Fighting Dog Tang Do-gyeong.
“Um…”
He’s someone who knows the essence of my technique and one of the most active gamblers in the Tang Clan. Even without considering the people of the clan or my technical skills, he can definitely be considered a proper gambler.
I explained the situation to Tang Do-gyeong, who had been called here without knowing what was going on. Of course, I kept quiet about the slap bet.
“Indeed, after Teacher Ho’s gambling skills spread in the Tang Clan, the gambling level skyrocketed.”
Tang Do-gyeong hesitated a bit, as if he was skeptical about whether the Poison Doctor could actually defeat the Tang Clan Head, then nodded as though he reached a conclusion.
“I’ll add whatever meager strength I can.”
“Then how about the two of you have a match right away? Tang Hyung, please stick to the methods currently trending in the clan.”
“Um. Is that really okay?”
Tang Do-gyeong’s question contained the meaning of ‘Is it really alright for me to challenge the famed Poison Doctor of the martial world and the greatest elder of the Tang Clan?’ It seemed the Poison Doctor caught the implication in Tang Do-gyeong’s tone, as his face stiffened.
“Haha, even though I lost to Guanglie’s son, I was once at the pinnacle of the Tang Clan’s gambling board. The temperament of youth and confidence may represent the late stage of the Tang Clan, but it’s time to teach you the lesson that old ginger is spicy!”
“Elder, I regret to say that during your absence from the clan, the gambling level has developed significantly…”
“Ah! There are immutable truths! Enough with the nonsense, come at me! With all your strength!”
Seeing the Poison Doctor’s attitude, Tang Do-gyeong seemed to realize that a shock therapy was needed. He politely bowed his head and said,
“Then I will go with all my sincerity.”
Thus, their gambling battle commenced.
The result was obvious.
Tang Do-gyeong, who is a wonderful person but has absolutely no sense for how to read faces, played his cards with zero hesitation against the elderly Poison Doctor!
He not only stripped the direct line members of the clan of all their hidden weapons but also completely cleaned out the clan head’s stash!
Facing the famed elder of the martial world without any hesitation, Tang Do-gyeong showed no mercy!
I called him here, knowing this would happen, but he was truly refreshing.
“…Hah.”
The eyes of the Poison Doctor, who couldn’t win even a single round against Tang Do-gyeong, lost their sparkle.
“Haha, it seems this Poison Doctor has become just an old man in the backroom after all…”
After being thoroughly trounced by the younger Tang Do-gyeong, the Poison Doctor seemed to be overwhelmed by a great sense of doubt.
“I finally understand why you made such a grim face… I was just an unworthy old man trying to claim victory over the clan head; har har har… When you grow old, you should just die. What am I clinging onto life for, chasing fleeting riches…”
As I pondered how to comfort the elderly man, Tang Do-gyeong smiled brightly.
“Elder, have you thought about why the gambling level in the clan has developed so dramatically?”
“…Um.”
“Thanks to Teacher Ho right in front of you. After I learned the gambling techniques from him and easily defeated the clan’s direct line members, the clan head invited Teacher Ho to learn gambling directly, and with those skills, he elevated the clan’s prestige.”
The way the Poison Doctor looked at me shifted.
“It seems Teacher Ho was too humble to brag about himself. When he sets his mind to it, he can earn more than a hundred nyang in just one night of gambling. This is no exaggeration, as Do-yeon has witnessed it herself.”
“Ughm. Ahem. Tang Hyung. This is embarrassing…”
“…Is everything Do-gyeong says true?”
The Poison Doctor’s gaze towards me changed once more.
“Well, it’s certainly true. I have passed down my techniques to Tang Do-gyeong, and I have also lectured the clan head on those techniques.”
“Whoa… I never knew you were such a distinguished gambler. Or maybe I should have realized it when that stingy fellow sent me a letter of introduction…”
Seeing how Tang Do-gyeong defeated him so thoroughly, the Poison Doctor’s spirits seemed to revive slightly.
Now he had hope that if he learned from me, he could possibly defeat both Tang Do-gyeong and the clan head.
“Let me explain the current trends in gambling within the clan.”
Tang Do-gyeong proceeded to demonstrate some simple card tricks.
“Whoa, it certainly looks like it went to the left…”
Just like rolling dice, he made it seem as if he was slipping a die away with his technique. When this trick is performed, the brain actually doesn’t see the die, but it creates an illusion as if it had gone into the last cup.
Since it was rolled strongly, players are likely to believe it was sucked into the last cup.
This skill particularly works well on the clan members.
The excellent skills of the Tang Clan allow members to see the actions clearly, even if they miss the actual die, making them easily fall for the ruse.
“During the autumn season when Teacher Ho’s skill was spreading, this technique of deception through hand gestures worked the best, but most current direct line members have adapted to it by now.”
“…Hmm.”
The Poison Doctor let out a groan, having been clearly tricked by the earlier technique.
“That’s why such techniques are trending now.”
Tang Do-gyeong performed a similar trick, but this time, as it entered the card, the flow abruptly cut off.
“Ah, that’s a different one.”
“Correct.”
As our conversation flowed, Tang Do-gyeong’s hand moved swiftly. The Poison Doctor, who had momentarily let his guard down, was caught off guard.
“However, this… it feels similar to the clan head’s techniques.”
“Haha, indeed, Teacher Ho. That’s right.”
Tang Do-gyeong acknowledged with a smile.
“The clan head is currently recognized as the best gambler in this clan, so it’s only natural for his influence to extend.”
Meaning many are copying the techniques of the clan head, who is the top gambler.
The clan head’s specialty is manipulating the opponent’s focus through controlling the flow of the game. Regular direct line members can’t display such exquisite control, so it seems they merely mimic a paused strategy.
“Now, merely dexterous handling isn’t enough to deceive opponents at the cards, so the trend in current gambling is to break the flow and induce vulnerabilities to break through to either side.”
“I see.”
“Hmm. May I ask a question?”
The Poison Doctor’s inquiry.
“Of course, please do.”
“My target is ultimately Guanglie. However, wouldn’t it be more efficient to analyze Guanglie rather than the entire clan’s dynamics?”
“Certainly, there’s merit in what you say, elder.”
His concern was valid. But…
“Like in any field, those who have reached a certain level do not reveal their weaknesses easily.”
“Um…!”
“Any flaw that anyone can easily identify will be covered up naturally. Thus, in order to truly hit an unknown weakness, one must delve into uncharted territories. This necessitates a meticulous analysis.”
It seemed the Poison Doctor still didn’t quite understand. Well, it seems he doesn’t have a full grasp of just how vast the world of gambling is yet.
“To help the elder understand, I’ll provide a simple demonstration along with a theory on gambling today.”
“Teacher Ho, would you mind if I joined in?”
“Of course not.”
Thus, a gambling theory lecture commenced with two students present.
* *
“What about the Poison Doctor?”
“They say he’s learning gambling from Teacher Ho.”
“I see.”
The Feng Ying Hall Master cautiously inquired.
“Clan head.”
“What’s up?”
“Still, attacking the Poison Doctor directly… Hmm. Wasn’t that a bit much?”
“Haha, that much is true.”
Tang Guanglie acknowledged the Feng Ying Hall Master’s point.
“But if I hadn’t done that, how could that wandering soul possibly remain with the Tang Clan?”
“Um…”
“Since it’s you, I’ll speak honestly; accepting that Maki fellow as either a disciple or a subordinate is a rather troublesome matter for the clan head.”
The Feng Ying Hall Master nodded as he recalled Maki.
Maki, a bandit of unclear origins. It was extremely important for the clan to inherit the Poison Doctor’s medical and poison arts. But the Poison Doctor had been wandering outside, never teaching his skills to the clan, then suddenly decided to accept an outsider—this was a serious issue.
“When one’s body is far away, the heart drifts as well. Since you’ve been roaming outside so much, you seem to feel more attached to outsiders than to the clan members. But how can a clan head simply stand by and watch that happen?”
“…Is that so?”
Tang Guanglie was the clan head and representative of the Sacheon Tang Family. He had no choice but to prioritize the interests of the entire Sacheon Tang Family, while the Poison Doctor tended to prioritize personal research and freedom.
As a result, conflicts between the two were inevitable.
“If, during this opportunity, the Poison Doctor stays put for a few months, he might develop some affection for the clan members, and perhaps that will shift his thinking.”
“So you’re saying you’re going to keep teasing the Poison Doctor for a while?”
Tang Guanglie simply smiled widely while the Feng Ying Hall Master shook his head. It seemed this was the clan head’s strategy to keep the Poison Doctor with the clan? Could it be that he’s just repaying some childhood grudge?
“But will it be alright with Teacher Ho around?”
Tang Guanglie stroked his chin in thought. He had consented to allow the Bicheongmacha to operate in Sacheon City under pressure from the relentless Tang Do-yeon, but he truly didn’t expect Ho Cheon-an to come along.
This was definitely unexpected for Tang Guanglie.
“I didn’t know Do-yeon would truly bring Teacher Ho, but… well, this isn’t a bad situation either. No matter how great Teacher Ho is, I doubt he can elevate the skills of the Poison Doctor overnight.”
Tang Guanglie continued with a bold smile.
“Isn’t it interesting?”
“…Yes?”
“If Teacher Ho teaches the Poison Doctor, I wonder how far his skills can advance?”
The Feng Ying Hall Master sighed inwardly.
‘He’s truly fired up now.’
Tang Guanglie held a social status as the clan head besides his gambling talent. As a clan head, there must be a justification for almost any action.
Even with his desire to show off gambling skills and take a slap at the Poison Doctor must come with a reason.
After winning against Tang Do-gyeong, he was longing for the thrill of gambling and the opportunity for revenge against the direct line members, but the arrival of the Poison Doctor, who stood above him in status, was an issue.
An opponent with whom he could freely display his skills without regard for social status.
And now with a perfect justification to slap the Poison Doctor.
“I’m truly curious to see how far Teacher Ho can train the elder.”
Tang Guanglie genuinely looked forward to it.
Could the Poison Doctor become a worthy opponent, capable of delivering exhilarating slaps instead of just petty ones?
As he twiddled his fingers, Tang Guanglie smiled.
