Chapter 43
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Good Do Not Come (1)
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*The good do not come; those who come are not good.
Early that morning, Flying Tiger and Ma Yeop packed their gear and set out from Zhao Family Manor.
Jin Ga-yong followed them all the way to the main gate to see them off, but he looked distinctly uneasy.
Flying Tiger first wondered if it had something to do with what happened between him and Jo Baek-bing the night before. He didn't think he'd done anything wrong, but still. Then he noticed Ma Yeop's expression wasn't much better.
Something was definitely off between the two of them.
'Ma Yeop said last night he had a separate meeting with the manor lord. Did something go wrong? Come to think of it, he's been overly hostile toward the manor lord from the start. There must be some history there.'
Flying Tiger was curious but pretended not to notice.
For one, inserting himself between them would put him in an awkward spot. And right now wasn't the time to stir up new trouble anyway. Above all, he needed to focus on getting that introduction to Lady Golden Jade.
He bowed politely to Jin Ga-yong.
"Manor Lord, thanks to you, I've recovered well. I'll see you in ten days at Face Pursuit Squad headquarters."
"Safe travels. And you worked hard last night—my martial niece's face looked much brighter already. We'll settle my thanks properly soon enough."
"What are you talking about? It was just earning my keep."
"You did such a fine job, I'm grateful. Consider it a performance bonus."
"Heh heh heh. In that case, I'll look forward to it."
Flying Tiger chuckled and stepped back.
He hadn't been angling for it, but there was no point in arguing either.
Was Jin Ga-yong the type to back down easily?
Just the other day, they'd gone back and forth over that golden hairpin he'd offered as thanks for the help, and it had nearly ended in a standoff before Flying Tiger accepted it.
With that, Jin Ga-yong finished his farewell to Flying Tiger and turned to Ma Yeop. His gaze held a mix of regret and quiet anger, unlike the warmth he'd shown Flying Tiger. Ma Yeop met it with the stubborn glare of a mule—cold and unyielding.
"Blue-Eyed Sword, safe travels."
Jin Ga-yong offered a formal fist salute. Ma Yeop returned it wordlessly, completing the parting rite.
Flying Tiger and Ma Yeop had just reached the edge of the village when Flying Tiger paused and glanced back.
Off in the distance, Zhao Family Manor sat small against the base of Ye Mountain. The manor wasn't grand or ornate, but it had its own rustic, timeless charm.
"What, can't tear yourself away because you're thinking of the young lady?"
Ma Yeop, walking ahead, turned and teased. Flying Tiger smirked without taking his eyes off the manor.
"She was a beauty, that's for sure. And it wasn't just her—the whole place felt like good folk."
"I thought you'd been holed up recovering the whole time. When did you get out and about meeting people?"
"Do you have to talk to someone to figure them out? Sometimes stepping back a pace lets you see things clearer. ...There was a warmth there."
"Warmth, huh? Jealous?"
"Who knows. I just hope the clouds hanging over Zhao Family Manor clear up and some sunlight breaks through."
"You sure have a soft heart at times like this."
"Heh heh heh. What heart? A wandering life's made me curious about folks clinging to a scrap of affection, that's all."
With that, Flying Tiger turned away. Just curious—that was it.
They set off on their journey proper.
They rode southwest all day. The sun set, the moon rose. They pressed on for hours more before stopping, the Ye Liang Mountains looming ahead—the range anyone heading to western Shaanxi had to cross.
They'd covered 250 li nonstop for nearly five double-hours. Both were hardened to sleeping rough, but it was still a brutal pace.
They found a suitable spot, set up camp, and warmed their weary bodies by the fire while chewing hardtack.
Crackle. Pop. Pop.
The night sky hung heavy over the mountain foothills, making the snapping firewood all the sharper. Flying Tiger stared blankly into the flames, listening, then spoke up.
"Today—was that too hard because of me?"
"To cross Ye Liang Mountains, we have to start at dawn. What choice did we have? Delaying a day otherwise. But after this, it's just following the main roads, so tough it out till tomorrow."
"Thanks for everything. Meeting you was lucky."
"Nonsense. Truth be told, I wasn't thrilled about ending my jianghu days just like that. Helping you out gives it a proper close. So let's see it through together—how far your luck stretches."
Flying Tiger nodded, gazing into the fire.
This job was full of unknowns.
Even if he got the introduction to Lady Golden Jade, would she step up for Gong Won-yeong? And if she did, could she even heal her?
He'd need luck. And to chase that luck, he'd ride!
"By the way..."
Ma Yeop stared into the flames too, then called out gravely. The fire danced wildly. He followed with a loaded question.
"...How much do you trust Manor Lord Jin Ga-yong?"
The next day, they were up before dawn and on the move.
Luckily, no bandits or large beasts showed so much as a whisker the whole way up. They crested all five passes into western Ye Liang Mountains without a hitch.
They reached their goal, Bulpyeong County, in the late afternoon, sun still high.
Bulpyeong County lay near the main roads. The plan was to buy fresh horses and supplies here, rest up deep, and wash away two days of hard riding.
But as they entered the county, Flying Tiger suddenly balked.
"Ma Yeop, how much farther to the next town?"
Ma Yeop figured he was anxious to press on and started to suggest resting today and leaving early tomorrow—then caught himself. He'd just noticed Flying Tiger's odd vibe.
It was icy.
'Damn, body's still in the jianghu, but I let my guard down already?'
Ma Yeop inwardly clicked his tongue at his carelessness and whispered via sound transmission.
-Tail on us?
-Unclear. Need to check.
They left Bulpyeong County and walked another double-hour.
Ma Yeop sensed no one following, but he kept casual chatter going without tipping his hand. Flying Tiger played along, chiming in now and then while sharply scanning his eyes.
Dusk fell. Around then, they checked into an inn in Wabang County, a small village.
"Anything? I couldn't spot a thing."
"Got 'em. They were hanging way back, careful—hard to notice."
"How many?"
"Two. Maybe three?"
"Just tailing us?"
"That's what we find out now. One thing first—could they be your guests, Ma Yeop?"
"I've roamed the jianghu plenty—no shortage of weirdos. But nothing particular comes to mind. Last few years, I've only had eyes for the Sichuan Eight Villains."
"Mm. Feels like they're mine. Had a couple sticky run-ins lately."
"What kind?"
Flying Tiger stared straight at Ma Yeop and shrugged—a clear brush-off. Personal business; he'd handle it solo.
Ma Yeop looked a touch miffed. Flying Tiger relented and opened up.
"You're on the verge of leaving the jianghu behind. I don't want to keep dragging you into the dust. And more than that, I hate wasting even a day bickering with them when I could be meeting Lady Golden Jade. This is the most important thing in the world to me."
"But..."
"I know—my life's precious. That's why I'll test the waters first. If it smells wrong, I'll bolt. Then I'll shamelessly beg for your help."
"Sigh—if that's how you want it."
Ma Yeop grudgingly agreed.
Flying Tiger had a point, and he wasn't one to argue when the line was drawn so firm. For Flying Tiger's temperament, even phrasing it this mildly was considerate.
"Fine. Finish up and meet me in Hanzhong. I'll head there fast as I can and get a firm answer first."
"Hanzhong? You mean..."
"Right. The one I'm meeting is with Hanzhong Fortress now."
Shaanxi Province might not be entirely under Martial Qin Alliance's thumb, but Hanzhong was the turf of Hanzhong Fortress—one of the four pillars ranking just below Lion Hall in the alliance.
It sat at Shaanxi's southwest tip, close to Sichuan Province both geographically and by road.
That's why Hanzhong Fortress had long traded blows and favors with many Sichuan sects, including the famed Qingcheng Sect.
Ma Yeop explained that's how, when he'd crossed into Shaanxi chasing the Eight Villains as a Qingcheng disciple, Hanzhong Fortress had lent a hand.
They'd bridged him to the alliance, letting him temporarily join Face Pursuit Unit Jeong to achieve his goal.
And the man Ma Yeop was off to see now was with Hanzhong Fortress—and an old acquaintance. They'd met a few times back in Ma Yeop's younger days, when the man wasn't affiliated there yet. So it had been an unexpected reunion.
Anyway, that old tie had led to a brief stint as Ma Yeop's guide, making their get-together natural.
"He doesn't want it known he's with Hanzhong Fortress?"
"Yeah. Begged me not to ask why."
"Got it. Everyone's got their stories. Anyway, what do you think? You only met him a few times way back—that enough to lean on? More importantly, trustworthy?"
"No deep bond between us, but he'll treat me right for our sects' sake. He did last time."
'Sects' face? He wasn't with Hanzhong Fortress back then. Factoring all that in... hmm.'
It let Flying Tiger narrow down the man's identity sharply.
Actually, it was Ma Yeop's tact. Bound by promise not to name him, but he'd dropped hints to ease Flying Tiger's nerves.
"Don't worry. If he balks, I'll push till I get a name."
Flying Tiger couldn't bring himself to tell Ma Yeop not to overdo it, even politely. He just nodded.
And so they parted next morning, set to reunite the day after in some Hanzhong spot.
At dawn, two horses left the inn where Flying Tiger and Ma Yeop had stayed. Half a gak later, a messenger pigeon launched from woods just outside Wabang County.
'Gotcha.'
Flying Tiger's eyes flashed toward the woods as the bird took flight.
It was early—shapes still hazy in predawn gloom. He'd been hunkered on a farmhouse shed roof on Wabang's outskirts, draped in camouflage.
These tails were cautious.
So Flying Tiger had slipped out a full double-hour early, taken position. Then Ma Yeop led the two horses off, making it look like they'd both gone.
And he'd snagged the tail!
He leaped silently from the roof and ghosted toward the woods, swift and quiet. His mind raced.
'Gotta explain why I'm here right. If they don't like it, they'll pay dearly.'