The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 264

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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 264
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The Judge Monk called out the names one by one.
“Namgung Ryu-cheong of the Namgung Clan!”
“Uwaaaaaaaaa!”
“Jeok-ya of the Chudo Sect!”
“Waaaaaaa!”
With each name called, the roar from the crowd seemed ready to shake the Martial Arts Arena itself.
Yalyu remained expressionless while Namgung Ryu-cheong wore a sullen look—the same expression he’d maintained throughout the entire tournament. Yet his handsome features were so striking that even that dour expression seemed captivating.
Even now, listening to those cheering for Namgung Ryu-cheong, the women’s voices rang out particularly loud.
The two of them took their stances as the monk called out the order.
“….”
“….”
I thought they might exchange some words, but both remained silent, their lips sealed. There wasn’t even the most basic courtesy of wishing each other well.
After waiting a moment, the monk cried out.
“Then let the match begin!”
I watched with my heart in my throat. In that moment of hushed anticipation from the crowd.
Namgung Ryu-cheong suddenly sheathed his sword. And he spoke.
“I forfeit.”
“….”
The Martial Arts Arena fell silent as those who hadn’t yet grasped the situation held their breath.
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s voice rang out clearly through the quiet arena.
“A victory obtained from a Murim Alliance tournament that has already tarnished its own honor? That would be nothing but shame itself.”
Gasp.
I was truly taken aback.
As a terrible silence fell, Namgung Ryu-cheong continued.
“The Murim Alliance that shields injustice under the guise of the Demonic Cult? Wasn’t the Orthodox Path supposed to protect the common people and uphold righteousness? Yet what difference is there now between this Murim Alliance and the Black Gangs it once condemned so fiercely?”
“….”
Those shocked into silence began to whisper cautiously among themselves.
“What is he saying?”
“Black Gangs? Injustice?”
“The mad bastard….”
Seo Ha-ryeong beside me spoke as though she’d read my very thoughts.
“He’s lost it. Completely.”
Seo Ha-ryeong also knew the truth behind Wi Ji-baek’s downfall. Yet for her to speak this way showed just how much this was like slapping the Murim Alliance across the face.
‘I understand Ryu-cheong’s feelings, but….’
Namgung Ryu-cheong knew that Jeok-ya was Yalyu, but he still didn’t know that Yalyu was from the Demonic Cult.
With Wi Ji-baek’s punishment ending in this manner, the fact that he was even participating in the tournament must be frustrating enough. And now his opponent was Yalyu of all people.
I heightened my hearing and focused on the Martial Arts Arena.
As the crowd murmured, I heard Yalyu’s bewildered voice.
“What are you doing?”
“….”
Namgung Ryu-cheong simply stared at him quietly.
Yalyu tilted his head slightly.
“Pointless. Though I don’t mind.”
Yalyu laughed as if amused and sheathed his sword.
A Buddhist Monk hurried onto the Martial Arts Arena and shouted.
“Namgung Prince! What is the meaning of this? Do you truly intend to forfeit?”
“Yes.”
At his resolute answer, the monk drew a sharp breath and spoke.
“To come this far… the Martial Arts Tournament is no jest!”
Namgung Ryu-cheong glared at the monk, then turned his body away with an expressionless face. As he moved, his brilliant azure robes fluttered and settled.
The monk called out desperately toward Namgung Ryu-cheong’s retreating figure.
“If you leave like this, you will be branded as someone who fled in fear of your opponent. Does your honor mean nothing to you?”
“A three-inch tongue frightens people like you, not me.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong descended from the Martial Arts Arena without so much as a sideways glance.
A forfeit.
At his actual forfeiture, gasps of disbelief echoed throughout the arena.
The bewildered Buddhist Monk sighed and declared Yalyu’s victory.
There was no thunderous roar that had accompanied the start and end of previous matches.
“The Namgung Prince’s words carry weight, do they not? To forfeit so dramatically in the semifinals.”
Instead, murmurs filled the Tournament Arena.
Hundreds speaking at once created a sound like a swarm of bees beating their wings.
“He forfeited out of fear of his opponent, did he not? How shameful for one called the greatest of the Martial World.”
“I disagree. Look at his bearing. Does that appear to you as the gait of someone fleeing in terror?”
Here too, Namgung Ryu-cheong’s appearance shone brilliantly.
Had a shabby-looking man descended in such a cowardly manner, he would never have received such favorable judgment.
“The Namgung Prince’s temperament is quite renowned in these parts. They say he takes after his father perfectly—dislikes what displeases him and lets it show. Could it be that his fiery nature encountered something unbearable? What on earth did the Murim Alliance do…?”
“Now that I think about it, things were strange. The tournament suddenly halted for four days, then people forfeited en masse. The Wi Alliance Leader abruptly stepped down from his position. Something must have happened, yes?”
Whether praise or mockery, the talk of Namgung Ryu-cheong’s character prompted various interpretations of his actions.
The more the spectators tried to make sense of the situation, the more the atmosphere in another section grew heavy.
Beneath the Red Canopy Spectator Section.
Even from a distance, Uncle Namgung Wan’s wide eyes were clearly visible. And the gazes fixed upon him burned with intensity.
Gongson Chong-sa contorted his face and muttered.
“If he leaves like this, then… and the finals are against that unknown….”
Taego Jinperson, who had slightly risen, settled back into his chair and spoke.
“Hmm, the Namgung Minor Family Head’s son is quite passionate. Youth is admirable. I was like that once.”
He treated it as the antics of an impetuous child.
“But he must learn restraint. His impetuousness is excessive.”
“At that age, there is still nothing in the world to fear.”
At some point, Namgung Wan’s expression had shifted to one of displeasure.
There were others who shared Namgung Wan’s discomfort at this conversation, but they were a distinct minority.
The majority sought to dispel the insult of having their consciences questioned by Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“How immature. Now I understand why he hasn’t yet established his own faction.”
“His words are smooth enough, but perhaps this master Jeok-ya frightens him. If he truly understood the greater cause, he wouldn’t retreat like this. This is why the burden falls so heavily on Baek Li-yeon’s shoulders. If she loses, it would be nothing short of a disgrace to the Orthodox Path’s noble houses.”
“We had such high expectations for Namgung Prince, but it seems he simply lacks the capacity from the start.”
Namgung Wan interjected fiercely into their conversation.
“Precisely. My son’s measure is different from those who cower before three inches of tongue and rush to bury wrongdoing.”
“Ahem.”
“Cough.”
“Namgung Minor Family Head!”
Against the backdrop of clearing throats, Gongsun Bang Chief Strategist cried out urgently.
Taego Jinperson narrowed his brow and turned to face Namgung Wan.
“Are you saying that Namgung Minor Family Head’s words should be understood as the will of the Namgung Clan?”
Namgung Wan laughed fiercely, baring his teeth.
Sweat trickled down Gongsun Bang Chief Strategist’s forehead.
“Ryu-cheong’s will is the Namgung Clan’s will, and the Namgung Clan is Ryu-cheong!”
I exhaled a long sigh from my seat beneath the red canopy in the spectator section.
It wasn’t just me—several others with keen eyes were looking toward the same place. The commotion in the spectator seating seemed beyond anyone’s ability or willingness to conceal.
A confrontation that looked ready to erupt at any moment. It was a sight all too familiar to me. In the past, Namgung Ryu-cheong had clashed with the Murim Alliance under Wi Ji-baek’s leadership in precisely this manner countless times.
The Murim Alliance—those who grasped at his heels at every turn while pretending to be on our side.
Yet even after Namgung Wan had maintained complete neutrality and driven Wi Ji-baek from the position of Alliance Leader, a similar situation was unfolding again. Perhaps it was inevitable that the protagonist’s family would always find themselves in such struggles.
But I had no intention of letting it play out the same way this time. I rose from my seat and gathered my energy into my legs, launching myself upward.
Tap!
With a light landing sound, my robes settled slowly around me. And standing before me was Yalyu.
The Buddhist Monk, who had not yet descended from the martial arts arena, spoke in a bewildered voice.
“Baek Li-yeon? What are you doing right now?”
I brushed back my hair and walked leisurely across the arena floor.
“What do you mean? Isn’t the final match all that remains?”
“That is… true, but…”
Life returned to Yalyu’s previously bored eyes. I could see his eyes smiling. As if reading my intention, he spoke.
“Good.”
Leaving the bewildered Buddhist Monk behind, I pointed my sword forward.
“I am Baek Li-yeon of the Baek Li Family. I challenge Jeok-ya of the Chudo Sect to the final martial arts match.”
The startled Buddhist Monk drew in a sharp breath.
“What…!”
From the moment I leaped onto the arena, the spectators’ attention returned entirely to the martial arts stage.
“What? How is this happening?”
“Is this the final match now?”
Namgung Wan, Taego Jinperson, those beneath the red canopy, and even Namgung Ryu-cheong who had descended from the arena—all focused their attention on the martial arts stage.
Yalyu drew his sword and pointed it at me.

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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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