CHAPTER 385: YO YEON-BI, ONE GRAB THOUSAND GOLD MANOR (1)

Eyes glazed and unfocused from alcohol.

Dressed stylishly as if he were a martial artist from the righteous sects.

A blue heroic headband wrapped around his forehead, and a sword strapped to his waist.

Gi-do, who acted as the shoulder man at the gambling house, knew that the young man before him was not a swordsman.

In other words, the youth wore the decorative sword purely for show.

Contrary to his appearance, his eyes were glazed over and his face flushed bright red.

It was natural since he had been guzzling expensive liquor like water.

Spitting as he shouted angrily, his breath reeked of alcohol.

“How dare you do this to me! Running a gambling house and sucking the lifeblood out of people!”

Gi-do was dumbfounded.

Wasn’t the young man before him the loafer who frequented One Grab Thousand Gold Manor so often that the doorsteps were worn down?

It was laughable how he changed his attitude completely after having fun.

“The cult is waging a holy war! You leech-like bastards.”

That was an even more absurd statement.

It was true that the cult had advanced into the Central Plains.

Though there had been much internal strife, they were nonetheless at war.

All of Four Heavens Palace’s forces and more than half of True Demon Palace and High Spirit Palace’s forces were currently gathering in the Kunlun region.

Gambling amidst such times was certainly condemnable.

But no matter how right the words, who says them is important.

The people at the gambling house, at least Gi-do himself, worked to make a living.

But that drunken loafer was not like that.

A waste who squandered his father’s money like water, intoxicated by pleasure, that was who this young man is, Yo Yeon-bi.

Gi-do’s displeasure seemed to show on his face.

Despite his glazed eyes, the youth noticed it.

“Oh? Look at that expression. Got a problem?”

“…No.”

“Relax your eyes, you brat.”

Gi-do felt his anger boiling inside.

He wanted to smash that foul-smelling mouth.

If the opponent were just an ordinary nuisance, he would have done so.

A drunken kid would become polite with just one punch.

But he couldn’t.

The opponent was not someone the mere gambling house Gi-do could handle.

It would have been nice if he just apologized and let it go, but drunk troublemakers always crossed the line.

“You bastard! Apologies must be sincere!”

He boldly threw a punch.

Gi-do quickly tilted his head to dodge the punch.

It was a punch infused with internal energy.

Had he been hit, he would have suffered greatly.

The youth lost his momentum and tumbled down, but Gi-do couldn’t hold back and grabbed the youth by the collar.

He was about to beat him up thoroughly in anger.

He saw the terrified face of the youth.

If he beat him now, he’d feel relieved, but Gi-do’s life would be ruined.

Surely, One Grab Thousand Gold Manor wouldn’t protect Gi-do’s safety either.

“Ugh.”

So he hesitated, unable to throw a punch.

Someone grabbed Gi-do’s arm.

“Hey, stop it.”

Turning his head, Gi-do saw that the one holding his arm was a handsome wandering martial artist.

Though his clothes were shabby and his face bore a scar, he looked more respectable than the drunken youth.

“Who the hell are you now…!”

In disbelief, Gi-do forgot how easily his arm was grabbed.

He was a retired warrior and quite skilled.

“Step back. Do you harm the guests?”

“…Ugh.”

He wasn’t afraid of a wandering martial artist.

But it was better to back down now.

Gi-do secretly felt relieved and quickly fled.

The wandering martial artist, Yi-gang, still sitting, extended his hand to the youth.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah…”

The original youth would never have taken the hand of a mere wandering martial artist.

But now, he was clearly in a position of having received help.

The proud youth unknowingly grasped Yi-gang’s hand.

For some reason, he felt deeply ashamed of himself.

Yi-gang brushed off the dirt from Yo Yeon-bi’s body.

Yo Yeon-bi’s guard rose at the kindness.

“Y-you are…”

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

But Yi-gang said that and turned away without hesitation.

Yo Yeon-bi, flustered, tried to grab him.

“W-wait a moment…!”

But Yi-gang didn’t answer and left without regret.

Yo Yeon-bi watched his retreating figure blankly.

Somehow, he felt very ashamed.

He also felt a strange, tingling gratitude.

Who in Sky Shattering Island would help someone like that and leave without expecting anything in return?

A splitting headache, and only a few coins left in his pocket.

His stomach ached badly from drinking so much.

“I should at least fill my stomach.”

Yo Yeon-bi grumbled as he went off to get some food.

And Yi-gang and his group, who were thought to have left, were quietly watching Yo Yeon-bi.

Dam Hyun quietly asked.

“He just seems like a loafer who likes gambling. Could probably be a rich family’s spoiled son.”

“Even in Sky Shattering Island, there are such lucky bastards. Good for him.”

Dam Hyun disliked people in general, and disliked the rich even more.

“Let’s make use of that guy.”

He seemed like he could help them get into One Grab Thousand Gold Manor.

They cautiously followed Yo Yeon-bi.

Yo Yeon-bi headed to a shop he frequented.

Chiring—

As he opened the door, the wind chime swayed.

The noodle shop’s clerk greeted the customer.

“Hel……lo Young Master!”

The clerk recognized Yo Yeon-bi, was startled, then immediately smiled.

An impressive quick wit.

“Yeah, one bowl of noodles, please.”

“Ah, the seats…”

This shop, selling noodles topped with duck meat, was famous for its broth.

So at lunchtime, there were no empty seats.

But one who recognized Yo Yeon-bi quickly freed a seat.

“There’s one over there.”

“Yes, I’ll bring it right away.”

Yo Yeon-bi staggered as if familiar and sat at a large round table.

Sharing a table during busy times was natural.

But no one sat beside Yo Yeon-bi.

Newcomers saw the only seat left was next to Yo Yeon-bi and left.

Yo Yeon-bi felt bitter.

Just a moment ago, his appearance was utterly disgraceful.

If not for one wandering martial artist helping, he might have been beaten by the gatekeeper.

“I should have at least asked his name.”

Most wandering martial artists were lowly, but that one was different.

He had a somewhat heroic aura. It would have been nice to build a bond… but Yo Yeon-bi only showed his ugly side.

“Ah.”

It was all meaningless.

Yo Yeon-bi annoyed himself for no reason.

“What’s taking the noodles so long?”

“Yes, here it is.”

The clerk quickly brought the duck noodles.

The noodles had steaming broth, a bit of noodles, and sliced duck meat.

It seemed simple, but after drinking, nothing was better.

Gurgle—

No matter how bad he felt, his stomach reacted to the food.

Yo Yeon-bi slurped down the noodles.

The broth, simmered long with duck and chicken bones, was rich and savory.

The floating duck fat was very fragrant.

“Ahh—”

His stomach seemed to relax.

The wind chime rang as four wandering martial artists entered.

They looked around for seats.

Yo Yeon-bi, glancing at them, widened his eyes.

“Here, come sit here with me!”

It was the first time Yo Yeon-bi invited someone to share a table.

With people watching, the wandering martial artists didn’t hesitate and sat around Yo Yeon-bi’s table.

“They must be strangers who don’t know Yo Yeon-bi.”

The shop’s people thought so.

“We didn’t even greet each other earlier.”

Yo Yeon-bi said shyly.

Among the wandering martial artists who entered, one had helped him earlier.

“I see, what a coincidence.”

“Y-your name?”

“I’m Dam Hyun. What’s your name, Young Master?”

Yi-gang introduced himself as Dam Hyun.

It was a rather stylish name for a wandering martial artist.

Yo Yeon-bi was pleasantly shocked that an ordinary wandering martial artist spoke respectfully to him.

“Ah, I… yes. I’m Yo Yeon-bi…”

“I see. So it’s brother Yo.”

Yi-gang and his group also ordered duck noodles and began eating.

After a bite, Yi-gang’s eyes widened.

“…This is delicious.”

At that reaction, Yo Yeon-bi asked quietly.

“Are you new to Sky Shattering Island?”

“Can you tell…?”

“Yes. You reacted like it was your first time eating these noodles…”

They didn’t recognize Yo Yeon-bi and showed little reaction even after hearing his name.

Yo Yeon-bi didn’t bother explaining in detail.

Those who recognized him all looked down on Yo Yeon-bi.

And those gazes contained contempt and pity, so Yo Yeon-bi liked that Yi-gang didn’t recognize him.

“I haven’t been here long.”

“You seem like a wandering martial artist who joined the cult. Good choice. In Sky Shattering Island, no one cares what you do outside.”

Yo Yeon-bi blankly watched Yi-gang smile.

Look at that bitter smile that seemed to carry a story.

He looked qualitatively different from the vulgar other wandering martial artists.

Though he said he wouldn’t ask about the past, Yo Yeon-bi became curious about Yi-gang’s past.

Maybe he was a swordsman expelled from a sect, or someone who came as a vengeful spirit.

Somehow, those who seemed like his companions were also unusual.

“I’m Hyun Dam.”

“Tak Dong-du.”

“…Go Yo-jeon.”

They introduced themselves.

Yo Yeon-bi was unusually in a very good mood.

Perhaps because of that, he felt great familiarity even with the wandering martial artists he met for the first time.

The clerk was greatly surprised to see Yo Yeon-bi so sociable.

And soon, a topic came up that lifted Yo Yeon-bi’s mood to the skies.

“…You like dice games?”

“Like? That’s an understatement.”

Hyun Dam, who introduced himself, a somewhat sly-looking wandering martial artist, said so.

“I like card games and dice games.”

“You like gambling?”

“Of course.”

Yo Yeon-bi grinned from ear to ear.

There were three things he loved most in the world.

Gambling, alcohol, and women.

The One Grab Thousand Gold Manor he was kicked out of today was a place where he could enjoy all three at once.

“We might get along well!”

“Hehehe.”

Yo Yeon-bi, talking about card and dice games with Dam Hyun, slapped his knee.

“So, the one I met earlier at One Grab Thousand Gold Manor…”

“Ah.”

At those words, Yi-gang made an embarrassed expression.

“I heard it’s the best around here, so I wanted to go, but they don’t just accept anyone…”

“What? Those arrogant bastards.”

Yo Yeon-bi grumbled as if it were his own matter.

He really liked these wandering martial artists.

“Let’s go together! If you come in with me, we can have a blast…”

Yo Yeon-bi, about to shout boldly, hesitated.

He realized he didn’t have a single coin.

If he asked his father for more money, he’d surely get beaten, so that was impossible.

But Yo Yeon-bi’s pride wouldn’t allow him to go without money.

At that moment, Yi-gang and Dam Hyun exchanged glances so quickly Yo Yeon-bi couldn’t notice.

“Actually, I wanted to ask a favor…”

Yi-gang cautiously proposed.

“F-favor?”

“Could you possibly help us get in? I can cover a small amount for our entertainment.”

Yo Yeon-bi was happy but suspicious.

How much money could wandering martial artists have to say that?

Yi-gang subtly opened his coat.

Several yellowed gold coins were visible in the inner pocket.

That amount was enough to have fun at One Grab Thousand Gold Manor.

Yo Yeon-bi slammed the table and stood up.

“No problem! Let’s go!”

He seemed afraid they might withdraw the offer.

Dam Hyun smiled and stood up following.

-That was surprisingly easy.

-Indeed.

Yi-gang and his group followed Yo Yeon-bi back toward One Grab Thousand Gold Manor.

As if possessed by a gambling ghost, Yo Yeon-bi’s steps were very light.

When the group arrived in front of One Grab Thousand Gold Manor.

Yo Yeon-bi looked at Yi-gang and asked.

“Can you lend me some silver coins?”

Yi-gang handed a handful of silver coins to Yo Yeon-bi.

He didn’t ask what it was for.

The gatekeeper appeared again, recognized Yo Yeon-bi, and frowned.

“Young Master, why are you…”

“I have money now, you bastard!”

Yo Yeon-bi kicked the gatekeeper’s stomach without hesitation.

The gatekeeper tumbled down.

“Ugh…!”

“How arrogant.”

Yo Yeon-bi scattered a handful of silver coins on the fallen gatekeeper.

To Yi-gang, who looked bewildered, he smiled sheepishly and said.

“The lowly ones only know to fear by doing this. Now, let’s go in.”

Yo Yeon-bi danced as he entered the main gate.

Yi-gang gave a wry smile in disbelief.

“…What a hopeless fool.”

They followed Yo Yeon-bi inside.