The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 242

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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 242
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Alliance Headquarters Hall.
Gongsun Wol walked down the corridor with practiced ease and stopped before a chamber door.
“Miss, have you come to see the Alliance Leader?”
Gongsun Wol nodded, and just as I was about to ask what troubled her given her slightly uncomfortable expression—
The door swung open from within.
A massive shadow fell across Gongsun Wol.
“Ah? Miss Gongsun.”
“I pay my respects to the Alliance Leader.”
Gongsun Wol hurriedly bowed her head and clasped her hands together.
“Raise your head. I’ve told you there’s no need for such formality.”
Gongsun Wol smiled awkwardly and lifted her gaze, only to feel an unpleasant stare sweep across her from head to toe.
Gongsun Bang emerged from within and spoke.
“My daughter is naturally rather reserved.”
“Is that so? Yet with such beauty, the man who takes her as his wife will be truly blessed.”
Only after the Wei Alliance Leader had departed did Gongsun Wol breathe deeply again.
Gongsun Bang spoke.
“Come inside.”
The moment she sat, Gongsun Bang asked.
“You’re not meeting him today?”
“…Yes.”
“Hmm, though you have been meeting daily of late. I’ve heard from many quarters that you and the Namgung Prince make a well-matched pair.”
Gongsun Bang smiled with evident satisfaction.
“What is your own impression? What manner of character does the Namgung Prince possess?”
“He is virtuous.”
“Is that all?”
“Father.”
After calling out and falling silent for a moment, Gongsun Bang prompted her.
“Wol?”
Gongsun Wol gripped the hem of her skirt beneath the table and spoke.
“Father, I wonder if we might reconsider this arrangement. Would it not be wise to think it over once more?”
Gongsun Bang frowned and spoke quietly.
“What do you mean by such words all of a sudden?”
“You have already seen and heard for yourself.”
“Surely you’re not referring to the matter of the Namgung Prince nearly being brought before the Law Bureau?”
“Yes. Someone clearly incited the Hwangbo Prince. You already know this, Father. There is no need to question who. The Law Bureau is now controlled by your kinsmen. Had it not been for Miss Baek Li-yeon, he would have been utterly helpless…”
Gongsun Wol’s words trailed off as she swallowed dryly and continued.
“And they continue to seek to dishonor the name of Baek Li Dae-hyup, who has long championed cooperation within the Murim Alliance.”
“Indeed. I have heard as much. The Baek Li Family Head cherishes her greatly, and now I understand why. Who would not treasure such a granddaughter?”
Gongsun Bang sipped his tea slowly before continuing.
“In any case, didn’t Baek Li-yeon resolve the matter? Everyone is whispering that the Wei Alliance Leader acted foolishly. What does that have to do with the matter of his reinstatement?”
“Father said it himself. The more discord arises in the Murim Alliance, the more the Demonic Cult benefits. The Alliance Leader has no intention of stopping the discord.”
The sound of the teacup being set down carried an unmistakable note of displeasure.
“Wol, my mention of the Alliance Leader’s reinstatement was merely a threat. I believe I already explained that at the time.”
At his firm tone, Gongsun Wol lowered her gaze.
“If you understand…”
“It’s difficult, but not impossible, is it?”
Gongsun Wol interjected into Gongsun Bang’s words.
“Gongsun Wol.”
Gongsun Bang pressed his brow wearily as she met his eyes directly.
“It seems my careless words have given you unfounded hope.”
“Father.”
“I understand your thoughts well enough.”
Gongsun Bang spoke with a stern expression.
“You haven’t been spreading such nonsense outside, have you?”
“What?”
“The Wei Alliance Leader has many problems, that much is true. But it is better that he remains as Alliance Leader.”
Gongsun Wol’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Father, surely you don’t mean…?”
Gongsun Bang cut off her words and spoke calmly.
“To be precise, it benefits us. Do you understand now?”
“…”
“What matters most is the Gongson Family’s advantage. You must keep your wits about you as well.”
* * *
When Baek Li-ri learned that Baek Li-ui-ran had fled, she returned to Baek Li-ui-muk without complaint. Upon seeing Baek Li-ri return thus, Baek Li-ui-muk wept.
How awkward it was to be present at such a moment.
As father and daughter shared their tearful reunion, I quietly slipped from the room. Then I set out to meet Jeggal Hwa-mu.
I stopped people along the way to ask directions, eventually making my way to the Jegal Clan Hall within the Elder’s Division.
It took about the time to finish a cup of tea before I arrived at the Jegal Clan Hall.
Compared to the pavilions of other sects and families I passed, the Jegal Clan Hall was breathlessly quiet. Even shadows of people were scarcely visible in the vast space.
As I ventured deeper inside, the scent of medicinal decoction wafted from somewhere. And at last I encountered someone. They recognized me and their eyes brightened.
It was Mak-chu, Jeggal Hwa-mu’s old servant. He held a half-empty bowl of decoction as he spoke.
“Young lady, have you come to see the Family Head?”
I nodded, and he spoke with a regretful expression.
“He is resting now. Would you like to look in on him?”
Ordinarily, if a master were sleeping, a servant would turn away visitors—such was the normal response. But Mak-chu naturally guided me to Jeggal Hwa-mu’s sleeping quarters.
The room was filled with the scent of medicinal decoction mingled with subtle incense. I took care not to inhale the fragrance as I approached the sleeping quarters.
Jeggal Hwa-mu, with his pallid complexion, slept so deeply that he did not sense my arrival. His haggard appearance showed that his illness deepened with each passing day.
“How long has he been like this?”
Mak-chu, who had followed behind, answered in a somber voice.
“The Young Master’s condition… has been steadily deteriorating.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for him to return to the Main Family Estate?”
“Still, recently Taego Jinperson has been helping him with his cultivation.”
“…That’s a relief.”
“Mm.”
Jeggal Hwa-mu stirred at the sound of our conversation, groaning softly. After blinking several times as if his vision was blurred, he finally recognized me.
“Baek Li-yeon?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Mak-chu, how could you let someone in while I was sleeping?”
His subdued voice carried not warmth, but confusion.
I swallowed the bittersweet feeling rising in my chest and placed my hand on Jeggal Hwa-mu’s chest as he tried to sit up.
I had come to find Jeggal Hwa-mu to discuss matters concerning my aunt and the Demonic Cult. I had considered telling him about the strange phenomena occurring to my aunt, but….
“I’ll help with your cultivation.”
“I’m indebted to you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Jeggal Hwa-mu, who had briefly awakened, lost consciousness again during the cultivation session. He did not open his eyes again until I finished.
By the time I left the pavilion after completing the cultivation, considerable time had passed. I returned directly to my uncle.
Both Baek Li-ri and my uncle appeared to have calmed down somewhat. Both had washed their faces and looked refreshed. Though redness still lingered around their eyes.
‘I miss Father too….’
Baek Li-ri left to rest, complaining of a headache, and my uncle, now alone, expressed his gratitude in a dignified tone.
“I heard what happened with Baek Li-ui-ran. I will send word to Father immediately.”
“Yes.”
My uncle, who had been silent with a troubled expression, spoke.
“Do you truly think Baek Li-ui-ran used sorcery? Such techniques must certainly….”
My uncle could not fail to recognize the connection to the Demonic Cult. And it was certainly not a clean method.
I suspected it might be something similar to the Absorption Demonic Art.
“I can only speculate.”
“How could she have fallen so far!”
His own child had nearly died, but as time passed, his memory grew hazy, and he found himself pitying my aunt instead.
“She poisoned her own family member simply because they displeased her. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do.”
“You’re right. What Baek Li-ui-ran did is unforgivable.”
My uncle’s expression hardened. In any case, he truly lacked conviction. Not that I had any right to criticize, given how well I exploited this weakness.
“By the way, the Wei Alliance Leader has invited us to a banquet.”
“Already?”
Well, after such a commotion, it was time for the bait to be taken.
It was then that there was a commotion outside, and my uncle’s aide entered the chamber.
“What is the matter?”
“An urgent report has just arrived at the Murim Alliance—the Byeok Family Estate has been attacked.”
“What? An attack?”
I was equally shocked as my uncle.
The Aide continued his explanation.
“Yes. We have not yet received precise details on the extent of the damage, but it appears the Byeok Family Lord has been killed, and it is difficult to confirm the status of his household members.”
In that moment, Yalyu’s words suddenly surfaced in my mind. That there was too much garbage in this world.
And now this news of the Byeok Family Estate being attacked.
Could all of this merely be coincidence?

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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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