The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 73

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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 73
‘Wait, in the original story, Yalyu lived past twenty. How is this possible?’
Was there a way for him to survive?
I asked urgently.
“There must be a reason you’ve brought this up, Elder.”
“There are two methods.”
Two methods!
Unlike me, who brightened at the news, Yalyu remained composed—as if he already knew the answer.
That was ominous.
“The first is to absorb the vital energy of others through the Devouring Demonic Art. That child has already suffered his first seizure, yet remains unharmed because he learned the Devouring Demonic Art. By instinctively coveting the yin energy of others, he has extended his lifespan.”
“…”
“The second is the Extreme Yang Cultivation Method. One must learn martial techniques to refine and control yang energy to its absolute limit. Should he overcome the Extreme Yang Constitution, it would become a talent unparalleled throughout the ages, granting achievements no one else could reach.”
“Surely you don’t mean…?”
“Yes. My Nine Revolutions Crimson Flame Seal is a meditation technique that governs yang energy.”
“…”
“Send that child to me as my disciple. Unless you intend to watch him die!”
* * *
I spent some time with Yalyu before he and Father spoke privately.
“What? Cheonsan Yeom-je already proposed taking you as his disciple a month ago?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Yalyu’s gaze fell to the hand I had injured.
“I was going to tell you the day Cheonsan Yeom-je came… but you hurt your hand that day, so I forgot to mention it. How is your hand? Has it healed completely?”
“You don’t need to worry. But you forgot about that?”
“Yes. I thought if you refused, that would be the end of it.”
Indeed, what would Cheonsan Yeom-je lack that he would repeatedly propose taking Yalyu as his disciple?
It was truly strange.
“After that? Is today the first time since?”
“No, he came every day after you entered Changung Pavilion. Can I just look at your hand once?”
“Sigh.”
I exhaled and spread my hand wide to show him.
“Sorry. I gripped it too tightly earlier, didn’t I?”
With this spread hand, I itched to grab Yalyu by the collar and shake him, saying ‘Is my hand the problem right now!’
I looked at Yalyu with concern.
According to Cheonsan Yeom-je, he was still fine for now. Thanks to the Devouring Demonic Art, he maintained balance, so aside from excessive heat, there should be no other issues.
But Yalyu’s body was like a cracked dam—once a hole opened and water began to seep through, the collapse would be irreversible and catastrophically swift. And when the pain became unbearable, he would instinctively resort to the Devouring Demonic Art…
‘Did Cheon Gwi-jo know about Yalyu’s constitution and teach him the Devouring Demonic Art?’
If so, he was truly vicious. Yalyu seemed to hesitate, as if he had something to say to me.
I asked first.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Will the Grand Master of Baek Li send me away?”
“…Since your life hangs in the balance, he’ll want to send you away.”
Yalyu’s refusal to become a disciple remained unchanged. Even facing certain early death, he merely responded with a casual “But?”
It was far from an ordinary reaction. Having survived under Cheon Gwi-jo, he was certainly no ordinary child, but….
‘No, but how can he act so detached from life now, when he survived while learning the Absorption Demonic Art?’
I added an explanation.
“If you truly don’t want to go, you’ll need to give Father a reason he can accept.”
“A reason he can accept…. I understand.”
Yalyu’s expression hardened with resolve.
“Then I’ll be back.”
I watched Yalyu move away before hastily grabbing his arm.
“Why?”
“You’re really going to refuse? …This is truly an opportunity.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Is that what you call concern?”
Even as I spoke with irritation, Yalyu laughed as if pleased.
Was there something genuinely wrong with him?
“It’s fine.”
Sigh. He wasn’t listening to reason.
I gestured toward the chamber where Father was.
“…I understand. Go now.”
“Okay.”
Yalyu’s silhouette disappeared beyond the open doorway. Staring at the firmly closed door, I swallowed dryly and held my breath.
The moment I crept forward to press myself against the door.
“Baek Li-yeon.”
Father’s warning-tinged voice came from within. I pouted and reluctantly stepped away from the door.
‘Ah, these Martial World people.’
Grumbling, I headed outside the Residence Quarter. The courtyard, veiled by clouds obscuring the moon, lay serene as if nothing had happened. Through that darkness, a figure emerged with hands clasped behind his back.
“Reckless child. How dare you tell this old man to wait? Had this not been the Namgung Clan, I would not have let you off so easily.”
It was Cheonsan Yeom-je, who had departed long ago.
* * *
I smiled brightly and spoke.
“There’s something I’d like to ask, but it felt awkward to ask in front of Father.”
Cheonsan Yeom-je looked at me as if to say, go ahead.
“I’ve discerned two possible meanings behind your words, and I’d like to know if I’m correct.”
“Two meanings? Let me hear them.”
I carefully laid out my thoughts.
“First, by revealing that Yalyu has the Extreme Yang Constitution, you were telling us that if we cherish him, we should treasure his life and persuade him to come to you.”
“Correct.”
Cheonsan Yeom-je looked at me as one might observe a child’s antics.
The first reason was merely a smokescreen to justify the second.
“The second is… there’s no one but Yalyu who can learn your martial arts, is there?”
Cheonsan Yeom-je let out a derisive snort.
“How absurd. I wondered what you were getting at, but this nonsense?”
I continued calmly.
“You said it yourself—you don’t understand what connection would make you care for a child. If I reverse the logic, isn’t it exactly you?”
“….”
“What connection do you and Yalyu share that you would transmit your martial arts to save him? So if the causality is reversed, it makes sense.”
“….”
“You want something from Yalyu, which is why you’re taking him as a disciple, correct? And considering Yalyu’s unique constitution, the answer is… obvious.”
Cheonsan Yeom-je’s gaze sharpened as he looked at me.
‘Yes, that’s correct.’
In the original story, Cheonsan Yeom-je’s martial arts were never passed down and were lost to time.
How could one called among the Top Eleven Masters of the World fail to leave even a successor? It was peculiar.
Isn’t the Jianghu filled with those obsessed with martial arts? Madmen who would wage blood feuds over a single secret manual, yet he wouldn’t even take a single disciple to inherit his techniques?
There had to be a reason. Combining Yalyu’s unique constitution with Cheonsan Yeom-je’s obsession over it, the answer became clear.
‘Because it’s martial arts that not just anyone can learn.’
Cheonsan Yeom-je glared at me and spoke.
“So why bother revealing this fact? Are you trying to strike a deal with me over that child’s life?”
“Yalyu’s life isn’t mine to bargain with, so how could I make such a deal?”
I looked at Cheonsan Yeom-je with an expression questioning how he could think such a thing.
Cheonsan Yeom-je’s expression grew strange.
“I was simply curious to ask. How sincere are you toward Yalyu? Are you someone trustworthy enough to send him away with?”
“….”
Cheonsan Yeom-je narrowed his eyes and studied me.
And now came the main point I had been building toward.
“You have circumstances that require you to teach Yalyu martial arts, and Yalyu refuses to leave our side… so…”
“So?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you stayed by our side instead?”
“Ah, so that was your main point?”
Cheonsan Yeom-je clicked his tongue.
“If it were that simple, why would I be making all this fuss? Hmph, the Nine Flames Crimson Seal requires training in a place saturated with fire qi.”
Just hearing it made it sound like somewhere far from the Baek Li Estate.
“Moreover, the Nine Flames Crimson Seal is a martial art where one’s mindset is paramount.”
“Mindset?”
“Yes. Have you seen that child’s eyes? Forcing him to train would be… enough. Enough. Why am I even explaining this to you about the child?”
“What about Yalyu’s eyes? They’re just beautiful.”
“Ridiculous…”
I stared at Cheonsan Yeom-je with my mouth slightly open. It had been a long time since I heard such raw profanity. I suppose I was still among the people of the Baek Li Family’s martial world after all.
‘So mindset is important. Hmm, it seems there was a reason he didn’t just take Yalyu away and teach him martial arts when I wasn’t around.’
I glanced around the quiet Residence Quarter and continued my questioning.
“Then, Elder, you haven’t been able to find a single person with Extreme Yang Constitution all this time?”
“There are few physicians in the Central Plains who even know what Extreme Yang Constitution is. Most simply assume it’s a fever. Even standard treatments cannot bring down the heat.”
“I see….”
“Fever is deadly poison to an infant. Those born with Extreme Yang Constitution almost certainly develop complications from fever while still young.”
Cheonsan Yeom-je tapped his own head lightly.
I asked in sudden alarm.
“You mean they go mad?”
“It means they develop disabilities. Deafness, blindness, inability to move their body properly. Twenty years old? They’re fortunate if they live that long. Well, madness is possible too.”
Cheonsan Yeom-je waved his hand dismissively.
“If you understand what I’m saying, go inside and convince that boy. There’s no time to waste!”
“Is Yalyu’s condition really that dire?”
“Always chattering away with endless questions! In any case, that child gains nothing from dragging this out. The sooner he learns, the better it is for him. Every day matters.”
As I listened quietly to his explanation, I regarded Cheonsan Yeom-je with curiosity.
The way he answered my questions so thoroughly seemed kinder than expected, and yet… he appeared quite anxious.
‘What is he so anxious about?’

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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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