The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 16

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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 16
* * *
His return home had taken longer than expected. Baek Li-ui-gang quickened his pace toward the Residence Quarter, already imagining his daughter awake and waiting for him.
As Baek Li-ui-gang passed through the outer gate and entered the inner passage, he encountered his father’s aged servant. Without hesitation, he changed direction—not toward the Residence Quarter, but toward Subaekdang.
“The Fourth Young Master has arrived, sir.”
“Let him in.”
Baek Li-ui-gang appeared moments later with a stern expression. Before he could even offer his greetings, he froze—his daughter lay sleeping beside Baek Li Pae-hyuk.
His surprise manifested as little more than slightly widened eyes, yet even this subtle reaction was rare to witness on Baek Li-ui-gang’s face.
“Yeon?”
As if hearing her name called, her small mouth moved softly in her sleep.
“There’s nothing surprising about it. The child came to me first.”
“Pardon? Yeon came to you?”
Baek Li-ui-gang’s expression remained rigid, yet a flicker of disbelief crossed his features.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk glanced sideways at his son and spoke.
“Are you suggesting I dragged her here by force?”
“No, sir. I simply cannot fathom why Yeon would seek you out…”
“The child surpasses her father in character.”
“Sir?”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk rummaged through his robes and produced something—a handkerchief Baek Li-ui-gang recognized well.
“Did Yeon make this?”
“She did. Her needlework is quite skillful.”
Baek Li-ui-gang was genuinely astonished upon observing his father’s expression. Though his own blood, such evident pleasure was rarely displayed by Baek Li Pae-hyuk.
“I was utterly astounded. In all my years, I’ve never seen a warrior’s daughter embroider a rabbit as a gift.”
“Pardon? Isn’t it flowers and a butterfly?”
“What are you saying? Look at it! It’s clearly a rabbit!”
“I… suppose it is.”
Baek Li-ui-gang examined the handkerchief with a bewildered expression.
“She meant to leave it secretly as thanks for sending her to the Academy. I’ve sent all five of my grandchildren there, yet only one child has shown genuine gratitude!”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk tucked the handkerchief away with evident pride and continued.
“In any case, that’s why I invited her to share a meal. My appetite has been poor with age, but watching the child eat stirred mine as well.”
“Then I’m relieved to hear it.”
“Is that all?”
“Sir?”
At his son’s questioning tone, Baek Li Pae-hyuk felt both exasperation and quiet satisfaction.
Had any of his other children been in Baek Li-ui-gang’s position, they would have seized the opportunity to parade their own offspring before him.
And he was certain of this: his granddaughter’s gesture had nothing whatsoever to do with Ui-gang.
It was purely the child’s own thought. This fact brought Baek Li Pae-hyuk considerable joy.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk gazed down at Baek Li-yeon and sighed. Her rosy cheeks, drawing shallow breaths, were gaunt in a way unbecoming of a child who should be plump and healthy.
“Are you feeding her properly?”
“I shall endeavor to do better.”
“And from now on, put the needle away.”
“Pardon?”
“She’s a child who must wield a sword.”
“I….”
“If you’re about to spout some nonsense about letting the child walk her own path, then forget it!”
“….”
Baek Li-ui-gang fell silent, uncertain whether he truly intended to argue.
At this, Baek Li Pae-hyuk clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
“Enough. You foolish man. Now take her and go.”
Despite the harsh rebuke, his arms cradled his daughter with utmost tenderness.
“Then, Grandfather, I shall take my leave.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk nodded slightly, then suddenly asked.
“The treatment—you’re managing it well?”
“Yes.”
“…Since this is the path you’ve chosen, I hope you harbor no regrets.”
* * *
With each passing day, the weather grew warmer. The skeletal branches burst into verdant life, and blossoms unfurled in brilliant profusion, their honeyed fragrance beckoning the bees.
It seemed scarcely days had passed, yet already the morning arrived for my first visit to the Academy—my first time crossing the gates since entering the Baek Li Estate.
I had never felt confined, yet the monotony of routine had proven tedious. The sleepless night before, brimming with anticipation, was proof enough.
Since it was the Academy’s opening day, I had resolved to attend only the introductions before returning home.
I hadn’t thought it necessary to skip classes entirely, but…Grandfather had taken special care to arrange this, so I simply nodded and accepted.
Father himself escorted me to the Academy, and so concerned was he that he even assigned Eon-du, his personal attendant, to accompany me.
The Academy occupied a sprawling manor on the outskirts that had long fallen into disrepair before being restored. I stepped into the main hall, savoring the fresh breeze that drifted from the dense forest behind the building.
Though classes had not yet begun, many children were already present. Most seemed acquainted with one another, clustering in small groups and chattering animatedly.
‘So this is the atmosphere of an Academy.’
I surveyed the unfamiliar space with keen interest—a place I had never witnessed in my past life. On an elevated platform stood a decorative screen, before which sat a table and chair.
‘That must be where the Master sits…and we must sit here.’
The low writing table held an inkstone, ink stick, and paper, with cushions arranged in front for seating.
As I looked around, my eyes suddenly met those of the twins. Their faces twisted with malice as they glared at me sharply, then they turned their heads away with a dismissive snort.
Moments later, a young girl approached the twins and asked.
“Why are only you two here? Where’s Li-ri?”
“She caught a cold.”
“What? Of all days to fall ill—how unfortunate. Tell her to recover quickly.”
“Oh, Li-ri has a cold? She’s really not coming? I was looking forward to seeing her. What a shame!”
The twins were surrounded by the most people among all the gathered children. It was a vivid display of the Baek Li Family’s influence.
After settling into an appropriate seat and waiting briefly, a Servant appeared and coughed several times to draw the children’s attention.
“The Master arrives.”
The door opened the moment the children finished their formal seating.
* * *
After roughly half an hour of introductions, a quarter-hour break was granted.
I had prepared to return. I had already informed my Master.
The Academy’s Inner Courtyard erupted into chaos the moment break time arrived, with children pouring out everywhere. They clustered most densely around the massive Sophora Tree behind the wall and the overgrown shrubs nearby.
“Yes! Well… Oh! I missed it! What are you doing!”
At the center of the commotion stood the twins. Baek Li Pyo was swinging a long stick through the air as though demonstrating swordplay.
I turned my gaze away indifferently, then looked back at the twins. It wasn’t a swordplay demonstration. Baek Li Pyo wasn’t thrashing the stick at empty air—he was chasing away a bird.
Soon after, So U-ak stepped on another child’s back and climbed the wall. After attempting to scale the Sophora Tree for some time, So U-ak eventually gave up, descended to the ground, and kicked the tree in frustration.
‘What are they doing?’
Upon closer inspection, I spotted a bird’s nest in the upper branches of the Sophora Tree. That explained why the bird Baek Li Pyo was chasing kept returning despite being driven away by his stick.
After observing for a moment, I turned away.
As I exited the Academy, Eon-du came rushing toward me.
“Everything went well, didn’t it? How was the lesson?”
“We simply exchanged greetings.”
“Well, it’s the first day after all. Shall we go?”
When Eon-du, who had started ahead, showed no sign of following, I turned back with a puzzled expression.
“Young Miss? Why did you suddenly let your hair down?”
I felt the hair I had twisted up on both sides slip loose and cascade down.
‘I should have worn ornaments if I’d known this would happen.’
I had heard rumors that my Master disliked extravagance, so I had deliberately dressed modestly. I never anticipated something like this.
The hair ribbon was pale jade silk embroidered with lotus flowers in gold thread. The ends were adorned with gold ornaments as well.
I placed the ribbon in Eon-du’s hands and bowed. Still unsatisfied, I rose onto my toes and whispered into her ear.
Eon-du stared at me with a bewildered expression.
“Please.”
“It’s not difficult… I understand.”
Eon-du entered the Academy, and I followed after a brief interval. As I crossed the gate, I heard the Academy servant’s voice.
“Come inside, come inside. The Master will arrive soon.”
The children who had been noisily playing in the Inner Courtyard reluctantly filed inside. Once the servant confirmed all the children had entered, he stepped in last and closed the door.
Eon-du approached swiftly and spoke.
“Young Miss, I’ve done as you asked. What is this about?”
I gestured for Eon-du to follow and made my way toward the tree where the twins had been.
Looking up at the tree, the nest was unharmed. Whether parent or mother, the bird seemed exhausted and didn’t take flight, merely poking its head out from the nest to keep watch.
“Thank goodness. Let’s go back…”
That was when it happened.
A faint chirping sound came from somewhere nearby.
“What is that sound? It seems to be coming from this direction.”
Eon-du bent down and listened intently.
After searching through the shrubs for a while, Eon-du cried out.
“Young Miss! There’s a chick here! It must have fallen from that nest!”
In the spot Eon-du indicated, a chick still covered in fluffy down was lying on the ground.
“It seems fortunate that it fell into the shrubs and survived.”
I hastily stopped Eon-du from picking it up and offered her a handkerchief instead.
‘Honestly, even a handkerchief feels unreliable….’
I had no choice but to trust that it would be better than bare hands.
The moment human touch reached it, the bird that had been chirping frantically fell silent. As I watched it squirm awkwardly across the handkerchief, I looked up at the tree and asked.
“Can we put it back in the nest?”
“Huh, it’s been about five years since I’ve climbed a tree, but well, let’s give it a shot anyway.”
“It won’t work.”
At the sudden voice from right beside us, both Eon-du and I jumped and turned around.
An Unknown Boy stood there—we had no idea when he’d arrived.

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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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