671 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"You've worked hard." "You did well too, Chief." The evening in the northern territories as the sun set. Moyong Sang-A, having completed a grueling day of demanding work, returned and collapsed into her office chair. "As expected, even the officials are reacting sensitively." "Since the Moyong family has shown the operation of heavy cavalry, it's only natural for them to be sensitive." The Moyong family had begun deploying iron cavalry. These were troops that even government forces hesitated to train due to budget issues, preferring instead to fortify and defend castles. Suddenly, a group of iron-clad cavalry appeared, riding fine steeds and wearing shining armor, which made even military officers tense, while surprised those officials who had been forewarned. Naturally, Moyong Sang-A had to rush to the office when a sudden summons arrived. "It was visible that they were just itching to request a draft." "For a single family to possess forces capable of threatening government troops is no small feat. Though they're called iron cavalry, they're martial artists clad in iron armor." If there was something unique about the Moyong family's martial arts compared to other martial arts in the Central Plains, it was that their skills were tailored for mounted combat. Even as a notable martial family, how could they possibly stand idly by if the iron cavalry, intended for suppression of barbarians, were directed towards them? Officials vehemently questioned Moyong Sang-A about this issue. "Thanks to my brother's help, it was resolved peacefully." There was a risk of having to disband the carefully nurtured iron cavalry, but she had a way to quell the controversy. "I never expected you to outright refuse such unreasonable demands from government troops." "How could troops, who stood by until the Jurchens invaded the official roads, protect the Moyong family's business route?" An official road guaranteed safe passage. The Jurchens' invasion of that road suggested a failure by government forces to intervene. If trust in government forces from Liaodong Fortress falters, how can personal security be maintained? Moyong Sang-A spoke, capitalizing on Moyong Bi's strategy. "Even more so, as it was the Moyong family's warriors who were attacked by the Jurchens. The officials came with the intent to make an issue of the iron cavalry, and it was quite satisfying to see their embarrassed faces." Chief of Changbong couldn't help but be impressed as he recalled his lord's counterarguments. "If our Moyong family were not in Liaodong Fortress, but in the Anhui province where the Namgung family is, or in the Sichuan province with the Sichuan Tang family, we'd be the first to be suppressed." If not for the bribes discreetly sown in advance and the strategic location of Liaodong Fortress, such influence would have been impossible. "The officials need every hand they can muster against the barbarians, so they cannot recklessly disrupt us." "We must remain vigilant. Reward the officials who supported the Moyong family handsomely, and send gifts to those officials who opposed us." No matter how much she is regarded as the mistress of Changbong Fortress, she was only just beyond her coming of age. Though she deftly handled today's issues, political battles with seasoned officials were exhausting even for her. It is prudent to prevent troublesome matters in advance. Moyong Sang-A knew wisely how to employ money effectively. "I'll see that it is done. You must be tired, so rest." "Chief." "Yes, do you have a command for me?" Despite Chief of Changbong's question, Moyong Sang-A's answer didn't come immediately. She shifted her gaze quietly downward, silently observing the shadow of the orchid. The orchid stood resolutely green even in the chill of winter, yet cast a shadow as the sun set. Though she hadn't wavered while officials from Liaodong Fortress grilled her vehemently, she now seemed so diminished gazing at the orchid. Without taking her eyes off the orchid, Moyong Sang-A spoke, her voice strained. "From Joseon... has there been anything?" The orchid decorating a corner of the office where the owner of Changbong Fortress resided came from Joseon. ----- "The survivors of the Kang family, as you know, lack nothing in terms of convenience. As for other updates…" "Nothing yet...?" A moment of silence passed. The guilty could not lift their heads, and those attending to the guilt-stricken dared not speak out of sympathy. "As for news of Kang Gong Ja's corpse, despite exhaustive inquiries, it remains an unsolved mystery." Who took the body of Kang Yun-ho, who had been posthumously dishonored? To retrieve the corpse alone was to risk beheading under charges of treason. Where could Kang Yun-ho's body have disappeared to? Though it concerned foreign affairs, the Moyong family had discreetly sought the whereabouts of the body. "Whoever took the risk to retrieve his body must have had strong ties to him." Chief of Changbong chose his words carefully as he reported the details of his findings. "He may have had drinking acquaintances casually, but it seems he had no lifelong friends after making a name for himself." "Haven't we looked into other areas as well?" "We checked with the courtesans too. Though he enjoyed revelry, he didn't particularly favor any one courtesan. Nonetheless, contrary to popular belief, he was often kind to those courtesans in unfavorable circumstances." "Kind, you say?" "He would prevent a pregnant courtesan from being dismissed, distribute grain to a courtesan's aging mother, or procure expensive medicine for a sick courtesan." "So the rumors of his debauchery were exaggerated, it seems." A small smile appeared on Moyong Sang-A's lips. "Of course, the infamy was not entirely untrue, but it appears he was a man of culture popular among the courtesans." No, my lord. Kang Yun-ho was indeed a notorious scoundrel. It's only that he was kind to the courtesans. Chief of Changbong did not bother to correct his lord's impression. It wasn't that he shied away from tarnishing the reputation of a deceased ruffian. Rather, he didn't want to spoil the small solace his lord found in news of the deceased noble's past kindnesses. "Perhaps..." "Speak your mind." Moyong Sang-A struggled to find the words to continue. Moyong Sang-A appeared not as the decisive leader with clear answers even in moments of crisis, but rather like a woman tormented by the small actions of a beloved man, somehow appearing uneasy. She knew she had to ask. Just in case. Managing to calm her quivering eyebrows under the weight of anxiety, she finally spoke. "Is there a way to find out if he had a woman he shared affection with...?" Even for Moyong Sang-A, investigating the romantic entanglements of a beloved noble was a daunting task. "It is reported he had no such serious romantic involvement with any woman. The courtesans said the same, which only seemed to stir up a competitive spirit among them." "..." "My lord...?" Moyong Sang-A naturally turned her head. His affection was entirely hers. Should she feel joy or sorrow? It was difficult to manage the corners of her mouth wanting to move. Even while feeling shame in her cowardly emotions, she found her trembling heart difficult to control. "If someone retrieved Kang Gong-ja's body, they must have a connection that we are not aware of. Please investigate further." "I will see to it." Once the Chief of Changbong left, Moyong Sang-A retreated to her chambers and lay down. Fatigue weighed heavily upon her body. Guilt from being an undeservedly beloved villainess pressed hollowly against her heart. The worry of still not finding his body pressed heavily upon her mind. "Gang Gong-ja..." The mistress of Changbong Fortress could not find sleep. ** "Line up and come get yours." A few days later, a large cartload of books arrived in front of the Chief of Changbong. "Chief of Changbong, what on earth is all this?" "The lord has permitted the purchase of a printing press to reward the hard work of the Changbong division." The Chief of Changbong proudly gestured to the mountainous pile of books. "Could it be all...?" "It's The Tale of Tang Family's Woes." "...!" The martial artists of the Changbong division were left speechless. It was the sort of book for which they'd even settle rank with duels to share. And now there it was, in an overwhelming heap. "Even though the Moyong family may be considered a frontier martial arts family, is it right for blades to be drawn over a book that Central Plain readers can easily access?" "My apologies." As the Chief of Changbong clicked his tongue in reprimand, the team leaders bowed their heads on behalf of their subordinates. "I understand why you did it, I do. It's quite an exceptional novel. I found myself engrossed and reading till dawn." "So even you, Chief!" "It felt like a great enlightenment, even at my age." The Chief of Changbong's eyes sparkled, reminiscent of his younger days. "Indeed. To us, it was like being struck by an arrow to the heart, quite shocking." "Ahem. I informed the lord that it was a must-read for any of Moyong's martial artists, and understanding our plight, the lord bought us a press. Now, should you desire a book, just request it from the printers." "The lord..." "The lord personally saw to it that we had copies of The Tale of Tang Family's Woes." The lower-ranking martial artists of Moyong Bi's Changryong Office were grateful just to receive their wages, but the martial artists of Changbong even received novels. Proper treatment naturally fosters loyalty. Who else would so diligently care for the needs of their subordinates? The martial artists of Moyong's house gazed at The Tale of Tang Family's Woes with inexpressible gratitude. "No need to make too much fuss about it! It's the tale of a young hero rising against the demonic cult! Isn't that a must-read for Moyong family martial artists?" "Yes, truly it is!" "Ho-pil the author! A remarkable figure in the Central Plains!" "If Ho-pil hears that the Moyong family not only shared his novel but also reprinted it for more reading, he'd surely dub us the devoted readers of Liaodong Fortress." "Naturally, writers hope for many readers to enjoy their work, do they not? Surely they would appreciate us as steadfast readers." Nodding, the Changbong martial artists picked up copies of The Tale of Tang Family's Woes. Choosing the lord's Changbong over Moyong Bi's Changryong Office had been the right decision. The loyalty of the Moyong family's martial artists only grew stronger by the day.