Chapter 182 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Chapter 182 - Venom Master - Part 3 Even the most skilled archer can tense up while the arrow is in flight, aimed at the target. There was no word from Hwarin for a day, then another. Could it be my guess was wrong? No. Surely, my sincerity had been conveyed. As I grew worried with each passing moment, good news finally came through. “We are past the critical danger.” The physician-in-charge approached me with the solemnity of a doctor emerging from surgery. “Truly?” “It appears either the Korean ginseng has significantly boosted her vitality, or, as a Venom Master, her physical abilities have soared remarkably.” Though it’s more thanks to the foreign devil with black hair than the ginseng, since both are made in Joseon, I decided to keep silent. “Phew. That is a relief.” I let go of the tension that had been taut for over three days and sank into the bed. “But an unexpected event has occurred.” The physician-in-charge tensioned the string of my anxiety anew with this twist. After saying that we were past the dangerous phase… “What happened?” “Normally, we would transform the remaining venom into pure venom while both the positive and negative venoms annihilate one another, but Hwarin is trying to form pure venom with even the yang and yin venoms that have yet to vanish.” “Isn’t that dangerous?” I thought there was only a chance of survival if she controlled the pure venom. “We were all tense for this reason, but she succeeded in forming the pure venom. She barely managed to keep the energies within her body under her control.” Has Hwarin’s fully restored body reached the point where she can even control the yang and yin within the venom? “Does this mean we’ve definitely avoided the worst-case scenario?” “Having formed the pure venom, she has all the internal energies under her control. Although it will take time, all we need to do now is wait for these venoms to merge into a perfect Venom Master.” “Then, that settles it.” This is an unexpected two-for-one bargain. A stroke of luck indeed. I'd worried unnecessarily. Once again, I sighed with relief. “Now you should get some sleep. I heard you haven't slept a wink in three days.” “I will try to get some rest now.” As soon I thought I could relax the tension, my head spun with dizziness. Can I really sleep? I don’t want to wake to unexpected news in the morning. “Tch. Seeing you like this, I doubt you'll be able to sleep properly until that child can stand on her own. I will also be able to take a breather, so come out to the training ground in front of here tomorrow.” In his fatigue, the physician-in-charge seemed to pity my hesitation to sleep and made the abrupt suggestion. “The training ground? Why do you want me to go there?” “For Hwarin, and for you as well, it is necessary. Just come.” Without answering my uncertain question, the physician-in-charge left my room, saying I would find out tomorrow. What on earth is he planning for tomorrow? ------------------ After barely sleeping a wink, I awoke in the morning to the physician-in-charge visiting again. “It will take several more days for Hwarin to turn all the venom into a pure Venom Master. During this time, you should learn martial arts.” As it was the training ground he was referring to, it was just as I expected. “That’s fine. I harbor no such thoughts as being constrained by the Tang Family.” The notion of family in the martial world stems from the common martial arts teachings. To survive, I must maintain a distance from the Tang Family—I have no intention of being further entangled by learning their martial arts. “Even though the blood of the Tang Family runs in you from birth, you balk at learning just one martial art. Even if you've renounced the rights to become the Family Head, everyone recognizes you from the Tang bloodline, so whether you learn martial arts or not changes nothing.” No, it's precisely because it doesn't run in me that I make this point. “Once Hwarin recovers, I'll be returning to the medical center. What martial arts could I possibly learn in the meantime?” Hwarin won’t remain in this state for a month or even a year; once she forms the pure venom, she'll go to Dasogak. What's the use of learning martial arts in such a short time? “......” “Physician-in-charge?” Why is he looking at me so woefully? Does he pity me for giving up and returning like that? Is it like trying to feed his grandson one more meal before sending him off after the holidays? It's none of his concern. “Ahem. If you happen to fall into misfortune, no matter how much you wish to distance yourself from the Tang Family, they will step in. If you don’t want to see such a situation, you might as well learn some self-defense." I’ll have Hwarin by my side, so why fear death? While I'd like to insist it does not concern me, considering Kang Yoonho's role as the illegitimate child of the Tang Family, outright refusal would be awkward. “Well, there have been those who’ve attempted to part my head from my shoulders.” Nodding, I accepted the suggestion. It seems I cannot simply ignore the persistent cajoling of the physician-in-charge. “Ha! After a night’s rest, your mouth is the first to recover, I see. Your worries for that child won’t change anything. Engage in martial arts training, get proper rest, and greet her with a healthy face once she awakens. Deputy!” “Hehe. I have been waiting for your command.” “Tang Party?” At the physician-in-charge's call, Tang Party appeared from somewhere with a suspicious smile. It’s good to see that Tang Party hasn’t been dismissed — Deputy Tang Party, that is. “I am grateful for the continuous opportunities to make amends for my mistakes. Thank you, Physician-in-Charge..” Tang Party looked at me with an emotional gaze. Don’t tell me Tang Party is going to teach me martial arts. “Tang Party, no, Deputy Tang Party. I have apologized, but let me say it once more…” “Kang Yoonho. I told you, I understand." “Ah, well then.” “Love is important, isn't it? Your mate matters more than the position of Family Head. But couldn't you spare a word for a loyal retainer? Do you know how much I've struggled?" I'm sorry. I am truly sorry. The grudge of Tang Party weighs heavy. “Tang Party!” The physician-in-charge shouted as Tang Party impulsively blurted out. “Eek! I apologize! Please, Physician-in-Charge! Spare my life! I will always be loyal! Loyalty! Loyalty! Loyalty!” “Cut the nonsense and just follow orders!” “Yes! I am forever the loyal servant of Physician-in-Charge! Tang Party! Loyalty! Loyalty! Loyalty!” Tang Party pledged his loyalty with the fervor of one willing to lick the physician-in-charge’s boots. Is this how someone who has strayed from their path should behave? It seems worth learning. “I’ll be on my way. Learn well.” “I’ll do my best.” “Haha, Sir Kang, I am aware that you spoke well of me to the physician-in-charge, and I'm embarrassed for the scene I caused earlier. It’s just a small knot of pettiness left in me, but rest assured, I understand rationally and emotionally, so please don’t worry.” I wish you could dissolve that knot as well. Tang Party, looking apologetic for his outburst earlier, repeatedly bowed his head as he spoke to me. “I understand.” Since I’m also sorry, I’ll not say more. "Since there isn't much time for extensive martial arts training, I intend to teach you the basics of Tang Family's hidden weapon techniques." Tang Party, as if he had never been emotional, earnestly began to explain the basics of the hidden weapons. Perhaps his rank had given him plenty of experience in teaching. “When opponents of greatly mismatched skills clash with swords, one side is bound to bleed. However, with hidden weapons, even if there's a disparity in skill, you only lose a single weapon. If it's a crisis, don't hesitate to throw.” Tang Party’s basic lecture, while not quite the level of an online one-hit wonder instructor, was coherent enough to earn a living teaching. “There’s a scarecrow over there. Pretend you have a hidden dagger in your sleeve, and try to throw it at that scarecrow. I’ll show you the most efficient motions, so please pay close attention.” “I’ll watch carefully.” After making sure I was focused, Tang Party took his stance on the shooting line, poised to throw a hidden weapon at the distant scarecrow, and began his throw with a shout. “Die! Traitor! I trusted you!” “Uh…” Rational and emotional understanding, he said. “See, when you throw a hidden weapon, you must always remain cool-headed. Success and failure depend on the sensitive feeling at your fingertips. You’ll fail if you get excited like I did!” Despite that, he could’ve killed a hero with seven lives four times over, the way he hit the head, throat, heart, and stomach. “Sir Kang, since you’ve not learned the internal energy cultivation methods of the Tang Family, you can’t learn their advanced martial arts. But if you learn the right direction, force, and moment to throw from me, you'll have no trouble mastering the hidden weapon technique for self-defense. Here, take this hidden dagger and give it a try.” “Thank you.” “First, try throwing it, and once you get a feel for it, I’ll also teach you how to use your energy. Although you haven't learned the Tang Family's internal energy methods, just knowing how to use your energy will make no significant difference in the basics of the hidden weapon technique.” Receiving the hidden dagger from Tang Party, I positioned myself on the shooting line where the scarecrow was visible. It reminds me of grenade throwing training. Seeing me appear tense, Tang Party continued. “There’s no need to be nervous. Just focus on the target at the center and perform the series of movements you practiced as one smooth flow. Initially, it’d be a miracle just for the dagger to fly towards the scarecrow, so don’t be too hard on yourself.” Easier said than done. Focus on the center, and release it in one flow, like flicking a switch. “I will try.” With a crisp sound, the hidden dagger struck the scarecrow's head. Oh! Did I succeed on the first try? A surge of confidence allowed me to sequentially throw the two hidden daggers I had, which consecutively struck the targeted scarecrow. This is going better than I thought. 一 Clap, clap, clap! Upon my successive success, I heard clapping from several people behind me. Are they members of the medical corps? Turning back, I saw medical corps members and a few unfamiliar faces looking at the training ground. “Quite impressive, isn’t it?” “No? To perform hidden weapon technique to that extent without utilizing internal energy?” “Indeed worthy of being the Tang Family Head's child.” “How deeply does the Tang Family blood run? To achieve consecutive success from that distance.” No, while traveling through the Central Plains, I’d often thrown stones and the like at local troublemakers. Moreover, the internal cultivation method I'm learning relates to ascension arts. Since I'm trained in the Soyun Heart Technique, my physical abilities have significantly improved. Feeling slightly embarrassed by the distant praises, I bowed my head once and turned to look at Tang Party, who was wearing a surprised expression. “Indeed, as someone bearing the blood of the Tang Family Head. I thought just hitting the scarecrow once would be enough for today, but with your performance, I’ll teach you the application technique involving consecutive strikes.” As if suddenly realizing the difference owing to me being the Tang Family Head's child, Tang Party taught me the next hidden weapon technique with a bright face. The hidden weapon technique seems more useful for self-defense than I expected. ------------------------- While waiting for news of Hwarin, I devoted several days to practicing the hidden weapon technique. It was only the basic methodologies, akin to throwing a basic fastball or a curveball in baseball, but even the basics of the Tang Family's hidden weapon technique seemed useful in combat situations. “Hwarin. Wake up soon.” Hwarin, you need to wake up healthy and return to the medical center. They say we're past the crisis, but waiting like this feels like being outside the operating room, anticipating news about a critical patient. Plus, if too much time passes, unexpected variables can arise. “Is Sir Kang there?” I was sitting by the window, feeling heavy-hearted while looking in Hwarin’s direction, when a skilled warrior from the Tang Family I recognized approached me. “What brings you here?” It wasn't even daytime but late evening. "Sir Kang, the Tang Family Head summons you discreetly."