The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 190

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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 190
As the man attempted to sit up, Namgung Ryu-cheong rushed to support him.
“Some water.”
I quickly brought the teacup to the man’s lips. He snatched it away with his uninjured hand.
“Who are you treating like a critical patient?”
Even as he spoke, the man’s hand trembled slightly.
I couldn’t laugh or cry—my face twisted into an awkward expression. This defiant attitude was so utterly like Namgung Wan.
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s eyes betrayed a thousand things he wished to say, yet he kept his lips sealed in silence.
‘Of course.’
Judging by their temperaments, they had likely never exchanged a tender word in their lives.
In the end, I stepped forward on their behalf.
“Ryu-cheong was incredibly worried about you. He’s been through so much.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong glared at me as if to ask why I would say such a thing.
“Ryu-cheong?”
Namgung Wan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he spoke words that contradicted his expression.
“He seemed full of vigor for someone who’s suffered so much.”
“Pardon?”
“What kind of courtesy is it to bellow at the bedside of a sick man?”
“Bellowing?”
I asked in return, then realized what he meant—he was referring to when I had railed at the physician, calling him a charlatan for suggesting amputation.
“You heard that?”
“Yes. My consciousness flickered in and out, but it never fully departed. How could I rest properly with that fool causing such a commotion?”
Though his words were reproachful, the warmth and joy in Namgung Wan’s eyes as he looked at his son were unmistakable.
Just then, Namgung Ryu-cheong’s expression turned cold as he poured ice water on the moment.
“Is this really the time for such talk?”
A sigh filled the chamber with silence, and the physician, who had been standing awkwardly, carefully interjected.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
As the physician began gathering his belongings, Namgung Wan spoke.
“No. Please stay a while longer.”
The physician exhaled heavily and replied.
“Sir, I have already told you. It is beyond my capabilities.”
“I understand. I will have the arm amputated.”
“Father!”
Namgung Ryu-cheong cried out sharply.
Namgung Wan gazed down at his own arm with a sunken expression.
“The moment his blade cut me, I felt it. There would be no recovery.”
His father spoke with urgency.
“Wait a little longer.”
The physician’s lips trembled as if he had something to say.
Namgung Wan shook his head.
“Waiting won’t change anything. I know my own body well.”
The Physician interjected softly.
“I understand everyone’s feelings, but if we delay and the inflammation spreads to the shoulder, it won’t just be a matter of amputation—the Young Master’s life itself will be in danger.”
Namgung Wan looked at us as if to say we’d all heard him.
“I understand the regret. But since I still have my left arm, it’s manageable.”
“….”
That couldn’t be true. It absolutely couldn’t be manageable. Yet despite what lay beneath, his outward composure was admirable enough to inspire awe. He had already made peace with his fate.
But there was no need for that.
I stepped forward and spoke.
“No. There’s still a way to save the arm.”
“What?”
“Yeon?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong grabbed my arm urgently and asked.
“Is there really a way?”
I nodded and spoke.
“But I’d need you to agree unconditionally to my method.”
Namgung Wan and Father exchanged glances.
When Father appeared uncertain, Namgung Wan asked me.
“Unconditional agreement? If there’s a way to save the arm, I should be the one begging you.”
The Physician scoffed then.
“Ha, there’s no way. That makes no sense. Don’t waste our time with this.”
Father seemed to be pondering what method I meant. I gazed at him steadily, and when our eyes met, Father’s widened slightly as if something had occurred to him.
“Could it be heaven….”
“Cough! Ahem.”
I coughed urgently to cut off Father’s words.
Father, whose words had been interrupted, turned to the Physician and made a polite request.
“Would you mind stepping out for a moment?”
“What? You’re being swayed by what this young girl says?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had been holding my arm, spun sharply toward the Physician.
“This…!”
“Ryu-cheong.”
Father stopped Namgung Ryu-cheong, who was about to shout.
Then he spoke to the Physician with a serious expression.
Soon the Physician nodded as if his irritation had vanished, told me to call him anytime if help was needed, apologized to me, and left the chamber.
“….”
Namgung Ryu-cheong looked at Father with slight admiration in his eyes.
Regardless of the other person’s attitude, Father always treated them with seriousness and courtesy. And often, such conduct would change the demeanor of even the most disrespectful.
After seeing the Physician out, Father turned to me.
“So, Yeon. Is it really what I’m thinking? I hadn’t avoided considering that method….”
I nodded.
Namgung Wan spoke with a tone of exasperation.
“What method could possibly warrant such secrecy? Won’t you tell us what you’re planning?”
Father gazed at me, seeming to deliberate for a moment before turning away.
“Wan, will you consent to this?”
Namgung Wan looked at Father with suspicion, but eventually nodded in agreement.
Only then did I retrieve a small wooden box from my robes.
I opened the box under the watchful eyes of my worried father and the questioning gazes of Namgung Ryu-cheong and Namgung Wan.
Click.
A fragrant medicinal aroma suddenly bloomed forth—a delicate, indescribable scent I had never encountered before. Was this what the fragrance of an immortal might smell like?
A small golden elixir, no larger than a pebble, lay nestled in the wooden box. It was astonishing that such a diminutive pill could emanate such a powerful aroma.
The moment the fragrance reached my senses, my body grew at ease and my mind settled into tranquility. Everyone in the chamber must have felt this wondrous sensation.
I opened my mouth to speak.
“It’s the Heavenly Fate Golden Soul Elixir.”
“What?”
Namgung Wan spoke as though the very notion were absurd.
“The Heavenly Fate Golden Soul Elixir exists? Wasn’t that already used?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong also spoke with bewilderment.
“I heard the Baek Li Family’s Heavenly Fate Golden Soul Elixir was used by the Jegal Family Head.”
“That’s not quite right. But the rumors aren’t entirely false either.”
Their doubts were not without merit.
Externally, it was known that I had used the Heavenly Fate Golden Soul Elixir on Jeggal Hwa-mu to extend his lifespan.
“Hwa-mu deliberately spread that rumor himself.”
Jeggal Hwa-mu was known to suffer from the most severe ailments among all the Jegal Family Heads throughout history, destined to die before reaching adulthood.
That rumor, incidentally, had been spread by his own mother to seize control of the Jegal Family. While I had used the Celestial Clear Stone Oil to alleviate his condition, I did not wish for it to become known that I possessed such a treasure.
Moreover, Jeggal Hwa-mu needed to make it known to the outside world that his condition had improved due to various resolved complications. So instead, the rumor spread was about the Heavenly Fate Golden Soul Elixir.
‘Of course, I did inform Grandfather that I had not used the Heavenly Fate Golden Soul Elixir.’
I spoke as though that detail were inconsequential.
“In any case, there’s no reason to doubt its authenticity.”
Namgung Wan gazed at the Heavenly Fate Golden Soul Elixir with conflicted eyes.
“I understand your intention. But…”
I quickly cut him off.
“You said you would consent, didn’t you?”
“…”
I had obtained his agreement beforehand precisely because I anticipated this hesitation.
“Surely you’re not going back on your word? You’re not the sort of person who breaks promises and lacks integrity, are you?”
Namgung Wan looked at me in disbelief, then beckoned me closer with a finger.
The moment I stepped near, he flicked his intact left hand and delivered a sharp tap to my forehead.
“Ow!”
“Father!”
Namgung Ryu-cheong startled in alarm and quickly pulled me behind him.
“Ryu-cheong, what do you expect to accomplish by glaring at me like that? And Baek Li-yeon, you have quite the talent for deception. Hmm?”
“That’s exactly why I said you shouldn’t stamp a blank contract in the first place.”
“Do you have any idea how precious the Thousand-Life Golden Soul Pill is?”
“I do.”
I had suffered my father’s and grandfather’s disappointment because of this very thing, enduring their resentment my entire life. How could I not know?
“But judging from your father’s reaction, it seems he didn’t know you brought it.”
“That’s right. Father didn’t know. But I did tell Grandfather.”
I glanced at my father for a moment.
“I kept it secret from Father because I was afraid he might push himself even harder if he knew the Thousand-Life Golden Soul Pill existed.”
He had always been careless with his own health, and if he learned of a medicine that could even revive the dying, he would surely become even more reckless.
“I prepared the Thousand-Life Golden Soul Pill for the worst-case scenario. And now we’re facing exactly that.”
As if responding to my words, my father opened his mouth.
“Myeong-jin Jinsa has passed away.”
Namgung Wan’s eyes widened in shock.
During his time fleeing, Namgung Wan likely hadn’t received proper news about the Murim Alliance.
Myeong-jin Jinsa.
The Huashan swordmaster who had visited Grandfather’s Sansu-yeon.
Not long after inviting me to the Huashan Sect, he was confirmed dead at the Murim Alliance Headquarters.
Several others were mentioned afterward—those who had passed away, people like Namgung Wan who had suffered irreversible injuries and retired from active service.
They were all names I had heard before. Many of them were people I had met at my father’s funeral.
The atmosphere in the chamber grew heavy in an instant.
“The Mudang Sect was also attacked and suffered great losses, and several other sects were targeted as well. Some managed to defend themselves, but… most suffered severe damage.”
Then I continued, following my father’s words.
“If something were to happen to you as well, how much harder would it be for Father?”
“….”
“I’m using this not for your sake. It’s for Father’s sake.”
Given the state the Murim Alliance was in, Namgung Wan had become truly indispensable.
I had never trusted the Murim Alliance Leader to begin with, but this situation only confirmed anew that he was utterly useless.
“I understand.”
Namgung Wan spoke with a resolute voice.
“The Namgung Clan owes you a great debt. I will repay this debt no matter what happens.”
And I had no intention of letting him bear that solemn resolve alone. Such resolute determination was always followed by nothing but misfortune.
“You’re not the entirety of the Namgung Clan, are you? The Family Head is still in good health, and there’s Ryu-cheong as well. Please don’t worry so much. Even if something were to happen to you, Ryu-cheong would lead the clan well.”
The solemn atmosphere shattered like glass.
“…Your daughter would probably keep talking even if she fell into water.”
“I know how to swim.”
“….”
“….”
“….”
I smiled brightly among the speechless people.

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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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