Chapter 199
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 199
Chapter Title: Chapter 55. Wheel of Fate (2)
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“But that grand technique of yours... Honestly...”
It was while U-i was talking about Flying Tiger's treatment for Gong Won-yeong—or could it even be called treatment? At any rate, as she trailed off mid-sentence, Flying Tiger picked up on her meaning and replied.
“You feel uneasy about it, right? Yeah. They dress it up with fancy names like Reverse Heaven Grand Technique or whatever, but sorcery is sorcery for a reason. It never ends well.”
“You know that full well, so why go through with it? If you really love her, shouldn't you hold back for her sake?”
“That's why I plan to take responsibility.”
“How?”
Flying Tiger sensed the sincerity in U-i's probing question and felt grateful. He laid his true feelings bare.
“I want to show her one last good time. And before she gets any worse... before she has to show me a side of herself she doesn't want me to see, I'll put an end to our journey with my own hands. Time to say goodbye.”
“You really are...”
U-i couldn't finish her sentence and just stared at Flying Tiger. His words struck her as lonely and bitter. Then, with a wry smile, she spoke up.
“Makes me jealous.”
“...?”
“I had a lover once, just like you. We ran from the world together for a while. It was scary and horrifying, but sweet too. In a world that had abandoned us, we were all each other had. Of course, I didn't realize it back then. Only looking back did it hit me.”
U-i was reminiscing about her own past by now, and Flying Tiger suddenly wondered if this involved Iron Scripture. His intuition said as much, but he pretended not to notice and listened quietly.
“But we survived by some miracle. We found someone to rely on. He became our great shelter, letting us stretch out and sleep soundly.”
'She's talking about Hidden Moon of the Western Bureau.'
“But once life got comfortable, our love fell apart. So empty. We'd risked our lives running away for love, but once those lives were saved, we tossed the love aside! Does that even make sense?”
“That... doesn't make sense, right?”
“Exactly! Guess what that ridiculous guy said when he wanted to break up?”
“No idea!”
Flying Tiger quickly answered, swept up in U-i's intensity. He truly didn't know—and figured he shouldn't pry anyway.
“He said he'd make sure to never let me end up in such a wretched state again. To do that, he'd get stronger, and he'd sacrifice anything for that power. That's why he had to let me go. What the hell? Does that sound like sense, or just hot air?”
“Uh... hot air?”
“Right on the money! So what did I say back?”
“Er... no multiple choice here?”
“Option one. Fine. Get lost. And don't you dare cling to me ever again. Option two. Honey, please think it over one more time...”
“Option one.”
“Right again!”
It was the story of Iron Scripture and U-i.
U-i had parted ways that day and gone to Hidden Moon, begging to join the training he was undertaking. Because now, she was the only one left in the world to protect herself.
Five years later, masters U-i and Iron Scripture emerged in the martial world. Once lovers, they were now called Hidden Moon's right and left hands, handling opposite tasks. Iron Scripture acted as Hidden Moon's agent by day, while U-i was his nighttime fixer.
'And those two are still tangled in love and hate? From the looks of it, Iron Scripture still has feelings, but U-i...'
Having vented, U-i felt relieved and said,
“Ah, sorry. Got too worked up, huh?”
“Not at all. I'm grateful, actually.”
“Huh? For what?”
“You shared your painful past to comfort me.”
“They say dreams are clearer than their interpretations. Heh, anyway, that's why I like you. It drags up my old self and makes me empathize. In other words, this big sis is rooting hard for you and your girl! So let's keep pushing to the end.”
With U-i's encouragement wrapping things up, their talk ended, and Flying Tiger stepped outside.
On his way to the inn where Gong Won-yeong waited, Flying Tiger changed course and wandered the area a bit more. As he walked, all sorts of thoughts crossed his mind.
Thud. Thud.
Once, he'd had eyes only for Gong Won-yeong. He'd believed she was the sole valuable thing in the world, dismissing everyone else.
But that wasn't all there was to it.
He'd gotten entangled with many people, giving on some days but receiving far more—like today. He'd always thought he was alone, that solitude suited him, but it wasn't true.
This mood now proved it. Support from others still felt awkward, but it wasn't bad.
Thud. Thud.
Flying Tiger hoped U-i wouldn't wander lost forever.
A-Jaek-gang's unfinished drinking bout came to mind, leaving a pang of regret.
So did the old man from Shandong still at Zhao Family Manor, Ho Ye-hwa, and his loyal subordinate Yun Deok-sin.
One memory led to another, lives of many flashing through Flying Tiger's mind.
He stopped.
Flying Tiger found himself standing still, gazing at the waning moon. Jin Ga-yong's words at the end of his letter echoed in his head.
'Trust and wait.'
That same night as Flying Tiger watched the moon, Jin Ga-yong was sipping liquor in Zhao Family Manor's pavilion, the moon his companion and snack.
“Still up?”
“Uncle Master, come join me.”
Apjeong Sanggunbo climbed into the pavilion and frowned at the neatly lined empty bottles on the floor.
“You weren't like this before. In just a few years apart, you've turned into a drunkard.”
“Truth is, I've been a steady drinker since childhood. Back then, I snuck drinks watching my surroundings to avoid getting caught. Now that I'm of age, I just drink openly.”
Sanggunbo chuckled openly at Jin Ga-yong's calm confession. What amused him was how such words came out in such a flatly serene tone. He'd noticed it before—this nephew was oddly unique in many ways. And Zhao Family Manor's sore spot.
“I heard. You found the fake Guimyeon?”
“Found a suspect. Yeo Hoe of Heavenly Autumn Spear. Surprised me. I'd have understood if he turned out to be one of Super Experts.”
“You know him?”
“He chased me around once. Must've been sore about losing our duel.”
“Right, I recall. Around twenty, you grabbed a sword and ran off, huh? Tracked down all the young guys in Shaanxi Province and beat them down. Your senior brother worried about his wild punk of a junior but secretly beamed with pride.”
Jin Ga-yong smiled faintly.
Memories of his late master, Benevolent Sword Jo Bansan, surfaced—the man he'd once followed like a parent. No hesitation in that day's choice because of it. Now, he still loved him but couldn't help resenting him.
Just karma, I suppose...
“What do you mean 'surprised'? You saying he might not be the fake Guimyeon?”
“Hard to say. In my memory, he was arrogant but noble. Not the type for ugly deeds. But they say ten years change mountains and rivers—who knows? Still, we should investigate carefully.”
“I see. How?”
“I asked the deputy commander at Face Pursuit HQ for access to all records of Yeo Hoe's actions as squad leader of Face Pursuit Armor Squad. And on my end...”
Jin Ga-yong shared his plan with Sanggunbo, ending with his resolve.
“If Yeo Hoe turns out to be the culprit, I want to meet him myself.”
“The real dealing with the fake, then?”
“No. Face Pursuit Unit Jeong's squad leader hunting the Guimyeon disrupting the world with his squad. My final mission. To end on a high note.”
Sanggunbo nodded, seeing the fire in Jin Ga-yong's eyes.
Firm will and burning spirit.
Definitely not Guimyeon. The unique aura of swordsman Jin Ga-yong.
'I see. He's truly let it go.'
“If you eliminate Super Experts and the fake Guimyeon threatening Zhao Family Manor, then even without me, my juniors can carry on with the elders' help, right?”
“Are you... leaving?”
“I hope so. Make this my last farewell.”
“...!”
Sanggunbo silently raised his cup. They drank, passing it back and forth, admiring the moon together.
As moonlight overflowed, Sanggunbo set down his empty cup and spoke.
“You've finally decided. Go on, then. As always, I'll stand guard over Zhao Family Manor. Don't worry—just go deal with that insolent fake. Break your chains and fly free from this birdcage.”
“Yes.”
“Congratulations.”
“Yes.”
The next morning, early, Face Pursuit Squad deputy commander Mu Hyeonbo I Yangjo met Golden Eye Na Baek, squad leader of E-squad of Face Pursuit Unit, in his office.
Na Baek hailed from Sungyang Sect and was Jin Ga-yong's contemporary. He was also a cousin to Na Yul-chan, Six Directions Sword and deputy commander of Yin Night Squad—a unit with many who joined Super Experts, clashing often with Flying Tiger.
For context on this swordsman Na Baek: In his youth, he'd been Sungyang Sect's most promising later-generation disciple. He'd even received Jin Ga-yong's challenge writ back when blood ran hot. Not a life-or-death duel, but under the name of refinement. The match passed quietly; results stayed between them, but everyone knew how it went.
Jin Ga-yong had been that kind of figure then. Receiving his challenge marked you as a rising star. None of the nine who accepted had beaten him.
“Deputy Commander, what's this so early?”
Na Baek's tone was curt.
Just three days ago, he'd finished a mission with E-squad, suffering heavy losses. Now, in his precious week off, he'd been urgently summoned without explanation—along with all his squad members.
And this urgent matter was probably...
“What do you mean? Guess why I called you and all of E-squad at this point.”
“Gwak Commander returning? Need us as props for a grand welcome?”
“Props... Well, Gwak Commander is due back soon. He's been away a while, and incidents have piled up here—like calling those Ye Mountain Zhao Family Manor wall-jumpers Super Experts?”
“Hm.”
Na Baek grunted. It had come, as expected. He wasn't free of Super Experts either. He tensed—but it was a misunderstanding.
I Yangjo smiled ambiguously, as if reading Na Baek's mind.
“But don't misunderstand. Even if you're just a squad leader under me now, would I waste Sungyang Sect's famed Golden Eye on something trivial?”
“Then what is it?”
“Guimyeon.”
“Pardon?”
“Our Face Pursuit Squad's top enemy.”
“Ah!”
“Intel came in on a suspect. Isn't that reason enough to call you and your kids urgently?”
“Of course... But wasn't that Armor Squad's job?”
“That's the problem.”
I Yangjo put on a grave, stern face. But under the table, his left hand trembled with excitement at the scent of blood. He couldn't control it—it wasn't truly his, despite being attached to his wrist.