416 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Did you say Mo Yong Sang Ah from the Mo Yong family?" This was a few days before Jeoknachal Dan Se Weol informed Cheon So Hui of the mission. Dan Se Weol couldn't help but ask again about the unexpected name that escaped the lips of the assassin leader. "In the martial arts world these days, she's called the 'Mantis Princess.'" "I think I've heard of her." Even though Dan Se Weol wasn't well-versed in rumors, she knew enough to understand the nature of someone called by a nickname like the 'Mantis Princess,' implying a certain deadly reputation. "One party wants her dead, while another wants her protected." The assassin leader shook two request forms simultaneously in both hands. "Is there a justification for the assassination?" If you merely accept money and lend your sword without cause, you risk being stabbed by a grudge-filled blade yourself. When an assassination request comes in, it's crucial to investigate whether the target truly deserves death. This was why the assassination organization led by the assassin leader had survived in the martial world for so long. "They say there's hatred that can't coexist under the same sky with Mo Yong Sang Ah. But that's only a surface-level excuse." "Surface-level?" "Even if there were enmity with Mo Yong Sang Ah, it'd likely be those barbaric northerners. What money would the already destroyed ones have to hire anyone? They’re not even in their own country, requesting in our land? It's laughable." The leader chuckled as if the whole notion was ridiculous. "A typical case of using a proxy. Do you know who made the request?" "Mo Yong Bi. Her biological older brother. He was easy to find." "…Not an uncommon occurrence." While it might shock some, for an assassination organization, this was routine. There's a reason people say never to share power, even with family. Blood may be thicker than water, but when unable to share power, people would conveniently turn to the assassination guild for the dirty work. "Those orthodox sect folks are sly. Kill their sibling and claim their death was due to northern barbarian grudges reaching the heavens. It’s a move to shift public opinion." The leader shrugged, hinting it wasn't the first time encountering such schemes. "Why are you telling me about this?" It's certainly an interesting assignment, but there's no need for her to know. Unless there's one particular reason. Dan Se Weol hoped her bad feeling wasn't true as she inquired. "I want someone from the Heaven Killing Sect to go to the Mo Yong family." "Leader." Her bad feeling was correct. Dan Se Weol furrowed her brow, addressing her brother. "Calm down and listen." The leader raised a hand to placate his sister, who seemed on the verge of anger. "Finally, someone who found a path...!" "If she has found it, she needs to walk it. Are you going to sit there and tap the path to see if it’s right?" "…!" At her brother's sharp remark, Dan Se Weol, who looked about ready to grab him, faltered. "Whether devoted to Buddha or bound to demons, those with the Heaven Killing Star fate all met the same end. If you just sit and wait, you're only getting consumed by the Heaven Killing Star that follows you." As the leader regarded Dan Se Weol, it was more out of concern than as a brutal leader of an assassin group; more like an older brother worried about overprotecting his younger sister. "There is a solution." “I heard Cheon Ki Ja provided a good answer. That’s why I think it's an opportunity to give this mission." “An opportunity to run?” “This mission will be a decoy. Like it or not, she’ll interact with people. If the Heaven Killing Star has truly found her path, she must learn how to blend into society without issues." "Are you telling her to train in mingling while restraining her killing intent?" The leader nodded at Dan Se Weol's interpretation. "Exactly. No matter which side she chooses, conveniences will be provided, ensuring the Heaven Killing Sect gets solid social adaptation training." "Indeed…" Dan Se Weol nodded finally at his explanation. The disciple had found a path to resist being controlled by her killing intent through closed training. But the Heaven Killing Star isn't something that passively waits to be cut down. Simply meditating at the headquarters isn’t enough; progress won't be made. Right now, at this moment, the Heaven Killing Star is inching closer to the standing disciple. Having barely found the path through the mist, it's time to walk. "Even if she fails, it will be the Mo Yong family who runs rampant. The cleanup will be tidy as well." The leader cracked a slight smile towards his perpetually serious sister. "Leader!" "It's a manner of speaking. Can't even joke." "I won't lose my disciple." Dan Se Weol’s resolve was unwavering. The leader sighed deeply at his sister's determination and then spoke again. “Do you think I’m any different? It pains me every time we lose one of our members. The older folks—Ahem. Leader. That's just the nature of assassins. With all this chaos, I—Just the amount of money it takes to train one notable assassin! Really!” “I understand your point.” Dan Se Weol hurriedly interrupted, preventing her brother from launching into a tirade. "Whether it's protection or assassination, either is acceptable. Explain it well." With that, the conversation between the siblings concluded. —— “Mo Yong family?” Having spent days pondering how to convey this to her disciple best, Dan Se Weol finally shared the mission details, along with her own opinion. “Traveling to the destination will take over half a year. Consider it as training while you move.” It’s not a mission but training. Dan Se Weol stressed this point to her disciple once more. “….” Jeoknachal saw her disciple hesitate at the unexpected proposal, and she struggled to continue speaking. It hadn’t been long since finishing closed training. News of her once-human self had only just reached her. Furthermore, her disciple was changing, like any girl her age. Despite knowing she must send her disciple away, Dan Se Weol felt a weight on her heart, as if she couldn’t protect her. “Are you confident that you won’t lose yourself among others?” “I’ve found the way. My brother’s life force is still within.” Cheon So Hui brought a hand to her chest as if cherishing something priceless. Within, there was a reliable ally, capable of confronting the formidable Heaven Killing Star with even a single hair of energy. “Very well. Protection or assassination. The choice is yours.” Recognizing the readiness, Dan Se Weol strengthened her resolve and spoke decisively to her disciple. "Do I have to depart immediately?" “Take your time to think it over. Choose what makes you comfortable.” Cheon So Hui received an extra day from her mentor to think things over and stood up from her seat. ——— "Ha! The Mo Yong family? I can already see the hardships ahead!" It wasn't difficult for Seolja to notice the trouble clouding Cheon So Hui's expression, considering the sudden mission and having to make a choice. "They say it takes over half a year." The Mo Yong family was located far to the east, beyond the central lands, a distance that burdened Cheon So Hui as well. "It'll take over a year to return! Ha! That means you won't hear any news about him, won't you?" "Yeah..." Cheon So Hui had never particularly dreaded missions before. She was raised as an assassin of the guild, accepting missions and traveling was normal. But this time was different. She would be too far from Yoon Ho oppa. She wouldn't be able to receive his letters. She longed to hear from him, to read the stories he wrote. The reason Cheon So Hui spent a sleepless night contemplating was because she wouldn't hear anything about him until she returned. "Yukiko! It's such a shame! There's still so much left for me to teach Five, you know! Nin-nin!" Seeing Seolja look at her with such regret, Cheon So Hui offered a small smile. "I’ll learn more when I return. Stay alive." "...!" "...?" Seolja needed a moment to process the unexpected statement. "Yukiko! Five worrying about me? I'm moved! So moved! Nin-nin!" An assassin's trade is perilous; you never know when it might be your end. Seolja was ready to hug Cheon So Hui any second, overjoyed at the care she showed. "Take care of yourself." Cheon So Hui isn’t Kang Yoon Ho. She doesn't know how to embrace you with a smile even when facing a blade to the neck, filled with suspicion, or spiraling into madness. Kindness should be repaid with kindness. Somewhere along her fate, Cheon So Hui learned that much for her destined partner. "Nin-nin! Of course! Yukiko will live long! I’ll even date a tall, handsome, kind man!" Seolja answered with tears on the verge of falling, expressing her feelings strikingly. She prattled on about preferring older men, hoping they wouldn’t laugh at her name, wanting them not to feel upset if she disappeared for a mission, but to embrace her when she returned. Cheon So Hui quietly listened to Seolja's conditions, which was unusual for her. "Okay. Make sure you do." "Ahh, the leisure of a winner! It dazzles me! I’m so envious!" "I'm leaving." "Come back safe! Next time, I’ll definitely teach you the art of seduction through hot springs!" Cheon So Hui waved goodbye to the seemingly regrettable Seolja and left the room. As she departed, a familiar face awaited her—Cheon Ki Ja. "Have you made your decision?" Jeoknachal Dan Se Weol inquired cautiously once her pupil exited the room. "...." "Let’s share a practice bout." The master and student headed to the training grounds. ——— "You've grown." "Because I've found the path." Cheon So Hui replied, her breathing labored. There was still a gap she couldn't bridge, but she had moved one step closer. Satisfied, she sheathed her sword, feeling a sense of accomplishment upon seeing her mentor sweat, something never witnessed during their training sessions. "A new report came about your significant other from Yichang." "A new report?" Upon hearing news of her significant other, Cheon So Hui reacted swiftly, much like a cat alert at the sound of food, despite her usual cool demeanor. "It seems there are some minor troubles due to the Hao clan." "With the Hao clan?" Cheon So Hui's eyebrows twitched. "If you truly found your path, there's also a way to be beside your significant other rather than going to the Mo Yong family." Dan Se Weol, observing her disciple's expression, suggested an alternative. "No. Yoon Ho oppa could be put in danger." Her reply was swift, without hesitation. Cheon So Hui recalled Kang Yoon Ho, meeting her mentor’s surprised expression. Right this moment, she longed to go to Yichang, to see Yoon Ho oppa's face, to hear his voice, and enjoy a good meal together. But she knew she couldn't. 'The Heaven Killing Star within me is seeking an opportunity.' If the Heaven Killing Star aimed to kill just one person, it would undoubtedly be oppa. Remaining silent doesn't mean being complacent. She couldn’t put her oppa in danger. "Indeed. I've heard he’s handling affairs wisely." Dan Se Weol nodded in acknowledgment of her disciple's words. Although she thought perhaps there was a way to restrain her impulses by staying close to the rebellious one, the disciple would rather distance herself than see him endangered. Jeoknachal realized anew the depth of her disciple's feelings for her significant other. "Yoon Ho oppa." Cheon So Hui called her mentor as if she had another question. “Do you have something else to ask?” "Do you think he’ll become famous?" Dan Se Weol chuckled softly at her pupil’s worried tone. She then looked at her with eyes full of certainty. “I was skeptical of your significant other’s promises initially. But after reading the book he supposedly wrote, my thoughts changed.” “The Storm of the Tang Clan?” “Yes. I've neither seen nor heard of such a book before. He's an unparalleled writer. If that person is your significant other, it might not just be a dream." Cheon So Hui nodded at her mentor's assured words. She had read it too, finding it captivating enough to stay up all night. Even though she disliked the protagonist's encounters with other women, regardless of her brother's involvement, news of the next release made her anticipate it. She recalled a conversation with Kang Yoon Ho before they parted ways. "Oppa will try hard for So Hui. I'll work so that my fame echoes across the nine provinces. So promise me you'll return to my side." Yoon Ho oppa is indeed striving. Even at this moment, he is trying for her. ‘Maybe it really isn't just a dream.’ The day she stands by his side might not just be a dream. If so, she mustn't halt her progress either. "I’ll head to the Mo Yong family right away." Having found her path, she knew it was time to walk it. Cheon So Hui announced the start of her new mission. "The target is Mo Yong Sang Ah of the Mo Yong family. Will you kill her, or protect her?" Killing would be easy. If she wished to return quickly to be updated on her brother's affairs, that would be the faster route. However, "I’ll protect. I'll take on the task of guarding Mo Yong Sang Ah." She wanted to be by Yoon Ho oppa's side. To protect him and stay close to him. This new mission was a form of training for that very purpose. Cheon So Hui accepted the mission as a step towards the future she envisioned.