The future of the imperial palace seems dark.
“So that time, that’s when I just happened to have the perfect hand, you know!”
“Wow, what an exhilarating turnaround!”
“Impressive, indeed.”
It has been three days since Dujak and Hwi Gyeong appeared in this palace. On the first day, they were fidgety and all at odds with their hands.
Turns out both of them were severe gambling addicts.
I had a strong urge to engage in some wholesome gambling campaign, but having decided to keep it low-key in the palace, I played along just enough.
“That moment when the opponent’s face fell as if the sky was about to collapse…”
“That must have been thrilling.”
“Exactly! That’s the essence of it!”
Their tales of gambling sounded as ridiculous as one of those sensational urban legends that circulate, lacking any realism. However, since they were having a grand time, I just nodded along.
Just like when the boss says, “If you put a lion in a pot and boil it? The Animal Kingdom!”—it’s not exactly the comedy that makes everyone burst into laughter.
“Hey, does the Outcast raise the stakes now?”
“Haha, just a tad better than others, you know.”
I didn’t lie. I could pull off a 50.1% winning rate with anyone I teamed up with.
Dujak’s eyes sparkled as he said, “Oh? Judging by your background, you seem to engage in some serious gambling.”
“It’s merely a minor skill. I’ve had my uses for it.”
“Haha! I even heard a rumor that you turned the Tang Clan’s son’s luck around with a bet on the street. Quite the modesty there!”
It’s not hard to gather intel when you’re a palace eunuch. Although I wasn’t clear on the exact rank, judging by how the palace maids grovel around him, the position must be quite high. I was curious why this guy was engaging me in idle chatter and gambling tales for days.
“You must be itching to gamble yourself.”
“Haha, I have that much self-control. How could I indulge in foul gambling when preparing to meet His Majesty?”
I thought it was a model response, but the expressions on their faces weren’t pleasant at all.
Aren’t you eunuchs? Shouldn’t you feel satisfied if a guest preparing to meet His Majesty is living properly?
“Should I just report them to Hyeok Gi-rin to straighten them out?”
Perhaps a subtle hint before I leave would encourage those two. After all, it went too far for them, immersed in gambling tales with an imperial guest nearby.
What do they think they are, the Emperor or something?
And why would a eunuch need intel on the palace guests? What nonsense is this personal intel for. Is he some kind of informant?
Watching those two rascals run amok in the palace, where His Majesty resides, really made me want to educate them.
“Then the dice rolled a 6, just like that!”
“Hahaha! Masterful!”
Of course, I responded enthusiastically, creating a warm atmosphere.
Dujak smiled with satisfaction.
“Haha, how lucky I am to have a worthwhile conversation with you, Outcast! This palace is full of stuffy people. No one knows how to enjoy the pleasures of life.”
“Exactly! Leisure is essential for any person. Rolling dice over drinks helps gather energy for another day, right?”
As they bantered back and forth, the tone suddenly dropped lower.
“By the way… are you perhaps considering leaving the palace?”
“…Yes?”
“Haha, it’s just that I connect so well with you. What weighs on my heart is simply sitting in the palace sipping tea and idling away. As gentlemen of leisure, shouldn’t we share a drink and roll some dice?”
Hwi Gyeong nodded, chiming in.
“Absolutely! You needn’t worry about any issues. As you know, our Dujak has the palace firmly under control. Given that you’ve been confined in the palace for quite some time, why not take a breather?”
“There’s a place in Nangyang called Heavenly Tower! A haven where beauties from all over gather… it can be called the best gambling house! It’s a dream spot for heroes and legends of Nangyang. I want to hang out there with you!”
“Haha. I would love to join you two but it seems rather difficult.”
I stared at them incredulously. Can a eunuch properly exit the palace, while a guest should simply leave without proper permission? Am I some sort of gambling addict? Even a severe gambling addict wouldn’t act out for a week in the palace without a wager.
“Ah, come on… Heavenly Tower can be called the best gambling house. Any gambler worth their salt should conquer it! I’ll lend you part of my stake!”
“I understand your worry. Would a confirmation from the palace maids ease your concerns? You really have nothing to worry about!”
“Hahaha.”
I burst into laughter. Dujak and Hwi Gyeong—these guys are truly something.
With big smiles plastered on their faces, Dujak and Hwi Gyeong asked, “So, will you come with us?”
“I must decline.”
Seriously, what a hopeless case.
* *
“Hmm… This isn’t easy.”
Emperor Yoo Gyeong’s expression darkened with annoyance. I anticipated it wouldn’t be easy, but Ho Cheon-an’s attitude was more stubborn than expected.
“Meeting His Majesty is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s only natural to value that chance.”
Yoo Gyeong pursed his lips.
“Well, it’s noted that he’s been keeping his distance from gambling lately in the reports…”
In recent months, Ho Cheon-an had cut ties with the gambling halls he frequently visited and focused on martial arts training. He didn’t know that, having conquered gambling techniques, there was no real need for him to visit those halls unless necessary, unlike the unassuming eunuchs and Yoo Gyeong.
To Yoo Gyeong, Ho Cheon-an appeared to be a severe gambling addict who squandered all the money earned through hard work over five years at the gambling tables.
“Really, following Princess’s advice, he might’ve cultivated some self-control?”
“That is possible.”
Yoo Gyeong subtly agreed with Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi’s words.
“According to your report, Ho Cheon-an last placed a massive bet. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes. After Miss Yeo Il-ye of the Red Bamboo Swordswoman visited the Outcast Inn and gave him her token, he had quite a remarkable bet at the Video Tower.”
“And your ‘speculation’ suggests that during the Sacheon City incident, he disguised himself as a merchant’s son and caused a ruckus at Seongrak Tower?”
The information gathered by the Eunuch, while being an intelligence organization, was based on facts. No personal opinions, baseless speculations, or mere gut feelings made it into their reports.
“That’s right. While I can’t confirm it, I’ve heard he won an astronomical amount of gold at the table.”
In essence, both Miss Yeo Il-ye and Tang Do-yeon, assigned as bodyguards, were stunning enough to draw attention. Many who witnessed Ho Cheon-an and the guards at that time still recall the striking images of the two.
The facts, however, remain unverified. How could one believe that Miss Yeo Il-ye and Tang Do-yeon, both from the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans, would be at a gambling house, charming those around and protecting a lowly Martial Artist living as an outcast? Anyone would doubt such implausible claims.
Yet, what is the current situation? The Emperor himself disguised as a eunuch ran about. The Eunuch reported even the unverified trivial information to Yoo Gyeong.
News of Ho Cheon-an disguising himself to rob Seongrak Tower, marked as ‘speculation,’ made its way to Yoo Gyeong’s ear.
“Such actions not being mentioned in the petition certainly plays a part.”
“Humph. No matter how much Sa Ma-yeom might have tried to, he couldn’t possibly write about employing a gambler in the petition. That isn’t the important matter; the real concern is Ho Cheon-an, who, after suffering enormous losses at the Video Tower, couldn’t get back on track and was still lingering around the gambling halls!”
Having lost over a hundred gold pieces to Dogwi, he had disgracefully lost on a bet when he should’ve won.
“If he faced such a loss, he should’ve never set foot back in the gambling halls again!”
It wasn’t about the massive amounts he lost. Yoo Gyeong pointed out the actual issue was the mindset that managed to slip back into gambling after experiencing such a loss.
“That chap will unreservedly jump back into gambling at any chance, and someday he’ll fall flat on his face.”
Sa Ma-Gyeong-hwi, who had been defending Ho Cheon-an, too was rendered speechless. Ultimately, Ho Cheon-an’s actions could not be described as anything but a series of gambling attempts at every opportunity.
“Let’s prepare the game well. After all, Ho Cheon-an will capitulate at the slightest nudge. With two disguises suddenly appearing and asking to leave the palace, he has no choice but to be wary.”
“…Yes.”
As the Emperor, Yoo Gyeong’s grumbling complaints went through one ear and out the other, Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi sank into thought.
‘That guy called Ho Cheon-an a Great Hero…’
Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi recalled Sa Ma-yeom. Despite being of the court, he had a cordial attitude toward wandering hero types.
However, the Sacheon City Governor, Sa Ma-yeom, was publicly known for his disdain for martial artists.
‘He doesn’t even refer to most as Young Heroes.’
The rumors about Sa Ma-yeom’s disdain for martial artists stemmed from his respect solely for true heroes. How many could rightfully stake claim to the title of a hero in this world? Those mid-tier wannabes who call themselves heroes and champions only face scorn if they aren’t recognized by him. The local heroes cannot endure it.
The mere fact that Sa Ma-yeom called Ho Cheon-an a Great Hero showed that the guy was someone special.
‘If the Princess thinks this, and if Yeom feels the same, then there’s surely something about Ho Cheon-an.’
Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi realized that nothing would change after a moment of thought. Ho Cheon-an might be nothing like what Yoo Gyeong assumed. Undoubtedly, he was deep in the throes of addiction.
‘Regardless of how much Sa Ma-yeom praises him for resembling a hero, addiction must be treated. If he finds himself in a crisis, we will see his true capacity as well.’
Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi reflected on the display Ho Cheon-an had shown today. Just a foolish flatterer trying to appease both while instantly rejecting his precarious offer.
He had thought him merely a lucky outcast who rode the wave during the Sacheon City incident, but days of observation showed otherwise. Perhaps he wasn’t just a lucky fluke.
The real value of a person often emerges in crises. What kind of mask would Ho Cheon-an don while trapped in the constructed gambling trap? Would he reveal himself to be worthy of the acclaim from Suh Gye-rin and Sa Ma-yeom?
Deciding on a more active approach, Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi spoke.
“So, how about we do this?”
“Oh…”
Yoo Gyeong nodded as he heard Sa Ma Gyeong-hwi’s plan.
“That wouldn’t be bad at all.”
