Chapter 186 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Chapter 186 - The Poison Master - 7 "Hwa Rin, are you alright?" My bewilderment at Hwa Rin's sudden arrival was pushed aside as I inquired after her well-being, scanning her up and down. Could she really be alright? The sight of Hwa Rin before me belied my concerns; she looked perfectly fine. Just like when we last parted, her skin was clear, showing no signs of illness. "Yep! I'll be waiting outside. So come out when you're ready." With a cheerful response, Hwa Rin left the room. "What's going on?" Reality felt like a dream. If the cold breeze from the window hadn't reminded me of the winter air, I might have believed I was dreaming. Just until yesterday, visitors were not permitted. What’s happening? I feel disoriented. It's as if I've stumbled upon a scene where a beauty appears out of nowhere amidst a hail of bullets, opens the door of a convertible, and suggests that if I want to survive, I should get in. Could someone be disguised as Hwa Rin? "Yoon Ho!" While I was lost in thought, Hwa Rin opened the door and popped her head in to call me. "Huh?" "Dress up, since we're going out! Don't just throw something on! Look sharp!" Considering that she knows I usually dress casually, it must be Hwa Rin. "Did you get that?" I had no other choice but to nod to Hwa Rin's question. ------- "It'll be okay." "……Yes." After receiving help from the stable hands, I came dressed and found Hwa Rin in a conversation with Doctor Yi at a distance. So Doctor Yi made it possible to meet with Hwa Rin. I suppose I owe him thanks for his efforts. "Eat this." "Yes." "I've said it a few times already..." "Medicine? Hwa Rin! Are you sick? Have you not fully recovered yet?" Approaching them, I saw Hwa Rin accepting and consuming herbal medicine from Doctor Yi. Is her condition still not good? With a worried expression, I asked Hwa Rin. "It’s, it’s not that." Hwa Rin, why do you avert your gaze slightly? Seems like you're hiding something. "It's not 'not that'. You can't even talk straight." "She has just woken up not too long ago. Some after-effects remain in her body, so she's taking medicine. Don't worry too much." Doctor Yi, sensing that I was on the verge of interrogating Hwa Rin, stepped between us with soothing words. "Hwa Rin, should we relax a little longer before going out? There's no need to rush today." Hwa Rin lost consciousness for an extended period and woke up to immediately consume the antidote provided by the Lord of the Masked Faces. Fortunately, she recovered as a Poison Master, but she still spent several days in convalescence without any movement. Even patients with bodies like masses of muscle become frail and gaunt after being bedridden for a long time. So Hwa Rin, despite her martial arts training, couldn't possibly be in her best condition. "No!" "Why not?" Wow, what a shock. Hwa Rin yelled out with a surprised look on her face. "I, I want to go out now." Her eyes meeting mine, Hwa Rin's gaze trembled. "The medicine will work. I assure you." If Doctor Yi assures it, maybe it will be alright. "Then let's go." "Yes!" Joy returned to Hwa Rin's face at the prospect of leaving. "The carriage and coachman are ready, so you may leave whenever you like." Doctor Yi indicated to the luxurious carriage in front of us, informing us that it was ready for our departure. Isn't this carriage a bit too fancy? Just from the outside, it looks incredibly expensive. Carefully opening the door to the carriage, the inside was just as lavish. Hwa Rin must be surprised too. "Make sure to return before nightfall." Turning my head, I saw Doctor Yi speaking to Hwa Rin, reminding her like a father figure imposing a curfew on his daughter. Not as if the carriage is Cinderella's pumpkin carriage meant to vanish, and we're bound to return eventually, but why the pressing reminders? And according to what my friends have told me, history can be made just as well without the cover of night. "……Yes." With a determined look on her face, Hwa Rin met my gaze, nodded, and climbed into the carriage. ----------------- I am anxious. Hwa Rin doesn't appear to be sick, and judging from her high spirits, it seems she has fully recovered. Her skin is clear too. But something nagged at my heart. Perhaps it was the fleeting uncertainty in Doctor Yi's eyes as he saw us off, or something about Hwa Rin's demeanor that seemed evasive. Am I being hypersensitive? "Yoon Ho. Will you just keep looking at me like a dead man?" Perhaps Hwa Rin felt uncomfortable with my silent stares from the carriage. "Hwa Rin, that's." "And if you're going to keep looking at me, don't you have something to say?" "Hwa Rin, safe return…" "Something else!" I thought she wanted to skip the dramatically heartfelt farewells, but maybe I was wrong. Hwa Rin looked into my eyes with an expectant smile, awaiting my words. What did she want to hear? Seeing my hesitation, Hwa Rin lifted her chin slightly with a touch of frustration. Ah-ha, "Your face has cleared up. I'm really happy for you, Hwa Rin." "It's close, but that's not it!" This time, Hwa Rin playfully showed off the outfit she was wearing, as if to draw attention to it. By this point, even someone as clueless as I would realize what Hwa Rin wants to hear. "Hwa Rin. You look beautiful today." "Hmm? What did you say?" A blush bloomed on Hwa Rin's face. Correct answer. Even though she heard it, Hwa Rin, unable to hide her smile, urged me to repeat my words. "You're beautiful. Hwa Rin." "Again. Again, tell me again." Why act so shy? "You could rival the beauties of Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diaochan, and Yang Yuhuan. Indeed, the foremost beauty of the Four Rivers must refer to Miss Hwa Rin of Tang." Like an actor on stage professing love, I playfully boasted to Hwa Rin in a theatrical tone. "Keke! You're crazy! Seriously!" Tickled by my playful words, Hwa Rin repeatedly jabbed me with her elbow. "Ouch!" Even if it’s in jest, that hurts, Hwa Rin. "We've arrived." Unconcerned with our antics, the coachman informed us in a mechanical voice that we’d reached the market Hwa Rin had desired to visit. "Keke. Young Master Kang, it is an honor to bestow upon you the chance to accompany the unparalleled beauty of the Four Rivers." Hwa Rin, as if she had become the unrivaled beauty of the Four Rivers herself, extended her hand to me with noble eloquence. "It's my honor." I have to play along with this. "Are they from the Tang family of the Four Rivers?" "What's happening at the market?" Is it the feeling of watching a luxury limousine stop by the market? As I took Hwa Rin's hand and opened the carriage door, murmuring from the crowd began to hum around us as they took notice of the carriage. "Yoon Ho." Hwa Rin's voice trembled with unease. Her face was set rigid with tension. "Yes?" "I… It’s my first time going out without my veil. You’ll need to lead me properly. You got that?" As Hwa Rin stepped out of the carriage, her face may have healed, but she hung her head low. Her hand, holding onto me tightly, was shaking uncontrollably. What was I worried about? As soon as she could, Hwa Rin came running to me. Now is not the time to cast away thoughts and worry. Now is the time to enjoy a healthy Hwa Rin’s company. My anxieties are for the future. The anxiety Hwa Rin feels now is something I must protect her from. To comfort her, I held her hand tightly and spoke. "Just trust me." ------------------------ "I feel like people are staring at me. I’m worried that I might not be completely healed." As I wrapped my arm around her, Hwa Rin's unease diminished, but she couldn't stop glancing around nervously. Hwa Rin. It's no illusion that the people around us are looking at you. Now that her skin has cleared up, any passing man would give Hwa Rin a glance that could stun. And even if they recover from the initial shock, a downward look might just freeze their lower half in place. Hwa Rin is like a walking red light. I reassured her that people were staring because she was beautiful, but Hwa Rin still clung tighter to my arm when people approached. Of course, the sensation became more intense the closer she held on. Her continued unease seemed almost agreeable now. "Let's start at the acrobat troupe. People will be too busy watching the acrobats to focus on you." "Hmm." Coincidentally, a traveling circus troupe had set up at the market. "How can a person's arms stretch like that?" "A elephant! Is it from the Heavenly Pillar?" "That’s the Heavenly Pillar's martial art! Yoga Fire!" Impressive. Of course, martial arts in this world make acrobatic movements relatively easier, but the acrobats’ feats were amazing enough to leave both Hwa Rin and me gaping in awe. Just as martial artists might fight in mixed martial arts tournaments while others perform, the troupe specialized in entertaining the audience. "Was it fun?" As the performance ended, we began to exchange impressions over street food purchased from a roadside stall. "Yes! But the orators weren’t as good as Yoon Ho. Keke." Seemingly entertained as well, Hwa Rin answered with a bright face, her anxiety seemingly washed away. "Of course, I’m the best at being an orator." Orator Kang Yoon Ho could have joined the acrobats and unraveled tales to become their ace, but I’m a kind writer who also thinks about the employment rate amongst troupes, so I refrained. “Right. It seems like it would be difficult to follow Yoon Ho in the discipline of Yogabal." "That was it." "Keke. Are you disappointed? The stories are better when Yoon Ho tells them." "No, what’s there to be disappointed about? But can you really give that much money?" As the acrobats’ performance ended, Hwa Rin pulled out an amount from her pouch that even took me by surprise and tossed it their way. It must have been substantial, as all the members of the troupe thanked her. After my question, Hwa Rin looked at me for a moment, then laughed before responding. "We. We could barely make it to Yichang doing oratory. Thanks to that, we're here now. We've received help, so it's not right to only take without giving." Dazzling. Though some might feel they need to look away from her newly beautiful face, this young lady was not the type to covertly amass wealth; instead, she lived generously. "Here are your red bean fish-shaped cakes and your cream-filled ones. I’ve also included two extra burnt ones as a service for the wait." "Thank you." I was going to say something to the person behind us for talking, but let it slide since we got extra. We sat down in a spot away from the passing crowd and began to eat the fish-shaped cakes. Delicious. Indeed, red bean cakes are a must in the cold winter. I wonder if Hwa Rin likes them. Turning to look, she was cautiously nibbling at the cake as if careful not to make a mess. "Why are you eating like a prude? Does it not taste good?" "No!" "You must be hungry. Go on, eat your fill." After my words, Hwa Rin nodded and without further hold-up, she gobbled up the cream and red bean fillings in one go. It seems she approves of the Korean winter soul food, the fish-shaped cakes. I didn't expect her to eat my portion as well. "Yoon Ho. I’ve wanted to try this kind of food." Noticing that the paper bag was now empty, Hwa Rin quietly spoke to me. "Have you never had fish-shaped cakes before?" In this world, surely fish-shaped cakes aren't a Sichuan specialty. "No. I just wanted to try common street food." Ah. For Hwa Rin, who has spent her life veiled, street food posed a challenging endeavor. "I wanted to try street food, but if I sent someone to get it, it would go cold. Other kids my age get to wander the market, laughing and chatting while eating. I couldn't even enjoy those simple pleasures." "Don't start feeling down now." "Let’s often enjoy these together from now on." Taking Hwa Rin's hand tight, I assured her with comforting words. “…….” Hwa Rin looked at me silently. "Hwa Rin?" What's wrong? "Forget it! I’ll get fat!" With that playful retort, Hwa Rin brushed off my hand, laughing. Right, I just have to play along with her. ----- To satisfy Hwa Rin's long-held desires, I bought her various street foods she was fond of. After which, she led me into a store that sold stationery goods. "Why do you want to buy this kind of thing?" "You have to buy good ones so they last long. Does it make sense for the best-selling author in Yichang to use cheap stationery?" "I just need to write. Besides, I can buy them when I return to Yichang anyway." "… I want to buy them for you now. Shopkeeper, please bring out your finest items." "Ah! It's Miss Hwa Rin. I had heard from the Tang family of the Four Rivers that you would be visiting. I will bring out some very fine items that even the Head of the Tang household uses." "Hwa Rin, you can tell at a glance these items are too extravagant…" What the shopkeeper laid out were stationery items so fine that even a beginner could tell they were of premium quality. This young lady... even if she tightened her belt financially, it wouldn't be enough. I had forgotten that Hwa Rin is recognized as a young lady from a wealthy family in Daeheung County. Hwa Rin, I also know the high quality goods by Sha, Lu, and Gu. But we're in debt at Daso Pavilion, and with it being closed, we're cut off from any income. Since it seems like we're heading towards becoming not just a business partnership but fate partners, I have to say something. As I was about to speak to Hwa Rin, she covered my mouth, revealing the most crucial fact. "The money I'm spending today is given by the Tang family of the Four Rivers." "Shopkeeper!" "Yes?" "Do you have something even better than these common items?" You know, like an heirloom masterpiece handed down from a craftsman's grandfather's grandfather. Bring out the most valuable one!