The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 5

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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 5
“….”
“….”
No one could offer an answer. How could they?
“Now that I think about it, I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“But isn’t it the Heavenly Life Golden Soul Pill?”
“If it can resurrect the dead, surely it can restore a single dantian.”
“Those are entirely different matters.”
Because no one had ever heard of such a case before.
Opinions clashed. Judging by Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s expression of vindication and Father’s darkened countenance, both of them had clearly wrestled with this dilemma themselves.
The reputation of the Heavenly Life Golden Soul Pill, its magnificence—none of it was false.
‘But restoring someone on the brink of death is entirely different from repairing a shattered dantian.’
Without a dantian, I would never master martial arts for the rest of my life.
Yet was I currently suffering from a terminal illness?
No.
If one thought deeper, everyone could have harbored doubts. But the pill’s legendary reputation had bewitched them all. And….
‘What a strange thing hope is.’
Even knowing the odds were infinitesimal, one cannot abandon it, can one?
“I understand that medicine must be used according to its properties. I have no need for it.”
In the past, Father had ultimately obtained the Heavenly Life Golden Soul Pill from Baek Li Pae-hyuk.
And naturally, he had given it to me to consume. But contrary to Father’s expectations, my dantian did not recover.
‘Of course, the medicine wasn’t entirely ineffective.’
All the internal injuries I sustained when I fell into qi deviation had healed.
My chronic ailments vanished completely. Only the most crucial thing remained unchanged—my shattered dantian.
‘From a Martial World perspective, I’ve merely gone from being sickly trash to healthy trash.’
Why wouldn’t I covet it?
If treatment were possible, I would have desired it most of all. But knowing it was impossible, there was no reason to consume such a precious medicine and earn resentment.
Besides, this pill was something the protagonist of this novel would desperately need later.
‘Since I haven’t consumed it this time, I’ve eliminated one reason to be despised.’
I turned to Father and spoke.
“Father, I’m truly fine. Simply being able to be with you like this is enough for me.”
“….”
Father’s eyes wavered.
The elders and commanders were moved as well, nodding their heads in emotion. The oppressive aura that had been pressing down on me dissipated as if washed away.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk slowly stroked his beard, lost in thought for a moment.
‘Ah… is it finally over?’
I suppressed a cough that threatened to escape, unwilling to break the atmosphere.
Soon, having reached a decision, Baek Li Pae-hyuk spoke to Father.
“Uigang, what are your thoughts, given that Yeon speaks thus?”
Father, whose eyes had been wavering, squeezed them shut and then opened them wide.
Father gazed at the hand I was gripping and offered me a smile—one that seemed tinged with apology.
‘Surely not?’
A chill ran through me in that instant.
Father opened his mouth with measured calm.
“My conviction remains unchanged. If even the faintest glimmer of hope exists, how could I, as a father, abandon it?”
‘Oh, Father!’
This stubborn man!
I truly wanted to leap from where I knelt. Anticipating Grandfather’s thunderous rebuke, I instinctively hunched my shoulders before he could even speak.
But… silence prevailed.
Watching cautiously, I stole a careful glance at Grandfather.
Baek Li Pae-hyuk bore an expression of utter exasperation. Yet he did not appear to be truly angry.
“Stubborn as a mule, the both of you.”
He clicked his tongue, his demeanor suggesting a resigned acceptance—*of course you would do such a thing*.
“Both of you, rise.”
“….”
Father seemed reluctant to stand, as though he intended to remain kneeling until Grandfather surrendered the Heavenly Fate Golden Marriage Pill.
But meeting my eyes, he relented and rose to his feet.
Then he slowly helped me up as well.
Perhaps it was from kneeling for so long?
“Hm?”
As I rose, my head suddenly spun and my vision swam.
I reflexively grasped Father’s sleeve with all my strength.
“Yeon-ah?”
Father’s voice sounded distant, as though muffled by cloth. I tried to assure him I was fine, but only ragged breaths escaped me—no words came. And my face itched unbearably.
I rubbed my face hastily and lowered my hand, only to freeze in horror.
‘…Blood?’
The back of my trembling hand was a vivid crimson.
The moment I saw the blood, my dizziness intensified in an instant.
I felt someone surge to their feet, but I no longer possessed the strength to lift my head.
Through my blurred vision, I saw droplets of blood falling onto the carpet one by one.
‘What have I done?’
Utterly bewildered, I collapsed where I stood.
“Yeon-ah!”
* * *
“Your name is Yeon, written with a single character—is that correct?”
A man in a crimson robe, a pair of swords hanging at his waist.
His only adornment was the jade ornament dangling from his sword hilt, yet an air of nobility emanated from his very bearing.
Even wandering these streets, scavenging scraps to survive, I could tell: this man was not of the Back Alley, and he had no reason whatsoever to take notice of someone like me.
“…Who are you?”
Seized by fear, I retreated cautiously, my eyes darting about to assess my surroundings.
A man crouched before me, lowering his body.
His expression was strained, as though suppressing something, and he extended his hand toward me.
“I’ve come to take you. I’m your… father.”
A large hand, calloused and weathered.
When I grasped that hand, I was terrified at first, then afraid it might be a dream, and finally, I could not hide my excitement.
As I crossed the ornate, towering gate, my spirits soared to their peak.
Now I would have family, a home. At last, sunlight would reach me.
Brimming with anticipation as I crossed the threshold, I was greeted by yellowed wallpaper stained with tobacco and a decrepit sofa shimmering with garish colors.
A massive television incongruous with the shabby dwelling. Cheerful laughter from a variety program spilled forth.
Thud—my heart plummeted.
‘Why… why am I here?’
Crack! My head snapped violently to the side, searing pain flashing through me.
“You think you can run away? How dare you!”
The man who had seized my collar shook me violently.
The acrid stench of alcohol assaulted my nostrils. Green bottles scattered across the floor. I was hurled among them, tumbling alongside the debris.
“After all I’ve done to raise you! Do you understand?”
In that instant, I understood where I was and who this was.
“Ah, Father. Why… why… I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I was wrong.”
Terrified, I gasped for breath and scrambled backward. My foot caught on a bottle rolling across the floor, and I tumbled down hard.
“You ungrateful wretch, daring to abandon your own father…!”
The blow was coming!
I reflexively raised both hands, curling into myself as tightly as possible. As the inescapable shadow descended upon me…
“Gasp!”
I drew a sharp breath and my eyes snapped open.
My stomach churned, my head throbbed with a splitting ache. My entire body was drenched in cold sweat, sticky and repugnant.
‘What was that? A complete nightmare.’
Since my throat was cut and I died, I had never recalled such memories. I couldn’t fathom why I’d suddenly dreamed of such things.
I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, searching my memory.
‘So I received treatment, and Father wasn’t there… I went to the Central Hall and Baek Li Pae-hyuk… ah.’
My last memory was bleeding from my nose in the Central Hall. It seemed I had lost consciousness then.
‘Where am I?’
A wet cloth lay in a basin near the bed, suggesting someone had been tending to me before leaving.
But the room itself was unfamiliar. It bore no comparison to the vivid home of my past life in the dream.
‘This room is quite nice.’
My own Residence Quarter was pleasant enough. After all, it was part of the Baek Li Family.
But one thing was certain: this would be the most austere of the quarters occupied by the direct bloodline of the Baek Li Family.
Yet this room was suffused with the refined and elegant tastes of its owner.
Then, muffled voices drifted from beyond the door.
“When will… fortunately… the Fourth Young Master…
“The Family Head… the Patriarch… the Fourth Young Master…”
I couldn’t make out the words, but I recognized the voices—my father’s and Baek Li Pae-hyuk’s.
I tried to push myself upright, but my arms trembled uncontrollably beneath me.
Then someone strode through the door with heavy, hurried steps.
“Yeon-ah!”
Father rushed to the bedside in a single breath and immediately steadied my back.
“Father, where am I…?”
“Don’t move! How is your body?”
“I’m fine. It’s just… my head throbs a little.”
I’d reflexively said I was fine, but sensing he wouldn’t believe me, I added that my head ached. Yet he offered no response.
“….”
In that prolonged silence, I stole a glance at Father’s expression.
“What on earth were you thinking, coming all the way here!”
Father’s voice erupted in fury.
“Ah, Father?”
“I told you to be so careful…!”
It was the first time Father had raised his voice so loudly.
Startled, I was seized by terror.
My vision blurred, my breath caught, and my mind spun into a void.
No thoughts came to me. I simply spoke on instinct.
“I’m s-sorry, I’m sorry.”
That was when it happened.
“What exactly are you sorry for?”
Another voice interjected.
I turned without thinking and went rigid.
‘Grandfather!’
It was as though someone had dashed cold water across my head—my senses snapped into sharp focus. His piercing gaze bore into me like a blade.

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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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