Chapter 196
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: A Suspicious Proposal (2)
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Woo Yi was plenty vigilant. That was why he'd already stationed additional experts from the Western Nation Hall around the houses encircling the safehouse. It was also why Iron Scripture, the Hall's troubleshooter, was staying here with Flying Tiger.
"Don't worry. Even in the worst case, I'll protect your woman."
"Thanks."
"Heh. Just earning my keep, sir."
"Good. You get paid well, and I spend wisely."
Flying Tiger gave a faint smile, and the sight sent a strange tickle through Woo Yi. But regrettably, he quickly wiped it away and tossed out the next question.
"By the way, have you talked to the Golden Jade Fairy?"
"Well, she's a woman too, after all. We chatted a bit about whatever was needed."
"How was she?"
"Arrogant. And oddly twisted somehow. Like, she's got some serious perv vibes."
"You can tell that?"
"Of course. Woman's intuition, you know? And I hate to say it, but she seems to see you as an object of sexual curiosity."
Flying Tiger recoiled. What nonsense was this? Some ghost story?
"What? Me, someone she's never even met?"
"Just a feeling. Maybe she heard stories about you from someone. Or maybe whatever she wants from you is the exciting kind."
"And that sparks sexual curiosity?"
"I told you, she's a perv."
"Got it. So she's not right in the head? I'll see for myself soon enough."
"Hmph."
At Woo Yi's snort, Flying Tiger shot her a look that said, What now? She grinned mischievously and asked,
"Come to think of it, you seem popular with older women, huh?"
"Me? First I've heard of it. Won-yeong likes me, sure, but that's because I hounded her relentlessly. No one else ever said they liked me. So your words are nonsense, Woo Yi. Even for a guy like me, that's rude."
"No woman has ever shown interest in you? For real?"
"If I had to stretch it, maybe one offhand joke from the woman right in front of me at a drinking party?"
Woo Yi burst into laughter, calling it ridiculous and claiming she knew at least three off the top of her head.
Three whole women?
Flying Tiger was dumbfounded at suddenly being cast as some playboy. If he'd actually tangled with this girl or that, maybe, but this was just pointless banter.
Watching him, Woo Yi tilted her head.
Did he really have zero drama? Makes sense, with Gong Won-yeong around. Who'd dare approach with her there? He'd scare them off, and any foolhardy suitor would just look like calamari in comparison.
...
After discussing a few more pressing matters, Woo Yi left, and finally, Bong Yeonja entered.
She had arrived four days ago and examined Gong Won-yeong before the Golden Jade Fairy had, only to give up cleanly.
"Sorry for meddling."
"Nonsense. Tell me your honest opinion from the exam."
"Well, it's..."
"No holding back."
"Her current condition... even my master couldn't fix it."
"...!"
"This isn't me saying I'm lacking. It's the natural order. That's what my master taught me, at least."
Bong Yeonja launched into a lengthy explanation of the reasons, full of specialized terms that Flying Tiger's mind couldn't even parse. He just sat there blankly, ears assaulted by the wind.
The natural order?
That word stabbed deep.
At some point, Bong Yeonja stopped and gauged his expression. He looked calm. Just coldly so.
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"Then what's this about the Golden Jade Fairy having a deal for me? I heard she had a way to save Won-yeong. Did you two talk?"
"No. I can't even look at that bitch. Didn't want trouble, so I avoided her. She seemed to recognize me but didn't make a fuss."
Flying Tiger nodded and moved on. There was bad blood between them. Enough that Bong Yeonja wanted her dead. Enough to put out a hit on her through him. Given that, her not flipping out was restraint enough.
"Still, I mulled over what she said. 'Salvation,' right? People usually say 'cure' for illnesses."
"...?"
"Salvation means helping someone in suffering. And help can come in many forms beyond healing the disease."
"You saying the Golden Jade Fairy played word games with me?"
Bong Yeonja flinched.
Flying Tiger's eyes were razor-sharp, slicing through. Anger flared. Then he caught himself, dispersing the killing intent, and asked,
"By the way, how did Won-yeong look to you?"
"Huh?"
"As a woman. Pretty enough to make you jealous?"
Bong Yeonja blinked at the odd question.
Gong Won-yeong, long abed and unconscious, looked haggard. Factoring that in... nine out of ten men would goggle at her insane beauty. She'd seen enough patients to picture it clearly.
But why ask that?
Then she recalled what she'd thrown at him back at Zhao Family Manor.
'Tell me. Is she that drop-dead gorgeous?'
"You asking if Lady Won-yeong's beauty is enough to irk the Golden Jade bitch into sabotage?"
"Yeah. For reference."
"Then reference away. Overflowing."
"Got it."
With Bong Yeonja gone, the interviews wrapped up. Alone, Flying Tiger let out a deep sigh and reined in his emotions.
Creak.
Flying Tiger and So Myeong-rang pushed open the door to the western chamber.
The elegant woman seated at the table and the sharp-featured young woman standing behind her turned to eye the two men. The Golden Jade Fairy and her guard.
Flying Tiger sensed she differed sharply from the image he'd built from rumors.
First off, she was young. He'd vaguely pegged her as late thirties, being Bong Yeonja's junior sister, but she looked just over thirty? Maybe even younger, young enough to pass for his peer.
And she had an innocent, fragile beauty. Her attire was light and flowing, spotless as fresh snow. Words like "snake" or "vixen" seemed laughable. At least on the surface.
"I'm Golden Jade. You're the warrior Flying Tiger, yes?"
Her voice was lovely, and the faint scent wafting from her sachet was...
Sizzle.
Flying Tiger sparked his inner energy, incinerating the foul qi invading him. He glanced back; So Myeong-rang was holding his breath. Their eyes met.
-This... it's that, right?
-Trace amounts, but mixed with Bewitching Incense. She's up to no good.
-Insane.
Flying Tiger sighed and faced the Golden Jade Fairy. He pinched his nose dramatically and asked, voice nasal.
"You came looking for me, right?"
She frowned faintly at his antics but played it off.
"No, you summoned me here. To heal your sick woman."
"Oh dear, a misunderstanding. I sought a physician, not a broker."
"Heh. Thirsty men sell wells, they say. You seem more relaxed than I thought. Fine, suit yourself. I don't mind. Let's call the whole thing off."
"...!"
She stood abruptly, declaring she was leaving. And just like that, she turned to exit with her guard.
Sudden acceleration, utter recklessness.
So Myeong-rang glanced at Flying Tiger in confusion.
But Flying Tiger was no pushover. He tsked, strode to the windows, and flung them all wide, ventilating the room. She hadn't even crossed the threshold yet, so the stench must've really gotten to him.
Before exiting, the Golden Jade Fairy whipped around, glaring daggers. Her face was a mess of shame and fury, beet red.
"How rude."
Flying Tiger fired back undaunted.
"Rude? You're the one shitting and complaining about plum blossoms."
"What?"
"The stench is revolting, so hurry off and handle your business. I need to clean this place. Can't see you out. Personally, I'd suggest the privy first... but that's your affair."
He shrugged.
The Golden Jade Fairy trembled with rage. Clearly accustomed to deference, unaccustomed to humiliation. Sure enough, her refined face twisted venomously.
"You dare treat me like this and..."
"Treat? Heh heh heh, the real treatment hasn't even started. Wait. Once my business is sorted, I'll visit personally with hospitality befitting today. Now get lost!"
As his killing intent surged, she blanched and staggered back. Her guard stepped forward, glaring.
So Myeong-rang scoffed and intervened for him.
"Eyes down."
The situation was already a mess, and with So Myeong-rang picking a fight too, it spiraled into chaos.
The guard inwardly panicked.
From their side, her behavior was cheeky, sure. But they were the desperate ones seeking her out; he figured they'd yield a step.
Overturning the table instead?
Not that desperate, then?
This was trouble...
Finally, the guard lowered his eyes and spoke deferentially.
"Please give us a moment. Tempers are running hot. My lady spoke in haste; she wouldn't abandon a critically ill patient over this. Why not everyone calm down?"
So Myeong-rang was half-ready to draw steel. Half-killing her tagalong guard might make the Golden Jade Fairy more pliant. But at his words, he glanced at Flying Tiger.
Her face was a sight. Flushing and paling, she held back—likely chewed out via transmission from her guard.
-Flying Tiger, what's the play?
-Dunno. Check first.
Flying Tiger whispered back via transmission, then addressed the guard.
"So what do you want?"
"We need time to cool off. We'll step out for air and return before dinner. Sound good?"
"No."
"Pardon?"
"You get one hour. I'll wait here. Take that lunatic, calm her down, and send her back. But come alone next time."
"But the time..."
"One hour. Fail, and don't bother coming back. Just scram!"
With that ultimatum, Flying Tiger shooed them out and slammed the western chamber door shut.
Bang.