“Brother, I got this absolutely stunning piece of pottery from a recently fallen sect. It’s yours.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“It’s proper manners to bring a gift when visiting someone’s home.”

In modern terms, it would usually be just a fruit basket or something.

But the pottery Sama Hyeon set down was no ordinary piece.

The way the glaze was applied made it shimmer between blue and white depending on the light—truly worthy of being called a remarkable object.

“They say the sect’s founding patriarch embedded the essence of his internal arts in this, but later generations couldn’t figure out what it meant. Seems the transmission of their martial arts was broken. They wanted to make ends meet, so I snatched it up quick at auction.”

“What am I supposed to do with this…?”

“Use it as a flower pot. It’d be great for growing orchids.”

You think those bright beagle-like eyes will sway my heart!

Though Jin Cheonhee might sometimes be naive about worldly matters, he wasn’t crazy enough to grow orchids in this.

“If you refuse, I’ll use it as a flower pot myself. Just need to drill some drainage holes at the bottom.”

“…I’ll take it. I’ll make good use of it.”

And so Jin Cheonhee ended up accepting the pottery that supposedly contained some sect’s core martial arts.

Of course, this wasn’t by his own choice but rather rescuing it from his crazy rich brother who would have drilled holes in the bottom to make a flower pot.

“Does the Golden King know you live like this…?”

“Master and I get along well. My sister even said that treasures before our eyes are all fleeting things that will eventually disappear. Don’t be swayed by money—grab it and shake it instead.”

…That’s true, but he wasn’t sure if this was something the Golden King should be saying.

But is it okay to call such a well-known master ‘Sister’?

He could understand why the orthodox sects disliked the unorthodox sects.

Under Confucian ideology, they might play together behind closed doors, but they weren’t the sort to associate with publicly.

“By the way, Brother, got any money?”

“If you mean cash on hand right now… yes. Why?”

“Lend it to me. I’ll multiply it.”

“How will you multiply it?”

“Gambling.”

“Gambling…? GAMBLING? Hyeon-ah. As your brother, let me advise you…”

“No, not like that. I want to bet on you.”

“Huh?”

“This Dragon Phoenix Gathering is one big betting arena, right? And betting is legal.”

True. In this era, gambling houses were legal ‘within reasonable limits.’

What constituted ‘reasonable limits’ varied by region, by law, and by how much the constables had been paid off.

And the Dragon Phoenix Gathering was clearly gambling ‘within reasonable limits.’

In modern terms, it was no different from betting at the horse races.

“So you’re betting on me?”

“Yeah. You’re definitely going to win. But there are lots of idiots underestimating your skills. It’s money for the taking—why pass it up?”

Sama Hyeon rubbed his hands together, already excited at the thought of money.

“Brother, do you know who your opponent is today?”

He’d seen the tournament bracket but hadn’t heard who won to advance as his opponent. However, if it was someone from a powerful family…

“Eon Jeongmu?”

“You do know. No, did you guess?”

“Anyway, is that Eon Jeongmu the same young warrior who threw the wine cup?”

“Yeah. The guy I’ve been setting up.”

Lord Eon, guard your wealth carefully. Someone’s about to stick a straw in it.

Sama Hyeon smiled wickedly.

“It’s forbidden for participants to bet on themselves, but I can multiply it for you instead. Come on, Brother, hand it over. I’ll launder it clean and return it with interest.”

So he’d thought that far ahead.

But Jin Cheonhee wasn’t one to turn down incoming money.

He pulled out all the money from his sleeve and handed it to Sama Hyeon.

Jingle!

“Put it all in. Since we’re doing this, spread some rumors that I’m weaker than I look. Or that Eon Jeongmu is incredibly strong. Let’s raise those odds.”

“I don’t even need to step in—the evaluation of Eon Jeongmu is already high. He’s picked fights here and there and has quite a winning record. He was quite strong in the last Dragon Phoenix Gathering too. That’s why many are betting on him.”

So that’s how it was.

Jin Cheonhee nodded with clear eyes.

“The more money, the better.”

“Right, Brother. It’s about time to expand the White Dragon Foundation’s children’s wing too. They’ve been struggling with the budget lately.”

That’s how charity work goes. No matter how much money you pour in, it’s never enough.

“Work like a dog, spend like a minister.”

Sama Hyeon looked at his brother with eyes of admiration for a moment before averting his gaze.

“…You haven’t changed at all.”

“?”

“No, I just find it fascinating. Usually, people want more the more they have.”

He closed his mouth after saying just that much.

Jin Cheonhee changed into his martial arts attire and headed to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.

Jin Cheonhee asked.

“What number are you?”

“I’m eleventh. You’re third, right?”

“Yeah. So there are two matches before mine.”

“If we go now, we should be able to watch from the first match. That’s why we’re leaving early.”

Hyeon-ah, seems like you have everything planned out.

A systematic plan to play around.

“Brother, the chicken skewers at the Plum Bamboo Restaurant are first-rate.”

He’d already found all the food to eat while watching.

“I’ll treat you properly~”

Are you really allowed to play around like such a freeloader? Hyeon-ah… Didn’t the Golden King send you! Logically thinking, you must have had mountains of work…

“Brother, that one too. We need to buy those rice cake skewers. They use expensive grain syrup.”

Sama Hyeon didn’t think about the consequences.

***

Master had said:

-Still, I hope you enjoy the Dragon Phoenix Gathering thoroughly. It’s a chance to observe other martial arts.

…he said.

In the martial forest of blades, opportunities to observe others’ martial arts usually cost an arm or leg.

If only an arm or leg, that would be fortunate. Usually, one’s life was at stake too.

In such circumstances, being able to sit safely and observe others’ martial matches was a good opportunity for a martial artist.

“Dragon Phoenix Gathering Round of 16! First match! Kongtong Sect versus the Moyong Clan! Place your bets on this battle of late-stage experts!”

The gambling had already begun.

People placed their bets and cheered for their chosen side.

“Kongtong’s sword techniques are big and rough, aren’t they? The Moyong Clan’s piercing sword should have the advantage?”

“That’s an amateur’s view. Though Kongtong’s style looks big and rough, there’s profound mystery in those bizarre movements. Once swords cross, many say it’s quite strange.”

“But speaking of that, isn’t the Moyong Clan’s sword famous for its disciplined power in every strike? The Moyong Clan will definitely win!”

Indeed, people’s eyes change once money is involved.

They argued back and forth about who would win or lose.

And the match ended in the Moyong Clan’s victory.

Woooaaah!

In the heated atmosphere, Jin Cheonhee also clenched his fist.

He almost wanted to place a small bet for fun if he had any money left. But Jin Cheonhee’s entire fortune was already bet on Jin Cheonhee himself.

This is more impressive than I expected?

He carefully analyzed the sword wounds both fighters had sustained.

“Brother, you’re wondering whether to call the emergency room, right?”

“Hahaha. You noticed?”

“Brother, they’ll ring the bell if needed. And since it ended in an out-of-bounds forfeit, the White Dragon Medical Pavilion’s clinic can handle this level.”

“…”

“They’re people you trained. Have some faith.”

Jin Cheonhee finally nodded.

Soon the next match began.

“Five Poisons Sect versus the Hwangbo Clan! Place your bets! Lower odds on the Hwangbo Clan! If you think the Five Poisons Sect will win, don’t miss this chance!”

“Isn’t the Five Poisons Sect masters of poison arts rivaling the Tang Clan? Betting now seems likely to pay off?”

“But strangely, they don’t use poison weapons but spears, swords, and flying daggers. I’m not sure we can evaluate them on the same level as the Tang Clan.”

Indeed, once money was involved, humans suddenly evolved from cheerleaders into experts.

“Who do you think will win?”

Sama Hyeon answered that question.

“Hmm… there might be some variables, but I’d still bet on the Hwangbo Clan.”

“No surprises?”

“Yeah. The Five Poisons Sect’s arts are harder than the Tang Clan’s and more dependent on innate talent. You need to be capable of poison arts while still requiring substantial martial power. It’s difficult to produce a late-stage expert of that caliber. Probably…?”

Why add that “probably” after explaining it so well?

“Match start!”

The match process was quite interesting.

The Five Poisons Sect brought out flying daggers.

Moreover, they controlled them with attached strings.

After an intense battle, they lost to the Hwangbo Clan.

Hwangbo Mu-ah has gotten stronger?

Perhaps she gained some insight from Jin Cheonhee’s previous advice.

Woooaaah!

They must have sent antidotes to the emergency room in advance? That’s the competition rules.

Otherwise, people would die.

His medical thinking kicked in first. Then:

Those strings seem unusual… Silk from the White Silkworm? So you can control them freely by infusing qi into the strings. Maybe I should research this too? If it’s possible, it could be convenient for sutures.

Sometimes in the emergency room, they use bonds or staplers for sutures.

In other words, the basic principle of medicine is using whatever means necessary to save patients.

Because nothing in this world is more precious than life. That’s also why Jin Cheonhee’s thinking wasn’t bound by fixed ideas.

In the end, his second thought also turned completely toward medical applications.

Jin Cheonhee stood up.

“It’s my turn now.”

“Good luck, Brother!”

Sama Hyeon cheered, waving a chicken skewer.

Behind Sama Hyeon, bets started being placed.

“No matter what, it’s hard for a rolling stone to dislodge an embedded one.”

“Wasn’t Eon Jeongmu a master last year too? No matter how much of a rising star the Little White Dragon is, it’s difficult to push aside an established master.”

Despite showing such martial prowess, it seemed difficult to break people’s preconceptions.

The odds on Eon Jeongmu were high.

But Sama Hyeon didn’t doubt his brother’s victory for even a moment.

That faith was laid down as betting money.

In front of the arena, Jin Cheonhee slowly warmed up.

“The arena has been prepared. Are both sides ready?”

Eon Jeongmu was the first to answer.

“Come at me anytime! Little White Dragon!”

Seems he remembered the grudge of having wine dumped on him very well.

Well, there’s no greater humiliation than that…

Plus, even though he wanted to throw punches, with the Azure Dragon Sword watching, he ended up slinking away like a whipped dog.

Double humiliation!

Having suffered a 2-hit combo of shame, Eon Jeongmu had been looking forward to today’s match.

“I’m ready as well.”

Meanwhile, Jin Cheonhee thought this about Eon Jeongmu:

Hmm… should I launch him up first, then chain some aerial combos?

Since he should end it with just bruising and no fractures, it would be better to use his hands more carefully.

Not increasing emergency room work.

Safely knocking everyone unconscious and sending them home.

Those were Professor Jin’s objectives.

Victory was ultimately secondary.

Of course, there was the bonus goal of ‘winning to collect the betting money,’ but that couldn’t compare to the first two objectives.

The two faced each other at opposite ends of the arena.