147 - Martial Arts Instructor of Marital Age

Chapter 37: The Heaven Sword Sect (6) Bubble bubble. ‘Where did it all go wrong?’ He had already lost two consecutive rounds. Gripping the dice tightly, the shopkeeper narrowed his eyes. ‘Could it be that he's using some trick?’ If he's a senior instructor at Euncheon Pavilion, he's surely a master of the pinnacle. He might be able to incite some force in the air and project his energy. But he quickly shook his head. ‘Impossible.’ At best, he might barely be able to move a small object. That too, only after reaching the pinnacle mid-tier would it be barely achievable. Such a feat was not one an amateur young kid could manage. ‘Moreover, simply moving things isn’t enough to win a round.’ Using energy to move an object and creating the exact desired result are completely different matters. ‘He's a truly lucky fellow.’ Now, he began to understand the arrogance. A young man with skills surpassing his age and luck on his side would naturally feel like the world revolves around him. “Heh heh. This is quite an enjoyable game.” The shopkeeper was now certain upon hearing the slurred, chuckling voice. “You seem pretty confident. How about the next round?” “I’m not confident at all for the next one.” Cho Un Hwi shrugged his shoulders and suddenly looked up with a grin. “Because I can't lose! Hahaha!” ‘This despicable brat?’ Anger surged. His wish was to just ruin that smug mouth. But the shopkeeper quickly felt disoriented. “Waaaaaah!” ‘Since when.’ A massive crowd of spectators had gathered around them. “He just won again! Against the shopkeeper!” “This is an incredible match. The stakes are huge!” “The stakes aren't the only thing. The tension is thrilling!” “It's my first time seeing his face, but he’s got quite some skill.” Those who were crazy about gambling were buzzing with excitement as they witnessed such a high-stakes game unfold. ‘Darn it. So much for sneaking away quietly.’ There were too many eyes watching. With things as they were, there was only one choice left. ‘I’ll crush him in the next round.’ Resorting to sleight of hand or using one's own might had been naive. ‘I’ll just set up a round where the outcome is predetermined.’ Recalling a hidden ace up his sleeve, the shopkeeper shouted. “Bring me the card drum!” *** Clatter. A card drum was placed between the two players. “Oh-. The final round is with a card drum, is it?” It looked very different from an ordinary card drum. Coated in black lacquer, adorned with ceramics, and bound with melted silver and gold. It seemed more like a piece of art than a card drum. “It looks quite expensive.” “It’s a special item shown only when a distinguished guest arrives.” It certainly did seem so. “For a big match, you need rare items to duel.” Accepting the situation without suspicion, the shopkeeper gave him a pitiful glance. ‘He doesn’t suspect there’s a trap inside.’ What a fool. Professional gamblers are cautious around peculiar or new items. You never know what kind of trick your opponent might have prepared. Because of this, they often hope to use standard, common items for a showdown. Judging by his response, this lucky young man didn’t even know such basic facts. Relieved by his opponent's ignorance, the shopkeeper opened his mouth. “The next match will be straightforward.” “Those are welcomed words. My head's starting to hurt from the alcohol.” Noting the liquor-drenched front of the disheveled opponent, the shopkeeper casually shook the card drum. Rattle. With precise movements, he shook and tilted the drum, and a card slipped out from inside. “Each draws one card, the higher number wins.” “Simple and easy.” “The numbers inside this drum range from one (一) to nine (九).” “So I just need to draw a nine, right?” “If there’s a tie, we’ll decide by the illustration. Know how it goes?” “Emperor trumps all, Carriage is the lowest, right?” “Let’s begin.” Rattle. Rattle. The shopkeeper shook the drum vigorously. ‘Heh, heh. You won't know this.’ I mentioned numbers from one (一) to nine (九), but inside, it goes only up to eight (八). Even if you’re lucky enough to draw the highest card? ‘Your draw can’t beat the nine I hold.’ Toying with the nine card hidden in his sleeve, the shopkeeper smiled triumphantly. “Then—” At the moment he was about to shake the drum and draw, someone stood up for the first time with a hand raised. “What’s the matter?” “I’m so drunk I can barely stand. Can I draw first?” “That seems reasonable.” Upon handing over the card drum, the opponent gave it a half-hearted shake. “Oh spirits of the mountains and seas, here me.” “Can a Taoist master of Cheongseong Sect pray to such petty gods?” “If it means winning, I’d even snatch sprouts from a beggar’s backside.” Rattle. He tipped the drum to draw a card, and Cho Un Hwi instantly covered it up. “You know that apprehensive feeling of revealing cards together, right?” What apprehension. ‘With a decided outcome, a bit of light-heartedness fits.’ The shopkeeper rattled the drum to hide his card. -----. -----. -----. The spectators fell silent all at once. Gulp. A throat gulped nervously, only to attract glares, causing repeated apologies. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the cards each man held, watching the grand duel come to its climax. Sensing the attention, the shopkeeper smirked inwardly. ‘Heh, heh. I’ll push you over the edge in front of everyone.’ Wiping the sweat from his palm, he prepared to swap his sleeve's card when— “I’ll reveal mine first.” Flip. With a flip, Cho Un Hwi exclaimed lightly, “Oops!” in exclamation. “Emperor (皇) and nine (九).” What to do? The best card came up? “You don’t even have to reveal yours.” The astonished shopkeeper quickly reached for his sleeve. ‘It’s gone! Gone!’ The secret card concealed there had vanished without a trace. There was no need to even consider revealing a weak card. The card he’d concealed in his sleeve was now in that brat’s hand. Only then, locking eyes with an opponent whose gaze held not a speck of drunkenness, the shopkeeper realized. ‘I’ve been had!’ The outcome of the match prompted an immediate uproar from the crowd. "Wha! How could he draw that?" "How lucky can one get?" "The shopkeeper’s going to be wiped out completely!" Uwaaaa! Cheers erupted across the room at the crystal-clear result. Yet the shopkeeper was frazzled, hearing buzzing like a swarm of bees around his ears, and reeled in confusion. All he could see was— “Heh heh. I’ll be taking this.” The opponent flashed an irritating smile as he reached for the betting slip piled on top of the stakes. Snap. His patience reached its limit, and the murderous intent he had been suppressing surged up his nape. Whack! Flipping the table with his left hand, the shopkeeper screamed like a demon. "Grab that bastard!" Clatter! Amidst the scattering dice and gambling tiles, the shopkeeper leaped up and lunged at Cho Un Hwi’s throat with his claw technique. “Ah, it’s a shame when someone can't accept their defeat.” Such is the nature of those in the dark martial world. The shopkeeper, eyes alight with murderous intent, lunged with both hands. “Die!” Faced with clawed hands like eagle talons, Cho Un Hwi moved. Swish. Rotating his palms around the opposing wrist, a sharp crack echoed along with the eruption of his palm technique. Bang! The strength contained in that palm strike was substantial, and the shopkeeper, not daring to dismiss it, sprang off the gambling table. Having evaded that palm, he intended to strike at the throat and chest once more. "Who said you could put your feet on the table?" Cho Un Hwi was one step ahead. Boom! His kick sent the gambling table flying as the shopkeeper lost balance and was slammed onto his back onto the gambling table. Crash. Losing his balance, falling back onto the table, the next wave ensued, that of a palm strike. Whoosh! Bang! From circular sweeps to straight lines. Drawing lines, then capturing his hand, the shopkeeper screamed in frustration. “Wind Thunder Palm?” Wind. Flowing like the breeze. Thunder. Striking like lightning. A technique of the Cheongseong sect, indeed renowned as a supreme technique. The fierce claw style was unceremoniously swept up in this palm maneuver. “Tsk!” The shopkeeper found himself urgently retreating. “Hoho.” Child. Why such haste to leave? "Leaving without an elder's permission?" Thump. Woosh. In one step, his opponent close enough to breathe on his face, Cho Un Hwi waved his hands. Buzzing. The noise of hundreds of bees resonated as ghostly images flickered in the wake of his movements, creating countless illusions. "Swarming Palm of the Hundred Beasts!" Numerous forceful impacts, charging forth like drilling through stone, left the shopkeeper pale with shock. ‘They said he was a prodigy of the Cheongseong sect.’ To practice one formidable technique to proficiency is tough at his age, let alone two. ‘Not a guy to take lightly.’ Realizing his opponent's capability in an instant, the shopkeeper summoned all his internal energy to its peak. Crack! Whoosh! Boom boom boom boom! As claws met palms, shockwaves erupted, sending gambling tables flying around them. Crash! As coins and pieces rained down like a storm, the two men’s hands tangled furiously in combat. *** “There they are!” “Those four are the accomplices!” Shink! Shing! Swoosh. Clack. The gambling den staff and thugs all drew their swords. "Ahhh! What's going on now?" "I had a feeling... Couldn't just end quietly, could it?" "...Everyone stay alert. We’re unarmed." Eyeing the encroaching circle of enemies tightening their formation, they prepared for a confrontation. "It was a fair game!” “You cowardly scoundrels, you were quick to take my money!” “Then we’ll too!” Suddenly the spectators turned into looters, almost as if enchanted. Some were frightened by the swords, but those living a life on the edge scrambled to collect fallen coins amidst the chaos. “Stop it! All of you, halt!” “Stop! I’ll cut you down if you don't stop!” “There! Stop right there!” Gesturing with blades, it was no simple task to suppress gamblers already set on a heist. Realizing this, the gambling den staff began fumbling around frantically. “You fools! Stop!” “Ack! Somebody save me!” In the chaos, one employee managed to nab a gambler reaching into the money box. “This is our chance!” Seizing the opportunity, Mo Yong-so Hye sprang forward, leaping up. In a swift, light maneuver, she flipped in midair. Thunk! She descended like an arrow, delivering a blow to the employee grabbing the gambler. “Ugh!” Thud thud thud! As several gambling tables overturned, the fleeing crowd’s eyes lit up. “This, this is our chance!” “It’s time to reclaim the money we lost!” “We’re not stealing; we’re taking back what’s ours!” “Woah! It’s all mine!” Then—there. Amidst the pandemonium, three people dashed in. "Well then." Dodging through the flashing blades of the gambling thugs, Namgoong Yoon Ho threw quick strikes. Wham! "Grahrk." Despite his large frame, he collapsed in a froth after a single hit. Hardly more than third-rate. One by one, they went down to Namgoong Yoon Ho’s deep mastery of orthodox martial arts. Whish! Whack! Je Gal Tan picked up a fan from somewhere, distracting opponents and striking at their brows. Flutter! Tap! Startled by the fluttering fan, an opponent staggered back, clutching his head, and Je Gal Tan shook his head with annoyance. "Not even a post-dinner stroll." It’s been a while since such an easy fight? Thwack! Baek Li Seol spun as she broke the sword of an advancing foe with a precise strike and carried the momentum into a stomping kick. She effortlessly caught the falling sword mid-air. “Too crude to use, anyway.” With a crunch and twang! She snapped the sword with a flick of her hand, a frown knitting her brows. “It breaks with a touch.” Indeed, it did. She found herself more preoccupied with ensuring not to fatally injure them with her restrained blows. “Just a while ago, we were up against the ‘Silver Moon Blast,’ now it's these illegal gambling den thugs.” Isn’t the gap too extreme? Baek Li Seol’s words drew a shake of the head from Namgoong Yoon Ho. “Miss Baek Li, it would be wise to remain vigilant.” Given that the instructor never sets up a scene that concludes simply. "Indeed, that's true." Sure enough— Boom! With a thunderous roar, a dark mass came hurtling toward their direction. Soon after, the lazy voice of the instructor reached them. “Hey, hey. Be careful over there." This one's a bit fierce. Crash! The shopkeeper, rolling and smashing through several gambling tables, was sent sliding toward Namgoong Yoon Ho. “Ugh! You bastard!” Smack! Smack! Rising amidst the shattered debris that had fallen on him, the shopkeeper, now disheveled and disoriented, shrieked in rage. "I’ll kill you!" Fwoosh! Suddenly, flames erupted, enveloping the shopkeeper. Goooooo— A chilling aura began to erupt explosively.