The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 58

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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 58
Feeling oddly guilty, I changed the subject.
“I’m going to step out for a moment.”
“Where are you going?”
“To see Seo Ha-ryeong. I promised, so I should go.”
I left the Residence Quarter with my attendant.
Yalyu stood at the entrance of the Residence Quarter as if seeing me off. He looked lonely and forlorn. I had earnestly warned him yesterday not to skip meals while waiting, but I wasn’t sure if he’d actually listen.
‘Father really needs to arrive soon.’
Unable to even leave the Residence Quarter—wasn’t this practically house arrest?
‘At least if I go to the Baek Li Estate….’
Though even there, I’d need to be careful. But it would still be better than the Namgung Clan.
As I walked following my attendant while lost in such thoughts, I sensed two auras emanating from within a building.
With so many people in the Namgung Clan, it was nothing unusual. But one of those auras felt familiar, and it made me pause.
The faint crimson aura was….
‘Namgung Ryu-cheong?’
The other appeared to be an adult woman, but I couldn’t say for certain who she was.
‘Who could it be?’
Generally, most people’s inner energy was extremely faint in color. The magnitude of inner energy varied from person to person, yet they all seemed somewhat similar. Remembering people by their auras was quite difficult.
‘Should I try what I’ve been practicing?’
Just as I had practiced in the carriage on the way here, I absorbed the surrounding auras and heightened my hearing by manipulating my inner energy like I would my own power.
“…Why are you being so persistent about Seo Ha-ryeong…?”
The woman with Namgung Ryu-cheong was So Bu-in. Her usually gentle voice had become strangely sharp.
Then came Namgung Ryu-cheong’s voice.
“Did Seo Ha-ryeong tell Mother about this?”
“Sigh, Ryu-cheong. Why does that matter?”
“But….”
“Enough. I haven’t finished speaking, Ryu-cheong. When you meet Seo Ha-ryeong today, apologize properly and train together with her for at least half a shichen every day from now on. I’ve already told Seo Ha-ryeong about this.”
“Mother!”
“Your father was furious about how you treated Baek Li-yeon yesterday. He was ranting about confiscating your sword and locking you in the Family Shrine immediately—I barely managed to stop him.”
So Namgung Wan had been that angry? He had glared at Namgung Ryu-cheong during the incident yesterday, and it seemed he had been quite enraged afterward.
‘I wasn’t even bothered by it.’
Still, I found myself touching the corners of my mouth that were rising involuntarily.
“Why do you torment such a kind child as Seo Ha-ryeong….”
So Bu-in continued scolding Namgung Ryu-cheong after that. Thinking there was nothing more to hear, I was about to move on when—
A group of young boys and girls in matching training robes appeared from the opposite direction, and someone came running toward me.
“Yeon!”
The force of her embrace nearly knocked me backward.
Seo Ha-ryeong called out toward the back.
“Sa-jeo! This is that friend I told you about!”
“Ha-ryeong! What are you doing! You’ll startle the young lady!”
Those accompanying Seo Ha-ryeong were all trainees sent by the Suhyang Sect to the Namgung Clan for exchange training. Including Seo Ha-ryeong, there were twelve trainees in total, and they all seemed to get along well.
They were all near adolescent age, with Seo Ha-ryeong being notably the youngest.
I hurried to greet them.
“Greetings, I am Baek Li-yeon of the Baek Li Family.”
Several trainees looked at me with curiosity and whispered among themselves. I caught fragments of conversation about the Baek Li Family and my father.
Unpleasant memories surfaced unbidden—the uncomfortable gazes and murmurs that had always followed me.
I bit my lip and barely managed to lift my head. Yet contrary to my expectations, the looks directed at me were nothing but favorable.
‘What?’
Then Seo Ha-ryeong spoke to me.
“Oh! That’s right. Starting today, I’m training with the Young Master Namgung for half a shichen each!”
“Huh? Oh, really?”
Though I’d heard this just moments ago, I feigned surprise. Seo Ha-ryeong seemed delighted, as if she’d completely forgotten yesterday’s events.
‘Judging from Namgung Ryu-cheong’s reaction, it doesn’t seem like a particularly good arrangement.’
But why would I dampen the spirits of someone so happy?
I smiled and spoke.
“Congratulations.”
Seo Ha-ryeong grabbed my wrist eagerly and said.
“Then let’s go!”
“Me too?”
“Yes! You promised to watch me train!”
“I did say something like that…”
But if I went, Namgung Ryu-cheong would surely dislike it.
“Well then, Seo Ha-ryeong, we should be going.”
“Work hard and don’t slack off!”
The Suhyang Sect members each called out a farewell to Seo Ha-ryeong.
And the oldest-looking girl among them spoke respectfully to me.
“Young Lady Baek Li, let’s share tea sometime. And please look after this troublemaker.”
“Ah, Sa-jeo!”
“Ha-ryeong, don’t you dare bother Young Lady Baek Li!”
“No, I won’t!”
“Ha ha.”
I listened to their bright laughter in a daze.
After parting with them, I was practically dragged along by Seo Ha-ryeong to the Practice Hall.
Namgung Ryu-cheong appeared to have already completed his preparations.
I glanced around. So Bu-in was nowhere to be seen nearby. It seemed she and Namgung Ryu-cheong had finished their conversation and left in a different direction from where we’d come.
“Ryu-cheong, hello! I brought Yeon too!”
Namgung Ryu-cheong shot a sharp look at the brightly greeting Seo Ha-ryeong. That was when I should have realized something had gone wrong.
* * *
Crack! The sound of wooden swords colliding rang out, and someone’s wooden sword spun through the air before falling to the dirt floor.
Namgung Ryu-cheong pointed his wooden sword and spoke.
“Again. Pick it up.”
Seo Ha-ryeong bit her lip and walked toward where the wooden sword had flown. Her small shoulders sagged. And well they might—she’d already dropped her sword more than ten times.
‘He might as well strike me down.’
Despite having the perfect opportunity to end this cleanly by targeting her vital points, Namgung Ryu-cheong mercilessly sent Seo Ha-ryeong’s sword flying again. It was nothing short of trampling her pride into the dust. When Seo Ha-ryeong returned with the wooden sword, her eyes were wide as though tears might spill at any moment.
Namgung Ryu-cheong looked down and spoke coldly.
“Why? Are you going to run crying to your mother about this too?”
“…?”
When Seo Ha-ryeong wore an expression of confusion, Namgung Ryu-cheong glared at her.
“Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Then I understood.
‘So that’s why Namgung Ryu-cheong is acting like this.’
Namgung Ryu-cheong had been summoned by So Bu-in today and scolded for not treating Seo Ha-ryeong well. He believed the reason was that Seo Ha-ryeong had tattled to So Bu-in about yesterday’s incident.
“I didn’t tell So Bu-in anything!”
Namgung Ryu-cheong scoffed.
“Then who did?”
“I’m telling you, I didn’t!”
“Fine. Just pick up the sword.”
I sighed and stepped between them.
“Stop.”
“Yeon?”
Seo Ha-ryeong looked at me with wide eyes.
Namgung Ryu-cheong frowned and spoke.
“This is not your concern, Miss Baek Li.”
“It seems the young lord of Namgung is under a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?”
“Yes, a misunderstanding.”
I met his icy gaze and gestured to the two attendants who had been watching us from the entrance of the Practice Hall to come closer.
The attendants approached and asked.
“Did you call for us?”
“Yes. I wanted to ask you something.”
“Please speak, Miss Baek Li.”
“Did either of you see So Bu-in last night or this morning?”
My attendant answered first.
“I did not.”
Seo Ha-ryeong’s attendant spoke.
“I did.”
I glanced at Namgung Ryu-cheong’s face. He seemed to have guessed what I was about to say, his expression hardening.
“Why did you see So Bu-in?”
The attendant, after briefly looking at Namgung Ryu-cheong, lowered her head and spoke.
“So Bu-in summoned me first. She then asked me about what had transpired between Miss Seo and the young lord of Namgung.”
“Thank you for telling me the truth. You may go now.”
“Yes.”
The attendants withdrew, and I turned my gaze toward Namgung Ryu-cheong.
“You heard all of that, didn’t you?”
“….”
“Stop taking out your frustrations on Seo Ha-ryeong.”
“…I haven’t taken out any frustrations.”
I tilted my head with a puzzled expression.
“Well, if that’s what you say. But regardless, you misunderstood Seo Ha-ryeong—shouldn’t you apologize for that?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s expression darkened in an instant, and he shot me a sharp look.
I met his gaze calmly. His lips pressed together, he looked toward Seo Ha-ryeong and opened his mouth several times as if to speak, then suddenly turned on his heel and left the Practice Hall.
I shrugged and shifted my attention to Seo Ha-ryeong.
“Are you alright?”
“….”
Seo Ha-ryeong simply stared at me with her mouth hanging open in a daze.
I waved my hand in front of Seo Ha-ryeong’s face.
‘What is this, did she faint while standing?’
Seo Ha-ryeong suddenly grabbed my waving hand, her eyes gleaming as she cried out.
“That was amazing!”
“Huh?”
“Absolutely amazing…!”

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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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