Chapter 198
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Wheel of Fate (1)
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Flying Tiger drew one sheet from the pile of overturned picture cards. At the center was a wheel, with four winged beasts depicted at each corner. It was a picture called the "Wheel of Fate."
These picture cards were something Gong Won-yeong had carried with her from the Western Regions. She used them for divining fortunes when she was bored. She would often draw one for Flying Tiger just for fun.
In other words, to Flying Tiger, they were items imbued with memories of Gong Won-yeong.
Though he didn't know the complicated rules or methods of interpretation, he remembered the stories behind each picture. Every time he drew one, she would tell him the amusing tale associated with it.
And this was what Gong Won-yeong had said about the one he drew, the "Wheel of Fate."
The goddess who governs fate possesses a massive wheel. And attached to the rim of that wheel are the fates of humans. So the person at the top of the wheel enjoys good fortune, while the one crushed at the bottom wallows in misfortune.
But a wheel is something that turns, right?
Fortune turns and changes just like that. Someone who has everything can suddenly plummet into ruin, and one day, unbelievable luck might come to someone struggling in the pit of despair. But here's the thing. No one knows when the wheel will start turning or how long it will keep going.
Because it's up to the whim of the goddess of fate. In short, the "Wheel of Fate" symbolizes the ever-changing and capricious nature of destiny.
What does that mean?
Gong Won-yeong, twelve years old—a girl who was more than a child but still slender—placed both hands on her slim waist and lectured the blank-faced Flying Tiger.
"It means this big sister's mood is gloomy today, so who knows when or where it'll swing. So you need to be extra careful and treat me well!"
"I was the one who drew the fortune, so why is your mood gloomy, sis?"
"Idiot. The fortune says your fate is fickle today, right?"
"Yeah."
"And I'm your fate."
"Huh?"
"Didn't you know? Even though you always trailed after me?"
Gong Won-yeong made her claim while subtly blushing. She felt embarrassed hearing her own words. Like this, she pretended to be a refined lady outside, but when alone with Flying Tiger, she often threw tantrums and acted spoiled.
"The fortune says our fate has started to turn. It looks like even a ray of dawn might shine on us down here under the wheel. What do you think? Does my interpretation fit?"
Flying Tiger gazed at the picture card and casually asked Gong Won-yeong, who lay on the bed.
It was deep into the night, and the two in the room were lounging about like this. Flying Tiger usually did most of the talking, and in most cases, Gong Won-yeong just lay there chewing on something, as she was now.
She had grown terribly gaunt and pale.
Flying Tiger sank into memories for a moment, then let out a sigh and set the picture card on the table. He felt like he might be forcing his thoughts on her unilaterally. So he approached Gong Won-yeong and gently took her hand, caressing it as delicately as if it might shatter under too much pressure.
As he did, he said,
"I want to take you with me, even if it means throwing a tantrum. But... if you don't want to, it's fine to stay there. I'll just come to you. I told you once, didn't I? You're my fate. So what can I do? I have no choice but to follow it. So...?"
Knock. Knock.
Someone tapped on the window, and at the sound, Flying Tiger stopped speaking and headed to the window. When he opened it, a bird flapped its wings, looking at him. It was Chuhyang, the falcon Ui raised.
Flutter.
Flying Tiger warmly welcomed Chuhyang into his arms, stroked its head, and returned to Gong Won-yeong to introduce it.
"Remember when I bragged about meeting this amazing spirit bird? This is the one. Say hi. Its name is Chuhyang."
But making Flying Tiger's introduction pointless, Chuhyang whipped its head away and burrowed into his chest. Flying Tiger clicked his tongue and asked Gong Won-yeong's permission.
"This guy's a bit shy. Anyway, it looks like it brought the news we've been waiting for, so I'll step out for a bit."
Then Flying Tiger donned his robe and headed out the door with Chuhyang.
In the afternoon, Flying Tiger had sent a letter to Zhao Family Manor via Meng Dal-seo, and Ui had sent Chuhyang along then. Since Chuhyang had returned late at night after being sent, he assumed it carried a reply. And so he set out to meet its owner.
It was a foggy night.
Ui, waiting in the parlor of a house adjacent to the safehouse on the east side, silently handed over the reply as soon as Flying Tiger arrived with Chuhyang.
It read as follows:
-Squad Leader Jin Ga-yong->
Jin Ga-yong's handwriting flowed elegantly, yet each sentence ended firmly and powerfully.
It inspired trust.
Moreover, Flying Tiger sensed concern and consideration for him between the lines.
'Is that too subjective? Anyway, I thought it was goodbye, but we'll meet again like this.'
Unperson Sword Jin Ga-yong and the Face Pursuit Unit Jeong members...
Flying Tiger felt his chest heat up with righteous aura surging. With them, what problem could Ye Hoe's Face Pursuit Squad pose? It felt solid enough to break through any difficulty.
"Any good news?"
When Ui asked, Flying Tiger handed her the reply. After reading it, she returned it with, "That's good."
But inwardly, she thought, 'Is this really such good news? Isn't it just as expected?' She found it odd.
Well, it was a minor thing.
"So now it begins?"
"They've started investigating, so we'll see the results. But probably?"
"You believe Ye Hoe is Ghost Face."
"Fifty-fifty. Either he is Ghost Face, or he knows who Ghost Face is. So some clue will turn up either way."
"I see. Good. But if he really is Ghost Face..."
"I'll prepare the mask shards separately. My promise with Hidden Moon still stands."
"Hmm, but won't there be issues with your friend, Squad Leader Jin?"
"Don't worry. He knows how to separate public and private."
"Squad Leader Jin would be hurt hearing that."
Flying Tiger shrugged.
The gesture seemed to say, "So what do you want me to do?" But his true feelings were different. In truth, even if he took something from the fake Ghost Face, Jin Ga-yong wouldn't object. Because Jin Ga-yong himself knew better than anyone that it wasn't real.
'So if my intentions slip, the one truly upset would be Hidden Moon, not Squad Leader Jin. Tsk.'
Flying Tiger and Ui stared blankly at each other. Then Flying Tiger cleared his throat and asked,
"How's it going on your end?"
"No movement yet. But soon."
"Mm, no point saying it, but still—be careful. Stay cautious."
"Don't worry. I'll step in personally if needed."
"You'll handle it yourself?"
"Yeah, depending on the situation."
"In that case... thanks so much?"
Ui crossed her arms and nodded. It was a gesture saying, "Of course you're grateful when I personally step in." It was also a retort to Flying Tiger's earlier shrug.
At the exaggerated gestures, the two chuckled.
For reference, the surveillance target they were discussing was Golden Jade Fairy's guard warrior.
Earlier that day, Flying Tiger had made a deal with Golden Jade Fairy. Right after, he gathered Ui, Bong Yeon-ja, So Myeong-rang, and even Meng Dal-seo for a strategy meeting.
There, they concluded that Golden Jade Fairy was hiding something. Her actions were suspicious, and there were inconsistencies in her lies.
So the key questions were two.
What was Golden Jade Fairy hiding?
And who was backing her?
If it was just personal baggage, it didn't matter. But if it was deliberate infiltration with ill intent, that would be trouble. Thus, Ui's Seogukdang took charge under her lead, and this was the exchange where Flying Tiger asked about the surveillance results so far.
By the way, Flying Tiger had suspected Golden Jade Fairy's lies from the start, so why had he pretended not to know and gone through with the deal?
First, it was due to his greed.
If not all of Golden Jade Fairy's words were lies, the process of making Gong Won-yeong's marriage real was likely genuine. Without showing tangible results at least to some degree right there, it would be exposed immediately. And pulling off such a bold act under the watchful eyes of people who could turn hostile at any moment?
To Flying Tiger, Golden Jade Fairy didn't seem capable of that. So didn't she have some means to prove it? He had feigned ignorance out of that temptation.
But that wasn't the only reason.
If Golden Jade Fairy truly approached with malice—though he desperately hoped not—keeping her close for surveillance would be advantageous.
There's a saying: "Keep your enemies closer."
Considering all these possibilities, Flying Tiger's group moved in three directions.
First: Actions to fulfill the deal.
Second: Actions to pursue suspicions.
Third: Actions for the patient's safety.
For the first case.
If Ye Hoe of Thousand Autumn Spear was indeed the fake Ghost Face, this wasn't just Flying Tiger's personal issue. It involved the Face Pursuit Squad and Zhao Family Manor. So they sent a letter via Meng Dal-seo to Jin Ga-yong, the second young master of Ye Mountain's Zhao Family Manor and squad leader of the Face Pursuit Squad. It detailed the situation and asked him to investigate and verify Ye Hoe's background. He was perfect for mobilizing both organizations, and it was something Jin Ga-yong desperately wanted himself.
And Flying Tiger had just received Jin Ga-yong's reply.
For the second case.
As mentioned, Ui and her Seogukdang handled this.
For the third case.
Bong Yeon-ja took this. To determine if Golden Jade Fairy's supposed grand ritual was on the right path or some trickery, expert discernment was needed.
Strictly speaking, Bong Yeon-ja was an outsider, so she didn't have to go this far. But she volunteered willingly, and Ui formally hired her under Seogukdang's name with considerable funds.
It was to instill responsibility while also being considerate, an investment recognizing Bong Yeon-ja's value—that was Ui's explanation.