Moyong Clan’s Shengsu Faction owned forest.
Under the watch of Moyong Mo, the branch clans were in a state of caution, and the martial artists, aware of the external gaze, were practically in a dormant state, leaving Shengsu Faction’s private lands completely empty.
Midnight.
In that emptiness, a suspicious shadow lurked; it was a Blood Person from the Blood Sect.
“Is this the place?”
The Blood Person looked down at the ground with blood-stained eyes.
It was precisely the spot where Ho Cheon-an buried the Blood Person’s corpse.
As the Blood Person dug into the ground, a half-decayed body appeared. Unperturbed, the Blood Person examined the heart of the corpse.
“Fortunately, it hasn’t been damaged.”
Thud!
The Blood Person’s finger pierced through the rotten flesh and reached the heart. Despite the extensive decay, the heart contained fresh blood preserved according to the Blood Sect’s sorcery, and that blood transmitted the memories of the deceased to the Blood Person.
“Ugh!”
Receiving the memories of the dead, the Blood Person let out a groan.
The memories conveyed were merely one or two intense moments from the last moments of life, but there was much to learn from just those.
Nodding in understanding, the Blood Person thought, ‘So the foul presence is the Brain Knife Outcast, huh?’
Though the Blood Person didn’t know the face of the Brain Knife Outcast, there couldn’t possibly be another expert wielding that notorious blade near Shengsu Faction.
There was plenty of circumstantial evidence indicating the deep involvement of the Brain Knife Outcast in matters pertaining to Shengsu Faction, so the Blood Person accepted the facts without surprise.
However, another scene sufficed to make the Blood Person frown.
‘Why didn’t the Iron Blood Rat attack the enemy?’
Even after using spells, the Iron Blood Rat had ultimately refrained from attacking the Brain Knife Outcast.
The Blood Person shook their head.
Determination was not their place to make.
The Blood Person took out a bat from their possession and sent off a report detailing the findings regarding the corpse and the vicinity of Shengsu Faction.
Flap flap!
The bat carrying the truth of the events occurring at Shengsu Faction soared energetically into the air.
—
Rustle! Rustle!
Black Cat observed Wi Seoryeon’s hand movements and thought, ‘Looks like you’ve been busy gambling in the meantime.’
Having been coerced into being Wi Seoryeon’s gambling partner every day, Black Cat felt the significant change in Wi Seoryeon’s skills.
It had been quite a while since they left Black Dragon Castle with Ho Cheon-an in pursuit of Jeong Cheol, so perhaps it was only natural.
The smooth hand movements honed through effort and the confident smile that came from that effort showcased Wi Seoryeon’s growing experience as a gambler.
However.
Black Cat’s gaze toward Wi Seoryeon was icy.
“…It’s on the left.”
“Wrong!”
With a triumphant lift of the cup, Wi Seoryeon celebrated while Hyeok Gi-rin fidgeted nervously.
There were hardly any bets left on Hyeok Gi-rin’s side, while Wi Seoryeon’s was overflowing with them.
“Haha! How about giving up at this point?”
“Ugh…!”
Despite being a clear rookie to anyone who didn’t know gambling, Hyeok Gi-rin struggled against Wi Seoryeon, who unleashed all kinds of techniques and dominated the game while making irritating comments throughout the process, naturally making Black Cat’s gaze even colder.
‘You should do it moderately!’
While only gambling skills improved, the person remained stagnant.
Watching Wi Seoryeon, who was pleased with the fun of slaughtering the naive rookie Hyeok Gi-rin, could only elicit a sigh.
There was no twist in the duel, and all of Hyeok Gi-rin’s bets fell into Wi Seoryeon’s hands.
Having lost three consecutive rounds, Hyeok Gi-rin’s head hung low.
“Have you lost your heart?”
“….”
Meanwhile, Wi Seoryeon was too busy savoring the flavor of genuine victory, having not experienced it in quite some time after Black Cat and Ho Cheon-an had left.
It was because there had been no proper opponents since they had gone.
After Black Cat and Ho Cheon-an departed, Wi Seoryeon only had Wi Ji-cheon to gamble against.
While it was possible to summon the underground gamblers for games, the relationship between the underground gamblers and Wi Seoryeon was far too clear-cut, and the matches tended to lean towards being mere entertainment.
So where could Wi Seoryeon have truly tasted victory?
Coupled with that was Hyeok Gi-rin, who may have been a rookie in gambling but was filled with rage, presenting a fresh sensation for Wi Seoryeon.
As a Heavenly Demon, there was no one in the Heavenly Demon Sect willing to openly gamble while displaying intense animosity toward Wi Seoryeon.
“Well, while you rushed at me like a charging bull, it’s too bad your skills didn’t match that spirit.”
At Wi Seoryeon’s gleeful remarks, Hyeok Gi-rin’s head dropped even lower, trembling in anger.
“The strong become the victor, and the weak become the loser…”
Wi Seoryeon falteringly began but suddenly shut their mouth.
It was because their gaze met Black Cat’s, which sent a chill that words couldn’t describe.
The atmosphere turned icy, as if a cold discomfort gripped Wi Seoryon!
Black Cat, pressing the urgency onto Wi Seoryeon, broke the silence.
“Let’s call it a day for now and come back another time.”
From Wi Seoryeon’s perspective, there were many opponents yet to taste victory against. Reluctant to retreat right then, Wi Seoryeon attempted to argue.
“No…”
However.
“Next time.”
Wi Seoryeon noted the increasing chill in Black Cat’s eyes that seemed to reach another level, causing their mouth to shut instinctively.
“Hm, then how about tomorrow…”
With a subtle hint at a date, Wi Seoryeon quickly made an escape, avoiding Black Cat’s gaze.
As Wi Seoryeon departed for the Demon Sect, Black Cat let out a sigh and discreetly gauged Hyeok Gi-rin’s response.
Hyeok Gi-rin was utterly stiff, with tightly clenched fists and a heavy, bowed head.
Even Seo Gong, who usually chirped away, held a breath in, sensing the dense atmosphere.
“Uh…”
Just as Ho Cheon-an was about to interject to de-escalate the situation.
“AAAAAAH!!!”
Hyeok Gi-rin erupted.
Seo Gong jumped in shock, hiding behind Tang So-yeol, and everyone else was startled.
“Ugh! Damn it! I’m furious!!!”
Bang! Bang! Boom!!
Despite their cute appearance and corresponding gestures, Hyeok Gi-rin’s stomping made the campground shake uncontrollably, as the winds of rage swirled around.
Everyone’s faces exhibited cold sweat, gazing at Hyeok Gi-rin, who was heaving up and down.
As the chaotic tremors subsided, a true silence enveloped the surroundings.
“I’m angry.”
“Damn it, Hyeok Gi-rin…”
“I’m furious not only because I lost, but even more because I can’t refute that irritating Heavenly Demon’s words.”
“I’m really okay, Hyeok Gi-rin. There’s no need to gamble if you don’t want to…”
Ho Cheon-an tried to pick up the pieces, imagining in their mind what it would be like to sit beside Hyeok Gi-rin and gamble together.
‘Hmm…’
Just the thought of gambling happily with the princess made their body tremble.
“No way!”
Unaware of Ho Cheon-an’s thoughts, Hyeok Gi-rin gritted their teeth. In Hyeok Gi-rin’s mind, only the glance of Wi Seoryeon looking down on them filled their thoughts.
That glimmer of certainty in their gaze made them feel they were closer to Ho Cheon-an than the others!
Hyeok Gi-rin’s glare toward Ho Cheon-an made her flinch, and Hyeok Gi-rin bit their lip.
Though frustrated, there was a hint of truth in that irritating girl’s words.
While having admired Ho Cheon-an’s abilities, Hyeok Gi-rin had never attempted to learn or understand her techniques.
‘Perhaps Wi Seoryeon, who shares the gambling realm, is closer to her than I am.’
As a disciple of Jeomchang Faction, a rival.
As a member of the Imperial Family, also a rival.
And even as a martial artist, a former opponent who had defeated them once.
Feeling unable to shake off even a hint of anxiety in facing Wi Seoryeon filled Hyeok Gi-rin with tremendous anger.
It was the fact that no basis existed to completely dispel that anxiety.
‘Absolutely! I cannot fall behind that girl!’
If I have fallen behind, then I’ll just catch up. If I lack grounds, then I will build them. If I am far now… then I will get closer!
“Please, teach me how to gamble!”
With that resolve, Hyeok Gi-rin gazed earnestly at Ho Cheon-an.
“…Yes.”
Receiving the fiery stare of Hyeok Gi-rin, Ho Cheon-an’s response was already established.
—
A glimpse appeared in mind of Yoo Gyeong, mobilizing the clique to dunk a gambler who had been causing trouble, disguising herself as Dujak.
After a lot of fuss just to keep Tangs’ family name safe…
“So, you mean like this?”
“That’s right.”
Hyeok Gi-rin fiddled with the cup, imagining how Yoo Gyeong would react if she found out about this situation.
Oh…
The thought made them feel damp with sweat.
“Senior Ho?”
Hyeok Gi-rin abruptly shook off the unhealthy thoughts from their mind.
Right, it’s all part of the job now.
I was the one who handed those crow-like fellows the dice, and all the ensuing incidents were my karma.
Especially, seeing Hyeok Gi-rin display emotions so fervently and stubbornly was a first.
Perhaps even the usually timid Hyeok Gi-rin had something that could not be yielded.
Until now, they had traveled together, often yielding, taking a step back. But watching Hyeok Gi-rin show such determination made me feel it was only right to do my utmost to help them as a companion.
…Later, I’ll kneel and plead to the Emperor for forgiveness.
I pondered as I watched Hyeok Gi-rin’s movements.
Could Hyeok Gi-rin actually win against Wi Seoryeon?
While it was true that Hyeok Gi-rin was a complete rookie who hadn’t played a single round of gambling, that didn’t mean they lacked potential assets.
At Jeomchang Faction, Hyeok Gi-rin indeed learned various things while the Masters imparted magic techniques.
Though they’re unfamiliar with converting that into gambling techniques, they surely had a foundation in hand skills.
But even if they drew all that experience, the odds against Wi Seoryeon, who had impressive gambling skills, were still slim.
I had taught several people how to gamble during our travels.
Having taught Tang Do-gyeong through realizations and even had imparted some skills to Tang Family Head and the Poison Doctor; I had shared gambling knowledge indirectly with Wi Ji-cheon and Wi Seoryeon.
Considering those various experiences, I could predict that even if I taught Hyeok Gi-rin, surpassing Wi Seoryeon’s skills would be quite a challenge.
“Senior Ho.”
Was my thought so visible on my face?
Hyeok Gi-rin looked at me and said.
“I absolutely want to win.”
“Hmm…”
“It’s not just an empty declaration to win in tomorrow’s match. I am resolved to not step back until I surpass that Heavenly Demon.”
“…Is that so?”
Was my own determination lacking?
Realizing Hyeok Gi-rin’s attitude of accepting even a prolonged campaign, I also steeled myself.
“Now, a newbie like Hyeok Gi-rin surpassing that Heavenly Demon will not be easy. Even with intense training, it won’t be simple.”
“Training, indeed. I want that more than anything. I can endure whatever it takes to surpass that Heavenly Demon.”
