444 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.444 Declaration - 8 Those who have experienced anger know how to unleash it more effectively. "Hyang, what do you mean by that?" "Oh dear, where do you think you are to be shouting like this?" Although Jegal Hyang believed she was erupting like a volcano, to her aunts, it was merely lava that could be easily avoided. "Jegal Sojeo." Kang Yoon Ho noticed Jegal Hyang's clenched fists trembling. This could escalate quickly. He was about to approach her to intervene. "What nonsense is this!" A voice, akin to a volcanic eruption, cut through the turmoil, bringing clarity in an instant. "Father!" It was Man Geum Jeon Ju. Everyone's gaze in the meeting shifted to Man Geum Jeon Ju as he walked into the room. "Father! Is it true? Are you really giving that barbarian a chance to be a successor candidate?" Jang No Ya frowned deeply at his daughter’s abrupt question. "Barbarian? What do you think you're calling the guests I have invited?" "But, but, no matter what, they're not really a barbarian, are they?" "Have you ever seen me judge people by the color of their hair? For a trader, the only important color is the color of money they bring in!" "Ah, Father, so it's true?!" Although Man Geum Jeon Ju's reprimand was weighty, his daughters, whose minds had long been clouded by greed, could only fixate on his refusal to judge by hair color. "Yeong Yeong already belongs to the Jegal family! Father! You should be taking care of your less fortunate children instead of the daughter who married well." "That's right! She's been having a hard time lately!" "Hahaha. What a spectacle we have today." Man Geum Jeon Ju chuckled at his daughters' antics, as if unable to hold back any longer. "..." "Father. What does our child lack that you’d consider bringing in someone with dark hair?" "Did you not think of that when you ordered others to buy the cotton your brother was selling?" Man Geum Jeon Ju chastised his daughter, who wouldn’t easily change her expression despite his warning. "Oh, but Father, how did you know?!" Ignoring her, Jang No Ya looked at his other daughters, who averted their eyes, burdened with guilt. What on earth had they been doing for half a year? If it hadn't been a test, the money would have been retrieved long ago. Or better yet, it wouldn't have been lent at all. Man Geum Jeon Ju had to suppress the sigh rising from the pit of his stomach as he looked at the source of his frustration. "Even if Yeong Yeong is the mistress of the Jegal family, she is still my daughter, just like all of you." Man Geum Jeon Ju referred to his only daughter who had not participated in this trial. "Father, how could you do this so suddenly!" "That's right. A barbarian? Father, maybe since our brother died so tragically your judgment is... ah." Man Geum Jeon Ju's piercing gaze turned toward the daughter who had misspoken, chilling her to the bone. "Did I ever permit you to discuss that topic?" His seething anger caused all his daughters present to cower. "F-Father…." It was only then that his daughters realized the fear of their father reclaiming the family estate from the so-called barbarian began to resurface. "Have you no sense? Or do you intend to humiliate me knowingly?" "..." "You insult the guest I invited, yet continue to hold your heads high! Should I offer chances to such children?!" "What does that mean?" "I will cancel the successor matter." At Man Geum Jeon Ju's firm declaration, his daughters’ faces drained of color as they looked at their father. "Father!" "Get out of my sight!" "Father, we've made a mistake!" "Sometimes we act impulsively. Please, please reconsider." Usually, his daughters wouldn’t dare speak against their father’s authority. They quickly returned to their place, kneeling, begging for forgiveness. Jang No Ya stared at his daughters for a moment. They had been raised properly. Was it the times that changed them, or did greed alter them? Man Geum Jeon Ju soon turned his head to look at a specific person. “I’m not the one who will reconsider.” His gaze landed on Kang Yoon Ho. **** ‘Me?’ Man Geum Jeon Ju-nim, I was simply observing intrigued. This feels as unexpected as being called upon to completely transform the quietest student in class during a school trip. “What will you do?” Suddenly handing me the sword, instead of a microphone, is quite overwhelming. If it were a microphone, I might at least manage some entertainment. They’re saying I was insulted, so I should decide the consequence. The aunts who called me a barbarian just moments ago looked at me with tense expressions. ‘Are they asking me to invalidate all the tests your grandchildren took and gulp down Man Geum Jeon Ju?’ Such an alluring proposal it is. Clearly an evident trap as well. “There is someone else who deserves the apology, isn’t there?” Why should I accept apologies from the aunts? I smiled with confidence at Man Geum Jeon Ju. “How dare you speak like that to Father!” “Hah!” Jang No Ya gave a warning glance to his daughters, who then looked at me with curiosity, wondering what I might say. “When a guest is wronged by a child, you don’t hand the rod to the guest to punish them. The guest merely awaits the host’s apology.” Even if the child has grown up, it’s still the father’s duty to teach them. If I start swinging the rod here, I’ll bear the consequences myself. “There is truth in that.” “However.” I nodded at Man Geum Jeon Ju and replied. “...?” “Since it is a family matter, I believe there is someone else who should receive the apology first.” “Kang Gongja-nim?” The woman behind me, who had been silently digesting her anger, looked up at me with a puzzled expression. "Haha. I see. The one who was wronged is your match, and thus the first to deserve an apology. What are you waiting for?!" At Jang No Ya's command, the aunts who had been kneeling turned their gazes towards Jegal Hyang. "Hyang, your aunt is sorry. I didn't think things through." "I'll buy you a gift you like later. I'm really sorry." Jegal Hyang, still fuming, refrained from responding. She looked as though there was no way she was going to forgive them, but as the apologies poured in incessantly, she eventually gave a reluctant nod. "If it's all settled, be gone immediately!" With the situation resolved, Man Geum Jeon Ju dismissed his daughters with a commanding tone. "Father! But, about the successor…!" "I will have another trial with Kang Yoon Ho in a few days. Until then, reflect on your actions!" There was no parent present to protest about the student introduced in the middle of the test, as Man Geum Jeon Ju's stance left no room for further objections. —— "It was an unpleasant scene, wasn't it?" With everyone else gone, leaving only the three of us, Man Geum Jeon Ju spoke to me with a bitter expression. "There's no need to worry about it, elder." "Since the one holding the sword did not wield it, there's not much I can say, is there?" Wasn't it an opportunity to become a successor in a flash? Why didn't you seize it? Man Geum Jeon Ju was implying this to me. "A sword that can’t sever the opponent’s ties only ends up harming the wielder, elder." To abruptly declare that all your children are disqualified because they called me a barbarian and that I am now the successor of Man Geum Jeon Ju—would anyone accept that? "Hah." "Moreover, didn't you promise to let me prove myself?" It was clear that Man Geum Jeon Ju intended to pave a way for me to take part in the trials without further resistance. In that case, the answer I should give was clear. I would confidently demonstrate my worthiness as a successor in front of everyone. "Indeed, those who would become the Jeon Ju should behave in such a manner." Man Geum Jeon Ju smiled at me as if I had given the correct answer. It felt much like a professor suggesting we grab a meal together after flawlessly completing exams, reports, and presentations. "If I may ask for your wise counsel." Sensing he had something more to say, I lowered my posture respectfully. "People feel grateful when borrowing, and resentful when it's time to repay. Solve problems with mere threats and you'll always need warriors by your side." "There are those who offer their necks instead of money. What should be done in such cases?" Does this count as guidance as a Man Geum Jeon Ju? At these times, it's not enough to nod and let it pass; I must meet his wisdom. "Discover what is more precious to them than money." "More precious than money?" "We only butcher cattle when there's no more to gain from them—no milk, no calves, no use in the fields." "I will keep it in mind." So, squeezing someone to their limit should be a last resort. "Let this be my apology." "Pardon?" "I look forward to seeing you prove yourself." Man Geum Jeon Ju gave me a curious smile and then turned away. ————- "Phew. Finally, we're home!" Returning after navigating stormy coastal roads felt like coming back to the familiar comfort of home. Jegal Sojeo, appearing exhausted, shuffled into the living room. "Jegal Sojeo." "Yes? Y-yes!" When I called from behind, Jegal Sojeo froze like a statue without turning around. Still embarrassed about the other day, perhaps? I found it endearing, even amusing. Maybe my attempt to give her space backfired. "Thank you for today." I hadn’t expected her to step forward. To express my gratitude, I bowed. "Oh, t-that was nothing." Jegal Sojeo stole a glance at me before quickly looking away again. "You know, being scorned as a barbarian means little to me, but Jegal Sojeo standing up for me was significant." It’s become such a habit, dismissing such scorn. But seeing Jegal Sojeo passionately defend me was unexpected. "Hehe, i-is that so?" Jegal Sojeo peeked at me bowing, then turned her head again. Her cheeks, and ears, have turned red. "Jegal Sojeo." Embracing the emotions pouring out, I reached out and took Jegal Sojeo’s unguarded hand. "Eek! K-Kang Gongja-nim!" Her face turned a deep red as she looked up at me. The successor trials under Man Geum Jeon Ju were now set. Passing them meant not only becoming a successor but also preparing for something else entirely. A marriage with Jegal Sojeo. Amid all the challenges I faced, the unexpected issue of the marriage loomed ahead. What should I say to Jegal Sojeo? How to speak to the other women involved? After days of pondering, I had come to one conclusion. "I will do my best." "Hm?" "Being suddenly told of a marriage must be troubling for you too, Jegal Sojeo. It's been keeping me awake as well." With so many problems at hand, enough to count on all fingers, sleeping peacefully seemed impossible. "Ah… um… yes." "I plan to prove myself to Man Geum Jeon Ju. I will earn my qualification. Then, may I have a more genuine discussion with you, Jegal Sojeo?" Earning the qualification means I must also have honest conversations, not only with Man Geum Jeon Ju but also with others involved. Jegal Sojeo's vivid blue eyes reflected my face entirely. In times past, just viewing such beauty from a distance would've been enough to boast about to friends—but now, she looked right at me alone. I clasped her hands lovingly within mine. Her eyes flitted back and forth, debating whether to focus on our hands or my face, the indecision distinctly adorable. There’s no time to indulge in love’s complexities now. So, what I promised Jegal Sojeo was this: To focus entirely on the upcoming trials for now and to speak sincerely after proving my worth. This was my most earnest promise under the circumstances. "That… s-s-sounds good…." Jegal Sojeo glanced between my gaze and the floor as she gave a nod. "Sure. Then, let's prepare for the trial together…." "Uh... Kang Gongja-nim. Let me just take a day off first, okay?" "Pardon?" With an expert maneuver, Jegal Sojeo slipped her hand away from mine and quickly put some distance between us. "One day! No, I’ve used up a whole week's worth of energy today. I'm really sorry... oops!" You should watch where you're going. Why do you stumble over the door threshold while trying to escape? ——— Did she exceed her daily activity limit as a homebody? "Kang Yoon Ho!" I was chuckling secretly when a familiar voice came from outside the door. Has the news spread already? "Hey, you're going to burst my eardrums." I rubbed my ears as if annoyed by the noise and opened the door. "Pant, pant! You! You!" "The weather's getting chilly. Come inside." The visitor was my sponsor and, somehow, a sort of mischievous friend, who also happened to be Man Geum Jeon Ju's grandson. It was Jeon Gilsan, one of the candidates in the upcoming successor trials.