The Granddaughter of the Manhyang Escort Agency Hides Her Magic - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 11

A snickering sound could be heard. It was the sound made by Mando, who couldn’t read the atmosphere.

Deep wrinkles formed between Hyeokho’s brows at Mando’s frivolous behavior.

“What are you saying?”

“I’ll become an escort and repay the debt owed to Biwongak, Grandfather.”

The debt to Biwongak—that referred to the debt So Cheonrim had incurred to save Shin Ah.

“So please let me receive education from Bogukgak again.”

Bogukgak was an educational institution created by the agency head who had to frequently go on escort missions in the early days when Manhyang Express was established.

It was to teach the family’s children the family martial arts even when he was away.

As the escort agency grew in scale, they began hiring people from outside the family, and now escorts belonging to Manhyang Express also received education at Bogukgak.

Separately from that, educating children in the first stage of family martial arts was still Bogukgak’s responsibility.

‘I can learn Heaven and Earth Sword Technique and Sea River Sword Technique from Father later. But the basics, Tiger Walk Heart Method and Tiger Walk Sword Technique, must be fully learned at Bogukgak until all sword forms are mastered—that’s the principle.’

So Shin Ah’s words meant she wanted to learn martial arts again.

Hyeokho momentarily felt sorry for Shin Ah. Did she even know how much Cheonrim had borrowed from him to save her?

‘She’d faint from shock if she heard. It’s a whopping five hundred gold ingots.’

That was counting only the principal without interest, an amount an ordinary escort would find difficult to earn even working a lifetime.

And Shin Ah, who had been excluded from education due to poor health and thus had shallow achievement even in Tiger Walk Heart Method, the very first thing taught, would repay that debt?

‘She’s clever, but it’s impossible. I can’t shock a child whose health isn’t good, so I should pretend I didn’t hear it.’

Hyeokho turned his gaze away from Shin Ah.

“You may go.”

However, Shin Ah spoke without backing down.

“Five hundred gold ingots.”

Instantly, Hyeokho’s eyes flashed as they turned toward Shin Ah.

“What?”

“The debt to Biwongak of five hundred gold ingots—I will repay it.”

Shin Ah knew much more than Hyeokho had thought.

“Grandfather, I’m not asking you to trust me blindly. I’ll prove it.”

At this point, Hyeokho became genuinely curious.

What was this small child thinking, how far could she go, or rather, how far did she intend to go?

“Prove what?”

“That I have talent as an escort.”

Shin Ah and Hyeokho’s gazes met in mid-air.

Hyeokho saw a blazing flame in Shin Ah’s eyes. It was a flame of will to definitely succeed, and the fighting spirit that Hyeokho liked.

The corners of Hyeokho’s mouth twitched.

He never expected to see such eyes from a child he thought could never become even an ordinary escort, let alone a family successor.

Hyeokho suppressed his rising mouth corners and said.

“How do you intend to prove it?”

Shin Ah went one step further from her initial thought of only requesting to learn martial arts.

Looking at Hyeokho’s expression, it seemed okay to make a big demand.

“I will participate in the porter selection.”

“What?”

“If I pass the porter selection, please let me compete as a successor candidate of Manhyang Express too.”

“Do you know what you’re saying about the porter selection test?”

Though Shin Ah spoke easily, becoming a porter for Manhyang Express wasn’t easy.

When selecting porters, they comprehensively considered stamina to move for long periods without rest while carrying loads, ability to find paths in unfamiliar places, and even quick thinking to handle unexpected situations.

It wasn’t simply a test of lifting heavy objects or answering questions.

The test to select Manhyang Express porters was conducted like real situations over several rounds.

Especially the final test, which greatly influenced pass or fail, involved one escort belonging to Manhyang Express and two porter candidates forming a team to protect packages.

“Yes. I know it well. That’s why I’ve already thought of who to work with.”

“Who is that?”

Would there be an escort to work with Shin Ah? That’s where Shin Ah would face difficulties.

Even if she passed all tests up to the final one, if there was no escort to work with, the agency would arbitrarily assign one, but few escorts would be considerate enough to help the agency head’s youngest granddaughter fulfill her role as a porter and pass.

However, Hyeokho’s expectation was spectacularly wrong.

“So Cheondo, my brother will do it. And the other person is Mugyeol! Mugyeol will also take the porter test.”

Having brought up Mugyeol’s story, Shin Ah realized her mistake.

Mugyeol was still Hyeokho’s servant. He couldn’t arbitrarily apply for the porter test.

‘I was too hasty and spoke before thinking.’

Shin Ah quickly added.

“That… if Grandfather permits it.”

Hyeokho fell into thought with a surprised expression.

Children of the So Family Estate became apprentice escorts after finishing basic education at Bogukgak.

Bogukgak was a kind of educational institution that the agency operated with special care to nurture quality escorts.

Bogukgak supported improving and training escorts’ abilities. They often held martial arts competitions and gathered escorts for group training, and also handled education of So Family children up to a certain level.

That standard was whether they could completely perform the forms of Tiger Walk Sword Technique.

Though they learned fist techniques, leg techniques, and footwork techniques, the family’s core martial arts were ultimately sword techniques and the heart methods that supported them.

And Cheondo had already mastered the final chapter of Tiger Walk Sword Technique long ago.

‘Brother just didn’t focus on martial arts because he was studying to become a scholar. He’s more than qualified.’

Shin Ah knew that quite some time had passed since Cheondo completed Bogukgak’s education.

Usually one would immediately serve a master and learn Heaven and Earth Heart Method and Heaven and Earth Sword Technique, but Cheondo had distanced himself from training, saying he wanted to learn literature rather than martial arts.

‘That’s why Grandfather probably didn’t think of it either, but…!’

Since she had already planned who to work with, Hyeokho couldn’t find more reasons to oppose.

An apprentice escort was also an escort of Manhyang Express. Cheondo was fully qualified.

‘There’s no justification to oppose. Giving her a chance wouldn’t be bad either. I need to verify whether it’s recklessness or prepared courage.’

He was also curious whether Shin Ah could really pass the porter test.

“Good. I permit it.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

“Your courage is admirable, so if you pass the porter test, I’ll forgive the theft.”

“Really?”

Shin Ah, who received an unexpected gift, smiled brightly then immediately hardened her expression.

“Then what about Mugyeol…”

“You take responsibility for him. Why, can’t you do it? If my servant becomes a porter, it’s beneficial to me too. Can you take responsibility for that far?”

Though Hyeokho spoke as if scolding, his voice had a gentle tone.

“Yes! I can do it.”

‘Everything went exactly as I wanted.’

Shin Ah cheered inwardly as she stood up. Mando also glanced around and followed Shin Ah in standing.

“Mando, you sit down.”

Mando knelt down again and bowed his head deeply.

Shin Ah quietly retreated toward the door and watched the conversation between the two.

“How will you compensate for the damage you caused me?”

As expected, Hyeokho didn’t miss what Shin Ah had subtly mentioned.

Shin Ah cheered inwardly as she watched Mando’s face harden.

“I will also apply for the porter test.”

“What?”

“I will also become an excellent escort and repay the debt to Grandfather. Since I cannot go on escort missions to the Central Plains before turning fifteen, I will prove my ability as a porter before then and help with escort missions as a porter if necessary.”

At Manhyang Express, even if children of the So Family obtained apprentice escort qualifications, they weren’t sent out as escorts before turning fifteen.

Escorts who traveled long distances, took responsibility for escort mission safety, and had to fight on the front lines in emergencies were exposed to danger. Therefore, the So Family sent children to the Central Plains as late as possible for their safety.

In the case of the agency’s promising candidates, they were sometimes sent along on escort missions as porters to gain experience, but this was extremely rare.

Most importantly, children with apprentice escort qualifications didn’t want it.

But Mando was now saying he would accept that risk. It was Mando’s quick thinking after he had keenly noticed Hyeokho’s expression soften when talking with Shin Ah.

‘Cunning little brat.’

Shin Ah glared at Mando before quickly composing her expression.

‘Will Grandfather fall for Mando’s scheme?’

Shin Ah glanced at Hyeokho’s expression.

Hyeokho was frowning.

He didn’t like how Mando was taking the escort test lightly.

However, he couldn’t tell Mando no when he had already given permission to Shin Ah.

Shin Ah just needed to prove her skills as she had claimed, and it would be a good opportunity to teach Mando that the Escort Agency’s work was no easy matter.

“Very well.”

Hyeokho’s permission was granted. Mando smiled with relief.

“Thank you, Grandfather!”

Hyeokho turned away without even properly receiving the greeting. At this clear sign that he didn’t want to continue the conversation, Mando and Shin Ah quietly withdrew.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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