The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 129

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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 129

 

Hyeong Daegwang suppressed his shock and prepared to leave the Black Market. He planned to flee as far as possible before he might get caught.

 

The merchants of the Black Market also began packing their cargo one by one, starting with someone’s lament of “Business is ruined today.”

 

However, the money pouch owner’s next words firmly held Hyeong Daegwang’s feet in place.

 

“I really didn’t embezzle it… Ah… pickpocket, I must have been pickpocketed…”

 

The man spoke with foam at his mouth.

 

“Who do you think stole it?”

 

Murderous intent flickered in the eyes of the Demon Cult member who seemed to be the leader. When he gestured toward the others, the Demon Cult members scattered in all directions.

 

Though no more words were exchanged between them, it was clear to anyone that they intended to capture the pickpockets within the Black Market.

 

‘Gasp!’

 

Hyeong Daegwang covered his mouth.

 

Things had gone terribly wrong.

 

He immediately threw himself into the darkness, and behind him, death screams echoed.

 

Hyeong Daegwang ran and ran again, praying for the soul of someone whose name he didn’t know.

 

* * *

 

Shin Ah let out a hollow laugh.

 

Listening to Hyeong Daegwang’s story and estimating the timing, the period when he pickpocketed and when the Black Market temporarily closed seemed roughly similar.

 

‘The Black Market didn’t open because of Hyeong Daegwang?’

 

What did Hyeong Daegwang steal that made the Demon Cult members cause such chaos that the authorities intervened and the Black Market closed?

 

“Do you still have it now?”

 

At Shin Ah’s interrogation, Hyeong Daegwang nodded.

 

“Sh-should I give it to you?”

 

Shin Ah snorted and refused.

 

“You plan to hand it over to me and then pin everything on me if things go wrong? No thanks. I don’t need it. But why didn’t you throw it away?”

 

“I didn’t have a chance to throw it away.”

 

Hyeong Daegwang rubbed his face vigorously with his dry hands.

 

Shin Ah narrowed her eyes.

 

“Did you find out what it is? Of course you did. You’d need to know to sell it. You already tried to sell it, didn’t you?”

 

When Hyeong Daegwang inhaled, a strange “hiik” sound came out.

 

Rolling his eyes around, he smiled awkwardly and said.

 

“I only, only thought about it.”

 

He tried to do it too.

 

Shin Ah pressed her forehead.

 

When he thought he had escaped enough, he must have tried to sell it and got caught, which is why the Demon Cult bastards are desperately chasing him.

 

“I thought it might be a precious Spirit Pill formula, so I only asked a Doctor about it. Really. But the Doctor didn’t know anything about it.”

 

“And you didn’t try going anywhere else after that?”

 

“It’s not that I didn’t go, I couldn’t go.”

 

He let out a sigh and continued speaking.

 

“The doctor I went to see is dead.”

 

“…!”

 

“I found out by chance, but it was the work of the Demon Cult.”

 

That’s when Hyeong Daegwang realized.

 

This is no ordinary matter. If I get caught, I’m definitely dead.

 

Then, what should I do to survive?

 

He racked his brains and found the only way.

 

“Are you planning to sell me to the Murim Alliance Leader?”

 

“That’s not it….”

 

“Whether that’s right or not, grab onto the Murim Alliance Leader’s trouser legs and beg desperately, asking him to spare your life.”

 

Shin Ah gave serious advice, recalling Hyeong Daegwang’s terrible death in the past.

 

“Don’t dismiss my words carelessly.”

 

Shin Ah turned around sharply and walked away.

 

Hyeong Daegwang stared blankly at Shin Ah before collapsing in place.

 

He had only tried to make a little profit with his petty tricks, but now he had enemies on all sides.

 

It felt a little, no, very unfair.

 

* * *

 

The rest was sweet but short.

 

As soon as the horses had somewhat recovered their strength, Shin Ah gathered everyone together.

 

Shin Ah finished preparing for departure and looked at those gathered in a circle. Her face was full of dark clouds.

 

“Leader, is there some problem?”

 

Chilseon asked.

 

Shin Ah nodded lightly and tightened the corners of her mouth.

 

Throughout the rest, Shin Ah had agonized over whether or not to tell the group about the danger they were facing. And she had just made her decision.

 

“I have something to say.”

 

Hyeong Daegwang shook his head trying to dissuade Shin Ah, but as the leader, she had to speak.

 

“We are, or more precisely, our package is being pursued by the Demon Cult.”

 

Malseok and Dolsoe made strange sounds, and So Cheondo let out a groan. Only Mugyeol, who already knew, wasn’t surprised.

 

“So from now on, I’ll handle the escort mission alone. That’s the way for all of us to survive.”

 

“Miss, that’s ridiculous!”

 

Mugyeol hardened his expression and shouted.

 

After coming this far, he couldn’t bear to part with Shin Ah again.

 

Knowing why Shin Ah made such a choice, he couldn’t simply follow her words.

 

‘What if something happens to Miss by any chance?’

 

Mugyeol’s heart pounded frighteningly.

 

“I also agree with that courier worker’s opinion. The road ahead is endless, and you want just the two of us to go?”

 

Hyeong Daegwang moved to Mugyeol’s side and added his opinion.

 

“Shin Ah… Squad Leader, why are you doing this? In dangerous times like these, we should stick together as one. But more than that, the Demon Cult? Why would they be chasing Hyeong Daegwang, no, our package?”

 

So Cheondo asked.

 

“I can’t explain the details. Just know that this decision is for all of our sakes.”

 

So Cheondo and the courier workers’ faces darkened.

 

Despite the meager explanation, everyone believed Shin Ah’s words. Her actions and achievements built up until now served as the foundation of their trust.

 

However, precisely because they believed Shin Ah’s words, So Cheondo and the courier workers couldn’t agree with her decision that they should split up.

 

“Squad Leader, if Demon Cult members are following us, shouldn’t we move together even more?”

 

“Escort Warrior So Cheondo is right. If it’s not just anyone but Demon Cult members, splitting up might be the more dangerous choice.”

 

Chilseon, who had been reading the mood, supported So Cheondo’s words.

 

“Everyone doesn’t need to worry. I have a complete plan to safely shake them off. But that’s only possible when we move with fewer people than now.”

 

Everyone fell silent at Shin Ah’s persuasion.

 

In a situation where they couldn’t rashly insist on following along, Mugyeol glared at Hyeong Daegwang.

 

Instantly, cold sweat ran down Hyeong Daegwang’s back.

 

‘Why is that bastard looking at me like he wants to devour me?’

 

As soon as Hyeong Daegwang had that thought, Mugyeol’s telepathic message flew to him.

 

Minus the harsh curses, the gist of the words criticizing, resenting, and threatening Hyeong Daegwang was one thing.

 

To let him join them.

 

Hyeong Daegwang suddenly raised his hand.

 

“I have something to say! I respect our Branch Office Leader’s opinion, but think about it. If just the two of us go, who will cook and how will we handle night watch? I can’t stand watch alone, and the Branch Office Leader can’t stay awake for days on end either. So let’s take Mugyeol, who looks like he can handle a sword among the courier workers. Escort Warrior So Cheondo, what do you think?”

 

After finishing his words, Hyeong Daegwang glanced at Mugyeol. Seeing his lips curve upward slightly, though barely noticeable, he felt relieved.

 

Though he found it puzzling why Mugyeol was so blindly loyal to Shin Ah, he had no time to worry about that when his own affairs were urgent.

 

He wanted to rush to the Murim Alliance as quickly as possible.

 

“That would be better. If Mugyeol comes along, I’d worry less too.”

 

Even So Cheondo joined in persuading Shin Ah. Thinking Hyeong Daegwang’s words made sense, Shin Ah asked Mugyeol.

 

“Mugyeol, do you want to come with me?”

 

“Yes, Miss! I’ll go!”

 

Shin Ah unconsciously let out a small laugh. But she soon hardened her expression.

 

“Good. Mugyeol, Hyeong Daegwang, and I will go together. Now, let’s depart.”

 

At Shin Ah’s decision, everyone moved in perfect coordination.

 

* * *

 

Right after Mugyeol knocked down Taehono and left, Taehang Stronghold was bustling.

 

As soon as Noksa confirmed Mugyeol had left, he ordered them to move.

 

“Hey! Leave that behind, you bastard. The Chief said so. We’re just temporarily evacuating.”

 

Another man’s scolding flew toward the man coming out with a cooking pot on his back.

 

“Geez, you bastard. Why don’t you just carry the whole house with you? Keep it simple, eh? Don’t you know what ‘keep it simple’ means?”

 

All the bandits of Taehang Stronghold were busy packing their belongings.

 

“Are we really abandoning our Taehang Stronghold?”

 

A bald-headed bandit asked Noksa, who had become the chief overnight from being an advisor.

 

“I’m not abandoning it, I’m just temporarily vacating it!”

 

“Why?”

 

Because the Poison Blood Demon would come looking.

 

Noksa had no confidence he could fight and win against the Poison Blood Demon. He hadn’t even prepared what the demon wanted. He had even publicly declared that he would serve Mugyeol, who was protecting Hyeong Daegwang that the Poison Blood Demon was seeking, as his superior.

 

To the Green Forest Bandits, such words might seem trivial, but Noksa had seen the future and decided on the master he would serve.

 

Mugyeol, who would become the greatest under heaven and pacify the martial world.

 

‘If I can just get through this quietly, following that porter would be more profitable than the Poison Blood Demon.’

 

So he had to flee before the Poison Blood Demon arrived.

 

With the temperament of a Demon Cult elder, what more could he expect than death if he remained in the mountain stronghold?

 

Noksa gauged the time by looking at the moon and shouted at the Green Forest Bandits who were greedily packing their belongings.

 

“Only pack weapons and immediate necessities! We leave within one hour!”

 

What they needed now was speed.

 

Half a day later, just as Shin Ah’s group was splitting into two and leaving the valley, the Poison Blood Demon entered the empty Taehang Stronghold.

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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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