The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 18

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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 18
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Seok Ga-yak gazed quietly at the soft jade-colored hair ribbon in his palm. It was an ordinary ribbon adorned with embroidery and pearl ornaments—the kind befitting children of noble houses.
“Has she left?”
“Yes.”
“How reckless of you. Young Master Baek Li-ui-gang is present, yet you brought his daughter here.”
“Indeed. I was far too careless. When I asked in passing near the stable, I was genuinely startled.”
His laughing face showed no sign of the shock he claimed to have felt. Rather, he seemed amused. It was the first glimpse of vitality from the boy who had spent every day since arriving here as silent as a dormouse.
“I shall explain the situation properly to Young Master Baek Li-ui-gang. Please be more careful going forward.”
Seok Tae-ui spoke with a weary sigh.
“A pitiful pair, father and daughter.”
“So Seok Tae-ui does possess compassion after all?”
At Seok Ga-yak’s pointed remark, Seok Tae-ui pressed his lips into a thin line. Seok Ga-yak had been present since Baek Li-yeon first watched over the twins.
A gaunt, sickly-looking girl.
She had observed the twins with a frown, as though disapproving of their conduct. Yet in the end, she had departed without uttering a word.
He had thought to himself, ‘So this is Baek Li-ui-gang’s daughter—nothing special,’ before heading off to see his master.
Suddenly, Master Ki’s servant had ushered the students from the courtyard into the classroom. With considerable time remaining in the break, the servant’s actions seemed abrupt.
Seok Ga-yak felt a vague suspicion and kept watch over the courtyard. Soon, the girl who had slipped away moments before returned to the now-quiet yard—her hair, which had been neatly bound when she left the academy, now hung loose.
Only then did he understand. It was that girl who had sent the students inside. She had given her hair ribbon to Master Ki’s servant and asked him to enter. And…
“This will be the death of me. How pitiful.”
Her tone sounded as though tears might spill at any moment, yet her eyes remained dry.
“It seems that girl has caught your interest.”
“Yes. She’s quite amusing.”
* * *
Clatter, clatter.
Inside the swaying carriage, Eon-du spoke to me as I sat with my eyes closed from exhaustion.
“Young Miss, isn’t that heavy? Let me carry it for you.”
“No, it’s fine.”
In my arms lay a single box—a blackwood chest ornately decorated with mother-of-pearl inlays depicting butterflies and scrolling vine patterns.
‘First, I’ll place one in Father’s Study…’
While simplicity has its merits, the space felt far too austere. A single flower would add such grace to it.
‘One for my chamber, and one I’ll dry carefully to make into a sachet. Perfect.’
These flowers were ones Seok Ga-yak had plucked and given to me as I left, even preparing this box so they wouldn’t wilt on the journey. The blossoms were so large and vibrant that three alone filled the chest completely.
‘He’s suspicious, certainly, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person…’
The carriage soon arrived at the Baek Li Estate. As I descended slowly, I noticed an unusual commotion and turned my gaze toward the gate.
“I told you, you can’t do this.”
“Verify it properly.”
“I’m telling you, it won’t help! This person is so persistent.”
“Does the Baek Li Family greet guests in such a manner?”
“A guest? Someone who can’t even prove their identity? Leave at once, while I’m being civil.”
What kind of madman is causing a commotion in front of the Baek Li Estate?
The Baek Li Estate received countless visitors daily, yet disturbances were rare. This was because even the Gatekeeper who guarded the main gate was a martial artist trained in the ways of the Baek Li Family.
Eon-du furrowed his brow and spoke.
“Young Miss, shall we take another route?”
“….”
“Young Miss?”
Eon-du turned to look at the Young Miss who hadn’t answered, and he was startled.
The Young Miss he served had somehow drawn closer to where the commotion was occurring.
“Get out of here before I drag you out.”
“Try if you can.”
The man gripped a sword wrapped in cloth.
“Tch, you think you can’t? Really, don’t regret this—just leave.”
The Gatekeeper twisted his spear with a sneer, the situation teetering on the edge of violence. Yet between them, a child’s voice pierced through—so calm it bordered on serene.
“What’s the matter?”
Both the man and the Gatekeeper turned to look at me simultaneously. The Gatekeeper, recognizing me, scowled deeply, but I couldn’t discern the man’s expression.
The man wore a drab, soiled traveling robe, his sword wrapped in cloth so thoroughly that his status was utterly concealed. A hood pulled up to his nose covered half his face, and a deep bamboo hat obscured everything except for a pair of dark, piercing eyes.
His appearance screamed, “I am a highly suspicious person,” loud enough to be heard a hundred leagues away.
Yet the moment I saw his eyes, I knew who he was.
Father’s closest friend. But the one whose actions had driven Father to his death.
The young patriarch of the Dae Namgung Family, one of the Ten Great Clans, and the biological father of Namgung Ryu-cheong, the male protagonist of this very story—Namgung Wan!
‘Why is he here doing this?’
Since I had recognized him, Father’s personal servant Eon-du could not have failed to do so. Eon-du, who had been hurrying after me, widened his eyes in shock.
“Nam…!”
Eon-du, who had been about to cry out something, froze in place. Then, slowly closing his mouth, his eyes darted back and forth uncontrollably.
I turned to Eon-du and asked.
“Eon-du? What’s wrong?”
“That, that… It’s, Young Miss, it’s…”
Eon-du kept glancing furtively at Namgung Wan.
From his behavior, I understood the situation.
‘Did the Namgung Master use a secret transmission?’
A secret transmission was a martial technique that used inner energy to convey words to another person without being heard by others. Most people who had reached a certain level of mastery could use it.
However, there was a way to detect whether someone was using a secret transmission even without sound—the shape of the lips and the movement of the throat. To use a secret transmission, one had to mimic the motions of speaking, at least slightly. Thus, it was usually possible to discern whether someone was using a secret transmission by observing their lips or throat.
Of course, I couldn’t be certain whether Namgung Wan, whose mouth and throat were concealed by the hood, had used a secret transmission. But if Namgung Wan hadn’t stopped him, there would be no reason for Eon-du to wear that expression of desperation to speak while unable to open his mouth.
‘In any case, I still don’t know Namgung Wan.’
I simply blinked my eyes naturally, as if startled by the presence of a stranger, and asked.
“I heard the commotion and came to see. Is something the matter? I’d be happy to help if I can.”
“And you are?”
I brought my hands together and bowed respectfully.
“I’m Baek Li-yeon of the Baek Li Family.”
I saw Namgung Wan’s brow furrow deeply.
At that moment, the Gatekeeper interjected.
“This is not a matter for the young lady to concern herself with. You there, step aside at once.”
Namgung Wan’s gaze turned sharp as he fixed it upon the Gatekeeper.
The Gatekeeper flinched at that look, then lifted his chin defiantly as if to say, what could this man possibly do to him?
This was the Baek Li Estate’s grounds. He knew full well that no one could touch a warrior of the Baek Li Family.
‘He’ll regret that later….’
Namgung Wan, whose hand had gripped his sword hilt as though ready to draw it at any moment, glanced at me and exhaled deeply.
From beneath his hood, a low, measured voice began to explain the situation calmly.
The more I listened, the more absurd it became. From his attire, it was clear that Namgung Wan had attempted to enter the Baek Li Estate without revealing his identity.
Of course, he hadn’t simply insisted on walking in. Instead, Namgung Wan had tried to prove his identity using Father’s letter of invitation rather than his credential tablet.
That’s where the problem arose. The Gatekeepers claimed they couldn’t be certain the letter was from Father and refused to let him pass.
It seemed ridiculous that the Gatekeepers couldn’t recognize Father’s handwriting and seal, but I suppose it was possible. In that case, they should have fetched someone from inside who could verify the handwriting.
But instead of calling someone to confirm, the Gatekeepers simply ordered him to leave.
“…and that’s how it came to this.”
After hearing the entire account, I looked at the Gatekeepers with an expression of utter disbelief.
The Gatekeepers avoided my gaze, pretending not to notice.
“Let me take a look at the letter.”
“You?”
Namgung Wan’s eyes narrowed.
I nodded earnestly as if to say, please trust me.
“Yes. I know my father’s handwriting well enough.”
I paused briefly before adding an explanation.
“My father has been teaching me to write, after all.”
“…That man?”
In my previous life, Namgung Wan had visited during this same period.
‘But I never heard of such a commotion….’
Was it because I had been confined to my Residence Quarter and hadn’t heard about it?
I carefully examined the letter that the great Namgung swordmaster handed over with a suspicious expression.
It was indeed Father’s handwriting. A simple letter of invitation with an anonymous recipient, but Father’s seal was properly affixed.
Such letters were commonly used when inviting a guest whose identity one wished to keep hidden. And Namgung Wan wore an expression suggesting he found it amusing that I was examining the letter so seriously as if I actually understood anything.
I folded the letter carefully and handed it back to Namgung Wan, saying:
“My father’s handwriting and seal match. Please, come inside.”
Just as I was about to lead the way, the Gatekeeper blocked my path.
“That is not possible.”
Why again!

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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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