Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Chapter 22. Fragments of the Past (2)
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"Elder, are you sure you're alright?"
"We nearly had a disaster, but I woke up in time, so no need to worry. It's just some temporary aftereffects now. A good night's sleep, and I'll be right as rain."
"That's a huge relief."
"And that's not all. He dove in so deeply that he stirred up a storm—chances are he gained some small enlightenment from it."
"Then that's worth celebrating too."
"The only pity is that if he'd just pushed through that final hurdle, he might have grasped something greater. Such opportunities don't come knocking every day."
"There's a saying that wealth beyond one's station brings calamity, isn't there? That must have been the limit of what he could accept."
"Well said."
"Besides, big or small, thanks to you, disaster turned to fortune. Isn't that an encounter with fate in itself?"
When Flying Tiger opened his eyes again, darkness had fallen around him. His body and mind felt refreshed, better than ever.
Like emerging from a deep, hazy dream?
With that, the dilemma he'd faced felt much lighter now.
There can't be a right answer to something like this. I made my choice, so all that's left is to see it through. But still... I want to see her.
I want to see her.
Creating a reason to return someday, Flying Tiger slipped out of the cave and climbed the rocky hill.
It was to relieve A Jeok-gang from his watch.
A Jeok-gang was there. Flying Tiger plopped down beside him and pulled a gourd flask from his robes, shaking it with a slosh.
Want a sip?
A Jeok-gang turned to him and asked,
"What, trying to put me to sleep with that famous brew of yours? For your information, I'm on duty right now, forcing my eyes open. Normally, I'd be out the moment my back hit the ground."
Flying Tiger burst out laughing.
He'd told him about giving the sleepless Na-mok a sip to knock him out the night before?
A Jeok-gang hadn't been there, standing watch outside at the time. So the story of Flying Tiger's deed must have spread among the team.
"Damn, I thought I'd done it on the sly, but even Brother A knows. Does Brother Na know what I did too? How'd it leak?"
"That dimwit gathered everyone at dawn and blabbed excitedly about your mysterious liquor. Heavenly flavor, so rich that one sip sends you straight into deep slumber. That irked Wang the Dharma Protector, who scolded him and spilled everything you'd done. His face turned beet red with embarrassment—it was quite the sight."
"Heh, but what got under Wang the Dharma Protector's skin?"
"You."
"Me?"
"You didn't even give that esteemed gentleman a single sip of this precious stuff. Why not?"
"Heh heh heh, it was too precious. This stuff cost a fortune. I only shared because I had to, but my hand shook handing it over. Even to you, Brother."
Flying Tiger joked in a cheerful tone.
The flask he'd brought this time was indeed a scant amount, barely enough for himself. But it wasn't so precious he couldn't spare a sip or two.
Teasing Wang Baek-gun by holding back had just been a bit of harmless fun.
Lately, he'd been impressed seeing Jin Ga-yong carry around bottles of fine liquor, so he'd imitated him this time. Right down to the reluctance when handing one over.
A Jeok-gang chuckled and asked,
"If it's that precious, why offer it to me now?"
"I caused trouble for you and the others yesterday, so this is my apology. Plus, I have something I want to ask."
A Jeok-gang took the gourd, gulped down a mouthful, then handed it back with admiration.
"I get Na-mok's obsession now. Sharp bite, yet smooth going down, rich aroma with a crisp finish. Worthy of the name fine liquor."
"I indulged a bit."
"Excellent. Apology accepted. Now, ask away."
Flying Tiger looked at A Jeok-gang and thought.
His first impression had been somewhat awkward, but now he was the picture of a jianghu hero. Unless Flying Tiger had misjudged him badly, he'd been hiding his true nature until now.
In truth, Flying Tiger had suspected A Jeok-gang had a hidden background before this expedition. And now, he didn't seem keen on hiding it anymore.
Why was that?
"Brother A's connections—where do they lie? Leader Jin? Leader Gwak? Or the Martial Qin Alliance?"
"From the way you put it, I sound like some shady plotter."
"Well, you don't seem like one of us ordinary ronin picked by the standard mold."
"Like you? Flying Tiger, you say the funniest things. I'm straightforward wherever I go. If anything, you looked suspicious to me."
"……."
That was food for thought.
Was it just A Jeok-gang's opinion? Or shared with others?
And why bring it up now?
Flying Tiger scratched his chin a couple times, looking troubled.
"Brother A, just to be sure—are you hoping I'll draw my sword?"
"Got the confidence?"
"Mm, trade secret, but I'll be honest. I don't fight with confidence."
"……?"
"I fight only to kill."
"Ho!"
A Jeok-gang let out an impressed exclamation.
As a threat, it was bold and convincing. He quite liked the brazen attitude.
A Jeok-gang nodded in response.
"We'll settle it with words. If it were swords, we wouldn't be chatting like this. Same for you."
Flying Tiger took a gulp from the gourd and passed it back; A Jeok-gang drank and returned it.
A tentative truce.
And A Jeok-gang spoke.
"Three months ago, I sought out Young Master Jin on my own. We had a minor connection from our forebears, and years back, he'd saved my life. So when I heard Zhao Family Manor was in trouble, I rushed to lend a hand."
"Trouble? You mean the power struggle between the Martial Qin Alliance and the Anti-Martial Qin Alliance?"
"Right. I was operating in Hunan Province then. Word was that Zhao Family Manor in Shaanxi, who'd stayed out of the fray, had finally been dragged in. Things looked up for a bit, but the Martial Qin Alliance pulled in outside forces from other provinces, pushing the war to the brink. Zhao Family Manor was set to take the fall."
"Tch, so that's why you came?"
"But the war was already over by then."
Flying Tiger knew it ended with the "Ten Against Ten Duel on Yeonman Plains."
"Were there others like you who came to help Zhao Family Manor?"
"Only I came for Young Master Jin personally. But for the manor itself? Plenty. Manor Lord Jo Ban-san didn't earn titles like 'Sword of Benevolence' or 'Great Hero' for nothing."
"Then wasn't it rash for Zhao Family Manor to force a decisive battle? With experts like you, it should've been a force to reckon with."
"Can't say about victory, but it wouldn't have ended so pathetically. Rumor has it the manor lord felt burdened. Worried his friends would spill too much blood on his account. That's why he rushed the fight."
"Hm, is that what they call a gentleman's grace?"
Flying Tiger's tone twisted slightly.
"You don't agree with the manor lord's decision."
"To each their own. What does my opinion matter? Anyway, what happened to those who came to help?"
"A few like me stayed; the rest were sent back. It was the manor lord's dying wish, and practically speaking, a defeated Zhao Family Manor hoping for mercy from the Martial Qin Alliance wouldn't want to provoke them needlessly."
"I see."
Flying Tiger felt unconsciously relieved.
Some had stayed, after all. And those remaining were likely deeply loyal and top-tier experts. They'd be a huge help in a pinch.
He'd thought it none of his business, but it had nagged at him more than he'd realized.
"While at the manor, Young Master Jin accepted the Face Pursuit Squad leader position at Lion Hall Leader's request. So I joined the squad to assist him. A leader gets to bring at least one of his own."
"Huh? Lion Hall Leader, head of the Martial Qin Alliance, personally asked Leader Jin? Are they that close?"
"Not particularly. Word is Lion Hall Leader had his eye on Young Master Jin for years. Makes sense—before his seven or eight years of laying low, he was always mentioned as Shaanxi's top young talent."
"Ah! But he's the second disciple of the man he killed—how'd they trust him?"
"Caused quite a stir in the alliance. Still does. But who stops Lion Hall Leader when he's set on something?"
"Hm."
"As for why Lion Hall Leader chose him, it's not hard to see. He's known for coveting young talents, and it was a chance to show his magnanimity as hegemon."
"Politics, huh. But Leader Jin has Lion Hall Leader's backing? Then why did it feel like his position was precarious?"
"Because the favor stopped there. Despite objections, he made him squad leader and assigned him to escort his daughter. Nothing since—not even a mention."
"'Here's your shot—prove yourself alone'?"
"Sharp as ever. Can't read Lion Hall Leader's mind, but Young Master Jin figured as much. That's why others treat him like a thorn, provoking him. They haven't crossed the line yet, but you know how unforgiving the jianghu is."
"So Leader Jin is Leader Gwak's man. They seemed close—any deeper relation...?"
"Romantic entanglement?"
"Well, including that, and whatever else."
"Can't say from me. Ask him yourself if you're that curious."
Flying Tiger shrugged.
"But remember this."
"……?"
"People call Young Master Jin a heartless beast blinded by ambition, betraying his master and sect to ally with his enemy's killer. But he's not that type. He's noble, upright, with the highest sense of justice. So why endure the finger-pointing to accept Lion Hall Leader's request? Can you guess?"
"Maybe for Jo Baek-bing, the last blood of Manor Lord Jo?"
"Close, but it's for all of Ye Mountain's Zhao Family Manor. Survive under the Martial Qin Alliance, even if diminished, without total annihilation. That's Manor Lord Jo Ban-san's final order to Young Master Jin. The chains holding back a man who wanted to forget everything and leave."
"Why not migrate to another province or disband the manor outright?"
"Think they'd let them?"
"Mm, because of Ghost Face, one of Shaanxi's Ghost Three Treasures?"
"Exactly. That's always the issue. No one believes the denials."
Ghost Face, one of Shaanxi's Ghost Three Treasures.
That ominous name, drawing greed and blood, surfaced once more.