689 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"You heard a woman's voice again?" "That's right, Sir Eon. Like before, I woke up to a woman's voice. And there was no one around." A few days later, having experienced the exact same phenomenon, I cautiously spoke to the young master, Eon Ji San. "Hmm. So that's why you look so glum this morning." "It's because I drank too much last night." "......" The hangover was indeed severe. It's good that, with Eon's family's help, connections were being established in the Honam Province, but any time we tried to be hospitable, it started with drinks. No wonder they say that employees in sales have unhealthy livers. "Of course, I didn't hear it wrong." "Perhaps it was the voice of your beloved fiancée in a dream?" "It was definitely a different voice." No matter how many times, I'd never forget my fiancée's voice. I heard it not long ago. "It must be from all the business you've been running around for. If you feel you're getting weak, let me know. I'll arrange for some herbal medicine!" "That's right. You should take a break for a few days. You've been working non-stop since arriving in Honam Province." "With the emergency resolved thanks to the Daseokak issue, you should rest for a few days." Gil San Yi and Un Yeob, who had been listening with concern, cautiously offered their advice. "While I appreciate the suggestions, it doesn't seem to be just a matter of mood." There are no such things as ghosts. It's not just a whim. My current condition can't be the only reason because, after all, what kind of family am I staying with? 'The Jinju Eon family that handles Jiangshi.' If there are Jiangshi, surely there must be ghosts too. If push comes to shove, I might need to prepare some salt bullets and holy water, the universal remedies in horror films. "Could it be......" Eon Ji San's forehead creased in suspicion as he listened intently. "Pardon?" "Are there times you see ghosts, sense a chilling presence, or feel your nape dampen at specific locations?" "No, that hasn't happened to me." I've only acted as a ghost worrying about my wife recently, but I've never seen a real ghost. "Then it must just be your imagination. It can't be...... It was years ago......" With a sardonic smile, Eon Ji San chuckled, his large frame shaking slightly like a horse twitching its hide. "Sir Eon. Your complexion seems a bit off. Do you perhaps know something?" "No, nothing at all." Often, when people say nothing, there's usually something. Before a maiden ghost evolves into a spirit of lust, I need to get to the bottom of this. "Please, don't hide it. Haven't I bought all the drinks and meals while we've been together?" "Ugh. It's not that I don't have an idea...... It's just absurd." "An absurd story means it's probably something trivial. So you can still tell me." "Oh dear...... Don't go telling anyone you heard it from me." "Please." Just what is he hesitant to share? My companions and I leaned in closer to hear Eon Ji San speak. ——— "Did you know the Jinju Eon family is divided into two schools?" "You're talking about the Quan Sect and the Jiangshi Sect?" Just as the Sichuan Tang family is renowned for poisons and concealed weapons, the Jinju Eon family was famous for their unique martial arts and Jiangshi techniques. "You're well-informed for someone outside the martial world! Our Jinju Eon family is famous for Great Elder Baekjo among the Ten Masters, but not everyone learns the Jiangshi techniques. Including our head, my father, and myself as the young master, we only use martial arts." Eon Ji San made a fist with a hand resembling a pot lid. A punch from that would likely feel like a head-on collision with a car. "There's quite a few with robust physiques in your family. But why bring up the schools suddenly?" "The estate where Master Kang resides originally belonged to members of the Jiangshi Sect. The western quarters were their domain from the beginning." "J-Jiangshi?! The room we've been sleeping in?" As soon as Gil San Yi heard the truth, his face turned pale in an instant. "There are many buildings in the western quarters that aren't well-maintained. Is there a reason for that?" "A building needs residents for maintenance. The Jiangshi Sect only exists in name now, so it's expected." "I don't mean any disrespect... but is this something outsiders shouldn't know?" It's surprising that one of the two representative schools of the Eon family just exists in name. 'Is it the typical orthodox sect cliché of the Jinju Eon family?' The Jiangshi techniques of the Jinju Eon, regardless of uniqueness, could only ever be seen as baggage. How can those who manipulate corpses be orthodox? As the Jinju Eon family has to address this dilemma. 'Usually, to control Jiangshi, sects use clichés like an exiled martial household or the last survivor of a family.' It's one of the reasons why, despite being a major family, the Jinju Eon isn't often listed as one of the Five Great Families. It's awkward to solely handle martial arts, and easier to appear as villains using Jiangshi techniques. 'I thought thanks to Great Elder's reformation from a demonic sect leader to an orthodox figure, even the Jinju Eon using Jiangshi techniques was seen as orthodox.' If it only survives in name, could it be in a persecuted position within the family? I cautiously tried to understand, hinting at Eon Ji San. "Haha! Are you asking if our Quan Sect persecutes the Jiangshi Sect or if there's an internal power struggle?" Eon Ji San seemed to immediately grasp my implication and responded with a hearty laugh. "That's not exactly what I meant..." "With Great Elder overseeing, that's impossible. It's merely the lingering effect of a sad event that happened long ago." "I'm aware of the atrocities perpetrated against the Eon family by the demonic sect during the Great Justice War." "The Changsha Tragedy. Our Eon family was a thorn in the eyes of the demonic sect, especially the Jiangshi Sect led by Great Elder Baekjo. Eventually, on that fateful day, the Jiangshi Sect was nearly annihilated." The story of Eon Woo-jin, a spirit practitioner who aided both demonic and orthodox sects and became the orthodoxy's Great Elder. They must have suffered an enormous loss, losing family members to the point of borrowing from wealthy patrons like Man Geum-jeonju just to rebuild the household. "Hasn't it been half a century since then? With Great Elder still present." If Great Elder is the first generation, then the current head is the second, and the young master in front of me is the third. It's puzzling that they haven't managed to restore themselves over three generations. "In a sudden situation, relying on my fist rather than a Jiangshi lying around somewhere, or the fact that most of the surviving members from back then were from the Quan Sect, may be reasons. But the biggest issue lies in one's innate talent." "Innate talent?" "Martial arts (Mu-gong) are skills that can be developed through human effort. But the realm of magical arts requires a blessing from the heavens." Even if learning the same martial arts, some can cut through boulders while others might just live without a slight cough their whole life. Yet, learning martial arts is possible for everyone. On the other hand, it seems that magical arts can't even be attempted by some. "So you asked earlier if I'd ever seen a ghost for that reason." Eon Ji San nodded in agreement with my words. "A healthy person might run slow or fast, but it's similar to not being able to use a third hand that doesn't exist. Despite Great Elder Baekjo's efforts, after that particular incident..." "That incident?" Eon Ji San seemed to regret mentioning it, averting his gaze with a bitter smile. "Our family has a few more unspeakable troubles. Ultimately, Great Elder Baekjo handed over the family head position to my father, and the Jiangshi Sect exists only in name now." "I wondered why someone of the caliber of the Ten Masters would personally come to bury a Jiangshi." "Well... Regardless! There is indeed a story behind the estate where you are staying, but it's a tale from more than half a century ago. At the time, the entire Eon family bled, so it's not quite as significant now." "Indeed, that's true." "Ghosts rarely cling to a mentally and physically healthy, virile man. Unless, of course, one is endowed with a talent given by the heavens! Hahaha!" "A talent bestowed by the heavens..." I certainly don't want the talent to see ghosts. Being born as an exceptional talent carries its burdens. Some are envied and slandered for their abilities, while others curse their own talents for a lifetime. I'm not an exceptional talent, but I've seen many women who are. "If it truly bothers you, ask to change accommodations. Though the east wing is noisy, you won't experience anything like tonight." "I'll stay a bit longer, I think." If there truly were ghosts, the people of the Eon family would have encountered them first. I'm not particularly intuitive, and aren't the suspicious things trapped in formations here? Even if a maiden ghost roams around, she has eyes, doesn't she? She wouldn't approach and talk to a black-haired man. "Hahaha! The place where Great Elder Baekjo resides is surrounded by formations, and ghosts aren't so easily summoned. Don't worry too much. I've arranged a meeting with people who could aid your business, so shall we go for a drink?" —— "Go on in." "You've all done well." Once again, today ended with me returning inebriated to a room at the Eon family's residence. "I'm glad I entrusted the managerial duties to Gil San Yi... He seems to know how to entertain well." Gil San Yi knows how to liven up the mood. Thanks to him, I could blend in and get along with those I met for business. "I'll have a guaranteed hangover tomorrow..." I learned a technique from Hwarin to dispel drunkenness, but I'm still not good at it. It requires concentration, but my head is already spinning. The best method is to progressively get rid of intoxication while drinking, but it emits a stench. If caught while trying to be hospitable, it wouldn't leave a good impression. It's considered more impolite than watering down the liquor. "Let's just sleep..." My head spins. The weight of the alcohol-laden consciousness slowly drags me down. It feels like someone is grabbing my ankle and forcefully pulling me down. [...Help.] A sorrowful voice echoed. A desperate voice resonated. From the depths of an abyss, a place unreachable by anyone. Who is it? Who's calling? There was no need to ask because I, too, was sinking into the depths. "Ugh." A dream, perhaps. I found myself walking somewhere. My body felt heavy. It was like a marionette walking, pulled by invisible strings, akin to a butterfly drawn to a sickly sweet smell. "Hmm..." The scent of incense stung my nostrils. What is this? Is this a dream? What kind of dream makes you sense a smell? It soothes the mind. A languid, peaceful sensation envelops my body. It's a pleasant scent. The marionette, now accustomed to the strings, continued walking toward its destination. "So cold..." I muttered unknowingly. A chill pervaded the room, a biting cold that made my entire body shiver, mingled with the sharp smell of incense. As I got closer, the stark cold intensified. I didn't want to move toward it. But I couldn't stop either. [...Release me.] The voice was calling. I should go. I shouldn't stop. [Free... me.] The mournful voice reverberated in my head, the desperate plea pierced my heart. The ice coffin. The threads that had bound me snapped. Yes, I was drawn here by that voice. I must free you by my own will. 'Now, to open the coffin and release you...’ "Argh! It's cold! What?" The otherworldly chill snapped me back to reality. I hastily shook off the hand that had touched the ice. Where am I? A freezing storage unit? It's cold enough to turn a freshly caught fish into a frozen one. YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0Y250a3I2djE4bzhkQzE1UEMvbG5kMDNuRm8yMVNvVkk3ZWcwaVJqSG9CNw "A formation? An illusion?" I quickly massaged my temples. If it's a formation set to harm me, I'd notice anomalies due to my particular ability. No pain. It's not an illusion. "Ghosts truly are troublesome." Once I regained composure, I realized the room was filled only with the strange smell and chill. Despite looking around, there was no one else. Lowering my gaze, I aimed my hand toward the source of the chill. "A woman?" Clearing away the surrounding white mist revealed a transparent ice coffin containing a woman. A beauty with light tawny hair, tinged with gray. Even amidst the bewildering circumstances, her mesmerizing figure and appearance captured my gaze momentarily. I can't grasp this at all. What on earth is happening? "Could she be a succubus!" No, this is a misunderstanding. I don't have a thing for corpses. If she's evolved from a rejected maiden ghost, she should show some signs of growth. Even with her eyes closed, her beauty radiates, but the situation isn't exactly romantic. "Maybe not..." No matter how I look at it, she seems to be the source of the problem. She's unresponsive. Looks dead. Just an ordinary corpse, it seems. Like a tourist observing an exhibit with academic interest, I examined the body without any ulterior motives. Her thigh daringly exposed, hips curved perfectly, and even lying down, her chest spreads pleasantly. Why keep a body in an ice coffin? It's not as if they're showcasing a physique too remarkable to die; the thin clothing is unnecessarily provocative. Slowly, my gaze traveled up to her face. Even expressionless, she possessed a captivating, icy beauty. So much so that even someone accustomed to beautiful women like me couldn't help but admire. I stared at the woman with wide eyes. The woman stared back with wide eyes. "Uh...?" Realization dawned upon me in an instant. "E-excuse me?" I was locked in an eye contact with the woman in the ice coffin. Her pupils moved. "Uh, here! Something's wrong here!" Realizing the abnormality, I turned and shouted behind me, but it was futile to expect any response.