670 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"How is the investigation of the Seongmu Library progressing?" Moyong Sang-A, master of the Chang Bong Pavilion, shifted her focus to another priority after receiving reports that it would take time to treat the injured doctor. Currently, Moyong Bi stands as the heir, following the principles of succession as the family's leader, Moyong Cheon, has fallen unconscious. In a family with such a storied history, the position of heir is not one that can be easily changed unless there's overwhelming justification. Thus, Moyong Sang-A revealed a card no elder could dare object to: the Seongmu Library. During its peak, when the Moyong family was acknowledged as the finest in the world, the Seongmu Library was a repository of their martial knowledge. Entrance was traditionally reserved for past leaders and direct descendants who had achieved a notable level of martial arts prowess. Claiming the family leader title involves recovering the long-lost library, proving one's right to lead, and restoring the family's lost martial arts and glory. No one opposed this goal. "We've limited the search areas to several regions you specified, but the scope of the search is causing difficulties," came the response. "Father didn't burn all those library records for no reason." "It's not just the wide plains of Manchuria we must survey; the Tian Mountain range also demands inspection." "Wasting the family's assets to such ends... It would have been better to focus on the present," Sang-A contemplated. Searches for the Seongmu Library have become a family enterprise, draining their resources. Moyong Cheon, the family head, decisively burned the library's documents, marking a clean break with the past after showing them to his daughter. He must not have imagined that she would seek them again. Regardless, Sang-A's mind was filled with clues about the Seongmu Library. "Luckily, among your suggested locations, some suspicious sites have been found," she was informed. "That's good news." "However..." "What seems to be the problem?" "With winter upon us, the ground is frozen, halting further progress." Shovels and picks could hardly penetrate the hardened earth. "Winter in the North is long, and our foes could reveal their ambitions at any time." "I'll make sure they hasten the search however they can." There was no time to spare. Finding the Seongmu Library was essential, not only to challenge Moyong Bi but also to gain the strength to oppose the demonic cult. "I don't know why, but it seems the Chang Bong division has been bustling lately," Sang-A commented, observing the lively and somewhat boisterous atmosphere of the division. "It's more than likely due to Commander Moyong Seop's return from the mainland. Witnessing the Central Plains firsthand probably left him with much to share." "Though enjoying conversation is fine, I'm worried tensions might rise over the antidote issue." Even if her father could be healed, it remained problematic. Her brother would likely play some trick. With a heavy heart, Sang-A watched the distant Chang Bong division from afar. "We'll tighten the reins," agreed Commander Chang Bong. —— "Quick! Give me the next volume!" "Volume 2 of 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise' was borrowed by the leader of squad five." The sudden commotion in the Chang Bong Division was not entirely unexpected. 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise.' A novel brought from distant Hubei province was causing a stir throughout the division. "Leader, how can you not have read it yet? How could that be?" "I've been savoring each word slowly, engrossed in its details." "This is why you're always just one step behind the leader of squad four!" "Why bring that up here!" "Hurry with volume two! The Best Courtesan of Hubei! Quickly!" "Is it really that exciting?" Everyone who read a volume eagerly sought the next, and those who finished the last volume despaired over why there wasn't more. Even those in the Chang Bong Division who hadn't read it yet found it impossible not to be curious about 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise.' "Though I've read many books in my time, I've never read a novel that kept me on edge as much as this one." "If everything else I've read was like eel jelly, this novel feels akin to tasting a delicious eel rice bowl with centuries of tradition." "I agree! Just like the savory umami of an eel rice bowl deepens, the tale of the martial world is captured so exquisitely. One must wonder what kind of scholar wrote this." Reading it felt like enjoying fortifying nourishment on the languid days of summer. The martial artists of the Moyong family could not restrain their praise. "It seems to be written by a scholar who's lived by the pen all his life, yet the historical accuracy is so precise it could truly be written by a martial artist from the Tang family." "Not for nothing is it by Ho Pil! These days, hardly anyone in Hubei doesn't know them. Keep up with the word on the street in the martial world." "Ho Pil surely is an extraordinary pen name. Is it because they write with a superior foreign brush?" "So you think they're a foreign writer because they use that name?" "In any case, no foreigner could pen such work. Someone deeply knowledgeable about the martial world, perhaps a scholar or a Tang martial artist, could pull it off." These were the Moyong family's martial artists, who've always faced off against foreigners. They laughed off the idea of a foreign writer as a ridiculous joke. "Commander Moyong Seop! Truly, there are only up to three volumes of 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise'?" "Since three volumes came out last year, surely it must have reached about six by now?" Though the novel had been captivating, duty came first. It was a regret that Moyong Seop hadn't managed to stop by a Da Seo Gak selling the series due to his packed schedule. "By now, the main character must have reunited with the Best Beauty of Sichuan, if they haven't already!" "That must be it!" "Is there no way to get more volumes?" "Why don't you try traveling from Yodong province to Hubei yourself?" Crossing the Central Plains just to retrieve a novel was an impossible task. "Ugh... There must be another way..." "To the training grounds! Now!" "Why are they all rushing there?" Moyong Seop rubbed his forehead, watching the martial artists heading to the training grounds. "Ah, my head. There’s only one spare volume, yet so many want to read it... They're fighting to get it, aren't they?" "Commander Moyong Seop, if you knew it'd be like this, you should've brought more copies." "Do you know how difficult it is to carry a stack of books from Sichuan to Liaoning?" Books are heavy and voluminous. Without the firm intention to show 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise' to his companions, it might never have reached the Moyong family. "Well, that's true." "Let's watch the spectacle." What could possibly happen? Moyong Seop and the other captains of the Chang Bong division decided to watch the martial contest with interest. "What is everyone doing?!" "Commander?!" The situation was brought to an abrupt halt by the booming voice of Commander Chang Bong, who appeared following Moyong Sang-A's orders. ** "A novel?" "It's a novel Moyong Seop brought back from the mainland..." "They drew swords over something as trivial as a novel?" Drawing swords for such a petty reason as who gets to read a novel first was unacceptable. Commander Mo Yong Pyeong frowned immediately. "A trivial book? How could you say that? This novel is a must-read for the martial artists of the Tang family." Not only Moyong Seop but his subordinates as well, reacted as if they had just heard someone insult their parents. "A must-read? This novel?" "Not just that, in Hubei province, everyone knows about it. When I was waiting at the dock, every other person was talking about 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise'." The Yangtze River carries people and stories along its waters. The tale of the book, which had gained fame in Wuchang and Yichang, was rapidly spreading along the river's route. "What kind of book did you bring?" To be a must-read of the Tang family and the most famous novel in Hubei—Commander Chang Bong was compelled to re-examine the book in his hands. "Why else would the members engage in martial matches just to secure the next volume?" "Regardless of that! The captains are well aware of what’s happening within the family. Encouraging unnecessary waste of strength!" "I have no excuses." "The book 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise' will be confiscated." "What?" "Commander?" When a problem arises, the fastest solution is to eliminate the cause. With a stern expression, the commander confiscated all copies of 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise' from his subordinates, who had been sharing them among themselves. "If anyone fights over such a trivial matter again, there will be severe punishment! Spend your time wielding your swords instead!" No matter how extraordinary the book, unnecessary violence over it was inexcusable. As commander, he reminded the subordinates of their priorities. "We understand." As the commander turned away, the martial artists of the Moyong family could only watch helplessly as 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise' was carried off. "Honestly. Given the current situation, is this really the time to get engrossed in trivial novels? Really..." The commander focused intently on the contentious novel. For the Chang Bong division to be disrupted by a mere novel was irritating, yet one particular claim gnawed at him. —This novel is a must-read for the martial artists of the Tang family. For it to be the must-read of the Tang family, which is among the top five in the current martial world... Unless Moyong Seop was lying, there had to be a reason why the Tang family revered it as required reading. "Hmm... let's see." In the end, 'Tang Family's Meteoric Rise' found its place not in a fire pit but on the shelves of the commander's private library. —— "You wish to purchase a printing press?" A few days later, Moyong Sang-A received an unexpected suggestion from Commander Chang Bong. "Yes, until now we've outsourced our printing needs. Wouldn't it be better to own one?" "We're not a bookstore; is there a need to purchase a printing press?" Moyong Sang-A tilted her head in curiosity, not seeing the necessity for a press as they were not frequent publishers. "Well, you never know when a must-read for every martial artist might fall from the sky." "...?" His explanation was perplexing. "Ah! Ahem! It’s just that, for running our iron cavalry, training manuals... I believe there may be more uses than we expect." Today, the commander's demeanor seemed odd—both awkward and strangely excited. Mulling over whether to probe further, Moyong Sang-A decided to let it go. "If it's no loss having one, go ahead and acquire it." Purchasing a printing press didn’t require significant funds, and she saw no reason to deny the commander's request as he was her aide. "The entire Chang Bong division will be grateful for your decision." The commander expressed sincere gratitude. More confused than before, Moyong Sang-A left that day without understanding why the books were being copied or why the martial artists of her family were cheering the decision.