407 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"When on earth will we stop waiting!" In the secluded accommodations of the Sichuan Dang Ga, the delegation from Moyong Family had been avoiding attention, staying reclusively in their lodging for months. "Didn't Dok Muhoo say he'd make the antidote with the Dang Ga people? Just wait a little longer." The reputation of Dok Muhoo, celebrated for his exploits in the Zhengsi Grand Competition, was well-known even among the Moyong Family. Moyong Seob tried to calm his restless subordinates. "It's already summer. Summer! Even if we leave now, we won't be back until the New Year. How much longer must we wait?" "The Royal Physician couldn't treat it either. Only the Dang Ga can make the antidote. We need patience." "Gah! Since we left the family, that accursed Ma...!" As words that shouldn't be uttered by a warrior from the Moyong family were about to escape, Moyong Seob frowned and interrupted. "Watch your mouth. One never knows who might be listening." The connection between the Moyong Family and the Demonic Sect must never be revealed. "My apologies. It's because of that damned young master!" "He's not deserving of the title 'young master.' The position rightfully belongs to our lord." "Tanghwi (Black Widow)... Every time people in the world say such things about our lord, it ignites a killer's intent within me." At the mention of Tanghwi, all the warriors of the Moyong Family present exuded a subtle but dangerous aura. Tanghwi, after all, was a roundabout way of calling someone a 'mantis.' "Our lord considers it a burden to carry for life. What can be done?" "But isn't it a misunderstanding! Shouldn't we actively step forward...?" "Reality is not always important to laypeople. They revel in tales of women who become rich overnight by killing their husbands on the wedding night, ignoring whatever intricate truths lie beneath." "It's infuriating, truly infuriating!" A warrior from the Moyong Family pounded his chest in anguish. "That's precisely why our Changbong Brigade stands as a pillar to support our lord." "Someone's approaching." Just as Moyong Seob managed to calm the Moyong family warriors, they could sense someone outside. "Will this truly be all right?" "I'll handle it. Master, you should stay back." "Leave it to the patriarch; he'll take care of things." "No, this is something I must handle personally. Please return, and I'll manage." "No, let’s go in together." While the exact words were hard to hear, the voices of both a young and an elder woman echoed from within the building. "Inform them that they are at Moyong Family's lodgings and ask them to leave." Assuming they had lost their way, Moyong Seob was prepared to dismiss them, but his expectations were met with surprise when they were not mistaken. "Dok Muhoo has come." "Dok Muhoo?!" —— "So this is where the Moyong Family is." Though Moyong Seob was noted in the Huabei region, his renown was nothing compared to the illustrious reputation of Dok Muhoo in the martial world. Stunned by the sudden appearance of Dok Muhoo, Moyong Seob hurriedly went out to greet the esteemed guest. "Master Dok Muhoo! I-it's an honor to meet you! I am Moyong Seob. I never thought you'd come in person. And the person beside you is...?" Moyong Seob, like a novice in the martial world, greeted Dok Muhoo enthusiastically while inquiring about the companion. "She's my disciple." "I'm Dang Hwarin." "Your disciple is remarkably beautiful..." Moyong Seob spoke in pure admiration upon seeing Dang Hwarin. The woman before him was one of the most beautiful he had ever seen in his life in the martial world. Violet hair, green eyes. Skin as fair as a child's. A figure that loose clothing couldn't conceal. Her fierce eyes lent an impression of strong will. Yet even those traits enhanced her beauty. Moyong Seob, unaccustomed to such beauty apart from his own lord, Moyong Sang-a, thought if not for his familiarity, he might have embarrassingly left himself bewitched. "Chuckle." "Heh." "Wow..." From behind Moyong Seob, the warriors of the Moyong Family could be heard murmuring upon witnessing Dang Hwarin's smile. "I’d like to speak in a quieter place." Seeing Dok Muhoo's discomfort, Moyong Seob promptly led him to a private room. "Please, have a seat. May I ask what brings you here?" "What you've been awaiting is completed." As Dok Muhoo seated himself, he delivered the news the Moyong Family had longed to hear. "Could it be?!" "The antidote for leader Moyong Cheon is complete. If administered regularly, he'll recover without issues." "Is this true?! How can we ever repay this kindness?" "You should thank my disciple instead." When Moyong Seob seemed on the verge of kneeling in gratitude, Dok Muhoo gestured to the nearby Dang Hwarin. "Your disciple?" "My disciple played a pivotal role in concocting the antidote. Honestly, I and Yi Gak-joo merely assisted." Impossible. Staring at Dok Muhoo incredulously, Moyong Seob sought affirmation. Yet Dok Muhoo's expression was nothing but sincere. Could it be true? Had she, the disciple, crafted the antidote where other doctors had failed? "Your disciple must possess extraordinary talent." Gazing at Dang Hwarin with genuine admiration, Moyong Seob spoke. "Chuckle. I'm quite adept." Dang Hwarin replied confidently. Though her demeanor might come off as arrogant, Moyong Seob had to acknowledge her self-assuredness, seeing Dok Muhoo himself had vouched for her. "Lady Dang Hwarin, on behalf of my lord Moyong Sang-a and the Moyong Family, thank you." "Show your gratitude beyond mere words." As Moyong Seob appeared ready to kneel in thanks, Dang Hwarin immediately stopped him. "Hmm?" Beyond words? Perplexed, Moyong Seob looked at Dang Hwarin, who extended her palm toward him. "Show your sincerity." Dang Hwarin's open palm seemed to hint that she wanted something tangible. ** "What do you mean by that?" Dang Hwarin looked back at the Moyong Family representative, who stared at her with a bewildered expression. Though her master had mentioned they would adequately acknowledge her merit and there was no need to visit, Dang Hwarin had different thoughts. Dang Hwarin, who had been neglected since childhood, learned never to rely on promises of others taking care of things. She had to look after herself. And she had no qualms about doing so. "I made the antidote, didn't I? Besides, that woman is incredibly wealthy. Even if I take a little, it wouldn't even make a dent." She had worked tirelessly for months to create it. No matter how rich one is, surely they wouldn't shed tears over losing a bit of money. "Why not? I'll just ask that woman, Moyong Sang-a, for a wedding gift for Yunho." She had no intention of returning to Yunho with nothing in hand, now that her training was complete. Without any family support once she and Yunho were married, it was crucial that she amass her own wealth. To Hwarin, it seemed like a sound strategy. Of course, she recalled her master’s advice against overtly asking for money. "I'll do it like Yunho would. Use what I've learned." Her fiancé was skilled not just in writing and speaking but also in negotiation. And Hwarin had witnessed countless clever tactics while by his side. She remembered a method her fiancé once used to extract money, prompting the other party to willingly offer funds. “The poison that afflicted the head of the Moyong family wasn’t one that anticipated an antidote. We had to conduct numerous experiments to craft the antidote.” Hwarin began, picturing Kang Yunho’s methodical approach. He would start by elaborating on the danger of the poison, but Hwarin felt she had set the stage sufficiently. “I suspected as much. But when you mention experiments, what do you mean?” As the disciple of Dok Muhoo and a benefactor of the Moyong Family, Moyong Seob inquired with respect. “Usually in these cases, creating an antidote involves extensive animal and human testing.” “Human testing?!” Moyong Seob’s eyes widened in shock. “We had to conduct innumerable human trials over the past few months to save Head Moyong Cheon.” “Is that so? What happened to the people involved in these tests? Could it be...?!” Could the dreadful rumors about the Sichuan Dang Ga be true? Moyong Seob was stunned. “The Sichuan Dang Ga is a prestigious and virtuous sect. We only carried out the remaining necessary safety tests on volunteers with the nearly completed antidote. Naturally, there were no casualties.” “Thank goodness.” Watching Moyong Seob let out a sigh of relief, Hwarin smirked inwardly. It was precisely the response she had aimed for. "Operation Hopil and Yunho, at work!" She wondered how Yunho would cleverly secure the money. Hwarin recalled how her fiancé employed Hopil, turning him into a sympathetic figure and masterfully leveraging it to his advantage. "Though I was the only one experimented on, facts are facts, right?" Hwarin’s plan was to separate herself from the test subject, much like Kang Yunho’s tactics with Hopil. “There is an issue.” “And the issue is?” “The poison was extremely potent, so those poisoned are experiencing aftereffects.” Reflecting on her arduous months, Hwarin adopted a troubled expression. She longed to reunite with Yunho; why waste precious time enduring such pain? “Wouldn't giving the antidote continuously to the test subjects resolve it? Is there a problem with the antidote?” No. In fact, the effects were so good she felt revitalized. Suppressing the words bubbling up her throat, Hwarin wore a pained expression instead. “That’s why we need sincerity." “What do you mean?” “Despite the safety, countless experiments had to be conducted over the months. Can you imagine how many test subjects were involved?” One. “Countless, I suppose…” Gulp. Moyong Seob swallowed hard. Though done safely, many must have been involved for Head Moyong Cheon’s sake. Moyong Seob thought of the countless test subjects unfathomable by fingers, feeling immensely apologetic. Though in reality, it could be counted on one hand. Of course, Hwarin had no intention of correcting Moyong Seob’s misunderstanding. “If you neither confirm nor deny, it’s not lying. It’s just a misconception.” It was one of the outrageous remarks made by her fiancé during his clever schemes, but right now, it proved extremely helpful. “The test subjects are orphans with no family, in such dire circumstances they willingly offered themselves for experiments. Meanwhile, only someone like Head Moyong Cheon could afford the antidote. Addressing the lasting aftereffects will incur excessive expenses.” Hwarin, having lost her parents, was thus an orphan, and having handed her assets to Kang Yunho, she was, on paper, lacking in resources. “The Dang Ga has fulfilled its duty, but your disciple wishes to help with the lingering aftereffects.” Only now did Moyong Seob understand the request for sincerity. “If left as it is, the elders would just maintain appearances, while the test subjects might only receive a token gesture for their efforts.” Filled with warmth from Hwarin’s concerned tone, Moyong Seob glanced at Dok Muhoo with a pleased smile. “…Master Dok Muhoo, you have a truly commendable disciple.” “Hmm…” Dok Muhoo’s awkward chuckle seemed like that of a proud teacher boasting about his disciple. “How much would be appropriate?” Seeing Moyong Seob readily nodding, Hwarin rejoiced inwardly. What should I say? After all, I made most of the antidote. Though it might appear a bit bold, I'm going for it. With a confident smile, Hwarin decided to state her request boldly. “Provide a blank check.” After all, the wedding dowry for her beloved fiancé should be as substantial as possible.