The Granddaughter of the Manhyang Escort Agency Hides Her Magic - Chapter 9

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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 9

So Cheonrim, So Hyeokho’s second son, master of Biwongak, and Shin Ah’s father, answered his father’s pressing questions carefully.

“Shin Ah’s treatment comes first. It would be proper to address the children’s faults later. However, I would appreciate it if you could ensure Mando and Shin Ah don’t encounter each other for the time being.”

If he stepped forward rashly and provoked his father’s anger, it would only harm Shin Ah.

‘Father has every right to be disappointed. This is already the third time I’ve abandoned a package to another courier and returned upon hearing news of Shin Ah collapsing…’

His position at the Escort Agency had greatly diminished as he devoted himself to his daughter’s treatment, and he had long since lost So Hyeokho’s trust.

After abandoning his last escort mission, Cheonrim hadn’t received any work from the Escort Agency, and naturally his standing in both the agency and the family had declined. Still, that was fine.

But today, he felt bitter regret.

Because he couldn’t raise his voice before the Agency Master to condemn Baekrim and Mando.

Because he knew that even if he argued right and wrong here, they wouldn’t be able to punish Baekrim and Mando, who were tacitly called the successors of the Escort Agency.

‘If only I had done better…’

Then Baekrim wouldn’t be so arrogant, and Mando wouldn’t act like a masked beast.

“Is that truly all you want?”

“Father! Why do you keep asking? Cheonrim, you spoke well for once. Problems arise because Shin Ah keeps hovering around Mando. Why does a child with such a weak body wander around outside so much? Take this opportunity to send her away for recuperation.”

Though he called it recuperation, his real intention was to banish her far from the Escort Agency.

Cheonrim loved his daughter but wasn’t a fool, so he immediately recognized Baekrim’s dark intentions and flared up.

“Elder brother! Is sending Shin Ah, who hasn’t even properly learned martial arts, far away treatment? You’re driving her to the deadlands!”

Cheonrim’s patience snapped completely.

“Father, this incident is clearly Mando’s fault.”

Hyeokho nodded his head. It looked as if he was agreeing with Cheonrim’s words, making Baekrim tremble.

If things continued like this, Mando would end up taking all the blame and being confined.

To confine a child in the Main Hall when he should be actively engaging in outside activities during his most vigorous years!

It would be like scattering ashes on the child’s future.

Baekrim glared at Cheonrim. Though he was conscious of Hyeokho’s presence, he could no longer overlook Cheonrim’s words.

Acting as if Shin Ah were purely a victim – what kind of behavior was this!

“Mando’s fault? How desperate must Shin Ah have been for Mando to use his fists! Father and daughter alike, all you know how to do is waste food…”

“Elder brother! Your words go too far.”

“Silence!”

As soon as Cheonrim cut off his elder brother’s words, Hyeokho’s thunderous roar erupted.

Baekrim flinched, and Cheonrim’s jaw tightened firmly.

For a moment, silence fell over Wolhwa Hall.

Baekrim carefully watched Hyeokho’s mood, wondering how he could cover up the matter without harm to Mando.

The answer came easily.

‘Father just needs to not interfere.’

From the beginning, Cheonrim and Shin Ah were no match for Baekrim and Mando.

Useless personnel had no voice wherever they went, after all.

“Father’s words are all correct. The matter between Mando and Shin Ah should be resolved by us as their parents. I’ll call Shin Ah and Mando separately…”

“There’s no need for that.”

Hyeokho cut off Baekrim’s words.

“It seems the person involved has arrived.”

Hyeokho’s gaze reached the door.

“Pardon?”

Baekrim tilted his head in confusion and turned around. A small shadow flickered beyond the door.

“Come in.”

With Hyeokho’s permission, the door opened and Shin Ah entered.

The child with a pale complexion swayed as if each step was torturous, yet walked steadily and knelt beside Cheonrim.

“Shin Ah, you should rest more.”

Cheonrim looked at Shin Ah with tender eyes. No matter how generously he viewed it, the child’s condition was hard to consider normal.

“She must be fine since she came. Right, Shin Ah?”

Baekrim asked Shin Ah as if worried about her. That too was all pretense.

He was only saying this because Shin Ah needed to be fine for Mando’s guilt to be lessened.

Shin Ah, who quickly caught onto this fact, burst into a cough as if to show Baekrim.

“Cough, cough.”

“Shin Ah!”

“Water, what is Jang Mu doing! Bring water immediately!”

Cheonrim embraced Shin Ah’s shoulders, and Hyeokho urgently called for Jang Mu, who was like his right hand.

Even though his emotions weren’t easily stirred, he couldn’t remain calm seeing his young granddaughter’s pale face as she coughed before his eyes.

“Whew, Father, Grandfather, I’m fine… Rather, I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

Shin Ah continued speaking with her deathly pale face.

“Shin Ah, let’s address faults and apologies later. First, you need to rest.”

Cheonrim held Shin Ah in his arms, restless with worry.

Shin Ah pushed Cheonrim away. Then she sat up straight and spoke.

“There’s an order to things, Father. Isn’t that right, Grandfather?”

Since it wasn’t wrong, Hyeokho narrowed his eyes.

Meanwhile, Jang Mu brought lukewarm water and placed it before Shin Ah. Shin Ah refused even the water and continued speaking.

“Grandfather, it’s all my fault.”

Cheonrim’s eyes widened.

“That’s right! I knew it. Now it’s all over, Father.”

Baekrim laughed heartily. Shin Ah’s single statement cleared the stuffiness in his chest.

Shin Ah looked at Baekrim and smiled inwardly.

It’s not over yet.

“Even if you’re my granddaughter, if you did wrong, you must be punished accordingly. Moreover, according to your words, Mando is innocent. Do you mean you’ll take all responsibility for today’s disaster?”

Shin Ah clenched her fists tightly.

Since Hyeokho had openly discussed punishment and responsibility, he wouldn’t let it pass easily. Even so, Shin Ah didn’t change her words.

Even if she had to take the blame, there was someone Shin Ah had to protect.

That’s why she had dragged her sick body to this place.

“Yes, I was wrong.”

An interesting expression appeared on Hyeokho’s face, having already heard from Jang Mu what had happened.

“What wrong did you commit?”

“My crime is theft.”

“…!”

At the unexpected story, Hyeokho’s eyes widened.

“Sh-Shin Ah. Whose belongings are you saying you stole?”

Cheonrim fidgeted restlessly, not knowing what to do.

Shin Ah gripped Cheonrim’s sleeve tightly as if to calm him and stared intently at Hyeokho.

“Yours, Grandfather.”

Hyeokho narrowed his eyebrows.

“I haven’t lost anything.”

“Yes. I didn’t steal what Grandfather has, but what he should have.”

An interesting glint passed through Hyeokho’s eyes.

‘What he should have.’

“…It seems a detailed explanation is needed.”

Hyeokho adjusted his posture. It was a signal that he would seriously listen to Shin Ah’s words.

“If possible, I’d like to speak with Grandfather alone.”

At the unexpected request, Hyeokho stared intently at Shin Ah.

It would be a burdensome gaze for a small, frail child to bear, yet Shin Ah met Hyeokho’s eyes without blinking once.

‘Well, look at this?’

Among all his grandchildren so far, none had been able to withstand his gaze for more than ten seconds.

Even Mando, who boasted about Baekrim’s talent in martial arts, and Cheondo, Cheonrim’s eldest son, were the same.

But Shin Ah apologized for her wrongdoing while facing him directly without averting her eyes, meeting his gaze boldly.

‘Since recovering from her comatose state, she’s gotten healthier, but has she also gained courage?’

Contrary to others’ expectations, Hyeokho knew quite a bit about Shin Ah.

He wasn’t just referring to Shin Ah’s health condition, but also meant her relationship with Mando.

He was aware of the problems among the children too. But he hadn’t interfered.

He thought they would resolve it themselves before any major incident occurred, and through that process, he hoped Shin Ah would learn the courage to stand against injustice and Cheonrim would come to his senses.

If she broke down here, then the child’s potential was just that much, and he felt there was no need to step in and help.

Most importantly, the children hadn’t asked for help.

But the moment he saw Shin Ah unconscious after being beaten by Mando today, he deeply regretted not stepping in until now.

Even he hadn’t realized that Mando would resort to such violence.

‘Have I been too much of a bystander?’

Only belatedly did he realize that his waiting had made Mando indulgent and Ilbi spiteful.

Hyeokho wanted to correct this situation. No, he had to correct it.

For the child’s sake, and for the Escort Agency’s sake too.

To him, Shin Ah’s current attitude was both very unexpected and extremely satisfying.

“You two young masters, go outside.”

“Father!”

Cheonrim protested, but Hyeokho didn’t even glance at him.

Baekrim quickly stood up and dragged Cheonrim away.

Cheonrim pushed away Baekrim’s arm and got up. Just before leaving, Cheonrim looked back at Shin Ah.

Seeing Cheonrim’s face colored with worry, Shin Ah smiled brightly.

‘Don’t worry, Father.’

The smile meant to reassure Cheonrim instead broke his heart.

Cheonrim forced a smile in return, then reluctantly left Wolhwa Hall. Baekrim had already disappeared long ago.

A quiet silence settled over Wolhwa Hall, now left with only Hyeokho and 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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