680 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Jinju Ungaga. In the martial arts genre, what is most important to the various factions is not sheer strength, but how unique they are. They say there are so-called Nine Great Schools, but as if only those with petals swirling around them, drawing Taiji, huddling beggars, or sects made solely of women, and those that are the strongest without the use of weapons are well-known. Survival is not for the strong; those who survive are strong. In the martial arts genre, a unique character ensures recurring appearances across novels, but even the mightiest sect will perish as just a feature of a single story if lacking character. Jinju Ungaga, in that sense, was a martial family that had endured over a long period. Ungaga's distinct identity is represented by its unique martial arts, specifically the art of fists. It's peculiar for a martial family to focus on fist techniques; it's undoubtedly distinctive. Of course, just one fist technique isn't enough. Even in the martial arts genre, the Hwangbo family is also renowned for fist techniques. They are even located near Mount Tai. For martial artists in Korea who grow receiving the spiritual energy of their backyard mountains, real estate means power. There's a reason the Nine Great Schools settled on famous mountains in the central plains. 'A fist technique carrying the name of the greatest mountain, Tai Mountain!' Owning property and being recognized as an accomplished martial artist of a reputable family beats using mere techniques named after one's family. Already, Jinju Ungaga was on the brink of a crisis in the Martial Arts Distinctiveness Grand Competition. While Hwangbo is more often mentioned due to Shaolin's fist techniques, Jinju Ungaga tends not to be used very much, not even secure in real estate speculation. Being proficient with fists alone isn't enough; yet, there was a reason Jinju Ungaga survived for so long in the martial arts genre. "The Ten Kings of Jinju Ungaga, Un Woo-jin." A Jiangshi (Zombie). The only family in the martial arts world that deals with Jiangshi. Jinju Ungaga's enduring presence and uniqueness in the martial arts genre were thanks to this trait. "You mentioned being born and raised in Joseon; I assume you're not familiar with the entire Inner Ten Elders." "It's quite similar." It's briefly mentioned in the original work, after all. Even when I whimsically said that Dokmuhoo became Hwarin's teacher, it's not like I couldn't immediately recall the Inner Ten Elders. It's not like all ten were featured in the original work either. There were reasons beyond simply not recalling the name Un Woo-jin. "Indeed, it makes sense. They were martial artists who were active during the Great Battle of Black and White in my younger days. It's already been half a century since then." Would the expression be that of a senior reminiscing about celebrities from their youth that young people nowadays know nothing about? Jang Noya nodded with a bitter acknowledgement of the passing years. "They rarely engage in external activities, after all." Though the Inner Ten Elders are considered the secret strength of the martial arts world, they are already veterans who have retired from active duty in the martial arts. "Do you have any connections with the Inner Ten Elders?" "There are long-standing ties." Judging by Jang Noya's expression, it seemed like a delightful memory. "If individuals who seldom leave their home come to visit, it must be a favorable connection." "Being figures of renown in the martial world, they could become significant ties for expanding your business in the future. You must treat them with utmost courtesy as guests." The Inner Ten Elders. The Ten Kings, Un Woo-jin. Indeed, forging a connection would be beneficial. "Are there any favored foods, or specific things to be mindful of?" "He's a tad unpredictable." "Pardon?" An unexpected answer. "In other words, he can be described as having a difficult temperament." "Good heavens. Even Mr. Mang Geumjeonju finds him challenging?" That Mr. Mang Geumjeonju was shocked enough to be put off by his temperament was truly surprising. "...?" The expression on Mr. Mang Geumjeonju was as if questioning what could prompt such a reaction from someone with a good nature like him. "As they say, 'Birds of a feather flock together.'" Mr. Mang Geumjeonju furrowed his brow immediately, unable to hold back from giving a snappy comeback. "Then are you akin to that rascal Gil-san?" "Do you by any chance have a fondness for Tai Chi?" Wow. That actually stung a bit. It felt like I got hit with a perfect counter. "If you're going to spout nonsense, why not go visit the people of Dang family." "The Dang family?" "Who knows martial matters better than martial artists themselves? Your family members haven't left yet, so if you wish to inquire about the Ten Kings, go ask them." The business of martial arts is left to the martial artists, indeed. I rose with a smile towards Jang Noya, who clicked his tongue. —— "Un Woo-jin? Are you referring to the elder of the Ten Kings?!" I hurried directly to Ui Gakju, Dang Mugi. "Yes, he’s coming as a guest to Mang Geumjeonju. I came to see if there's anything I should be aware of." enN1WnIzcFhHMVJuR0JvdkNPc013MG1RR1ZwRWZsdVI2aW1ncXJGNGxnVWMvU1k1RTc0azMxWmVnb1hVbGdJRg "......" "Why does everyone react like this?" Not only Ui Gakju but the Dang family members gathered there, including Tang Pae, also looked grim. "Kang Gongja, the thing is..." "Tang Pae, remain silent." "Is it because he's a Jiangshi master?" "......" They all avoided my gaze. "Surely not. Are they discriminating against Jiangshi masters despite the ridicule directed at users of poison and hidden weapons?" Why is it a righteous faction even though they use poison and hidden weapons? Why is it a righteous faction despite dealing with Jiangshi? Both the Sichuan Dang family and Jinju Ungaga have faced similar questions. "That is not the reason. Given he is a great senior of the martial world, I will inform you as much as I know." "I would appreciate that." Since it involves welcoming a distinguished guest, it would bode well to learn the backstory. "Lord Ten Kings was once the head of Jinju Ungaga in Hunan Province. It is heard that he has passed on leadership to his successor and is spending his remaining years peacefully." "Jinju Ungaga of Hunan Province...?" Unconsciously, my brow furrowed. "Do you not know of Jinju Ungaga, the prestigious martial family of Hunan Province?" "No, please continue." "In his younger days, Lord Ten Kings was a purposeful Jiangshi master. He would guide the bodies of those unjustly died on foreign lands back to their hometowns." "A typical task for a spiritual envoy." In martial arts, Jiangshi masters are typically daunting opponents due to their expertise, but in reality, a Jiangshi master's task is closer to moving corpses. "That task was a thorn in the side for both the righteous and the wicked factions." "What?" "The most active area for the forces of the Demonic Cult is Gangnam, while the orthodox factions are most active in Gangbuk. So, then, which area was the most intense battleground?" "If by Gangnam, you mean the area south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, then it would've been Hunan Province if they wanted to expand westward." Ui Gakju nodded slowly, confirming the answer was correct. "It was already a time when hostility between both sides was at its peak. Now imagine a young Jiangshi master raising corpses from the battlefield, claiming he would bury them in their homeland." "At a time when even innocent doctors were stabbed for treating the enemy, he really put himself in the spotlight." There were even doctors in the martial world who were reluctant to treat warriors because of this. "At the time, Jinju Ungaga was caught between righteousness and evil. Ungaga was a prestigious family and refused to ally with either side, so no one made a fuss, but the Great Battle lasted long enough." "Long enough for hostility to fester." I could imagine how things might have unfolded. "Indeed. Then an incident occurred." "An incident?" "The Changsha Incident. The Demonic Cult deliberately attacked Ungaga, brutally massacring the family of the Ten Kings." "Damn..." "It was also the event where the young Jiangshi master, Un Woo-jin, earned the title of the Ten Kings." Tang Pae, who was listening, interjected. "What do you mean by that?" "Hunan Province was the battleground of the Great War between the righteous and the evil, and there were plenty of corpses. It was an opportunity for everyone to witness what a furious Jiangshi master could do." Ui Gakju shook his head with a sigh, sadness tinting his voice as he recounted the tragic incident. "......" "He single-handedly annihilated the faction accused for the crime. The only one to walk out as living was one, and those who walked out dead were many." "It's said the dead from that time never found peace. Even those from the Martial Alliance who welcomed Ungaga as an ally were questioning if he had to go that far." "I wondered why everyone was so uneasy about one of the Inner Ten Elders." Even among martial artists divided by righteousness and evil, using the dead as weapons left a bitter impression on both sides. "He may be a senior figure in martial arts, so if you can form a connection, it would certainly be beneficial. This is a good opportunity, so host him generously." Ui Gakju encouraged me with assurance that there was no need for excessive worry. "He'll be visiting in a few days; will you meet him before you go?" "Erm, I plan to depart right after recovering from travel fatigue..." Why did everyone avert their gaze? Who exactly was I dealing with? —— "Changsha Incident." A tragedy that occurred in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. A warrior losing his family and awakening to seek revenge—it's a horrific event, but listening to it now, it sounds like a classic martial arts tale. "So many things happened during the Great War between the righteous and the evil. That's part of why there's such caution towards the Demonic Cult that instigated it." "What good is earning fame after losing one's entire family?" A story that, no matter how satisfying, leaves a bitter aftertaste. "You're right about that." "From what I know, that might not be all." Tang Pae quietly inserted himself into the conversation. "Hmm?" "I recall hearing somewhere that there might be a daughter or granddaughter." "That can't be. The current head of Ungaga is Lord Ten King's nephew, isn't it?" If there were surviving children, it's unlikely the head position would have been passed to a nephew. It was a reasonable doubt, even for me. "I remember hearing about it somewhere." "Hmm. Was there a survivor...?" Ui Gakju merely tilted his head in puzzlement as Tang Pae spoke with such conviction. "What does it matter? A tragedy is a tragedy." "Indeed, that's true." "By the way, there's something I'd like to ask." Whether there's a daughter or granddaughter matters little. What I was intrigued by was another matter. "I've told you all I know, but go ahead." "It's a personal curiosity." "Go ahead." "Is it truly Jinju Ungaga of Hunan Province? Not Jinju Ungaga of Hebei Province?" I asked to confirm once again. "You must be confused about the geography since you've recently arrived in the central plains. It is indeed Jinju Ungaga of Hunan Province." "Is that so? About the nickname, the Ten Kings—" "Hmm?" "Isn't it rather grim, despite being intuitive? Is there any chance he dislikes hearing it?" Master of the Dead, King of the Jiangshi. Compared to titles like Sword King or Blade Emperor, it certainly wasn't a pleasing title to hear. "Though we met as martial competitors in the past, that was never an issue." "Is that so..." Perhaps my assumption was correct. "Is something the matter?" I smiled, shaking my head toward the puzzled Ui Gakju. "No, it's fine. I have preparations to make as the host. I'll take my leave." —— "Jinju Ungaga of Hunan Province." A small stone cast into a pond causes ripples. Though I returned to the mansion, my mind couldn’t easily settle. While not violently turbulent, questions continued to cast ripples in my heart. Hebei Province (河北省) and Hunan Province (湖南省). Despite similar-sounding names, their locations are entirely different. Hebei Province is north of the Yellow River, near Beijing, while Hunan Province is south of the Yangtze. And therein lies the problem. "In the original, it was Jinju Ungaga of Hebei Province." The Jinju Ungaga I knew was certainly in Hebei. Furthermore: "You must be careful with the setting of Jinju Ungaga in Hebei Province. Isn't it a martial arts visual novel with the imperial family? But does it make sense for a family dealing with Jiangshi to be in Hebei, right under the imperial family's nose?" That's exactly what I wrote in the feedback I sent. In the original martial arts visual novel, it was Jinju Ungaga in Hebei Province. In the martial arts visual novel world I've entered, it's Jinju Ungaga in Hunan Province. That leaves only one conclusion. "The setting has been changed...?"