Chapter 61
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: 19. Bandits of the Northern Plateau (3)
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To sum up Ui's explanation:
The Face Pursuit Squad had commissioned Haomen for a guide, and Haomen recommended Nosongseo, registered as a guest elder of their sect.
From the perspective of Ui, disguised as Nosongseo, and her Western Capital Hall, this battle was a massive event that could shake the entire martial world of Shaanxi, so they gladly accepted, at least for the sake of gathering intelligence.
In other words, it had nothing to do with Flying Tiger.
The Western Capital Hall had also anticipated that the operation would be led not by Unit Jeong but by Gap Unit, the highest-rated squad in the Face Pursuit Squad, so they viewed it as a separate matter unrelated to Flying Tiger, she added.
She explained the subsequent events as follows.
While Ui, disguised as Nosongseo, was en route to the Face Pursuit Squad's headquarters, she received word that Flying Tiger had stopped by a brothel operated by the Western Capital Hall. So, she, who was staying nearby, went to meet him herself.
However, Ui confessed she never imagined that Flying Tiger would see right through her disguise once at the Face Pursuit Squad. So, to tie up loose ends and since things had already come to this, she came to share some information.
"I apologize for taking the joke too far."
"I apologize as well for startling you."
"……."
"Let's just forget it. Anyway, does that mean you and your old alliance partner are on the same side for this operation?"
"Hmph."
"That's reassuring. I was feeling uneasy. Thanks, senior."
Ui was annoyed but held it in. Raising her voice against Flying Tiger here wouldn't do her any good. She shook her head and got to the point.
"Anyway, given the circumstances, don't reveal my true identity to anyone."
"Of course."
"The words I told you that day and the documents I handed over have all been delivered via trusted messenger, so Hidden Moon has likely received them by now."
"Thanks for the trouble."
"Good. Now, you've probably sensed that this mission feels off, right?"
"Yeah."
"Ask away. I'll tell you what I know."
"Can Unit Jeong's current forces even take on the Yellow Turban Bandits? No, who can handle their leader, the Wild Wind White Horse?"
"Hmm. Wang Baek-gun could probably hold his own, though it wouldn't be easy."
"Wang Baek-gun, the protector?"
"In terms of reputation alone, maybe not. But Wang Baek-gun is a far greater master than he's known for. He's arguably the top expert of Dance Melody Manor."
"Huh? That good?"
Flying Tiger was surprised.
Of course, Wang Baek-gun was already known as one of Dance Melody Manor's top experts, giving him considerable fame.
But anywhere you go, the title of 'the best' carried a different weight.
'If he's that impressive, we'll only know for sure in a real fight. But that's strange. Someone of that caliber should have joined the Martial Qin Alliance's all-out expedition. I heard every sect sent their leaders and top experts.'
Ui seemed to read Flying Tiger's mind just from his expression.
"The Duel of the Lian Plains. You know about the battle where the Martial Qin Alliance crushed the Anti-Martial Qin Alliance and conquered Shaanxi?"
"I've heard about it recently. The top experts from both sides, ten each, faced off, right?"
"Hmph. That's how it should have been, but the Lion Hall Lord, that vulture, pulled off a shameless scam."
"Ah, I remember now. The Martial Qin Alliance side bolstered their ten with renowned experts from other provinces, didn't they?"
"Yes. At the time, the Martial Qin Alliance received support from five super-elite experts from outside. Meanwhile, the Anti-Martial Qin Alliance was scrambling just to fill their ten."
"Ho, so the Anti-Martial Qin side lacked experts?"
A sneer curled Ui's lips.
"If they'd been like that from the start, would they have even dared to fight? No, once they sensed their ship sinking, the rats all fled before the duel, leaving them in that state."
"Tch."
"Anyway, the Martial Qin Alliance also selected five of their own top experts for that showdown. With both sides staking their lives on it—and not wanting to look weak in front of the outsiders who came to help—they must have played all their hidden cards."
"Makes sense."
"Dance Melody Manor sent one participant: Wang Baek-gun. That's when the martial world learned who their true top expert was."
"Oh? So he's connected to our team leader Jin."
"Exactly. He was the opponent when the Jin family master and senior brother were killed."
"What a mess."
Flying Tiger groaned.
He got that Wang Baek-gun was impressive, but now it was someone Jin Ga-yong had reason to hate. Even if not outright enmity, it couldn't sit well.
With the Face Pursuit Unit Jeong structured like this, how could they work as a team?
"Anyway, Wang Baek-gun survived that duel, and for his merits, he gained carte blanche authority that even the Dance Melody Manor Lord couldn't refuse. Word is, he repeatedly declined to participate before. The frustrated lord then offered those unprecedented terms and begged him."
"Hm, so he used that authority to skip the Martial Qin Alliance's campaigns?"
"Yes. He said he was tired of getting blood on his hands."
"Then why join the Face Pursuit Squad as protector and come on this expedition?"
"Who knows? Even if he didn't want to, there might be things he has no choice but to do. This is the martial world, after all."
"……."
Afterward, Ui shared a few more pieces of information with Flying Tiger. She left first, warning him to stay alert with eyes wide open.
Flying Tiger was alone again.
Before long, all things faintly revealed their outlines in the moment when light and darkness coexisted.
It was a time when everything was ambiguous.
Hoo—
Finally, Flying Tiger exhaled a long breath and rose to his feet. He found a suitable spot and began practicing the Nine Breaths Conviction Method with utmost care. As he did, he gradually sank into his inner self.
As if ruminating on the maxim that in this martial world, only one's own strength was to be trusted.
The Face Pursuit Unit Jeong set out northward along the official road at dawn.
The change came about half a shichen after a simple lunch and resuming their ride.
It happened as they passed through a place called Nakcheon-hyeon.
Jin Ga-yong led his squad members off the wide official road onto a narrow side path. From then on, he took the lead, heading westward. They followed winding country lanes and sometimes crossed open fields where the path broke off.
This was unusual.
To reach the yellow earth plateau, they needed to head north for at least another day, yet Jin Ga-yong was veering sideways with his squad.
Where on earth were they going?
The squad members found Jin Ga-yong's stern face intimidating to question, but Na-mok, frustrated himself, quietly asked Wang Baek-gun about their destination—only to be told, "Shut up and follow."
After riding on like that for a while, the group entered the foothills of a deep mountain. To Flying Tiger, unfamiliar with Shaanxi's geography, it was just some strange place.
-This is Little Hwasan. A notorious treacherous peak in the central region. Though it's nothing compared to Mount Hua's perils.
It was Nosongseo's transmission to Flying Tiger. And her message didn't end there.
-By the way, have you sensed it?
Flying Tiger nodded and approached Jin Ga-yong.
By now, everyone had dismounted and was walking, leading their exhausted horses by the reins. The path was treacherous.
"Team leader, enough already—tell us where we're headed. Everyone's getting anxious."
"One more li, and we'll reach our destination. I'll explain there."
Flying Tiger stopped in his tracks. As Jin Ga-yong turned back, he shrugged.
A gesture saying he wouldn't budge another step without a straight answer.
It could even be seen as outright defiance.
At this sudden turn, the group halted and watched the two intently.
Jin Ga-yong furrowed his brow.
"I must not have earned your trust as team leader, Flying Tiger warrior."
"No, you've given us so much 'trust' that we've blindly followed you this far. But if you're leading us into an ambush valley prepared by who-knows-who, don't you think it's time the team leader earned the squad's trust? Or not?"
"……!"
The six warriors' reactions to Flying Tiger's words fell into three categories: surprise, discomfort, and intrigue.
Ye Dok-du, Dan-geum, and Na-mok tensed up and scanned their surroundings. A Jeok-gang looked uncomfortable. Wang Baek-gun and Nosongseo seemed intrigued.
After a tense standoff, Jin Ga-yong whistled once, composed his expression, and spoke.
"It's part of the operation. For security reasons, we placed surveillance to block external eyes."
"Even from your own squad members?"
"There are circumstances. But I swear on the name of Impartial Sword Jin Ga-yong: it will never harm my comrades."
"Impartial Sword Jin Ga-yong. Do you think that name carries such weight?"
"It does!"
Hot sparks flew from Jin Ga-yong's eyes, while cold lightning flickered in Flying Tiger's.
The next moment.
For a situation on the brink of explosion, it resolved rather anticlimactically. Flying Tiger readily acquiesced and stepped back.
"If so, then. Understood."
With that brief commotion over, the eight warriors resumed their march, each lost in thought.
Two li later, they entered a spacious, hourglass-shaped valley deep inside where sentries were posted.
Waiting there was a group of about twenty men.
All but three wore masks, and each one's presence was formidable, their stances disciplined—clearly elite warriors well-trained.
Among the three unmasked, Flying Tiger recognized two familiar faces.
'Hmm, seeing this, their gathering in the interrogation room that day wasn't just about me.'
The two he knew were Face Pursuit Squad Leader Gwak Nan-hoe and Deputy Leader Jeong Sa-jeong.
Thus, the site held the squad leader, deputy leader, protector, team leader, and team members—the full lineup.
Jin Ga-yong and Wang Baek-gun first greeted Gwak Nan-hoe, who accepted their salutes before stepping forward to address Unit Jeong's members.
"You've all worked hard getting here."
"Squad leader, the team members were dragged here blind, so they're uneasy. Our Jin team leader even took some flak midway."
"I see. Well done."
Gwak Nan-hoe nodded graciously toward Jin Ga-yong at Wang Baek-gun's words, as if in praise.
Then, to the squad members:
"First, my apologies for summoning you so rudely when we're about to entrust you with a great task. Even Jin team leader was displeased, but we had no choice. What was the reason?"
Given her status, she could have spoken casually without issue. Yet she maintained decorum, dominating the gathering with dignified poise.
Even without a proper explanation, resentments began to fade, which impressed Flying Tiger.
"You've heard about our ally Bing Unit's operation failure. Didn't something seem off? Yes, what about you, Ye Dok-du warrior?"
"Me? Well, those idiots from Bing Unit picked their so-called hideout of all places... No, cough, just terribly bad luck?"
Caught off guard by the sudden call, Ye Dok-du blurted thoughtlessly, then flushed and stammered upon realizing his mistake.
Gwak Nan-hoe nodded appreciatively as if to say good job, then turned to Flying Tiger.
"I heard you well. And what does Flying Tiger warrior think?"
Gwak Nan-hoe wore an alluring smile. Burdensomely so. Flying Tiger subtly glanced at Jin Ga-yong.