The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 123

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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 123

 

Shin Ah snorted inwardly and spoke firmly.

 

“Can you take responsibility for those words right now? If Taehang Stronghold is going to ignore the sincerity our Escort Agency has shown all this time, we’ll have no choice but to report this to headquarters.”

 

When Shin Ah retorted sharply, the deputy leader waved his hand dismissively.

 

“Oh my, don’t say things that could cause misunderstandings if others heard. We’re Green Forest Bandits, and the Green Forest doesn’t take others’ sincerity lightly. The bridge repair is real, I tell you. You can’t see it from here, but some of the wooden planks over there have rotted.”

 

The deputy leader shrugged his shoulders and continued speaking.

 

“So what choice do we have but to block passage and replace the planks? We have several other routes where we do business on Taehang Mountain. That’s why we can’t do repairs during business hours. If you ask us to repair it right away, we’d have to shut down all business and focus on that, which means we’d have no choice but to raise the toll for this route accordingly.”

 

“Even so, does ten times the price make sense? We don’t have many people, and our cargo isn’t heavy either.”

 

Shin Ah argued back, but it didn’t get through to them.

 

“Raising and lowering tolls is the owner’s prerogative. So why don’t you show a little more generosity? Who knows? We might be so moved that we’ll repair the bridge right away and carry the pretty young lady across ourselves.”

 

The deputy leader spoke sluggishly while teasing Shin Ah.

 

Mugyeol, who had been quietly standing behind Shin Ah until now, raised his eyes sharply.

 

At the terrifying killing intent that suddenly flared up, the gazes of the deputy leader and the stronghold leader turned toward Mugyeol.

 

Shin Ah quickly moved a few steps to shield Mugyeol. Then she reached back and grabbed Mugyeol’s collar. It was a signal to calm down.

 

Even including the porters, they were outnumbered compared to the Taehang Stronghold bandits, and there was only one bridge with the passage firmly blocked.

 

Considering they had to protect the horses and cargo as well, fighting would be a loss from the moment it started.

 

Hah, Shin Ah let out an irritated breath and asked them directly.

 

“What do you really want? Even for Taehang Stronghold, there’s nothing good about picking a fight with Manhyang Express, so please speak honestly.”

 

Ten times the toll – honestly, she could pay that much. They had prepared plenty of travel funds in case of unexpected situations.

 

However, she kept getting the feeling that what they really wanted wasn’t money.

 

“Just wait one day. We’ll fix everything up nice and send you on your way beautifully.”

 

At the deputy leader’s answer, the stronghold leader also nodded.

 

Shin Ah’s eyes flashed.

 

What they wanted was exactly one day’s worth of time.

 

‘Why? Why do they need time?’

 

Shin Ah’s mind began spinning rapidly.

 

* * *

 

Shin Ah returned to the group and shook her head.

 

“We’ll have to camp nearby tonight.”

 

“I heard. Demanding such an outrageous toll – there’s definitely some ulterior motive behind this.”

 

When So Cheondo spoke, Hyeong Daegwang, who had been listening to the conversation, quickly interjected.

 

“Whatever they’re asking, let’s just pay it and go. Yes?”

 

Shin Ah and So Cheondo turned to look at him.

 

“I’ll pay the difference in toll fees.”

 

He acted urgently as if he needed to leave Taehang Mountain immediately.

 

One side was stalling for time, while the other was frantically eager to move quickly.

 

For Shin Ah, accepting Hyeong Daegwang’s proposal would be beneficial. However, she couldn’t accept his proposal for two reasons.

 

The first reason was the fact that he currently had no money on hand.

 

Even if Hyeong Daegwang agreed to pay the difference, it would first have to be processed as escort mission expenses and collected later, but if he played dumb after arriving at the Murim Alliance, it would become a headache.

 

‘I’ll find a way to collect it no matter what, but it won’t be easy.’

 

And Hyeong Daegwang’s suspicious attitude bothered her.

 

Throughout the escort mission, he had been acting like a rabbit being chased by a wild beast.

 

Even when eating, he would glance behind him, couldn’t sleep deeply, and would startle at the smallest sounds.

 

Sometimes even during breaks, he would hide his body in secluded places. Did he say he was more comfortable in dark places?

 

‘Someone is chasing him.’

 

Shin Ah had reached that conclusion not long ago.

 

Then were the Green Forest bandits waiting at Taihang Mountain the ones pursuing Hyeong Daegwang?

 

‘I don’t know who they are, but it might be better to settle things here before moving on.’

 

If those who could manipulate an entire bandit stronghold as they pleased followed Shin Ah’s group throughout the escort mission, it would definitely become troublesome.

 

What on earth had Hyeong Daegwang done?

 

‘Don’t tell me he robbed some high official’s house?’

 

Unless it was the owner of a considerably large trading company or a high-ranking official, they couldn’t move Green Forest bandits like that.

 

‘Those who would help even while risking making the Taihang Mountain stronghold leader an enemy of Manhyang Express, one of the Central Plains’ Three Great Escort Agencies. They probably won’t be easy opponents.’

 

Having thought that far, Shin Ah narrowed her eyes and glared at Hyeong Daegwang.

 

Hyeong Daegwang was gulping nervously while waiting for Shin Ah’s decision.

 

“Hey.”

 

Shin Ah took a step closer to Hyeong Daegwang.

 

“Don’t you have anything to tell me?”

 

Shin Ah recalled the conversation she had with Hyeong Daegwang about the contract fee before departing on the escort mission.

 

‘Uncle, you’re hiding something from me.’

 

‘That’s… I can’t tell you!’

 

‘I know. That’s why I won’t ask.’

 

Back then, she really had no intention of asking.

 

However, since the other side was so blatantly trying to stall for time, it was impossible to continue pretending not to know.

 

In the interrogation-like atmosphere, all the party members’ gazes focused on Hyeong Daegwang.

 

The pressure from those gazes was tremendous.

 

‘Should I tell them? No, I can’t. What if these people betray me?’

 

Hyeong Daegwang had lived his entire life as a thief. Though slightly different from swindlers who backstab others, his inability to trust people was the same.

 

Hyeong Daegwang shook off the temptation that had briefly arisen and clenched his fists tightly.

 

“I have only one thing to say! I’ll pay any amount of additional toll, so resume the escort mission immediately.”

 

Making a humming sound, Shin Ah nodded and stepped back.

 

That statement was a demand he could make as a client.

 

However, adjusting the schedule without exceeding the package delivery date agreed upon when writing the request was the leader’s authority.

 

“You’re really saying you have nothing to tell me?”

 

Hyeong Daegwang nodded awkwardly.

 

“That’s fine. We arrived at Taihang Mountain earlier than scheduled. Exactly one day early. So it doesn’t matter if we’re delayed by exactly that much. Let’s wait until tomorrow.”

 

“No, what for? The day is still bright, wouldn’t it be better to go a bit further?”

 

Hyeong Daegwang grabbed Shin Ah. No, he tried to, but what he grabbed was Mugyeol’s hand instead.

 

When he had approached, at the exact moment Hyeong Daegwang reached out his hand, Mugyeol had pushed his own arm forward to block it.

 

Hyeong Daegwang flinched at Mugyeol’s fierce gaze.

 

“Please don’t carelessly lay hands on the Branch Master. It’s against proper etiquette.”

 

Hyeong Daegwang’s lips fluttered before he released the strength from his hand.

 

“Ah, right.”

 

Only after Hyeong Daegwang answered did Mugyeol withdraw his murderous aura.

 

Hyeong Daegwang looked around for someone who would agree with his opinion. However, the courier workers except for Mugyeol had already gone far away to look for a campsite, following Shin Ah’s words.

 

‘There’s no one on my side.’

 

“If you have nothing more to say, we’ll settle on departing tomorrow.”

 

Hyeong Daegwang reluctantly yielded his position.

 

Shin Ah glanced at him and called for Cheondo.

 

“Escort Warrior So, please talk with me for a moment.”

 

Shin Ah disappeared, taking Cheondo with her. An Escort Warrior should have remained to guard the package Hyeong Daegwang, but Shin Ah trusted Mugyeol and left her post.

 

With only Mugyeol and Hyeong Daegwang remaining, Mugyeol confirmed that Shin Ah was out of sight and strode toward Hyeong Daegwang.

 

“What, what is it?”

 

Hyeong Daegwang frowned.

 

Hyeong Daegwang’s build was slightly below average for a male.

 

Though he might have felt inferior about his small, thin frame, Hyeong Daegwang loved his body. It was the perfect build and height for thievery.

 

But today, for the first time, he lamented being short.

 

‘They said that kid is thirteen years old.’

 

To be at eye level with someone nine years younger than him was unspeakably damaging to his pride.

 

‘And what the hell is that intimidating presence?’

 

As Mugyeol stared at him with an expressionless face, sweat began to form in his palms for no reason.

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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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