384 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

### Episode 384 - Two Moons - 13 Once everyone acknowledged her, the remaining ceremony was nothing but a cumbersome formality, yet traditions hold significance. Lady Ha-yeon downed a shot of strong liquor from a vessel even larger than a pencil holder. 'The strong scent reaches me from here; is it alright?' I wondered about Lady Ha-yeon's tolerance. Though I have had light drinks with her before, I never indulged until the end, lest we both end up somewhere unknown. Lady Ha-yeon staggered under the swift onset of the alcohol but quickly nodded as if to indicate she was fine. "The Two Moons Sect Master accepts our loyalty and responsibility as your leader. Now, disciples, come forth, kneel, and receive the drink from your master." "Greetings to the new Two Moons Sect Master!" "We pledge our loyalty!" "…We drink to your health." "A feat unrivaled in the history of Two Moons! Congratulations on your achievement!" They all drank from large cups. That drink is a bomb cocktail; the hangover must be brutal. Regardless of my concerned gaze, the cups had already made their rounds among everyone. Even though no one mentioned it explicitly, they all surely understood the implication. In Hubei Province, the Two Moons Sect Master. Shadowless Divine Thief, Im Ha-yeon. Our task has finally reached its conclusion. "I've become the Two Moons Sect Master amidst this chaos." Lady Ha-yeon slowly turned to find me, sitting quietly in one corner. Long journey. You've endured. Words fail to describe the look we exchanged. "When things are chaotic, isn’t it easier for us to act?" "Hahaha!" Lady Ha-yeon chuckled at the laughter from the crowd and then resumed speaking with a serious expression. "I will not stand idly by while this chaos ensues." "……." Now, all that remains is the counterattack. We’ll overthrow the Do Mun Sect Master and restore peace. That was the plan. "The fight against the Do Mun Sect Mast... Mast... Wh-What?! Ah!" What? The cup Lady Ha-yeon held fell to the floor. Lady Ha-yeon, gasping, clutching her neck, seemed to collapse in slow motion. "What is? Two Moons Sect Master! Grr!" "Grr!" "What’s happening to yo— Uh!" "W-What's happening?" Starting with Lady Ha-yeon, everyone in the mansion was collapsing. We need to quickly check Lady Ha-yeon’s condition. As I was about to rush to her side... I locked eyes with a man clutching his chest yet showing no signs of pain, and at that moment, the mansion's door shattered. "Finished drinking? Why take so long for the first round?" The leisurely voice that followed, despite my reluctance, struck my memory hard as it tore through the door and entered the mansion. "Do Mun Sect Master?!" The voice belonged to the Do Mun Sect Master herself. -------- "Ugh! How did you?" One of the staff staggered, trying not to fall, and then asked. "Want me to tell you a surefire way to win at gambling? Gambling isn't just about sleight of hand, you see." With the Do Mun Sect Master's words, one of the fallen Two Moons people got up with a smile. "The poison was swapped for the liquor you drank. It was easy to mix with the foul-smelling Chaos Brew." "Implanting a spy is the trick." The Do Mun Sect Master shrugged her shoulders. Was there a spy among the Two Moons people who traveled from afar for today's enthronement ceremony in Hubei Province? Anyone would have detected the poison in ordinary liquor, but with dozens of different liquors mixed together, no one noticed any toxicity. "You traitor! Are you even part of the Two Moons?!" The staff shot a look as if he could devour the betrayer right then. "What loyalty and devotion among Hao Clan members. The tide has already turned." The traitor confidently moved to stand behind the Do Mun Sect Master. Indeed, what loyalty or devotion for a Hao Clan member. Usually, I'd nod, but the betrayal striking directly is too painful. "You bas... Ugh!" The staff member shouted so hard that veins popped on his neck, then stumbled and fell to one knee. "Calm down. Exciting yourself only spreads the poison faster. It's mixed with an anesthetic, making it very effective." Already, members of the Two Moons near the Do Mun Sect Master had lost consciousness and collapsed. Thankfully, it's not a lethal poison. Why? Could it be she still harbors regrets? "What madness is this? Do Mun Sect Master! Everything is over now." "Over? I've never left the game board. Who decided that?" While the Do Mun Sect Master was distracted, I assessed the situation. I didn't drink since I wasn't obliged to pledge loyalty. My physical condition is normal. Twenty Do Mun intruders. I toy with the Tang Clan's hidden weapon in my pocket. How many can I dispatch? Can the Two Moons members help? "Ha! Amidst this, still rolling your eyes, aren't you?" At that moment, the Do Mun Sect Master’s eyes met mine. "Seize him!" "Kuh!" I was restrained and brought before the Do Mun Sect Master. "Finally seeing that cursed face of yours. We meet again, though it’s our first encounter." The Do Mun Sect Master eyed me, licking her lips like a wolf finally ensnaring its prey. "…You filthy bastard." No, maybe persistent bastard. Or should I call him a clingy wretch? Never thought he’d invade at this moment. "Ha! That’s what I wanted to say too. You with the black hair sure did well hiding your identity, huh?" "Ugh!" The Do Mun Sect Master hit my abdomen with a fist full of strength. "Hey, barbarian. What exactly are you?" Lifting my bangs, the Do Mun Sect Master met me with her eyes shining with madness. "What?" "I planned for ten years to extract that woman, but you snatched her on the day of the attack. Ten Thousand Gold Merchant Guild, Xichuan Escort Bureau, even Zhuge Noble Clan... What's so special about her to warrant such protection?" The Do Mun Sect Master kicked Lady Ha-yeon, who was dragged by my side, as she asked. "Ugh!" "Lady Ha-yeon!" ### Episode 384 - Two Moons - 13 This is dire. Today, Lady Ha-yeon drank the most poison. Despite biting her lip to keep her consciousness, she couldn't fully regain her clarity. "When we captured her from Gi Mun, you brought her back. I bribed the Left Constable to arrest her, and you ended up becoming the Constable yourself. You shattered every plan I crafted, all while making a name as the Black-Haired Constable. Wouldn't I be furious?" The Do Mun Sect Master pounded her chest as if she were the most wronged person in the world. “Instead of being so clingy, why don’t you just give up?” Just how many lives has this bastard's ambition destroyed? How many have died due to his madness? All because of this one man. "Annoying brat! Does he think he isn’t just as clingy himself? Hey! Say something. Did she bear your child or something? Why do you risk your life to save her?" "You... You must... Run..." Lady Ha-yeon managed to grab the Do Mun Sect Master's foot but, with a single kick, fell helplessly. Rage surged from deep within my chest. I must hold it in. Venting my anger would only lead to misery. Is there a way out? I must find one. Unlike a moment ago, members of the Two Moons are surreptitiously dispelling the poison. More time is needed. "Does one need a grand reason to save a lover?" I replied sardonically, yet my eyes conveyed a passion deeper than anyone else’s. “Idiot. If you think you'll lose, you pull out even if you bet your wife as the stake.” “Not your place to say, is it?” This joker boasts after finally gaining the upper hand after losing so much. I scoffed. “Hehehe. That’s true… Isn’t it? Hehehe.” Perhaps he's delighted with the turnaround at the last moment. The Do Mun Sect Master clutched her chest, laughing heartily. The movement of our allies, previously trembling, begins to subside. Just a bit more. If I stall a little longer, reinforcements will arrive. “Two Moons Sect Master! The Demonic Sect has launched an attack!” One piece of good news buys us some more time. “Ha… The old man stubbornly clings on. Hey! Secure the girl first.” The Do Mun Sect Master pinched her forehead and pointed to Im Ha-yeon. “What do we do with this one here?” A martial artist from the Do Mun Sect nudged me with a sword hilt as he asked. “Hey, you. Is he really Shadowless Divine Thief’s adopted sibling?” “Yes, he is.” The traitor nodded confidently, as if leaving no room for doubt. “Ah shit. As much as I’d like to cut your throat right away... What should we do with this bastard…” “Shall we bind and take him?” The Do Mun Sect Master circled me, almost salivating like a carnivore eyeing a delectable piece of barbecue. Don't tremble. Pretending to be cowed only creates the atmosphere he desires. Carefully prepare to utilize the Soyunsimsang Technique, like a sprinter ready to burst forward. Perhaps realizing my reaction was boring, the Do Mun Sect Master clapped her hands in sudden insight. “Wait a minute?! Even the Shadowless Divine Thief would need proof that we have their sister and sworn brother, right?” “Yes, I believe so.” “We might not mess with the sister, but we could send an arm from the brother as a warning, right?” The sword that had cut countless wrists was drawn. “What? Ah! Su-sure, but... Ugh!” I circulated my internal energy throughout my body, breaking free from those holding me. The move begins with the Jade Fan Protection Technique. My arm glides like on ice over my skin, grasping the enemy's neck. “That cheeky...!” I twisted one's neck and executed the Shadowless Illusion Technique. My weight-driven kick struck the chin of an opponent trying to ambush from behind. "What’s a barbarian doing with such skill!" Dispatching two in an instant, I threw a dagger to widen the distance. Why is our side not moving? Is more time required? I fumbled inside my robe. “Ha! Got some skill, huh? Everyone stand back!" The Do Mun Sect Master arrogantly brushed past her subordinates, sword drawn. "Master!" “I’ll deal with him personally.” Should I use my trump card? It’s hard to distinguish allies from foes. Lady Ha-yeon might get harmed. What comes after using the trump card? If the Do Mun Sect Master survives, what then? “Ha?! Where are you looking?” Damn! Got lost in thoughts. The sword aimed for my neck. I maximized the usage of the Jade Fan Protection to shield it. Abruptly, the sword's trajectory changed. Damn. They intend to take my arm after all. “Too late……!” The sharp sword aimed for my right hand. Could my arm withstand it? No. Clenching my teeth unknowingly against the thought of what gruesome outcome might unfold, but what I anticipated didn’t happen. It wasn't that the Do Mun Sect Master halted the sword. It was blocked. By another’s sword. With astonished eyes, I stared at the back of someone who had suddenly appeared. A man with a voice tinged in fury spoke to the Do Mun Sect Master. “What kind of nonsense is this with someone else's adopted sibling?” What? Whose adopted sibling? “Ha! Is this for real?” Surprise filled the voice of the Do Mun Sect Master. Understandably so. "Are you alright?” Following the source of the concerned voice, I raised my head. White hair but not an old man. Merely early graying in his otherwise middle-aged form; amidst the white, there were hints of pink. Unbelievable. This man. During one of the toughest times, he extended kindness, conversed with me, and shared meals, even when I was scorned as a barbarian, without hesitation asking about my well-being. He was the person who offered me unconditional kindness. "Uncle Wang...?" Uncle Wang from the fabric shop. He was the previous Shadowless Divine Thief. --- **Terms Explanation:** 1. **Soyunsimsang Technique (소윤심상결):** A martial arts technique possibly related to internal energy manipulation. Interpreted as some kind of defensive or preparatory move. 2. **Jade Fan Protection (옥면호신공):** A technique suggesting a defensive maneuver akin to creating a shield or protective layer over oneself. 3. **Shadowless Illusion Technique (무영신법):** A term referring to a martial arts technique that involves swift, elusive movements, possibly avoiding direct confrontation with an unseen attack.