Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Chapter 24. Blitzkrieg (5)
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"The enemy bandits have sneaked in to raid the secret vault. Search every inch around!"
A shout like that sent chills through the hearts of the six Ten Cats, including the Great Black Cat, who had hidden themselves in various spots around Dongmyeong Gate.
Was it because they'd sat around waiting for so long?
But who had gotten their tail stepped on?
It wasn't something they could figure out right now, and that wasn't the pressing issue anyway.
The Ten Cats looked to their leader, the Great Black Cat, in panic, and he had to make a snap decision.
The plan's failed. If we're retreating, it has to be now!
The Great Black Cat shed his camouflage netting and leaped out. He let out a long whistle—the agreed signal—and at the same time, charged at the bandits nearby.
That was the cue. The other Ten Cats burst from their positions, swinging their blades wildly at the nearest bandits.
The slashes from these elite assassins, trained in professional killing arts, were ferocious. All the more so since they were ambushing with full intent.
In an instant, five bandits crumpled, spurting blood, while the rest scattered in every direction, yelling chaotically.
"Enemies!"
"The enemies are after the secret vault!"
...
The Great Black Cat, who had temporarily seized control of Dongmyeong Gate's ramparts, glared at the fleeing bandits with savage eyes. His gut twisted with frustration.
The target was right under his feet...
But the element of surprise was gone.
Soon, every eye in the fortress would turn their way. Days of meticulous preparation had gone up in smoke.
Damn it, how did things go so wrong?
Suppressing his rising fury, the Great Black Cat issued cold orders to his men.
"We're pulling back. Break through to the outside in a straight line, then scatter and regroup at the designated spot."
"Yes, sir."
"Let's go."
The six Ten Cats leaped from the ramparts and began their escape.
They had entered the fortress full of grand ambitions, only to flee empty-handed like chased rats.
And soon after, amid the clamor of ringing bells, the Yellow Turban Unit's stronghold erupted in even greater chaos than before.
They were truly enraged.
What kind of brazen thieves would sneak into another thief's den to steal the loot they'd painstakingly plundered and extorted? How could they not be furious?
Thus, the moment the situation was confirmed, the Yellow Turban Unit formed a pursuit squad. Considering the severity, they even dispatched a full fifty mounted men.
It had been barely a quarter of an hour since the Ten Cats fled—an exceptionally swift response.
Dudududu—
Some felt hollow, others burned with rage—and those watching from hiding cheered inwardly.
"Our deputy chief sure knows how to handle business properly. Heh heh heh, that must taste sweet."
"Tch, but seeing them like that makes me feel a bit sorry anyway."
"What nonsense is that? Weren't you whining about how infuriating they were just a minute ago?"
"Infuriating, sure. But if you look at it broadly, we're all on the same side..."
"How can you be such a pushover? They should've kept their schemes to themselves. They're just getting a taste of their own medicine—what's the problem?"
Na Mok felt uneasy, and Ye Dok-du scolded him for it.
Jin Ga-yong, overhearing their exchange from the corner, gave a wry smile. It reminded him of what Flying Tiger had said.
"...Using what's available to use isn't a crime, right? If anything, it's clever enough to deserve praise. Of course it is. Don't you think so, Chief Jin?"
Flying Tiger seemed quite taken with the Ten Cats' planned approach.
So he proposed this:
Make the Ten Cats flee in the opposite direction, then use the resulting chaos to strike at their leadership!
The Seven and Eight Cats would fire signal arrows to draw eyes, but following Flying Tiger's plan would multiply the effect several times over.
Yet the idea had its excesses. It went beyond turning their scheme against them—it could lead to many Ten Cats dying in the escape.
And the ones who might die belonged to Jin Ga-yong's superior, Pursuit Squad Leader Gwak Nan-hoe.
Still, the fiercer the Ten Cats fought, the less pressure it took off Jeong Unit's own battle.
Besides, in a desperate fight like this with no retreat, nothing matters more than the team's morale. If a commander passes up even a sliver of a chance to boost survival odds, who would gladly risk their life on his orders? For morale alone, I have to accept this.
That was why Jin Ga-yong had embraced Flying Tiger's proposal on the spot.
And speaking of... Heh, what a playful trick.
That was the reason for Jin Ga-yong's satisfied grin.
Thus, Flying Tiger had volunteered to head to Dongmyeong Gate—and it was none other than he who had shouted, "The enemy bandits have sneaked in to raid the secret vault!" to spook the Ten Cats.
But in truth, those startled by his cry weren't just the Ten Cats; the bandits on patrol nearby had jumped too.
So the bandits had whipped their heads around, trying to spot who'd yelled. The sudden voice was suspicious, and they needed the source to grasp the full picture.
But then the Great Black Cat and his Ten Cats panicked on their own and came charging out, unleashing a bloodbath. In the chaos, the question of who'd shouted first was quickly forgotten.
Jin Ga-yong and Wang Baek-gun locked eyes and nodded in unison.
The moment had arrived.
With extra forces rushing out the gates and the eastern sector in uproar, the bandits' lair was in pandemonium—perfect timing for their do-or-die gamble!
"Everyone, gather up."
At Jin Ga-yong's words, Jeong Unit's members drew close, while Four Cat sat idly in the corner, watching blankly.
Wang Baek-gun clicked his tongue softly and called out.
"What are you just staring at? Get over here."
"Me?"
"Didn't you hear the chief? Let's stick together and make this work."
"Ah! But I was thinking of parting ways with you all around here..."
"No. You're coming with us."
"Gasp! All the way where?"
Wang Baek-gun answered kindly.
"To the bitter end, dead or alive."
"......"
"Just like Guardian Wang says. I guarantee it'll be for your own good in every way."
Jin Ga-yong added his persuasion, his tone calm but his words heavy.
At least, that's how it sounded to Four Cat.
From the vibe, refusing here might lead to something unpleasant from these guys right away.
"...Yes, sir."
Four Cat shuffled over with limp steps and squeezed into the group. Whether Na Mok was oblivious or mocking, he welcomed him warmly, saying let's fight well together.
Thus, excluding the departed Flying Tiger, Jeong Unit's six warriors plus the newcomer Four Cat—seven in total—huddled heads in a circle.
Jin Ga-yong declared their sortie with fierce, blazing eyes.
"From this moment, we go to take the heads of the Yellow Turban Unit's leaders, starting with White Horse Deng."
"Yes, sir!"
"Full-speed breakthrough. No matter what happens midway, unless I order otherwise, do not slow or turn your steps."
"Yes, sir!"
"Today, I stake my life and death with you all. Trust me, and trust the comrades beside you."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Today, let's show the martial world that righteousness lives on. With our blood and sweat!"
Jin Ga-yong's words ignited the team's fighting spirit.
"Yes, sir!"
"May fortune favor us."
May fortune favor us...
Chanting it like a mantra, Face Pursuit Unit Jeong set out to end their long journey.
Jeong Unit aimed to punch through the left of the inner wall's two gates—West Dark Gate—and drive straight to the heart of the inner fortress.
(*For reference, the underground secret vault targeted by the Great Black Cat lay beneath Dongmyeong Gate on the right.)
There was no other way to slip into the inner fortress without the gates, but they had no intention of seeking one. The Yellow Turban stronghold wasn't vast; from West Dark Gate, any inner building was a quick dash away—a quarter hour at most.
The calculation was that maintaining speed would get them to the target before enemies could swarm.
The streets were deserted.
Many had rushed out the gates, and with the commotion in the eastern sector, crowds had flocked there.
Even so, it wasn't utterly empty—but the seven intruders ignored the occasional signs of life and pressed on swiftly. Recent influxes of outsiders for relocation made it feasible.
They moved as inconspicuously as possible, yet kept their strides natural enough to pass as travelers at a glance.
They'd soon be bloodied, but delaying that moment even slightly was worth it.
The group followed the plain gray walls, crossed a main avenue, and slipped into a narrow alley.
According to Four Cat, crossing this labyrinthine alley would bring them to their first target: West Dark Gate.
"No trouble so far—feels like luck's on our side today, huh?"
Ye Dok-du relaxed his tense muscles and joked. The alley depths were empty, so it seemed smooth sailing.
But his giddiness was premature.
Clunk.
Suddenly, a side door behind a building swung open, and a head poked out!
"Why's it so noisy? You bastards skipping watch again to sneak in after gambling...? Huh? Who're you?"
From his words, he'd mistaken Jeong Unit for his fellow bandits.
Muttering irritably as he peeked through the door, the bandit locked eyes with Ye Dok-du of all people. Both flinched.
Who?
The startled Ye Dok-du answered with a gauntleted fist smashing into the bandit's skull.
Crack.
The bandit's head snapped back as he toppled, flinging the door wide open.
"Jeok-gang!"
Jin Ga-yong grasped the situation at a glance and called urgently.
A Jeok-gang moved like lightning. Shoving Ye Dok-du aside with his left hand, he drew the hand axe from his belt with the right and vaulted inside.
Jin Ga-yong pointed next to Dan-geum and Na Mok in turn; they hurriedly followed A Jeok-gang into the building.
Jin Ga-yong himself grabbed Four Cat and circled quickly to the front.
Tat tat tat.
A burst of clamor erupted from within.
The instant Jin Ga-yong rounded the corner, a bandit stumbled out the front door, his upper body soaked in blood, trying to flee.
"Four Cat, check the surroundings."
Jin Ga-yong drew throwing stars from his bosom and ordered. With his left hand, he hurled one while kicking off into a dash.
Whirr~
The star buried into the fleeing bandit's thigh, crippling his mobility. Jin Ga-yong closed in and severed his will to resist with a single stroke.
Slash.
Jin Ga-yong's blade rang crisp, carrying exactly the weight to claim one life—neither too much nor too little.