700 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Refinancing Loan. In modern times, this term often refers to low-interest loan products promoted by the government as part of social welfare. However, in this case, things are different. "Mangum Financial is devouring Jin Family's financial market." So, you've been exerting considerable influence on Akyang Trading Hall with your Yanwang Bonds? Playing dirty tricks behind the scenes? Fine. You were the ones who started this quarrel. We have more money. Let's see how long you can hold out. We'll charge into the market even more aggressively than Jin Family ever feared. "You say you'd like to replace the Yanwang Bonds with Mangum's low-interest loans?" The bookshop merchants asked me again, incredulously. "Isn't it better to reduce the monthly interest strangling your waist, rather than forcing yourself to sell absurdly large quantities of Hofil's novels?" "That’s true, but..." The merchants seemed momentarily pleased, then their expressions turned grave again. "Do you have any reservations?" I asked, sensing their reluctance. "Jin Family won't stay silent." "Right. Are those guys ordinary?" "The Jin Family is a martial clan. If push comes to shove, they'll draw their swords. Can Mangum Financial handle that? We appreciate the offer, but..." Switching loans could result in retaliation from the Jin Family. They're not just ordinary loan sharks; they're armed loan sharks. Despite the merchants' reasonable concerns, I silently shook my head. "It seems you might be misunderstanding something." "What?" "The suggestion that Mangum will offer refinancing isn't merely saying we'll lend at a lower rate for you to repay the Yanwang Bonds." Switch products. Our company is offering a very favorable deal to our valued customers. This is a special introduction. What I'm suggesting isn't mere salesmanship. "Then...?" The Jin Family wouldn't easily let go of the money-making pots that easily bring in cash. They'd undoubtedly bully and extort the merchants by any means necessary. Therefore, "It means Mangum Financial will take responsibility for the Yanwang Bonds, the Jin Family, and everything else." "...!" The merchants' eyes widened as much as they possibly could. "Can we trust your words?" "Surely there will be significant repercussions." The Jin Family. A renowned martial household in Akyang. To the city merchants, they are a source of fear. Naturally, worry and concern were evident on the bookshop merchants’ faces. But, you see. I simply asked the merchants, my expression utterly unfazed and free of concern. "Who do you think the person in front of you is?" There was no need for them to answer. As if their worries were meaningless. --- "As Kang Gong Ja instructed, we conveyed the intent to refinance to the Jin Family." As expected of the deputy director. He is indeed capable. Who would have guessed he would manage to finalize the refinancing process for the bookshop merchants before lunch? Thanks to him, I was able to set aside my heavy mind and pick up my chopsticks. "Are you sure about this? It's practically a declaration of war." Gilsan, not as competent as the deputy director, commented worriedly as he picked up meat side dishes resting on the restaurant's table. "If they showed their teeth first, we'll show them whose jaw is bigger." Whether they flee at the sight of my teeth or rush to bite, it doesn't matter. Since it has begun, I plan to show them decisively. "What if they decide to fight seriously? People can die from a stray sword." "It’s fine. My skin doesn't even get scratched by random swords." "..." I've applied Okmyeonhoshingong, which nullifies cuts—better than any functional cosmetic. Of course, it would be risky if they showed up with swords coated with cowardly poison, but that would be far beyond the level of a stray sword. "Don't worry and let's focus on eating for now." To fight, one needs energy. There’s a delightful spread of food in front of us; let's eat before it gets cold. "The bibimbap here in Honam Province is quite delicious." "We found this place specially for Kang Gong Ja. It’s partnered with a stone pot bibimbap restaurant from Jeonju, Joseon, for regular exchanges." "The chef has even been to Joseon and back? No wonder the taste of the sauce is so deep and authentic!" A chef who studied in Joseon, the crispy rice at the bottom is perfectly done, sparking one's appetite at a glance. "It’s actually the neighboring establishment. The chili paste is sourced from Zhongyuan." "Oh..." Like restaurants in Seoul claiming to serve Busan gukbap and Jeju pork, I noticed. Then why come here instead of next door? But I couldn't criticize, as the other dishes were equally delicious. "Is it here?" As we were enjoying our meal, a commotion was heard outside. "You mustn't enter here!" "Mustn't? Shall I show you who’ll really be in trouble?" "T-that!" The young man’s menacing tone quickly put the staff in a difficult position. "Who are you?" Before I could finish my question, the young man brushed aside the curtain and entered. He looked to be in his early twenties. Having grown up in abundance from a young age, he hadn’t even learned restraint from his parents, as evidenced by the arrogance and conceit plastered on his face. “Are you the Mangum Financial people? I’m from the Jin Family. You sent us an absurd document." The man mocked us as if regarding us as pathetic intruders in his domain. I wondered who it could be. Such a swift response. "Name." There’s a way to deal with someone like this. I acted as if I wasn't interested in him, and while picking up food with my chopsticks, I spoke. "What?" "When you've disrupted someone’s mealtime, isn't it polite to introduce yourself first?" "A barbarian acting arrogant...!" He shows his true colors instantly. So what if you’re from the Jin Family? I’m less interested in you than the side dishes. It seemed the act of brushing off his insolence was hard for him to swallow. “Do you have any idea who you're talking to? This is Kang Yoonho, the heir of Mangum Financial!” “Heir? With black hair?” "Correct, I am the heir, and yes, I have black hair." Only then did I meet the puzzled man’s eyes. To him, this was likely unfathomable news. After all, it hasn’t even been a few months since I became the heir, and it only became official once the old chief rose from his bed. To anyone from Honam Province, hearing about the successor of a foreign bank is like listening to stories that are inconsequential whether known or unknown. The man, fidgeting with his eyes as he assessed the situation, finally spoke again. "I am Jin Gadu, a young master of the Jin Family. A successor with black hair? You must be quite ignorant of Zhongyuan's laws. Look, it’s problematic to intrude into each other’s territory like this." As he spoke as if addressing a subordinate, I chuckled softly and replied, "Telling someone unrelated to bookstores to throw a dear friend’s book into a pit of filth doesn’t count as territory intrusion, it seems." “Hah! It seems like you've misunderstood something ridiculous. We didn't order that.” The man shrugged confidently as if he anticipated this. He must have thought it was just a simple misunderstanding on our part. A smug crack appeared in his smile, a likely occurrence when no one had dared to refute him before. "Hey." Even as the man scoffed, faint amusement evident, the black-haired man's expression was unchanging. “What?” “Do you really think this situation can be resolved with evasion?” “……” The confident smile began to seal up. Perhaps it was only now that he realized the gravity of the situation. “I apologize. I’m sorry. When you’ve messed up, you should just apologize. But since you have no intention to do so, it seems you'll need more punishment.” “Are you challenging me?” I could feel the wretched pride squirming within him. “It’s no challenge. It's a mandate to take the heat all alone." There are also feet in this world capable of mercilessly trampling on squirming pride. "It seems you're getting cocky, relying on the might of Mangum Financial. This isn’t Hubuk Province; it's Honam Province!" "When you follow the waterways from Wuhan, the first place you land is Akyang." “Damn it! So now—!” “I’ll reiterate. If you’re here representing Jin Family, perhaps you should consider what you ought to do.” Did they wish to initiate a war? Answering that question was not for me. Instead, I’d present them a chance. It’s a small matter if considered small, a big one if deemed big. The successor of Mangum Financial felt humiliated. Knowing their provocation and certain of my ability to crush them, I extend an opportunity here. “There's no such thing as bowing to a black-haired man...!" His response was typical of a young master who feels as though everything in Akyang belongs to him. “Un Yeob, spread the word among the city merchants. If they possess the Jin Family's debt papers, they can all refinance at a low rate through us.” Our turn to respond. "Understood." “What?!” "One should not wield the sword against merchants. To act like thugs while collecting protection fees—you leave us no choice but to intervene on Mangum Financial's behalf." Although I addressed Un Yeob, it was a taunt aimed at the entire Jin Family. “Do you think the city's merchants will really agree?!” The young Jin master shouted at me with a voice far more desperate than when he first arrived. "Money is scarier than swords. If you have used both to toy with people, it’s time to choose to abandon one." “……” “I repeat. Reflect on what you ought to do now. Once decided, it should be the knees, not the head, that touch the ground first." This was the final chance. Plead, cry if you must. “Are you ordering the young master of Jin Family to kneel before you?!” His hands trembled. It seemed he might strike out. However, I was unfazed. "If you prefer the sewer, that’s your choice." “Fine.” “Huh?” Did he really want to roll around in filth? It was a moment of surprise. [Danger.] ‘Huh?’ It was an instinctive movement, almost automatic. Before questioning, "Why?", my body tilted backward. Just half a beat later, a sword slashed where I had been a moment ago. “Did he avoid it…?” I quickly gathered my senses at the astonished voice. “Kang Gong Ja!” Was it a spontaneous attack born of frustration? The man looked between his sword and me, seeming uncertain. Perhaps he had no intention to attack further. Good. I swiftly assessed the situation and took on a composed demeanor. “I've heard the Jin Family’s response loud and clear.” “Damn…” “To draw your sword against the heir of Mangum Financial! Does Jin Family truly desire war?” “I just meant to intimidate! We’ve warned you clearly! Let's go!” The young master of Jin Family hurriedly made his exit, a far cry from his arrival. -- “They’re really replacing Yanwang Bonds with low-interest loans at Mangum Financial?” “That’s what I've heard. Since Jin Family tried to scheme against Mangum Financial, their successor is furious and declared they'll handle everything, no limits.” Regardless of whether the young master drew his sword or not, I have no intention of retracting my orders. Adding the rumors of him wielding his sword only justified my intervention as Mangum Financial's successor. "Really…?" "Where are you going!" "I’d better head to Mangum Financial for a loan too!" Mangum Financial promising to shield against Jin Family's threats! Naturally, the response was explosive. “Kang Gong Ja, within just a few days, Akyang branch's loan volume has surged to a level akin to Hubuk Province's branch." “It seems like Jin Family has been indulging quite liberally.” With the Akyang branch alone, I could return to Wuhan standing tall. Truly impressive figures. "There's contact from Akyang Trading Hall too. Not only are they joining, but they wish to appoint you as the representative of the bookshop." “Now that they can breathe, they seem to be thinking more clearly.” “Perhaps they’re trying to use you as a shield against Jin Family.” “That’s alright. We're setting the stage for a bigger game anyway.” Advancing smoothly in Honam Province. I was tempted to share the news with Wuhan, yet the truly important information to convey lay elsewhere. "You heard the voice?" Si Wang Elder asked, astonished by my words. "It was unmistakably the voice of the woman I'd heard previously." I nodded, certainty in my voice. The voice, void of emotional fluctuation, was indeed the same I'd heard before. “How did it happen? What did she say?!” Si Wang Elder pressed eagerly, visibly excited. "Even before I realized it, a warning of danger echoed in my mind." “Danger?” “The young master of Jin Family swung his sword at Kang Yoonho.” "What did you say?" Si Wang Elder’s brows furrowed deeply. “Fortunately, thanks to her timely warning, I was unharmed.” Before the young master of the Jin Family could even finish his move, a woman's warning allowed me to swiftly dodge. I briefly explained the lunchtime incident to the elder. “That child likely instinctively reacted to your peril. But for the Jin Family’s fledgling to drive him to sense such a threat to his life?” “Ha! I almost ended up lying beside the ice coffin.” Of course, it wasn't truly an attempt on my life. It was more like the tantrum of a fledgling unable to withstand provocation. Yet, a stray sword can still kill. Naturally, I am immune to stray swords. I opted for humor and jest rather than laboriously clarifying everything. “…The family's martial members seem to be handling guests carelessly.” “E-eternal Patriarch!” As Si Wang Elder's gaze turned towards the family members, the martial artists of the household paled. “There’s no need to be overly concerned. I asked that the family ignore things for a while.” “You asked them to ignore it?” The family needed to be in the background for now. “Kang Gong Ja, there’s a message from the Jin Family.” When the fox decides to poke its head out after much deliberation, the tiger must remain hidden. “What do they say?” “They wish to invite Kang Gong Ja for a meal at the Jin Family as their guest.” “At the Jin Family?” Gilsan asked, startled. “Seems they want to handle things the same way I did with the bookshop merchants.” A crude maneuver, but one that effectively demonstrates the family's strength. “Kang Gong Ja! In the heart of the martial family? You mustn't go. Decline the invitation or at least change the venue.” “I mentioned it, didn't I? I plan to show them whose jaw is bigger.” “But!” Despite Un Yeob’s protests, I stood up with a smile. True, the Jin Family is formidable. With the current strength of Mangum Financial's Akyang branch, it's difficult to win. The opponent is a martial clan rooted in Akyang. Carrying a bag of money is no defense against a determined swordsman. Therefore, “Elder.” I looked at Si Wang Elder with a smile. “Hmm.” His expression was set in stone at the news of my plan to visit the Jin Family, who had previously aimed to kill me. “Would you care to join me for a drink?” “We’ll be back by that child’s mealtime.” A small sigh of inevitability escaped Si Wang Elder. That was enough to seal the Jin Family’s fate.