419 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Why was a Taoist priest of the Wudang Sect at an inn in Liaodong Fortress? Inside the quiet inn, the assassins were bewildered as they looked at the Taoist priest with delicate features who appeared on the second floor. The assassins couldn't possibly know that the Wudang Sect priest was passing through Liaodong Fortress on his way to Mount Baekdu after reading a book titled "Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes." Naturally, it was unexpected. "I have answered, but who are you, dressed in black and targeting a lady?" None of the assassins felt the need to answer the priest. Although he seemed to be just a young Taoist, barely of age, and from the Wudang Sect, they couldn't afford to lose sight of their goal. Exchanging glances, the assassins leaped to confront Cheong Un on the second floor. "Since you choose silence, there's no need to hesitate." Raising his sword towards the assassins as if signaling he intended no further conversation, Cheong Un adopted the stance of the Wudang Sect's protecting sword. Anyone who hastily extends their blade soon becomes a guest of no return. The assassins needed to create enough distance to strike simultaneously. Cautiously, they circled Cheong Un. "Where are you going?" Cheong Un moved first. As expected, was he just a novice? He abandoned the advantage of his swordplay to attack three foes, taking the initiative. If one blocked him, the other two could tear him apart from behind. As these thoughts crossed the minds of all the assassins— "Ugh!" The Bagua sword style—created to accumulate virtue in the world—was more dynamic than any static Wudang sword technique. One assassin fell, clutching his neck, having failed to block. No matter—the remaining two would exact revenge. 'What the—?!' The assassin's sword was blocked as if smoothly flowing water had halted it. One assassin was repelled, like a pebble skipped across the water, but the other failed to do so. "Gah!" From Mount Wudang to Liaodong Fortress, Cheong Un's skills in the harmonious path had grown tremendously. The assassin tangled in the Bagua sword technique rolled across the floor. 'He's no ordinary opponent!' Backup was needed. Surely, by now, Mo Yong Sang Ah was dead, the assassin thought as he distanced himself a few paces from Cheong Un and looked back. 'Why is it so quiet?' When he assessed the scene on the first floor, his eyes widened in disbelief. Three of the seven assassins facing Mo Yong Sang Ah were already lying lifeless on the ground in an instant. "What is this...?" "Seemed like you only witnessed a fake version of the Meteor Sword Technique." Mo Yong Sang Ah retorted sarcastically to the assassin's shocked words. Even the living assassins couldn't comprehend the situation unfolding before them. But it was natural—they were facing a martial artist who, at a young age, had mastered the secret arts of the illustrious Mo Yong family, being an unparalleled genius even acknowledged by her brother, Mo Yong Bi, who loathed her intensely. Because she was Mo Yong Sang Ah. 'Hasten the attack without regard for life, and escape after killing her.' The astonishment at Mo Yong Sang Ah's unexpected prowess crossed the minds of the assassins. During that moment, voices from outside the inn reached them, belonging to members of the Changbong Brigade. "Why aren't they here for the shift change? Are they asleep or what?" "If the captain finds out, they won't live to see another day." "Nah, they didn't even drink because of the watch duty... huh? Why is this locked?" 'Reinforcements?!' Calamity loomed. The same urgent thought flashed through the minds of the assassins. "Ugh!" Seizing the chance, Mo Yong Sang Ah and Cheong Un acted swiftly. Two more heads fell, leaving only three assassins standing. "Damn it!" Continuing the mission was now impossible. The assassin who had confidently blocked the inn's entrance had no choice but to leap towards the window. "What's going on?! Who are these people?!" "Assassins." Mo Yong Sang Ah swiftly informed the Changbong Brigade of the situation after opening the inn door. "What are your orders, my lord?" "Capture them immediately." None in the Changbong Brigade dared to oppose their lord's command. ————— "I have wronged! Deserving of death!" Once the tense situation subsided, inside the inn, Mo Yong Jin Su, one of the vice-captains of the Changbong Brigade, knelt down, representing the subordinates before their lord. "Raise your head, Vice-Captain." Mo Yong Sang Ah, seated casually on a chair in the inn, addressed the vice-captain with a calm demeanor. "How can I raise my head when I nearly endangered my lord's life?" The members of the Changbong Brigade did not know where to hide their shame for failing to prevent the assassins and felt remorse beyond explanation. Although there were issues as the brigade expanded rapidly, their loyalty was genuine. "I permitted rest, but at no point did I order to neglect vigilance." As the head of the Changbong Brigade, Mo Yong Sang Ah's reprimand was as cold as her tone. "We have no words to justify this, even if we had ten mouths to speak! Please punish me!" "Failure in vigilance cannot be forgiven, Vice-Captain." "Understood!" How should the punishment be meted out? Mo Yong Sang Ah contemplated the distressed vice-captain. Though no injury was incurred, a threat to life occurred. While the captain had returned to the main house first, the vice-captain's responsibility endured. Someone must be accountable for this event. After a moment of deliberation, Mo Yong Sang Ah decided on the severity of the disciplinary action. "I hereby order home confinement and salary reduction until further notice. The vice-captain's duties will be entrusted to another temporarily." Though there was no irreversible damage, it was a significant incident. Mo Yong Sang Ah opted for a substantial but reparable disciplinary measure through a form of suspension, indicating it could lead to recovery. "I accept your command." The vice-captain, his heart sinking with the heavy punishment, nonetheless exhaled a sigh of relief at Mo Yong Sang Ah’s merciful consideration. "How many Changbong Brigade members were lost today?" Mo Yong Sang Ah's incident management did not conclude with just the vice-captain's discipline. "Two who were on standby on the first floor and two who were on guard inside the inn." "All four died without uttering a single scream." "..." Silenced by Mo Yong Sang Ah's pointed comment, all the kneeling Changbong Brigade members were rendered speechless. Whether they claimed they hadn't taken a drop of alcohol while on duty or had been thorough in their watch, there was no room for excuses. Their lord had only one life. Failure in vigilance was an unpardonable mistake, regardless of the reason. Surveying the somber expressions of the members, Mo Yong Sang Ah spoke again in a calm voice. "Provide support for the families of the deceased Changbong members to ensure they want for nothing." "Pardon?" All the members of the Changbong Brigade gazed up at their lord with astonished eyes. "Even though they failed their watch duty, they died protecting me. Mistakes can be corrected, but demanding something from the dead is not my intention." "We will comply with your command." "Changbong Brigade." Sensing the eyes upon her, Mo Yong Sang Ah addressed her subordinates. "Sir!" "You are my hands and feet. If the hands and feet err, they can be sternly rebuked and guided, but no one wishes the hands and feet to be severed." This was a unit created with the wealth her father provided, individuals tied to her life with their very lives. Each one was precious. "My lord..." Fearing what punishment might come, they were now managing the affairs of the fallen comrades. Some of the Changbong Brigade members, who had lost their colleagues, became visibly teary-eyed. "Once is enough for errors. Use this opportunity to become stronger hands and feet." "We pledge our utmost loyalty!" The response from the Changbong Brigade was louder than ever. ——— "Bring our benefactor here." It was a close call with a grave misfortune. Mo Yong Sang Ah returned to the VIP room and summoned the suddenly appeared Taoist priest from the Wudang Sect. "I am called Cheong Un of the Wudang Sect." Cheong Un bowed to Mo Yong Sang Ah, feeling rather bewildered to learn that the woman he saved was a direct descendant of the Mo Yong family. "I am Mo Yong Sang Ah of the Mo Yong family. Thanks to you, I could escape a dire situation." "My lord...!" A leader typically maintains a certain reserve even in expressions of gratitude. Mo Yong Jin Su exclaimed in surprise when Mo Yong Sang Ah bent a knee to thank Cheong Un. "I simply did what I ought to do." Cheong Un, taken aback by the unexpected level of gratitude, waved his hand modestly. "There are far too many in the martial world who do not act on what they can do. I am truly grateful." Even for those with power, this world often mocks heroic souls who risk their lives for unrelated strangers, calling such actions foolish barbarism. Feeling a heavy weight on her chest, Mo Yong Sang Ah once again bowed her head to Cheong Un in appreciation. "I had no idea that demon cultists would be causing trouble even in Liaodong." "These are minions of the demonic factions. No matter how often they are uprooted, they resurface in due season, likely concocting more schemes elsewhere." It would be problematic if rumors spread that the Mo Yong family had ties to the demon cult. Especially to the Wudang Sect, one of the Nine Great Schools. Mo Yong Sang Ah hoped Cheong Un would not probe further, deflecting from the core issue. "Yes, indeed." Cheong Un nodded, accepting Mo Yong Sang Ah's explanation. For others, it might seem unusual, but Cheong Un had already dealt with demon cultists in Hubei Province. "May I inquire why a Wudang Taoist is in Liaodong?" Despite her gratitude, Mo Yong Sang Ah could not completely hide her wariness as she questioned Cheong Un. Meeting a martial artist from the Wudang Sect in the central plains wasn't out of the ordinary, but since she was in Liaodong... Beyond the Great Wall, Liaodong served as a buffer zone with foreign tribes. A Wudang martial artist in this region might have a particular purpose. Perhaps to report on the Mo Yong family's activities to the Martial Alliance? "I am on my way to Mount Baekdu." "Mount Baekdu?" Mo Yong Sang Ah tilted her head at Cheong Un's unwavering response. "I seek to discover a vein of Taoist knowledge there." "Though not counted among the Five Great Mountains of China, Mount Baekdu is revered as a sacred peak." "Indeed, I've heard so, which is why I'm heading there." Mo Yong Sang Ah nodded at Cheong Un's straightforward reply. For a Taoist priest to seek out a sacred mountain is not uncommon; after all, even the Huashan Sect built its base on one of the Five Great Mountains. Priests often visit all such sacred sites. Traveling to Mount Baekdu just for viewing would make him an unusual priest. Mo Yong Sang Ah accepted Cheong Un's reason for his journey. "We are scheduled to return to the Mo Yong family estate soon. I would be honored if you, Hero Cheong Un, could be our guest." Mo Yong Sang Ah extended her invitation formally. "There's no need to trouble yourself." "You aided us in a crisis; surely, it cannot end with mere words of thanks. You appear weary from your journey from Wudang to Liaodong; might you wish to rest and recuperate?" "Have, have you heard?" Cheong Un grasped the implication immediately and seemed awkward for a moment. "The walls between rooms are not particularly soundproofed." The noise of tossing and turning due to travel fatigue happening to be from the warrior in the next room brought a small smile to Mo Yong Sang Ah's face. "In that case, I'll accept your offer." "If there is anything you desire, please inform the servants. I have instructed them to fulfill any request you make." Mo Yong Sang Ah started to discuss the specifics of compensation before quickly stopping. Directly asking a Taoist about worldly desires is considered impolite. Instead, it would be more appropriate to discreetly provide for him later. Mo Yong Sang Ah implied her earnest intention to repay him. "Would news about local dynamics or rumors suffice? I am curious about some information but have no connections in this region to seek it out." Cheong Un, after pondering Mo Yong Sang Ah's offer, spoke gently. "Should you ask me, I will answer with utmost sincerity to the best of my knowledge." Cheong Un stalled briefly at Mo Yong Sang Ah’s generous offer. The reason for visiting Mount Baekdu was, of course, the "Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes." However, the chronicle was a secret text of the Wudang Sect, not to be freely discussed. Simply visiting Mount Baekdu was not a surefire solution. How should he convey this? After a period of careful consideration, Cheong Un decided to mention one clue he had barely grasped during his long journey. "Are you familiar with someone named Kang Mo?" He referred to the author mentioned in the "Chronicles of Wind and Cloud Heroes."