NOVEL NEXT The gambling duel with Dogwi had a positive effect at the banquet hall.
“I had a revelation yesterday. There’s a depth to gambling, you know.”
“Impressive skills, indeed.”
“Haha, you’re too kind.”
The banquet had already been going on for over ten days, and all the interesting topics had been exhausted. So when it came to entertaining guests, what to say was a challenge, but the gambling duel with Dogwi was a decent conversation starter.
Speaking of Dogwi, what was he up to?
He was an uninvited guest, sure, but he was still one of the attendees, so I should pay him some mind.
Looking around the banquet hall, I spotted Dogwi mingling with the crowd. He was with Tang Do-yeon, Wi Seoryeon, Moyong Mo, and even the Black Cat.
I headed in their direction.
“What are you all chatting about?”
“Ah! Listen! Senior! No, my lord! Wi Seoryeon knew Dogwi would challenge you!”
What was that supposed to mean?
It made absolutely no sense to me.
Had Wi Seoryeon picked up on my confusion, or was she just in a good mood? Either way, she proclaimed confidently, “Hehe, literally! That guy, Dogwi, sought me out while I was at the Dark Dragon Sect to challenge me. At that moment, I sensed it—I knew he would come to challenge you!”
“Oh.”
So, Wi Seoryeon had based her claim about my lingering feelings on Dogwi’s challenge. Realizing that made my face contort in irritation.
“What do you mean?”
“…What?”
“If you knew Dogwi was coming, couldn’t you have just said he might show up?”
Upon my sharp retort, Wi Seoryeon’s confident smile shattered like glass. Well, it was just a straightforward observation. She had giddily blabbed about my supposed lingering feelings, implying I was on a temporary retirement from the Martial World, but that was merely because she’d known Dogwi was coming to challenge me and tossed out a flashy comment.
For a whole week, I had felt like a fool searching for the cause of my lingering emotions, only to find it was about Dogwi’s challenge.
Black Cat, who had shared my uncertainties about remaining in the Martial World with me, was likely feeling the same way, which is why she was so upset.
Seeing Wi Seoryeon sweating under our icy glares, I let out a sigh as it felt pointless to even be angry at that moment.
Ah, this is Wi Seoryeon for you. What was I even expecting?
“Anyway, you’re always like this…!”
I turned my gaze from Wi Seoryeon, who was being scolded by Black Cat, to face Dogwi.
“So, are you enjoying yourself?”
“Thank you for the generous hospitality.”
It didn’t seem like Dogwi was just being polite. Behind his stoic face, there was a glimmer of genuine enjoyment.
Hmm.
When we met at the Video Tower, I had thought he was quite emotionally complicated. Even when we met in Nangyang, he had shown some expression after the duel.
But now, he had transformed into this serene figure, reminiscent of an enlightened monk. What could possibly be so significant about a gambling duel with me that would lead to such a change?
I suddenly became curious. What were his thoughts as he sought me out?
“I have one question.”
“What is it?”
“After this duel, regardless of the outcome, your reputation as a gambler will skyrocket. Wouldn’t it make it difficult for you to continue as a gambler?”
The reason I gambled openly was simple.
For me, gambling was more of a means than an end. So even if my skills were out in the open and I found no one willing to gamble with me, that was fine.
However, Dogwi’s situation was different.
He relied on gambling to make a living as a gambler. While there might be a certain level of reputation among gamblers, the notoriety from this situation wouldn’t be the kind of forum where they say, “I hear that guy’s a gambler,” but more like “He’s the guy who took on the Heavenly Demon!”
Sure, there might still be challengers, but as a regular gambler trying to make a living, he would have to wave goodbye to that dream.
Dogwi’s answer was straightforward.
“I’ll think about that after I win the duel.”
How response-worthy he was.
He was right. There was no point in worrying about what comes after the duel when it hadn’t even finished yet.
Well, once you become famous, there are ways to make a living off it. It’s possible that all the gamblers across the nation might flock to learn from Dogwi’s skills.
Many gamblers seek to challenge martial artists, so there could indeed be a demand.
Lost in those thoughts, I suddenly found this situation amusing and couldn’t help but chuckle. Why was I worrying about Dogwi’s life? He’ll manage just fine on his own.
Dogwi watched me as I laughed, then spoke up.
“Feeling pressured, are we?”
“Hmm?”
“The fact that you’ve become someone’s target.”
…With those words, I set my cup down.
Yeah, maybe Dogwi had a point.
The truth was, Dogwi was wealthy. Why? The moment I struck big at the gambling den, all the profits there landed in Dogwi’s hands.
I hadn’t realized it at the time, but when Sacheon City was cleared of the Peak Experts and the Outcast Inn was recruiting new Sacheon Outcasts, I’d heard a brief mention from a loan shark.
A hundred gold nyang.
With that much money, he could buy a decent piece of land and build a fine estate, and as long as he didn’t indulge in extravagant spending, he wouldn’t have to worry about money for life.
He could live as a landlord, strutting around comfortably. Perhaps it was one of the most ideal retirement plans cherished by gamblers.
No matter how much they held, a gambler could lose everything the next day, so real estate was always an object of desire.
Yet, Dogwi gave up that kind of life, driven by a singular desire to defeat me. Challenging me to hone his skills in Nangyang was one thing. But actually seeking out the so-called Heavenly Demon Sect, where commoners feared to tread, to practice was something else entirely.
What made him value this gambling duel with me so much? Did it hold such significance?
As I pondered that, the weight of Dogwi’s determination felt even heavier.
“There’s no need to feel burdened. I simply wanted to become the greatest gambler in the world, and among all the gamblers I know, you were the one closest to that.”
“That’s quite an obsession for someone like you.”
To my retort, Dogwi smirked subtly and replied.
“What can I say? Ever since that day at the Video Tower, I’ve met countless gamblers, but none have come close to surpassing you. Sure, there might be better gamblers out there, but if they wanted to compete with you, they would have sought you out.”
Is that so?
In the end, Dogwi dreamed of becoming the greatest gambler, and I was merely a stepping stone in his journey.
Yeah, it was just one duel after all. His life changing because of it was probably just my misconception.
“I’m very grateful to you. If I hadn’t gambled against you at the Video Tower, I would’ve remained a frog in a well, possibly prideful in thinking I was the greatest gambler in the world while rotting away in Sacheon.”
…I would have liked to think that, yet hearing Dogwi say he would have lazed around in Sacheon if it weren’t for me, made me uncomfortable again.
This guy sure knows how to play with people’s emotions.
As I glared at Dogwi, he looked at me curiously.
“You really are troubled by the little things.”
“Little things?”
“Of course, to me, it is a matter of utmost importance. However, from your perspective, having just one gambler show up to challenge you amidst a series of grand events must seem trivial, right?”
That was true.
Dogwi, a relatively unknown challenger, showing up at the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa was indeed minor. It had been quite a while since I established myself here, and before the wedding ceremony, there had been more than a handful of martial artists bursting in to test me.
Some sought to defeat me and earn fame, while others simply came to improve their skills or catch a glimpse of a Higher Realm.
Considering all that commotion, Dogwi’s challenge was nothing special.
Yet, Dogwi was special.
As a Veteran of the Martial World, I had never encountered anyone who truly succeeded in gambling. I felt an itch to ask how he accomplished that and conduct some tests until I got bored.
It was akin to understanding the mindset of a mad scientist wanting to dissect an alien.
As I looked at Dogwi with fervor, he smirked, perhaps interpreting my gaze as awe.
“Yet from my perspective, this is a good thing.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. To be honest, I worried a lot before coming here. You threw down a hundred gold nyang at the Video Tower and left, then slapped someone as you exited the gambling house in Nangyang. Watching your back, I thought to myself, perhaps you have no interest in gambling at all.”
That was a valid concern, so I just emptied my cup in silence.
“Despite such worries, it’s a relief to see that the word gambling still holds a place in your heart.”
Hmm.
Perhaps it wasn’t passion but mere curiosity as a Veteran of the Martial World that had me feeling this way, so I maintained my serious demeanor.
Dogwi watched me quizzically as if my response surprised him, but I remained steadfast until he shook his head, glancing up at the sky.
“It’s noon.”
Time to settle this duel.
There’s a saying that you see what you know.
But even without knowing, some things are still remarkable.
That was the case with the duel between Dogwi and Ho Cheon-an the previous day, and today, the audience gathered around the gambling table in eager anticipation.
Plus, there was an irresistible subject they couldn’t resist—could Dogwi really unravel a Martial Artist’s techniques?
Today, the answer to that question would be unveiled.
“Today, you choose the game. I’ll decide the order.”
“Alright. Let’s go with dice today.”
“In that case, I’ll take the second turn.”
Dogwi’s graciousness in yielding the first turn made the guests and audience instinctively realize he was prepared to answer their burning question.
“Sounds good.”
Ho Cheon-an picked up a cup with two dice inside. As the duel began, the guests held their breath, fixated on Ho Cheon-an’s hands.
Clink, clink.
Ho Cheon-an’s hands spin the cup lightly, sending the two dice soaring into the air. For a moment, the guests looked puzzled, but it quickly turned into shock.
From that action emerged a comprehension of unspoken principles.
The two dice that had ascended into the air, combined with Ho Cheon-an’s hand and the cup rising with them, made the scene appear as if some cloud had formed.
Boom!
A dark cloud, full of rage, seemed ready to unleash lightning at any moment!
And when the opening of the cup, raised high by Ho Cheon-an, pointed from the sky down to the ground, everyone could feel it.
Lightning was coming.
Bang!!!
A bolt connecting heaven and earth struck down on the gambling table. The force was so overwhelming that it created strong winds pushing dust and grass around from the ground while Dogwi and Ho Cheon-an’s clothes and hair billowed in the air.
“Mmm…!”
The audience could only murmur.
Ho Cheon-an’s move had such a powerful presence behind it.
Ho Cheon-an’s play was not simply a fierce strike of the dice that fell swiftly from the air. It was the essence of thunder, highlighting the mighty will behind it.
If this wasn’t a gambling competition but a martial arts duel, one could only wonder how many champions in the world could withstand such a move.
Such thoughts naturally sprung to mind.
But could a mere Common Person like Dogwi fathom this? Those who believed that Dogwi could perceive Ho Cheon-an’s move would undoubtedly shake their heads at that question.
No matter how prepared Dogwi was to face a martial artist, it wouldn’t work in the presence of such a profound technique.
It seemed as if Dogwi was either aware of the audience’s doubt or not. He simply closed his eyes in silence.
* *
Dogwi’s challenge to surpass O Gyeong, aiming to transcend martial arts, had stalled in the underground gambling halls.
As the eccentric behaviors continued, news of Dogwi’s goal trickled through the underground gambling scene. Most who learned of Dogwi’s ambition laughed at him. A non-martial artist aiming to defeat one? According to their logic, it was an impossible task.
However, it wasn’t as if everyone mocked Dogwi. There were some who supported him and even suggested their own solutions.
“How about practicing martial arts?”
“At my age?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be easy, but better late than never, right?”
Dogwi smiled bitterly. Was there a boy who never dreamed of becoming a Martial Artist? Dogwi was one of them, but unfortunately, he had no talent for martial arts.
“So, here’s how it goes. How does your finger move outside of your hand? That’s martial arts.”
Some even offered to teach their techniques.
Yet, Dogwi was unable to come even close to the wall of O Gyeong.
Days turned to weeks and months passed, yet the height of that wall didn’t seem to diminish.
Even with a will of steel, Dogwi couldn’t help but feel a nagging doubt after such a long time.
“You seem tired.”
Dogwi smiled ruefully at O Gyeong’s comforting words.
“Sorry, it’s not a sight I should show to someone helping me.”
“It’s fine. That’s just human nature.”
Looking at O Gyeong, who spoke so calmly, Dogwi felt increasingly frustrated. Was this frustration a burden, guilt, or perhaps pure despair?
It might even be jealousy.
If he had been born with talent for martial arts, then he could have trained and been a Peak Expert like O Gyeong. Perhaps right now, he could have been challenging Ho Cheon-an instead of merely pondering alternatives.
As all those negative thoughts churned within him, Dogwi explosively erupted.
“Why do you help me?”
“Because I’m curious whether you can truly achieve it.”
“Is that really it?”
Dogwi’s tone was filled with antagonism unmistakable even to a child, yet O Gyeong merely watched Dogwi calmly.
O Gyeong had always been this way, and Dogwi knew it all too well. However, despite this knowledge, Dogwi couldn’t help but feel that O Gyeong’s behavior was mocking him.
But thankfully, it was O Gyeong’s composed demeanor that stopped Dogwi from losing his temper. Seeing the reflection of his ugliness in those mirror-like eyes, he let out a long sigh and collected himself.
“Try to relax a bit.”
“How can I relax?”
Observing Dogwi, who was beginning to calm down, O Gyeong gave a slight smile.
“I heard you wandered across the country. Each time, you surely had your own purpose. You must have had at least a goal to reach by a certain time. But travel doesn’t always go as planned.”
Dogwi nodded silently.
On a journey, unexpected events were a common occurrence. Roads could collapse from a Landslide, rivers could flood, or rumors of dangerous beasts and bandits could force a detour.
“However, reaching your destination is what travel is all about. No matter the hardships, you came to find the Heavenly Demon Sect and visited the underground gambling house.”
Dogwi smiled bitterly at O Gyeong’s words. Perhaps there was some truth to what O Gyeong said. He was still a traveler on a journey to catch up to Ho Cheon-an, and the wall of martial arts was one mere checkpoint along the way.
If reaching his goal of confronting Ho Cheon-an were the purpose, then the obstacles of martial arts and O Gyeong were just part of the journey.
Like resting weary feet at an inn along the road, even obstacles could be seen as elements of that continuous journey.
“Don’t get caught up in the moment.”
And the very instant he heard that, clarity pierced through Dogwi’s mind.
“Let’s have a duel.”
It was an unexpected request from Dogwi, but instead of questioning it, O Gyeong pulled out a set of gambling cards from his pocket. In Dogwi’s eyes lingered a gleam of familiarity. Any martial artist who had grasped the moment would understand that Dogwi was on the verge of seizing something.
Ignoring the stakes, order, and even the rules, O Gyeong showed eight cards to Dogwi. The eight cards revealed after four rounds meant they had skipped a turn.
Clatter.
O Gyeong shuffled the cards. Just as he faced Dogwi every other time, he didn’t hold back at all and put forth his best effort.
Finally, when O Gyeong’s hands ceased, he forced himself to mask his longing and looked at Dogwi. Would Dogwi manage to grasp something through that momentary spark of intuition?
Dogwi seemed either aware or oblivious to O Gyeong’s gaze; he simply closed his eyes quietly.
In his mind lingered the traces of O Gyeong’s movements. While he was more focused than ever, all that came to his mind were mere remnants.
Of course, it made sense since he had never seen through O Gyeong’s techniques a single time.
So, he looked at O Gyeong.
The impressions lingering in Dogwi’s mind began to shift. Instantly, countless O Gyeongs filled his thoughts.
They were all faces he had seen and experienced before.
Every single hand of every single O Gyeong appeared blurred. Naturally, this was expected. Dogwi had never once been able to see through O Gyeong’s techniques.
However, despite that, Dogwi looked closely at all those O Gyeongs. More precisely, he focused on the flowing connection between them.
The will to claim victory, coupled with O Gyeong’s consistent efforts and his desired destination.
Realizing this formed a single path (道).
With that realization, the indistinctness of O Gyeong’s hands became clearer. He could now discern how O Gyeong handled the eight revealed cards.
And it was no different now.
While Ho Cheon-an’s strike of the cup was something Dogwi couldn’t closely follow, that was only a fleeting moment, and the principle behind the thunder he followed was an eternal law.
The moment he comprehended that, the darting dice within the cup painted a vivid picture in Dogwi’s mind.
“I’ll bet on seven.”
With Dogwi’s declaration, the audience reflexively turned their gaze to Ho Cheon-an. While Dogwi had voiced his answer, Ho Cheon-an showed no signs of movement whatsoever.
Silently, he merely lifted the cup.
“Ah..!”
“Whoa!”
The revealed dice showed a seven.
The second day’s match started from Dogwi’s first successful point, proving he possessed a means to counter the martial arts.