641 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

It's fascinating to hear that Hwarin's anger led them to a higher state. Hwarin, instead of "transcendent boundary (化境)," did you reach the "fiery boundary (火境)?" Just because your fiancé imitated Kang Yoon Ho once, it doesn’t mean you have to become as formidable as Tang Hwa Rin. How on earth can anger elevate one's state of being? What did I do? All I promised was to wait for ten years, then on the way back I found a lover, became engaged to a Jegal family's daughter, and began living with two women simultaneously. 'Seems like a valid reason to rise in anger.' I'm sorry, Hwarin. Even I think I've gone too far. "Suddenly, what is this talk about? The fiancée's state has elevated?" "Wasn't it said that the fiancée in the Tang family is afflicted with an incurable illness and is frail?" “One of the best ways to treat a frail body is to train in martial arts.” Uigak Ju continued explaining to the chaos-stricken family gathering with additional notes. “Indeed…” “So the reason for leaving the fiancée at the Tang family was for martial arts training?” “If it was only about treatment, she would’ve been brought over long ago to marry and settle down. There wouldn’t have been any reason to let it drag on for ten years.” They couldn’t discuss about the poison mark. Although Uigak Ju's expanded explanation was simple logic, it convinced everyone. “Tang Moo Gi, what does ‘be satisfied with the engagement’ mean?” Even if he begrudgingly accepted his son-in-law's other fiancée, the father-in-law couldn’t hide his discomfort and asked Uigak Ju. "We confirmed that Kang Yoon Ho truly loves the young lady named Jegal Hyang, so an engagement is no issue. But marriage is another matter." Uigak Ju, representing the Tang family, spoke boldly to the patriarch of the Jegal family. “Another matter?” “I heard it would be about five years. At that level, we can talk about a full recovery.” Hold on. What's this now? “Do you mean Hwarin will be cured in five years?” “Dok Mu Hu himself checked the disciple's condition and stated so.” Uigak Ju nodded and smiled slightly at my questioning. Isn't Dok Mu Hu the highly skilled master Hwarin boasted about in her letters? For a master like him to guarantee it... “Dok Mu Hu?!” Before I could even process the surprise, the hall erupted for a different reason. “Wait a second! Is Kang Yoon Ho’s fiancée really Dok Mu Hu's disciple?” “Did Dok Mu Hu take on a disciple? That grumpy old lady who seemed destined never to take a student?” “Ha ha ha…” If the entire council of the Jegal family was astonished, just how formidable is this martial artist? “Are you saying, then, that we should yield the marriage precedence of my daughter?” The father-in-law calmed the council and questioned Uigak Ju again. “How could I say such a thing about marrying the precious gem of the Jegal family?” “Then?” It could be a serious matter, and the father-in-law’s voice was slightly agitated, matching Uigak Ju's impeccable composure. “Weren’t the conditions the same for both sides now? We’d like you to discuss and decide the marriage matter separately with our Sichuan Tang family.” —— “Uigak Ju.” The father-in-law, suggesting there were many meetings to be held, sent Uigak Ju and me out from the hall. To understand Hwarin's situation better, I returned to my room with Uigak Ju. “Is your body truly alright? The Tang family warriors were anxious over your news for a while.” “For the cost of that unique experience, I think I’m doing just fine.” I raised my arms in a pose, emphasizing my well-being. Uigak Ju gave a slight smile at me, looking with an expression mixed with nostalgia. “The way you charge forward recklessly with a new goal, regardless of everyone else's worries, is just like someone.” “….” I don't resemble them. Unable to justify, I let out a small sigh. Uigak Ju seemed more amused by this, laughing as he pulled something from his pocket and handed it to me. “Take this.” “What is it?” "It’s a letter from Tang Hwarin." “Another letter from Hwarin? I’ve already received one.” The letter that kept me up for countless nights was in my drawer. Puzzled, I asked, and Uigak Ju sighed lightly as he answered. "There was a second letter for when situations like these arise. Read it." “A second letter?” If it existed, why not say so? He said it wasn’t there. With a trembling heart, I snatched the letter. [Yun Ho.] “Hwarin…” It was Hwarin's handwriting. Not the frantic scribbles born from anger, but a genuine letter, with each character imbued with heartfelt emotion. Already my nose was tingling. [Wanna die?] “Ah…” Yes. It's a letter genuinely filled with Hwarin's emotions. It feels like a genuine punch to the nose. I controlled my expression and focused on the letter again. The continuation was a response to what I’d written before. [Why does that girl Im Ha Yeon steal from the rich and yet stole someone else’s fiancé's heart too? She's really mean.] “Ha ha.” [Yun Ho, you're just the same. Regardless of the fact that you owe her father, helping to some extent is enough. Why are you sincerely helping her?] “I’m sorry.” I mumbled unknowingly. [But that's part of your charm.] “….” Whether Im Ha Yeon really left, how many years till resolution... tales continued, but the emotions that filled my heart made it hard to hide my smile. This was Hwarin. Scolding me truthfully, getting mad, but it felt like she was grumbling to prevent me from getting hurt—like Hwarin was truly by my side. [I can't take it; I need to come over and monitor you soon.] It truly seems Hwarin’s state did elevate. Whether it was because this was a letter written for me or out of anger, there was no mention of the elevation, but she did note the surprise of her master. There wasn’t much regarding Jegal Geuk's daughter. It seemed she was avoiding the subject somehow, with some complaints about the head of Manggeumjeon, but overall it felt like she was resigned to whatever conclusion I wished. [So if possible, please wait.] Instead, she added some uncertain words with unease. Engage if you must, but do not marry. The contents were similar to a discussion we had in the world of Sanha Sajikdo, but phrased more tactfully. "So Hwarin really did advance in her state, it seems," I commented to Uigak Ju as I tried to gather my thoughts. "A good master, a supportive environment, and a somewhat exasperating fiancé—it's all thanks to them." "If possible, let’s call it an exceptionally capable fiancé," I quipped, referring to myself. Though if Hwarin ever heard that, she might not spare even my bones. "That's quite some bragging." "Did Hwarin have anything else she wanted to convey?" Even after reading her letter, it felt like sipping seawater—I was thirsting for more news about Hwarin. "Hmm…" At my inquiry, Uigak Ju stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Is there really something more?" "There is, but…" He looked at me, conflicted. Did Hwarin say something unmentionable to me? Alarmed, I pressed the issue. "What did she say?" With my earnest gaze fixed on him, Uigak Ju hesitated before finally speaking, seemingly reluctant yet resigned. "*Ahem* She mentioned having five kids before you turn thirty, so you should prepare yourself." "Ah…" YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0UzlUOXBsdHBFMEcwVmQzZ0VWMDduOVFsdlpicWlYbGhuWVRqZ1JISzhFbw What exactly should I be preparing for, Hwarin? — "Delay the wedding?!" The news of Jegal Hyang's recovery and the Tang family’s proposition stirred yet another uproar in the assembly hall. Patriarch Jegal Geuk continued the meeting alongside the council, including Jang Yeongyeong and Jegal Hyang. “From the start, the Tang family needed to focus on their training, while we only need to set up a newlywed residence.” “That’s precisely the problem.” The biggest issue was the newlywed house for Kang Yoon Ho and Jegal Hyang. With Jegal Hyang’s recovery, she could leave Dowonhyang to train, yet constructing a new residence and establishing the right environment was necessary. “Why? Isn’t it feasible to create something similar to Dowonhyang?” “The main issue is obtaining a new rare treasure. It’s not easy since they’re often heirlooms passed down through other families.” “If it’s hard to acquire, can't we use the ones within our own family?” “Due to the Sanha Sajikdo incident, many of our existing treasures have lost much of their power. It seems Sanha Sajikdo consumed all the ambient energy to awaken.” “What about the formation techniques within the Jegal family?” The Jegal family has remained unfaltering throughout the ages, despite the rising and falling of dynasties. Part of their resilience was due to the family’s defensive formations, guarding them for over a thousand years. If maintaining those formations became difficult, even the Jegal family could be at risk. Patriarch Jegal Geuk pursued the matter sharply. “There’s no major issue. However, we’re currently unable to share our treasures externally.” “Huh.” “There are ways to acquire other treasures. It will just take some time.” “It shouldn’t take as long as five years, should it?” “Certainly not. It’s just that the Tang family might insist on fairness.” As they assured Kang Yoon Ho, it wouldn’t be an excessively lengthy process—taking longer than expected but still manageable for conducting the wedding. The first wife for Kang Yoon Ho would be Jegal Hyang. There was another reason the Jegal family stood firm. “Isn’t he the Tang family head’s son? They wouldn't risk making their son a perpetual bachelor for five years, would they?” As the successor to Manggeumjeon, he naturally needed a wife to support him. Whether ten years or five, both seemed too long. “The fiancée in the Tang family has the endorsement of Tang Gaju, the family head. It’s not a simple matter.” “I have no intention of delaying my daughter’s marriage.” Patriarch Jegal Geuk remained resolute in his stance. Discussion about the wedding with the Sichuan Tang family would proceed as Tang Moo Gi suggested. Yet, it was strictly about discussing—not ceding—the marriage. “Absolutely. Five years is too distant. Even if they promise to treat the Tang family fiancée with the same respect as our daughter’s formal wedding, we must proceed with our daughter’s marriage soon.” There was no intention to treat the son-in-law’s second wife poorly. However, Jang Yeongyeong shared the sentiment. "If the patriarch and the lady of the house are determined so." Jegal Hyang would continue her training with the Jegal family for the time, and once the newlywed residence was ready, the wedding would be held—meanwhile, non-discussion of Yoon Ho's relationships with other women featured prominently in their plans. Just as everyone’s intentions were coalescing into unanimity, "Um, uh…" Jegal Hyang, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. “Hyang, do you have something to say?” For a moment, overwhelmed by all the gazes, Jegal Hyang appeared uncertain. In the past, she’d have apologized and retreated. Yet, the present Jegal Hyang differed from her previous self. This must be said—Jegal Hyang squeezed her hand, summoning her courage, and addressed her father, mother, and the esteemed elders. “There’s something I wish to tell you.”