The Granddaughter of the Manhyang Escort Agency Hides Her Magic - Chapter 39

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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 39

“Chifung, don’t you think you pushed the children too hard on the first day?”

“I went easy on them, actually.”

The two men looked down at Shin Ah, who was sleeping while gripping her wooden sword tightly and even drooling.

The affectionate voice belonged to Cheonrim, and the indifferent reply came from Chifung.

“You call that going easy? You made her climb the mountain carrying that sword, didn’t you? She even missed dinner time.”

“That’s why I packed Fasting Pills for her.”

“Fasting Pills for a growing child? That’s too much.”

“Hey now. What did you tell me when you entrusted the children to me? That I could do whatever I wanted, right? If you’re going to interfere now, fussing over them like a worried parent, I can’t do this job.”

When Chifung made his threat, Cheonrim let out a deep sigh.

“It’s just that the child’s face is half its normal size after only one day. You could go a bit easier…”

“Easier? With that kind of mindset, there won’t be any progress at all. You know this, so why are you being so soft?”

Cheonrim closed his mouth.

Even he knew his worry was excessive. Though Chifung seemed to be driving the children harshly, he knew it was all done according to plan.

The fact that each sword had a different weight showed just how carefully Chifung had prepared the lessons.

How surprised he had been when Chifung said he would make wooden swords with iron cores.

It had even been difficult to find a craftsman who could fulfill the request to make them unbreakable under normal impact.

“Fine. I’ll just watch. But you’ll have to handle the children alone for a few days – are you planning to make them climb mountains every day?”

Cheonrim withdrew his plan to leave the children’s education entirely to Chifung.

After all, the Escort Agency’s children had to complete their Bogukgak education.

So after discussion, the two decided that Chifung would teach in the mornings, and Cheonrim would provide Bogukgak education in the afternoons.

“That’s right. They all lack leg strength. Their obsession with the sword is also insufficient.”

Children from noble families or disciples who entered Mount Hua early began training from the age they could walk, so Chifung couldn’t help but make comparisons.

“I’m counting on you.”

Even as he said this, Cheonrim’s gaze wouldn’t leave Shin Ah’s blistered hands.

“Don’t trust me too much.”

Suddenly Chifung made an uncertain sound.

Cheonrim turned around in surprise at this show of weakness from Chifung, who was usually supremely confident.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m saying this because there’s absolutely insufficient time. There’s too little time to build internal energy. I don’t know about Cheondo, but Mugyeol and Shin Ah especially. It would be great if they could take some spirit medicine or inner core.”

The last words were Chifung’s muttering to himself. It was also a hopeless wish.

If inner cores or spirit medicines were common, the martial world would be overflowing with masters.

Moreover, there was no way the So Family Estate, which ran an escort agency rather than being a martial world noble family, would have inner cores or spirit medicines. Even if they did, they wouldn’t give them to Shin Ah or Mugyeol.

“We have some.”

“Huh?”

Chifung’s facial muscles contorted comically.

* * *

“I never expected to see Plum Blossom Pills here.”

Chifung muttered as he looked down at the Plum Blossom Pills.

These were what he had received from Shin Ah after arriving at the Escort Agency.

To think there were two Plum Blossom Pills at the Escort Agency, pills that even Mount Hua disciples couldn’t easily consume.

It made him realize anew how close the relationship between Mount Hua and the Escort Agency had been in the past.

“With these, we can at least put out the immediate fire.”

Cheonrim closed the Plum Blossom Pill box and stroked it preciously.

“If the children can properly absorb them, that is. But why didn’t you give them these right away?”

When Chifung asked in puzzlement, Cheonrim let out a heavy sigh.

“I didn’t know Shin Ah’s exact condition, so I couldn’t rashly give them to her. What do you think? Would it be safe for Shin Ah to take them?”

His voice carried worry for his beloved youngest daughter.

“I can’t guarantee the Plum Blossom Pills will work properly. But they won’t cause harm. Besides, I’m right here with her.”

Even if problems arose from taking the Plum Blossom Pills, Chifung could find and treat even a single trace of energy that penetrated every corner of the body.

Chifung playfully scolded his friend who was worried sick.

“There’s no need for useless worry. But why are you only giving me the medicine now when you had it? You should have given it to me earlier!”

“I didn’t think we’d need it right away. But are you planning to teach sword techniques immediately after building basic internal energy with the Plum Blossom Pills?”

It was an unusual choice for Chifung, who valued fundamentals. So when he asked with a puzzled face, Chifung grinned wickedly.

“No.”

Chifung crossed his arms and shook his head as he spoke.

“If I had known we had medicine, I would have doubled the weight of the wooden swords.”

Cheonrim’s mouth fell open. Chifung was a harsher teacher than expected.

* * *

“Young Miss, please wake up. The Master says to come to his private quarters immediately.”

“Ugh, Danmi?”

“Yes, it’s me. Oh my, our Young Miss’s face is half its normal size.”

Danmi continuously massaged Shin Ah’s arms and legs.

Even so, Shin Ah couldn’t easily escape from her drowsiness.

“Young Miss, you must get up. The Master said to come as quickly as possible.”

Danmi gently shook Shin Ah’s body.

“Father did?”

For Cheonrim, who tried to let Shin Ah sleep even a little longer, to call for her from dawn was no ordinary matter. Only then did Shin Ah come to her senses.

Still, it was hard to overcome the overwhelming sleepiness.

Shin Ah yawned and tried to raise her arm, then stopped mid-motion.

‘My, my arm won’t go up!’

Though she had expected it from the moment her eyes wouldn’t open, the aftermath of yesterday’s training was severe. Her body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

Having to move while holding a sword in this condition was truly hellish.

Still, Shin Ah didn’t disobey Chifung’s orders.

“I’ll prepare everything for you, so rest your eyes for just a moment.”

Shin Ah left everything to Danmi and let her mind go blank.

Of course, even while Danmi washed her and changed her clothes, she held onto her sword.

Actually, rather than holding the sword, it was more accurate to say she was leaning on it. It was a small trick she used when Chifung wasn’t watching.

‘To think I have to climb the mountain carrying this again.’

A groan naturally escaped from Shin Ah’s lips.

“Young Miss, you can walk, right?”

Shin Ah slept even while walking. The tip of her sword dragged along the ground.

Dragging around a sword as precious as one’s own body was scandalous, but Chifung overlooked it considering Shin Ah and Mugyeol’s condition.

But that wouldn’t last long either.

Shin Ah knew her future path of hardship was clear.

* * *

“Shin Ah is coming.”

In the Secret Garden Master’s Chamber, Chifung’s face, which had been resting his chin while waiting for the children, suddenly brightened.

“Anyone would think she’s your daughter.”

“Would you give her to me if I insisted she was my daughter?”

At Chifung’s joke, Cheonrim’s eyes immediately turned fierce.

“Enough! Really, how pitiful it must be to live as someone who can’t even get married.”

While Chifung grumbled, the door creaked open.

Shin Ah was standing in the corridor, watching the two men.

Just moments ago, Shin Ah had been slouched over like overripe pickled cabbage, but now her posture was perfectly straight. She held her sword as if she had been carrying it from the beginning, cradling it preciously in her arms.

Chifung and Cheonrim had heard the sound of the sword dragging from afar, but pretended not to notice.

“Father, did you sleep well? G-good morning to you too, Teacher.”

Shin Ah, who had almost called him master, quickly changed her form of address.

This was because whenever she tried to call him master, Chifung would grimace and tell her to call him teacher instead, saying he had no intention of accepting disciples yet.

“Shin Ah, the dawn air is cold. Come inside quickly.”

At Cheonrim’s gesture, Shin Ah took a big step forward.

‘Ugh!’

Every joint in her body screamed and creaked in protest. The distance from the corridor to inside the room felt like a thousand-mile journey.

However, Shin Ah pretended to be fine as she walked, because Chifung was watching her.

‘I can’t let Teacher look down on me. I have to show him that I’m an excellent student.’

Shin Ah was worried that Chifung might be disappointed in her. In reality, Chifung was actually impressed.

‘Even though her muscle pain must be severe, she’s not complaining or whining, and she’s pretending to be fine. I have to acknowledge her mental strength.’

Shin Ah’s willpower was no less than that of Chifung, who was an adult.

‘The more I see her, the more I want her.’

Chifung’s earlier comment about wanting to adopt Shin Ah as his daughter was half joke, half sincere.

And there was one more child he wanted to take as his own.

“H-hello.”

It was Mugyeol, entering hesitantly through the open door. The boy’s condition looked much better than Shin Ah’s.

‘Is this what they call natural talent?’

Mugyeol hadn’t put his sword down on the ground even when Chifung wasn’t watching.

‘It’s not that it isn’t difficult for him. That boy is also enduring through sheer stubbornness.’

He’s the real deal.

Chifung’s eyes sparkled.

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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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