684 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"This is a directive to head to Honam Province." "That's surprising news to hear right after my hard-earned return." Upon my return, I was assigned to a local post, and, confused at this unexpected development, I looked toward Mangumjeonju. "It seems you've slightly swayed the King’s heart." He acted on impulse before any persuasion. To think I'd be abandoned in the mountains. It was reminiscent of the challenging first year of survival in Zhongyuan by Kang Yunho, a fond memory indeed. Though I had food and could start my journey after resting at a slash-and-burn village, it felt leisurely. When smoke from the firewood stung my eyes and tears streamed down, it felt like one of those tear-filled camping trips. "Since I was struggling anyway, I managed to serve faithfully and return." I spoke brusquely, but Jang Noya looked at me with eyes full of pride. "Long ago, the King personally came to me. He wanted funds to be extended." "The King himself?" "There is a debt the Jinju family owed, and he asked me to cover it." "Making people uncomfortable has always been his style, it seems." "Hahaha." Jang Noya laughed agreeably at my remark. Issues about money—he was head of a family directly affected by the strife of the political wars. Even for the King, matters of money couldn’t be helped. "Even for close friends, money is another matter. How did you handle it?" Mangumjeonju isn’t an easygoing person, so perhaps he refused politely? Or maybe, given the prosperous estate Murim holds, if he could find a source of income at harvest time, he might have loaned it at a high interest. "Seeing his trouble, I willingly paid it." "What?! Mangumjeonju did that?" It was neither of those things—I must have misheard. I asked again in disbelief. "I told him he didn’t have to repay me. Moreover, if he needed more money, I promised to facilitate it gladly." "You weren’t coerced in any way, were you?" Nevertheless, Mangumjeonju kept smiling and shook his head. He could even extract money from a landlord of present market stature if needed, and yet he willingly lent money to the King—I couldn’t fathom it. "Take this." Mangumjeonju handed me a thick stack of documents from his possession. "This? Isn’t this the Jinju family's debt document?” Jang Noya handed me the document that recorded the sum loaned to the family over a long period. "Honam is connected by the waters of the Yangtze River and neighboring Hubei to the north, and Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Jiangxi to the south. If you can expand your business in Honam, you won’t have to concern yourself with ventures in southern regions." "So you're advising to concentrate on Honam rather than expanding into the underdeveloped southern regions. But then why give me this debt document?" You said the Jinju family doesn’t have to repay it. Suddenly handing it over doesn’t make sense. "I only said they don’t need to repay me personally." "What do you mean by that?" "The debt document is yours now. It details when and how much was borrowed and how the funds were utilized. Presenting it to the Jinju family would fluster them, and even the King would find it hard to ignore." Go to Honam. Only then did I understand his intent. "Could it be... Were you waiting for this day?" The scope of Mangumjeonju’s enterprise is limited to the influence of Jegalsega in Hubei Province. Honam is different. Even if something is your own, in this world, it's hard to protect it without power. Honam is nearby, but without support, conducting business would be challenging. Expanding the business. I shall endeavor. If you wish for your heir to spread their wings beyond their nest, what preparations must you make? "Hahaha. It’s a pity I won’t witness the King's flustered expression myself." A merchant by trade. Mangumjeonju. Jang Sewang. If it cannot be bought with money, then it can be with even more money. What he handed me was an endeavor prepared long ago for the future. —— "Welcome." "Greetings, Gimunhyangju. I apologize for not visiting earlier due to the hectic circumstances." While preparing to head to Honam, I visited Hwaryin at Flower Moon Pavilion. "Considering the storm you’ve been through upon arrival, it’s understandable." In typical fashion, Gimunhyangju acknowledged without a hint of concern. His broad heart was as admirable as his vast chest. "You went through the trouble of securing this meeting just with my name. I sincerely apologize." "Think nothing of it. I am aware of the King’s unpredictable nature. Was everything resolved to satisfaction?" "Don’t even ask. Phew! Being dragged by my father-in-law was enough of a trial." I exaggeratedly sighed while jesting in front of Gimunhyangju. "I heard something of the ordeal. It must have been difficult for you." "When Hwaryin spoke about the Jegalsega, I realized her father-in-law’s glare could be lethal." "What did you just say?!" Gimunhyangju’s eyes widened at my casual bombshell revelation. "When the topic of Hayeon Sojeo came up, I barely escaped by a hair's breadth." "Why act so hastily! That's a matter to discuss after marriage!" Indeed, I intended to do just that. How was I supposed to know three-fifths of it would be revealed? Gimunhyangju Chuyeon, being the master to my mother Hyangae, took in my gentle exaggeration of the ordeal with a sorrow-stained smile akin to a child burdened by grown-up tales. "Gimunhyangju, I shall not repeat past misfortunes." "Hooh... " Gimunhyangju discerned my words quickly and, with a touch of pain, drew his pipe repeatedly to his lips. “I stated firmly I cannot part with any of them—Hyangae, Hwaryin, Hayeon Sojeo.” "Hooh. Seeking marriage approval from the youngest daughter of the Jegalsega... What a predicament." Despite grasping it, it was still complex. Both shocking and, in a way, something to be proud of. When various thoughts whirled in Gimunhyangju's eyes, partially obscured by subtle smoke, “Yes, so I received the approval.” I revealed the truth with a smile. "What...?!" "I have returned as the officially recognized son-in-law of the Jegalsega." YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0WEVMakQwTU5oeXJWQS9rYXRFNllYU2pmTjJHTGt4SURPV0laOU9PTExmNQ "A man who resolves to take responsibility cannot cowardly hide his beloved women." The sight of Gimunhyangju dropping his pipe in surprise was quite amusing. ———— "You're heading to Honam Province?" "Isn't the new year just around the corner? I plan to celebrate the new year and then depart for Honam immediately." "You young folks are always bustling about, while we old folks lament our lack of time." Gimunhyangju, harboring displeasure at my plight, furrowed his elegant brow. "It's a choice I've made." "You...?" "To be a husband and son-in-law of whom no one would be ashamed, one must strive diligently, right?" "Indeed. Managing three women simultaneously is no small affair." The truth is, it's not just three, which is why I'm putting in extra effort. I need to work very hard so that my fathers-in-law don’t conspire to tag-team and turn me, Kang Yunho, into five parts. "True. I thought I’d give this to you later, but it's well-timed. Take it." Gimunhyangju handed me a black plaque from his chest. "Isn't this a Black Token? It seems oddly sized for a military pass." Why is this black iron token warm in the midst of winter? I tried not to think about where it just came from. "This is called an Opae. It means you’re recognized as representing Haomun in Hubei, with the consent of the Mangju or Hyangju five." The name "Opae" stems from being the black token issued by the five of Haomun (下汚門). Quite amusing. "Why grant me such a precious item?" "Didn't you declare your intent to realize your ambitions? With the Opae, the support of Haomun will be at your disposal, no matter where you go." It was a gift from Gimunhyangju. In business, information is essential. Wherever you venture, seek Haomun's aid. Gimunhyangju, seeing me proudly as the disciple's son, likely sought the consent of other Hyangju personally. "Grandmother..." I addressed her, voice brimmed with gratitude. "..." Wait. Grandmother, why are you tucking the Opae back into your chest? "No! Gimunhyangju!" My mistake. I'm sorry. It was just a joke. "Take it." —— "It's not just about hitting the target accurately with the dagger. It has to be fast and precise." The dagger hits the target. Quickfire. Without any preparatory movements, going from start to execution was like an ambush; I could handle a few right at the beginning. "Limit your opponent's movements. Fast and precise doesn't mean impossible to dodge." He launches the dagger. Though as quick as before, this time the sense at the fingertips differs. The dagger traces a curve, embedding into the target with movements almost akin to artistry. As Uigakju suggested, the trajectory perfectly blocked a side of movement. "The first dagger is precise and accurate. The second one supports the first. And the third dagger?" "With all your might." He employed his Sohongsteel technique. Though a single motion, it traced the trajectory of three daggers. First is the restraining throw. Second is the changing throw. Third is a full-strength straight throw. *Thud!* The dagger doesn’t simply pierce the target. Instead, it shatters it, sending both it and the fragments scattering with a loud noise. "Truly mastered it in such a short time." "This must be the Nan Yeong Bi! Right?" Among the practiced trajectories, this was the cleanest. Elatedly, I called out to Uigakju. "Is it the bloodline...?" "Sorry?" "Nothing. Congratulations. You have achieved the first level of Danga's Nan Yeong Bi." What I mastered was Danga's secret art—a dagger-wielding martial art known as Nan Yeong Bi (亂影飛). "I'll make good use of it." Was it right for me to learn Danga's secret art? Though I wasn't entirely free from reservations, having faced life-threatening situations numerous times, I realized: Staying alive is paramount. It wasn't a strictly exclusive secret, so it carried less of a burden. "Don't neglect your training just because you're busy." A challenging promise, but I nodded. "Are you leaving now?" "A brief pause is enough. With urgent news to relay to Danga, I plan to leave when the day turns." Though I need to head to Honam, it was time for Danga's warriors to depart for Sichuan Province. Setting aside my reluctance, I looked up at the sky, now shimmering with starlight. "The new year is almost here." "It's upon us already." From Sichuan's Danga to Yi Chang, then from Yi Chang to Wuhan, Wuhan to Jegalsega—it feels like the entire year has slipped by. "Kang Gongja, does Wuhan also do that for the new year?" Dangpae asked me, a subtle anticipation dancing on his face. I turned to see that even though it was deep into the night, all of Danga's warriors were wide awake. Even those tasked with guard duty, who would usually be asleep, were busily roaming around. "Isn't everyone still awake, hoping for it?" "Haha!" "It’ll begin soon." It was expected that everyone at the residence was still awake. A remarkable fact about this world is that it follows the lunar calendar, not the solar one. So, new year here aligns with our Lunar New Year, akin to the Spring Festival. The Spring Festival. Though they don’t hold bell-ringing ceremonies like in our culture, there are other new year celebrations. In large cities especially, the nation itself hosts grand events. Here it comes. "Commencing!" A sound slices through the sky. Traders, martial artists, servants, all look up expectantly at the dark heavens. With an explosion, myriad colored flowers bloom against the dark sky. "Wow..." The night sky painted with fireworks heralded the new year. The grandeur matched that of a major city. As expected of the birthplace of fireworks. No matter how old one gets, the thrill of fireworks remains unchanged. Amid the spectators, smiles also blossomed. "Kang Gongja!" "Lord!" Exchanging glances with everyone, the newly arrived year, I wished for everyone's health and happiness, and we all jubilantly shouted: "Wishing everyone a prosperous...!" "““““Happy New Year (謹賀新年)!””””” "It's Happy New Year, Kang Yunho." "..." "What is it?" "It's nothing." Indeed. That much is true. Laughing, I resumed watching the fireworks set against the sky. At last, the new year is here. As the third year in this world passed, Kang Yunho turned 23. He finally found his place, but there was no time to rest. "Let's go. To Honam Province." It was time to press on, looking forward to new encounters and reunions.