The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 314

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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: Chapter 8
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After the battle concluded, we decided to rest at a nearby rural farmhouse.
However, the small village couldn’t accommodate a hundred sword-wielders, and their presence would have been far too threatening to the farmers. So those without injuries established a camp in an open field some distance from the village.
The warriors of the Baek Li Family who had been surrounding the fleeing Demonic Cult remnants arrived one by one, and Namgung Wan and Baek Li-ui-gang received reports from within the borrowed farmhouse.
“Six dead, three critically wounded, and twenty-four lightly injured. All personnel have returned, and treatment for even the lightly wounded is complete.”
“We purchased provisions from the village women, and they’ve offered to help prepare meals for a small additional payment. It’s nearly mealtime—what would you like us to do?”
“On the Demonic Cult side, four prisoners died from their wounds, bringing the final prisoner count to thirty-five. We found an unused empty warehouse at the farmhouse and borrowed it to hold them.”
“We’ve examined Cheon-ma’s treasure alongside the Muyang Escort Agency representative, but several items are missing. They were likely taken by the fleeing Demonic Cult members during the battle.”
The moment the reporting officer left the room, Shim Ji-pyeong, Namgung Wan’s aide, pushed open the creaking door and entered.
“So Ga-ju, we’ve just captured a spy from the Muyang Escort Agency.”
Namgung Wan set down his brush and asked.
“As expected, there was one. Who is it?”
“A Pyo Sa named Wang Jang-go. He’s worked for the Muyang Escort Agency for over twenty years and was essentially the right hand of Hak Jin-pyeong, the lord of the Muyang Escort Agency. Apparently, he’s been continuously leaving traces for the Demonic Cult members.”
“Was he originally a Demonic Cult member?”
“That doesn’t appear to be the case. It seems he recently had debt problems from gambling. I’ll investigate further.”
“Do that. Continue the investigation. Find the contact who approached Wang Jang-go as well. If Lord Hak tries to shield his own people, investigate him too. These pathetic worms daring to—”
Before I could stop myself, harsh words spilled out, and Namgung Wan reflexively glanced at Baek Li-ui-gang.
Baek Li-ui-gang, who would normally have made a quip about my tone, wore a contemplative expression instead.
“Ui-gang?”
Baek Li-ui-gang picked up an unfinished piece of silk lying on the table and spoke.
“Shouldn’t we also investigate how the Muyang Escort Agency came into possession of Cheon-ma’s treasure?”
“Indeed.”
The silk fragment in Baek Li-ui-gang’s hand was in terrible condition, barely recognizable as its original form.
Reduced to about thirty percent of its original size, the silk was riddled with holes and covered in soot, making the writing completely illegible.
Baek Li-ui-gang gestured with the silk and asked.
“Does no one at the escort agency know anything about this?”
Shim Ji-pyeong answered respectfully.
“No. We inquired about that as well, but found no one with knowledge of it. In fact, Lord Hak claims he never even saw the writing on the silk. We only heard that the young lady asked what script it was, and the young master told her it was Sanskrit.”
“So only Yeon and Ryu-cheong have seen it?”
Namgung Wan stroked his chin and spoke.
“Then restoration would be impossible.”
Baek Li-ui-gang summoned fire in his palm, but this time it wouldn’t ignite at all.
Namgung Wan spoke.
“What are Yeon and that boy doing now? Is he still unable to wake?”
“The young master hasn’t awakened yet, and the young lady is keeping vigil at his side.”
As Namgung Wan waved his hand in acknowledgment, Shim Ji-pyeong left the room.
“Finally, some peace and quiet.”
Baek Li-ui-gang nodded.
“Once we’ve finished tidying up here, what are you planning to do?”
“Well… now that I’ve found Yeon, I should take her back to the family estate.”
“Hmm. Since we’ve come all this way, why not stop by our residence as originally planned?”
Baek Li-ui-gang shook his head.
“There’s far too much to do. I need to arrange a matchmaker, exchange birth charts, select an auspicious date, prepare the bride price… time is running short.”
Just hearing the list made Namgung Wan’s head spin.
“You’re already worried about mountains of tasks. Don’t fret so much. Who would dare criticize the children for bending propriety slightly?”
Baek Li-ui-gang calmly shook his head.
“No. Even if you, I, and they themselves don’t mind, it’s better to observe proper protocols clearly in such matters.”
“Hmm, wisdom born from experience?”
Namgung Wan reflexively jested, then bit his own tongue.
The matter of Baek Li-ui-gang’s… what could one even call her… Baek Li-yeon’s biological mother was all but forbidden between them.
She had been Namgung Wan’s enemy—the Cheon-ma’s daughter—though that was separate from accepting her granddaughter Yeon. It was a subject Baek Li-ui-gang himself had never broached in all these years.
Baek Li-ui-gang regarded Namgung Wan with a troubled expression.
“What is it?”
“Why do you seem to speak more thoughtlessly as time goes on?”
“Now, listen here.”
“But you’re not entirely wrong.”
“…”
“When I first brought Yeon home, I thought only I would face condemnation.”
Baek Li-ui-gang gazed into the distance, his smile bitter.
“But that wasn’t how it turned out.”
“…Ui-gang.”
“It should never have begun that way from the start.”
Namgung Wan, who had been silent, spoke firmly.
“There is nothing more futile than regretting the past that cannot now be undone. Who among us has lived without mistakes?”
Baek Li-ui-gang offered a faint smile and nodded slightly.
At that moment, Shim Ji-pyeong, who had left earlier, returned with news.
“The meal is fully prepared. Shall I have it brought here?”
Namgung Wan nodded in agreement, but called Shim Ji-pyeong back before he could leave.
“Ah, what are Yeon and that boy up to?”
It was a question already answered less than two hours ago. Shim Ji-pyeong spoke in confusion.
“I haven’t checked since the last report. The young master said he would send word once he woke, but since there’s been no message… should I go check again just to be safe?”
“Yes, go check. …No, never mind. I’ll go myself.”
As Namgung Wan rose, Shim Ji-pyeong’s expression grew flustered.
“You, sir? Perhaps it would be better to scold the young master after his body has fully recovered…”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Ah, am I mistaken?”
Though Shim Ji-pyeong had expected a sharp rebuke, Namgung Wan merely clicked his tongue and continued.
“Yeon must be exhausted from tending to Ryu-cheong. I’ll go see her face, offer some comfort, and perhaps share a meal together. Bring the food there as well. And bring Yeon’s portion too.”
“Ah, I see! An excellent idea, sir!”
“Well, as the Family Head, it’s only proper that I offer comfort.”
“You speak wisely.”
Shim Ji-pyeong nodded eagerly like a woodpecker.
Baek Li-ui-gang, who had been watching, interjected.
“Why are you stepping in when I’m the father?”
“Because you’re being so indifferent, I have to take care of it.”
“When was I indifferent? I was planning to have a meal with Yeon too.”
“Then come along.”
“You’re the one who should be following me.”
Shim Ji-pyeong quickly lowered his head to hide his expression at the childish quarrel between two martial masters well past forty.
By rights, both of them should still be quite angry with each other, yet they seemed to have completely forgotten their grievances. It was a fortunate turn of events.
Shim Ji-pyeong, having composed himself, spoke.
“I’ll have meals prepared for three. Please go ahead.”
Namgung Wan brushed off his robes and said curtly.
“Ah, and finish up the remaining reports here.”
“Pardon?”
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“Ah, I was hoping to eat as well…”
“You can eat later. Just stay here and mind the office. Someone might come looking for us. And while you’re at it, organize the materials to be sent to Jeon Seo-gu.”
“…”
“What, do you have complaints?”
“None at all.”
Baek Li-ui-gang sighed and shook his head.
“Why do you push your own work onto your aide?”
“That’s what aides are for.”
“…Shim Bu-gwan, you have my sympathies.”
Shim Ji-pyeong smiled wistfully, as if grateful to be understood.
Baek Li-ui-gang spoke.
“I’ll have the meals sent here instead.”
“You truly are the greatest, sir!”
Namgung Wan, who had already left the chamber first, muttered with dissatisfaction.
“Tsk, still not up and about? What dramatics.”
Baek Li-ui-gang seriously agreed with the near-muttered remark.
“Indeed. Isn’t your son rather frail?”
“What?”
Despite criticizing him daily, he was still his own son.
While he didn’t mind insulting him himself, hearing others do it stirred a paternal affection that made him want to defend his boy.
“But he was injured protecting Yeon. That’s too harsh.”
“His only redeeming quality.”
“What? Surely that’s going too far?”
Namgung Wan’s breathing grew rough with what seemed like excitement as he spoke.
“Good heavens. How remarkable. The day has finally come when I say such things to you!”
Baek Li-ui-gang responded with displeasure, his tone accusatory.
“You’re being unreasonable. What exactly is unreasonable about it? If you were in my position, would you have stopped at this? Yeon said she would spend her entire life with her father!”
“Do you intend to let your daughter grow old and die a spinster?”
“If that’s what Yeon wishes, then of course.”
“But she doesn’t wish it.”
As Namgung Wan answered with a cheerful laugh, Baek Li-ui-gang gave him a cold glare.
“Mark my words. The moment I open my eyes, I won’t leave your son alone.”
“Yes, yes. Beat him to death and marry her off, then.”
“You want to make Yeon a widow!”
“Then what do you suggest?”
Soon both men found themselves amused by the absurdity of it all, and they stopped their bickering with hollow laughter.
They arrived shortly at the borrowed farmhouse where Baek Li-yeon and Namgung Ryu-cheong were resting.
Baek Li-ui-gang, coming to a halt, spoke.
“Yeon, I’m coming in.”
….
“Could she be asleep?”
Namgung Wan tilted his head, muttering to himself before his eyes met Baek Li-ui-gang’s.
….
….
They both realized they were thinking the same thing.
Namgung Wan flung the door open with lightning-quick hands. What greeted them was an empty sleeping quarters.
“Baek Li-yeon!”
A furious roar echoed across the heavens.

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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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