692 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

He who defies the heavens. A defiant one who alters predestined fate. As soon as I realized the identity of the voice, I could grasp the situation to some extent. "After all, the Jiangshi technique is a prominent method for those who oppose the heavens." He even managed to raise the deceased, so hearing a voice isn't out of the question. "What a useless ability this is." Kang Yoon Ho. Just turned 23 in Korean age. His specialty? Immunity to true formations. Occasionally hears the voices of Jiangshi. Not exactly something to boast about in an introduction. Incredulous. How often does an ordinary person from the Central Plains find themselves embroiled in formation and Jiangshi affairs? Yet, the most ridiculous part was that everything eventually connected back to me. Couldn't I have been granted the ability to perfectly replicate martial arts I've witnessed or something like status window perks instead? ‘Now I’ve got an ability that's all show.’ I did get a perk of sorts. A flick of my fingers, and a golden light trailed down my arm from the fingertips. The power of a defier of the heavens. It was the energy visualized by the Sanhasa Sijikdo. To an observer, it might seem as if I'm shrouded in some sort of powerful aura. ‘This can't even be used as a flashlight.’ I even worked with Ms. Jegal to figure out its usage. Even the talismans that ignited with a mere breath of energy showed no reaction. Conclusively, it was utterly useless. The brightness wasn't sufficient even to use it as a flashlight. It was energy personified, nothing more, nothing less. ‘Not that it can't be used at all.’ The sound of hurried footsteps approached. I quickly adjusted my expression as the door swung open fiercely. “Kang Yoon Ho!” “You remembered my name.” Unsurprisingly, it was Shiwang Eoreusin who came to check on the condition of the woman in the ice coffin. “What on earth is this...?” He looked astonished. Let's see if I can't surprise him further. I flicked my fingers again. The energy of a defier I had withdrawn spread out along my fingertips once more. Shiwang's eyes followed the golden light. It truly was an ability that's all for show. However. “Judging by Shiwang Eoreusin’s expression, it seems my assumption was correct.” With a nonchalant demeanor, it was quite effective in captivating someone desperate. — “What is that energy?” “That is a secret.” Like a mysterious character with an affinity for conspiracies, I concealed my mouth with my index finger, twirling with golden light, and gave a sly smile. “Are you trying to jest with me?” There was a hint of urgency in Shiwang's voice. As expected, the ability of the defier had some effect on that woman. Good. I didn't plan for this, but I've already devised a way to handle my predicament. “No. What I propose is a negotiation.” Despite the steely look on Shiwang's face, I responded without losing my smile. “What?” “I'm a merchant by birth. Right now, you hold my life in your hands, and perhaps you require my cooperation. Doesn’t this seem like the perfect setup for a transaction?” First, I needed to retrieve my lifeline gripped by Shiwang. “I realize something incomprehensible has occurred. If you intend to resolve our misunderstandings, let's have a discussion.” Apparently, Shiwang understood my point as he nodded immediately. He seemed to have calmed down somewhat. Unlike the initial atmosphere where he could barely contain his anger, his tone had mellowed considerably. It might be best to have a calm conversation going forward. “No. I want to negotiate.” Of course, it wasn't quite what I desired. “Negotiate?” “When I weighed the situation, it seems my side holds more weight.” Elder, it seems your calculations are off. As I teased playfully, I could feel the annoyance that had dissipated from the room slowly creeping back. “So, you intend to place your life on the scales?” “As is the nature of merchants, they'll place anything that can be valued on the scales.” If the situation flipped, wouldn't you reassess the calculations? I responded, gracefully deflecting the anger. “...What is it you desire? Speak.” Shiwang Eoreusin conceded. He was willing to negotiate. Asking what I wish for, what I wanted to gain. Though he did not seem pleased, he was willing to consider my request to the best of his ability. What should I ask? He was one of the Ten Great Masters of Wune. Indeed, considering they regarded her as their life's work, I could likely request almost anything. Then. “Please, accept my apology.” I bowed my head, kneeling. “What?” “Regardless of the incomprehensible events that transpired, the fact remains that I have severely inconvenienced you and the woman who has been your life's work.” Shiwang Eoreusin was prepared to listen with an open heart. Naturally, an apology must come first. “Hmm...” A sigh mixed with surprise escaped Shiwang Eoreusin's lips. “The life's work of possibly turning into a mere demon. It is entirely reasonable that you are enraged. I, too, will do my utmost to rectify this situation. Therefore, I humbly ask you to quell your anger.” Regardless of how unfairly I may have been treated, the fact that I caused near irreparable damage to Shiwang Eoreusin remains unchanged. His life's work was on the brink of becoming a blood-thirsty demon. Even if I tried to sway Wune Sipjeon with a business deal, risking bonds with promissory notes and life, what would remain but ill-will? I need to continue my business. At this juncture, I need to mend relationships and win Shiwang's heart, which cannot be bought with money, rather than simply discern right from wrong and return to Hubei Province. A moment of silence passed. The tension that filled the room dissipated, and warmth began to replace it, so much that it felt as though the air was warming. “...I will try my utmost to understand your words from now on.” It was the calm tone from our initial meeting. “That is sufficient.” “What is that ability?” — He who defies the heavens. A heroine-exclusive Wi-Fi. They connect without me knowing the password and now can even initiate conversations remotely. I couldn't divulge such details. “An ability I acquired after visiting the immortal realm.” Instead, I brought out a different backstory I'd prepared. "Are you claiming that you've ascended to become an immortal?" "My earthly desires are far too numerous for such a heavenly ascent." I immediately dismissed the notion with a voice tinged with laughter. "The doors to the celestial realm have been closed for at least a thousand years. Are you proposing a tale akin to the ancient legends where one follows an immortal to such realms?" This isn't the kind of lie one tells to a master of necromancy, at the pinnacle of Jiangshi arts. That's why it serves me well in this scenario. "If the Jegal Sega were the ones to open the gates to the celestial realm, the story changes." It means there's more I can exploit from what I know. "Are you saying that a bunch of clever schemers opened the gate?" "Precisely a pseudo-celestial realm opened with a celestial relic left by Yeo Wa Nangnang on earth." Shiwang Eoreusin's expression turned serious as he seemed to remember something, and he questioned me. "Could it be... the Sanhasa Sijikdo?" As expected, he knew. "My fiancée was recently acknowledged by the Sanhasa Sijikdo as its master." "Is that truly the case?" It was an astonishing revelation. To become the master of a celestial relic holds deep significance, and any seasoned necromancer would understand that. "On what grounds would I dare to speak falsehoods?" "A master has emerged in the Jegal Sega for the celestial relic..." I could hear him swallowing his astonishment. "It wasn't easy. I faced considerable hardship as I was dragged along. Eventually, I encountered the remaining thoughts of Yeo Wa Nangnang, who blessed me to live happily with my fiancée for a long time." Without giving him time to fully digest the surprise, I flicked my fingers again. "So that's what you meant by hearing the voice of the heavens." "Indeed, I believed it to be a power merely meant to assist my fiancée in managing the relic..." Trailing off at the end, I turned my gaze toward the door. "Is it her voice you claimed to have heard?" "It was as if I was led, half-asleep, by the voice of a woman seeking aid. After escaping the world of the Sanhasa Sijikdo, formations weaker than that couldn't confine me." The pseudo-celestial realm surpasses formations in hierarchy. Shiwang Eoreusin nodded, slightly furrowing his brow. "That she sought help..." "You still find it hard to believe, don't you?" "I can scarcely recall the last time I heard her voice. How could I easily accept this claim? Furthermore, you have yet to explain why she awakened." He finds it challenging to accept. Naturally. After all, I described my gained power as one meant to ensure I live happily with my fiancée. But that's okay. I’ve already devised a plan. "Do you happen to know anything about Yeo Wa Nangnang, who is the master of the Sanhasa Sijikdo?" "A sage and a deity simultaneously." How did I hear the voice of a Jiangshi and awaken her? How can I explain it without revealing the power of a defier of the heavens? ‘By having a good reason.’ A reason that only someone who last conversed with Yeo Wa Nangnang could state. "There's a legend that Yeo Wa created people from clay in ancient times and breathed souls into them." "I've heard of it." "It's merely my thought... Doesn't Yeo Wa Nangnang's work seem to parallel Jiangshi techniques?" "...!" The look of shock manifesting in Shiwang’s eyes was rather amusing. YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0WFY2TS9md1VwTG5aUjJDYjNOWXlwZXc1MTA5TXZxaFVrMjl6Qy9MZmdEdQ — "There is a way to prevent her transformation into a demon." After taking a long moment to calm his excitement, Shiwang spoke to me in a settled tone. "Is there another method besides the first one you mentioned?" "Yes. First, let me correct a misunderstanding. That girl has never actually died." Shiwang Eoreusin nodded as he unveiled an incomprehensible truth. "Never died? Isn't she undergoing the transformation because she's a Jiangshi?" Corpse transformation (屍變). The phenomenon where a Jiangshi nourishes itself on blood, transitioning into a blood-thirsty demon. While it's easy to equate them to zombies, Jiangshi as creatures are more akin to vampires with similar traits. It's a fundamental concept, even portrayed in old Jiangshi films. If she's not a Jiangshi, then how is she undergoing such a transformation? It doesn’t quite compute. "She is indeed a Jiangshi, but not an ordinary one. That's why your help is essential." "As long as it doesn't involve risking my life, I'm willing to assist you however I can." "......" Shiwang Eoreusin remained silent for a long while, seemingly wrestling with some final internal deliberation as he gazed at me, who had so readily agreed. "Eoreusin?" "...You must become her master." "Pardon?" "You must become the master of that child, of the living Jiangshi."