Chapter 21
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: 06. Jin Ga-yong (2)
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Should I call this unexpected, or should I just accept it as fate at this point...
Jin Ga-yong's mouth uttered that name once again.
Ghost Face.
"Pardon? You want to chase down leads on Ghost Face? Just the two of us?"
"That's right."
Flying Tiger pondered Jin Ga-yong's request for a moment before asking,
"Why, though?"
"Why? Didn't I tell you who the top target of our Face Pursuit Squad is? What's the problem with putting in some legwork to catch the bastard?"
"Ah, you're coming in hot out of nowhere. But... isn't he a peak-level master? A mad serial killer, no less."
"Looks like you're worried about it just being the two of us. Don't fret. Today, I just want to follow the leads using your skills. The investigation's stalled, so maybe you'll spot something we've overlooked."
"In that case."
Even so, he didn't like it.
Something felt off. Best to avoid dealing with guys like that altogether. If possible.
Noticing Flying Tiger's clear reluctance, Jin Ga-yong tried to reassure him.
"Even if we come up empty, no harm done. It might even be expected. So relax. For me, it's just a chance to go over things meticulously."
"Sigh, alright. But Leader, does this list of villains we're supposed to hunt even exist?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I've never seen it, and with this case too, it feels like things are being handled haphazardly."
"It exists. We're just debating how much to disclose right now. As you know, it's a kill list, so we have to handle it carefully considering the fallout. That means thorough verification first."
"So the list isn't complete yet?"
"The big names are locked in. Just final reviews left for some black path sects and mid-tier scum. So we probably won't release the full list—maybe just the top three, starting with Ghost Face. Outlaws anyone would agree deserve it, the prime targets for our Face Pursuit Squad. And..."
The list does exist.
Hah, what now?
Guess I have to save it.
Flying Tiger had slipped in that question to confirm the list's existence. He'd also gleaned that Jin Ga-yong had a version still under review. Of course, whether it was the real deal Hidden Moon wanted would need separate verification.
'The leader's name was something like Mountain Maiden Gwak Nan-hoe, right? Leader seems close to her. If he's an insider, odds are high it's legit.'
While Flying Tiger was lost in thought, Jin Ga-yong continued.
"...It's not like the Face Pursuit Squad operates haphazardly. This case is just personal verification, so no formal procedure or notification."
"So, precisely, what lead do you want to check through me?"
Considering the location here in Daru Manor, Flying Tiger had his suspicions, and sure enough, Jin Ga-yong brought up the 'Six Jia Gate massacre' from a few days ago.
Ghost Face's most recent crime, brazenly committed right in the heart of the city where the Martial Qin Alliance had gathered the day before their expedition. Flying Tiger had infiltrated that day too, to thrash the fleeing Pung-sam.
According to Jin Ga-yong, the Martial Qin Alliance had investigated the manor (located in the northern district like this Daru, not far off), taken witness statements, and autopsied the bodies.
Their conclusion?
Still a dead end.
They'd picked up a few meaningful new clues, but failed to pin down the culprit's profile.
Jin Ga-yong was frustrated. That's why he'd roped in Flying Tiger, whose sharp eyes and quick judgment he'd noted, to revisit the case.
'No way it's heading toward the Fufeng Four Heroes vanishing that day, like my little sister worried? Hm, actually perfect. I can use helping the leader as an excuse to gauge the investigation's direction.'
Flying Tiger inwardly rejoiced but grumbled outwardly.
"And you call this personal?"
"For now. If you uncover something big, it'll become the whole squad's business then."
"Hmm."
"Don't worry. Not planning to use you for free."
Flying Tiger had tossed that in to evoke a bit of guilt over bossing around a subordinate, drawing out some goodwill.
But this upright superior pulled something from his bosom and handed it over.
A gold hairpin.
The kind a woman pins her hair up with.
As Flying Tiger blankly took it, wondering What the hell?, Jin Ga-yong said awkwardly,
"Consider it payment. Should fetch at least half a nyang of gold. I happen to be short on cash right now..."
Upon inspection, it looked plain and elegant at first glance, but closer look revealed exquisite craftsmanship.
'Half a nyang? Gold value maybe, but this is like selling a lovingly calligraphed scroll for ink and paper costs.'
Flying Tiger clicked his tongue briefly.
His lover Gong Won-yeong had a keen eye for jewels. Back when they first fled, they'd had a few high-end pieces. Sold them off one by one for her treatments and meds until nothing left.
Thanks to that, Flying Tiger could tell treasures from trash, if not expert level. He'd been the one hawking her accessories, after all.
And that feeling back then...
'Should've kept that hairpin she cherished... Promised some better gift next time, spouting bullshit I couldn't deliver. Sigh, what an idiot.'
Flying Tiger gave a wry smile and returned the gold hairpin to Jin Ga-yong.
"No need. Call this paying for those drinks last time. You're my superior anyway—no complaints if you boss me around. And..."
"...?"
"Don't apologize for 'overstepping.' It all turns to regret in the end."
"Wait. What do you...?"
"Leader, enough. Let's head to where Six Jia Gate was staying."
As Flying Tiger stood, Jin Ga-yong looked flustered and flushed.
"Ahem. Look, Flying Tiger. Seems like you've misunderstood something..."
"Yeah, yeah. Got it."
"..."
According to witness statements, Ghost Face's rampage at Six Jia Gate went like this.
He first assassinated the senior elder, known as the sect's strongest fighter.
Then the sect leader's eldest disciple, heir apparent.
Then he infiltrated the leader's quarters, taking out a close guard and the leader himself.
Three of Six Jia Gate's most vital figures fell so pointlessly.
But his tail got caught?
Ghost Face the butcher got nabbed here. Three disciples and an elder had come to discuss tomorrow's expedition with the leader, bumping into him.
His left hand clutched the leader's severed head, dripping blood, they said.
The moment Six Jia Gate first detected the intruder—and when he let out that howl.
That eerie wail or laugh that chilled even the hiding Flying Tiger.
Then the indiscriminate slaughter began.
The elder he encountered died. The third disciple was gravely wounded.
He carved through the swarming elites, felling a squad leader and three upper-rank warriors among nine casualties total, then vanished leisurely.
All in the time to sip tea. In that span, a mid-tier Shaanxi sect was thoroughly toyed with by one man.
The two headed to the manor where Six Jia Gate had stayed. The same place Flying Tiger had hopped walls a few days prior.
From here, Flying Tiger took the lead.
He followed Ghost Face's path as per the report. Read the autopsy first, inferred assassination methods, then scoured likely spots for traces.
After checking the senior elder's, eldest disciple's, and sect leader's quarters fully, he tilted his head in thought.
"Find anything special?"
"Ghost Face wasn't caught—he finished his targets and revealed himself on purpose."
"...!"
"See for yourself."
Flying Tiger squatted, sketching the manor's layout in the dirt, pointing out Ghost Face's paths to the three kills while explaining.
The gist was simple.
Precise movements, efficient route. Clean work.
Ghost Face was intelligent and cold-blooded.
But after taking out the top three, his behavior shifted—sloppy, reckless, unlike before.
Like a different person.
"On purpose? But why?"
"Well... People call Ghost Face a mad serial killer. Maybe he was playing the part?"
"...!"
"Or not."
Flying Tiger shrugged.
Just a hypothesis. Who knew the truth? That gesture said it all.
Truth was, Flying Tiger had been there, glimpsed Ghost Face's inner world oddly during the second howl.
A half-mad actor immersed in his role.
But he couldn't say that, so he let it drop casually.
Then he circled the inner courtyard where Ghost Face rampaged, frowning.
He'd tried reconstructing movements from statements, but it didn't add up.
Days passed; traces gone or too trampled.
And...
Say it or not?
Flying Tiger hesitated, muttered Screw it, stretched big, then clapped excitedly.
"What's up?"
"Found a key lead. Follow me."
Flying Tiger bounded off gleefully; Jin Ga-yong trailed, puzzled by the theatrics.
Just past the inner courtyard, Flying Tiger veered to the wall separating outer grounds, signaling Jin Ga-yong who followed.
Shh! Quiet.
Stick by me.
Flattened against the wall beside Flying Tiger, Jin Ga-yong whispered,
"What's going on?"
"Report says no real leads left at the scene."
"Then this key lead..."
"No. Despite that, two popped up. Worth checking."
"...?"
"First, the report's tainted. Found deliberate omissions and errors. Dig into who handed it over, something turns up, right?"
"...!"
"Second, another lead walked right to us."
Flying Tiger thumbed behind at the inner courtyard.
Jin Ga-yong extended his senses, realizing they'd been tailed. The distant watcher, seeing them vanish into outer grounds, emerged to pursue.
The masked stalker crept up silently.