Ghost Face - Chapter 289



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Chapter 74. It’s about to rain on the mountain, the pavilion is filled with wind (5)

It was a negotiation between those who had more and those who had nothing left to lose.

Biho pointed that out, and Guo Nanhui accepted it. After admitting what had to be admitted, he pounded the abacus beads again and found that it was still a good deal. Jin Ga-yong was definitely the eye of the typhoon in Shaanxi Jianghu right now. If he could just calm down that uncontrollable, fierce wind with the duel on the Yanman Plain, would his pride be the problem? That was the calculation.

The meeting that started like that lasted about an hour.

Kwak Nan-hoe was willing to give in and tolerate some things, but Bi-ho demanded more. He said, “If you do this, do that too.” So he said, “Okay, let’s do that in exchange for cutting out some small things.” In return, he insisted on doing something else instead. There was no other thief. And it was suspicious.

In the end, Kwak Nan-hoe banged the table and issued an ultimatum.

“I will cancel all the adjustments I have made so far!”

“Oh! So the negotiations have broken down?”

“No. Instead, just tell me one thing you really want, and I’ll try my best to accommodate it.”

“Hmm, this is a bit disappointing… Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it. Okay. Then please adjust the number of duelists. Three from each side, three against three. What do you think?”

In the previous duel on the Yeonman Plains, ten people were sent out at a time. This time, they were going to do the same. However, since both sides had clearly reduced their numbers compared to last time, Biho’s argument was to reflect that reality.

“Was the ultimate goal of the renegotiation to reduce the number of duelists?”

Biho neither confirmed nor denied.

Kwak Nan-hoe suggested, as if he was being generous, that ‘eight to eight’ be done, and Bi-ho reluctantly sang ‘four to four’. Then he said with a serious expression that it couldn’t go any further. However, from Kwak Nan-hoe’s perspective, he wasn’t interested in the other person’s complaints. On the contrary, he judged that Bi-ho was secretly aiming for ‘five to five’.

‘So there are five masters that you can trust and put forward on your side? Let’s see. In addition to Jin Ga-yong and Bi-ho, there’s also Shandong No-in, Hyung Woo-saeng, and Ah-hu-ra, I think? That must be the number considering the three of them who fought against Gap-jo this time.’

Now that we know our opponent’s cards, what should we do?

Kwak Nan-hoe stubbornly held onto the number ‘eight’. He said that this was a big concession. There was a sharp exchange of meaningless attacks, and in the end, she made Bi-ho say ‘five to five’ first. Then she hammered in ‘seven to seven’. Of course, Bi-ho went on a rampage, saying that it was not possible, and she was secretly pleased with herself.

“We originally planned to have ten people come out at a time, but we reduced it to seven. So I think we’ve done everything we can. But you still can’t do it? In that case, I’ll remind you that the promise I made to Team Leader Jin the day before is still valid. Run away.”

“Damn it! Miss Kwak, let’s just get this out of the way. If we’re going to throw everything away and step down now, are you really willing to take responsibility? Look me in the eye and tell me.”

As if Biho’s words had stimulated him, Kwak Nan-hoe lifted his brow and spoke with a flushed expression.

“Biho Musa, I cannot tolerate any more rudeness. I will say this only once. I have never spoken irresponsibly in my life, nor have I ever taken back words that have been spit out. Do you understand?”

“Huh. You don’t want us all to die on the Yeonman Plains?”

“… … .”

Biho spoke as if he was urging her, and his tone was extremely rough. His desperate state of mind was clearly expressed. It must be because neither one thing nor the other is going as he wants. That’s why he looks so sad, I guess.

So, Kwak Nan-hui suddenly had this thought. Did I push him too hard? Yes, even a cornered mouse will bite a cat. She calmed down and responded calmly.

“To be honest… That’s not so bad. There are many people around me who want that kind of result. But if you guys win, that’s not so bad for me either. Believe it or not, I personally support Jin Jo-jang. At this point, I also have a question. If you win the duel, what are you going to do next?”

Right. Right. Right?

Biho judged that Kwak Nan-hoe was telling the truth. The examination was complicated, but it seemed that he was not plotting another scheme. Fortunately, that was the case.

Okay. Well then… … .

Biho pretended to calm down by coughing and then responded to Kwak Nan-hoe’s words.

“Master Jin told me that he wanted to put everything on the line and put an end to this.”

“… … !”

“We will finish the duel and leave. And Prince Jin will never set foot on the island again. But in order to do that, shouldn’t he have no more attachment to this place?”

“Well, what that means is… … .”

“Please put one person on each side of the people I have nominated. If you do that, I will even accept the number ‘seven to seven.’”

“yes?”

One on each side? What does that mean?

“The biggest reason for the absurd downfall of the Yeosan Joga clan was the sudden disappearance of the elder, Sanggunbo. And later, I heard that someone had called the elder aside and killed him right before the invasion. So if I were to guess, that someone would be Hoyeonsang’s secret weapon or a hidden master of the Sajabang. Please call that person.”

“Are you sure you can handle it?”

“That’s none of your business, Jin Soja.”

“What if I can’t go because of unfavorable circumstances?”

“Do you want to leave room for foolishness?”

“Ha~ I’ll look into it. But even so, one person from each side? Are you asking me to find a warrior to join your side?”

“That’s right. As you may have noticed by now, we are short on manpower. But that’s not all. It’s also a matter of trust.”

“What on earth are you talking about… … .”

“The Great Black Cat. I entrust you with him, your left arm and the leader of the Ten Cats.”

“yes?”

“As a token of your trust, please hand him over to us.”

You want me to hand over my precious luggage?

Why would it have to be a person from the shadows?

Biho’s proposal was so unexpected that Kwak Nan-hoe looked as if it was absurd. And Jin Ga-yong was the same. What on earth is his intention? Kwak Nan-hoe asked back in bewilderment.

“Are you crazy?”

“No. Please think carefully about what I mean. It will not be a bad deal for you either.”

“A token of trust… … .”

Kwak Nan-hoe asked for some time to think after mulling it over for a moment. That was the end of the negotiations that day. The ball was now in her court.

***

“Do you think they will accept it?”

“It’s not a losing proposition, so I don’t think there’s any reason to refuse. But if you do refuse the offer, wouldn’t that have some sort of meaning?”

“That’s true. But I’m worried that we might end up making another enemy. I’m saying this because Kwak Dae-ju is not a person that can be easily taken lightly.”

“I admit it, but I think that’s why it was an issue that needed to be addressed even more.”

“Yeah, you’re right. So what do you think?”

“She’s open to both good and bad. So if my intuition is right, she probably won’t try to cross the line by force.”

“Good!”

“Yes, that’s fortunate.”

“then…….”

“Get ready. Now that we’ve gotten what we need, let’s finish it off at Yeonman Plains!”

***

That afternoon, Ilbongssangjang Mobuksan and his men left. The one-time help had long since ended, and they had only stayed for a moment to wonder how things would turn out. And now that it was a situation where it would not be strange if anything happened, they decided to return so as not to get involved any more.

Biho explained the situation first and suggested that they do so. It was regrettable that one hand was missing, but a promise was a promise. Mobuksan accepted, but it seemed that he was still uneasy about the circumstances of the remaining people. He hesitated for a moment and then asked Biho, who had come to see him off.

“Is that okay?”

“Why, if it’s not okay, would you like to lend a helping hand?”

“Ahem, well what should I do… … .”

“Haha, I’m just joking. When you go, tell Eunwol that I had a good time. And thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you for your hard work… Rather, I am grateful that I was able to avenge my brothers thanks to you. The friend who went ahead of me, Dokgyeong, will be happy too. That’s what I’m saying. I need Eunwol’s permission, but if you ask, I’ll ask. I’m sure she’ll give permission if it’s something she can do.”

“I will gladly accept your words. I am also glad to be able to repay some of the kindness that Ui and Dokgyeong have shown me. Mo-hyung, your work is done, so please go. I will take care of the rest.”

Biho never asked for help from anyone, nor did he bow his head, even though he was in difficult circumstances. He had a clear sense of gratitude and resentment, and he did not waste his passion, but when he decided to give, he did so more deeply than anyone else.

It was because such a temperament caught his eye. Mobuksan inwardly admired him, saying, “He is untangled like the wind and clouds, and creates incalculable harmony. Isn’t he truly a man of wind and clouds?” Only then did he understand Eunwol’s high regard for Biho. So he gave up trying to seduce Biho. Instead, he politely gave him a lottery ticket and said goodbye.

“Biho Musa, it was a short time, but it was fun being with you. I wish you good luck.”

***

The revenge that Mobuksan spoke of was the story of the deaths of the Seogukdang brothers, including Dokgyeong. And the target of revenge was Chang’an Haomen and their vassal, Cheolgeolgae Weinan Guo.

They were rivals of the Western Party in terms of information system, and had colluded with Hoyeonsang. And when Hoyeonsang wanted to attack the Western Party because of its ties to Jo Gajang, they were the ones who took the lead in making a fuss. They used their power to eliminate their rivals by force.

And this time, following Hoyeonsang’s orders, Gapjo was mobilized to eliminate Jin Ga-yong and Bi-ho. Weinan-guk, who had decided to become Hoyeonsang’s loyal dog, personally led more disciples than any other sect that had lined up with Hoyeonsang. It was at Guojeotan.

However, they were suddenly attacked by an unidentified group. Haomun was defeated and scattered without even being able to properly fight them. So Weinanguo fled in a panic, accompanied by a few guards. Mobuksan pursued them viciously and eventually achieved the feat of cutting down Weinanguo’s head.

So, when Mobuksan looks back, isn’t it all thanks to Biho?

Originally, Eunwol had no plans for revenge. It was a minor issue in the big picture he had drawn, so he did not want to cause unnecessary trouble. However, Biho tricked Eunwol into sending him and his men away, and in the end, he made Ui and Dokyeong take revenge with their own hands. Of course, Biho did not calculate all of this. However, it was clear that this was the result of a single coin that Biho received as a bribe from Eunwol.

This was the reason why Mobuksan was impressed and delighted by Biho, recalling ‘The Wind and Cloud Harmony’.

Episode 290