The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 352

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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 22
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From that day forward, Baek Li-ui-gang and Cheon A-ran began meeting frequently.
In Eon-du’s eyes, Cheon A-ran was truly a peculiar woman. She would typically come seeking out the Young Master, yet somehow she always arrived precisely when he was alone.
And when she did arrive, she wasn’t idle. If Baek Li-ui-gang had work to attend to, she would assist him. Otherwise, she would suggest visiting renowned restaurants or sampling exotic regional delicacies unavailable elsewhere, or occasionally exploring places like the Auction House.
Perhaps it was from following that woman around. Over time, the Young Master—who had previously spent money recklessly without preference, whether he had it or not—began to develop actual tastes and preferences.
“I don’t care much for her.”
Baek Li-ui-gang turned to Eon-du with a slight frown. He seemed inclined to object to the term “her,” but he let it pass and asked instead.
“Why?”
“Well, she only shows up when she needs something, and you have no way to contact her. She just vanishes without a word.”
That woman, Cheon A-ran, had already been out of sight for nearly two months.
“Young Master, have you forgotten how Young Lady Cheon betrayed you before? I’m telling you, something’s suspicious about her.”
“First of all, she doesn’t only come when she needs something. Has she ever asked me for help? No. She said she has her own duties, and she visits when she has free time.”
“Ah, yes.”
“And regarding that Murim Criminal… she said there was a debt of gratitude owed to her master that she had to repay.”
“So she killed him because of that? Who was this master anyway? She won’t tell us. Even Master hasn’t explained it, so I have no idea. How can you trust what she says? Don’t you remember? You and those Huashan Sect Daoists said her swordsmanship was so saturated with killing intent that it was far too dangerous!”
“What matters is the person themselves. If she had intended to harm me, she would have acted then.”
He’s already moved past it! Completely moved past it!
The real reason Eon-du disliked that young lady so intensely was that unlike the Young Master, she… showed absolutely no interest in him whatsoever!
How could that be? A young lady who could see the Young Master’s face and character and simply move on?
She couldn’t be called a woman at all. She clearly had some strange ulterior motive for approaching him.
“Is that truly so?”
“Yes, I’m telling you! Just smell this fragrance and it cures every ailment under heaven! A panacea, you understand? You didn’t come hearing the rumors? Would there be rumors if it didn’t work? If you don’t believe me, then don’t buy it! I’m not selling this at this price normally—I’m doing it because my situation is desperate and yours seems pitiful! Your elderly mother has lung disease, you said? This will cure it, I’m telling you! So, are you buying or not?”
After the Scammer’s voice that had been luring people in, a solemn voice was heard.
“Do not purchase it.”
The people who had been focused on the Scammer turned in surprise and gasped even louder upon seeing the strikingly handsome young man.
“W-who are you? Why are you butting into someone else’s business!”
The Scammer reflexively shrank back at the sight of Baek Li-ui-gang, then shouted upon seeing the customers.
Baek Li-ui-gang picked up the fragrance box the Scammer had been holding and examined it while inhaling the scent. The sight was so picturesque that even passing women stopped in their tracks, their faces flushing as they stole glances.
“It merely contains a potent analgesic that creates the illusion of temporary effectiveness. Continued use would actually harm your body. With that money, you would be better served nourishing yourself and having a Physician prepare proper medicine.”
The Scammer spoke as though bewildered.
“Young Master, it seems you don’t understand how the world works. How could anyone buy medicine with such meager funds?”
“Then how could they buy a panacea with money insufficient for medicine?”
“…”
For a moment, the Scammer was at a loss for words, and a woman was approaching from behind Baek Li-ui-gang.
“Your words have grown quite numerous.”
The Scammer, whose face had flushed as if ready for a lengthy argument, caught sight of the sword at Baek Li-ui-gang’s waist and what appeared to be his companion, then hastily packed up his stall with a snort.
Baek Li-ui-gang bowed slightly to Cheon A-ran in greeting, then handed a pouch to the person he had just prevented from being swindled.
“Take this money and find a Physician.”
“I don’t know where you’re from, young master, but th-thank you so much.”
“You haven’t changed a bit.”
Baek Li-ui-gang, with only the faintest lift at the corners of his mouth, spoke to the Scammer who was attempting to flee.
“Wait.”
“What, what, what! What are you trying to say! A Gangho Warrior oppressing ordinary commoners like this…!”
He bellowed loudly, yet his wavering eyes betrayed his terror.
“Stop peddling that universal panacea.”
“What?”
“These are desperate people.”
The Scammer cried out as if it were absurd.
“What are you saying! That’s the most profitable thing! If they starve to death, will you take responsibility? If you’re going to spout useless nonsense, just give me money instead! Hack, ptui!”
“Instead, I’ll teach you the formula for a fragrance that truly has medicinal effects.”
Having received the therapeutic fragrance formula, the Scammer fled hastily, as though terrified that Baek Li-ui-gang might reclaim it.
Cheon A-ran, who had been watching the entire time, spoke.
“I’d wager he’ll be peddling universal panaceas elsewhere soon enough.”
Eon-du had also been unable to dissuade him during all this time, yet had harbored the same thoughts. What was the point of teaching him if, as Cheon A-ran had said before, it only benefited the Scammer? Thus, without realizing it, I found myself quietly rooting for Cheon A-ran.
Baek Li-ui-gang gazed at the Scammer’s retreating figure and shook his head.
“I know it too.”
Cheon A-ran looked at Baek Li-ui-gang as if asking why he had taught him then.
“But if even those who purchased it believing it to be a universal panacea can experience some benefit, that would suffice.”
“I don’t see why you’d go to such lengths.”
“Does there need to be a reason? I am here, and this is something I can do. If I can help even one person, that alone is enough.”
“….”
“….”
Perhaps it was the midday sun—Eon-du felt as though light itself was radiating from his Young Master.
At that moment, Cheon A-ran spoke.
“Then next time, let’s adjust some of the ingredients. One of the medicinal materials you used is far too expensive for ordinary people to purchase.”
“…Is that so?”
Baek Li-ui-gang, with a slightly embarrassed expression, composed his face before speaking with a faint smile.
“But it’s been a while. Didn’t you say it would be difficult to slip away for some time?”
Oh, did he say that? Well, he doesn’t need to know, but I should inform the Young Master. That must be why the Young Master remained composed even after not seeing him for quite a long period.
Cheon A-ran answered briefly.
“Time opened up.”
“If it’s difficult to slip away, there’s no need to force it.”
“It’s fine. There’s no way they wouldn’t notice me leaving anyway.”
“Are you certain?”
“Of course. They likely know everything, including our meetings. But I suspect they’re turning a blind eye because they believe it may prove useful someday.”
“….”
I could understand the meaning behind these words.
It meant that Cheon A-ran’s master was allowing this because there might come a day when the connection between Baek Li-ui-gang and Cheon A-ran would be useful. And Baek Li-ui-gang, who had grasped this meaning, smiled faintly.
“How fortunate. I’m not certain I possess such value, but I’m grateful nonetheless. Thanks to that, I can spend time with you like this.”
* * *
As Baek Li-ui-gang accumulated experience, he poured his heart into every task, from the smallest to the grandest, and his reputation grew with each passing day.
And at last, he claimed victory at the Greatest Martial Arts Tournament Under Heaven, earning even a summons to return from the proud clan that had never contacted the Young Master after his departure.
“What’s this? Why are you alone?”
A slender, handsome young man with an arrogant bearing leaped down from his horse. Eon-du spoke in surprise.
“Namgung Prince? What brings you here?”
“My sister gave me this and told me to share it with Ui-gang.”
Namgung Wan held up something that clashed entirely with his refined and elegant appearance, his face twisted in annoyance.
“Is that… a watermelon…?”
“Exactly. Why would she insist on sharing a watermelon? Take it.”
“Oof!”
Eon-du barely caught the watermelon that flew toward him.
“You can’t just throw a watermelon at someone!”
“You caught it, didn’t you?”
Eon-du grumbled to himself for a moment before speaking.
“But if your sister is nearby, is the Danmok Family in this area?”
Eon-du had seen the Danmok Lady, Namgung Wan’s sister, only once, and she had been so kind and gracious even to a mere servant like him that he found himself wondering if Namgung Wan was perhaps lying about having such a sister.
“They’re right next door. And you’ve been following Baek Li-ui-gang around without even knowing that?”
“How would I know such things?”
“Unbelievable. You’re telling me a personal mission can be handled with just one dimwitted servant? Never mind—where did Ui-gang go? Why are you here alone?”
“The Young Master stepped out for a moment. But wait—how did you know the Young Master received a personal mission from the Martial Arts Alliance? Isn’t that classified?”
“If you’re so bothered, why don’t you become the Alliance Leader’s son yourself?”
“My parents passed away long ago.”
“…This bastard Baek Li-ui-gang—where the hell did he go when I came all this way!”
Namgung Wan suddenly burst out shouting and strode away.
Eon-du hurried after him, saying “If you wait here, he’ll return soon…” when Namgung Wan suddenly clamped his hand over Eon-du’s mouth and pulled him behind the bushes.
Eon-du, bewildered and confused, followed Namgung Wan’s gaze and looked at him with an absurd expression. There, walking slowly toward them, were two figures in stark contrast—one white, one black. It was Baek Li-ui-gang and Cheon A-ran.
Namgung Wan let out a hollow laugh with an incredulous expression and muttered.
“Baek Li-ui-gang has a woman?”
Eon-du, finally freed from the hand covering his mouth, whispered softly.
“A woman? No, she’s just an acquaintance, just an acquaintance.”
Namgung Wan paid no attention to Eon-du’s defense.
“So the quiet cat climbs onto the hearth first, does it? Ha, unbelievable!”
“That saying is a bit…”
And before Eon-du could finish, Namgung Wan leaped out in front of Baek Li-ui-gang.
“Hey there, Ui-gang. Quite the view from here, isn’t it?”
“Wan? What brings you to this place?”
“Before that, shouldn’t you introduce me to this lovely young lady? Who might she be?”
“When did you start talking like some libertine? This is Namgung Wan of the Namgung Clan. And this is…”

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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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