The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 78
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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 78
Jang Mu recalled what the Escort Warriors had been chattering about this morning.
‘What? Looking for Escort Warriors to deliver ingredients? Pfft, what kind of escort mission is that? No matter how much we’re just Escort Warriors, we still have pride as members of an escort agency, but we can’t be carrying vegetables around Chang’an.’
To deliver goods to over fifty locations, they needed a large number of Escort Warriors.
But finding those Escort Warriors was proving difficult from the start.
‘The young miss only has three Escort Warriors under her command. It’s impossible to manage over fifty locations with that number.’
Honestly, Jang Mu unconditionally supported and cheered for Shin Ah.
Shin Ah had performed several miracles. She had overcome an incurable disease and returned alive after being attacked in the deep mountains.
Miracles that occur during difficult times naturally inspire passion and enthusiasm in people.
Indeed, the atmosphere within the escort agency had changed because of Shin Ah.
The most representative example was So Cheonrim. As Cheonrim began to involve himself in the escort agency’s affairs, the situation that had been centered around Baekrim changed.
‘In the past, everyone was desperate to gain favor with the Yuwongak Master.’
The most typical corruption that arose from this was the corruption of Bogukgak.
The corruption of Bogukgak led to a decline in the martial arts level of Manhyang Express’s Escort Warriors.
While it might not be immediately apparent, in just three years, the harmful effects would snowball and engulf the escort agency.
Since Cheonrim, known for his integrity, had taken charge of Bogukgak, things would surely change in the future.
However, despite his supportive feelings for Shin Ah, Jang Mu predicted failure in this particular matter.
“There are too few Escort Warriors. This task will be difficult to succeed.”
“You’re quite decisive.”
“That’s the reality, Lord of the Nation.”
“It seems the Biwongak Master lacks influence.”
Even for the sake of Biwongak Master Cheonrim rather than Shin Ah, it would be worth stepping forward, but the Escort Warriors wouldn’t budge.
“What do you think is the reason?”
“…….”
Jang Mu closed his mouth again. Not because he didn’t know the answer, but because it was difficult to give the answer.
Understanding the meaning, So Hyeokho let out a deep sigh.
“It’s my fault.”
So Hyeokho had noticeably ignored Biwongak over the past few years.
He was resentful of his son who had abandoned Manhyang Express, obsessing only over his daughter’s treatment.
Since he didn’t work, he didn’t give him a single penny, and sometimes even criticized Cheonrim at official gatherings.
That wasn’t all.
‘Please lend me money for Shin Ah’s medicine, Father.’
On a day when rain poured heavily, he had made him kneel in the courtyard of Wolhwa Hall all day long. Everyone passing by had seen it…….
It felt like a stone was lodged in his solar plexus.
All the problems currently occurring in the escort agency were his fault.
‘Recognizing and acknowledging past mistakes isn’t easy even as one ages.’
So Hyeokho swallowed his groan.
For now, he had to correct things starting with the small parts.
“Select about ten Escort Warriors and send them to Shin Ah. Include about two senior escorts as well.”
Senior escorts were the leaders of the Escort Warriors.
“To that extent? Wouldn’t regular Escort Warriors be sufficient?”
“When you think about it, isn’t it like establishing a branch office in Chang’an? She should have that level of personnel to maintain face wherever she goes.”
“That’s also a valid point. Then I’ll tell Chief Go to select and send the Escort Warriors.”
* * *
So Cheondo’s chest slowly rose and fell as he lay on the floor holding his sword.
“Hah, how many days has it been since I came here?”
In the training hall where only a single luminous pearl was embedded in the ceiling, with neither sun nor moon entering, it was impossible to tell the passage of time.
Still, living wasn’t a problem.
When hungry, he ate the prepared fasting pills, and when thirsty, he drew water from the well in the corner of the training hall. When exhausted to the point of having a sweet taste in his mouth, he would lie down anywhere to sleep, and when he woke up, he would train.
Since someone was supposed to come in every three months to check on the trainee’s safety, it was certain that three months hadn’t passed yet.
“I wonder if Shin Ah is doing well…… Ugh.”
After catching his breath briefly, So Cheondo pushed himself up from the ground and sat in lotus position. Having trained his sword techniques, it was now time to focus on incantations and practice qi circulation and breathing.
The formation technique that the Zhuge family had carefully installed helped with the operation of internal energy.
When would he be able to stand proudly before his family?
So Cheondo, who had been lost in thought for a moment, shook off his idle thoughts, closed his eyes, and deeply immersed himself within.
* * *
“Grandfather sent them?”
In the back streets of Chang’an, the hastily made Manhyang Express flag fluttered relentlessly as usual.
Shin Ah, perched on a small desk, looked around at the men filling the alley.
They were Escort Warriors that Go Junggang, the chief manager of Manhyang Express, had personally brought.
“Yes, the Lord of the Nation sent them, asking us to take good care of the Chang’an Temporary Branch Office.”
“If it’s a branch office, it’s a branch office, but what’s this ‘temporary branch office’?”
Escort Warrior is trainee, branch office is temporary, that’s fine up to there. But having a branch office without a proper shop is too much. Don’t escort agencies usually provide shop support when establishing branch offices?
Chatter chatter chatter.
Shin Ah muttered. For a soliloquy, her voice was quite loud and clearly filled with complaints.
Ahem, Go Junggang cleared his throat.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Why are you pretending not to hear when you heard everything?”
“I’ll look into whether there are any shops available for temporary use.”
This much support was possible within Go Junggang’s discretion.
Only then did Shin Ah smile brightly, place her hands on her stomach, and bow politely.
“Thank you, Chief Go. But I don’t need those people. Please take them all back.”
“…….”
“Please tell Grandfather this: I don’t need people who are loyal to Grandfather, but Escort Warriors who will trust and follow me.”
“Young miss, please reconsider. Without these Escort Warriors, you won’t be able to handle all the commissioned work.”
“I can do it.”
Shin Ah was confident.
‘Does the young miss have some miraculous method?’
Chief Go was so curious that he almost forgot his age and dignity and begged Shin Ah to tell him her plan.
Junggang looked at Mugyeol, Juhwa, and Chilseon, wondering if those three knew something.
Only after seeing their expressions did Junggang realize why Shin Ah wouldn’t accept the Escort Warriors sent by So Hyeokho.
‘They’re different from those others.’
Among those who came on So Hyeokho’s orders, how many would truly serve Shin Ah as their escort warrior?
Moreover, Shin Ah was a trainee escort warrior, and this was the Chang’an Temporary Branch Office.
There was a high possibility they would subtly look down on and disregard Shin Ah. Senior escorts experienced in escort missions might even try to teach Shin Ah.
‘They definitely would.’
The escort agency was a place where strength and ability took priority above all. And in most cases, that strength and ability came from escort mission experience.
Since Shin Ah’s experience was limited, the Escort Warriors might not trust and follow their escort warrior.
‘Rather than proceeding with the possibility of trouble, she’d rather endure more hardship.’
Since Shin Ah made the choice, the child would have to bear the responsibility.
Go Junggang looked back at those standing behind him.
“Let’s go back.”
None of the porters showed any regret.
Still, he couldn’t blame them. Even he himself would have left Manhyang Express immediately if it weren’t for Hyeokho.
‘The young lady’s choice was right.’
Porters who didn’t respect the Escort Warriors were bound to cause trouble eventually.
* * *
Go Junggang left the alley with the porters.
The alley that had been packed with burly men was now completely empty.
“Now the sunlight comes in nicely.”
As Shin Ah sat down with a smile, Juhwa approached and spread a paper on the desk with a snap.
On the map that Juhwa had drawn while wandering around Chang’an for two days, circles were densely marked.
“I’ve marked all the places where we need to deliver ingredients.”
“Well done.”
“But how can we deliver all of this every day? Should I run and bring back the porters even now? The Lord of the Nation went out of his way to help us, but I feel like we sent them away for nothing.”
Smart Juhwa had spent the night planning delivery routes without even being asked by Shin Ah.
But whether going east, going west, or changing directions twelve times, it was impossible to deliver the ingredients on time.
It wasn’t just one or two places, but a whopping 50 locations!
And they didn’t even have cargo carts. It meant they would have to pull handcarts themselves or carry the cargo on their backs.
Therefore, they were in a situation where they needed to borrow even small hands.
“Do you think so too, uncle?”
Shin Ah looked at Chilseon. He smiled awkwardly.
‘Uncle doesn’t trust me either.’
Well, that was understandable.
Even Shin Ah would have called someone crazy if they told her they would deliver ingredients to 50 places with just 4 people.
Because it was physically impossible no matter how close the distances were.
But who was she?
‘I’m So Shin Ah. And So Shin Ah who can use magic at that.’
Appearing in the east in a flash, appearing in the west in a flash.
It was possible for Shin Ah!
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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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