676 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

No matter how proud one might be of their son-in-law, visiting the in-laws' house, especially with the father-in-law watching with a hawk's eye, can feel like walking on eggshells. Father-in-law, it's disappointing. He's the heir to the Mangeum Merchant Guild, skilled in writing, and utterly devoted to his daughter. ‘I only mentioned that I have two additional fiancées.’ Although he managed to get permission, he bolted out as quickly as possible to avoid any further complications. Of course, traveling in the dead of winter means facing the biting cold, unexpected heavy snow blocking roads, and dealing with carriages slipping into ditches. He regretted it immediately. “We will arrive in Wuhuan by tomorrow.” “F-finally!” After leaving the Jegal family and heading to Wuhuan for two weeks, he cheered at the good news while sitting at a tavern table. “How can you look half dead when it's only been a few days of travel?” “Why do you think?” As Gilsan looked at him reproachfully, he shifted his gaze to Dangpae, who was sitting next to him. Naturally, the journey to Wuhuan was accompanied by members of the Sichuan Dang family. “Kang Gongja-nim. This is not a moment to celebrate. It means we only have one day left to focus on training.” “Dangpae. I've already grasped the essentials of the knife techniques you taught me, so isn't it fine?” “No matter how quickly Kang Gongja grasped the knife techniques, without consistent practice, it’s all for nothing.” Perhaps because he had faced many life-threatening situations during the year apart, Dangpae and other martial artists from the Dang family were intent on teaching him martial arts. Thanks to this, returning to Wuhuan felt like a full-field march rather than a mere journey. “With only a day left, shouldn’t we prepare for tomorrow...?” “That’s just laziness. The lazy today do not deserve to prepare for tomorrow.” “Well, you're not wrong. But still...!” It's not as if they were looking for a fresh newcomer, so why are they looking at me like persistent fitness trainers? “Come quietly. I’ve already informed the innkeeper. We’ll start martial arts practice in the backyard.” “But we should at least have a meal.” Let's eat first. “Fine. Eating on time also aids martial arts training.” “I’ll have the dumplings and a bowl of noodles, please.” Taking a deep breath like a reprieved prisoner, he ordered food, hoping this ordeal would end tomorrow. “Alright! What about the rest?” “I’m canceling my previous order.” “Huh?” What? Both he and the server looked puzzled at Dangpae, who then shook his head and continued. “Change it to a chicken breast salad.” “Dangpae?” “Skipping grains and focusing on meat in meals aids training.” “Shouldn't we eat fresh, uncooked food to avoid impure elements?” There was a long-standing martial arts dietary practice of eating only uncooked food to avoid internal blockages. But skipping grains and eating meat? “Who does that nowadays? It’s a meat-focused diet. Only eat half as much grain when you are very hungry.” “Why manage diets like this?” “Because it needs managing. Server, bring three servings of chicken breast salad.” “Yes, three portions come to 1 silver and 20 copper.” Though he wanted to insist on ordering what he preferred, seeing that the other martial artists accompanying him ordered the same, he couldn’t refuse. “Why involve me? Just do it yourselves...” Gilsan, be quiet. —— “Kang Gongja-nim is returning!” The estate of Mangeum Jeonju appeared on the horizon. Finally, they arrived. Having heard of his impending return, the martial artists of Mangeum Jeonju opened the gates. “Open the gates! The heir of Mangeum Jeonju returns!” “Kang Gongja-nim!” Two familiar people approached with smiles on their faces. “Chonggwan-nim, Vice-General, have you been well?” Jeon I-gyeom the General and Jeon Un-yeop the Vice-General. The General was a loyalist who had served Mangeum Jeonju his entire life, and the Vice-General was a man who pledged his loyalty to Kang Gongja in this new era. Having been a significant help when Kang Gongja was embroiled in Baekmyeonhori's schemes, Kang Gongja was filled with indescribable joy at seeing the two. “Of course, it seems you've had quite a hard time. Your face looks thinner.” “I had a bit of a hard time on the way here, more so than when I was at the Jegal family’s place.” All the weight he’d gained from indulging in dumplings was shed within two weeks. “...?” “Ha-ha, it was just a tough winter journey home.” “With the cold weather, you must have had a hard journey. Did you manage to return safely without mishaps?” Vice-General Un-yeop asked with a look full of anticipation. The last hurdle to officially becoming the heir of Mangeum Jeonju was about whether he had secured recognition as a son-in-law of the Jegal family. “I’ve achieved my goal successfully and returned.” He nodded with a beaming smile. “Are you saying...!” “I received approval for the marriage from Je-gal Geuk-nim, the head of the Jegal family and my father-in-law.” “You did well! Truly well done!” Their joy, resounding enough to shake the surroundings, was understandable. Even if he was the heir of Mangeum Jeonju, without resolving this familial issue, he would be an outsider with no claims to the Mangeum Jeonju. Now, he was undeniably the heir of Mangeum Jeonju. “As expected of Kang Gongja-nim, we believed in you. Escort Kang Gongja-nim inside at once.” “Forgive us for keeping you waiting at the gate. Please bring your companions in.” “Ui Gakju! Dangpae! Let's go inside!” Why were Ui Gakju, Dangpae, and the martial artists from the Dang family hiding in the back, not showing their faces? He waved his hand, urging them to come out. “Are those unfamiliar faces accompanying...? H-hold on!” “What’s the matter?” Un-yeop, why are you suddenly so pale? Did you see someone you shouldn’t have? “S-S-S-...” “S?” “It’s the Sichuan Dang Clan!!!” Eyes filled with shock turned towards the martial artists with purple hair. “What?! Why is the Sichuan Dang Clan at Mangeum Jeonju again? Close the gates! Quickly!” "Understood!" "What on earth is going on...?" "Kang Gong Ja! Hide behind us! Guards! All guards, come out!" The General quickly shielded Kang Gong Ja behind his back as if protecting a child, shouting at the Dang family warriors. "They must not touch him. You scoundrels! Kang Gong Ja is the last hope of Mangeum Jeonju!" "What in the world...?" Ui Gakju, can you explain? As he sent a questioning look, the two turned their gazes awkwardly. "Ahem." "Ha-ha..." "Ui Gakju? Dang Pae?" Why are they all giving an awkward smile? "Kang Gong Ja! Quickly!" "It's not like that." "What?" Finally stepping forward, Kang Gong Ja stopped the guards who were about to close the gates. "Ui Gakju, just how much trouble did they cause?" Why is everyone reacting this way to the Sichuan Dang family? Do tell. "They didn’t cause trouble; they merely demanded answers." Right, they mentioned stopping at Mangeum Jeonju before heading to the Jegal family. He finally understood the situation at hand. "I remember as if it were yesterday, when your warriors stormed into the finance office." The warriors from the Dang family had come with their tempers flared when he arrived at the Jegal family. It was evident they had caused quite a scene at Mangeum Jeonju. "They just gave a little scare since no one was forthcoming with information." "..." Only Mangeum Jeonju-nim knew the truth, after all. As Kang Gong Ja sighed in exasperation, Ui Gakju looked away with an embarrassed expression. "Kang Gong Ja, what on earth is happening?" Warriors thought to have caused chaos at Mangeum Jeonju were now casually conversing with the heir. Vice-General Unyeop was bewildered and asked him. "It was a minor misunderstanding." "What? Are you saying it was all over a minor misunderstanding?" "Ui Gakju?" What exactly happened? "A-ahem! Our warriors were a bit overzealous and lost sight of things... No serious injuries occurred, as far as I'm aware..." "As far as you're aware?" "It must have been quite a major misunderstanding." "This is just..." Though the people of Mangeum Jeonju seemed bewildered, it was indeed a successful return after several months. --- "How is Mangeum Jeonju-nim?" Sitting where Mangeum Jeonju-nim should have been in his office, he asked the General. "Well..." "Still the same, I presume." Maybe due to the potency of Baekmyeonhori’s poison. Even though Mangeum Jeonju-nim was treated in time after ingesting Baekmyeonhori’s poison, he seemed unable to regain full consciousness. "Instead of hearing it from me, it would be better to consult the renowned physician sent by the Jegal family." "Please call them over. By the way, how has the work proceeded during my absence for the past few months?" "Thanks to the preliminary arrangements made by Kang Gong Ja before your departure, we managed without much trouble. We supplemented the lack of manpower with the Joseon Migrants Union." YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0YWVHY0lINGZzZ2VMWXRyRmRmcjQrM1hhV281Y3BVU2JEcWo0RW1HVFZ5Yw "Are the union people working well?" "It's astonishing how capable they are." "They weren't lacking in skills; they just needed time to adapt to new surroundings. I'm glad to hear it." Even former university professors might find themselves running laundries in unheard lands. With abundant and affordable talent available, few equaled their worth when utilized correctly. "However, solo work can lead to various difficulties, so we either created departments or encouraged working in teams." "Indeed, you are the Vice-General." "Ahem..." Excuse me, Ui Gakju. Would you mind stopping the reminiscent beard-stroking? No resemblance whatsoever. "Fortunately, you have returned just in time, as important documents that require new year's approvals have been set aside separately." He quickly went through the organized reports. "What...?!" "What’s the matter?" "You've already tackled the new year’s budget." "I thought delaying funds might cause trouble for many, so we expedited the process." "Indeed..." The budget was already settled. It’s critical to handle finances efficiently in a business domain. As he inspected another section closely, the office door swung open with a vigorous motion. "Was I summoned?" A figure who seemed only concerned with patients entered the office, unmistakably a physician. "Ah, you must be the physician! I am Kang Yun-ho of Mangeum Jeonju, here to inquire about Mangeum Jeonju-nim's condition." With a welcoming expression, Kang Yun-ho gestured to a chair, but the physician shook his head, indicating no intention to sit. "Mangeum Jeonju can get up at any moment now." "Really!" "Though I'm uncertain when exactly." "So nothing has changed since I left." "If you're so curious, go call at the bedside. Who knows if he'll wake." With an impatient frown, the physician turned to leave. "Doctor?" "I must brew the next batch of herbal medicine, so I’ll take my leave." The physician ignored further calls, leaving as though he had no other matters to attend. "Is he truly a renowned physician?" "Haha, he wasn't like this until recently." "He's a familiar physician to me as well. He was known for his kindness to patients..." Even Ui Gakju seemed taken aback. "A known kind physician acting like this suddenly?" "I too examined Mangeum Jeonju but saw no clear remedy. Sorrowfully, at times, no medicine holds against the passage of time. Physicians often feel powerless, do understand." "..." Still, venting frustration at the patient’s family seemed a bit much. Pondering, Kang Yun-ho skimmed the documents the General had brought. Documents don’t lie. If the physician is indeed kind, and records confirm his demeanor... "Kang Yun-ho?" "Ui Gakju, I need to discuss something privately." "...?" --- "Here I go." As the door to the room where Mangeum Jeonju lay was opened, the pungent scent of medicinal herbs filled his nostrils. The sight inside was too humble to belong to a man who spent his life amassing immense wealth. A well-worn desk and a inkstone, smoothed by years of use. Even the shoes under the bed were not of fine silk, but rather a pair of worn-out leather ones, lying crookedly. "We continue administering the medicinal decoctions, but he remains unable to rise from his bed." The General, who had served one master all his life, gazed at the bedridden figure with eyes full of pity. Despite resting on a comfortable bed provided by a lifetime's accumulation of wealth and taking the best medicinal concoctions, the owner of the bed lay there, devoid of energy. "Jeon Chonggwan-nim." "Yes, please speak." "Could you please have everyone leave the room?" "...I will do as you say." Without questioning my reason, Jeon Chonggwan-nim had everyone, including himself, step away from the vicinity of the room. "Sir, your successor, Kang Yun-ho, has returned." I cautiously approached the bed and spoke. Naturally, there was no reply. Only the faint sound of the patient’s breathing could be heard. "..." "As the son-in-law of Jegal Sega-ju, I, Kang Yun-ho, have returned. You should greet me properly, you know." You aren’t the type to just leave like this, are you? You should know that your chosen successor managed to sort out the succession issues by himself, thwarted the schemes of the demon cult, went to the Jegal family, and boldly received permission for his engagements. "..." Still, no response came. The elder's breath was so weak it seemed it might cease at any moment. The seed he had planted had finally taken root. Now, like an elder ready to relinquish all attachments, or a traveler concluding a long-cherished journey, his breath was shallow. "Mangeum Jeonju-nim..." The elder, as he had for the past several months, did not react. So I had no choice but to say, "I’ve had all the Dang family warriors withdrawn." I whispered my trump card into the elder's ear. "Welcome home." With a smile, the elder rose, reaching out to embrace the fruit of his efforts so gloriously returned.