The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 4

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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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Chapter 4
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‘Like Mount Tai itself.’
That was my impression when I first laid eyes on my grandfather.
My grandfather sat upon a tiger skin, draped in lustrous white silk robes adorned with precious jade ornaments.
His sturdy frame radiated an overwhelming presence, his eyes gleaming with sharp intensity. His firm lips betrayed an obstinate nature, while his raised brows conveyed displeasure. His appearance defied his age—well over seventy.
On either side of my grandfather stood the family elders and his long-serving retainers.
My uncle Baek Li-ui-muk was present, as was his son and the family’s eldest heir, Baek Li-myeong. And….
‘Father!’
My eyes widened in shock.
Father was kneeling in the center of the hall.
‘I knew the atmosphere was tense, but I never imagined it would come to this….’
It was far more shocking than what I’d heard from outside, more devastating than anything I’d imagined.
Father’s face was one of utter surprise.
I wanted to rush forward immediately, help him to his feet, and tell him this was unnecessary.
But in that moment.
“Yi-ran, what brings you here?”
My grandfather’s thunderous voice snapped me to attention.
My aunt swallowed hard and forced a smile.
“Well, Father has returned, so naturally I came to pay my respects as a daughter.”
“Respects?”
“Yes. Li-yeon, come greet your grandfather.”
My aunt suddenly pulled me forward. Her intention to redirect my grandfather’s attention was painfully obvious.
I obediently greeted him alongside my aunt.
Once the greeting was finished, my aunt naturally began moving toward my uncle’s side.
But before she could take two steps, my grandfather spoke.
“You’ve seen my face. Now leave.”
“Yes, I—?”
My aunt looked up, startled.
“Did you not hear me?”
“Oh, no. Father, why would you—?”
“Why?”
My grandfather let out a cold laugh, his eyes unwavering as he spoke with icy precision.
“Do you possess the qualifications to enter this hall?”
“Ah, Father.”
“Is that the bearing of one who carries the Baek surname!”
My aunt collapsed to her knees, startled by the thunderous rebuke.
“Father, I was wrong!”
Yet my grandfather merely gazed at her with cold, unforgiving eyes.
My aunt’s complexion grew increasingly pale.
Grandfather despised repeating himself. It was quite famous.
‘Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s second word is the sword.’
Even family members were no exception to this rule.
My aunt looked toward my uncle—grandfather’s eldest son—with a pleading expression. Unable to resist his sister’s desperate gaze, my uncle stepped forward.
“Father, surely by now Li-yeon has realized her mistake.”
“You’re right. Father, I was wrong——”
“Silence!”
But his intervention only made matters worse.
In the end, my aunt bit her lip and rose to her feet.
“I shall withdraw.”
…
…
The atmosphere in the Hall grew heavier and colder than before.
Grandfather’s resolute demeanor made my own heart pound with anxiety.
And I understood clearly: one misspoken word from me would result in the same fate.
I was treading on thin ice.
Then my cousin Baek Li-myeong, attempting to lighten the mood, opened his mouth.
“Are you feeling better? Is it alright for you to be moving about like this?”
“Thank you for your concern. I’ve improved considerably.”
My uncle and cousin enjoyed excellent reputations.
Uncle Baek Li-ui-muk was praised for his benevolent nature and fair handling of affairs, while my cousin Baek Li-myeong, the eldest grandson, was said to be the very image of his father.
My uncle spoke gently.
“Li-yeon, come here.”
I lifted my reluctant feet, weighed down by creeping exhaustion.
Father’s brow furrowed slightly with concern, though he said nothing.
And where I went was not toward my uncle, but to Father’s side.
Everyone regarded me with confusion.
Standing beside Father, I drew a deep breath and lowered myself to my knees.
…!
My uncle’s and cousin’s expressions visibly hardened.
Grandfather, meanwhile, let his eyes gleam with intrigue.
Had I foolishly gone to my uncle’s side instead, Grandfather would have rebuked me harshly.
‘I would have been cast out just like my aunt.’
That was what my uncle and Baek Li-myeong had intended. They wore masks of kindness and benevolence, but their hearts were identical to my aunt’s.
“Li-yeon, what is this—— please, rise at once.”
Father, startled, caught me as I wavered.
My body was already frail; at such a young age, maintaining balance was difficult.
‘I need to end this quickly.’
Moreover, the floor was unforgiving.
Though a thin carpet lay beneath, it was still stone—the cold seeping upward was considerable. Father, well aware of this, looked deeply troubled.
“Wake up this instant! Father, Yeon’s body is still….”
“Silence!”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk cut off his son’s words.
I grasped my father’s hand as though to reassure him, then turned my gaze toward my grandfather.
“Baek Li-yeon, do you know why Ui-gang is kneeling before me?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t? Then why did he kneel?”
I lowered my eyes and swallowed hard before speaking.
“Father told me he never disappointed you before I arrived. This matter is surely my fault as well.”
Several people in the Hall who had actually said such things coughed awkwardly—”Ahem.” “Cough.”—their faces flushed with shame.
Moreover, I was a six-year-old child, thin and small. Everyone could see the sickness etched upon my features as I swayed and knelt, and the guilt in the Hall deepened all the more.
Though it seemed to make no impression on my grandfather whatsoever.
“Ha, you speak well indeed. Very well then, since you’ve come this far, I shall ask you directly.”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk gestured toward the back.
A servant I hadn’t even noticed was there stepped forward, carrying a small box.
‘So that was it.’
That small box was the source of all this commotion.
The servant standing before my grandfather opened it. As a brilliantly lustrous golden ring came into view, exclamations of wonder echoed throughout the Hall.
“…That’s…!”
My grandfather spoke.
“The Heavenly Life Golden Pill.”
It was then that Baek Li-myeong stepped forward.
“Grandfather, Yeon has not been with the family long and may not know what the Heavenly Life Golden Pill is. Allow me to explain it to her.”
Before my grandfather could respond, I answered swiftly.
“Thank you, brother. But that’s not necessary. I’ve heard of it. It’s the medicine that can revive even the dead, isn’t it?”
My grandfather nodded with satisfaction, stroking his beard. Seeing this, Baek Li-myeong concealed his displeasure and spoke.
“…You know well.”
My grandfather gestured for Baek Li-myeong to step back and continued.
“Yes, that’s right. A miraculous medicine that can bring even the dying back to life. The method of creation has been lost, and only a few remain in this world. It is a treasure that cannot be obtained even for a thousand gold pieces.”
The small box closed once more, and my grandfather’s eyes shut for a long moment.
“Fortune has smiled upon us.”
When his eyes opened again, they looked down at me with a chilling gaze.
“Yet Ui-gang asked me for this medicine. To treat you, he said!”
Yes. My father had asked my grandfather for that incomparably precious medicine. Solely to cure me.
To kneel and be humiliated before all these watching eyes….
‘How foolish.’
What was I worth, truly?
As though reading my very thoughts, my grandfather’s voice thundered.
“Do you believe yourself worthy of such a price!”
The menacing aura he deliberately unleashed was so ominous that I could not even bring myself to meet it. Any ordinary child would have trembled with fear and burst into tears.
My father’s arm tensed as though he might step in front of me at any moment.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s voice cut through sharply, demanding and harsh.
“Are you saying you’re worth no more than this Heavenly Luminous Golden Soul Pill?”
I gripped my father’s arm firmly and met Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s gaze directly.
“Yes.”
….
A stunned gasp rippled through those gathered around us.
Baek Li-myeong’s lips curved into a sneer.
My father’s eyes widened slightly at my resolute answer, caught off guard.
I had died twice and learned something invaluable from it.
‘Belittling myself accomplishes nothing.’
When I diminished myself, others only looked down upon me in turn.
‘If I diminish myself, I diminish my father as well.’
And then my father would only suffer more trying to protect me. I hadn’t understood that before.
I continued without hesitation.
“But I don’t need it right now.”
“What?”
“Grandfather, may I ask these people here one question?”
…Go ahead.
With his permission granted, I swept my gaze across them and asked.
“Can the Heavenly Luminous Golden Soul Pill heal my dantian?”

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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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