402 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.402 or 401 I don't know either Secret Garden - 4 "I'm planning to visit the Medical Pavilion, so prepare my outerwear." Dok Moohu, upon receiving a letter from her betrothed, granted her disciple some free time and informed her attendants of her intention to go out. "Yes, Dok Moohu." Recently, the Tang family had found themselves troubled due to the incident with the poisoning. Though the semi-poison immune creatures roamed freely around the Tang family premises, there was no need to sow seeds for new troubles. Dok Moohu donned her outerwear, pulling on a straw hat with a face-covering veil, and set out from the Secret Garden. ‘The surroundings are quite noisy.’ It seemed the Tang family was abuzz. As Dang Ok-ran stepped out of the Secret Garden, she became aware of the peculiar atmosphere within the Tang estate. "Why on earth won't they release the third volume immediately!" "They said there's something they need to review first, so they can't distribute it right away." "As if Ho-pil the author could not have written it well! Ha! I feel like a cat staring at a fish it can't eat!" "My thought exactly!" Was there a festival planned or something? The excited atmosphere persisted as she made her way to the Medical Pavilion. Although curious about the bustling vibe, Dok Moohu had no intention of revealing her presence by asking anyone about it. "Is Dang Mu-gi inside?" Dang Ok-ran arrived at her desired destination, the Medical Pavilion, and asked for the Pavilion Master. "Who naively calls for the Pavilion Master by name...? D-d- Dok Moohu?" A martial artist within the Pavilion recognized Dok Moohu and exclaimed in surprise. "Please do not make a fuss. Is the Pavilion Master inside?" "Yes, he's inside. I'll escort you right away!" The martial artist, worried about possibly making a mistake in front of Dok Moohu, quickly guided her to the Pavilion Master. "Dok Moohu? What brings you here?" The Pavilion Master, who had been handling medicinal herbs, greeted Dok Moohu with surprised eyes. "I've come for some necessary herbs." "You could have sent someone else." "There are some herbs not easily given away, so I thought I'd inquire about your well-being as well." Dok Moohu replied with the expression of a senior looking at a grown nephew. The Pavilion Master was not only a loyal subject of the head of the Tang family but also a childhood friend. Therefore, to Dang Ok-ran, the head's aunt, he was also a friend who had seen her nephew grow from a snot-nosed child. "I'll check the inventory right away. Please take a seat and rest for a moment." The Pavilion Master hurriedly led Dang Ok-ran to his office. "Very well." "How is that child, Hwa-rin, doing these days?" "She is a talented child with great enthusiasm. If I guide her correctly as her master, she will soar high." Wasn't it often said that one never tires of bragging about one's children or loving one's disciples? Wearing a proud smile, Dok Moohu sipped on the prepared tea. "That's good to hear." "I heard you safely brought back my disciple and her betrothed. Thank you." Though it was something that occurred before she became his disciple, gratitude did not require pretexts. Dok Moohu, as the mentor of Dang Hwa-rin, expressed her thanks to the benefactor of her disciple. "I merely did what was necessary." "My disciple's betrothed, that is. Wasn't his name Kang Yun-ho?" Nodding at the Pavilion Master's reply, Dang Ok-ran initiated a different topic. "Yes, he is a young man partially carrying the blood of the Tang family." "What kind of person do you think he is?" Indeed, today's visit to the Medical Pavilion wasn't solely for the herbs. The only disciple she had ever taken was engaged to a man who had been stirring the Tang family. Dok Moohu ventured to understand more about her disciple's fiancé, which is why she personally left the Secret Garden. Her question, veiled in gentleness yet sharp in scrutiny, was directed at Dang Mu-gi. "Do you mean from my perspective?" "I'm curious as a mentor about the young man who is my disciple's fiancé. I've heard endless praise for the fiancé from my disciple, but one must always tread carefully with compliments from a love-struck woman." "I understand he had an encounter with the head of the family." As the illegitimate child of the head and fiancé of the poisoner, Dang Mu-gi took a more reserved stance rather than immediately jumping to conclusions about Kang Yun-ho. "A father, too, might be consumed by guilt at not taking care of his child throughout his life. I've heard you spent some time alongside this young man. ......What kind of person was he?" Pondering Dok Moohu's words, the Pavilion Master fell silent for a moment. Should he mention Kang Yun-ho's skill with words or his literary talent? Perhaps the courage he showed on the battlefield, where he stood firm in the face of death, or his steadfast love for one woman. With many thoughts racing through his mind, yet struggling to find concise words, he finally arrived at a succinct description. "Had he grown up within the Tang family, he would not have stayed by the former heir's side." "......!" Dok Moohu's eyes widened instantly. It was unexpected to hear such a remark from the Pavilion Master, known as the childhood friend and closest confidant of the head, as well as a figure of incorruptible loyalty. "However, that situation did not occur." Dang Mu-gi added a single sentence to underline his continued support for the current heir, implying his previous statement was simply the highest form of praise he could make. "Even in my old age, that's a compliment that makes my eyes pop open." Calming her slightly surprised heart, Dok Moohu lifted her teacup. The realization that her only disciple's fiancé was indeed a decent man brought a joyful smile to her face, hidden behind the teacup as she drank her tea. --------- While waiting for the herbs, distant conversations reached Dok Moohu's ears. "That Tang Family drama! Dangpae must have surely gotten the Medical Pavilion's copies, right?" "How should I know? I've heard even the Elders' Council is eagerly waiting, and I'm not sure if we'll even get our share at this rate." "The Medical Pavilion is bustling too." The lively atmosphere seemed consistent on the way there, and even at the Medical Pavilion, it was no different. Dok Moohu subtly engaged the Pavilion Master in conversation. "The group that went as guards to Daseogak has returned." The Pavilion Master, seeming to know everything that was happening, responded with a smile. "I heard people mentioning some book." "It's because of a book written by Kang Yun-ho under the pen name Ho-pil that's been causing a fuss in the Tang family." "I had a rough idea. But wasn't that matter already resolved?" Twenty years ago, there was an uproar within the Tang family over a story about a licentious villain, yet it was eventually resolved. Why, then, is there another commotion now? Dok Moohu was puzzled. "Because it's finished, everyone can now enjoy it." "......?" "I, too, was rereading volumes one and two upon hearing news of the imminent release of volume three." "Do you enjoy light novels as well?" "Light novels, you say! The Tang Household Chronicles is far from being mere light reading!!!" The Pavilion Master reacted with fervor. "......" "Ah... Dok Moohu, forgive me." The Pavilion Master quickly apologized, recognizing the stern expression on Dok Moohu's face. "No need. It seems I'm seeing various sides of you today. Is it truly such an impressive book?" Dok Moohu had heard from her disciple that her fiancé possessed remarkable writing skills. Yet she dismissed it as mere fluff, likely embellished by a love-struck woman's praise. But the Pavilion Master’s reaction seemed to suggest otherwise. "It's a novel that astonished the world with just a flutter of its wings. Once the Tang Household Chronicles spreads across the central plains, Ho-pil the writer may become the most famous figure within the Tang family." Holding the first volume, the Pavilion Master spoke with utmost seriousness. "Is it really that significant?" "When arranging escort duties for Daseogak, warriors eagerly volunteered at the mention of getting an early look at the third volume of Tang Household Chronicles. Eventually, they chose the escort based on skill level, but given the roster, they could wipe out a mid-sized martial arts sect overnight." "Ha... So this was all over a single book?" The Pavilion Master was not one to mince words, leaving Dok Moohu astounded. "Pavilion Master! I've brought you the inventory list." A martial artist entered the office, handing over the documents to the Pavilion Master. "Unfortunately, the herbs you seek aren't available right now. We'll have them ready by tomorrow." "Then send someone to the Secret Garden with them tomorrow." With her business concluded, Dok Moohu stood up. "I hate to send you back empty-handed, Dok Moohu. Would you like to take these volumes of Tang Household Chronicles?" The Pavilion Master offered volumes one and two with an apologetic expression. "I don't have a taste for light novels. Thanks, but I'll have to decline…” Dok Moohu was about to refuse, waving her hand dismissively, when— "What...?" The martial artist, who had come to report, looked utterly shocked at Dok Moohu’s response, as if he’d heard something absurd. 'What kind of book elicits that kind of reaction?' Dok Moohu wondered, lowering her hand due to the martial artist's reaction. "Haha. It's the book that's been shaking the Szechuan Tang family recently. Considering it was written by your disciple's fiancé, it might be worth a read." Seizing the opportunity, the Pavilion Master handed volumes one and two of Tang Household Chronicles to Dok Moohu. "Alright. I'll give them a read. I'll return them through your courier tomorrow when they bring the herbs." With tepid enthusiasm, Dok Moohu nodded. She wasn't in the habit of reading light novels. She wasn't one to sway with the times either. Yet since it was a book by her disciple's fiancé, she figured it might be worthwhile to at least skim through it once. Even with lingering skepticism, Dok Moohu left the Pavilion, the Tang Household Chronicles in hand. **** "Ughhh. Kang Yun-hooooo." The next day, Dang Hwa-rin sat in her room, still visibly upset. She had learned from Dangpae about the work attire Kang Yun-ho had provided to the staff. "What’s with those cheongsams and maid outfits?" Had the men been given neat uniforms, she would have praised Kang Yun-ho. But the issue lay with what was given to the female staff. Clothes that showed their figures? And only those considered attractive were made to wear them. If she had been present, she would have immediately grabbed Yun-ho by the ear and given him a piece of her mind. Moreover, there was another reason for her anger. "I could wear stuff like that too." If it was an outfit that showed off her figure without showing any skin, she could have worn it. Dang Hwa-rin whispered this to herself in an embarrassed voice, worried someone might hear. She recalled how she once donned a provocative outfit, revealing her upper chest in front of Yun-ho, something she'd never worn before. "Ugh!" Her face instantly turned beet red. Having the admiring gaze of the man she loved focused solely on her was an incredibly satisfying experience. Not to mention what happened afterward. Yun-ho’s touch was rough, yet his kisses were tender. As their faces heated beyond what was bearable, they managed to pull themselves apart just in time. "Was it maybe my fault?" Was it her presence that made Yun-ho act out of character at Daseogak? Perhaps she had inadvertently stirred something by her actions that day. Dang Hwa-rin tried to rationalize Kang Yun-ho’s eccentric behavior. "If he wants, I could do even more provocative things." Still topless, Dang Hwa-rin stood in front of the mirror. She pushed her firm, never-sagging chest together and watched them jiggle. It was a sight that would have excited, if not awed, her fiancé. "What on earth are you doing?" Of course, there was someone who regarded this scene with disdain. "Master?!" "A disciple meant to be out training, why have you not come out yet…?" "I'll get dressed quickly!" Dang Hwa-rin hurried to change into her training clothes. "Good. Also... never mind." Dok Moohu, with a curious expression, glanced around her disciple’s room and then shook her head. "Master?" "Hmm. It's just that…" Dok Moohu seemed about to say something to Dang Hwa-rin but swallowed her words, looking away. "Do you have other matters to attend to?" It's the first time she’s seen her master hesitate to speak. Perhaps it was something serious? Dang Hwa-rin inquired in a concerned tone. "It's nothing." "If it's nothing, you should definitely say it." Dok Moohu, after looking at Dang Hwa-rin's worried expression for a moment, asked her with a sheepish demeanor. "By any chance... have you read the third volume of Tang Household Chronicles yet?" "What?"