651 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"A test?" Kang Yun Ho's situation, unsurprisingly, was also relayed to his fiancée, Tang Hwa Rin. Though, a minor tidbit—that a stunningly beautiful hostess was devotedly assisting Kang Yun Ho—was conveniently omitted. "I heard Mangeumjeonju set a trial for Kang Yun Ho. If he passes, he'll discharge all his debts." Tang Hwa Rin nodded as though she had expected this news from Muhan. "Of course. I figured there'd be an ulterior motive. But if he wants to clear the debt, why take Da Seo Gak hostage and make things difficult?" "He's a self-made man who transformed Mangeumjeon into the top bank in Hubei. Even if Kang Yun Ho is the grandson-in-law of his old friend, he wouldn't throw money away carelessly." If he were a friend of her grandfather, he'd be more forthcoming. Tang Hwa Rin pouted in disappointment but couldn't dispute the point. Only those who've earned money the hard way truly understand its value. It's typical for a merchant or a banker to be cautious about showing generosity. "True enough. But what kind of test is it?" "He's been tasked with starting a new business." Uigakju briefly explained the trial that Kang Yun Ho had to undertake. "Mangeumjeonju wants him to earn enough money to impress him? What kind of test is that?" Tang Hwa Rin's delicate brows furrowed. What is this deal where he has to prove his business acumen? Surely not... No. It couldn't be. "An author suddenly getting into business—I understand your unease." Tang Hwa Rin shook her head furiously, dispelling the sudden thoughts. "No, I was just overthinking. And Yun Ho doesn't realize it, but he's quite good at business." "I didn't know that." "Pfft! He's shrewd enough to leave people in awe in Uichang. Even if he couldn't write, he'd still manage to take care of me." It's no surprise that Ho Pil's identity was kept secret. There was a reason to hide that a sophisticated person was behind the writing, but he needed a shield against accusations of shady business tactics. Regardless of what kind of business he embarked on, Yun Ho would have comfortably supported his woman. There was no need to worry about his business skills. "Now he needs to hone his writing too." "Pardon?" "Oh... Ah! I meant, he'll need writing skills too if he wants to raise kids." Uigakju Dang Mu Gi quickly corrected his slip of the tongue. "Heh, indeed. Not just one or two, but many more." Uncle Mu Gi is right. If she shares an intense love with Yun Ho, naturally, the fruit of that love would come. Tang Hwa Rin didn't notice Uigakju's apologetic gaze as she laughed. "Ahem! He's started a delivery business using pigeons, and it seems to be doing quite well." Kang Yun Ho is organizing the Korean nationals in Hubei into a community, rapidly growing his business. Tang Hwa Rin kept her ears open to Uigakju's recounting of her beloved man's endeavors. "That's so like Yun Ho." There won't be any trouble. It's Yun Ho, after all. Tang Hwa Rin smiled as her hidden worries were resolved, but her expression wasn't entirely cheerful. Yun Ho. He must have been through a lot. She wished she could have been there alongside him. The blend of regret and guilt made it hard to fully celebrate the good news. "Ahem. Hwa Rin, you are a child of the Tang family." Uigakju, after observing Tang Hwa Rin's expression, seemed to resolve something before speaking up. "Yes?" "Your status as a direct descendant of the Tang family is the same inside and out. Even daughters of prestigious families would lower their heads to you." "Why bring this up suddenly?" She was given accommodation in the Tang family’s reserved garden, enjoying most conveniences. She was grateful for her ample lifestyle, but Uigakju's knowing expression felt abrupt. "You worry about what might happen with him alone in a foreign place, don't you?" What was he talking about? Tang Hwa Rin covered her mouth and responded. "Pfft. Yun Ho? He openly says he likes me. No matter how foxily women behave, acting clueless to his appeal is typical of Yun Ho. He thinks he's savvy about women's hearts but is totally naive." Geez. Would a woman who has no affection for a man willingly live in the same room with him? She had worked so hard. But the man she loved was the type who wouldn't be won over without that effort. "Haha." Uigakju could only laugh heartily at the familiar tale. "Even if someone expressed their affection daily right next to him, he's the kind of guy who'd ponder forever pondering its sincerity before finally catching on. There's no reason to worry. I'm just proud of how well he's doing." He's the sort to finally recognize a woman's affection and awkwardly pretend he's known all along. Tang Hwa Rin was proud and apologetic towards such a man. "So, that's how it was. I misunderstood." Why's he so flustered today? Despite bringing good tidings. Tang Hwa Rin couldn't figure out the reason. *** "A famous detective?" "By solving the Ghost Ship incident, he tackled a case no other detective would dare. All of Muhan hails him as a famous detective." The Ghost Ship incident and renowned detective Kang Yun Ho. Not long after, the branch manager of the Seocheompyo Guk in Muhan sent word to the Sichuan branch about Kang Yun Ho. "It seems he has yet another remarkable talent." "Where on earth did he acquire such skills?" The ability to write impressively, to pass the test set by Mangeumjeonju, and now this remarkable talent as a famous detective. Tang Baek Ho could only sigh in admiration at the new facet of his son. "Hasn't there been a similar occurrence in the past?" Uigakju addressed his lord with a nostalgic expression. "A similar occurrence?" "When we were tracking the devil long ago. Everyone rushed to follow footprints to the right on wet ground. But the head family stopped them. It was a trap, you said." "I remember that." "The footprint's depth was an inch deeper than usual. This was a trace of someone retracing their steps. Didn't you astonish everyone back then?" "Indeed, that was true. You sure recall events from the past vividly." In his youth, while wandering through the Jianghu, he once discovered a subtle clue that revealed a dangerous trap set by a demon. Tang Baek Ho couldn't match Uigakju's sharp memory, and he responded with a wry smile. "Where do you think Kang Yun Ho gets his extraordinary intuition from?" "I wasn't like that. I only grasped it after following the demon for a long time." It's astonishing. Catching the true culprit behind a bizarre case that everyone else had given up on. How could he think of such a thing? Even in his younger days, he couldn't have done such a feat. "Isn't he the author of 'Tales of the Tang Family'? Surely, he's gathered many old anecdotes like yours." "...Are you saying he learned from me?" Tang Baek Ho looked at his friend as though he had been hit with an unexpected reality. "Who knows." "Did that child really strive to..." Tang Baek Ho felt a sudden warmth in his chest. Yes, it's possible that his child could have heard his stories somewhere—perhaps from her. Even though his child once claimed to have a different father, did he refine such skills to become like his true father? He couldn't suppress the overwhelming emotions in his heart. "Oh! That's not the case! He said he learned skills by tagging along with renowned detectives back in Joseon." "...Is that not so." "Now we know." "..." "The manager of the Seocheompyo Guk branch in Muhan said he's immensely grateful to Young Master Kang Yun Ho." The martial artist quickly continued the story, trying to dispel the awkward atmosphere in the hall. "I asked them to help, but they're the ones thanking him instead." Tang Baek Ho felt both proud and a touch regretful. He ordered the people at the branch to assist him, yet they ended up receiving favors in return. "He saved the Muhan branch from almost going bankrupt. The branch manager even proposed that everything the Da Seo Gak sends to Muhan should be transported for free." It was quite an extravagant suggestion. Seocheompyo Guk was offering to cover the cost of river transport along the Yangtze entirely. If the Muhan branch manager weren't a relative of Kang Yun Ho, he wouldn't dare to suggest such easily. "Let them transport everything for free." Of course, his father wasn't content with just that. "...Pardon?" "Since that child has excellent commercial skills, they’re bound to expand their business. Offer free transportation not just for goods coming to Muhan, but for anything they request." "The tax impact in Hubei for Seocheompyo Guk is not insignificant, so there are some concerns." "Let them bill it to me." "Master!" "He's already drawn the line. He won't make any unreasonable demands. So if it becomes burdensome, they can secretly send the invoice to me." His child had accomplished much. This was a time when, as a father, he should offer full support. "I will remember that." Uigakju, having finished the report from Muhan, could only look on in slightly bemused admiration at his master. "He truly puts our worries to rest." "I’m already concerned about what surprising news he'll bring next." Though the master's words were gruff, they carried the unmistakable pride and affection of a father. "With his business thriving and even opening a Da Seo Gak in Muhan, what could possibly go wrong?" They could finally take a breath. With the business doing well and a Da Seo Gak opening in Muhan, there was no more need for the master to fret. "That is..." Uigakju was at ease until he heard the rest of the report from the martial artists. "Don't tell me... Is there another issue?" The martial artist nodded reluctantly. They had resolved the father's worries, but now there remained something for the Sichuan Tang family to be concerned about. *** "An indefinite hiatus?" "The news of an indefinite hiatus for 'Tales of the Tang Family' has shaken the Sichuan Tang family." "Heavens, how could this happen!" "It's due to debt, isn't it?" "It's outrageous! This is why we should never get involved with those money-grubbing vultures! They seized the rights!" "What are the master and the council doing?! Losing Sichuan Tang's pride and staying quiet!" "Exactly! Shouldn't our family step in?" "We all know it's a delicate situation." The debt issue with Da Seo Gak wasn't something that could be easily resolved. Kang Yun Ho is the master's illegitimate child. As the master's offspring, he renounced all rights. If they intervened recklessly, it would entangle the Tang family in complex political issues. Even though everyone in the Tang family was eagerly anticipating the return of 'Tales of the Tang Family,' they couldn't readily extend help. "I don't care! We should just say we're helping Ho Pil!" "Indeed, it feels like we're dying slowly. Like we're withering away without it!" "I've heard there's a possibility the issues might soon be resolved, so let’s wait." As the voices of the Sichuan Tang family's devoted readers began to pierce the sky. Following the resolution of Kang Yun Ho's Ghost Ship incident, news from Muhan finally arrived. "Ho Pil's new release is out!!!" As a cart full of books appeared, people from the Tang family gathered instantaneously. "Is it 'Tales of the Tang Family' Volume 4?!" "Has the Da Seo Gak issue been resolved?!" The release of Ho Pil's new work was such tremendous news that it seemed the atmosphere might erupt. Yet there was one detail the Tang family’s avid readers hadn’t anticipated. "No, it's a different novel!" "...What?" "Ho Pil abandoned 'Tales of the Tang Family' and released a novel titled 'Legend of the Martial Heroes'!" The novel Kang Yun Ho had kept buried within his heart. And the story he unveiled to spread the rumor of the Shadow Warrior. The 'Legend of the Martial Heroes.' When Ho Pil's new novel was released, it sent ripples through the Tang family.