681 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

The Jin Joo Un clan of Hunan Province. Not the Jin Joo Un clan of Hebei Province, but of Hunan. Some might say it's indicative of a world with little foundation. Although, there are some misunderstandings. It's not that the Jin Joo Un clan of Hunan Province doesn't make sense. On the contrary, if we're speaking of origins, the Jin Joo Un clan of Hunan is more foundational than Hebei's. "When you say Jin Joo Un, the 'Jin Joo' is actually a place name in Hunan Province." It's quite an amusing story. Originally, in the works of Jin Yong, a master who uses the kung fu of the Eon Clan first appeared. As a master from Hunan Province, that is. "The origin of the Jiangshi is also tied to the funeral culture of Hunan Province." Hence, if a family dealing with Jiangshi were to emerge, it should be from Hunan Province, known for the Jiangshi legends, not the Hebei Province near the imperial family. So, why is the Jin Joo Un clan of Hebei Province famous? "The crux of the issue began long ago when the place name 'Jin Joo' in Hunan was erased due to administrative reform." Naturally, Korea's martial arts genre has a long history. Herein lies the problem. In times when the internet was less developed and finding materials was challenging, martial arts writers searched for the place name 'Jin Joo' and couldn't find it in Hunan Province. In the end. “There’s a Jin Joo in Hebei. So, the Jin Joo Un clan must be from Hebei.” Much like the confusion between Songdo in Busan and Incheon or Gwangju in Jeolla and Gyeonggi Provinces. It was an issue foreign toponyms hunters faced. Just as a miscommunicated word in the game of telephone spreads to everyone, the Jin Joo Un clan transitioned from being a family of Hunan Province to Hebei Province. “It's an ironic situation where the Jin Joo Un clan of Hebei Province became fundamental. But why does this world stick to that background?” So, should I clap while eating chicken as a late-night snack, because a martial arts game kept historical accuracy? “Why did they only take feedback on ridiculous settings like this?” A laugh escaped, half in disbelief. I collapsed onto the bed. I could feel the plush yet firm resistance of the spring, entirely uncharacteristic of a martial arts setting. Should I be pleased or not? "Yeah. They did read the feedback, after all." I often wondered. Did I fall into this world because I gave feedback to the scenario manager? Or did some unknown grudge from a junior cause my fall? It's most likely the scenario manager read it and cast me into this world. “Full of ego but hates hearing advice, yet asked for it anyway and only tweaked some side setting?” I don't know who the scenario manager is, but I can imagine them reading my feedback with lips pouting obnoxiously. They expected nothing but praise, but what they got instead was a brutally honest punch from a devoted martial arts fan. How upset could they be? “Right, it was odd that the water and sewage systems were so tidy.” Even if it's a visual novel, isn't everyone too clean? Why is there such a perfect sanitation system in a martial arts world? Once I arrived, I found hot water and soap readily available from the faucet. Yes, I gave feedback, but it was on such minor issues that I didn't think much. It seems the feedback had been subtly implemented since I came here. “So, the core characters' settings weren't touched, but the world's setting was altered?” Then why not change the currency and food? I’m content with the abundance of food, but I don’t get the criteria. “A world that improved based on my feedback.” Is this the level of improvement? I wanted to say a word to the original author, but it's unlikely they'd listen. --- “The Jin Joo Un clan's funeral calamity.” During the time of the Great Political War, the calamity that befell Si Wang's family. Before I hosted Si Wang, also known as Eon Woo Jin, as an honored guest, I had to clarify something significant. “Am I responsible for the setting change…?” Was it my advice that turned the Jin Joo Un clan in Hebei into one of Hunan Province? Hunan was a battleground during the Great Political War, bringing misfortune to the Un clan. Should I feel guilty about this? Reaching a conclusion wasn't hard. “It’s a joke. The one who inserted the setting is another person.” In the original work, Eon Woo Jin is one of the Ten Reserved Elders. Since the Ten Reserved Elders aren’t fully explored in the story, I wasn’t privy to all the past settings. The setting might have existed even before the location change, and I’m not the one who inserted such events regardless of the location change’s impact. Telling a reckless driver to obey traffic laws, only for him to obey the signal and then get hit by a car crossing the center line—should that be my responsibility? ‘Nonsense.’ Instead of sobbing and saying all misfortune is my fault, going for a hospital visit bearing generous gifts and wishing for a swift recovery is more fitting. Naturally, there might be a slight concern as a human, but guilt was misplaced. “Taking responsibility, to begin with…” 一 Sangong. People come to realize things belatedly. With a sudden influx of memories, I bit my lips. Could there have been another way? Even when the best measures were taken in urgent situations, guilt often follows after the fact. 一 Are you truly waiting for me? “Should I not have asked Sanhasajik to connect me?” Unconsciously, I ran a dry hand over my face. The image of a stunningly beautiful face with tears filled my mind. In the face of longing, sorrow, regret, and guilt, all I could present was a promise. Once a thought lingered, not even a dry run of my face could shake it off. “A karmic debt. It's karma.” Lifetime single. Kang Yoon Ho. Describe the emotions of a man who's never dated in his life when he shares his first kiss with the renowned beauty of the martial world. enN1WnIzcFhHMVJuR0JvdkNPc013MDgwWEJZai9nczNqRVVMbEllSyt6WnJnd2xqc3RJU2xpWE1IZGZzaUorUQ Upon realizing, it was a first love. Upon realizing, he understood that one must eventually take responsibility for their actions. “The grievances regarding Si Wang were scratched by another matter.” I opened a window and let the cold air brush against my flushed face. In truth, the feedback on the Jin Joo Un clan was an afterthought. Initially, it was feedback about Eon Woo Jin’s setting, and the rest was an aside. Who would have thought the Jin Joo Un clan's setting would change? Despite having lived in this world for three years now, it's still full of surprises. --- "Deputy Chief, how are the restaurant reservations coming along?" As I took over the management of Man Geum Bookstore and began preparing to host guests, the date of Si Wang's arrival was fast approaching. "I've reserved three restaurants where Man Geum Jeon Ju previously dined with Si Wang during his previous visits." "Good. Let's take him to the place he seems most pleased with. Gil San, how about the tavern?" "I've reserved Huaweol Pavilion. It's a tavern known for entertaining high-ranking officials, where one can just drink if they desire." "Huaweol Pavilion? That's quite a feat, given it's a place with frequent reservation backlogs. Well done." If it's the best tavern in Wuxia, it won't disappoint. "You did well." Gil San flashed a mysterious smile and slightly arched his eyes, "So what's with that sly look?" "Once I dropped your name, the reservation was promptly made." "My name?" Did the heir to Man Geum Jeon Ju's name carry that much weight? "It seems Huaweol Pavilion's owner was subtly miffed." The owner of Huaweol Pavilion is Gi Mun Hyang Ju. "Ah..." Right. I was so busy on arrival I couldn't pay my respects. After being away for several months, it's only fair she might feel slighted if I didn't visit. "Isn't Huaweol Pavilion run by the former greatest courtesan of Hubei?" The Deputy Chief questioned with curiosity. "She's like a grandmother figure." Though she'd scold me if I called her that. "They say she still retains the beauty of her twenties." "Gil San..." Know when to stop. You know this already. I glared at him, but he just found it amusing as he continued, "Everyone understands that becoming a son-in-law of the Zhuge family and frequenting taverns like Huaweol Pavilion isn't something to be critiqued. You should visit her when you're free." This guy. Could have mentioned it sooner. "I probably should." Indeed, she’s the most reliable elder in Wuxia. Offering sound advice and treating me genuinely like a grandchild, I'm grateful beyond words. Though calling Gi Mun Hyang Ju a grandmother and seeing her reaction is quite entertaining. "Kang Gongja!" While considering when to go, a servant came rushing over. "What is it?" "They've spotted the flag of the ship carrying Si Wang from the dock!" --- "Man Geum Jeon Ju?" "Why is he at the port? Is something happening?" The excitement and surprise among people were understandable. Just like someone holding a sign at the airport to greet arrivals, we stood with Man Geum Jeon Ju’s flags collectively. Everyone's eyes were on us, wondering what was happening with Man Geum Jeon Ju. "The passengers are disembarking." "Notify me immediately when Si Wang disembarks." Being one of the Ten Reserved Masters of the martial world, I was genuinely eager. Among the top ten masters in Wuxia. As a devoted fan of martial arts novels, having the chance to host such a legendary figure was thrilling. I watched with anticipation as the ship's gangway lowered. "Of course, but..." "Oh my goodness!" "Mother of!" "Hurry down!" "...What?" What's going on? People were descending in shock and haste. They were not just getting off but almost escaping as if an emergency evacuation was underway. “Let’s move slowly!” “Yes! Yes, understood!” As passengers hurried off, the dock workers who followed looked tense. Why are they reacting like this? My curiosity piqued as an unusual sight emerging from the ship captured everyone's attention. "A coffin...?" A wooden coffin. The object carefully carried down by the workers was unmistakably one used for transporting a corpse. "Did someone die?" "There’s more than one coffin?" Indeed, it wasn’t just one coffin. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Five wooden coffins were slowly placed at the dock. "Kang Yoon Ho. Is that...?" "Hold your horses." An unsettling thought similar to Gil San's fleeting concern crossed my mind, but I chose to wait. Someone had appeared on deck. His face and hair bespoke of a stern middle-aged man, snowy white. Despite his youthful appearance, the streaks of white in his hair made discerning his original color difficult. "It’s done." Despite his words being few, they carried an immense weight like an ancient, stubborn tree. Almost as if inside the youthful exterior lay roots extending through ages. "Elder, what do you mean 'it's done'?" "When will you transport them all?" "What should we...?" The white-haired man had no reply. [Rise.] He called out towards the coffins. "This is madness!" The coffins started to shake. Startled, the workers dropped them. The crowd, now aghast, began retreating. Although I never met the man before, given the sight of the rising corpses, there was no mistaking who he was. “That, that…” “Yes. That man.” One of the Ten Reserved Masters of the martial world. Si Wang, Eon Woo Jin. I knew him. But there's something the world doesn’t know. An improved world. An aspect I could never overlook, the reason behind my feedback on a character only mentioned in the setting. A tale from the world before its improvement. As I watched the Jiangshi rise from their coffins in broad daylight, I recalled the setting I passionately argued to change. Eon from the Reserved Masters. The one who controls the essence of life and death. “The Lich King.” I quietly uttered the nickname remembered by no one else in this world.