Chapter 166
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Crossroads (2)
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Flying Tiger hadn't even been gone a full incense stick's time when he returned with a bright expression. Seeing this, Jin Ga-yong sheathed the sword he'd laid aside at his waist and rose from his seat. It seemed he planned to kill the old man if things went south. As Flying Tiger moved to follow, Jin Ga-yong said,
"You stay here."
"Ah, but..."
"If you're thinking of his dignity, wouldn't he feel more at ease meeting me alone? And if the talks go well, there are a few things I'd like to ask."
"But if words fail, you'll settle it with that sword, right?"
"......"
"I overstepped. Please go ahead."
Once Jin Ga-yong had left, Flying Tiger sat back down and drained the now-cold tea. It was bitterly astringent. He must have been anxious to wrap things up as quickly as possible.
'I was reckless. Trust is hard to build but crumbles in an instant... Tsk.'
Flying Tiger shook his head to clear his thoughts and began counting numbers.
One, two, three...
By the time he reached over a hundred, Flying Tiger let out a sigh of relief. Jin Ga-yong still hadn't returned, which meant the Shandong Elder was alive for now—and the odds of him staying that way had greatly improved.
'Good thing.' Muttering to himself, he turned his mind to his own pressing issues. He continued counting as he pondered.
One hundred one, one hundred two, one hundred three...
Should he wrap everything up and return to Gong Won-yeong? Or stick to the original plan and pursue the serial killer Guimyeon?
Flying Tiger still hadn't made up his mind. Whichever path he chose came with a string of complications, leaving his thoughts tangled. At least it wasn't as chaotic as yesterday.
So at dawn, with a clear head, he'd set a criterion.
Since there was no right answer anyway, he'd agonize only until today and then decide.
There was a reason for giving himself a one-day grace period.
Choosing one option meant automatically discarding the other, so he needed time to coldly assess the fallout. For instance, if he decided to return to Gong Won-yeong, he'd have to completely reevaluate not just Chao Erjin but his ties with the Western State Hall too—factoring in the worst-case scenarios.
And to resolve his entanglement with Zhao Family Manor smoothly, or at least without too much friction, he'd need at least a day.
This smoothness included the Shandong Elder and the other three. Though Flying Tiger couldn't dictate their fates himself, he intended to do whatever he could for them.
Flying Tiger was half-lidded, counting up to four hundred twenty-eight, when Jin Ga-yong returned.
"Judging by the time, it seems quite a few worthwhile conversations took place."
"There were plenty of intriguing topics. The issue is refining them into usable intelligence—that takes time."
Flying Tiger grasped Jin Ga-yong's meaning immediately.
If they'd summoned a warrior of the Shandong Elder's caliber, Chao Erjin would have sent someone of equal stature to meet him. The problem lay in sifting through whom he'd met and pinpointing the key players—that required time.
Time was never on Zhao Family Manor's side. Nor could they act too boldly with all eyes watching.
"Still, cross-referencing the info should net a few solid leads, no?"
"Likely. But if the net's too loose, won't the fish we want slip right through? A real headache."
"Plan to strike hard and fast, then. Target's undecided, time's tight."
"Hm."
Jin Ga-yong almost tacked on a question to Flying Tiger's words out of habit but held back. Flying Tiger was sharp and quick-witted—talking with him was engaging. He'd nearly sought his opinion without thinking.
'But that's not the case here.'
Jin Ga-yong shifted the topic.
"Let's leave that for now and pick up where we left off. You asked about Zhao Family Manor's decision, right?"
"...Yes."
"This afternoon, they'll interrogate Bong Yeon-ja, Ho Ye-hwa, and Yun Deok-shin separately. If no major issues arise during the process, they'll hold them for about half a month."
"And then?"
"Release them on parole. They can't keep them forever."
"Generous judgment. But just in case..."
"Worried Zhao Family Manor retainers might snap and do them harm?"
"Yes."
"Won't happen. Our Zhao Family Manor doesn't forgive easily, but we're not petty either. Just remember: all this hinges on how cooperative they are in interrogation."
"I'll make that clear. Thank you for your leniency."
"......"
"Is that all?"
"Pardon?"
Jin Ga-yong eyed Flying Tiger steadily before asking.
"Didn't you need Bong Yeon-ja for some personal errand? Urgently?"
"Correct."
"Then why not ask me now?"
"We should let Zhao Family Manor investigate first, no? If she's clean, I'll meet her then and make the request."
"Following procedure? What if issues arise? Can you abandon it?"
"I'd have to offer something equivalent. Not easy since I don't have much to give."
"If negotiations fail?"
"Then... Sigh, I just hope things proceed smoothly."
"Good, that 'smoothly.' But Flying Tiger."
Jin Ga-yong nodded and called his name.
Was it sarcasm?
No, more than that, Jin Ga-yong had dropped formality, addressing him casually unlike before. It felt strangely unfamiliar to Flying Tiger.
Looking up...
"If the burden's too heavy, sometimes set it down and look around. Not easy with your personality, I know."
"Pardon?"
"No need to be so guarded with me. Bong Yeon-ja will be released after interrogation—take her and go."
"...!"
"I heard from my martial uncle last night. He didn't give details, but something bad happened around you? So forget Zhao Family Manor matters. You don't need to keep your promise to help us."
"But that would mean..."
Flying Tiger muttered, 'Wouldn't I feel too guilty?' He couldn't say it loudly because it hit home. For Gong Won-yeong's sake, he could do far worse!
Reading his mind, Jin Ga-yong shook his head.
"I'll accept the sentiment. Truth is, thanks to you, we saved Second Young Lady Li Jin-ok and many manor lives—you owe me nothing, no debt. In exchange, my martial uncle wants to see you once before you leave. Stop by the manor."
"Martial uncle— you mean Elder Sang Mok-cheon?"
"Yes."
"Understood. But I..."
"Speak freely, no need to hold back."
"Until yesterday morning, didn't Clan Leader Jin think I couldn't even lend a hand to Zhao Family Manor?"
"I still do."
Jin Ga-yong's firm words instilled instant trust in Flying Tiger, making his consideration all the more grateful—and guilty.
"If so, could you hold off on my decision for one more day?"
"Why?"
"My situation's ambiguous. Caught between a rock and a hard place."
"That bad?"
"Honestly, either way looks rough. But I have to decide. Once I do, I'll either help Zhao Family Manor strike Chao Erjin or fold everything and leave with Bong Yeon-ja. Please."
Jin Ga-yong sighed at Flying Tiger's plea, gazing at him with worried eyes. Feeling the weight of that look, Flying Tiger averted his gaze and voiced what he'd long prepared.
"In any case, regardless of my plans, let me make the offer I intended. Ally with the Western State Hall."
"Western State Hall? That mercenary referral office you're with?"
"Yes. But not for manpower. As you know, they run various businesses."
"Their intelligence network."
"Exactly. They can tighten that net you mentioned for Zhao Family Manor. Perfect timing too—they're very curious about Chao Erjin."
"Hm, their intel's second only to the Hao Clan in Chang'an City—definitely helpful. I've considered it, but there's a problem."
"Worried about leaks? Most of Chao Erjin belongs to Martial Qin Alliance, and intel bends to power."
"......"
"I'll mediate."
"You?"
"Yes. I have connections—I'll gauge their intentions quietly. If you permit."
"...!"
Flying Tiger knew raising this would let Jin Ga-yong infer his ties to Western State Hall and more.
But what could he do?
Having allied with Zhao Family Manor, he couldn't hide it forever. As Jin Ga-yong said, if the load was heavy, set it down and look around. And conveniently, Jin Ga-yong was right there.
Jin Ga-yong left, promising a quick reply.
Flying Tiger spent the afternoon with the Shandong Elder. Though much must have passed between the elder and Jin Ga-yong, neither mentioned it. Instead, they picked up the conversation from just before that incident.
Flying Tiger's promise to learn the elder's swordsmanship. The moment Jin Ga-yong granted him that incense stick's time, he'd rushed to the elder's room and declared:
"Elder, I can't devote myself solely to your swordsmanship, but I'll pursue it lifelong like the Five Foods and Five Grains. If I gain insight and even a modicum of fame from it, I'll credit you fully. And if you find a proper heir, I'll pass on my humble realizations, helping however I can, overtly or covertly."
Perhaps because Flying Tiger blurted it all breathlessly in urgency, the Shandong Elder stared blankly in surprise before frowning and scolding him.
"What nonsense is this? Speak clearly."
"It's the best I can offer. My final ultimatum. So teach me. Please."
"Why should I..."
"You told me to live, didn't you? The other day. You said live."
"Ha—"
The Shandong Elder launched into a lecture based on his personal swordsmanship philosophy. His enthusiasm had him trying to rise from bed for a demonstration, which Flying Tiger barely dissuaded. Thus, they stuck to theoretical discussion today.
Even that inspired Flying Tiger greatly. The elder, a true master of the blade, had much worth absorbing. Flying Tiger's full focus helped too. For a moment, he set aside his burdens and purely enjoyed the time.
Once the elder finished, they moved to questions and answers. Time flew unnoticed. Then Flying Tiger posed a question of a different grain.
"Elder, suppose a fork in the road appeared before you."
"Hm?"
"Just a hypothetical. Don't look at me like that—hear me out."
"......"
"One path leads to death but peacefully. The other offers a sliver of hope amid endless thorns. Which would you choose?"