Chapter 240 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Not getting tired of drinking, are you?" It was a dazzling night in Uichang. I reeked of alcohol and dragged my weary body towards Daseogak. I wasn’t drinking with good company, nor was it a work dinner. It felt like my body was wasting away from trying to appease some spoiled young master every night with alcohol. Is there no elixir like some miraculous Dan medicine? Now I understand why the reclusive sales executives at the company are treated with such high regard. Catering to clients every year and earning millions in profit must be no ordinary feat. Should I buy some good hangover medicine? Just as I pondered this and neared Daseogak, a figure suddenly blocked my path. "Ah! Miss Hayeon! What brings you here?" Why would she be in front of Daseogak at this hour? A woman coming to a man at night alone—she's either here to kidnap him out of infatuation or a thief trying to steal something valuable. Since the former is unlikely, it must be the latter. "Why are you so late? Here, take this." Im Hayeon handed me a small wooden object. "A pigeon and a birdhouse?" What she gave me was a birdhouse containing a white pigeon. Where have I seen this pigeon before? "It's a homing pigeon. If you leave the window open on the third floor, the homing pigeon will fly around." "A Haomun homing pigeon? Why not just send a person instead of this tedious method?" "It's not Haomun's homing pigeon, it's mine." "Huh? Now that I look closely, it seems familiar." I realized it was the same homing pigeon I saw during the Muyoung Shinyu episode. A pigeon with white feathers and a few blue-tinged ones on its head. "Is that man also raising it? These homing pigeons are used to gather information discreetly during covert operations. When bred and raised using the Shinyu’s secret techniques, they can understand human speech." Im Hayeon took the white pigeon out of the birdhouse and put on a little show. "Coo coo!" The homing pigeon perched on various parts of her body as she moved her hands, flew around, and then landed back on her outstretched hand. Moreover, when she said a few words, the pigeon performed some amazing flights or even brought back twigs as a trick. "Wow. Where do I pay for this?" So, it’s not just a white chicken but a spiritual creature. I clapped in amazement and asked. "Huh?" Was this a free show? "I see. It’s like a crafted spiritual creature. But why bring your own homing pigeon here?" "Because of you!" Im Hayeon glared at me with a look of frustration. "Because of me?" "The branch manager at the Wusan branch threw a fit, saying he had nothing to gain from this task! I was taking care of the homing pigeons he sent, but now he's demanding I take them back." The homing pigeon apparently belonged to the Wusan branch and could accurately fly long distances, from Wusan to Uichang, which took days by boat. The homing pigeons in this martial arts world are indeed next level. "So, there wasn't enough profit from the markup fees?" "Seems like it. Leave the window open for a few days so the pigeon remembers the house, then take it to the Haomun communication center. They'll handle the information exchange themselves." Im Hayeon briefly explained how to feed and take care of the pigeon. Given her situation, she was probably asking for a temporary guardian. "I don't even know who’s Haomun. Can’t you do it yourself, Miss Hayeon?" "I can't afford to be seen near Haomun’s communication center." At my oblivious remark, Im Hayeon frowned slightly. Ah, she’s a runaway courtesan. Going to Haomun could get her caught if someone recognizes her from wanted posters. "I understand. By the way, does this pigeon have a name? Qia? Heavenly Blue Bird? Red Falcon? Iron Face?" "Nothing fancy. It understands human speech, so just call it whatever you want." She sounded a bit condescending, as if she found my question ridiculous. I stared at the pigeon with the blue feathers on its head for a while. Speaking of martial arts dreams, it's all about traveling the Jianghu with a falcon on your shoulder and a sword by your side. But I'm not a martial artist, and this isn't a noble falcon, so your name is decided. "Alright. From today, your name is Gugu (Sentence Pigeon)." Since you live in Daseogak, you’ll be the "Sentence Pigeon." "Isn't that a bit too casual?" Clearly, she didn't appreciate the long-standing cultural significance of the name. Gugu. Now that you have a name, let’s see some tricks. I placed the pigeon on my hand and pointed at Im Hayeon, commanding, "Go! Gugu! Body slam! Come on! Body slam!! Can't do it? Then lightning strike!" "Coo coo!" Gugu stared at me with an expression that made me believe animals could indeed roll their eyes. "Haa. What is this? I didn’t teach it that." Sometimes I think she's like a child. Im Hayeon muttered as she looked at me. What? So, it doesn’t know anything funny? I got my hopes up for nothing. You’ll just remain a nameless pigeon. "I’ll keep it well. Thanks for the trouble so late at night." Thanks to Im Hayeon’s performance, the alcohol buzz had faded a bit. I said this as I held the birdhouse and placed the pigeon on my head. Im Hayeon simply stared at me in silence. Aren't you leaving? Or is it a big deal to put the pigeon on my head? Or do you have more to say? As I looked at her curiously, Im Hayeon hesitated and finally spoke. "…I heard you told a courtesan not to sit beside you?" "Who told you that?" "Why did you do that?" To avoid potential mistakes. The Haomun agents wouldn’t consider only Jeong Ilsan’s information critical. They’d remember any drunk confessions I made, too. Whether it’s the Reverse Heavens Society, the Moyong Clan, Heaven’s Kill Sanctuary, Poison Sect, Sichuan Tang Clan, or the Justice Brush—it’s critical to protect many secrets. Putting a Haomun agent beside me when there's a risk of losing self-control due to alcohol is not wise. "Cold wine should be enjoyed with sight and sound alone. Just drink and have fun. There’s no need to force another courtesan to sit beside you." Honestly, there was no need to be so upfront. I donned the demeanor of a virtuous scholar, as if I had no choice but to indulge in drinking and revelry. "I heard some courtesans wished to sit next to you." Im Hayeon pointed out with a somewhat pouted expression. How did even that information reach her ears? "We have other objectives. Plus, I don't want rumors spreading about Kang Yoon-ho of Daseogak shirking his duties to hang out with courtesans." Having information leak to the Tang Clan is already risky; the courtesans’ establishment is even more dangerous. I shrugged my shoulders, speaking nonchalantly like someone who doesn't covet unnecessary things. "So, it's not that you dislike mingling with lowly women?" How could she interpret it like that? "What color is my hair?" “……” That seemed to have answered her question. "I’ll be heading in now." Even I get exhausted from working all day and then entertaining drunk clients till late at night. Just as office workers exercise to survive, I need to train in martial arts just to keep going. Leaving the speechless Im Hayeon behind, I opened the door to Daseogak. I should get to bed right away. Just as I was carefully closing the door, I heard Im Hayeon's faint voice through the gap. “…Weird guy.” A while later, an incompetent homing pigeon that couldn’t even perform a body slam flew into Daseogak. ----- "The printing press has been allocated to Daseogak." The operation was a success. With a bid only slightly higher than Mangum Bookstore's, Daseogak secured the printing press. We got two presses for the price of one. "What!" "Yayyy!" At the official's declaration, one side was aghast while the other erupted in applause. "You! Didn't you say you were giving up?" Jeon Gil-san stormed toward me, on the verge of throwing a fit, and shouted. "I never once said I was giving up." Think carefully. I dodged the questions subtly and ambiguously. I appreciated your complacency. Your bodyguards were drinking leisurely at the courtesans’ house, making it easy for me to sneak in the bid. "Even while sharing drinks with me, you were plotting! You deceived me?!" "In business, one must be able to wield a blade without an edge with a friend and raise a glass even with an enemy." Addressing Jeon Gil-san, whose face looked like it was about to explode, I spoke in a cold tone. Who told you to let your guard down? If you're here to work, you should work. Why would you stupidly drink and reveal your bid price? "How dare you!!! An uncivilized brute trying to lecture me!" I smirked, raising one corner of my mouth as I continued. "Oh! Ho-pil also has a message for you. He said he won't associate with a pathetic amateur who judges people by their hair color and can’t even do his job properly." "You—you!!!" "And hearing my friend’s words, I realized something. I am indeed the most suitable person to run Daseogak." With arms outstretched, I shrugged my shoulders, smiling at the furious Jeon Gil-san. Realizing he had been completely outwitted, Jeon Gil-san saw my victorious grin and, with a face flushed red, roared, "A black-haired barbarian as the manager of Daseogak? Insolent! The granddaughter of Baek Family, maybe, but not a black-haired barbarian! If you bleed in the streets of Uichang, do you think anyone would care?!" This guy really crossed the line. Ever since arriving in Uichang, overstepping bounds has been his norm. Intimidating competitors with a knife, bribing officials—of course it would be easy for this thug to threaten someone's life in a fair business competition. Yeah, you’re not just any third-rate thug. You're a privileged scion of a powerful conglomerate. Who can stop the things you do? Getting rid of one mere "barbarian" silently would be simple for you. After all, Jeon Gil-san of Mangum Bookstore is someone who can overstep bounds at will. But you know, You're not the only one who can cross lines. "Do you know who you’re talking to right now?" "Why is a martial artist from the Sichuan Tang Clan here?" I also have a way to cross the lines I've been guarding.