505 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.505 Third Test - 11 "Let's head to Hwa Wol-ru." "Hwa Wol-ru, the most prestigious kisaeng house? Oh, understood." What kind of misunderstanding is this? Naturally, it wasn't to soothe the shock of the assassination attempt with female company that I was heading there. "Please inform the Head of Gihmun that Kang Yoon-ho has arrived." After all, the place I intended to visit was Hwa Wol-ru, operated by her. If you're looking for information in Mu Han, there's no place like Hao Mun. "Yes, I'll convey the message..." "Who said they came?!" Before the person at Hwa Wol-ru could deliver the message, the door to the kisaeng house swung open and a beauty with soft, ash-tinted light brown hair hurriedly approached me. "Head of Gihmun, I'm here." "Are you well? Are you alright?!" The Head of Gihmun asked with an utterly startled face. "It seems you've heard the news." "I just heard about the assassins who came to your residence. Twice in a day! What on earth is Man Geum Jeon Ju doing, not even protecting his successor!" "Please calm down. I am not seriously injured." The Head of Gihmun was unusually agitated. "Come closer. Is there no harm done?" I approached the worried Gihmun Head, giving a reassuring smile. "It would take decades for me to wear out." She chuckled slightly at my jest, then began checking my chin thoroughly. "Since you’re joking so casually, you must truly be unscathed. Your face seems fine, and your body is…" "Haha..." "Why are you behaving that way? Is there something wrong?" She asked, alarmed. There is no pain, and having her examine me out of concern isn’t bad either. There’s just a slight problem. "It’s just that..." I threw a subtle glance behind her. "What are you looking at…?" Even as she held my chin, she turned to where I was gazing. Realizing the situation, her face hardened. Her reaction was understandable. "Eek! Quick, come look." "Why?" "It’s a spectacle you won’t see again." Between gaps in the slightly open door, curious eyes were watching the scene intently. Head of Gihmun, you seemed too flustered to hear, but since earlier, I've been hearing giggles and whispers. "Oh my! Oh my! Unbelievable." "Seriously? The Head of Hwa Wol-ru?" "Who is that young man?" "Don’t you know? It's Kang Po Kwi!" "What? Kang Po Kwi? Then what’s going on right now?" “...What do you think you're doing? Get back to your work, all of you!" Her sharp command echoed through the kisaeng house. "Eek!" "Run, run." "Tsk." "Haha..." It must have been quite a scene for the kisaengs too. "Come, come inside with me!" Turning swiftly, her voice slightly trembled as she led the way to her office. —— "Phewwww." Surely, she felt mortified for what just happened. Until the room became cloudy with tobacco smoke, she couldn't remove the pipe from her lips. "Aren’t kids at that age all like that?" Who likes whom. Who’s dating whom. Really. I saw them leave together once. They inflate the simplest matters, laugh, and chatter, isn't that just normal for their age? They’ll forget soon enough. Don’t worry too much. I offered clumsy reassurance. "Someone might think you’re not of that age group yourself." "Hahahaha." Judging by her casual remark, she had already calmed down. "Tsk. What a sight I must have been." The Head of Gihmun clicked her tongue, averting her gaze as if she had made a blunder. "How could seeing you care genuinely for me not make me happy? If anything, if it was indeed unseemly, this Kang Yoon-ho would truly feel hurt." With a hand to my chest, I looked at her as if slightly wounded. Showing me a side unseen even by the kisaengs meant she was genuinely concerned for me, the son of her disciple. Head of Gihmun, though the timing was off, please tenderly watch over me in the future as well. "....Is that how you usually interact with women?" "Excuse me?" "Never mind. Why have you come?" "I want information on the Blue Robe Swordsman." Leaving the brief commotion behind, I got straight to the point. "The Blue Robe Swordsman?" "The assassin's identity. He fled with severe wounds, but seems hard to track down in Man Geum Jeon. I thought Hao Mun might be able to help." "It's a name I recall... A swordsman turned assassin. Seems they aimed for a big score. Alright. I’ll look into it right away. Wait a moment." She called for someone, instructing them to bring materials on the Blue Robe Swordsman. "Thank you." "You must be under a lot of stress. So, who do you suppose is behind this?" "Anyone who dislikes the idea of Man Geum Jeon Jeon Ju being succeeded by black hair might do something like this." I shrugged, as if it was nothing. If anything, it’s likely one of the five successor candidates. The issue is, any of the five might do it. "Phewwww." The Head of Gihmun blew smoke from deep within, observing my calm demeanor. "I'm starting to feel like I'm causing you too much concern." The success of an assassination hinges on the element of surprise. An assassin lives by the principle of leaving no witnesses, wielding an assassination sword rather than being legendary for it. Now that two attempts have failed, considering a third would be unlikely. "I trust you to handle things well, so there’s nothing for me to worry about. Real worry should come from throwing one’s life away over a springtime infatuation." Her words carried weight. There was no need to ask whom she could be referring to. "Having always been loved like a spring day, I strive to live as an unembarrassing son to match the love received." "......" I won’t cause you worry like a mother would. I smiled at her like a grown-up grandson as she set down the pipe, her eyes wide in surprise. “Head of Gihmun. I’ve brought the information on the Blue Robe Swordsman.” Hao Mun entered the office, observing the brief silence, then handed her the documents. Could there be information on who the mastermind might be? “Huuuh. It seems we will need more time.” “Time, you say?” “The Blue Robe Swordsman was seen in Mu Han about a month ago. We need to determine whether he appeared due to a contract or took a job here within Mu Han.” “If he took a contract from outside Mu Han, finding the mastermind might become difficult.” “What’s so difficult about that?” She gave a slight, knowing smile at my response. “Pardon? What do you mean?” “Someone is after your life— is there anyone among the women in charge who wouldn't step up? Whether we find the Blue Robe Swordsman or the person who hired him, we’ll scour all of Hubei Province to uncover them.” “Head of Gihmun...” Her assurance was comforting. “I’ll ensure your gambling hall title is resolved as soon as possible. I’ll complete all the paperwork so impeccably that even the great Man Geum Jeon Ju won’t be able to undermine it. Why not take a good fortnight’s rest in the meantime?” “If you truly do that, it would indeed relieve a burden.” “I’ll send word once there’s news. Until then, rest easy at your manor.” “Thank you. I shall take my leave now.” It might take time, but they’ll find the clue. With Hao Mun and Man Geum Jeon Ju on it, evidence will surface somewhere. “I’ll see you off.” The Head of Gihmun stood. “It’s alright. There’s no need to trouble yourself on my account.” “In case something happens inside my establishment, I just want peace of mind.” The truth is, she has another motive. “There’s no need for you to face misplaced misunderstandings on my behalf… Ah!” The pipe in her hand flared with a hint of smoke. “Enough with the nonsense, come along.” Well, I have no choice. Together, we left the office. “Wow, it’s really happening?!” “I told you, didn’t I?” What are they on about? As we walked side by side, I could feel all the eyes from the kisaeng house fixated on us. “Walk straight without gawking around.” Perhaps I was glancing around too obviously, as she lightly chastised me. “There’s someone I’m looking for.” “Someone you’re looking for?” Since I’m already here, I have one more matter to attend to, “Ka, Kang Po Kwi sir!” Fortunately, she’s here. “Miss Mae Hyang, I was just looking for you.” “For me? Kang Po Kwi sir?” The person I was searching for was Mae Hyang, one of the kisaengs. “What?!” Why are both of you surprised? “I have something to return to you.” “This is...?” I took a small pouch from my pocket. “I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s not something I can accept.” “Oh.” While it’s not legendary, it’s like a heroic-grade set item. Unfortunately, due to the gender restriction, I can only keep it for achievements. Please take it back. “So that’s what it was.” I heard a voice of relief behind me. Yes, that’s it. Goo Goo saved my life, after all, and it doesn't feel right to command him around just yet. “Kang Po Kwi sir...” “I apologize.” As the Head of Gihmun advised, it’s essential to have clarity in matters. I have many with whom I've promised the future. Bowing slightly, I conveyed the refusal. “Why block the path of a busy man? If you understand, move on.” Her satisfaction with my acceptance of her advice was evident through a mysterious grin. Though Mae Hyang’s face darkened. She clutched the pouch tightly and continued looking between me and the Head of Gihmun. “Kang Po Kwi sir, so it was like that after all...!” “Excuse me?” “I knew something was off somehow!” “Miss?” “It’s alright! I’m stepping back this time. After all, I’m a woman who grows stronger in adversity!” What on earth is she talking about?