The Ignored Granddaughter of a Murim Family - Chapter 81

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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 81
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Uniformly laid pale gray flagstones and stone racks displayed an impressive array of weapons of superior craftsmanship.
This was Namgung Wan’s private Practice Hall. On this bitterly cold winter day when frost bit at fingertips, white vapor rose from his body as he trained. His martial spirit burned with intensity.
As he focused on his morning cultivation, he sensed someone approaching. Namgung Wan ignored the presence and continued his practice, but when the aura lingered even after a quarter hour had passed, he finally lowered his sword.
Namgung Wan steadied his breathing and spoke.
“What is the matter?”
A voice answered from beyond the Practice Hall entrance.
“So Bu-in has arrived.”
“…My lady?”
Namgung Wan carefully hung his sword on the rack. He draped his loosely discarded robe over his shoulders and stepped out of the Practice Hall. So Bu-in, waiting outside, widened her eyes slightly upon seeing him.
“My goodness, do wipe away your perspiration before coming out.”
“It is fine. I shall return shortly. What brings you here?”
Namgung Wan gestured dismissively to the Servant who respectfully offered him a towel.
“Sigh. I knew this would happen.”
At So Bu-in’s exasperated sigh, Namgung Wan’s brow furrowed.
So Bu-in continued.
“Is today not when the family shares lunch together? Had I not come searching for you, you would have forgotten again, claiming you were training.”
Twice a month, Namgung Wan, So Bu-in, and Namgung Ryu-cheong had promised to share lunch. It was So Bu-in’s effort to gather them, for each was consumed by their own affairs. Yet these promises were broken time and again.
“Ahem.”
Namgung Wan cleared his throat awkwardly and quickly accepted the towel the Servant offered again.
“Let us go.”
Just as So Bu-in turned away with a sidelong glance, her Female Servant hurried forward.
“My lady, Gu-sa has arrived.”
Gu-sa was Namgung Ryu-cheong’s personal attendant. The expressions of both Namgung Wan and So Bu-in hardened. So Bu-in, her lips pressed tightly together, stepped forward. Gu-sa, who had been standing outside the wall surrounding the Practice Hall, bowed deeply upon seeing her approach.
“I greet you, madam.”
“What is it? Does Ryu-cheong wish to dine separately again?”
So Bu-in’s first words were measured, but grew increasingly sharp as she continued.
Gu-sa answered cautiously.
“Yes, but…”
“There he goes again with his nonsense. Again!”
Namgung Wan, following behind, interjected angrily.
Gu-sa spoke in alarm.
“So Ga-ju, that is not it…”
“Not it? What do you mean not it! I need not defend my own son! Why must that boy torment his mother so! Where is Ryu-cheong? Guide me to him at once!”
Gu-sa answered in great distress.
“Oh my, that is not the matter. So Ga-ju, please calm yourself. I have something to tell you…”
“Guide me, I said!”
With a faint sigh, delicate hands came to rest upon Namgung Wan’s thick forearm.
“Very well. Ryu-cheong has been troubled lately. Let him be alone. Gu-sa, you go as well. See that Ryu-cheong takes his meals properly.”
“That’s not it, So Bu-in.”
“Why are you still standing there? Stop filling the lady’s head with needless chatter and just go.”
“So Ga-ju…”
Gu-sa felt the frustration welling up inside him—he wanted to cry right there. After several more rounds of commotion, I finally managed to state the true reason for my visit.
“The young master said he would like to go out with Baek Li So-jeo and Seo So-jeo, and he sent me to ask for your permission.”
Upon hearing Gu-sa’s words, both Namgung Wan and So Bu-in wore expressions of shock. Namgung Wan asked as if he couldn’t believe it.
“What? Ryu-cheong is going out?”
So Bu-in also murmured blankly.
“Isn’t this the first time Ryu-cheong has ever suggested going out on his own?”
“What in the world has gotten into this boy?”
Snapping to attention at Namgung Wan’s murmur, So Bu-in spoke to Gu-sa.
“Of course, tell him I give my permission. When is he leaving? We must prepare at once. His going-out clothes, spending money, and ah yes—I should give some spending money to Seo So-jeo and Baek Li So-jeo as well, shouldn’t I? What will Baek Li So-jeo be wearing? I have some lovely ornaments that would suit a young lady, so she can wear those in her hair. And I should check whether my mink fur stole is finished…”
As So Bu-in rattled off her plans with gleaming eyes, Gu-sa rolled his eyes helplessly and answered carefully.
“Um, So Bu-in…”
“What is it?”
“…They have already departed…”
“What, what did you say?”
Namgung Wan cried out as if utterly flabbergasted.
“You came to ask for permission? Why is this permission being reported after the fact? Where in this world does such permission exist!”
“Should I… tell him to return?”
So Bu-in spoke firmly.
“There’s no need for that.”
Yet she murmured softly with a wistful expression.
“Let him take his time. What’s the rush…”
Gu-sa laughed awkwardly. So Bu-in gestured for Gu-sa to withdraw and turned to face Namgung Wan.
“Still, it’s truly wonderful that Ryu-cheong has taken it upon himself to go out.”
Namgung Wan, his brow deeply furrowed, nodded reluctantly.
“But my lady, aren’t you being too generous with Yeon?”
“What do you mean?”
“The gifts, I mean.”
“And here I thought you’d scold me for not doing enough.”
“Of course, given our circumstances, such things pose no difficulty. But if Ui-gang and Yeon continue to only receive like this, they will feel burdened.”
So Bu-in suddenly opened her mouth as if remembering something.
“Ah, speaking of which, there was something I meant to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Didn’t you previously ask Baek Li-ui-gang to take Ryu-cheong as his disciple? What became of that?”
“…That became difficult.”
Originally, I had planned to use Man Shin-ui’s martial technique to treat Yeon, and in return, ask him to teach Namgung Ryu-cheong. But instead, Yeon nearly died, and Man Shin-ui perished as well.
Namgung Wan found himself recalling that dark situation. The thunderous roar, the earth and rubble cascading down upon the ruined village—there had been no time to act…
Namgung Wan shook off the memory and continued speaking.
“And I’ve received something far too precious from Yeon. Asking Ui-gang to take in Ryu-cheong as well—that’s shameless of me.”
“Something precious?”
Namgung Ryu-cheong’s lips pressed into a thin line before parting again.
“Now that I think about it, I could give even more. If you have a conscience, you won’t be able to refuse. Just give whatever you wish, madam.”
So Bu-in did not press further and changed the subject.
“But it need not be as a master, need it?”
“…?”
“I was merely wondering if the Great Hero might consider remaining at the Namgung Clan, regardless of whether he takes on the role of master.”
“Ui-gang has his own residence, and he maintains quarters at the Murim Alliance besides. With the Baek Li Estate at his disposal, why would he stay at the Namgung Clan?”
“Still, it would be worth mentioning.”
So Bu-in gazed into the empty air for a moment before speaking.
“I too have heard certain rumors. It would be a proposal unfavorable to neither Yeon nor the Great Hero.”
At those words, Namgung Wan’s brow furrowed slightly as understanding dawned.
“…Very well, I shall broach the subject. But I cannot promise anything.”
So Bu-in smiled as if satisfied. She and Namgung Wan walked slowly from the Practice Hall.
“Tomorrow I must visit the Buddhist Temple and pray for Seo So-jeo’s good fortune.”
“…Did you not pray for her before?”
“The more often I pray, the more my wishes shall reach the Buddha.”
“Do as you wish.”
“Ah, yes. I should bring Seo So-jeo along as well. She can see the temple and enjoy the fresh air.”
“That sounds fine.”
At that moment, Namgung Wan’s gaze caught Gu-sa in the distance, no larger than a palm. Namgung Wan suddenly stopped and spoke.
“I have just remembered a promise I nearly forgot.”
“Pardon?”
“Forgive me for missing dinner.”
Namgung Wan turned from So Bu-in and hurried away in haste.
Moments later, Namgung Wan approached the Main Gate of the Namgung Clan dressed in unremarkable garments with a wide-brimmed hat pulled low over his face. His pace was swift, as though urgent business called him—refraining from using lightness technique was his last concession to propriety.
As he walked, Namgung Wan caught sight of someone ahead and came to an abrupt halt. The figure, sensing his presence, turned to look back.
Without words, they both understood where the other was headed.
“Eight Prohibitions.”
“…Where are you going?”
“…Hmm.”
“Let us go together.”
Namgung Wan and Baek Li-ui-gang departed the Namgung Clan together, escorted by the water gate guards.

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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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