Chapter 141
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Time of Dogs and Wolves (4)
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Flying Tiger scanned his surroundings, his eyes gleaming sharply.
Right there with him were Ho Ye-hwa, Sama Gul-gi, Lady Bong Yeon-ja, and even the Shandong Elder.
On top of that, eleven decent swordsmen dispatched from Zhao Family Manor were present as well. This was the result of Ho Ye-hwa summoning every last one just moments ago. Originally, nearly twenty men had been assigned from Zhao Family Manor, but one had been cut down by Flying Tiger, and despite the call-up signal, the rest hadn't shown. They'd either fallen to the enemy or hidden away in fear—likely one or the other.
In total, that made sixteen men, Flying Tiger included.
"Ho Ye-hwa and Sama Gul-gi, each take four swordsmen. Give the remaining three to me."
"Little Brother Flying Tiger, what about me then?"
"Lady Tang needs to move freely."
"What's that supposed to mean? You're making me a bit peeved here."
"Hear me out first."
Flying Tiger cleared his throat and explained.
"From checking presences so far, the enemy numbers less than a handful. Two or three at most? If there's a hidden expert on their side, maybe up to four. So if it's two enemies, Ho Ye-hwa and Sama Gul-gi each take one. If three, I'll step in too. Lady Tang, you watch the situation and provide quiet support when needed. Freely, like I said. It's perfect with the darkness and thick fog rolling in—I'm counting on you to shine."
Lady Bong Yeon-ja smiled warmly in approval. Indeed, her specialties of hidden weapons and poison would shine even brighter in this weather.
Then Ho Ye-hwa raised an objection.
"Why are you coming after me in the rotation, when I'm the one in charge of this operation?"
"I told you. There might be one more hidden expert. If we miss someone like that, it'll be a disaster for us—you know that. Can you really take responsibility and detect them?"
"Hmph."
"Not just Ho Ye-hwa—listen up, Sama Gul-gi. I'm not telling you two to risk your lives. Since they're coming in small elite numbers, they'll be no pushovers. Test the waters, and if it gets too tough, just buy time. That's why I assigned you swordsmen. Hold out, and Lady Tang will surely lend a hand."
Lady Bong Yeon-ja smiled sweetly, asking to leave it to her. With that settled in a breath, Flying Tiger turned to the Shandong Elder.
"And if a truly formidable foe shows up that we can't handle, that's when I'll call on you, Elder."
The Shandong Elder nodded readily. It was a fitting show of respect—Flying Tiger wasn't shoving him to the front lines from the start but letting the small fry handle themselves. That sat well with him.
And not just the elder; everyone nodded in agreement.
Even Sama Gul-gi, who felt uneasy with everything revolving around Flying Tiger ever since his money pouch had vanished so pathetically, had no real objections.
In truth, Flying Tiger's strategy was nothing special. But that's precisely why everyone could accept it, and the way he rattled it off so swiftly and decisively inspired trust in itself.
That, in a way, was a talent.
"Alright, let's get moving. We'll start as soon as everyone's ready."
Flying Tiger brimmed with anticipation. He was genuinely curious how the fight about to unfold would play out.
And so, the battle between Zhao Family Manor and the Face Pursuit Squad at the checkpoint began.
Flying Tiger struck the first blow.
Whiiist~
Flying Tiger let out a sharp whistle to draw the attention of their guests.
Then he shouted.
"Come out, you cowards! Or I might just toss one of your useless severed heads your way!"
Flying Tiger bellowed this with the Yosan Sword Godano thrust forward.
The others were adjusting positions according to their roles.
Ho Ye-hwa and Sama Gul-gi each led four swordsmen forward, taking left and right flanks. The Shandong Elder stood by Flying Tiger's side. Lady Bong Yeon-ja slipped quietly to the rear, out of sight. As they did, some felt embarrassed by Flying Tiger's taunt, others admired it, and a few even envied him.
How can he be so brazen? As the saying goes, only those who've tasted the meat know. And from what we'd heard, this wasn't his first or second rodeo.
...?
But it was unexpected.
One would think his words would make their blood boil and send them charging out, yet there was no reaction from the suspected location.
It was the bamboo grove at the foot of the hill behind the warehouse foundation.
So when Ho Ye-hwa glanced back questioningly, Flying Tiger held up two fingers and beckoned.
At the signal, two swordsmen following Ho Ye-hwa crept quietly to the boundary between grove and foundation, probing the presence beyond.
Flying Tiger was clearing his throat for a stronger warning when—
Swish~ Rustle—
Far inside the grove, bamboo swayed wildly, leaves showering down.
"They're coming! Everyone, stay sharp!"
Flying Tiger yelled from behind, and the two swordsmen up front hurriedly retreated, swords at the ready.
Ho Ye-hwa and Sama Gul-gi gripped their weapons tighter, eyes flashing. Flying Tiger was the first to look up in admiration.
"Whoa... now that's flashy."
Jin Ga-yong burst from the grove.
Not just onto the ground—he soared into the air. He'd leaped from the top of a bamboo stalk, using its bending spring to launch himself.
Thus, Jin Ga-yong vaulted effortlessly over the scouting swordsmen.
At that moment, he was three zhang off the ground, and from there, he pointed his sword tip straight at the first visible target: Sama Gul-gi.
Then he dove like an eagle spotting prey, at terrifying speed.
Scree—
Sama Gul-gi yelped and flung himself sideways. It was near-instinctual, and that sharp reaction saved his life.
Jin Ga-yong, plunging sword-first from above, didn't bother pursuing the fleeing Sama Gul-gi. From his perspective, there were plenty of kills to go around.
Instead, the other swordsmen following Sama Gul-gi bore the brunt.
Jin Ga-yong arced gracefully downward to land, then slid forward.
As he did, he swept his sword around him.
Shuu-shuk—
Sword light flashed through the thick fog, red flowers blooming and withering as two swordsmen were sliced into five pieces each.
The front line was breached.
Jin Ga-yong continued sliding, thrusting his sword straight ahead—its tip aimed right at Flying Tiger.
Thus, in a way that made Flying Tiger's long vigil seem pointless, Jin Ga-yong cleaved through the fog and closed in!
In that split second, Jin Ga-yong and Flying Tiger's eyes met. Sparks flew, blue flames igniting hot fury.
Underworld Messenger.
Shadow ghost in the fog.
Ghostly howl of lament.
These were the words Dorung had uttered while dying the previous day in the Yellow Worm Unit's Three Kings Battle.
Flying Tiger mulled them over and felt some agreement.
'Underworld Messenger? Yeah, look at him. What else could you think staring into those eyes? And slipping through the fog fits too. Just didn't howl like a ghost in agony? Hmm, maybe he didn't feel the need since it was me? Yeah, that's it, isn't it, Squad Leader Jin?'
Flying Tiger thought this as lightning flashed in his eyes.
Kraaack.
At the same time, he shoved the Yosan Sword Godano he gripped forward—toward Jin Ga-yong's thrusting blade tip.
As Jin Ga-yong charged in like lightning, all eyes in the area snapped to him.
This included the two swordsmen who'd been peering at the grove boundary—and it was their fatal mistake.
With Jin Ga-yong leading, A Jeok-gang followed.
And A Jeok-gang's entrance began with two hand axes.
Whirl-whirl~ Thunk. Thunk.
"Aaaagh!"
One swordsman turned at the pain of an axe burying into his shoulder blade, his stance crumbling as he screamed.
Turning fully, he saw his comrade—who'd been up front with him—toppling with an axe embedded in his skull.
Then he spotted the Huihui tribesman charging from the grove straight at him.
The man, A Jeok-gang, yanked a ring from his belt, unleashing a flexible chain sword that quivered eagerly. His main weapon, the Dragonfly Wing.
And that was the last scene the swordsman comprehended in this world.
...?
The world spun round and round.
Slash—
A Jeok-gang beheaded the swordsman and leaped into the compound.
Jin Ga-yong's straight thrust suddenly bent aside as it glanced off the repelled Godano, then straightened rigidly toward Flying Tiger.
At that moment, Flying Tiger was retreating, his empty hand snatching the hilt of the Gwanggeom Sword at his waist.
The next instant, Flying Tiger drew the Gwanggeom Sword with an iaido strike, batting away Jin Ga-yong's blade.
Clang~
Jin Ga-yong twisted his wrist, and his rebounding sword traced a small circle on the rebound's momentum.
It looped inward, slipping past Flying Tiger's thrust and striking the flat of the swung Gwanggeom Sword.
Ch clang~
The forcefully drawn Gwanggeom Sword bounced harmlessly away, leaving Flying Tiger cursing inwardly.
But there was no time for that.
Jin Ga-yong's sword pressed on relentlessly, just as always.
How chilling was it? Flying Tiger had no chance even to step back.
What could he do?
Flying Tiger pivoted on his rear foot, spinning his body while sweeping the rebounding Gwanggeom Sword behind him.
This let him defend half a step faster.
Ka-kang.
Jin Ga-yong's thrust scraped along the Gwanggeom Sword, veering off target.
The angle was slight, but since Flying Tiger twisted away too, he barely averted disaster.
He'd turned his back to Jin Ga-yong, deflecting the incoming thrust.
Without looking back, Flying Tiger scrambled away in a crab walk.
His back was slick with sweat.
If Jin Ga-yong pursued, he'd have to spin and fight again—but he desperately wanted to pass on that.
Or yield...
Fortunately, Jin Ga-yong didn't chase.
Satisfied with driving him off, he halted his advance. His goal from the start wasn't catching small fry like Sama Gul-gi or Flying Tiger—it was securing his junior comrade, Godano.
Instead, he whirled back and—perhaps eyeing the repelled Godano as a hostage?—stabbed a nearby loitering swordsman.
It was like slicing tofu, so casual. Of the three swordsmen with Flying Tiger, the remaining two paled and fled, hostages be damned.
...!
Whether Jin Ga-yong was truly the Underworld Messenger or not, the Zhao Family Manor warriors now knew he made an excellent benchmark.
What kind? From Sama Gul-gi and Flying Tiger's examples, escaping his sword strokes qualified one as an expert; dying meant you fell short.
It wasn't for nothing that Maeng Dal-seo had called him lacking in humanity, nor was Zhao Family Manor's ambush squad incompetent for getting massacred.
He was a Sword Ghost.
The Sword Ghost had appeared!