The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 49
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 49
* * *
A few days later, I set out for the Namgung Clan alongside some of their people.
In the past, I had met Man Shin-ui and journeyed to the Namgung Clan as well. The Namgung Clan—the seat of power of this world’s protagonist, Namgung Ryu-cheong.
‘Though Namgung Ryu-cheong isn’t at the Namgung Clan right now, anyway.’
He was staying at his maternal grandfather’s house with his biological mother. Even though my departure to the Namgung Clan was delayed by autumn compared to my previous timeline, nothing had changed. Namgung Ryu-cheong wouldn’t return until after I had already gone back to the Baek Li Estate.
Even with a two-month delay before heading to the Namgung Clan, this was still a period when Namgung Ryu-cheong would be staying at his maternal grandfather’s house. I had first laid eyes on Namgung Ryu-cheong much later than this—at my father’s funeral.
With my eyes closed, I suddenly recalled something.
‘Come to think of it, I’m not getting motion sickness.’
Given my vision problems, I would have expected it to be worse, yet my body felt remarkably well. All those precious elixirs I’d consumed in the Meditation Chamber had proven their worth.
When I opened my eyes, my gaze met Yalyu’s, who had been watching me. It had been a long time since we’d faced each other directly. Inside the carriage with its windows shut and cloth coverings drawn, it remained dark even in broad daylight, so removing my eye bandage posed no problem.
Yalyu suddenly spoke.
“Why didn’t you bring her along?”
“Her?”
“The mute girl.”
“Ah, So Nok?”
I furrowed my brow slightly as I answered.
“Isn’t that obvious? It’s dangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
“The Baek Li Family is a martial clan. There’s no need to drag an ordinary person into something like this.”
Man Shin-ui wouldn’t wish for it either. In a few years, the Martial Arts Tournament would take place, and at that point, it would be nearly impossible to guarantee anyone’s safety.
It was better for her to live a life untouched by the Martial World. And most importantly, I had no desire to be responsible for anyone.
‘I can barely manage my own path forward.’
Then Yalyu asked.
“But you brought me along, didn’t you?”
“My father brought you, not me.”
….
Yalyu’s expression showed clear displeasure.
Had he already forgotten? Surely he hadn’t already abandoned his gratitude toward my father?
I narrowed my eyes, studying Yalyu, when a certain fact suddenly came to mind.
“Ah, that’s right. I should tell you about this.”
If my father were here, I couldn’t speak of such things.
“My position within the Baek Li Family… isn’t particularly favorable.”
I continued my explanation to the bewildered Yalyu.
“The people from the Namgung Clan here treat me kindly and show me consideration, but when we arrive at the Baek Li Family, the atmosphere will be quite different. Keep that in mind.”
* * *
Baek Li Family Estate.
An elderly woman’s voice emanated from the residence quarters of the Baek Li Family matriarch.
“Yes. As soon as I received your letter, I had preparations begun. Go and verify it yourself.”
“Thank you.”
Baek Li-ui-muk, standing beside the elderly lady, furrowed his brows slightly as he spoke.
“What about your separate unit, the Baek Ho Dan? Why not use them for the search?”
“The Baek Ho Dan are not my people—they belong to the Murim Alliance. I cannot use them for my personal interests.”
Baek Li-ui-gang held the position of commander of the Baek Ho Dan, a separate unit under the Murim Alliance. Though he had stepped away temporarily, there had been no major disturbances recently, so there were no complications.
After a brief silence, Baek Li-ui-gang continued.
“Besides, they are far away.”
The main headquarters of the Murim Alliance, where the Baek Ho Dan was stationed, lay farther from Palgwae Village than the Baek Li Estate. Had it been otherwise, Baek Li-ui-gang mused with self-deprecation, he might have considered using them.
Baek Li-ui-muk clicked his tongue and asked.
“But Palgwae Village? I heard you were going to the Namgung Clan—why did you suddenly go there instead?”
“….”
When Baek Li-ui-gang offered no answer, Baek Li-ui-muk struck the table.
“Surely we deserve to know the reason? Why did you go all the way to such a remote village and meet with disaster? Yeon is your daughter, but she is also my niece, is she not?”
“…That is not merely my affair. I cannot speak of it.”
“Ha!”
“Yeon belongs to the Baek Li Family! Not merely your affair?”
“Ui-muk.”
The elderly lady called his name as if to restrain him, and Baek Li-ui-muk huffed before turning his head away.
The elderly lady spoke.
“Very well. Go now. If you need anything further, you may speak of it then.”
“I shall take my leave.”
Rising at the dismissal, Baek Li-ui-gang turned back to face the elderly lady as he left the chamber.
The elderly lady asked.
“Is there something more you wish to say?”
“…Does Father know about Yeon’s situation?”
“The Patriarch has entered closed-door cultivation. Once he does, you know as well as I do that he remains in seclusion for well over a month.”
“….”
That was usually the case. Yet when grave matters befell the family, word was sometimes conveyed despite the breach of protocol. The Family Head could not completely sever his connection even during closed-door cultivation.
This had been deliberately left unreported.
Because it was deemed unimportant.
“…What does Deputy Manager Jang say?”
The elderly lady, who had been lifting her teacup, furrowed her brow.
At that expression, Baek Li-ui-muk, standing nearby, quickly interjected.
“Why would you need to know that? Deputy Manager Jang is busy with his own duties.”
“….”
“You’re unusually talkative today. Your mother is tired, so go now.”
“…I shall take my leave.”
As Baek Li-ui-gang walked away from the elderly lady’s residence, his footsteps halted before a shadow blocking his path.
It was Baek Li-ui-ran, dressed in a vibrant crimson skirt embroidered with plum blossoms and a yellow jacket.
Upon seeing her, Baek Li-ui-gang lowered his head and was about to pass when—
“So now you won’t even acknowledge me?”
Baek Li-ui-ran seized upon the matter with sudden intensity. Baek Li-ui-gang, who had hesitated, turned back and offered a proper greeting.
“It has been a long time, Sister.”
“I came looking for you because I had something to say now that you’ve returned, but if you won’t even pretend to see me, won’t that be hurtful? Why do you make me out to be the villain?”
Baek Li-ui-gang merely regarded Baek Li-ui-ran with a quiet gaze.
When their eyes met, Baek Li-ui-ran, who had unconsciously averted her gaze, cleared her throat and continued speaking.
“I’m talking about that matter.”
“Pardon?”
“The matter Father mentioned.”
“What are you referring to?”
Baek Li-ui-ran, biting her lip, suddenly raised her voice.
“That’s why! The matter Father said—whether I leave the house or Baek Li Pyo goes to Gogye Hermitage!”
“Ah.”
Baek Li-ui-gang’s expression took on the look of someone belatedly recalling such an affair. At that sight, Baek Li-ui-ran twisted the handkerchief she held in her hands.
She had endured such humiliation over this matter, yet the very person who had created this situation had forgotten about it so comfortably!
“So I sent Baek Li Pyo and Ak-i to Gogye Hermitage.”
Baek Li-ui-gang gazed quietly at Baek Li-ui-ran.
Baek Li-ui-ran, who had unconsciously traced her lips, spoke.
“But seeing the recent events, I’ve grown so worried that my sons might meet with an accident at Gogye Hermitage that I cannot sleep.”
“….”
“What if my children suffer an accident like that child Baek Li-yeon? I could not bear to live.”
“…What is it you wish to say?”
“So I’ve given it much thought—wouldn’t it be good if you spoke to Father? To ask him to let Baek Li Pyo and Ak-i return because you’re worried about them?”
Baek Li Pae-hyuk had entered closed-door cultivation upon hearing Baek Li-ui-ran’s choice to send So U-ak and Baek Li Pyo to Gogye Hermitage, telling her to do as she pleased.
And he had made it clear that he would not tolerate it if she brought up the matter of the two children to him again.
It was only natural that Baek Li-ui-ran’s plan—to pretend to comply and send them to Gogye Hermitage, then have them return immediately—had fallen apart.
With him forbidding her from even mentioning it, she could not ask when he would permit the children to return.
Baek Li-ui-ran lifted her chin and spoke.
“And now that child Baek Li-yeon is gone, there’s no reason for my children to remain at Gogye Hermitage, is there?”
Baek Li-ui-gang’s expression froze coldly.
Baek Li-ui-ran continued speaking with composure.
“Isn’t that right? If you simply agree, Father would have no reason to be angry, would he?”
“That is not a matter of my agreement or disagreement.”
“What kind of answer is that? Are you refusing?”
“I shall take my leave.”
Baek Li-ui-gang, rubbing the space between his brows, pushed past Baek Li-ui-ran who stood blocking his way.
“Young Miss!”
The attendants hurriedly caught Baek Li-ui-ran. Supported by the attendants, Baek Li-ui-ran let out a sharp cry.
“Have you lost your mind! Did you just push me? Stand there!”
But Baek Li-ui-gang did not turn back.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————