The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 346

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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 16
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The mission was not difficult, and it concluded swiftly and cleanly without incident.
However, throughout the entire mission, Namgung Wan did not exchange a single word with Baek Li-ui-gang.
Baek Li-ui-gang, understanding the situation, refrained from approaching me with false familiarity or casual conversation, which suited Namgung Wan perfectly.
After that successful first mission, the two of us undertook several assignments together, and throughout all those missions, we never once spoke to each other.
And then—
‘Is he trying to fight me now?’
All those past thoughts about appreciating his silence and understanding the situation had been completely erased from Namgung Wan’s mind.
“Here is the report.”
After receiving the full mission report from Namgung Wan, Namgung Mu-cheol spoke with a satisfied expression.
“I hear you’ve become quite well-behaved lately. No needless fights, and you’re fulfilling your duties faithfully.”
“….”
Receiving that approving gaze, Namgung Wan’s expression darkened.
Was that true? Now that I thought about it, yes, it was.
Recently, the only ones I had mocked and fought were those Black Gang bastards on missions. The one I disliked most was Baek Li-ui-gang, but since I hadn’t spoken to him at all, there was nothing to fight about.
And now, receiving my father’s praise, I suddenly felt the urge to pick a quarrel with that Baek Li-ui-gang bastard. I didn’t care if it made me a petulant contrarian—I knew myself better than anyone.
Namgung Mu-cheol continued speaking, completely unaware of Namgung Wan’s true thoughts.
“An auspicious date has been set for your sister’s wedding ceremony. Go down to the Main Family Estate first and help with the preparations.”
“What? Already? Why are you sending me so soon?”
“Since you both are pleased with each other, what reason is there to delay further?”
“Still, perhaps we should take our time… Wait, you’re telling me to go first? What about you, Father?”
“I have matters to conclude here. I will make my way down after settling things and timing it properly.”
“Pardon?”
Namgung Wan clenched both fists, doubting his own ears.
Namgung Mu-cheol, who had begun unrolling a scroll as if the business was concluded, lifted his head and looked at Namgung Wan.
“Why aren’t you leaving? Do you have more to say?”
“No! I have nothing more to say.”
Speaking coldly, Namgung Wan swept his robes and left the Alliance Leader’s Chamber without even bowing.
And Shim Ji-pyeong, the attendant warrior waiting outside the pavilion, held his breath upon seeing Namgung Wan’s expression as he emerged.
Shim Ji-pyeong had grown up alongside Namgung Wan, trained with him, and had served him since childhood. He knew very well—that expression was the one that came right before he caused trouble.
Shim Ji-pyeong anxiously followed Namgung Wan’s footsteps. And before they could exit the central area of the headquarters, a voice caught their ears.
“It seems we won’t be going on missions together with that fellow for a while.”
“That fellow?”
“The Namgung Prince.”
“I see. But what about the missions?”
It was Myeong-jin, the foremost disciple of the Huashan Sect’s Sect Leader, and Baek Li-ui-gang.
Myeong-jin spoke.
“Ah, you’ve just returned, so you wouldn’t have heard. It seems the Alliance Leader’s eldest daughter is having her wedding ceremony this time.”
Shim Ji-pyeong held his breath once more.
Shim Ji-pyeong knew all too well that Namgung Wan would have a fit whenever his sister was mentioned—whether the words were praise or criticism.
Namgung Wan, who had paused momentarily, turned his body toward the direction of the voice as if he’d been caught red-handed.
Then a puzzled voice rang out.
“Does the Namgung Prince have a sister?”
In that instant, Namgung Wan’s feet froze.
Shim Ji-pyeong, who had been deliberating whether to intervene, also stopped short, utterly flabbergasted.
What? This fool didn’t know of Namgung Seo, the Namgung Clan’s precious jewel and the celebrated beauty of the Martial World? How dare he?!
The silent figure let out a hollow laugh and spoke.
“You truly knew nothing at all. Perhaps that’s for the best. All those from the great families, including the Namgung Prince, are indulgent, arrogant, and utterly discourteous.”
“I too am a person of a great family.”
“You’re different. Had you not been of the Baek Li Family, my master would have taken you as a disciple—she lamented this quite deeply.”
“The instruction the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal has already bestowed upon me is more than sufficient. I am merely grateful.”
Namgung Wan’s eyebrows shot up.
This bastard had received teachings from the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal?
The Plum Blossom Sword Immortal was a supreme master of the previous generation who, now over a hundred years old, had withdrawn from the secular world and was regarded almost as an immortal sage.
What teachings could he have received from the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal? He felt a twinge of envy—no, more than a twinge.
“And had I not possessed the Baek Li Castle, I would never have met you.”
“Ah… my apologies. I had no intention of bringing shame upon your family.”
After a brief silence, Baek Li-ui-gang spoke again.
“And henceforth, it would be best to refrain from speaking of others in such a manner behind their backs. Their relationships and conduct are not matters for us to judge.”
A sigh escaped, followed by the sound of a tongue clicking.
“There’s no need to speak so kindly of him. It’s already common knowledge that throughout this entire mission, he hasn’t uttered a single word to you!”
“Who said such a thing? That’s not true at all.”
“Hmm? Then all those rumors are lies?”
Namgung Wan himself was bewildered by what was being said. Could he be trying to protect him by lying? If so, that would be utterly ridiculous.
Baek Li-ui-gang continued.
“It’s true I’ve never spoken with the Namgung Prince. But that’s only because there was no need—our thoughts aligned without words.”
…That’s not it. I simply didn’t feel like talking to him because he’s annoying….
Namgung Wan found the situation so absurd that all his fighting spirit evaporated entirely.
The other party seemed equally dumbfounded, maintaining a prolonged silence.
“You have an oddly eccentric side at times.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean it’s admirable. You should treasure that quality.”
Gradually, the footsteps and voice grew distant.
“….”
“….”
Namgung Wan turned to Shim Ji-pyeong and spoke.
“Doesn’t that guy seem a bit off in the head?”
“Ha, ha ha, ha ha.”
“Did you really think I’d let that slide?”
Namgung Wan let out a scoff.
Even if he knew what Baek Li-ui-gang was thinking, he had no intention of speaking first. It felt like he was losing. He absolutely could not lose on this matter.
Namgung Wan was known throughout the world as a stubborn man. Yet the absurdity of it all made him burst into involuntary laughter.
What am I, some kind of Buddha? This is ridiculous.
There were occasionally such people among the martial artists—those who pretended to be virtuous, affected nobility, and preached about righteousness.
Yet the moment their own interests were at stake, they’d abandon their sanctimonious facade and reveal their true, sordid nature. Otherwise, they wouldn’t live long and would die.
After letting out a long, hollow laugh, Namgung Wan’s eyes gleamed as he muttered to himself.
“But then… who was it that spread these rumors?”
Shim Ji-pyeong was startled and grabbed him.
“So, So Ga-ju, if you cause trouble again today, the Family Head will truly be furious. You must return to the clan.”
“I don’t care.”
At that time, Namgung Wan knew nothing of the suspicious circumstances surrounding his grandfather’s and mother’s deaths, nor of the efforts his father had made to uncover the truth and raise him and Namgung Seo safely.
And he did not know that the long rebellion against his father that had begun in adolescence would continue stubbornly until his sister, who had married into the Danmok Family, was murdered by the Demonic Cult, bringing it all to an end.
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After sending his sister off to the unsatisfactory Danmok Family, Namgung Wan threw himself into cultivation to fill the hollow ache in his heart.
He wanted to enter closed-door seclusion, but with his sister gone, there was no one left to handle the clan’s internal affairs, so he could not.
After enduring six months, Namgung Wan eventually fled from the tedious family management and headed back to the Murim Alliance.
“Hey, Namgung Wan! When did you arrive in Muuhan?”
“What does it matter to you?”
“Ha, I thought you’d be stuck at the clan for years, but here you are again so soon.”
“Those wretched elders. Always nagging, do this, do that—I felt like drawing my sword, so I came.”
“Welcome, welcome! Come, come, have a drink!”
Since his sister’s departure, such drinking gatherings had felt dull for a while. After taking a seat for the first time in ages and listening to what had transpired, a name caught his attention.
“Baek Li-ui-gang? What did that refined gentleman do?”
“Ah, it was quite the uproar! You should have seen it yourself!”
So about a month ago, though not one of the Nine Sects, a disciple of a school considered fairly prestigious got thoroughly drunk and beat a low-ranking Maeng-won to death.
However, those present at the time, bound by personal connections, factional relationships, and reluctance to be bothered, refused to testify about the incident.
Though there were suspicious details in the investigation, the matter was nearly concluded as merely an unfortunate accident involving a low-ranking Maeng-won.
That is, unless someone came forward as a witness and, together with the deceased Maeng-won’s grieving family, requested a reinvestigation.
“Baek Li-ui-gang came forward as a witness?”
The other man nodded at Namgung Wan’s question.
“That’s what they say. He testified that he saw that bastard covered in blood near the spot where the Maeng-won died.”
Namgung Wan frowned, still holding his cup.
“…Why would Baek Li-ui-gang do that?”
“Don’t you find it strange too? Those two were quite close, weren’t they?”
“That’s right, that’s right. How much effort did that bastard put into courting Baek Li-ui-gang? We all saw how shamelessly he clung to him.”
“Baek Li-ui-gang probably didn’t know what kind of person he was. His drinking habits were rough, but his reputation had been good until then, hadn’t it?”
Namgung Wan drained his cup.
“Quite the righteous hero, I see. Making an enemy over a mere low-ranking Maeng-won.”
In the end, that sect’s disciple was forced to withdraw from the Kirin Society and hastily returned to the sect headquarters, while the sect offered the victim substantial compensation and a proper apology.
If only the matter had ended there…
But simultaneously, the existence of other martial sect members who had witnessed this incident yet testified falsely came to light, and their reputations suffered greatly.
And reputation was an exceedingly sensitive matter for Jianghu warriors.
“Still, is Baek Li-ui-gang really going to be alright?”
“Wasn’t he the one the Baek Li Family put forward? Could they have been backing him all along?”
Namgung Wan refilled his cup.
“Exactly. Those petty bastards definitely won’t let this slide quietly.”

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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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