The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 301

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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 301
Soon after, Namgung Ryu-cheong crossed into the chamber where I was staying.
The moment he entered, I burst into enthusiastic applause.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
As I clapped, Namgung Ryu-cheong regarded me with a look that asked what on earth I was doing.
“Your temperament… your personality is actually quite charming at times. Haha.”
“At times?”
I deliberately twisted his words.
“But you really despise Baek Li-myeong. It seems like you dislike him even more than Baek Li-ri, who slapped you?”
“You know well.”
“Hmm? Was it really true?”
“I can’t stand watching him scheme. Just now too… never mind.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong showed no desire to elaborate. A profound weariness flickered across his features—something bordering on revulsion—before vanishing entirely.
As I observed him, I sensed a presence and turned my gaze toward it.
So Nok approached with measured steps and handed me a note.
After reading through it quickly, I rose to my feet.
“I’ll step out for a moment and return shortly.”
“Where are you going?”
“Not far. It’s within the residence, so there’s no need for you to follow.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, isn’t it?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had been about to stand, sank back into his chair with a sigh. His expression suggested he had anticipated this very outcome.
So Nok and I departed from the Residence Quarter.
The servants we occasionally passed wore garments devoid of any color, adorned with not a single ornament.
The martial artists were no different.
They were dressed in mourning attire—either in the depths of grief or only recently emerged from it.
When I first went to meet Jeggal Hwa-mu, I had observed their garments and assumed the Baek Li Family had suffered casualties from the battle at the Cheonma Dae-chong.
But upon reflection, considerable time had elapsed since that collapse. Even if the family had suffered losses, there was no reason they would still be wearing such attire now.
Unless someone of the highest rank had passed away.
And there was precisely one person of such stature who could command this prolonged observance of mourning.
The Baek Family Grandmother.
She who had endured for so long, clinging to life by a thread, had finally departed this world.
The Grandmother had suffered a shock when Baek Li-ri ran away refusing her betrothal, and when the tragic death of my aunt was revealed, she could not overcome it. So it was said.
Though the family had tried to conceal my aunt’s fate to spare her the anguish, she had ultimately discovered the truth.
Though she passed away then, the Baek Li Family was engaged in battle against Demonic Cult members while leading the Baek Geom Unit, making it impossible to conduct a proper funeral at that time.
Only after the Baek Li Pae-hyuk returned was a proper funeral ceremony held. So it was said.
The funeral was reportedly grand and lavish. Nearly everyone in the city had come to pay their respects.
And I, lost in unconsciousness, had been removed from all of it. In truth, I was relieved. There was no need to feign sorrow. Not a single tear would have fallen.
She had never considered me her granddaughter, and I had never considered her my grandmother.
A granddaughter of unknown origins brought by a son born of a concubine. I understood well enough that affection between us was impossible.
Of course. Who could blame her? Anyone capable of such restraint would be remarkable.
But it should have ended there. The moment my aunt’s actions were condoned and concealed, he and I became strangers to each other.
And even as she departed this world, my grandmother made certain to hurl one final insult before she went.
The martial artists and servants standing guard before the Blue Hall of the Baek Li Estate startled visibly at the sight of me.
I gestured for their silence and pushed past them, shoving the Blue Hall doors open with force. They swung wide with a thunderous sound.
The figure in the center of the hall turned and cried out.
“Who is it!”
“It’s me.”
Both Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak, who had shouted, stared at me with wide eyes.
“It’s been a while.”
They were here because of my grandmother’s funeral.
Though my grandfather had banished them from the family, he did not prevent them from attending my grandmother’s funeral rites.
Baek Li Pyo bellowed.
“What gives you the right to intrude here!”
I let out a soft laugh and surveyed the Blue Hall. Quite a number of people had gathered.
The central seat of honor stood empty, and before it stood my uncle and my aunt, her complexion pallid.
Beside them stood Baek Li-myeong and his wife, then Baek Li-ri in turn. Baek Li-myeong wore an expression of relief, while Baek Li-ri pouted and avoided my gaze.
Among those present were also collateral relatives and several influential figures of the family.
“Was it improper for me to enter?”
Jang Vice-Commander, foremost among the family’s influential members, spoke with a smiling face.
“Of course not, young lady. Do come in. I heard you had made a full recovery. Your complexion has improved considerably. What a relief it is.”
“It’s been a long time, Jang Vice-Commander.”
“I should have informed you beforehand, but since you seemed unwell, I refrained from contacting you. My apologies. Now that I think of it, we seem to lack a seat.”
Jang Vice-Commander gestured to a servant.
As the servant brought a chair, the collateral relatives and influential members offered me their greetings one by one.
“I heard of your exploits. Did you truly defeat him yourself?”
“Congratulations on your recovery. Perhaps we could share tea sometime….”
Soon after, the servant placed a chair—from who knows where—in the front row beside my uncle, directly before my grandfather’s vacant seat.
It was an unmistakably prominent position and honor.
I passed by Baek Li Pyo and So U-ak, then Baek Li-ri and Baek Li-myeong, and my uncle, taking my place in that seat.
I spotted a few members of the So Family—my uncle’s side—in a corner. It had been so long, and their shabby attire made recognition come slowly.
“I’ve heard the circumstances. It’s a tragic matter. I know how carefully my uncle looked after my grandmother.”
My grandmother had left a will bequeathing all her wealth to the Twin Cousins.
In other words, she had transferred her entire inheritance to them.
‘Truly a formidable woman.’
The Twin Cousins, having somehow learned of the will, were now demanding the inheritance be handed over according to my grandmother’s wishes.
After my aunt and the Twin Cousins were expelled, it was my uncle and aunt who cared for my grandmother until her passing.
Yet she transferred her entire fortune to the Twin Cousins, leaving them behind.
‘Perfect grounds for fury.’
And that seemingly mad testament had its own rationale—it was meant to bring the Twin Cousins back into the family fold.
If Uncle wanted Grandmother’s inheritance, the implication was that he should readmit the Twin Cousins—those whom Grandfather had cast out of the family.
“But if it becomes known that we ignore Grandmother’s will over a mere pittance of an inheritance, how much of a laughingstock would we become?”
Uncle and Baek Li-myeong’s eyes widened.
It was absolutely not a pittance.
“What did Grandfather say about this?”
“He said nothing.”
Grandmother’s personal fortune belonged to her alone, not the Baek Li Family, so theoretically she could bequeath it to whomever she wished.
And Grandfather’s silence meant he had no intention of interfering.
“If you understand, then stop meddling where you don’t belong! This has nothing to do with you!”
His eyes, burning with jealousy, looked ready to tear me apart on the spot.
“Brother, do you know what happened with Aunt at the Murim Alliance Headquarters?”
“What of it!”
So U-ak hastily tried to calm Baek Li Pyo as he spoke.
“I’ve heard the rumors. However, what Mother did is unrelated to us. Who could have known she would do such a thing?”
I let out a hollow laugh.
The others in the Blue Hall wore expressions of mockery as well.
“So you don’t care what Aunt did, but you still want to receive Grandmother’s inheritance as her children?”
“….”
“What does my mother’s recklessness have to do with me!”
So U-ak at least had the decency to lower his head and fall silent, while Baek Li Pyo continued shouting with his face flushed.
‘Fine, stay trash to the end. That suits me just fine.’
I withdrew my gaze from the Twin Cousins and looked toward the assembly.
“Everyone here knows that Grandmother’s illness had progressed to the point where she could barely recognize people. Following a will made in such a condition seems unreasonable.”
“You! What nonsense are you spouting!”
“Moreover, Aunt became a spy for the Demonic Cult, and her sinister techniques have claimed more than one victim. Yet you would entrust Grandmother’s fortune to her children? Will the world not question our judgment?”
“Baek Li-yeon!”
Baek Li Pyo shot to his feet as if to charge at me, but ultimately did not.
Why? Because he clearly could not defeat me.
All he could manage was to shout.
“If we hand all the inheritance to my two brothers and it flows to the Demonic Cult, who will take responsibility?”
“….”
“Nonsense! All nonsense! Why would I ally with the Demonic Cult! It was you, wasn’t it! You dare speak of the Demonic Cult when you carry the bloodline of the Heavenly Demon!”
I laughed briefly.
“Brother, moments ago you said Mother’s recklessness had nothing to do with you?”
“…!”
I laughed at him, rendered speechless.
“And the Heavenly Demon is dead. I killed him.”
A brief silence swept through the Blue Hall, followed by gasps.
“Heavens!”
“So the rumors were true!”
“How is this even possible?”
“If the young lady brought down the Heavenly Demon, then among the Top Eleven Masters of the World….”
Rumors had spread here and there, but nothing was certain.
Father kept his mouth firmly shut, and the witnesses from that time had tried their best to keep my involvement a secret. Today was the first time I had acknowledged it myself.
“I understand that grievance very well. My older brothers might feel wronged too.”
At my words, Baek Li Pyo wore a dumbfounded expression, while So U-ak’s face grew cautious.
I clapped my hands together and continued.
“Then how about this? Why don’t my older brothers strike at the Demonic Cult directly? Bring back a head equivalent to the Heavenly Demon. The Right Envoy, or the Grand Commander, or perhaps the First Prince? What do you think?”
Baek Li Pyo trembled visibly.
“Until then, it would be best if Uncle took responsibility and helped my older brothers live without inconvenience.”

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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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