Chapter 160
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Ye Mountain Zhao Family Manor (4)
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Wang Woo's face flushed red as he approached Flying Tiger, reaching out with his left hand to seize him by the collar.
Flying Tiger responded in kind, extending his own left hand to intercept Wang Woo's incoming arm midway.
But Wang Woo's Golden Claw was far faster than anticipated.
Realizing the situation wasn't going his way, Flying Tiger immediately withdrew his stance and flipped his open palm upright. He aimed to deflect the strike with a hand blade.
And he swung it fiercely.
Whoosh—snap.
In that instant, Wang Woo's hand twisted like a serpent, snaking forward unexpectedly to clamp down on Flying Tiger's wrist, which he'd positioned blade-up.
It was a vicious move that made even Flying Tiger flinch. He'd clearly underestimated his opponent. Much like Go Dan-o earlier, this one was no ordinary fighter either.
Hah, would you look at that?
The direct disciple of Zhao Family Manor, huh?
Wang Woo gripped Flying Tiger's wrist tight with his Golden Claw. Flying Tiger shook his arm to break free, but it was no use.
His arm would snap off before it slipped loose.
Wang Woo opened his mouth to mock the struggling Flying Tiger.
"Ack!"
A scream burst out instead of jeers.
Wang Woo recoiled in shock, a hawk sword embedded in his hand. Flying Tiger had shaken his wrist to unleash the rope dart coiled around it as usual.
The next moment, Flying Tiger closed in and slammed a shoulder strike into him. Wang Woo tumbled backward.
Crash.
In the blink of an eye, the tables had turned. Flying Tiger's shift from defense to offense was so seamless it almost looked like he'd deliberately offered his wrist for a surprise counter.
And it wasn't over yet.
As he pursued, Flying Tiger reared back his right foot like he was about to punt a ball, aiming to smash Wang Woo's skull.
"Fourth Young Master!"
At that moment, one of the spectating Zhao Family Manor warriors shouted and charged in swiftly—aimed at Flying Tiger's back. In his panic, he thrust straight with his sword, the strike laced with killing intent.
Slash.
Flying Tiger, instead of kicking Wang Woo with his retracted foot, lightly tapped the ground.
Pivoting on that planted foot, he spun his body around. Now facing the stabbing warrior head-on, he'd effectively retreated half a step.
His left foot lashed out behind him while his right hand thrust forward. Balancing on one foot, he moved his limbs independently front and back.
The result...
His left foot finished what his right had started. Wang Woo, scrambling to his feet, took the back kick and sprawled again.
Thwack.
Meanwhile, Flying Tiger's thrusting right hand gripped the Overgold Sword. He'd reclaimed it from Wang Woo during the earlier shoulder strike.
The Overgold Sword swept horizontally, slapping away the incoming sword thrust.
With a sharp clang, the blade rebounded viciously.
The Zhao Family Manor warrior startled and sidestepped hastily to evade. He feared the follow-up.
Scramble.
But Flying Tiger simply stood there, staring impassively at the man.
What was that look?
Whatever it was, it pissed him off!
Gritting his teeth, the warrior readjusted his grip on his sword. He'd lost a point just now amid the chaos, but from here on—huh?
Crack.
In that instant, cracks spiderwebbed across the blade he'd regripped, and it snapped clean in two.
The warrior stared in dismay at his broken sword. Then he looked at Flying Tiger, his expression oddly mirroring the other's in nuance, though distinct in flavor.
Something like this:
'Whoa, it actually worked?'
'What the hell, sorcery?'
The bustling arena fell silent as everyone froze in place.
Wang Woo was no exception. After repeated beatings and falls, he'd drawn his sword in a rage—only to witness the warrior's blade shatter right in front of him. He was rooted to the spot.
And it was a sigh of admiration from someone's lips that first shattered the brief stillness.
"What the actual..."
Click.
Flying Tiger sheathed the drawn Overgold Sword and tossed it to Wang Woo.
Wang Woo caught it reflexively and looked up. Flying Tiger spoke.
"Hey, did you think your senior brother looked weak? That he asked me to show you respect out of personal friendship? Far from it. It was for your sake. He's someone you ought to stay on guard against—no room for slip-ups. Got it?"
"..."
"One more time: Fourth Young Master, if you entrust the prisoners to me, I'll take full responsibility. And I'll faithfully carry out your orders."
Flying Tiger bowed his head.
Wang Woo glared at him, then irritably tossed the Overgold Sword aside. As Flying Tiger caught it with a puzzled look, he spat a single word and stormed off.
"Hmph, do whatever."
After the commotion, the group set off for Zhao Family Manor.
Along the way, none of the Zhao Family Manor warriors harassed the prisoners. Whether they'd never intended to or not, that was the case. No bindings, not even acupoint seals. They'd left it all to Flying Tiger and paid no further mind.
In truth, it was only natural. What good would come from testing a master like him?
The Yun family was moved. Bong Yeon-ja gazed at Flying Tiger with eyes burning hotter than gratitude. Ho Ye-hwa, stunned by his display, offered awkward thanks with a smile. The Shandong elder simply fell deep in thought.
......
Trouble had brewed from the start, and now en route, another issue arose.
The Shandong elder had been wheezing nonstop, but at some point, he slipped into a deep sleep.
Bong Yeon-ja's diagnosis: severe blood loss had depleted his qi to the point self-recovery was impossible. They'd need to stop at an apothecary for restorative herbs.
Bracing for a scolding, Flying Tiger hesitantly made the request. Surprisingly, Wang Woo agreed readily—though his attitude remained icy.
What was that about?
A Jeok-gang let slip that Zhao Family Manor's retainers had also suffered injuries in the fierce battle. They planned to stock up on herbs in bulk via Bong Yeon-ja this time.
For reference, A Jeok-gang had been meditating in the carriage to restore his depleted inner energy. Once it recovered somewhat, he'd stepped out on the pretext of feeling cooped up. Since then, he'd walked between Wang Woo and Flying Tiger, bridging the gap.
Likely sensing the chill between them, he'd skipped further meditation to play mediator.
Thus, the group detoured to a nearby village with an apothecary. Bong Yeon-ja, Wang Woo, and one escort went to procure medicine, while the rest waited in the carriage with tea.
There, A Jeok-gang shared various tales about Zhao Family Manor with Flying Tiger.
Once they arrived, everyone would be busy, leaving little time to look after him. Carving out this moment was A Jeok-gang's own courtesy.
Zhao Family Manor normally housed just over a hundred residents.
Not a small number, but modest compared to their fame spanning Shaanxi. Take Lion Hall, their direct rivals: even excluding non-combatants, they boasted nearly a thousand warriors.
Yet with Martial Qin Alliance's era dawning, they'd sent away most non-martial folk, leaving just over fifty now.
Narrow it to those who could fight invaders, and it was under forty.
Forty souls or so.
This included nine guests like No Use A Jeok-gang, who'd come to aid and stayed. (*Of course, traitors like wandering guest Yang Ji lurked among them.)
With that force, they'd repelled and crushed Superb Sword Formation's all-out assault—three times their number. Despite the enemy's cunning tactics and heavy preparations for ambush.
An astonishing feat. It explained why Zhao Family Manor had represented Shaanxi's martial world.
That said...
Like all things, Zhao Family Manor paid a price: nearly half fell in battle.
The survivors skewed toward the stronger, but group synergies—like combined formations or tactical variety—were real. All told, they'd lost about half their effective power.
Exceptions occasionally defied the math.
Those one-man armies!
"That must be Shang Gun-bo, the 'One of Ten' ace in Zhao Family Manor? That's why Manor Lord Jin could move freely on his own like this time."
Flying Tiger nodded at A Jeok-gang's explanation, then recalled Jin Ga-yong subduing the Shandong elder. He added,
"Hm, should we class Manor Lord Jin in that league too?"
"Close enough. Strictly speaking, he's approaching that level. His youth holds him back from mingling with those exceptional powerhouses."
"Lack of inner energy, right?"
"Partly, and Zhao Family Manor's arts mature with age. The sword arts deepen immensely over time."
Flying Tiger nodded.
Thinking on it, even he couldn't guarantee victory over Go Dan-o's mid-tier Mountain Flower Sword in ten years. Jin Ga-yong's prowess was beyond measure, but Go Dan-o perfectly illustrated A Jeok-gang's point.
By the same token, disciples like Wang Woo shared the same roots. Even if less talented than Go Dan-o, they'd all advance by leaps once they matured.
In short, they were young beasts. By growth's end, Zhao Family Manor might reclaim its glory.
Provided they weathered these turbulent times.
Flying Tiger clicked his tongue.
"Damn, the manor lord passes right at this precarious juncture."
"That's why his junior brother returned."
"Hmm, but that Shang Gun-bo... he fought big and left? World shunned him, he ditched the sword for the Dao—sounded like a clean break. Unexpected."
"Indeed. Honestly, even I don't know his heart—how could I know another's? From a bystander's view, though, it shows why heavenly principles and human ethics are so fearsome. Regrettable, too."
Flying Tiger sensed A Jeok-gang's words applied not just to Shang Gun-bo, but Jin Ga-yong as well.
Unperson Sword Jin Ga-yong and Iron Palm Shang Gun-bo.
What common thread bound them?
Moreover, Flying Tiger couldn't help worrying over the weighty burden shadowing Jin Ga-yong's shoulders.