Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Chapter 10. Each One's Stories (3)
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But why had these seven gathered here in Ye Mountain, a place quite some distance even from Chang'an City itself, when there were so many other spots they could have chosen?
It was because Flying Tiger was staying at Zhao Family Manor to treat his internal injuries.
Before beginning Flying Tiger's full treatment, Ma Yeop had wanted a quiet and safe place where he could focus entirely on healing.
Jin Ga-yong, upon hearing this, had arranged accommodations at his own sect's home base, Zhao Family Manor on Ye Mountain.
The distance from Chang'an City, where they had been at the time, to this Ye Mountain was considerable. Even by carriage, it took more than an hour and a half—quite a hassle.
Flying Tiger, who had been unconscious then, had received emergency care and passed the immediate crisis, so there was some leeway before proper treatment could begin (though that didn't mean his injuries were light by any means). On the other hand, Jeong's standing within the Face Pursuit Squad wasn't great, and lately, there had even been signs of suspicious activity brewing inside.
Everything felt off.
So Jin Ga-yong had decided it was better to go a bit farther for a truly secure spot.
On top of that, he figured this was a good chance to dig into Flying Tiger's background. This talented young warrior appealed to him in many ways, but his unclear identity and motives were a glaring flaw.
Two days after the major operation at Shadow Flower Sect, word came that Flying Tiger had awakened. So two days after that, three members of Jeong Unit visited Zhao Family Manor to check on him.
But Zhao Family Manor had no capacity to host guests right now, nor was it in the mood. It hadn't been long since the manor lord and his heir had died, leaving the place in near-total lockdown—practically sealed off from the world. Flying Tiger and Ma Yeop were tolerated under the pretext of treatment, but adding more people would be too much.
So Jin Ga-yong guided them to a tavern near the manor instead.
The place was small, barely seating four groups of customers at most, with the patina of long years everywhere—a cozy spot with its own rustic charm.
Jin Ga-yong rented out the whole tavern for them, and what started as a sick visit turned into a Face Pursuit Unit Jeong drinking party.
Face Pursuit Squad Leader Gwak Nan-hoe arrived separately after getting word. She came to praise them for their work on the Shadow Flower Sect matter and to size up Jeong Unit's members in person for some plans she was mulling over.
The drinks and fun heated up.
Ye Dok-du was rowdy, Choi Ong cheerful, and A Jeok-gang just kept eating and drinking heartily as always. Flying Tiger blended right in with them.
Even Gwak Nan-hoe, who seemed to radiate cold chills, surprisingly played along well, matching the mood.
Ma Yeop, whose very presence could sour the air, even responded occasionally when spoken to and poured drinks for others.
And Jin Ga-yong was refreshingly unconventional—nay, downright bold. He personally served food and filled glasses like a boss treating his team.
He explained that he and the old woman running the place alone had been regulars for years, thick as thieves.
But to Choi Ong's eyes, Jin Ga-yong's hands moved with the ease of a seasoned waiter as he brought out snacks from the kitchen and topped off glasses to the brim.
"Team leader, heh heh, I'd buy it if you said you started as a busboy."
As Jin Ga-yong filled his own glass last, he picked up on it first. "Busboy..." Settling back into his seat, he continued.
"Not wrong, really. Been doing it on and off since I was a kid."
"Pardon? Since when?"
"Over twenty years ago, probably? Around when I turned eleven, I think."
"Whoa, didn't you spend your childhood at Zhao Family Manor?"
"I did."
"Huh... so how'd that happen?"
"After about ten years of life, I figured I had the world sussed out. Physically still a kid, but mentally all grown up—one day it just hit me."
"What?"
"I was a pretty precocious kid."
"......"
Everyone at the table perked up, dropping their chats to listen to Jin Ga-yong.
Turned out eleven-year-old Jin Ga-yong had been one bold little rascal. The contrast with his current steady demeanor had them hooked.
And Jin Ga-yong himself looked amused telling it—nostalgia, no doubt.
"So I talked my senior brother into sneaking out of Zhao Family Manor at night and came here, a spot I'd eyed before. My first real breakout."
"Heh, celebrating your worldly wisdom, eh?"
"Squad leader nailed it. Pocket money saved up, ready to drink hearty like some novel hero with big bro. But what do you know? I belt out my order for booze and bites, and the old lady blows up. 'You snot-nosed brats crashing my joint!' ...Tch."
"And then?"
"Got an earful. Ended up playing busboy with senior brother till past midnight."
Choi Ong jumped in, grinning. "Owner's got some fire, huh? But still, to kids from a martial family?"
"Once she learned who we were, she went even crazier—said we were dragging shame on our master. Turns out master was her longtime regular too."
"Oho, buddies with the manor lord? Don't tell me she's some hidden master of the jianghu in disguise..."
"Nah. She's a local born and bred, inherited the shop from her folks. Master later said since they grew up together in the neighborhood, things got casual over time. He's always been easygoing, treated locals like neighbors."
It was unusual.
Zhao Family Manor on Ye Mountain was one of Shaanxi's top martial clans. By power, connections, and fame alone, even local officials would grovel.
Yet their lord hobnobbed with townsfolk like old pals—a glimpse into 'Benevolent Sword' Jo Ban-san's character.
The group nodded thoughtfully, and Jin Ga-yong cleared his throat with a grin.
"Eleven-year-old me might've thought he knew the world, but that old lady schooling me was the real lesson. Anyway, that night sparked a habit—I'd drop by often, lend a hand on busy days like today."
Jin Ga-yong's tale was straightforward, lingering nicely. He usually kept to himself, so this human side hit different.
The team members chuckled, tossing light jabs at their leader before sharing their own stories—like returning fire now that he'd fired first. Everyone was having a blast.
It even touched Squad Leader Gwak Nan-hoe and temp member Ma Yeop; both fell quiet, lost in thought.
Flying Tiger sipped his drink, his mind wandering oddly.
'Unstained Sword Jin Ga-yong misses his dead master and senior brother dearly.'
'And the daughter of the man who killed them is right here.'
'I wonder what she's feeling now?'
......
They'd emptied several rounds of bottles, and the high spirits were cooling off.
Choi Ong, who'd been jolly all night, drained his glass, coughed lightly, and called Flying Tiger in a serious tone.
"Hey, buddy. You really okay?"
"Honestly, still feel heavy. Ma Yeop says blocked meridians, but a couple more days of treatment should clear 'em. We'll see then."
"Ma the Taoist say that?"
"Yeah. Huh? 'Ma the Taoist'—you mean Ma Yeop, right?"
"Heard his story. From Qingcheng Sect? Today, that killer face of his looked cleansed of grudges—actually Taoist-like now."
"Hmm, you think?"
Flying Tiger glanced at Ma Yeop.
He'd noticed Ma Yeop seemed brighter lately but hadn't dwelled on it. These past few days, he'd been too focused on his own healing to notice much else.
But hearing Choi Ong say it, peering closer—beneath that gruesome exterior, hints of a Taoist's ethereal aura flickered through.
Flying Tiger brightened. "Huh, you're right."
"Good. If Ma the Taoist says so, you'll be right as rain. No aftereffects then...?"
"Gonna need intense rehab for half a month or so. With meditation too."
"Tough go."
"Eh, compared to nearly falling into qi deviation? Grateful it ended like this. They say I got lucky."
"Luck, huh... Yeah, us sword-slingers need it. Hwa Yeong didn't have any."
Flying Tiger refilled Choi Ong's glass and toasted.
For the dead Hwa Yeong. And that was the extent of duty and sentiment owed.
One drink.
Their lives as bounty hunters were like floating duckweed—who knew who'd drift away tomorrow? Hwa Yeong wouldn't complain about fairness.
Flying Tiger spoke up.
"Deputy leader, spill. Heard you were exhausted—any big internal damage?"
"Nah, wounds are manageable."
"Aftereffects then? Bad?"
"Talked it over with the team leader. As of today, I'm out of Face Pursuit Unit Jeong. Sorry, that's how it is."
The chatter died down, Choi Ong's words hanging bitterly in the tavern air.
Ye Dok-du scowled, grinding his teeth—he'd clearly discussed this with Choi Ong already.
"You really doing this? Said you'd think it over hard."
"Did. Decided. Sorry to you. Understand."
"Tch."
Flying Tiger cut in bluntly. "What about the money?" Choi Ong nodded slightly toward the team leader and squad leader, then said.
"Thanks to their consideration. Counted as unavoidable withdrawal due to injury—got full payout. Grateful."
"Congrats."
"Huh? Flying Tiger, you punk—saying that to a guy's face while he's hurting?"
Ye Dok-du bristled, demanding an explanation, but Flying Tiger shrugged it off casually.
"Finished the job, survived, full pay? Injury's no biggie. Right, Choi Ong?"
"Heh heh, can't argue."
"Exactly. Hole up with that cash, loaf around half a year, and you'll be raring to go again. Isn't that right, Invisible Hand?"
Flying Tiger put heavy emphasis on Choi Ong's moniker, 'Invisible Hand'.
That 'hand that sees but stays unseen' carried the blood and sweat Choi Ong had spilled in the jianghu—it stung him, boiled his blood.
'You're the Invisible Hand. Scared of some aftereffects? You wouldn't quit like a coward, would you?'
Choi Ong chuckled, then burst into hearty laughter, nodding vigorously. The dull glint in his eyes sharpened.
"Damn straight."
The party wrapped soon after.
Squad leader and team leader had more to discuss privately and moved elsewhere. Late night, man and woman stepping away alone—could spark rumors—but they didn't care.
Ma Yeop bid Jeong Unit's members polite farewell, heading to his lodgings first. Mission accomplished, he parted ways with everyone but Flying Tiger.
So that night, Choi Ong went for round two at another tavern with Ye Dok-du, A Jeok-gang, and Flying Tiger. They drank till their noses crooked. Choi Ong and Ye Dok-du handled booze, A Jeok-gang the snacks; Flying Tiger, still recovering, filled glasses with tea but toasted and joined in.
Everyone got drunk on the vibe anyway.
Choi Ong's last night in Face Pursuit Unit Jeong.