The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 66

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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 66

“Think carefully about this. Do you really think what happened is merely an internal problem within Manhyang Express? If Dang Jugong is directly involved in this matter, we can assume the Sichuan Tang Family has made their move.”

At Chifung’s bold words, Cheonrim cast his gaze toward both windows.

He immediately expanded his energy sensing to survey the surroundings. Fortunately, there wasn’t even a single ant lurking nearby.

Chifung’s words just now were extremely dangerous, as they suspected the Sichuan Tang Family of being a shadowy force.

The influence that the Sichuan Tang Family, one of the Five Great Houses that advocated for cooperation, had on the Central Plains was enormous.

If they made enemies of such people, it would be difficult to survive in the Murim.

So they must suspect everything, but not show it.

‘If the Sichuan Tang Family is truly involved, is their target the escort agency?’

Cheonrim pondered deeply before opening his mouth.

“You, watch your tongue.”

Chifung clicked his tongue.

“You’ll see dawn break while tapping on a stone bridge. That’s why the problem isn’t getting solved. And you’re focusing too much on just the incident in front of you. You need to see the forest. What good does it do to keep looking at just the trees?”

Cheonrim’s eyes narrowed. Chifung’s words sounded meaningful.

“You know something.”

The area under Chifung’s eyes twitched. However, he soon stretched his lips into a grin and put on an act.

“What would I know? I’m someone who wanders around all the time. I just said it because you said Dang Jugong was suspicious. If you don’t think so, just forget it.”

Chifung stood up, rolling his shoulders in circles.

“By the way, how is Shin Ah doing?”

Since Mugyeol’s internal energy had increased explosively, Chifung expected there would surely be changes in Shin Ah as well.

But Cheonrim, who had been watching his daughter closely, remained quiet.

If she had shown the same changes as Mugyeol, he would have already been making a fuss about the birth of the world’s greatest martial artist, wouldn’t he?

“Shin Ah eats well and sleeps well.”

“That’s it?”

When Chifung frowned, Cheonrim became serious.

“If a child does just that well, what more could you want? She’s doing the most difficult thing in the world. Do you think that’s easy? How many proper meals did you have today?”

“Me… one meal?”

That was his answer, but he had been so busy that he had roughly made do with just rice balls.

“See? Having three proper meals is that difficult. What about sleeping? Look at us being awake at this late hour.”

Listening to Cheonrim’s words, even Chifung began to feel like eating well and sleeping well were the most difficult things in the world.

“…Truly admirable.”

When Chifung reluctantly answered, Cheonrim straightened his shoulders and smiled.

“My daughter is admirable, you know. Rather than that, tell me more of your thoughts about the Sichuan Tang Family.”

“Nothing much. Your thoughts are my thoughts. Close friends are of one mind. Isn’t that right? Anyway, I’m glad to hear Shin Ah is doing well.”

Chifung slipped away like a snake again.

But Cheonrim didn’t dismiss Chifung’s words carelessly.

‘The Sichuan Tang Family… I’ll need to keep a close eye on them.’

Cheonrim rolled up the report and put it in his sleeve.

“How is Mugyeol?”

Cheonrim was also investing considerable expectations in Mugyeol. He had shared life and death with Shin Ah and returned, and had been connected to Shin Ah since childhood.

Cheonrim was inwardly grateful and proud of such a Mugyeol.

“He’s doing well.”

“I know you call him over and work him whenever you get the chance, yet you say such things.”

“Haha, work him! I’m bestowing loving guidance on him.”

“Do it in moderation. He’s still a child.”

Chifung opened his mouth then closed it.

Cheonrim saw Mugyeol as just a young child, but his internal energy had already far surpassed the level of a child.

He was too valuable to just settle down at Manhyang Express.

‘Even Mount Hua would find it difficult to find such talent.’

Chifung coveted Mugyeol. The more he looked, the more he wanted him.

What if Mugyeol entered Mount Hua?

‘Should I try to entice him once?’

* * *

On the day Shin Ah was summoned by So Hyeokho, the two couldn’t meet right away. A guest had suddenly come to see Hyeokho.

He didn’t know who it was, but Hyeokho postponed all his schedules to receive the guest.

And today, a day later, he summoned Shin Ah again.

At Wolhwa Hall after a long time, Shin Ah looked around.

‘It’s the same, the building.’

On the other hand, at the end of Shin Ah’s gaze, Hyeokho, who sat like an old tree in his usual spot, had changed. He looked much older than a month ago.

“Grandfather, I’m here.”

At Shin Ah’s voice, Hyeokho’s chest swelled greatly. He slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing Shin Ah lightly smiling and offering a deep bow, Hyeokho’s pupils trembled finely.

He clenched and unclenched his fists several times, holding onto emotions that surged like a ship meeting a storm.

“Yes, you’re not hurt anywhere, right? Nothing uncomfortable?”

“Yes. Thanks to your concern, Grandfather. Thank you, Grandfather.”

“For what?”

“I heard you organized search parties to find me. Even postponing escort missions.”

As a grandfather, and as the head of the So Family Estate, he had only done what was proper.

Even that, he had given up halfway.

He had thought Shin Ah was dead. This child who was so perfectly alive.

That remained as a piercing regret. And he felt sorry toward the child.

During the time this small child struggled alone, fighting desperately to survive, he had chosen the easy path of giving up.

He was ashamed of that fact as an adult, as the head of the So Family Clan and escort agency master, and as the child’s grandfather.

So when he heard the child had returned, he wanted to run to her immediately, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so.

Most of all, he hadn’t resolved a single question related to the child’s disappearance.

‘Her father Cheonrim was frantically searching everywhere, and Baekrim asked me to leave it to him, so I did, but…’

Somehow things were progressing very sluggishly.

Hyeokho briefly closed his eyes and recalled the past.

‘How is the interrogation of those bandits we captured going?’

‘They won’t open their mouths at all.’

‘If they won’t open them, make them open! Don’t you have even that much sense?’

‘Father, how could I not know that? But what if they commit suicide after being pressured? Wouldn’t that be an even bigger problem? I’m gently coaxing them, so don’t worry.’

From the moment Shin Ah disappeared until now, Baekrim had been passive about everything. It was completely different from how he had pressed when a servant from Yuwon Pavilion stole something.

Baekrim called it strategy, but why did it only look like showing mercy to him?

‘To show mercy to bandits who threatened my grandchildren – mercy he didn’t even show to his own servant – how strange.’

“Grandfather?”

Hyeokho slowly opened his eyes. Shin Ah was staring intently at Hyeokho.

How much he had missed that clear voice, that round and cute face.

He wanted to hold the child in his arms right away.

Hyeokho’s fingertips on his knees twitched. Seeing this, Shin Ah extended her hand first.

“Grandfather, may I come closer?”

Shin Ah was always like this.

Even when he had turned away from the sick child, even when he didn’t know how severe Mando’s bullying was and just glossed over it, even when people at the escort agency looked down on her after it became known that he had given up on Biwongak, she willingly approached first.

‘You’re better than me. A much greater person.’

“Stay there.”

Shin Ah’s eyes widened.

Hyeokho’s rejection just now was quite a shock to Shin Ah.

‘He definitely had eyes that wanted to hold cute me!’

What did I do wrong? There wasn’t even time to make any mistakes!

Shin Ah had something to discuss with Hyeokho regarding how the Heir Selection Test had ended inconclusively. So she needed to stay on Hyeokho’s good side.

Shin Ah, who had been anxious, raised her head. Then she was startled.

Hyeokho, who had approached right up close, pulled her small body into an embrace. Shin Ah stiffened in Hyeokho’s arms.

“Uh…”

A dazed sound flowed from the child’s mouth, who hadn’t expected Hyeokho to move directly.

Hyeokho’s place was always at the head seat of Wolhwa Hall, beneath the massive flag of the Escort Agency.

Whether the Escort Agency was doing well or poorly, he remained consistent.

From that position, he would coolly discern and judge matters. Without being swept away by personal emotions, putting only the Escort Agency first.

That same man had left his seat and sat on the wooden floor. And he placed Shin Ah on his lap.

Though Shin Ah didn’t realize it, Hyeokho had changed his mind at this moment.

He intended to prioritize the children now. Even if it might harm the Escort Agency immediately.

Looking back on his life, it was perhaps such a great change that one could believe heaven and earth had been turned upside down.

But he had no intention of broadcasting this everywhere.

Before that, he should reward his admirable granddaughter who had returned alive.

“What shall I do for you? You’re one who’s clear about rewards and punishments, so you must have something in mind, right?”

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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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