It seems that Wi Seoryeon and Wi Ji-cheon have really immersed themselves in the fun of gambling.
As I showcased my gambling techniques, Wi Ji-cheon, who had been observing and choosing sides, decided to enter the fray himself, moving his hands directly to gamble.
This was great news for me. After all, tricking others directly is far more difficult than just observing and guessing.
Indeed, the speed at which a martial artist at his level picks up gambling techniques is truly extraordinary, but since he is just starting out, he poses no significant threat, just a minor one.
The Heavenly Demon has willingly stepped down from his high position as a seasoned martial artist to become a beginner gambler.
So, it was only natural for me to win easily, but…
Not everything was flowing positively.
“Father, wouldn’t it be better for you to show an 8 over there?”
“Hm. If Ho Cheon-an had a 5, then the total is 13…”
“Still, if you show an 8…”
I gave Wi Seoryeon, who was giving unwanted advice, a sharp glance. She definitely noticed my glare but casually continued to coach Wi Ji-cheon.
I trembled with betrayal.
Well, it’s fine that he and I are becoming close through gambling and having fun together.
Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?
They say not to mess with a black-haired beast, and this situation was just like that.
After I nudged them toward a better relationship with the Heavenly Demon and forced the dice into their hands, now they were teaming up against me, using their observing roles to give advice.
In other words, the father and daughter were teaming up against me.
Look at that! Is that advice or coaching?
They seemed more likely to swap hands rather than take the hit.
In typical gambling, it would be impossible for an observer to give open advice, but this bet between me and the Heavenly Demon was something he wanted to do and gamble on.
While the Heavenly Demon didn’t officially declare that he allows Seoryeon to give advice, who would even question what was clearly being discussed among them?
All I could do was send glares at Seoryeon.
“So, at that time…”
Of course, it didn’t seem to have any effect on her.
Right now, both Seoryeon and Wi Ji-cheon are newbies too, so there’s no point in giving advice since it’d end up being a draw, but considering their potential, I don’t know how much of a gambler they will be in six months.
If it turns into a 2 vs. 1 then it will definitely be a tough fight.
I’ve raised a little tiger cub named Seoryeon with my own hands!
As I lamented this, Wi Ji-cheon began to shuffle the cards again, as if the match had come to an end. We played several more rounds afterwards, but I won every single one.
Neither Wi Ji-cheon nor Wi Seoryeon had any expectations of winning; they were simply focused on executing what they thought gambling would be like.
“I’ve lost.”
Anyway, I managed to secure one victory safely for the day.
As I finished my daily business of playing against the Heavenly Demon and headed back, Seoryeon spoke up.
“About your gambling techniques…”
“Hmm?”
“I found it difficult to understand your methods just by watching.”
“Well, that’s true.”
I dutifully responded to Seoryeon, who had completely ditched me to stick to the Heavenly Demon.
Her behavior was quite frustrating, but as someone who’s a seasoned gambler and the one who introduced gambling to her, it was only right to at least listen to her queries.
“The goal of gambling techniques is to deceive the eyes of others. If you think you can grasp a technique just by seeing it, then it’s not really a gambling technique, is it?”
“Hm. But in the end, doesn’t a gambling technique only need to fool the opponent in front of you?”
To her inquiry about why she couldn’t see it from behind, I casually replied, “Just because you’re a gambler doesn’t mean your enemy is only in front of you.”
If you only focus on the nearby gambler, you’ll often end up broke on a gambling table. And when you think about it, even Wi Seoryeon, disguised as an observer while gathering information in my contest against the Heavenly Demon, would also be a potential enemy.
No, not a potential enemy, just an enemy.
“Oh, are there truly instances like that?”
Seeing her genuinely amazed made me speechless.
Why is she amazed as if it’s someone else’s story?
I shot her a look that said she was clueless about her mistakes.
“Hm.”
It seemed Seoryeon caught on to the ridiculousness of my gaze and hesitated a bit.
However, Seoryeon was determined and, despite my glares, eventually spoke up.
“Ahem. Um. Well, I’ve noticed a technique you used when you dealt the cards earlier, right?”
“Well, there was one.”
Could it be?
No, surely not.
“That technique was quite fascinating!”
If she had a conscience, she wouldn’t be asking me to teach her after pulling something like that on me.
“I’m not asking you to teach me exactly… I’m just curious about the principles…”
But Seoryeon was bolder than I thought. After nodding her head as if she had made up her mind, she looked at me with determination and said, “I won’t tell Father, but could you teach me that technique?”
Oh.
She wants to learn the technique from me, while not sharing it with the Heavenly Demon.
I smiled widely in response.
“No thanks.”
Do you really think that would get you anything?
* *
The Black Cat doubted her ears.
“Excuse me? What did you say??”
“Hm, I asked, ‘How can I learn gambling techniques from Ho Cheon-an?’”
The Black Cat wanted to argue back, “Who wouldn’t hear that?” and had to suppress her urge.
‘The senior usually shares gambling techniques pretty easily, right?’
She thought about Ho Cheon-an’s practices. Though he temporally cloaked it as magic, the skills he demonstrated were mostly applications of gambling skills.
Ho Cheon-an didn’t just share his skills with anyone, but it was rare for him to share his techniques with complete strangers from the get-go.
‘Strictly speaking, gambling techniques and magic are not the same.’
The Black Cat pondered for a moment.
Ho Cheon-an, who casually shares secrets in magic, would he really refuse to share gambling techniques?
There was no particular reason he would.
The Black Cat looked at Wi Seoryeon.
What on earth has this woman done to the senior to not be able to learn gambling techniques?
“I think some context is needed.”
“Hm.”
Seoryeon explained her recent status and after hearing her full explanation, the Black Cat looked at Seoryeon as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“So right now, to assist the senior, you volunteered to observe and then betrayed him, and now you’re attacking the senior with the Heavenly Demon?”
“Oh.”
Seoryeon realized her mistake after the Black Cat summarized her actions.
“It’s a misunderstanding. I had planned to traverse the mountain of gambling with Father. It was meant to be a mutual skill-building endeavor. I never intended to interfere in their contest.”
“But didn’t you interfere and give advice during the match?”
“Do you really think a beginner like me could influence the outcome of that match? It was merely for fun.”
“You’re not wrong, but don’t you think you gave the senior enough reason to feel betrayed?”
“Hmm… I suppose that could be true.”
The Black Cat’s line of reasoning continued.
“Well, even if the senior’s feelings can be resolved, if Wi Seoryeon’s skill level increases, the Heavenly Demon will naturally be affected, won’t he?”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right.”
Seoryeon recalled that she had been so caught up in the fun that she temporarily forgot the essence of the ongoing gambling matches.
“I got so engrossed in the enjoyment that I forgot the essence for a moment.”
Seoryeon ignored the ridiculous look from the Black Cat and smacked her lips. Having chosen to walk the path of gambling with the Heavenly Demon, she desperately wanted to learn from the skills of Ho Cheon-an, the proclaimed strongest. But ideally, no one would teach their techniques to an opponent.
Still, she couldn’t let go of her desire.
It was only natural.
Who would not covet the martial arts of the greatest in the world?
Similarly, Wi Seoryeon longed for Ho Cheon-an’s gambling techniques.
“You’ve been traveling with Ho Cheon-an for quite a while, haven’t you?”
“Hmm, that’s right.”
“If there’s something you’ve learned about gambling techniques from him, could you share it with me?”
“Get out.”
Wi Seoryeon was chased out of the room where the Black Cat was staying, her lips pursed tight.
Now, both Wi Seoryeon and Wi Ji-cheon had just recently awakened to gambling.
Both were filled with curiosity. From the identity of the techniques Ho Cheon-an displayed right in front of them, to how gambling tables were set up and operated. What was the foundation, and what should they practice?
Every single aspect, from one to a hundred, piqued their interest.
They were nothing but eager beginners with zero knowledge, so they were desperately looking for someone to fill that knowledge gap.
“Seems somewhat regrettable.”
Seoryeon expressed this sentiment while playing gambling with Wi Ji-cheon.
“It’s for sure.”
Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon echoed in agreement with Seoryeon’s lament.
There are numerous ways to enjoy hobbies.
While it’s true that both were currently immersed in gambling, it was still merely a hobby for them.
However.
Are these two ordinary people?
For Wi Ji-cheon and Wi Seoryeon, doing things half-heartedly was never an option, so even though it was just a hobby, they were fully diving into it.
And on top of that, there was a match against Ho Cheon-an at stake.
They both stood at the pinnacle of the Demon Sect, the Heavenly Demon position.
You can’t reach this level without a natural temperament for competition.
Gratefully, Ho Cheon-an has opened their horizons by granting them a view of the world, but in the realm of competition, that’s a completely separate domain in Wi Ji-cheon’s mind.
“Spending time with my daughter isn’t bad, but it wouldn’t lead to any victories.”
Outside of enjoyment, could these two beginners refining their skills against each other actually improve much?
Wi Ji-cheon thought, “This won’t do.” and stood up.
“Father?”
Wi Ji-cheon looked down at the curious glance from Seoryeon.
“I think I should pay a visit to the gambling house.”
“Oh.”
Seoryeon’s eyes sparkled at Wi Ji-cheon’s words.
“If we go to the gambling house, we might meet those who are skilled at gambling.”
“Hmm. Just by observing the matches of the experts, it should broaden our perspective, and I believe gambling would be similar.”
“That’s a great idea. I will accompany you as well.”
The Heavenly Demon and the little Heavenly Demon.
Together they stood up, side by side.
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