The Granddaughter of the Manhyang Escort Agency Hides Her Magic - Chapter 53

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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 53

“So you’re saying all the bees flew back to the beehive? Just from one gesture of yours, Shin Ah?”

“That’s what I said, big brother! When you’re earnest enough, everything works out.”

Shin Ah and Cheondo walked along the forest path, chatting leisurely.

“If problems arise this time too, will you earnestly pray to the heavens again? To solve them for you?”

Cheondo burst into hearty laughter. He thought Shin Ah’s words were just boasting.

“Let’s see then. Whether the heavens will help you this time too.”

“Oh my, big brother. Have you been living your whole life being deceived?”

“No. I believe you. You’re my little sister, so I believe everything. What about you, Mugyeol?”

Even though Cheondo called him, there was no answer from Mugyeol. Looking back, Mugyeol was concentrating intently on a crude map.

After teaching him how to read maps before departure, he hadn’t let it out of his hands the entire journey.

Cheondo looked at Mugyeol with satisfaction.

“There’s no danger on the path ahead.”

Cheondo, who had completed his reconnaissance in advance, took the map from Mugyeol and tucked it into his chest.

“So let’s relax and travel happily.”

This was Cheondo’s first time leaving the Escort Agency with Shin Ah. It felt like going on a picnic.

He wanted to savor this joy even more.

Thanks to their early departure, there was no one interfering with their escort mission, and it was peaceful.

Cheondo paused to catch his breath while looking at the densely wooded forest.

Mangwon Mountain – it got its name because people would regret entering this mountain.

‘The hardships will begin once we enter the forest, so enjoy this moment.’

The three of them walked along the path, chatting pleasantly.

The conversation was mainly between Shin Ah and Cheondo, and while Mugyeol only listened, everyone was enjoying themselves.

They had been walking like this for quite a while.

Mugyeol suddenly stopped and glared ahead.

“What’s wrong?”

Shin Ah asked.

“There are people over there.”

“It’s natural for people to come and go on a road.”

Although Mangwon Mountain had relatively little traffic, it was currently the Heir Selection Test period.

That meant it wasn’t particularly unusual for people to be present during this time.

“I sense a bad aura.”

Cheondo’s face hardened at Mugyeol’s answer.

‘Could he have sensed ki waves from this distance?’

Cheondo hadn’t felt anything.

Yet Mugyeol had not only noticed the presence of strangers nearby but had even sensed their malicious aura.

If Mugyeol’s words were true, it was proof that his energy sensing was far superior to Cheondo’s.

Cheondo first extended his energy sensing toward the direction Mugyeol had pointed to confirm.

Sure enough.

Though faint, there was definitely a group with clear hostile intent.

Cheondo was startled again.

‘Mugyeol hasn’t been learning martial arts for very long, has he?’

Mugyeol’s rate of improvement was remarkable. But right now, there was no time to celebrate and rejoice in his achievement.

‘Bandits, perhaps.’

Encountering bandits during escort missions was common.

However, this escort mission was the Heir Selection Test conducted under the Escort Agency’s management.

There were even Escort Warriors assigned to protect the candidates in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

So bandits shouldn’t appear on the path to the examination hall.

‘The Escort Agency would have checked multiple times. Or maybe this is also part of the test? Either way, as an Escort Warrior, I must protect the children and the package.’

Cheondo looked back at Shin Ah and Mugyeol.

“You two stay here. I’ll go check and come back.”

But there was no need for that.

“Stop right there!”

A masked bandit appeared before them.

“Look at these little rabbits huddled together. Makes me want to catch them all at once.”

One of Cheondo’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

‘The distance was considerable, yet they came all the way here in the brief time we were talking? Without us even noticing?’

Without examining further, without crossing swords, he could tell this was no easy opponent.

Cheondo swallowed hard and pulled the two children behind him as he asked.

“Who are you?”

“Want to exchange names? Why? Planning to be friends with me?”

His tone was cocky, but his movements were efficient without any wasted motion. And his eyes were very fierce.

“We don’t make friends with rabbits. Who makes friends with prey?”

Murderous intent flashed in his gleaming eyes.

Cheondo tensed his jaw.

If they fought, he would lose.

Cold sweat formed on his forehead.

“If you have no intention of being friendly, then go on your way. This is Manhyang Express territory. If you cause trouble here, you’ll become an enemy of the Escort Agency.”

Cheondo hid his fear and stepped forward.

Seeing Cheondo step up as the children’s protector, the bandits burst into laughter.

“Then you should help us avoid causing trouble. Come on, put down that bundle.”

The bandit revealed his true colors.

Telling an Escort Warrior to hand over the package was like telling him to give up his life.

Cheondo gripped the bundle’s shoulder strap tightly. As if mocking his determination never to let it be taken, the man’s mask twitched.

Cheondo frantically racked his brain for how they could escape, how he could buy even a moment’s time.

If he were an Orthodox Sect martial artist, instead of fleeing to preserve his life, he would have fought the Dark Path group head-on.

But Cheondo was an Escort Warrior and the children’s protector.

So there was no hesitation about running away.

Cheondo swallowed hard while looking for a chance to escape.

“Aren’t you going to hand it over quickly?”

The opponent seemed ready to swing his sword at any moment.

Just then, sparks flashed in the eyes of Shin Ah, who had been quietly observing the situation.

‘What are those things? Telling an Escort Warrior to hand over the package? Are they insane?’

Shin Ah’s dantian – no, her circle – stirred with anger.

How dare you block my path! I’ll repay this sin with magic.

Shin Ah glared as she pondered.

Should she bring down a fire strike or a water strike?

‘Oh, right! I still can’t bring down water strikes.’

But that was no problem. Those bastards were nothing that a Fireball couldn’t handle.

However, she shouldn’t deal with them immediately.

‘I need to hear who sent them.’

Shin Ah smelled the thick scent of blood from their weapons.

‘Those aren’t bandits, they’re assassins. But they’re pretending to be bandits? They wouldn’t do this for fun, so someone must have hired them. Yuwon Pavilion, perhaps?’

Yuwon Pavilion was the only place that would interfere with Shin Ah.

‘If I can get them to mention someone from Yuwon Pavilion, things will become easier.’

If So Hyeokho learned that his eldest son had even sent assassins to interfere with Shin Ah, he would find it hard to maintain his composure.

‘Should I torment them until they mention names?’

Just as Shin Ah was thinking this.

“Run away.”

A small hand grabbed Shin Ah’s wrist. Mugyeol pulled her back.

The assassins didn’t miss that sight.

“Is that tiny little guy trying to act like a man? Protecting a girl? Oh? He’s even holding a sword?”

Mugyeol, who had stepped in front of Shin Ah, drew his sword. The men, who were easily three times bigger than Mugyeol, giggled as they looked at him.

Mugyeol didn’t respond and tightened his grip on his sword.

Though he tried to hide it, fear could be felt from Mugyeol’s back.

Although Mugyeol had been desperately training all this time, the period was short, and he had never even fought with real swords.

Even if Mugyeol had done a lot of real sword training, it would be difficult to guarantee victory in a fight against those with rich combat experience.

Moreover, from what Shin Ah could see, Mugyeol’s skills weren’t yet at a level that could surpass these men.

It was a fight with a predetermined outcome.

Nevertheless, So Cheondo stepped forward to protect the cargo, and Mugyeol stepped forward to protect Shin Ah.

Shin Ah let out a deep sigh.

Who was protecting whom?

While clicking her tongue, somehow her nose tingled and she sniffled.

‘Well, I’m sorry about this.’

Shin Ah reflected as she looked at the two people blocking her path.

Shin Ah had only been thinking about beating up those guys to uncover Yuwon Pavilion’s scheme. That plan had left out So Cheondo and Mugyeol’s safety.

‘In escort missions, the package is most important, but you shouldn’t abandon your companions either.’

That way, you could protect the package even better.

‘To forget such a basic principle.’

Clicking her tongue, Shin Ah abandoned her plan to immediately launch a Fireball.

‘Let me think for a moment.’

Shin Ah still couldn’t launch six Fireballs simultaneously.

If she couldn’t subdue the group of assassins at once, one of the three would surely be endangered by the remaining ones.

‘Damn, if only I could use magic properly!’

Shin Ah had to learn how to fight without losing anyone with her weakened body.

‘What should I do? If I take on two opponents while Brother So Cheondo and Mugyeol each handle one… that would be difficult too. Ah! It would be great if heaven could just take care of exactly two of them.’

She looked up at the sky, but the heavens remained silent.

‘The god who threw me, a Great Mage, into the Murim! There’s no way they’d help me now!’

Shin Ah shook off her wishful thinking.

When has my life ever been easy?

When obstacles appear, you have to break them down. Even if I break down along with them.

Shin Ah pushed Mugyeol aside and stepped forward.

Mugyeol flinched and tried to grab her, but she naturally avoided him.

“Hey there, gentlemen.”

A cold expression settled on Shin Ah’s face.

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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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