The Duel between the Brain Knife Outcast and Jeong Cheol.
Everyone in the world was on edge about the outcome of this duel.
The showdown was not just a simple match between two individuals.
The Outcast Faction Forces, who had their eyes on Sacheon City, were waiting for the right moment. The symbolic figure of the Brain Knife Outcast had driven the Outcasts out from Sacheon City, which was seen as the biggest weakness and a key district in Sacheon.
If the Brain Knife Outcast were to lose, the Outcast Forces would become active again in their attempts to conquer the Sacheon region, and if Jeong Cheol lost, the major Outcast factions eyeing Sacheon would have to abandon their ambitions as they would lose justification to invade.
The people of Sacheon, suffering from the invasion of the Outcasts, fervently wished for the victory of the Brain Knife Outcast.
At the same time, the Outcast Forces craving for Sacheon were also anxiously hoping for Jeong Cheol’s victory.
And then…
There was someone even more sensitive to the outcome of the match.
It was none other than the Lord of the Dark Dragon Sect, Dokgo Yeongcheon.
“I’ve heard that Jeong Cheol has been defeated. Jeong Cheol has vanished, and the Brain Knife Outcast has dropped the Black Rib and declared themselves an Outcast, hastily heading towards Xin Gang,” he said.
Upon receiving the news, the Lord of the Dark Dragon Sect quickly grasped the situation.
“He’s chasing after Jeong Cheol.”
Pointing a blade at someone who has become an Outcast contradicts the unwritten laws of the Martial World. It would strike a blow to his reputation, but the Lord of the Dark Dragon Sect believed that the Brain Knife Outcast’s judgment was correct.
It was better to eliminate future troubles than to trust Jeong Cheol’s empty promises, even if it would tarnish his reputation.
He stroked his chin, looking ahead.
“What do you think?”
Standing before him was Dokgo I-seol.
“Do you intend to improve relations with the Brain Knife Outcast?”
“Indeed.”
Dokgo Yeongcheon looked at Dokgo I-seol with satisfaction, who had quickly grasped his intentions.
Since the day he was designated as the deputy head, Dokgo I-seol, who harbored poisonous ambitions, had seized control of the Dark Dragon Sect without hesitation.
While other children were captured and imprisoned, Dokgo I-seol absorbed or dismantled the forces of the three others without leaving a trace, crushing the ambitions of the hidden forces behind them.
Thus, Dokgo I-seol had firmly established himself as the true successor and power within the Dark Dragon Sect.
“Given that the Dark Dragon Sect and the Brain Knife Outcast were part of the Sadoryeon, it could be said that they were in an antagonistic relationship. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Once, yes, but now there’s no reason to be hostile.”
“Ha ha, right. The Dark Dragon Sect and the Brain Knife Outcast have no direct resentment, so they can easily shake off that grudge.”
“I’ll step in then.”
Dokgo I-seol murmured that, and Dokgo Yeongcheon nodded in satisfaction.
“Now that you have solidified your internal power, you need to make a name for yourself through external activities. Improving relations with the Brain Knife Outcast would be a good public achievement. This would naturally reveal my status as the successor to the outside world.”
“Exactly. And although unlikely, since the former Brain Knife Outcast has cast off the Black Rib and become an Outcast, it’s quite the appealing prospect.”
“….”
Upon hearing Dokgo Yeongcheon’s suggestion to use the beauty known as the “Best Beauty in Yunnan” to tempt the Brain Knife Outcast, Dokgo I-seol clamped his mouth shut.
Dokgo Yeongcheon chuckled softly at Dokgo I-seol, who was resolute whenever the topic of marriages or romantic relationships arose.
“Ha ha, it’s a low likelihood of success, so I won’t force it. You should hurry and set out. The longer you wait, the more you will have to contend with the forces eager to associate with the renowned Brain Knife Outcast.”
“Understood.”
The “Best Beauty in Yunnan,” Dokgo I-seol.
Dokgo I-seol set off for Xin Gang to meet the Brain Knife Outcast.
* *
A letter was sent to the Tang Clan.
The Tang Clan, upon hearing of Jeong Cheol’s news, would surely inform the various sects in Sacheon.
During the process of spreading the news, the rumor that I had tracked Jeong Cheol down and dealt with him would naturally begin to circulate.
Of course, it would bring about unsavory rumors regarding my reputation, but there was nothing I could do about that, and I secretly hoped the rumors would spread.
If Jeong Cheol really vanished without a trace, it could prevent troublesome fellows from showing up in the future claiming to be his descendants.
This matter regarding Jeong Cheol was now resolved.
Well, there would likely be a spread of wild rumors about Jeong Cheol and me throughout the Martial World, but those were now out of my hands.
“Hmm.”
Squeak squeak!
Having been dirtied from roaming the mountains and fields, Seo Gong returned with the Bicheongmacha.
Fully recovered, Seo Gong energetically searched the mountains and fields for food, despite an ample supply provided to him.
Tang So-yeol cast an annoyed glance at Seo Gong standing before him. However, Seo Gong disregarded him and pulled out the Spirit Herbs stored in his pockets.
After getting scolded by Tang So-yeol for stuffing unprocessed herbs into his bag, Seo Gong requested that Tang So-yeol help with the preparation of the herbs.
With the sudden homework of processing the herbs thrust onto him, Tang So-yeol muttered complaints, but Seo Gong dashed over to Hyeok Gi-rin. Hyeok Gi-rin helped clean off the dirt and grass that clung to him.
Squeak squeak!
Now all cleaned up, Seo Gong let out a satisfied cry and jumped onto the seat of the Bicheongmacha.
Thought to have had a rewarding day, Seo Gong looked pleased as he rested, showing an expression of pride.
I stared blankly at such Seo Gong and suddenly felt a bit wistful.
Sigh.
If only there was a martial arts novel at a time like this.
It would be perfect to lay down on a mat and lean my head against a suitable rock, enjoying the story of the protagonist cutting down villains like weeds against the blue sky, giggling with joy.
Feeling regretful, I simply laid down.
As I gazed blankly at the passing clouds, a beautiful face suddenly shadowed over me.
It was the Black Cat.
“You’re really living the high life. If you have nothing to do, get up and help me train already!”
“Okay.”
The Black Cat pinched my arm.
“Ouch!”
“Look at you, so self-satisfied! Urgh! I can’t take it anymore!”
Unable to withstand the Black Cat’s insistence, I began to practice while also engaging in matches.
The Black Cat pretended to be anxious that there were no results, but in reality, she was growing day by day.
Although she couldn’t reach the Hwa-gyeong level immediately, she was steadily filling in her gaps and building up her skills.
Generally, after practicing, one sweats, but training together with the Black Cat had become a refreshing experience thanks to the Nine Yin technique.
To warm ourselves up, we sat together with the group and enjoyed a cup of tea.
“Whew.”
After finishing a full cup of tea, I looked up at the sky and thought.
It had been several days since I had returned to the Bicheongmacha after finishing matters regarding Jeong Cheol, doing nothing and idling away time.
Under the excuse of recovering my body, I had been lounging around.
Well, it was fine to enjoy this level of rest, right? My body, which had become unnecessarily robust from the training, had completely healed, but after working nonstop for a long time, mental recharge was important too.
It was then when I lay slumped on the collapsible chair that Tang So-yeol had made.
“…Ah.”
I sensed a presence here that shouldn’t be felt.
Squeak! Squeak!!
Suddenly, Seo Gong emitted a shriek and hurriedly hid behind me.
“Seo Gong?”
“Why is this happening all of a sudden?”
The team, which had been completely relaxed, got up in a half-hearted manner.
The expressions of the members, caught somewhere between tension and confusion, turned peculiar.
Although there was some variation in their ability to sense it according to their own levels… there was no way anyone would miss this unique presence.
“I haven’t left yet, as I heard. I thought I’d drop by out of boredom.”
The owner of the terrifying presence was strong enough to make Seo Gong tremble.
The Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon had arrived.
* *
With the Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon and Ho Cheon-an’s party.
Excluding the Black Cat, with whom they had shared a bond while living in the Demon Sect, they were certainly not friendly.
Given that Ho Cheon-an was the one who caused them to have to be separated and hone their skills, it was only natural for the party to direct their hostile energy toward the Heavenly Demon.
Meanwhile, Wi Seoryeon leisurely accepted the group’s tension.
“There’s no need to be so uptight.”
“…What brings you here, Heavenly Demon?”
Yeo Il-ye, who looked like she would draw her sword at any moment, suppressed her emotions and asked.
“I merely came to check in on you.”
“…Is that really your only intention?”
“Hmm.”
Wi Seoryeon gave a strange smile. The atmosphere tensed around the group, and confusion appeared on the faces of Ho Cheon-an and the Black Cat.
What business could the Heavenly Demon have with someone else?
That curiosity was immediately replaced with shock at Wi Seoryeon’s next words.
“You all look like you want to take revenge for what happened last time. Am I wrong?”
“Ugh..!”
“It’s irritating.”
Dokgo Yeongcheon, who had lost in a one-on-one match, bit his lip, and Tang So-yeol frowned.
Wi Seoryeon chuckled at the group’s reactions.
“However, it wouldn’t do to just recklessly start a fight. The circumstances now have changed quite a bit since last time.”
That was a point the group couldn’t refute.
Though they were completely a righteous faction, Ho Cheon-an, who had merely chosen to become an Outcast, was neither a righteousness faction nor an Outcast. He was in a position that couldn’t even be described as neutral.
Although Ho Cheon-an might mingle with the Demon Sect, it was only his choice, and there was no way the party could stop it forcefully.
Even if they drew their swords right away, it wouldn’t be odd given the relationship between the righteous faction and the Demon Sect, but that would leave Ho Cheon-an in a dire situation.
Extending her fist, Wi Seoryeon said.
“But a showdown doesn’t have to be settled with weapons alone.”
Ho Cheon-an and the Black Cat’s mouths dropped open.
Ho Cheon-an thought.
No way…? It can’t be that.
With no rival in sight, the Black Cat thought the same.
This gambler was going to get into trouble again.
Wi Seoryeon raised her clenched fist, showing it to them, and in her palm rested a pair of dice.
“Let’s compete at gambling instead.”
“…Huh?”
A moment of silence followed. As the extended silence continued, Wi Seoryeon frowned, realizing that this wasn’t the scenario she had envisioned.
“Are you all martial artists in the depths of your bones? Is gambling not a form of competition?”
In her nonchalant provocation, the group wore puzzled expressions.
“First of all, we’re not gamblers.”
“We’ve never even gambled.”
“How ridiculous…”
The group looked at Wi Seoryeon with expressions of disbelief. However, Wi Seoryeon, upon seeing their reactions, frowned as well.
“Can it be that those who are supposedly the best friends of the top gambler in the world don’t know how to gamble?”
The group’s faces were a mixture of bemusement and irritation.
“Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean we need to gamble.”
“Where does that assumption come from?”
“It’s quite natural to share hobbies with those who you’re close to, isn’t it?”
She said this with confidence, as if discussing the rising and setting of the sun.
Having expanded her connections through gambling, Wi Seoryeon considered sharing a hobby (gambling) as a prerequisite for friendship.
A person who was swimming in ignorance regarding human relationships, unaware of that fact, was met with bewilderment by the party.
It’s not uncommon for friends to share hobbies, but why hold such unwavering confidence?
“How disappointing.”
However, that confusion quickly turned into anger.
“Even if we’re friends, was it just that weak of a bond?”
“What? What are you saying?”
“I thought you traveled with Ho Cheon-an for a long time, so I naturally thought you would share a close bond. It seems that was my misunderstanding.”
Especially the fury of Dokgo Yeongcheon and Yeo Il-ye struck like lightning, making both the Black Cat and Ho Cheon-an flinch.
How much they had reflected on their helplessness while watching Ho Cheon-an head toward the Demon Sect!
Yet here was Wi Seoryeon flaunting her closeness with Ho Cheon-an while belittling their friendship!
It was absolutely unacceptable.
Just as Dokgo Yeongcheon and Yeo Il-ye were trembling with anger, Ho Cheon-an and the Black Cat intervened.
“Stop it!”
“Hmm. My apologies. Did I make things difficult by going too far?”
Wi Seoryeon’s apology was enough to incite a backlash. Seeing Dokgo Yeongcheon’s hand move toward his sword, Ho Cheon-an hastily chimed in.
“From the very beginning, I had no intention of gambling with the group! Please refrain from any misunderstanding!”
Hearing Ho Cheon-an’s plea, Wi Seoryeon looked at him with a pitiful expression.
“With such stubborn companions, you cannot be open about your thoughts. If you didn’t practice at all for a day, your gambling skills would wither… you must have had quite a hard time without an opponent.”
That was the deciding strike.
“Let’s do it!”
Dokgo Yeongcheon shouted in anger. The Black Cat and Ho Cheon-an looked at him with stunned expressions.
“No…”
People who had never gambled were now being urged to partake!?
The intensity of Dokgo Yeongcheon’s rage made Ho Cheon-an blink.
“Are you backing down after hearing this? Even if I am hopelessly defeated, I will not back down!”
“Oh ho! That’s quite the spirit.”
The Black Cat sighed deeply as she gazed at the ominous grin of Wi Seoryeon.
What on earth had she done to escalate matters to this level?
“Very well then; I shall see if your spirit is matched by your ability.”
“Bring it on!”
In an instant, the stage was set.
The gambling match between novice Dokgo Yeongcheon and the Gambler Wi Seoryeon began.
