423 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"A message from Joseon has arrived?" Mo Yong Sangah returned to the office of the Changbong Pavilion and called in the deputy who brought news from Joseon. "While following the orders of our lord, a report came in. I thought it was something I had to bring to your attention." The lord is sensitive to news from Joseon. He must tread carefully. The deputy nodded heavily and prepared to deliver the message he had brought. "Is it about the Minister?" Mo Yong Sangah's eyes trembled. If it was about the task she had ordered, there was only one thing. To locate the remains of the Minister who had been subjected to posthumous punishment. Could it be good news? Bad news? Whatever it may be, she must listen calmly. Mo Yong Sangah asked with a barely composed face, but placed a hand on her chest to still her ceaselessly pounding heart. "There is still no definite news about Kang Gongja's remains. However..." "However?" "There has been news regarding the grave of your late husband's mother." "The grave of the mother-in-law who passed away long ago?" Mo Yong Sangah's expression hardened at the unexpected news. The mother-in-law's grave? Why was news about the grave of her late mother-in-law reaching her? What on earth could this mean? Mo Yong Sangah hoped her bad premonition was wrong and asked the deputy. "…They're saying they want to exhume the grave in Joseon." "Exhume? Did you say exhume?" Her bad premonition was not wrong. In fact, the reality was harsher. Exhumation—destroying a grave. Of course, unlike the punishment of posthumous execution, exhumation could happen for various reasons, such as changes in land ownership or graves belonging to those without kin. To some, it might be of little consequence. But not to Mo Yong Sangah, the daughter-in-law of the Kang family. "The owner of the land wants the grave exhumed." "How can such a heartless act be left unattended?" Mo Yong Sangah's lids showed no sign of closing. Her mouth refused to stay shut. The deputy, wondering if he had to explain the matter dozens of times to his shocked lord, finally spoke. "…They claim it's the grave of a traitor's family. They don't understand why it's still there." "…." The sad reality pierced the heart of the Kang family's daughter-in-law. Mo Yong Sangah's gaze fell to the floor, reflecting her unsettled heart. "Acquire the land where my mother-in-law is buried. Regardless of the cost." As a daughter-in-law, she cannot witness her mother-in-law's grave being disturbed. Mo Yong Sangah steadied herself and spoke with a resolute face. "My lord!" The deputy exclaimed in surprise. "What is the problem?" "It's too conspicuous. Joseon was already in an uproar when the women of the Kang family disappeared. Buying a traitor's grave might lead to unforeseen consequences!" "It doesn't matter." Mo Yong Sangah's voice was firm. "My lord, I didn't bring this up lightly. Even when we merely tidied up the grave under your orders in secrecy, there was commotion about who was managing a traitor's family grave! It's too risky." "Are you telling me to stand by and watch my mother-in-law's grave be desecrated!" Mo Yong Sangah's painful outrage burst forth. The face she usually kept impassive now reflected an indescribable sorrow. "I only regret unsettling your heart, my lord. But we must prioritize your safety." Her mother-in-law's grave could disappear. Because of her. Mo Yong Sangah bit her lower lip to hold back the sadness threatening to burst from her chest. "This must be stopped by any means necessary." The deputy, observing the lord who seemed ready to rush to Joseon at any moment, fell silent for a moment. In just two years, Mo Yong Sangah had transformed from merely a direct descendant of the Mo Yong family to an ideal leader poised to guide them into the future. Yet even she had matters that hindered rational judgment. The deputy continued, feeling sorrow for the lord's sense of guilt. "Fortunately, discussions about the exhumation are still in the early stages. There are also reasons why it might not proceed." "Reasons?" "The late mother of Kang Gongja, despite succumbing to illness long ago, was known for her exceptional beauty and her kindness to the poor, which made her very respected. Community leaders are subtly dissuading the landowner, questioning the fairness of condemning someone so far removed from recent events." "So, not immediately...?" The deputy quickly nodded, seeing his lord slightly more composed. "Yes. While we need to monitor the situation, there's no immediate need to make any risky decisions." The deputy repeatedly reassured that there was still time. "At least…that's a relief. I'll consider other methods in the meantime." Mo Yong Sangah let out a small sigh of relief, feeling somewhat reassured. "I hope you won't worry too much." Mo Yong Sangah did not respond and instructed the deputy to take a rest. ---- The serene moonlight illuminated a woman's face. "How can I not worry?" Even in the night when the warriors of Changbong, exhausted by the chaos with assassins, displays of force, and negotiations with the Jurchens, had fallen asleep, Mo Yong Sangah remained wide awake, sitting on her bed. Her chest was tight. Her heart was weighed down, heavily pressured. "Assassins can be dealt with by the sword, and the Jurchens by showing strength." In the face of an irretrievable mistake, she stood as no more than a kneeling sinner. The errors she committed continually revealed their consequences in different forms. Mo Yong Sangah pulled her knees close like a small child. "Mother-in-law…" She did not know exactly what kind of person the late mother-in-law was. All she knew was that she died from illness when Sangah was young. And yet, the guilt did not lessen. Because. —it was the memento of a mother. Mo Yong Sangah gazed at the ring on her left ring finger. The ring of Jang Baeksun. Mo Yong Sangah's lost half had offered it as a memento of his mother, asking her to accept it as a token of love. "Kang Gongja must have always carried this ring with him." It was natural—the ring was a keepsake from his deceased mother. That was why Kang Gongja realized he was surrounded by cultists and came to rescue her in a desperate act. "He gave this ring to me." Unable to let go of his late mother, Kang Gongja had kept this ring. The ring that connected him and her, which he then gifted to her. A token of undying love for a mother he could never forget. Given to his one and only wife as a testament of love. Mo Yong Sangah stared silently at the ring with a face that seemed ready to spill tears at any moment. The ring captured the serene moonlight, exuding an achingly beautiful shimmer. A treasure so priceless that even mountains of gold couldn't buy it. Indeed, no matter what was offered, nothing could replace the ring gifted by Kang Gongja. "We haven't even found Kang Gongja in Joseon yet…” At this very moment, she had no idea where he was braving the harsh winds. And now, the grave of his mother-in-law faced the threat of exhumation. The more she realized what Kang Gongja had done for her, the more it grew. Yet, she found herself powerless to reciprocate in any meaningful way. -- In Joseon, it is customary for a ring gifted by a husband to be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. It serves as a reminder of the husband, even when he's far away. Mo Yong Sangah, thinking of Kang Gongja’s face she could never forget, fondly caressed her ring. Should she risk it? 'What if, in doing so, I lose the chance to find Kang Gongja’s remains?' If her movements in Joseon were detected, further search efforts could be impeded. Everything could crumble. Even the Kang family's women, carefully hidden, might once again become slaves. Her chest felt heavy. Her fingers seemed about to fall away. She had often sacrificed small things for the greater good, but she didn't want to sacrifice anything of Kang Gongja's. "Kang Gongja, what should I do?" No answer came. None would come. Because she had committed an irrevocable mistake with her own hands. A woman burdened with an unforgivable sin, her eyes bore the pain as if her insides were being torn apart. Mo Yong Sangah rose from the bed and left the chamber. "Miss, where are you going with that sword?" "I'm heading to the practice yard." She felt she'd collapse if she didn't swing a sword. Mo Yong Sangah made her way to the practice yard. --- It felt like she was cutting through illusions. Even with focused swings, the heavy worry lodged in her chest wouldn’t dissipate. Finally, Mo Yong Sangah stopped the meaningless sword dance upon noticing a shadow at the entrance of the practice yard. "Who’s there?" Mo Yong Sangah spoke with caution upon sensing someone approaching the yard. "My apologies. I didn’t expect someone to be here." The owner of the embarrassed voice was someone Mo Yong Sangah knew. "Cheong Un Sohyeop." Mo Yong Sangah lowered her sword and addressed the unexpected visitor. "I asked a servant if I could practice the Wudang sword at this time, and was told no one would be around. It seems I may have misunderstood." Cheong Un seemed a bit flustered, explaining his presence in the practice yard as though he’d made a mistake. "The servant informed you correctly." "Is that so?" Mo Yong Sangah looked at Cheong Un, who sighed in relief. The yard was usually her personal space, but sometimes members of the Changbong team used it too. Perhaps the servants, eager to curry favor with the Wudang disciple, had given him the information. Despite being male, his delicate features might have appealed to the servants. "Cheong Un Sohyeop, please proceed with your practice. I was just about to return." If a friend wished to practice, there was no need for a pointless sword dance. Mo Yong Sangah prepared to leave the yard in an effort to get some forced rest. "You haven’t even started yet. I couldn’t take someone’s practice time away." "I just intended to move my body as I couldn't sleep." "Indeed, for a martial artist, there's no better way to conquer insomnia than swinging a sword. Would you grant me a favor before you go?" Cheong Un's eyes lit up as though struck by a brilliant idea. "What kind of favor do you mean?" Without immediately responding, Cheong Un walked quietly to the center of the practice yard. The Wudang disciple appeared to focus with his eyes closed for a moment, then drew his sword with exceedingly graceful movements. The moon was bright. The air was cool. The weather was perfect for a bout of sword practice. The woman facing him was a direct descendant of the Mo Yong family. This was a rare opportunity. Cheong Un raised his sword towards Mo Yong Sangah and spoke. "Would you allow me to witness the Mo Yong family’s sword?" He wished to witness the Mo Yong family’s swordsmanship with his Wudang blade. It was a challenge from the Wudang disciple.