The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 262

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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 262
“Wait, there, there! Isn’t that Baek Li-ui-gang?”
“What? Really? I thought the Baek Li Family representative was someone else?”
Father had arrived in Muuhan two days ago, but aside from the day of his arrival, today was the first time I’d seen him.
Namgung Wan beside him was in the same situation.
And the gathering of key figures from the Murim Alliance where the two of them stood was noticeably sparse compared to before.
Then the Gongsun Bang Chief Strategist stepped onto the platform in front of the Martial Arts Arena. I could feel the surrounding atmosphere grow restless.
Beyond the serious-faced participants, I heard conversations from the general spectators.
“What? Why is the Gongsun Chief Strategist going up there? Isn’t the Wi Alliance Leader appearing today? He’s not even in his seat? I thought I’d at least get to see the face of one of the Top Ten Masters of the Realm!”
“Top Ten Masters or whatever—they’re nothing special. Didn’t you see how his disciple died in a single strike?”
“But why isn’t he showing up? Did he fall into despair over losing his beloved disciple?”
“Despair? More like shame. You know what? That disciple was supposedly the Wi Alliance Leader’s student, and his tyranny was absolutely outrageous.”
“And they just let it slide?”
“With the Wi Alliance Leader around, who could say anything to his disciple?”
“Still, isn’t he part of the Orthodox Sect?”
“Hey, you still don’t get it? Stop thinking the Orthodox Sect types are clean.”
I found myself deeply agreeing with those words.
The Gongsun Bang Chief Strategist standing on the platform spoke with inner energy infused in his voice.
“I am Gongsun Bang of the Gongsun Family, serving as Chief Strategist of the Murim Alliance. The Martial Arts Tournament has been temporarily delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for the inconvenience….”
The Gongsun Bang Chief Strategist offered a brief apology and briefly announced the upcoming schedule and the revised match brackets.
There was no mention of what had become of the Wi Alliance Leader. The rumors about the Wi Alliance Leader were only connected to his disciple’s affairs. Nothing about the Mountain Manor leaked out even slightly.
I scanned the waiting area of the participants.
Among the serious-faced attendees, Namgung Ryu-cheong appeared to be barely suppressing his anger.
Yalyu was absent today since his opponent had forfeited.
“Then let us commence the second day of the Main Tournament Venue!”
Roooooaaaaar!
Cheers filled the Tournament Arena.
* * *
After the martial bout ended, I had washed away the dust that clung to me and returned to my chamber when I found a visitor waiting.
It was Gongsun Wol.
Since returning to Muuhan, it had been difficult to meet, so this was the first time we’d encountered each other like this.
Gongsun Wol was dressed not in simple traveling clothes but in attire that suggested she was about to embark on a long journey.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Ah… Father has ordered me to return to the family.”
I raised my eyebrows.
‘Returning while the tournament is still ongoing?’
Well, Gongsun Wol had never been a participant in the tournament anyway, so it didn’t matter when she left.
But anyone could see she was leaving in a hurry.
“So I came to apologize and say goodbye.”
Gongsun Wol spoke while lowering her head.
“I’m truly sorry about all this. Because I acted on my own… you’ve suffered greatly being caught up in my mess, haven’t you?”
Gongsun Bang had led the Murim Alliance alongside Wi Ji-baek for a long time. Could he have truly been unaware of Wi Ji-baek’s conduct?
‘No. That couldn’t be.’
If he didn’t know, he’d be unfit for his position.
But now that Gongsun Wol had already made an enemy of the Wi Alliance Leader, it had become necessary to remove him first, or complications would arise.
It was only natural that Gongsun Bang, Gongsun Wol’s father, would be furious.
I furrowed my brow.
Gongsun Wol spoke as though nothing was amiss.
“Oh, and since the departure date was decided so suddenly, Ha-ryeong still doesn’t know.”
Decided suddenly? I had probably confined Gongsun Wol so she couldn’t cause any more trouble.
“Please tell Ha-ryeong that I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly… convey my apologies on my behalf.”
I hesitated for a moment before asking.
“…What about Ryu-cheong?”
“I already said goodbye to Ryu-cheong before coming here.”
“What did you say?”
“That I was sorry, that it was difficult, and to take care.”
I frowned.
‘You’re just letting her go like this?’
Gongsun Wol didn’t seem to have much regret either.
I realized anew. That because of me, the relationship between those two had become different from before.
“….”
“It’s a shame. I was curious who would win the Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Ahem.”
Just then, the Female Servant who had been standing like a shadow behind Gongsun Wol let out a deliberate cough.
After a brief silence, Gongsun Wol rose at another pointed cough.
“Ah. Then I’ll take my leave. I wish you victory.”
Even her bitter smile resembled a painting. Then she slowly stood and bowed.
Just before leaving through the door.
“Wait a moment.”
There was no benefit to me in highlighting Gongsun Wol’s contributions. We weren’t close either. We had merely cooperated temporarily because of Wi Ji-baek.
“This is absurd. You create such a mess and then just return home as if that’s the end of it?”
“Pardon?”
Gongsun Wol blinked, looking bewildered.
“Does the Gongsun Family handle matters this way? Chief Strategist, where are you right now?”
* * *
I returned to the Residence Quarter with an unhurried pace. I questioned whether I really needed to help Gongsun Wol… but.
I simply wanted to help her.
I couldn’t understand why I had helped her.
My father was currently staying in the same Residence Quarter as me. Though he said he was staying, this was the first time he had properly entered his chamber. And there was also an unusual guest in my father’s chamber.
“…Yes.”
The owner of that hesitant voice was Li-ri.
Through the slightly ajar door, I could see Li-ri with her head bowed low.
Li-ri was terribly afraid of my father. One could say she feared him almost as much as she feared my grandfather, so her presence in the same room with him was quite unexpected.
Even now, she didn’t dare meet his eyes and fidgeted nervously.
“Um… then… may I… go…?”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
Li-ri sprang to her feet and bolted from the room as if fleeing a tiger’s den. She was in such a hurry that she didn’t even notice me standing before the door as she rushed past.
I caught the rattling door and stepped inside.
“Do you know why Li-ri is so afraid of Father?”
“…I couldn’t say.”
“I know. It’s because every time Li-ri meets Father, she always gets into trouble and gets scolded!”
My father’s expression grew serious at what was meant to be a lighthearted remark.
“You’re no different today. Sit.”
“…”
I closed my mouth and sat in the chair without making a sound.
‘…Is he still upset?’
When I left, everything had been so rushed that I hadn’t had time to explain properly. This was the first time we’d sat face to face since that day.
My father cleared away the teacup that Li-ri had left untouched and poured a fresh one. I didn’t even think to reach for it.
My father, who had been silent, finally spoke.
“You should always dry your hair properly.”
“…Yes? Oh.”
“You’ll catch a cold otherwise.”
I smiled sheepishly and replied.
“It’s fine. The weather is still warm.”
My father sighed and rose from his seat. Then he returned from one corner of the room with a towel.
With careful hands, my father dried my hair.
The atmosphere was peaceful. I couldn’t remember the last time it felt like this. Yet before us lay countless matters that needed to be resolved.
I closed my eyes and opened my mouth.
“Gong-sun came to find me. She wanted to say goodbye before returning to her family. But I stopped her from going.”
“Why?”
“She didn’t seem to want to go back… and besides, she played a significant role in exposing the Wi Alliance Leader’s crimes. It seemed wrong for her to leave like a criminal.”
“…Gong-sun came and told me herself. She said you were not at fault. That it was she who guided you there, and that she had no idea such a grave matter would occur.”
Of course—Gongsun Wol. She was a person of conscience.
“Yes! Exactly! She said she went without knowing such a thing would happen.”
My father paused in drying my hair and spoke.
“Is that so?”
“Yes?”
“Is it truly the case that you went without knowing?”
“…Father?”
I met my father’s gaze and was startled.
‘What is this now? Does Father think I already knew about this?’
That couldn’t possibly be true!
Even if I had known more than usual lately, this revelation was absolutely shocking to me.
“…I truly had no knowledge of this matter. If I had known, I would have told you immediately!”
“I see.”
Despite my earnest response, Father’s reply was ambiguous.
Just as I was about to explain further, Father shifted the subject.
“Congratulations on today’s victory. I heard you weren’t going to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, yet you’re doing well.”
I scratched my face and laughed awkwardly.
“Haha. That’s how it turned out.”
“Does that intention of yours still hold true?”
“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
“Your brother and Li-ri are returning to the family. It is Father’s command.”
“Ah… I see.”
So that’s why Father was speaking with Li-ri earlier?
Then Father continued.
“You should return to the family as well.”
“…What?”
What is he saying all of a sudden? No, return now, in this situation?
“Why do you think your aunt appeared here?”
“…For revenge.”
Against me.
“But Father, this is Muuhan. Even if my aunt has learned demonic arts, what could she possibly do? In fact, having learned demonic arts would make it harder for her to move about….”
“Enough.”
Father raised his hand, cutting me off.
“If you don’t wish to return, then from now on I will assign guards to you. You must keep them with you at all times.”
“Guards?”
“They will report to me everything you do without omitting a single detail, and the moment you try to separate from them, they will send you back to the family immediately.”
I cried out in alarm.
“No, Father!”
“If you dislike that, return now.”
“….”
His voice left no room for compromise whatsoever.

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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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