The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 223

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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 223
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After half a day of relentless searching, I managed to identify several agents of the Demonic Cult who appeared to have infiltrated Muuhan long ago.
Moreover, I discovered a considerable number of suspicious individuals whose martial arts lineages seemed connected to the Demonic Cult.
This was precisely why I had deliberately come to Muuhan separately from my uncle.
My uncle made such a grand spectacle leaving the Baek Li Estate for Muuhan that it was inevitable the Black Gangs would learn of our movements and attempt an ambush.
Had I arrived alongside my uncle, the remaining agents would surely have fled or gone into hiding.
Many of them had likely already escaped the moment word spread that I was coming to Muuhan.
‘These people can’t possibly be all of them.’
The entrance to the Murim Alliance city was even more crowded than the main avenue. Countless families and sects attending the martial arts tournament were lined up in formation.
At the wide entrance, several officials were verifying identities one by one. With so many people gathered, despite multiple workers processing the crowd, there was no telling when anyone would actually be admitted.
I reached a simple conclusion.
“Waiting in line would take quite some time, so let’s have a meal first before we enter.”
The Guard indicated there was no need for such concern.
“Please don’t worry, Miss. There’s no need for you to wait in line. If we mention our family name, we should be able to pass through directly without waiting.”
A family of the Baek Li Estate’s stature received different treatment within the Murim Alliance.
Simply stating the name would grant immediate passage. Those standing in line were from minor sects and families.
The Guard continued speaking.
“Look there. Someone is passing through.”
A group dressed in martial robes that clearly displayed wealth and prosperity.
They were the same people who had passed by us moments earlier, and they greeted the city gate warriors familiarly before entering without any special verification. Those waiting in line showed subtle signs of envy at the sight.
After observing all of this, I asked lightly.
“Hmm, is that how my father did it?”
“….”
“….”
A sudden silence fell among the guards.
“No. …The Fourth Young Master waited in line unless there was an urgent matter.”
Since I was a good person, I refrained from asking whether this situation truly qualified as urgent.
The Guard immediately apologized.
“I was thoughtless!”
“We apologize!”
The guards who answered loudly looked at me with expressions of deep reverence.
It was the kind of gaze that seemed to say: As expected, Miss. We will trust and follow you.
Suddenly I felt quite burdened.
However, my decision to eat first encountered a small problem.
With so many people around, every restaurant and food establishment was packed. In particular, I needed a place where I could remove my wide-brimmed straw hat that concealed my face and dine comfortably.
After visiting several inns, I finally obtained a quieter spot divided by partitions by offering Jeom So-i extra payment.
I spoke to the guards who were about to stand to the side.
“Everyone sit down. Sit.”
“No, we can….”
I cut off the Guard’s protest and spoke.
“Surely you don’t think someone would attack me here in Muuhan?”
“….”
“….”
Eventually, the Guards settled cautiously into their seats.
“Order whatever you’d like to eat. This round is on me!”
I set a pouch of silver coins on the table.
“You’ve all worked hard until now. I wanted to take you somewhere nicer, but… I’m not sure if this place will be good.”
Jeom So-i approached as he heard my words.
“What are you saying? Our Cheonha Inn’s food is quite famous!”
“I’m looking forward to it. What dishes do you have available now?”
I removed my wide-brimmed hat and shook my head slightly.
I grasped the hat and waved it gently like a fan.
Not long after placing our order, dishes began arriving one by one, gradually filling the table.
Braised pork belly glistening with fat, roasted duck, stir-fried offal—for me, it was an overwhelming amount of meat.
Since we’d been moving around for half the day without proper meals, everyone seemed quite hungry.
They had refused earlier, but the moment food arrived, they ate with remarkable intensity.
I too, who had been leisurely observing the street, picked up my chopsticks and ate noodles in chicken broth. Compared to Jeom So-i’s enthusiastic guarantee, the taste was merely adequate.
After just three or four bites, I happened to glance down at the street and made a small sound.
“Hm?”
The Guard immediately responded.
“Miss? What is it?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew.”
Everyone looked toward where my gaze had fallen.
And I observed the Guards carefully.
“Who are you referring to? Someone you know, Miss? A close friend?”
“Hmm, looking again, I don’t think so.”
“I see.”
The Guards, having scanned the street, returned their attention to the food.
I too pretended to eat my noodles while secretly observing the street.
‘That woman down there… isn’t that Baek Li-ri?’
A woman in a pale pink upper garment. Her technique was crude, but she was using a martial art.
‘She pestered me so much to teach her that martial technique, so I showed her some. Now she’s using it well. I’m not sure whether to be relieved about this.’
Moreover, judging from the Guards’ reactions, they didn’t recognize Baek Li-ri.
I bit down on my chopsticks.
‘What should I do about this?’
Come to think of it, it made sense that the runaway Baek Li-ri would be in Muuhan.
It was the Martial Arts Tournament! And one that only happens once every few years at that.
When else would she get such an opportunity to watch? Or perhaps she came to participate while hiding her identity.
Moreover, Baek Li-ri probably doesn’t know that Baek Li-ui-muk is in Muuhan now. It’s been several months since she left home, after all. So she must have shown up here so boldly.
‘Oh, what do I do?’
Should I pretend to recognize her and stop her now? Or should I just let it pass?
Li-ri was walking cheerfully with someone she’d apparently befriended here, chattering away.
How long had I been watching Li-ri like this? It was around the time she entered a tavern with her companion and I decided to finish my meal first.
Beyond the crowd behind the building, I caught a faint glimpse of crimson energy.
I shot up from my seat.
“Miss?”
I had no mind to explain anything.
I grabbed my wide-brimmed hat, braced myself against the second-floor window sill, and jumped down.
Thud.
“Eek!”
“What, what is it?”
As I dropped from above to the first floor, I heard screams from several startled people on the street.
“Miss!”
I heard someone calling from above as well.
I ignored it all and ran toward where I’d seen the crimson light.
But there were so many people that I couldn’t build up proper speed.
I barely squeezed through the throng and darted into an alley.
After running and turning several times, the alley ended at a stone wall.
I stepped on the wall and leaped up onto the pavilion roof. Someone from what must have been a residence poked their head out a window and shouted.
“What is the meaning of this… Ahhh!”
I nearly collided with a man and hastily twisted my body to avoid him.
By the time I reached the rooftop again, the crimson energy had already vanished from my sight.
“…”
I continued leaping across the rooftops, searching the surrounding area thoroughly.
Even after pushing my golden eyes to their limit and searching for a long time, that crimson energy didn’t reappear. As if telling me I’d been mistaken…
A wave of deflation washed over me.
Had the disappointment drained the strength from my legs? A roof tile caught on my slightly stumbling foot.
Clatter.
Then I heard someone shouting from below.
“Stop right there and come down!”
I turned around, assuming it was the Guard who’d followed me, and froze.
Six men were gripping spears and swords, shouting at me.
“You there, young lady! Can’t you hear me? Get down this instant!”
I carefully put my hat back on, grateful that I’d at least brought it along despite my muddled state of mind.
Tap. Tap-tap.
As I descended from the roof in just a couple of steps, the man who appeared to be their leader exhaled in relief. From his appearance, he seemed to be a Security Officer of the Murim Alliance.
His clothes beneath the armor were soaked through with sweat that poured down like rain. From the situation, it seemed this man had been chasing after me for quite some time.
Normally, maintaining order was the government’s responsibility. But here, with the Murim Alliance established and martial artists swarming about, not to mention the martial tournament being held, the government had already withdrawn its hand from this place.
The man shouted at me.
“What were you thinking, leaping across rooftops like that? You nearly frightened the people here half to death! Are you showing off your lightness technique in the middle of the city?”
“…I apologize.”
I bowed my head obediently. There was nothing I could say in my defense.
The man, clearly furious, sputtered and shouted.
“Why were you running about like that? Give me an explanation!”
“…I thought I spotted someone I knew, and before I could think….”
“So that justifies leaping across rooftops? What if roof tiles came loose and injured someone below? What sect do you belong to!”
“….”
I glanced at the crowd of onlookers gathering around us. It felt awkward to mention the Baek Li Family here.
“Young lady! Why are you silent? You were nimble enough when you were jumping across rooftops! These young people nowadays—they think the Murim Alliance is their own sect’s courtyard, acting however they please! Speak up! I won’t let this slide so easily!”
As I hesitated, I suddenly remembered the token my father had given me in case I needed something from the Murim Alliance.
It was a token he’d received when he’d rendered service to the Murim Alliance, and he’d said it could exempt me from most troubles.
‘Perfect, I should show him that!’
And as I reached into my robes to search for it, my eyes went wide.
‘No, no, no! Baek Li-yeon, you idiot! You left it at the inn!’

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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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