The Granddaughter of Manhyang Escort Bureau Hides Her Magic - Chapter 96

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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 96

Ok Chifung had been taking only rough paths the entire time, claiming he was training Mugyeol.

Mugyeol’s feet were swollen, with blisters forming on top of blisters.

In the evenings, he would collapse without even choosing between hard stone floors, and at dawn he would wake up massaging his stiff joints and muscles.

Even so, Mugyeol didn’t complain once. He considered it something he naturally had to endure if he was going to become a member of the Escort Agency.

He had thought it would be fine to continue living like this, but when he heard they could rest in a comfortable place, he was happy.

And Mugyeol had something he definitely wanted to do when they reached a village with shops.

“Um… Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“Do you think there will be a place to buy a hand mirror in the next village?”

“A hand mirror? If you want to see your face, just look at your reflection in that stream over there. What does a man need a hand mirror for?”

“It has to be a hand mirror.”

Mugyeol thought of the bundle of papers he kept carefully tucked inside his chest.

‘She said to tear this paper in front of a hand mirror when I miss Biwongak.’

She had said he could do it by the water too, but somehow he wanted to buy a hand mirror.

‘So I can use it anytime, anywhere. I need my own hand mirror.’

His longing grew stronger the farther he got from Biwongak. Twelve times a day, he wanted to run to a quiet stream and tear apart the paper Shin Ah had given him.

Each time, Mugyeol gritted his teeth and endured it.

If he tore the paper every time he missed Shin Ah, it wouldn’t last more than a few days.

Mugyeol wanted to treasure the paper that held Shin Ah’s touch for even one more day.

But now he had reached his limit.

He had never missed his parents enough to bring tears to his eyes, yet he didn’t understand why tears kept welling up whenever he thought of Shin Ah.

“Oh my, Mugyeol! Do you want a hand mirror that badly? I’m in a good mood! Your teacher will buy you one!”

Seeing Mugyeol’s reddened eyes, Ok Chifung misunderstood in his own way and beat his chest heartily.

Mugyeol’s sniffling was drowned out by that boisterous sound. For Mugyeol, it was fortunate.

* * *

Past midnight, Mugyeol, who was thought to be fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.

Snore, snore—he could hear Ok Chifung’s snoring.

Mugyeol, who had been holding his breath until then, carefully slipped out from under his blanket.

Mugyeol cautiously opened and closed the door and headed to a secluded area of the inn.

In his chest were the hand mirror and the bundle of papers Shin Ah had given him.

Even though it was late at night, there were quite a few people drinking at the inn.

Those heavily drunk with alcohol chattered away, not caring who might be listening.

“They still haven’t caught Seomseo Iron Fist?”

“You mean Seomseo Iron Fist Heo Gang? He’s so skilled in Red Hand Empty Fist that all the constables who tried to catch him ended up with their arms and legs completely broken.”

“The Murim Alliance is tracking him, but he disappeared without a trace. But is it true that Seomseo Iron Fist destroyed an entire village? Wasn’t he originally a righteous man?”

“In this world, there are no eternal righteous men or villains. They say he disappeared around here, so who would dare travel the night roads out of fear.”

“Ugh, tsk, let’s just eat this and go inside to sleep.”

Grim stories were being exchanged.

Mugyeol listened to their words in passing as he left the inn.

And he wandered around looking for a deserted place, muffling his footsteps.

It was only after an hour had passed that he could find a suitable place.

The place Mugyeol found was a half-ruined pavilion behind the inn. It was surrounded by bamboo, which seemed like it would muffle small sounds.

Mugyeol hurriedly ran over and hid his body inside the bamboo grove.

It was so dark he couldn’t see an inch ahead, but when he circulated his internal energy and enhanced his eye power, he could make out objects fairly well even with the dim light.

Mugyeol carefully sat on the ground, took out his hand mirror, and also took out the bundle of papers.

What would happen?

His heart was pounding.

Mugyeol nervously tore a piece of paper. At that moment, a golden light flashed before his eyes and disappeared.

And then!

-Mugyeol?

“Uh… uh uh uh uh?”

Mugyeol, who had fallen backward, quickly covered his mouth.

-Mugyeol? Where did this kid go? Why can’t I see him? Mugyeol!

It was Shin Ah. Shin Ah was in the hand mirror.

Mugyeol knelt down and peered into the hand mirror.

“Young Miss? Are you alright? How did you end up in there? It must be… cramped…”

Having once been trapped in a well, Mugyeol knew very well how frightening it was to be trapped in a narrow, dark place.

Mugyeol’s face contorted.

“I’ll get you out right away!”

Mugyeol raised his fist to break the hand mirror.

-No, Mugyeol! This is Biwongak, my private quarters.

Shin Ah shouted urgently. Soon, instead of Shin Ah, some familiar furniture appeared in the hand mirror.

Mugyeol’s eyes widened.

“Did all of Biwongak get sucked into the hand mirror?”

-That’s not it, and there’s no time to explain! I’m safe. Everyone’s doing well. How are you?

Mugyeol was confused, but he answered Shin Ah’s questions diligently.

“I’m doing well. I even had soup rice today. This is the edge of Hanam.”

-Where are you headed?

“I don’t know that either… Huh?”

Suddenly Shin Ah disappeared from the hand mirror and his own face was reflected.

Mugyeol held the hand mirror and shook it frantically.

“Where did you go?”

Mugyeol, who had been stamping his feet, tore another piece of paper just in case.

Then with a flash of light, Shin Ah appeared!

-Wow, it’s shorter than I thought.

Shin Ah muttered.

“Young Miss! When I tear the paper, you enter the hand mirror? So we can have conversations?”

It was an interpretation quite different from the facts, but there was no major deficiency in Mugyeol’s understanding of the situation.

Shin Ah didn’t bother to explain the detailed principles and just nodded for him.

-Yes, that’s right. Magic can do things like this too.

Magic… what Shin Ah used was truly mysterious.

‘I want to learn it too…’

The thought suddenly struck him.

But Mugyeol didn’t get greedy. Magic was obviously something only smart people like Shin Ah could use.

‘I should just focus on martial arts cultivation.’

Mugyeol quickly brushed away his greed and asked.

“From anywhere? Even if we’re far apart?”

-Not for long, but we can see each other briefly.

Mugyeol smiled brightly.

He was so, so excited. He thought he wouldn’t be able to see Shin Ah again until he returned after leaving Biwongak. That’s why his heart ached like when he lost his mother.

But something completely unexpected had happened.

To be able to see Shin Ah even like this was like a miracle for Mugyeol.

-But it won’t work often. No one must find out. And only at late hours like tonight!

‘Because communication magic mustn’t be discovered.’

Shin Ah didn’t explain the reason, but Mugyeol knew well that it would be dangerous to be caught using such artifacts in the martial world, so he readily agreed.

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

-That’s right! I have something to tell you. We picked an Escort Warrior.

“Who?”

-Shadowless Guest Dokgo Sin! He’s the representative leader of Wolhwa Hall and Grandfather’s loyal retainer. I practically robbed Grandfather to bring him here, and haha, you should have seen Grandfather’s expression then!

Mugyeol had no interest in Dokgo Sin whatsoever, but seeing Shin Ah enjoying herself made him smile naturally.

“How was he?”

-He was beaten!

After saying that much, Shin Ah disappeared again. Mugyeol tore the paper once more.

Only after Shin Ah repeated appearing and disappearing exactly three more times was Mugyeol able to offer his farewell greeting.

And that was only because Shin Ah was yawning and showing signs of fatigue.

“Sleep well, Young Miss.”

Shin Ah’s figure waving her hands flutteringly disappeared, and Mugyeol’s face was reflected in the hand mirror.

The smile gradually faded from Mugyeol’s face.

“Dokgo Sin… Shadowless Guest…”

How much more time would be needed until Shin Ah acquired skills worth boasting about? In the meantime, this person called Dokgo Sin would become even stronger… Wouldn’t it be better to eliminate him before then?

It was a moment when Mugyeol’s eyes gleamed ominously.

‘Mugyeol.’

Shin Ah’s voice came from somewhere.

A soft, sweet, warm voice caressed Mugyeol.

Then his sharpened nerves gradually softened and the murderous intent that had appeared in Mugyeol’s eyes disappeared.

‘What was I thinking?’

Mugyeol trembled.

Realizing he had thought something that must never be discovered by Shin Ah, he shook his head while putting the hand mirror in his chest.

‘Let’s not think bad thoughts.’

Even though it was merely a thought and there was no way Shin Ah could find out, Mugyeol made this renewed resolution and stroked the hand mirror he had placed in his chest.

Before Chifung could wake from sleep, Mugyeol hurriedly ran into the inn.

Wind blew behind Mugyeol, and someone’s gleaming eyes flashed and disappeared between the swaying bamboo.

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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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