The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 263

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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 263
* * *
At that same moment, in the Namgung Family Hall.
A hazy moonlit halo filtered through the slightly open window, casting its pale glow across the chamber. The warrior’s expression as he gazed toward the open window was rigid with tension.
An angry voice spilled out between the window frames.
“So you’re saying we simply let this pass quietly?”
Namgung Wan pressed his hand to his forehead and exhaled heavily.
“Let it pass? That’s harsh language.”
“Then, is merely expelling him from the position of Alliance Leader sufficient punishment?”
Shocked by Wi Alliance Leader’s misdeeds, they had all agreed to expel him from his position. However, they opposed revealing the full extent of his actions. To do so would be tantamount to tarnishing the reputation of the Murim Alliance itself.
The honor of the Murim Alliance was inseparable from the honor of the Orthodox Martial Arts Sects, and by extension, the honor of all their member clans.
“…The Wi Family will apologize to those they held captive… and provide compensation as well.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke with unmistakable mockery in his tone.
“Father, aren’t you ashamed to say such things?”
The letter beneath Namgung Wan’s hand crumpled.
“Ah, so you do understand shame—that’s why you sound so bitter about it.”
Namgung Wan seized the crumpled letter and hurled it as he shouted.
“If you think you can do better, then try!”
Thwack.
The bundle of paper struck Namgung Ryu-cheong’s chest and fell to the floor.
“Do you think I want to accept such an outcome? Upholding justice? Fine! Negotiation? Acceptable! But thirty percent of the Martial Arts Tournament participants have already withdrawn!”
Too many clans were entangled with Wi Ji-baek. It was a testament to how thoroughly he had cultivated his influence within the Murim Alliance.
Some sects had already known of Wi Alliance Leader’s transgressions. Yet they had remained silent until the Namgung Clan took action.
The people Wi Alliance Leader had harmed were not members of their own sects, nor did their involvement significantly impact their own power bases.
They were content merely to have leverage over Wi Alliance Leader.
“This Martial Arts Tournament was originally meant to demonstrate harmony among the Orthodox Martial Arts Sects! And yet…!”
Namgung Wan squeezed his eyes shut as if suppressing his rage, then opened them again to speak.
“Taego Jinperson opposed Wi Alliance Leader’s punishment.”
With Wi Alliance Leader’s fall and even Gongson Chong-sa unable to completely escape responsibility, the opinion of Taego Jinperson—one of the ten greatest masters under heaven—naturally carried the greatest weight.
Moreover…
“So Ga-ju, I revealed the Cheonma Jibow itself for the sake of the Murim Alliance’s harmony and the punishment of the Demonic Cult.”
Rather than harmony, it was as though he had poured cold water on the flames.
“News reached me late from my border territories, but I hear So Ga-ju nearly lost an arm in that recent ambush because of Wi Alliance Leader?”
“Surely you don’t suspect this was motivated by revenge?”
“Of course not. I know well your impartial and righteous character. However… I can only say the timing is unfortunate.”
Namgung Wan glanced at Namgung Ryu-cheong’s incredulous expression and clicked his tongue.
“Do you want to enforce your opinion? Then you have no choice but to become stronger! Or go crawl to your grandfather right now and beg for his help!”
Namgung Ryu-cheong clenched his teeth and balled his fists.
“But then what about Yalyu…!”
“What?”
Namgung Wan raised his eyebrows and looked at Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had trailed off mid-sentence.
“Are you still searching for that child?”
“….”
“Give it up.”
Just then, a servant’s cautious voice came from outside, announcing the arrival of someone from the Elder Council.
Namgung Wan exhaled a sigh, cast a glance at Namgung Ryu-cheong, and left the chamber.
* * *
Crash! Screech! Thud!
Blades clashed brilliantly amid clouds of dust above the Tournament Arena.
The Martial Arts Tournament, suspended for four days, was now progressing rapidly—already at the quarterfinals.
Many competitors had forfeited, which accelerated the pace considerably. Some spectators voiced their displeasure at the sheer number of withdrawals.
“Woooooah!”
“Yes! That’s it!”
“Gasp! Hwangbo Prince! Surely you’re not being pushed back by some unknown nobody?”
Hwangbo Chan, counted among the tournament favorites, had just mercilessly defeated Jin-jin and advanced.
And his next opponent was….
“For the first time, he didn’t even last ten exchanges?”
“Jeok-ya! What are you doing! Kill him!”
Yalyu.
With my father suddenly becoming far more vigilant, I hadn’t even dreamed of visiting Yalyu.
I could only see Yalyu on the Martial Arts Arena stage… and even then, I’d barely caught glimpses of him. During the matches held so far, most of Yalyu’s opponents had forfeited.
There had been an unusual number of forfeits in this tournament overall… but Yalyu’s opponents in particular had good reason.
Crackle-boom!
A vivid blood-red sword aura shot forth with overwhelming force.
Crash!
When the spectators screamed and closed their eyes at the erupting energy wave, then opened them again.
Three figures stood on the Martial Arts Arena.
Standing between Yalyu and Hwangbo Chan was the Buddhist Monk who served as the referee for this match. His yellow robes hung in tatters from blocking Yalyu’s attack. The arena beneath the monk’s feet was gouged as if a beast the size of a house had clawed through it.
The Buddhist Monk glared at Yalyu with a cold expression and shouted.
“Jeok-ya of the Chudo Sect, victory!”
“Waaaaaah!”
Another competitor had nearly become a permanent guest of the underworld. Having already killed Wi Gu-jung with a single strike and demonstrated overwhelming skill, he was now attempting to mercilessly kill his match opponent as well… which explained why so many forfeited against Yalyu.
Then Hwangbo Chan suddenly bellowed.
“Who decided this on their own!”
Blood streaming from his chest made him look unmistakably like a defeated man.
“I can still fight! You, just because you’re the referee? You can’t just decide the match…!”
Hwangbo Chan, unable to grasp the situation and throwing a tantrum, suddenly fell silent. Soon after, he was seized by Alliance members who had entered the arena and dragged away.
Someone had struck his vital point with a finger technique so precisely that no one else noticed.
And the only master capable of striking Hwangbo Chan’s vital point on the arena with such precision, undetected by others, was….
Taego Jinperson calmly addressed the Hwangbo Family Elder.
The Hwangbo Family Elder’s face cycled through red, then pale, then dark—a rather comical sight.
Amid the clamor of the crowd, a hushed conversation unfolded on the martial arts arena.
“…Amitabha Buddha. I say once more—this is a friendly match, not a duel to the death.”
“….”
“Do not make slaughter your companion.”
Yalyu ignored the Buddhist Monk and descended from the arena.
‘What audacity brought him to this tournament in the first place….’
Initially, I had thought that if the fight intensified, Yalyu’s true martial arts—the Nine Inferno Crimson Flame Technique—would emerge. And there were many here who knew the techniques of Cheonsan Yeom-je. If that happened, he would be exposed… or so I had worried.
But it was entirely needless concern.
While other demonic cult disciples who participated in the tournament were dragged away, Yalyu remained unscathed.
This was despite drawing all eyes upon himself from the moment he killed Wi Gu-jung.
Yalyu had not only increased his inner energy by using human lives as offerings—his memories of martial techniques also appeared to have largely returned.
‘…Can he be defeated?’
Beside the direction Yalyu had descended stood Namgung Ryu-cheong, next in the bracket.
If Namgung Ryu-cheong won this match, the semifinals would pit him against Yalyu.
Namgung Ryu-cheong was also incomparably strong compared to his peers.
But could he overcome Yalyu, who possessed at least ten additional years of experience?
‘What if Yalyu possessed memories of facing a future version of Namgung Ryu-cheong multiple times?’
Moreover… Namgung Ryu-cheong had suffered an injury not long ago.
Whether aware of my concerns or not, Namgung Ryu-cheong handily defeated his opponent and advanced to the semifinals.
The next day, the semifinals.
My match was first.
I frowned upon seeing the red-canopied spectator seating.
‘Father isn’t here? What’s happened?’
No matter how busy he was, he always held his seat for my matches.
At that moment, my eyes met those of Uncle Namgung Wan, seated beside the empty chair. Though the distance was considerable, I shaped my words without sound, confident he could read my lips.
‘Where is Father?’
Uncle Namgung Wan also spoke silently.
‘Do your best.’
No, where did Father go?!
But there was no time to continue the conversation.
“Baek Li-yeon of the Baek Li Family! Hyejeong Monk of Shaolin Temple!”
I refocused my scattered attention from the spectator stands and clasped my fists in salute.
After exchanging courtesies, I assumed my stance and spoke inwardly.
‘My apologies.’
When I had completed my coming-of-age ceremony and departed on my journey through the Jianghu, I had several opportunities to observe Shaolin’s martial techniques.
The referee departed the arena and called out.
“Then let the match begin!”
Before his words had even finished, I lowered my body and gathered natural energy at my feet.
Boom!
The martial arts arena where I landed caved inward, and streaks of light continued to trace through the air.
Hyejeong Monk met my charge with composed readiness, as though he had been waiting. His movement to parry the sword strike that pierced forward simultaneously with drawing his blade was… far too predictable.
A sharp whistle of steel sang out.
His fluttering robes settled, and a thread-thin line of blood appeared on Hyejeong Monk’s neck.
“…!”
Hyejeong Monk stood frozen, his eyes wide open.
It was decided in a single strike.
Then a voice tinged with subtle bitterness rang out.
“…The victor: Baek Li-yeon of the Baek Li Family!”
“What, what just happened?”
“How… it’s over already? The semifinals?”
“Uaaaaaaah!”
I had already found the flaw in his technique.
Hyejeong Monk, who seemed momentarily stunned by the shock, soon regained his composure and bowed to me with respect.
“Amitabha Buddha, that was an excellent match.”
“…It was an excellent match.”
Alliance members climbed onto the arena to prepare it for the next bout. Behind them, I could see the competitors for the next match.
It was Yalyu and 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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