing at me repeatedly, Father called her over as well, and Baek Li-myeong, concerned for Baek Li-ri, rushed over and squeezed into a spot at the table.
‘Did he really come because he was worried about Baek Li-ri?’
His eyes were gleaming with delight since arriving. Perhaps he had actually wanted to come himself and sent Baek Li-ri as an excuse? Just as such suspicions began to form—
Suddenly, a shrill voice cut through the air.
“I’m simply curious how you recovered. What sorcery allowed a dantian cripple to heal so completely?”
My aunt launched an overt provocation. Though not loud, the banquet hall—which had been filled with ambient noise—fell into silence. Everyone wore puzzled expressions, wondering why my aunt had suddenly acted this way.
‘Because no one has been paying attention to her.’
Until now, no one had shown interest in my aunt and the Twin Cousins. Only the customary pleasantries and attention from those with whom we already had connections.
I looked at Father’s rigidly hardened expression, then at Baek Li Pae-hyuk. His face bore an inscrutable expression. Normally, he would have already issued a stern rebuke.
‘Is he restraining himself because it’s an auspicious day?’
As Baek Li Pae-hyuk said nothing, the silence stretched on, and Baek Li-ui-muk reluctantly stepped forward.
“Baek Li-ui-ran, what are you saying that’s so inappropriate for this occasion?”
My aunt, who had been watching Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s reaction, grew emboldened as he remained silent and spoke.
“Why, Elder Brother? Didn’t you say you were curious too? I’m not lying.”
“No, no, Baek Li-ui-ran. Hahaha.”
Baek Li-ui-muk, lightening the heavy atmosphere with laughter, spoke as though for everyone to hear.
“Didn’t you say that when Yeon went missing, you met Man Shin-ui? That you received treatment from him then?”
“But Man Shin-ui has passed away, hasn’t he? How can we trust that account?”
“We’ll discuss this later, yes? Let’s talk about it later.”
Did Baek Li-ui-muk give her a desperate look?
My aunt relented as though to say she would back down at this.
“I merely spoke out of concern as your aunt.”
‘How ridiculous. She wanted to suggest I recovered through improper means.’
My aunt laughed with her chin held high and stiff.
“I’ve needlessly troubled everyone’s minds.”
Baek Li-ui-muk exhaled in relief as it seemed the conversation would not continue further. The gazes that had been focused on Baek Li-ui-ran gradually dispersed.
‘I cannot let this pass like this.’
It was the moment I opened my mouth.
“Sister.”
A solemn voice spread low through the Banquet Hall. It was Father. His voice was not loud, but it possessed the power to draw people’s attention.
“Do you remember when I was six years old and climbed a persimmon tree to pick ripe persimmons to give to you, but fell and broke my leg?”
“W-why are you suddenly bringing that up? Are you saying it was my fault that you got hurt playing around?”
Baek Li-ui-ran spoke as though her feet were itching to flee.
“No, not at all. It was never your fault. I was simply trying to pick them for you. It has nothing to do with you whatsoever.”
Baek Li-ui-ran glared at Father, but her wavering eyes betrayed her anxiety.
“But do you know what?”
“Know what? Are you just going to keep asking questions? Get to the point!”
Father lifted his gaze from me and looked at Baek Li-ui-ran. His deep, dark eyes shone with unwavering intensity.
“From the time my leg broke until now, you have never once asked if my leg was alright.”
“….”
“Yet I cannot fathom why you take such deep interest in Yeon’s condition.”
I looked up at Father with my mouth slightly agape. A sister so callous she never even asked if the child was alright when he hurt himself for her sake—and now she suddenly worried about her niece’s condition?
It was a warning not to meddle. Everyone in this hall understood that meaning.
Baek Li-ui-ran’s face flushed red and purple.
“You… you, what are you doing right now…!”
Father had never so openly shamed Baek Li-ui-ran before, no matter what she said. She must have believed in that and acted boldly, but even the Great Lady, who had been sitting as though it were none of her concern, had her complexion completely change.
Yet defending Baek Li-ui-ran here would only be shameful. If she had wanted to intervene, she should have done so from the beginning. Since Grandfather said nothing and let it be, her silence had instead become a self-inflicted wound returning upon her.
Those attending the banquet did not overtly display contempt, but their gazes toward Baek Li-ui-ran grew noticeably colder.
“Well, I see.”
“Tsk tsk. What an aunt does, showing her true colors like this….”
Baek Li-ui-ran’s face crimson, trembled as she clenched her garment hem.
Though some commotion arose, people soon forgot about it and enjoyed the banquet. They exchanged cups of wine, discussed martial arts, and spoke of rumors from the Jianghu.
These were all people busy refining their martial techniques in seclusion. Most of them were people you could not know when you would see again unless something major happened. Of course, very few approached Baek Li-ui-ran.
Then a Servant entered the Banquet Hall. It was nothing unusual, as many servants and female servants had been going in and out repeatedly. It remained unremarkable until the Servant whispered something in Grandfather’s ear and his complexion changed drastically.
Soon after, Grandmother’s complexion changed as well.
The reason became immediately apparent. A qi wave, as though deliberately imprinting its presence, was felt from afar. And it was gradually approaching this place. Everyone’s tension was evident.
As it drew near enough to enter my golden eyes’ field of vision, I doubted my own eyes. The Banquet Hall’s door opened and a powerful qi wave rushed in. The curtains adorning the ceiling fluttered greatly.
Some who saw the newcomer widened their eyes. But most seemed not to recognize who it was. Yet they understood this was an undeniable master, and they did not carelessly move their mouths.
Someone whispered between their teeth.
“…Cheonsan Yeom-je.”
Shock rippled through the hall in an instant.
“Cheonsan Yeom-je?”
“The Tianshan Salt Sect?”
“What? Why has Cheonsan Yeom-je come here?”
Cheonsan Yeom-je was a figure between Orthodox and Unorthodox sects. Though not guilty of enormous atrocities, he was someone who caused trouble indiscriminately between Orthodox and Unorthodox sects alike whenever something displeased him, acting as he pleased.
Though recent years had brought relative peace and quiet, he was absolutely not someone who would be welcomed at a banquet hosted by the Baek Li Family, a premier Orthodox Sect household.
Indeed, several faces darkened at his presence. They were likely from sects or families who had suffered at the hands of the Cheonsan Yeom-je.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk opened his mouth.
“What brings you here? I don’t recall sending you an invitation.”

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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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