The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 255

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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 255
* * *
Flap, flap-flap-flap!
Inside the cave where bats fluttered about.
Namgung Wan surveyed the water below with a distinctly displeased expression.
A Namgung Warrior spoke, water dripping from his form.
“The distance isn’t far. It shouldn’t take more than a quarter hour to escape.”
“….”
Indeed.
The cave’s far end opened into an underwater passage. The entrance to the submerged cavern—deep enough that one’s feet couldn’t touch bottom—led out to a mountain valley beyond.
From behind, I heard someone murmuring softly.
“I… I don’t know how to swim….”
The murmur echoed clearly through the cave’s confines.
The Namgung Warrior continued in an awkward tone.
“And before we can escape into the valley at the end, we’ll need to hold our breath and dive for a brief moment….”
“….”
Mountains upon mountains upon mountains.
The previous escapee the ladies had mentioned must have been capable of swimming.
Another warrior who had scouted with him reported matter-of-factly.
“Based on the sun’s position, it appears to be around mid-morning.”
The sun had already risen. Though the distance wasn’t great, guiding eighty women across slippery terrain had consumed considerable time.
“The fire is to the northwest from here. It’s still burning, but the wind is blowing the opposite direction, so it’s unlikely to spread this far.”
“We’ve confirmed a small village by sight.”
Namgung Wan replied.
“A village?”
“Yes. About five li to the southwest….”
As I listened to Namgung Wan’s continued reports, I observed the women. Since they couldn’t swim, the warriors had no choice but to escort each one through individually.
Twenty members of the Namgung Clan’s Changjeon unit. If roughly ten of them were occupied with reconnaissance and surveying the surroundings….
‘It’ll take at least half a day for everyone to escape.’
Splash.
Moreover, the valley water we’d need to traverse was bitterly cold.
We’d left in such haste that we’d brought almost no luggage, and there were certainly no spare clothes to change into.
‘Food is a problem too….’
Splash, splash.
Lost in thought while trailing my fingers through the water, I unconsciously lifted my head and met Namgung Ryu-cheong’s gaze, which had been fixed upon me.
“What are you doing?”
“Huh? Oh, just thinking about things. The water’s so cold—I’ll need to dry my clothes immediately once we get out.”
As I spoke, Namgung Ryu-cheong drew closer and seized my wrist.
“What, what is it?”
Without a word, Namgung Ryu-cheong withdrew a handkerchief from his robes. Just as he was about to dry my hand——
“I’ll handle this, Miss.”
My Guard stepped between Namgung Ryu-cheong and me, blocking his path.
“….”
Namgung Ryu-cheong glared at my Guard, then released my hand and took a step back.
“My?”
“Sigh, that was quite the sight… but you’re being too much, really….”
Disappointed sighs erupted from the ladies who had been openly watching. I felt heat rise to my face. Without even turning around, I could sense what was happening.
‘Seriously, has he been doing this the whole time…!’
But saying anything in front of so many people would only dig me deeper into embarrassment.
I fumed silently while maintaining the most composed expression I could muster.
‘You’re really asking for it. We’ll talk outside.’
Just then, Uncle Namgung Wan called Yeon and Namgung Ryu-cheong over.
“Yeon and Ryu-cheong, come here, both of you.”
Uncle Namgung Wan, standing before us, opened his mouth.
“You two should head back first.”
“Pardon?”
“Based on the direction of the fire, it seems you came from the opposite side of the mountain. To return from here, you’d have to circle around the mountain, which will take more time. You’ll be cutting it close to make it in time.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong frowned as he spoke.
“Father, what are you saying right now?”
“Have you forgotten about the Martial Arts Tournament?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong answered as if there was nothing to deliberate about.
“There are more important matters. We have no choice.”
“….”
But I couldn’t do that.
I couldn’t let Yalyu obtain the Cheonma Jibow.
Yet I couldn’t tell these two the truth. I had no idea how they would react.
I felt Namgung Ryu-cheong’s gaze on me, finding my silence strange. Even Uncle Namgung Wan waited for my response for a moment.
“Uncle Namgung Wan is right.”
“That’s settled. No matter how much you object… wait? What did you say?”
“I think Uncle is correct. I believe I should go back.”
“….”
Uncle Namgung Wan stared at me with wide eyes. Even Namgung Ryu-cheong slightly furrowed his brow, looking at me in disbelief.
Uncle Namgung Wan, coming to his senses belatedly, cleared his throat and continued.
“Look at that. Yeon agrees as well, doesn’t she? Having just one more person here won’t make much difference. You should go ahead and contact the Main Family Estate.”
“….”
At Namgung Ryu-cheong’s silence, Uncle Namgung Wan continued as if granting him permission.
“If you truly object, so be it. You stay here. I’ll send Yeon ahead first….”
“I’m going. Let’s go.”
“Tsk, such stubborn pride.”
After that, things moved swiftly. It was decided that only five of us would head back first: myself, my Guard, Gongsun Wol’s Subordinate, Namgung Ryu-cheong, and his Guard.
I exchanged farewells with Namgung Wan.
“We’ll meet again later. Avoiding injury is far more important than victory.”
“I’ll go ahead first.”
A Namgung Warrior dove into the water, followed by Gongsun Wol’s Subordinate. Then came Namgung Ryu-cheong, myself, and my Guard.
I felt no current. Following the Namgung Warrior who held the torch, I watched as he suddenly submerged.
I took a deep breath and dove after him. The underwater world was far brighter than I’d expected, as it opened directly into the mountain valley.
Sunlight shattered across the surface above, wavering gently. As I habitually scanned my surroundings, my eyes widened in shock.
“…!”
The moment I opened my mouth, cold water rushed in. I thrashed my arms to break the surface and gasped out my warning.
“Puh! Everyone, be careful! There’s someone else here besides us…!”
Suddenly, Namgung Ryu-cheong grabbed my head and pulled me back underwater.
Splash!
Water flooded my mouth and nose, leaving me disoriented. As my senses cleared, I saw something that made my blood run cold—blood spreading through the transparent valley water like crimson dye dissolving in clear liquid.
It was blood flowing from Namgung Ryu-cheong’s arm. An arrow was embedded in it.
Had he been even a moment slower, that arrow would have pierced my face instead.
While I was focused on Namgung Ryu-cheong, I nearly missed an attack aimed at me.
My spine tingled with dread.
Then I saw arrows embedding themselves into the water’s surface where we had been.
Normally, such arrows would lose their force in the current, but these were infused with martial power, driving far deeper than ordinary projectiles.
Namgung Ryu-cheong and I stayed submerged, evading the barrage of arrows raining down.
“Puh! Hah, Ryu-cheong! Are you alright?”
“What about you? Are you hurt?”
“…No.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong offered a faint smile of relief, then grasped the fletched end of the arrow lodged in his arm and yanked it free in one motion.
“…!”
Blood bloomed more profusely than before. But there was no time to bind the wound.
Arrows flew toward us again. Namgung Ryu-cheong and I scrambled onto the rocks.
“Are you both unharmed? We’re under attack!”
The Namgung Warriors who had emerged from the cave earlier and taken positions around the valley were frantically deflecting the incoming arrows.
Some appeared to have already been struck. The lead Namgung Warrior who had climbed out first was nowhere to be seen.
As if by unspoken agreement, we all converged on the largest boulder in the valley.
And I shouted to Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“Cover me!”
Rather than deflecting the incoming arrows, I summoned wind to snatch them from the air.
In a forest this dense with trees, the archers couldn’t have been shooting from any great distance.
Which meant our enemies were hidden nearby—far closer than they might have wished.
One, two, three, four.
After catching four arrows, I infused them with natural energy and hurled them back toward the direction they’d come from.
Though I threw them by hand, the principle was identical to wielding the Ethereal Sword.
Shutting out all ambient sound, I poured every ounce of my concentration into those arrows.
I passed through trees and undergrowth, and at some point, the arrow slipped beyond my control.
“…Done.”
A direct hit. The humanoid silhouettes hidden among the bushes flickered and collapsed one by one.
The archers’ formation scattered in alarm, and the barrage of attacks diminished sharply.
“Quickly, contact the uncle…”
That was when I spoke.
I felt an ominous presence approaching and swiftly abandoned my position.
Crash—!
A massive scar was gouged into the rock where I had been standing.
An attack launched from across the mountain valley. A masked Black-Robed Attendant stood wielding a sword.
This was the person I’d encountered yesterday morning before entering the formation.
A master. At minimum, peak realm—possibly transcendent.
He immediately swung his blade at me.
With my golden eyes, I could see where his next attack would lead.
I evaded his strike fluidly and countered immediately.
Slash!
It didn’t penetrate deeply. I only grazed his skin beyond his sleeve.
‘Ah, so close.’
It was my best counterattack, but the assailant seemed quite startled by it.
Boom! Crash!
Namgung Ryu-cheong was entangled with the men who had appeared alongside this mysterious man. The other warriors were in similar predicaments.
I continued to evade the assailant’s relentless attacks. One misstep would mean being cut down without mercy.
Clang! Slash! Crash!
Dozens of blade exchanges erupted in rapid succession. My eyes and the crown of my head burned with intensity. And the more our swords clashed, the more my suspicion solidified into certainty.
‘Someone trained in the Orthodox Path’s supreme martial arts.’
The swordsmanship was recognizable—not from a major sect—and the traces left in his footwork indicated the Murim Alliance. Moreover, this person was intimately familiar with the Baek Family’s sword techniques. He had even incorporated elements of them into his own swordplay.
Gradually, I sensed urgency creeping into his blade. As I refused to yield easily, his panic seeped into his strikes.
A brief moment that felt like an eternity passed.
Rumble—!
A sound like thunder crashing down echoed across the valley. A violent wind swept through the surroundings, and cries and groans erupted from all directions.
The assailant withdrew his sword and retreated in panic. And in the space where he had retreated, Namgung Wan suddenly materialized.

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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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