The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 30

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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 30
* * *
I straightened the wrinkled fabric at my chest and smoothed down my disheveled hair as I walked out of Jeongbang.
The moment I stepped out of Subaekdang at an unhurried pace, someone following behind me grabbed my arm.
“What did you do?”
“What do you mean?”
I feigned ignorance, playing dumb.
After transmitting my voice to the twins, I’d unfortunately locked eyes with Seok Ga-yak. Given how the twins had immediately caused a commotion afterward, Seok Ga-yak would naturally have caught on.
But how could I prove anything?
I lifted my head confidently. Seok Ga-yak, who had been scrutinizing me with narrowed eyes, spoke.
“May I take your pulse?”
“Go ahead.”
After briefly checking my pulse, Seok Ga-yak’s expression grew confused.
“…You clearly have no inner energy. Yet that technique…how did you manage it?”
Of course. What I’d used wasn’t inner energy.
How I wished my dantian had recovered in the meantime, allowing me to cultivate inner energy. But that wasn’t the case. My ability to transmit my voice was merely a remnant of my desperate struggle to learn martial arts in the past.
Driven by an unwavering determination to master martial arts by any means, I’d consumed countless texts, eventually reaching even forbidden scriptures. And in one forbidden tome, I’d discovered it—a secret technique to use innate qi in place of cultivated inner energy.
Innate qi was the primordial vitality one possessed from birth—in essence, one’s life force itself. Innate qi was far more potent than inner energy accumulated through cultivation, and those who’d reached the heights of martial mastery could naturally manipulate it.
Yet no one actually used innate qi.
The reason was simple: innate qi was life force. Exhaust it completely, and you die. And I had just used innate qi to transmit my voice.
“You…!”
At that moment, Seok Ga-yak’s eyes widened as he looked at me.
I felt a familiar tickling sensation below my nose.
I carefully wiped beneath my nose and exhaled a sigh.
‘…A nosebleed from just one voice transmission.’
Barely any. I’d used only the tiniest amount, something my body could naturally recover from. Yet even that, my body couldn’t withstand.
As I rummaged through my garments, I recalled that Seok Ga-yak had used my handkerchief earlier. Just as I was about to hastily wipe it with my sleeve, a hand from across from me pressed against the bridge of my nose, then carefully wiped beneath it with his own sleeve.
I tried to pull Seok Ga-yak’s hand away, insisting I could do it myself, but he held firm.
“This is a side effect from your voice transmission, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
Seriously, how could this boy be so perceptive?
I played ignorant, but it didn’t seem to work.
Seok Ga-yak spoke softly.
“I should ask Seok Tae-ui for medicine that can restore your vitality.”
* * *
Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s Study in Subaekdang.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk sat in a parasol wood chair and spoke.
“Set that down there. You sit.”
The servant who’d followed placed a peony pot on the desk and withdrew. Seeing another servant arrive carrying a teapot and teacup, Baek Li Pae-hyuk frowned.
“Do I look like I’m in the mood for hot tea? Bring cold water!”
The servant who had set down the peony potted plant withdrew skillfully, and another brought chilled water with practiced efficiency. Baek Li Pae-hyuk accepted the cold water and drank it down in great gulps.
Baek Li-ui-gang, seated across from him, asked carefully.
“Are you well, Father?”
“Well? If I’m not well! Did I not warn you beforehand? You are to manage your own guests directly!”
Namgung Wan had answered that he would attend the banquet in person—a matter that had crossed the line of what Baek Li-ui-gang could prevent. Baek Li Pae-hyuk was not unaware of this fact.
Yet he could not contain his fury.
“I apologize for causing you distress.”
Watching his son apologize calmly without excuse, Baek Li Pae-hyuk exhaled deeply.
As Baek Li-ui-gang filled a teacup, Baek Li Pae-hyuk spoke.
“…Well, for now let us wait to see what answer Baek Li-ui-ran will give.”
Baek Li-ui-gang hesitated briefly before asking.
“Then you truly intend to send Ak-i away?”
“Now you concern yourself with Ak-i?”
“She is still young.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk set his teacup down forcefully on the table. The scalding water that had not yet touched his lips spilled across the back of his hand, yet he paid it no mind.
“Regardless, she carries my blood as my granddaughter—she should know better than to accept such treatment! How dare a child of the So Family insult a child of the Baek Family!”
Her youth made it all the worse.
Already like this, I could foresee what chaos she would wreak as she grew, wielding the Baek Family’s influence. That the twins supported each other as siblings, born on the same day and hour, was good and understandable.
“I have given those children everything without discrimination—food, clothing, and even the Baek Li Family’s medicinal pills for their cultivation. Is this how they repay such kindness?”
Yet because they had clung to each other since birth, the world existed only for those two, and they looked down upon everyone else—even the Baek Li Family itself! This time it was merely a peony, but what trouble would they cause next?
Once they committed a greater transgression, it would be too late. At the very least, I had to separate them. And since they were still young, slow discipline would suffice. This was what Baek Li Pae-hyuk believed.
Then Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s gaze fell upon the peony potted plant the servant had placed on the table.
“The child who brought this—was he called Seok Ga-yak, Seok Tae-ui’s nephew?”
“Yes.”
“He is not a strange sort, is he?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Hmm, was he not Yeon’s first close friend? The influence of a friend upon a child is greater than one might think. Whether his character is upright, what his family is like… No, never mind.”
“…?”
Baek Li-ui-gang’s eyes showed confusion. It would be less troublesome and more convenient to investigate the matter himself.
“So then, what business brought you to seek me out?”
After a brief silence, Baek Li-ui-gang spoke.
“…I thought to take Yeon to the Namgung Clan for a brief visit.”
“What?”
* * *
Shim So-cheong, the wife of Baek Li-ui-muk, was called the Second Mistress or Lady Shim. Though she possessed a gentle and mild temperament, she was also a woman of somewhat fragile spirit for the role of mistress in a martial household.
For this reason, Baek Li Pae-hyuk had not favored the marriage between Shim So-cheong and Baek Li-ui-muk, yet he had ultimately consented due to the strong will of the household matriarch. Lady Shim wept endlessly, pressing her wet eyes with her sleeve.
“Myeong, what is to be done? Sob. How can he be so swollen?”
“Mother, I am fine. Grandfather was very angry, but I am grateful it ended at this.”
Baek Li-myeong’s calm words seemed only to wound Lady Shim further, and tears streamed down her face.
Soon light flickered beyond the door, and Baek Li-ui-muk, holding a lantern, opened the door and entered the chamber.
“Myeong, how is your hand?” Baek Li-ui-muk asked.
“It’s fine,” I replied.
As my husband entered, Shim So-cheong rose from her seat, drawing her sleeve across her face. When I attempted to stand as well, she gestured for me to remain.
“Stay lying down. I should go speak with Mother about obtaining some medicinal herbs.”
“…Very well.”
Once I confirmed Mother had left, I turned to Father with a question.
“You were gone quite long. Did Grandfather scold you severely?”
“Why are you worried about me? Tend to your own injuries first. Besides, my delay was due to other matters.”
“What other matters?”
“Your uncle Baek Li-ui-gang will be taking his daughter Baek Li-yeon to visit the Namgung Clan.”
Baek Li-ui-muk adjusted his robes and settled into his seat.
“Uncle is taking Baek Li-yeon to the Namgung Clan?”
“Yes.”
“In his condition, he can actually make the journey?”
“Grandfather has given his permission. They’ll depart within a few days once preparations are complete.”
“Why the sudden visit to that place?”
“I didn’t hear the full details, but I suspect it’s to separate Ak-i and Baek Li Pyo from her for a time. Now, enough questions—let me examine your wounds.”
My expression darkened as I extended my hand to Father.
I had no idea how I would face Namgung Wan in the future, yet Baek Li-yeon was heading to the Namgung Clan alongside their Young Master.
First came regret, then envy, and finally, anger.
“I need to see Baek Li-yeon before she departs for the Namgung Clan.”
Baek Li-ui-muk’s brow furrowed reflexively. “Why would you need to see her?”
“I must ask her to put in a good word with the Namgung Young Master.”
“As if she would do that for you. Stop talking nonsense.”
“There’s no harm in asking.”
Baek Li-ui-muk scoffed, but I remained composed. Recognizing my sincerity in my demeanor, Father pressed further.
“…You truly intend to meet with her?”
“Yes. What’s wrong with that? She’s my sister.”
“Your sister?”
Father stared at me in disbelief at the implications behind my words.
I continued calmly.
“Today I realized Baek Li-yeon is far superior to both Baek Li Pyo and Ak-i.”
Baek Li-ui-muk unconsciously glanced around before speaking in a reproachful tone.
“Myeong! What are you saying? I understand you must be disappointed today. But abandon such reckless thoughts.”
Clenching my teeth at Father’s words, I straightened and sat upright to speak.
“Father, I should tell you now—when only the four of us remained, Baek Li-yeon, Baek Li Pyo, Ak-i, and myself, do you know what happened? Ak-i suddenly lunged at Baek Li-yeon by the collar!”
“What?”
Baek Li-ui-muk gasped in shock at this revelation.
Recalling that moment, I gritted my teeth. So U-ak had seized Baek Li-yeon’s collar first, and then Baek Li Pyo had rushed in. It was fortunate that Seok Ga-yak was present. Had I been alone, I would have struggled to restrain the twins.
Recalling that time, Baek Li-myeong asked with distant eyes. So U-ak grabbed Baek Li-yeon by the collar first, and then Baek Li Pyo rushed in. It was fortunate that he was with Seok Ga-yak. If he had been alone, it would have been difficult to stop the twins.
If Baek Li-yeon had taken even a single blow….
The mere thought made the world spin before my eyes.

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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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