Chapter 80
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Chapter 23. Battle Readiness
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It was a secret tale of the jianghu.
In the duel on the vast plains, members of the Shaanxi Ghost Trio—Ghost Face, Ghost Hand, and Ghost Claws—had revealed themselves for the first time in a century!
If word of this got out, the jianghu would erupt in chaos.
And now that they had shown themselves, it was only a matter of time before it happened.
"That day, I saw Ghost Hand at the decisive battleground. And I think I caught a glimpse of something that might have been Ghost Claws. Come to think of it, it makes perfect sense. In a no-holds-barred fight where everything was on the line, what was there left to hide? If they had any aces up their sleeves, they'd pull them all out."
Flying Tiger tilted his head.
Apart from the shocking revelation, something about Wang Baek-gun's words felt off. Something that might have been Ghost Claws? Either it was Ghost Claws or it wasn't—what kind of vague talk was this?
But Flying Tiger had a more pressing question.
"Did Ghost Face, one of the Ghost Trio, show up there as well?"
"No. If it had, things might have ended cleanly... but they got complicated."
"...?"
Shocking stories poured from Wang Baek-gun's mouth.
He confessed his own involvement in the affair, the debt of gratitude he owed to the Zhao Family Manor on Ye Mountain because of it, and how that sense of obligation extended to Jin Ga-yong.
In a way, this was also a tale about the Unperson Sword, Jin Ga-yong.
"That's the story. What do you make of it?"
"Fascinating, but it's all in the past."
"Yet it could unleash a massive storm across Shaanxi's jianghu if mishandled."
"That would be a matter for the future."
"Do you really think so?"
When Wang Baek-gun probed with intent, Flying Tiger shrugged.
"Yes. Because we're not dwelling on the past or future—we're focused on the present, our showdown with the Yellow Worm Unit! So I don't have any grand insights right now. It's just idle curiosity, like watching a fire from across the river."
"...!"
"But once today passes and the future becomes today, my thoughts might change. I'll come see you then and share them."
Flying Tiger drew a line.
It was an entertaining story from his perspective, but that's all it was. For now, it belonged to a different world from his own preparations for all-out war right under the Yellow Worm Unit's nose. In the end, if he died in battle, what did past or future matter?
This was also an extension of his promise to Jin Ga-yong.
"A fitting answer to a foolish question!"
Wang Baek-gun burst into cheerful laughter. He could glimpse Flying Tiger's caution and wisdom—it was exactly the response he had hoped for.
It was his duty anyway.
He had prepared for the chance that circumstances might not allow him to finish it himself. By passing the tale to someone, he had achieved his goal.
'The aftermath is for the survivors.'
Wang Baek-gun finally shed his last mental burden and gazed at the rising sun with a light heart. It might be the last he would ever see.
Flying Tiger watched the dawn with him. As the old jianghu master remained silent for a long while, he thought to give the man some quiet time alone.
Then Wang Baek-gun broke the silence.
"No need. Stay a bit longer, and we'll head back together."
"The weather's fine. Why not linger a little?"
"It's time. He's coming."
Flying Tiger focused his gaze in the direction Wang Baek-gun indicated. Far off, someone from the Zhao Family Manor was galloping toward them on horseback. It had been two and a half days since he left.
"I worried the delay might unsettle everyone, but it was unfounded."
These were Jin Ga-yong's first words as the full Face Pursuit Unit gathered. It was praise, given the sharp glint in the members' eyes.
Flying Tiger brushed it off casually.
"We've still got half a day until the promised time, don't we? That's only right. Though you're a bit later than I expected. Got some good news?"
"Indeed. That's what held me up."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Yesterday afternoon, around 150 armed bandits left their base, led by Second Leader Broad Banner Iron Hammer Spear and Little Leader Mad Dog Ho Tae-ah-hoo. They're pursuing our decoy group disguised as the Face Pursuit Unit at the old tomb."
"That many? They must be furious."
Flying Tiger let out a low whistle, and Wang Baek-gun gladly chimed in with evident pleasure.
"The vanguard of the invincible Yellow Worm Unit took a devastating blow to their myth of invincibility—enough to blow their tops. Better than expected. Glad tidings indeed."
"Exactly. Beyond expectations. And at the crack of dawn today, word came that they've headed south about 150 li from here and are resting."
Wang Baek-gun nodded.
In other words, even if those 150 bandits got word right now, they couldn't return in less than half a day. And if they kept chasing the old tomb group, the distance would only grow. Jin Ga-yong had confirmed they were far enough before returning.
"Well then, the number left at the base now..."
"Just under 200, led by First Leader White Horse Lantern."
"...!"
Two hundred was still daunting, but nothing compared to 350. Flying Tiger assessed it thus:
"Still a lot, but manageable if we go all out. Right, A Jeok-gang?"
"Indeed."
A Jeok-gang heartily agreed to Flying Tiger's spirited remark and bowed to Jin Ga-yong, who had made it possible.
"Leader Jin, well done."
Jin Ga-yong nodded.
Now the unit members fixed their eyes on him. With everything going smoothly, it was time to discuss the main plan.
Jin Ga-yong unrolled a map and outlined his prepared strategy, tracing the routes.
"We move along this path and wait at this point. One of the Ten Meows who infiltrated ahead will make contact then—around noontime. We'll follow their guide into the enemy camp and launch the full assault."
"Question. Why noontime?"
"According to Great Black Meow's intel, the Yellow Worm Unit lives communally like soldiers in a camp. They eat their first meal of the day around then. Our target point is right here."
Jin Ga-yong spread out a map of the Yellow Worm Unit's main base and pointed to a standalone building in the inner fortress's second sector.
"White Horse Lantern meets with the leadership there over a late breakfast."
"Ho!"
Great Black Meow hadn't found White Horse Lantern's quarters, but he had pinpointed where the man appeared at set times.
An officers' mess accessible only to a select few. No doubt that moment was their chance.
Everyone nodded in understanding, but Na Mok voiced a concern.
"It'd be perfect if everything aligns, but what if White Horse Lantern skips it today? Say he's under the weather and stays in his quarters?"
"We discussed that with Great Black Meow. If chaos erupts inside, someone will report to him eventually. We'll peel off one of the Ten Meows to tail that person."
It wasn't a great backup—too many variables.
Still, better than nothing, so Na Mok and the others didn't press further.
Plans went awry in unpredictable ways anyway; they'd improvise when the time came.
"Understood. When do we depart?"
"In half a shichen. Any other questions?"
"..."
"Good. Prepare by then. And Deputy Leader, a word."
The meeting ended.
Jin Ga-yong opened the black box in front of the Flying Tiger he had called outside. It held ten Thunder Pearls. He pocketed two and said,
"Take the rest."
"Why me?"
"And from the right moment, you lead the unit."
"What about you, Leader?"
"Word is the boss White Horse Lantern is a top expert, and his underlings are no slouches. A Jeok-gang and I will handle them. You'll take Ye Dok-du, Na Mok, and Dan Geum to deal with the rest."
"Planning to wipe out the entire leadership in one go?"
"If the chance arises. Perfect timing with them all at the mess hall. You'll position the unit outside the building, hold off any reinforcements to buy time."
Hold them off?
Flying Tiger eyed the box of Thunder Pearls at his feet. It was a lifeline to escape. He nudged the innocent black box with his toe.
"'Hold them off' means retreat on your judgment if things go south? Using these?"
"I trust your battlefield instincts."
"Heh, what if I get ruthless and toss a few into the mess hall?"
"No need to waste extras. I've got two more. One will chain-react the rest. Enough to obliterate the whole building. Do it if you must."
"...You trying to get yourself killed?"
"Hardly. I want to live—desperately. That's why I'm handing them to you, in case I falter."
"Not thrilled. Let me lead instead—you play deputy."
"Your swordsmanship's impressive, but hardly better than mine."
"Well..."
"Don't misunderstand. Like Wang Ho-beop, I have no intention of dying with them. But if needed, act without hesitation. That's an order!"
Flying Tiger met Jin Ga-yong's gaze.
His eyes were cool and calculating, but beneath flickered a smoldering fire.
Yes, hot blood.
Fine warrior's eyes.
Flying Tiger answered crisply.
"Got it."
At the si hour, the Face Pursuit Unit ended their two-day stakeout, packed their gear, and set out for the rendezvous.
They parted ways with No Song-seo here. He would handle the unit's horses and meet them at the promised spot.
"I'll wait one shichen after the op starts. After that, it depends on the situation—no guarantees. Stragglers, pick one of the escape routes I told you and fend for yourselves. Hope to see you all again. Good luck."
No Song-seo said one shichen—two hours. Even if delayed, the op had to wrap by then. It was generous; anything longer meant total failure.
The plan was simple.
1. Infiltrate the enemy camp with the Ten Meows' help and begin operations.
1. Reach the target within two shichen and engage White Horse Lantern and the leaders.
1. Eliminate them all within one shichen.
1. Blast through the encirclement with Thunder Pearls and escape.
How simple was that?
Total estimated time: half a shichen.
A lightning raid: swoop in, sever the heads, and bolt.