They agreed the first night, and at first light the next morning they set out.
After all, Old Abacus's reasoning made sense: the money to buy that life had already been paid, so they had to hurry and take that life back.
The longer they dawdled, the more the Ghost-Path’s reputation would be trampled.
Of course, moving too fast was also bad.
If they acted without giving the other side time to fear them, without leaving any time to summon people, it wouldn’t be as satisfying.
Seven days was best — enough for the news to spread, enough for the other side to scramble for answers, and then they could finish them off.
That way both face and substance would be kept.
But the second thing Old Abacus said surprised Hu Ma. “We have to go secretly?”
“Of course,” Old Abacus replied.
“You know how many lookouts they’ve planted along the roads, waiting for you?” he said.
“If you’re recognized, it’s not just practical trouble — your face will be ruined. You have to arrive without a sound, then at the right moment do what needs doing. That’s the fun of it.”