NOVEL NEXT The Tang Clan and the Sacheon Outcasts have no real connection. Sacheon City was an area that the Tang Clan didn’t bother with, and the Sacheon Outcasts typically resolved over 90% of their requests within Sacheon City. External requests were matters for regular Outcasts, of which there were plenty outside of Sacheon City.
Even though they were in the same Sacheon, they were like two chickens looking at each other.
“Did that Outcast just beat Tang Do-gyeong in a bet?”
“No way! That guy can’t win a game to save his life!”
“I heard he got cleaned out inside the inn and had to resort to gambling outside.”
“Yeah, it’s not like he hasn’t been caught trying to cheat before.”
“You all can hear me, right?”
Even though I used “that Outcast” to maintain anonymity from Tang Do-gyeong, it clearly referred to me. However, those Outcasts weren’t wrong. In my early days of learning gambling techniques, I had practiced here at the Outcast Inn. Generally, an Outcast would start with at least second tier skills, first tiers were mainstream, and there were plenty of Peak Experts as well.
Peak Expert? If they’ve reached that level, why bother being an Outcast? Once they hit Peak Expert, they usually toss aside their Outcast status and leave.
Anyway, while these Outcasts may not have had gambling techniques, they are fundamentally martial artists, so among novices training in this place, they generally gained a lot of proficiency.
Back in those days, I was genuinely a novice at gambling; I had been caught trying to use sleight of hand more than once by the Outcasts. Still, it was manageable because I always ended up losing all my bets and leaving.
The fact that Ho Cheon-an was a favorable character among the Outcasts likely stemmed from those days. Whenever he gambled, it was like a vending machine spitting out money, and when he flaunted his sleight of hand, it’s only natural people would see him as an easy mark or, rather, someone to admire.
As I gained some proficiency in gambling, I found it necessary to play against professional gamblers and naturally started hitting the outside gambling dens. However, from the perspective of the Outcasts, it made sense to think, “Ah, now he’s lost everything and is out giving it a go.”
It was completely normal for the Sacheon Outcasts not to know the true identity of the deity Ho Cheon-an.
I hoped that the Outcasts would just shut up for a moment.
Hearing their conversations caused the veins on Tang Do-gyeong’s forehead to bulge in real-time. How infuriating it must be for him to hear someone he had lost all his money to being called an easy mark!
It was already humiliating for him to be cleaned out by some second-tier Outcast. On top of that, to have countless whispers from the Outcasts pouring over him!
“Ahem, well, even if he’s from the Tang Clan, it’s possible he can lose at gambling.”
“No, still losing to that guy seems a bit…”
“Even if he’s faced with that guy, losing one match could happen.”
“Hmm…”
*Crack!*
A foreboding sound came from the table where Tang Do-gyeong was leaning. His clenched fists were trembling, and it was clear he wasn’t just mildly angry.
“So, what business does the Great Hero Tang Do-gyeong desire?”
Yu Sa-yeon looked half-disheartened as if half his vitality had drained away in just those few seconds. I figured if I were the innkeeper and Tang Do-gyeong was getting angry in front of me, I would also feel dizzy.
I wanted to speak up, but since he was taking out his anger, it wasn’t my fault!
I was currently hiding among the Outcasts. Luck was on my side. If Tang Do-gyeong had come in while I was at a table with a Black Cat, I would have been caught immediately. Engaged in a war of words with Yu Sa-yeon, I managed to hide as soon as I spotted Tang Do-gyeong and listened to their conversation.
“I am looking for the Outcast who took the Blood Jade Plaque from me. The Outcast who was with that Miss yesterday.”
“Sacheon Outcasts generally operate under the principle of anonymity. Unless you are a related party, stepping into this Outcast Inn carelessly would undermine the anonymity of the Outcasts themselves. And you are not only entering this Inn but asking for an Outcast to be summoned?”
Yu Sa-yeon glared at Tang Do-gyeong with quite an intimidating aura.
“While I am just a humble innkeeper, I still have some sense of pride and dignity. The Great Hero should show more respect in this matter.”
“Of course. I, Tang Do-gyeong, promise to keep the matters of this Inn a secret on the honor of the Tang Clan.”
Yu Sa-yeon could not refute Tang Do-gyeong’s words regarding his clan name. To be honest, while Tang Do-gyeong might have been caught up in a lot of fights, he was fundamentally what one would call a real man. Once the topic of fighting arose, he’d go mad, but aside from that, there was no problem with him.
“I understand your concern, Innkeeper. I didn’t come to be a nuisance by demanding the return of the Blood Jade Plaque.”
“…Then what is it you seek?”
Seeing Yu Sa-yeon keen to listen, Tang Do-gyeong’s eyes widened.
“I am the type who cannot sleep after losing, you see.”
Yeah, everyone in Sacheon knows that.
“That’s why my nickname is ‘Dogfighter.’ I took on challenges without sparing any effort when I lost, yet I have always maintained my line as a righteous faction, upholding my principles that give me my very name.”
That’s honestly true.
If someone like Tang Do-gyeong were to lose in a gambling match to me and throw a fit about it, he could easily face consequences given his status. For example, he might forcibly reclaim the Blood Jade Plaque or claim collusion had taken place.
He had some justification. Being an Outcast who employs sorcery, some would certainly criticize him for throwing a fit, but most folks would think, “No way! Losing the Blood Jade Plaque in a game like that? I’d act like Tang Do-gyeong too!”
Yet, even while filled with rage, Tang Do-gyeong just walked away.
And when Yeo Il-ye and the Black Cat fought in front of the Hwang Gold Clan, he joined in but didn’t rush in himself. If he had raised a ruckus as a guest of the Hwang Gold Clan, the duel might have even been established.
In short, he was a totally different level of true righteous faction compared to someone like Gang Jun, who only pretended to be one.
*Thud!*
Tang Do-gyeong placed a piece of paper on the table.
“A voucher for one hundred gold taels. I came here to challenge him to another bet to rightfully reclaim my Blood Jade Plaque!”
“…”
“I acknowledge that my techniques in hidden weapons are inferior compared to those of my clan, and while my control skills are also lacking, I am still a member of the Tang Clan, the strongest clan when it comes to hidden weapons! You cannot separate control from hidden weapons! I vow here that I will regain my honor as a Tang Clan member by defeating him in our rematch! And at this moment, I swear not to use any external pressures or violence!”
“Hmm…”
“Indeed, the Tang Clan; it has the spirit to be called a righteous faction.”
What the hell are you all cheering for? Don’t you realize what he’s saying? He’s declaring that he’s going to hunt me down!
I wanted to shout in frustration, but if I did, I’d be found out by Tang Do-gyeong right away, so I could only beat my chest silently.
However, the dignified appearance of Tang Do-gyeong seemed to resonate deeply with the Sacheon Outcasts.
There are countless self-proclaimed righteous faction types in this Sacheon; however, these so-called righteous factions often use Outcasts to stage their acts of heroism and fake victories while posing as chivalrous warriors.
Thus, it’s only natural that Sacheon Outcasts felt this deep-seated annoyance with the righteous factions.
So, understanding their fascination with Tang Do-gyeong’s bold declaration as a true man standing up against injustices makes sense…
But who in the world was that guy just now? The one who just pushed me out there.
As I turned to glare, Yeo Jin-sang and Jeong Sam looked like they wanted to know what was going on.
“Are you all insane? Pushing a fellow comrade out like that?”
“What’s the hold up?”
“Don’t you feel anything after hearing such brazen talk?”
Having spent seven years bumping around together, I could read their emotions easily. To think I had considered these fools my comrades! They haven’t been a bit of help during my time as an Outcast.
“What situation is this?”
In the midst of this, a familiar yet chilling voice broke the ice.
“Miss Yeo Il-ye…!”
“Here again…!”
“I have no interest in you all. I merely came to comply with the results of the bet.”
The Outcasts parted like a tide as Yeo Il-ye frowned while looking between Tang Do-gyeong and Yu Sa-yeon.
“Did Young Hero Tang also happen to be here?”
“…Miss Yeo, you have arrived as well.”
Yeo Il-ye’s gaze narrowed.
“Have you perhaps come regarding the matter of the Blood Jade Plaque?”
“Do not misunderstand. I only visited seeking a fair challenge.”
A silent battle of glares ensued between Yeo Il-ye and Tang Do-gyeong. Yu Sa-yeon’s complexion had turned pale a long time ago, and he looked close to fainting. If a fight breaks out between Yeo Il-ye and Tang Do-gyeong here, the inn would be utterly devastated.
“Innkeeper, you are Yu Sa-yeon, correct?”
“Y-Yes, I am Yu Sa-yeon…”
Yeo Il-ye, tilting her head at Yu Sa-yeon’s dazed voice, pulled out a wrapped sword.
“This is the item we promised yesterday. I hope you will relay it to your master.”
Oh no, it’s getting complicated.
“Huff.”
I had thought to receive some money instead of Yeo Il-ye’s sword through Yu Sa-yeon. Just a reasonable amount, around five gold taels. After all, having the Gratitude Plaque meant that extracting more from Yeo Il-ye would be pointless. The Gratitude Plaque is essentially a blank check.
Yeo Il-ye’s sword might have been worth something, but rather than losing it over her weakened status, it’s better to return it for free.
Yeo Il-ye is someone whose whereabouts could become uncertain. I have no idea if she would return to Sacheon in the future. But if I were to send her off now, how would I get the sword back?
Furthermore, if I took the sword, my Fame Value would surely rise again.
I was feeling dizzy, indeed.
“How about we settle this with some money instead of the sword?”
Given that, I had no choice but to step into the spot where Tang Do-gyeong’s eyes were bulging.