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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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“Hmm…”
I had received a counter-proposal instead.
Was it coming out like this so suddenly?
I had been preparing to strike the platform where the qi-invigorating treasures were, to activate a trap in case of the worst scenario where a conflict might arise between Black Cat and the qi-invigorating treasures.
However, I hesitated at the sudden proposal.
I wondered how Black Cat thought of me.
It was clear that she had some degree of fondness for me.
I, too, had been able to read Black Cat while being with her.
What Black Cat liked were interesting sights and exciting events.
It seemed today’s experience had been quite impressive.
The proposal Black Cat made was also what I had wanted.
Yet, it was also a step further than what I had wished for.
What I wanted was for Black Cat to join me on one or two extraordinary encounters.
However, what Black Cat was now requesting from me was clearly a more long-term relationship.
“Does that mean even if one of us is no longer a Sacheon outcast, we’ll still team up for extraordinary encounters?”
Black Cat silently nodded twice.
It meant she was expressing her intention to associate with me personally, separate from the Outcast Alliance.
“Hmm…”
My suspicions about Black Cat hadn’t been completely resolved yet.
However, seeing Black Cat so happy today was indeed diluting those suspicions.
Black Cat had truly rejoiced today like a child at an amusement park.
So she probably wanted to secure a promise to go on another extraordinary encounter hunt together next time.
But it wasn’t just that.
Black Cat had certainly wanted to be with me today.
She had tried to give up the bombs, and although she had pushed me, she had tried to go together and had shown herself waiting for me when she could have rushed ahead alone out of curiosity.
In the end, she had even shown the gesture of giving up the qi-invigorating treasure.
Could all of this be an act?
I didn’t think so.
The fondness Black Cat had been showing me since that day seemed genuine no matter how I looked at it.
After much deliberation, I came to a conclusion.
I extended my hand towards Black Cat, who had been waiting for my thoughts to settle.
“Hm?”
“You’re supposed to grasp the hand firmly like this and shake it.”
Yes, hadn’t I decided to unfurl what I had curled up and go outside?
If Black Cat was needed, I just had to manage Black Cat’s favorability.
If having fun and enjoyable experiences together was what Black Cat wanted, I just had to grant it.
As I shook hands with Black Cat, I said,
“The contract is established.”
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Tang Guanglie, the head of the Tang family, was really enjoying life these days.
Rumors had been circulating that Tang Do-gyeong had declared to cut ties, that he had become a Sacheon outcast, and even that he had been fooled by some con artist.
When those rumors were spreading, Guanglie thought his blood pressure might rise so much that he would collapse, clutching the back of his neck.
But Tang Do-gyeong, who had been summoned to the Tang family compound, had shed all past resentments and become a new person.
Was he just a new person?
He had returned with a new martial art called ‘Tang Family Fierce Tiger Dark Dragon Fighting Technique’.
‘Well, there was some commotion related to the Sacheon outcasts, but if such results came from that level of commotion, it was a bargain.’
A righteous faction’s assassination technique.
It was truly a paradoxical term, but the Tang Family Fierce Tiger Dark Dragon Fighting Technique could only be described as such.
‘An assassination technique imbued with the spirit of a righteous faction, huh.’
To be precise, it was somewhere between an assassination technique and a fist technique, but Guanglie, no, most people in the Tang family, were strongly impressed by the assassination part of the Fierce Tiger Dark Dragon Fighting Technique.
A dynamic concealment that hid assassination weapons in dazzling movements rather than in sleeves or darkness!
The sharpness that pierced psychological blind spots brought about by the possibility that assassination weapons might not be in hand due to the option of fist techniques!
All those assassination technique movements were mixed with fist techniques, thus embodying the spirit of a righteous faction.
Guanglie often imagined the day when Tang Do-gyeong’s Tang Family Fierce Tiger Dark Dragon Fighting Technique would be unveiled to the world.
It was enough to make his old heart race vigorously even just imagining it.
‘Yes, that kid showed promise from a young age. They said he was a late bloomer. The longer he wandered, the more it all became his flesh and blood, expanding his capacity.’
Tang Do-gyeong had been punished with not being allowed to leave the Tang family compound for the next 3 years and teaching the Tang family children at the school during that period.
In addition, he had become the top priority for deployment in the family’s major and minor affairs that required supreme masters.
It seemed he had gained some enlightenment while creating the martial art, as his realm had deepened further.
He had created a martial art that would leave a mark in the Tang family’s history, and now he was mending relationships with the blood relatives he had neglected.
It was admirable and praiseworthy.
The problem of lacking assassination techniques would be resolved with future training.
“But you know…”
Receiving the family head’s disapproving gaze, Feng Ying Hall Master Tang Chushou bowed his head deeply and cursed inwardly.
‘Well, what did you expect me to do when things happened…’
“When blood relatives bond, they might gamble a bit, and it’s natural for things to change hands at the gambling table. Is it necessary to pick on the flaws of a child who already has many wounds for such a trivial matter?”
“I apologize.”
Guanglie, who had been receiving news through the Feng Ying Hall Master that Tang Do-gyeong had been sweeping gambling tables lately, still had something on his mind.
“Didn’t you gamble a bit in your youth too?”
Tang Chushou coughed awkwardly.
In fact, while there might be direct line members who didn’t enjoy gambling, there were no direct line members who didn’t know how to gamble.
During eye technique or pupil training, they had opportunities to handle gambling tools like matching dice eyes or Go-Stop cards, so it was natural to get involved in gambling to some extent.
Within the Tang family compound, it was quite common to bet one’s assassination weapons or poisons in gambling.
Even among direct line members, conflicts often arose over the distribution or order of assassination weapons or poisons, and gambling was not a bad mediation method at such times.
It was a peaceful method that still contained elements of assassination techniques like dexterity, eye techniques, and pupil techniques.
‘But losing too much can sour relationships.’
It seemed necessary to suppress Tang Do-gyeong’s spirit once to prevent him from sweeping gambling tables too much.
Guanglie took out an assassination weapon box from under the desk and held it out.
“This is military funds. Before a fight breaks out between Do-gyeong and the other children over gambling, suppress his spirit a bit.”
“As you command!”
The family head clicked his tongue at the Feng Ying Hall Master who was grinning at the thought of legally joining the gambling table, but anyway, now that even the small crack that Tang Do-gyeong might cause had been well filled, the Tang family would be peaceful.
He thought so and felt at ease.
Until he saw the Feng Ying Hall Master planting his head in the family head’s room the next day.
“….What is it?”
“I’m sorry, Family Head. I was cleaned out.”
In the end, Guanglie had no choice but to call Tang Do-gyeong directly.
“I’m here to see the Family Head.”
“Hmm…”
Guanglie let out a hollow laugh when he saw Tang Do-gyeong’s appearance.
That assassination weapon box tucked in his belt was the one he had given to the Feng Ying Hall Master the day before, and all sorts of assassination weapons were stuffed in his belt and shoulder strap.
The sight of Tang Do-gyeong with various precious Tang family assassination weapons like the Ten Thousand Thunder Daggers, Feather Needles, Soul-Breaking Butterfly Daggers, Heavenly King Crushing Darts, etc., hanging all over him!
“Do-gyeong, what’s the story with all those assassination weapons?”
“Oh, you mean these? Now that I’ve decided to devote myself to assassination techniques as well, I naturally wanted to try the Tang family’s secret assassination weapons. I couldn’t be issued secret assassination weapons, but I heard that direct line blood relatives gamble with assassination weapons among themselves.”
“Heh heh heh heh…”
“As I gained one or two weapons like that, it ended up like this.”
Seeing Tang Do-gyeong’s innocent smile, Guanglie slapped his forehead and laughed.
“Hahahahaha!!”
‘Ah, I had momentarily forgotten what kind of child this is!’
Tang Do-gyeong was incredibly oblivious!
He should have won a bit and then quit, but to think he had gathered all of the Tang family’s assassination weapons to himself!
Just because his rebellious attitude towards the family had improved, he had thought all his flaws had disappeared, but no matter how much he had changed, Tang Do-gyeong was still Tang Do-gyeong.
This wasn’t something to just let slide.
Even though betting and exchanging assassination weapons or poisons through gambling had become almost a tradition in the Tang family, how could it be acceptable for one person to sweep up all the direct line members’ assassination weapons?
‘It’s also a problem that the direct line members, who haven’t fully honed their eye techniques, pupil training, or dexterity in handling assassination weapons, were all cleaned out by Do-gyeong, who’s still immature in these areas.’
The fact that Feng Ying Hall Master Tang Chushou had been left penniless was evidence that Tang Do-gyeong’s gambling skills were extraordinary.
“Well, well, Do-gyeong, I called you to enjoy a game of gambling with you too.”
To think he had to seriously gamble with Tang Do-gyeong, who was young enough to be his youngest son.
Feeling the return of a headache that had disappeared for a while, Guanglie gestured to the Feng Ying Hall Master.
The Feng Ying Hall Master, who had been planting his head all day, brought gambling tools at wind-like speed and laid them out in front of the two.
“Haha. I should thank Brother Ya. If I had known that the Family Head and direct line members enjoyed gambling like this, I would have learned it more seriously.”
“Heh heh, is this Brother Ya the one who took your Blood Jade Plaque?”
“Hahahaha! Yes, that’s right. Compared to Brother Ya, I’m like a firefly in front of the full moon, but I’m somehow using the skills I learned.”
‘So that guy is the root cause.’
Guanglie remembered the term ‘Brother Ya’ in his mind as he placed Go-Stop cards on the table.
“Well, well, all the Tang family’s assassination weapons have been concentrated on one person, so as the family head, I couldn’t just watch.”
“Ah, I’m sorry, Family Head. I’ve caused you concern.”
Seeing Tang Do-gyeong finally showing an expression of realization, Guanglie laughed genially.
Yes, how could a person be perfect?
Now that even his rebellious attitude towards the family had been corrected, being a bit oblivious was tolerable.
“Perhaps because I learned gambling like that at first, I unknowingly gave it my all. Harmony is important, so I should have lost it appropriately too.”
Guanglie’s expression became subtle.
Why did this turn out like this?
It had become a situation where he was using his authority to force courtesy gambling on a much younger late-stage peak master.
“Well, well, Do-gyeong, that’s not what I meant. I called you because I heard your gambling skills were excellent and I really wanted to compete with you. I wanted to tell you to enjoy moderately with the other children without going all out.”
“Yes. I will heed your words, Family Head.”
Guanglie looked fondly at Tang Do-gyeong, who was showing a fist salute.
Tang Do-gyeong, who used to cause trouble outside and showed no signs of remorse, not even listening properly, was now being so respectful that his anger naturally subsided.
“That’s right~ A man should have a competitive spirit. Giving your all in everything is manly and good! I, too, will put aside my position as family head for a moment and let’s have a man-to-man match!”
Guanglie picked up the Go-Stop cards with a chuckle.
He seemed to understand, so he would probably gamble moderately on his own from now on.
So now, all that was left was to recover the assassination weapons Tang Do-gyeong had through gambling and return them appropriately to their original owners.
“Yes, Family Head!”
The difference in strength was obvious.
Martial arts realm, eye techniques, pupil techniques, dexterity… and even gambling experience.
Guanglie was none other than the head of the Tang family.
He had honed his assassination techniques and poison techniques to rise to the top, and he had overcome countless fierce gambling tables to obtain assassination weapons and poisons!
‘This will be a good lesson for Do-gyeong too.’
Guanglie thought as he took out his assassination weapon booklet.
The gambling between the two began and continued.
The Feng Ying Hall Master, who had been watching the two gamble, said to Tang Do-gyeong:
“Do-gyeong, it’s getting late, how about we end the session here for today?”
“Ah, right. Hahaha! It seems I got too immersed in the match with the Family Head.”
“Well, well, that can happen. It’s late, so you should go to bed now.”
“Yes, Family Head. I would like to wrap up the game if that’s alright with you.”
Guanglie silently nodded, and Tang Do-gyeong tidied up the gambling tools, handed them to the Feng Ying Hall Master, and confidently left with numerous ‘assassination weapon booklets’ tucked at his side.
After Tang Do-gyeong, who had cleaned out even Guanglie’s soul, left, a heavy silence fell between the two people remaining in the family head’s room.
“….Wow.”
“Pardon?”
“Bring that outcast bastard, Brother Ya or whatever, to me right now!!!”
Guanglie’s shout shook the family head’s room.
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Roflmao. His infamy grows in an unexpected way