The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 67

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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 67

Hyeokho read Shin Ah’s heart as if he could see into it.

However, what Shin Ah wanted to say wasn’t something to discuss while nestled in Hyeokho’s embrace. Though she didn’t want to get down either.

Hyeokho’s sturdy embrace was as warm and cozy as Cheonrim’s.

‘It’s like having a personal cushion.’

A slightly firm, top-quality cushion.

Shin Ah wiggled her bottom on Hyeokho’s thigh, adjusting her position.

The child sat in the most proper posture she could manage on his knee and looked up at Hyeokho.

“I heard the results for the Heir Selection Test haven’t been announced yet.”

After Shin Ah and Mugyeol disappeared, the Heir Selection Test had been left unresolved. Shin Ah was now addressing this matter.

“I don’t want many people’s hard work to go to waste because of me.”

This wasn’t an appropriate conversation to have while keeping a child on one’s lap.

Hyeokho carefully placed Shin Ah on a cushion and returned to his seat.

So Hyeokho tried to treat his granddaughter as a grandfather would, but Shin Ah was addressing her grandfather as the head of the Escort Agency.

Despite returning after wandering alone in the mountains at such a young age, Shin Ah was calm and composed.

A gleam of interest flickered in Hyeokho’s eyes.

“Continue speaking. Should we just pass those who returned with their packages at the time?”

“That is the standard, after all.”

“Then you would fail.”

“No. I also met the criteria.”

Shin Ah fidgeted and pulled out a document she had brought.

[Those who safely transport their package to the Escort Agency within the time limit shall pass. However, exceptions are made.

First, when saving another candidate’s life.

Second, when obtaining items worth more than twice the value of the package.]

The exception clauses contained deep meaning.

“These rules embody the mindset that anyone working at an Escort Agency must have. To cherish one’s colleagues and take responsibility for escort missions, right?”

Hyeokho covered his mouth to hide his twitching lips.

He even deliberately made a groaning sound to avoid being caught letting out a pleased laugh.

Not a single person had properly examined the test rules that had been created through countless meetings.

The beginning and end of Escort Agency work was contracts through documents, yet everyone had carelessly overlooked the announcement.

But ten-year-old Shin Ah had accurately grasped Hyeokho’s intention and presented the document.

“When an escort mission fails, the penalty is typically double the fee.”

“So?”

“Mugyeol and I are qualified to become Manhyang Express’s porters.”

Hyeokho had heard that Shin Ah and Mugyeol had protected their package to the very end.

“Mugyeol was late protecting me, and I was late protecting Mugyeol.”

That must have been the only way they could survive, so no evidence was needed.

“Good. Before that, let me ask you one thing.”

Though what Shin Ah had said was already enough to make him decide to pass her, Hyeokho wanted to test her once more.

Why? You know how it is. The urge to keep asking questions when a child is doing well.

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Hyeokho smiled and asked Shin Ah.

“What was your package?”

Shin Ah chuckled inwardly.

‘He’s going to test me one more time, isn’t he?’

There was a reason why the identity of packages wasn’t revealed to candidates in the Heir Selection Test.

“I don’t know.”

“You must have been curious. Didn’t you open it?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Escort Warriors and porters sometimes transport packages whose contents they cannot and should not know. Like this time.”

Shin Ah paused to catch her breath.

“If you can’t control that curiosity, the escort mission will fail.”

The larger and more skilled an Escort Agency was, the more requests they received that demanded thorough secrecy.

“Escort Warriors need to know what the package is. Only then can they figure out how to transport it safely. Do you think differently?”

“No, I agree with your thinking, Grandfather. Transporting rice and transporting fabric are certainly different. However, even without knowing what the package is, an Escort Warrior must be able to safely protect and transport it. Under any circumstances.”

Shin Ah finished her answer while pretending to be calm and looked at Hyeokho.

Though it was hard to see behind his beard, Hyeokho was definitely smiling.

“Indeed.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll pass you.”

Shin Ah’s eyes widened at Hyeokho’s ready permission. Her tension melted away instantly.

“Really? For real? Am I a porter now?”

“Don’t you want it? Having second thoughts?”

Even seeing how happy she was, Hyeokho had to add a teasing remark.

Shin Ah jumped up and ran over to hug him.

“No! Grandfather, thank you! I’ll really do well. I’ll diligently repay the debt I owe you too.”

Hyeokho ultimately couldn’t resist Shin Ah’s cuteness and burst into hearty laughter.

“You don’t have to do well. Just work hard.”

“No. I’ll do well!”

Working hard can make you skilled in one field. But you can’t become the best in the world.

Shin Ah intended to become the world’s greatest Escort Warrior. For that, working hard was basic—she had to excel.

“Hehe, do as you wish. But remember this. You earned your porter qualification through your own strength. I didn’t give it to you as a gift.”

“Oh, that’s not true. If Grandfather hadn’t created these exception clauses, it would have been impossible. I know this—you added these, didn’t you?”

Shin Ah remembered the Heir Selection Test from when Baekrim became the head of Manhyang Express in the past.

Back then, it was a test that perfectly fit the phrases “survival of the fittest” and “the strong prey on the weak.”

Everyone easily abandoned their colleagues, and sword fights broke out even with success right before their eyes.

Watching this, Jang Mu had lamented.

‘The previous agency head foresaw everything. He said to always make those who saved their colleagues into porters.’

Shin Ah had picked the fruit that grew from the seed Hyeokho had planted.

The smile never left Hyeokho’s lips as he watched such a Shin Ah. It was natural since the adorable child only said pretty things.

Then, Shin Ah glanced around nervously.

“Do you have more to say?”

“Well… I have to repay my debt to Grandfather, right? But will there be an Escort Warrior who would take me as a porter?”

Choosing which porter to take on escort missions was absolutely the Escort Warrior’s prerogative.

Who would include young Shin Ah in their escort missions?

And children of the So Family Estate were forbidden from going on escort missions beyond Seomsu before turning fifteen. This was to protect the precious hands of the So Family.

Hyeokho looked at Shin Ah seriously.

When the child brought up such topics, it meant she had something in mind.

‘She always presents her own solutions.’

While admirable, it also seemed pitiful that she had matured so quickly.

“If you have something to say, speak freely.”

With So Hyeokho’s permission, Shin Ah spoke.

“I want to become an Escort Warrior too. As quickly as possible, if feasible.”

In truth, Shin Ah hadn’t needed to take the Heir Selection Test.

She had stepped forward saying she would prove her abilities herself, but the basic path for children of the Escort Agency was to complete education at Bogukgak and become Escort Warriors.

So Cheondo also obtained his Escort Warrior qualifications that way.

“If you want to receive training, it will inevitably take time.”

“I’ll prove my abilities as an Escort Warrior.”

“You want me to see your abilities and give permission? How do you plan to prove it?”

“The most necessary ability for an Escort Warrior—I’ll show you that.”

Shin Ah smiled brightly.

So Hyeokho nodded as if enchanted by her confidence.

Before he knew it, he had become an easy grandfather when it came to Shin Ah.

* * *

After Shin Ah left Wolhwa Hall humming a tune, So Hyeokho gathered the core members of the Escort Agency’s leadership.

It was time to handle what he had promised Shin Ah.

His bodyguard Flash Point Sword Jang Mu, general affairs manager Go Junggang, and the chief accountant who mainly handled the Escort Agency’s financial matters, Abacus Ghost Ha Ilju, gathered at Wolhwa Hall.

“Did you call for us, Lord of the Nation?”

“Everyone, please take your seats.”

They all sat down with proper courtesy.

“Chief Go, how are those who took the Jaengjeasu test doing?”

“As you instructed, Lord of the Nation, we gave them some compensation and sent them all home.”

“I see. Call them back.”

Chief Go’s eyes sharpened.

“Are you saying to hold the test again?”

Chief Accountant Ha Ilju’s mind spun rapidly.

“Lord of the Nation, forgive my presumption, but this year we have the issue of selecting search teams, and we don’t have the capacity to hold the test again.”

Ha Ilju possessed ghost-like abilities in appraising goods and calculating escort fees, but his naturally impatient nature sometimes rubbed So Hyeokho the wrong way.

This seemed to be one of those times, as the muscle under So Hyeokho’s eye twitched.

Chief Go stepped in.

“If you clearly convey your intentions, Lord of the Nation, I will proceed without any issues.”

“Announce the results of the Jaengjeasu test.”

That one statement was enough.

It had only been left unresolved due to Shin Ah’s disappearance, but there were quite a few who had safely brought back their packages.

This was despite receiving word from So Cheondo during the test and having the valley blocked, making it difficult to obtain water.

It meant they were individuals with considerable abilities.

Chief Go, who had felt it was quite a waste to send such people home because of Shin Ah’s disappearance, had subtly suggested to So Hyeokho:

‘How about quietly announcing the successful candidates?’

However, So Hyeokho had dismissed the suggestion, and quite coldly and firmly at that.

But why now?

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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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