The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 169

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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 169
Between his tousled bangs, I could discern a look of bewilderment in his eyes. Yalyu knew about my golden eyes.
And he asked as if puzzled.
“You didn’t know I was here?”
I explained myself.
“There’s a formation array deployed inside, so I couldn’t see outside very well.”
“A formation array?”
“Yes. It’s designed to make people lose their way.”
“…Lose their way?”
“Yes.”
Yalyu, who had been silent, spoke to the Jegal Family Head.
“That bastard told me you were inside and said I should go in.”
“Huh?”
“So he tattled on you here.”
A light voice confirmed it.
I tried to turn around to look at Jeggal Hwa-mu in exasperation, but Yalyu held me tightly, making it impossible.
I patted his head soothingly as if comforting a child. The sensation against my palm felt like it had been a long time.
After a moment of this, I grasped Yalyu’s shoulders and pushed him away. I examined his face and body. He bore the appearance of someone who had endured considerable hardship.
“What happened to your face! Are you alright otherwise?”
I heard he hadn’t slept for four days straight, alternating between different horses, and when even the horses gave out, he had used his inner energy to run directly himself.
“You exhausted all your inner energy and even sustained internal injuries. You should have kept at least some in reserve! If something had gone wrong….”
“Cough. Cough.”
Suddenly, a fit of coughing erupted.
“Hwa-mu?”
Turning his head and exhaling a sigh, Jeggal Hwa-mu’s complexion had turned ashen.
He looked even worse than before entering.
He even swayed slightly. Startled, I pushed Yalyu away and caught Jeggal Hwa-mu’s wavering form.
“Are you alright?”
The fingertips that had touched him moments ago were cold enough to sting, yet his breath brushing past was scorching hot.
His condition was this severe?
Without thinking, reproach spilled from my lips.
“I told you to just go back and rest. Why did you insist on standing guard!”
“Ha ha, someone might suddenly arrive, you know?”
And yet Yalyu didn’t stop him and brazenly told him to go in…!
* * *
I forcibly sent Yalyu away and supported Jeggal Hwa-mu as we made our way to an empty room.
After laying Jeggal Hwa-mu down, I examined him, tilting my head in confusion before raising my eyebrows.
I opened my mouth to speak, then exhaled deeply and stood up. As I turned my body, a hand grasped my wrist.
I rubbed my forehead and spoke.
“You’re not actually sick, are you?”
“That can’t be right. You are hurt, though.”
As I glared at him, Jeggal Hwa-mu smiled faintly.
“I’m always hurting. Well, not enough to collapse, but still.”
“….”
Jeggal Hwa-mu pushed himself upright.
“I did push myself too hard, that’s true. Gyeol-i, I mean. Trying to break through the formation and even the exquisite technique you deployed within it.”
I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. I exhaled a sigh and swept my hair back.
“Setting that aside—why do you always act petulant whenever you see Yalyu?”
“That can’t be right.”
“You weren’t being petulant?”
“I’m petulant with almost everyone. Except you.”
“….”
Bathed in the sunlight streaming through the window, Jeggal Hwa-mu smiled softly.
His face was beautiful, save for the sickly pallor—or perhaps that fragile appearance only drew the eye more captivingly.
‘I need to settle this now, once and for all.’
I couldn’t let things drag on like this indefinitely.
Even after I steeled myself, the words wouldn’t come easily. After a long silence, I finally spoke.
“Hwa-mu, I can’t return your feelings.”
Jeggal Hwa-mu tilted his head slightly. As he moved, his nearly loosened white hair cascaded down.
“If you’re helping me because you want to win my heart… let’s end this here.”
Jeggal Hwa-mu blinked. His gaze held something pitying, as if he found me pathetic.
“I thought you were about to say something serious with that expression.”
Jeggal Hwa-mu rested his chin on his hand as he spoke.
“Are you really sure about this?”
“….”
“The Demonic Cult has been revealed to be targeting you. Can you truly manage without my help going forward? Really?”
“…There’s no choice.”
“Or is it that you’ll become the heir to the Baek Li Family now, so you no longer need my assistance?”
“That was… just something I said to provoke my aunt.”
“But it’s also the truth, isn’t it?”
Baek Li-myeong would take far too long to recover, and the Twin Cousins were my aunt’s children.
That left only Li-ri and me.
Already, everyone in the family was whispering about it.
Jeggal Hwa-mu reached toward my face, then grasped my hair instead.
“I’m simply curious about what path you’ll take. And….”
* * *
Click.
I closed the door behind me and exhaled a sigh.
“Just pity me, that’s enough.”
I was about to sigh again.
“There you are.”
A voice reached me, slightly breathless.
“Father?”
It had been days since I last saw my father.
He had been rushing about, searching for other witnesses or evidence that Aunt claimed she had overlooked regarding my descent into demonic cultivation.
Having already investigated the matter myself, I knew his efforts were futile, yet I did not stop him. It was better that he conducted his own inquiry and reached certainty.
Father gazed at me with an expression of deep concern.
“Why are you coming out of this room?”
“Ah, Hwa-mu’s condition had worsened. While he rested, I was simply having a conversation with him.”
“….”
“Why do you ask?”
“Were you alone in the room with the Jegal Family Head?”
“Um… yes.”
Father’s expression grew even more grave.
“You are still… young, so it matters not… but the Jegal Family Head is a man of age.”
I tilted my head, uncertain what he meant.
Father spoke as though he had no choice.
“Henceforth, avoid being alone in a room together.”
I stared at him blankly, finding the remark somewhat absurd.
Noticing my expression, Father seemed to gauge my reaction before continuing.
“That is… not to say it is forbidden. I am merely concerned. So, well, you must always, always bring a Female Servant with you.”
I widened my eyes and laughed.
True, I was still young enough that it mattered little, but as I grew older, such rumors would spread all too easily.
Yet just moments ago, and especially with Jeggal Hwa-mu, I had spoken of matters far too sensitive for servants to overhear.
Uncertain how I could manage this going forward, I did not answer and changed the subject.
“Why were you looking for me?”
“Ah, I heard you had gone to the Northern Pavilion.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Why had I not mentioned that I had visited the Northern Pavilion before the regression as well?
Father had asked me the same question then. And I had answered with a lowered head, “Yes.” And then Father had surely….
‘Very well. I understand.’
“Very well. I understand.”
The words matched my memory exactly.
“….”
“….”
That was all.
I gazed intently at my father.
He appeared changed and yet utterly unchanged.
But there was something that had transformed completely from that time.
“Father, there is something I must tell you.”
My relationship with Baek Li-ui-gang. It was unmistakably different from before.
* * *
Muuhan, where the Murim Alliance Headquarters stood.
Namgung Wan was struggling to suppress his irritation.
“Then, taking it that everyone agrees, I shall make this decision.”
“Very well.”
“Understood.”
Most voiced their approval, yet several remained silent, offering no words. Concealing their displeasure was the best they could manage.
A portly man with a triple chin, grease glistening down his face, rose with a smile and clasped his hands together.
“As expected of the Alliance Leader—such wise discernment.”
Namgung Wan let out a scoff at how readily he caught the wind.
It was but a small sneer, yet this was a place where many possessed keen sensitivity.
Wi Ji-baek, the Murim Alliance Leader who had been laughing heartily, changed his expression and looked at Namgung Wan.
“Namgung Minor Family Head. If you have something to say, speak it plainly rather than sneering like that.”
Namgung Wan gazed at the teacup before him, still full and untouched, before opening his mouth.
“…Well. I suspect nothing will change regardless of what I say.”
“Ahem.”
“Hmm.”
Several people cleared their throats.
Wi Ji-baek spoke again.
“Namgung Minor Family Head, if you have grievances, speak them properly. One might think I’m preventing you from speaking.”
Namgung Wan regarded Wi Ji-baek, the Murim Alliance Leader, with a stern expression.
Their gazes clashed without yielding an inch.
“….”
“….”
Gradually, the atmosphere of the conference chamber pressed down upon the shoulders of those seated. At last, Gongsun Bang, the military strategist of the Murim Alliance, mediated with a laugh.
Soon after the meeting concluded, the banquet that followed began.
The situation repeated itself similarly at that gathering as well.
Namgung Wan entered the pavilion assigned to him with a rigid expression.
Then, his face twisted with irritation, he cast off his deep purple robe.
His Aide, who hurried after him, spoke carefully.
“Shall I have a meal prepared?”
“I’m not eating.”
“You didn’t drink anything at the banquet. If this continues, you’ll upset your stomach.”
“I’m not telling you to starve—go eat and come back!”
Namgung Wan waved his hand dismissively.
“Ha, no. I’m not hungry either.”
The Aide, serving such a temperamental master, swallowed his tears inwardly.
Namgung Wan accepted the tea the Aide offered and drank, then spoke.
“We depart tomorrow at first light.”
“Tomorrow? But wouldn’t leaving half a month early appear as a sign of discontent?”
Namgung Wan scoffed.
“When I leave, the Alliance Leader will actually applaud.”
Wi Ji-baek had spent the entire meeting repeatedly checking and dismissing Namgung Wan.
“He’s insufferable. He acts like he owns the place.”
“When the tiger is absent, the fox becomes king. Especially at this meeting—with no elders from the prestigious Orthodox Sects in attendance, he didn’t even bother to exercise restraint.”
Even those who had attended seemed to view restraining the Namgung Clan as necessary.
Namgung Wan spoke in a somewhat subdued voice.
“The Baek Li Family Head couldn’t attend anyway. There’s no reason to stay longer.”
He then struck the table with his palm in frustration.
“But why did he turn back after already departing?”
Namgung Wan glared.
“Could the Baek Li Family Head’s mind have suddenly changed?”

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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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