The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 119
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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 119
At Biwongak, there was another welcome person waiting for Shin Ah.
It was So Cheonrim.
“Father!”
Cheonrim smiled and spread his arms toward Shin Ah, who was entering with Mugyeol.
Shin Ah naturally fell into his embrace.
Fifteen years old—an age that could no longer be called young—but in Cheonrim’s eyes, Shin Ah was still his little child.
“Did you have a good trip?”
Cheonrim had just returned from delivering the Murim Alliance Leader’s letters to Mount Hua.
“Of course. I went with the talisman our daughter gave me, so I had to have a good trip.”
Cheonrim turned his head to show the hair ribbon Shin Ah had given him.
Ever since receiving the hair ribbon as a gift, Cheonrim always wore only the one Shin Ah had given him.
Momentarily moved by Cheonrim’s treasuring of the gift, Shin Ah broke away from his embrace and pointed behind her.
“Father, Mugyeol is here!”
Shin Ah’s voice was full of pride. She seemed simply proud of how well Mugyeol had grown.
“I know.”
“What? You know?”
Come to think of it, both Cheonrim and Mugyeol should have been meeting after a long time, yet they exchanged eye greetings without any awkwardness.
“He came back with me.”
“Huh? You came with Father?”
As the flustered Shin Ah rolled her eyes around, Cheonrim spoke.
“Mugyeol, it seems you have a lot to explain.”
Though he wanted to tell her the story himself, Cheonrim had something to report to So Hyeokho.
“I’ll go to Wolhwa Hall.”
When Shin Ah nodded, Cheonrim patted Mugyeol’s shoulder and left.
“Let’s go inside for now.”
Shin Ah, who was extremely curious about what had happened, hurried her steps.
However, even after entering her private quarters, she couldn’t hear Mugyeol’s answer.
This was because Danmi, upon seeing Mugyeol, made a huge fuss.
“You’ve grown this much? You’re taller than me! Ahhhhh! Let me see! Huh? It’s been so long!”
“Danmi, I know you’re happy to see him, so please bring some drinks and refreshments.”
“Yes, Miss. Mugyeol, welcome back! Let’s talk more later! But Mugyeol, just tell me one thing. Are there many handsome warriors in the Central Plains?”
“Danmi.”
“Yes, I’m going! I’m going now, Miss!”
When Danmi left to bring food, a silence fell over the quarters as if a storm had swept through.
“Everyone seems happy that you’ve returned.”
Juhwa, Chilseon, and Danmi too.
Though they didn’t express it, everyone had been missing Mugyeol. So they were genuinely happy about his return.
At Shin Ah’s words, Mugyeol’s brow furrowed slightly, unaccustomed to such warm reception.
Shin Ah observed his expression and asked.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
That wasn’t it.
For him, Shin Ah’s welcome was enough, but that didn’t mean he disliked others welcoming him. He was just not used to it.
“I’m fine.”
“Good. Then as planned, let’s all gather tomorrow evening and eat together. Now hurry up and tell me. What happened?”
Mugyeol nodded and slowly explained the process of how he came to return to Shin Ah’s side.
“I asked Master Ok Chifung to let me return to the Escort Agency since I needed to follow the young lady’s escort mission, but he said that would be difficult.”
At that time, Chifung was conducting an important investigation. A medicine suspected to be Nameless Blood Powder had been discovered near the lower reaches of the Janggang River.
So he couldn’t immediately take Mugyeol to the Escort Agency.
“I said I would go alone, but…”
“That’s not right! No matter how outstanding your martial arts skills are, you can’t go alone!”
“Yes, Master Chifung said exactly the same thing as you, young lady.”
Mugyeol didn’t give up and inquired about ways to return to Seomsu by joining a trading company or escort group, even as a porter.
But no matter how much he had Manhyang Express’s identification badge, there was no way any trading company would hire a thirteen-year-old child who had been wandering the Central Plains as a porter.
After several rejections, Chifung saw the dejected Mugyeol and said:
‘Let’s go to Mount Hua first.’
The medicine found in the lower reaches of the Janggang River was not Nameless Blood Powder.
Even so, since they had come this far, he had planned to investigate other clues in the vicinity, but Chifung moved up his plan to visit Mount Hua, which was originally scheduled for a month later.
The Sect Leader had also contacted him saying it would be good if he came early, and he was also concerned about Mugyeol.
The plan was to first go to Mount Hua, then look for a group heading to Chang’an, or if that didn’t work out, Chifung would personally escort him there.
And while they were at it, he had tried to arrange a sparring match between Mugyeol and the Mount Hua children, but that plan fell through.
Because there was someone at Mount Hua who could take Mugyeol directly to the Escort Agency.
“Ah! So you met my father there?”
“Yes. I was lucky. The Biwongak Master happened to come to meet the Sect Leader.”
That’s how Mugyeol parted ways with Ok Chifung.
“The Master said he would stay at Mount Hua a bit longer since he had many things to discuss with the Sect Leader.”
To Mugyeol, Ok Chifung was more than just a teacher.
He was the benefactor who saved his life, and the family he had shared joys and sorrows with for the past five years.
If asked to name someone important to him besides Shin Ah, it would undoubtedly be Ok Chifung.
Knowing his feelings, Shin Ah gently asked.
“Aren’t you sad? About having to part with Master Ok Chifung?”
A faint smile spread across Mugyeol’s lips.
“He said we could meet again when I return.”
It would be a lie to say he wasn’t sad. But Mugyeol decided to endure the separation from Chifung in order to stay by the side of someone more important.
And when he returned to the Escort Agency after the escort mission, they would be able to meet again.
Shin Ah’s nose tingled with emotion.
Mugyeol had given up something important for the escort mission with her.
How could she leave such a child behind?
Shin Ah extended her hand to Mugyeol.
“Come with me.”
Mugyeol gladly took her hand.
* * *
The meal to celebrate Mugyeol’s safe return was held quite grandly.
“Hey, did you bring gifts?”
Juhwa poked Mugyeol’s arm.
Mugyeol stared at Juhwa with his dark eyes and shook his head.
Mugyeol’s bundle was full of things he bought at the Black Market, but among all those items, there was nothing for Juhwa.
‘They’re all for our young miss.’
When should he give them to her?
It was when Mugyeol was glancing at Shin Ah.
“Heartless brat. How can you come home without buying a single gift for your family? Uncle Chilseon, we taught him wrong.”
Juhwa beat her chest and lamented. Chilseon chuckled and patted Mugyeol’s back.
“Just ignore what Jang Gwe says. She’s acting like this because she’s happy to see you. After you left, Jang Gwe was very bored for a while. There was no one to argue back at her.”
Mugyeol was the only one who didn’t get intimidated by Juhwa’s fierce expression and harsh words and stood up to her.
“Uncle, you’re talking nonsense again.”
Juhwa pouted and placed a piece of meat on Mugyeol’s plate.
“I’m giving this annoying brat one more piece of meat.”
Despite her words, Juhwa looked happy.
“Mugyeol, tell us about traveling around the Central Plains. Did you see any handsome warriors?”
Danmi squeezed between Juhwa and Mugyeol and asked.
Mugyeol picked up the meat Juhwa gave him and asked back.
“What does handsome mean?”
Danmi’s mouth fell open. Then she turned to Shin Ah and said.
“Young miss, this kid doesn’t even look in a hand mirror.”
Whether Danmi and Juhwa were chattering beside him or not, Mugyeol’s gaze remained fixed on Shin Ah the entire time.
Feeling his gaze, Shin Ah raised her chopsticks and shouted.
“Alright, from now on, no talking to Mugyeol! Our Mugyeol needs to eat!”
Then she drove away Juhwa and Danmi and took the seat next to Mugyeol!
Mugyeol’s eyes widened, and his pupils rippled with joy.
“Mugyeol, eat a lot. I’m buying, so don’t worry.”
Mugyeol ate diligently as Shin Ah told him to, and for a while, laughter never ceased at Cheongpungru.
Two hours later, one by one they declared they couldn’t eat anymore and left Cheongpungru.
Soon, just like that night a few years ago, only Shin Ah and Mugyeol remained.
“Young miss, I have something to give you. Please wait just a moment!”
Mugyeol, who had been wondering when to give the gifts and watching for the right moment, quickly ran to his Private Quarters and returned carrying a heavy bundle.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a gift for you, Miss.”
Mugyeol took out items from his bundle.
Sparkling beads, a hair ribbon made of fine silk, a notebook perfect for carrying in one’s pocket, a pen case with elaborate patterns engraved in relief…
Shin Ah’s mouth fell open as she watched the endless stream of items emerge.
“All of this is for me?”
Mugyeol nodded.
“When on earth did you buy all this?”
These were things he had collected one by one – every time he went to the Black Market, every time he missed her, every time he wanted to return to the Escort Agency.
Understanding his feelings, Shin Ah happily accepted the gifts.
“I’ll treasure them. Thank you so much.”
Mugyeol smiled shyly. It was a smile that harmonized beautifully with the moonlight.
“And Miss, about the medicine…”
“Wait, Mugyeol.”
Guessing he was about to mention the Nameless Blood Powder, Shin Ah stopped him.
“Tell me about that gradually later.”
“Ah! Are you worried someone might overhear?”
Instead of answering, Shin Ah only smiled.
That was part of it, but right now she didn’t want to think about complicated matters.
With Mugyeol’s return, Biwongak finally felt complete. Shin Ah wanted to savor this feeling a little longer.
And two days later, an escort mission group bound for the Murim Alliance was formed.
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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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