The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 158

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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 158
* * *
Baek Li-myeong lay in the Sleeping Quarters, reduced to half his former self.
His complexion had taken on a dark crimson hue, his cheeks sunken deeply inward, and shadows pooled beneath his eyes. He had barely escaped the grip of Demonic Cultivation, yet he resembled nothing so much as a half-corpse.
Had it not been for the faint rise and fall of his abdomen, one might have mistaken him for a cadaver.
Seok Tae-ui examined Baek Li-myeong carefully, moving about him with practiced precision.
Under ordinary circumstances, my uncle would have resisted such an examination from an outsider like Seok Tae-ui.
But this time was different.
My uncle had sought out Seok Tae-ui himself despite Baek Family Grandmother’s objections, pleading with him in a manner that suggested he would have clung to the physician’s very robes had he refused.
The filial devotion he ordinarily displayed toward Baek Family Grandmother’s wishes had vanished entirely.
In the end, Baek Family Grandmother had yielded and stormed from the room, allowing Seok Tae-ui to examine Baek Li-myeong.
Seok Tae-ui was the physician who had treated me at length during my own entanglement with Demonic Cultivation—a natural choice for a father concerned with his son’s welfare.
‘Surely Grandmother is not unaware of this fact…’
Was Baek Li-myeong’s treatment not the most pressing matter?
Her behavior seemed extraordinarily peculiar for a grandmother devoted to her grandson’s wellbeing.
Seok Tae-ui withdrew his hand, having completed his pulse diagnosis.
My uncle, who had been watching anxiously and perspiring profusely, ventured a careful question.
“Tae-ui… what is your assessment?”
“He was fortunate.”
“Pardon?”
“No grave damage has befallen his body. Fortunately, the Demonic Cultivation halted at precisely the right moment.”
My uncle, whose heart had been in his throat, gripped the table and collapsed into his chair.
“Truly unharmed and safe? Is such a thing even possible?”
The voice posing this sharp question belonged to my aunt.
According to what I had heard, my aunt had arrived a day after I entered the Training Ground where Baek Li-myeong was.
She had been visiting a friend’s residence near the Baek Li Estate when she learned of the family crisis and came at once.
And naturally, upon returning home, considerable turmoil had erupted.
According to Namgung Ryu-cheong, my aunt had questioned how anyone could trust me, engaging in a prolonged argument with my uncle before the Training Ground entrance. She had even attempted to force her way inside, insisting she would help instead.
Seok Tae-ui responded with measured calm.
“There are, however, complications.”
My aunt’s eyes gleamed with an unreadable light as she pressed further.
“What do you mean?”
“His meridians and organs have sustained considerable damage. For some time, he must refrain from exertion and consume only easily digestible foods. He must also abstain from Qi circulation exercises.”
My aunt frowned and spoke.
“Is that all? Is there nothing more? If there are any aspects that might pose future complications, please speak without reservation. It makes no sense that he should emerge unscathed from Demonic Cultivation…”
My uncle intervened with a weary voice.
“Baek Li-ui-ran, enough. What manner of tone is that? Surely Tae-ui will explain fully. Do not press him.”
Seok Tae-ui smiled with gentle warmth and spoke.
“It is no trouble. It appears the young lady holds great affection for her nephew.”
My aunt pressed her lips together firmly.
Seok Tae-ui continued speaking in a measured tone.
“It appears no physical damage has occurred to his body.”
“What you’re saying is….”
My uncle swallowed hard and opened his mouth again.
“You’re saying that Baek Li-myeong’s dantian is unharmed, correct?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing that the dantian remained intact, my uncle—who had risen to his feet—seized Baek Li-myeong’s hand. Tears streamed down his gaunt cheeks as he offered gratitude to the heavens.
Seok Tae-ui glanced at me once before speaking again.
“However, this is merely my examination. The true extent of his condition can only be confirmed once Baek Li-ui-gang awakens.”
“Ah… I see.”
At Seok Tae-ui’s words, my uncle regained his composure. He then asked carefully.
“Then, when do you think Baek Li-myeong might regain consciousness?”
“He’s merely in deep sleep. He should awaken soon.”
My uncle’s bloodshot eyes fixed upon Baek Li-myeong. The desire to wake him immediately and verify his condition was plainly evident.
Seok Tae-ui, sensing this, added further explanation.
“However… when he awakens, the pain will be quite severe. It’s akin to internal burns—or rather, I should say internal frostbite. His condition resembles severe internal frostbite.”
My uncle’s mouth fell open in shock.
Seok Tae-ui continued.
“It would be better for him to remain asleep, so do not force him to wake.”
“Ah, I understand.”
My uncle immediately acquiesced. He then asked at once.
“Then… could you perhaps prescribe pain medication to ease his suffering?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you. If you need any medicinal ingredients, please name them.”
As I watched my uncle summon a servant to prepare writing materials, my aunt spoke again.
“Is it truly necessary for Seok Tae-ui to prescribe pain medication himself? The Baek Family physicians are capable of handling that much, are they not?”
My aunt, paying no mind to Seok Tae-ui’s displeased expression, regarded me with obvious disdain as she continued.
“From what I hear, there was no need to summon Seok Tae-ui at all. We’ve merely troubled him unnecessarily.”
At that moment, my uncle shouted in anger.
“Baek Li-ui-ran, what nonsense have you been spouting since earlier! If you’re going to be disruptive, leave!”
“Elder brother, are you raising your voice at me?”
My uncle ignored my aunt and bowed respectfully toward Seok Tae-ui.
“Seok Tae-ui, please disregard what Baek Li-ui-ran said and proceed with the prescription. I will ensure you are compensated generously.”
“Hmm….”
Seok Tae-ui glanced at me briefly.
I nodded slightly.
Good news had been delivered; now came the difficult part.
Seok Tae-ui opened his mouth again and began speaking with caution.
“There is… still a matter I have not fully explained.”
“Please speak without reservation.”
“The young master’s dantian is intact, but… there is another problem.”
Baek Li-ui-muk stared at him as if asking what he meant.
“I cannot say with certainty that the young master has not learned martial arts, but…”
Seok Tae-ui hesitated as if the words were difficult to speak, then continued as if he had no choice.
“The young master’s dantian contains a significantly depleted amount of qi.”
“What do you mean…?”
“It appears he has lost most of his inner power.”
“What?”
Baek Li-ui-muk’s eyes widened as he staggered backward. He stumbled against a table and collapsed to the floor with a thud.
“Still, the young master is young, and since his dantian is intact, he should recover well with proper rest and rebuild his cultivation.”
Rebuild, he said.
Seok Tae-ui spoke with genuine gratitude that the young master had survived and his dantian remained unharmed.
But to Baek Li-ui-muk, it would sound entirely different.
This was inner power that Baek Li-myeong had cultivated since he took his first steps. It was the culmination of nearly twenty years of effort employing every conceivable method.
* * *
In the end, Baek Li-ui-muk left the chamber half-dazed, supported by Baek Li-ui-ran and a servant.
He could not afford to completely lose consciousness and collapse—he still had to care for his wife.
While I had fallen into demonic cultivation with Baek Li-myeong, Baek Family Aunt had unfortunately been unable to protect the child.
In truth, Baek Family Aunt’s pregnancy had not occurred in my previous life. So when I heard the news of her pregnancy, I found it quite surprising.
Last time, I had harbored some anticipation about gaining a younger cousin…
Between Baek Li-myeong’s condition and Baek Family Aunt’s situation, I wondered if they would collapse from the strain.
Seok Tae-ui opened a medicine chest as he spoke.
“I will handle things here. Why don’t you go rest as well, Yeon? I heard you haven’t slept for two days.”
“I’m fine.”
I walked to the table and picked up a teapot to fill a cup. I gave one cup to Seok Tae-ui and drank from the other.
“Tae-ui, what is my brother’s condition like?”
Seok Tae-ui, who had been drinking cooled tea, tilted his head in confusion.
“Hmm? Didn’t you hear everything? You know best of all that he has lost all his inner power. His body is in a typical state of demonic cultivation. There is nothing different except that your condition was more critical than his.”
“As I thought…”
I nodded slowly and pulled a small bottle from my sleeve, placing it on the table.
“What is that?”
“The elixir my brother consumed—Frost-Binding Essence Wine.”
“There was elixir remaining?”
I nodded and explained.
“Frost-Binding Essence Wine is an elixir in liquid form. The characteristic of such elixirs is that their efficacy remains the same even when consumed in divided doses.”
“Ah, yes. I have heard that.”
Elixirs made from animal cores or crafted by renowned alchemical sects are not recommended to be divided. One careless mistake could drastically reduce their potency.
But Frost-Binding Essence Wine, being alcohol and liquid-based, was different. No matter when or how it was consumed in portions, it harmonized easily with the essence of the elixir consumed before.
“My brother understood his own condition well. That is why he did not intend to drink all the Frost-Binding Essence Wine at once.”
“I see. But why are you showing this to me?”
“I was hoping you could investigate something for me.”
“Investigate?”
“Yes.”
I showed him the small azure medicinal vial.
“This vial contains the cause of my brother’s descent into demonic cultivation.”
“That’s impossible. Seolyeong Preservation Elixir is something I’ve heard of myself. It’s a highly stable spiritual medicine….”
“What if someone tampered with it?”
Seok Tae-ui’s face drained of color. He alternated his gaze between Baek Li-myeong and the vial, his voice trembling with disbelief.
“…Are you saying someone deliberately added something to the Seolyeong Preservation Elixir to cause demonic cultivation?”
“Yes.”

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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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