The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 243

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 243
Baek Li-ui-muk pressed further with urgency in his voice.
“Difficult to confirm their deaths? Could it be… they’ve been completely annihilated?”
The Aide responded in a clipped tone.
“According to reports, within a single night, everyone bearing the Byeok surname—from the Family Head to servants, laborers, and even the dogs they kept—all perished.”
Baek Li-ui-muk’s expression grew troubled. He seemed uncertain whether to be pleased or dismayed.
The Byeok Family Estate and Baek Li Family had already grown so estranged that they were enemies in all but name, with swords yet undrawn. What befell the Byeok Family Estate was like scratching an itch without lifting a finger.
“But… the Byeok Family Estate is hardly a minor clan. Everyone slaughtered in a single night? Who in the world could…?”
Baek Li-ui-muk muttered as if speaking to himself.
No matter how strained relations were, complete annihilation was shocking. Since Wi Ji-baek became Murim Alliance Leader and the Byeok Family Estate became his ally, their power had grown daily. The household members within the Byeok Family Estate alone numbered well over two hundred.
Who possessed the strength to sweep them all away in one stroke…?
“The Demonic Cult, surely.”
“Impossible.”
Baek Li-ui-muk immediately denied it, his tone skeptical.
“Haven’t they been quiet all this time?”
“But who else could slaughter a clan of this scale and so many people without batting an eye?”
“…But why would the Demonic Cult target the Byeok Family? At this time…?”
The unfinished edge of Baek Li-ui-muk’s words carried the implication: rather than targeting the Murim Alliance, which possesses the Cheonma Jibow.
“We must discover the reason now.”
Just then, a presence was felt from outside, and with permission, a Servant entered.
He held a letter in his hand.
The Servant who hurried in extended the letter to me and spoke.
“A servant of the Young Master of Wi requests that this be delivered to you, Miss.”
Baek Li-ui-muk rebuked him reproachfully.
“How many Young Masters of Wi are there?”
“It is Wi Gu-jung, the Young Master.”
“Wi Gu-jung, you say?”
I unfolded the letter and read through its contents carefully. After finishing, I handed it directly to Baek Li-ui-muk and spoke.
“It’s an invitation to the Hugi Jisoo banquet.”
* * *
Alliance Leader’s Residence. Pavilion.
The meeting was convened only after nearly half a day had passed since the attack on the Byeok Family Estate was reported to the Murim Alliance.
The response was sluggish. Some of the Elder Council members were even absent. And there was the Byeok Family Head, his face darkened with death.
Normally, the Byeok Family Head would not have been permitted to attend such a high-level meeting. But given the circumstances, he attended as a directly involved party. For the Byeok Family Head, who had always wished to participate in such meetings, this could be seen as a dream realized.
Information gathered by the Murim Alliance was shared, and the annihilation of the Byeok Family Estate was nearly confirmed.
The survivors identified by the Murim Alliance were only Byeok Seong-yul, who worked as a warrior at Murim Alliance Headquarters, the Byeok Young Master who came to Muuhan for the Martial Arts Tournament, and the Byeok Family Head present in this chamber.
Gongsun Bang spoke.
“…Therefore, we shall dispatch investigative personnel to assess the situation. Does anyone have a different opinion or wish to object?”
“I concur.”
“Let us proceed as the Commander suggests.”
The Elder Council representative and Wi Ji-baek responded.
“There was no need to attend this at all.”
Gongsun Bang watched Wi Ji-baek while Peng Family Head spoke dismissively.
“Alliance Leader, do you have nothing more to say?”
All eyes in the room turned toward Wi Ji-baek.
Wi Ji-baek’s brow furrowed slightly. He regarded Gongsun Bang with evident displeasure before answering.
“Nothing.”
Several Family Heads exchanged glances between Byeok Family Head and Wi Alliance Leader, shaking their heads.
Gongsun Bang opened his mouth a beat too late.
“…Understood. Then let us conclude here.”
That was when it happened.
Bang!
Byeok Family Head, whose face had gone hollow and vacant, slammed his hand against the table and rose.
“Is this the end?”
“Byeok Family Head?”
Byeok Family Head ignored Gongsun Bang and shouted toward Wi Alliance Leader.
“You’re telling me it ends with dispatching investigators? We’ve dragged out this meeting for half a day, and this is all we have to show for it?”
“…”
Wi Ji-baek’s expression darkened, but he said nothing.
Byeok Family Head continued his tirade.
“Investigation? That’s merely the bare minimum! Who attacked the Byeok Family Estate? In this situation, who else could it be but the Demonic Cult? Yet you conclude with nothing but sending investigators!”
“…”
Wi Ji-baek remained silent, and finally Gongsun Bang spoke in his stead.
“The Byeok Family is an ally of the Murim Alliance. We will not overlook this matter, so please calm yourself…”
Byeok Family Head ignored Gongsun Bang and pointed an accusatory finger at him.
“Wi Alliance Leader! I’m not asking you to take revenge on behalf of our family! But you’re not going to sit idle with your hands folded, are you?”
Wi Ji-baek clicked his tongue and regarded Byeok Family Head with a dismissive gaze before speaking.
“Don’t hastily mention the Demonic Cult when nothing is certain yet. Could it not be the work of those Black Gangs with whom you’ve had grievances? Isn’t that possible?”
Wi Ji-baek looked toward Baek Li-ui-muk as if seeking agreement.
Those from the Elder Council observed the situation with bewilderment.
Why seek agreement specifically from Baek Li-ui-muk? Their relations were hardly cordial.
Then Baek Li-ui-muk spoke coldly toward Byeok Family Head.
“While it is most suspicious, we cannot be certain it was the Demonic Cult’s doing. Byeok Family Head, is this a marketplace? Lower your voice.”
Wi Ji-baek regarded Baek Li-ui-muk with satisfied eyes, then turned to Byeok Family Head.
“If it were indeed the Demonic Cult’s doing as you suggest, why would they attack the Byeok Family Estate in the first place?”
“That… that is…!”
Wi Ji-baek pressed the speechless Byeok Family Head relentlessly.
“Byeok Family Head, is there perhaps something you’re hiding from us?”
Byeok Family Head, trembling with rage, suddenly bellowed.
“Wi Ji-baek, you bastard! Do you think I don’t see through your schemes?”
The Byeok Young Master, his eyes nearly rolling back in fury, lunged at Wi Ji-baek.
Of course, he couldn’t even graze him with a fingertip.
“Byeok Young Master, what are you doing!”
Sprawled across the floor, the Byeok Young Master cried out.
“Did you think I wouldn’t see through your scheme to destroy my family!”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Byeok Young Master, maintain your dignity.”
“Dignity? Ha! Just days ago you suddenly changed your demeanor! You’ve squeezed everything you could from our family, and now you’re backing away?”
The members of the Elder Council shook their heads and rose from their seats. Behind them as they left the chamber, the Byeok Young Master’s anguished screams continued.
Those who exited the pavilion paired off in twos and threes as they departed.
The Peng Family Head, who had been walking alongside Namgung Wan, the representative of the Namgung Clan, clicked his tongue and spoke.
“The Wi Alliance Leader is quite something. I thought since the Wi Alliance Leader couldn’t go himself, he’d at least provide support through his family forces.”
“It’s hardly surprising.”
“He won’t even spare silver, let alone manpower. The more I see, the more his true colors show.”
When Namgung Ryu-cheong went missing, the Baek Li Family dispatched the Baek Geom Unit and Baek Li-ui-gang to assist in the search.
If one were to compare the relationship between the Byeok Family and Wi Ji-baek to that between the Baek Li Family and the Namgung Clan, it was a far closer alliance. Had the Wi Alliance Leader stepped forward even slightly, the scale of investigators and search parties could have been far greater.
But the Wi Alliance Leader did not step forward. He didn’t even send his own people.
The Peng Family Head spoke.
“Now that I think about it, do you know what the Baek Li Family intends? They’re taking the Wi Alliance Leader’s side.”
“…I don’t know.”
“I heard you two had quite a falling out.”
“Hmph. I never liked that man to begin with.”
“Even after becoming Family Head, you let emotions cloud your judgment.”
The Peng Family Head, who had been trying to uncover what was really going on, shrugged and moved past the subject.
“Well… since the Byeok Family has grievances, it’s possible the Baek Li Family would side with the Wi Alliance Leader. Family Head, if you have time, would you join me for tea at my residence?”
Namgung Wan shook his head.
“I have matters to attend to.”
“I thought as much.”
The Peng Family Head spoke in a suggestive tone.
“You seem quite busy these days. Do be careful.”
In that instant, Namgung Wan’s expression turned cold.
The Peng Family Head smiled enigmatically and spoke.
“Don’t worry. I learned of it purely by chance. Besides, I agree with your intentions! Hahahaha.”
* * *
The night streets of Muuhan, with the Martial Arts Tournament in full swing, were like a city that never sleeps. Yellow and orange lanterns illuminated the night streets in brilliant splendor.
The banquet Wi Gu-jung had invited me to was a gathering of late-stage competitors who had advanced to the main rounds. The pavilion had been rented entirely, and it was so packed with martial artists that their auras could be felt even outside. And amid the vibrant energy, I could sense Namgung Ryu-cheong’s presence as well.
The moment those guarding the pavilion entrance saw me, they immediately opened the doors.
As the large, ornate doors swung open, the noisy interior came into view.
The atmosphere was already in full swing. Among the eating, drinking, and merrymaking, I could feel the arrogant vigor of young blood. None of them seemed to care about what had happened at the Byeok Family.
“You are the young lady from the Baek Li Family, correct? Please follow me.”
As I climbed the staircase behind the servant, I caught sight of Seo Ha-ryeong, engaged in a lively conversation with others.
As I kept my distance, I could see more clearly the young men circling around her, pretending not to, eagerly watching for any chance to strike up a conversation.
The Servant who had guided me upstairs bowed silently and withdrew without another word.
Like the floor below, people were gathered in small groups, but the refined auras here felt distinctly different from downstairs.
In other words, this floor held only the most distinguished among the late-stage cultivators. Those who lacked nothing—whether in family prestige or martial prowess.
‘Does this mean I’ve finally been recognized?’
Curious gazes fell upon me, but no one spoke easily. That weight of silence meant something.
“A newcomer has arrived. A young lady of the Baek Li Family, it seems.”
“Hmm, from what I can see, her strength is difficult to gauge. Has she perfectly concealed her aura?”
As whispers circulated, Wi Gu-jung, the host of this gathering, ignored my arrival as if he hadn’t even noticed.
Normally, this was when the host should step forward—thanking me for accepting the invitation, exchanging pleasantries, and inviting me to take a seat. Not leaving me standing here like a forgotten sack of grain.
But the Wi Gu-jung I saw showed no intention of doing so.
Just as Gongsun Wol frowned and began to rise, someone intercepted her with conversation.
Namgung Ryu-cheong nearby was also being engaged in constant dialogue as someone refilled his cup. The crude provocation and disdain were palpable.
There were usually four ways to break through such a situation.
First, I could humble myself and pretend to know Wi Gu-jung.
Second, I could not endure this treatment and storm out.
Third, I could cause a scene and shatter the atmosphere entirely.
“Who is this! Isn’t it Yeon!”
“Gu-jung?”
I widened my eyes in feigned surprise.
Fourth, I could have prepared my own people beforehand.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————