The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 21

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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 21
* * *
I took a deep breath, opened the door, and rushed toward my father.
“Father!”
“Did I not tell you not to run inside my chamber?”
“Hehe.”
“Why are you awake so early? Are you not tired?”
“I’m fine.”
Despite having raised his voice just moments before, Father’s expression softened as he gently pulled me into an embrace before setting me beside him.
“As you’ve already met, this is my daughter, Baek Li-yeon.”
Though my interruption had halted their quarrel, Namgung Wan’s displeasure remained plainly evident.
Even in tattered clothes, he had possessed a commanding presence. Now, freshly bathed with his beard trimmed and dressed in deep indigo silk, Namgung Wan was strikingly handsome.
His features were all sharply defined, his brows thick and stern, lending him a distinctly masculine air—yet something about him carried an unmistakable aura of arrogance and menace.
He was an entirely different type from my father, who possessed the refined bearing of a nobleman. That two people so opposite in appearance and temperament had become close friends was a question many pondered.
‘Perhaps it’s because their martial prowess is comparable?’
Their achievements at similar ages were equally matched. Rumors circulated about which of them would reach the pinnacle of transcendence first, with wagers being placed.
‘Surely my father will reach it first?’
Of course, if he were still alive…
Father turned to regard Namgung Wan and spoke to me.
“And this is Namgung Wan, the Young Master of the Namgung Clan and my oldest friend.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard much about you from Father.”
“Nothing good, I’m sure.”
“….”
His sharp retort caught me off guard, and I blinked rapidly.
Father sighed and rubbed his brow.
Soon after, Eon-du appeared carrying a tray. It held a teapot, three teacups, and simple refreshments.
As I always did, I picked up a pastry and popped it into Father’s mouth. Baek Li-ui-gang reflexively accepted it, but only after reaching for the teapot did he glance at Namgung Wan with an expression of chagrin.
Namgung Wan’s eyes narrowed, his lips slightly parted as he stared in disbelief. And just as he was about to speak—
My small, busy hand thrust a pastry into his mouth instead.
“…!”
Having silenced everyone, I opened my mouth.
“Father, please don’t be harsh with Namgung Wan.”
“Cough!”
As Father erupted into coughing, I poured tea into his cup. The moment Namgung Wan clenched his jaw, the sound of the pastry crumbling echoed.
Namgung Wan had no choice but to chew and swallow.
Baek Li-ui-gang found himself at a loss for where to even begin his protest.
Uncle? Harsh? How could the great Namgung Wan receive such treatment?
At the same time, the one who had silenced both of them continued speaking.
“This time, Father, you were in the wrong.”
“Cough, cough—my fault, you say?”
“This is all because Father didn’t mention in his letter that you were a very distinguished guest.”
“….”
“If Father had only written that you were an important person, would those gatekeepers have really disrespected you based on your appearance alone? This is entirely Father’s fault!”
Namgung Wan’s lips curved upward slightly, pleased by my words. After filling his teacup as well, I sat on Father’s lap and swung my feet idly.
“Father, what punishment did the gatekeepers receive?”
“Three months’ salary reduction and a fortnight of confinement.”
As expected, the punishment was hardly severe.
Since I’d witnessed the gatekeepers stubbornly refusing to admit fault, Namgung Wan must have anticipated this outcome too. That’s why he’d struck them with his bamboo hat without hesitation.
Father sighed and stroked my head gently.
“I’m sorry you had to see such an unseemly display. I’ve given them strict orders, so you needn’t worry about it anymore.”
Father seemed eager to end this topic and didn’t want to mention the gatekeepers in front of me any further.
That wouldn’t do.
There was still something I needed to reveal.
“Those gatekeeper warriors must be foolish.”
“Yeon.”
“Foolish?”
Both spoke simultaneously.
I looked at Father first, then turned to Namgung Wan and spoke.
“They knew they’d be punished once Father returned, yet they still disrespected you. So they must be foolish, right?”
Namgung Wan’s sharp gaze fixed on me.
“Are you suggesting they acted intentionally?”
I couldn’t appear too knowledgeable. I took a step back.
“What does intentionally mean?”
Namgung Wan explained with a slightly disappointed expression.
“It means they did it on purpose.”
“Oh, I see. But it’s strange if they did it on purpose. Does anyone actually enjoy being punished?”
“….”
With my words, the hall fell silent. Yet I could see Namgung Wan’s Adam’s apple bob briefly across from me. Father’s did the same.
The two of them had begun communicating through secret transmission.
‘Excellent, success.’
With this seed of suspicion planted, both of them would surely come to understand.
In truth, they should have realized it long ago. But Father had dismissed the idea because he saw no reason for the family to scrutinize him so closely.
And Namgung Wan, being the sole heir of the Namgung Clan, had remained indifferent to internal power struggles within the family.
Father’s expression grew increasingly grave. Namgung Wan’s did likewise. Could the gatekeepers truly have been so foolish as to turn away the bearer of Father’s letter? Simply to harass him? When it was obvious they’d face punishment once Father’s guest explained everything?
‘No, there must be a purpose.’
Father held considerable renown throughout the Martial World.
Having wandered the realm and aided many in dire circumstances, he’d cultivated numerous high-ranking acquaintances and friends—like Namgung Wan standing before me now.
The gatekeepers’ objective was simple: to identify Father’s guest by any means necessary.
‘In the end, Namgung Wan’s visit has been revealed to the Baek Li Family as intended, so it’s a success.’
Soon enough, Namgung Wan would surely receive a message requesting a meeting with another member of the Baek Li Family.
After finishing his conversation with Father, Namgung Wan regarded me with a serious expression.
I tilted my head, wondering what was wrong.
“So you’re not completely foolish after all?”
“….”
Who exactly was calling whom foolish here?
Father, who had been holding his teacup, stared intently at Namgung Wan. At that, Namgung Wan hesitated and averted his gaze from Father’s piercing look.
Yet Father continued to regard him silently with that penetrating stare. After clearing his throat several times awkwardly, Namgung Wan spoke in an unnaturally gentle tone.
“…Well. Since we’ve met like this, I suppose I’ll give you a gift.”
Suddenly? Was he trying to buy his way out of an apology with money?
Before Father could say anything, Namgung Wan withdrew something from his robes and placed it on the table. Seeing this, Father’s frown deepened, and I tilted my head in confusion.
“Is that a short sword?”
Namgung Wan nodded and drew the blade from its sheath.
An extraordinary white blade came into view. When Namgung Wan twisted his wrist slightly, a blue luminescence flickered across it before vanishing.
I had heard tales of swords with that mysterious hue. But if the stories were true, this was hardly the sort of thing to be given as a gift.
To be certain, I spoke with feigned wonder.
“Wow! I’ve never seen a blade with a color like this before!”
“Of course not. This was forged from Baek Ryeon Jeong-gang.”
“Gasp!”
It was real!
Blades forged from Baek Ryeon Jeong-gang were said to cut through iron. Such a weapon was precious enough to become a family treasure.
To give me such a treasure, even if it was merely a short sword?
‘I would be the foolish one.’
But Father remained unmoved.
“Don’t be foolish. Take it.”
“I simply thought you might have need of it.”
Namgung Wan sheathed the blade once more in its dark blue scabbard and pressed it into my hands, whispering.
“Next time anyone irritates you, stab them with this.”
My mouth fell open. Surely he didn’t mean the twins were the ones who irritated me?
Father pulled me away from Namgung Wan.
“Don’t say strange things to my daughter. Yeon, surely you weren’t just showing an interested expression?”
I blinked rapidly and quickly made a confused face. Namgung Wan spoke lightly to Father, who was regarding me with suspicion.
“Besides, there was something I agreed to receive, so this is only fair.”
“Something you agreed to receive?”
I stared blankly at what he was saying before belatedly remembering.
‘The sachet! Wait, was he serious?’
As I recalled what I had forgotten, my mouth opened wide without my meaning to.
“Yeon, what does he mean by that?”
“That… well, I, I did agree to give him something….”
“You? What did you agree to give him?”
“That… that’s a secret!”
Father’s face showed a hint of surprise.
“So Yeon is already keeping secrets from me.”
He tried not to show it, but his disappointment was plain as day. I spilled the secret faster than one could flip a hand.
“It’s nothing much. I promised to make a sachet for you.”
Namgung Wan muttered regretfully.
“Some secret that turned out to be.”
“You, be quiet. You’re making a sachet?”
“Yes. It just happened that way…”
The thought that my surprise gift for Father had been ruined made me pout and glance sideways at Namgung Wan. But he wore such an unabashed expression, as if he had done nothing wrong.
“…I see.”
Thinking he would feel better now, I turned back to Father, only to find him looking even more disappointed!
‘Why? Why? What is it? What’s making you so sad?’

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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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