The Granddaughter of the Manhyang Escort Agency Hides Her Magic - Chapter 55

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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 55

Shin Ah’s lips rounded into a small circle.

“Oh, are you uncomfortable somewhere? Tell me. I’ll solve it for you.”

Though it wasn’t natural, Shin Ah was inwardly satisfied.

‘I’m doing well.’

“I’m not uncomfortable *hic* anywhere, *hic*.”

Mugyeol shook his head.

“But you look uncomfortable?”

Shin Ah lightly tapped Mugyeol’s hands and shoulders. Then the tips of Mugyeol’s ears turned red.

“Do you have a fever?”

Shin Ah pressed her small hand against Mugyeol’s forehead. Despite his face being red as if it would burst, she felt no heat.

“Strange.”

As Shin Ah tilted her head and moved away, Mugyeol kept his gaze fixed on the ground while fidgeting with his hands.

He looked so uncomfortable that Shin Ah scratched her head.

‘Why is he being uncomfortable? I was just copying what Father and my brother did for me! I felt good back then.’

Observing and taking care of one’s surroundings wasn’t easy.

‘Sigh, it’s best to just do things the way I always have.’

Shin Ah gave up on being gentle and threw the water canteen to Mugyeol.

Mugyeol’s eyes widened as he looked up at Shin Ah.

“Water. Drink.”

To think she had to teach him even this. Mugyeol really required a lot of attention.

But taking care of him wasn’t entirely bothersome.

His face with wide eyes and bright smile was quite cute.

‘You should know you’re benefiting from your looks.’

And there was also his action of coming to save Shin Ah in her previous life.

The voice of Mugyeol crying out desperately just before her death kept coming to mind, so Shin Ah closed her eyes.

* * *

Drip, drip, water fell from the cave ceiling.

Shin Ah looked around.

The cave that So Cheondo had found as temporary shelter had a treacherous path leading up to it, which could somewhat prevent enemy intrusion, and was good for avoiding rain. Fortunately, there were no wild beasts that had already claimed the territory.

However, if enemies did find their way here, escaping wouldn’t be easy.

Still, So Cheondo chose this place because of the weather.

Dark clouds had gathered, the surroundings rapidly darkened, and the air became humid. No matter how you looked at it, the weather promised a substantial downpour.

A hastily built hut or shallow dugout wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

After deciding on the shelter, everyone moved frantically.

While So Cheondo went around collecting dry firewood, Mugyeol and Shin Ah organized their luggage.

When the preparations were somewhat complete, rain began to pour.

Listening to the sound of falling rain – swoosh – So Cheondo prepared to light a fire in the inner part where rain couldn’t reach.

“Shin Ah, could you take out the flint from the bag?”

Three items per person they could bring – So Cheondo had chosen flint as one of his.

When Shin Ah quickly handed over the flint, So Cheondo struck them together.

Looking at the flint that wouldn’t spark easily, So Cheondo recalled the encounter with the assassins.

‘Shin Ah created Samadhi True Fire. It seemed like she wasn’t holding anything in her hands.’

Not long ago, rumors had circulated at the Escort Agency that Shin Ah had given So Mando a fiery lesson.

Back then, he thought people were exaggerating, but seeing it directly changed his mind.

‘Back then too, Shin Ah must have created Samadhi True Fire.’

How?

Could it be that Shin Ah had entered a dangerous path? What if she had stepped into the world of Evil Arts?

Should he hide it, or should he tell Father?

What would be the right thing to do for Shin Ah?

So Cheondo’s worries deepened.

“Brother?”

Unable to concentrate and just flicking the flint, Shin Ah peeked her head forward.

So Cheondo snapped to attention and looked at Shin Ah. Clear, clean eyes were right in front of his nose.

So Cheondo was about to ask Shin Ah what he had seen earlier, but closed his mouth.

It was because he noticed Mugyeol’s face staring intently at Shin Ah.

‘This fellow who doesn’t even share blood with us believed Shin Ah’s words without doubt.’

When even an outsider covered for her and believed her, he as her brother couldn’t distrust his sister and interrogate her.

Shin Ah must have her reasons for not speaking. Let’s bury this matter.

Having decided this, So Cheondo said:

“Mugyeol, come here and watch. This will be your job later.”

So Cheondo kept Mugyeol close and taught him carefully, but the humid weather made it difficult for the fire to catch.

‘It’s my turn to step in.’

Shin Ah, who had been watching from afar, created a flame in time with So Cheondo’s flint striking.

‘Again!’

So Cheondo noticed that this strangely different flame didn’t come from the flint, but stopped his head from turning around hastily. However, he couldn’t prevent his face from stiffening.

‘Let’s pretend not to know. Pretend not to know.’

So Cheondo composed himself and naturally changed the subject.

“Getting dry leaves is important. When they absorb moisture, fire won’t catch well and only smoke will rise.”

Whoosh, the fire spread to the gathered fallen leaves.

So Cheondo hesitated at the large flames that were too big to believe they came from flint.

But he soon calmly composed his expression.

Mugyeol’s eyes lit up.

“Amazing.”

Since it wasn’t praise So Cheondo deserved, he smiled awkwardly.

“You’ll be able to do it later too.”

Now that they had lit the fire, it was time to prepare a meal.

So Cheondo took out a small pot and dried meat from his bundle.

“When traveling far, you must take especially good care of food. Since animals might smell it and come looking, we usually post guards, but in places like caves like this, it’s fine to eat comfortably.”

“As expected of you, Brother.”

Shin Ah praised him.

So Cheondo smiled lightly and collected rainwater to prepare dinner.

The three warmed themselves with broth infused with dried meat seasoning, decided on night watch shifts, and went to sleep.

* * *

Shin Ah trudged toward the valley, carrying a fishing rod – one of the three items she had brought.

‘It’s too quiet. The test can’t be this easy.’

Shin Ah recalled So Mando and So Ilbi whom she had met just before departure.

‘They definitely seemed like they were planning something.’

Except for yesterday morning’s attack by assassins disguised as bandits, everything had been peaceful.

The quietness made her feel more uneasy.

“Miss, over here.”

Mugyeol, who had been following along, called out to Shin Ah.

The two were heading to a prime fishing spot that Mugyeol had marked during his morning exploration disguised as training.

At dawn, Mugyeol had returned to the cave with fish strung on a wooden skewer, smiling brightly.

When Shin Ah asked how he caught so many fish with his bare hands without a fishing rod, Mugyeol kept his mouth shut.

‘The martial arts I learned to protect Miss…….’

Mugyeol had used it to catch fish.

He erased his presence and tapped around the rocks where fish might be hiding with his hands infused with internal energy, causing the stunned fish to float up belly-up.

Chifung had drilled into Mugyeol’s ears that martial arts were to be learned to protect people and uphold justice.

Yet he had used it to catch fish for a single meal.

Though he felt righteous since it was for Shin Ah, it wasn’t something to boast about proudly.

Mugyeol tried to erase the morning’s events from his mind as he guided Shin Ah to the valley.

Following Mugyeol to settle by the valley, Shin Ah took out the fishing rod she had brought.

The two sat side by side, fishing for time itself.

“How strange, how is it that we haven’t caught a single one?”

Shin Ah was repeatedly lamenting when it happened.

“Wait a moment, Miss. Over there…… there are so many fish!”

Mugyeol, who had been sitting blankly, suddenly jumped up and dove into the valley.

Wading in until the water reached his waist, Mugyeol scooped up the fish that were floating belly-up.

It wasn’t just one or two.

Shin Ah’s eyes widened.

What looked to be dozens of fish were simultaneously floating up belly-up?

“Miss! Look at this. It seems we won’t have to worry about food anymore.”

Unlike the excited Mugyeol, Shin Ah shouted with a serious expression.

“Drop them and get out right now!”

“What?”

“Drop those! No, just take one and get out quickly!”

Sensing that something had gone wrong, Mugyeol cut through the water and came out.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

Shin Ah examined Mugyeol’s pupils.

“Uncomfortable, you mean……?”

“I’m asking if anywhere feels numb or paralyzed.”

Mugyeol clenched and unclenched his fists before shaking his head.

Shin Ah and Mugyeol stood side by side looking at the valley.

Before they knew it, the water’s surface was filled with belly-up fish.

“It seems someone has released poison.”

And into the valley water that the Porters stationed nearby would use, no less.

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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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