Chapter 169
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: One Night (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The fifth watch, or ogyeong, refers to dividing the night into five periods.
Chogeong : 7 PM to 9 PM
Igyeong : 9 PM to 11 PM
Samgyeong : 11 PM to 1 AM
Sageong : 1 AM to 3 AM
Ogyeong : 3 AM to 5 AM
*Chogeong
"Are you leaving us behind?"
"Eat first. I'll be right back, and then we can have a drink together."
"Liar. It's a gathering for you, Flying Tiger warrior. They've probably laid out a feast fit for a king. No way they'd skimp."
"That place is in mourning. Not exactly a mood for revelry."
"Then why call the warrior there?"
"Everyone's busy, so it's hard to find time... Wait, why am I explaining all this?"
Flying Tiger shot a weary glance at the clingy Yun Deok-shin, then signaled to Ho Ye-hwa. He's your subordinate—deal with him. But Ho Ye-hwa stared blankly back, ignoring him completely. Flying Tiger muttered under his breath, What's his deal?
Unable to stand it any longer, the elder from Shandong spoke up with a tired expression. "Quiet." Yun Deok-shin shrank back without a peep.
The elder had gotten another good nap while Flying Tiger was at the Zhao Family Manor, and his complexion had improved noticeably. At this rate, he might be out of bed within a fortnight. It was probably thanks to Fong Yeon-ja's care—and perhaps a renewed will to live.
"Hurry back. This old man has something to tell you."
"Got it. See you soon."
The sun had already set, and evening was drawing to a close.
Flying Tiger left the detained mansion and headed to the meeting spot. It was an appointment with A Jeok-gang, at an inn near the Zhao Family Manor.
Kiiik.
Flying Tiger flinched. He'd expected one or two people, but the place was crowded.
A Jeok-gang raised a hand in greeting.
"Come on in."
"Am I late?"
"Not at all. Stuck inside the manor all day, I got restless and came out early for some air."
"I see. But... quite a crowd, huh?"
"It just happened that way."
A Jeok-gang gave a wry smile, looking troubled. The uninvited guests chimed in one after another.
"Like I said earlier, see you later."
The boldest uninvited guest was Jo Baek-bing. Her cheeks were already flushed from a drink or two. Her fourth senior brother, Wang Wu, added gruffly,
"I only came because I was worried about little sis. Not to see you."
"Ah, got it."
Flying Tiger wasn't exactly thrilled to see him either, so he responded half-heartedly. Then, as the saying goes, where the needle goes, the thread follows—he greeted Yi Jin-ok, who sat beside Jo Baek-bing.
"Good to see you again."
"I hope we haven't been a bother, Flying Tiger warrior."
"Hahaha, not at all."
Flying Tiger sat down with an awkward laugh. The last uninvited guest explained his presence with obvious displeasure.
"The young master insisted young folks should mingle and forced me to come, even though I said no. Don't get the wrong idea."
"Nah, no misunderstanding. Have a drink and go. But..."
Flying Tiger scanned the group and asked A Jeok-gang,
"Brother A, is this everyone who was supposed to come?"
"I asked Miss Jo about Young Master Jin since he wasn't here, and she said he hadn't been seen all afternoon—must be out on manor business."
"So I came in his place. Why'd you want to see senior brother Jin? I'll pass it on—spill whatever you need to say."
"To you?"
"What, some secret you can't tell me?"
Jo Baek-bing's eyes sparkled as she asked. Flying Tiger looked at her in dismay, thinking, Ah, so that's how they all ended up strung together like dried mackerel on a line. At the same time, he felt a twinge of regret.
"Tell him I wanted to see him before leaving. Not to worry too much... or something like that? Anyway, thank him for his help, and say I'll explain everything once things settle down."
"Pfft? If it's that, tell the man himself! It's rude otherwise."
"......"
Flying Tiger nearly snapped back at the beaming Jo Baek-bing, You said to tell you! But chewing it over, she had a point, so he swallowed it. He nodded agreeably and said, "Thanks for the advice."
Jo Baek-bing was slightly flustered to see Flying Tiger take her joking remark seriously.
With greetings done, the drinking began. But before three rounds could pass, A Jeok-gang—who'd been heartily devouring snacks—bolted up.
Flying Tiger realized with a start.
This guy was planning to eat and run now that the vibe wasn't right. Even though he'd gathered everyone himself.
And sure enough.
"On second thought, I've got urgent business, so I'll take my leave. You young folks enjoy yourselves. Looks like you've got plenty to talk about."
A Jeok-gang emphasized "young folks" especially hard, leaving Flying Tiger awkwardly half-standing. The women's gazes pinned him back to his seat.
Flying Tiger, stunned, asked So Myeong-rang, who had risen instead.
"You leaving already too, Brother So?"
"Yeah, I remembered something I need to handle urgently."
"What is it?"
"Same as Brother A Jeok-gang here. It's confidential—don't ask."
"Ha~"
Flying Tiger sighed and refilled So Myeong-rang's empty cup. Fine, have one drink before you go.Clink. They toasted and downed them. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Flying Tiger said,
"Brother So, let's hang out properly sometime soon."
"Hang out? Heh, looking forward to it."
So Myeong-rang seemed pleased, his tense expression easing a bit.
A Jeok-gang and So Myeong-rang left before even an incense stick's time had passed. They'd truly just scarfed down food and bolted.
Now the lone outsider, Flying Tiger, faced two bright-eyed women and one man ignoring them both, under awkward stares.
...
"So, you want me to hear you out?"
"Yeah. You're good at counseling, right?"
"Thanks for the compliment, Miss Jo."
"Seriously?"
Jo Baek-bing turned serious, and Flying Tiger shrugged. She switched tactics, declaring she'd cover the tab. Flying Tiger promptly ordered an expensive bottle of liquor and a plate of fried meat.
One piece of fried meat and a sip of liquor.
Flying Tiger savored the spicy gulp and crunchy bite before nodding in satisfaction.
"Alright. Spill it."
The story started with Yi Jin-ok's background.
She was the granddaughter of a Mount Hua Sect elder. Unlike most disciples who trained in the sword, she'd devoted herself to alchemy, earning no fame in the martial world. Living secluded in the mountains, cut off from the secular world, she'd only met her grandfather a handful of times.
Quite a distant relationship, then.
Her family had lived completely apart from the Mount Hua Sect and the jianghu.
But as a frail child prone to illness, Yi Jin-ok had stayed at the Mount Hua Sect for years under her grandfather's care and learned basic swordsmanship alongside the lay disciples.
For various reasons, she could be considered part of the Mount Hua Sect family. She might not pass as a formal disciple anywhere, but mistreating her would invite the sect's wrath.
A connection to the Mount Hua Sect.
That was why so many middling martial clans in Shaanxi and Shanxi were desperate to take her as a daughter-in-law.
"Hmm. So, how did you meet Yao Mountain Sword...?"
"A kind martial uncle at Mount Hua who doted on me made the introduction. He said there was a fine young man—would I like to meet him? Even though his sect is in trouble now, he's a good man from a great school, and if they weather this crisis, they'll rise again. I said yes, as long as he's a good person."
"And she fell head over heels for Senior Brother Go at first sight."
Flying Tiger nodded at Jo Baek-bing's words, as if he got it.
He couldn't confirm love at first sight, but they were undoubtedly lovers. He'd witnessed their tender concern for each other amid life-or-death peril.
He could also guess what the Zhao Family Manor wanted from Yi Jin-ok, and what the Mount Hua Sect expected from Go Dan-o. The manor sought help through the crisis; the sect was investing in the future.
Come to think of it, that Yang Ji-ran bastard had some nerve. Daring to touch Miss Yi Jin-ok... Probably a rash solo act? Hmph.
"I get your situation. So, what's your dilemma, Miss Yi?"
"The Zhao Family Manor says I should leave since things are unstable."
"Who?"
"Everyone. Even Senior Brother Go suggested we part for a while."
"From their perspective, that's natural, right? With danger looming, they want to evacuate guests first."
"But I'm not a guest. My body and heart are already... well, you know what I mean. My heart belongs to him... No, I'm part of the Zhao Family Manor now. If there's a crisis, shouldn't we face it together?"
Blushing furiously, Yi Jin-ok stammered, but her eyes burned with fierce resolve.
She said it. Good for her.
Flying Tiger scratched his cheek with a finger.
"Do you like Yao Mountain Sword that much?"
"Pardon?"
"Obviously. They're in love, right?"
Yi Jin-ok blushed and countered shyly, while Jo Baek-bing bristled instead. Flying Tiger calmly pressed on.
"Enough to disregard your own danger and hardship?"
"Of course. With Senior Brother Go, I can face any trial."
"Then convince your Senior Brother Go to leave the Zhao Family Manor with you. At least for a while."
"Pardon? But he loves the manor so much. Knowing that, how could I ask him to save just our lives?"
"That's why I asked. Do you like him enough to endure that?"
"......"
"If you can break Yao Mountain Sword's stubbornness... even the higher-ups might surprisingly approve and send you off."
"Ah... you think?"
"What about you, Jo Baek-bing? Against it?"
"Me? Well, I've never thought of it that way... Hold on. Why'd you even think of that?"
"Counseling session over."
Flying Tiger cut it short. He took another sip of liquor and munched on fried meat, pondering.
Go Dan-o was sidelined by injury anyway. In the worst case—if disaster struck the Zhao Family Manor and everyone died—wouldn't they want at least that one to survive? Jin Ga-yong probably thought the same. Because he was... a good man.
The only reason Flying Tiger didn't voice it was because—even if unlikely—it was a chilling assumption that would unsettle anyone.