441 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Are you telling me to stop living as a writer?" Are you telling me to give up being an author? From a penniless pauper to the manager of Daseo Pavilion. I've worked my way up to this position, and now this thunderous proposition? "I acknowledge your writing skills, but surely there are more important priorities at hand. If you become a successor, you will have countless lessons to attend to." "Sir, the only reason I stand here is because I've made a name for myself as a writer." "If writing was your sole ability, I wouldn’t have given you any chance at all." Mankeum Jeonju spoke firmly. "Sir!" "I'm not downplaying your writing skills. I'm merely saying there are different priorities. Writing can wait until you age and enjoy it as a hobby." "As a hobby?" "I, too, enjoy gardening. In this vast world, there aren't many who can match my skills. But do I earn a living from gardening? Once you inherit Mankeum Pavilion, you can indulge in writing as a pastime when you find some leisure time." It's like being offered the chairmanship of a major corporation. Just set aside writing for now, and you can become the successor to the top moneylender in Hubei Province. Anyone from outside Daseo Pavilion would instantly agree to such an offer. But. ‘My goal isn't to become the owner of Mankeum Pavilion.’ I am an exceptional person. How many times have I let women go due to my inadequacies? I need to build my reputation. I have to save Sohee's fate. I want to meet with Hwarin as soon as possible. In case I need help from another heroine, I mustn't fall short. ‘For Mankeum Jeonju, money is the goal, but for me, it's a means to an end.’ Mankeum Jeonju's proposal isn't wrong. It's an incredible opportunity. However, there's an irreconcilable difference in perspective. Mankeum Jeonju wishes for me to inherit Mankeum Pavilion and earn wealth as a successor. I desire to earn money and become renowned through writing. I've already gauged the reaction to my novel. Now it's just about making money to establish Daseo Pavilion in every corner of Zhongyuan, which is larger than the Joseon Peninsula. What should I do? I could easily accept the offer. ‘If I stop writing for convenience, everything will be in vain.’ How long would it take to receive successor training? Even after the training, inheriting Mankeum Pavilion could take a long time. Ignoring the potential help of any genuine heroines might be an option. While I'm frantically attending successor lessons, Hwarin might come knocking. But. ‘I won't be able to save Sohee.’ Cheonsal Star. A fate determined by the stars. Sohee doesn't have much time left. Before Sohee goes mad, before the woman tormented by her fate reaches a catastrophic end. I will save Sohee. ‘If I become the owner of Mankeum Pavilion, I can spread my novel far and wide. But if I accept now, I won't be able to write.’ It's a proposal that's difficult to outright reject or accept. What should I do, then? ‘I just need to persuade Mankeum Jeonju.’ As Mankeum Jeonju said, writing isn't my only strength. Until I sign the employment contract, I hold the upper hand. Since the offer's on the table, I ought to negotiate a contract fit for a king, not a slave. How can I persuade Mankeum Jeonju? The hints are there. I have already organized my thoughts. "I don't want to live on a path laid out by someone else." Let's start by shaking things up. -- "You don't want to live on a path laid out by someone else?" Jang Noya looked at me, furrowing his brow. "I appreciate your kindness, Jang Noya. But I don't want to blindly race down a path others have paved." Standing tall with perfect posture, I clenched my fist tightly. 'Let's begin with the fervor of youth.’ The biggest difference between Mankeum Jeonju and me is indeed age. Let's emphasize that difference from the outset. Mankeum Jeonju will think, 'Why is this young man refusing an offer anyone would accept?’ It's because he simply doesn't want to live by others' plans. Youthful recklessness. To Mankeum Jeonju, I become a naïve young lad. There's no misunderstanding why I would say such a thing. I'm young, hence foolish. Young and foolish. He would think he could steer me easily according to his wish. "You're refusing a position that everyone else covets." He scolds the youth trying to stray from the elder's path. As expected. Here's where I must refrain from straightforwardly saying, ‘No, I want to walk my own path. I want to write.’ That would be clumsy in persuasion. Instead, I need to say something different. "Sir, I wasn't born an orphan. I lived quite comfortably as a child." Let's twist the angle of confrontation. Avoid a head-on clash. I turned my gaze to look out the window as I spoke. "I had suspected as much. Your capabilities aren't something one learns from the bare ground." Gazing wistfully outside, I instinctively placed a hand over my heart, pretending to feel the pain of an unforgettable loss with time. "When I laid my parents to rest and found myself alone in this world, I wondered: Who will lay me to rest if I die?" I murmured with a wistful expression. "……." Mankeum Jeonju widened his eyes, speechless as he looked at me. That's a good reaction. After all, daughters marry into other families. Losing an only son means there's no one left to lay your body to rest. I dig into that fact. I add a backstory to my youthful vigor. Mankeum Jeonju is someone who lost his only son. I create a sense of shared understanding between us. "Having children and creating a successor is all there is. It's the duty of those left behind." "I don't want to live solely to lay someone else's name to rest. I want to walk my own path." I shook my head cautiously. "You're only bringing me in because you have no heir, right? To carry on Jang Noya's name. I don't want to walk a path set out for the young me." My intent is to set a firm stance but with a prelude already established. "Being chased by thugs and narrowly escaping death—that's your chosen path?" Mankeum Jeonju's anger finally erupted. "I've walked my path and gathered my people along the way." "...!" "The Joseon people who doubted me now call me leader and follow my lead. You called them lowlifes, right? They're my friends now. There's even someone who trusts and follows me like a grandmother." Business is about building relationships. I use the words Mankeum Jeonju liked to drive the point home. I'm a bit sorry to the master of Gimunhyang, but as long as I don't call her grandma to her face, it's fine, right? "You want to walk your path and leave behind people? That's something you can achieve as my successor, too." He was not wrong. But I shook my head and brought forth the crux of the matter. The reason I can’t give up writing. "I want to leave behind a name." "A name?" "As time passes, as nations change, as the world turns upside down, I want my name engraved in everyone's hearts." I will never give up writing. What once seemed like the folly of youth, I now turn into spirited determination. "You're saying you'd give up the position of successor for writing?" "No. I'll accept." "You will?" To the bewildered Mankeum Jeonju, I continued with respect. "You might not understand my heart right now. No matter how much I say I want to write, you won't comprehend it. So, I'll prove it in front of your grandsons and granddaughters." "You'll prove it?" "I'll prove that I'm worthy of being Mankeum Jeonju's successor. Not just anyone who can follow your will, but the only rightful heir. When the time comes, I ask you to see me for who I am." I've lost someone dear, too. Whereas in your later years you’ve found a successor to lay you to rest, I want to be remembered in the hearts of many. I still have a bright future ahead of me. Please watch and understand. Let’s look at each other not as founder and successor in a hierarchical relationship, but as equals. "Heh." A sigh of admiration escaped Mankeum Jeonju's lips. "If you accept, I will also accept your proposal." One day, I'll carry on your name. Embodying youthful vigor, I extended my proposal. --- "Mankeum Jeonju, Kang Gong Ja has left." "...He got me." Mankeum Jeonju spoke with a peculiar expression, one that seemed like both a smile and tears. "I suppose it’s the essence of youth. How could a man achieve great things without ambition and spirit?" The chief officer, who overheard the conversation from outside, chuckled, showing he couldn't outsmart him. "In my youth, this Mankeum Pavilion was my dream. For that rascal Baek Ga, it was Baek Ga Manor." Mankeum Jeonju thought of the young man who dreams of something more significant than what he dedicated his life to building, a slight, bittersweet smile on his face. "Does Kang Gong Ja not meet your expectations?" "No. I’m envious of that rascal Baek Ga, who left us first." "What do you mean?" "When I meet him again, I should be prepared for a beating, at the very least." "Jeonju, if you do that...?" "Call my daughters in. It's time to arrange things." Mankeum Jeonju wore a satisfied smile, as observed by the chief officer.