“…Crap!”
I-seol’s subordinates were disheartened by Ho Cheon-an’s overwhelming skill, but even in the face of defeat, they didn’t give up.
Sure, even someone who could see the eyes of the dice could make a mistake once. Thinking this, I-seol’s subordinate desperately shook the container for the second time.
They lost.
They tried to hide the movement of the container with their arms and even kicked the table to roll it after mixing it well, but…
“Six.”
Ho Cheon-an called out the number without hesitation, and it was right before the subordinate’s eyes.
“Grrrgh..!”
I-seol’s subordinate glared at Ho Cheon-an, sensing they had been figured out. The way Ho Cheon-an shook the container as if nothing had happened was infuriating.
I-seol’s subordinate bit their lip and stared at the container Ho Cheon-an was holding.
‘That guy must have pulled a 7, considering everything he showed so far.’
I-seol’s subordinate was aware that there was a flaw in their deduction.
In the dice game with the newcomers, whoever rolled higher always won, so it was possible to win that way. However, since it was a guessing game about the number, they couldn’t keep presenting the same number all the time.
But looking at Ho Cheon-an’s face, I-seol’s subordinate clenched their fist.
‘If it’s that guy, he would do it.’
On the surface, he acted indifferent, but despite being able to pull out a 20, he only won by a margin of 1. Even after the game changed to guessing the dice inside the container, he maintained that 1-point margin.
“Seven!”
I-seol’s subordinate yelled 7, thinking. If it’s not a 7, it’s okay to laugh it off. If he stubbornly insists on being 1 point higher than the opponent, while it might lose face a bit, it could wear down that guy’s stamina and concentration.
“Grrrgh..!”
Then they exploded in frustration when the unveiled number appeared.
That number was 5.
They expected a higher number of 7, but 1 point lower, 5 came out. It felt like Ho Cheon-an had foreseen they would call out 7, readying a lower number instead of 1 higher.
As if mocking I-seol’s subordinate trying to laugh at Ho Cheon-an, the dice’s eyes made I-seol’s subordinate’s whole body tremble.
“Next.”
But since I-seol’s subordinate was a loser, they had no choice but to step back at Ho Cheon-an’s urging to continue the game.
After that, the game progressed bizarrely.
“Thirteen.”
After Ho Cheon-an guessed the number in the cup, he shook it. I-seol’s subordinates stared with wide eyes, but rather than observing the change, they fell into thought.
Would it be a number that’s 1 higher or lower than thirteen?
“…Twelve!”
The die showed 14.
“Crap!”
I-seol’s subordinate slammed the table in frustration. Ho Cheon-an threw out either 1 higher or lower number. But why couldn’t they get it right? It’s absurd. It’s supposed to be a 50-50 chance, yet they kept getting it wrong!
Dokgo I-seol thought as she watched her subordinates crumble helplessly.
‘What a terrifying mind game.’
Dokgo I-seol watched the eighth subordinate come out. They were shaking the container but looked completely unfocused.
“Seventeen.”
Their expression didn’t show anger at all while checking the dice. It was as if it was just a normal step to hand the container to Ho Cheon-an…
It was only after Ho Cheon-an shook the container that they started to concentrate. No, they were just pondering.
Would Ho Cheon-an roll a 16 or an 18?
“Eighteen!”
The die showed 16, and the subordinate pulled their hair in frustration.
“Next.”
The ninth subordinate entered with a snort. The subordinate, shaking the cup, was filled with determination to guess Ho Cheon-an’s dice number.
‘Everyone has forgotten their purpose.’
They were overly immersed in failing to guess Ho Cheon-an’s number, which was merely a matter of probability.
Is guessing Ho Cheon-an’s number the way to win? Indeed, it’s a way to win. Just a meaningless victory though.
If both sides guessed correctly, it would be a tie, and they’d have to shake the container again anyway.
‘Ultimately, even when mixing the cup it’s necessary to defeat Yongji Maeng…everyone is neglecting that part.’
Even if the subordinates maintained their composure during the bet, the likelihood of winning against Ho Cheon-an was remarkably slim.
Thinking coldly, one could only consider a sliver of hope relying on luck.
But how about now?
“Crap!”
“I can’t believe I couldn’t guess!”
With Ho Cheon-an’s clear-cut options dazzling them, the subordinates lost all sense of calm.
‘Disgusting.’
The anxiety that there was not a shred of a winning chance against Ho Cheon-an left Dokgo I-seol bitter.
Before long, the last remaining subordinate was despairingly trying to guess Ho Cheon-an’s die. The number they guessed was thirteen.
“Thir…teen!”
When Ho Cheon-an lifted the container, the number shown was…12.
“Aah…!”
“This can’t be.”
Just a simple binary choice was all. Either a higher number or a lower one. Not one of the fifteen people could guess a simple choice correctly.
As I-seol’s subordinates gazed at Ho Cheon-an with dazed eyes…
“Then it’s now my lady’s turn.”
At I-seol’s words, the subordinates snapped to attention.
“We’re sorry! My lord!”
“Please punish those who failed!”
“Enough.”
Tap, tap.
I-seol folded her fan and walked down from the second floor to stand in front of Ho Cheon-an.
“Your skills are truly impressive. Even I was momentarily deceived by your feigned weakness before the competition.”
“I only spoke the truth.”
Ho Cheon-an lightly countered I-seol’s words.
“I said, ‘It’s unfair.’”
Was the meaning of ‘unfair’ this current situation? Everyone listening looked at Ho Cheon-an with a mix of astonishment and admiration.
“Though you seem not to have perceived the meaning of my words, it was indeed you who mentioned consideration.”
“…That’s right.”
After all, had they truly understood Ho Cheon-an’s words before the match? They would have dismissed it as a commonplace boast.
“What a pity.”
Dokgo I-seol said, fiddling with the dice in her hand.
“If I won the bet, I would have taken you in as my subordinate for harming the Black Dragon Sect.”
“But, let me offer some advice.”
As Dokgo I-seol spoke, Ho Cheon-an opened his mouth.
“Next time you wager, be clear about the conditions.”
“Hah.”
Dokgo I-seol let out a rueful smile. Yes, that was necessary. The world is vast, and legends abound, after all; it was indeed true. In this world, there was someone with talents like Ho Cheon-an.
Dokgo I-seol placed the dice into the container and asked.
“Then, what do you want if you win?”
“That, I will state after I win.”
Truly, what a thoroughly prudent man. Watching Ho Cheon-an’s refusal to yield an inch of his advantage made Dokgo I-seol feel conflicted emotions. It was self-soothing to think she would never have accepted someone like him, yet also frustrating to realize she could not keep someone as impressive close.
While feeling such emotions, Dokgo I-seol moved her hand.
Clink. Clink.
The container that had been shaking steadily came to a halt.
“Fifteen.”
Dokgo I-seol lifted the container without hesitation, and everyone in Julu swallowed their saliva as they confirmed the results.
“Ah…!”
The dice showed fifteen. Everyone sighed, and Dokgo I-seol looked at the dice. Ho Cheon-an silently extended his hand. It was a gesture asking for the container she was holding.
As she stared blankly at that hand, a smile crept onto Dokgo I-seol’s face.
“Didn’t you say to clarify the conditions of the bet?”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Dokgo I-seol.
Crack!
At that moment, I-seol’s left hand moved, splitting the dice in half with a swift strike of her palm. The dice, struck with the hand of a Peak Expert, broke weakly into two pieces and rolled away.
While everyone stood frozen in shock at I-seol’s sudden action, she looked at the broken dice, smiled in satisfaction, and then placed them back together on the table.
The dice lay broken in two.
Having confirming that sight, I-seol handed the container to Ho Cheon-an and said.
“There was no rule that forbids breaking the dice during the wager, so go ahead and take your turn.”
Ho Cheon-an received the container and replied.
“There’s also no rule saying that if I don’t show my number, I lose.”
“Oh, is that so? Then will this match be considered void?”
Ho Cheon-an looked at Dokgo I-seol with a nonchalant expression.
“Was this your plan from the beginning?”
“No.”
Dokgo I-seol shook her head.
“This is the shamelessness of one you acknowledged as a strong opponent.”
“Shamelessness.”
“Indeed.”
Dokgo I-seol looked at Ho Cheon-an.
“The difference in our skills is stark. There’s no chance of winning through normal means. Should I just sit back and accept defeat?”
Dokgo I-seol declared otherwise.
“I don’t want to do that. I want to win through any means necessary.”
“Do you think that’s the right thing to do?”
“Right or wrong doesn’t matter. What matters is the consequence of my actions.”
Dokgo I-seol chuckled bitterly.
“Because of this farce, I’ve lost face in front of the new sect members. Moreover, someday this very obstinacy will strangle me. Groundless actions always come back to haunt.”
“And even if I force you to be my subordinate, if you harbor resentment against me and stab me in the back, who would come to my aid?”
“Even so, why do you carry this out?”
“Because I’m greedy. I’m a greedy person who thinks I must grasp what I want, even if it means losing more.”
Dokgo I-seol looked straight at Ho Cheon-an.
“Feel free to be disappointed or to hate me. Just become mine, Yongji Maeng.”
Ho Cheon-an did not respond.
He simply put the two broken dice into the container and covered it. Watching Ho Cheon-an express his intention to continue the gambling made Dokgo I-seol feel a significant sense of disappointment.
How could one continue a wager with those broken dice?
Dokgo I-seol interpreted Ho Cheon-an’s grasp of the container as an expression of rejection.
‘What an incredibly selfish expectation I held.’
More than anyone, Dokgo I-seol understood that her words were mere absurdities to Ho Cheon-an. Yet, it is human nature to harbor faint hopes that someone might comply with such absurdities.
“…Is that your answer?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Ho Cheon-an replied calmly.
“I’m just resuming the wager that was momentarily paused.”
Clatter! Clatter! Thud! Clatter!
The loud sounds of two dice clashing against the cup made everyone in Julu gasp. The absurdity of Ho Cheon-an’s actions and the intentions behind them were utterly ridiculous.
“…No way.”
He combines the dice.
It wasn’t impossible, but it wasn’t easy. The uneven edges of the two broken dice meant that if arranged diagonally or symmetrically, they might somehow appear to combine.
However, it was an impractical task. Even without any conditions, manipulating the dice in such a way wouldn’t be simple.
And yet, he had to do it while the cup rocked wildly.
What if…
If, by some chance, when the cup stopped, the two dice achieved a single form? If they stood upright in a way that allowed them to be read as one?
“Impossible…!”
“That’s beyond human capability!”
Someone’s shout encapsulated everyone’s feelings. Despite Ho Cheon-an’s seemingly miraculous skills, that was impossible!
But.
Was it really?
What had Ho Cheon-an shown?
He controlled all the numbers on the dice thrown twenty times to his liking, guessed the dice inside the mixed cup, adjusted the eyes of the dice freely within it, and even trapped himself within the binary options without ever losing.
If someone could do that… perhaps it was possible?
Everyone in the audience began to entertain that thought.
Clatter.
As the container came to a halt, everyone in Julu gulped. Could the dice really have come together as one?
Dokgo I-seol pondered.
What if the dice were indeed merged inside the container?
‘What shall I do…’
The cup had already stopped. It was uncertain whether the dice remained split or merged, and there was nothing she could do about it. Thus, Dokgo I-seol chose her best guess.
“Fourteen.”
When Dokgo I-seol spoke, Ho Cheon-an mimicked the same moves he had shown countless times that day as he lifted the cup.
And everyone watched.
The dice had indeed merged into a single form.
And it stood tall showing the number 16.
“This… this is impossible!”
Everyone was astounded, and Dokgo I-seol closed her eyes.
“…You’ve won.”
“Indeed. Now I shall state my request.”
Seeing Ho Cheon-an’s calm demeanor, Dokgo I-seol steeled her heart.
“Speak. I shall fulfill it in my lady’s name.”
What then would Yongji Maeng request?
Dokgo I-seol pondered what demands might arise from Ho Cheon-an as she gazed at his indifferent eyes.
It seemed unlikely he’d ask for anything lustful. It didn’t seem likely he’d call for wealth either.
‘Surely… he will demand an apology.’
Considering Ho Cheon-an’s words and demeanor, that seemed highly probable.
And such a request would be gravely detrimental to Dokgo I-seol. If he demanded a formal apology, her reputation would hit rock bottom.
The daughter of the notorious Dark Dragon Sect had lost to a wandering martial artist and was now bowing her head in apology.
This wouldn’t just embarrass Dokgo I-seol.
It would also be a disgrace for the Black Cloak, Dokgo Yeongcheon, and a dishonor to the Dark Dragon Sect!
Her siblings, who viewed Dokgo I-seol with disdain, would not pass up this opportunity, and in the worst-case scenario, she might be expelled from the clan or confined internally under the pretense of “seclusion.”
If that were to happen, her current subordinates would surely scatter. Not just scatter, but they might also face elimination.
That must be avoided at all costs.
While she was thinking about how to safely extract her subordinates, a rustle was heard.
“…What’s going on?”
“Forgive us, my lord…! But there’s no need to honor such a promise to a drifter!”
“Indeed! Your siblings will not let this opportunity slip by to exploit your weakness!”
The subordinates looked at Ho Cheon-an with fierce eyes.
“Though you’re worried about the newcomers, we’ll monitor him day and night!”
“Thus, right here…!”
They were ready to eliminate Ho Cheon-an and make it as if nothing had happened.
“Go!”
The half-finished subordinate’s words were cut off by I-seol’s scolding.
The fiery eyes of Dokgo I-seol quelled the fervor of her subordinates.
“Se-in’s see the Outcast Faction as lawless folk! And rightfully so! Nobody would claim this wager was just.”
“My lord..!”
“If we desire to be called wicked, we must indeed uphold some principle! Accepting this result is the final standard I must uphold as a martial artist and a human being.”
Dokgo I-seol gazed around at her subordinates.
“I proposed this wager myself. I even engaged in antics. I brought shame upon myself, and yet, should I manipulate the outcome saying I won’t accept it, how could I live with my head held high? Better to die than live in such shame and disgrace.”
“My lord…!”
Everyone pitifully called out Dokgo I-seol’s name. The most loyal among them shed tears. Feeling the heartfelt emotions of such subordinates, Dokgo I-seol expressed gratitude and turned to Ho Cheon-an.
“Speak. Your request.”
“Very well.”
All eyes were glued to Ho Cheon-an. What demand would this apparently emotionless person, who had been unfazed through numerous bets, make now?
“I have come here to join the Dark Dragon Sect.”
…What did he just say?
Both Dokgo I-seol and even the teary-eyed subordinates froze in confusion.
Ho Cheon-an continued, indifferent to their shock, addressing Dokgo I-seol again.
“Accept me as a member of the Dark Dragon Sect.”
The place was engulfed in a profound silence.
