655 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"The Jegal Family is targeting Hopil?! What on earth does that mean?!" Why was a man, who sacrificed everything and left for his lover, forced to cohabit with the precious daughter of the Jegal Family? It was all because the Jegal Family's influence reached out towards Kang Yoon-ho. "Which family in the current murim (martial arts world) values talent above all else? Even if someone has dark hair, which family would welcome them if they have talent?" Only a family like the Jegal Family, which judges people solely by talent, could do such a thing. The Jegal Family was behind all these conspiracies. The news that was previously hard to comprehend began to fit together perfectly, like flawlessly meshed gears. "They saw the potential in Dang Ga Pung-un and took note of Hopil's talent? Still, it's unbelievable. Dark hair! Welcoming them as a guest of the house and accepting them as part of the family are entirely different matters!" In the midst of the heated debate, a rebuttal was immediate. If it were about hosting an esteemed guest, it might have been accepted more readily. But bringing a person with dark hair into a prestigious family as a son-in-law was another issue entirely. "If the person with dark hair is Hopil, it's a different story." "What?!" "Have you ever read something like 'Dang Ga Pung-un' or 'Story of Heroic Deeds'? Have you ever seen such a talent for storytelling like that in murim?" A harmonious blend of literary and martial skills; if it was the Jegal Family, they would inevitably desire such a talent. No, it was someone they wished for even more, being the Jegal Family. With Hopil, the story changed. "Well, that's true, but still!" "Tsk tsk tsk. The Jegal Family has already drawn their swords against us, yet we failed to notice." One of the cadres from Dang Family clicked his tongue and looked at the martial artist who presented the rebuttal, as if asking if he still hadn't realized. "What do you mean by 'drawn their swords'?" "Think about it. What was the first thing the Jegal Family did while targeting Kang Yoon-ho?" "Didn't they take away Dasugak, his only asset?" As soon as the reply was given, a deep sigh escaped the cadre. Of course, it was the Jegal Family. The schemes they devised weren't easy to discern unless one possessed considerable depth of thought. It was terrifying how they became adversaries. The cadre opened his mouth to those who still hadn't grasped the Jegal Family's stratagem. "That's precisely the Jegal Family's deception! A method to divert people's attention elsewhere and hide their true intention within! Think carefully! By losing Dasugak, what did Kang Yoon-ho—or rather, what did we all lose?" "Don't tell me..." The true purpose of taking Dasugak flashed through the martial artist's mind. "Dang Ga Pung-un. That was the real target of the Jegal Family." "...!" "Does the Jegal Family intend to procure Hopil and eliminate Dang Ga Pung-un...?" "Those insidious Jegal Family members couldn't stand seeing Dang Family's reputation rise thanks to Dang Ga Pung-un!" "Was it all the Jegal Family's scheme from the beginning?" Unbeknownst to them, the Jegal Family was already wielding a knife to their throats. They intend to snatch away the novel most cherished by Dang Family. The faces gathered at the head house of Dang Family started to show signs of alarm. "Isn't this jumping to conclusions too hastily? Don't fall into the error of judging based on results. Just because they knew about Hopil's identity..." This might be too much of a leap. Caution was needed. A rebuttal immediately sprang forth. "They forced an arranged meeting from the start." "Tang Hwa-rin. What did you just say?" The crowd directed their gaze toward Tang Hwa-rin. "Yun Ho. Mangum Jeonju Grandfather took Dasugak and said if he wanted it back, he needed to meet his granddaughter first. Yun Ho had nothing but Dasugak, so he had no choice but to agree to the meeting." Tang Hwa-rin recounted the contents of the letter sent by Kang Yoon-ho. The eyes of those gathered at the head house widened. As soon as Dasugak was seized, he was asked to meet her. If their goal wasn't to target Hopil, why else would they arrange a meeting with a daughter of the Jegal Family? Hwa-rin, I didn't initiate this. Truly, please believe me. Kang Yoon-ho only wanted to emphasize that the meeting wasn't of his own volition, but within the head house, it seemed more like presenting much-needed circumstantial evidence. "Not just the result but from the very start? Does this truly mean the Jegal Family was targeting Dang Ga Pung-un...!" "It was all an effort aimed at Hopil from the beginning!" "Accursed Jegal Family!" The genesis of this entire conspiracy lay with the Jegal Family. As suspicion solidified into certainty, anger erupted in the head house of Sa Cheon Dang Family. --- "Nonsense! Even if it's the Jegal Family, they wouldn't accept a son-in-law with dark hair so easily! It's not just any branch; it's the youngest daughter of the head family!" Once doubt takes hold, it knows no bounds. Someone, attempting to calm the heated atmosphere, presented a logical argument. "Didn't you hear what was just said?" "No matter how exceptional the man, marriage involves family status. They likely think he is an orphan with no roots; how could he marry into a prestigious family like the Jegal Family?" While people from humble backgrounds may marry out of love, a family with the history and tradition like the Jegal Family differs. "That's..." "If Kang Yoon-ho were legitimately from a decent family, I might believe he could become a son-in-law to a prestigious family. However, in the current situation, not to the extent of the Jegal Family." The man's assertion left everyone momentarily speechless. Because it was a valid point. The possibility of the secret about Dang Family's lineage leaking was slim. If anything, being rumored as an illegitimate child of Dang Family would have met even more opposition. No matter how talented a man he may be, how could such a prestigious family give their youngest daughter to a rootless orphan? Yet, the man overlooked one key fact. "The Jegal Family is making arrangements to address this very eligibility issue." "What do you mean?" "Man Geum Jeonjang, that's what I mean. Being a successor to Man Geum Jeonju can align closely with the family's status." As the top establishment in the Hubei Province, if one were the heir of the Man Geum Jeonjang, it changed the scenario entirely. "No matter how short the history of Man Geum Jeonjang might be... Wait! The current head of Jegal Family's father-in-law is, indeed, Man Geum Jeonju..." "While Man Geum Jeonjang's history might be brief, who could voice dissatisfaction if the current head of the family welcomes his father-in-law's successor as a son-in-law?" "To insult his father-in-law's family is to dishonor Jegal Ga Ju himself. This provides a background that no one within the Jegal Family could critique." "Hahaha..." Everything fit together again. Even the man who previously offered a rebuttal could do nothing but laugh. "I heard he hasn't officially become the successor of Man Geum Jeonjang yet." Since the exam wasn't passed, he isn’t the successor yet. He tried to argue, but then Ui Gak Ju interjected. "They seem to have tested a test within a test." "Ui Gak Ju, what do you mean by 'a test within a test'?" "It was thought to be a mere test of business acumen. However, he formed an association of Koreans in Wuchang and proved his insight by being called a famous detective." "So they've already confirmed not just his business prowess, but also his ability to lead and foresee the future as a successor." "It's likely not about testing but reaching a stage of certainty. Would the Jegal Family have matched him with their youngest daughter for no reason?" "Yes. As soon as they were satisfied with Yun Ho's endeavors, they forced them to live together." Tang Hwa-rin also confirmed people's deductions with the contents of the letter. "Allowing the youngest daughter's path to marriage to be blocked without hesitation means they're really sure." The situation was indeed serious. The expressions of those gathered at the head house of the family began to harden one by one. Allowing his precious daughter to cohabit before marriage was a declaration to acquire this man for their family at all costs. Mangum Jeonju and the Jegal Family were considering Kang Yoon-ho as the successor to Man Geum Jeonjang. Those gathered could only think of it that way. --- "Everyone, calm down! We might be rushing to conclusions!" Even if it seemed logical, more composure was needed. As the head house boiled over, an Elder from the council had to intervene. "Oh Jang Ro-nim." "From the head of the family to the Elders! Isn't everyone getting swayed too easily by the fear of losing Hopil?" "Isn't the situation dire?" The rebuttal came from another Elder in the council. "It might not be a conspiracy! All this because the Jegal Family wants Hopil as a son-in-law? Perhaps Mangum Jeonju simply viewed Kang Yoon-ho favorably and desired him as a successor. Isn't that sufficient?" There's no need to confront the Jegal Family directly. More careful examination of the events was needed. Oh Jang Ro endeavored to calm everyone. "To take away the son-in-law of his closest friend?" "Th-that!" He was at a loss for words instantly. "Yes, you're right. Mangum Jeonju probably sees Kang Yoon-ho as a successor. But don't you realize even your statement could be part of the Jegal Family's scheme?" "Becoming a successor is also a scheme?" "Think about it. Mangum Jeonju has no sons. If things continue, the daughter's children will split the inheritance. But if a successor exists?" "Naturally, the successor would carry on the family business." Indeed, but the ensuing discussion was far from conventional. "If that successor is an orphan. To run such a vast enterprise, whom will they rely upon?" Running a large business cannot be done alone. Even Mangum Jeonju has entrusted portions to his daughters. Kang Yoon-ho is an orphan, a stranger to the Dang Family. If he formally acquires Man Geum Jeonjang, trusting those without a drop of shared blood would be hard. So whom would Kang Yoon-ho trust the most? "Could it be... the in-laws?!" "Man Geum Jeonjang would become another pocket for the Jegal Family." "...!" Oh Jang Ro’s eyes widened as if he were struck from behind. "The Jegal Family likely whispered promises. Even if your father-in-law passes, there’s a man within our Jegal Family who'll support you to the end!" "Because it's Hopil." A man desirable as a son-in-law for the Jegal Family appeared. Though an orphan, a bit of maneuvering could make him a person who illuminates the Jegal Family’s prestige. "Indeed. They may have hesitated ethically, but the more they saw, the more tempted they were. Naturally. Right before their eyes was a child with blood as vivid purple as it gets." "Urgh." Even if he left the Dang Family, the purple blood wouldn’t vanish. He inherited the blood of the man leading the Dang Family. How could he not manage a single enterprise? "Even Mangum Jeonju didn't want to steal away the granddaughter-in-law of a close friend. But faced with age and the fear of losing everything to nothing, he succumbed to the whispers of the Jegal Family." The situation began to unfold in the minds of those gathered. An aged and ailing Mangum Jeonju. Even with a late-arriving successor, he likely agonized over whether his life’s work could be preserved. Then appeared the Jegal Family. A man capable of being a literary and business force supported by the Jegal Family appeared. Such a man even held the potential to be the successor of Man Geum Jeonjang. Let's appoint him as the successor. "It seems to make sense, considering the circumstances." Ultimately, Oh Jang Ro could only agree. --- "What on earth was the Branch Leader in Wuchang doing! How could they remain unaware of such matters for nearly half a year!" Despite advising Seo Cheon Pyo Guk to keep a close eye on Kang Yoon-ho, how could they be oblivious to the Jegal Family’s sly schemes until it was too late? The rage of the head house was redirected toward Seo Cheon Pyo Guk. "They claim that it was extremely difficult for the Wuchang Branch to notice that a lady of the Jegal Family was living in seclusion within the residence." The leader of Seo Cheon Pyo Guk, drenched in sweat, had to endure the rage in place of the Wuchang Branch Leader. "It's outrageous to set up house with a prestigious family's daughter before marriage! Was Jegal Ga Ju that impatient?" "Likely because Dang Family’s eyes and ears are everywhere. They probably advised laying low." "Damn it! Was that also part of Jegal Family’s scheme?" In truth, it was simply because Jegal Hyang preferred staying at home. Since Jegal Hyang entrusted any necessary external activities to Im Ha Yeon, there was no need for her to go out frequently. It was more about her comfortably supporting Kang Yoon-ho from home. "There’s no reason to hastily push Jegal Family's youngest daughter into cohabitation. Clearly, it was a quiet and forceful way to advance the relationship." "What a terrifying bunch..." If sightings of Jegal Ga Ju’s daughter had been more frequent, Seo Cheon Pyo Guk would likely have noticed earlier. The arrangement of cohabitation had its reasons, it seemed. There's a risk of losing both Kang Yoon-ho and Hopil. All of it seemed to be part of the Jegal Family's conspiracy. The Dang Family, engulfed in a sense of crisis, found themselves trapped in a web of doubt and suspicions, unable to escape from the depths of their suspicions.