The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 118
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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 118
Shin Ah snorted and continued speaking.
Money matters were important, so she wanted to clarify things in advance.
“I’ll receive the rest when we arrive at the Murim Alliance.”
“How much are you planning to receive?”
“We’ll have to calculate that after the escort mission is over. Uncle, you’re hiding something from me.”
“That’s… I can’t tell you!”
Fear appeared on Hyeong Daegwang’s face. His pupils trembled violently and cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead.
Seeing this, Shin Ah’s expression also became serious.
“I know. That’s why I won’t ask. So let’s properly calculate the escort fee after we arrive at the Murim Alliance.”
Though Shin Ah liked to make everything clear, it seemed better to make an exception for this escort fee.
‘If I confirm and receive payment in advance, it would be very troublesome if something happens that requires additional danger pay.’
Shin Ah was drawing a very big picture.
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going now. We’ll depart in four days.”
Hyeong Daegwang quickly escaped from his fear.
Even when swept up by momentary emotions, quickly breaking free from them. That was his strength.
“Got it. But I’m not an uncle. Don’t call me uncle.”
“I know, you say you’re twenty-two. If you really hate being called uncle, then don’t speak informally to me either.”
Shin Ah pointed out something that had been continuously bothering her.
“How old are you…?”
“Does age matter in Murim? The strong one is the elder brother. If you’re confident you can beat me, then keep speaking casually.”
“Please take good care of me, elder brother.”
Hyeong Daegwang immediately bowed his head.
Shin Ah burst into laughter at his quick change of attitude.
Even if the escort journey would be arduous, it didn’t seem like it would be boring.
* * *
“Take me with you.”
“No, Juhwa.”
“Then I’ll lie down here. Step on me and go.”
Juhwa lay down on the floor of the Chang’an Branch.
Shin Ah lightly jumped over Juhwa’s body.
“Branch Managerrrrr!”
Juhwa rolled to the side and grabbed onto Shin Ah’s skirt hem.
“It’s already been decided. The Escort Warriors are So Cheondo and me, the couriers are Uncle Chilseon, Dolsoe, and Malseok.”
For mobility, they kept the personnel to a minimum, and in preparation for possible combat, they formed the team only with couriers who were fast on their feet and could ride horses.
“And if you come along too, who will take care of the branch? It’s because it’s you that I can entrust it and leave.”
“Still. I want to go too.”
“Absolutely not.”
It was when Shin Ah firmly refused.
“What about me?”
The Chang’an Branch door opened and a young man entered.
Shin Ah’s eyes trembled finely upon seeing him.
“I want to go too.”
It was Mugyeol.
Mugyeol had returned.
Having left behind all traces of his cute childhood, he now appeared in a form befitting the word ‘young man.’
“Young Miss.”
Mugyeol approached Shin Ah, who stood frozen like a faithful wife’s stone.
“I have returned.”
Shin Ah’s head tilted upward.
Their eye level had changed. As if the time when he was shorter than her had never existed, Mugyeol was now a full span taller than Shin Ah.
And he would grow even taller in the future.
Heavenly Bone Constitution, and a man.
Facts she had carelessly overlooked until now suddenly struck her with great impact.
Shin Ah slowly looked Mugyeol up and down.
With his long hair neatly tied back, Mugyeol’s shoulders had broadened as much as his height had increased.
On the other hand, his thick eyebrows, unfathomably deep black eyes, sharp nose bridge, and neat lips hadn’t changed at all.
Only having grown deeper, his gaze filled with loyalty toward Shin Ah remained the same.
Shin Ah slowly exhaled the breath she had been holding.
She couldn’t believe that Mugyeol, whom she had only seen through the hand mirror for years, had appeared without any contact.
Shin Ah slowly reached out her hand and gently touched Mugyeol’s cheek.
Mugyeol’s cheek and ear quickly flushed red. Even this remained the same.
It really is him.
Feeling the warm temperature of his cheek, Shin Ah smiled brightly.
Mugyeol had returned.
“Welcome back!”
Shin Ah embraced Mugyeol tightly.
* * *
Shin Ah headed to Manhyang Express with Mugyeol. Juhwa and Chilseon were also overjoyed to see Mugyeol and didn’t know what to do with themselves, but they had remaining work to handle.
Of course, Shin Ah also had mountains of work to do as a branch manager, but she was determined to spend at least today with Mugyeol.
Things like the story about the medicine seller that had been cut off during their hand mirror conversation, or where Ok Chifung was, could be discussed gradually in a quiet place.
Before that, there was something she needed to do for a friend who had returned from a long journey.
‘He must have suffered so much in foreign lands. I need to feed him lots of delicious food first.’
Shin Ah walked briskly, thinking she should return to Biwongak and prepare food first.
Mugyeol followed her one step behind, just like before.
Mugyeol carefully controlled his steps to avoid walking ahead of Shin Ah.
Following Chifung had quickened his pace, and his stride had grown longer as he’d grown taller, so he could easily overtake her if he wasn’t careful.
Mugyeol glanced at Shin Ah.
Shin Ah, who had once been taller than him, was now below his eye level.
Did that make her look small?
Absolutely not.
She who had built up the Chang’an Branch with that small, slender body looked even more magnificent.
Mugyeol recalled the scene of the Chang’an Branch he had just witnessed.
Contrary to Shin Ah’s description of it as a small shop, the Chang’an Branch was the size of a decent two-story inn, complete with five rooms and two warehouses.
‘It feels like just yesterday she was crying about starting with just a desk on the street.’
Shin Ah truly was amazing.
He thought he had grown a lot too, but he still had a long way to go before he could stand confidently before Shin Ah.
She was so wonderful that it was hard to look at her directly.
Mugyeol smiled without realizing it.
This time quietly following behind her was pure happiness for Mugyeol.
But it wasn’t all pleasant.
Dark emotions began to slowly rise from deep within his chest.
Was Shin Ah beautiful and wonderful only in his eyes?
That couldn’t be. Everyone was coveting Shin Ah.
In Mugyeol’s view, the evidence was overwhelming.
At the Chang’an Branch, porters and Escort Warriors constantly sought out Shin Ah, and men on the street turned their heads and sent lecherous glances whenever she passed by.
He wanted to gouge out all those eyeballs.
Mugyeol clenched his fists at the sudden impulse.
Those obviously weak runts would go flying with just one blow of Strange Power Eighteen Fists.
Mugyeol’s eyes darkened ominously.
Just then, Shin Ah, who had been walking ahead, turned her head and spoke to him.
“Mugyeol, how did you come here without saying anything?”
Suddenly the sun emerged from behind the clouds and cast brilliant light over Shin Ah’s head.
Seeing her dazzlingly bright appearance, the bad thoughts spreading through Mugyeol’s mind instantly evaporated.
“I begged to come.”
“What? You begged?”
Shin Ah’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe that Mugyeol had whined because he wanted something.
“Yes. When I heard that you were going on your first escort mission to the Central Plains, I asked Master Ok Chifung to let me return to the Escort Agency.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m your porter.”
“You’re Manhyang Express’s porter.”
Mugyeol pressed his lips tightly together. A hint of hurt briefly crossed his face.
As Shin Ah was about to turn around after answering casually, Mugyeol spoke up.
“Miss, I’ve never thought of myself as Manhyang Express’s porter.”
“….”
“I am your personal courier, Miss. So please take me with you on this escort mission too.”
Seeing Mugyeol’s intensely burning eyes, something stirred deep in Shin Ah’s chest.
In that moment, Shin Ah realized.
‘Even if I were going to the Deadlands, Mugyeol would follow me without hesitation.’
For me, my one and only courier.
The Chang’an Branch that Shin Ah operated was still fundamentally part of Manhyang Express, so strictly speaking, it belonged to So Hyeokho, the owner of the escort agency.
The escort warriors and couriers whom Shin Ah paid with silver coins were all employed to work at the Chang’an Branch of ‘Manhyang Express.’
Only Mugyeol, only he who said he was her courier rather than Manhyang Express’s, belonged to Shin Ah.
Shin Ah realized that Mugyeol would always be with her on whatever path she took in the future.
‘Then the beginning should be together too.’
Shin Ah’s plan to leave quietly changed.
“Alright, let’s go together.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Mugyeol smiled brightly. For a moment, his childhood appearance flickered through.
Mugyeol was still 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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