Humans are creatures that learn.
I, too, am human and have learned.
The Tang Clan’s family motto: [Kindness is repaid double, resentment tenfold].
It can truly be called an impressive motto, but let’s take a moment to reflect on it. Why exactly was this phrase designated as a motto?
Tang Do-gyeong whipped through all of Sacheon just to perfect his martial arts.
Tang Do-yeon locked a guest from the family in a cart and raced down a hill at full speed.
And Tang Guanglie? He marveled at my week-long lecture, glinting with admiration while occasionally staring at my Black Rib during breaks.
To be precise, he was eyeing the delectable forehead hidden beneath my Black Rib.
The more I met and experienced the people of the Tang Clan, the more I felt an urgent realization.
Oh, these guys are just selfish humans who do whatever they want, whether it’s kindness or resentment!
That’s precisely why they established such a motto to emphasize the concepts of kindness and resentment!
Look at Tang Guanglie’s eyes!
I spent an entire week imparting my gambling techniques to him, and he won because of it. What’s more, he clearly understood this fact.
But that’s not all! When Tang Do-gyeong exhibited control over the stakes, he even admitted out loud that he was in a gambling addiction state.
And he even expressed his gratitude with his own mouth.
Yet, his eyes were anything but ordinary.
Even while I congratulated him on his victory, Tang Guanglie’s gaze was fixed on just one thing.
My forehead!
Those eyes were precisely aimed at my forehead! With furrowed brows, I made a defensive posture for my forehead! It oozed the will to land at least one slap, no matter how many hits he took!
Tang Guanglie is a Tang and the Tang people always do what they want.
Be it kindness or resentment, his eyes screamed he wanted to slap me!
If we assume he’s going to slap his family head, what do you think is going through Tang Guanglie’s head as he aims for that slap? After taking a dozen hits, he’ll feel disappointed if he only gets to return one. Should I slap just a little harder? It’s only Outcast Ya, and a little touch on my internal energy would be just fine, right?
Yeah, after taking a total of thirteen hits, I could afford to slap a bit harder.
In this desperate plea for one slap, would Tang Guanglie really consider my life before he slapped? I don’t think so.
Trust the Tang Clan? Trust Tang Guanglie’s self-restraint? I’d rather grind my teeth than trust the people of the Tang Clan.
If I trust the Tang Clan, I’d be Cheon-an instead of Ho Cheon-an.
Sensing that Tang Guanglie might propose a slap duel, I hastily opened my mouth.
“The family head hasn’t wrapped everything up yet.”
As I mentioned earlier, humans are learners, and I’ve experienced a lot at the hands of the Tangs, so I prepared a countermeasure.
“…Teacher?”
Tang Guanglie wore a perplexed expression at my words.
I looked at him with the proudest eyes I could muster. Having gained some confidence from my recent one-on-one with Tang Do-gyeong, it wouldn’t be strange for him to challenge me to a gamble right now.
With my hands behind my back, I moved slowly toward the gambling table. Tang Guanglie’s suspicious gaze followed me, as did those of Feng Ying Hall Master and Tang Do-gyeong.
I am Ho Cheon-an, a master director of the Sacheon Outcast, seven years in the game.
Though I’m a villain specialist, I can direct other characters as well.
Today, I’m portraying ‘a teacher who warmly points out mistakes while joyously celebrating his disciple’s achievements.’
With a gentle smile and a leisurely gait, but with conviction and confidence in every move I make.
Tang Guanglie’s questioning resolve was evident in his eyes.
“You need to wrap this up.”
On the gambling table that my fingers lightly touched, lay the hidden weapons that Tang Guanglie had won today.
“Hmm… of course, returning the hidden weapons to the direct line members is urgent. But first…”
“You’re ‘returning’ the hidden weapons? My, oh my… Family Head.”
I let out a tone that was mockingly questioning, causing Tang Guanglie to hesitate.
“I find it somewhat awkward for an outsider like me to discuss the Tang Clan’s rules, but just as you issued the hidden weapons to Brother Tang, are you planning to simply return them to the other Tang members like that?”
“Shouldn’t we? Of course, admonitions should be given, but…”
I replied while still smiling? Appearing like a teacher casting a question to encourage the student to find the right answer.
“Do you really plan to do that? You just spent all that effort reclaiming the hidden weapons through gambling from Brother Do-gyeong.”
At my words, Tang Guanglie smiled wryly.
“Ha ha, are you saying that we should distribute hidden weapons through gambling? The children have no guarantee of winning… and most of the direct line members are fully invested in competing with Do-gyeong. There’s probably no hidden weapon left to wager either.”
“That’s right, Outcast Ya. Most of the hidden weapons we trained with aren’t even left, which is why the direct line members are gathered outside this family head’s quarters.”
Feng Ying Hall Master chimed in.
“Elder Tang, what was it you entrusted me with?”
“That was… a request to teach gambling,” Tang Guanglie replied.
“That’s correct. But truthfully, wasn’t that request about solving the underlying problem? Winning against Brother Do-gyeong in gambling was merely a primary issue,” Feng Ying Hall Master pointed out.
“…Ha ha.”
It appears Tang Guanglie still hasn’t grasped what I’m driving at.
Well, his head is probably so full of plotting our slap duel that he wouldn’t hear my words.
“Gambling is a game that anyone can win if luck is on their side, isn’t it?”
Still looking puzzled, Tang Guanglie nodded while glancing at me.
“With luck and stakes, anyone can win the game.”
“Yes, indeed. Teacher Ya… I’m sure you were about to say, ‘What exactly are you trying to say?’ But before that thought could escape, I swiftly interrupted.”
“You mentioned that the family head believes the direct line members need an ‘admonition.’ I have this strange feeling that I provided that means on the first day.”
I twisted my fingers into a circle. Tang Do-gyeong looked at me with a puzzled expression while Tang Guanglie and Feng Ying Hall Master’s eyes widened.
“…Ha… ha.”
Tang Guanglie burst into laughter.
“Hahahahahahaha!”
Tang Guanglie is an expert recognized even in the Martial World and simultaneously the Family Head. Yet, he’s going to smack my forehead? Naturally, he would remember that!
Of course, if he gets slapped, he’d undoubtedly be enraged.
But who am I, the one who initiated the slap? What have I provided? I am Ho Cheon-an, the one who infused the essence of gambling for an entire week. Thanks to that, Tang Do-gyeong obtained a splendid victory and drastically improved his gambling skills while recovering all the hidden weapons.
Tang Guanglie would want to slap me, but he would also realize how unreasonable that act would be.
That’s why he couldn’t openly voice it, merely projecting his eyes of contempt.
“Forgive me, but I’ve summoned all the direct line members who have claimed they suffered losses.”
“That’s right! Since rumors were already spreading, the direct line members who lost their hidden weapons were gathering in the family head’s quarters. Outcast Ya made a request for all the affected direct line members to come together!”
Could it be that he understands my grand design? Feng Ying Hall Master spoke passionately, gazing at me with awe.
“Exactly how far ahead did you plan, Teacher…!”
Yes, if he wants to slap me, then he should!
So I gathered everyone.
Victims who can give Tang Guanglie ample reasons to carry out his slapping spree.
“Wahahahaha! Yes! Teacher Ya is right! What was lost through gambling should be returned through gambling! And we will deliver admonitions while at it! Hahahahaha!”
The family head wagers hidden weapons while the direct line members receive slap lessons from Tang Guanglie! The direct line members learn valuable life lessons while rubbing their foreheads and collecting hidden weapons.
Instead of feeling guilt for slapping a benefactor, they slap the rightful targets… I mean, they learn valuable lessons.
My resentment towards him?
No, there wasn’t any resentment to begin with! It was merely a misunderstanding!
I designed this entire sequence for the sake of rectifying matters with the family head. I was nothing more than a gambling instructor delivering slaps for betterment.
Everything was done for the Family Head’s benefit and guidance.
It was a means for therapy, a foresight regarding the current situation.
There was absolutely no way I would ever think, while slapping the Family Head’s forehead, “Oh, this was fun.” I have since realized that my previous resentment has disappeared completely.
Whether my expectations were correct or not, Tang Guanglie gazing at me with a huge smile in his eyes seemed utterly clear of any resentment. With satisfaction radiating from my eyes, I offered a final smile before lowering my Black Rib.
“Feng Ying Hall Master!”
“Yes, Family Head!”
“Bring all the direct line members gathered outside into the quarters!”
“Honorable!”
I patted Tang Do-gyeong’s shoulder, who looked lost in confusion.
“Do-gyeong, let’s step aside. It seems the Family Head and Feng Ying Hall Master are going to be busy.”
“Hmm… I’m not quite sure what’s happening, but it feels like things are going smoothly,” Tang Do-gyeong said with a friendly smile.
“I feel bad for never having treated you well during my time in the Tang Clan. Today, may the descendant of Tang treat you to a meal. I’m certain my father, mother, and Rye-ah want to see you, too.”
You’re sure they want to see me? You really have no signal, do you?
Though those words nearly escaped my mouth, since Tang Do-gyeong’s offer was precisely what I needed, I smiled and nodded.
“Sure, I would love to share some drinks with you, Brother Do-gyeong.”
Lastly, I lightly bowed my head to the Family Head as I grasped my Black Rib. Tang Guanglie nodded at me.
“Now that we have the Family Head’s permission, let’s go.”
“Hahaha! I’ll lead the way!”
I stepped out of the family head’s quarters alongside Brother Do-gyeong.
I could see the direct line members pouring into the quarters, but I had no stake in whether their foreheads caught fire or bled.
That was no longer my concern.
