678 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Kang Manager!" "Ha So So! It's been a while." After arranging the long-awaited meeting for Ui Gak Ju, the following day found me heading to the Mu Han Daseo Gak. Ha So So, who was close with Ha Yeon Lady, approached with a delighted expression. "Did everything go well with your visit to the Jegal Family?" “I met my father-in-law and returned with both legs intact.” I engaged in light conversation with Ha So So about recent happenings. "The heir of Mangum Jeonjang and a son-in-law to the Jegal Family! If I had known, I might have aimed for you instead of Ha Yeon." Ha So So looked at me with admiration, but her voice was playful, clearly not serious. "You're being silly." "Hee hee!" Ha So So, with her seemingly endless energy, continued chatting away, saying things like more tales of her legendary matchmaking skills, and asking me to introduce her to good suitors. She certainly is a lively spirit. "Is everything alright at Daseo Gak?" "Well... it's not that there isn’t a problem, but there kind of is..." A look of awkwardness flickered across Ha So So's face. "Is there a problem?" "If you look over at the members of Daseo Hoe..." "Daseo Hoe? What about them?" What could possibly be the issue? Daseo Hoe are regular patrons of Daseo Gak. If there's any dissatisfaction with the service, that's a big problem. I would need to quickly address and rectify the situation. On the other hand, if Daseo Hoe were causing trouble for the regular customers, it would be an even greater issue. The discord between loyal patrons and regular customers is a difficult matter for any establishment. Whatever it is, it's something the manager will need to handle after a long absence. I paid close attention to the direction of Daseo Hoe. "When on earth is Ho Pil Author planning to release the next volume?!" Ah. —— "It’s been months without any news of a new release, and they've run out of things to talk about." "I see..." This is Ho Pil Author. I will be taking an indefinite hiatus. I’m quite busy with personal affairs. Instead of writing, I need to focus on the heir's exam, capture the demonic cult followers, and seek marriage approval. I ask for the readers' understanding. It was only natural that the readers were beginning to get frustrated with the situation. "Kang Manager! There’s Kang Manager over there!" "Oh no!" I turned around immediately after making eye contact with the members of Daseo Hoe, but it was too late. "Kang Manager! Where do you think you’re going?" I was immediately surrounded. "I was just inspecting the establishment. It's been a long time, Daseo Hoe members. Nice to see you all." With a smile that was undeniably professional, I greeted Daseo Hoe warmly. "Kang Manager! Have you heard any news from your friend, Ho Pil Author?" "The New Year is almost upon us. Time is passing by! Surely you’ve exchanged letters with him." “Well, about that...” Ho Pil. You'll soon be another year older. Kang Yoon Ho, let’s have rice cake soup for the New Year instead of weird food this time — with dumplings. Sounds good, right? We just exchanged greetings recently. "If that's the case, tell us something! How many months has it been since the release of 'Pungun Hyubgaek Vol. 3'? Why isn’t the fourth volume out yet?" “Are you really complaining about just a few months? It’s been almost a year since 'Dangga Pungun Vol. 3' came out!” “That’s right! How can it be that there’s no news about a new novel for a whole year?!” "We heard that Kang Manager has become the heir of Mangum Jeonjang. So, aren’t all problems solved now? Why isn’t the fourth volume out yet?" "It has only just been resolved." Has it already been a year since 'Dangga Pungun Vol. 4' was due? From Ha Yeon Lady's matter to my meeting with Jegal Lady, the business with Hao Mun, the heir exam, the Baekmyeon Holi incident, and even getting the marriage approval. Life has been so hectic, time flew by without notice. "Are you implying there's still no plan to publish 'Dangga Pungun Vol. 4'?" "What did you just...?!" The members of Daseo Hoe glared at me with sharp eyes. "Uh, no, that’s not it. I just received news that the book will be released soon." Thankfully, I could finally take a breather. It feels like being an employee who's finally using up all their leave and relaxing over the end-of-year work slump, only to find the New Year has arrived with renewed leave. Of course, 'Dangga Pungun Vol. 4' is only a draft at this point, so it can't be published immediately, but that's irrelevant. A book capable of satisfying Daseo Hoe's members is in preparation. “Is that true?” “Then is 'Dangga Pungun' coming out?!” “I thought those bizarre rumors were true for a second.” “What rumors are you talking about?” Are there rumors circulating about Ho Pil Author? “The Tetraphobia taboo, they said. Rumor has it that Ho Pil Author considers the number four to be cursed, so he’s straying from it.” "What? A taboo?" What nonsense. “Just look at his reaction. It’s obviously a false rumor!” “That’s right!” “They said Ho Pil Author is unfamiliar with the number four. That he has no intention of finishing his novels. That he enjoys tormenting his readers with indefinite breaks! It’s all just baseless rumors.” “Exactly! Writing up to the third volume and moving on to something else—that’s the peculiar rumor! All nonsense!” "……" After 'Dangga Pungun Vol. 3', followed by 'Pungun Hyubgaek Vol. 3', and another indefinite break, those rumors must have started. "So! What’s the next novel? 'Dangga Pungun'? It must be 'Dangga Pungun,' right?" "You fool, naturally it’s 'Pungun Hyubgaek'!” “But wouldn’t it be awkward to release 'Pungun Hyubgaek' right now because of the Muyeong Sintu incident? 'Dangga Pungun' is the one everyone’s waited long enough for!" “Tell us, Kang Manager.” “Well, uh...” The members of Daseo Hoe were eager for an answer, but I simply couldn’t say. "It’s...?" "I will let you know next time." After 'Dangga Pungun Vol. 3' and 'Pungun Hyubgaek Vol. 3', it’ll be followed by 'Jegal Seolrok Vol. 1'. ——— "You’ve come." "Ahahaha..." I quickly escaped Daseo Gak and returned to the mansion, only to be greeted by a new dilemma. "Hmm..." Mangum Jeonju-nim, it's clear you've been through ordeals. Constantly staring like that isn't pleasant. "Surely Mangum Jeonju-nim isn’t upset over just that." I nearly died, you know. "……" "The heir risked his life running around, and just because of one little prank..." "I’ve scheduled a meeting with your father." Jang Noya exhaled a breath of dissatisfaction, as if shaking off his complaints, before speaking to me. “He’s not my father.” “Your real father doesn’t seem to think that way.” Just how in-depth did their conversation go? Jang Noya chuckled at my reflexively curt response. "I told you before, not once in my life have I considered that man my father." “I also find it bewildering, but I understand your point. Still, blood ties aren’t so easily severed.” “I’ve said all I have to say, so I’ll leave it to the elders to handle.” I am the heir to Mangum Jeonjang and listed in the genealogy as the son of the head of the family. Whether he boasts about his son or entrusts me to someone else, their meeting must take place. Since it's unavoidable, I should lend my support to Mangum Jeonju-nim to avoid any further entanglement with the Tang family. I emphasized the discomfort between my real father and me, speaking as if resigned to my fate. "You’ve truly found your place firmly in the world of Middle Earth now." Mangum Jeonju-nim nodded knowingly at my intentions and smoothly transitioned to the next topic. "Indeed, you’re at a point where you're beyond reproach." Being the heir to Mangum Jeonjang and a son-in-law to the Jegal Family means I’m not someone to be taken lightly anywhere. Although the disdain for my black hair is still unavoidable, having someone by my side who can proclaim, "Don’t you know who this is? This man is the black-haired son-in-law of the Jegal Family," would likely carry weight. "It's about time you started thinking." “Thinking about what?” "Exactly what I said. What do you want to do now?" “What?” "I'm asking what you want to accomplish." The question from Mangum Jeonju-nim was completely unexpected. —— “Are you asking about the dream I want to pursue?” Mangum Jeonju-nim nodded slowly in response to my question. Indeed, the affairs of Daseo Gak, Ha Yeon Lady, and Jegal Lady have all been resolved. I've been recognized as both a son-in-law and the heir to Mangum Jeonjang, allowing me some breathing space and the luxury to think. Now it’s time to contemplate the future. "A merchant without ambition is merely a tradesman counting money daily, and a man without dreams is no different from a dead man." "I expected you to say, ‘Since you’re my heir, follow my will.’" Truthfully, I was surprised. I fully anticipated this old man, used to his way, to insist on me following his wishes. “One mistake is enough...” Jang Noya looked out the window with an expression full of regret. ‘Is he thinking of his long-lost son?’ While I don’t know the full extent of Jang Noya’s personality in his youth, it likely wasn't any less than now. His sole child must have borne the burden of dealing with that temperament. Whatever the nuances between the two of them, he’s not someone who fails to learn from mistakes. "I made a promise to father-in-law." Considering what I truly want to do, I cautiously addressed Jang Noya once I composed my emotions. “What is it?” “I promised to make you known not as the head of the Jegal Family, but as Kang Yoon Ho’s father-in-law.” “……” Was the claim that unexpected? Mangum Jeonju-nim’s eyebrows rose in surprise, which was quite amusing. "I plan to become famous, famous enough that when people hear about having a black-haired son-in-law, you'll take pride and boast rather than be ashamed." “Heh heh. Yes, a man should indeed dream that big!” Mangum Jeonju-nim couldn't suppress a satisfied smile. "If I don’t want to end up getting thrashed by father-in-law later, I’d better work hard." Surprise, father-in-law. What if I am actually already married? To avoid getting beaten up once you find out, how famous should I become? "I wish to give you an option." Mangum Jeonju-nim observed me with a proud expression for a moment, then continued speaking. "An option?" "One is to work by my side for a few years and learn." “Quite orthodox.” As the heir to Mangum Jeonjang, it's expected that I would undergo training to take over. Naturally, I anticipated this path. "While you learn, establish your family regardless of whether it involves the lessons for Hyaangi as a new bride or the training of the Tang family’s fiancée. Within five years at most, you’ll become the husband of two women." "Three women." “……” In fact, it’s five right now. The future is uncertain, of course. "You can’t be speechless when you’re the one who arranged for them." If it were my first time, but you arranged for the last one as well, you can’t look dumbfounded. Jang Noya, realizing he had no retort to my jibe, just clicked his tongue. "There’s nothing wrong with a man womanizing as long as it doesn't interfere with his main occupation." “I'll keep it in mind.” Strictly speaking, my main occupation is womanizing. But there was no need to mention that. "Learn about business succession as you write your novels. Once Hyaangi returns, settle down and begin inheriting the enterprises I’ve run." A comfortable path. I could settle and live easily while continuing my creative endeavors without dissatisfaction from people like the members of Daseo Hoe mentioned earlier. But this is supposedly the first option. “What’s the other option?” “Expansion.” Jang Noya presented me with a more challenging choice. ——— "If the writing recognized by the Jegal Family is anything to go by, your fame resounding throughout Jiuzhou is not out of reach." "You flatter me too much." "As a writer, you may not be able to protect your work." I quickly understood what Jang Noya meant by this. "…Are you talking about publishing rights?" In a world with a scant understanding of copyright... At this very moment, my works might be copied without permission anywhere, and the funniest part is, technically, it isn’t even illegal. If there was no bookstore nearby to support the novelist, it wouldn’t matter if another shop started printing the works. My hard-written words would merely feed someone else's belly. “In Hubei Province, it doesn't matter, but as soon as the works cross the boundary along the waterways, those words will never be yours again.” “There were several times I almost had my work taken right from under my eyes.” Living with Hwa Rin, I nearly lost my novels. Daseo Gak was nearly taken by Mangum Jeonjang, and in Mu Han, I even witnessed Heo Song selling my novel without permission. 'Becoming the heir of Mangum Jeonjang is necessary to preserve my writing.' It was one of the reasons I nodded when offered the heirship test. “My business ventures, which I’ve worked on all my life, only extend to Hubei Province. The next step is yours to take.” “So, you’re saying to expand the business into other regions.” Though Mangum Jeonjang is the top establishment in Hubei Province, it only reigns supreme within the province's borders. Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hunan, Anhui. Numerous regions have their own renowned enterprises. “When I’m laid to rest, until the children sharing your workload grow up, you’ll be busy holding onto what you have.” “That’s true, but... You're not seriously ill despite rising from your sickbed, are you?” I did speak to Ui Gak Ju about taking it easy. “The timing is ripe for you to spread your ambitions. While I'm still full of vigor.” “Ambitions…” “The choice is yours.” A path of ease or one of challenge. Engaging in both successor training and creative pursuits. Living earnestly would lead to marriage and family eventually. The reputation may not grow quickly, but it will gradually increase. The easy path is certainly not a bad option. However. “Do I need to hesitate?” 一 Yoon Ho oppa. There is a woman I must save. “……” 一 Will you really wait for me? There is a woman I must meet again, before it's too late. “I’ll expand the business. I’ll do it.” Indeed, there was no need for hesitation.