The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 244

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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 244
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Ak Jung-hae.
The second son of the Ak Family in Shandong, he had once owed his life to my father during the Cheon Gwi-jo incident. Since then, we had maintained steady correspondence through letters.
“What brings you here?”
“What brings me here? That’s what I should be asking you.”
As it turned out, this gathering also included senior members from the previous generation of the Kirin Society.
Those who distinguished themselves in this Martial Arts Tournament would naturally join the Kirin Society.
Many had already registered their names with the Kirin Society. Wi Gu-jung, for instance. So it was only natural that the seniors were present as well.
I could sense the disappointment of those who had been subtly observing what attitude I would take, only to find the outcome unremarkable.
Ak Jung-hae paid no mind and gestured toward someone.
“I went to see you the other day, but you weren’t around.”
“The other day…?”
That must have been when I went out after meeting Baek Li-ri.
“This is my younger brother, Ak Jung-san. He’s participating in this Martial Arts Tournament as well. I wanted to introduce you two.”
A boy who still bore the marks of youth greeted me with dignified composure, clasping his hands respectfully.
“I am Ak Jung-san. I have heard much about you from my brother.”
Though his features were quite handsome, his build was as massive as Ak Jung-hae’s.
“I am Baek Li-yeon of the Baek Li Family.”
Just then, I noticed Wi Gu-jung approaching from behind Ak Jung-hae. Though he maintained his composure, it was not difficult to discern the frustration beneath his carefully managed expression.
Wi Gu-jung, now standing directly before us, offered a martial salute with a smile as though nothing were amiss.
“I am Wi Gu-jung. I had no idea you were on such intimate terms with the senior. Thank you for accepting the invitation.”
At that moment, Ak Jung-hae chuckled and spoke.
“What’s this? I thought you’d pretend not to know her for the rest of your life.”
Wi Gu-jung’s expression stiffened slightly, but he replied with apparent ease.
“My apologies. I was so absorbed in conversation that I failed to notice Miss Baek’s arrival.”
I adjusted my sleeve and smiled languidly.
“It’s fine. If one’s perception is dull, they might not notice who’s arrived.”
Ak Jung-san’s expression, as though startled, was quite amusing.
Ak Jung-hae, wearing a similar expression, burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha! That’s right. Well, there’s no helping a dull perception.”
Wi Gu-jung glared at me with a face flushed with embarrassment and anger.
‘What are you going to do? Strike me?’
Perhaps because he retained some sense of propriety, he did not behave recklessly before his senior.
‘What a shame. If he’d made a scene here, I could have prolonged this entertainment.’
Ak Jung-hae ceased his laughter and spoke.
“You really haven’t changed, have you? You were the same way as a child.”
“Me? Changed? Where would you find someone as virtuous and well-behaved as I am?”
“Quite right. You’re absolutely correct. Indeed.”
After finishing his jest, Ak Jung-hae turned to Wi Gu-jung and spoke in a serious tone.
“Gu-jung, you must always remember that your actions represent the Alliance Leader.”
“…Yes. I will be more careful.”
Wi Gu-jung bowed respectfully on the surface, then turned to me and suggested I enjoy the banquet before returning to his place.
Ak Jung-hae clicked his tongue as he watched Wi Gu-jung’s retreating figure.
Following Ak Jung-hae’s friendly approach, people began to gravitate toward us one by one, with Namgung Ryu-cheong leading the group with a stern expression.
I had noticed from the beginning that Ak Jung-hae was a social butterfly. He introduced me to various people, and after about half an hour, a natural group had formed around us—distinctly separate from Wi Gu-jung’s circle.
Then a conversation caught my ear.
“…I’ve heard about the Byeok Family Head’s situation. As allies, it is regrettable.”
It was a conversation between Byeok Young Master and a young man.
The young man offered a few perfunctory words of sympathy before promptly moving away.
From the moment I first saw him, his presence here had seemed odd. The very fact that Byeok Young Master was attending this gathering was strange.
Whether the Byeok Family could be considered an established Orthodox Sect was questionable, and even Byeok Young Master’s martial prowess was hardly remarkable.
And true to form, Byeok Young Master appeared out of place, standing alone on the periphery.
Ak Jung-hae, who had been conversing with others, spoke to me.
“What are you looking at? Byeok Young Master?”
I nodded slightly while raising my cup.
“It’s unfortunate about Seong-yul. For his family to fall like that.”
Now that I thought about it, Ak Jung-hae had been dispatched to the same unit as Byeok Seong-yul during the Kirin Society. Of course, Byeok Seong-yul had abandoned them and fled….
After that, Byeok Seong-yul had settled the matter by serving the Murim Alliance as a low-ranking warrior. It was the Wi Alliance Leader who had helped manage all those arrangements.
Certainly, from this perspective, the Wi Alliance Leader had been very close to the Byeok Family.
‘Yet to be abandoned so suddenly like this.’
There seemed to be quite a bit of information to be gleaned if one dug deeper.
“Would his family want to attend a banquet when their situation has become like this? Shouldn’t he return home immediately?”
Someone spoke with a hint of mockery, and several others voiced their agreement.
Ak Jung-hae, his expression turning bitter, waved his hand dismissively.
“Enough. Let’s not say such things.”
A brief silence fell, and I decided to change the subject.
“Oh, by the way, Brother Jung-hae, I heard you’re getting married to Sister So-yong soon? Congratulations.”
Ak Jung-hae’s face brightened like the moon. He had recently become betrothed to Dang So-yong, who had been the unit leader during the Kirin Society.
As congratulations poured in, someone made a pointed remark.
“But doesn’t the Dang Family always require a son-in-law who moves into their household?”
It was Hwangbo Chan.
“That’s right.”
“The Dang Family is quite strict about such matters.”
“Once married, things won’t be the same as before.”
The Dang Family, being so exclusionary, could only accept a son-in-law who moved into their household if their daughter had learned the family’s secret techniques.
With a sharp clink of his cup against the table, Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke coldly.
“What is so objectionable about a son-in-law moving into the household that everyone reacts this way?”
At the mention of a son-in-law moving into the household, a young man who had frowned earlier answered in confusion.
“Well, that is, it’s just how things are. But is there really a need to be so sensitive about it?”
“Well, I thought there was a dismissive tone in your words. Perhaps I was mistaken?”
“No, it was nothing serious, was it? You’re just imagining things.”
“It’s hardly appropriate to speak of another’s marriage—a matter of utmost importance—in such a careless manner.”
The argument that had been dying down reignited, fanned by the oblivious Hwangbo Chan.
“No, isn’t it only natural for a man to establish his own household? Isn’t that right?”
Several heads nodded in agreement. I thought how fortunate it must be to speak so freely without consequence.
I turned toward the Hwangbo Prince with an expression of admiration.
“Oh, so the Hwangbo Prince intends to establish a new household independent of your ancestors’ legacy? How remarkable.”
“No, when did I ever say such a thing?”
“Didn’t you just say that? The Hwangbo Prince didn’t establish the Hwangbo Family, after all.”
“….”
The implication was clear: your ancestors founded the family, not you—so you’re in the same position as I am.
The atmosphere grew heavy, and soon Ak Jung-hae waved his hand dismissively.
“I’m the one getting married, so why are you all making such a fuss? What’s so serious about it?”
“This is all because you’ve been making such a spectacle of the wedding arrangements.”
One of the senior members of the Kirin Society offered a playful rebuke, and several others burst into laughter.
The Hwangbo Prince glared at Namgung Ryu-cheong, then let out a cold laugh and abruptly rose from his seat.
Ak Jung-hae refilled my cup and Namgung Ryu-cheong’s as he spoke.
“Ha, thank you both. I understand about Yeon, but I never expected you to help me, Ryu-cheong.”
“I merely found it unpleasant that someone would presume to comment on another’s marriage—a matter of such significance.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong replied coolly.
Ak Jung-hae, who had worn a bewildered expression, suddenly furrowed his brow. Then, as if a realization had struck him, he nodded to himself and spoke to Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“I see. You must be struggling too. If you need help, speak to your older brother.”
“….”
I had only supported him because I didn’t want to see him lose to Hwangbo Chan, but now I felt as though I’d made a mistake.
After lingering a while longer, I excused myself from the Banquet Hall, saying I needed some fresh air.
Since we had rented the entire Pavilion, there were empty rooms available for those who wished to rest or have private conversations.
I found one such empty room and entered. While I could naturally expel the alcohol’s influence, the smell of it still clung to my entire body.
I had the Original Employee bring water, then washed my hands and rinsed my face lightly.
As I was drying my face, feeling my mind clear somewhat, a commotion erupted outside.
I heard a woman’s brief cry and a man’s angry voice raised in fury, followed by an apologetic tone. Yet the voice apologizing sounded strangely familiar.
I sighed and stepped out of the room.
The commotion was occurring just outside the door of the room next to mine.
And one of the people at the center of it was Namgung Ryu-cheong.

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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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