Chapter 76 : One Throw to Shake Heaven and Earth (2)

Chapter 76: One Throw to Shake Heaven and Earth (2)

He was certain it was just bluffing.

Someone who knew nothing of gambling couldn't possibly walk into a gambling den and win that much money. That was common sense.

But the fact that he couldn’t deny it was also the truth.

'There's no way someone that young could have mastered gambling.'

No matter how much that young brat had gambled, how much could he really have done it? Besides, Yin-Yang was a gambling style unique to Golden Flower Manor. It wasn’t something one could learn in advance somewhere else.

Even if he had somehow acquired insider information, it would be impossible to perfectly replicate the exact weight and material of the iron marbles used in this Yin-Yang game. In the end, there was no method for trickery.

'Stay calm.'

He kept feeling like he was being dragged along by that composed boy’s attitude.

Gambling was gambling because the outcome was uncertain. There were plenty of cases where seasoned veterans lost to greenhorns. If you could win with certainty, what would be the fun of it?

“So, you're saying you don’t know any of the games?”

“Ah!”

At that moment, Wi Yeonho clapped his hands.

“There is one game among the ones you mentioned earlier that I think I could play.”

“And what would that be?”

Wi Yeonho smirked.

“Do you know how to play Go?”

*         *         *

“Let’s head out.”

Wi Sanho began gathering his belongings.

“...Can’t we stay one more day?”

“A beggar sleeps in a proper bed once and ends up getting lazier.”

“Is someone from your family really in a position to be criticizing anyone else’s laziness?”

“I have no comeback for that.”

Anyone with Wi Yeonho as a younger brother had no right to criticize someone else for being lazy.

“It doesn’t run in the family.”

“I know.”

Wi Sanho's diligence was well-known.

Ever since entering the academy, it was said that he spent every moment—excluding meals and sleep—on training. Wi Sanho was a true martial arts maniac.

Even Jang Il, had he not met Wi Yeonho in person, would never have believed such a slacker could come from the Grand House of Wi in Guangdong.

Though Wi Sanho had, on occasion, remarked, "My little brother is the laziest creature under heaven," Jang Il had thought it was just an overzealous older brother criticizing a normal sibling.

But who would have thought that the ultimate slacker in the world was actually Wi Sanho’s younger brother?

'You really never know with people...'

If only Wi Sanho had been the sole hardworking one, he might have believed it half-heartedly. But who was Wi Sanho’s father?

Who would believe that the son of the Righteous Hero Sword, Wi Jeonghan, was a slacker?

“Is he really your blood brother?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then how can your personalities be that different?”

“It's not just Yeonho.”

“Huh?”

“Suryeon is completely different from me, too. The three of us siblings all have different personalities.”

“That sounds normal and strange at the same time.”

“That’s enough idle talk. Time to get moving.”

“Uuuugh.”

Jang Il slowly stretched and rose.

Crack.

“S-sleeping in a bed for the first time in ages... My back...”

Wi Sanho silently observed the scene.

“Alright, alright! I’m up! I’m getting up!”

He was the kind of guy who wouldn’t bleed a drop even if stabbed with a needle.

At least Wi Yeonho had some human warmth to him...

When he was with Wi Yeonho, it sparked irritation, but being with Wi Sanho just made his chest feel stifled.

'I should avoid anyone from the Wi family altogether.'

At this point, he was even getting personally curious about what kind of man the Righteous Hero Sword was.

The man of great renown, the Righteous Hero Sword...

“What kind of person is your father?”

“My father?”

Jang Il nodded silently. Come to think of it, the person who knew the Righteous Hero Sword best was right in front of him.

“My father…”

Wi Sanho seemed to ponder deeply before answering.

“He is a great hero of the world.”

“Everyone knows that already.”

“He's a transcendent martial artist.”

“Mmm...”

“And a very kind and caring father.”

“...”

“It’s hard to sum him up in words. At times, he's like a mountain—immovable—but he’s also incredibly approachable. He may seem cold, but he's actually warm.”

“So, you’re saying he has no flaws? That’s pretty generous of you, even for a son.”

“He has a fatal flaw.”

“And what is that?”

Jang Il slyly nudged Wi Sanho.

If he got caught up in the mood and answered, he might reveal something interesting.

But Wi Sanho’s answer completely blindsided him.

“He's henpecked.”

“Huh?”

“Utterly henpecked. He’d probably welcome the revival of the Demonic Cult over dealing with Mother at home. She's scarier than the cult leader himself.”

“Pwahahahahaha!”

Jang Il clutched his stomach and rolled on the bed.

The idea that the Righteous Hero Sword, feared more than the Grim Reaper by demons and villains alike, was henpecked—it was simply too much.

“Are you serious?”

“I am.”

Wi Sanho nodded firmly.

“Your mother must be a terrifying woman.”

“Only to Father.”

“Really?”

“To Yeonho and me, she's the kindest woman in the world.”

“Hmmm…”

“So, shall we get going now?”

Jang Il slowly perched himself on the edge of the bed.

“Hey, Sanho.”

“Speak.”

“The sun’s already high in the sky. Why don’t we have lunch before heading out...?”

“I’ve always known you had an interest in martial arts duels, but I didn’t expect you to challenge me in such a roundabout way. Shall we have a quick match before lunch, then?”

“Let’s go! Right now! What are we waiting for?!”

“Click, click.”

Wi Sanho clicked his tongue as he followed Jang Il, who bolted out of the room. But unfortunately for Wi Sanho, it didn’t seem like he was destined to leave just yet.

“Did you cough, sir?”

At the door, Wi Sanho bowed his head upon seeing Mun Eunji.

“I'm not sure if your sleep was uncomfortable during the night. It was a hastily prepared bed, so if there was any inconvenience, I would be grateful if you could understand with a generous heart.”

“Thanks to your consideration, I was able to rest well.”

When Wi Sanho bowed his head once again, Mun Eunji reflexively nodded as well.

Yes! This is how a person should be!

This is what it means to be human; this is the standard!

They came from the same womb—how could the older brother know, but the younger brother not?

“Your meal is ready.”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but since I have a long journey ahead, I’d like to depart soon.”

“I understand the urgency of finding your younger brother. However, if the host has their manners, should not the guest also have theirs? My father is waiting for you both. Rather than refuse out of haste, would you consider honoring the invitation, just this once?”

Wi Sanho was impressed by Mun Eunji’s composed manner.

‘So this is what they call a lady of the inner chambers.’

To Wi Sanho, who had spent most of his life among rugged warriors, Mun Eunji’s polite yet confident attitude was strikingly memorable.

Of course, if Wi Yeonho had heard this, he would’ve foamed at the mouth, exclaiming how poor his brother’s judgment of people was.

‘She would’ve made a fine match for Yeonho…’

His inhuman little brother needed to meet someone sharp and dignified like this.

But if fate had truly intended it, it would have happened already.

The moment Wi Yeonho left this place, that fate was all but severed.

“I, the guest, was on the verge of committing another rudeness after already causing one. Would you kindly allow me to have a meal with your father? I wish to apologize for the trouble caused last night.”

“There’s no need for an apology. My father is waiting. Please come this way.”

As Mun Eunji took the lead, Wi Sanho nodded and followed behind her.

“Where did you learn to talk like that?”

It became clear to Wi Sanho that his younger brother wasn’t the only one who needed to learn proper manners. This beggar clearly tossed etiquette into the street along with his begging bowl.

“You’re someone who’ll one day lead a major faction. Even if the Beggar Sect is a gathering of vagrants who prize freedom, not every person you meet will be easygoing. If you don’t learn at least the basic courtesies and how to converse without offending others, you'll face serious consequences one day.”

“Our King Beggar’s worse than me, though.”

“…”

Wi Sanho fell silent.

Better dead than suffering.

“Welcome.”

Mun Yuhwan greeted Wi Sanho and Jang Il with a gentle smile.

Upon stepping through the doorway, Wi Sanho bowed deeply in courtesy.

“I’m overwhelmed by such hospitality for an uninvited guest. I came to apologize for the trouble caused last night.”

“There's no need to apologize. I should be asking forgiveness for not receiving such an important guest. It was late, so I thought it better to let you rest.”

“Ah, um…”

Jang Il, without so much as a greeting, seemed lost in thought before suddenly blurting out.

“Hold on. Are you the Head of the Institute?”

“Yes. I am Mun Yuhwan, and though lacking, I serve as the head of the Great Scholarly Institute.”

“Th-the Three Arts Grand Historian!”

Jang Il bowed deeply at ninety degrees, shouting with vigor.

“I’m Jang Il, the Beggar! It is an immeasurable honor to meet the Grand Historian of the Three Arts!”

Wi Sanho was slightly startled by Jang Il’s sudden shift in attitude and swallowed dryly.

If even that ill-mannered beggar showed this kind of reverence, then the man before them clearly wasn’t ordinary.

“Excessive courtesy is still courtesy. You flatter a mere man like me too much—I feel uncomfortable.”

“If the Three Arts Grand Historian calls himself lacking, then a beggar like me might as well leap into the Yellow River and drown!”

“Hahaha, you have a knack for witty jokes. You must be hungry. Let us eat first.”

“Yes, sir.”

Wi Sanho and Jang Il sat at the table.

The meal set on the table wasn’t lavish but neat and refined, reflecting the dignity of the Great Scholarly Institute.

Wi Sanho couldn’t fully enjoy the meal, as he began to feel uneasy due to Jang Il’s behavior. But Jang Il, true to his nature—or rather, true to his status—dug into the food like a proper beggar.

‘Slurp! Chomp! Gulp! Ah, this is delicious!’

Unable to bear it, Wi Sanho firmly stepped on Jang Il’s foot.

“Ow! Why’d you stomp on my—”

After catching sight of the ghostly fire flickering in Wi Sanho’s eyes, Jang Il quietly set down his chopsticks.

“I truly enjoyed the meal.”

Jang Il forced a straight face as he spoke, his appetite clearly gone. Mun Yuhwan smiled gently.

“You may have more if you’d like. Please, eat.”

“...A beggar does love a free meal, but if he eats too many free meals, it upsets his stomach. That’s the way of beggars.”

Mun Yuhwan nodded as if understanding, then turned to Wi Sanho.

“I hear you’re the older brother of Young Hero Wi Yeonho.”

“Yes. I’m that scoundrel’s older brother. I’ve heard he passed through here. As his brother, I’d like to apologize for any rudeness he may have shown.”

“Hahaha, rudeness? No, your younger brother did us a great favor.”

“A favor?”

Wi Sanho asked with a puzzled tone, and Mun Yuhwan calmly began to explain what had happened here.

As Mun Yuhwan spoke, Wi Sanho’s expression grew increasingly grave.

When the explanation was finally over, Wi Sanho abruptly stood up and bowed deeply to Mun Yuhwan.

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