The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 309

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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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Side Story 3
The Demonic Cult’s Downfall
Scattered remnants of the Demonic Cult sowed chaos across the land, while elsewhere, factions clashed fiercely over the territories and interests the Cult had once controlled. The order that had long governed the Martial World was utterly shattered.
And as the Martial World descended into turmoil, it was only natural that the escort agency business—tasked with protecting valuables—flourished.
The Muyang Escort Agency seized this opportunity to expand their operations. They had obtained Cheon-ma’s treasure.
If they successfully transported Cheon-ma’s treasure, the Muyang Escort Agency’s name would become widely known, giving them a decisive edge over their competitors.
But business expansion always carried inherent risks.
The Muyang Escort Agency’s ambush by Demonic Cult remnants on a mountain road was proof of that.
Of course, Hak Jin-pyeong hadn’t told us this directly. He’d only suggested that the cargo was attacked because it appeared to be Cheon-ma’s treasure—everything else was my own deduction.
“What I’m curious about is how the Muyang Escort Agency obtained Cheon-ma’s treasure in the first place.”
“Given that the Murim Alliance hasn’t reacted strongly, it’s probably not a national treasure.”
“I think the same.”
I slipped a peanut into Namgung Ryu-cheong’s mouth as I continued.
“Besides, those Demonic Cult remnants weren’t particularly skilled either. Since we’ve arrived safely at the fortress, the Muyang Escort Agency will either abandon the escort mission or prepare by recruiting additional guards and personnel. We’ve helped them this far—let’s leave tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, already?”
“Yes. The Muyang Escort Agency won’t abandon the mission here. They’ll probably ask for our help. Let’s leave quickly before we get caught up in it.”
The Demonic Cult? I naturally despised them.
Those wretches reclaiming Cheon-ma’s treasure? I certainly didn’t favor that either.
But if I’d intended to keep fighting the Demonic Cult, I would have gone to the Murim Alliance Headquarters or the front lines, not embarked on a leisurely journey like this.
Moreover, once I truly married Namgung Ryu-cheong, considering both our families’ circumstances, I couldn’t imagine when we’d have another opportunity for such carefree travel.
So I didn’t want to invite additional companions into this precious time alone with him.
Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke.
“You seem to know quite a lot about the Muyang Escort Agency.”
“Well…”
“They didn’t seem to know you at all.”
“That makes sense. I sought refuge with them once before.”
“You did? Why?”
Abandoning the Baek Li Estate.
Even without saying it aloud, the implication was clear.
“I left the family after Father passed away, remember?”
“…Right. I remember.”
The day I first revealed my regression to him, by the campfire, I’d told him—that Father had passed and I’d left the family.
As that memory surfaced, someone inevitably came to mind.
Yalyu.
I still hadn’t heard any news of him.
I pushed the thought away and looked at Namgung Ryu-cheong.
Namgung Ryu-cheong continued speaking.
“Why did you leave the Baek Li Estate? Even if the Great Hero had passed away, staying with the family would have been safer. Ah, was it because of your aunt and your twin cousins?”
His thick brows furrowed deeply, as if the mere thought of them irritated him.
“No.”
“Then what?”
“Because of you.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s eyes widened in surprise.
His dark pupils were transparent and clear, yet quiet and profoundly deep.
After recalling memories of my past life at my father’s funeral, I had avoided Namgung Ryu-cheong. I had driven him away coldly, speaking harsh words to keep our paths from crossing when he came seeking me out. But instead of giving up, Namgung Ryu-cheong continued to approach me. It was the complete opposite of how things had been before—I had always been the one chasing after him, while he reluctantly accepted me.
Now that I was the one rejecting him, Namgung Ryu-cheong refused to let me go.
The reversed situation should have made me feel satisfied or even smug, but back then I was simply terrified and afraid.
I knew what kind of future awaited me if I became entangled with Namgung Ryu-cheong.
And now I had come to understand one more reason for my fear.
“I was afraid I would come to love you again.”
Looking at how things had turned out between us, it seemed running away was futile.
“So…”
I began to speak with a light laugh, but stopped short when I looked at Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“Ryu-cheong?”
His reaction was somewhat odd. His face had gone rigid, and he seemed to be suppressing anger with great difficulty.
‘What did I say wrong?’
Reviewing our conversation, I couldn’t find any reason for his reaction.
‘If anything, wasn’t that something he should be happy about?’
It was something I had carefully considered before speaking.
Namgung Ryu-cheong rose from his seat, his face still tense.
“Rest for now. I’ll be back shortly.”
Then he suddenly left the room.
I stared at the door he had exited through with a bewildered expression.
“What’s wrong with him?”
* * *
When I descended to the first floor of the inn, I saw Wang Jang-go, Pyo Sa, and other members of the Muyang Escort Agency eating and drinking.
I exchanged awkward nods with them and took a seat at an empty table by the window.
Beyond the wide-open window, horses and carriages passed by, and people hurried about. The sunset would arrive soon.
At that moment, Hak Jin-pyeong suddenly plopped down across from me and spoke.
“Lady Baek, you’re awake! Have you come down for a meal?”
I nodded.
“Did you sleep well?”
I nodded again.
“That’s a relief. I should have secured a better inn for you, but given the circumstances…”
I waved my hand dismissively.
“Thank you again. If it weren’t for you both, I would have suffered great losses.”
I simply answered with a slight smile.
At that moment, Jeom So-i placed teacups and a teapot before me and Hak Jin-pyeong.
I spoke to Jeom So-i.
I spoke to Jeom So-i.
“One more teacup, please.”
As Jeom So-i placed a teacup in the empty spot, Hak Jin-pyeong interjected.
“The Great Hero Namgung left the inn quite some time ago.”
At the mention of Namgung Ryu-cheong, I couldn’t help but sigh.
“That’s strange. He said he’d rest, but where could he have gone?”
I had come downstairs after waiting and waiting for him to return.
“The lamb and bamboo shoot stir-fry here is quite good, and the chicken noodle soup is decent too. The steamed white perch is also nice.”
“Do you have anything spicy?”
“Ah, I haven’t tried ordering that, so I’m not certain, but it doesn’t seem like they have many spicy dishes.”
“Is that so?”
“You must be from the Hunan region.”
I raised an eyebrow.
Hak Jin-pyeong continued as if making an excuse.
“Well, as an escort agent, I tend to meet people from various regions. Your accent carries the characteristics of Hunan, and people from that region don’t particularly enjoy spicy food, do they?”
Since it wasn’t an unreasonable observation, I simply kept quiet.
But Hak Jin-pyeong showed no sign of remaining silent and spoke again.
“Now that I think about it, both of you are remarkably skilled for your age—what school do you belong to?”
I smiled gently and answered.
“It is our rule to practice without revealing our school affiliation.”
“Ah, I see. I’ve heard there are occasionally sects with such rules.”
No such rule existed, but how would this innkeeper know?
“Won’t you order any food?”
“Since I don’t know when he’ll return, I’ll order once he arrives.”
“Ah, I see. Still, wouldn’t it be better to order first? Since he left quite a while ago and still hasn’t returned, it seems he should be coming back soon. If you order now and he arrives, you can always order again. Don’t worry about the cost—we’ll cover everything.”
I lifted the teacup and moistened my lips.
Hak Jin-pyeong’s attention felt burdensome. Especially since his intentions were so transparent.
Hak Jin-pyeong raised his hand to call Jeom So-i, as if he would place the order himself.
I spoke quickly.
“He should be back soon. Let’s wait a bit longer… Ah, they say even a tiger appears when you speak of it.”
Hak Jin-pyeong, who had been calling Jeom So-i, turned around and stood up abruptly.
“Great Hero Namgung!”
Namgung Ryu-cheong entered the inn and, spotting me seated in front of Hak Jin-pyeong, walked over with heavy strides.
I asked Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“Where did you go?”
“The Beggar Sect.”
“I see.”
He had likely heard about the Murim Alliance situation and reported on the remnants of the Demon Cult in the mountain stronghold.
It was the only information channel available to us, who were deliberately cutting off contact with our families.
Namgung Ryu-cheong set down the bundle he was carrying on the table and sat beside me.
I pointed to the bundle Namgung Ryu-cheong had placed and asked.
“What is this?”
As Namgung Ryu-cheong untied the twine binding the broad leaves, a glistening crimson dish emerged. An intensely spicy aroma wafted through the air, and my mouth watered instantly.
“Stir-fried duck tongue. Eat.”
“Oh!”
I brightened immediately and picked up my chopsticks. The moment it touched my tongue, the pleasant tingle of heat spread through my mouth—utterly satisfying.
“This is delicious. Why did you suddenly buy this?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong regarded me with a puzzled expression instead.
“I thought you’d be craving spicy food. When I asked Jeom So-i, he said this place doesn’t serve spicy dishes.”
“Oh, that’s right! How did you know?”
“You always seek out spicy food after a fight.”
“I do?”
“Yes.”
Did I really search for spicy food after every battle? Now that he mentioned it, perhaps I did. It was a habit I’d never noticed in myself.
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s thoughtfulness warmed my chest, filling it with a soft, pleasant sensation.
I smiled bashfully and spoke.
“…Thank you. Here, try some too.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had been eyeing the dish with reluctance, picked up his chopsticks. But after one bite, he immediately set them down.
“How is it?”
“…Why are you eating this?”
“Doesn’t it taste good?”
“My sense of taste is gone. What flavor am I supposed to feel?”
“Pfft!”
I laughed with my body bent forward, and Jeom So-i, passing by, pretended not to notice.
“Oh, that must have been quite a distance to fetch. How is it? The taste is good, isn’t it?”
“It’s delicious, I’m told.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong gave Jeom So-i a grateful glance.
After Jeom So-i took the order and left, Hak Jin-pyeong, who had been watching us with curious eyes, spoke as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
“What is your relationship, if I may ask? You were using only one guest room, and perhaps…?”
I smiled brightly and replied.
“You’re quite curious, aren’t you?”
“Ah, my apologies.”
Hak Jin-pyeong apologized with a slightly flushed face, yet he didn’t leave and continued speaking.
Hak Jin-pyeong, who had remained seated until we finished our meal, ordered the inn’s most expensive liquor as if he’d been waiting for this opportunity.
“Please, allow us to pay. Drink without hesitation.”
Hak Jin-pyeong filled the cups generously, urging us to drink.
Namgung Ryu-cheong didn’t reach for his cup and opened his mouth instead.
“Hak Jin-pyeong, it seems you have something you wish to say. What is your business?”
“…”
I paused slightly.
Ryu-cheong was direct as always.
To think that the first words I spoke to Hak Jin-pyeong at this dining table were such a request.
Hak Jin-pyeong, who had been about to refill the wine, froze in place. His trembling eyes met ours before he set down the bottle with the resolve of one who had made a decision. Then he opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“I believe you may have already guessed, but I would like to request that both of you great masters accompany us on this escort mission.”
It was exactly as I had anticipated. Hak Jin-pyeong continued.
“We intend to recruit new members to replace Pyo Sa and the fallen guards. However, since our cargo has been exposed, we cannot predict when or how the remnants of the Demonic Cult might strike.”
His throat dry, Hak Jin-pyeong took a sip of tea.
“Of course, I would not ask for your aid without compensation from two masters of such remarkable skill. If there is anything you desire, please tell us. The Muyang Escort Agency will do everything within its power to accommodate your wishes.”
The young man in his early twenties finished speaking in a rush, his tension evident on his face.
Since I had intended to refuse, I felt a faint pang of regret. I was about to retrieve the words I had prepared in advance.
“Your destination is Cheonju, correct?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong suddenly spoke up.
“Yes? Yes! That’s correct.”
“Very well. We shall accept.”
“…!”
Wait, I didn’t expect that?

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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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