The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 286

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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 286
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The Cheonma Jibow had made the path abundantly clear, so Baek Li-yeon dismissed the mist as trivial—but for everyone else, it was an entirely different matter.
In the dense forest with no roads, even the cardinal directions became impossible to discern. Every direction revealed trees and undergrowth that looked frustratingly identical. The muddy ground and marshlands that materialized without warning constantly ensnared their ankles.
Most who had ventured into the mist lost their bearings, spinning in circles, or sank into sudden sinkholes and perished, unable to move.
And beyond the mist.
Upon a sheer cliff face strung with vines as thick as an adult’s torso, figures in black and crimson garments gazed downward.
A dense fog filled the gorge. A handful of verdant trees pierced through the haze, standing resolute.
They resembled emerald islands floating upon a sea of clouds.
Had one ignored what transpired within, the landscape could have been mistaken for an immortal’s painting that had leapt from its frame.
Approaching them without a sound was a figure—moving like a shadow itself, so ethereal that anyone witnessing it would struggle to believe their own eyes.
The shadow moved forward and knelt on one knee before the figure standing at the cliff’s edge.
“Gung-ju.”
The woman gazing down into the mist-shrouded gorge turned her head.
“The Left Envoy has fallen.”
“The Left Envoy is dead?”
The one who answered was a subordinate in crimson robes beside the woman.
Unlike the woman in black garments, all those surrounding her wore robes the color of blood. They were all women, appearing to serve as guards for the one called Gung-ju.
“Yes. While the Namgung Family Head delivered the killing blow, the Left Envoy had already suffered a decisive defeat against the Namgung Minor Family Head beforehand.”
“So the Namgung Minor Family Head ultimately brought down the Left Envoy?”
The guard’s tone carried an undertone of disbelief at such a possibility.
“The Namgung Minor Family Head sustained considerable injuries as well and has been evacuated to the rear. The extent of his wounds remains unknown.”
Gung-ju spoke with measured calm.
“Soon another name will be added to the list of the world’s greatest warriors.”
“Goodness, do you truly think he’ll rise so quickly?”
The guard in crimson robes conversed with Gung-ju in familiar tones.
“Martial artists are tempered by adversity.”
“So it comes to pass. The Namgung Minor Family Head first… ah, my apologies.”
Gung-ju disregarded this and questioned the kneeling subordinate.
“What of the Right Envoy and Chong Gun-sa?”
“The Right Envoy is containing the Baek Li Family Head and the Kunlun Sect Master. Chong Gun-sa is pushing thirty percent of the forces ahead into the mist and will follow shortly with the remaining thirty percent. It appears he has discerned the general direction.”
“And the Murim Alliance?”
“The Murim Alliance continues to maintain the encirclement while avoiding direct confrontation as much as possible.”
Those engaged in battle remained unaware, but from this vantage point, something became evident.
The Murim Alliance’s response, which had seemed ready for immediate combat, was lukewarm—as if waiting for something.
And viewed from outside, the objective became clear. The Murim Alliance was drawing the Demonic Cult here in maximum numbers.
Taego Jinperson’s purpose was singular: the annihilation of the Demonic Cult.
The waiting for cult members to gather was to seize the opportunity to strike them all at once.
It was far easier to burn gathered insects drawn to bait than to hunt them down one by one. Whether the insects or Taego Jinperson would prevail remained unknown, but the future was unwritten.
‘Then what could the Jegal Family Head’s purpose be?’
Following after me with that body, struggling every step of the way.
I’d heard she’d accepted a death sentence, yet she clung to life with stubborn tenacity.
“Your Highness.”
It was a different guard—not the woman who’d held her silence moments before.
Gung-ju nodded at the hopeful summons and gave her command.
“Yes, the time has come. Contact everyone. Tell them it’s time to withdraw.”
“Understood.”
There was nothing left to gain by remaining here.
Gung-ju’s gaze turned toward the mist. As she turned her head to shake off her lingering attachment and pivoted to leave, someone scrambled urgently up the cliff face.
“Your Highness!”
“What commotion is this, and from where!”
The guard cried out sharply.
For the first time, Gung-ju’s expression twisted as she received the report from her subordinate, who knelt on one knee.
The subordinate continued her report.
“By the time the watchers regained consciousness, it was already too late. We’ve ordered pursuit. And there was this letter.”
The subordinate withdrew a letter from her robes and handed it over.
As Gung-ju unfolded the neatly creased letter, the fragrance of medicinal herbs wafted out.
The script, written in a brownish hue, was orderly yet carried strength. From the herbal scent emanating from the words, one could tell that medicinal broth had been used as ink.
[I picked up the brush, yet I’ve been stuck from the very first sentence. What should I call you?
Your Highness, since neither of us wishes to face each other, I leave this letter instead. By the time you read this, I will have already departed for the Heavenly Demon Grand Vault. Do not pursue me.
I know it myself. With this body, I cannot help—I might only become a burden.
I’m only well for now, but the episodes are growing longer. I don’t know when the next attack will come, and even if I’m of no use, I will go to my daughter.
I regretted leaving that child alone for far too long. So now I will never leave her alone again. I want her to know that her father is by her side.
Now I realize I forgot to say this. Thank you for sending my daughter to me.
Have you met my daughter? She truly resembles your eyes. Yet unlike you, she knows how to smile with genuine warmth. She is my treasure.
I believe that should you meet her, you would have no choice but to cherish her.
Should I not return and only Yeon comes back, please meet her face to face once.
There is a difference in one’s resolve between having both parents dead and having even one alive. She is a good child, so her heart will open quickly.
Yeon was different from childhood and rarely asked me about her mother. She only mentioned it in passing to her grandfather—that I had abandoned her. But that wasn’t true.
As she grew, there was once when she asked about her mother, and I told her nothing.
Had I known it would come to this, I should have told her everything then. So if I cannot convey it myself, I hope you will do so for me.
Though words of inevitability may hold no meaning against the years already passed, there are stories that change one’s resolve simply by being heard.
Though my body slept, my ears remained open, and I heard of your circumstances.
The Five Moon Palace has decided to seek independence?
That is fortunate. I hope you take as many followers as possible when you leave. Only then can we save even one more person from this meaningless war, can we not?
I hope you achieve all you desire without hardship. Thank you for helping me within the Heavenly Net. It is a relief to see your face after so long—you seem to be doing well.
Also, I have one more request. I’ve enclosed another letter; should I not return, I would be grateful if you would send it to my father.
Finally. I hold no resentment toward you whatsoever. Now go and live your own life.
From Baek Li-ui-gang,
To Yeon, who will find the freedom she desires.]
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Crackle, crackle.
The sound of burning firewood slowly pulled me back to consciousness.
Unlike the fog’s edge, the deeper I ventured inward, the fewer traces of human presence I could find.
As night fell, the mist grew thicker. Without even moonlight to pierce the darkness, I could barely make out my own feet.
Namgung Ryu-cheong followed as though it were the most natural thing, and after finding a suitable spot, we were finally able to rest our backs against something solid for the first time in four days. I barely arranged a sleeping place before collapsing the moment my back touched the ground—that was my last clear memory.
I slowly opened my eyes as sensation returned to me.
There was something odd about it.
I’d been maintaining constant vigilance, so why had I fallen asleep so peacefully?
The sensation against my head was soft yet firm and reassuring. Indulging in the comfort like a spoiled child, I nuzzled against it before slowly opening my eyes.
The crimson glow of the campfire illuminated a sculpted, beautiful face.
Our eyes met immediately.
It seemed he’d been watching me the entire time.
He appeared to have much he wanted to say. Given yesterday’s conversation, that was only natural. Just as I wondered what he’d ask first, Namgung Ryu-cheong opened his mouth.
“Sleep well?”
“…Yes.”
For reasons I couldn’t explain, I saw Namgung Ryu-cheong’s eyes widen slightly in surprise through the haze of mist.
What was he thinking?
Perhaps the first good sleep in ages combined with the dreamy sensation of floating and the obscured vision from the mist had loosened my grip on reason.
I reached out and gently placed my hand against Namgung Ryu-cheong’s cheek. Lukewarm warmth transferred to my palm.
‘Wait, why is he looking down at me like this?’
Just as that question formed in my drowsy mind, I felt a hand gently brush across my forehead and hair. Then Namgung Ryu-cheong’s face drew closer to mine.
“…!”
The soft sensation against the corner of my eye jolted me fully awake.
Sleep evaporated in an instant.
I froze, unable to breathe. My mind went completely blank.
After remaining rigid for what felt like an eternity, the gentle sensation against the bridge of my nose brought my senses rushing back.
I swung my hand to push him away, but Namgung Ryu-cheong caught it.
“…!”
I startled again.
Namgung Ryu-cheong, still holding my hand, pulled back slightly.
Our eyes met, but neither of us could speak. Our lips were too close.
“…”
Finally, Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke first.
“I’ve thought about it for a long time… your eyes really are like a rabbit’s.”
“…”
A rabbit? What did that even mean?
My mind wasn’t working properly.
The corner of Namgung Ryu-cheong’s mouth lifted slightly, then his breath withdrew.
Only then could I breathe again.

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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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