686 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Eon Ja-myeong from the Jin Ju Eon Ga clan." Thanks to my brief sojourn through difficult times, the meeting with the head of Jin Ju Eon Ga proceeded smoothly. A clan renowned for its martial arts and mastery over talismanic arts. The head of Jin Ju Eon Ga, indeed. But why is there a bear sitting instead of a person? "I am Kang Yun Ho, the successor of Mang Geum Jeon Ju. It's an honor to meet the famed Thunderclap Iron Fist, Eon Gaju." Look at the size of those fists. They're not human hands, they're bear paws. So that's why he's called the Thunderclap Iron Fist; with hands like those, he must be capable of crushing a man's head like a lightning strike. I've heard that families practicing martial arts often have many with imposing physiques, but this is beyond imagination. "I heard one of our clan's warriors offended you at the entrance." As expected, a warrior from their clan. He went straight for the core without any preamble. "The welcoming was a bit rough, to say the least." "It seems there was a mutual misunderstanding." The head of the clan eyed me from top to bottom. It's your fault, anyway. Why show up looking like that and confuse everyone? It's no big deal, and the head has even come out to meet me, so let's just let it slide. It was a typical way for a superior to delicately dismiss an issue. "I suppose I was born to be misunderstood." "Heh heh..." The unexpected retort drew a chuckle from the head of the clan. It was clear that my appearance as a Joseon native had led to discrimination. Where are you hoping to sweep that under the rug? Being discriminated against for being a "barbarian" is something one can easily cite as the reason, but not in this situation. Kang Yun Ho has come representing Mang Geum Jeon Ju. Mang Geum Jeon Ju has a long-standing connection with the Si Wang Master. The slightest misstep could transform a simple act of discrimination into an insult to one’s parents, affecting Mang Geum Jeon Ju and the Si Wang Master. Sure, you could blame me for not revealing my identity right away, but even that is tricky. 'It's because I deliberately kept my identity vague.' Who should be blamed? Vagueness can be important. When assessing blame, you have to consider the context and the positions involved. Discrimination for being a "barbarian" is understandable. But if you make a guest roll in the dirt just for that, the story changes. Other reasons lose their impact. Ultimately, the situation ends up being the fault of their clan. I spoke with an understanding expression. "You needn't worry too much. If it was nothing else, I merely got a firsthand experience of the formidable fists of Jin Ju Eon Ga." "What do you mean by ‘nothing else’?" "Oh... Just that... I apologize. I must first meet the Si Wang Master to discuss some pressing matters." Feigning embarrassment for a slip of the tongue, I averted my gaze. The head of the clan was reputed for his integrity. Come on out, Si Wang Master. I have no business with you. Gently yet firmly, I nudged the Gaju's authority. "My uncle? He's currently not available." "He didn't return after visiting Mang Geum Jeon Ju?" "He has gone out again." "It's a shame we missed each other." Feigning disappointment, I sighed in front of the superior. I don't care about someone of the Gaju's level. The real figure of authority is the Si Wang Master. Certainly, the person with relevant business, the superior certainly fits the profile, but the head of the clan is still the head. It’s a delicate matter, gently irritating the Gaju. The Gaju's brow furrowed more tightly. "Perhaps it’s due to matters concerning Mang Geum Jeon Ju. I've heard my uncle has an old connection, and that his health is in a dire state." "Fortunately, he has regained his senses. However, given the chaos, he couldn't discuss our long-standing agreement with your clan, so as his successor, I’ve rushed here myself." "Our agreement with your clan?" "As the Si Wang Master is currently unavailable, I’ll return after tidying myself." Goodbye. Take care. I ended with a courteous bow. It's as if I’m not being treated as the head of their clan. Even if I'm just a young, brash stranger, isn't it rather impolite? It's tricky to point out, given the situation of being subtly excluded from matters concerning the clan. "Speak to me about it." Making it so he wants to step in of his own accord. "To you, Gaju? Oh... That is..." Once more, I looked away with a troubled expression. It’s an issue if you intervene. I’m gently provoking his integrity. "Didn’t you just mention it was an agreement with our clan? During Mang Geum Jeon Ju’s time, my uncle may have been the Gaju, but now it's me." It's my business. Matters concerning my clan. The giant bear finally stepped into the trap. Inwardly, I celebrated, making direct eye contact with the Gaju for the first time. "Indeed, it's something you should be aware of, Gaju, but..." "Speak freely. There’s no need to involve my uncle; I can resolve this." "It's because of this." I presented the bear with the identity of the trap. "A document? What's this?" "A debt contract, signed under Jin Ju Eon Ga’s name, by the Si Wang Master." "A debt contract?! Wait a moment! What amount are we talking?" Surprised, aren’t you? I thought the numbers might be mistaken when I saw it too. "That's why I insisted on meeting the Si Wang Master first." "What is the meaning of this..." The massive bear could only look aghast at the trap gripping it tightly. —— “Is this document, indeed true?” “It’s the debt accumulated by the Si Wang Master over decades with Mang Geum Jeon Ju.” “This is news to me.” “That can’t be. I’m sure Gaju has noticed all the large sums the Si Wang Master occasionally brought in, or the lavish expenses with no known source.” Given the large sums flowing into Jin Ju Eon Ga, there’s no way the Gaju couldn’t have known. Yet he denied it adamantly. “No, that’s...” So, you do have some suspicions. The Gaju momentarily paused. “All of it has been furnished by Mang Geum Jeon Ju.” “Did my uncle truly borrow such amounts?” “Although repayment was indefinitely deferred due to their long-standing ties, now with Mang Geum Jeon Ju’s health deteriorating, as the successor, I came directly to manage the transition before it’s too late.” “It seems I need to discuss this with my uncle first.” You’re dodging the issue. Gaju, you promised to handle this directly, didn’t you? Why are you suddenly distancing yourself and trying to treat this as a matter solely between me and the Si Wang Master? "It is indeed a matter that Gaju should discuss with the Si Wang Master." I immediately twisted the conversation back on him. "No, that's not what I meant..." Trying to evade responsibility, are you? As expected, I pulled out another prepared document. "I seem to have forgotten to show you another document." "And this is?" "You might want to read it." Even if they don't have to repay this debt to me, it’s still a debt and should be documented. The document I presented was one exchanged between Mang Geum Jeon Ju and the Si Wang Master. "When Mang Geum Jeon Ju demands repayment from Shi Wang Eon Woo Jin, it shall be handled with utmost faith. However, if a repayment request arises and the Si Wang Master’s ability to repay is in question, or if something were to happen to the debtor, the joint guarantee will be... The joint guarantee will be..." “‘... provided by Jin Ju Eon Ga.’” “…” The eyes of the giant man trembled. "This was signed by the Si Wang Master during his tenure as the head of Jin Ju Eon Ga, so you can verify Gaju's seal." It's not a personal promise but a pledge made as the head of Jin Ju Eon Ga. That means even if the head changes, the contract must be honored. "No, this is... What on earth..." The massive bear finally realized that the trap was not easy to escape from and looked at me with a dawning comprehension. "I assumed you already knew and were about to send me away." "Oh, it's a misunderstanding! I will arrange a separate meeting as soon as my uncle returns!" —— "What are you going to do?" "Even though the Si Wang Master being absent is unexpected, I’ve caught the reins, so I’m going to shake things up as planned." I replied to Gil San as I sprawled out in the guest room provided by Jin Ju Eon Ga. "Are you really going to collect the debt? Against Jin Ju Eon Ga?" "Just because I’ve got the reins doesn’t mean I need to wield the whip yet." I raised my clenched fist while lying down; once I’ve got a firm grip, I’ve no intention of letting go. "You know, whether it’s with Hyang Mae present or just the two of you, your conversations never make sense." He sighed a little. I already missed how Hyang Mae could catch on so quickly. "Since we aren’t looking to leave Hunan with the money, I'll just keep a hold of the reins for now." "Ah, so it’s a bargaining chip. You could have said that from the start." I did say it plainly. "Anyway, it's virtually impossible to collect from the Si Wang Master. Who would dare confront the Wu Nai Ten Lords and ask for the money back?" "True." We must be absolutely clear about this. Even if I have the right to collect, it's practically impossible to retrieve the money. Trying debt collection against the Wu Nai Ten Lords? That's suicidal, no matter how many lives I’d have. Moreover, there’s the promise to Mang Geum Jeon Ju. Considering Jang No-ya’s sharpness, how could a youngling like me even start to demand the money? "It's more of a relationship document than a debt document." If this were a story, we would’ve hit the MAX relationship level, granting access to certain bonus content within age constraints, but alas. What a pity. Ultimately, what Jang No-ya passed down to me was a debt of the heart. And sometimes, a debt of the heart is worth more than any sum of money. "But in our generation, the story is different." The debt of the heart is something that can bind an entire clan. “Whereas the Wu Nai Ten Lords might be impenetrable, Jin Ju Eon Ga is another matter?” "A debt doesn't just vanish." "Running a martial house could blow up in our faces. You could just recommend someone good and ask them to pave the way for a connection." You're right, Gil San, but listen. "When you hold the reins, it's not about making a deal; it’s about making them take you where you want to go." It's not about demanding something out of necessity but making it so they have no choice but to accede to my desires. "How do you plan on doing that?" "Oh, I've got something in mind." From my pocket, I pulled out a jade insignia that had traveled a long way. ** "It seems the Supreme Grandfather had debts he hadn't mentioned to me." Eon Ja-myeong, the head of the Jin Ju Eon Ga, called an urgent meeting with his aides following the unexpected news. "Debt unknown to Gaju?" "Wasn't that his way? It isn’t something hard to guess. There was a time when our clan was met with catastrophe and stood at the brink of survival." Recalling the difficult times his clan faced, Eon Ja-myeong spoke. "You mean the business calamity?" Eon Ja-myeong nodded bitterly. "One day, he returned, having paid off all those debts in an instant. He never spoke of how those enormous debts vanished overnight." "What kind of sum... Could there be a mistake?" "It seems what's meant to be returned is returning." Even as the head of Jin Ju Eon Ga, he couldn't help but sigh deeply at the sum before him. "What do you plan to do?" "First, I need to understand the intention behind presenting this debt document. Is repayment truly sought, or is something else at play?" "Heh heh heh..." The aides chuckled dryly as they gazed at the incredible figure on the debt document. “Why tread carefully? They’re just merchants. A little intimidation and cajoling will scare them into silence.” An aide with a rough demeanor bluntly advised the Gaju. "Bah! How can a righteous martial artist resort to such means?" YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0YWErekduM25NSGpXV1hEbXRXRUd5RjFxTXRZd0NSbUtvbXo5L1pNM2NnZA "Considering this sum, even monks from a secluded monastery would flee to work labor jobs." "..." “Just trust me. I’ll intimidate them just enough.” Is there truly no other way? The Gaju's mind teemed with possibilities when a frantic warrior burst into the room. "Gaju!" "What is it?" "The successor from Mang Geum Jeon Ju who just arrived..." “You mean Kang Yun Ho. Why?” The warrior appeared utterly bewildered. Could there have been another altercation, thinking he was a barbarian once more? They’ve already committed one discourtesy. Multiple scenarios flew through the Gaju's mind, but the news from the warrior was even more startling. “He had a jade insignia from the Jegal family!” “...!” The expressions of everyone in the Gaju's chamber froze instantly. The jade insignia of the Jegal family. It was an insignia given to someone who does not possess the silver hair and blue eyes characteristic of the Jegal family. "The successor of Mang Geum Jeon Ju is linked with the Jegal family?" "Si-bi, who was serving tea, overheard the conversation. It appears that he is set to marry the youngest daughter of Jegal Geuk, the head of the Jegal family, soon." "A black-haired man as the son-in-law of the precious Jegal family?! Are you sure there hasn't been some mistake?" An aide asked incredulously, but there was no way that the insignia Kang Yun Ho brought could be a counterfeit. "It was indeed the jade insignia of the Jegal family." "So that's why a black-haired person is the successor of Mang Geum Jeon Ju..." Eon Ja-myeong, the Gaju, grimaced and covered his face with his hands as wide as a pot lid. Fine. I can't fathom how this all came to pass, but if he's the Jegal family's son-in-law, succeeding Mang Geum Jeon Ju makes sense. Moreover, if Kang Yun Ho is the son-in-law of the Jegal family, the problem doesn’t end there. "Wait! Does that mean that, if necessary, the Jegal family could intervene on behalf of the debt collection?" "......!" --------------- note: this is where it ends in the site im copying and pasting from. the novel is still being updated but will probably be a while untill there is enough to be worthwile. If you are bored you should go find what new chapters are out!