The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 138

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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 138

 

‘Oh my.’

 

Namgung Ganggyeong’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and his lips twitched like a child who had discovered an amusing toy.

 

But that was only for a moment, as he returned to being the taciturn and solemn Murim Alliance Leader before Namgung Oyeon’s voice could be heard.

 

“Alliance Leader, an Escort Warrior from Manhyang Express has arrived.”

 

“Let them in.”

 

The door opened and three people entered. Namgung Ganggyeong examined them with curious eyes.

 

His gaze fixed on the child at the front of the group, who possessed both cuteness and prettiness at the same time.

 

“So Shin Ah?”

 

Though she hesitated when the Alliance Leader immediately recognized her, Shin Ah soon straightened her posture and gave a Cupped Fist Salute.

 

“Yes, Alliance Leader. I am So Shin Ah, an Escort Warrior of Manhyang Express. It is an honor to meet the Murim Alliance Leader.”

 

Following Shin Ah’s lead, Mugyeol and Hyeong Daegwang also offered their greetings. However, the Murim Alliance Leader only looked at Shin Ah.

 

Rather than avoiding Namgung Ganggyeong’s gaze, Shin Ah observed him.

 

Namgung Ganggyeong up close was like an ancient tree that had lived for a thousand years.

 

His white hair filled with years and deeply carved wrinkles conveyed wisdom and patience, and despite his age, his bright eyes radiated spirit while his upright posture exuded solidity and dignity.

 

Just making eye contact with him created such tremendous pressure that it felt like her breath was being constricted.

 

But Shin Ah didn’t avert her gaze and instead straightened her back even more.

 

‘I am an Escort Warrior of Manhyang Express.’

 

Shin Ah clenched her fists and endured, determined not to be intimidated.

 

The Murim Alliance Leader thoroughly examined the sudden visitors.

 

It was impossible to accurately gauge someone’s abilities just by looking at them. However, a master of the Alliance Leader’s caliber could at least determine whether someone had potential or not.

 

And one more thing.

 

A strange light flickered in the Alliance Leader’s eyes as he looked at Mugyeol.

 

‘He’s already begun to sprout. But he’s merely a courier worker.’

 

Feeling the persistent gaze, Mugyeol raised his head. Mugyeol and the Alliance Leader’s eyes met.

 

The Alliance Leader stared into Mugyeol’s black pupils without even blinking. Mugyeol didn’t look away.

 

The Alliance Leader inwardly exclaimed in admiration.

 

‘Complete detachment from worldly thoughts.’

 

It was remarkable that someone so young had no desires or greed. If he actually had them but was hiding them, that would also be an impressive feat.

 

Shin Ah immediately noticed the continued examination through that calm gaze.

 

‘The Alliance Leader is keeping an eye on Mugyeol!’

 

It was the moment when Shin Ah’s second purpose for coming to the Murim Alliance was being achieved.

 

Shin Ah put strength into her clenched fists and waited so that the Murim Alliance Leader could observe Mugyeol sufficiently.

 

And when Namgung Ganggyeong turned his gaze away from Mugyeol, she seized the moment to speak.

 

“Escort Warrior So Shin Ah has completed the delivery of the Package Hyeong Daegwang to the Murim Alliance Leader and requests the writing of a receipt.”

 

The Murim Alliance Leader’s right eyebrow shot up.

 

Receiving a person as a package – even the Murim Alliance Leader, who had lived for many years, was experiencing this for the first time.

 

When Shin Ah reached back and grabbed Hyeong Daegwang’s sleeve to pull him forward, he came out hesitantly and bowed deeply at the waist.

 

“I, I am Hyeong Daegwang.”

 

The Alliance Leader leisurely looked Hyeong Daegwang over from head to toe.

 

He was the owner of light footsteps.

 

“A stranger I’ve never seen before. Even when receiving goods, I should know who the client is. Who is it that sent this fellow to me?”

 

“It is Hyeong Daegwang.”

 

When Shin Ah answered, the Alliance Leader’s eyebrows rose like mountains.

 

“What?”

 

“This person said he must meet with the Murim Alliance Leader, and requested Manhyang Express to deliver him before you.”

 

“An interesting situation indeed.”

 

The Alliance Leader looked back at Hyeong Daegwang.

 

“Do you know me?”

 

Hyeong Daegwang gulped and knelt down.

 

“P-please spare my life!”

 

He acted exactly as Shin Ah had advised.

 

“Please spare my life, Alliance Leader!”

 

* * *

 

Shin Ah’s role was only to deliver Hyeong Daegwang to the Murim Alliance Leader. Everything after that was solely Hyeong Daegwang’s responsibility, so Shin Ah gathered the receipt to submit as proof of completing the escort mission and Mugyeol, then came outside.

 

‘The Alliance Leader stared at Mugyeol for quite a long time. He must have recognized Mugyeol’s talent.’

 

Shin Ah was confident that the Murim Alliance Leader would seek out Mugyeol separately. That’s why her steps were so light.

 

“Has the conversation already concluded?”

 

Namgung Oyeon had been waiting outside for them until then.

 

“Yes. My duty as an Escort Warrior has ended.”

 

“Are you returning immediately?”

 

Shin Ah had no intention of returning to the Escort Agency right away.

 

She was also concerned about Hyeong Daegwang’s fate afterward, and since they might encounter Demon Cult members on the way, she needed to fully replenish her strength.

 

‘If I were alone, I could travel by teleport, but moving Mugyeol as well is still difficult.’

 

If they were to return on horseback, it would be better to rest comfortably for a few days and recover from the journey’s fatigue.

 

‘Preferably for free.’

 

The Murim Alliance was famous for showing generous hospitality to visitors.

 

“If it wouldn’t be an inconvenience, could we stay for a few days? The journey here wasn’t easy, so we’d like to rest for a while.”

 

“Of course. I’ve already prepared guest rooms. I was actually worried about what to do if you just left.”

 

Namgung Oyeon smiled his painted-on smile again and casually turned his head, only to meet Mugyeol’s eyes. For some reason, the gaze boring into him seemed unusual.

 

Only then did Namgung Oyeon take a closer look at Mugyeol. He noticed the long, sturdy bone structure.

 

‘A natural martial artist.’

 

Also, his unfathomably deep gaze and calm demeanor unbefitting a child caught his attention.

 

It made Manhyang Express seem remarkable for using such a child as merely a courier worker.

 

If he had been born into a prestigious noble family, he would have become a pillar of the martial world. What a waste.

 

* * *

 

The Cheonma Divine Palace was situated on the highest peak of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.

 

The dizzying place that could only be reached by climbing over sheer cliffs allowed one to place even the clouds beneath their feet once they ascended.

 

Though this place was also part of nature, traces of life were hard to find. Only humans, and only those who had received Cheonma’s permission, could enter and leave this place.

 

One of those people was the Poison Blood Demon.

 

“Have you arrived, Elder? The Cult Leader is waiting for you.”

 

When the guard captain who served Cheonma at close range opened the door, an interior filled with thick smoke was revealed.

 

The place was so dark that objects could barely be distinguished, and it was filled with cold air.

 

Cold sweat streamed down the back of the Poison Blood Demon as he stepped into that place.

 

Though he had served Cheonma at his side for over ten years, private audiences with him were still burdensome.

 

Moreover, today was a meeting to report failure, so his entire body trembled.

 

Cheonma was sitting with one leg raised, wearing a thin robe carelessly draped so his chest was clearly visible, holding a long pipe in his mouth.

 

“You’ve come.”

 

It was a chilling voice.

 

The Poison Blood Demon, who had been blankly watching white smoke rise through the dark space, gathered his scattered thoughts and knelt down.

 

He struck his forehead to the floor and shouted loudly.

 

“Please kill me. Though he vanished like smoke and I lost him, if you give me one more chance, I will surely catch him and make him pay for the crime of disgracing the Demon Cult.”

 

Silence continued for a while. To the Poison Blood Demon, it felt like an eternity.

 

Cold sweat flowing down his forehead dripped onto the black stone floor.

 

“Disgraced the Demon Cult, you say.”

 

Cheonma put down his pipe and straightened his posture from leaning sideways.

 

With just that much movement, the atmosphere in the room changed.

 

The air that had been flowing loosely suddenly became taut, and an unknown pressure crushed down on the Poison Blood Demon.

 

“It was your scheme to shake the Murim with that trivial medicine.”

 

“Yes, that’s correct. It was a scheme I devised for Cheonma!”

 

“How dare you try to share that failure with the Demon Cult? Audaciously, impudently, how dare a maggot-like bastard involve my Demon Cult!”

 

Cheonma’s quiet voice suddenly grew loud. As he emitted killing intent, the Poison Blood Demon couldn’t even breathe properly and gasped for air.

 

“What use is a hunting dog that can’t even properly catch a single beast?”

 

“Sp-spare me. Huff, C-Cult Leader, if the escort agency bastards hadn’t interfered…”

 

“Escort agency?”

 

At the unexpected word, Cheonma’s killing intent loosened, and the Poison Blood Demon’s blocked airways opened. He quickly regulated his breathing and answered.

 

“That rat-like bastard joined hands with an escort agency.”

 

“Which escort agency are you talking about?”

 

“Manhyang Express.”

 

“That place?”

 

The killing intent faded from Cheonma’s eyes and interest rose instead.

 

The Poison Blood Demon instantly found a way to save his life.

 

Diverting Cheonma’s attention elsewhere!

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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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