The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 112

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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 112

A few weeks after Manhyang Express’s New Year celebration ended, fifteen-year-old Shin Ah left Biwongak early in the morning, bustling with energy.

“Good morning.”

“What a lovely morning.”

“Miss, you look wonderful today as well.”

Whenever Shin Ah passed by, the servant girls of the So Family Estate bowed deeply in greeting, regardless of which department they belonged to.

Others were no different.

From courier workers and escort warriors belonging to the escort agency to even the servants, everyone she encountered greeted Shin Ah, slowing her pace.

“Everyone’s desperate to make an impression on Miss.”

Danmi, who was walking closely behind Shin Ah, whispered.

Shin Ah turned her head.

Every time she looked at Danmi, she used to have to look up, but now they were at eye level.

That’s how much Shin Ah had grown.

“Desperate? They’re just greeting a superior.”

“Miss, think back five years ago. Servant girls don’t look up to just anyone as a superior.”

Five years ago.

There was a time when Biwongak was treated like freeloaders by Manhyang Express and subtly ignored even by the servant girls.

But everything had changed in five years.

Whether they were servants of the So Family Estate or workers at Manhyang Express, everyone now wanted to belong to Biwongak.

The Biwongak Master was kind, and Shin Ah and So Cheondo were growing stronger by the day.

The servant girls, who knew that their master’s prestige directly affected their own treatment, were sensitive to the flow of power within the household and escort agency.

Therefore, their coquettish smiles and deep bows to Biwongak members meant that Biwongak’s status within the escort agency had changed.

No one could ignore or point fingers at Biwongak anymore.

At the center of it all was Shin Ah, who had turned fifteen this year and gained the qualification to venture into the Central Plains.

“I’m going to see Grandfather, so rest for a moment.”

Shin Ah said in front of Wolhwa Hall.

“Yes, Miss.”

Shin Ah left Danmi behind and entered Wolhwa Hall.

The gatekeeper who saw Shin Ah immediately announced toward the interior.

“The Chang’an Branch Master has arrived.”

The corners of Shin Ah’s mouth curved up almost imperceptibly.

Shin Ah’s official title at Manhyang Express was Chang’an Branch Master.

Her achievements were too tremendous to call her just “Miss,” and Shin Ah had grown so much over the years that she could no longer be considered a child.

“Thank you.”

Shin Ah greeted briefly and entered through the open door.

The gatekeeper, who had been staring entranced at her graceful steps, hurriedly turned his head away under Jang Mu’s sharp gaze as he came out to greet Shin Ah.

Jang Mu walked ahead down the corridor of Wolhwa Hall and greeted Shin Ah.

“It’s even more delightful to see you here, Branch Master. Please visit often. The Lord of the Nation is waiting.”

“Grandfather is? Every time I see him, he asks when I’m leaving and scolds me for not working when I’m busy.”

“He says things he doesn’t mean on purpose. He’s worried you might leave quickly, Branch Master.”

“Jang Mu! Stop talking nonsense!”

So Hyeokho, who had come out to the corridor to greet Shin Ah, delivered a sharp rebuke.

“Did you hear that, Lord of the Nation?”

Jang Mu bowed with a completely unapologetic expression.

“Don’t mind what Jang Mu says. Come in quickly.”

So Hyeokho didn’t even look at Jang Mu and led Shin Ah to his bedroom.

“I heard you have something to tell me.”

As soon as Shin Ah sat down, she asked about the business at hand.

The area under So Hyeokho’s eyes twitched.

“You impatient girl. Who did you take after to bring up business without even catching your breath?”

“Who could I have taken after? I take after Father, who takes after Grandfather.”

So Hyeokho’s nostrils flared briefly at hearing she took after him, which always pleased him.

“Are you very busy?”

So Hyeokho, having calmed his joy, personally poured tea into Shin Ah’s cup.

Over the past five years, So Hyeokho and Shin Ah had become more than just blood relatives—they had become close partners discussing Manhyang Express’s development together.

So Hyeokho respected Shin Ah, who had opened a branch in Chang’an and taken control of Seomsu, as more than just an escort warrior, and Shin Ah repaid him with results.

Shin Ah’s branch had now grown large enough to rival any decent pavilion. She had twelve escort warriors and about fifty courier workers.

Even that was a small number compared to the volume of work coming in. Since they selectively accepted escort requests and mostly operated within Seomsu, there was no need to forcibly increase their members.

Anyway, with the Chang’an Branch handling all distribution in Seomsu, protection of major estates, and occasional escort missions, being busy was natural.

Thanks to this, she had already repaid one-fifth of her debt to So Hyeokho.

While it might seem like a small amount for five years of busy work, considering she only operated within Seomsu, the debt was decreasing at a remarkably fast pace.

“But I still have time to talk with Grandfather.”

“You’re just being polite. You don’t even come unless I call for you.”

“When I come often, you worry whether I have work or not. Wouldn’t it be better if I’m not around? That means I’m busy. Then I earn more money and can repay Grandfather’s debt faster…”

“Oh, that damn debt!”

So Hyeokho grimaced and stopped her words whenever Shin Ah brought up the debt.

He was truly ashamed of his past actions of turning a blind eye to Biwongak’s situation.

“Then why don’t you reduce the debt a little?”

“That’s not possible.”

Shin Ah could easily guess So Hyeokho’s unspoken next sentence.

Because it wouldn’t be fair.

So Hyeokho grumbled awkwardly and added.

“But I’m not charging you interest, am I?”

“Yes. That’s just like you, Grandfather. I was just saying that. If you borrow, you have to repay. So, Grandfather, I need to get back to the branch. Please tell me quickly. Do you have some worry these days?”

So Hyeokho pretended otherwise, but he called for Shin Ah whenever he had worries.

It wasn’t that she particularly gave him answers, but after chatting about various things, So Hyeokho always wore a relieved expression.

Shin Ah thought today’s conversation would follow a similar pattern.

But So Hyeokho’s words caught her off guard.

“Your fifteenth birthday is coming soon.”

So Hyeokho looked at Shin Ah.

Her once round and cute face had slimmed down, making her features more refined.

Her once bouncy way of speaking had become calmer, and her mischievous smile now carried dignity.

Her limbs had grown long and slender, and her height had caught up to her peers.

Considering how small she had been due to illness, saying she had grown tremendously wasn’t an exaggeration.

Shin Ah was now closer to being a woman than a child.

A very beautiful woman at that.

‘She’ll make many men lovesick in the future.’

So Hyeokho thought he needed to keep a strict watch around Shin Ah and continued speaking.

“Tell me if there’s anything you want.”

The children of the So Family held their fifteenth birthday in very high regard.

Because it was the age when they could officially venture into the Central Plains.

That’s why the other children had also received quite substantial gifts from So Hyeokho.

So Cheondo received a meteorite iron sword, So Mando received a villa, and So Ilbi received gold rings and a gold necklace.

‘It seems he gave them whatever they asked for.’

Shin Ah didn’t answer readily and fell into thought.

So Hyeokho had many fine things. He had excellent swords and spirit medicines.

But they weren’t what Shin Ah needed.

‘There’s no spirit medicine that would help me now that I’ve reached First-Class Mid-Level. I don’t particularly need an excellent sword since I use magic.’

Shin Ah wasn’t interested in jewels either.

‘I can get as many of those as I want in the future. So I need to get something that only Grandfather can give me.’

There were many things the Lord of the Nation could give, but among them, something that wouldn’t seem unreasonable for Shin Ah to request.

A good idea came to Shin Ah’s mind as she pondered.

“First selection rights!”

“Hmm?”

“Please let me take on the package I want during the Escort Assignment Ceremony.”

When clients didn’t specify an escort warrior, which group would handle which package was decided through discussion at the Escort Assignment Ceremony.

Shin Ah was requesting the right to skip that verification and discussion process.

If Shin Ah chose an escort mission beyond her capabilities, it could lead to losses for all of Manhyang Express.

That’s why Hyeokho carefully deliberated while holding his tea cup.

Meanwhile, Shin Ah didn’t press him and leisurely drank her tea.

Seeing her composed demeanor made the one being asked feel more anxious.

‘Shin Ah must be planning something interesting.’

What could it be.

‘She’s never disappointed me once.’

So Hyeokho decided to trust Shin Ah once more and set down his tea cup with a thud.

“I’ll give it to you. But only once.”

Shin Ah, who had been secretly nervous, smiled brightly.

“You promised! You’ll give me what I want without asking questions or arguing!”

Somehow I feel like I’m getting the short end of this deal.

Hmm, Hyeokho swallowed and soon smiled along with Shin Ah.

If the child is happy, well.

What harm could a small loss do.

Hyeokho simply found his clever youngest granddaughter adorable.

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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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