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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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Tang Do-gyeong’s shell game was completely different from Ho Cheon-an’s.
Swish. Swish. Swish swish!
‘He’s fast.’
Overwhelming speed.
Normally, increased speed meant loss of precision, but Tang Do-gyeong’s excellent hand techniques accurately executed the moves even at high speed.
The Feng Ying Hall Master had also been watching Ho Cheon-an’s gambling lessons from the side for a week.
The gambling that the Feng Ying Hall Master saw from Ho Cheon-an was like a slow sword, if compared to a blade.
Because it’s slow, it can be deceived.
Because it’s slow, one becomes convinced that what they saw is accurate.
Even though it can actually be faster, it’s presented as if it’s the best speed, focusing on precision to mesmerize the opponent.
And Tang Do-gyeong’s gambling, if it had to be compared, was like a standard sword.
A balanced sword with moderate speed, technique, and precision.
It may not seem to have any outstanding advantages, but in reality, the three aspects are in harmony, leading to stable gambling.
‘Actually, hand speed isn’t that important.’
Tang Do-gyeong was at the late stage of the supreme level, and Tang Guanglie was at the end of the Flower Realm.
However, the actual difference in speed they could produce wasn’t significant.
If they could dynamically move their whole body, the speed gap between the two would have widened according to their realms, but they were in a situation where they could focus all their strength on moving only their arms while seated.
Since the late stage of the supreme level wasn’t a low realm either, if they focused solely on moving their arms, it was possible to display a speed that didn’t fall behind the Flower Realm.
Tap.
The Feng Ying Hall Master swallowed his saliva.
He had lost track of Tang Do-gyeong’s shell game midway.
Had Tang Guanglie been able to follow Tang Do-gyeong’s shell game to the end?
“It’s the third one.”
Tang Do-gyeong smiled.
“That’s correct, Family Head.”
It was a three-cup game with a double payout.
Tang Guanglie was able to retrieve two secret weapons.
Receiving the Feather Needle and Butterfly Dagger, Tang Guanglie let out a hollow laugh.
They were among the worst secret weapons given to direct line members.
Tang Guanglie, understanding Tang Do-gyeong’s intention not to easily hand over secret weapons, nodded.
“Alright. Let’s end it today.”
Ten rounds passed, and the cups moved from Tang Do-gyeong to Tang Guanglie.
The Feng Ying Hall Master nodded.
While Tang Do-gyeong held the cups, Tang Guanglie guessed the correct answer five times.
‘Since he lost five secret weapons and won ten, he can be said to have gained the upper hand initially.’
As Tang Guanglie’s hands moved, Tang Do-gyeong’s eyes widened.
Although he had expected Tang Guanglie’s skills to rapidly increase after a week of special training under Ho Cheon-an’s guidance, he hadn’t anticipated that even his gambling style would change.
‘The Family Head, who only favored speed…’
The gambling method that Tang Do-gyeong remembered from Tang Guanglie was solely focused on speed.
Overwhelming speed that the opponent couldn’t even dream of keeping up with.
However, Tang Guanglie’s current shell game was completely different.
Variations in speed and control of pace.
The variations that disrupt concentration and the operation that demands focus even at a slow state to not miss the moment of maximum speed.
Previously, Tang Guanglie’s speed was also overwhelming.
His hand techniques were truly special, being the hands of the one at the pinnacle of the Tang family, which boasted an unrivaled position in the secret weapon field.
However, because of that, there was a predictable feeling.
Always consistently displaying only the highest speed, even if one lost track midway, they could sufficiently predict it.
Above all, for the sake of maximum speed, the flow inevitably became monotonous.
‘You have completely changed, Family Head.’
By varying the speed, there were abundant variables.
Yet, one couldn’t let their guard down.
Why?
Because if they were careless, they would instantly lose the die due to the speed that increased in a moment.
Tang Guanglie’s hands stopped.
“You have improved, Family Head.”
“Hoho, I put in quite a bit of effort for you over the past week.”
And to deliver a finger flick to Ho Cheon-an.
Tang Guanglie swallowed the words that had risen to his throat and stared at Tang Do-gyeong.
Today, Tang Guanglie had steeled his resolve to surpass two people.
Although Tang Do-gyeong was also a difficult opponent to overcome, Tang Guanglie’s eyes not only captured Tang Do-gyeong but also Ho Cheon-an, who was watching the duel between the two with his arms crossed.
“It’s the first one.”
“You guessed it right.”
As the confrontation continued, the Feng Ying Hall Master’s face darkened.
It was because Tang Guanglie had found the die seven out of ten times in Tang Do-gyeong’s shell game.
After Tang Guanglie’s turn ended, Ho Cheon-an clapped his hands and said,
“Since the time is already approaching noon, how about you two have a meal and then resume the match?”
“Hmm. The time has already passed by that much.”
“Hoho, that’s right. What do you say, Do-gyeong? Shall we have a meal together after a long time?”
“Haha, of course, Family Head. What about Brother Ya and the Feng Ying Hall Master?”
As the Feng Ying Hall Master hesitated to answer, Ho Cheon-an answered on his behalf.
“We can’t disturb your time together. I will have a meal with the Feng Ying Hall Master.”
After watching the two leave, the Feng Ying Hall Master let out a deep sigh.
“Sigh, what should we do, Outcast Ya? The situation is not going well.”
The secret weapons possessed by Tang Do-gyeong were much more than Tang Guanglie’s.
Considering that Tang Guanglie had to take away all of Tang Do-gyeong’s secret weapons to win, even if Tang Guanglie had the upper hand now, it was still insufficient, but he was losing…
The Feng Ying Hall Master’s worries were endless.
To make matters worse, as rumors spread that the Family Head was directly negotiating with Tang Do-gyeong, the direct line members who were pacing in front of the Family Head’s quarters were increasing one by one.
Since they had lost their secret weapons, they were naturally curious about the whereabouts of their secret weapons.
Nevertheless, Ho Cheon-an remained calm.
“No, Outcast Ya. Aren’t you worried? You’ve put in effort for a whole week!”
“Hoho, the Family Head is also bold, so why are you so worried, Feng Ying Hall Master?”
“Didn’t you also judge that the Family Head had the upper hand and set today as the deadline, Outcast Ya? Or was it a conclusion you reached due to time pressure?”
Although Tang Do-gyeong had been stalling for time by making various excuses, it was actually impossible to delay any further.
The patience of the direct line members who had their secret weapons taken had reached its limit. They were on the verge of uniting and confronting Tang Do-gyeong.
If it wasn’t resolved today, there would be trouble at the hands of the direct line members pacing in front of the Family Head’s quarters.
In response to the Feng Ying Hall Master’s urging, Ho Cheon-an just smiled.
“By the way, I have a small favor to ask of you, Hall Master. Would you be willing to listen?”
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Recently, Tang Zhang’ao had no appetite.
‘It’s time to refine the Butterfly Poison Dagger.’
The key to secret weapon techniques is secrecy.
A movement refined to the point where one can’t notice even if the secret weapon is thrown in front of them is the epitome of secret weapon techniques.
However, due to the nature of secret weapon techniques, there are bound to be some unsavory rumors attached to them.
Those rumors were about being cowardly and not righteous enough for a righteous faction.
If one launches an attack without the opponent even noticing, isn’t it ultimately an ambush even if they warn about the attack?
Even if it’s not an ambush, is it a technique befitting a martial artist of a righteous faction who should be fair and square?
They couldn’t escape from such controversies.
Proudly demonstrating one’s secret weapon techniques in public and being acknowledged for them.
It was a dream that anyone from the Tang family’s direct line, no, anyone from the Tang family, wanted to achieve.
The Tang Family Fierce Tiger Dark Dragon Fighting Technique demonstrated by Tang Do-gyeong was a martial art sufficient to awaken the dream slumbering in a corner of the hearts of the Tang family members.
The possibility to realize that dream in reality!
The reason why Tang Zhang’ao headed to the gambling table with secret weapons in hand upon hearing the news that ‘Tang Do-gyeong is replenishing secret weapons through betting’ was also because he wanted to give away a few of his secret weapons.
He hoped that the Tang Family Fierce Tiger Dark Dragon Fighting Technique would be completed as soon as possible!
The real reason why Tang Zhang’ao had a secret weapon bet with Tang Do-gyeong was an investment for the completion of the Tang Family Fierce Tiger Dark Dragon Fighting Technique.
‘Haha! I won again! Oh my! Brother, you seem to be in a very bad condition today! Wahahaha!’
However, Tang Do-gyeong’s annoying attitude, laughter, and the repeated defeats experienced by Tang Zhang’ao, who had just started learning the basics of secret weapon techniques again, made him lose his reason.
When he came to his senses, even the secret weapons hidden in his underwear for emergency use had been completely taken away!
Tang Zhang’ao let out a deep sigh and forcibly stuffed noodles into his mouth.
He had no appetite at all, but as a martial artist, he couldn’t skip meals.
“Zhang’ao!”
“What is it?”
Tang Zhang’ao frowned at his fellow disciple who suddenly poked a sore spot.
His fellow disciple, who mainly practiced poison techniques, was someone who had taken a step back from the current Tang Do-gyeong’s secret weapon situation.
“Didn’t you also have your secret weapon pouch emptied by Do-gyeong? What are you doing here alone when the Family Head has summoned Do-gyeong and is negotiating with him! The blood relatives are gathering at the Family Head’s quarters!”
“What? Is that true?”
“Yes! I heard that the Feng Ying guards are gathering those who had secret weapon bets with Tang Do-gyeong, so you should go quickly too!”
Tang Zhang’ao threw away the noodles he was eating and ran straight to the Family Head’s quarters.
Indeed, when he arrived at the Family Head’s quarters, many people had gathered.
From his perspective, they were roughly the ones who had their secret weapons taken by Tang Do-gyeong.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know the details either. But there’s a rumor that Tang Do-gyeong and the Family Head are having a bet with secret weapons at stake in the Family Head’s quarters right now.”
Ho Cheon-an, who had been coming in and out of the Family Head’s quarters for a week.
And Tang Do-gyeong, who was summoned by the Family Head a week ago.
Moreover, the Family Head’s current action of summoning Tang Do-gyeong to resolve the secret weapon betting situation.
Lastly, the fact that too much time had passed since Tang Do-gyeong was summoned for it to be a simple conversation.
“Oh, you people! It’s a matter that the Family Head is handling! Don’t spread speculative rumors and wait until the Family Head personally speaks about it!”
At someone’s shout, the Tang family members who were murmuring in front of the Family Head’s quarters shut their mouths.
Still, they couldn’t help but be curious about the current situation and the whereabouts of the secret weapons.
Their gazes were fixed on the Family Head’s quarters.
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