The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 297

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 297
* * *
“The sunlight is truly beautiful today, miss.”
Geum-swe opened the window beside where I sat at an angle. A cool breeze swept in sharply.
When I awoke, neither Geum-swe nor So Nok said a word. Later, I heard only faint sniffling sounds from outside my chamber.
After that, they behaved exactly as they had before we parted, as though nothing had happened.
It was as if they had never heard a thing about me.
I asked Geum-swe, who was draping a thick outer robe across my shoulders.
“While I was away, you didn’t suffer any hardship or anything like that, did you?”
When it was revealed that I was the blood of Cheon-ma, those who served me must have faced scrutiny as well.
“There was nothing to worry about, miss. News took a long time to reach this place anyway. To be honest, compared to when the Madam and the First Young Lady were alive, it was nothing at all.”
I let out a soft laugh.
True enough—there were times when those two were so desperate to catch me they could barely contain themselves. It felt like such ancient history now.
“Besides, they say the First Young Lady used a demonic art similar to the Bloodsucking Demonic Technique and eventually died from it. Because of that story, the First Madam…. Anyway, those who spouted nonsense back then don’t even dare look So Nok in the eye now. It seems Go Chong-gwan also took quite a liking to So Nok….”
As Geum-swe was enthusiastically recounting what had transpired, So Nok, the subject of the story, approached.
“What is it?”
So Nok had managed all affairs of my residence while I was away.
Now that I had awakened, she seemed even busier than before.
My personal attendants were primarily Geum-swe, or Namgung Ryu-cheong, who rarely left my side.
So Nok handed me an envelope.
“It’s from Grandfather?”
Grandfather was currently staying in Muuhan, where the Murim Alliance Headquarters was located.
After the battle at the Cheonma Dae-chong ended, Grandfather returned to the Baek Li Estate and stayed for about a month before heading to the Murim Alliance, or so I had heard.
By the time I opened my eyes, he had already been in Muuhan for several months.
I sent Geum-swe and So Nok away and unfolded the letter.
Grandfather’s usual handwriting was bold, but this time it was written in haste, making the characters difficult to decipher.
[I heard you have awakened. I intended to return immediately, but there are mountains of matters still to resolve here, and I cannot move freely.]
The letter began with greetings and conveyed that the chaotic situation at the Murim Alliance made it difficult for him to leave his post.
The Murim Alliance, victorious in the battle at the Cheonma Dae-chong, had been busy tracking down and eliminating the scattered remnants of the Demonic Cult.
And now they were setting their sights on Cheonman Great Mountain, the headquarters of the Demonic Cult. Grandfather had not written the details, but I could infer the situation well enough.
The Cheonma Dae-chong contained none of the treasures of the Demonic Cult that the Murim Alliance had anticipated.
There were no elixirs, no divine techniques, no divine weapons, no gold or silver or jewels—nothing at all.
It meant they had not received compensation for the tremendous losses they suffered and the lives they risked to reach that place. This was a victory that brought only losses.
Naturally, their next target became Cheonman Great Mountain, where the main headquarters of the Demonic Cult lay. Moreover…
[…The remaining Demonic Cult members have split into three factions, it seems. The faction of Chong Gun-sa, the faction of the original heir, the First Prince, and the Five Moon Palace.
The Five Moon Palace has declared independence from the Demonic Cult. They say they will no longer follow the will of Cheon-ma and are attempting to establish themselves in the North.]
The already weakened Demonic Cult had now fractured into three pieces—it would be a shame to miss this opportunity.
And the Five Moon Palace was the Demonic Cult faction where my mother had been.
The letter also mentioned that it was the Five Moon Palace that had gathered the wounded and defeated from the Gorge and taken them away.
[The Alliance has been divided on whether to recognize the Five Moon Palace’s independence or to treat them as part of the Demonic Cult. In the end, they decided to leave the matter in a state of diplomatic limbo for now and grant them an opportunity.
In any case, the Alliance has no time to concern itself with the Five Moon Palace right now, so you’re free to kill anyone who dares to speak ill of your mother—though I notice the word “mother” has been crossed out with a line—regarding your origins going forward.]
Laughter burst from me in that moment.
“Pfft, no, Grandfather really… telling me to kill them.”
The rest of the letter contained advice to take care of myself, that things were being handled well, and to rest easy with peace of mind.
As I began reading the letter from the beginning again, I sensed someone approaching.
“The weather is still cold.”
“I was restless.”
In Namgung Ryu-cheong’s hand, visible through the window, was a branch bearing white blossoms that appeared to have just been plucked.
Peach blossoms.
While I had been unconscious, spring had arrived without my notice.
Namgung Ryu-cheong handed me the flowering branch.
“Here.”
“…They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
I smiled as I accepted the branch.
‘So that’s why he stepped away.’
Namgung Ryu-cheong had never shown interest in flowers before.
“Do you like peach blossoms?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s expression hardened instantly.
“Don’t ask if you already know.”
I bit my lip and lowered my head, trying to hide my smile.
Our promise to see the peach blossoms together. He still remembered it.
“What’s that?”
As I lifted my head, Namgung Ryu-cheong was looking at the letter I held in my other hand.
“It’s from Grandfather. Oh, and there was a brief mention of the Namgung Family Head—he seems to be doing well.”
“Is that so?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
I watched this and spoke hesitantly.
“And there was also mention of my… mother.”
The word “mother” felt profoundly strange on my tongue.
“It seems she’s planning to break away from the Demonic Cult and establish herself in the North.”
“Are you alright with that?”
“There’s no reason not to be. She’ll live her life as she sees fit. Truthfully, I feel little emotion about it now.”
“….”
“Or did she send word for me through you?”
“…There was nothing.”
His expression, rigid and stiff, carried a melancholic air.
Wondering why he grieved so, I smiled softly to myself and continued.
“If fate brings us together, there will come a day to meet. I simply… hope she lives well. That’s all.”
When I first read of my mother in the letter, I was surprised by how calmly I could process it.
I didn’t understand her actions. Yet resentment no longer stirred within me. Was it because I had died and been reborn? No, it was more than that….
I turned my gaze toward Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“I think it’s because of you.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong tilted his head as if asking what I meant. In that instant, I felt a small presence suddenly lunging at me. Its intent came through crystal clear.
I quickly raised the flower branch I’d been holding high. A white blur swept past beneath my hand.
I raised my voice and shouted.
“You! Again, again, again! Didn’t I tell you not to? Why do you always try to eat the peach blossoms I receive?”
Gyeol-i plopped down on the windowsill as if she’d never been after the peach blossoms at all, suddenly beginning to groom her fur.
“Hmph!”
Yet I could feel her desire for the peach blossoms so vividly—pretending otherwise was pointless.
Then Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke.
“Again? So she’s been after them all along?”
“Huh? Well… I… that is…”
Ever since we parted ways in childhood, Namgung Ryu-cheong had sent dried flower petals in his letters each spring when the peach blossoms bloomed. And Gyeol-i had always managed to find and devour them—or destroy them.
Namgung Ryu-cheong, quick to read between the lines, seemed to have already drawn his conclusion from my hesitation alone.
His cold gaze turned toward Gyeol-i.
Gyeol-i felt that stare and glanced at Namgung Ryu-cheong, but she snorted—an actual snort—and rubbed her head against me.
I spoke while shielding Gyeol-i slightly.
“She’s not a bad-natured creature.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong raised his eyebrows, then sighed.
“Fine. I’ll just keep sending them then.”
I widened my eyes slightly and smiled brightly.
I asked Geum-swe to place the flower branch somewhere visible, then picked Gyeol-i up. Her weight didn’t feel like that of an ordinary cat.
“Somehow you feel heavier. Gyeol-i, where exactly have you been all this time?”
I could tell through our connection that she was alive, but the link was so faint I couldn’t discern her location.
Seeing Gyeol-i brought troubling thoughts to mind, and with everything else weighing on me, I hadn’t forced her to come to me.
Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke.
“She was probably beside the Jegal Family Head. She’s not your cat anyway.”
“Ah…”
I bit my lip slightly. I continued the silence before asking carefully.
“Hwa-mu… did you hold his funeral?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong looked at me as if asking what I meant.
Ah, thinking about it, no one else would have known of his death. I was the only one present at his end.
My chest felt as though pierced by thorns.
If not for me, there would be no one to remember him.
I recalled the memories from Jeggal Hwa-mu that I’d been deliberately avoiding.
Namgung Ryu-cheong sighed and spoke.
“That bastard isn’t dead yet. You can’t hold a funeral for someone who’s still alive.”
“…?”
I doubted my ears.
What did he just say?
I asked, my expression bewildered.
“Jeggal Hwa-mu is… alive?”
“Yes. He’s unconscious, but very much alive.”
“What?”
Gyeol-i suddenly leaped from my arms and bolted away in a flurry.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————