Chapter 75
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Chapter 21. Lurking (2)
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The members of the Face Pursuit Unit Jeong headed north.
They rounded a valley and passed through rugged highland fields painstakingly cultivated.
Sometimes they followed a murky river, and at others they crossed desolate areas where it was hard to tell if they were still in the human world or already in hell.
It was barren.
And the endless expanse of yellow earth plateau stretched out so vast it couldn't be taken in at a glance.
It was somewhere along that road.
The group paused for a rest, and the sun was sinking languidly beyond the distant plateau.
Ptooey.
Flying Tiger unwrapped the cloth covering his nose and mouth and spat. He took a sip of water, swished it around, and spat again, finally clearing the gritty sand from his mouth.
It was all because they'd been trudging through the sandstorm the whole way.
"I never want to come back to a place like this. Right, Flying Tiger warrior?"
Flying Tiger turned to see it was Samyo speaking.
"Well, as a bounty hunter, I don't really pick and choose locations as long as the pay's right, so I can't agree with that."
"Oh? So you're saying money's the only thing that matters, no holds barred?"
Flying Tiger stared blankly at Samyo.
Samyo was smiling amiably, but it felt forced. Not outright malicious, but mocking, perhaps? Flying Tiger figured it was because of the warning he'd given yesterday. The time when the guy had spouted nonsense about cutting throats and disguising corpses.
Flying Tiger considered ignoring it, but curiosity got the better of him. He'd noticed something off about Samyo while observing him yesterday because of that incident.
So, with a friendly smile, Flying Tiger replied politely.
"I said I don't pick locations for jobs, but I never said I take any kind of work. I don't touch the dirty stuff. Sure, I'm a lowly bounty hunter, but unlike some people, I live life on my own terms, you could say."
"Dirty stuff? Unlike some people?"
"Use your imagination. Or better yet, common sense."
"......"
Samyo's eyes narrowed as he glared coldly at Flying Tiger, who shrugged right back.
"Heh heh heh. Living on your own terms... As someone bound to an organization, that's enviable."
Samyo spat that out and walked away. Flying Tiger mulled over his last words, the expression on his face, his gestures.
The words themselves weren't special, but they grated. Reading between the lines, it was like saying, If I weren't bound, I'd do the same. In other words, a warning: Don't get cocky just because you're still alive.
He must have been pretty pissed.
Thanks to that, Flying Tiger confirmed the trait about Samyo that had been nagging at him. A cold smile tugged at his lips.
The trait Flying Tiger sensed in Samyo wasn't some innate temperament or disposition.
It was more like the scars of a life lived.
For example, the unique dialect from one's hometown, or habits ingrained from long years in a certain trade.
Layer upon layer of such things build up to form a person's distinctive characteristics.
Anyway.
What had stuck in Flying Tiger's mind was that Samyo's trait felt eerily similar to the strange vibe he'd gotten from Great Black Cat, the leader of the Ten Cats, the day before.
He suspected they'd all undergone the same specialized assassin training and spent long years working in sync.
The rest of the Ten Cats he hadn't met were probably the same.
That much was understandable.
The problem was the déjà vu he'd felt from Samyo, just like with Great Black Cat before.
The feeling that you've experienced or seen it somewhere before.
It had been at Mount Soha, when Gwak Nan-hoe introduced Great Black Cat.
Flying Tiger had felt it then too, but hadn't delved into where it came from.
Things had just glossed over.
Because more pressing matters demanded his focus.
And now.
By provoking Samyo for another look, he'd realized the source of that déjà vu from yesterday.
That feeling was...
Could it really connect to that?
'But it's just a feeling. It's been almost a month now, so it could be a misunderstanding. Still, worth looking into, right? Timing's the issue, though... Hmm.'
As Flying Tiger sank into thought, he glanced sideways and caught Jin Ga-yong staring at him intently.
Jin Ga-yong crooked a finger, signaling him to come over.
"Deputy leader, want to take a short walk?"
The two slipped away, claiming they were stretching their legs.
The team members watched casually while resting; nothing seemed off. As leader and deputy, they probably had private matters to discuss.
"Something to tell me?"
"No."
"Then I'll ask first. Why provoke Samyo?"
"Nothing special."
Flying Tiger tried to play dumb, but sighed at Jin Ga-yong's expression. Then, as if confessing, he lied.
"His tone felt like he was picking a fight, so I snapped."
"I see."
"Could it be a problem?"
"Who knows. But logically, he wouldn't make trouble over something that small."
"Got it. I'll be careful from now on. Apologize to Samyo if needed."
"Good. And another thing."
Jin Ga-yong spoke leisurely, then suddenly turned serious.
"I've asked my questions. Now answer honestly. Nothing to tell me?"
"No."
"Really? Then let me ask this: Flying Tiger, is our deal still on?"
"......!"
'Until this mission ends, overlook any past matters while we work together. In return, I'll follow the leader faithfully.'
It was Flying Tiger's proposal before the operation began, and Jin Ga-yong had agreed.
"Follow" meant sticking strictly to the mission, no side activities unrelated to it.
At least, that's how Jin Ga-yong saw it.
That's why he asked if it was still valid.
This time, even Flying Tiger hesitated to speak easily. He'd given his word.
For some reason, he didn't want to disappoint the man.
Finally, Flying Tiger made up his mind and spoke.
"The deal stands. I'll honor it with integrity."
"Understood."
Jin Ga-yong accepted it straightforwardly, without further probing. He left first.
Flying Tiger found his demeanor oddly abrupt and stared blankly at his back, pondering.
Why does he trust my word so easily?
He soon shook his head and sighed.
'Anyway, looks like digging into the Ten Cats' identity will have to wait. A deal's a deal.'
The Face Pursuit Unit Jeong finished resting and resumed heading north.
They rode hard for two shichen.
Then they dismounted and began walking a winding path. They'd entered the Locust Brigade's territory. After a long trek past midnight, they reached their outpost in Nakcheonwon.
The outpost was a cave midway up one of the crimson rock mountains in a valley.
From outside, it looked like just a crack in a massive boulder, but squeezing inside revealed a vast cavern that could easily hold thirty men. A thin stream trickled down one wall into a pool, providing water without needing to venture out.
Meals could be handled with rations. It was perfect for hiding out days on end.
The team members praised Samyo effusively for finding such a spot, and Flying Tiger couldn't deny the Ten Cats' skills and utility.
The Face Pursuit Unit Jeong cleared the cavern, unpacked, and set up positions. Except for Na-mok, the young master from a fine family, they were all hardened to roughing it, so it was done quickly.
They gathered for a briefing under Jin Ga-yong's lead.
"Now, look at this map. This is the Locust Brigade's main base, our current position here. The triangles mark their outer sentries, dotted lines are known patrol routes."
"And the three red lines are infiltration paths?"
"Yes. Expected paths, to be precise. Short recon time, so not 100%."
Samyo wrapped up the explanation, responding to Jin Ga-yong.
He shared the Ten Cats' intel. Key points summarized:
一. Roughly 350 bandits at the main base.
一. Base fifteen li away, backed by a hundred-zhang cliff—a natural fortress.
一. Structure: outer and inner walls, divided into four and three sections respectively, totaling seven areas.
Everyone listened intently; their lives hung on it.
Guide No Song-seo especially asked questions actively.
They'd use the Ten Cats until entering enemy lines, then rely on their own. No Song-seo's key role: plot escape route and lead the team.
Jin Ga-yong turned to Flying Tiger.
"Deputy's thoughts?"
"Excellent. Gathered so much intel under time pressure—truly commendable. My thanks."
Jin Ga-yong set it up, and Flying Tiger bowed politely to Samyo. Seemed excessive, but it was an olive branch.
Samyo nodded awkwardly in return.
Wang Baek-gun, studying the map, voiced regret.
"Would've been perfect if we'd located leader White Horse Deng. Shame."
"Sorry. With more time, I'd have infiltrated."
"Enough, old man's greed. Good work."
As discussion wrapped, Jin Ga-yong surveyed the team.
"From now, we lurk here. Strike date set after meeting Great Black Cat. At latest, no more than three days."
"What if it goes over?"
"Mission fails, we withdraw immediately. I'll inform Great Black Cat, but urge the Ten Cats' efforts."
"Yes."
Jin Ga-yong drew a clear line, then continued.
"Remember: target is White Horse Deng's head, via blitzkrieg. No deadline extension, no endless wait. If no chance, I scrap it. But if opportunity strikes..."
He eyed them all, then emphasized:
"In one strike, we become a sharp spear piercing the enemy's heart."
"Yes."
"Until then, restore your strength fully."
"Yes."
It was the first day the Face Pursuit Unit Jeong hunkered down under the Locust Brigade's nose.