646 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"The Muyoung Shintu has reportedly stolen the Eung family heirloom." A fierce storm has taken hold in Nanjing. One person alone, the elusive thief Muyoung Shintu, has driven the affluent and the warriors of the city into sleepless nights. From teahouses to inns, even down to the children in the streets—everywhere people gathered, they could not stop talking about Muyoung Shintu. "Could it be? Did they really steal a branch of the World Tree from the Eung family?" A man asked his friend, the owner of a fabric shop, with wide eyes. "That incident has thrown the Eung household into chaos. They've declared that anyone who captures Muyoung Shintu will be rewarded with gold equal in weight to the heirloom." "My goodness! But is that even possible? It's said that even a renowned master from the Qingcheng sect couldn't catch Muyoung Shintu." "Indeed. Perhaps they ought to enlist the black-haired constable from Wuhuan." "So I've heard. Is he not the most famous constable in Wuhuan? It's said that Muyoung Shintu shudders at the mere mention of his black hair." The black-haired Gang Pogwae. Though a constable may not receive a formal salary, it's a position directly related to maintaining order. Naturally, such a role wouldn't be assigned to just anyone, yet here we have the most famous constable in Wuhuan, known for his black hair. As rumors of Muyoung Shintu spread, so too did stories about the black-haired constable. "They say they even captured imposters poorly imitating Muyoung Shintu. It seems the real one fled to Nanjing after hearing the news." "To think the treasure of the Zhangyi people fell into the hands of a mere thief. What are the constables of Nanjing even doing?" Losing one of the few treasures of Nanjing to a thief was lamentable. The man sighed in regret. "Zhangyi people? Ha! Surely you don’t believe those outlandish tales spun by Silk Road traders, do you?" Far to the west, it's said there's a race different from ordinary people called the Zhangyi. Falling for the bluster often touted by traders and adventurers—how gullible. The shopkeeper glanced skeptically at his friend. "If the World Tree exists, why not the Zhangyi?" "Traders tell such tales to sell silk as dragon whiskers in the west. What they call branches of the World Tree are likely just rare woods from the west." Merchants inflate the value of their goods, claiming spices are harvested at great peril from birds nesting on cliffs just to sell them for a higher price. The Zhangyi tales were likely just another ploy to sell rare wood at a premium. "Ha! If that were the case, would the Eung family regard it as an heirloom?" "Then why else do they keep useless wood stashed away in a warehouse?" "How could you say such things!" Was it such a disappointment? It was like saying legendary creatures weren’t real to a child. The shopkeeper decided to give his friend one last chance. "Follow after me: the World Tree is just a big tree. If you say that, I'll buy you lunch today." "The, the, the World Tree! It exists!" "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Seems like you're not destined for a free meal, my friend. Customer, is there any fabric you're looking for?" The shopkeeper finally gave up and turned to address a woman with pink hair wearing a veil. The woman, seemingly engrossed in their conversation, flinched slightly in surprise before pointing to the finest silk. "Don't you have anything better than what's on display? Something for a man to wear." "We do have patterns popular with women embroidered on them... If you provide a deposit, I can procure it. Is it for your father? Another family member? Or perhaps your husband?" The woman hesitated, appearing to deliberate over something before speaking with a hint of regret in her voice. "I'll come back later." "Could she be a believer in the World Tree?" He felt sure she would make a purchase. The shopkeeper could only watch blankly as the veiled woman exited. ———— "The entire Nanjing is in turmoil. There's even praise for a truly skilled thief that's emerged." A thief who understands the ways of the world. Not just one who targets the homes of the wealthy, but a righteous thief sheltering the impoverished. While it was encouraging to see the common people applauding, his father couldn't hide his concern. "This is what I hoped for." "Wouldn't it be wise to tone down the warnings?" "The warnings?" The father's expression clarified his unease to his daughter. "Isn't it too dangerous? The warriors of Nanjing are scouring the city with their eyes wide open, all trying to catch you." It's not that he was against her scaling walls, but announcing her intentions beforehand elevated the risk considerably. "If it succeeds even under such circumstances, wouldn't that truly be the mark of the real Muyoung Shintu?" The former master thief found himself momentarily at a loss for words. In her words, he saw glimpses of his younger self. "Even in my youthful days, I dared much, but never to such an extent." "As I recall hearing from Mother when I was a child..." "Ahem, ahem! Anyway! Isn't it enough to leave behind just a black paper crane to signify your tenure?" As a father, discovering traces of his younger self in his child was a source of joy, yet it merited caution. "It's alright. It's all part of the strategy." Her unexpected response left him puzzled. "Strategy?" "Sometimes I send a warning, sometimes I leave only a black crane. For Muyoung Shintu, there's no set time." The promise to arrive when the black paper airplane flew. A black paper crane indicated her passage. The audacious tactics, devoid of a schedule, were unseen among his predecessors. "Are you saying you steal when their vigilance wanes?" At first glance, it seemed an unprecedented provocation. Yet it permitted a unique strategy. "I could even replace the treasure beforehand." "What?!" "When they receive the warning, they wait endlessly. Then one day they realize the treasure's been switched. Muyoung Shintu came and went without their knowledge. Even though the switch happened before sending the warning.” Because Muyoung Shintu promised. They wouldn’t conceive of it being stolen prematurely. If it were taken without warning, there’d be a black crane. If a warning were issued, it wouldn’t be taken in advance. A method that inadvertently urged the victims to rationalize on behalf of the thief. It pierced their expectations. "Impressive." The previous Muyoung Shintu, Wang Jongho, was astonished as he looked at his daughter. "Please, save those compliments for your son-in-law." "Was it Kang Yoon Ho's strategy?" "My primary goal is to ensure Lady Ha Yeon's safe return, and secondly, to elevate her fame. Let the warriors face each other in fair duels." Lim Ha Yeon reenacted the words her lover had once spoken to her, a hint of embarrassment on her face, but her smile radiated unmatched pride. "You have chosen a fine son-in-law." "...Make sure to tell him that next time you meet." If her father praised him, Kang Yoon Ho would surely be delighted. Ha Yeon added with a smile at her father, who could only marvel at the man who had saved his daughter. —— "Today you seem tired, so take it easy and rest instead of going out." Lim Ha Yeon nodded at her father's suggestion. He likely assumed she was exhausted from spending every night in the skies of Nanjing. Her expression was indeed darker than usual, though not for the reasons her father thought. "Even from a distance, you’re the best." Lim Ha Yeon murmured while lying in bed. In Nanjing, tales of her and her lover were spreading. It was what she had hoped for, yet she couldn't help but picture the face of the lover she left behind in Nanjing. But she wasn't entirely alone. Her brow furrowed slightly. "It would've been nice if we could have come together." There was so much to see in Nanjing. For someone like her, who had spent her life within the confines of the courtyard and never truly enjoyed the world until becoming a runaway courtesan, traveling with her father was pure joy. However, with every joyful sight, a lingering emptiness followed. It would have been wonderful to share the scenery with him. This fabric looks exquisite and would match him perfectly. But it feels right to wear familiar clothes—you may grumble, but you'll wear what I choose, won't you? Dressing him well meant that his impression would flutter her heart, even if she'd try not to show it. No, perhaps now she could show it freely, though it still felt a bit embarrassing. Lim Ha Yeon smiled wistfully in the absence of her beloved. "He's doing well, right?" Though she resided in a lavish room, the winter of Nanjing felt colder without any answers. 一 Whoa, you scared me. Why are you awake at this hour? 一 I was hoping the Muyoung Shintu, who's so famous now, would turn themselves in voluntarily. 一 What are you saying...? Her mind wandered back to the conversations with her lover, waiting anxiously in case she got hurt scaling walls. "I miss you." She hoped her sudden departure hadn't burdened him, yet she wished he would feel their shared absence from time to time. It was the whimsical longing of a woman missing her beloved man. Lim Ha Yeon felt herself drawn into sleep, as if by a strange, invisible pull. —— What on earth was happening? Was she dreaming? Lim Ha Yeon couldn't fathom the situation unfolding before her eyes. "Is that you? Really you?" Before her stood her lover—right there, just as she had been yearning. Without hesitation, she swiftly approached him. "...! ……! ……!" A lone path laid out over the darkness, devoid of starlight. Her words went unheard, only his frustrating gaze reached her. But that didn’t matter. "I know it's you, so there's no need to sigh so exasperatedly." How could she not understand? The amused look on Kang Yoon Ho’s face brought a smile to hers. If she could think of him with her eyes closed, hearing his words while awake was easy. "Why so amazed? Have you already forgotten who your Lim Ha Yeon is?" "…Muyoung Shintu." She could almost make out his words. It was truly Kang Yoon Ho. No illusion, no dream. How could this have happened? Lim Ha Yeon formed a conclusion quickly. "Are you at the Jegal family now?" "……!" Of course, that seemed to be it. "So, the Jegal family's mystical arts connect people through dreams?" Her lips tugged upwards involuntarily. Her beloved had risked much because he longed to see her. How could he be in the Jegal family, seeking their marriage's blessing, yet still wish to see her face? Just realizing they shared the feeling of missing each other melted away all loneliness. "I'm grateful you miss me, but let's focus on securing Hyang's father's blessing for now." Time seemed scarce. As miraculous as it was, her advice prioritized the needs of a cherished friend over their shared moments. "What's with that look, missing even my nagging? Don't make such a face, or I might want to rush right back." The reality of their longing was confirmed in his kiss. "I'm sorry for not being there beside you." He began to turn away. Even though the world was but darkness, her star shone ever forward. Next time she hoped to run by his side. Her eyes glinted with joy as she watched the star. —— "Ha Yeon, let’s have breakfast... Ha Yeon?" The following morning, Lim Ha Yeon greeted her father with a revitalized expression. "I'll be right out. Let’s eat something delicious today." Z2dKbDJFSCtSbEo3WFlpUEN0eDQxYzZSakJnWVpKM2loREIwdm1GUnd0dzlFWlRtU1lPSUtQTXNORWtvbVJ4Wg "Did something happen?" "I just realized I need to work harder.” “Huh?” “After breakfast, could you teach me more about escaping formation traps?” “Sure, let’s do that.” It wasn’t a dream. The events of last night were anything but. The sound of his heartbeat, as he had held her so reassuringly, still echoed in her ears. ‘It’s like I need to be by your side.’ An isolated path in the dark. Walking such a lonely road alone only once was enough. With her and Jegal Hyang, holding his hand, they could venture anywhere together. And they’d look after a fragile fiancée later, too. Lim Ha Yeon opened the guest room window. Winter migratory birds greeted her. However vast the world they explored, they all had nests to return to. Though she was away for now, like a bird that knows it will return to its one true nest, she resolved to make the most of her current circumstances. Someday, for the sake of returning to that nest. Now was the time to beat her wings more diligently than ever.