Chapter 195
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Suspicious Proposal (1)
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It was before dawn.
Flying Tiger went to a stream near the inn and performed his ablutions. He meticulously washed and scrubbed his body, caked in blood and sweat. Soaking in the flowing water, he let his troubled thoughts drift away with the current.
Flowing and flowing.
Thus, as all the grime that had weighed him down peeled away, his body and mind felt light, and his senses sharpened.
For Gong Won-yeong's sake—or under that pretext—it had been twelve days since Flying Tiger left her side.
In that time, he had drawn his sword against Zhao Family Manor and Jin Ga-yong. And after a series of twists and turns, he had even danced his blade for their sake. It was a decision born from his desire to neatly untie the knots of fate he himself had twisted.
Organize.
Organization.
This word encompassed his resolution to leave the Face Pursuit Unit Jeong once this assassination mission ended. He had already agreed on it with the squad leader, Jin Ga-yong. So the promise to reunite with the squad members at Face Pursuit Squad headquarters in fifteen days—three days from now—was no longer any of his concern.
In any case.
After bustling about for nearly half a month like that, what had Flying Tiger gained?
He had finally tracked down Geum-ok Seon-ja, the last hope for treating Gong Won-yeong. And after all the hassle and drama, he had dragged the man right to her. So if he now met Geum-ok Seon-ja face-to-face and struck a deal...
Would Yeong-i pull through?
Really?
Thump, thump.
Flying Tiger didn't mind the pounding in his chest. It carried anxiety and impatience, but woven in was a thread of clear hope.
So how could he refuse this tension?
'It was a good deal. And that's not all I got, right?'
Flying Tiger reassured himself, fiddling with the indigo porcelain vial in his hand as he muttered.
Gehwa-ram.
It was the precious item Hidden Moon had given him as payment for this commission. At first, he'd been reluctant to keep it close, but at some point, it had become like a talisman to him. Why wouldn't it? Even if everything went to hell—even if the day came when he had to bid Gong Won-yeong farewell—it was his final bastion, ensuring at least a proper goodbye.
Suddenly, Gong Won-yeong's voice flickered in his ears. It was a dawn that ached with longing for him, who had tossed and turned all night without sleep. He let out a sigh, changed into fresh clothes, straightened his robes, and tried to soothe his aching heart with feigned cheer as he rose.
"Alright. I'm ready. Time to go meet her."
Flying Tiger, Hyeong Woo-saeng, and So Myeong-rang—the three of them had met at the edge of Ye Mountain village two days ago, just before dawn. And now, again before dawn, they parted ways in front of some nameless rural hamlet.
"Take care, Brother Woo-saeng."
"Don't worry too much, little brother Flying Tiger. To be frank, if you and that someone are talking alone, the one who should be worried and scared isn't you—it's them."
"Is that so?"
"My eyes don't lie. So keep your composure and smile. I'll be off, then."
Flying Tiger smiled and bowed his head. Hyeong Woo-saeng exchanged a glance with So Myeong-rang, who stood behind him.
Take care of him.
Don't worry.
After that, Hyeong Woo-saeng headed to Zhao Family Manor, while Flying Tiger and So Myeong-rang set off for the Western Nation Hall safe house in Chang'an City.
Clop clop clop—
Flying Tiger and So Myeong-rang spurred their horses down the official road.
The sun rose behind them, and they rode on for a good while more before pausing when sunlight filtered through everywhere. Chang'an City was now just an hour away.
They tethered their horses by the roadside, found a suitable spot, and had a simple breakfast of bread from the inn and water from their canteens. It was a quiet meal. So Myeong-rang was naturally taciturn, and Flying Tiger had nothing particular to say. Just as So Myeong-rang finished eating and stood to go—
"I'm uncomfortable, Brother So."
"Hm?"
"You're tiptoeing around me. Speak your mind."
"Mm."
So Myeong-rang had something on his mind the whole way here. But it was the kind of obvious talk that went nowhere, so he'd hesitated. Now that Flying Tiger laid it out, he spilled it.
"You okay?"
Flying Tiger grinned back.
"Why? Worry all over my face?"
"No. You're too calm. I'm worried you'll explode out of nowhere. Like they say, the calm before the storm?"
"Hm, not quite that bad, but I can't deny it entirely. Truth is, I don't even know my own state right now. It's all new to me."
Flying Tiger laid bare his honest feelings. His expression remained steady regardless. If anything, that made So Myeong-rang more uneasy, so he offered encouragement.
"If anyone can handle this, it's you. Wasn't that what Elder Brother meant?"
"Honestly, that's why I'm worried. I'm good at killing and causing chaos, but saving lives? That's not my forte. You think I can pull this off? Nah. I just hope it doesn't turn into something I have to."
"......"
Strip away swordplay, and So Myeong-rang was just as useless. He sighed and muttered, "Tricky."
Flying Tiger comforted him instead.
"It's fine. We're all cut from the same cloth, what can we do? Let's just face it head-on."
Flying Tiger had steeled himself that dawn. He didn't know if it was the best path, but he'd done all he could. Now, there was no choice but to clash straight on. Living beings were powerless before the catastrophes fate hurled at them. If destiny was cruel, what could one do? Whether composed or panicked, clear-headed or not—it made no difference.
'So I'll go, see with my eyes, hear with my ears, and confirm it myself.'
An hour later, they entered Chang'an City. Half an hour after that, they arrived at the Western Nation Hall safe house. Flying Tiger had sent word yesterday, so the waiting group poured into the courtyard to greet them.
Wu-i and Iron Scripture were first, followed by Maeng Dal-seo, and even Lady Bong Yeon-ja of the Tang family.
"You're here."
"Yeah. Where's Geum-ok Seon-ja?"
To Wu-i's casual greeting, Flying Tiger replied offhandedly while scanning for Geum-ok Seon-ja. Understanding his urgency, she pointed to the western chamber. Western Nation Hall had set it up like an apothecary for Gong Won-yeong, and he was there now with the escort warrior she'd brought.
"Got it. No sign of him, so I was curious."
"Want to meet first?"
"Nah, as long as he's here. I'll greet everyone first, then see him."
With that, Flying Tiger expressed his heartfelt thanks one by one to those who had come out to meet him. Then he held individual talks with each.
Flying Tiger's first chat was with Maeng Dal-seo of Low Water Demon Pavilion. He heard the full account from him, but nothing unusual stood out.
Maeng Dal-seo believed he'd negotiated well with Geum-ok Seon-ja. Indeed, she'd followed him back here, examined Gong Won-yeong's pulse, and all. But right after, her attitude flipped, and she clammed up, playing dumb ever since. It left even Maeng Dal-seo exasperated.
One detail caught Flying Tiger's ear mid-story: why Zhao Family Manor had sent Maeng Dal-seo in his stead.
Turned out Maeng Dal-seo had once been a broker, skilled at haggling and deal-making. Zhao Family Manor showed him the warehouse treasures, handed him the inventory list, and told him to use what was needed to seal the deal. So he'd promised Geum-ok Seon-ja a haul of her favorites, thinking it clinched. Or so he'd thought.
How could Flying Tiger not be grateful for such generosity?
He shot to his feet, clasped his fists in salute to Maeng Dal-seo and Zhao Family Manor. Maeng Dal-seo gave a wry smile, saying the deal had fallen through, so he had no right to thanks.
"No, I'm grateful for the intent. And even if Geum-ok Seon-ja changed her mind, you got her here—how's that small?"
"If you insist, I'll take the thanks but pass the credit. I'll convey it to Zhao Family Manor. Sigh. So, what's your plan now?"
"One thing first."
"Shoot."
"In your view, when did Geum-ok Seon-ja change her mind?"
"Mm, seemed like after the examination. But it could be acting. If she's that good, I wouldn't notice. But... why would she?"
"Who knows. Maybe scouting the safe house location and people here. They call it 'scouting' or 'spying'?"
"......!"
After a few more questions, Flying Tiger wrapped up with Maeng Dal-seo. Then Wu-i entered. He posed the same questions to her.
"Spying... Maybe. Worried she'll raid the place? Hard to see the gain, but yeah, suspicious intent. Her escort warrior's shady too."
"The escort?"
"Yeah. One of us."
An assassin. And a skilled one, for haughty Wu-i to acknowledge a peer.
So he was suited more for scouting, spying, and killing than protection. Not impossible to switch, but worth watching.
"Background check on Geum-ok Seon-ja?"
"Nada. Even asked around with the Hao Clan—spotless. Western Nation Hall didn't miss her for nothing."
"Weird."
"What's weird?"
"From Lady Tang's stories, she wasn't holed up somewhere. Should be traces of her movements, but none?"
"Good point."
Wu-i smiled like a teacher praising a student. She'd arrived four days ago, talked with Lady Tang, and noted the oddity too.
For instance, Geum-ok Seon-ja had treated a high official's wife here in Chang'an—someone anyone would know by name. Supposedly pulled her back from death's door. Yet no rumors? Why?
Reason unknown, but obvious: some power player with pull silenced them. She had backing.
"So we're digging again, keeping that in mind. Rumors blocked from common folk, but insiders spread word quietly. How else would people keep seeking her?"
"Got it. Results soon?"
"Few days. Got a lead. Five days max. By then, we'll know who Geum-ok Seon-ja is and her backers. Problem is..."
Wu-i eyed Flying Tiger. He replied calmly.
"No time to wait, right? Geum-ok Seon-ja's expecting me now, and Yeong-i can't hold on."