The Granddaughter of the Manhyang Escort Agency Hides Her Magic - Chapter 31
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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 31
“Father, you’re dismissing the Captain! He was an excellent instructor. And how could you do this without even consulting me once!”
So Baekrim, who had come to find Wolhwa Hall’s master not at his private quarters but at his office, vented his indignation until his face turned red.
In contrast, So Hyeokho, sitting across from him, remained perfectly calm.
“Do I need your permission to remove one person from the escort agency?”
“Father! Wasn’t he someone I recommended? He was an escort warrior of Yuwon Pavilion before joining Bogukgak! Naturally, you should have consulted with me at least once…”
Bang! Hyeokho struck the tea table. The tea table split in two instantly.
Baekrim flinched and shut his mouth tight.
A chilling voice flowed from Hyeokho’s lips as he maintained his calm expression.
“Which escort agency master reports every agency matter to his deputy head?”
“F-Father, since you delegated Bogukgak affairs to me…”
“Shut that mouth. I spared that man who taught my grandson wrongly for the sake of your dignity. Otherwise, tearing him limb from limb wouldn’t have been enough.”
Ha Dowi had relied on Baekrim’s authority and disrupted the escort agency’s discipline for personal greed.
The Hyeokho of old would never have let someone who dared touch Manhyang Express’s discipline leave alive.
The real reason he spared Ha Dowi wasn’t for So Baekrim, but for So Cheonrim.
‘If the punishment is too severe, it will hurt the children’s hearts.’
Hyeokho’s heart had been moved by Cheonrim’s words that he didn’t want Shin Ah to feel guilty.
Unaware of this, Baekrim cautiously watched Hyeokho’s mood.
‘Should I say it now? Or wait a bit longer?’
The Captain being expelled from Bogukgak was only mildly disappointing; Baekrim had a different real reason for coming to see Hyeokho.
“I’ll follow Father’s will regarding Ha Dowi. But entrusting Bogukgak to Cheonrim? Cheonrim will be busy enough taking care of Shin Ah. I’ll look for a separate escort head to become Bogukgak’s instructor, so please just leave Cheonrim alone.”
“Don’t interfere in that matter either.”
“Father, isn’t Cheonrim too pitiful? As his older brother, how can I just watch my younger brother run around frantically?”
“He must be capable since he accepted it. And haven’t you always emphasized it? That Biwongak doesn’t earn its keep and only depletes the storehouse.”
“Ah, Father, that was…”
“Quiet. If you have nothing more to say, leave now!”
Hyeokho firmly issued an order to leave.
Knowing well that persisting further would only earn him a scolding, Baekrim reluctantly rose from his seat.
Baekrim’s shoulders were heavy with his failed objective.
It would be truly disastrous if Cheonrim took charge of Bogukgak.
‘All the exaggerations about Mando’s skills will be exposed!’
Since Hyeokho didn’t directly oversee the children’s training, Baekrim had made a request to the Captain.
‘Just inflate Mando’s abilities moderately, enough that Father won’t suspect. He’ll learn it all eventually anyway, right?’
So while Mando could only properly execute up to the 4th form of Tiger Walk Sword Technique, rumors spread that he had mastered the 6th form.
‘Father mustn’t be disappointed in Mando…’
Baekrim’s insides burned as he turned the corner in the corridor.
* * *
At the time Baekrim was having his private meeting with Hyeokho, Shin Ah headed to Wolhwa Hall.
“Did you arrange to meet with the family head, young miss?”
The familiar gatekeeper of Wolhwa Hall asked.
“No. But I really need to see Grandfather.”
The gatekeeper made a troubled expression.
“Young miss, even though you’re the family head’s granddaughter, you can’t meet him anytime. The family head lives each day like it’s two days.”
Unlike the past, the gatekeeper knelt down to meet Shin Ah’s eyes and explained kindly. However, not easily opening Wolhwa Hall’s doors was the same as before.
“I know that, but I have something to give Grandfather.”
As soon as she found the ring, Shin Ah had rushed to Wolhwa Hall.
She was too excited to think deeply, and having heard from Danmi that Baekrim had visited Wolhwa Hall, she couldn’t delay.
‘Am I supposed to just stand by knowing what words he’ll use to drive a wedge between Grandfather and Father?’
Though she now knew Hyeokho wasn’t someone easily swayed by Baekrim’s words, thinking of her past life made her uneasy.
Shin Ah stamped her feet impatiently.
“Just for a moment.”
“Young miss, it really can’t be done.”
Shin Ah pouted her lips.
Even knowing the gatekeeper was just doing his job faithfully, she wanted to flick his forehead.
“Young miss, please come back later.”
Seeing the cold sweat on the gatekeeper’s forehead, Danmi reluctantly stepped forward.
‘It’s disappointing to go back like this.’
After much deliberation, Shin Ah stood on her tiptoes and stretched her neck.
“Grandfather, are you inside?”
Her clear voice shook Wolhwa Hall.
After a moment, the firmly closed doors of Wolhwa Hall opened.
Shin Ah’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, then quickly filled with disappointment.
“What’s all this commotion?”
The one who opened the door wasn’t Hyeokho but Baekrim.
He glared at Shin Ah menacingly.
* * *
Baekrim’s mood was terrible after coming to Wolhwa Hall, failing to achieve his goal, and being driven out.
Just let anyone cross my path, he thought, grinding his teeth as he came out, and Shin Ah was a perfect target for his frustration.
“What’s all this commotion?”
When Baekrim asked, the gatekeeper bowed deeply and answered.
“Young Miss Shin Ah wishes to meet with the Wolhwa Hall master.”
“And so?”
“I was just telling her it would be difficult without arranging an appointment first.”
“And then?”
The gatekeeper, thinking he had explained sufficiently, only raised his eyes to look at Baekrim. Meeting that chilling gaze, he quickly lowered his eyes.
“The young miss…”
“Shin Ah must have been stubborn. Keeping you from your work like that. It must have interfered with your duties.”
While it was troublesome that Shin Ah insisted on seeing Hyeokho, she hadn’t actually interfered with the gatekeeper’s work.
After all, the gatekeeper’s job was to stand guard at the door and open it for appointed visitors.
“That’s not the case…”
The gatekeeper opened his mouth to defend Shin Ah, but Baekrim cut him off.
“So Shin Ah! Stop interfering with adults’ work and go back immediately.”
Even when Baekrim scolded her sternly, Shin Ah only made an indifferent expression and didn’t budge.
“I’ll go when Grandfather tells me to go. I came to see Grandfather. You there, please go tell Grandfather.”
Shin Ah poked the thigh of the gatekeeper who was still bowing.
The startled gatekeeper straightened up and his eyes met Baekrim’s, whose face had turned bright red.
Baekrim’s eyes conveyed his message.
Don’t move a single step.
Torn between Baekrim and Shin Ah, the gatekeeper sided with the established power.
“Young miss, please return today. I’ll speak to Master Jang Mu later. How about arranging an appointment and coming back then?”
The child’s cheeks puffed up greatly.
The situation was serious, but her cheeks swollen like dumplings were incredibly cute.
When that adorable, round little face contorted, the Gatekeeper’s heart ached painfully.
“You really won’t do it?”
Though Shin Ah spoke quite sternly, to the Gatekeeper’s ears it sounded like she was whining sweetly.
‘So, so cute.’
The Gatekeeper was anxious that tears might well up in those big, dark eyes.
The Gatekeeper’s pupils shook restlessly.
‘Oh, forget it.’
The Gatekeeper steeled himself and opened his mouth.
“Since the young miss has come all this way, I should at least relay the message, shouldn’t I? Please wait just a moment.”
Though he would get scolded by Baekrim immediately, he calculated that since he was strictly speaking the gatekeeper of Wolhwa Hall, he wouldn’t be severely reprimanded by the Yuwongak Master.
Baekrim, who had been triumphant, flew into a rage.
“You bastard, what did you just say? How dare you defy my orders? And So Shin Ah! Even if the family head says he’ll meet you, I cannot let you inside. Are you going to defile Wolhwa Hall looking like such a beggar?”
Baekrim raised his voice, forgetting that this was the front courtyard of Wolhwa Hall. Moreover, his words severely undermined the authority of the Wolhwa Hall Master.
‘Even without me stepping in, that fool will destroy himself.’
Just as Shin Ah was thinking this.
“Why is it so noisy here!”
An aged voice shook the courtyard of Wolhwa Hall.
“Who dares to cause such a commotion at Wolhwa Hall!”
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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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