Chapter 12
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: 04. Deal and Test (2)
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It was around dawn.
Flying Tiger jolted awake in surprise, but the warmth from Gong Won-yeong's hand still clutched in his own brought him some measure of relief. It seemed he'd nodded off after staying up all night.
He gazed at Gong Won-yeong and murmured,
"You're not seriously thinking of just making me one meal and then leaving, right? You said we'd travel together. Give me just a little more time. Please."
Cruelly, the woman made no reply.
The man felt utter despair.
The day before, Herbalist Heo had advised him not to neglect the tasks right in front of him. But with her dying, what was left for him to do?
So he'd done the one thing he could: hold onto Gong Won-yeong's hand through the night, as if he'd never let it go.
"He must've been like that all night. If his lover dies in that state, he'll probably follow her into death."
"Ha~ Deep affection has turned into poison. Well, that's the age we're in. And poison can be medicine to one person, a boon to another."
"But in that condition, how can we even talk to him?"
The ones exchanging words were Iron Scripture and his master from the Western District Hall, Hidden Moon.
The previous day, after hearing Iron Scripture's report, Hidden Moon had said, 'Oh? Flying Tiger plans to drop by sometime to express his gratitude? Perfect. But everything has its proper time, so tomorrow, come with me to see him again. Don't thirsty people seek out water on their own?'
After making some preparations, Hidden Moon had arrived at the inn the next morning with Iron Scripture in tow.
But to Iron Scripture's eyes, Flying Tiger was in no state to hear a word anyone said, and he'd just been about to voice his concerns.
Hidden Moon replied,
"That's exactly why we're here to talk. Why else would I come all this way?"
Hidden Moon's method of luring Flying Tiger down was simple. What else could it be? He dangled the bait Flying Tiger wanted.
'Come down for a moment. Let's discuss ways to improve your sick companion's condition.'
Sure enough, just as Hidden Moon boasted, Flying Tiger soon descended to the inn's first floor.
It was still early, but aside from the table Hidden Moon occupied, the place was empty. Iron Scripture stood by the door, and outside, four or five armed men loitered around— all warriors from Hidden Moon's Western District Hall.
Hidden Moon set down his tea and called to Flying Tiger.
"Come over here. I heard from Iron Scripture. I don't know what words of comfort to offer—just heartache. Your worries must be immense."
"Thank you. It's all thanks to you that she's held on this long."
"Lucky timing. Hmm..."
"Please, speak freely."
"Very well. I heard you told this fellow yesterday that you owe me a great debt, and once your affairs are sorted, you plan to repay it?"
"Of course."
"A fine mindset. I like it. So I'll be frank in return. I always pursue honest deals."
Hidden Moon poured tea for Flying Tiger as he joined him, paused briefly, then continued.
"For starters, Flying Tiger, you owe me nothing. Yesterday was actually my way of showing gratitude. Thanks to you, I made a tidy profit."
"...?"
"I'm talking about the Fufeng Four Heroes."
"Why them all of a sudden...?"
"There was a huge ruckus at Six Jia Gate the night before last. Heard anything about it?"
"Was there?"
Hidden Moon nodded, eyeing Flying Tiger's hollow gaze.
"Well, you might not have. They're clamping down hard on rumors over there, and you've had your hands full anyway."
"So?"
"In the midst of that chaos, the Fufeng Four Heroes vanished without a trace."
"..."
"You know, those four had such vile reputations, they'd piled up enemies everywhere. I guarantee you, in Chang'an alone, there are over a hundred people willing to pay twenty silver taels each just to have them dealt with."
"Scum of the earth, huh."
"Scum—haha! Apt word. Anyway, the point is they're gone, and plenty will rejoice when word spreads."
There was a contradiction in Hidden Moon's words right now.
Just because the Fufeng Four Heroes hadn't shown up for a day or two, how could anyone conclude they'd vanished for good? They might be off on some errand. Or perhaps they'd already left ahead with Six Jia Gate's vanguard.
When Flying Tiger pointed out the inconsistency, Hidden Moon chuckled.
"That's the value of information. It's how people like me make money. While others think like you, I was certain they'd embarked on a one-way journey for reasons I won't specify. Ah, maybe one of them's still kicking?"
"Is that so?"
"Something like that. Anyway, my boys are out in force now, taking commissions to 'remove' the Fufeng Four Heroes. For the bargain price of just twelve silver taels for all four heads!"
"..."
"Thirty-three so far. Clients recruited in a single day, and we aim to hit a hundred by the day after tomorrow. Not bad, eh? Pretty profitable."
"Profitable to the point of emptiness. But how is that thanks to me? I'm not involved at all."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Hahaha! Still, it is thanks to you. When you told me about Pung-i's dog-like habits, it sparked this business idea. Come to think of it, they're no longer under my protection anyway, right?"
Flying Tiger had done the work, and Hidden Moon was raking in the cash. It also implied Hidden Moon had been secretly watching Flying Tiger or the Fufeng Four Heroes from afar.
Of course, Hidden Moon hadn't just watched. He'd greased the wheels, so to speak, by instructing Iron Scripture to provoke Pung-il.
Don't touch Flying Tiger.
In this world, there are always rebels who push harder when told not to.
Sure enough, Chang'an's underworld code held firm this time too.
'Iron Scripture's request on Hidden Moon's behalf must be honored. Or vanish!'
Flying Tiger had many thoughts swirling, but he held back and waited. Hidden Moon hadn't broached the main topic yet—the treatment for his sick companion.
So what was all this? Self-praise? No. From what he knew, types like Hidden Moon never wasted words. There was always a clear purpose.
'See? I settle accounts cleanly. I look after my own and deal decisively with those who aren't. So, how about it? Shall we make a deal?'
Finally, Hidden Moon broached it.
"If I save your woman..."
"I'll give you my life."
"Don't jump ahead. It's just a possibility. Let me ask: if it takes a fortune to get that chance, will you seize it?"
Hidden Moon pulled four small vials from his bosom and placed them on the table one by one. The first three were white porcelain bottles, the last a red gourd flask. And with that, the real deal began.
Hidden Moon didn't have miracle cures like the Snow Lotus or Five Wind Herb that Herbalist Heo had mentioned. Instead, he possessed Ice Jade Dew, a precious medicine that invigorated vital energy and purified the blood.
Those were in the white porcelain bottles.
It couldn't cure Gong Won-yeong's illness, but it could buy her several more months when she was on the brink of death today. In other words, life extension.
The idea was to use that time to find a physician capable of treating her.
"Who do you mean?"
"Didn't Herbalist Heo mention it? There's someone who might be able to help."
"You don't mean Immortal Osong?"
"He's like a dragon in the clouds—too elusive. But there's Little Bian Que Golden Jade Immortal. Not well-known to the public, but he's a named disciple who received medical arts directly from Immortal Osong. And conveniently, he's been residing on Mount Zhongnan in Shaanxi for several years now."
"Little Bian Que Golden Jade Immortal..."
"We don't know the exact location, so searching vast Mount Zhongnan will take time. Rumors say the immortal has a notoriously picky temperament, so he might not come just because we ask. But how about it? Tempting enough?"
Thump thump.
Flying Tiger stood with a serious expression and bowed deeply. The haze in his lost eyes now burned with resolute determination.
"Hidden Moon, tell this Flying Tiger what you desire."
Hidden Moon finished his business and left, while Flying Tiger spent the entire day tending to Gong Won-yeong.
Starting tomorrow, he'd have to move according to their demands, and he couldn't guarantee another day like this.
Hidden Moon's proposal was irresistible to Flying Tiger—no reason to refuse.
He promised to send the Ice Jade Dew to Herbalist Heo by tomorrow afternoon, along with a caretaker and two bodyguard warriors to watch over Gong Won-yeong. So he could focus on the commission without worry.
Of course, the favors ended there.
Hidden Moon warned that failure on the commission would end the deal immediately. And would they really just cut ties and leave peacefully? Though they were protecting Gong Won-yeong, it could also be seen as holding her hostage to keep Flying Tiger in line.
'It doesn't matter. If things stay like this, you'll die, and a world without you is meaningless to me too. So hang on! I'll save you, no matter what it takes. Just like that day.'
Flying Tiger gazed at Gong Won-yeong tenderly, sharpening the blade in his heart.
The next afternoon.
Flying Tiger bowed to Herbalist Heo, who had arrived, entrusting Gong Won-yeong to his care, then stepped out of the inn. Iron Scripture waited at the entrance to guide him to the client.
"Ready?"
"Let's go."
The two left the capital city on horseback, galloping southeast for about half a shichen (one hour). A low mountain cradling a large lake came into view, and after another leg or so (thirty minutes) into the hills, they reached the serene Hongdeung Temple.
The appointed meeting place.
Iron Scripture guided him to the monks' quarters behind the temple proper and stopped, so Flying Tiger entered the building alone.
A man and a woman sat waiting.
The woman exuded such refinement that one might nod in agreement if called a prince's consort.
Her sharp eyes, which scrutinized Flying Tiger, were veiled by silk cloth. Her long hair was braided into two strands, coiled into a bun, wrapped in loops around it, and adorned with an ornate phoenix hairpin. Wide sleeves draped gracefully over a flowing skirt, cinched with layered silk sashes—an ancient-style noble attire of wide robes and broad belts.
The man was a guard warrior with an antique sword at his side. His features were plain yet refined, but Flying Tiger's attention was drawn to his long, elegant fingers—fit for the term "jade-like hands."
A master of the swift sword.
And he reeked of danger.
"Are you Flying Tiger?"
"Yes."
"I'm Gwak Nan-hoe. Heard of me?"
When Flying Tiger shook his head, the client uttered an unexpected name.
"Rowing Blade Gwak Bu-ui. My father."
"...!"
Rowing Blade Gwak Bu-ui?
Flying Tiger's eyes gleamed.
He was the Hall Master of Lion Hall and leader of the Martial Qin Alliance, which dominated Shaanxi. And since yesterday, he'd left Chang'an to wage a unification war alongside allied forces from other provinces.
Yet the daughter of such a prominent family was hiring a bounty hunter the very next day after her father departed for battle—what on earth was going on?