Chapter 140
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Chapter 39: Time of Dogs and Wolves (3)
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Jin Ga-yong flicked his wrist, and the sword gripped in his hand chimed softly as it scattered the blood it had drunk in thick drops.
Two men approached from behind him.
Of the pair, the one with the hooked nose and neatly trimmed mustache—but otherwise a total mess, his body splattered with blood—spoke in a low voice.
"Young Master Jin, the mood has shifted. It seems they've caught on to us."
"It's a shame, but what can we do? They must have anticipated our arrival anyway."
"So, what do you plan to do now?"
"Ah Suk, how's your condition?"
"Heh heh heh, don't let appearances fool you—I'm fit as a fiddle. If anything, it's you looking far too pristine that seems off. Or am I wrong, Dal-seo?"
A Jeok-gang addressed the man beside him, Maeng Dal-seo of the Low Stream Demon Horn. He was the very same fellow Hidden Moon had mentioned to Flying Tiger the other day when speaking of the Zhao Family Manor's retainers—the one who had taken Pung-sam along.
Maeng Dal-seo was a scrawny, unremarkable middle-aged man. With his protruding forehead, snub nose, and jutting lower jaw, he was quite the ugly customer. Perhaps because of his innate features, he looked even more wretched than A Jeok-gang. Yet his eyes burned with vitality, and his tone was surprisingly cheerful.
"Hmph, this? After rampaging through those four limbs, the fact that my arms and legs are still attached is blessing enough. You're the one being too harsh, young master. If I'd just been out playing, I'd have brought back some spoils to share... Tsk. No humanity at all."
What were they talking about?
Jin Ga-yong, A Jeok-gang, and Maeng Dal-seo—these three had fought a fierce battle about half a shichen ago and claimed a resounding victory.
Of course, it hadn't just been the three of them. There had been seventeen in total. With that number, they had nearly annihilated close to fifty foes. In contrast, the Zhao Family Manor side had suffered only four casualties. Though it was a great triumph, the remaining thirteen were hardly unscathed.
Thus, A Jeok-gang and Maeng Dal-seo were covered head to toe in minor wounds, their bodies painted with blood.
Except for one.
The very man who had fought at the forefront like a man possessed, Jin Ga-yong himself, was spotless. That was the subject of their banter.
But where had the rest gone, leaving just these three here?
The ten warriors, excluding the four casualties, had returned to the Zhao Family Manor—and in all haste. Why? To strike the rear of the main Cho Eo-jin force that was even now assaulting the manor.
For some reason, the Zhao Family Manor had long since discerned the reason and intent behind Cho Eo-jin's kidnapping of Go Dan-o.
In other words, the warriors who had exited the Zhao Family Manor's gates weren't a pursuit squad chasing kidnappers out of the enemy's trap. They were a suicide squad dispatched on a separate mission.
Led by Jin Ga-yong, they had feigned a search of the Geum Mountain area to buy time, lulling the enemy into believing their plan was proceeding smoothly. Meanwhile, they had secretly sent out scouts to locate Cho Eo-jin's ambush unit. Then, after swiftly eliminating their own surveillance, they had force-marched straight to the ambush site and crushed it in a surprise counterattack.
In truth, this had only been possible because the Ye Mountain region was practically the Zhao Family Manor's front yard. Even a mutt eats half its fill at home, as the saying goes. Of course, not just anyone could pull off such a feat.
Be that as it may.
This strategy had been devised on the premise of abandoning Go Dan-o, who was held captive at Jeonghae Pavilion. Pulling a suicide squad from their already scant forces for such a maneuver was grueling enough from the start; trying to tackle all three locations—here, the manor, and Jeonghae Pavilion—was deemed impossible. It was a tear-jerking decision to abandon one who was like a blood brother, raised together over the same pot of rice, but with death looming for all, it was a desperate measure.
And it was Jin Ga-yong who had spearheaded and finalized this plan. Yet after smashing Cho Eo-jin's ambush unit, the man himself declared something else.
From here on, he would head to Jeonghae Pavilion alone.
Sorry, but he would sit out the battle now unfolding at the Zhao Family Manor.
This had been Jin Ga-yong's intention from the beginning.
He hadn't spoken of it earlier out of concern that facing the formidable foe ahead might lead to divided opinions and plummeting morale. Besides, such a decision could shift with circumstances, so it wasn't something to declare lightly. Worst case, if the ambush counterattack had failed, Jin Ga-yong's footsteps would have turned not to Jeonghae Pavilion, but back to the manor.
Thus, Jin Ga-yong had only confided his intentions to two people: his martial uncle Wang Gun-bo, the great elder currently at the Zhao Family Manor, and Yi Jin-ok, the young strategist who had barely survived and returned. One needed to know, and he worried the other might break down emotionally.
In any case.
Right after the battle, when Jin Ga-yong revealed this unexpected decision, a middle-aged man named O Rim of the Mixed River Fisher—who had rampaged at the forefront alongside him like a yaksha—couldn't hold back his frustration and asked,
"Peerless Sword, this is too reckless. Why make such a choice?"
"Go Dan-o is my junior brother. How could I, his senior brother, abandon him? Fortunately, we've won a great victory, so now I intend to go to him. Teacher O Rim, this isn't a spur-of-the-moment whim. Please accept this Jin's resolve."
"Heavens~ If you go like this, we'll suffer a loss in our forces—not to mention you might die in vain. I know full well how sharp your sword is, but those foes are no pushovers either, aren't they?"
"Doesn't my martial uncle Wang Gun-bo remain at the Zhao Family Manor? And now Teacher O Rim, you will head there as well. I believe the two of you can overcome any hardship. Or am I wrong?"
O Rim, who was ever the refined scholar when not fighting, stroked his beard and cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem! To be frank, I admit we can win even without you. But what of you? Are you truly confident?"
"No. I acknowledge your concerns, teacher. It's not just reckless—it's dangerous. If it proves too much, I'll die. But that's exactly why I must go."
"……?"
"I don't want my junior brother Dan-o dying alone and lonely in a place like that. If he must die, at least let this senior brother walk that path with him."
"What is this? Go Dan-o is a proud man and a noble warrior, isn't he? Not to speak ill, but he won't weaken before death. And seeing his senior brother leap into a trap for his sake would only shatter his heart."
Jin Ga-yong smiled warmly.
It was out of embarrassment. Just as O Rim pointed out, he could picture his junior brother flying into a rage and yelling at him.
Go Dan-o had been a stubborn kid since childhood. He often defied and snapped at Jin Ga-yong, complaining that his second senior brother treated him like some clueless child. But after maturing, Go Dan-o had grown in stature and demeanor alike, even pretending to hang on Jin Ga-yong's every word.
"Perhaps you're right. But he nags at me. One eye sees a reliable man grown tall and true, while the other still glimpses that prickly, timid boy full of fears."
"……."
O Rim realized how deeply Jin Ga-yong cared for his junior brother and could no longer try to dissuade him. Thus, even as he assented to Jin Ga-yong's decision, he assigned two volunteers to accompany him.
They were No Use A Jeok-gang and Low Stream Demon Horn Maeng Dal-seo.
Wherever their footsteps led now, it wouldn't be easy—but this path was the more likely to end in death.
Yet A Jeok-gang had drawn his blade for Jin Ga-yong from the start, harboring not a shred of hesitation. As for Maeng Dal-seo, working alongside Jin Ga-yong had earned him the young master's admiration, so he gladly followed in A Jeok-gang's wake.
Thanks to their banter, Jin Ga-yong—whose mind had been weighed heavy all along—finally felt some relief. It wasn't that their jokes were so amusing, but their heartfelt sentiments warmed him. Seeing they were both in good shape, he promptly turned his gaze toward the inner courtyard of Jeonghae Pavilion.
And he spoke.
"Ah Suk, I'll take the lead. Follow me."
"Understood."
"And Warrior Maeng Dal-seo."
"Just give the order."
"While Ah Suk and I charge straight in and draw their eyes, could you circle around to the rear?"
"To rescue Yeo Mountain Sword?"
"If possible, yes. Even if not, hide yourself until the very last moment and watch for an opening."
"You mean hold back until one of you two is on the brink of death?"
"Yes. But if no chance arises, escape alone and survive."
"Hmph, do you think this old codger clings to a shameful life? If so, I wouldn't have come along. Worry not. Whether we live or die, we'll do it together."
Jin Ga-yong sighed.
It was pure gratitude, conveyed with a respectful bow of the head.
Soon, he closed his eyes to steady his heart. When he opened them again, a fierce glint flickered within. He was resolved to die if need be—but not to bury his bones here.
Thus, he declared with dignified poise.
"Very well. Let's go together. But today will not be our last. They will learn today exactly what the Ye Mountain Zhao Family Manor is—and what this Jin is made of!"
The sky began to take on a blue hue, and all things gradually revealed their outlines. But those hazy shapes—whether man or wolf—remained hard to distinguish.
Dawn was near, but a morning mist had risen at the worst possible moment.
Those awaiting their guests thus found their hearts uneasy. Were their nerves that sharpened as a result?
Ho Ye-hwa sighed deeply as she watched the two bickering.
"Why did you bring him along?"
Sama Gul-gi demanded of Flying Tiger—and the "him" in question was Go Dan-o.
Was it surprising?
Flying Tiger had personally brought even Go Dan-o to face the enemy. It seemed he was prepared for a hostage play if things went south.
To Sama Gul-gi, a man of warrior pride, the sight was distasteful, so his words came out sharp. But Flying Tiger countered with a hurt expression.
"Why bring the hostage? Is that something a kidnapper says? We did this together……."
"That was just a ploy to lure them in, and now they're here—its purpose is served. They've come sword in hand, so let's meet them sword to sword like warriors."
"Hoard it and it'll turn to shit. Since we went to the trouble of snatching him, we ought to use him well. What nonsense is this? Right, Madam Dang?"
As Flying Tiger urgently sought backup, Madam Dang Bong Yeon-ja pretended not to hear and subtly stepped back. Of course, as a woman of the unorthodox paths, she was willing to stoop to worse than a hostage ploy if needed. But such brazen openness made her a touch embarrassed.
Clap.
Unable to bear it, Ho Ye-hwa clapped to draw attention. Pointing at Flying Tiger, she asked,
"Warrior Flying Tiger, have you given any thought to how best to receive them?"
"Of course."
Ho Ye-hwa had unexpectedly become the one in charge at Jeonghae Pavilion, making it hard for her to command the assembled heroes. Sure, position shapes the man, and she'd improve in time—but it had been less than a day.
That was why Ho Ye-hwa posed the question to Flying Tiger. In her eyes, he was adept at everything.
The current situation proved it. While others, upon hearing the enemy approach, thought only of charging in sword-first, this man was cleverly scheming to make full use even of his captured hostage.
And true to Ho Ye-hwa's expectations, Flying Tiger took up the cue without missing a beat.
How could Flying Tiger lack a plan? He had scurried east and west all this time precisely to meet this moment.