Chapter 147: Jangcheon Sect (6)

Boiling with rage.

‘Where did it go wrong?’

He had already lost two rounds in a row.

Clenching the dice in his hand, the manager narrowed his eyes.

‘Could he have cheated?’

An instructor from Euncheon Hall would be a master at the peak level.

He might be able to manipulate objects in the air with his energy.

But he quickly shook his head.

‘Impossible.’

At most, he could barely move small objects.

And that only after reaching the mid-peak level.

It’s not a skill that a young, inexperienced kid could pull off.

‘Besides, simply moving objects wouldn’t be enough to win.’

Moving objects with energy and precisely creating the desired outcome are entirely different things.

‘He’s just a lucky bastard.’

Now he understood the arrogance.

A young man with high martial skills and good luck would think the world revolves around him.

“Haha. This is quite an enjoyable match.”

The drunken laughter confirmed his suspicion.

“You’re confident. Are you sure about the next round?”

“I’m not confident about the next round.”

Cho Un-hwi, slumping his shoulders, suddenly raised his head and laughed.

“I’m sure I won’t lose! Hahaha!”

‘This damn bastard.’

Murderous intent surged within him.

He wanted to crush that mouth of his.

But then he noticed something.

“Wow!”

‘When did this happen?’

A huge crowd had gathered around, watching the match.

“He’s on a winning streak against the manager!”

“This is an incredible match. The stakes are enormous!”

“It’s not just about the stakes. It’s thrilling!”

“I’ve never seen him before, but he’s quite skilled!”

The gambling enthusiasts, their eyes gleaming, were captivated by the rare big match.

‘Tsk. It’s too crowded to cover this up quietly.’

With so many eyes watching, there was only one option.

‘I’ll crush him in the next round.’

Using sleight of hand or tricks was too easy.

‘I’ll create a match where the outcome is predetermined.’

Recalling his hidden ace, the manager shouted.

“Bring my gambling box!”

***

*Clatter.*

The gambling box was placed between them.

“Oh, the final round is a card game?”

It was unlike any ordinary gambling box.

It was lacquered in black, adorned with porcelain, and edged with silver and gold.

It was more of a work of art than a gambling box.

“It looks expensive.”

“It’s reserved for special guests.”

It certainly looks that way.

The manager looked at him with a pitiful gaze.

‘He doesn’t even suspect there’s a trick.’

What a fool.

Professional gamblers are wary of unusual or new items.

They never know what tricks the opponent might have prepared.

For this reason, they prefer to gamble with common and ordinary items.

But this lucky young fool didn’t even know this simple fact.

Relieved by his opponent’s ignorance, the manager spoke.

“The next match will be simple.”

“Glad to hear it. The alcohol is starting to give me a headache.”

Watching him drink, the manager subtly shook the gambling box.

*Clatter.*

He shook the box and tilted it, revealing a card.

“Each of us will draw one card. The highest number wins.”

“Simple is good.”

“The numbers in this box range from one to nine.”

“So, I need to draw a nine.”

“If there’s a tie, we’ll decide by the image on the card. You know that, right?”

“Emperor is the highest, and chariot is the lowest, right?”

“Let’s begin.”

*Clatter. Clatter.*

The manager shook the gambling box.

‘Haha. You don’t know.’

He said the numbers ranged from one to nine, but the box only contained cards up to eight.

Even if he drew the highest card?

‘He can’t beat my nine.’

Fingering the hidden nine card in his sleeve, the manager smiled.

“Then…”

He was about to draw a card when Cho Un-hwi raised his hand.

“Wait.”

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m too drunk to stand. Can I draw first?”

“Go ahead.”

Handing over the box, his opponent shook it carelessly.

“Mountain Spirit, Dragon King, Abracadabra.”

“Can a Taoist from Cheongseong Sect pray to random gods?”

“If it helps me win, I’ll eat beans from a beggar’s butt.”

*Clatter.*

He tilted the box, revealing a card, and immediately covered it.

“You know the thrill of revealing the cards together, right?”

What thrill?

‘Since the outcome is decided, I’ll play along.’

The manager shook the box and covered his card.

—–

—–

—–

The spectators fell silent.

*Gulp.*

Someone swallowed loudly, earning glares from those around them.

Everyone watched the two covered cards, eager to see the outcome of this grand match.

Feeling the eyes of the crowd, the manager smiled inwardly.

‘Haha. I’ll push him into the abyss in front of everyone.’

Smiling, he was about to switch the card in his sleeve.

“I’ll reveal mine first.”

*Flip.*

His opponent revealed his card and gasped.

“Emperor and nine.”

“What should I do?”

“The best card came out.”

“You don’t need to reveal yours.”

The shocked manager quickly felt his sleeve.

‘It’s gone!’

The hidden card had disappeared.

The best card was now in his opponent’s hand.

Now he was sure, seeing the clear eyes of his opponent.

‘I’ve been had!’

The spectators shouted at the result.

“Wow! He drew that?”

“How lucky is he?”

“The manager is going to be cleaned up!”

“Wow!”

The crowd cheered at the clear result.

But the manager, overwhelmed by the situation, felt dizzy and heard buzzing in his ears.

All he could see was.

“Haha. I’ll take this.”

His opponent’s irritating smile as he reached for the winnings.

*Snap.*

His patience snapped, and he could no longer suppress his murderous intent.

*Crash!*

Flipping the table with his left hand, the manager shouted like a demon.

“Get that bastard!”

*Clatter!*

Tiles and dice scattered as the manager lunged at Cho Un-hwi’s neck.

“This is pathetic. You can’t accept defeat.”

“This is why unorthodox sects are…”

The manager’s hands, curved like eagle claws, lunged at Cho Un-hwi.

“Die!”

Cho Un-hwi’s hands moved to counter the claw technique.

*Swish.*

Twisting his wrist, a sharp sound accompanied his palm strike.

*Boom!*

The energy in the strike was significant, forcing the manager to jump back.

He aimed to tear at his neck and chest again.

“Who told you to put your feet on the table?”

But Cho Un-hwi was faster.

*Bang!*

Kicking the table, the manager lost his balance and fell on his back.

*Thud.*

As he hit the ground, a wave of palm strikes followed.

*Bam! Bam! Bam! Boom!*

Drawing circles, then lines, then binding his hands, the manager screamed.

“Wind Thunder Palm?”

Wind. Flowing like the wind.

Thunder. Striking like lightning.

It was the palm technique of Cheongseong Sect.

It was a renowned technique, and its fierce palm strikes overwhelmed the manager.

“Tsk!”

The manager quickly retreated.

“Hey, kid.”

“Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“When you leave, you should get permission from an elder.”

*Thud.*

*Whoosh.*

In one step, Cho Un-hwi closed the distance and swung his hands.

*Buzz!*

The sound of hundreds of bees filled the air as his hands created countless illusions.

“Shattering Thousand Hands Palm!”

The fierce palm strikes created dozens of impacts, terrifying the manager.

‘They say he’s a prodigy of Cheongseong Sect.’

Mastering two advanced palm techniques at his age.

‘He’s no ordinary opponent.’

Realizing his opponent’s skill, the manager summoned all his energy.

*Swish!*

*Whoosh!*

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

As the claw and palm techniques clashed, shockwaves sent gambling tables flying.

*Crash!*

Tiles and silver coins rained down as the two men’s hands moved rapidly.

***

“There they are!”

“Those four are accomplices!”

*Swish. Swish.*

*Clang. Click.*

The gambling den staff and guards drew their swords.

“Ah! What’s happening now?”

“I knew it. This was bound to happen.”

“…It was never going to end quietly.”

“Be careful. We’re unarmed.”

As the enemies closed in, forming a circle, they prepared for a fight.

“It was a fair match!”

“These cowards. They were quick to take my money!”

“Hey! In that case, we too!”

Suddenly, the spectators turned into looters.

Some were scared of the swords, but the desperate gamblers started grabbing the fallen silver coins.

“Stop! Stop, or I’ll cut you down!”

“Stop! If you don’t stop, I’ll kill you!”

“Hey! I said stop!”

Waving their swords, the staff couldn’t control the gamblers.

“This is chaos!”

“Help! Someone save me!”

One staff member grabbed a gambler reaching for the money.

“Now’s our chance!”

Seeing the opportunity, Mo Yong So-hye leapt into the air.

With agile movements, she flipped in mid-air.

*Thud!*

Like a bird of prey, she struck the staff member.

“Ugh!”

*Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!*

Toppling several tables, the gambler’s eyes lit up.

“This is our chance!”

“Now’s the time to get our money back!”

“It’s not stealing! It’s reclaiming!”

“Wow! It’s all mine!”

In the chaos, the three of them joined the fray.

“This is something.”

Namgung Yun-ho dodged the wild sword swings and delivered a short punch.

*Bam!*

“Ugh.”

Despite their size, they fell with one blow, foaming at the mouth.

They were at most third-rate.

Against Namgung Yun-ho, who had deeply mastered orthodox martial arts, they fell one by one.

*Slash! Bam!*

Jegal Tan, picking up a folding fan, used it to distract and strike his opponents.

*Flutter! Smack!*

Startled by the fluttering fan, they clutched their heads and fell.

“Not even worth a post-meal snack.”

Such an easy fight was rare.

*Bam!*

Baek Ri Seol struck the wrist of an opponent with a knife hand and sent him flying with a spinning kick. as

She caught a falling sword.

“This is too crude to use.”

*Snap. Clang!*

Breaking the sword with her hand, she frowned.

“It breaks with a tap.”

True.

She had to be careful not to kill them.

“We were fighting the Hidden Moon Flying Thief recently, and now it’s illegal gambling den guards.”

The difference is too extreme.

Baek Ri Seol’s comment made Namgung Yun-ho shake his head.

“Baek Ri, stay alert.”

The instructor’s plans never end simply.

“That’s true.”

And sure enough.

*Boom!*

With a loud noise, something dark flew towards them.

Then, the instructor’s lazy voice called out.

“Hey, be careful over there.”

The guy’s a bit rough.

*Crash!*

The manager, smashing several gambling tables, rolled to Namgung Yun-ho’s feet.

“Ugh! You bastard!”

*Bam! Bam!*

Swatting away the broken debris, the manager, his hair disheveled, screamed.

“I’ll kill you!”

*Whoosh!*

Suddenly, flames enveloped the manager.

*Roar!*

A chilling aura exploded.