The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 42

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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 42
* * *
I returned to my chamber cradled in Father’s arms.
The room remained exactly as I had left it—the cold teacup and scattered pastry crumbs replaced by a plate of roasted peanuts that an Employee had brought, along with a potted flowering tree similar to the one in Yalyu’s chamber.
Yet there was something I had not seen before my departure.
“Hm?”
It was wrapped in oil paper, and the sweet fragrance and appearance were distinctly familiar.
Father spoke.
“I thought you would regret dropping it earlier, so I brought you another.”
Wait—Father had gone out to buy confections?
Father seated me and continued.
“I came to give it to you, but you were not in your chamber.”
Father adjusted his robes and sat in the chair across from me.
“Why did that child suddenly come to find you?”
His expression was stern, his tone reproachful. Though outwardly little different from usual, I sensed Father was quite displeased.
I spoke cautiously.
“When I saw him earlier, he appeared injured. I wanted to bring him some salve.”
“Sigh.”
Father exhaled deeply and pressed his eyes closed. The heavy atmosphere made me chew my tongue nervously.
“Henceforth, think twice before you act. What if that child meant to harm you?”
“Yes. I apologize.”
I offered my apology in a small voice.
“I am simply grateful you were not injured.”
Father gently stroked my head to comfort me.
I asked carefully.
“Um… Father, what do you intend to do with Yalyu?”
“I intend to take him with me.”
The answer, unsurprising as it was, made my vision darken.
“Why? Why…?”
“Were you very shocked?”
I nodded without hiding my confusion. Though not to the extent of Namgung Wan, Father’s treatment of a Demonic Cult member was little different from that of other righteous martial artists.
“Since you have already witnessed it, there is no helping it.”
Father tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on empty space.
“When I fought Cheon Gwi-jo in the past, I discovered he had mastered the Demonic Absorption Technique.”
Father looked at me with slight concern and continued.
“Do you know of the Demonic Absorption Technique?”
“Only rumors, I’m afraid.”
Though I had read texts on the Demonic Absorption Technique, I could not say so to Father. He continued his explanation quietly.
“The Demonic Absorption Technique allows one to increase inner strength easily and rapidly. However, the risk of demonic possession is equally high. The easiest way to lower that risk is to drain the vital essence from young children. Children possess pure vital essence with few impurities.”
Father exhaled deeply.
“He kidnapped only the children… to steal their life force.”
Though I had already anticipated this, I feigned shock.
“Life force is the essence of vitality. If it’s stolen…”
As I hesitated, Father spoke with a heavy sigh.
“Yes. They all perished.”
“Then how did Yalyu survive?”
“I don’t know either. But it seems the boy was indeed kidnapped. However, for some reason, Cheon Gwi-jo taught him the Demonic Devouring Technique.”
He had no choice but to learn it. Had he refused, he would have died like the others.
‘And the targets of Yalyu’s Demonic Devouring Technique were likely…’
The children Cheon Gwi-jo had kidnapped. I covered my mouth involuntarily, my expression darkening. He had no choice but to do it to survive. Yet no matter the reason, the Murim Alliance would never condone it.
“If that boy goes to the Murim Alliance headquarters, he will face severe punishment.”
Of course. He had fallen into Evil Person Valley in the past.
Father continued calmly.
“If that boy wishes to live without touching demonic techniques again… I want to help him.”
“…”
I knew it! I just knew this would happen!
Father truly intended to take Yalyu with us. I wanted to pound my frustrated chest, but instead I carefully composed my expression and spoke.
“But Father, I’ve heard that Uncle Namgung Wan despises anyone connected to the Demonic Cult.”
“That’s true.”
“Even if Yalyu learned the technique unwillingly, do you think Uncle Namgung Wan would understand?”
Father’s expression turned bitter.
“That’s precisely what I wanted to tell you. Don’t speak of this to anyone.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yes. Especially, you must keep this secret from Namgung Wan.”
Shocked by Father’s unexpected answer, my mouth fell open.
“But… but what if Uncle Namgung Wan finds out about this later? Won’t he feel betrayed by you?”
“That is something I must bear.”
“…”
Giving Yalyu a chance.
Yes, that was characteristic of Father, and while frustrating and exasperating, I could understand it. But hiding Yalyu from Namgung Wan? That was absolutely not a method Father would choose.
It wasn’t merely staying silent. This was deception, plain and simple. It was betrayal!
Father would have confronted Namgung Wan with the truth, argued if necessary, but he would never resort to such deception.
‘Why?’
Then it dawned on me.
“You’re doing this because of me, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Because you’re worried the schedule might be disrupted, that there might be problems with going to treat me. That’s why, that’s…”
“Yeon.”
Father cut off my words and spoke.
“You need not worry about such things.”
“But…!”
“This is all my fault for failing to properly end Cheon Gwi-jo in the past. So it’s only right that I take responsibility.”
I bit my lip in frustration.
I knew he was rigid in his principles, but this made no sense…!
Father continued with what he had paused on.
“That child is around your age.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve thought countless times about sending that child to the Murim Alliance. But each time, you came to mind. So I had no choice.”
“….”
These words were too cruel.
How could I possibly object when he put it that way…?
* * *
Namgung Wan had spent the entire day searching through the cave and returned to the inn late at night with nothing to show for it. As he ate, Namgung Wan’s brow furrowed.
“Ui-gang really said that? That he’d take that child with him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I wasn’t given an explanation either.”
“…Adding dead weight in a situation like this? Has he lost his mind?”
When Namgung Wan set down his chopsticks with a sharp tap, Shim Bu-gwan quickly refilled his empty cup.
“He’s really fortunate. It didn’t seem like this before. Ever since he got a daughter, he’s become softer than tofu!”
“He does have quite a strong sense of responsibility.”
“Then am I a man without responsibility?”
“Pardon?”
“…?”
“…When Young Master Baek Li-ui-gang returns, I will ask him to reconsider taking that child along.”
“Very well.”
Baek Li-ui-gang was currently visiting Yeongjonmun one last time before his departure.
Namgung Wan shook his head as he spoke.
“I don’t understand why Ui-gang is acting like this. If it’s an orphan, he could simply place them somewhere appropriate. He’s not ignorant of priorities! What on earth is he thinking?”
Namgung Wan stroked his lips in irritation.
“Something feels off.”
“What do you mean?”
“Both the matter of taking the child he found, and the fact that there are no beggars on the streets lately—Ui-gang mentioned that first.”
Had Ui-gang not mentioned it, Namgung Wan would have overlooked it entirely.
“That must be because of Miss Baek Li-yeon.”
“What does she have to do with it?”
“Since Young Master Baek Li-ui-gang barely managed to find Miss Baek Li-yeon wandering the streets as a beggar, he’s naturally reminded of his daughter and paying attention to such things.”
“Ah, that’s right. I remember hearing about that.”
He had completely forgotten. Back then, the child of unknown origin wasn’t a matter of great concern.
Namgung Wan, who had fallen silent, murmured to himself.
“That scrawny child wandered the roads alone? How did she even survive?”
Namgung Wan sighed deeply, then drained his cup in one swift motion.
“Tsk, never mind. Whether Baek Li-ui-gang takes that child or not, let him decide for himself. If she seems to need anything, you see to it appropriately.”
“Understood.”
Even so, Namgung Wan continued tapping his fingers against the table as if something bothered him.
“Is there still something troubling you?”
“Yes. It feels like he’s hiding something.”
“Young Master Baek Li?”
Namgung Wan nodded and rested his chin on his hand.
“He refused to speak about Cheon Gwi-jo in the past, which I found strange. But since it’s already finished business, I let it pass.”
“If Young Master Baek Li chooses not to speak of it… perhaps it’s because there would be no benefit for the Family Head to know? There must be a reason for his silence.”
….
Shim Bu-gwan asked carefully, observing Namgung Wan’s silent gaze.
“What troubles you?”
“I should tell Ui-gang—it seems you wish to become a member of the Baek Li Family.”

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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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