The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 189

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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 189
Yalyu entered lightly and set the tray down on the table.
Baek Li-ui-gang spoke.
“Thank you.”
I reached for the teapot, but my father’s hand was faster.
Instead, I gestured with my eyes toward the wooden steamer that had suddenly appeared beside the teapot and asked.
“What is this?”
“I thought you might be hungry.”
When Yalyu opened the steamer, dumplings arranged in neat rows came into view.
“Huh?”
….
Yalyu spoke with a hint of regret.
“They’ve cooled a bit.”
I couldn’t hide my bewildered expression.
My father regarded Yalyu with a subtle gaze.
And well he might. Who would think about eating at a time like this?
I fidgeted with my teacup and spoke.
“Thank you… but I’m a bit busy right now. I’ll eat later.”
“No.”
Startled by Yalyu’s firm tone, I looked up as he continued.
“You said it yourself. No matter what happens, you must eat.”
“Did I… say something like that?”
“Yes.”
I scratched the corner of my mouth.
I couldn’t remember saying it, having spoken so carelessly about so many things.
But it was certainly something I would say. When Yalyu was young, he was smaller than his peers, painfully thin, and ate only as much as a bird…
Now that he had grown so tall and robust, no one would believe such a past had existed.
Yalyu spoke with concern.
“You haven’t eaten anything all night.”
Then my father, who had been watching, opened his mouth.
“…Yalyu is right. You mustn’t skip meals.”
Even as I picked up the chopsticks, I felt bewildered.
‘Why am I eating dumplings right now…?’
Everything we had been discussing so seriously just moments before—about Cheon Gwi-jo, about Yalyu, about the Absorption Demonic Art—suddenly felt trivial.
Then Yalyu spoke.
“There’s some for the patriarch as well.”
My father fell silent briefly and asked.
“…For me too?”
“Yes.”
Yalyu’s expression suggested it was only natural.
“….”
I managed to suppress the laughter threatening to burst forth and spoke with gentle affection.
“Father, you mustn’t skip meals.”
“….”
Father, who had been silent, turned to Yalyu.
“Then sit down as well. Let’s eat together.”
Yalyu shook his head.
“I’ve already eaten.”
“I see.”
I quickly lowered my head and chuckled softly.
‘Right. Everything we do is for survival, after all.’
I picked up a dumpling and brought it to my lips.
“Hmm?”
Yalyu asked.
“How is it?”
“…It’s delicious!”
The rich broth from the generous meat filling flooded my mouth.
There wasn’t a trace of gaminess, and the dumpling skin had a delightful chewiness. A subtle spiciness prevented the meat juices from becoming cloying.
“Good? I’m relieved.”
After eating several in succession, the heat began to build. I fanned my mouth with my hand and reached for the teapot.
Yalyu asked.
“Is it spicy?”
“A bit? How about you, Father?”
“I’m fine. It might be a little spicy for you, Yeon.”
Seeing Yalyu’s slightly disappointed expression, I waved my hand.
“No, I love spicy food. This is incredibly delicious! Where did you buy these? Come to think of it, the others probably haven’t eaten yet either. I should have you bring some for them as well.”
“I didn’t buy them.”
I looked at Yalyu questioningly while sipping my tea.
Yalyu spoke calmly.
“I made them.”
“Hack! Cough, cough!”
I choked on my tea and erupted into coughing.
“Are you alright? I’m sorry. I made them less spicy, but it seems they’re still quite hot….”
Was that the reason?
Father patted my back and asked.
“You made these?”
“Yes. The Inn Owner came by earlier, and ingredients arrived. After confirming everything with the Baek Geom Unit members, I prepared them. The head chef has also arrived and begun cooking, so meals for the others will be ready soon.”
One mystery naturally resolved itself.
‘So when he asked me at the bottom of the staircase if I was finished, he was asking about the dumplings….’
Father nodded slowly and spoke.
“You’ve worked hard. Your skills are impressive.”
I barely stifled my cough and wiped my lips with the back of my hand as I spoke.
“Well… Phew, it’s not my first time making them, you know?”
“I just… make them whenever I feel like eating some.”
I’d heard he’d lived deep in the mountains where few people ventured. While ingredients could be stockpiled, if one craved dumplings, there was no choice but to make them by hand.
Yalyu continued speaking.
“Remember when we ate dumplings together before?”
“Huh? Oh, you mean that time we went out and ate them?”
Yalyu smiled faintly.
“Yeah. I think about that time sometimes.”
“…Didn’t we suddenly get into an argument that day and cause quite a commotion?”
“That’s right. We did.”
That such a chaotic moment had become a cherished memory for him…
My bewilderment seemed to reach Yalyu as well.
Yalyu spoke with a hint of bashfulness.
“Still, we went together.”
Clack.
I turned at the sudden sound to see Father setting down his chopsticks on the table.
‘What’s that about?’
And for some reason, I sensed displeasure emanating from Father.
Yalyu, who had also noticed Father at the same time as me, spoke as if he’d just remembered something.
“Ah, Great Master. Did you instruct me not to meet with Cheon Gwi-jo?”
What was he talking about now?
Father gazed at Yalyu intently before speaking.
“That’s right. I ordered you not to meet him.”
“Father?”
At my bewildered call, Father gestured with his eyes for me to remain silent.
Father asked Yalyu. I felt Father’s voice grow somewhat cold.
“What would you do if you met him?”
“Nothing in particular.”
“Nothing in particular?”
“Yes. I was simply… curious what he would look like.”
Well, it was understandable to be curious. After all, it was about the downfall of a villain who had tormented him.
But doubt crept in.
‘Yalyu wants to see something like that?’
Father spoke.
“What would you gain from meeting him? It’s not even a pleasant memory. For the sake of what lies ahead, it’s best that you have as little connection with him as possible.”
“Is that so?”
Yalyu nodded as if understanding, then asked another question.
“Are you taking Cheon Gwi-jo to the Murim Alliance?”
Baek Li-ui-gang’s brow furrowed slightly.
“You’ve already heard?”
“Yes. Gae Bang-do mentioned something about a transport prison. Isn’t it because of Cheon Gwi-jo?”
“…That’s right.”
Yalyu spoke in a remarkably calm tone.
“Then when are you planning to depart? Originally it was supposed to be tomorrow, wasn’t it?”
Baek Li-ui-gang fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“There’s the matter of preparing the transport prison… and with Wan in such a state, it’s difficult to leave immediately. I’m not sure how many days I’ll remain.”
“I understand.”
“Is that all you wanted to ask?”
“Yes.”
Baek Li-ui-gang gazed at Yalyu intently before speaking.
“Since the Demonic Cult attacked the Murim Alliance Headquarters and Cheon Gwi-jo was involved in that incident, I cannot dispose of individuals related to the entire Murim Alliance as I please.”
“I understand. Please do as the Great Hero sees fit.”
My concern and Father’s worry seemed entirely misplaced given his response.
Just as I was about to ask if he was truly alright—
A voice came from beyond the door.
“Great Hero, the new Physician has arrived.”
Baek Li-ui-gang sprang to his feet.
* * *
Four Physicians had come and gone. Their reactions were all the same.
After the initial shock faded, by the fourth one, they had become composed. Or perhaps they had anticipated such a situation from the start.
And this was now the fifth Physician.
The Physician set down his medical kit and spoke.
“It is beyond my capabilities.”
“Is there truly no way?”
“Sigh. How many Physicians have already come and gone? Word has spread throughout Ak-yang. Even if you brought a hundred Physicians….”
The Physician clicked his tongue.
“In any case, I cannot do it. Even if you searched all of Ak-yang, there would be no one capable. Unless it were Man Shin-ui.”
That was when a faint cough sounded, followed by a hoarse, cracked voice.
“How do you bring back a dead man?”
“Father!”
“Uncle!”
“You’ve regained consciousness?”
Namgung Wan looked at us with a satisfied smile.
“Yes. So I wasn’t seeing things after all.”

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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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