The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 334

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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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Special Side Story Episode 4
* * *
The morning of the second day.
I pulled myself up, cradling my head. I’d spent the entire night dreaming of the past—of things before my regression.
“Please, just stay still! If you keep moving around trying to do something, it only makes things more complicated. Is it really so difficult to grant me that one request?”
“Ha-ryeong nearly died while I was trying to save you! She still hasn’t regained consciousness!”
The voice, the cry, lingered in my mind, ringing with a persistent ache.
Namgung Ryu-cheong had risen at some point, his hair and clothing meticulously arranged.
“Finally awake.”
“You woke up early.”
“Well, how could I sleep when someone keeps burrowing into my space?”
“What did you say?”
“Never mind.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had been observing me, slightly furrowed his brow and asked.
“Why does your complexion look like that? You should have slept well.”
“Ah, I just had some dreams.”
“What kind of dreams?”
“Things from long ago.”
“Long ago? Your expression looks like you had a nightmare.”
Only then did my mind grow clearer, and I remembered that the man before me was Namgung Ryu-cheong from the past. I waved my hand dismissively, signaling I didn’t want to discuss it further.
At this, Namgung Ryu-cheong’s expression turned visibly displeased, as if something deeply irritated him.
But I, whose spirits had sunk to their depths because of the dream I’d had after so long, didn’t notice. And then came news that sank my mood even further.
Tap, tap, tap.
A peculiar sound came from the window. I rose from the sleeping quarters and moved toward it. As I opened the wooden shutter, the rain had stopped and the sky had cleared to a brilliant blue.
When I extended my hand through the open window, a bird flew over with a flutter and landed on the back of my hand. It was a carrier pigeon sent by Jeggal Hwa-mu. I untied the letter attached to the bird’s leg and examined it, my brow furrowing.
“How troublesome.”
* * *
Murim Alliance Headquarters.
Recently, the Murim Alliance had been experiencing remarkably peaceful days. Yet today, the number of martial artists on the streets differed from usual. Neatly dressed, they seemed to anticipate something with subtle expectation.
The atmosphere was unlike any ordinary day, as if some event were taking place, with an air of anticipation hanging over everything. A street vendor called out to a martial artist he knew.
“Is something happening today?”
“Pardon?”
“Well, you’re all looking around eagerly like you’re searching for something.”
“Ah, was it that obvious?”
“It was. Don’t keep me in suspense—tell me too. Is there an event?”
“Not exactly an event… or should I call it one?”
“Hmm?”
Similar situations were unfolding elsewhere. In one dark alley, children dressed in matching uniforms huddled together.
The children craned their necks, waiting, and when a martial artist emerged from the alley, they rushed toward him shouting “Master!”
The martial artist, dressed in flashy finery like a wealthy nobleman’s son, was startled upon seeing the children and spoke in surprise.
“Hey, you lot! Why aren’t you training? What are you doing here?”
“Master! Master! Is it really true that Baek Li Dae-hyup and Namgung Dae-hyup are coming to the Main Headquarters?”
“How did you all find out about that?”
“Gasp—so it’s really happening?”
He wore a belated expression of regret, then nodded reluctantly.
The children squealed and shouted excitedly among themselves.
“What brings them here?”
“How did this rumor spread? Don’t get your hopes up. They’re just stopping by briefly.”
“Still! They’re the champions of the last tournament!”
“Heroes who defeated Cheon-ma!”
“But they haven’t visited the Murim Alliance Headquarters even once since then!”
The child was right—Baek Li-yeon hadn’t shown her face at the Murim Alliance Headquarters even once since the tournament. As a result, with the Alliance’s reputation already in ruins because of Wi Ji-baek, there was considerable gossip. And now Baek Li-yeon had suddenly announced she would visit the Murim Alliance.
“Master, you said you’re close with the Dae-hyups!”
“Who told you that? We’re just… acquainted.”
“Isn’t that being close?”
“I suppose so.”
Someone asked among the murmuring children.
“So it’s true that you’re going to greet them right now?”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Wow—you must be really close!”
“Can we see them too? Even just a glimpse of their faces from a distance would be wonderful.”
“Take us with you!”
“Master, how did you become close with both of them?”
“….”
At the question, the Master’s face suddenly flushed crimson. The children waited with bright, eager eyes for an answer.
* * *
“Baek Li Dae-hyup, Namgung Dae-hyup, the Vice-Leader has instructed me to welcome you.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s previously composed demeanor turned fierce the moment he confirmed the visitor’s identity.
“You….”
In contrast, Baek Li-yeon spoke with a hint of pleasant surprise.
“Jang Cheol?”
Baek Li-yeon’s eyes brightened as if things had worked out well, and she spoke to the person she’d been conversing with.
“Well then, I should be going.”
“Ahem, in that case. Very well. Next time, let’s definitely share some tea….”
The clingy person retreated at Namgung Ryu-cheong’s sharp gaze, and Baek Li-yeon spoke to Jang Cheol.
“Good timing. Thanks to you, I managed to escape.”
“What were you discussing?”
“He wanted me to attend some gathering. Sigh, that was already the fifth person.”
Baek Li-yeon, looking weary, glanced behind Jang Cheol.
“But who are those children back there? It looks like they followed you.”
Jang Cheol turned around with a slightly flustered expression.
The children who had made eye contact with Baek Li-yeon began squealing and making a commotion. It was mostly things like “Baek Li Dae-hyup saw us!” “My goodness! It really is the Dae-hyup!” and similar exclamations.
Jang Cheol’s face flushed red as he spoke.
“I, well, you said you wanted to see me when you came to pick me up, so I followed along.”
“Me? Why?”
“Why do you ask the obvious? Do you want me to sing your praises out loud?”
Baek Li-yeon, momentarily taken aback, waved her hand toward the children. It was an awkward gesture, but the children didn’t seem to notice at all. They were absolutely delighted.
Baek Li-yeon murmured softly, her ears slightly flushed.
“The children are adorable.”
And Namgung Ryu-cheong gazed at Baek Li-yeon’s expression with evident curiosity.
Baek Li-yeon quickly changed the subject under his piercing gaze.
“Speaking of which, you became a martial arts instructor at the Murim Alliance, didn’t you? Congratulations. Are these children the ones you teach?”
At that, Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had been silent until now, fixed Jang Cheol with a murderous glare.
“That fool is a martial arts instructor?”
Jang Cheol flinched. Namgung Ryu-cheong’s gaze was not merely cold—it carried a hint of killing intent.
Jang Cheol mumbled hesitantly.
“What? You’re the one who told me to apply for it.”
“I did?”
“Y-yes!”
Jang Cheol watched Namgung Ryu-cheong with an anxious heart, wondering why he was suddenly being criticized.
Just then, Baek Li-yeon interjected to lighten the mood.
“Ryu-cheong, stop glaring at Jang Cheol and wave to those children over there.”
Not only did she speak, but Baek Li-yeon directly grabbed Namgung Ryu-cheong’s wrist and waved it for him. The children’s squeals could be heard even from where they stood.
Namgung Ryu-cheong, who had been held in a dazed state for a moment, hastily pulled his hand away.
“Don’t touch my body.”
Baek Li-yeon shrugged and took a step back.
Jang Cheol frowned and whispered toward Baek Li-yeon.
“…Did you two fight?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong rubbed his wrist and spoke sharply.
“Mind your own business.”
…
“Just don’t talk to me. I’m in a very delicate mood right now.”
* * *
The position of Murim Alliance Leader had remained vacant since Wi Ji-baek’s expulsion. The previous Namgung Family Head had briefly led the Murim Alliance as acting leader before stepping down. Since then, the Commander-in-Chief and the Council of Elders had been leading the Murim Alliance.
“Welcome.”
A woman with an enigmatic presence greeted them at the pavilion entrance.
A hint of warmth flickered across Namgung Ryu-cheong’s eyes.
And Baek Li-yeon, who had been observing Namgung Ryu-cheong’s reaction, fixed the corners of her mouth that had been moving of their own accord and opened her mouth to speak.
“I didn’t expect you to come greet us personally, Acting Commander-in-Chief.”
The current Commander-in-Chief was Gongsun Bang, the Gongsun Family Head. However, he was currently recuperating from injuries sustained during the battle at the Heavenly Demon Grand Vault.
At the time, Gongsun Bang had believed his injuries would heal quickly. So he temporarily delegated his duties to Gongsun Wol.
However, the wound that he thought would mend soon refused to heal easily, perhaps due to the peculiar nature of the demonic energy.
Thus, with Gongsun Bang unwilling to relinquish his position as commander and the seat of Murim Alliance Leader remaining vacant, Gongsun Wol’s tenure as acting commander continued to stretch on indefinitely.
“It’s been the first time since the wedding ceremony, hasn’t it? I never expected it would take this long to see you again.”
There was a subtle barb in her words.
“Ha, indeed.”
“I hear you travel extensively and there’s talk of your cooperation ventures, yet you never seem to pass through Muuhan.”
“There aren’t many fond memories there to draw me back.”
….
After a brief silence, Gongsun Wol continued.
“Things have changed considerably now.”
Baek Li-yeon nodded.
“I’ve heard. They say you work with great diligence. And that you do it exceptionally well.”
“I appreciate the praise.”
When Gongsun Wol first assumed her acting role, the reception toward her had been cold.
Though Wi Ji-baek had been driven out, those who followed him remained, attempting to undermine her position. There was even an instance when Wi Ji-baek tried to rebuild his own faction.
I heard she had handled all of this skillfully through various means and continued with reformative initiatives. The former Namgung Family Head had stepped down and refused to reclaim the position of Murim Alliance Leader for precisely this reason.
“If old ghosts continue to occupy their seats, nothing can change.”
As Baek Li-yeon recalled a recent conversation with the former Namgung Family Head, Gongsun Wol spoke to her again.
“But to be honest with you, I’m beginning to feel overwhelmed. The seat of Alliance Leader remains empty, and there are simply too many things I cannot do with only the title of acting commander.”
I waited suspiciously, wondering what she was trying to broach with such words.
“Acting Commander, I must say this is the first time I’ve seen a guest whisked away in such a manner.”
A young man with bright hair walked down the corridor from the opposite direction. Baek Li-yeon’s eyes widened slightly as she broke into a radiant smile.
“Hwa-mu! It’s been so long.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong turned to look at Baek Li-yeon.
One could discern the question in his eyes alone.
“Yes, that’s right. The Jegal Family Head.”
This was the reason they had come to the Murim Alliance Headquarters.
Originally, they had been heading toward the Jegal Clan. However, upon learning that Jeggal Hwa-mu was at the Murim Alliance Headquarters, they had no choice but to alter their route.
Jeggal Hwa-mu, upon seeing Namgung Ryu-cheong, unfurled his fan and covered his mouth.
“Namgung Minor Family Head, I’ve heard the stories. Should I call this a long-awaited reunion?”
….
As Namgung Ryu-cheong, conscious of Gongsun Wol’s presence, remained silent, Jeggal Hwa-mu turned to Baek Li-yeon and leaned his body closer.
“Yeon, it really has been ages. I’ve missed you.”
And before Baek Li-yeon could respond, a hand gripping a sword hilt wedged itself between Jeggal Hwa-mu and Baek Li-yeon.
“What are you doing, clinging to her like that?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong regarded Jeggal Hwa-mu with a cold expression.

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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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