Chapter 164
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Vertical and Horizontal (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Flying Tiger asked for the letter. The one he received was sealed, and without even opening it, he handed the entire envelope to So Myeong-rang.
"What's this?"
"Open it first."
"Your own letter?"
"I don't have a habit of sharing my personal letters with others. But what can be done? Even I find this situation suspicious. If you insist it's all just coincidence, that's your call."
Flying Tiger could guess what was written in the letter. Since Aruk had delivered it personally, it had to be something sensitive. And right now, the only sensitive matter tied to him and Seo Nation Hall was one thing.
Even so, he showed it because there was no other choice, and judging by Aruk mentioning the letter in front of everyone, he assumed it contained nothing a third party couldn't see.
So Myeong-rang glanced at him questioningly, and Sang Gun-bo asked for the letter. He opened it right there, read it carefully, folded it back neatly, and returned it to Flying Tiger.
"I'll keep the contents to myself. It seems urgent, so read it now."
Urgent?
Flying Tiger was inwardly curious too, so despite his reluctance, he opened the letter.
<The client has met the guest you requested and finished the negotiations. However, this guest is so unreasonably demanding that they keep changing their terms and adding more requirements. Thanks to that, the timeline keeps getting delayed, and we might even exceed the estimated limit. For now, I'm doing my utmost to placate them for a good outcome, but the situation isn't easy. I'll update you immediately as things change.>
It was utterly disappointing.
Flying Tiger crumpled the letter in his fist. Still not satisfied, he tore it to shreds and scattered the pieces, cursing at the sky.
There were eyes on him, but he no longer cared.
What did it matter if it was the Ten Lords or whatever!
Once his emotions had boiled over a bit, Flying Tiger turned to Sang Gun-bo with a hardened face.
"Shall I explain the situation?"
"No need. Instead, that Aruk fellow? Leave him to us."
"What do you plan to do?"
"We have to check him out. It's too late today, so if there's no issue, we'll release him tomorrow."
"Very well."
Aruk inwardly sighed in relief. His cover was thick, but he was genuinely a specialist courier for Seo Nation Hall. So there was no real problem.
Thus, Aruk spoke to Flying Tiger in a much brighter tone.
"Flying Tiger warrior, I'll come find you once the investigation is done."
"No."
"Pardon?"
"No need to find me. Hurry back and relay my words to your handler."
And Flying Tiger said in a cold voice,
"I'm disappointed in Seo Nation Hall. I don't expect your best from you. Just show me results! And exceeding the limit? Add my future to that limit. If that's still not enough, if negotiations are on the verge of breaking down... relay these exact words to that guest without missing a syllable."
A piercing blue ghostfire bloomed in Flying Tiger's eyes.
"One last thing. On top of all the conditions so far, I'll throw in your life. Decide. Is that still not enough?"
"...!"
It was a threat.
But was threatening a physician whose help you needed to save a patient's life even remotely reasonable? No, more than that, if Flying Tiger were the type threats worked on, Seo Nation Hall would have already turned him around by any means necessary.
Flying Tiger knew this well. That's why this was an ultimatum, a murder notice disguised as himself.
His rage targeted the Golden Jade Immortal!
With that, Flying Tiger finished conveying what Aruk should tell Hidden Moon of Seo Nation Hall. He then excused himself, saying he was tired and they could talk tomorrow if needed, before returning to the mansion where he was confined.
In truth, Flying Tiger's sudden outburst was a one-sided declaration unfit for his current position. Moreover, Sang Gun-bo had spoken to him because he had something else to ask. So when Hyeong U-saeng belatedly tried to call him back, Sang Gun-bo stopped him and shook his head.
"Looks like today isn't the day. Can't you see he's distraught?"
Sang Gun-bo sent a transmission to the departing Flying Tiger.
-Child, I'll send Yong-i tomorrow morning. Decide by then.
Flying Tiger smirked as he walked. Decide what? Everything just felt like a hassle.
Flying Tiger returned to his lodging and lay down, but sleep wouldn't come. After tossing and turning, he got up and stood blankly in the middle of the courtyard. He'd originally planned to calm his troubled mind with the Ancient Five-Tendon Technique. But now, thinking of doing exercises under the moonlight in his wilted state, he lost the will.
It wasn't over yet. He knew full well that times like this called for keeping his wits sharp.
But...
Shouldn't he just quit everything, run off right now, and stay by Gong Won-yeong's side? Hadn't he done enough by clinging to this faint, unrealistic hope this far?
Unable to do this or that, Flying Tiger just stood there staring at the night sky. He had plenty of options and choices, but none appealed to him.
He'd lost his way.
...
"Excuse me? Flying Tiger warrior."
Flying Tiger snapped out of it at the voice and turned to see Yun Deok-shin giving an awkward smile—not from the Yun family proper. It was still the dead of night, and the moon that had watched over him was gone.
"Still not asleep?"
"Slept like a log. Just woke up to piss. So back to bed I go. But... looks like you can't sleep, warrior?"
"Yeah."
"This is best for that."
Yun Deok-shin slipped a gurgling gourd into Flying Tiger's hand. It seemed to hold liquor. Yawning sleepily, he shuffled back to his room.
Not even a full day into house arrest, where had he gotten this? And it couldn't have been easy to obtain—why give it away so freely?
Flying Tiger stared at the gourd in his hand. Then he sat on the veranda, uncorked it, and took a sip. The sharp aroma tickled his nose. Sipping occasionally, he gazed at the now moonless, empty night sky as if it were an appetizer.
As he drank, intoxication set in, and his messy mood grew hazy.
...
"Guess I was lonely, huh?"
Flying Tiger muttered self-mockingly and shook his head. Even as he said it, he felt grateful, and it became a small comfort. Though small, its echo was profound.
Thinking about it, hadn't the kindness he'd shown the Yun family that morning circled back to him like this?
Thus, another tumultuous day drew to a close for Flying Tiger.
Early the next morning, Flying Tiger heard from Bong Yeon-ja that the Sandong Elder was looking for him.
By then, he'd caught a brief nap and was practicing the Ancient Five-Tendon Technique in a corner of the back courtyard since dawn.
"The Sandong Elder is awake? How is he? Any improvement overnight?"
"So-so. He's on the mend, but slower than expected. Still unstable mentally and physically."
"Unusual case?"
"Especially for a master like him, definitely."
"Hm. Well, as long as he's alive despite the slow recovery?"
"Yes."
"Good. Thanks."
After finishing with Bong Yeon-ja, Flying Tiger quickly washed up, changed, and headed to the room where the Sandong Elder was staying.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Opening the door, Flying Tiger saw the elder lying in bed. His appearance had always been ragged, but now with depleted vitality, he looked truly pitiful. Flying Tiger clicked his tongue as he sat by the bedside.
"How's the body?"
"Like death."
Flying Tiger chuckled, and the Sandong Elder stared at him quietly before asking,
"Heard you saved me?"
"Who said? From my memory, you saved yourself, old timer. You fiercely countered the Fragmenting Battle Array I desperately unleashed. Right?"
"Did I?"
"Yeah. What happened after were just natural side effects."
"..."
The elder closed his eyes, perhaps to steady his surging emotions. Had he thought he'd died for sure, only to wake up moved?
Flying Tiger scratched his cheek.
"Eh, so about those side effects... I have something to say."
He quickly explained the agreement with Jin Ga-yong.
That the Sandong Elder would never draw a blade against Zhao Family Manor again. And he'd swear it in front of Jin Ga-yong.
Hearing this, the Sandong Elder exploded in anger. No matter how he phrased it, wasn't it kneeling before the victor and begging for life? He felt it was submission and flatly refused, even if it meant death.
"What? No, fuck! Why the hell should I?"
"Why yell? I told you. Side effects. Don't you know what that means? It's like a tax for surviving."
"Shut up. I won't do it!"
"Won't my ass. Then you should've died back then. Revived just to whine?"
"What? Die? You rude punk. Wanna try dying first?"
"Whoa, scary. You'd hit me looking like that?"
The Sandong Elder seemed genuinely furious, ready to leap up and strike. Flying Tiger flinched but grumbled, 'They said he was frail, but why's he so lively? Did Lady Dang lie to me?'
But Bong Yeon-ja wasn't entirely wrong. After his outburst, the elder tired out, turned his back, lay on his side, and shut his mouth. Seeing him shrink like that was pitiful in its own way—like a toothless tiger. Flying Tiger resisted smacking him and tried soothing instead.
"Old timer, you gotta live to chase dreams. I heard some Central Plains hero endured having his dick cut off for his dream."
Did it pique his interest?
The silent elder asked from his side-lying position,
"What idiot?"
"Dunno. Wrote books or something, super famous tale—every dog and cow in the Central Plains knows it. You don't?"
"..."
"Anyway. Compared to that, this is nothing. Want to swap the oath for your dick? If you prefer, I'll ask Lord Jin."
The blanket over his back twitched—he was clearly conflicted.
Huh? He's seriously considering it?
As Flying Tiger watched incredulously, the elder finally spoke with difficulty, embarrassed.
"This old man has no more... of those dreams."
"No more? You mean... ah! No future use, so second option?"
"Argh, damn it! Not that—no more sweet dreams, you bastard. Because this time, I realized my lifelong blade path is a dream I'll never achieve in this life. Satisfied?"
"..."
To the Sandong Elder, Flying Tiger was apparently Hua Tuo incarnate. He'd yanked the dying old man back to life not once, but twice.