447 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

[If you're having difficulty in finding chapter 446. You can go check my comment on chapter 445.] ________________ EP.447 The Second Test - Part 1 "Je Gal So Jeo, it might take a while, so why don't you rest in a quiet place?" As Jang Noya left to select the successful candidates, all attention turned to me and Je Gal So Jeo. Je Gal So Jeo was understandably at her wit's end. If this continued, she might just melt away. I took her and left the room. "You can stay here, it's alright. I... I can just hide inside the formation." Isn't avoiding hiding even an option? She spoke while avoiding eye contact with me, as if embarrassed. Given her personality, I understand. The pressure from her relatives' overwhelming interest is burdensome, but having someone else sacrifice themselves for her is equally so. "It's overwhelming to keep receiving such intense attention." In times like this, it's best to show solidarity. I admitted my feelings with an awkward expression. "Oh! Kang Gong Ja as well?" Her face brightened, and Je Gal So Jeo looked up at me, finally understanding. "They've made the garden quite beautiful. Let's rest there." Besides, I had something to discuss with Jeon Gil San, who had already gone ahead. "Hee. Alright." —— "I can't live like this!!!" "Mom, calm down and listen! I promise you won't regret it!" "You think I can calm down? I finally thought you were coming to your senses! I believed in you this time, I really did!" "Je Gal So Jeo, let's go another way." We had found a quiet corner of the garden, but instead of peace, we stumbled upon a brewing storm. "Hey! Kang Yoon Ho! It's Hyang!" Did they hear my whispered warning? Jeon Gil San, like a man seeing a savior, hurried away from his mother and came to us. "Haa." "With tears of gratitude, sister-in-law, I'm really grateful. And yet, a sigh? Aren't we being a bit unfair here?" Jeon Gil San looked at me as if he couldn't believe it. "Hey, where do you think you're going? No wonder I'm sighing!" O. A perfect swat. Jeon Gil San's mother smacked his back loudly, catching him unawares. "Ouch! Mom, let me just talk!" "What talk!" "It's guy talk! Hyang, give us a moment to talk quietly." "Really?" "Haaa. Hyang, come along." With a deep sigh and a bewildered expression, Jeon Gil San's mother looked between us, then took the puzzled Je Gal So Jeo with her. —----- What should I say to Jeon Gil San? "Thank you." I had to start with gratitude. Regardless of the reason, he supported me, potentially giving up his own possibilities. "Right. That's where to start." Jeon Gil San nodded, seemingly satisfied. "What on earth happened?" I demanded an explanation for making such a decision without telling me. "I already told you. After thinking about it, it seemed better to be by your side handing over the water jug." "Still, that's..." "From what I noticed at work, I'm the kind who does better when told what to do. I think I'm more suited for being second-in-command rather than first. Like Zhang Liang who helped establish the Han Dynasty." Zhang Liang, a key strategist for Liu Bang, who united China, was often the example used for such a pivotal role. "Isn't that the kind of thing a leader usually says?" I've never seen anyone proudly comparing themselves to Zhang Liang who was actually competent. "Don't worry. Soon you'll be praising me as your Zhang Liang. Now, about what I'm going to say. Brace yourself." "Is there something going on?" Why is he being like this? Jeon Gil San's expression turned serious. Checking to ensure no one else could hear, and confirming that even his mother and Je Gal Hyang were out of earshot, he finally looked at me. Is it something really important? With a cautious expression, Jeon Gil San finally spoke up. "In our grandfather's heart, you're already the chosen one." "Huh?" "You're not just a candidate; he's already decided on you as the successor." "..." Should I be surprised? Jeon Gil San, looking as though he'd revealed a forbidden secret, watched me before stepping back in alarm. "Oh, did you already know?" "Sort of. But how did you find out?" I've already heard the news, after all. Was he disappointed that he wasn't the first to tell me? Jeon Gil San scratched his head with a wry smile, then glanced toward where his mother stood. "Because he gave you the best thing he had." "Are you talking about Je Gal So Jeo?" Next to Jeon Gil San, Je Gal Hyang was there too, wearing an awkward smile. He nodded and continued. "I did think it was strange. Not knowing our grandfather's intention, I kept quiet, but among our cousins, no one matches up to Hyang. Though she can be a bit careless, she's pretty, smart, and skilled, and she's part of the Je Gal family. Where would you find a better bride?" "Indeed, she's more than deserving for a man of my background." There was no need to deny it. "I initially thought I might just have a new brother-in-law to drink with. But when I heard you'd been forced into being a successor candidate, I realized something no other cousin figured out." Jeon Gil San gave me a sidelong glance without turning his head. "What thing?" "You originally had another fiancée, right?" "..." "Don't make that face. I know the Baekjung family head and my grandfather were inseparable friends. They were close like family. For my grandfather to take away the granddaughter's betrothed, that's way out of line. That's when I realized." "Realized what?" "He finds you so valuable, he'd endure anything to keep you by offering his best." Jeon Gil San's face displayed a sense of relief as he looked at me. "..." "I struggled with it too once I realized. I wasn't of a mind to give up easily just because our grandfather thought so. But the more I considered it, the more I came to the same conclusion as he did about you." "Jeon Gil San..." "Kang Yoon Ho, from what I've seen, you can truly do it. I'll do my best to help you, so go for it." Jeon Gil San thumped his fist lightly against my chest a few times, as if pouring out everything, and then extended his hand to me. There was no reason to refuse a friend's hand, extended with genuine willingness to help. It was the hand of a friend ready to support me with enthusiasm. "Time's up! They're calling us back. Gil San! I'll see you at home later!" Just like Jeon Gil San pledged to trust and support me, I would trust and support him in return. As soon as we shook hands, I heard Gil San's mother's voice calling from afar. "Ah... Hey. Mind if I crash at your place for a few days after this?" That's a hard no. ——— "That’s that. Everyone did well." The sixth participant was finalized. The new competitor repeatedly greeted both me and Man Geum Jeon Ju before settling into his place. "..." The second test at last. The first test concluded smoothly thanks to Ha Yeon and the Korean Emigrants’ Association, but the next was anyone’s guess. Each of us was wrapped in thoughts, tense over what kind of test might arise, maintaining a silent atmosphere. Man Geum Jeon Ju, perhaps satisfied with our evident nervousness, stroked his beard while smiling. "Let's commence the next test. Head Steward." "Yes, I shall present it." At the gesture of the Head Steward, two burly men brought something before us. "Scrolls?" They placed before us a large scroll, rolled up tightly. The Head Steward untied the string that secured it. "The next test for the gentlemen is this." A sealed scroll. Like an ancient test where they’d present a topic? Could it be an essay-type question? Surely, they aren’t changing the test format to something like 'Create a dish to please Man Geum Jeon Ju.' The scroll unfurled. What could it be? What sort of test? “What?” "No way?!" The content of the scroll, revealed before the tense crowd, consisted of two characters: "추심 (ChuSim)?" ChuSim. The act of retrieving money owed. Is the second test about debt collection? Everyone looked at Man Geum Jeon Ju with bewilderment. "The money borrowed from the Jeon chamber must inevitably be reclaimed. If not, it would just become a money pack, not a true chamber. No one needs to explain what happens if the Jeon chamber becomes merely a cash box." In the martial world, the Jeon chamber functions like a private bank. Naturally, they would lend money to individuals, and some of them are bound to refuse to repay. Retrieve what you've lent out. Certainly fitting for a test to become a successor of Man Geum Jeon Ju's chamber. "Are you telling us to become debt collectors?" One of the successor candidates asked Jang Noya, seemingly flustered. "Do you think it’s impossible?" "Grandfather, debt collection is..." "Father! Debt collection is terribly dangerous!" As Jang Noya’s daughter interjected to defend, Man Geum Jeon Ju grimaced at her. "When you were suckling babes, I personally went to collect debts, even with swords in front of me." "..." Wow. As expected of the founder of Man Geum Jeon Ju's chamber. His daughters were left speechless with just one remark. "Head Steward." With a dismissive snort at his daughters, Man Geum Jeon Ju called the Head Steward to continue. "We’ll now show the young gentlemen three types of ledgers." Seeing the atmosphere calm, the Head Steward retrieved three small books from his robe. "The ledgers?" "不可 (Prohibited). 惡性 (Detrimental). 危險 (Hazardous). These ledgers are organized by difficulty for testing purposes." "不可 (Prohibited). 惡性 (Detrimental). 危險 (Hazardous)?" "不可 (Prohibited) is self-explanatory. It's deemed impossible to retrieve the money. 惡性 (Detrimental) refers to those greatly overdue in repayment, significantly challenging to collect from. 危險 (Hazardous) pertains to debts yet to mature or just becoming delinquent. It's about time to send out the collectors." 'This won't be easy.' No wonder loan sharks use intimidating collectors. It sounds difficult just hearing about it. "Do we just find the names in the ledger and collect the money from them?" To this, the Head Steward shook his head. "You must choose a ledger." "A ledger?" "Only one ledger can be taken as you leave. Return with the collected debts of the person listed in the ledger." Ah, offering three indeed. The outside might be too safe to venture alone. Now, pick one ledger and get into danger. He stated it so casually. "Are there point differences depending on the ledger?" "Given the differentiation in ledgers, there must be various weightings in Man Geum Jeon Ju’s mind." Everyone’s gaze instinctively turned to Man Geum Jeon Ju for confirmation, but Jang Noya did not bother to refute it. "Ugh..." "You’ll be given time to examine the ledgers. Head Steward." "Here is the hourglass. Make your decision by the time it runs out." The sand in the hourglass didn't seem plentiful. Perhaps someone shared my sentiment, as an anxious voice rang out. "Grandfather, is it possible to take all the ledgers and collect the debts from all of them?" "The skill lies in assessing the borrowers and determining whether they are capable of repayment. Judge for yourselves through the ledgers." "Ah..." "Now, let's begin. Starting with the Hazardous ledger." Not just debt collection skills but also an observational test, hidden within the challenge. Before realization struck, the first ledger was presented. ‘The Hazardous ledger comprises comparatively collectible debts.’ Surprisingly, it seemed manageable, though challenging by its descriptions. It felt doable. "Next is the Detrimental ledger." The Detrimental difficulty ledger was laid out next. "Ah!" "Huh..." "What is that?!" Gasp after gasp echoed. Understandably so. ‘This is considered the Detrimental difficulty?’ The ledger was filled with names, yet none seemed likely to pay up. If I really tried, maybe one or two. But is that even possible? It feels more like a false hope. So then, what about the Prohibited difficulty? "And finally, the Prohibited ledger." My curiosity didn't have to wait long. "…The landlord?!" "How absurd!" From the first entry, it was a hurdle. This time, there was no astonished gasp, but rather a mix of disbelief and panic. The landlord in modern terms could be likened to a city mayor. Though one rank higher, attempting to expose the misdeeds of this landlord once almost cost a royal inspector their life. Getting a reckless young man like me to collect a debt from him—how many would nod to that? Prohibited (不可). The ledger indeed listed people deemed impossible to collect from. ‘If the Detrimental difficulty seemed doable if I pushed myself hard enough, the Prohibited would risk my life even attempting it.’ The entries listed only people with whom even speaking might be beyond the likes of me, an outsider. "The hourglass will be set now." We had to choose among the three ledgers. Which one should I pick? ‘No one else is even holding the Prohibited ledger.’ This is a test. It's high risk or no reward. Such a dangerous choice. Perhaps aiming for the Hazardous or Detrimental difficulty is the right call. I was about to follow the others and set aside the Prohibited ledger when, by chance, I caught Jang Noya’s eye. 一 Would you give up too? Hadn't you said you would prove yourself? I sensed a flicker of disappointment in Jang Noya's gaze. No, sir. The Prohibited ledger is too much. Even for unbridled affluent masters, it's impossible. What could someone like me, an outsider, possibly achieve...? Wait a moment. I reopened the ledger. ‘Perhaps… could it be?!’ If my hunch is right. "Close the books." Time flew by far too quickly. "Kang Yoon Ho, please choose your ledger." There was never enough time to fully examine each ledger in detail. Nevertheless. "Prohibited." "Excuse me?" "I choose Prohibited." I had found a clue.