I Became an Outcast the Martial Arts Masters are Obsessed With – Chapter 44

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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Haap!

Young Tang Do-gyeong diligently practiced the fist and palm techniques.

The Tang Family Eight Fists that Tang Do-gyeong knew well.

Following that were the Poison Forty-Two Leg Techniques, and lastly, the Seven Soul Palm Technique, which he was only imitating the form of.

Tang Do-gyeong looked at his younger self and then around him.

Endless identical buildings stretched out.

Tang’s family members lived in buildings with the same structure.

It was a form of equal treatment.

A large school building could be seen in the distance among these identical buildings.

At some point, his father, Tang Moon-gi, appeared to be practicing fist techniques alongside him.

‘Father.’

Both Tang Moon-gi and young Tang Do-gyeong wore truly bright smiles.

Tang Do-gyeong smiled, too.

Time passed.

Tang Do-gyeong continued practicing fist and palm techniques in the same place.

However, Tang Moon-gi no longer practiced fist techniques.

He just stood there.

Tang Do-gyeong knew.

His father had truly given up fist techniques after losing to the direct line because he no longer wanted to cause discord in the Tang family.

Now that there were no more worthy opponents in Sacheon, fist, and palm techniques, which were more versatile and effortless to subdue people with, had become more helpful in managing the Tang family’s territory than assassination techniques and poison techniques full of skills meant to kill people.

It had become a situation where the tradition of the Tang family, which had developed and maintained assassination techniques and poison techniques for hundreds of years, could be overturned.

It was those who used fist and palm techniques who gained honorary titles.

In contrast, those who trained only in assassination and poison techniques as part of the direct line were just stuck in the Tang family compound, unable to make a name for themselves in the world and only training in martial arts.

It was just that there were no worthy opponents, so there was no place for the Tang family’s assassination and poison techniques to be used.

It wasn’t because the Tang family’s fist and palm techniques were superior, but simply because it was an environment where fist and palm techniques could be active that his father had gained an excellent reputation and was active.

He knew.

His father had chosen to challenge the direct line to quell the widespread discontent of the branch family and to clearly demonstrate what the Tang family’s prominent martial arts were and how strong those main martial arts were.

At first, it was just youthful recklessness.

Having trained in fist techniques with his father, he thought that even though his father had been defeated, he, Tang Do-gyeong, would prove that his fist techniques were not wrong.

As the child grew, times changed.

The Tang family was originally one family; although there had been conflicts between the direct and branch lines, it wasn’t a conflict that couldn’t be resolved.

As the Tang family’s territory stabilized and some branch members became part of the martial line, the money from the expanded territory became the driving force for even direct line members to throw expensive, non-lethal hidden weapons and make a name for themselves.

From then on, that resentment towards the Tang family grew in Tang Do-gyeong.

While that day’s memory was vivid for Tang Do-gyeong, everyone else seemed to have forgotten and was just smiling.

His father had become a merchant of the Tang family as part of the martial line, and the fist techniques remained the same.

The wealthy Tang family developed new hidden weapons every day, and everyone was busy training in hidden weapon techniques while laughing over the newly produced hidden weapons.

‘I will create a fist technique that represents the Tang family.’

The young Tang Do-gyeong made such a vow.

It was then that he felt the limitations of the Tang family’s fist and palm techniques, and it was then that he completely shook off the hidden weapons he had trained in for a long time.

Thus, the young man set out into the martial world.

Sacheon was soon in an uproar as the Tang family’s young member, who wasn’t even of age, went around stirring things up everywhere.

Tang Do-gyeong received many scoldings but didn’t care.

Because the duels developed Tang Do-gyeong’s martial arts.

Unsatisfied with the Tang family’s fist and palm techniques, Tang Do-gyeong created new martial arts through actual combat.

Young Tang Do-gyeong rushed out at every opportunity, and thus Tang Do-gyeong grew and even earned the nickname “Fighting Dog.”

‘A plant with weak roots.’

Tang Do-gyeong questioned whether he was a weak plant.

No, that wasn’t the case.

Tang Do-gyeong was sufficiently strong.

At this age, being at the transcendent level was an achievement that only a few talented individuals from the Nine Great Sects or Five Great Clans could accomplish.

Honestly, were the Tang family’s fist and palm techniques insufficient?

No.

Objectively speaking, the Tang family’s fist and palm techniques were sufficiently powerful martial arts.

They just paled in comparison to the hidden weapon techniques and poison techniques that deserved to be called the best in the world.

‘Haha, in the end, my roots were in the Tang family.’

Even the Fierce Tiger Fist technique was just a fist technique focused on strength.

The Tang Family Eight Fists lacked the subtleties corresponding to “strength.” It didn’t match well with hidden weapon techniques that required delicate hand skills.

Young Tang Do-gyeong became the young adult Tang Do-gyeong and stubbornly kept unleashing only robust fist techniques with his eyes wide open.

As he watched himself smile with satisfaction at the fierce power, Tang Do-gyeong felt that everything else had disappeared.

Only the arrogantly smiling Tang Do-gyeong remained.

The Tang family compound, the numerous people in it, and his father had been silently waiting for him with worried eyes.

Tang Do-gi, who had scolded and waited for him; Tang Do-yeon, who had shed tears; Tang Do-yul, who had silently clenched his fists; and even Tang Rye-ah, who always cheered for her brother as the best – all were gone.

Tang Do-gyeong was gone with one blink, and only a withering tree remained.

An unsightly tree with a rotten exterior and a dry interior.

“Is this truly the scenery I desired?”

It wasn’t.

Tang Do-gyeong imagined the scenery he had wanted.

Young Tang Do-gyeong practicing fist techniques appeared.

His father was beside him.

Tang Do-gyeong smiled wryly.

His father practicing the Fierce Tiger Fist technique alongside his young self was an impossible scene, but…

That was precisely what Tang Do-gyeong had desired.

Tang Do-gyeong slowly, very slowly moved his body.

The single fist (一拳) thrust toward the void was no longer the Tang Family Eight Fists, nor was it the Fierce Tiger Fist technique.

The family was precious.

However, the Fierce Tiger Fist technique he cultivated his entire life was also precious.

Born as a member of the Tang family, he had stubbornly avoided hidden weapons and trained in fist techniques.

But that fist, that Fierce Tiger Fist technique, was Tang Do-gyeong himself as a martial artist.

The roots of the Tang Family Eight Fists and the trunk of the Fierce Tiger Fist technique began to interlock.

Behind Tang Do-gyeong, who was now displaying a fist technique that could no longer be called anything specific, a tree that had finally gained roots began to shed its rotten bark and fill its dried interior anew.

It started to grow little by little into a great tree.

“Senior, Senior, wake up!”

I woke up as Black Cat burst into my room and shook my body.

My head was throbbing, my body was aching, and my physical condition was terrible.

Was this what they call a hangover?

“Tang Do-gyeong has gained enlightenment!”

“What?!”

I jumped up from my seat.

My legs were shaky, but as I staggered outside, I saw the outcasts surrounding Tang Do-gyeong.

Looking at Tang Do-gyeong, who had fallen into enlightenment in the center of the first floor, my head became confused.

Why had Tang Do-gyeong, who had been holed up in his room, come outside?

Did he perhaps gain enlightenment while trying to sneak away at dawn?

This isn’t right.

My body had no strength at all, and my head was throbbing, so I couldn’t think straight, but…

Anyway, there was something I had to do.

I gathered the necessary items and approached Tang Do-gyeong.

The outcasts who had been standing guard initially tried to stop me.

“Move aside.”

“Brother Ho, you know well that touching someone during enlightenment can be dangerous or break the enlightenment.”

“I know that. But this is necessary right now.”

The outcasts hesitated but then made way.

They probably knew well that I had no reason to do anything harmful to Tang Do-gyeong.

I set up a table in front and laid out all the prepared items.

Then, I began to demonstrate gambling techniques one by one.

‘I was small.’

As he displayed and established the fist technique that had transformed into something unnameable, Tang Do-gyeong lamented.

It had indeed been an ambition as small as a millet seed.

What had he been trying to do with a heart that couldn’t even fully contain Tang Do-gyeong himself?

From now on, the Tang family elders would continue to worry.

From their perspective, Tang Do-gyeong, who kept poking at wounds that had just been healed, must have looked like a child playing with a torch in front of a powder keg.

Yes, that was right.

Tang Do-gyeong had been just like a child.

If Tang Do-gyeong, holding a torch in front of the powder keg, had not been a child but a great person and hero that anyone could trust, what would the elders have said even if he held the torch?

So they tried to suppress him, tried to take away the torch.

Walking the path of fist techniques in the Tang family was not an easy task.

But had he tackled it in childhood because it seemed easy?

Had he thought it would be easy as he grew up and saw the Tang family?

Instead, the young Tang Do-gyeong had been a great person.

The ambition to create a representative fist technique of the Tang family, and thus to train in fist techniques alongside his father, had only grown smaller as time passed, the Tang family changed, and Tang Do-gyeong grew up.

He had become a small soldier obsessed with creating and holding onto one measly martial art.

As the difficulties of reality reduced the size of his dream, only something unrecognizably petty remained.

He had indeed been nothing more than a twisted tree with a rotten exterior and a dry interior.

A single dead tree remained on a desolate hill that had cut off even its own roots.

‘I rejected hidden weapon techniques.’

Tang Do-gyeong knew.

No, everyone surrounding Tang Do-gyeong in the Tang family knew.

Tang Do-gyeong possessed a very, very exceptional talent.

His innate martial qualities shone in fist techniques.

Still befitting a child of the Tang family, Tang Do-gyeong’s talent was specialized in hidden weapon techniques.

A young child throws hidden weapons and accurately extracts cards inside someone’s clothes.

It was an extraordinary talent, even for someone from the Tang family.

Fist techniques were fist techniques, and hidden weapon techniques were hidden weapon techniques.

The reason he didn’t utilize the hidden weapon techniques he had learned, the reason he stopped training in hidden weapon techniques, the reason he shook off the hidden weapons from his body lest his hands might reach for them.

It was because the image of hidden weapon techniques surpassing the realm of fist and palm techniques was clearly drawn in his mind.

Tang Do-gyeong had to be a master of fist and palm techniques and had to create a fist technique that would represent the Tang family.

Young Tang Do-gyeong’s appearance changed once again.

The notable difference from before was perhaps the belt full of hidden weapons that had appeared around his waist and in his arms.

‘If I decided to become a great tree, what reason is there not to embrace it?’

Hidden weapon techniques blended into Tang Do-gyeong’s fist techniques.

Tang Do-gyeong observed himself and thought.

Isn’t this a compromise?

Hadn’t he said in childhood that he would stand tall with fist and palm techniques?

Was adding hidden weapon techniques now indeed the right choice?

‘I am Tang Do-gyeong.’

A Tang family member and, at the same time, Do-gyeong.

That was precisely the person (人) Tang Do-gyeong, created by the Tang surname and Do-gyeong leaning on each other.

Had it been his own merit that had brought Tang Do-gyeong to where he was now?

Tang Do-gyeong had said he acted without violating righteousness, but he knew.

Although he hadn’t crossed the line as a righteous faction, what courtesy was there in actions that forced duels?

And what about the grudges that arose from victories and defeats?

He must have incurred numerous grudges, and the family elders, including Tang Do-gi, had resolved those grudges.

And the money for his dueling activities?

The hundred taels of gold he had prepared for the bet with Ho Cheon-an?

It had all been support from the family.

He had thought he existed independently, but Tang Do-gyeong was just a tree in a forest.

The forest that had protected Tang Do-gyeong, who had been a boy, and Tang Do-gyeong, who continued to act wildly, even as a young man, from outside storms.

A forest grew in his inner self.

So many trees appeared that they couldn’t be counted at a glance.

Looking at that forest, Tang Do-gyeong smiled wryly.

With so much to embrace now, how could it be a compromise?

He had simply grown larger.

It was Tang Do-gyeong who had learned hidden weapons as a descendant of the Tang family, and it was also Tang Do-gyeong who had learned fist techniques, shocked by his father’s defeat in childhood.

The current Tang Do-gyeong, displaying martial arts somewhere between the Tang Family Eight Fists and the Fierce Tiger Fist technique, was also Tang Do-gyeong.

A fist technique representing the Tang family?

That was small.

He would create martial arts representing the Tang family.

He would stand tall as Tang Do-gyeong, the son of Tang Moon-gi. He would also stand tall as Tang Do-gyeong, a blood relative of the Tang family.

He would become Tang Do-gyeong of the Sacheon Tang family, a proud son of Tang Moon-gi who could be presented anywhere without shame.

Thinking and resolving this, Tang Do-gyeong moved his body.

‘It’s lacking.’

Tang Do-gyeong felt regret.

His young self had somehow come to a standstill.

The new fist technique formula that blended the Tang Family’s Eight Fists and the Fierce Tiger Fist technique achieved satisfactory results.

The martial art that combined the trunk and roots was born sturdy, creating eight new forms.

Two pillars constitute Tang Do-gyeong as a person and as a martial art.

The composition of the Tang family, represented by the Tang Family Eight Fists, and the composition of Do-gyeong, represented by the Fierce Tiger Fist technique com, combined to create a solid single stroke (一) in terms of fist techniques, but…

The pillar that should have been created in the hidden weapon section was far too lacking.

Because all he had was the weak hidden weapon techniques he had learned as a child of the Tang family.

‘I’m paying the price for neglecting hidden weapon techniques while living as Do-gyeong.’

Tang Do-gyeong smiled bitterly.’

It was inevitable since he had so thoroughly avoided hidden weapon techniques such as Do-gyeong.

That’s when it happened.

Two hands appeared in Tang Do-gyeong’s inner world.

‘Ah.’

Tang Do-gyeong knew who those hands belonged to from their familiar movements. It was Ho Cheon-an, whom Tang Do-gyeong called Brother Ya.

‘Brother Ya.’

Slowly and instinctively, Tang Do-gyeong began to follow those hand movements.

Gambling and hidden weapon techniques clearly differed but shared a few common denominators.

Hand skills. Deception. And secrecy.

Tang Do-gyeong gradually understood Ho Cheon-an’s techniques. It was possible because they were indeed techniques meant to be shown.

How the dice that hadn’t actually moved inside the cup created such an illusion through specific hand movements.

Through this process, the domino that seemed to be one became two.

How did the pips on the dice change with the movements of the fingertips?

Tang Do-gyeong’s exceptional innate talent for hidden weapon techniques began to mesh with Ho Cheon-an’s gambling technique, which had reached a godly level.

Of course, the result of the hidden weapon techniques that Tang Do-gyeong, who only had the basics and talent for hidden weapon techniques, could extract from gambling techniques that only shared a few commonalities with hidden weapon techniques, despite being at a godly level, was not that impressive.

However, even that much was enough.

Although short and weak, another single stroke (一) that could support the large and thick pillar of fist techniques had been created.

‘Ha.’

Tang Do-gyeong smiled wryly. He gazed at the two giant hands that had filled in the lacking part of Do-gyeong.

‘It seems Brother Ya already knew what this Tang Do-gyeong needed.’

Looking at the two hands still repeating the techniques, Tang Do-gyeong felt joyful.

Was this fate? Who would have thought that a fighting mad dog who had lost his purpose and become blind would meet an outcast and change like this?

He turned his gaze downward.

He saw the tree called Tang Do-gyeong, which had grown considerably in the meantime.

Below that tree, a brightly smiling Tang Do-gyeong threw punches and hidden weapons.

He turned his gaze to the side.

There were numerous trees. Below those trees were familiar figures.

There was his father, Tang Moon-gi, and Tang Do-gi, who had always rushed around cleaning up his messes.

There was Tang Do-yeon, who had shed tears for him, and Tang Do-yul, who had scolded him.

There was also the classmate who had stolen his Tang badge in childhood and the adorable younger sister, Tang Rye-ah, who seemed like she could be put in his eye without hurting.

And there were all the many blood relatives of the Sacheon Tang family he had seen.

They were all looking at Tang Do-gyeong.

They nodded and laughed heartily as they looked at the young Tang Do-gyeong’s eyes filled with discontent.

One fist.

All the trees.

Everyone in the Sacheon Tang family threw a single fist.

As Tang Do-gyeong displayed eight fist technique forms, he thought about what he should name this martial art: hidden weapon techniques and fist techniques.

All the trees of the Tang family threw hidden weapons faster than Tang Do-gyeong.

Tang Do-gyeong laughed heartily as he followed those movements. Yes, in hidden weapon techniques, this Tang Do-gyeong would be behind any person in the Sacheon Tang family.

The three hidden weapon technique forms he had barely created unfolded in Tang Do-gyeong’s hands.

It was a martial art that was only a barely learning single character, but Tang Do-gyeong wasn’t worried. He could just fill it in by learning and experiencing from now on.

‘Tang Family Fierce Tiger Dark Dragon Fighting Technique (唐家猛虎暗龍鬪法).’

It might have been a careless name that was just a string of words, but Tang Do-gyeong was satisfied.

‘It’s a martial art I created. If I’m satisfied, that’s enough.’

He opened his eyes.

He saw Ho Cheon-an moving his hands and the outcasts standing guard.

The rest of the outcasts were also watching Tang Do-gyeong intently without making a sound so as not to disturb him, and he saw Black Cat eating popped rice while perched on the stairs.

Tang Do-gyeong made a fist salute.

“I am grateful for everyone’s kindness.”

“You’ve achieved something!”

“Congratulations, Hero Tang!”

Only then did the outcasts respond with fist salutes, confirming that the enlightenment had been fully digested.

Tang Do-gyeong’s gaze passed over Black Cat, who was feigning innocence, and reached Ho Cheon-an.

Ho Cheon-an took out the Blood Jade Plaque and a hundred-tael gold note and said:

“The match?”

“Alright.”

Ho Cheon-an casually threw the dice into the air.

Both hands holding the cups turned upside down so the insides were visible.

Tang Do-gyeong, feeling somehow amused,

Gazed at Ho Cheon-an’s hands rather than the dice or cups.

Tang Do-gyeong picked up one cup.

Ho Cheon-an smiled and knocked over the remaining cups.

“Oh…!”

“Finally!”

Along with the outcasts’ exclamations, the cup Tang Do-gyeong opened contained a die with the number 1 facing up.

Ho Cheon-an placed the note, the Blood Jade Plaque,

And the domino on Tang Do-gyeong’s hand.

“Brother Ya, this is…”

“You’ll need it soon.”

Ho Cheon-an slumped into the chair next to him.

He had no strength left after displaying gambling techniques for nearly two hours in a situation where his whole body ached as if he had been beaten.

“Go. There’s not much time left.”

“…I see.”

Tang Do-gyeong answered, feeling the energy outside the window.

His deepened internal energy and sharpened senses detected the presence of Tang family members approaching outside the Outcast Inn.

[Keep it a secret.]

Tang Do-gyeong nodded at Black Cat’s words of caution.

Although she was a woman who had used rough methods on Ho Cheon-an, she seemed to care for Ho Cheon-an in her own way…

He desperately wanted to give Ho Cheon-an a gratitude plaque.

Still remembering Black Cat’s words from before he entered enlightenment, Tang Do-gyeong exercised patience to suppress that impulse and made a fist salute toward Ho Cheon-an.

“Truly, truly… I am greatly indebted.”

“Go.”

With a final look at Ho Cheon-an, who was weakly waving his hand, Tang Do-gyeong looked around at the outcasts, making fist salutes towards him.

“Thank you, everyone. This Tang will not forget today’s events.”

“Take care, Hero!”

“Get along well with your family!”

Leaving behind the noisy farewells, Tang Do-gyeong left the Outcast Inn.

“Brother Do-gyeong!”

“Do-gyeong!”

Tang Do-gi restrained the two, who looked like they might rush in at any moment, and asked:

“Tang Do-gyeong. Do you intend to cancel your declaration to cut ties?”

Tang Do-gyeong was about to answer but then just smiled faintly. “You’ll need it soon.” Was this what he meant?

Swish!

Tang Do-gi’s eyes widened. Had Tang Do-gyeong suddenly… thrown a hidden weapon? While surprised, his hand moved reflexively at the same time. Was it a domino that was thrown?

Just as he was about to move his hand to catch it, the domino split into three.

No, the domino had been three from the beginning. It had just been thrown to look like one.

Clatter!

All three dominoes were caught in Tang Do-gi’s hand, but Tang Do-gi’s eyes were wide open.

“The Three Rings Hidden Weapon…? How did you learn such a technique?”

“I’m sorry, Uncle. And to everyone in the Sacheon Tang family.”

Tang Do-gyeong knelt down.

“Although I’m a sinner who spoke the insolent words of cutting ties, I beg for forgiveness. I’ve only just realized that Do-gyeong exists because of the Tang family. Although this Do-gyeong is still lacking, I want to try my best as a member of the Sacheon Tang family.”

“Brother!”

“Do-gyeong!!”

The two rushed to the kneeling Tang Do-gyeong and hugged him. Tang Do-gyeong smiled bitterly. What had he done to these blood relatives who were so happy?

Tang Do-gi approached and placed his hand on Tang Do-gyeong’s shoulder.

“Do you intend to challenge hidden weapon techniques again?”

“Yes. I’ve just realized that I’m not just Do-gyeong, but Tang Do-gyeong. I won’t reject hidden weapons anymore. However, I haven’t given up on fist techniques either.”

“Haha…”

“I’ve just decided to create the Tang family’s best martial art instead of the Tang family’s best fist technique.”

Tang Do-gi let out a wry laugh at Tang Do-gyeong’s absurd declaration. The two who had been hugging him happily also opened their eyes wide.

“Alright. I’ll watch you closely.”

Tang Do-gi turned around.

“We have a long way to go. The Tang family compound must already be in an uproar because of you. It won’t be easy to resolve.”

“Brother! I’ll help, so don’t worry!”

“You fool, what are you doing! The sooner we arrive, the easier it will be to sort things out!”

Tang Do-gyeong smiled as he watched the two urging him on.

As they set off, Tang Do-gyeong felt a mix of emotions.

He was returning to the family he had almost abandoned, armed with new understanding and resolve.

The path ahead would not be easy, but he was no longer alone. With the support of his family and the new perspective he had gained, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The group approached the Tang family compound, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.

Behind them, the Outcast Inn stood quiet, its occupants still processing the events unfolding.

Inside, Ho Cheon-an remained slumped in his chair, exhausted but satisfied.

He had played his part, though the outcome had been uncertain until the very end.

As he watched Tang Do-gyeong leave, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment mixed with a tinge of sadness.

Black Cat approached Ho Cheon-an, her expression unreadable. “Well, Senior, it seems your plan worked out in the end.”

Ho Cheon-an nodded weakly. “It did, didn’t it? Though I’m not sure I can take all the credit.”

“Oh? And who else should get the credit?” Black Cat asked a hint of amusement in her voice.

Ho Cheon-an smiled faintly. “Sometimes, people just need a little push in the right direction. Tang Do-gyeong found his own path in the end.”

As the excitement of the morning’s events faded, the outcasts started to disperse, returning to their usual routines.

Yet there was a sense that something had changed, not just for Tang Do-gyeong, but for all of them.

Yu Sa-yeon approached Ho Cheon-an and Black Cat, her expression a mix of relief and exasperation. “I hope you’re satisfied with the chaos you’ve caused,” she said, though her voice had no real anger.

Ho Cheon-an chuckled. “Chaos? I prefer to think of it as… facilitating personal growth.”

Yu Sa-yeon rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile.

“Just try not to ‘facilitate’ too much growth in the future. My inn can only handle so much excitement.”

As the morning wore on, life at the Outcast Inn began to return to normal.

But things would never be quite the same for Ho Cheon-an, Black Cat, and the others who had witnessed Tang Do-gyeong’s transformation.

The events of the past few days had shown them all that change was possible, that even the most stubborn hearts could be opened, and that sometimes, the most remarkable growth came from the most unexpected places.

As Ho Cheon-an finally allowed himself to rest, he couldn’t help but wonder what new adventures and challenges lay ahead.

But for now, he was content to have played his part in Tang Do-gyeong’s journey and perhaps learned something about himself along the way.

The story of Tang Do-gyeong’s enlightenment and return to his family would be told and retold in the Outcast Inn for years to come.

And though Ho Cheon-an’s role in it all would remain a secret, he knew he had been part of something extraordinary.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its warm light over Sacheon, Ho Cheon-an closed his eyes, allowing himself a moment of peace.

Whatever the future held, he felt ready to face it, armed with the knowledge that even the most unlikely of allies could be found in the most unexpected of places.

And so, another chapter in the life of the Outcast Inn came to a close, leaving its inhabitants forever changed by the events that had unfolded within its walls.

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