58.Learning Techniques Through Gambling

It was late in the evening at the Black Cloud Pavilion's training ground, with the air thick with shadows. The murmurs of the trainees had faded into silence, and only the flickering candlelight illuminated the worn wooden table at the center. On it sat two polished dice, glistening under the dim glow.

Seated across from each other, Lee Do-Hyun and Cheong Un-Jin stared at the dice, while the surrounding trainees, Mi-Ryeong, Han So-Yeon, and Baek Wol-Hee, formed a tense audience.

The anticipation was palpable. The candlelight wavered, casting flickering shadows over the dice, as if foreshadowing the outcome of the match.

"Do-Hyun, you said you wanted to learn my technique, didn't you?" Cheong Un-Jin said as he picked up the dice, rolling them between his fingers.

"Yes, senior. I need to learn your defensive technique," Lee Do-Hyun responded firmly.

Cheong Un-Jin smirked.

"But I can't just teach it to you for free. Let's settle this with a gamble. If you win, I'll teach you what you want."

"And if I lose?" Do-Hyun asked, already sensing trouble.

Cheong Un-Jin grinned mischievously.

"Then you either hand over Black Cloud Pavilion… or dress as a woman and entertain everyone at the next banquet."

Laughter erupted among the trainees, and Baek Wol-Hee clapped her hands in delight.

"Oh my, Black Cloud Sword in women's clothing? That's something I can't miss!"

Han So-Yeon, arms crossed, let out a sigh.

"Do-Hyun, you're seriously going along with this nonsense?"

Lee Do-Hyun simply smiled, unbothered.

"Gambling is fascinating precisely because it's unpredictable."

Cheong Un-Jin chuckled.

"Simple rules—each of us rolls two dice. The higher total wins. But if you roll doubles, it's an instant victory. You'll need luck on your side."

Lee Do-Hyun picked up the dice and smirked.

"I once heard someone say, 'The one who shakes the board wins.' Let me show you what that means."

Cheong Un-Jin's grin widened.

"Fine, Black Cloud Sword. Let's begin."

The dice tumbled across the table, reflecting the candlelight as they spun. All eyes were locked on their movement.

First round— Lee Do-Hyun channeled a faint stream of energy through his fingers as he rolled, guiding the dice subtly. They settled on 6 and 4.

"Not bad." Cheong Un-Jin picked up the dice himself. "But relying only on luck won't get you far in gambling."

He released the dice, a faint energy shift barely perceptible. They landed on 6 and 5.

"See? This is technique." Cheong Un-Jin smirked.

Second round— Lee Do-Hyun sensed the energy manipulation and adapted, countering it by subtly redirecting his own flow. The dice landed on 5 and 6.

"Looks like I won this time," he said with a confident smile.

However, Cheong Un-Jin casually tossed his dice again. They tumbled and stopped—6 and 6.

"A tie. Now do you see? Luck alone won't carry you."

Cheong Un-Jin leaned forward.

"Final round. If you win, I'll teach you my techniques. But if you lose, I hope you're ready for that performance."

Lee Do-Hyun remained composed.

"I wonder if you'll be able to beat me this time."

The spectators murmured excitedly. Baek Wol-Hee, arms crossed, suddenly brightened with amusement.

"Everyone's being so serious. But gambling is meant to be enjoyed, isn't it?" She flashed a playful smile.

"Wol-Hee, don't interfere," Han So-Yeon warned coldly.

"Interfere? I'm just cheering them on," she replied nonchalantly, flipping her hair back.

She leaned closer to the table, her loose neckline slipping slightly, revealing her smooth collarbone and shoulders.

"I think it would be rather charming if Senior Cheong Un-Jin won, don't you?" she said in a teasing tone.

For the first time, Cheong Un-Jin hesitated. His hand, poised over the dice, trembled ever so slightly.

"Hmph…" He averted his gaze, trying to refocus, but the flow had already been disturbed.

As Baek Wol-Hee shifted, the trainees swallowed hard, some turning red-faced.

"That… was intentional, wasn't it?" a trainee whispered.

"This isn't just a test for Do-Hyun, it's a test for all of us," another muttered in disbelief.

Han So-Yeon sighed, watching the scene unfold.

"Do-Hyun, don't lose focus. It's fine to lose the gamble, but don't fall for this ridiculous distraction."

Lee Do-Hyun simply smiled.

"Don't worry. This is more than just a bet."

Seizing the opportunity, he gently released the dice. They rolled smoothly across the table, reflecting the candlelight, tracing an unusual arc before coming to a stop.

6 and 6.

"According to the rules, that's my victory," Lee Do-Hyun stated calmly.

Cheong Un-Jin stared at the dice, stunned.

"Wait… My own rule turned against me. You really did shake the board."

Baek Wol-Hee giggled.

"See? Do-Hyun has both luck and skill. You wouldn't have won without my support, right?"

The trainees erupted into murmurs and laughter, while Han So-Yeon sighed in exasperation.

"Support? More like sabotage," she muttered.

Mi-Ryeong, watching from the sidelines, shook her head.

"Classic Baek Wol-Hee."

Cheong Un-Jin finally let out a deep chuckle.

"You're a tricky one, Lee Do-Hyun. And as for you…" he shot Baek Wol-Hee a suspicious look.

"That was intentional, wasn't it?"

"Oh no! My clothes just happened to slip…" she said with a mischievous grin, turning away.

"Whatever. A bet is a bet. Since you won, I'll teach you my techniques. But next time, let's have a real match—with no tricks."

The trainees erupted into cheers, while Baek Wol-Hee playfully tapped Lee Do-Hyun's shoulder.

"See? You wouldn't have won without me," she teased.

Lee Do-Hyun chuckled.

"Thanks for the opening. But next time, I'll win on my own."

Han So-Yeon rolled her eyes.

"Next time, let's not have such childish bets in the first place."

Cheong Un-Jin stood up, shaking his head with a grin.

"Fine. You made the bet entertaining, so I'll teach you properly. But don't think I'll go easy on you."

Lee Do-Hyun bowed his head slightly.

"I appreciate your guidance, Senior. I'll be sure to learn well."

******

The First Step to Becoming One with the Sword

Deep within the mountains surrounding the Black Cloud Pavilion training grounds, the early morning mist lay heavy upon the land. Lee Do-Hyun stood still, regulating his breath as he fixed his gaze on Igo's Sword. The blade had granted him immense power, yet it remained an enigma—holding secrets and questions that he had yet to unravel. Though he wielded it, there was still a certain unfamiliarity between them, a gap he needed to bridge.

As his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a dense aura surged from the blade, spreading from his fingertips through his entire body. This was not just a weapon; it carried an undeniable presence—almost as if it had its own will.

"Are you truly ready to wield me?"

A voice echoed, not in sound, but resonating deep within his consciousness.

"Lachesis…" Do-Hyun muttered, unknowingly calling out a name that surfaced in his mind.

The moment the name was spoken, visions flooded his thoughts. A man, clad in resplendent armor, stood atop a battlefield, cutting down countless foes. His gaze, however, was filled not with glory, but with loneliness, fury, and an overwhelming sense of regret.

"If you wish to know who I am… you must listen to my story and understand my will." The voice resonated once more.

Do-Hyun found himself drawn into the vision, witnessing the life of Lachesis, a man who once dominated an era but met a tragic end—betrayed, filled with anger, and ultimately bound to his blade, leaving behind an imprint of his soul.

But Do-Hyun refused to be consumed by the blade's past. He acknowledged Lachesis's presence but sought to maintain his own will. The sword was testing him, gauging whether he intended to dominate it, succumb to its power, or forge a partnership.

"Do you seek to control me, or do you wish to walk alongside me?" Lachesis's voice questioned.

"Neither," Do-Hyun responded, tightening his grip. "I want to wield your power in my own way. I will carve out a new legend—not by following your path, but by forging my own."

At that moment, the sword's aura intensified, no longer purely adversarial, yet not entirely welcoming either. It was as if the blade acknowledged his determination, while simultaneously challenging his resolve.

Raising Igo's Sword, Do-Hyun moved, allowing the blade to guide his motion. With each strike, the sword responded—glowing with a faint yet undeniable radiance. The connection between them deepened, as if the sword was gradually accepting him.

"Now, I see that you are beginning to grasp a part of my power." Lachesis's voice softened. The energy flowing through Do-Hyun's body felt less foreign, more aligned with his own.

From a distance, Bai Yuehui observed with intrigue, her eyes gleaming.

"Look at that… the sword is reacting to him. That's no ordinary weapon, is it?"

Han So-Yeon crossed her arms, nodding. "It seems the sword is acknowledging him. But… not completely."

Mi-Ryeong, watching quietly, murmured, "How much stronger will he become…?" The raw power emanating from Do-Hyun left her in awe.

As his training session came to a close, Do-Hyun sheathed the sword, whispering,

"Lachesis… you're testing me, aren't you? But I won't back down so easily."

The blade glowed faintly in response.

Looking down at the sword, Do-Hyun thought,

"This isn't just a weapon. It's my partner in carving a new path forward."

On that day, he and the blade took the first step toward true unity—no longer just a wielder and a sword, but partners destined to walk a new path together.