The Granddaughter of the Manhyang Escort Agency Hides Her Magic - Chapter 43

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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 43

Mugyeol’s steps were unusually heavy.

And for good reason. He was climbing a mountain with no proper path while wearing sand bags.

At first, it was manageable. Mugyeol now knew how to relieve fatigue through Qi Circulation and Breathing, and his stamina had improved as he grew accustomed to harsh training.

However, his confident mindset disappeared exactly half a day after starting intensive training with Chifung.

When Mugyeol kept up well, Chifung increased the pace.

Running through rough mountain paths made his heated body pour sweat like rain.

If Shin Ah had been beside him, she would have advised him to take a sip of water and catch his breath, but with no one like that around, Mugyeol just kept walking despite his parched mouth and screaming muscles.

This wasn’t because Mugyeol was dim-witted, but because he was steadfast.

Moreover, Mugyeol trusted Chifung.

‘Master wouldn’t make me do anything harmful.’

Though his body grew tired, Mugyeol’s eyes became even clearer.

Feeling the intense gaze from behind, Chifung’s lips curved upward.

They said he had natural martial bones, and Mugyeol’s rate of improvement was beyond what could be described as rapid progress.

When taught one thing, he would understand ten, and after understanding ten, he would work tirelessly to master them physically.

So he accomplished in just a few days what others would learn over a year.

His mind was quite good too.

When Cheonrim worried that he hadn’t properly learned to read, Chifung taught him a few characters in passing, and the boy memorized them all and now wanted to read books?

‘With natural martial bones and desperate effort, it’s almost frightening.’

The more Chifung thought about Mugyeol’s progress, the wider his grin became.

‘The only regret is that he lacks a proper master.’

Cheonrim would teach him after Chifung left, but Mugyeol’s talent was too precious to waste on just the Escort Agency’s martial arts.

‘While I’m here, I should teach him everything I can.’

Since he couldn’t teach Mount Hua’s sword techniques without taking him as a disciple, Chifung decided to teach Mugyeol various martial arts he had learned while wandering the Murim.

Though he had learned them casually out of interest, it would be enough to discover where Mugyeol’s interests and talents lay.

If there was something he showed particular interest in and achieved outstanding results with, he could tell Cheonrim to find him another master.

‘Another master… It’s a bit regrettable, but it can’t be helped. Anyway, the Fist Technique and Spear Technique I learned for fun are proving helpful at times like this.’

Speaking of which, how far had Mugyeol come?

When Chifung turned his head, Mugyeol was within ten steps. Chifung’s eyes narrowed then widened.

‘When did he catch up so closely?’

Even with sand bags on, Mugyeol was moving as nimbly as a flying squirrel.

‘The time has come.’

Now it was time to teach Mugyeol basic Lightness Skill.

* * *

Cheondo’s sword sliced through the air.

Cheondo handled the wooden sword as lightly as a reed, but the power contained within was heavy.

However, Cheonrim’s stance receiving his sword didn’t waver in the slightest.

Already the 50th exchange.

Cheondo attacked continuously but couldn’t even cut a thread of Cheonrim’s clothes.

Sweat streamed down Cheondo’s face.

“Your breathing is disturbed. Shall we stop?”

When Cheonrim asked, Cheondo shook his head vigorously. Scattered sweat droplets glittered in the air.

“Then don’t rest and keep attacking. If this were real combat, you would have lost your life just now.”

Though he was only receiving the child’s attacks, Cheonrim wanted Cheondo to approach training as if it were real combat.

Cheondo’s eyes changed in an instant. For his gaze to come alive despite being utterly exhausted was a very good sign.

‘As a warrior and as a person, Cheondo won’t give up easily when faced with difficulties.’

In that case, it seemed fine to push him a little harder.

Though he already thought he was making the child train too hard, with the Jaengjeasu and Escort Warrior selection test approaching, Cheonrim felt impatient.

“From now on, Father will attack, so try to receive it.”

Cheondo had perseverance and was quite talented, but perhaps due to his gentle nature, his senses were somewhat dull.

Sharp senses were essential for survival during escort missions where attacks could come from all directions, day or night.

Cheonrim changed his training method to stimulate Cheondo.

“What?”

“Good defense can also create opportunities to attack. Focus.”

“Ah, Father?”

For Cheondo, who was now second-rate at best, to face Cheonrim, a peak master, head-on was impossible.

Instinctive fear made Cheondo step back.

That was the second flaw Cheonrim had identified in Cheondo.

Retreating after predicting the outcome.

An Escort Warrior should know when to give up quickly through thorough calculation when loss is certain.

But sometimes one needs to boldly leap in even when the outcome seems predetermined.

This was something Cheonrim definitely wanted to teach Cheondo as a father.

This training went beyond simply learning martial arts—it was a life lesson.

Cheonrim swung his sword to block Cheondo’s escape route.

Though Cheondo changed direction several times, he couldn’t flee in any direction.

“Argh, Father!”

Cheondo’s face turned pale at the sword thrusting in frantically.

“Do those targeting packages attack you with consideration for your skill level? Pull yourself together.”

Cheonrim’s words were right.

‘The Murim is overflowing with people stronger than me. If they suddenly attack during an escort mission?’

The back of Cheondo’s neck grew cold at the thought.

From then on, Cheondo focused on Cheonrim’s sword.

When he couldn’t see, he listened; when he couldn’t hear, he smelled; when he still didn’t know, he felt the wind.

Then his five senses gradually sharpened and the sword’s trajectory became faintly visible.

Cheonrim’s sword, which had seemed flashy, was surprisingly simple.

He was only repeating the Sword Techniques of Tiger Walk Sword Technique.

‘I know this!’

A gleam appeared in Cheondo’s eyes.

If he knew it, he could dodge it, and perhaps even create an ‘opening to attack’ as Father had said.

Cheondo sharpened his heightened senses even more as he waited for Cheonrim’s sword.

‘Oh my, the boy is starting to read my attacks.’

Cheonrim was proud of Cheondo.

Though he was holding back in their match, it was truly remarkable that he could sense and block his sword.

And then, clang!

The clear sound of blades properly clashing shook the air.

Cheondo had finally blocked Cheonrim’s attack decisively.

“Urgh!”

Even though Cheonrim had slightly reduced his strength at the last moment, the arm holding the sword that blocked Cheonrim’s blade trembled violently.

Still enduring, Cheondo suddenly dropped to his knees. The exhausted Cheondo panted heavily.

“Cheondo!”

Cheonrim put down his sword and embraced Cheondo.

“Father, I did it! I blocked Father’s sword!”

Even with his hands swollen and trembling, Cheondo shouted with joy.

“Well done! You really did well.”

Cheonrim continuously patted his eldest son’s back.

In such a short time, the child had grown tremendously.

* * *

After meeting So Hyeokho, Dang Jugong headed to Bogukgak before going to Yuwon Pavilion.

He wanted to see Cheonrim first, the one his youngest sister Dang Mihee and the First Prince, who was both the young master of the Tang Family and his eldest brother, were so wary of.

‘They say he has some talent in martial arts, but he’s still just a mere escort warrior.’

Dang Jugong’s steps toward Bogukgak were confident.

Then at some point, he began walking while concealing his presence.

He could hear the sound of a wooden sword cutting through the air and rough breathing.

‘Someone must be cultivating.’

Who could it be?

The gates of Bogukgak were wide open, and no one blocked the lavishly dressed Dang Jugong’s path or asked about his destination.

Thanks to this, Dang Jugong could peer into Bogukgak without any particular effort.

‘They say Manhyang Express’s influence is waning, and it shows even in places like this.’

Kindly welcoming outsiders and not being on guard were different matters.

Since they were escort warriors and not martial artists, they might not bother hiding their cultivation.

However, as an escort agency where many outsiders came and went, they should always be wary of unfamiliar figures.

Yet in this state, Dang Jugong’s assessment was harsh but not unreasonable.

‘What could they possibly do with such a pathetic escort agency?’

He couldn’t understand either Dang Mihee or the Tang Family’s First Prince.

Still wanting to see Cheonrim’s skills, Dang Jugong watched with sharp eyes as two people dripped with sweat.

A pure appearance, and a swift sword that didn’t match that appearance.

At a glance, that person was clearly Cheonrim.

‘Who’s the child in front? Could it be Cheondo?’

Dang Jugong watched with interested eyes as Cheondo was busy just dodging attacks.

The two people couldn’t sense the gaze watching them, both because Dang Jugong had concealed his presence and because they were absorbed in their cultivation.

And wasn’t this inside the escort agency?

They couldn’t even dream that an outsider would move around so freely.

‘Cheonrim is controlling his strength to attack without hurting the child, and the child is desperately trying to read Cheonrim’s attacks.’

Suddenly, he recalled Mando whom he had seen at Yuwon Pavilion.

‘Does Mihee think Mando can match Cheondo?’

Knowing Mando’s level of talent, Dang Jugong sighed as he watched Cheondo’s movements.

A future where Mando would defeat Cheondo would never come.

However, it might change if he helped.

‘Now I understand why elder brother told me to bring the Tang Family’s spirit medicine.’

The First Prince of the Sacheon Tang Family seemed to know the escort agency’s internal affairs thoroughly even from afar.

Dang Jugong recalled the command his elder brother had given.

‘Assess the escort agency’s atmosphere and help Mihee and Mando.’

Dang Jugong withdrew his gaze and turned around.

Though still young, seeing that he couldn’t withstand even a single exchange of Cheonrim’s attacks, it seemed he could afford to be a bit relaxed.

Dang Jugong moved his steps, planning to leisurely have a drink.

“Father! I blocked it!”

But Cheondo’s voice filled with joy stopped his feet.

‘He blocked Cheonrim’s swift sword?’

The achievement made in such a short time was surprising.

The picturesque smile that had appeared on Dang Jugong’s face slowly faded away.

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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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