“Capturing that crazy bastard and pounding him is one thing, but before that, there’s a request. Ultimately, the reason Tang Do-gyeong, that lunatic, frequents the Outcast Inn is not just to bet against the outcast who excels in gambling. How about we set up that duel not inside the inn, but in a more official venue? We would ensure the reward is generous for the innkeeper as well.”
If the duel against the outcast is arranged in a public space rather than inside the inn, at least we could prevent rumors like “Tang Do-gyeong hangs out with the Sacheon Outcasts” from spreading.
“If you can just keep Tang Do-gyeong from entering the inn, I’ll pay a hundred gold a day.”
However, Yu Sa-yeon’s response was firm.
“That’s impossible.”
“…You’re saying that even when the Tang Clan’s Tang Do-gi is asking?”
Tang Do-gi’s expression soured. Kindness is double the burden, and resentment is tenfold. A request from the Tang Clan, who have adhered to this family motto, is a different level of pressure than from other prominent families. Refusing such a polite request would surely escalate the rejection into resentment, and one can’t help but imagine what happens then.
“If we expose that outcast’s identity and place it on an official stage, I’ll provide 500 gold.”
Is Tang Do-gi yelling this because he knows I’m the involved party? Or is he oblivious? He probably sees me as just Yu Sa-yeon’s subordinate or escort. It’s common sense to keep the actual party hidden in such situations.
Did I just come out in public? If Tang Do-gi were to eliminate me, everything would end right there. Of course, the Tang Clan and the Outcast Inn would become enemies, but from the Tang Clan’s perspective, that’s not a bad option.
Anyway, Sacheon City is outside the Tang Clan’s territory, and they probably won’t be trying to expand into it, so having a conflict with the Sacheon Outcasts, who only operate within Sacheon City, would mean no loss for us.
I knew the risks, but I came out with Yu Sa-yeon because I needed to hear the full story from someone from the Tang Clan. Who would’ve thought I would hear such a proposal to my face?
I couldn’t decipher Yu Sa-yeon’s expression due to the black rib covering his face.
Cold sweat dripped down my back.
The news of “Tang Do-gyeong lost against an outcast in gambling” would be a massive event, raising my Fame Value significantly.
However, arranging a public duel with Tang Do-gyeong is an entirely different issue.
The fact of the matter is: “Tang Do-gyeong lost to an outcast in gambling,” but the rumor would be: “Tang Do-gyeong was deceived by an outcast using sorcery.”
In other words, while there would be those who suspect me as a true gambling expert, the prevailing rumor so far is that Tang Do-gyeong was simply humiliated by a swindler.
Now that Tang Do-gyeong visits the Outcast Inn every day, the story of me being a gambling expert would gain traction.
In this situation, if we hold public gambling outside, I would immediately become a god of gambling. Sure, even experts can have an off day or get careless, but showing an unmatched expert fail to take a game after an entire hour in front of a huge crowd? That’s a whole different beast.
A gambling expert teasing Tang Do-gyeong, who was tricked once—it’s a whole different level.
Ho Cheon-an’s life would be over.
I didn’t think Yu Sa-yeon would decide to sell me out. She is the representative of the Sacheon Outcasts. Most of the time, she’s the innkeeper who extorts from the outcasts for her benefit, but she also protects them from pressure from outside forces.
She’s like a fierce older brother. She might steal candy from her younger siblings, but if anyone messes with them, she goes into a rage and starts taking out the aggressors.
But… the stakes are just too high.
500 gold to expose my identity? It wouldn’t be strange if Yu Sa-yeon’s eyes went wild.
While seriously contemplating how my reputation would change if I fled to a faraway land or the West, Yu Sa-yeon’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“I refuse.”
Yu Sa-yeon! I knew I could count on you!
Of course, my older sister wouldn’t abandon someone as valuable as me. Not to mention, Yu Sa-yeon’s loyalty is incredibly strong.
“Hmm…”
The atmosphere instantly became tense. Although Yu Sa-yeon was the innkeeper of the Outcast Inn and had learned martial arts, she was only of ordinary skill. There was no way she could compete against the presumed peak-stage Tang Do-gi.
Naturally, she started to falter, and I dropped a bombshell to help her.
“Innkeeper, isn’t there something you’ve forgotten? Tang Do-gyeong agreed to become a Sacheon Outcast.”
“What, what, WHAT did you just say? That lunatic… he wants to become what? You’re joking, right? Innkeeper! You didn’t actually accept this, did you?”
Tang Do-gi’s momentum shattered in an instant, and Yu Sa-yeon, who’d been feeling the pressure, sighed deeply and replied.
“…Of course, he avoided answering that. But who knows what will happen tomorrow.”
“Ha, ha ha…”
After a moment of nervous laughter, Tang Do-gi’s eyes regained their sharpness after some time.
“That is absolutely absurd. I know this isn’t a matter of decorum or face-saving, but if Tang Do-gyeong becomes a Sacheon Outcast, our clan won’t remain silent.”
“…Of course not. I wouldn’t want that either.”
“I will inform my family head and offer at least a thousand gold, so please, just stop this! Please!”
“We also want to avoid such a scenario, so the Tang Clan needs to act swiftly.”
“Of course! This is no time for face-saving! I’ll bring every bit of our Tang Clan’s strength from Jeomchang right now, just hold that bastard down!”
After Tang Do-gi left, Yu Sa-yeon quietly collapsed onto the floor. I reached out to her in surprise, and her hands were trembling.
“Haaa… I thought I was going to die.”
Tang Do-gi was far more skilled than I had anticipated. I thought he’d just be giving me dirty looks, but he had been secretly pressuring Yu Sa-yeon with his own power without me knowing. He had exerted a subtle force that I could not even detect at my level.
As Yu Sa-yeon took a series of deep breaths, she finally exhaled a long sigh.
“Did you see me refuse the 500 gold? You better do well from now on.”
“Ah, I said I was sorry.”
“Hmph.”
*
As soon as we returned to the Outcast Inn, a strategy meeting began.
While some outcasts had gone on missions, the majority remained at the inn. The Outcast Inn fostered a strong sense of camaraderie among the outcasts, yet there were still individuals with strong individualistic tendencies.
“Hey, isn’t it true that Sacheon Outcasts can do whatever they want? Even if they are from the Tang Clan…”
“Throw that guy out.”
“Wait a minute!”
After an oblivious outcast caused a scene and was promptly locked up, a serious strategy meeting, or rather a debate began.
“I welcome the idea of Tang the Great Hero becoming an outcast!”
The first to champion the pro-Tang Do-gyeong side was the Half-Moon Blade Jeong Sam. Of all people, why him? The people from my class were no help and kept finding ways to sabotage me. Maybe it’s time to really cut ties.
“If Tang the Great Hero becomes a Sacheon Outcast, we are also aware of the various problems that might arise! However, considering Tang the Great Hero’s martial arts and character! And if we Sacheon Outcasts unite, we can overcome any obstacle! I, along with the other aspiring comrades of Tang the Great Hero, am determined!”
Right on!
Let’s make Tang the Great Hero an Outcast!
What’s this “aspiring comrades of Tang the Great Hero” nonsense? Just hearing that made me dizzy. Yu Sa-yeon seemed dumbfounded and rubbed her forehead, while the Black Cat returned with a bowl full of puffed rice, interested in the commotion.
When our eyes met, the Black Cat paused for a moment before offering the bowl.
“Would you like some, Senior?”
Isn’t my older brother involved in this incident? And here she is munching on puffed rice? But puffed rice isn’t guilty, so I took a handful for myself.
Suddenly feeling uneasy, I said a word. I felt worried after the flyer distribution during the sorcery performance, and wasn’t she the one who blurted out at Miss Yeo Il-ye?
“Didn’t I tell you to behave? If you cause trouble again like last time, it’ll be a real problem?”
“Last time was just bad luck. I can handle things just fine.”
What does she mean by “I can handle things”? I didn’t instruct her to do anything.
Anxiety welled up, but the discussion was ongoing, so I had no choice but to shift my focus back.
“I object!”
Just as Jeong Sam’s passionate remarks were winding down, Yeo Jin-sang from the Whale Blade jumped in.
At this point, it’s not even surprising.
This is how life is meant to be lived. In these definitions, “classmate affinity” or “classmate” doesn’t exist for Ho Cheon-an.
“Really, Ho the Senior must be legendary.”
“…Let’s not go there.”
“Our ‘aspiring comrades of Tang the Great Hero’ oppose his joining the Sacheon Outcasts!”
What’s with this “aspiring comrades”? Does it mean they wish to walk the ‘Flower Path’ with the Great Hero? Anyway, a faction supporting Yeo Jin-sang joined in.
“Of course we would love to share martial arts and work together with the Great Hero, but how can we prioritize our selfish desires and block the Great Hero’s path? If the Great Hero becomes a Sacheon Outcast, how much will people criticize him, and it will leave a huge mark on his reputation! Being content with the current exchange is the true path for the Great Hero!”
Right!
We must preserve the Great Hero’s fame!
The outcasts found themselves divided into two factions: the group led by Jeong Sam advocating for Tang the Great Hero and the faction led by Yeo Jin-sang opposing him. The two camps represented by Jeong Sam and Yeo Jin-sang stood in sharp opposition.
