The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 217

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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 217
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Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke.
“I believe it matters far more that the hearts of those who will spend a lifetime together are in harmony than the distance between their families.”
At that moment, my father set down his teacup on the table.
“You’re talking about Baek Li-ri.”
“Pardon?”
“The marriage discussion just now. You were speaking of Baek Li-ri.”
“….”
My father spoke calmly to my grandfather, whose gaze had turned sharp and piercing.
“Father, it is improper to speak of matters that remain uncertain with such confidence.”
My grandfather’s tone turned mocking toward my father.
“Indeed. How very accomplished you are. Everything you say is right—absolutely right.”
The atmosphere at the table grew slightly subdued.
Ordinarily, I would have interjected to lighten the mood, but I had no desire to do so now.
Just then, five or six young men passed by our table in a rush.
The guests guided by Jeom So-i took their seats at the table directly across from us.
From their attire, the swords at their waists, and their unrefined internal energy, they appeared to be young masters from the local sects in this region.
Without much thought, I glanced at them—and their words caught my ear.
“The Donghobang Master is dead!”
What? Already dead?
“Who killed him?”
“Who else? It must be Baek Li-yeon from the Baek Li Family!”
What? I didn’t kill him! I was trying to save him!
“That woman again?”
I furrowed my brow.
“From what I heard, Baek Li-yeon didn’t kill him. She severed the Donghobang Master’s arm, but….”
“What do you mean, his arm again? If you’re going to kill someone, kill them—why sever an arm?”
“I suppose the so-called Righteous Path is concerned with maintaining appearances.”
“In any case, I heard it was one of the Donghobang’s executives who killed the Donghobang Master. Since the Master lost his arm, they apparently decided it was justified and immediately staged a rebellion. Internal strife has already broken out, they say.”
“Even if the Donghobang Master is dead, does it make sense that this woman confronted him? She’s only eighteen years old now, isn’t she? It must be exaggeration. Or perhaps she employed some underhanded scheme?”
“An underhanded scheme?”
“Hmph, think about it. Haven’t you all heard the rumors? It’s obvious.”
“So you’re saying….”
“Yes. She must have borrowed techniques from the Demonic Cult.”
“Come now. She’s still from the Righteous Faction….”
What followed were baseless slanders and malicious accusations.
I had heard such talk in abundance during my travels after my coming-of-age ceremony.
And now I could feel it clearly.
There were so many who envied and resented the Baek Li Family, having only recently risen to prominence among the great families.
From every direction, they watched with gleaming eyes, seeking any flaw to topple the Baek Li Family.
And such trivial matters were hardly worth my anger.
“By the way, they say that woman is quite the beauty?”
Finally, it came.
The words that would follow were predictable.
I hastily pressed my hands down firmly on Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s and Namgung Ryu-cheong’s hands. Then, with all the intensity I could muster in my gaze, I looked at both of them.
Without speaking a word, they would both understand my meaning.
I simply wanted to enjoy my meal in peace…!
People gossip about even the highest officials when they’re not around, but every time I heard such talk, it was nothing but exhausting to overturn restaurants and inns.
‘As for stopping Father….’
Most regrettably, I stepped on Father’s foot with my own.
It was unavoidable.
I only had two hands, after all!
At that moment, Baek Li Pae-hyuk burst into hearty laughter and glared sharply at Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“I’m not so rigid as to insist on the old propriety of men and women not sitting together. But how can a man and woman be grasping each other’s hands so carelessly right before this old man’s eyes?”
I blinked rapidly.
‘No, Grandfather….’
It wasn’t Namgung Ryu-cheong who grabbed my hand—I grabbed his…?
Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had been frozen until then, hastily jerked his hand away from mine. His grip was so forceful that my hand stung as it snapped back.
“Boy, if you’re so rough about it, won’t Yeon get hurt?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong promptly apologized for that.
“My apologies. I was startled.”
“Yes. Be more careful.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk, smiling benevolently, patted my hand that still held his and spoke.
“And you—what were you thinking, with me at my age? Don’t worry.”
I was about to feel relieved.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk gestured toward the Guard disguised as another customer at the table behind us.
“Handle it.”
What?! So as long as he didn’t step in himself, it was fine?! What did he mean, handle it?
But fortunately, I suppose?
The Guard never did step forward.
Just as the Guard was about to move, a commotion erupted as someone rushed urgently up the Inn’s staircase.
Jeom So-i’s voice followed.
“Are these the people you were looking for?”
The Mysterious Man beside Jeom So-i was breathing so heavily he couldn’t answer, only nodding his head.
Having received coins once more, Jeom So-i regarded us with a most intrigued expression before heading back down.
The one approaching with ragged breaths was a face I recognized—one of Grandfather’s several Aides.
When I offered him my teacup, he looked grateful and drained it in one gulp.
Father spoke with a grave expression.
“What is the matter?”
The Aide hesitated, afraid to speak.
I tactfully unfolded a fan.
The Aide opened his mouth.
“News has just arrived from the Main Family Estate. It concerns the Second Young Miss… the Second Young Miss has…”
The Second Young Miss could only be Baek Li-ri.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk bellowed.
“Speak quickly!”
“The Second Young Miss has run away from home.”
“What? What do you mean by that!”
The Aide withdrew a letter from his robes.
“This is a letter the Second Young Miss left behind.”
He paused briefly before adding,
“The Baek Family Aunt collapsed in shock upon reading it.”
Upon reading the letter, Baek Li Pae-hyuk roared and slammed his hand against the table.
He passed the letter to my father as if to say read it, and I was able to see the contents as well.
Baek Li-ri had written quite a lengthy explanation in the letter, but condensed, it amounted to this:
[I am leaving to train alongside Sister Yeon. Do not search for me. I will return when the time comes.]
“…”
Is this why elders say one must be careful even with cold water in front of children?
There was no need to question whom she had learned the art of sneaking away from home from.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s face flushed crimson.
Watching him, I found myself escaping into thought.
‘Well, Father and I created this Reverse Technique, and it truly works splendidly. Even with his face flushed like that, there are no problems.’
Baek Li Pae-hyuk struck the table repeatedly as he spoke.
“I need not worry about that child’s happiness. She has gone out to find it herself! What a carefree household this is. I wondered whom she took after, but she resembles her older sister! And that sister resembles her father!”
“…”
I clasped my hands together and bowed my head deeply, appearing as apologetic as possible.
‘Damn it. Baek Li-ri.’
Li-ri, are you going to make me regret supporting you like this in less than a meal’s time?
Both granddaughters of the Tenth Strongest Under Heaven fleeing in succession.
This was the sort of thing the gossips of the Jianghu would eagerly spread.
‘Ah, but she didn’t flee at night, so it’s not quite a midnight escape, is it?’
Baek Li Pae-hyuk rose abruptly.
“The rest of you eat. I must go!”
My father hastily stood to follow, saying,
“I shall see you off—”
“That won’t be necessary!”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk barked sharply, glared at my father and me, then stormed out of the Inn.
It felt as though a tempest had swept through.
“Sigh.”
I exhaled a deep sigh that rose from within my chest.
A moment later, I pressed my hand to my head and shot to my feet.
Leaving behind the puzzled gazes of my father and Namgung Ryu-cheong, I approached the martial artists who were still chattering away.
“Hey.”
“So Baek Li-yeon… what?”
“What is it?”
The six martial artists who had been speaking animatedly turned their attention toward me.
I asked with a smile.
“Continue what you were saying. The Baek Li Family, Baek Li-yeon—what were you saying about her?”
Then the one leading the vicious slander spoke up.
“Who is this woman?”
My smile deepened.
“Who else? I’m the person you were just insulting.”

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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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