Tang Do-gyeong’s gambling was completely different from Ho Cheon-an’s.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
‘Fast, isn’t it?’
An overwhelming speed. Typically, when speed increases, precision tends to break down, but Tang Do-gyeong’s remarkable dexterity allowed him to perform tasks with precision even at high speed.
Feng Ying Hall Master had been watching Ho Cheon-an’s gambling lessons for a week.
The gambling that Feng Ying Hall Master observed from Ho Cheon-an was like a slow-motion play in swordsmanship.
It was so slow that you could deceive an opponent. The slowness would make an opponent confident that what they saw was accurate. While it could actually be faster, it was staged to appear as the best speed while focusing on precision to bewilder the opponent.
And for Tang Do-gyeong, his gambling was akin to a basic sword technique.
A balanced sword where speed, technique, and precision were harmoniously intertwined. It might not seem remarkable at first glance, but in reality, the three aspects were balanced, allowing for stable gambling.
‘In truth, hand speed isn’t that important.’
Tang Do-gyeong was at the Peak Stage, while Tang Guanglie was at the edge of Hwa-gyeong. However, the actual difference in speed between the two was not large.
If they were in a dynamic state, there would be a big difference in speed depending on their realms, but right now they were sitting down, focusing all their strength only on moving their arms.
The Peak Stage was also not a low realm, so if one concentrated only on moving their arms, it was possible to display a speed that wouldn’t be outdone by Hwa-gyeong.
Clap!
Feng Ying Hall Master swallowed hard. He had lost track of Tang Do-gyeong’s game in the middle. Could Tang Guanglie really keep up with Tang Do-gyeong’s gambling until the end?
“It’s the third round.”
Tang Do-gyeong smiled.
“Correct, Family Head.”
It was a game with three cups, with a payout of double. Tang Guanglie managed to recover two hidden weapons. Holding the Wo Moon Needle and the Butterfly Knife, Tang Guanglie let out a hollow laugh. These were among the least desirable hidden weapons given to direct line members.
Receiving Tang Do-gyeong’s clear unwillingness to easily relinquish his hidden weapons, Tang Guanglie nodded.
“Very well. Let’s go all in today.”
After ten rounds, the cup was transferred from Tang Do-gyeong to Tang Guanglie. Feng Ying Hall Master nodded. While Tang Do-gyeong held the cup, Tang Guanglie chose correctly five times.
‘Having lost five hidden weapons and won ten, I can say I’ve gained an advantage, at least.’
As Tang Guanglie’s hand moved, Tang Do-gyeong’s eyes widened.
It was expected that his skills would have significantly improved after a week of special training under Ho Cheon-an, but he hadn’t anticipated that his gambling tendencies would completely change.
‘Am I the only one who thought the Family Head was only focused on speed…?’
The gambling method Tang Do-gyeong remembered for Tang Guanglie was solely speed. An overwhelming speed that left the opponent too intimidated to chase.
But right now, Tang Guanglie’s gambling was a completely different sight.
Shifting gears and adjusting speeds.
Operations that demanded focus in slow states to not miss the moments of peak speed distracted an opponent’s concentration.
Tang Guanglie’s speed had always been overwhelming.
As a member of the Tang Clan, renowned for their superiority in hidden weapons, the hands of the Family Head, standing at the top, had to be extraordinary.
However, that made it predictable.
Consistently showcasing peak speed left room for predictions, and if anything went amiss, it was still possible to anticipate.
‘He’s completely changed, hasn’t he, Family Head?’
By modulating speed, variables became richer. Yet, the tension remained unshakeable. Why? Because if one miscalculated, they could lose sight of the dice in the blink of an eye.
Tang Guanglie’s hand came to a halt.
“You’ve improved, Family Head.”
“Ha ha, I’ve put in quite a bit of effort for you this week.”
And to deliver a solid smack to Ho Cheon-an. Tang Guanglie swallowed the words that rose in his throat, staring at Tang Do-gyeong. Today, he had set his determination to surpass the two. Though Tang Do-gyeong was a formidable opponent, he also had his eyes on Ho Cheon-an, who was watching their duel with folded arms.
“First one.”
“Correct.”
With each continuation of the duel, Feng Ying Hall Master’s face darkened. Tang Do-gyeong had found the dice seven out of ten times.
Once Tang Guanglie’s turn ended, Ho Cheon-an clapped his hands and said.
“Well, it’s getting close to noon; how about you two take a meal break before resuming the duel?”
“Hmm. Has it really gotten that late?”
“Ha ha, I see. What do you think, Do-gyeong? It’s been a while since we had a meal together.”
“Ha ha, of course, Family Head. What about Brother Ya and Feng Ying Hall Master?”
Before Feng Ying Hall Master could respond, Ho Cheon-an answered in his stead.
“I cannot interrupt your time. I will resolve matters with Feng Ying Hall Master.”
After watching the two leave, Feng Ying Hall Master sighed heavily.
“Haa, Outcast Ya, what are we to do? Things are not looking good.”
Tang Do-gyeong had many more hidden weapons than Tang Guanglie. Considering that for Tang Guanglie to win, he must seize all of Tang Do-gyeong’s hidden weapons, even if he had an advantage now, it remained insufficient.
Feng Ying Hall Master’s worries were endless.
To make matters worse, rumors spread that the Family Head was directly negotiating with Tang Do-gyeong, causing the direct line members to linger outside the Family Head’s Quarters in increasing numbers. Naturally, their hidden weapons were at stake, so curiosity was inevitable.
Yet, Ho Cheon-an remained calm.
“Outcast Ya, aren’t you the least bit worried? You’ve invested a full week of effort!”
“Ha ha, if the Family Head is so bold, why would Feng Ying Hall Master have so many worries?”
“Did Outcast Ya not conclude today as the day to decide victory, believing the Family Head had the upper hand? Or was it just a conclusion hurriedly reached by circumstance?”
Though Tang Do-gyeong made various excuses to stall for time, it was actually impossible to delay any longer. The patience of the direct line members who had lost their weapons had reached its limit. So much so that they were about to band together and confront Tang Do-gyeong out of irritation.
If they couldn’t come to a resolution today, the angry hands of the direct line members loitering outside the Family Head’s Quarters would soon bring trouble.
Under Feng Ying Hall Master’s pressing, Ho Cheon-an merely smiled.
“In that regard, I would like to make a small request of Hall Master. Would you be willing to listen?”
* *
Tang Zhang’ao had no appetite lately.
‘It’s time to practice the Phoenix Angled Butterfly Step!’
In hidden weapons, subtlety is life. The ability to throw hidden weapons without being noticed embodies the essence of hidden weaponry.
However, this nature inevitably attracts whispers of being cowardly and not righteous.
If you strike without the opponent noticing, no matter how you warn them that they’re being targeted, isn’t it ultimately an ambush? Even if it’s not an ambush, is it really a technique befitting a righteous martial artist?
He couldn’t escape such controversies.
To proudly display one’s hidden weapon techniques in public and gain recognition. It was a dream shared by anyone associated with the Tang Clan.
The Tang Clan’s Bat-Leaping Tiger Method initiated by Tang Do-gyeong was sufficient to awaken the dreams lying within the hearts of Tang Clan members. The potential to bring that dream into reality!
The real reason Tang Zhang’ao headed to the gambling table carrying hidden weapons after hearing that ‘Tang Do-gyeong was replenishing hidden weapons through gambling’ was that he wanted to donate some of his own hidden weapons.
If only the Tang Clan’s Bat-Leaping Tiger Method would be completed as soon as possible!
The true purpose of Tang Zhang’ao’s gamble with Tang Do-gyeong was an investment for the completion of the Tang Clan’s Bat-Leaping Tiger Method.
“Ha ha! I’ve won! Wow! It seems my brother isn’t in great shape today! Wahahaha!”
However, the frustrating demeanor and laughter of Tang Do-gyeong, along with the fact that he was just beginning to learn the fundamentals of hidden weapons again, drove Tang Zhang’ao to lose all rationality.
When he gathered himself, he realized he had lost every hidden weapon he’d hidden in his underwear!
Tang Zhang’ao let out a deep sigh and shoved noodles into his mouth. His appetite was non-existent, but as a martial artist, he couldn’t skip a meal.
“Zhang’ao!”
“What is it?”
“Didn’t you lose your hidden weapon pouch to Do-gyeong?”
Tang Zhang’ao scowled at his fellow who struck a sensitive nerve. His companion had been learning the art of poison as his main expertise and had thus kept his distance from the current Tang Do-gyeong hidden weapon situation.
“The Family Head is currently brokering negotiations with Do-gyeong. What are you doing here! Our kin are gathering at the Family Head’s Quarters!”
“What? Is that true?”
“Indeed! It’s said that the Feng Ying members are gathering those who gambled with Tang Do-gyeong, so you’d best go quickly!”
Tang Zhang’ao discarded his half-eaten noodles and dashed toward the Family Head’s Quarters. Upon arrival, he found various people gathered—it was surely those who had lost hidden weapons to Tang Do-gyeong.
“What’s going on here?”
“I’m not sure about the details, but rumors say the Family Head and Tang Do-gyeong are gambling their hidden weapons against each other!”
For a week now, Ho Cheon-an had frequented the Family Head’s Quarters. And a week ago, Tang Do-gyeong had been summoned by the Family Head. Currently, the head was reportedly summoning Tang Do-gyeong to resolve the hidden weapon gambling issue. Finally, the timing simply didn’t allow discussions to be casual as so much time had elapsed since calling Tang Do-gyeong over.
“Hey! That’s the Family Head’s business! Let’s not speculate and wait for him to speak directly!”
At a shouted correction, the murmurs among the Tang Clan members outside the head’s quarters fell silent. Nonetheless, there was no way to quell their anxieties about the situation and the fate of their hidden weapons.
Their gaze remained fixed on the Family Head’s Quarters.
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