Chapter 182
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Lightning Flash (2)
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Ye Mountain's Zhao Family Manor and the Martial Qin Alliance's desperate squad—the details of that clash had occurred before the Zhao Family Manor even declared its participation. There were no diners who had rushed over after hearing of the Zhao Family Manor's crisis at that time. Thus, Hyung Woo-saeng and So Myeong-rang had only heard the circumstances, not the exact events.
But in this case, the before-and-after was clear to anyone who heard it.
So Myeong-rang said with a furious expression.
"Those fucking bastards. They pull some despicable trick, get their asses kicked, and now they're talking revenge and gathering again to throw a fit?"
"Little brother, isn't it because they haven't been beaten enough? What do you think, Flying Tiger brother?"
Both So Myeong-rang and Hyung Woo-saeng knew full well why such outrageous events kept repeating, even if they pretended otherwise.
Because they were the victors who had unified Shaanxi.
Looking back, their anger toward Ye Mountain's Zhao Family Manor was real, but deep down, they must have feared the endless potential of those foes.
'Maybe they're pinning the source of that fear on the legendary weapon tied to the Zhao Family Manor, the Masked Face. That would make it easier to accept that such a thing was possible... Huh? Wait a minute. If that's the case, then who has the other two of Shaanxi's Ghost Trio, the Ghost Beast and Ghost Shell? The more attention focuses on the Masked Face, the more their whereabouts should draw interest too, right?'
Flying Tiger suddenly recalled that the late Wang Baek-gun's protector had used a fake Ghost Shell when clashing with the White Horse Lantern of the Yellow Worm Unit on that northern plateau. And that Wang protector had hailed from Dance Melody Manor, one of the Four Armies. So, did Dance Melody Manor possess the Ghost Shell?
No, that couldn't be. If they had the real one, they wouldn't use a fake. Moreover, Jin Ga-yong had told him that fakes were rampant in the jianghu, including for the Masked Face.
"Flying Tiger brother?"
As Hyung Woo-saeng asked again, Flying Tiger snapped out of it and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
He wondered why jianghu folk lost their minds at the mere sight of the Ghost Trio, and now here he was, entranced just like them.
Shaking off thoughts of the Ghost Trio, Flying Tiger spoke.
"I agree with you, Brother Woo-saeng. With that in mind, shall we discuss how to crush Zuo Eung-gi?"
Thus, the three put their heads together.
Flying Tiger laid out everything from Zuo Eung-gi's residence, based on info from Im Wan-baek, to the full extent of his personal martial prowess. As they listened, dark clouds settled on Hyung Woo-saeng and So Myeong-rang's faces from the start, growing thicker with every word.
Of course, he knew it wouldn't be easy. He was prepared to charge in recklessly if needed. But this was...
"How do you plan to even get into... Ahem. Zuo Eung-gi's place right away? You at least need to show your face to do anything, right?"
Once Flying Tiger finished, Hyung Woo-saeng stared at him in disbelief. Beside him, So Myeong-rang sighed deeply and muttered.
"I've ruined everything."
According to Flying Tiger's earlier account, Hanjung Boju Wang Yeo-chun had generously gifted Zuo Eung-gi an entire manor with gardens.
So why not just head there? What was all this about?
And why was So Myeong-rang blaming himself?
To cut to the chase: Sim Heum knew a back path to the manor where Zuo Eung-gi resided, but Im Wan-baek didn't. And So Myeong-rang had gone ahead and killed Sim Heum.
The manor where Zuo Eung-gi resided was called Willow Charm Garden, said to be as beautiful and mysterious as a fairyland.
But it was all rumors; few had actually seen it, and even those didn't know the exact location.
How was that possible?
It was said the only way to reach Willow Charm Garden was by water, following the Han River—a tributary branching from the Yangtze. But that route was treacherous. Whirlpools churned, reefs lurked everywhere, and fog often shrouded visibility. Even seasoned boatmen shunned it as a death trap.
A place hard to enter or exit.
Only by passing through could one reach Willow Charm Garden.
Not an island, so it had to be some hidden haven along the Han River, ringed by cliffs.
However, unlike the rumors, there was apparently a hidden land route—a secret passage—for coming and going overland.
Im Wan-baek had spoken as if he'd been there himself but, catching Flying Tiger's glance, confessed it was Sim Heum who'd told him, insisting it was fact.
Unfortunately, by the time Flying Tiger arrived, Sim Heum was already dead.
That was the reason.
Unless they scoured for days, the secret passage was out. So, the only option was the somewhat-known water route into Willow Charm Garden.
But that required a boat and a boatman familiar with the area. Even then, slipping past surveillance on the water would be arduous.
How could this not be vexing?
No wonder Hyung Woo-saeng looked troubled and So Myeong-rang seemed ready to tear his hair out.
"Brother So, no need to blame yourself. Word is Sim Heum's spear skills were no joke, right? You did well. Capturing a Hanjung elder is already a win."
As Flying Tiger consoled So Myeong-rang without a hint of regret, Hyung Woo-saeng realized he had another idea.
"So, what now?"
"If it's finding Willow Charm Garden, I have one method worth trying. Infiltration's a separate issue."
"How?"
"This morning, Brother Woo-saeng personally procured something."
"...!"
"...?"
Hyung Woo-saeng got it, but Flying Tiger explained for the puzzled So Myeong-rang.
Hearing it, So Myeong-rang tilted his head skeptically, doubting if Flying Tiger's method would really work.
Flying Tiger said not to overthink—just go try it. Worst case, abandon and withdraw. Do what they could, that sort of thing. He neither sugarcoated their dire straits nor despaired, speaking steadily and frankly, which instilled a sense of calm trust.
Thus, So Myeong-rang and Hyung Woo-saeng accepted it. But mountains loomed upon mountains—the location was just the start.
That was merely the beginning.
Willow Charm Garden's defenses were ironclad beyond expectation. For protecting a retired figure, it was unbelievable—stricter than most sect leaders' security.
Its personnel fell into three main groups: the outer Beastman Squad and Bright Repair Squad, and the inner Dark Crossing Squad.
The Beastman Squad paired Hanjung-bred hounds with their handlers.
Through long breeding and special training, they far surpassed ordinary guard dogs. Three could hunt tigers, making them ferocious beasts in their own right.
With over twenty such hounds patrolling, anyone approaching within ten li would face a frenzy welcoming uninvited guests.
Next, the Bright Repair Squad was among Hanjung's elite special units.
They handled the dirtiest jobs, with constant casualties. Yet, as a mandatory rite for ordinary warriors rising high, volunteers flooded in. Naturally battle-hardened, disciplined, and individually skilled.
Hanjung's true elites.
Organized in teams of ten, totaling twelve teams plus a captain and three vice-captains—124 in all. One vice-captain and four teams rotated every half-month to guard the perimeter.
And then there was the Dark Crossing Squad.
If the Beastman and Bright Repair Squads came from Hanjung, the Dark Crossing Squad guarding the interior were warriors handpicked by Zuo Eung-gi himself. Around thirty strong, but exact numbers and members unknown. (*Im Wan-baek didn't know.) Notably, they all wore 'Owl Shatter Mirror' masks, perhaps to hide identities.
Owl Shatter Mirror.
Combining 'owl'—the night bird that devours its mother—with 'shatter mirror,' evoking broken mirrors or waning moons, the term brimmed with ill omen, denoting ruthless villains.
A profoundly ominous name, instantly conveying they were no pushovers.
"Owl masks? What kind of scum are they? Did they scrape together vicious criminals from Hanjung's prison?"
"Could be men Zuo Eung-gi brought. He's rolled through the jianghu for eighteen years—what he did where is unknown."
As So Myeong-rang offered another view, Hyung Woo-saeng glanced at him.
"Brother, why?"
"Hm, just a thought from your words."
"Why check my face?"
"Well... This is out of nowhere, but doesn't Stone Flower Spear Zuo Eung-gi share a vibe with our Zhao Family's upper elder?"
"What?"
"Think about it. Both promising sect talents who fled to avoid succession strife. Years later, they return for some reason—with terrifying bruisers or creepy-masked underlings in tow. Ah, just going by what you said. Don't misunderstand."
Emphasizing 'don't' only made it worse.
So Myeong-rang's face flushed with anger as he demanded.
"Are you putting me on the same level as those owl bastards right now?"
As the two started bickering again, Flying Tiger intervened effectively—tossing a question to shift focus.
"Brother means you're worried Zuo Eung-gi might have a jianghu-shaking title like our upper elder's Golden Gate Lord, right? Maybe one of the other Ten Lords or something. So those owl-masked guys could be powerhouses like Brother So."
"Ahem, exactly."
"Hmph, not everyone's a Ten Lord."
So Myeong-rang grumbled, and Flying Tiger nodded in agreement.
"Brother So's right. I hope so too. Otherwise... we're plotting suicide right now."
"......"
The mood suddenly grew heavy, and Hyung Woo-saeng insisted his dramatics be forgotten.
But the more he said, the worse it got.
The atmosphere sank into a quagmire, and Hyung Woo-saeng desperately filled the air with chatter to recover. Meanwhile, the feigning-serious Flying Tiger and So Myeong-rang exchanged knowing glances and snickered inwardly.
What was life in the jianghu?
Dancing on knife-edges anyway. Who could guarantee tomorrow? So, hope for a bit of luck and crash into whatever came.