Da-gak, Da-gak.
Clunk.
“Ueeeeh…!”
“Wook!”
“Escape!!”
As soon as the cart stopped, the three of us swiftly burst out of the Bicheongmacha without waiting for anyone. We rolled on the ground and sprawled out.
Feeling the stability of the earth with our whole bodies, Tang Do-yeon stepped down from the driver’s seat with a refreshing expression.
“Phew~ Today was a rewarding day.”
She seemed to have completely relieved her stress using us as sacrifices, with her skin glowing radiantly.
“Let’s go pay our respects to the Family Head. Senior Ho and Miss Yeo Il-ye will surely be welcomed warmly by the Family Head.”
“Phew. Let’s go.”
Is this my first visit to the Tang Clan in a while?
The phenomenon of outsiders gathering their gazes was the same as when I first visited the Tang Clan. Well, considering it’s a fairly closed-off place.
“That intense prayer, the poison insight, and the beautiful expert… could it be Miss Yeo Il-ye?”
“Who is that woman? She’s not your average beauty…”
We reached the Family Head’s Quarters while listening to various whispers.
“Oh, you’ve come!”
As expected, upon arriving at the Family Head’s Quarters, I was warmly welcomed by Feng Ying Hall Master. I had no choice but to look at the Hero Badge that adorned his waist.
Whiiir~
Hair naturally fluttering in the spring breeze. Even an expert with heightened sensitivity couldn’t feel any discord with that hair.
If it weren’t for the Poison Doctor’s information that Feng Ying Hall Master was bald, I might never have noticed.
Not realizing my gaze, Feng Ying Hall Master was smiling and greeting both Miss Yeo Il-ye and the Black Cat.
“Welcome to Miss Yeo Il-ye of the Red Bamboo Swordswoman. The Family Head was furious upon hearing about your circumstances in Sacheon City and felt exhilarated upon hearing about your revenge.”
“I simply did what I had to do as a person. I owe a debt to the Tang Clan, led by Tang Do-yeon and Tang Do-gyeong, but due to my ineptitude, I’ve only now come to pay my respects.”
“It’s an honor just for you to visit. I’ve also heard news regarding the Young Lady. Please consider this your home and rest comfortably.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Now, let’s go inside.”
Once we entered the Family Head’s Quarters.
“Hahahaha! The Poison Doctor’s gambling skills have rusted, huh?”
Feng Guanglie teased the Poison Doctor.
“Again! Let’s do it again!”
The Poison Doctor, whose eyes were bloodshot with rage, was in the room.
*
“Left!”
“Hahaha! Incorrect! Elder!”
“Uaaaah!!”
A trembling Poison Doctor and the Family Lord who was laughing heartily. We watched their gambling from a corner and questioned Feng Ying Hall Master.
“What in the world is happening?”
“Phew, right. First of all, you must have heard the news that the Poison Doctor has returned to the Tang Clan from Tang Do-yeon, right?”
“…No?”
“Ah, I completely forgot.”
Tang Do-yeon said, beaming.
“I was so out of it after arriving at the Outcast Inn that I forgot. I drove the cart to the Outcast Inn because the Poison Doctor returned to his home after a long time. I thought since Senior Ho was at the Outcast Inn, there was no need for a long journey, so I intended to check once.”
“Hmm… I see.”
Yeah, there’s no way Tang Do-yeon would just appear at the Outcast Inn without a reason.
“Right. I’m just glad I’ve heard it now… Anyway, how should I put this… Well… The Poison Doctor and the Family Head were not exactly on friendly terms. They had quite conflicting opinions.”
Hmm. I could tell just by looking.
“Still, they are the pillars of the Tang Clan. Usually, they maintained an appropriate distance while respecting each other…”
I wondered why they were looking at me with those eyes.
“During this meeting, they’ve formed a new topic of conversation, which is none other than you.”
“Uh…”
“Given you’re here, I’d like to ask, have you ever showed your gambling skills in front of the Elder?”
“That’s true, but where would I have the opportunity to show my skills against the Elder I met in the mountains?”
“…Oh, really? I thought you would be practicing day and night.”
What is he saying? Where on earth is there a madman like that?
I was taken aback as Feng Ying Hall Master looked at me like he was disappointed. But even Yeo Il-ye and Tang Do-yeon, including the Black Cat, were looking at me with surprise.
“So your godly gambling skills can be maintained without practice…”
“You must work hard every day…”
“Senior, you haven’t been practicing without me, right?”
“What are you all talking about? I’m not a madman obsessed with gambling, that can’t be!”
Then the four of them looked at me with bewildered eyes, like, “You weren’t a madman obsessed with gambling…? Then what…?”
“…Ahem. Anyway, let’s get back to the main topic. While discussing common subjects about you, they eventually touched upon your gambling skills. You should understand the betting culture by now, right? The Poison Doctor was also a gambler who thrived in the era before the Family Head.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
“Therefore, the Poison Doctor took great pride in gambling. He pointed out that the Family Head was thoroughly cleaned out by an outsider in a gamble, and while the Family Head initially laughed and admitted it…”
“In the end, it turned into a gambling match.”
“Exactly.”
I shifted my gaze back to where the two were playing a game.
“Ha ha, may I make a guess? It’s the right, right?”
“Cough..!”
“Ah, it’s the left!”
“Ugh!”
“I actually knew it was the center! Wahahahaha!”
That place was a scene of mockery.
Feng Guanglie was enjoying the highest happiness while manipulating the Poison Doctor. Meanwhile, the Poison Doctor received ongoing humiliation by being toyed with by his inexperienced junior live.
As our eyes met, the Family Head knocked over his cup and spoke.
“Now that our guest has arrived, shall we call it a day?”
“Not a chance! You think you can just clean up and run away!”
“Oh come on, have you lost track of how many rounds it’s been since you ran out of chips? If I had to count, it would be about 9 to 0.”
“Just! Just one more round!”
“How can a Family Head concentrate on gambling when hosting guests?”
“You know that’s not true!”
Looking at the Poison Doctor who had unexpectedly caught the Family Head’s attention, he was deep in thought and apparently made up his mind.
“Hmm. What if we did this?”
“…What?”
“This has become an unwritten rule to use ‘this method’ for those wishing to continue gambling with the Elder like this at the Tang Clan nowadays.”
“…Ah.”
“Ah.”
That method. I think I have some idea. I felt like the Family Head’s fingers were twitching in anticipation.
“Ahem. It would be better for us to go have tea in the guest room for a moment. After spending all day on the Bicheongmacha, my throat is dry and my legs are trembling!”
“Oh, ohh…! Right. I lacked consideration! I’ll bring out my precious tea and snacks, so please wait in the guest room!”
If I ended up witnessing something that started with a bet and ended with the night in front of us, the Poison Doctor’s social standing would be equivalent to a death sentence. Instead of witnessing such a disaster unfold, I decided to flee quickly.
It seems Feng Ying Hall Master had the same conclusion as me and hurriedly pushed us into the guest room.
“Hmm… What a lovely tea aroma. Truly a Tang Clan treat. Even the tea leaves for the guests reflect their wealth.”
“The Tang Clan has a certain pastoral charm. It’s rare to see the Elder and Family Head getting along so well… What a precious sight!”
“Indeed. For two such close individuals to be on bad terms. I thought the disciples of our faction had deep bonds, but perhaps it can’t compare to blood relatives.”
“Haha….”
The two individuals, who had no idea what was being gambled on in the Family Head’s Quarters, praised the relationship between the Family Head and the Poison Doctor, and for once, Tang Do-yeon wore an awkward smile.
“By the way, you’ve reached the peak? Truly an astonishing growth rate.”
“Haha, thank you. Although it has only been less than a day since reaching the peak.”
“Yes. You seemed quick to catch on. When creating the Tang Clan’s Bat-Leaping Tiger Method, I thought your insight was too valuable to remain at Iryu… Seems like meeting the Poison Doctor helped things work out.”
“Yes, it’s all thanks to the advice of the Poison Doctor. However, the issue with my body isn’t completely resolved… so for a while, I think I’ll be relying on the Elder again.”
“Hahaha. Well, that’s good on our end.”
Good on the end. It didn’t seem to be just about the increased fame of the Tang Clan from the bandit hunt.
“It means there’s now a reason to keep the wandering Elder around. The Elder should take it easy at home, considering his age.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
It is indeed a good situation for me. After all, receiving treatment at the Tang Clan facilities would definitely be better than solely relying on the Poison Doctor’s skills in the field.
The problem is… I feel like it won’t end just with treatment.
Ding.
“Hmm. It seems the final round has concluded. Let us head back to the Family Head’s Quarters.”
…Upon returning to the Family Head’s Quarters, I was met by Family Head Feng Guanglie, who wore a face as if he had successfully relieved himself after three days.
“Hey! It’s been a while! Nnnh, have you reached the peak already!”
“It’s been a while, Family Head. You look to be in great spirits.”
“Buahahaha! Finger exercises are good for blood circulation! This is all~ thanks to you, my friend. By the way… the beauty of the two ladies is quite piercing to this Tang’s eye. You’ve really hit the jackpot.”
“Ha ha…”
“This is the Black Cat. I’ve temporarily stayed with Senior Ho.”
“I’ve heard about both of you through Do-gyeong and Do-yeon! You’ll always be guests to the Tang Clan, so rest as long as you like.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“We’re imposing on you, but we’ll be in your care.”
“Indeed, will you be heading to Do-gyeong’s place instead of the guest quarters?”
“For now, I think I’ll go pay my respects to Brother Do-gyeong.”
“Hehe, it might happen as you wish, but… just keep me updated. If you have the time, could you drop by the Family Head’s Quarters again tomorrow?”
“I will, Family Head.”
The encounter with the Family Head ended shortly. Knowing that the Poison Doctor would stay for a while, the Family Head seemed to believe there was no need for lengthy conversations with us who had just arrived.
“Speaking of which, how is Rye-ah doing?”
“Rye-ah… Hehe, she’s doing very well.”
I wondered how much homework she had finished.
As I was lost in thought and walking, I found someone waiting for me in front of the Family Head’s Quarters.
“Poison Doctor.”
“It’s been a while. That girl from back then… has progressed a step.”
“Long time, no see.”
“Yes, what’s new with you… hmm. I heard rumors that you seem to be doing well.”
“Yes. I’ve barely managed to cleanse my karmic debt.”
After exchanging greetings with the Poison Doctor, the Black Cat, Yeo Il-ye, and Tang Do-yeon seemed to sense the Poison Doctor’s demeanor and quickly made their way toward Do-gyeong’s house.
“Ahem. Hmm… so… you’ve reached the peak already.”
“Haha, it’s all thanks to your guidance, Elder. By burning the seven types of Spiritual Medicine through the Soju Hwa Loon Method, the path was opened. Thank you once again.”
“Cough. Well, it would be impossible to deny I had some influence.”
Sure enough…. was it that?
The Poison Doctor of old, who seemed unchanged from before, but… my keen eye couldn’t escape noticing.
The fabric he wore had shifted down a bit, fully covering his forehead.
Why.
Did the Elder suddenly pull down his head covering?
…To hide the slightly swollen part of his forehead, I guess.
More specifically, to hide the evidence of experiencing something that started with a bet and ended with the night from the Family Head…
Seeing the Elder hesitate to speak, I thought it might be a good idea to bring it up.
I’ll likely have to keep leaning on the Poison Doctor for the peak and beyond, so it’s better to clear the air here.
“In order to repay the debt I owe to the Elder, I’ve pondered a lot.”
“…Hmm?”
“However, the only way I could repay the favor is through my gambling skills.”
After being kidnapped by Tang Do-yeon and headed to the Tang Clan. Among what I had in my possession, the only thing I could show my skills with was the health pill.
Using my nimble fingers, I made the health pill vanish and reappear, leaving the Poison Doctor’s eyes wide open.
“While traveling the world, I might find myself in a situation where I need to gamble with others. I would like to share a small technique that might help in such instances… if you would allow me?”
The Poison Doctor, having witnessed my skills, clenched his fist tightly.
“…I ask of you!”
As the Poison Doctor, the frog who had just returned to the well, started his adjustment period…
