Chapter 170
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Chapter 47. One Night (2)
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With Miss Lee Jin-ok's concerns finally resolved, it was now Jo Baek-bing's turn for a consultation.
"I probably won't be getting married for the time being."
"Did you break off the engagement? With that senior disciple from Lion Hall?"
"Strictly speaking, it wasn't a formal breakup. The Lion Hall Lord had inquired about our intentions for marriage through a matchmaker and asked for a reply by the time he returned from the war."
"When did this happen?"
"My mother called me early this morning to tell me. She said to consider it never happened. She'd been agonizing over it anyway. She didn't like the idea much either... But given our position and theirs, she couldn't easily refuse."
As Jo Baek-bing spoke, she glanced at Flying Tiger's expression. It was good for her, but from Zhao Family Manor's perspective, they couldn't simply rejoice over it. Seeing this, Flying Tiger felt pity for her on one hand, but wariness crept in on the other.
'Of all times, now? But... yeah, maybe that's exactly why it's possible. And with over a hundred enemies storming her fiancé's home, they couldn't offer any help? Those self-proclaimed hegemons of Shaanxi really had no idea? Even if they did, it's been almost two days with no contact... Hmm.'
Flying Tiger clicked his tongue. But contrary to his inner thoughts, he comforted Jo Baek-bing. The elders must have handled it wisely. Times were tough now, but crisis often bred opportunity. After saying this, he offered a word of caution.
"But be careful. Especially telling me about this—it was reckless. This isn't the kind of thing to go blabbing about carelessly, right?"
"But you're not just anyone, are you?"
"I am. Just a nobody cheering for Zhao Family Manor. Keep that in mind."
Pour.
Wang-u, who had been quietly listening until now, refilled Flying Tiger's empty cup. Why? He too had something to consult about.
Flying Tiger took another sip of liquor and a bite of meat before turning to Wang-u.
"What did you think of my skills?"
"You? You were... not bad."
"Damn it. Cut the flattery and give me an honest assessment."
"Hmm, I'm no great master myself, so it's kinda vague to say."
"Then compare me to the members of Face Pursuit Unit Jeong led by Brother Jin. Am I good enough to make the cut?"
"What, you interested?"
"Just hypothetically. Even if I wanted in, Brother Jin wouldn't allow it anyway."
'Competitive spirit? Looks like he hasn't done much fieldwork yet, so he's curious about his own level.'
"Sorry, but you wouldn't cut it against me. No offense, but in ten fights, you'd be lucky to win one or two."
"Tch, I figured. But you're the vice leader, right? Not everyone's on your level."
"True enough. But you know A Jeok-gang's in our unit, right? And you're not thinking of mooching off there, I hope."
"Of course Ah-hyuk's off-limits."
Wang-u blushed as he said it, and Flying Tiger began counting on his fingers.
"Let's see. First, there's that bald hunk Ye Dok-du the Iron Arm. He's like our unit's vanguard. If you tangled with him, he'd strip you bare. He's so wild and aggressive, if you don't know how to handle it, he won't even give you a chance to show your skills. Bad matchup, you know?"
"Tch."
"Then there's this short powerhouse Dan Geum the Iron Palm. His specialty is stamping his hammer right on the opponent's forehead. When you see him... yeah, you'll get the vibe. 'Oh! Unless I have a death wish, never pick a fight with this guy.'"
"......"
Wang-u's face flushed red then pale. But truth is bitter. And to Flying Tiger, Wang-u looked like he was gulping down that bitterness. Pretending not to notice, he continued.
"Hmm, that leaves one more in our unit now? There's this kinda spacey guy named Na Mok. He'd probably make a good sparring partner for you, Wang-u. Not a walk in the park, but doable."
Wang-u bristled. From the sound of it, he was barely on par with the weakest in the unit.
"I can't believe it! Ye Dok-du? Dan Geum? How can you be so sure they're stronger than me? Damn it, you just messing with me, spouting nonsense?"
"Rude."
Flying Tiger said coldly, and Jo Baek-bing, flustered, pulled the excited Wang-u back. Flying Tiger snorted and asked,
"Even after I said that, you think Na Mok's a pushover?"
"......"
"Listen up. Na Mok's a swordsman from Dance Melody Manor, early thirties."
"Dance Melody Manor?"
"Yeah. One of the standout disciples among his peers. That's why he could serve right beside their top expert, Protector Wang. That's the connection that brought him to our unit. Still think he's easy pickings?"
"Mm."
Wang-u groaned.
He had immense pride in Zhao Family Manor, but he wasn't dumb enough to look down on a place like Dance Melody Manor. Na Mok would have trained at least five years longer than him there, and been one of the top among his cohort. If true, he was no pushover.
And Flying Tiger pointed it out.
"Calling you a worthy rival was me giving you high marks. Don't you think?"
Wang-u was at a loss for words, and Jo Baek-bing couldn't hold back.
"What about Third Brother then?"
"Yo Mountain Sword?"
"Yeah."
"His skills overflow. But if I had to pick for immediate deployment, I'd choose Ye Dok-du or Dan Geum over Yo Mountain Sword."
"Why?"
"Difference in combat experience. When it comes to real work, raw martial prowess isn't everything."
"But doesn't that mean you have both?"
"Hey, Miss Jo. If I may brag a bit, I've said it before, right? I'm decent talent. You never quite trusted that, though."
Flying Tiger teased, and Jo Baek-bing simply blushed. It reminded her of the time she'd gone to confront him and pick a fight.
At that, Wang-u asked with a serious, earnest look.
"How do I get as strong as you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, you. Someone who's lived about as many times as I have."
"Mm, maybe after dying and coming back about ten times for real? Snagging some lucky breaks in between."
Flying Tiger brushed it off vaguely. Implying he'd been incredibly fortunate. And honestly, it wasn't entirely wrong. He'd somehow survived this long, and that had made him strong—it was fact.
But Wang-u interpreted it differently. Calling himself a frog in a well, he grew depressed, babbling about needing to venture out into the wider world now.
Worried this might lead some poor kid to run away, Flying Tiger sighed and spoke up.
"Looks like you've got some serious misunderstandings, especially you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you, Wang-u. I didn't want to spout off since it's not my place, but you're barking up the wrong tree, so I'll tell you. Listen and let it go in one ear and out the other."
"......"
"At your level, if you wander as a ronin, rolling in the dirt like a dog and suffering, you could build enough skill and experience to join Face Pursuit Squad in a year or two. Oh, assuming you survive, of course."
"I've got that resolve."
"Shut up and listen. Say you go through that hell and scrape together mediocre skills. Why bother?"
"What do you mean? To build strength, obviously..."
"I told you. Even your senior Yo Mountain Sword—pure sword skill alone, he's already plenty."
"But it takes too damn long."
"Maybe so far. But ten years from now? You'd laugh at a squad leader spot in Face Pursuit Squad. Add another ten? He'd be one of Shaanxi's top masters by then."
Jo Baek-bing's eyes widened, and Miss Lee Jin-ok's ears perked up. But feeling he'd overhyped it, Jo Baek-bing countered.
"You think Brother Ko will get that great? How can you be so sure?"
"Heh, why do you think a prestigious orthodox sect like Mount Hua wants him as a son-in-law? Think they'd marry off Miss Lee Jin-ok to noisy, complicated Zhao Family Manor just 'cause he's a nice guy?"
"......"
Flying Tiger wrapped up for the pensive Wang-u.
"That's your sect. They have so much potential it just takes time to fully realize it. Once they soar, they'll play in the skies. That's how the famed arts of prestigious orthodox sects work. And you're gonna chase quick gains 'cause results aren't instant? You idiot?"
Flying Tiger's throat was parched from talking so much; he drank some water. He wiped his mouth. No more liquor—that meant consultations over for the night. They chatted idly for a bit after, then Flying Tiger stood to leave. Jo Baek-bing looked a bit disappointed, but he smiled.
"Drinking and running isn't great, right? I've got personal business too. Let's drink easy next time a good day comes."
"You mean it?"
"Sure. Bring Wang-u too. Miss Lee Jin-ok, come with Brother Ko. I'll properly toast you both with an apology drink."
Jo Baek-bing beamed, saying she'd invite Brother Jin and introduce her youngest junior brother. Wang-u nodded, not hating the idea, and Miss Lee Jin-ok smiled, hoping the day came soon.
But...
They say you can't see even an inch ahead in life. No one knew, but this was the last day Flying Tiger saw Jin Ga-yong's junior brothers.
*Second Watch
When Flying Tiger returned to the mansion where he was confined, three men had set up a modest drinking spot there too. But the mood was utterly gloomy and deflated. The combo of Old Man Shandong, Ho Ye-hwa, and Yun Deok-shin wasn't great to begin with, and the kicker was that the usually chatty Ho Ye-hwa had his mouth sealed shut.
"What, holding a funeral?"
Flying Tiger asked as he set out two dishes Jo Baek-bing had specially packed from the inn, plus a bottle of liquor, on the table. Ho Ye-hwa replied in a deflated voice.
"Did Lady Dang really leave?"
"I told you. She went to some place for a favor I asked. What, jealous I let her go but kept you?"
"Can't even tell me where or when she'll be back?"
"Personal matters. Why should you know?"
"Ugh."
Their talk went nowhere, so Yun Deok-shin stepped in, exasperated.
"When a man's curious about a woman's whereabouts, isn't the reason obvious? He's lovesick. Doesn't Brother Flying Tiger know that much?"
"Huh? Ho Ye-hwa for Lady Dang? How? Wait, since when?"
"Hasn't Lady Dang been treating our Ho Ye-hwa these past couple days? Seems those compassionate hands set a man's heart ablaze."
"Ha~ Should I congratulate him... or what?"
Flying Tiger asked, bewildered, and Yun Deok-shin shrugged, saying what would he know.
Around then, Lady Dang Bong Yeon-ja was heading, with Low Water Demon Pavilion's Maeng Dal-seo and A-ryuk—who'd been briefly detained at Zhao Family Manor—as guides, to the safehouse of Serukdang where Gong Won-yeong was staying. It was the result of Flying Tiger's agreement with Master O-rim. Of course, he'd called Bong Yeon-ja and A-ryuk separately, explained the situation, and gotten their consent.