The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 54

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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 54
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I recalled the first time I had encountered Namgung Ryu-cheong.
It was at the Baek Li Estate, where my father’s funeral was being held. I had just awakened from fainting, and realizing I was trapped in a novel’s world, I was consumed by confusion.
Fortunately, everyone assumed my distraction was due to grief. And it was before the Family Shrine, where my father’s coffin had been placed, that I met him.
A young man with a face as finely carved as jade stood there, his eyes vacant. When he saw me, tears streamed down his pallid cheeks as he blinked his long, tear-dampened lashes.
“Are you Baek Li-yeon, Miss?”
That was my first meeting with Namgung Ryu-cheong.
‘Now only I remember that moment.’
Unlike the Namgung Ryu-cheong of that time, who had been at the tail end of his growth, the one before me now appeared far more youthful and fresh.
Yet his expression—cold and dripping with arrogance—made him seem far older than his years. From his face alone, I could tell he found this gathering utterly tedious.
Beside Namgung Ryu-cheong stood Seo Ha-ryeong, her eyes brimming with curiosity as she regarded me. I exchanged greetings with Namgung Mu-cheol first, proceeding in order.
So Bu-in stepped forward and spoke.
“This is the first time we’ve met, Miss Baek Li-yeon. This is my son, Namgung Ryu-cheong.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong greeted me with his eyes downcast, not even meeting my gaze. Namgung Wan glared at him with a terrifying expression, but he remained unmoved.
“….”
A mellifluous voice cut through the awkward atmosphere.
“Since Miss Baek Li-yeon mentioned her eyes were sensitive to light, we’ve dimmed the illumination as much as possible. I hope the journey here wasn’t too bright for your eyes.”
Typically, when gatherings were held after sunset, the surroundings would be brilliantly lit. In this world without electric lights, the ability to illuminate one’s surroundings even at night was a symbol of wealth.
Yet from the journey here through the interior of the pavilion, the lamplight had been so subdued that I felt it slightly dim.
“It wasn’t inconvenient at all! Thank you for your consideration.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
So Bu-in personally guided me to my seat and continued speaking.
“I’ve prepared everything with utmost care, but I’m uncertain whether the food will suit your palate.”
“Last night’s meal was delicious. I’m looking forward to tonight as well.”
I had anticipated Namgung Ryu-cheong’s behavior, so I wasn’t particularly bothered by it. So Bu-in, who had been regarding me with subtle curiosity, gently patted my head before leaving.
Namgung Wan spoke to me.
“Did you rest well last night?”
It was an ordinary courtesy question.
From this, I could confirm something.
‘Namgung Wan doesn’t know that the Heavenly Mountain Sage visited me.’
Had he known, he would never ask so casually.
I smiled brightly and replied.
“Yes, I rested well. Did you sleep soundly too, sir?”
“It’s my own home—of course I did.”
At my response, Namgung Mu-cheol smiled faintly.
I found it slightly odd but soon forgot his reaction as the conversation continued. As we exchanged light pleasantries, servants brought out dishes in succession.
Seo Ha-ryeong, who had shown keen interest since I sat beside her, opened her mouth.
“Your father is really the Baek Li Great Hero?”
“That’s right.”
“Wow!”
I had witnessed this kind of question and reaction countless times before.
‘Still, even though the Suhyang Sect is quite far from the Baek Li Estate, it’s surprising she would know about Father.’
Seo Ha-ryeong was a child brimming with curiosity. After she had been chattering away about this and that for quite some time, she suddenly asked as if something had just occurred to her.
“Oh, that’s right. What about that person yesterday? He was so frightening.”
“That person? Oh, you mean Yalyu?”
“His name is Yalyu?”
Seo Ha-ryeong’s expression turned sour.
“Why do you keep such a rude servant around? Educate him properly.”
“Oh, he’s not a servant.”
“He’s not? Then why is he with you? Oh, is he a family guard?”
“He’s not a guard either.”
“He’s not? Then what is he?”
“That is….”
At that moment, catching sight of Seo Ha-ryeong’s slightly exposed wrist, I nearly dropped my chopsticks. Her right wrist bore unmistakable bruises in the shape of fingerprints, dark and vivid.
‘No, that madman Yalyu. How hard did he grip her?’
Seo Ha-ryeong pouted and pressed further.
“Why is he with you, then?”
“Well… that is….”
I glanced cautiously at the other members of the Namgung Clan present at the table.
‘If Seo Ha-ryeong were to make an issue of that wound….’
The Namgung Clan members would take an interest in Yalyu, and that would be far from beneficial.
I quickly lowered my head.
“I apologize on his behalf. I’m truly sorry.”
“Huh? What?”
This time, Seo Ha-ryeong’s face showed bewilderment.
“No, I wasn’t asking for an apology….”
Seo Ha-ryeong, rolling her eyes, spoke hesitantly.
“I’m sorry too.”
“Hm?”
“I did peek that day. But! I just thought you were around my age, so I was curious and went to greet you, and the window was open, so… I just ended up seeing it without meaning to. I’m sorry.”
Watching Seo Ha-ryeong lower her head, I felt slightly taken aback.
‘Perhaps she’s a kinder child than I thought.’
Especially considering she hadn’t told anyone about that wound.
Soon after, Seo Ha-ryeong lifted her head and fidgeted with her fingers as she spoke.
“You know, there’s something I’m curious about….”
“What is it? Ask away.”
“Are you really a cripple with no inner strength?”
“….”
Well, calling her a kind child might have been a hasty judgment after all….
At that moment, a gentle voice interjected into our conversation.
“Miss Seo, don’t embarrass Miss Baek Li-yeon.”
“Oh, I apologize.”
“Children are children indeed. Look how quickly you’ve become close.”
At So Bu-in’s words, Namgung Wan glanced at Namgung Ryu-cheong and twisted his lips. Even after that, Seo Ha-ryeong continued to chatter away at me.
And while we conversed, Namgung Ryu-cheong kept his back perfectly straight, never once turning to look at me.
‘So the rumors were true.’
Namgung Ryu-cheong had spent his childhood as an unparalleled prodigy, arrogant in his superiority. He refused to engage with those beneath his level.
As someone crippled in inner strength, I would be less than a stone beneath his feet to Namgung Ryu-cheong. Yet Seo Ha-ryeong, undeterred by his cold responses, occasionally spoke to him just as she had chattered to me.
But conversation requires mutual willingness to sustain itself. Namgung Ryu-cheong answered only in monosyllables, and the dialogue kept breaking apart.
Except for Namgung Ryu-cheong, the atmosphere had been warm and pleasant as the meal drew to a close. Then Namgung Ryu-cheong rose.
So Bu-in hastened to speak.
“Ryu-cheong, won’t you eat more?”
“Mother, I have had enough.”
Namgung Ryu-cheong cupped his fist in salute as he spoke.
“I must return to my training now. Please excuse me.”
Before So Bu-in could even respond, Namgung Ryu-cheong turned and walked out of the pavilion. So Bu-in sighed silently, and I caught Namgung Wan muttering softly, “That boy…”
Namgung Mu-cheol seemed unbothered by the situation, chuckling heartily as he stroked his beard.
“Children never go as one wishes, after all.”
Then Seo Ha-ryeong carefully stood up.
“I should be going too.”
So Bu-in smiled gently and said.
“Of course, dear.”
Everyone’s leaving, then.
I had been thinking that such formal meals must be tedious for children, when Seo Ha-ryeong said to me.
“Come with me.”
“What? Me too?”
“Yes!”
“I’m not sure…”
I turned to Namgung Wan, slightly flustered.
“Go on. All of you go!”
Namgung Wan waved his hand dismissively, interpreting my hesitation however he pleased.
With So Bu-in’s laughter behind us, I was pulled by Seo Ha-ryeong’s hand down the pavilion steps. She grasped me and ran nimbly through the Namgung Clan grounds as though she knew them by heart.
‘Where on earth are we going?’
Just as I thought my breath had reached my throat and I couldn’t run any further, Seo Ha-ryeong finally stopped. I clutched my side and breathed heavily. Running right after eating made me feel as though my ribs would tear.
“Ryu-cheong!”
At Seo Ha-ryeong’s voice, my mind cleared a little. The mystery of where we were running and why we’d stopped was solved at once.
Seo Ha-ryeong, who had rushed up to Namgung Ryu-cheong, asked brightly.
“Where are you going?”
“I told you earlier—I’m going to train.”
“Huh?”
“Is that all you came for?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s precocious tone carried a biting chill.
I heard what appeared to be his attendant speak in a voice no louder than an ant’s, as if trying to dissuade him. “Young master.”
From about ten paces back, I watched their exchange as though observing a theatrical performance.
Flustered, Seo Ha-ryeong hastily opened her mouth.
“No! Come on, forget training and play with us instead!”
“Why would I?”
“Huh? Well… I mean, we have a new friend today, so…”
Namgung Ryu-cheong cut her off with a scoff.
“Who exactly is friends with whom?”
Seo Ha-ryeong bit her lip.
“But So Bu-in said she’d like it if we trained together.”
“We already did that during the day.”
“That was barely half an hour! So let’s train together, or at least have one sparring match…”
As Namgung Ryu-cheong’s irritated sigh escaped, Seo Ha-ryeong’s voice grew smaller and smaller.
“…Why do you dislike it so much?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s brow furrowed.
The expression was strikingly similar to Namgung Wan’s perpetually furrowed countenance.
“Because there’s nothing for me to gain from sparring with you.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“If you don’t understand, never mind.”
“What? Tell me! What are you saying?”
Seo Ha-ryeong grabbed at Namgung Ryu-cheong’s sleeve as he turned to leave.
“Let go.”
“What do you mean?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke as though he resented having to spell it out.
“There’s a difference in our levels.”
“…”
Namgung Ryu-cheong extracted his wrinkled sleeve from Seo Ha-ryeong’s frozen grip. With an annoyed expression, he brushed the creases from the fabric—and in that moment, our eyes met.
Namgung Ryu-cheong clicked his tongue and swept away, his sleeve fluttering behind him. His attendant hurried after him in alarm.

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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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