The movements of the Sacheon Outcast group were quite active.

Every time they attempted to overstep their bounds, like introducing an intermediary or discussing requests, the Bohwa group would switch the atmosphere by asking trivial personal questions about Tang Do-gyeong, leading to an intense back-and-forth.

The competition between the two factions started to heat up significantly.

“Then they just ran away like their butts were on fire. Hahaha.”

“Wahahahahaha!!”

“Uhhhhh!!”

What in the world was happening? Tang Do-gyeong merely shared a memory of reprimanding some thugs during a meal, and it led to a competitive reaction between Jeong Sam and Yeo Jin-sang.

“Hahaha! I’m losing my belly button!”

“Puhahahaha! I can’t believe such a joke!”

The Outcasts, having joined late to the laughter train, added to the chaos.

It was a terrible sight: the Outcasts, split into two sides around Tang Do-gyeong, paused their meals to engage in a contest of laughter! They were banging on the table, rolling back, and even rolling on the floor.

“Ugh… ughh…”

And I trembled in fear at the scene.

This is… this is…

“Laughter bell..”

“What did you say, senior?”

“Argh! Back off, you wretched evil spirit! Away with you, memories of my past life!”

“What’s with you suddenly, are you okay, senior?”

As Black Cat showed concern for me, Tang Do-gyeong spoke in a delicate tone.

“Ha, ha. Seems there was some emotion resonating with the Outcasts.”

Tang Do-gyeong awkwardly smiled at the intense response from the Sacheon Outcasts. It’s only natural to feel strange if someone rolls on the floor while eating.

Only then did the Outcasts realize they had crossed a line. Clearing their throats, they returned to eating.

“Hoho, it seems the scene of the thugs came vividly to mind.”

While Jeong Sam awkwardly added a word, I signaled Black Cat. This awkward yet intriguing atmosphere was the perfect opportunity for our gossip.

Attacking someone who was once a colleague left me feeling guilty, but after Jeong Sam’s previous actions, any hesitation vanished. The laughter of someone trying to win points from Tang Do-gyeong had summoned memories of my national defense colors.

Make me recall the lost two years? You’re asking for the maximum penalty.

“Senior, have you ever worked with someone else?”

“Well, yes. I worked on many requests with my peers… ha.. I suffered a lot because of Jeong Sam and Yeo Jin-sang.”

In that irreversibly awkward atmosphere, Tang Do-gyeong and the onion Outcasts could do nothing but immerse themselves in our conversation.

Especially now that Jeong Sam and Yeo Jin-sang, who could be called the leaders of the onion faction, were mentioned, my focus naturally shifted.

I pretended to be aware of my surroundings, pulled Black Cat closer, and lowered my voice.

Oh, of course, I reduced the volume so those with refined energy could hear better, but my enunciation was clear.

“Jeong Sam, that guy fell in a shit pile while on a request, didn’t he?”

Pfft. Pthhp!

Jeong Sam spat out his fried rice, and someone burst out laughing.

Black Cat leaned in closer. Then, something with an unidentifiable fragrance invaded my nostrils, and my gaze was drawn to something morphing due to the arm snugly wrapped around her.

Wow, seriously, she’s like a drug when she gets too close.

My heart raced as precious memories tried to seize control of my brain, but the national defense color memories resisted the invasion. The bell from when the regiment commander, obsessed with promotion, watched national defense broadcasts…

“So who was it… anyway, I remember three men surrounding one woman while having tea. It wasn’t a particularly dangerous situation… just one martial artist was confessing vigorously, and the lady seemed quite uninterested, so it was awkward… but the lady was stunning.”

“Hmm. So?”

“So Jeong Sam rushed out yelling, ‘You bastards! Harassing a young woman in broad daylight!’ when suddenly…”

“Cough…”

“Jeong Sam slipped right into a pile of dog poop while trying to run out! He ended up splitting his trousers on the ground covered in poop…”

“Cough…”

“Jeong Sam fell sideways with poop on his trousers, and those three got petrified, shocked by a guy in black rib, while the stunned lady hid behind them, all pale.”

After that, I kept unfolding more of Jeong Sam’s embarrassing tales. Though Jeong Sam, blushing, tried to interrupt with his “Ahem! Uh-er!” I carried on. The Outcasts were laughing, but since it was clearly a hushed conversation between Black Cat and me, he had no grounds to interrupt.

Jeong Sam was quick on his feet. Even now, the one quickest to react to Tang Do-gyeong’s story was Jeong Sam. However, despite his quickness, his judgment isn’t always great, often leading to such scenarios. A classic case of all or nothing.

I didn’t think Jeong Sam’s ego would collapse just by hearing these stories. But hearing such tales might at least engrain the thought that ‘Jeong Sam has made a lot of hasty judgments’ into their minds, and today’s stories could serve as a brake before agreeing with him when he asserts something strongly.

I sprinkled some fitting anecdotes of Jeong Sam’s failures and escaped.

*

Today, because Tang Do-gyeong requested a 1v1 duel with no viewers, we played gambling in his room.

“Hey, brother.”

“Speak.”

“Is there a faction among the Sacheon Outcasts? I’m a bit worried that the conflict is escalating because of me.”

Finally, Tang Do-gyeong started to look at my hands. Even when I intentionally slowed down to demonstrate techniques, he would flinch but not shout [Go!], suggesting he was building up a will to learn gambling techniques.

“It’s a place where people live, so how can everyone think the same way? It doesn’t seem like something for the Great Hero to worry about.”

“…That’s true.”

I had been inevitably following Tang Do-gyeong for the past couple of days, watching the onion’s nonsense.

Tang Do-gyeong was genuinely likable; without the obsession for victory, he could easily earn the title of likable guy. At first, I thought he was just an open-minded fool, oblivious to how others perceived him.

I thought he was just pretending to be a hero while lacking awareness of his surroundings, but unexpectedly, he had common sense and the ability to read the atmosphere like anyone else. He didn’t disrupt the place when practicing at the Outcast Inn, showing sensitivity.

I initially mistook him for a crazy guy, but he turned out to be a decent member of society.

That made it even more confusing.

He had the sense and intellect to recognize how his presence stirred the atmosphere in the Outcast Inn, so why was he behaving like this here?

He must fully understand the chaos in the Tang Clan and yet here he was…

“Great Hero, is this Blood Jade Plaque a valuable item?”

“Hmm? Well, it’s precious but holds no special meaning. I wouldn’t feel anything even if I traded it for other treasures.”

I lazily displayed a technique, a hand move that’s often used in Hidden Weapons, utilizing my peripheral vision.

As I blatantly showcased a move, Tang Do-gyeong frowned. Recognizing his psychological limits, I increased my hand speed, and his expression returned to normal.

If the Blood Jade Plaque wasn’t that precious, then why was Tang Do-gyeong opposing the Tang Clan so fiercely?

His behavior didn’t seem driven by simple obsession with victory, as he appeared too rational for that.

“I have something to ask,” Tang Do-gyeong said.

“Why do you want to return the Blood Jade Plaque? Isn’t it in your best interest if I never win this duel?”

No way. I really wish he’d just take the Blood Jade Plaque and disappear.

I hadn’t even grasped clues on breaking through to the next stage. It hadn’t even been a week since I teamed up with Black Cat. Perhaps the Central Plains Martial World was broader than I thought? Even basic inquiries could take months, so it was too soon to scold myself for not getting results.

The issue was that so much was happening in this short span, like being caught in a storm.

“I just wanted to stop the fight right there. Since I’ve prevented the fight, I should return the collateral.”

“…Is that so.”

“I’ll just hand it back, so will you take it?”

“Hahahahaha! Do you see me like that?”

I poked to check, but it didn’t land.

The atmosphere seemed promising, but that was just wishful thinking.

As I watched Tang Do-gyeong laughing as if he had heard a particularly sensitive joke, I couldn’t help but smile along.

“[Tang Dong-yioooong!]”

And that was Tang Do-gyeong and my last conversation.

A deep anger resonated in the Outcast Inn.

Much sooner than I anticipated.

The masters from the Tang Clan had arrived.