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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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“In the end, the fundamental reason why that rascal Tang Do-gyeong frequents the Outcast Inn is for the match with that outcast skilled in shell games, isn’t it? How about having that match in an official setting rather than inside the inn? I’ll compensate the innkeeper generously for that as well.”
The calculation was that if a match with an outcast could be arranged in a public place rather than inside the inn, it would at least prevent rumors of “Tang Do-gyeong mingling with Sacheon outcasts” from spreading.
“If you can just prevent Tang Do-gyeong from entering the inn, I’ll give you 100 gold taels a day.”
However, Yu Sa-yeon’s answer was firm.
“That’s impossible.”
“…Even when I, Tang Do-gi of the Tang Clan, am asking?”
Tang Do-gi’s expression soured.
Repay kindness twice, grudges tenfold.
The Tang family’s request, who had lived by this family motto, was a pressure of a different dimension than other prestigious families.
Even if one received a polite request, if they had to refuse it, they couldn’t help but imagine what would happen if this refusal intensified and developed into a grudge.
“If you reveal that outcast’s identity and put him on an official stage, I’ll give you 500 gold taels.”, Tang Do-gi pressed on.
Was Tang Do-gi shouting this, knowing I was the person in question?
Or was he unaware?
Tang Do-gi probably thought I was just a subordinate or guard accompanying Yu Sa-yeon.
For now, it was common sense to keep the person involved hidden away in the inn.
The fact that I, the person involved, had come out to this place?
Bluntly speaking, if Tang Do-gi eliminated me, the situation would end there.
Of course, the Tang family and the Outcast Inn would become mortal enemies.
Still, from the Tang family’s perspective, that wasn’t a bad option either.
Sacheon was outside the Tang family’s territory anyway, and they wouldn’t be expanding there in the future, so there was no loss in becoming enemies with the Sacheon outcasts who only operated within Sacheon.
I knew these risks but came out with Yu Sa-yeon because we needed to hear the exact circumstances from someone from the Tang family.
But to hear such a proposal face to face…
Yu Sa-yeon’s expression was unreadable due to the black hat she wore.
Meanwhile, cold sweat ran down my back.
‘Tang Do-gyeong lost to an outcast in a shell game’ was a significant incident that would cause my fame to skyrocket.
However, having a public match arranged with Tang Do-gyeong was an entirely different matter.
The fact of the incident was that “Tang Do-gyeong lost to an outcast in a shell game,” but the rumor was that “Tang Do-gyeong was fooled by an outcast using sorcery.”
In other words, while some might suspect me of being a true gambling master, the gist of the rumors so far was that Tang Do-gyeong had just been humiliated once by a fraudster who deceived people.
Of course, now that Tang Do-gyeong was visiting this Outcast Inn daily, the theory that I was a gambling master was probably gaining strength.
If we were to have a public gambling match outside in this situation, I would unmistakably become a gambling god.
While one could accept that even a master might make a mistake or let their guard down once, showing the sight of a supreme master failing to win a single game for a whole hour up close?
And in front of numerous spectators at that?
An outcast who fooled Tang Do-gyeong once and a gambling master who could toy with a supreme master were entirely different beings.
Ho Cheon-an’s life would be over right then and there.
I didn’t think Yu Sa-yeon would decide to sell me out.
Yu Sa-yeon was the representative of these Sacheon outcasts.
While she usually extorted money from the outcasts for her own gain as the innkeeper, she also protected the outcasts from outside pressure.
It was like being a tyrannical older sibling.
The kind who might steal candy from their younger siblings typically but would fly into a rage and beat anyone to a pulp if those siblings came home beaten up from outside.
But… the amount was too large.
500 gold taels just to reveal my identity?
It wouldn’t be strange for Yu Sa-yeon’s eyes to roll at that.
While seriously considering how my fame would change if I fled to the Hwan Kingdom or Seojiang, Yu Sa-yeon’s voice broke my contemplation.
“I refuse.”
Yu Sa-yeon, my dearest!
I knew I could trust you!
That’s right; our sister wouldn’t abandon me, and I ranked in her top 10 golden geese.
No, to begin with, how strong was Sister Yu Sa-yeon’s loyalty towards me anyway?
“Hmm…”
The atmosphere instantly turned sour.
Yu Sa-yeon had trained in martial arts as the owner of the Outcast Inn, but she was just an ordinary first-rate.
She could not stand up to Tang Do-gi, who was estimated to be at the transcendent level, in a battle of auras.
Naturally, Yu Sa-yeon was pushed back, and to help her, I dropped a nuke.
“Innkeeper, aren’t you forgetting something? The matter of Hero Tang Do-gyeong deciding to become a Sacheon outcast.”
“Wh-what, what did you just say? What did you say that rascal wants to become now? You’re joking, right? Innkeeper! You didn’t accept, did you?”
Tang Do-gi’s aura instantly crumbled, and Yu Sa-yeon, under pressure, took a deep breath and answered.
“…Of course, I avoided giving an answer. But I don’t know what will happen tomorrow.”
“Huh, huh huh…”
After laughing hollowly for a while, Tang Do-gi’s eyes regained their focus after quite some time.
“That is absolutely unacceptable. I know this is a shameless and improper thing to say, but if Tang Do-gyeong becomes a Sacheon outcast, the Tang family will not stand idly by.”
“…Of course. I don’t want to accept him at all either.”
“I’ll report to the clan leader and offer even a thousand gold taels, so please, please prevent that from happening! Please!”
“We also want to avoid such a situation, so the Tang family needs to take swift action.”
“Of course! This is no longer a situation where we can afford to save face! I’ll immediately bring the Tang family’s forces from Jeomchang, so just keep that son of a bitch restrained!”
After Tang Do-gi left, Yu Sa-yeon, who had been standing for a moment, sank to the ground.
When I grabbed her hand in surprise, it was trembling.
“Haaa… I thought I was going to die.”
Tang Do-gi was an even greater master than I had thought.
I thought he was just glaring, but it seemed he had been secretly concentrating his internal energy to pressure Yu Sa-yeon without my knowledge.
He had exerted a subtle force that someone at my level couldn’t detect.
Yu Sa-yeon, who had been catching her breath repeatedly, seemed to have calmed down and let out a long sigh.
“You saw me refuse 500 gold taels, right? You better behave well from now on.”
“Ah, I will lick your feet till the day I die!”
“Hmph.”
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A strategy meeting was held as soon as we returned to the Outcast Inn.
Some outcasts had left for requests, but most remained at the inn.
While the Outcast Inn had a relatively tight-knit atmosphere for outcasts, some still had strong individualistic tendencies.
“I thought becoming a Sacheon outcast was something you could do if you wanted and not do if you didn’t want to? Even if he’s from the Tang family…”
“Who said that? Off with that guy’s head!”
“W-wait!”
After an incident where an insensitive outcast muddied the waters and was confined to a room, the full-scale strategy meeting, or rather a debate, began.
“I welcome Hero Tang becoming an outcast!”
The leader of the pro-Tang Do-gyeong faction was Jeong Sam of the Half-Moon Blade.
Why did it have to be that guy?
I seriously considered cutting ties with these so-called colleagues who were never helpful and always caused trouble at every turn.
“I’m aware of the various problems that will arise if Hero Tang becomes a Sacheon outcast! But with Hero Tang’s martial arts and character! And if we Sacheon outcasts unite, we can overcome any problem! I and we, the aspiring comrades of Hero Tang, are prepared for that!”
That’s right! Make Hero Tang a Sacheon outcast!
What’s with these “aspiring comrades of Hero Tang” now?
It’s dizzying.
Yu Sa-yeon held her forehead as if she couldn’t believe it.
Black Cat had brought a basket full of popped rice and was watching with great interest.
When our eyes met, Black Cat hesitated momentarily before holding out the basket.
“Would you like some too, Senior?”
You’re munching on popped rice while your senior is involved in this?
Of course, the popped rice itself was innocent, so I also put a handful in my mouth.
Suddenly feeling uneasy, I sternly looked at her.
She had been enthusiastic during the sorcery performance, actively distributing flyers.
I thought she was doing well, but didn’t she suddenly jump out and provoke Yeo Il-ye?
“I told you to behave, right? If you jump out like last time, it’ll be a real disaster, okay?”
“Last time was just bad luck. I’m handling everything well on my own.”
What are you handling on your own?
I didn’t ask you to do anything.
Uneasiness welled up, but since the ongoing debate, I had no choice but to turn my attention back to it.
“I object!”
Just as Jeong Sam’s passionate speech ended, Yeo Jin-sang of the Whale Sword jumped out from the opposite side.
It’s not even surprising anymore.
Yes, life is originally meant to be lived alone.
Ho Cheon-an’s dictionary has no words like “colleague love” or even “colleague.”
“Senior Ho’s acquaintances are really legendary.”
“… Let’s not talk about it.”
“We, the ‘Hero Tang Flower Path Aspiration Faction,’ oppose Hero Tang joining the Sacheon outcasts!”
What’s with the Flower Path?
Is it Bohuaro (步花路)?
Something like “May Hero Tang walk only on flowery paths”?
Anyway, another group of outcasts echoed Yeo Jin-sang’s opinion.
“We too wish to share martial arts with Hero Tang and work together, but how can we put our selfish desires first and block Hero Tang’s future path! If Hero Tang becomes a Sacheon outcast, how much will people point fingers, and it will remain a huge blemish on Hero Tang’s path of chivalry! Being satisfied with the current exchange is truly the way for Hero Tang!”
The situation had developed where the outcasts were divided into two factions:
The “Hero Tang Comrade Aspiration Faction.”
The “Hero Tang Flower Path Aspiration Faction.”
The two groups, represented by Jeong Sam and Yeo Jin-sang, were now in fierce opposition.
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Tang family is trash as all sects are and the outcast are idiots.