Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Sweatless Gang (1)
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*Sweatless Gang A term for bands of thugs who roam together committing robberies. A literal translation would be 'the gang that doesn't sweat,' referring to scum who easily snatch away the wealth others have painstakingly built up through their hard labor.
"When I told the organization about you, they took special interest, didn't they? Consider it an honor. We don't extend our hand to just anyone."
"Honor? Heh heh heh, cut the nonsense and make your pitch."
Ho Ye-hwa's face hardened.
"You're awfully rude. Weren't you the one who came looking for us first? That's why you were sniffing around Jeong Ho-jang, isn't it?"
"Me? Why would I?"
"How should I know? Maybe you had a falling out with your squad leader."
As Ho Ye-hwa casually probed, a flicker of embarrassment and irritation crossed Flying Tiger's face, which had been playing innocent.
'Still green as they come. But it looks like he really does have issues with Jin Ga-yong.'
Ho Ye-hwa inwardly cheered while feigning nonchalance, and Flying Tiger seemed to grow anxious.
"So what? Do you lot have what it takes to help me out?"
"Probably. But we'd need to know what happened before we can decide whether to help or not, right?"
"Damn it, who do you take me for? You think I'm dumb enough to go blabbing my weaknesses? Hmph, keep this up, and I've got ways to deal with you."
"What ways?"
"I've known for a while that you bastards have been harboring shady thoughts about Jin Ga-yong."
"...And?"
"What do you mean 'and'? I'm going to emphasize that point and offer to lend your squad leader a hand. And conveniently, I've got plenty of gifts to bring along. There's even one more right here that's not wrapped yet."
Flying Tiger's finger pointed at the unwrapped item hanging above Ho Ye-hwa's neck.
Ho Ye-hwa felt a chill run down his spine at the brazen threat. And yet, a thought crossed his mind.
Maybe this guy's even more hopeless trash than he lets on.
...
Among the words of ancient sages is the saying, 'One who knows is inferior to one who loves, and one who loves is inferior to one who delights.'
And Ho Ye-hwa was innately gifted at talking. In other words, he had a silver tongue.
Thus, with his exceptional gift of gab, Ho Ye-hwa coaxed and soothed the suspicious and bullheaded Flying Tiger. In the end, he learned the full story of the rift between Flying Tiger and Jin Ga-yong straight from Flying Tiger's own mouth.
Thinking back, you and I hit it off right from the start. Our guts and skills matched up, right? Just look at how you're the leader of Jeong Unit and I'm the deputy— that says it all.
Doesn't it?
Ahem, anyway, even if things are a bit distant between us right now, keep in mind we were that close before. I'm saying if things go south, I might just head your way.
Got it?
Good. Now, onto the main story. It all started with the recent operation that Jeong Unit was assigned. It's a huge deal, but it's top secret, so I can't tell you the details...
What? You already know?
Ho ho, your organization isn't half bad, huh? You know not just the operation details but the outcome too? That makes this a lot easier. Carry on.
...
So yeah, I fought like hell out there, racked up massive merits. Enough to hand me chests of gold. It was against the Yellow Worm Corps, after all— I more than earned it.
What do you think?
Ah, sure, the payout was decent. But still, it felt too small compared to what I accomplished. Not that I'm being greedy; it's just that my feats were that huge. Be honest— even just the loot left in the Yellow Worm Corps' base must've been worth a fortune, right? Shouldn't I get at least one percent of that?!
Yeah, so I helped myself to a bit.
Not from their warehouse, though. Wanted to, but there wasn't time back then. Instead, I pocketed a few of the items Jeong Unit had prepped for the fight against the Yellow Worm Corps.
Then, damn it, that stingy squad leader noticed and demanded I cough them up. Gave me ten days' grace or something? Said if I don't bring them back by then, he'll formally hand me over to the Face Pursuit Squad.
I risked my neck fighting to the death, and he pulls this on me? Makes my blood boil. That dog bastard.
What? You wanna know what the items were?
Well, see...
"Thunderclap Bombs?"
Ho Ye-hwa blurted out in confusion. It was so out of left field he wondered if he'd misheard.
"Yeah. Those crazy things that go boom~. Honestly, without them, how the hell was Jeong Unit supposed to take down the Yellow Worm Corps?"
"Ha~ So you got caught sneaking Thunderclap Bombs behind Jin Ga-yong's back? What were you thinking?"
"Didn't plan it from the start. They were just left over, so I grabbed 'em!Finders keepers once the mission's done, right?"
"...How many?"
"Three. So, think you can get some for me? I need cash quick— sold 'em already."
"Where?"
"Black Market."
What kind of idiot is this?
Ho Ye-hwa shot him a look that said exactly that, but Flying Tiger refused to admit fault even on his deathbed, averting his eyes while jutting out his chin.
*Black Market (黑店): Shops or bazaars frequented by murim folk for shady dealings. A few exist in every city, usually run by the top unorthodox sect there. They deal in everything from poisons like 'Crane's Crest Red' to hidden weapons and martial arts manuals. Most are stolen goods, prices are sky-high, and fakes abound. Amateurs who wander in risk getting fleeced blind.
Selling Thunderclap Bombs at a black market would've fetched a king's ransom, no doubt.
The problem was buying them back would cost several times that.
Flying Tiger was royally screwed.
And if this got formally reported to the Face Pursuit Squad, it wouldn't end with a few lashes and a boot out the door.
'Jeong Unit used Thunderclap Bombs in that last op? Sounds like I struck gold here.'
Apart from handling Flying Tiger's mess, Ho Ye-hwa sensed he'd gleaned valuable intel. He was inwardly thrilled when Flying Tiger asked sullenly,
"So? Can you do it?"
Ho Ye-hwa smacked his lips.
He wanted to yell, 'Do what, you lunatic?!' but how had his ragtag crew bungled into this mess?
So Ho Ye-hwa probed vaguely in a subtle tone.
"Of course, with our organization's pull, it's not impossible. But."
"But?"
"It's not the only way to get those Thunderclap Bombs."
"There's another way? You mean...?"
True to his vicious nature, Flying Tiger mimed slitting his own throat. Ho Ye-hwa responded with a cryptic smile.
"Who knows. In any case, that guy's days as Jeong Unit's leader are numbered."
"...!"
From Ho Ye-hwa's words, Flying Tiger realized that Cho Eo-jin was plotting something against Jin Ga-yong or the Zhao Family Manor.
Wasn't this the chaos he craved!
'Perfect timing. I was gonna force a fight between them if I had to, but this way I might get it done without lifting a finger.'
Twitch twitch.
Flying Tiger's expression shifted gradually, like water boiling over a flame.
Once it hit the boiling point, he blurted out,
"What about me?"
"Huh? What kinda random question is that?"
"You're gonna pull down Jin squad leader, right? That breaks up Face Pursuit Jeong Unit, so what happens to me as a member? I clawed my way up to deputy, damn it. Shit, if this blows up, my livelihood's toast!"
Ho Ye-hwa's head throbbed.
Now he saw it— even in this mess, the guy was worried about his own bundle. As absurd as a drowning man demanding you save his sack first while bobbing in the water.
Ho Ye-hwa steeled himself, reciting 'endure' in his mind.
"Calm down."
"You think I look calm?!"
Sigh~ What a pain.
Ho Ye-hwa shared key intel on the Face Pursuit Squad.
The Face Pursuit Squad would disband within a month or two. No rebuilding the wiped-out sub-units, no new recruits either.
It was always meant to be temporary, but ahead of schedule.
Instead, they'd form a much larger outfit doing basically the same work. Most commanders under Gwak Nan-hoe, the big boss, would keep their ranks, but the hired mercenaries would be cut loose. Their spots filled by young warriors from the Martial Qin Alliance.
A true Martial Qin Alliance strike force, led by the next generation's fresh blood!
Na Mok had gossiped about this over drinks before, calling it a rumor. Now it was confirmed.
Ho Ye-hwa shared this to promise that, even with the changes, they'd get Flying Tiger reinstated as a formal member.
Possible because, while dumping the mercenaries, they'd recruit the talented ones as official Martial Qin Alliance warriors.
In short, Cho Eo-jin's side would vouch and recommend him.
Flying Tiger, ever paranoid, grilled him: 'You lot in position to do that?''Even if so, why trust you'd follow through?'
Then he went further: 'I'm deputy now— does that get guaranteed too?' nearly giving Ho Ye-hwa whiplash.
Ho Ye-hwa patiently handled him. Once Flying Tiger's heart swung heavily their way, he finally got to the real pitch.
"So, how about you join in on this organization gig? Might as well sync up with the guys you'll be breaking bread with soon."
"That 'gig' is about Jin Ga-yong, right?"
"Can't say yet."
"Fine? Then later. I'm busy now."
"What?"
"I said busy! Told you already— gotta settle things with Jin squad leader first."
"No, fuck! You even listen to me? I told you not to worry about Jin Ga-yong...!"
Flying Tiger leered at Ho Ye-hwa with sticky eyes, grinning slyly.
Flinch.
Ho Ye-hwa clamped his excited mouth shut, and Flying Tiger patted his sword while staring him down.
Silent pressure.
Spill it here and now, or we're done.
If Ho Ye-hwa picked the latter, a clean parting was unlikely.
Normally, he'd never buckle.
But mentally ping-ponging between hot and cold, he was off-balance. Flying Tiger had him on the hook, clouding his judgment.
After a tense standoff, Ho Ye-hwa compromised and spilled.
"Sigh~ Yeah. It's about the Zhao Family Manor. Wanna lend a hand?"
Flying Tiger finally heard what he wanted. He answered crisply.
"You bet!"