—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Tang Clan and the Sacheon outcasts had few points of contact.
Sacheon was a territory the Tang Clan ignored, and Sacheon outcasts tended to resolve over 90% of their requests within Sacheon.
External requests were not for [Sacheon outcasts] but simply for outcasts, and such outcasts were plentiful outside Sacheon.
Even though they were in the same Sacheon, they were like a cow and a chicken to each other.
“[That outcast] won against Tang Do-gyeong in a bet?”
“Wasn’t that guy terrible at gambling?”
“I heard he even goes out to gamble after losing everything in the inn.”
“Yeah, he was caught more than once or twice for clumsily using techniques.”
I can hear everything, you bastards.
To maintain anonymity from Tang Do-gyeong, I was referred to as that outcast, but they were talking about me.
But what the outcasts were whispering was true.
I also trained in the Outcast Inn in the early days of learning gambling techniques.
The Outcast Inn starts at least at a second rate, with the first-rate being the majority, and there are quite a few peak masters as well.
Transcendent?
What’s the point of being an outcast if you’ve reached that realm?
Outcasts who become transcendent all take off their black hats and leave.
Although the outcasts didn’t have gambling techniques, they were basically martial artists, so they tended to give a lot of proficiency to beginners who could train with them.
Back then, I was a true beginner in gambling techniques, so I was caught by the outcasts more than once or twice for using sleight of hand.
Still, I could get away with it without much trouble because, in the end, I would lose all the stakes and leave.
The fact that Ho Cheon-an was a likable person among the outcasts was also primarily influenced by those days.
If he was like a vending machine that spewed out money whenever he gambled, and he diligently used sleight of hand and showed off his tricks right in front of them, of course, they would see him as a fool, no, a likable person.
Once my gambling techniques reached a certain level of proficiency, I felt the need to gamble against professional gamblers.
Naturally, I started frequenting the gambling houses outside.
But from the outcasts’ perspective, it would be natural to think, ‘Ah, now he’s wandering outside because he’s lost too much.’
It was customary for Sacheon outcasts to have no idea about the identity of the gambling god Ho Cheon-an.
I hoped the outcasts would just shut up.
It was because of Tang Do-gyeong, whose forehead veins were expanding in real-time as he listened to the outcasts’ conversation.
How infuriating would it be for Tang Do-gyeong to hear that the opponent who had thoroughly beaten him was a fool?
It would be humiliating enough to be beaten by a mere second-rate outcast.
On top of that, there were countless whispers from the outcasts!
“Ahem, well, even people from the Tang Clan can be bad at gambling.”
“But still, losing to that guy is a bit…”
“Even if it’s against that guy, it’s possible to lose a round or two, right?”
“Hmm…”
Crack!
An ominous sound came from the tabletop Tang Do-gyeong was leaning on.
Judging by his trembling clenched fist, he wasn’t just slightly angry.
“…So what does Hero Tang Do-gyeong want?”
Though barely half a moment had passed, Yu Sa-yeon seemed to have lost half her vitality.
I thought I would feel dizzy, too, if Tang Do-gyeong was fuming right before me as the innkeeper.
So I was going to tell her, but since she tried to get annoyed and got caught, I’m not guilty.
I was currently hiding among the outcasts.
Luck was on my side.
I would have been caught immediately if Tang Do-gyeong had come in while I was sitting at the same table as Black Cat.
When I saw Tang Do-gyeong, I hid behind the screen of outcasts and listened to their conversation.
“I’m looking for the outcast who took my Blood Jade Plaque. The outcast who was with that young lady yesterday.”
“Sacheon outcasts are fundamentally based on anonymity, and unless you are a related party, carelessly entering this Outcast Inn itself violates the anonymity of the outcasts. And yet, you not only entered this Outcast Inn but are also telling me to find an outcast and have them meet you?”
Yu Sa-yeon glared at Tang Do-gyeong, exuding a rather fierce aura.
“Although I may be a lowly innkeeper running an insignificant inn, I have my own pride and self-esteem. Hero, you need to respect that a bit more.”
“Of course. I, Tang Do-gyeong, swear on the Tang Clan’s surname that I will never speak of entering this inn.”
Even Yu Sa-yeon couldn’t refute Tang Do-gyeong’s words when he invoked his surname.
Although Tang Do-gyeong was quite crazy about fighting, he was fundamentally a true man.
He just goes crazy when the topic of fighting comes up, but other than that, there are no flaws in Tang Do-gyeong as a person.
“I understand the innkeeper’s concerns as well. I didn’t come here to forcefully demand the return of the Blood Jade Plaque.”
“…Then what do you want?”
Tang Do-gyeong widened his eyes as Yu Sa-yeon brought up the topic as if to hear him out.
“I can’t sleep if I lose.”
Yeah, everyone in Sacheon knows that.
“That’s why I got the nickname Fighting Dog. Because I would challenge and challenge again relentlessly if I lost, regardless of the consequences. But I have lived while maintaining the line as a member of the righteous faction. It’s about justification.”
That’s honestly admirable.
Someone like Tang Do-gyeong could have forcefully taken the Blood Jade Plaque the moment he lost to me in the shell game, and people would have understood.
For example, forcibly taking the Blood Jade Plaque or claiming it was a scheme by the three of us.
He had about half the justification.
He might be criticized for using force, but most people would have thought, ‘What, losing a treasure like the Blood Jade Plaque in such a scheme? I would have acted like Tang Do-gyeong too.’
But Tang Do-gyeong just withdrew, even though he was so angry that his eyes were filled with bloodshot veins.
Although he intervened when Yeo Il-ye and Black Cat fought before the Hwang Gold Clan, he didn’t pounce on them.
If he had forcefully claimed that he couldn’t forgive those causing a commotion in front of the Hwang Gold Clan as a guest of the Hwang Gold Clan, a duel might have been established.
In other words, he was a genuine member of the righteous faction, different from the likes of Gang Jun, who was righteous in name only.
Thud!
Tang Do-gyeong took a piece of paper and placed it on the table.
“It’s a bill for 100 gold taels. I came here to have another bet with him and rightfully reclaim the Blood Jade Plaque!”
“….”
“As a member of the Tang Clan, I admit that my vision technique is inferior to that of someone of my realm in the Tang Clan, as I am more devoted to fist and leg techniques than hidden weapons. However, I am also a member of the Tang Clan, the family that is the best in the world regarding hidden weapons!
Vision and hidden weapons are inseparable!
I will regain my honor as a member of the Tang Clan by achieving victory in a rematch with him!
In the process, I swear here that I will not use any external pressure or violence!”
“Hmm…”
“As expected of the Tang Clan. It’s a spirit worthy of being called righteous.”
You crazy bastards, what are you agreeing with?
Don’t you know what he’s saying?
Isn’t it a declaration to beat up your comrade, me?
I wanted to scream out of frustration, but since Tang Do-gyeong would catch me right away, I could only hit my chest in secret.
However, Tang Do-gyeong’s dignified appearance struck a chord with the Sacheon outcasts.
In Sacheon, countless people claimed to be righteous.
Still, those self-proclaimed righteous people were the ones who used outcasts to stage plays, extorted false victories, and acted like wandering warriors.
Sacheon outcasts had no choice but to feel a deep aversion to the righteous faction.
So it was understandable that they felt some resonance with the manly appearance of Tang Do-gyeong, who barged into enemy territory and boldly declared his ambition…
Aye, who was the guy who just pushed my back?
That backstabbing bastard.
Yeo Jin-sang and Jeong Sam glared back at me as I turned around and glared.
‘Are you crazy? Pushing your colleague’s back?’
‘What are you doing, not going out?’
‘Don’t you feel any resonance hearing such chivalrous words?’
After 7 years of bumping into each other and interacting, their emotions were read at a glance.
To think I considered these guys my colleagues.
They were idiots who were never helpful in my outcast life.
“What’s this situation again?”
Amid that, a familiar yet chilling female voice was heard.
“Yeo Il-ye…!”
“Here again..!”
“I have no interest in you guys. I just came to accept the result of the bet.”
The outcasts parted like the ebb tide, and Yeo Il-ye frowned as she looked at Tang Do-gyeong and Yu Sa-yeon.
“Was Hero Tang also here?”
“…Young Lady Yeo is also here.”
Yeo Il-ye’s eyes narrowed.
“Perhaps you came because of the Blood Jade Plaque?”
“Don’t misunderstand. I just came to request a fair match.”
A staring contest continued between Yeo Il-ye and Tang Do-gyeong for a while.
Yu Sa-yeon’s complexion had turned pale long ago, and her expression was on the verge of fainting.
If a fight broke out between Yeo Il-ye and Tang Do-gyeong, the inn would be torn apart if a battle between transcendents occurred inside.
“Innkeeper, you are Yu Sa-yeon, right?”
“Yes… I am Yu Sa-yeon…”
Yeo Il-ye, who tilted her head at Yu Sa-yeon’s dazed voice, held out a cloth-wrapped sword.
“This is the item I promised yesterday. I hope you can pass it on to the owner.”
Ah, things are getting twisted like this.
“Phew.”
I would receive money from Yu Sa-yeon instead of Yeo Il-ye’s sword.
Well, just about 5 gold taels to save face.
Since I have the gratitude plaque, there’s no point in getting something more from Yeo Il-ye anyway.
The gratitude plaque is practically a blank check.
Yeo Il-ye’s sword is also quite valuable.
Still, rather than lowering Yeo Il-ye’s combat power by losing her beloved sword, it’s more beneficial for me to return it for free.
Yeo Il-ye is someone I don’t know where or how I’ll meet if she leaves now.
In the first place, I don’t even know if she will set foot in Sacheon again.
But how will I return that sword if I let her go now?
Above all, receiving the sword from Yeo Il-ye will also increase my fame value.
I’m really dizzy.
“How about replacing that sword with this much money?”
So, I had no choice but to step into the scene where Tang Do-gyeong was glaring.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I lost.”
Tang Do-gyeong held out the bill, glaring at me with wide eyes.
The shell game match that lasted for one shichen had ended.
Needless to say, Tang Do-gyeong was utterly defeated.
I did try to lose on purpose.
Although I could deceive Tang Do-gyeong in gambling, hiding that I wasn’t using my full strength was another matter.
“Are you insulting me!” he said as he caught on like a ghost.
If I tried to play tricks again, he looked like he would kill me regardless of the match, so I had no choice but to use my full power.
During the one hour of interaction, I realized what kind of person Tang Do-gyeong was.
That guy didn’t want a straightforward victory.
He wanted a victory by fighting and winning.
In other words, he absolutely did not acknowledge actions like winning by chance.
Or achieving victory despite lacking in ability.
Even if I succeeded in deliberately losing, it was evident that he would come looking for me until his vision truly surpassed my shell game.
Hey, buddy.
Such a thing can’t happen, you know?
Huh? I’m a gambling god, so I can’t lose to you, really.
“Sacheon outcasts must have daily lives, so I will come at noon tomorrow. If you run away, I will follow you to the ends of hell.”
I held the bill again with a face that had turned into a pickled radish.
If I received this, my fame value would rise again for receiving 100 gold taels.
“That is the price of today’s match.”
“Then do you acknowledge your defeat to me?”
“I acknowledge today’s defeat.”
“No, I asked if you acknowledge your defeat to me.”
Tang Do-gyeong didn’t answer.
Since he considered me an opponent, he would eventually defeat me by training his vision daily.
Still, of course, he couldn’t answer.
“Then I will receive this money only after you acknowledge your defeat to me.”
“Ha….”
Tang Do-gyeong looked at me and then…
“Hahahahaha!!!”
He started laughing like crazy.
What’s wrong with him?
He glared at me with bloodshot eyes, probably from overusing his vision for one shichen, and burst into mad laughter, which was too creepy.
“I thought you were just a swindler who showed off sleight of hand and deceived the ignorant! But to think there was such a deep chivalrous spirit within you! This Tang Mo has greatly realized today!”
“No…”
“A person who can deceive a transcendent master of the Tang Clan with divine skills despite being merely a second-rate couldn’t possibly be a petty person or a coward! I must have made a mistake.”
“I’m not such a great person…”
“Even humble! But courtesy is reciprocal, they say! Hahahahaha! I look forward to tomorrow’s match! Wahahahaha!!”
He said as he left, laughing arbitrarily.
“Ha…”
I felt like I had been swept up in a storm and barely survived.
Both my body and mind were exhausted, so I slumped in a chair, but the outcasts slowly crawled out again.
“Hey, Ho bro, when did your shell game skills become so advanced?”
“Humans are beings who develop. I’ve been doing nothing but gambling for several years since becoming an outcast, so of course I improved. If you do that much, you naturally improve.”
“For someone like that, Ho bro’s martial arts haven’t progressed…”
“Who’s the bastard?”
I wanted to identify the bastard who delivered emotional damage to me, but being second-rate was a sin.
With second-rate level hearing, I couldn’t pinpoint which mouth the nonsense came from among the surrounding outcasts.
If I were at least first-rate, I could have caught the guy who criticized me for being stuck at second-rate!
No, if I were first-rate, there wouldn’t have been any criticism in the first place.
“Ah…”
Although I had to meet Tang Do-gyeong every day from now on, for now, I made the best choice for managing my fame.
Since the situation had turned into a gamble of 100 gold taels versus the Blood Jade Plaque, the increase in my fame value from winning the Blood Jade Plaque would probably stop to some extent.
Fame value is ultimately a reflection of people’s perception of the situation in some way.
The rumor that a particular Sacheon outcast won the Blood Jade Plaque from Tang Do-gyeong!’ will now change to ‘I heard a certain outcast is in dispute with Tang Do-gyeong over the Blood Jade Plaque!’
Not all the fame value from me winning the Blood Jade Plaque will disappear, but it’s a much better situation than the rumor that I simply won the Blood Jade Plaque.
I was prepared to give up managing my fame value to break through the second-rate realm, but that was to find a clue, not to say I would recklessly increase my fame value.
I couldn’t just stand by and watch my fame value soar in a situation that had nothing to do with my advancement in the realm.
A plan.
I needed to come up with a plan to handle Tang Do-gyeong.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Haa…”
I was lying on the bed in my room, lost in thought.
How can I shake off Tang Do-gyeong?
No matter how much I thought about it, there was no good solution.
Since he was adamant about defeating me with his skills, he would never give up unless his vision surpassed mine.
The problem was that his vision would never surpass mine.
Because I had reached the pinnacle of gambling techniques that could deceive even the eyes of heaven.
Should I just run away?
No, that’s not it.
That crazy dog said he would chase me to the ends of hell. He’s not the type to say such things lightly.
As I was worrying…
Knock knock.
There was a knock on the door.
When I opened it, Black Cat was standing there.
“What’s up?”
“Senior, it seems you’re in a difficult situation.”
“Well, a little bit.”
Black Cat grinned and handed me something.
It was the veil she had borrowed.
“This… Are you returning it to me?”
“Senior, your skills are truly amazing. In just one day, you’ve made it so that Tang Do-gyeong, not me, is holding onto the Blood Jade Plaque. How did you think of that?”
“Haha… It was just a coincidence.”
“The heavens are helping you.”
“…Excuse me?”
Black Cat looked at me with gleaming eyes.
“It’s as if the heavens are helping Senior. The heaven’s will is with you.”
“…Haha, thanks for the compliment.”
To be honest, I was a bit creeped out.
Black Cat’s gaze looking at me was too much.
“I’ll be cheering for you tomorrow as well. Please show me the path I need to take.”
“Haha… I’ll try.”
After seeing off Black Cat, who left my room, I sighed and fell onto the bed.
I had no other choice.
Now, I had to shake off Tang Do-gyeong while overturning my fame.
Damn it.
Maybe the heavens weren’t helping me, but playing with me instead.
The next day.
As promised, Tang Do-gyeong visited the Outcast Inn.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go to that room.”
Last night, I requested Yu Sa-yeon to prepare a separate room for me and Tang Do-gyeong’s match.
If we compete in the hall like yesterday, the outcasts will all gather to watch, and my fame will inevitably rise again if I win.
To prevent that, we needed a closed room.
“…It’s you.”
When I entered the room, an unexpected person was waiting.
“Yeo Il-ye?”
“Why are you here?”
Yeo Il-ye glanced at me and Tang Do-gyeong then opened her mouth.
“I heard you two were having another gambling match. I’m also interested in the Blood Jade Plaque, so I came to join.”
…What?
Tang Do-gyeong and I looked at each other with bewildered expressions.
“You want to participate in our fight?”
“It’s not a fight, but a gamble, right? Then anyone can join.”
…This was an unexpected twist.
To be honest, if Yeo Il-ye joined in, the situation would get even more complicated.
Tang Do-gyeong seemed to be itching to have a match with Yeo Il-ye, and I didn’t want to be noticed more by Yeo Il-ye.
But Yeo Il-ye had a powerful card.
“If you’re going to exclude me, then forget about the sword I gave you.”
I shut my mouth at her declaration.
I couldn’t give up Sau.
That sword was too crucial to Yeo Il-ye.
If I didn’t accept her offer and returned the sword, her vigilance towards me would rise to the maximum.
‘Damn it…’
In the end, I had no choice but to nod my head.
Thus, a strange gamble began with Tang Do-gyeong, Yeo Il-ye, and me.
Tang Do-gyeong’s eyes gleamed as if he had gotten what he wanted, and Yeo Il-ye stared at me with eyes full of curiosity.
And I…
I wanted to cry and run away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
What? Did he not return the sword? The entire point of stepping in was to stop her from handing it to him.