Chapter 225
Episode 225
I turned my head at the familiar voice and called out happily.
“Dojang Songhwa? Dojang Songgwang! Oh my, to see you here!”
“Ahahaha, have you been well? It’s even more delightful to see you outside.”
“Wow, who is this? If it isn’t Poison Butterfly.”
Songhwa and Songgwang stood there, dressed neatly in pristine white uniforms.
Their appearance was much tidier than I remembered, making the corners of my lips twitch upward. It seemed they had diligently ironed their uniforms for their outing from the Sect.
Jegalcheon, who had been watching us exchange greetings, asked with curiosity.
“Oh, Tang Junior has a wide circle of acquaintances?”
“Indeed. Brat, you know Wudang disciples too?”
“I was briefly in their care a few years ago.”
“Ah… I see. Tang Junior, I’ll be going now. Thank you so much for today. Enjoy your conversation. See you again.”
“Yes. Go on in.”
As Jegalcheon turned away, Beopgong, who had been scratching his head, also patted my shoulder.
“Looks like you don’t need my help, so I’ll be off too. Brat, see you at the Alliance. Hey, Jegalcheon. Are you busy tonight?”
“Take care of your master, you bald monk. You’re the Alliance Leader now. He must be incredibly busy.”
“That’s the old man’s problem.”
Yang Gyo-jin, who had been staring intently at the departing Jegal Clan members and Beopgong, asked.
“Is that guy a Shaolin Abbot’s disciple?”
“So I hear.”
“No wonder he looked strong.”
Yang Gyo-jin muttered, then naturally came closer and rested his chin on my shoulder.
He carefully examined the Wudang uniform and the Pine Pattern Sword at his waist, then pointed at Songhwa and asked.
“Is this the Taoist you mentioned before?”
“No. That’s Jinseong disciple. And don’t point.”
I grabbed Yang Gyo-jin’s finger and pulled it down, causing Songgwang’s face to turn pale.
“D-Dang Sojeo.”
“Yes?”
“H-Have you perhaps found a lover…?”
“Great Senior Brother, please keep your mouth shut.”
Songhwa grabbed Songgwang by the scruff of his neck and pulled him behind his back, then gave me an awkward smile as he gauged my reaction.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his continued efforts to control his Great Senior Brother.
“He’s a girl. Gyo Jin, say hello. These are Wudang’s Three Great Disciples, Dojang Songgwang and Dojang Songhwa. This is Yang Gyo-jin, the Young Master of the Yang Family.”
“Hi.”
“Greetings.”
“I see you are Dang Sojeo’s friend.”
“Yeah. So-hye is my benefactor.”
Yang Gyo-jin nodded, his gaze not leaving Songhwa.
“Don’t stare so intently. Dojang is uncomfortable. Jinseong disciple didn’t come with you?”
I asked, covering Yang Gyo-jin’s eyes, and Songhwa replied cheerfully.
“Granduncle-Master is at the lodging. We were just on our way back. Would you like to join us?”
“We just came ou— Ugh.”
I think Songhwa just stepped on Songgwang’s foot.
I pretended not to notice and opened my mouth.
“I’d like to, but I’m meeting someone at the Dragon Gate Inn. Please give him my regards instead.”
“That’s a shame. Understood. I hope we’re not intruding on your time with your friend.”
“Oh, no, not at all. I’m happy you recognized me first. I’m the one who’s been impolitely keeping you here when you’re busy. Go on, Dojang.”
“Understood. Then, we’ll be going now. We’ll see you at the tournament, Dang Sojeo.”
Songhwa smiled, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and gave Yang Gyo-jin a nod. Yang Gyo-jin casually waved back.
“Bye.”
As Songhwa led Songgwang away, Sama Hoseon, who had been standing far off and pretending not to notice, cautiously approached and whispered.
“Are they all gone?”
“Yes. Why were you hiding?”
“You shouldn’t get involved with the Nine Sects and One Gang. Life becomes exhausting.”
“…Pardon?”
“If you’re going to live in the Central Plains, that’s the best way. Dang Sojeo should also avoid… Oh. You’re a member of the Tang Clan. Never mind. Please forget I said anything.”
Sama Hoseon muttered gloomily, shrinking into himself with a dejected expression.
Yang Gyo-jin, used to Sama Hoseon’s nonsense, ignored him and asked me.
“Are you staying at the Dragon Gate Inn?”
“Maybe? I’m supposed to meet Grandfather at the Dragon Gate Inn.”
“Then I’ll stay there too!”
“Do as you please. But you have an invitation letter, right? Didn’t the Alliance assign you lodging?”
“I don’t know.”
“How can you not know? Check it out.”
“Okay. Even if they didn’t, I’ll still have dinner with you.”
“If it’s okay with my grandfather. I don’t think Sama Sohyeop would like that?”
I asked, looking at Sama Hoseon, who scratched his chin and rolled his eyes.
“If it’s Dang Sojeo’s grandfather… Eeeek! D-Poison King! P-Please exclude me! I’ll stay here!”
With that, he screamed and disappeared into the inn with a terrified expression.
“Let’s leave him behind.”
Yang Gyo-jin said nonchalantly, then hooked his arm around mine and pulled me toward the Dragon Gate Inn.
He was humming and seemed to be in high spirits.
I felt happy too.
It was comfortable being with him because I could just accept him as he was, without any complicated calculations.
“By the way, where’s Dambi?”
“Kee!”
“You’re not dead. You’ve lived a long time.”
“He’s a Spirit Creature. He’ll probably outlive you.”
I chatted idly with Yang Gyo-jin as we blended into the crowd.
Yang Gyo-jin, who had been telling me about Jang Mi-ryeo’s recent activities, asked as if he had just remembered something.
“Oh, right, So-hye. When the tournament bracket comes out, do you want to go gambling?”
“…What? What are you doing? Where did you learn that? Did Sama Sohyeop teach you?”
I asked back, doubting my ears at the shocking suggestion, and a cheerful answer came back.
“No. Mi-ryeo taught me. She said you can win a lot.”
It was Jang Mi-ryeo…
Well, that Young Miss wouldn’t pass by a place that reeked of money.
If she taught Yang Gyo-jin, she must be planning to take a big cut for herself.
Quickly accepting this, I asked again.
“Who are you betting on?”
“Of course, I’m betting on myself. But, Mi-ryeo said you have to diversify your investments.”
“Diversify?”
Yang Gyo-jin nodded and rummaged through his pouch.
“Look, the green pouch is for betting on you. The blue pouch is for the Divine Dragon, and the white pouch is for the Sword Dragon. But she said the Sword Dragon won’t make it to the championship, so only bet on him for runner-up.”
“How did that Young Miss know I was participating and give you money pouches? And why can’t the Sword Dragon win the championship?”
“She said Taoists can’t win.”
What kind of logic is that?
I was about to chuckle in disbelief, but then I thought that if it was Jang Mi-ryeo’s prediction, it might be worth believing.
I swallowed hard and asked.
“Gyo Jin, where do you do that?”
Half an hour later, I had a gambling ticket with odds of thirty to one in my arms.
I had only intended to watch…
‘The Azure Sky Divine Dragon and the Wudang Sword Dragon are the leading candidates to win this tournament. The odds aren’t high, but if you want to play it safe, we recommend betting on them.’
‘What about Poison Butterfly?’
‘Are you referring to the Poison King’s disciple who registered today? We can’t ignore the Tang Clan, but it’s hard to compare him to the two Dragons. However, the odds are thirty to one.’
‘A hundred gold taels on Poison Butterfly.’
I had bet on myself in a fit of pique.
But Namgung Hwi was at 30%, Jin-sung was at 40%, and I was at 3000%! My pride couldn’t stand it.
“Isn’t that too much? I know there’s a difference in recognition, but still, someone’s odds are less than two to one, and someone else’s are thirty to one. That’s basically saying I’m going to lose, right?”
I grumbled, putting my Green Robe back on, and Yang Gyo-jin said with a laugh.
“Mine were thirty-five to one? It’s okay. Mi-ryeo said the higher the odds, the better. The more dangerous it is, the more money you get.”
“That’s true.”
Then how much would I get if I won? Three thousand gold taels?
My mood instantly improved, and I smoothed out the Inner Energy I had gathered on my face and retied my hair.
Yang Gyo-jin, who had been watching my face return to normal, looked amazed and poked my cheeks.
“Where did you learn this? It’s amazing.”
“It just happened. Is there anything on my Green Robe? I can’t let it show that I went to a gambling den. Grandfather will scold me.”
“Nope. Nothing’s on it.”
I straightened my clothes and headed toward the street where the Dragon Gate Inn was located with him.
As I saw the scenery that brought back old memories, a bitter taste rose in my throat, but it was bearable if I just looked ahead and walked.
The Dragon Gate Inn, crowded with guests, was chaotic from afar.
There probably won’t be any seats on the first floor. I wonder if Uncle Geun-myeong reserved a private room?
I was about to ask the Jeomsoi when I stepped into the inn’s entrance, but someone grabbed me.
“Excuse me, Young lady.”
I turned my head at the gentle voice and saw a stranger.
“…Ah.”
I couldn’t help but gasp at his appearance, which momentarily left me speechless.
If you were to sculpt the word ‘magnificent’ into a person, this is what it would look like.
Wow, he’s really handsome.
After being mesmerized for a moment, I quickly composed myself and opened my mouth.
“What is it?”
“I apologize if I startled you, Young Miss. It’s been a while, and I couldn’t just pass by without saying hello. Have you been well?”
The man replied affably and clasped his hands toward me. A faded knot ornament was tied around his wrist as he bowed respectfully.
I widened my eyes in confusion.
“…Oh, do you know me?”
That’s strange. There’s no way I wouldn’t remember such a striking face. Who is he?
Just as the man was about to answer, Yang Gyo-jin put his hand on his forehead, stretched his neck, and called out happily.
“Oh. It’s that Taoist from earlier.”
Following Yang Gyo-jin’s gaze, I saw Songhwa running toward us, panting.
“Granduncle-Master! Haa, I told you to walk slowly…!”
I turned my head in the direction Songhwa was calling out and met Jin-sung’s eyes as he approached at an incredible speed.
“Jinseong disciple?”
“I heard you had arrived. I heard you were staying at the Dragon Gate Inn, so…”
Jin-sung, uncharacteristically flustered, trailed off, then frowned and closed his mouth as he looked back and forth between me and the man.
The two men’s strange gazes collided in the air.
